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THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SHAWWAL 26, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Speaker calls for Gulf Bank Foreign food Scandal Arab parliament records an chains brave threatens FINA meeting over increase of 10% risks for a on eve of Al-Aqsa2 in17 net profit bite29 of Iran world16 champs Authorities call for info Min 31º Max 49º on absconding convicts High Tide 07:50 & 22:12 Low Tide Tabtabaei urges emergency session over pro-Iran cell 01:55 & 15:33 32 PAGES NO: 17284 150 FILS

By B Izzak Quartet swaps 13 KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry yesterday said that anyone withholding information on the whereabouts of convicts Qatar demands involved in the “Abdaly terror cell” should contact author- ities immediately or face legal repercussions. A statement with 6 principles provided by the ministry urged anyone with information on the criminals to come forward and contact 112, after UNITED NATIONS: Four Arab nations that cut ties authorities “received evidence that some of the convicts with Qatar urged the Gulf nation Tuesday to commit Abdulridha Dahqan Mustafa Khan Mohammad Al-Husainy Jaafar Jamal Hussein Al-Bathar are at large”. to six principles on combatting extremism and ter- The interior ministry published the pictures of 14 rorism and negotiate a plan with specific measures members of the 26-member cell who are absconding. It to implement them - a step that could pave the way also published the pictures of two of three other mem- for an early resolution of the crisis. Saudi Arabia, the bers who had been at large since the cell was busted in United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain broke Aug 2015. The ministry said in a statement that according diplomatic relations with Qatar in early June largely to its records, the 14 men had not left the country from over their allegations that it supports terrorist and regular exit terminals. Local newspapers had reported extremist groups - a charge Qatar rejects. They ini- that the men fled to Iran by sea. tially made 13 demands, which Qatar also dismissed. “We call on all citizens and residents to cooperate Saudi Arabia’s UN Ambassador Abdallah Al- Hassan Al-Attar Hashem Ali Essa Baqer Ali Abdulrahim Abbas Al-Mousawi with security forces and provide any information they Mouallimi told a briefing for a group of UN corre- spondents that the four nations are now committed might have,” the statement noted. The ministry warned to the six principles agreed to by their foreign min- “all those who conceal any information on the convicts isters at a meeting in Cairo on July 5, and hope or are complicit in helping them escape will face incar- Qatar will support them as well. The principles ceration for two years and/or a fine of no more than KD include commitments to combat extremism and 1,000”. In Sept 2015, the public prosecution indicted a terrorism, prevent financing and safe havens for number of individuals for acts that threatened national such groups, and suspend all acts of provocation security and unity. The defendants were accused of pro- and speeches inciting hatred or violence. viding intelligence to Iran and Hezbollah as well as hous- Continued on Page 11 ing weapons, ammunition and communication devices. Abdulmohsen Dashti Yousef Ghathanfari Basel Dashti Mohammad Haji Hassan Jamal Continued on Page 11

French military chief resigns PARIS: France’s top military chief resigned yesterday the model of the armed forces that I think is necessary after a war of words with Emmanuel Macron over to guarantee the protection of France and the French budget cuts that posed the biggest test yet of the new people,” he said in a statement. General Francois president’s authority. The row between Macron and Lecointre, 55, currently the top military adviser to the General Pierre de Villiers erupted last week prime minister, was named as his replace- when the chief of staff told a parliamen- ment. At a weekly cabinet meeting Macron tary committee he would not allow the hailed de Villiers for his “remarkable service” armed forces to be “screwed” by the gov- and called Lecointre a “hero, who was rec- ernment’s plans to slash 850 million euros ognized as such in the army” for his service ($980 million) from this year’s budget. in the Balkans. The president promised to Macron, 39, slapped down the 60-year- hike the defense budget again in 2018. old five-star general in front of army chiefs Seen as one of the finest officers of his at their annual summer party, saying “I am generation, de Villiers’ departure met with the boss” and that he deeply regretted the howls of indignation from the opposition. budget dispute had been dragged into The leader of the hard-left France the “public sphere”. In a Sunday newspa- Unbowed, Jean-Luc Melenchon, called it Pierre de Villiers per interview, Macron said that if there an “enormous mistake” on Macron’s part. was a difference of opinion, “it is the chief of the De Villiers’ leaked remarks about the budget had been defense staff who will change his position”. De Villiers, made behind closed doors to a committee that expect- who had been in the job for three years and was highly ed him to “respond frankly”, Melenchon argued. Far- popular with the rank and file, said he had no choice right leader Marine Le Pen, whom Macron beat in the but to stand down. presidential run-off, said the French military “I no longer feel able to ensure the sustainability of Continued on Page 11 Can Trump save his presidency? WASHINGTON: Donald Trump’s first six months in the White House have been a riot of scandal, chaos and outrage that - absent a major course correction - could spell doom for his entire administration. All US presidents face crises that seem to sweep the White House from its moor- ings. Abraham Lincoln struggled through a bloody Civil War. Bill Clinton was humil- iated by muckraking investigations. Barack Obama took five months to plug a devastating oil spill and even longer to right the economy. But few presidents have caused such outrage or faced such a multitude of crises as Donald Trump has in his first six months. “To be consumed by scandal from day one is not good, no major legis- WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump leaves after speaking lation is not good, to have approval rat- during the first meeting of the Presidential Advisory Commission on ings that are so low and the potential for Election Integrity in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next Continued on Page 11 to the White House yesterday. — AFP Miniskirt video woman freed DUBAI: Saudi police have released without charge a The ministry said in a statement that the woman woman who was filmed in a miniskirt at a historic site had confessed to walking through the site in a skirt in the ultraconservative kingdom, the government with her hair uncovered but that the footage had said yesterday. The ministry of information said police been uploaded without her knowledge. Women are had released the woman Tuesday night and the pros- required to wear long black abaya robes and cover ecutor had closed the case. their hair in public in most of Saudi Arabia, which has Police said Tuesday they were questioning the some of the world’s harshest restrictions on women. woman after she appeared in a series of videos, initial- The kingdom does not allow women to drive and ly posted to messaging app Snapchat, wearing a crop requires them to be accompanied or given written top and a high-waisted miniskirt. She had been filmed permission by a male relative - usually a father, hus- walking through the historic fort of Ushaiqer, north of band or brother - to study, work or travel. The videos Riyadh, and playing with sand in the dunes. The sparked heated debate among social media users in videos were uploaded over the weekend to the the region and beyond on questions of gender and “Model Khulood” Snapchat account. rights in the kingdom. — AFP THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 LOCAL

CBK organizes educational activities at That Al-Salasil

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) announced its cooperation with That Al-Salasil book- store for organizing an exciting educational and cul- tural event exclusively for My First Account holders aged five to 14 years old at its branch in Avenues Mall. The event meant to encourage kids to read more and highlight importance of reading in devel- oping and upgrading the culture and general knowl- edge of kids. The event will include numerous fun and educational activities like bookstore tour, story- telling and crafts, in addition to games and competi- tions and giveaways. The activities will be held every Wednesday and Thursday for three weeks starting from 26 July to 10 August with both morning and evening timings available. KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Parents and guardians can register their kids with the visiting Sultan ul-Bohra Dr Mufaddal Saifuddin.— Amiri Diwan photos National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. through the CBK website under the ‘Promotions sec- tion’ and will be contacted shortly by the bank to choose day and timing preferable to them or they may contact the bank’s Call Center. It is worth to Amir receives Sultan ul-Bohra mention that My First Account is a savings account designed for children from birth to 14 years old. The account contributes in a perfect way for parents who want to secure a better future for their children and His Highness congratulates Kuwaiti athlete saving money for them from an early age.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Zaid and Essa Al-Zankawi, Khaled Al- Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Subaie, who bagged a silver medal, received at Bayan Palace yesterday the bronze medal winners Fajer Mandani visiting Sultan ul-Bohra Dr Mufaddal and Nadia Al-Haqan, as well as the Saifuddin and an accompanying dele- bronze-winning quartet of Yaqoub Al- gation. The meeting was attended by Yoha, Mishal Al-Mutairi, Abdulaziz Advisor at Amiri Diwan Mohammad Qarainis and Hussein Al-Sheeha, were Dhaif Alla Sharar. Meanwhile, His the recipients of His Highness the Highness the Amir received at Bayan Amir’s cables. Palace National Assembly Speaker In his cables, His Highness the Amir Marzouq Al-Ghanem, as well as Acting wished the competitors success in Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh their careers, saying that such accom- Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. plishments would propel Kuwait to the In other news, His Highness the upper echelons of sports. His Highness Amir sent cables to a bevy of Kuwaiti the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- athletes, congratulating them on their Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His successful outings during the Arab Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Athletics Championship recently held Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Acting in Tunisia. Gold medalists Majid Al- sent similar cables. —KUNA Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Kuwait to host EU-GCC energy event in October

Gas production will rise to 510 million cubic feet

BRUSSELS: A two-day event on best practices and lessons including energy authorities and “Energy Efficiency: A Key Driver learned and to advance collabo- policy makers. for Clean Energy Transition” will ration between EU and GCC take place in Kuwait, on October actors. Gas production 2-3 under the patronage of The EU-GCC Clean Energy In other news, Marzouq Minister of Oil and Minister of Network initiated its activities in announced that Kuwait Electricity and Water Essam Al- 2010, as a response to the com- Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Marzouq. It is organized by the mon EU-GCC interest for strategic its affiliates plan to ratchet up European Union and the Gulf clean energy cooperation. The free gas production capacity to Cooperation Council (EU-GCC) Network aims to catalyse and 510 million cubic feet and KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets with the Mexican Clean Energy Technology coordinate cooperation on clean increase light oil output to 200 Ambassador to Kuwait Miguel Angel Isidro. — KUNA Network in partnership with the energy, including policy and thousand barrels per day (bpd) by Kuwait Society of Engineers and technology aspects among stake- December. Oil Minister Essam Al-Marzouq Ghanem calls for emergency the Public Authority of Applied holders in the EU and GCC coun- Speaking to the press, reputable gas exploration and Education and Training, said the tries. In December 2015, the EU Marzouq said that capacity would production companies to help AIPU session on Al-Aqsa Mosque organizers in a press release. launched the second phase of the be enhanced through three pro- meet the country’s rising need of The aim of the event is to fos- “EU-GCC Clean Energy Network II” duction units to be configured natural gas, as temperatures soar KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker the Israeli occupying forces at Al-Aqsa ter partnerships by bringing project aiming at further devel- soon, all of which will churn out during the summer. He added Marzouq Al-Ghanem received at his Mosque, preventing Palestinian’s from together high-level stakeholders oping the activities of the 100 cubic feet of free gas and that Kuwait, through cooperation office yesterday the Mexican entering the site to perform prayers, from the EU and the six-member Network and at supporting its 40,000 bpd of light oil. Marzouq, with staunch ally Saudi Arabia, Ambassador to Kuwait Miguel Angel Ghanem asked for an emergency meet- GCC to discuss Energy Efficiency mid-term sustainability. The who doubles as Minister of was “eager to develop its gas Isidro. MP Nayef Al-Merdas Al-Ajmi ing of the AIPU in Morocco or at the Arab and Cooling Technologies suit- Network targets stakeholders Electricity and Water, pointed out fields in order to boost produc- attended the meeting. League the headquarters in Cairo “as able for the region, exchange from both the GCC and the EU, that Kuwait has collaborated with tion capacity.”—KUNA Separately, Ghanem has called for an soon as possible,” the letter reads. emergency session for the Arab Inter- The session aims to discuss the haz- Parliamentary Union (AIPU) on the ongo- ardous escalating situation in Jerusalem, ing escalation in Jerusalem, and the and to agree on political, diplomatic and ‘KAFO’ meets youth aspirations: Advisor Israeli violation of Al-Aqsa Mosque sanc- popular moves on the Arab, Islamic, con- tity. Ghanem made the call in a letter to tinental and international levels to KUWAIT: ‘KAFO’ is a national e-platform that such projects by giving young teachers the AIPU President Habib El Malki, who is strongly press the occupation authorities enables the search, connection and collabora- opportunity to develop the educational sys- also Speaker of the Moroccan House of to stop their unjust practices that run tion among achievers in Kuwait for better tem. In the meantime, General Coordinator of Representatives. against all international and human laws future opportunities, building networks for the project Dr Fatma Al-Mousawi said the Due to the continued violations by and norms, Ghanem noted.— KUNA knowledge sharing and communities around main goal of the meeting is to introduce the common interests, an official said. project and facilitate the process of identify- Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of ing the official website in its experimental the Kuwait Achievers for Future Opportunities phase before the official launch in October Pakistan backs Amir’s (KAFO) Project Dr Youssef Al-Ibrahim noted this year. that the project was developed to meet youth “Our aim also is to hear and gather more efforts to end Gulf crisis aspirations as per the recommendations of opinions and comments about the website the National Youth Project, which was initiat- for the development of the project before the ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister the Amir, and said Pakistan supports ed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah official launch,” she pointed out. The database Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday these “sincere efforts,” according to an Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah in 2013 as a nation- will focus on six electronic communities in the wide campaign to outreach youth and fields of sports, media, culture, arts, science Education Dr Mohammad Al-Faris speaks to expressed his country’s support of His official statement. “Pakistan maintains reporters. Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh close, friendly and cooperative relations involve them in national development plans. and technology, as well as food. — KUNA Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s with all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Ibrahim, Advisor at the Amiri Diwan, said efforts to resolve the Gulf crisis. This countries and is concerned at the recent his remarks during a seminar to introduce the came during talks in Islamabad with the crisis in Middle East,” added the state- project. The main objective of KAFO is to have visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh ment. Furthermore, Sharif said that access to Kuwaiti achievers and talents Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Pakistan wishes to see a diplomatic solu- through a platform that can display their The foreign minister briefed the pre- tion to the problem between brotherly efforts and empower them to attain more and mier on Qatar’s response to the demands Islamic countries. Meanwhile, the Qatari collaborate with others. “They are the real of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and minister expressed his gratitude to the assets of Kuwait and the hope for its future,” Egypt and the current status of media- prime minister for the warm reception he said. Ibrahim hoped the project would cre- tion efforts pursued by His Highness the and reiterated Qatar’s desire to further ate self-renewing energy in the Kuwaiti youth Amir. The prime minister appreciated the enhance bilateral relations between the to push them with economic activities and “sagacity and wisdom” of His Highness two countries. — KUNA voluntary work that have always character- ized the Kuwaiti personality. Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Mohammad Arab League chief denounces Al-Faris said that KAFO includes a large seg- ment of young people, which requires build- Israeli measures in Jerusalem ing a database for them to facilitate the search process for their competencies. The CAIRO: Arab League Secretary General Friday, preventing Palestinian worshippers existence of a database for young people to Ahmad Abul-Gheit yesterday denounced from entering and performing prayers in Al- identify their potential is very important to the Israeli violence and arbitrary measures Aqsa. These measures constitute obvious help them in projects and action teams, in against Palestinians in the occupied violation of the international human rights addition to supporting and developing their Jerusalem, especially in the vicinity of Al- law, and will only lead to further tension and abilities, Minister Faris said. Aqsa Mosque. In a statement, Abul-Gheit fueling of conditions in the city, in addition Kuwait’s youth are its real wealth and the demanded the Israelis to immediately stop to provoking Muslims’ feelings, Abul-Gheit all bring to a halt all such practices and said. He noted that the measures will leave support of His Highness the Amir for these measures, and to fully respect the sanctity of their positive implications on any opportu- projects is a clear evidence that Kuwait’s the Mosque. He warned against the gravity nities for a political settlement between future lays within youth, Faris noted, adding KUWAIT: Officials attend a seminar to introduce ‘KAFO’; a national e-platform that enables the of the escalating Israel has been taking since Israel and the Palestinians. — KUNA that the Ministry of Education will support search, connection and collaboration among achievers in Kuwait. — KUNA THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 LOCAL Crime Report

Mentally ill man murders his mother in Zahra

KUWAIT: A female citizen was killed by her psychologi- cally disturbed son. The body was recovered by the coroner. Police responded to a call about a murder in Zahra. When they arrived at the scene, they found out that an 18-year-old man had stabbed a woman several times who was later identified as his mother.

Boy killed A Syrian was devastated by the death of his child when he took him to his mill in Shuwaikh, where he KUWAIT: Vehicles stuck in traffic created after the opening of the Jahra road tunnel that leads to the Sheraton roundabout. — KUNA was electrocuted. The 10-year-old boy was playing in the shop, where he touched a live electric wire. The father cut the power off, but the boy had Coordination to end Sheraton already died. Police and paramedics arrived at the scene, then forensics personnel were called in.

roundabout traffic congestions Thefts Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest By Hanan Al-Saadoun Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Major General avoid the traffic jam resulting from the open- given to the ministry of public works to open a thieves who broke into cars in Hawally, Sulaibiya and Fahad Al-Shuwaie said the Engineering ing of the Jahra road tunnel that leads to the side road to the right before the roundabout Wafra. A citizen told Nugra police that her car was bro- KUWAIT: Acting Interior Ministry Assistant Department is working on finding solutions to Sheraton roundabout. He said a proposal was for those heading to the first ring road. ken into while parked in a mall’s parking lot and money was stolen from it. Meanwhile, a citizen in Sulaibiya told police the window of his luxury car was smashed and its contents were stolen. In Wafra, an Asian said his car was stolen while parked in front of his house.

Fugitive nabbed Farwaniya police arrested a bedoon wanted on several cases, including arson. He is also wanted to serve a six-month jail sentence. The arrest was made by a police patrol that stopped him.

Assault A college student was beaten by a man she knows following a dispute over marriage. Surra police received a medical report as the victim filed a complaint. The sus- pect is being summoned for questioning and possible legal action.

Bootleggers arrested Farwaniya police prevented three Asians from selling liquor in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. Patrols noticed a van with three men who seemed nervous when stopped, so police searched the vehicle and found 91 bottles of liquor ready for sale. The three worked for a laundry shop in Khaitan and used the van to sell the liquor without their sponsor’s knowledge. The three were sent to concerned authorities and will be deported. Separately, Farwaniya detectives arrested a citizen discharged from the interior min- istry for selling liquor to cafe patrons. The arrest was made while he was making a deal with a client. He attempted to escape, but failed and was caught with six locally-made liquor bottles. — Translated from the Arabic press

Firemen battle chemicals warehouse blaze

By Hanan Al-Saadoun and detergents warehouse on Seventh Salmiya and Kazima fire stations partici- statement. Investigations are underway Ring Road. Firemen from Kabd, Ardhiya, pated in battling the blaze, Kuwait Fire to find out the cause of the fire. KUWAIT: Fire broke out in a chemicals Sabhan, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, south Service Directorate (KFSD) said in a 2,731 teachers, administrators resigned this year

By A Saleh completed 34 years of service. He asked expats to submit their resignations KUWAIT: Acting Head of the Services three months before the end of the Termination Department at the school year so that the Civil Service Education Ministry Mohammad Matar Commission would not deduct 25 per- said the number of employees who cent from their indemnities. resigned and retirees whose transac- tions have been completed this year Cases won reached 2,731 teachers and administra- Social Affairs Ministry assistant under- tors, including 1,062 citizens and 1,669 secretary for legal affairs Abdelaziz non-Kuwaitis. He said the general edu- Shuaib said there is a rise in the number cation sector terminated them for of cases won by the ministry. He said that implementation of its replacement poli- this was the result of official adherence cy, adding that 103 Kuwaitis were sent to procedures and what the law stipu- KUWAIT: Maj Gen Abdullah Al-Muhanna (center) speaks during a press conference into forced retirement because they lates to safeguard citizens’ rights. yesterday.

Health insurance company’s contract extended for six months

By A Saleh and KUNA with the UN World Health Organization (WHO), the minister said. KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health’s con- A major phase of the strategy is build- tract with the General Services Health ing the technical and administrative Insurance Company for expats was cadres at the supervisory posts extended for six months, which will through adopting the relevant scien- help prevent delay in visa renewal tific bases. transactions, Health Minister Dr Jamal Harbi noted that they agreed with Al-Harbi said yesterday. He also said a host of international specialized that 2,600 nurses are available for institutions to organize courses for This photo released by the Interior Ministry yesterday shows prisoners released on Jaber Hospital and that he has asked qualifying those who will hold these an Amiri pardon. for pharmacists to work there. posts, including the UK’s London Harbi was speaking during a press School of Economics (LSE). conference held yesterday. “The Meanwhile, the minister said that they 261 prisoners released on pardon Ministry of Health is eager to develop had re-organized work at the depart- its technical system and the national ment of treatment abroad, as well as KUWAIT: An Amiri decree was issued to terday. Interior Ministry Assistant strategy for promoting health services in the health offices overseas. He not- pardon 1,207 prison inmates. Accordingly, Undersecretary for Correctional offered by the government sector,” he ed that some of the officials in the 261 were released, while 757 had their Institution and Sentences told reporters. overseas offices were referred to the KUWAIT: Jahra Municipality Director Eng Mohammad sentence commuted and 189 were Implementation Affairs Maj Gen Abdullah The executive plans of the five-year prosecution after irregularities were Al-Aradhi said six stores were closed and 22 citations removed from the deportation list, the Al-Muhanna congratulated those who national strategy come in cooperation spotted. were issued during a recent crackdown on shops Interior Ministry said in a statement yes- were included in the pardon. around the governorate. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun LOCAL THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

In Brief Minister highlights US Dollar rate Kuwait oil down 41 athletes’ achievements cents to $45.47 pb KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting stable at KD 0.302 Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled Al-Roudhan on KUWAIT: The US Dollar exchange rate was sta- KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti oil went down 41 cents Tuesday commended the distinct achievements of ble at KD 0.302, while the Euro continued its to $45.47 per barrel (pb) Tuesday as oppose to $45.88 Kuwait’s athletes in recent international events. The hike from yesterday, reaching KD 0.349, said pb the day before, said Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Kuwaiti sports have demonstrated excellence on the con- the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) yesterday. (KPC) yesterday. At the global level, the prices were up tinental and the international scenes, and the Kuwaiti ath- The CBK noted that the Sterling Pound was after investors showed optimism over Libya’s joining of letes climbed the winners’ podiums raising the Kuwait flag, down to KD 0.394. The Swiss Franc was up to countries cutting down on production. The price of the the minister said in a press statement. Roudhan stressed KD 0.316 and the Japanese Yen was at the Brent Blend future contracts for September were up 77 the state’s keenness on supporting such talents and pro- same rate at KD 0.002. —KUNA cents to $49.18 pb, while the Texas West Intermediate moting their capabilities for more success. —KUNA August future contracts were up to $46.74 pb. —KUNA Photo of the day

KUWAIT: Kuwait City’s skyline at sunset. —KUNA Alghanim Industries sponsors NUKS-USA orientation event

KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries, one of the Kuwait, Lawrence Silverman, as well as repre- to class, you studied hard, and you remained a largest private companies in the region, spon- sentatives from Alghanim Industries. This student in good standing, all while enjoying sored the annual NUKS-USA’s orientation sponsorship is part of Alghanim Industries everything that American college life has to event, which took place at the Kuwait commitment in supporting the National Union offer. This year, almost 1,500 Kuwaiti students International fairgrounds in Mishref on of Kuwaiti Students (NUKS) USA branch for the have chosen to study in the United States. Monday 17 July, 2017. Over 1,350 students, academic year 2017/18. Enabled by the generous support of the who will fly to the United States this fall to Speaking to the attendees, Ambassador Kuwaiti government, more students choose to begin their college studies, were in atten- Lawrence Silverman said: “If I had one mes- study in the United States than in any other dance. The event was held under the patron- sage, it is one my parents gave me when I went country. Let me reiterate that the United age of Dr Mohammed Al-Fares, Minister of off to university, and one that I passed to my States welcomes students from Kuwait and Education and Higher Education of the State of children as they began their higher education: want to see more of you studying in the US.” Kuwait and attended by the Ambassador of Your success is exactly that - yours. You will Chief Human Resources Officer at Alghanim the United States of America to the State of succeed in the United States because you went Industries, George Lambros, commented on the company’s sponsorship, saying: “We are always pleased to participate in events that help support talented Kuwaiti students plan- ning to pursue higher education abroad. Representing Alghanim Industries at events that cater to Kuwaiti youth is a great opportu- nity to tell them about our company and all the different opportunities we have to offer. We look forward to partnering with NUKS-USA in other future initiatives to support Kuwaiti students studying in the U.S., and to providing career opportunities for Kuwaiti graduates at Alghanim Industries.” Alghanim Industries also supported the event through its diverse businesses through a draw with gifts from X-cite by Alghanim Electronics and food and beverages from Costa Coffee, served throughout the event. Alghanim Industries has sponsored many activities of the National Union of Kuwaiti Students (NUKS) - USA branch in recent years, KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman gives his opening remarks. including the annual conference held in the United States which is the largest gathering of Kuwaitis outside of Kuwait. This initiative comes as part of Alghanim Industries’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which is committed to empowering the underprivileged, supporting education and encouraging entrepreneurship. It is also worth noting that the company was a Strategic Sponsor for the fifth annual Tmkeen Youth Symposium, an initiative that provides youth with valuable insights about entrepre- neurship from industry leaders, academics and experts, and was held under the patronage of the Amir, HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. It is also the largest supporter for INJAZ-Kuwait, as it encourages its employees to volunteer regularly in INJAZ’s different programs. In addi- tion to being a platinum sponsor of “ArabNet Conference” and providing free event tickets to 100 university students in Kuwait. The company also recently entered a partnership with the KUWAIT: General Director of the Public Authority for Applied Education and UNHCR, signing a MoU through which Training (PAAET) Dr Ahmad Al-Athari recently visited Al-Ahli Bank of Alghanim Industries will support the education Kuwait’s (ABK) head office, where he thanked bank officials for supporting One of the draw winners receives his gift. of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. PAAET activities that were held in recent months.

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 Court finds Thai general guilty of human trafficking Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro defies Trump over constitution re-write

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RAQA: Members of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) arrive on the frontline on the eastern outskirts of Raqa, during the ongoing offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are made up of an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. — AFP photos Sold by IS, Yazidi female fighters back for revenge

RAQA: She was trafficked into Raqa as a sex slave bastion. SDF officials told AFP that their forces able feeling. Despite the enormous pain that I car- by the Islamic State group but managed to escape. had already rescued several female Yazidi cap- ry, I felt joy,” the fighter says. Loud sound preceded US police Now Yazidi fighter Heza is back to avenge the hor- tives, including a 10-year-old girl, since they Rifles are lined up in neat rows inside the aban- rors she and thousands of others suffered. Her hair entered Raqa city in June. doned home used by the YPS as their base in Al- shooting Australian woman tucked under a tightly wrapped forest green shawl Meshleb. Yazidi women in brand-new uniforms embroidered with flowers, Heza says battling IS in Despite pain, I felt joy gather around a crackling walkie-talkie for news CHICAGO: Police in Minnesota were star- Damond, a 40-year-old meditation its Syrian bastion has helped relieve some of her Over the course of her 10-month captivity in from the front. Some of them, like 20-year-old tled by a loud sound prior to fatally shoot- instructor and life coach, was an Australian trauma. “When I started fighting, I lifted some of Raqa, Heza was bought by five different IS fight- Merkan, have travelled far to join the fight against ing an unarmed Australian woman who national who had moved to the US to marry the worries from my heart,” she says, surrounded by ers. Her voice strained but her brown eyes still IS. Her family is originally Yazidi Turkish, but had called them to report a possible her fiance Don Damond-who on Monday had fellow Yazidi militia women in Raqa’s eastern Al- sharp, the young fighter says she prefers not to Merkan and her 24-year-old sister Arin were assault, US investigators revealed Tuesday. criticized a lack of information from investiga- Meshleb district. “But it will be full of revenge until detail the abuses she suffered. But in an indica- raised in Germany. When they heard about IS’s The state agency probing the killing of tors. Her death reverberated around the all the women are freed.” tion of the extent of her trauma, Heza-whose infamous sweep into Sinjar in 2014, they were Justine Damond, also known by her maid- world, from a makeshift memorial at the Lake She and her two sisters were among thou- name means “strength” in Kurdish-says she tried outraged. “I could never have imagined a world en name Justine Ruszczyk, interviewed one Harriet Spiritual Community center where sands of women and girls from the Kurdish-speak- to commit suicide several times. Finally, in May like this. I didn’t expect things like this could hap- of the two officers who responded to her Damond worked, to her native Australia. ing Yazidi minority taken hostage by IS as it swept 2015, she escaped from the home where she was pen,” Merkan says. “I was in so much pain,” says the emergency call on Saturday night in Hundreds of family and friends gathered for into Iraq’s Sinjar region in August 2014. The being held to a nearby market, and she found a tall militiawoman. Minneapolis. It was the first time since the an emotional vigil at Sydney’s Freshwater women were sold and traded across the jihadists’ Syrian Kurdish family who smuggled her out of Her older sister decided to travel to Sinjar in late incident that authorities offered more infor- beach at daybreak yesterday, standing in self-proclaimed “caliphate” in Syria and Iraq. the city. 2014 to join the YPS, and Merkan followed in early mation about the circumstances, as com- silence and holding candles before casting Around 3,000 are believed to remain in captivity, She travelled around 400 kilometers across 2015. “I only had one goal in front of me: liberating munity leaders and Damond’s family com- pink flowers into the water. including one of Heza’s sisters. “When the Yazidi war-ravaged northeast Syria back into Iraq to join the Yazidi women, and all women who were still in plained they had few details over a killing In an interview with Australia’s Channel genocide happened, Daesh snatched up the the Shengal Women’s Units (YPS). The YPS-named Daesh’s clutches.” She had scribbled a similar that reverberated in her native Australia. Nine, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on women and girls. I was one of them,” Heza after the Kurdish word for Sinjar-is a part of the US- pledge in Kurdish on a wall behind her. “Through Damond had called Minneapolis police Wednesday expressed shock. “It is inexplica- recounts, using the Arabic acronym for IS. backed SDF. Heza underwent intensive weapons strength and struggle, we Yazidi women fighters Saturday around 11:30 pm to report a pos- ble,” he said. “We are demanding answers on The United Nations has qualified the mas- training, and when the SDF announced its fight for came to Raqa to take revenge for the August 3 sible assault occurring near her home. Two behalf of her family. And our hearts go out to sacres IS carried out against the Yazidis during the Raqa in November 2016, she and other YPS fight- massacre,” the graffiti says, referring to when IS officers responded with their police car’s her family, and all of her friends and loved Sinjar attack as genocide. IS separated Yazidi ers were ready. “When the Raqa offensive began, I entered Sinjar. “We are avenging Yazidi girls,” it emergency lights off. Officer Matthew ones.” A day earlier, Damond’s father John females from the men in Sinjar, bringing the wanted to take part in it for all the Yazidi girls who adds. Harrity told investigators Tuesday that he Ruszczyk addressed Australian media at a women and girls into Raqa. “They took us like were sold here in these streets,” she says. “Yesterday there was Al-Qaeda and today had been “startled by a loud sound” near news conference, calling for justice. “Justine was a beacon to all of us. We only ask that sheep. They chased us and humiliated us in these “My goal is to free them, to avenge them.” The there’s Daesh. We don’t know who will come next. the squad car just before Damond the light of justice shine down on the circum- very streets,” Heza tells AFP, gesturing to a row of SDF spent months tightening the noose around I want to go anywhere there is injustice,” Merkan approached, the Minnesota Bureau of stances of her death,” he said. heavily damaged homes in Al-Meshleb. Raqa before breaking into the city in June, and said. Fellow fighter Basih is sitting quietly in a Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said in a The eastern district was the first neighborhood the YPS took up their first positions in Al-Meshleb neighboring room, chain-smoking cigarettes in statement. His partner, Officer Mohamed captured from IS by the US-backed Syrian several weeks later. It was the first time Heza was the muggy July afternoon. “We suffered the ugli- Officer ‘a caring person’ Noor, was in the passenger seat. “Harrity Noor, who has been with the Minneapolis Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-Arab alliance, in back in the northern Syrian city since her escape. est forms of injustice. Our revenge will be propor- indicated that Officer Noor discharged his police force for 21 months, declined investi- their months-long offensive to seize the jihadist “When I entered Raqa, I had a strange, indescrib- tional to it,” she said. — AFP weapon, striking Ruszczyk through the gators’ requests for an interview, the BCA said open driver’s side window,” the agency said. Tuesday. “We cannot compel Officer Noor to The BCA did not identify the startling make a statement,” Mayor Hodges said, “I wish sound, but an unidentified officer recorded that he would... because he has a story to tell on a police radio conversation published by that no one else can tell.” In a statement, the website Minnesota PoliceClips, specu- Noor’s attorney Tom Plunkett called the offi- lated it may have been fireworks that cer “a caring person,” who “empathizes with sounded like gun shots. After the shooting, the loss others are experiencing.” But Plunkett the officers provided medical aid until para- said ongoing investigations prevented the medics arrived, but Damond died at the officer from saying any more. scene of a gunshot wound to the There are three investigations, one con- abdomen, authorities said. The officers’ ducted by the BCA which takes precedence, body-worn cameras were not on during the a police department use of force review, and incident, and investigators appealed for a civilian oversight civil rights probe that has witnesses to come forward. not yet begun. Damond’s case was the latest Meanwhile, Minneapolis officials high-profile police shooting. Most others pressed for patience, saying the state inves- involved white police officers and African tigation took precedence and city authori- American victims. In this case, Noor is Somali ties therefore had little information of their American, while Damond was white. own to share. “We don’t have all the “Justine’s death shows no one should assume answers,” Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges ‘officer-involved shootings’ only happen in a said at a Tuesday night news conference. certain part of town or to certain kinds of “But, the information the BCA shared this people,” Congressman Keith Ellison, who rep- evening gets us closer to having answers, resents Damond’s district in the US House of closer to seeing justice done,” she said. Representatives, said in a statement. — AFP RAQA: Members of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) eat on the eastern outskirts of Raqa. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Iran’s president threatens response to US sanctions

TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said yes- a day after the US and Iran traded tit-for-tat sanctions Congress verifying that Iran has been completely loyal gram and the same amount to the elite Revolutionary terday that Tehran would “respond appropriately” to over the Islamic republic’s ballistic missile program. to the nuclear deal,” Rouhani said. “On other hand Guards’ foreign operations wing, the Quds Force. new US sanctions but that Iran remained committed The State Department slapped sanctions on 18 indi- they seek new sanctions under various excuses Rouhani accused his American counterpart Donald to its nuclear deal with world powers. “The Islamic viduals and entities in Iran, hours after the White against logic (and) the spirit and text” of the accord, Trump of breaking international deals on Cuba, North Republic of Iran will always stick to its international House admitted Tehran was sticking to the 2015 he said. Iran’s parliament on Tuesday voted to stream- Korea and climate change, all reached under Trump’s commitments,” Rouhani said in a televised cabinet agreement. Iran hit back with its own sanctions line a bill that would increase funding for the coun- predecessor Brack Obama. He said Washington was meeting. But if the US wants “to press forward with against “American people and entities that have acted try’s missile program and Revolutionary Guards in pushing Iran to “abandon its commitments” and that new sanctions under any pretext... the great nation of against the Iranian people and other Muslim peoples response to Washington’s “adventurism” in the region. the US was “worried over improved economic rela- Iran will respond appropriately,” he said. of the region.” An overwhelming majority of lawmakers voted to tions between Iran and Asia and Europe”. “We are hap- “We will not forgive violations by the Americans Rouhani yesterday accused Washington of “duplici- prioritize the motion that would see an additional py that so far the 5+1 (world powers) have stood and we will stand against them.” His comments came ty”. “On one hand they send official reports to $260 million allocated to developing the missile pro- strongly to protect” the nuclear deal, he said. —AFP Iraqi PM: Rights violations in Mosul were ‘individual acts’ Video showed soldier gunning down unarmed man

BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces committed human rights violations during the battle to retake the city of Mosul from the Islamic State group, the country’s prime minister acknowl- edged, but insisted that these were “individual acts” for which the per- petrators would be punished. The remarks by Haider Al-Abadi, at a late night press conference on Tuesday, came after shocking videos emerged on social media following the victory in Mosul and showing BAGHDAD: This file photo shows Iraqi forces walking amidst the destruction troops throwing captured IS sus- in Mosul’s Old City. —AFP pects off a high wall, then shooting their bodies below. The US-backed nearly nine- month-old campaign for Mosul is After the battle: Mosul mired in violations committed by government forces and paramili- to rise from the ashes taries that international human rights groups have decried as war MOSUL: The battle over, it’s now time to neighborhoods in western Mosul,” said the crimes, ranging from extrajudicial start rebuilding Iraq’s second city, parts of UNDP’s Grande. In the old town, where the killings for IS suspects to forced dis- which were literally flattened during the jihadists battled to the last in the final placement and detention to civilians. offensive against holed up jihadists of the hours of the most ferocious clashes, “almost The most recent evidence is the Islamic State group. But before this can one-third of the housing stock is most like- videos that emerged even after Al- happen, the chaotic mess caused by the ly severely damaged or completely Abadi last week declared “total victo- conflict that devastated Mosul must be destroyed”, the UN wrote in a recent report. ry” in Mosul. Another video showed MOSUL: Suspected Islamic State members sit inside a small room in a prison south of Mosul. —AP cleared away. Standing outside his dam- Erfan Ali, head of the UN Human a soldier gunning down an unarmed aged house in the west of the city, Manaf Settlements Program in Iraq, said that man kneeling in front of a car. and not widespread and we will not chological and ideological rehabili- quences, but those who didn’t take Yunes looked on as a worker removed rub- despite the destruction, the medical sec- Al-Abadi speculated that soldiers tolerate such acts.” tation.” It houses at least 170 fami- part ... will not face anything.” Iraqi ble from a balcony. “I don’t have any money tor was already on the mend. “Some major who committed such violations Iraqi security forces are also lies, mostly women and children forces recaptured Mosul after the because I haven’t been paid for three years. hospitals... have been almost completely were either “ignorant” of the conse- accused by Human Rights Watch of from areas of western Mosul, where city was held for around three years I had to borrow to be able to begin reno- destroyed,” he said, while others were quences or had struck a deal with forcibly moving dozens of women the last battles against IS took place. by the Islamic State group. vating,” the 57-year-old former official said. “completely looted and burned” when Daesh “to defame us and the securi- and children with alleged links to IS “Iraqi authorities shouldn’t pun- IS militants were notorious for On July 10, the authorities announced Mosul was under IS occupation. “However, ty forces.” The prime minister did not to a tent camp near Mosul that ish entire families because of their atrocities, both against civilians and they had defeated IS in Mosul after a nine- the health sector is gradually recovering, cite or detail any single incident. authorities describe as a “rehabilita- relatives’ actions,” said Lama Fakih, Iraqi security forces, often hunting month campaign that unleashed destruc- and almost half of the hospitals are cur- Daesh is the Arabic acronym for IS. tion camp.” The New York-based the Mideast deputy chief at HRW. down anyone connected with the tion of almost unimaginable dimensions on rently working, which means in most cas- “Any violation against the law or any watchdog said the camp in Bartella, “We are against collective punish- police or military after they overran the ancient city. According to a preliminary es that some floors have been rehabilitat- violation against a person’s dignity is around 20 kilometers east of Mosul, ment,” Al-Abadi said. “If their (IS mili- territory. The assault to retake Mosul assessment, it will cost more than $1 billion ed,” he said. not acceptable and we will chase had been opened recently, follow- tants) families cooperated with also involved grinding urban war- just to restore basic services such as run- them (perpetrators) down,” he ing a government directive to have them in their crimes against civil- fare in which the security forces suf- ning water, electricity, schooling and med- Laying new pipes added. “These are individual acts IS family members undergo “psy- ians, then they will face legal conse- fered heavy casualties.—AP ical care to all of Mosul, said Lise Grande of In the east of the city a semblance of the UN Development Program (UNDP) in normal life has resumed, with crowded Iraq. The western sector was the hardest streets and shops and restaurants again hit. “The levels of destruction we are seeing open for business. And in west Mosul, On hot mic, Israeli PM raps are the worst in Iraq. Western Mosul repre- despite the widespread destruction, hesi- sents one of the largest and most complex tant steps are already being taken to bring stabilization challenges the UN has faced,” the area back to life. As rubble is removed, crazy EU, admits Syria strikes Grande said. West Mosul has been eviscerat- workmen from the municipality lay new ed, its buildings half collapsed or shattered, pipes in trenches dug in roadways to repair craters in the road sprouting tangles of mis- the sewerage system. While they await the BUDAPEST: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia at a Syria bound for Hezbollah “dozens and dozens of shapen and broken water pipes. beginning of major reconstruction projects, Netanyahu was caught yesterday by a live micro- regional summit, where a conversation with his times.” The Israeli premier was overheard blast- residents of battered Mosul must do what phone railing against the European Union’s Czech and Hungarian counterparts discussing ing the European Union’s approach to Israel, say- Restoring basic services they can to cope. For electricity they rely on “crazy” insistence on resolving the Israeli- Iran, Syria, the Islamic State, and EU-Israel rela- ing “it’s crazy. I think it’s actually crazy” that the According to Abdel Sattar Habbo of the neighborhood generators, and water is Palestinian conflict as a precondition for closer tions was accidentally broadcast to journalists EU maintains that resolving the Israeli- local municipality, more than 90 percent of supplied by tank trucks or NGOs. ties with the 28-state bloc, and trumpeting Israel covering the conference. Palestinian conflict must come before closer west Mosul’s infrastructure and public serv- Aid groups have given out “construction as essential to its prosperity and survival. Netanyahu also made a rare public admission trade ties. “There is no logic here. Europe is ices was destroyed. And the figure for pri- kits” of wooden planking, plywood panels Netanyahu was meeting with leaders of Poland, that Israel has struck Iranian arms convoys in undermining its security by undermining Israel. vate property is nearly as high, at 70 per- and tarpaulins to nearly 12,700 families, Europe is undermining its progress by under- cent. He put the cost of the damage at sev- said Melany Markham, spokesperson in mining the connection with Israeli innovation eral billion dollars, and said between three Iraq for the Norwegian Refugee Council. because of a crazy attempt to create conditions and four months would be needed just to Outside Manaf Yunes’s house in the west of (for peace with the Palestinians),” said “stabilize” the west of the city. By that he the city, there are now bags of cement and Netanyahu. meant bringing back on line-even partly- stacks of breeze blocks. The front of his European ties with Israel would determine necessities including water, power and home bears the scars of war. A booby- whether the 28-member union would “live and public services to enable “a return to life”. trapped vehicle exploded outside the thrive or shrivel and disappear,” he added. The “Based on preliminary assessments, we building, blowing in its windows and EU doesn’t recognize Israeli sovereignty over ter- estimate that $470 million is needed to destroying part of the balcony. A wooden ritories it captured in the 1967 Mideast war, help restore the main electricity, water and board now covers a large hole in his bath- including the West Bank and east Jerusalem, sewage grids and rehabilitate key public room wall. “We built this house bit by bit,” where the Palestinians hope to establish a state. facilities including hospitals, schools and he said, gloomily, and now work must It has been a vocal critic of Israel’s settlement houses in the most heavily damaged begin again. —AFP construction and has adopted measures man- dating the labeling of goods produced in West Bank settlements. “The European Union is the only association At least 20 Yemeni civilians of countries in the world that conditions the relations with Israel - that produces technology reported dead in air strike in every area - on political conditions. The only ones. Nobody does it,” Netanyahu said, citing ADEN: An air raid in Yemen has killed at least against the rebels in March 2015 as insur- Russia, China and India’s willingness to do busi- 20 people mostly from the same family, the gents closed in on Hadi in his southern ness with Israel despite politics. Netanyahu has UN and witnesses said yesterday, the latest in refuge in Aden forcing him to flee to Riyadh. pushed for closer trade ties with India and China a series of suspected strikes on civilians by a The World Health Organization estimates in recent years. Earlier this month, Indian Prime Saudi-led coalition. The attack on Tuesday that more than 8,000 people have been Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to afternoon hit a group of civilians in the Mawza killed in Yemen’s conflict, most of them civil- BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, right, listens to Israeli Prime Israel, during which the two countries signed a district of the southwestern province of Taez, a ians, since the intervention. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference held in the Pesti Vigado number of trade agreements cementing increas- statement by the UN refugee agency said. The Saudi-led coalition has faced repeated ingly warm relations.—AP Residents said the attack was carried out by a criticism over civilian casualties in Yemen. It building in Budapest, Hungary. —AP warplane from the Saudi-led coalition fighting accuses the rebels of using civilians as human Shiite rebels in support of Yemen’s interna- shields. Last month, an air raid on a market in tionally recognized government. At least sev- rebel-controlled Saada province, in north Saudi airline says en women and four children were among Yemen, killed 24 civilians. Another suspected Opposition infighting those killed, they said. coalition raid in Taez province in May was US laptop ban lifted The UNHCR said it was “deeply shocked reported to have killed more than 20 civilians. in Syria’s Idlib kills 14 and saddened at reports of the deaths and The coalition has admitted responsibility for RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s national carrier said a US ban injuries of a number of internally displaced some strikes that killed civilians, including a persons in an aerial attack” on the area. The raid on the rebel-held capital Sanaa in on laptops and tablets in the cabins of its US-bound BEIRUT: Infighting between two of the changing hands... It’s an existential battle,” statement said the civilians had fled fighting October 2016 that killed more than 140 peo- planes had been lifted yesterday. The kingdom’s civil most powerful factions in Syria’s opposi- he added. An AFP correspondent in the in the nearby Mokha district, on the Red Sea ple at a funeral ceremony. aviation authorities informed Saudia that the ban tion-held Idlib province has killed at least province also reported fighting in several coast. Coalition-backed forces loyal to The UNHCR statement said appealed for had been lifted after a US team inspected security 14 people in the past 24 hours, a monitor areas, particularly in the town of Sarmada President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi recap- parties to the conflict to do “their utmost in measures at airports in Riyadh and Jeddah, the air- said yesterday. The fighting involves the and around the towns of Saraqeb and Al- tured the port of Mokha in February as part the protection of civilians and the mitigation line’s spokesman Abdulrahman al-Taieb said. jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Dana. He said both sides had set up multi- of a major ongoing offensive to drive rebels of suffering.” “A peaceful political solution to Washington in March barred all electronic devices a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, against one- ple checkpoints inside and around provin- from Yemen’s lengthy coastline. The UNHCR resolve the conflict in Yemen is urgently need- larger than a mobile phone in the cabins of direct time ally Ahrar al-Sham, a powerful cial capital Idlib city. statement said more than half a million civil- ed to end civilian suffering,” it said. Repeated Islamist rebel group. The Syrian The two groups have clashed before, flights to the United States from 10 airports in Observatory for Human Rights said fight- despite having previously formed the ians, 27 percent of Yemen’s internally dis- attempts to bring about a political solution to Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, only allow- placed people (IDPs), originate from the gov- the conflict, including a series of UN-mediated ers from the two sides were engaged in backbone of the alliance that captured ernorate of Taez. peace talks, have failed. The Shiite Huthi ing them in hold luggage. clashes across the province in northwest most of Idlib in early 2015. The latest con- rebels, who Saudi Arabia says are supported The ban was brought in after intelligence offi- Syria that killed 11 fighters and three civil- flict arises partly out of a dispute over Ahrar Extreme dangers by its regional arch-rival Iran, seized control of cials learned of efforts by jihadists from the ians in the last 24 hours. al-Sham’s desire to fly the flag of the Syrian “This latest incident once again demon- large parts of the country including Sanaa in Islamic State group to produce a bomb that could “These are the most violent and wide- uprising in Idlib city, the Observatory and strates the extreme dangers facing civilians late 2014 and early 2015. Campaigners in the be hidden inside such devices. Washington said it spread clashes that have taken place AFP’s correspondent said. Idlib city was in Yemen, particularly those attempting to West have urged countries including the would abolish the ban for companies that imple- between Ahrar al-Sham and Tahrir al- only the second provincial capital to fall flee violence, as they disproportionately bear United States and Britain to suspend arms mented new safety measures. Saudia, also known Sham,” Observatory director Rami Abdel from government control, and the the brunt of conflict,” the statement said. The exports to Saudi Arabia over civilian casualties as Saudi Arabian Airlines, was the last carrier to Rahman said. “The clashes are ongoing province is one of the last remaining across the entire province, with territory strongholds of the rebels. —AFP coalition launched a military operation in the conflict. —AFP have its ban lifted. —AFP THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 INTERNATIONAL

Montenegro wildfires rage but under control in Croatia, Portugal

PODGORICA, Montenegro: Firefighters Swiss and Bulgarian helicopters and a Further north along the coast in caused by sparks from electric power “The amelioration of weather condi- in Montenegro battled for a third day water bombing plane from Israel were Croatia, where a dozen wildfires had lines. A probe has been launched to tions was good for fighting fires,” a spokes- yesterday to douse wildfires along the expected to arrive later yesterday. The also broken out on Sunday in the vil- establish the cause. The cause of the woman of civic protection Patricia Gaspar Adriatic coast, while blazes ravaging fires on the Lustica peninsula had forced lages surrounding the popular tourist fires in Montenegro is still not known. said Wednesday, urging the population, parts of neighboring Croatia as well as the evacuation of more than a hundred destination of Split, the situation was Major forest blazes that raged since however, to remain vigilant “despite the Portugal were brought under control. campers and threatened the neighbor- returning to normal, officials said. “We Sunday in northern Portugal were lull.” Last month Portugal battled a giant “We expect a firefighting plane that has ing towns of Tivat, Herceg Novi and cannot say that (fires in Split region) are meanwhile brought under control fire in the central region that raged for five arrived from Ukraine to join in. Fires Kotor. At least 15 fires were active extinguished but they have been local- overnight. The temperatures dropped days, killing 64 people and injuring more could be localized and put under control throughout the small Balkans country, ized,” the head of the firefighters in Split, significantly and were due to drop to 24 than 250, with many trapped in their cars during the day,” Montenegrin local fire- the interior ministry said. Apart from five Ivan Kovacevic, said late Tuesday, degrees Celsius comparing to 35 C in by the flames. Following the tragedy, fighting chief Zoran Babic told local fires in Lustica and a few villages, fires adding there was no danger for people the previous days. However, more than experts said Portugal is likely to see more media. Montenegro sought international broke out overnight near the towns of and buildings. According to Croatia’s 2,400 firefighters remained on the massive forest fires because the country is help two days ago to battle the flames Cetinje, Niksic and the capital Podgorica, firefighting commander Slavko ground to prevent the fires from spread- highly exposed to global warming’s cli- which broke out late Sunday. a statement said. Tucakovic, the fires were possibly ing again. mate-altering impacts.—AFP Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro defies Trump over constitution re-write Govt to launch special emergency justice plan

CARACAS: President Nicolas Assembly, fears that Maduro’s plan independent,” a defiant Maduro told food distribution, and imposed cur- Maduro said that controversial is designed to keep the leftist the Defense Council, a gathering of rency controls. plans to re-write Venezuela’s consti- administration in power indefinite- most senior government officials. Maduro in turn blames an eco- tution will move ahead “now more ly. Trump slammed Maduro as “a “Now more than ever” Venezuela nomic “war” against him that he than ever” following US President bad leader who dreams of becom- will proceed with the Constituent claims is fomented by the right- Donald Trump’s threat of economic ing a dictator,” and said that the Assembly, he said. Maduro’s tough wing opposition working with sanctions. Maduro, speaking late United States “will not stand by as rhetoric comes ahead of a 24-hour Washington. The president claims Tuesday to the country’s Defense Venezuela crumbles.” nationwide strike set for Thursday, that his plan to have a Constituent Council, also said the government The United States and Venezuela launching what the political opposi- Assembly rewrite the constitution will launch a “special emergency have had decades of tense rela- tion calls a “final offensive” to push is the only available path to “peace” justice plan” to capture anti-admin- tions, dating back to the time of him out of office. and economic recovery. istration “conspirators,” who will Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s mentor and Venezuela has endured near- then receive “exemplary punish- predecessor who died in 2013. continuous protests for nearly four Weak international support That constitutional rewrite plan however has earned rebukes from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and other Latin American nations, as well as BERLIN: Britain’s Prince William, left and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, Canada, the Organization of American States, the United second right, arrive with their children, Prince George, second left and Nations and the European Union. Princess Charlotte, at Tegel airport in Berlin. —AP Bolivia was one of the few to stand by Venezuela. Its leftist president, Prince William, Kate take Brexit Evo Morales, accused Trump of maneuvering toward an “interven- ‘charm offensive’ to Germany tion and domination of the Venezuelan people.” “His goal is to BERLIN: Prince William and his wife Kate ernment of the Tories seems to have completely grab its oil,” he said on his Twitter embarked yesterday on a three-day visit to lost at the moment,” its commentator Thomas account. Germany billed as a “charm offensive” by Huetlin said. Mariano de Alba, an expert on local media as Britain begins thorny Brexit international relations, said the talks in earnest. William, who is second in line Rescue mission international pressure could to the British throne, and Kate touched down Conservative daily Die Welt called the emphasize to Maduro “the costs for in Berlin from Poland accompanied by their royal visit to Germany “a kind of rescue mis- the government’s economic and young children George and Charlotte. The sion” a year after the fateful Brexit referen- political interests” if it goes through first stop for the Duke and Duchess of dum which stunned the remaining 27 EU with the Constituent Assembly. Cambridge will be a luncheon at the giant member states. “William and Kate are in Groups giving the government its modern office complex of Chancellor Angela Germany with their children to lighten the support, he said, could be persuad- Merkel, widely considered the European mood,” it wrote. In Poland, the royal couple ed “that the best option is to seek a Union’s most powerful leader. met freedom icon and Nobel peace laureate negotiated solution, because that German media said the long-planned vis- Lech Walesa and visited a former Nazi would be better than abruptly los- it was auspiciously timed as the negotiations German concentration camp. ing control of the country.” on Britain leaving the EU get under way in While in Berlin, William and Kate will greet Rioting broke out in different fits and starts. National broadsheet the public at Brandenburg Gate, the land- parts of Caracas on Tuesday after CARACAS: A truck set ablaze by opposition activists blocking an avenue during a protest burns Sueddeutsche Zeitung called the young mark symbol of German unity, and view the protesters blocked streets in the in Caracas. —AFP family “Her Majesty’s Secret Weapon” and the sprawling Holocaust Memorial in the heart capital. Government prosecutors German tour a “diplomatic mission” with the of the capital before meeting President ment.”The sharp words came after Venezuela, which is almost entirely months that have left 97 people said on Twitter that a man died in enthusiastic backing of the Foreign Office. Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his urban palace. Trump on Monday warned of reliant on its oil exports for rev- dead. The country is in the midst of the northeastern state of “They know better than anyone else on the The couple will today move on to unspecified “strong and swift eco- enues, ships a third of its crude pro- a deep economic crisis that includes Antoategui when he was “burned island that the image of the United Kingdom Heidelberg in the west, Cambridge’s twin nomic actions” against Venezuela if duction to the United States. soaring inflation, widespread crime, during a demonstration,” but gave on the continent is not the best at the city, where they will take part in a rowing the July 30 Constituent Assembly Venezuela’s Foreign Minister and a dearth of medicine, food and no details or date of the alleged moment,” it said. competition. They return to Berlin late election was held. Samuel Moncada said Maduro had household basics. Part of the eco- incident. “Every Venezuelan must “What could you do in this situation to indi- Thursday for a party at a century-old dance An unofficial plebiscite held by ordered a “profound review” of ties nomic downturn stems from rela- take in their own hands the respon- cate to your neighbors that Britain is of course a hall to meet Berliners working in “creative opponents to the leftist regime with Washington. Neither country tively low global prices for oil, the sibility to defend democracy,” said stable nation? Obviously, you send in the royals.” industries” before completing their European over weekend saw 7.6 million vot- has had an ambassador in the other country’s main export. musician Wuilly Arteaga, a local News website Spiegel Online called the visit a tour on Friday in the port city of Hamburg at ers-out of an electorate of 19 mil- since 2010. But Venezuela’s opposition also celebrity who plays his violin dur- “charm offensive”. “The royals represent a kind of the spectacular new Elbphilharmonie con- lion-reject the planned blames mismanagement by ing protests. “We’re in the streets to common sense that this hard ideological gov- cert hall. —AFP Constituent Assembly and support Maduro defiant Maduro, who has stepped up the defend our rights, the constitution early elections. The opposition, “There is no power in this world nationalization of businesses, and demand that Maduro leave,” he which controls the National that can break the will to be free and employed the military to control added.—AFP Controversial French anti Trump taps Jon Huntsman terror bill clears hurdle PARIS: A controversial bill to toughen place people under house arrest, order France’s security laws cleared its first hurdle house searches and ban public gatherings as US ambassador to Russia late Tuesday when the conservative-domi- without the prior approval of a judge. The nated Senate approved the legislation by a measures were extended for a sixth time on majority. Senators backed a first reading of July 6. Some of them will become perma- WASHINGTON: President Donald Caterpillar, Chevron, Ford Motor Singapore from 1992-93 — becom- gious ties, winning with 78 percent the bill by 229 votes to 106, meaning the nent under the proposed law, a move rights Trump has tapped veteran diplo- Company and Hilton. ing the youngest American to hold of the vote when he stood a sec- text will now be handed to the lower house, groups including Amnesty International mat and former Utah governor Jon The father-of-seven initially the post of ambassador in more ond time. Former president Barack the National Assembly, for debate in and Human Rights Watch say is draconian. Huntsman as ambassador to Russia, endorsed Trump for president last than 100 years. He served as a Obama reached across party lines October. The new laws-a campaign pledge Interior Minister Gerard Collomb defended the White House said Tuesday. The year, but later called on him to drop deputy trade representative under to name Huntsman his ambassador of President Emmanuel Macron-will replace the bill, saying it was necessary to combat announcement came amid swirling out following the release of a 2005 George W. Bush’s administration to China in 2009, a position he held a state of emergency imposed after the the “ever present” terror threat. “We want to controversy and multiple investiga- until 2011, when he left to launch a November 2015 terror attacks in Paris that come out from the state of emergency, but tions into allegations that the presidential run against his former left 130 people dead. Under the state of we can’t do so without counter-terrorism Trump campaign colluded with boss. The Trump administration has emergency, authorities have the power to controls in place.” —AFP Moscow to win the 2016 election. been besieged by allegations that Huntsman, 57, previously served as the president’s closest advisors col- US ambassador to China and luded with Russia to win the 2016 Singapore. If confirmed by the US election. Russia backs bill to strip Senate, Huntsman would venture Trump’s eldest son Donald Jr to Moscow for a job that will be recently released emails showing ‘terrorists’ of citizenship particularly high-profile as a special he held a meeting during the cam- counsel in Washington probes the paign with Kremlin-connected fig- MOSCOW: Russian MPs yesterday passed a The new legislation introduces an oath for ever-growing Russia scandal plagu- ures, hoping to get dirt on his dad’s law to strip naturalized citizens of pass- those who acquire Russian citizenship to ing the White House. election rival Hillary Clinton. The ports for offences classed as “terrorism” fol- observe the laws and constitution and “to As a candidate, Trump criticized controversy grew Tuesday after the lowing a deadly April suicide bombing in be true to Russia, to respect its culture, his- Huntsman, a fluent Mandarin White House revealed the US the Saint Petersburg metro. The lower tory and traditions.” speaker, for letting China do “a leader had an additional, previously house of parliament passed the bill in its The new legislation says anyone who major number on the US” during undisclosed chat with Russian final third reading. It now goes through is convicted of committing or preparing his time in Beijing under former counterpart Vladimir Putin at this the senate and to President Vladimir Putin to commit a crime “involving terrorist president Barack Obama. month’s G20 summit in Hamburg, for a final signature. Putin called for such a activity” can be stripped of naturalized Huntsman spent less than two raising questions about what the SOUTH CAROLINA: In this file photo, former then-Utah Gov. law after the April 3 attack in the second citizenship. Those convicted of such years in that post before launching pair talked about, who was present city of Saint Petersburg by a bomber who offences will be treated legally as if they a failed bid to secure the 2012 Jon Huntsman speaks in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as he and why the meeting was not pre- was born in Kyrgyzstan but then gained lied when they swore the oath of alle- Republican presidential nomina- ends his campaign for president. —AP viously mentioned. Meanwhile the Russian citizenship. giance. Courts would be obliged to tion. A two-time governor of the State Department said Tuesday it The bomber and 15 others died in the inform the immigration authorities with- state of Utah, Huntsman currently recording in which the former reali- from 2001-2003 where he helped had held “tough, forthright” talks attack. Putin said authorities should have in five days of such a verdict entering serves as chairman of the Atlantic ty TV star used vulgar language to negotiate several pacts with China. with Russian officials over access to the power to revoke the passports of natu- force. The new legislation also makes it Council, a foreign policy think tank, brag about groping women. A He then resigned to run for gov- diplomatic compounds in the ralized citizens on terror grounds, citing easier for Ukrainians to gain Russian citi- as is a director on a number of cor- moderate Republican, he was ernor of Utah, a heavily Mormon United States that were suspended large numbers of Russian nationals joining zenship. If signed into law, it will enter porate boards, including George Bush Sr’s ambassador to state with which he shares reli- by Obama.—AFP the Islamic State group to fight in Syria. force on September 1 this year. —AFP Montenegro coup plot trial adjourned

PODGORICA, Montenegro: The trial of leaders Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic has also pub- Montenegrin police arrested a group of prevent Montenegro from joining NATO. The two pro-Russian opposition leaders and 12 as well as two Russian nationals who will be lished transcripts of a conversation Serbians on the eve of a general election in trial has drawn huge public and media inter- others over their role in an alleged bid to tried in absentia. “The prosecutor put pres- between a prominent lawyer and one of October, accusing them of planning to storm est. The courtroom was packed and a few topple Montenegro’s government was sure on defendants and their lawyers. We the accused he was supposed to defend. parliament and target the pro-Western Milo dozen Democratic Front supporters waited adjourned yesterday after claims the prose- are talking about absolute bias,” Milan “We are shocked with such behavior,” Djukanovic, who was then prime minister. outside with placards saying: “Freedom for cutor was biased. The 14 suspects, who risk Petrovic, one of the defense lawyers, told Petrovic said. A ruling on the demand is Authorities allege that “Russian state bodies” Andrija and Milan,” the two pro-Russian lengthy jail terms, include Democratic Front the court. expected by today. were involved in the conspiracy in a bid to opposition leaders. —AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 Chinese activist questions arrest in Ivanka Trump factory probe

BEIJING: Labor activist Hua Haifeng had Ms. Ivanka and her family, I want to say that Respect the law But CLW said they found the Ivanka Trump in their questioning had been focused on a avoided legal trouble in his 14 years investi- business activities should abide by business The activists had been probing two company listed on Huajian’s production watch equipped with a camera, which was gating companies in China, but that regulations, and not use a family’s political plants owned by major footwear producer schedules for May and June, along with sever- in a suitcase but had never been used. He changed after he looked into a factory that resources for personal commercial gain,” said Huajian Group-one in the city of Dongguan al other prominent overseas fashion brands. said he only took cellphone photos of the made shoes for Ivanka Trump’s brand. Hua Hua. Hua, who was released on bail in June in southern Guangdong province, the other The investigators’ arrest put a fresh spot- public areas surrounding Dongguan. Hua and two colleagues had worked undercover along with his colleagues, said he was inter- in southern Jiangxi province’s Ganzhou. A light on Chinese business activities linked to worked in one factory for a day and was in factories that manufactured shoes for the rogated on 16 occasions for up to three CLW statement alleged that factory employ- the US presidential family. Ivanka Trump, detained before he could go to another one. brand of US President Donald Trump’s hours at a time. ees worked 15-hour days with minimal who is a White House advisor, has taken a daughter and other foreign firms when they He was kept in a shared cell where he breaks and no overtime pay, among other formal leave of absence from her fashion World’s factory were detained in May. The 36-year-old slept beside a urine bucket. For the first labor abuses. Collectively, the investigators brand, announcing in January that she is no Hua and his fellow investigators have not activist and the two other men, who work week he was not given access to a lawyer, worked undercover at the factories for sever- longer involved with the company’s man- been officially charged, nor has a trial date for New York-based non-profit China Labor but the father of two said his conditions al weeks between March and May. agement or day-to-day operations. Her hus- been set. Authorities said the case was still Watch (CLW), were accused of using “spying gradually improved as his wife paid the Huajian Group did not respond to repeat- band, Jared Kushner, is also a top aide to the being investigated and declined to provide and other monitoring equipment”. authorities to give him better food. Li Qiang, ed requests for comment, but it has previous- US president and his own family business additional information. Hua, back home in The government has intensified a crack- CLW’s founding director, said the case marks ly denied the allegations. For her part, Ivanka has come under scrutiny over its financial central Hubei province, vowed to never stop down on human rights activists and lawyers the first time activists have faced police trou- Trump company president Abigail Klem said dealings in China. “I don’t know much about doing labor rights work. “China is the world’s in recent years. But Hua said he believes the ble in the non-profit’s 17-year history. “But in a statement: “After discussions with our (Ivanka Trump’s) women’s fashion brand, but factory; our workers work for the entire factory’s link to the Ivanka Trump brand may this is the first time we’ve investigated licensee, we have determined that Ivanka any company or brand should respect the world,” he said. “In the decades since eco- have been a “factor that attracted police Ivanka Trump (suppliers), so it may very well Trump brand products have not been pro- law and fulfill their responsibility towards nomic reform and opening up, the labor interest”, though he cannot confirm it. “As for be related to the brand,” Li said. duced at the factory in question since March.” society,” Hua said. The activist said the police community has paid too much.” — AFP News Court finds Thai general In Brief

Philippines puts big casinos on money-laundering watch guilty of human trafficking MANILA: The Philippines said yesterday it would monitor large transactions at casinos to curb money-laundering, after proceeds from an $81 million theft were funneled Verdict is being closely-watched inside, outside Thailand through several gambling establishments last year. President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law this week adding the gaming sector to monitored institutions. Casinos must BANGKOK: A Thai general was found guilty camps dotting the steep, forested hills of the now report to the central bank’s Anti-Money Laundering of human trafficking yesterday as a Thai-Malaysian border in May 2015. They Council all transactions exceeding five million pesos. The Bangkok court convicted scores of people revealed the horrors endured by some of law authorizes the council to obtain court orders freezing in a mass trial exposing the lynchpin role of the migrants, who were starved and held in these funds for up to six months if it is suspected they corrupt officials in the grim, lucrative trade bamboo pens by traffickers who demanded were “in any way related to an unlawful activity”. Funds in Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants. over $1,000 for their release. proven in a court trial to be related to crime will be forfeit- Thailand’s junta launched a crackdown in ed to the state.—AFP May 2015 on a network funneling desper- Big business, big money ate migrants through southern Thailand The verdict is being closely-watched and onto Malaysia, holding some for ran- inside and outside Thailand. The govern- Singapore offers som in jungle camps. ment is desperate to dispel the kingdom’s Manila drones It unspooled a crisis across Southeast notorious reputation for human trafficking. SINGAPORE: Singapore said yesterday it has offered Asia as gangmasters abandoned their Earlier yesterday Junta chief Prayut angrily surveillance drones and urban warfare training to human cargo in the camps where hun- denied the case reflected systemic corrup- Philippine troops battling Islamist fighters, to prevent dreds died from starvation and malaria, tion within the security services. “Manas the militants becoming entrenched and threatening and at sea in overcrowded boats which alone will not make the entire military col- the rest of Southeast Asia. Philippine troops have been were then “ping ponged” between Thai, lapse,” he told reporters. Critics say the case battling to dislodge militants loyal to the Islamic State Malaysian and Indonesian waters. After a was prematurely concluded and describe a group who seized parts of the southern city of Marawi day delivering verdicts for many of the 102 trial marred by witness intimidation, secret on May 23 in a bid to establish a base in the Mindanao defendants, Bangkok Criminal Court found evidence hearings and restrictions on region, which shares sea borders with Malaysia and Lieutenant-General Manas Kongpan guilty media reporting. Indonesia. IS has said it plans to establish a caliphate in of multiple human trafficking charges. A BANGKOK: In this senior adviser to the Royal Thai Army Lt. Gen. Manas Kongpaen “We expect there are many more perpe- Southeast Asia as it did in parts of Iraq and Syria. judge said he was also guilty of complicity arrives at the Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand. — AP trators out there,” Amy Smith, from Fortify Singapore’s defense ministry said its offer includes the in a “transnational organized crime” net- entire south. Current junta leader Prayut victed yesterday is Pajjuban Aungka- Rights, said. “This is a big business with big use by Filipino troops of its urban warfare training work and “worked with others to facilitate Chan-O-Cha was army chief at the time. chotephan, better known as Ko Tong or ‘Big money.” The senior policeman who initially facilities and a detachment of drones. human trafficking.” Before the crackdown rights groups had Brother Tong’. Police accused him of using headed the investigation, Major General The ruling is an extremely rare convic- long accused officials of ignoring and even private Andaman Sea islands, close to tourist Paween Pongsirin, fled Thailand under tion for a senior army officer in junta-ruled conducting-the trade in humans through spots such as Koh Lipe, to shift boatloads of threats to his life. Thailand. Manas, the highest-ranking offi- Thailand’s southern provinces. The trial has migrants to the mainland, where they were Days before he left he said the case had cial on trial, was a top figure in the security revealed a lattice of military, police, local packed into lorries and taken to the fetid been pulled before it could delve further apparatus covering Thailand’s south-a key political and mafia figures acting as traffick- camps straddling the Malaysia border. He into the complicity of officials. Stateless transit zone in a trafficking trail that ers, agents and logistics men, all soaking was found guilty of human trafficking and Rohingya Muslims have fled neighboring stretched from Myanmar to Malaysia. The up cash from some of Asia’s poorest and links to organized crime. Myanmar in their tens of thousands since court heard he received bank transfers most vulnerable migrants. Over the years By evening over 50 people, including two sectarian violence flared in 2012. from trafficking agents worth 14.8 million the smuggling gangs are estimated to have police officers had been convicted of various They were joined by Bangladeshi eco- baht. But the police investigation found he netted tens of millions of dollars. offences, ranging from guarding the squalid nomic migrants on rickety boats south- also used his position to guide trafficking migrant camps to trafficking and negli- wards across the Andaman Sea, seeking gangs around checkpoints after their Soldiers and kingpins gence. At least ten were acquitted including work and sanctuary in Malaysia and arrival on remote beaches as they headed Some reporting restrictions were placed an army captain and a ranking police officer. Indonesia. Thousands are believed to have to the jungle camps. by judges citing national security and Manas Thailand’s role as a key trafficking route died at sea, in a migrant flow that garnered In 2013 he was promoted to head the was allowed to give evidence behind closed spilled into full view after officials found few headlines until the trafficking crack- Internal Security Command (ISOC) for the doors. Another well-connected kingpin con- dozens of shallow graves in the hidden down in 2015. — AFP Philippines’ Duterte threatens to end peace talks after attack

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo military campaign in Marawi, but the Duterte threatened to end peace talks with Duterte government said Tuesday it need- JAKARTA: In this file photo, members of Hizb ut-Tahrir communist rebels yesterday, hours after ed more time to accomplish the mission. Indonesia hold posters during a rally in Jakarta, suspected guerrillas wounded four of his The communist insurgency that began in Indonesia. — AP military bodyguards in an ambush. Aides 1968 and which the military says is now said Duterte, 72, was not in the convoy mostly waged in Mindanao has claimed an Indonesia bans local when gunmen opened fire on two estimated 30,000 lives. The rebels have branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir Presidential Security Group vehicles along been in off-and-on peace talks with the JAKARTA: Indonesia’s government yesterday banned the a highway on the main southern island of government since Duterte, a self-described local branch of Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir, rejecting criti- Mindanao, where martial law is in effect. socialist, was elected last year. cism from rights groups that the move was undemocratic. The government blamed the New People’s Both sides declared unilateral cease- The government said it revoked the license of Hizb ut- Army-the 4,000-member armed wing of fires, but these did not last. Duterte sus- Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) because the group conducted activi- the Communist Party of the Philippines- pended formal peace talks in May after ties that were against the state ideology. Hizb ut-Tahrir, and threatened to shelve peace negotia- both sides failed to resolve a dispute over a which calls for Islamic law and wants to unify all Muslims tions unless the guerrillas stopped target- rebel order for fighters to step up attacks. into a caliphate, has been operating for decades in ing soldiers in the south. To try and end the two-month impasse, Indonesia and has tens of thousands of followers. “With “The president directed the government Duterte was planning to send negotiators MYANMAR: This photo shows a Muslim woman sewing machine at her room in Da HTI’s legal status revoked, the group is therefore disband- panel... not to resume formal peace talks shortly to an unspecified venue and infor- Paing IDP camp near Sittwe town in Rakhine state. — AFP ed,” the justice ministry said in a statement. HTI said it unless the reds (leftist rebels) agree to stop mally discuss a possible bilateral ceasefire would challenge the decision. “This is a true form of abuse their attacks against government troops in agreement, the government statement by the government against its own citizens,” HTI Mindanao,” said a statement issued by the said. But it warned that for formal peace Thai smuggling crackdown leaves spokesman Ismail Yusanto said. presidential palace. The latest communist talks to resume, the rebels must commit to attack came as government forces on “suspending operations against the mili- Myanmar’s Rohingya in limbo Mindanao fought Islamic State group- tary and the police and stopping all their SITTWE, Myanmar: Five years have passed also cut off a way out of a painful limbo. Four Shiites shot dead inspired militants who have been holed up extortion activities on the ground”. A senior since Hla Hla Sein was forced into a dis- While a Bangkok court rules yesterday on in SW Pakistan: Police in the southern city of Marawi since May Mindanao military official, Brigadier- placement camp in western Myanmar for the fate of more than 100 people arrested 23. The communist party, which is waging General Gilberto Gapay, said the commu- QUETTA, Pakistan: Gunmen ambushed a car and Rohingya Muslims, where disease and dep- for running the trafficking network, she will Asia’s longest-running insurgency, called nists were behind the attack on the Duterte killed four family members from the Shiite Muslim rivation are rife and armed guards patrol a spend another day distributing food on its armed wing on Tuesday to launch bodyguards. “This is part of their nation- minority in a sectarian attack in southwest Pakistan barbed-wire perimeter. But after a crack- rations in the camp. offensives in response to Duterte’s plan to wide call for armed groups to oppose mar- yesterday, police said. The men sprayed bullets at the down on the international smuggling put Mindanao under martial law until the tial law by launching intensified offensives vehicle of the Hazara Shiite family travelling to Karachi routes that once offered a dangerous-but Ready to die as they passed through Choto, a town some 40 kilo- end of the year. A 60-day martial rule is against government forces,” Gapay told viable-escape route, she now sees no way Hla Hla Sein and her son had tried to meters south of the Balochistan provincial capital now in force on Mindanao as part of the radio station DZBB in Manila. — AFP out. “We have no idea how many years we escape to Malaysia before the crackdown, Quetta. “Four people of a family, including a woman, will have to live like this,” the 40-year-old but their boat was so overcrowded it start- were killed and another man wounded when gunmen widow said inside the tiny bamboo hut she ed to sink a few hours into the journey, fired with automatic weapons on their car as it slowed Surf’s up! North Korea tourism shares with her son, tugging nervously at forcing the captain to turn back. It was only down on a speed bump,” local police station chief agency tries to woo foreigners her purple headscarf. after they returned to shore that she found Abdul Qudoos said. “It is a sectarian killing as the fami- “Our lives are worse than animals... we out the smugglers had planned to sell ly had no enemy,” Qudoos said. SEOUL: North Korea’s tourism agency has something more unusual. Visitors are invited are human only in name.” Deadly sectarian them as slaves at their destination. “I was launched a website offering holiday options to check out beaches on the east coast, riots in 2012 drove more than 120,000 ready to die at sea as we have nothing in ranging from surfing to rice planting, including the Majon Bathing Beach, where Rohingya into the camps in Rakhine State, this country,” she said. “Our children cannot China aggressive in border despite strong US warnings to avoid travel “surfing has come into vogue among tourists” where they live in ramshackle homes and get education, even I cannot work. I row, says India diplomat to a nation where several trips have ended for its favorable conditions and clean water. are deprived of adequate food, schools and thought dying would be better.” in jail. Sixteen Americans have been The website also provides basic travel doctors. For years human traffickers cashed Buddhist-majority Myanmar has long NEW DELHI: A top Indian diplomat said China is being in on the group’s desperation, ferrying been chastised for its treatment of the unusually aggressive in a month-old border dispute with detained in the past decade in North Korea, information like air and train routes and including 22-year-old student Otto ways to get around Pyongyang using public thousands of Rohingya across the Rohingya, a group of more than a million India that shows no sign of easing, media reports said yes- Andaman Sea to countries like Thailand, Muslims whose rights and freedoms have terday. Beijing has made virtually daily warnings to its Warmbier who was given a long prison transport such as cabs and buses. However, term for stealing a hotel propaganda ban- it does not allow users to book tours direct- Indonesia and Malaysia. The journeys were been successively stripped away since the neighbor over the deadlock on a remote Himalayan defined by danger: from rickety boats on early 1980s. Over the past five years almost plateau, where Indian and Chinese troops have been ner. He was sent home in a coma in June ly and does not list the handful of foreign but died several days later. agencies that arrange trips to the isolated high seas to abuse and even death at the 170,000 have fled the country, according to locked in a tense face off. Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar hands of the gangs, who held many victims the UN’s refugee agency, leaving many told lawmakers in a closed briefing on the dispute that The “DPR Korea Tour” website, run by the state. The country’s official name is the North’s National Tourism Administration, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The for ransom in jungle camps on the Thai- families split across borders. “It’s impossible India wanted a diplomatic settlement, the reports said. Malaysia border. to go to Malaysia by boat nowadays,” said a “Jaishankar told us that China’s aggression and rhetoric on depicts the country-which is subject to stiff US State Department strongly warns sanctions over its weapons programs-as just Americans against travelling to North Korea, That route was shuttered by Thailand’s Rohingya camp leader, asking not to be the recent standoff is unusual,” a member of the parliamen- junta in 2015 and few boats have left the named. “We do not want people to die at tary panel at Tuesday’s briefing told Indian media. “We will another tourist destination. It introduces citing “serious risk of arrest and long-term package trips to various parts of the country detention”. Canada, Australia and New camps since, according to residents, aid sea.” Recently, a new outburst of violence in continue to engage with them through diplomatic chan- workers and migration experts. The move northern Rakhine pushed more than nels,” the foreign ministry number two was quoted as say- including the capital Pyongyang, and offers Zealand are among other nations giving various “theme tours” for travelers seeking similar warnings.—AFP may have spared Hla Hla Sein death at sea 70,000 Rohingyas across Myanmar’s north- ing by Press Trust of India news agency. —Agencies or abuse at the hands of smugglers, but it western border to Bangladesh. — AFP THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 ANALYSIS

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Focus Dark days for China democracy dream he death of Liu Xiaobo deprives China’s dissident movement of a crucial figurehead at a time when Tpolitical activism on the mainland is being forced ever deeper underground, and pro-democracy forces in Hong Kong are under threat. The world had not heard from Nobel laureate Liu since he was jailed in 2009 for writing a petition calling for political reform, but he remained an influential heavyweight of China’s democ- racy movement and an inspiration for opponents of the Communist-ruled system. His death in custody from cancer last week trig- gered rage and frustration among the dissident com- munity but also a sense of hopelessness as they face hardened repression under China’s President Xi Jinping. “When the Chinese authorities can so easily control life and death, people are more afraid to fight,” said activist Su Yutong, who fled to Germany after being repeatedly detained and questioned over her work at an NGO. “They see that even a Nobel Peace Prize winner can die in jail.” There are fears that Liu’s supporters will now be tar- Opium numbs the pain for pickers geted, particularly his wife Liu Xia, who has been under house arrest since 2010. Veteran China specialist Willy Lam said most of Liu’s friends were already under 24- or almost three years, Amandeep started most of his Matacchioni, a neurologist at the addiction treatment community association. Andrea de Gasperis, a regional hour surveillance and that the dissident community in working days eating opium and ended them smoking department of a hospital in the provincial capital of Latina. chief prosecutor, said investigation was difficult as few general was “highly demoralized”. “They realize they are Fheroin. In between he picked watermelons for up to These users do not seek euphoria or pleasure, he said. people are willing to speak out against other members of going through a long winter with no light at the end of 13 hours a day in what activists say are exploitative condi- “They take drugs to put up with the strain... because they their community. “There is little we can do if they do not the tunnel,” said Lam, a politics professor at the Chinese tions faced by thousands of Indian laborers in Italy’s are treated like slaves.” report (abuses),” he said. Those who do are seen as trou- University of Hong Kong. Pontine Marshes, just south of Rome. Drugs helped him blemakers and it’s hard for them to find another work, The fact that support from the international com- get by, says Amandeep, a 30-year-old who asked to use a Debt Bondage added Omizzolo. munity is outweighed by the desire of foreign govern- pseudonym. “In summer it is very hot, your back hurts. A Amandeep was prescribed methadone two years ago The code of silence began to crack in April 2016 when ments to keep Beijing onside has also hit hard, said bit of opium helps you not to get tired...Too much puts you after he was hospitalized during a withdrawal fit. He first Singh helped organized a strike and demonstrations for Teng Biao, a human rights lawyer and visiting scholar to sleep, I took just a little, only to work,” Amandeep told arrived in Italy from Punjab in 2008, dreaming of a bright better pay. Those protests encouraged many workers to at Princeton University. “If the West is reluctant to the Thomson Reuters Foundation. future promised by a labor agent to whom he paid $13,000 come forward - but also exposed Singh to threats and anger China, there will be no hope,” Teng told AFP. About 30,000 Indians, mainly Sikhs from Punjab state, for a plane ticket and travel documents. Amandeep paid intimidation. Police have since carried out dozens of However, some say they will brave it out. One of the live in the Pontine Marshes, a region that Italy’s fascist half up front and took a loan from the agent for the rest, inspections, and have arrested two gangmasters, a farm country’s most prominent social activists Hu Jia, 43, regime drained for agriculture in the 1930s. Most work as which he paid back by working virtually for free for about owner and a farm manager. Pietro Greco, head of the local laborers and over the last decade many have been forced seven months. “(I was left with) just about enough to eat branch of Italy’s main farming association, said Italy’s noto- has vowed not to leave China despite being under to work for virtually nothing to pay off debts to agents and pay the rent,” he said. rious red tape was also responsible for pushing some police surveillance since his release from prison six who promised good jobs and organized travel from India. Many Indian laborers who settled here in the last 10 employers to cut corners. “If there was less bureaucracy years ago. “I want to stay and make an impact on the This is known as debt bondage - the most prevalent form years came in similar circumstances, said Marco Omizzolo of many companies would hire workers with no need for mid- country,” he told AFP. of modern-day slavery worldwide according to the In Migrazione, a migrant rights group. “Traffickers promise dlemen or ‘caporali’, he said. United Nations. As many as 46 million people are estimat- work and accommodation as well as sorting out travel and Hong Kong remembers ed to be enslaved globally, said rights group Walk Free paper work, four essential things for those who do not Poppy Fields Liu’s death prompted an outpouring of grief in semi- Foundation in 2016. speak Italian,” he said. Newcomers are sometimes stripped Meanwhile, the consumption of poppy pods is spread- autonomous Hong Kong, where pro-democracy forces of their documents to ensure they don’t leave until the debt ing. Omizzolo and Singh said they first heard about opioid must also contend with an increasingly assertive Atypical Addicts is repaid, he added. Afterwards most remain in the area, use four years ago and reports have been increasing since. Beijing. “We have to face the same political system and The Indian workers have settled in villages and the where they rely on the support of the Sikh community but Few workers will admit chewing husks as drug use is taboo oppression,” said pro-democracy lawmaker Eddie Chu. seaside towns where Romans spend holidays, but they remain vulnerable to exploitation. In many farms, pickers in the community. Yet laborers said the pods are a common “There used to be some distance, but now it’s more inti- have secluded lives. Speaking little or no Italian, many are paid €3-5 ($3.30-$5.50) an hour - well below the indus- sight and are relatively cheap, with 100 grams costing mately felt.” A day after Liu died, Hong Kong’s High cycle long distances every day from rundown, shared try minimum wage of about €8 - and work without breaks about €10. One picker said almost half of his about 50 co- Court disqualified four pro-democracy lawmakers from accommodation to the thousands of farms and green- in scorching summer temperatures. Those hired with a reg- workers made regular use of the drug. parliament following an unprecedented intervention houses that produce courgettes, radishes, melons, kiwis ular contract often have fewer days than they actually work At least one worker told a mobile health clinic that he from Beijing over the way they incorporated protests and mozzarella. A growing number of these laborers are recorded on their payslips. “I can’t read my contract,” said wanted to quit but found it difficult as poppy use was into their oaths of office last year. Two lawmakers who taking drugs to cope with long hours, poor conditions one laborer. “Before coming here I thought Italy was a para- “strongly encouraged” on his farm. Two addiction help cen- advocate complete independence for Hong Kong - a and very low pay, according to interviews with workers, dise but I still haven’t found where that paradise is.” ters treated more than 20 Indian laborers with methadone in concept that infuriates China - had already been ousted doctors, police and rights groups. The work is overseen by gang masters, known as “capo- 2016 and they expect the number to rise this year. “We are from the legislature. Hong Kong still enjoys freedoms Most chew dried poppy pods, which contain low levels rali”, often members of the Sikh community acting as go- the tip of the iceberg,” said Matacchioni, the neurologist. unseen on the mainland - thousands gathered for a of morphine and codeine, but when consumed regularly betweens with employers, who recruit pickers but with- Patients seek help to cope with withdrawal that can cause memorial march to Liu on Saturday, while over the bor- can cause addiction that requires methadone treatment. hold part of their pay. “If the farm owner pays 4 euros, chills, sweating, diarrhoea, vomiting and muscle pain. der even online tributes to him were removed. But a Some, like Amandeep, slide into consuming heavier drugs, (gangmasters) tell (workers) the pay is 3.80 and pocket the Gianfranco Mozzillo, head of a local police unit, said poppy string of incidents, including the disappearance of a including heroin. “They are not typical addicts,” said Ezio difference,” said Gurmukh Singh, head of a local Indian pod trafficking is an “expanding phenomenon”. —Reuters city bookseller and a reclusive mainland tycoon, have heightened concerns of Beijing’s political overreach. When it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 under a semi-autonomous “one country, two systems” McConnell: ‘The man in the middle’ deal, some hoped Hong Kong’s colonial institutions, such as an independent judiciary and partially elected legisla- ture, would lead to liberalization over the border. or seven years, US Senator Mitch nipping at his heels, won accolades in years However, as China’s wealth and global clout skyrocketed, McConnell vowed to slay Obamacare past for cutting deals with Democrats to Hong Kong’s influence waned. Now it is seen by Beijing Fif only his Republican Party controlled keep the government operating and mak- as a hotbed of subversion, particularly since mass both chambers of Congress and the White ing permanent most of former President protests calling for more democratic reform in 2014. House. Pull it out “root and branch,” he George W Bush’s tax cuts. Those deals Xi warned any challenge to Beijing’s control over pledged. The 75-year-old Senate majority involved giving voters government services Hong Kong crossed a “red line” earlier this month leader now has that luxury. But instead of and lower taxes. But Republican healthcare when he visited the city to mark 20 years since the basking in the glow of his first major leg- legislation involves taking something away handover. Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China islative victory in the Donald Trump era, from millions of lower-income people - Policy Institute at the University of Nottingham, McConnell is what a source close to the their medical coverage. described the current political environment as majority leader calls “the man in the middle “In part they (Republicans) misunder- “increasingly circumscribed”. “It remains to be seen if in an impossible spot.” stood how difficult it will be” to repeal and (the democracy movement) feels it can advance its Late on Monday and again on Tuesday, replace Obamacare, former Senate Majority agenda through the ‘legitimate’ political process. And after a long struggle, McConnell’s efforts to Leader Tom Daschle, a Democrat, said in a if not will there be a resurgence of street politics?” repeal all or portions of former President phone interview. Republican rhetoric asked Sullivan. The movement itself is struggling for Barack Obama’s landmark 2010 Affordable against Obamacare was so “hyperbolic” it direction, having splintered between veteran activists Care Act and replace them with less expen- had to take priority early in Trump’s presi- calling for change across China and younger Hong sive healthcare came crashing down. With dency, but senators lacked enthusiasm for Kong-centric “localists” who say the city must just fight 52 Republican senators in the 100-member legislation, said Daschle, who like Lott lob- for itself. Analysts agree that by-elections for the seats chamber, McConnell could lose only two of bies on behalf of healthcare interests. of the ousted lawmakers will prove whether or not the his colleagues on any bill that was opposed Once boxed into healthcare, McConnell pro-democracy message is alive and kicking. by Democrats and still win with Vice took another controversial step, one that many Lawmaker Chu says the movement needs a clearer President Mike Pence casting the tie-break- Republicans questioned. Instead of develop- vision, but must also accept that change will not come ing vote. Three times, he failed to muster ing a healthcare bill in public, McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell talks to reporters following the weekly quickly. “Liu Xiaobo persevered, sacrificing even his life, the 50 supporters needed. his top aides, with the advice of a 13-member Senate Republican policy luncheon at the US Capitol Tuesday in Washington. —AFP not because he knew he would succeed but because he The man who epitomized “the party of group of male senators, called the shots. saw himself as part of a long-term process,” Chu told no” in Democrats’ eyes during Obama’s and a storm over legislation avoiding a former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, a McConnell said hearings were unnecessary, as AFP. “Maybe Hong Kong is like this too. It’s not about presidency, especially when he slammed government debt default that could shake Republican. More of the blame sits with the healthcare policy had been intensively debat- setting a goal for victory at a certain time.” — AFP the door in February 2016 on Merrick global financial markets. The result has rank-and-file, Lott said. “The problem in ed since Obama took office in 2009. He said he Garland’s Supreme Court nomination, fell Democrats feeling emboldened 16 months Washington today is not lack of leadership. was listening to suggestions of all of his 51 fel- victim to the “no” of fellow Republicans. before the next congressional elections. The problem is lack of followership.” Had low Republican senators. “We finally get a chance to repeal and McConnell succeeded, Lott said he would Many senators felt disconnected and All articles appearing on these pages are replace, and they don’t take advantage of Reputation Questioned have been “considered a magician” given the tensions boiled over. As Monday wore on, the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait it,” Trump, six months into his four-year Around town, the sphinxlike McConnell is inability of Republicans to coalesce around matters only got worse for McConnell. presidential term, said on Tuesday. known as a master of Senate rules, able to healthcare legislation for so many years. Republican Senator Ron Johnson publicly Times takes no responsibility for views Across Washington, there was dismay outfox opponents, giving nothing away until A Republican operative with ties to accused him of “a real breach in trust” in expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites Republicans could not deliver on a promise he can strike at just the right moment. The McConnell saw a possible silver lining: Failure hard-charging back-room negotiations. He they assert helped them to assume control senator’s leadership job, a position he yearned to pass healthcare could boost chances for threatened to withhold support for the bill. readers to voice their opinions. Please send in January of Congress and the White for in the years leading up to his 2015 ascen- tax reform or infrastructure investment if McConnell supporters argued that no mat- submissions via email to: opinion@kuwait- House. “I am kind of shocked,” said sion, does not appear to be in jeopardy. But Republicans felt it a more urgent political ter how he handled the private negotia- Republican Representative Dave Brat, of this rocky run calls into question McConnell’s imperative to rack up a win for Trump before tions, the Republican leader was dealt a dif- times.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 the conservative firebrand House Freedom reputation as a master tactician and deal- the November 2018 congressional elections. ficult hand from the outset. “The majority Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right Caucus that has been a thorn in the side of maker that he earned as Republican minority leader is trying to keep all the frogs in the the Republican establishment. His hand leader under the Democratic Obama. Fatal Flaws? wheelbarrow and it’s a tough job but he’s to edit any submission as necessary. weakened, McConnell could be heading It is “a real blow to Republicans in McConnell, a courtly Kentuckian who doing a good job,” said Republican Senator into fierce budget battles, a tax reform fight Congress generally and to leadership,” said can appear at pains to speak to reporters Lisa Murkowski. —Reuters NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

Can Trump save his presidency? Continued from Page 1 on what they get done and he’s only six months in. There is still plenty of time for them to do a lot. He could still end Republican defections, all of this is not what you up being a highly successful president.” expect,” said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history at But changes would be needed, Conant admits. Even Princeton University. Republicans have criticized Trump’s recent failed efforts Trump swaggered into office on Jan 20 declaring to push his own healthcare reforms over the line. With Washington was broke and only a killer businessman little policy background, Trump has seemed more at such as himself could fix it. That promise looks increas- home with the theater of the presidency: Preferring mili- ingly threadbare. The White House remains under- tary parades in Paris to making policy speeches and staffed, under-skilled and struggling to attract new tal- wrangling votes. “A couple of meetings with senators ent. Existing staff there admit to being exhausted and and a handful of tweets is not going to cut it on some- demoralized. Trump’s political agenda has been blown thing as controversial as healthcare reform,” said Conant. to smithereens: The border “wall” has not been built, But, he argues, Trump still has the time and some of NAFTA has not been torn up, the Iran deal is still in place the skills needed to secure victories, as long as he is will- and Obamacare remains the law of the land. ing to make the pitch. “His entire life he’s been a very Even with Republicans in control of both houses of good marketer and during the campaign he did an Congress, the influential and nominally supportive amazing job energizing the conservative base,” Conant Drudge Report declared this the “MOST UNPRODUC- said. “Those are the skills he needs to now apply to gov- TIVE CONGRESS IN 164 YEARS.” Oratorically, Trump has erning.” “In his previous life he was marketing everything continued where his campaign left off, picking fights from steaks to bottled water to condos with his name on with the press, judges, his own party, Democrats and it. Now tax reform is going to have his name on it.” FBI director James Comey, whom he fired. All the while, But Trump’s character could equally prove his admin- a drip, drip of evidence has amplified allegations that istration’s worst enemy. “A lot of the problems he faces his family and aides sought help from Russia to tip the are him, and he’s not going to change his personality,” election against Hillary Clinton. said Zelizer. Michael Signer, the Democratic Mayor of There have been bright spots. The Islamic State Charlottesville and a lecturer at the University of Virginia group has been virtually defeated in Mosul and in Raqa, said “the path to legitimacy” for Trump “would be to sig- the capital of the so-called caliphate, is besieged. Trump nal his embrace of our traditional norms and our checks has fulfilled his promise to scrap a trans-pacific trade and balances”. “The more he refuses to do that, the lower deal, and successfully appointed conservative judge his numbers will go, the more illegitimate his presidency Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. But Trump wins will get and the more desperate he will get.” have been few and far between. “I don’t see these six If nothing changes, Trump’s approval ratings - months as a success and it’s hard for me to see the argu- already historically low at 40 percent - could portend a ment that it was,” said Zelizer. shellacking in the 2018 midterm elections. “If But presidents can and do right the course. Bill Democrats strengthen their size or gain power in one or Clinton’s first term was notoriously difficult and like Trump both chambers then the president is in for a ride,” said he suffered an early and embarrassing legislative defeat Zelizer, predicting impeachment hearings and whole- on healthcare. “History is full of examples of presidents sale pushback. “The more cornered he feels, he’s not who learn from their mistakes and go on to have major going to have some diplomatic response. He’ll get legislative successes,” said Alex Conant, a Republican angry, he’ll attack his attackers. I don’t think it gets NATO paratroopers drop out of a US Air Force Hercules during the ‘Swift Response 17’ joint airborne military exercise at strategist at Firehouse Strategies who served in George W. calmer or pretty in the Oval Office, I think as things get Bezmer airfield near the village of Bezmer on Tuesday. The US led exercise, part of the multinational ‘Saber Guardian Bush’s administration. “Presidents are ultimately judged intense it’s going to get much uglier.” — AFP 2017’ exercise, involves up to 1,600 soldiers from the United States, Canada, Italy, Portugal and Greece. — AFP

French military chief resigns Quartet swaps 13 Qatar demands... Continued from Page 1 took him to Mali to meet French troops engaged in count- Continued from Page 1 lays out steps Qatar can take to bolster its fight against er-terrorism operations. terrorism and address shortfalls in policing terrorism had lost “a man of huge value” and claimed de Villiers’ A former head of the French air force, General Vincent Mouallimi said the four-nation quartet thinks it funding. Hashimy called the MOU “an excellent step”. resignation showed “the very serious abuses and worry- Lanata, told L’Express news weekly on Tuesday he was “should be easy for the Qataris to accept” the six princi- “We’d like to see more of that,” she said. “We’d like to see ing limits” of Macron’s leadership. “very shocked” by Macron’s “rant” at de Villiers. The crisis ples. He stressed that implementation and monitoring stronger measures taken and stronger commitment De Villiers had repeatedly complained that the military was exacerbated by its timing, coming in the week of the must be “essential components”, and “there will be no made to address that.” Hashimy said “at this stage the compromise when it comes to principles”. But he said ball is in Qatar’s court”. “We’re looking for a serious was overstretched and said he saw it as his duty to inform July 14 Bastille Day military parade, where US President both sides can talk about details of “the tactics” and “the change in behavior, serious measures,” she said. “No politicians. In a Facebook “letter to a young recruit” last Donald Trump was the guest of honor. During the parade, tools” to implement them - “and that’s where we can more talk.” week, he wrote: “As everyone has their shortcomings, no- Macron rode down the Champs-Elysees avenue in an have discussion and compromise.” Qatar has further escalated the situation by encour- one should be blindly followed.” open-topped military vehicle with a grim-faced de Villiers The Saudi ambassador explained that the initial 13 aging Turkey’s military presence, Hashimy said. “We do The opposition accused Macron of humiliating his mili- as Trump looked on. points included some principles and some tools to not want to see a military escalation of any kind,” she tary chief but Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told parlia- Macron says the belt-tightening is temporary and that achieve compliance. Mixed in the 13 points were what said. “We hope to be able to resolve this internally and ment yesterday de Villiers could not, as a soldier, “honor- he remains committed to boosting defence spending to Western nations might see as fair demands, such as among ourselves with the assistance of strong media- ably contest his boss’s choices”. Retired General Dominique 2.0 percent of gross domestic product by 2025 (around cracking down on support for extremists and curbing tion, whether it’s from the US or the Kuwaitis.” Trinquand, who advised Macron during his campaign, said 50 billion euros), in line with NATO targets. Nuclear- ties with Iran, and tougher-to-swallow calls to shut Mouallimi stressed that Qatar’s future lies with its the row had cast a pall over his otherwise “remarkable” armed France and Britain are the biggest military powers down the Al-Jazeera television network - one of Qatar’s neighbors not with “faraway places”, a clear reference to start in office. “This is a hitch that will probably be a bit dif- in the European Union. French forces are currently best-known brands - and kick out troops from NATO Turkey and Iran which are supporting Doha. “Our ficult to get past,” he said in an interview with AFP. engaged on three fronts. French jets are taking part in member Turkey, which has a base in Qatar. Turkish brothers need to recognize that the era of Macron’s defense cuts - part of a 4.5-billion-euro reduc- strikes against Islamic State jihadists in Syria and Iraq. Mouallimi stressed that stopping incitement to vio- covert and to some extent unwanted intervention in tion in spending aimed at reducing France’s budget Some 4,000 French soldiers are involved in efforts to stop lence is essential, but he said closing Al-Jazeera might the Arab world has long gone,” he said. “If Turkey wants deficit - have been viewed by the military as a betrayal the spread of extremism in West Africa. And at home, not be necessary. “If the only way to achieve that is by to play a constructive role they are welcome to do so, after his strong show of support for the armed forces. On 7,000 soldiers are deployed to patrol the streets after a closing down Al-Jazeera, fine,” he said. “If we can but trying to find the role through military bases or mili- his first day as president, he visited soldiers injured in series of terror attacks that have killed more than 230 achieve that without closing down Al-Jazeera, that’s tary intervention would not be productive, and would overseas operations and his maiden foreign trip as leader people since 2015. — AFP also fine. The important thing is the objective and the not fare well for Turkey’s reputation in the Arab world.” principle involved.” Diplomats from the four countries who attended the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation briefing said there have been discussions about possi- Reem Al-Hashimy said all the countries involved have ble next steps. UAE Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh said strong relations with the United States “and we believe that “if Qatar is unwilling to accept core principles Authorities call for info on absconding... that the Americans have a very constructive and a very around what defines terrorism or extremism in our Continued from Page 1 recess. Tabtabaei and his colleagues must secure the important role to play in hopefully creating a peaceful region, it will be very difficult” for it to remain in the Gulf resolution to this current crisis”. US President Donald Cooperation Council with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and signature of 33 MPs in order to submit a request calling Trump has sided strongly with Saudi Arabia and the Bahrain. “So it may be a parting of ways for a little while Meanwhile, Islamist opposition MP Waleed Al- for the emergency session, according to Assembly laws. UAE in the dispute, publicly backing their contention in order to work things out,” she said. Mouallimi said the Tabtabaei said yesterday he plans to call for an emer- Tabtabaei and Hayef have sent several questions to the that Qatar is a supporter of Islamic militant groups and quartet briefed the 10 elected Security Council mem- gency National Assembly session to discuss the pro-Iran interior minister about the 14 men and demanded that the a destabilizing force in the Middle East. bers Tuesday and hopes to meet the permanent mem- cell. Tabtabaei said on his Twitter account that he is ministry issue a statement clarifying the reported escape. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently concluded bers as well. There are no plans to take the dispute to coordinating with opposition MPs Mohammad Hayef The 14 men were set free after the appeals court acquitted several days of shuttle diplomacy and sealed a deal to the UN’s most powerful body, he said, but “if we devel- and Mohammad Al-Mutair to request the emergency them last year. But the court of cassation overturned the intensify Qatar’s counterterrorism efforts. The memo- op the conviction that that is a necessary move forward, session for the Assembly, which is currently on summer ruling and sentenced them to various jail terms. randum of understanding signed by the US and Qatar then we will do so.” — Agencies THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SPORTS

Neuer replaces Lahm R&A chief keen to see England seamer Wood as Bayern’s captain ailing Tiger Woods back fit for Third Test BERLIN: Germany goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer will replace Philipp SOUTHPORT: The head of golf’s governing body has expressed Lahm as Bayern Munich’s skipper for next season, the Bundesliga champions’ his hope that former world number one Tiger Woods will one day LONDON: England fast bowler Mark Wood has been passed fit for next week’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed. “Our number one is the feature again at a British Open. This year’s championship tees off Third Test against South Africa at The Oval after scans revealed no serious injury number one (choice) — Manuel Neuer,” Rummenigge told Munich daily on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in the town of Southport, north- on his left heel. Wood has been blighted by injuries throughout his career, with newspaper TZ. “He is an established professional, who west England, with Woods again absent. The 41-year-old’s ankle problems keeping him out of Test cricket for nearly will take the armband from Philipp Lahm. “He has attempts to resurrect his career have been hit by a series of opera- two years from October 2015, with the seamer only developed really well with the national team-not tions on his back since 2014, and he has made only one top-20 making his comeback at Lord’s two weeks ago. The only on, but also off the pitch.” World Cup-winner finish in the past two seasons. His absence this week means it is 27-year-old sat out some of South Africa’s second Neuer has been Germany’s goalkeeper since now seven straight majors that he has sat out. “I think the sport innings after suffering from soreness while bowling Bastian Schweinsteiger made his final international should be eternally grateful for the transformation he drove in during England’s humbling 340-run Second Test appearance last August. The 31- golf. I would love to see him tee it up here again,” R&A chief execu- defeat at Trent Bridge. But the England and Wales year-old Neuer steps in to skipper tive Martin Slumbers said at Birkdale yesterday ahead of the start Bayern after Lahm retired from all Cricket Board confirmed Wednesday that Wood is of this year’s Open. Woods has won 14 majors and once held the available for next week-if selected. Wood’s availability football in May after 22 years world number one ranking for a record 683 weeks. But this year with the Bavarian giants. Neuer provides a timely boost for England with batsman Gary Woods’ rehabilitation from injury was overshadowed by his arrest Ballance ruled out of the Third Test with a broken has sat out Bayern’s current tour of in May for driving under the influence. “I hope he gets well. I hope China and Singapore to recover from finger. The selectors will name their squad for The he gets fit. I hope he falls back in love with golf. I hope he tees it Oval on Friday or Saturday with at least one a foot surgery, but is expected to up at the Open. He’d be extremely welcome,” added Slumbers. be back for the German giants enforced change required due to Woods has won the Open three times, most recently at Hoylake, Ballance’s injury. The four-Test series is when the new Bundesliga season not far from Birkdale, in 2006. — AFP kicks off on August 18. — AFP currently level at 1-1. — AFP

GOLF Trump makes Jason a Day late arriving McIlroy hoping to catch at Birkdale SOUTHPORT: Jason Day is hopeful he can figure prominently at this week’s British Open despite arriv- ing at Royal Birkdale later than planned-thanks to Donald Trump. The Australian was due to be in his wave at British Open England on Sunday but ended up putting back his departure by 24 hours because of flight delays in New York which he put down to the US President. SOUTHPORT: Just three years ago, Rory week to get that spark. That’s what McIlroy was the best player in the world Johnson is looking for since his return “I had three weeks off before this, so I could have without a trace of argument. He won the from back injury. got in early,” Day said at Birkdale on the eve of final two majors of the year, with a World “It’s taken me a long time to get every- Thursday’s Open first round. “I was actually sup- Golf Championship title in between. He thing back to feeling where it was,” Johnson posed to get here Sunday. And I was flying through had reason to believe his reign would last said. “I’m trying to get back to that point. JFK and President Trump was there and there was a as long as he wanted it to. It’s definitely a lot harder.” When he won the bunch of delays. So I just decided to move my flight Now he’s simply trying to get back into British Open down the coast at Royal back a little bit later.” Trump attended the US the conversation. The starkest reminder of Liverpool in 2014, McIlroy mentioned an Women’s Open in New Jersey last weekend, and the the state of his game was not so much adage he first heard from Tom Weiskopf. delays allowed Day to spend an extra day at home missing three cuts in his last four tourna- When a player is going well, he can’t imag- with his young children, and be there for his son’s ments. It was being told on the eve of the ine what it was like to play poorly. And birthday. British Open that the bookies listed him at when he’s playing badly, he can’t imagine The 29-year-old world number six’s change of 20-1 to win at Royal Birkdale. what it was like to play great. plans meant he did not practice on the Southport “Good time to back me,” McIlroy said. “I links on Monday, but he believes a lack of golf going mean, look, if I was a betting company and SO WHERE IS HE NOW? into the championship could benefit him. I saw my form over the past few weeks, “I feel like I can hit the ball in the fairway, “Usually I get in here to places like this early. I yeah, that’s probably a fair enough price. and from there I can hit the ball on the usually get in Thursday or Friday and play a couple But again, all it takes is one week for those green,” McIlroy said. “And if I get my line, I of practice rounds. I did it this year at Augusta and I odds to go back.” can put the ball in the hole from there. So was just truly knackered by the time I started He has been through these mini- it’s not bad. It’s not as if I can’t see myself Thursday,” he said. “This week has felt a lot quicker slumps more than once in the 10 years shooting a good score. It’s all there. It’s just to me. And I got some work in before I came in here. since he first played the British Open at a matter of putting it all together.” I think all in all I feel pretty ready and fresh going Carnoustie. McIlroy missed four of five SOUTHPORT: Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy speaks during a press conference He has slipped so far from the dominant into tomorrow’s round.” cuts in 2012, including his title defense in ahead of the British Open Golf Championship, at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England force in golf - McIlroy hasn’t been at No. 1 Day was presented with an award on Wednesday the U.S. Open, and ended the summer by yesterday. —AP since September 2015 - that he could win for ending 2016 as world number one. Since then he winning the PGA Championship to return the next two majors and still probably not has dropped back due to poorer form, including a to No. 1 in the world. from them. I’d say I was in worse positions ous few majors, except for the US Open reach Johnson at the top of the ranking. missed cut at last month’s US Open. This one has been the most aggravating than this. I feel like my game ... the pieces held on a new course in Wisconsin. His odds would certainly get better, just PGA champion in 2015, when he also came fourth because it involves injury. The hairline rib are all there, it’s just about trying to fit Johnson was close to being a dominant like when he was the favorite at just about in the Open at St Andrews, Day admits to having had fracture he suffered in January during the them together.” figure when he won three straight tourna- every major. He still remembers those days. his mind elsewhere at the start of this year due to a South African Open is no longer an issue, ments against the strongest fields of the “When you ride on the crest of a wave, cancer scare involving his mother. but it forced him to sit out nearly two it’s easy to get caught up with those expec- AS FOR HIS ODDS? year at the time, and then he slipped “When you feel like you’re going to lose someone months, and then he played only once in That speaks to a broader picture of the down the stairs on the eve of the Masters, tations and you start believing them,” he that is very close to you, there’s nothing you want to two months between the Masters and the 146th edition of the British Open, which wrenched his back and didn’t swing a said. “When I won those three tournaments do more than just be with them and you don’t even U.S. Open in part because it was acting up. starts Thursday at Royal Birkdale. Dustin club for a month. in ‘14 and I was where I was in the game, of It all led to what McIlroy describes as a Johnson, the No. 1 player in the world, and Jason Day ended last year at No. 1 in the course I thought, ‘OK, I really can keep this want to think about playing golf or even think start-and-stop year, one that to this point Jordan Spieth have taken turns as the world, and then found himself emotionally going.’ ... And some things just come along about working,” said Day. He plays with 2015 Open doesn’t include a trophy. “But I’m in good favorite by the bookies. wrapped up in tending to his mother, who that you don’t expect. champion Zach Johnson and reigning Masters spirits,” McIlroy said. “I feel like it’s all com- Right behind them is Jon Rahm, the was diagnosed with lung cancer. McIlroy “I’m in a place where I’m trying to figure champion Sergio Garcia in the first two rounds as he ing together. I’m just waiting for that dynamic 22-year-old from Spain who wouldn’t have seen this coming at the end out how I get back to that position where I chases a first win since the Players Championship round or that moment or that week where already has won twice this year. Masters of last year when he won the FedEx Cup. was,” he said. “I’m trying to get back there over a year ago. it sort of clicks and I’ll be off and running. champion Sergio Garcia is right up there. “But these things sort of crop up out and I’m doing everything I can. And hope- “I’m looking forward to trying to get back into the I’ve had little periods like this before in my There is no clear favorite. There is no clear of nowhere and they challenge us,” he fully the start of that crest of a wave hap- winner’s circle this year, and hopefully I can do that career, and I’ve been able to bounce back plot that is any different from the previ- said. Maybe it’s one shot, one round, one pens this week.”— AP this week,” he said. — AFP

PREVIEW Big names in fight for form coming into British Open

SOUTHPORT: While uncertainty surrounds the form of leading names such as number two Hideki Matsuyama looking a threat, can another first-time winner among the former champions here. The latter won the first of his two Opens at Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, the British Open begins at Royal Birkdale today lift the Claret Jug in front of Birkdale’s distinctive white Art Deco clubhouse on Birkdale in 1961, and a plaque sits by the 16th fairway to commemorate a famous with a plethora of players hopeful of winning the Claret Jug. Sunday evening? “I think there’s a lot more guys shot he hit from a bush on his way to the title. The course has great history and When The Open last came to the links at Southport, near Liverpool on the who haven’t won majors than guys who have poses a formidable challenge, not least if the weather deteriorates. Conditions coast of north-west England, it was 2008 and Tiger Woods had just won the US that are playing, so the chances are it is going were glorious on Monday and Tuesday but it is set to be much cooler and more Open. That was his 14th major, but Woods has not won any since and no longer to be somebody that hasn’t won one,” added unsettled for Thursday’s first round and does a single player dominate the sport. Spieth. Spieth’s game is in a better place there is a risk it could be downright The last nine majors have all been won by a different name, going back to than world number one Johnson, who sat unpleasant by Friday. “I think it’s the Jordan Spieth’s back-to-back victories at the Masters and US out the Masters with a back injury and missed fairest links golf course we play, it Open in 2015. Indeed, the last seven majors have all been the cut in last month’s US Open at rewards great golf,” said Rose. claimed by players who had never previously taken one Erin Hills. Nevertheless, Johnson, “But we really haven’t played this of the sport’s biggest prizes, including Brooks 33, has remained the favourite for course in good weather. This week Koepka at last month’s US Open and Henrik the $1.845 million first prize with might not be great.”— AFP Stenson in The Open at Troon 12 months ago. most bookmakers this week, while “I think it’s a really impressive stat and it speaks to fourth-ranked McIlroy looks to climb the state of the game. There are a lot out of a worrying slump. He has of tremendous young players missed the cut at three of the last right now,” Spieth, the 23-year- five majors and also failed to make old world number three, said the weekend on the links at the on Tuesday. “And then Irish Open and Scottish Open you’ve got guys like Henrik recently. Formidable chal- and Dustin, guys who are lenge -Padraig Harrington still young, but guys who was the last winner at have been around in Birkdale, a stunning contention many, par-70 course that many times, and it winds its way was sooner or later through the sand going to happen, dunes, nine and it did. It years ago. He was just a is the last matter of player to time for successfully defend the Claret Jug, them.” But, and Stenson will hope that is an omen with the for him, although he must know the sort likes of of golf that saw him defeat Phil Mickelson on Japan’s the last day at Troon was once-in-a-lifetime world stuff. “I think once you win one, obviously that’s off your shoulder. And it’s more about putting yourself in contention again and trying to win a second one,” the Swede, 41, said on Tuesday. Five of the last six Open champions have been aged 39 or older. In 1998, Birkdale crowned the 41-year-old Mark O’Meara, although a fresh-faced 17-year- old Justin Rose finished fourth as an amateur. Rose, along with local lad Tommy Fleetwood, now look the best bets for a first English winner since Nick Faldo in 1992. Birkdale is hosting The Open for the 10th time all told, with Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer Dustin Johnson Jon Rahm Jordan Spieth THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SPORTS

Vikings to hold final Mankato training camp after 52 years

MINNEAPOLIS: From Alan Page to The Vikings will open their new, ers, coaches and staff the best oppor- they have for 60 years. during a joint practice. Jared Allen, Fran Tarkenton to Teddy sprawling practice facility in the Twin tunity to succeed, and we feel hosting Through the years, the Vikings Police used to set up shop on Bridgewater, Chuck Foreman to Adrian Cities suburb of Eagan in March and training camp at our new home is the would take over Mankato at the end of Highway 169 on the eve of camp to Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings spent will hold training camp there going proper move for the organization and every summer and players would bunk catch Vikings players speeding through 52 years making a 90-minute drive forward. “Over the past 52 years we Vikings fans.” in the dorm rooms. Quarterback Dante the sleepy town of St. Peter to try and from the Twin Cities to Mankato for have formed incredible relationships Staying closer to home for training Culpepper and receiver Randy Moss make the check-in time, including training camp. with Minnesota State University, camp is a trend that has spread drove flashy sports cars into town as receiver Koren Robinson being clocked The Vikings’ proud history of hold- Mankato, the City of Mankato, and the throughout the league in recent years. thousands of fans swarmed them in the at 120 mph in 2006. ing camp on the campus of Minnesota entire community, and those partner- The Vikings are one of 12 teams to parking lot. Former coach Mike Tice The darkest day in the team’s long State University, Mankato is entering its ships made this decision difficult,” leave headquarters for camp this sum- held court at a bar and restaurant just history in Mankato happened on Aug. final days. The team announced Vikings executive Kevin Warren said. mer. That does not include the Green across the street from the practice 1, 2001, when offensive tackle Korey Tuesday that this camp will be its last in “With our increased space and ameni- Bay Packers, who practice on their own fields, and WWE star Brock Lesnar, who Stringer died after a collapsing during the college town 90 miles southwest of ties, the Twin Cities Orthopedics fields in Green Bay but stay in the was trying out with the Vikings in 2004, practice a day earlier on a particularly Minneapolis. Performance Center will give our play- dorms at nearby St. Norbert College, as rumbled with the Kansas City Chiefs sweltering afternoon.—AP

CYCLING Froome looking to control Alps

LA MURE: Chris Froome has tasked his Sky over Sky, which is a strong team which team-mates with mission control as the prefers to go on the attack rather than Tour de France begins brutally tough back- defend,” said Basque Landa. “Who knows, to-back Alpine stages yesterday. The reign- maybe (Wednesday) will require more ing champion has an 18 second lead in the attention, there are more climbs and more yellow jersey competition ahead of Italian terrain for strategies-I think it could be Fabio Aru, but two other riders-Romain more dangerous.” It’s certainly going to be Bardet and Rigoberto Uran-are also within an epic stage with three huge climbs-the 30sec of the lead. There are four cate- Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Telegraphe gorised climbs on the menu on and Col du Galibier, the highest point of Wednesday’s 183km 17th stage from La this year’s race at more than 2,600 metres Mure to Serre-Chevalier, and nearly 60km above sea level. It could encourage one of of steep climbing. Although the finish is at the top 10 rivals a bit further back to strike the end of a long 28km descent, there are out a long way from home. 30km of climbing just before that and “I’ve lost time but we’ll see how things Froome is determined to keep his rivals go (on Wednesday),” said twice former under tight wraps. winner Alberto Contador, who was “(Wednesday) is certainly going to be a caught out in Tuesday’s crosswinds and race for us to control, but otherwise I’m lost more than 90sec, dropping out of the feeling good,” he said. “I do believe these top 10. “Everything will depend on how next two days are the biggest consecutive my legs are and how my rivals react dur- days in this year’s Tour de France. “It’s hard ing the race.” to say exactly how selective it’s going to be, The Spaniard, though, is not one to sit or just a case of the four of us, all within on and wait to see how things pan out. half a minute, chasing each other’s shad- However, with a summit finish to come on ows, or whether it’s going to be blown Thursday and a time-trial on Saturday, Uran wide open. “On the upside, myself and believes the leaders might be more con- (team-mate) Mikel Landa are feeling great cerned with avoiding losing time. PRETORIA: In this Oct. 1, 2016 file photo, South Africa’s Lionel Mapoe, left, is tackled by Australia’s Quade Cooper, top right, and teammate coming into this final week of the race.” Uran is fourth at 29sec but knows that Bernard Foley, during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Australia, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, South Africa. Cooper Landa is fifth at 1min 17sec but could after Froome, he’s the best time-trialist has been omitted from Australia’s 38-man training squad. — AP have an important role to play as a foil with amongst the yellow jersey challengers. If Froome’s rivals concentrating not just on he no time in the Alps, he will fancy his trying to take time off the leader, but also chances of overhauling Bardet and Aru on RUGBY cautious of Landa’s potential to push them Saturday. “Now the losses Alps are begin- off the podium. ning,” he said. “You have to be careful “Everyone is trying to get an advantage every day.”—AFP Quade Cooper omitted from Wallabies training squad

SYDNEY: Quade Cooper has been omitted from Australia’s 38-man training squad for BOXING the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup, raising questions about the future test prospects of the flashy but often unpre- China boxing star Zou dictable playmaker. The move leaves Bernard Foley as the only specialist flyhalf in the extended squad primed for biggest battle announced by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika yesterday for a series of training camps SHANGHAI: He is a two-time Olympic gold professional with US promoters Top Rank, starting north of Sydney next week. Kurtley medallist and reigning world champion, but whose founder and chief executive Bob Arum Beale, a utility back who recently returned Chinese boxing star Zou Shiming is eyeing an had his eye on the lucrative China market, and from England, was recalled to the Wallabies even greater prize: making the sport big in his was under the tutelage of respected American squad for the first time since the 2015 World homeland. The 36-year-old defends his World trainer Freddie Roach. Cup and is only other potential No. 10 in the Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight title for But Zou is promoting himself for the July 28 initial group. the first time next week when he faces Japan’s fight, while insisting he will work with Top Rank Cooper’s omission is his first based on form Sho Kimura in Shanghai, and is targeting a again. He chose China for his first title defence LE LA MURE: Great Britain’s Christopher Froome (R), wearing the overall leader’s yel- fourth-round knockout. in order to promote the sport in the country, since former Wallaby coach Robbie Deans left low jersey, and Italy’s Fabio Aru ride during the 183 km seventeenth stage of the After a brilliant amateur career Zou turned partnering with Chinese companies such as 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race yesterday between Le La Mure and him out of the 2013 British and Irish Lions professional in 2013 — at the relatively late Alisports which is part of e-commerce giant Serre-Chevalier, French Alps. — AFP series. Cheika indicated it was not necessarily age of 31 — and last November won the Alibaba. “It was significant that I won the belt the end of international rugby for 29-year-old world title in Las Vegas to improve to a pro in Las Vegas, the boxing temple. I want to bring Cooper, who was only used sparingly off the record of 9-1 with two KOs. Now he wants to this glory and passion, as well as the boxing bench in the June test matches against Fiji, harness his fame to put boxing on a par at culture, to China,” he said. “It would be signifi- Green jersey Kittel Scotland and Italy. home with more popular sports. cant to defend it in China. I don’t just want to “We have had a talk about the reasons why “In the West they already have a long histo- bring the belt from the highest temple, I also and obviously a lot of that is around trying to ry of boxing and everyone of all ages watch, want to guard it in China and keep it in China.” quits Tour de France get him back into the space where he can be but in China this is still something we have to The weight of history is against Zou. that player that is going to get us around the work hard on,” he told AFP in an interview at Communist China’s founder Mao Zedong SERRE-CHEVALIER: Sprint star Marcel points behind Kittel. park and do the stuff we want him to do,” his sweltering gym in Shanghai. “The attention banned the sport as too violent, and it only Kittel quit the Tour de France yesterday The German would still have been Cheika said. “I don’t feel like that has been it gets here is not like some of our more con- returned to the public consciousness in 1979 after a crash on the 183km, 17th stage in expected to win the jersey with two likely happening.” ventional sports such as badminton and table when Muhammad Ali visited China at the invi- the Alps from La Mure to Serre-Chevalier. flat stage sprints to come but Matthews Cheika did not select any players from the tennis that lots of kids practise and play. tation of then-leader Deng Xiaoping. The 29-year-old German was leading the could have taken it off him on Thursday’s Brumbies, who are hosting a Super Rugby “We want to tell everyone in China that Zou won bronze at the Athens Olympics in sprinters’ green jersey competition at the stage with 20 points up for grab in the quarterfinal against the Hurricanes on Friday Chinese people have a Zou Shiming who 2004, then gold at the Beijing Games four time he abandoned having won five stages intermediate sprint there. As it is, the in Canberra. The squad includes 11 uncapped brought back the belt from Las Vegas and kept years later, before successfully defending his so far. “Another sad news: Green jersey Australian will now wear the green jersey players, and seven others with four or fewer it here, so that everyone will say, ‘If Zou title at the London games in 2012 to put box- @marcelkittel, and winner of five on Thursday and with a 160-point lead over test caps. Cooper’s absence didn’t appear to Shiming can, so can other Chinese’.” ing back on the map in China. With the end of his boxing career in sight- Add three amateur world titles and it’s easy #TDF2017 stages, has stopped at the top German Andre Greipel, he is almost certain be injury related. In a statement confirming he declined to say when he would retire-the to see why, if anyone can make boxing big in of Col de la Croix de Fer,” said the German’s to win it if he reaches Paris.— AFP the squad, the Australian Rugby Union said Quick-Step team on Twitter. What had affable Zou is turning his hand to promotion China, Zou can. He may train boxers after he only three players - Kyle Goodwin, Lukhan Tui been a hugely successful Tour for Kittel and mentoring the next generation. He turned retires.— AFP quickly turned sour as he crashed 20km and James Slipper - were not considered for into yesterday’s stage. selection because of injuries. He was cut and bloodied and even Backrower Scott Higginbotham, who has needed to change a shoe while hanging played 34 tests for Australia, was one of the onto his team car as the race continued. other notable omissions. The test squad will The peloton led by race leader Chris be chosen in the first week of August. “We Froome’s Team Sky sat up and waited for have a lot of work to get done between now Kittel but once the climbing began with and Aug. 9 when we play New Zealand in the second category Col d’Ornon, the Sydney,” Cheika said. “That work started in German started to lose touch with the June, we tried to maintain some of that bunch. By the 24km long hors category Col throughout the last rounds of Super Rugby de la Croix de Fer just over 100km from the and now we start to take it up a level.” finish, he was losing serious ground and the prospect of getting to the finish line Australia squad within the required time delay was dimin- Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Adam ishing, so Kittel quit. Coleman, Pek Cowan, Jack Dempsey, Kane “We might not have Paris, but we’ll Douglas, Sef Fa’agase, Tetera Faulkner, Ned always have these fantastic wins! Thank Hanigan, Richard Hardwick, Michael Hooper, you, @marcelkittel!” added Quick-Step. Sekope Kepu, Adam Korczyk, Tolu Latu, Sean Kittel had taken his personal total to 14 McMahon, Stephen Moore (captain), Tatafu Tour stage wins, overtaking the record mark of 12 by a German that Erik Zabel Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Rob managed. Simmons, Lopeti Timani, Taniela Tupou, He had held a 128-point lead over Jordan Uelese. Michael Matthews in the green jersey com- LE LA MURE: Germany’s Marcel Kittel Backs: Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard petition and looked likely to win that. But a wearing the best sprinter’s green jersey, Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece SHANGHAI: This photo taken on July 12, 2017 shows Chinese boxer Zou Shiming (R) determined Matthews had whittled down injured after falling, rides during the Hodge, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Marika training at a gym in Shanghai. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and reigning that lead to just 29 points over the past 183 km seventeenth stage of the 104th Koroibete, Campbell Magnay, Billy Meakes, world champion, but Chinese boxing star Zou Shiming is eyeing an even greater prize: four days and by winning yesterday’s inter- edition of the Tour de France cycling Eto Nabuli, Sefa Naivalu, Izaia Perese, Nick Making the sport big in his homeland. — AFP mediate sprint, he moved to just nine race yesterday. —AFP Phipps, Curtis Rona. —AP THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SPORTS

Ogwumike, Griner, Stewart headline WNBA All-Star reserves

NEW YORK: There will be a lot of and Phoenix’s Brittney Griner. their first appearances. So will who have been selected more than Charles is the lone representative fresh faces in Seattle for the All-Star Griner, the league’s leading scor- Chicago’s Allie Quigley and twice since Elena Delle Donne is out from New York, for now, Atlanta and Game this weekend, including reign- er, won’t play though after injuring Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas. They are with an injury She too will be Connecticut each have three players ing rookie of the year Breanna her ankle and knee last week. WNBA joined by Chicago’s Stefanie Dolson replaced by Borders today. “It’s great competing. Stewart. The Storm’s leading scorer President Lisa Borders will announce and Indiana’s Candice Dupree to to see so many new faces and we’ll “I’m so, so excited to be part of the was one of six reserves announced on a replacement for Griner yesterday. round out the East reserves. With have a good time out there,” Charles All-Star team this year,” Williams said. Tuesday night who will be playing in Stewart and Gray will be playing in starters Tiffany Hayes, Jonquel Jones said of all the All-Star rookies. “It’s even more exciting that I get to their first All-Star contest. the game for the first time. The East and Jasmine Thomas all playing in DuPree is the third player to make share this time with two of my team- She’s joined on the West team by has four reserves competing in their their first All-Star Games, the East has the All-Star Game with three different mates, Tip (Tiffany Hayes) and Lay Los Angeles’ Nneka Ogwumike and first All-Star contest. Atlanta team- seven first-timers. teams, doing it with Chicago, Phoenix (Layshia Clarendon). Seattle is an awe- Chelsea Gray, Dallas’ Skylar Diggins- mates Layshia Clarendon and Dupree and starter Tina Charles are and now Indiana. She joins Cappie some basketball city so I’m looking Smith, Minnesota’s Seimone Augustus Elizabeth Williams will be making the only two players on the East team Pondexter and Tina Thompson. While forward to a great weekend.” —AP

BALTIMORE: Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Davis watches his grand slam in front of Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy and home plate umpire Brian Gorman during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore, Tuesday. —AP

BASEBALL Pirates rally past Brewers in Marte’s return

PITTSBURGH: Francisco Cervelli and Josh trading for slugger J.D. Martinez. Rey and finished with a career-high six RBIs to Harrison homered during a sixth-inning Fuentes added a pinch-hit, three-run shot in help Baltimore breeze past Texas. It was the rally and the streaking Pittsburgh Pirates the seventh, All-Star outfielder Jake Lamb 19th career multihomer game for Davis, Magic Johnson dazzled welcomed outfielder Starling Marte back had a two-run triple and Arizona ended a making his fifth start since coming off the with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee five-game skid by tying a season high with disabled list with an oblique strain. Brewers on Tuesday night. Marte went 1 for nine extra-base hits - one from each spot in Baltimore’s cleanup hitter hadn’t gone deep by Ball magic for Lakers 3 in his return from an 80-game suspen- the order. The Diamondbacks had four dou- since June 10 and has 16 home runs after sion for violating the performance-enhanc- bles in the fifth, helping overcome Zack hitting 38 last season. The Orioles scored six LOS ANGELES: Magic Johnson believes the Western Conference last season, were ing drug policy. He also walked in the sixth, Cozart’s 10th homer of the season. Arizona runs against Tyson Ross (2-2) before making Lonzo Ball’s dazzling performances in the already a better team, Johnson said. “The coming around to score on Harrison’s 11th acquired Martinez from the Detroit Tigers in an out, and that was enough to send Las Vegas Summer League are a shape of roster is more balanced. We saw the ball home run of the season that tied the game. exchange for minor leaguers Dawel Lugo, Baltimore to its second straight win over things to come as the Los Angeles Lakers movement in summer league. ... We want to David Freese put the Pirates ahead to stay Sergio Alcantara and Jose King. Cincinnati is Texas following a three-game sweep by the attempt to regain former glories. go up and down. ... Also, our practices are with an RBI single off reliever Oliver Drake 0-5 since the All-Star break, and opponents Chicago Cubs. Dylan Bundy (9-8) allowed Ball, chosen by the Lakers with the sec- going to be amazing, and that will lead to us (3-3) later in the inning. Ivan Nova (10-6) have reached double figures in runs in three one run and four hits in six innings to earn ond overall pick in the draft, was named getting better in games,” he said. —AFP survived six innings to get the win. Felipe of the games. Amid muggy conditions and his first victory since June 24. MVP of the summer league after posting Rivero worked out of a two-on, one-out a 90-degree first-pitch temperature, Robbie two triple doubles and recording four jam in the ninth for his eighth save. Ray (9-4) lasted six innings for Arizona. Reds PHILLIES 5, MARLINS 2 games with 10 assists or more. Pittsburgh won its third straight and pulled starter Sal Romano (1-2), recalled from Maikel Franco had three hits, including a The 19-year-old’s performances rewrote within five games of the first-place Brewers Triple-A Louisville earlier Tuesday to make tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, the record books in the summer league. Until this year, no rookie had posted more in the crowded NL Central. his third career start, failed to retire a batter to help lift Philadelphia over Miami. than one with 10 assists and no rookie had in the fifth. National League home run leader Giancarlo completed more than one triple double. DIAMONDBACKS 11, REDS 2 Stanton hit his 29th for the Marlins, who According to Johnson, that bodes well Chris Herrmann capped a six-run fifth ORIOLES 12, RANGERS 1 have lost four of five. Franco’s homer to left inning with a two-run homer, and Arizona Chris Davis homered in a six-run first for the Lakers’ future. “If he’s getting triple- field off Dustin McGowan (5-1) was his 14th slugged its way past Cincinnati, shortly after inning, added a grand slam in the fourth doubles in the summer league, he is going of the season and it broke a 2-all tie. Nick to get triple-doubles in the regular season,” Williams added a two-run homer in the Johnson, the Lakers president of basketball MLB Results/Standings ninth to cap the scoring. Cameron Perkins operations, told reporters Tuesday. “Just like drove in two runs for the Phillies and Pat me, when I got here, there was pressure. I Detroit 9, Kansas City 3; LA Dodgers 1, Chicago White Sox 0; Houston 6, Seattle 2; Arizona 11, Cincinnati 2; Neshek (3-2) pitched a scoreless seventh for was the No. 1 pick. I didn’t care about that. I Philadelphia 5, Miami 2; St. Louis 5, NY Mets 0; Pittsburgh 4, Milwaukee 3; Baltimore 12, Texas 1. the victory. Hector Neris pitched a perfect am going to play my game. Lonzo is going American League National League ninth for his ninth save in 12 opportunities. to play his game. The great ones do,” he was Eastern Division Eastern Division quoted by ESPN as saying. W L PCT GB Washington 57 36 .613 - CARDINALS 5, METS 0 Johnson, who was speaking at the Boston 53 42 .558 - Atlanta 45 47 .489 11.5 Michael Wacha threw a three-hitter for unveiling of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at Tampa Bay 51 44 .537 2 Miami 42 50 .457 14.5 his first career shutout, Matt Carpenter had their El Segundo training base, said he had NY Yankees 48 44 .522 3.5 NY Mets 41 50 .451 15 four hits, and St. Louis beat New York. seen similarities between Ball and himself in Baltimore 44 49 .473 8 Philadelphia 31 61 .337 25.5 Wacha (7-3) has won his last four starts. He his performances to date. Toronto 43 50 .462 9 Central Division Central Division struck out eight and walked one in his 99th “Lonzo is special, no question about it, Milwaukee 52 44 .542 - Cleveland 48 44 .522 - career start. The 26-year-old right-hander, because he makes everyone better,” Chicago Cubs 48 45 .516 2.5 Minnesota 47 46 .505 1.5 who was ineffective last season, had not Johnson said. “He does something you can’t St. Louis 46 47 .495 4.5 Kansas City 45 47 .489 3 won four straight starts since the 2013 play- teach. He gives you a scoring pass. Very few Pittsburgh 46 48 .489 5 Detroit 43 49 .467 5 offs when he helped lead St. Louis to the point guards in this league can do that. I am Cincinnati 39 54 .419 11.5 talking about giving you a pass that leads to Chicago White Sox 38 53 .418 9.5 World Series. Wacha and the Cardinals capi- LAS VEGAS: Los Angeles Lakers’ Lonzo Western Division Western Division the score, not just passing it to you. ... I like LA Dodgers 65 29 .691 - talized on a shoddy Mets defense that let him because he also is now a great team- Ball holds up the trophy for the most Houston 63 31 .670 - valuable player in the NBA summer Seattle 47 48 .495 16.5 Arizona 54 39 .581 10.5 down starter Rafael Montero (1-6) with mate. He has a special effect on people.” league, before the team’s basketball Texas 45 48 .484 17.5 Colorado 55 41 .573 11 three errors. Montero allowed four runs, two The Lakers, who completed the worst game against the Portland Trail Blazers LA Angels 46 50 .479 18 San Diego 40 53 .430 24.5 earned, in six innings. New York has lost season in the franchise’s history in 2016 with in Las Vegas. — AP Oakland 42 52 .447 21 San Francisco 36 59 .379 29.5 three straight and eight of 11.—AFP a 17-65 record, and were second bottom in THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SPORTS

World Cup finalists England yet to hit peak form: Knight

BRISTOL: Captain Heather Knight India at Derby today. “We haven’t put put our perfect performance in then I’ll from the game. But Knight admitted in the last 18 months has been said England are yet to reach their in the perfect performance together,” be a very happy captain.” Set 219 to book England could now allow themselves towards that.” best in the Women’s World Cup, Knight said afterwards, acknowledg- a place in the showpiece finale, England to think about playing at the ‘home of Although defeated, South Africa despite beating South Africa by two ing there were areas England needed made hard work of completing the chase cricket’. “It’s special,” Knight added, captain Dane van Niekerk heralded wickets at Bristol on Tuesday to reach to improve in ahead of the final. after losing six wickets for 78 runs. reflecting on England reaching their her team’s effort, as they competed in the final. Sarah Taylor top-scored for “The wicket was used and quite But they kept their cool in a nervy seventh World Cup final. their first World Cup semi-final since England with a crucial 76-ball 54 as tired, so we were quite smart with our final over as Anya Shrubsole - with two “We’ve known that the final is at 2000, and hoped reaching the knock- South Africa fought back hard in the bowling. “Potentially in the field runs required from three balls - hit her Lord’s for a long time now and, trying out round will inspire a new genera- latter stages to take the semi-final there’s a few extra runs in a close first delivery for four to secure victory. not to think about it too much, it’s tion of players back home. down to the clsoing over in their match like that that plays on your That England were in a position to win been at the forefront of our minds. It’s “After this tournament and the per- attempt of defending 218. mind as it gets close. It’s not ideal that the match after such a collapse was hard not to think about it. “A final at formances our team have put in, you Two-time World Cup winners one of the top five didn’t bat through thanks to the third-wicket partnership Lord’s at a home World Cup, sold out, know, a lot of girls get a bit more England will find out who they play in and be there at the end. It would have of 78 from Knight and Taylor, who there’s nothing better than that for interested in the game and try and Sunday’s sold-out final at Lord’s when made it a lot easier. returned to the England fold for this me. “We set out to try and sing that play it and hopefully get excited for reigning champions Australia take on “There’s still one game to go and if we tournament after a year-long break song at Lord’s, everything we’ve done the game,” she said. —AFP Mourinho ‘ready for 15 years’ at Old Trafford

LOS ANGELES: Manchester United man- ple say-that we have to win, but in reality ager Jose Mourinho has revealed he is tar- only one can win and every year it is get- geting a 15-year stay at Old Trafford, telling ting more difficult. ESPN in an interview on Tuesday he wants “This club, for so many years, was Sir to restore the stability of the Alex Ferguson Alex. People got used to it; people under- era. Mourinho, who took over the Premier stood the great consequences of that sta- League giants last year, told the network’s bility. “After David [Moyes] and Mr. [Louis] website that he is desperate to deliver sus- Van Gaal, I come to my second year and tained success over a long-term period just hopefully I can stay and give that stability as Ferguson did over nearly three decades. that the club wants. I will try, but again, I United have not won the Premier League will have to try to deserve that, but that’s title since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, what I try every day that I work.” with the club struggling to rediscover its Mourinho believes Ferguson’s 27-year dominance under David Moyes and Louis reign at United will never be emulated in van Gaal. the modern game. “I think Sir Alex’s career Mourinho has never spent longer than is unique,” Mourinho said. “I don’t think it is three years as manager of a club during his possible to emulate. “Nobody is going to be trophy-laden career. But the 54-year-old, in the same club for so many years, be in speaking as his team prepare to face the same league for so many years. I think Manchester City in Houston today in the [Arsenal manager Arsene] Wenger will be latest leg of their US tour, insisted he saw the last with a similar story in terms of stay- United as a long-term project. ing at a club for so many years. “I am ready for this,” Mourinho told “But I what I try to do in modern foot- ESPN. “I am ready for the next 15, I would ball nowadays is to try to deserve to stay in say. Here? Yes, why not? “I have to admit the club, because in this moment, it is that it is very difficult because of the pres- about success. You have success, you stay sure around our jobs, everybody putting in the club. You don’t have success, you pressure on managers and things that peo- don’t stay.” — AFP Arsenal stun Bayern on

TILBURG: France’s forward Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 football match between France and penalties in Shanghai Iceland at Stadium Koning Wilhelm II in Tilburg on Tuesday. — AFP

SHANGHAI: Arsenal were outplayed for Wenger had his arms outstretched in frustra- SOCCER long periods by Bayern Munich before sal- tion. And at the end of a first half in which vaging a last-gasp draw and then winning Bayern could have scored another five times 3-2 on penalties in a Shanghai friendly yes- but for goalkeeper Petr Cech, Arsenal play- terday. Reserve goalkeeper Emiliano maker Mesut Ozil booted the ball high into Martinez was the unlikely hero for the the air in anger. The future of the German France edge Iceland Premier League side, saving Juan Bernat’s international, and that of Chilean star Alexis soft spot kick after Arsenal substitute Alex Sanchez, is in major doubt with both stalling Iwobi made it 1-1 right at the end of nor- over new contracts. mal time. Sanchez is enjoying extra time off and is It may only have been a friendly and not in China after his involvement in the 1-0 at women’s Euro Arsenal emerged victorious, but it made for Confederations Cup. But he may not have painful viewing at times for manager made a difference against Carlo Ancelotti’s Arsene Wenger, whose side suffered a 10-2 side, who took the lead after Ainsley DEVENTER: Eugenie Le Sommer converted a aggregate drubbing to Bayern in last sea- Maitland-Niles had brought down Bernat in late penalty to lift France past diehard Iceland son’s Champions League. Robert the box and Lewandowski did the rest. Lewandowski needed just nine minutes to Iwobi’s injury-time leveller sent the 1-0 while Nina Burger’s early goal gave Austria Arrested Spanish federation fire Bayern ahead from the penalty spot as game straight to penalties. Both sides field- an equally slim win over 10-player Switzerland the German champions dominated before ed a mixture of first-team regulars and at the women’s Euro on Tuesday. Iwobi headed in at the death. reserves, with new Bayern signing James In Tilburg, Le Sommer sent Iceland’s keeper chief faces bleak future There will be no Champions League for Rodriguez and new Arsenal striker Gudbjerg Gunnarsdottir the wrong way to Arsenal this term and a gulf in class was evi- Alexandre Lacazette starting. Arsenal face score from the spot on 86 minutes after sub- MADRID: Angel Maria Villar’s future as the should be a “first step for a reform and dent. At one point in the opening period at Chelsea in Beijing in their next warm-up stitute striker Elin Metta Jensen had brought head of the Spanish football federation complete regeneration of football institu- Shanghai Stadium, where temperatures game at the weekend, while Bayern play AC down Amandine Henry in the box. In the was in serious doubt yesterday following tions.” “For Villar, the eternal president, this hovered around 36 degrees Celsius (97F), Milan in Shenzhen, southern China. —AFP Group C opener in Deventer earlier on his arrest as part of a vast anti-corruption is the end. It should have happened earli- Tuesday, Austrian captain Burger scored 15 probe. Villar, his son Gorka Villar, and sev- er,” the newspaper added in its editorial. minutes in with a clinical right-foot finish after eral Spanish Villar, a former a pass from Sarah Zadrazil in a clash of Euro federation acting presi- newcomers. executives dent and cur- Switzerland were reduced to 10 players were detained rent vice presi- after Rahel Kiwic was sent off for bringing by police in a dent of down Burger just outside the box with half an series of early European foot- hour to go. France had won seven of their morning raids ball governing previous nine encounters with Iceland, but on Tuesday on body UEFA, they struggled against the diehard defence suspicion of spent the night on Tuesday. French midfielder Clarisse Le embezzle- in prison while Bihan sent her shot wide and Dagny ment, fraud he waits to be Brynjarsdottir headed over the crossbar at the and collusion. questioned by other end in the first half. In the second, The investi- a judge, most France stepped up their pressure and gation focuses likely today. Iceland’s defence had a hard time stopping a on allegations The investi- ball flicked by captain Wendie Renard from that profits gation focuses Camille Abily’s free kick. from interna- Angel Maria on ten friendly Moments later, Renard’s header hit the tional matches matches which crossbar after a corner, but then the were skimmed. Investigators were also the Spanish national team played between SHANGHAI: Bayern Munich’s midfielder James Rodriguez (R) and Arsenal midfielder defence collapsed as Jensen, who had been probing whether national federation funds 2010 and 2013 after it won the World Cup in Granit Xhaka vie for the ball during the International Champions Cup football match on the pitch for just three minutes, brought had been used to bribe regional officials to South Africa when its cache was highest, between Bayern Munich and Arsenal in Shanghai yesterday. — AFP down Henry. France coach Olivier Echouafni vote for Villar as federation president, sports daily AS reported. The probe is also said: “We have the win, that’s the most according to Spanish media reports. reportedly looking into whether there had important thing. “The list of accusations...really surprises been any improper channelling of foot- “We have to be effective. I love these me,” the head of Spain’s government ball-related business to Gorka Villar, a Manager Conte signs games because the girls were in difficulty, but sports council, Jose Ramon Lete, said dur- lawyer specialising in sports law. Cadena they were patient. They have been rewarded. ing an interview with news radio Cadena Ser said police were also investigating improved Chelsea deal Everyone did well.” Austria had lost six of their Ser. Spain’s Court of Sport (TAD) could “possible cases of ticket re-sales” for previous eight encounters with Switzerland, open a disciplinary proceeding against Spanish national team matches. The scan- but they were the more aggressive team in Villar, who was re-elected unopposed in dal “has done extraordinary damage to LONDON: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte results both domestically and as we return the first half. Solid throughout, the Austrian May to his eighth four-year mandate, he the image of Spanish football,” said Ramon signed a new two-year deal with the to European competition in the Champions defence all but eliminated Switzerland star added. The sports council “through its Lete, the head of Spain’s government Premier League giants yesterday as the club League,” Granovskaia said in a statement. president or a commission” could then sports council. Villar, a former Athletic moved to quell reports of a rift with the “Since arriving in west London, the 47- Ramona Bachmann of Chelsea. request that Villar be suspended from his Bilbao midfielder who was capped 22 Italian. The deal was confirmed as Conte, year-old Italian’s passion, tactical acumen After the break, Kiwic saw her header who guided Chelsea to the title in his first and winning mentality have endeared him cleared off the goal line by Sarah Puntigam. post, he added. Villar, 67, a senior vice times for Spain, has been dogged by ethi- season last year, prepares to take his squad to Chelsea supporters all over the world Puntigam then almost punished Kiwic for her president of FIFA, has headed the Spanish cal issues over the years. He has been on a pre-season tour of Asia. and we look forward to further triumphs foul on Burger, but her free-kick was kept out federation since 1988. under investigation after the federation “I am very happy to have signed a new with Antonio at the helm.” by Gaelle Thalmann in the Swiss goal. Under his watch Spain became one of received a 1.2 million euros ($1.4 million) contract with Chelsea,” he said in a state- Conte’s coaching staff has been aug- Austrian keeper Manuela Zinsberger then the dominant forces in world football, win- subsidy to set up a football academy in ment on Chelsea’s official website. “We mented by the arrival of two more Italians, diverted a long-range shot by Swiss substitute ning two European championships and Haiti that was never built. worked extremely hard in our first year to with Paolo Vanoli joining as an assistant to Vanessa Bernauer to safety. the 2010 World Cup. But his critics say his The federation returned the money but achieve something amazing, which I am the first team head coach and Davide Ten minutes from the end, Bachmann saw period in charge has also been under- the plan is still the subject of court pro- very proud of. Now we must work even Mazzotta working as assistant/player analy- her shot deflected by the Austrian defence mined by ethical questions and an auto- ceedings. Villar was fined 25,000 Swiss harder to stay at the top.” sis. The contract boost for Conte comes just over the crossbar as Austria hung on, cratic management style. Three major francs ($25,700) by FIFA’s ethics committee No terms of the deal were disclosed. amid reports that the Italian has grown although Thalmann prevented Viktoria Spanish newspapers published editorials in 2015 for failing to cooperate during an English press reports said the new contract frustrated with Chelsea’s inability to rein- Pinther from scoring a second. yesterday calling for term limits to be investigation into the awarding of the improved the terms of the remaining two force their title-winning squad. Chelsea had “Our first-ever Euro game and a victory, that placed on the presidency of the football 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and years left on the three-year deal Conte long been linked to a move for Everton makes us very proud,” said Austria coach federation. “Twenty-nine years exercising Qatar respectively. signed when he joined the club last year. striker Romelu Lukaku but saw the Belgian Dominik Thalhammer. “It was a very good per- absolute control over an organisation are The federation said it would push back Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia international join Manchester United formance, tactically and physically too. We too much and it creates a toxic atmos- a draw for the upcoming football league said the contract rewarded the “incredible instead. Conte had also reportedly been controlled the game most of the time.” “It’s def- phere where there is a high risk of contam- calendar until Friday in the wake of the success” Chelsea had enjoyed in Conte’s keen on Juventus duo Leonardo Bonucci initely not what we wanted,” said Switzerland ination by corruption,” conservative ABC arrests. It had been scheduled to take first season. “This new contract reflects our and Alex Sandro, but neither came to wrote. Center-left El Pais said the arrests place today. — AFP belief that he can continue to deliver fruition. — AFP coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, blaming nerves and pass quality for the loss. —AFP McIlroy hoping to China boxing star catch his wave Zou primed for at British Open biggest battle

THURSDAY, JULY 20,12 2017 13 Arrested Spanish federation chief faces bleak future Page 15

SERRE-CHEVALIER: Stage winner Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic, left, and Colombia’s Jhon Darwin Atapuma, right, climb during the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 183 kilometers (113.7 miles) with start in La Mure and finish in Serre- Chevalier, France, yesterday. —AP

CYCLING Roglic wins stage, Froome extends Tour lead

SERRE-CHEVALIER: Former champion ski- that was whittled down to just six riders when time as Bardet. Froome also took four bonus breakaway riders despite the presence of on the descent. jumper Primoz Roglic took a sensational solo Roglic attacked solo 6.4km from the summit of seconds for finishing third to help increase his twice former Tour winner Alberto Contador, Behind, Aru kept losing time, with Yates victory on the mountainous 183km 17th stage the hors category Col du Galibier, which at lead, and he revealed he was congratulated by who couldn’t follow the Slovene’s acceleration dropping even more on the rapid drag down- of the Tour de France yesterday. Chris Froome more than 2,600 metres above sea level was French President Emmanuel Macron at the fin- on the Galibier. Further down the mountain- hill to the finish. Earlier in the stage, came home third to stretch his overall lead to the highest point of this year’s Tour. ish. “It’s a great honour to be congratulated by side, Bardet and Ireland’s Dan Martin put in a Colombian climber Nairo Quintana had been 27 seconds as Rigoberto Uran moved up to He crested the climb, 28km from the finish the president, it’s also a very good thing for succession of attacks that split up the yellow distanced on the first category Col du second and Fabio Aru dropped to fourth, with in Serre-Chevalier, with a lead of just over a the Tour and the sport that he came here,” said jersey contenders. Briton Simon Yates was Telegraphe, the twice runner-up continuing to Romain Bardet remaining third. minute and half on a group of chasers includ- Froome, 32. “My legs are better than in the one of the first to struggle and eventually lost struggle during this year’s Tour having raced Slovenia’s Roglic, 27, was junior world ski- ing the top contenders. On the descent, Roglic Pyrenees, today I felt good. I think also for a couple of minutes to see his lead in the May’s Giro d’Italia. He dropped out of the top jumping champion in 2007 but switched to easily managed his lead while a five-man tomorrow, we have the finish on the Col young rider’s competition ahead of South 10, with Contador moving back up to ninth cycling in 2012. “To win a stage, I’ve dreamt chase group developed, including Froome. d’Izoard which will be very, very difficult.” African Louis Meintjes cut to 2min 28sec. and Barguil 10th. about it many times,” said Roglic, whose girl- But Italian Aru, who started the day second Aru came in 31sec later to drop to fourth at He also lost sixth place to Martin. Aru was Meanwhile German sprint king Marcel friend and family were at the finish of the at 18sec, had been dropped by an accelera- 53sec ahead of today’s second straight Alpine the next to struggle with the succession of Kittel pulled out before the halfway point of Tour’s ‘Queen stage’, which started in La Mure. tion from Bardet just before the Galibier sum- stage with its brutal finish at the summit of accelerations, firstly by Martin but then several the stage after crashing in the first 20km. Kittel “It’s crazy, incredible. There are no words. mit and he was chasing desperately to limit the imposing Col d’Izoard. times from Bardet. The Frenchman went over had won five stages during the race and held Right now I cannot really form all these feel- his losses. Uran took second, 1min 13sec the summit with Froome, Uran and Warren the sprinters’ green jersey, which has now ings. Later probably I will know how big it is.” behind Roglic, to snatch six bonus seconds BARDET ATTACKS Barguil for company while Mikel Landa, the passed to Australian Michael Matthews, win- He was part of an initial 33-man breakaway that moved him up to second, on the same Up front, Roglic proved the strongest of the yellow jersey’s Sky team-mate, caught them ner of two stages himself. —AFP

SWIMMING SOCCER Scandal threatens FINA on eve of world champs Solanke shines BUDAPEST: Swimming’s governing body FINA to the OCA. “The OCA is fully aware of the tape in Department of Justice indictment as a co-conspira- has been drawn into a financial scandal days question and its content and believes that this tape tor who allegedly paid bribes to a football official. before both their presidential elections and the is being used in a politically motivated campaign Musallam is the right-hand man of Olympic as Liverpool start of the swimming world championships in ahead of the upcoming FINA elections scheduled powerbroker and OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al Budapest. Kuwait’s Husain Al Musallam, who is for 22 July 2017.” The International Olympic Fahad Al Sabah, who in April resigned from his standing unopposed as FINA’s first vice-president, Committee (IOC) told The Times and Der Spiegel FIFA after being identified as a co-conspirator, beat Palace has been caught up in a controversy for appearing that it had passed the allegations to its chief ethics along with Musallam, in the US indictment. The to demand a 10 percent cut of potential sponsor- investigator. It is not the first time this year that recording obtained by The Times has emerged ship deals. Musallam has courted controversy. In April, The from the FBI investigation into Musallam and HONG KONG: New signing Dominic midfielder Naby Keita. In his role as general director of the Olympic Times revealed, he was effectively identified in a US Sheikh Ahmad. — AFP Solanke came off the bench to score Klopp bristled when asked about Council of Asia (OCA), the 57-year-old is heard ask- as Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in the Keita situation as rumours circled ing for ‘commissions’ on deals worth “40 to 50 mil- a preseason game in Hong Kong yes- that the Guinea international’s agent lion” dollars in a tape recording obtained by The terdayday. had been spotted in Hong Kong. “Are The 19-year-old suggested he we in Macau?” asked Klopp in refer- Times and Germany’s Speigel Online. The could prove a summer bargain at just ence to the world’s largest gambling exchange is said to be between a prospective $4 million as he linked up well with hub, situated just across the Pearl Chinese marketing agent and Musallam, who sug- fellow striker Divock Origi, who also River Delta from Hong Kong. “What gested that 10 per cent of any sponsorship deals got on the scoresheet in the Premier do you know? Sixty-six million arranged for the OCA should be separately chan- League Asia Trophy win. “It’s been a (pounds) turned down today? I don’t nelled to him. Ahead of their elections in Budapest smart move for him and for us,” think about this. “Today both teams on Saturday and Sunday’s start of swimming action Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said played good football,” added Klopp, at the world championships in the Hungarian capi- of Solanke’s transfer from Chelsea. turning his attention back to events tal, FINA said none of their regulations had been “He saw the opportunity and we on the pitch. “In the second half we breached. could see it also. You could see imme- made some changes and we scored- “These allegations are a matter for OCA to com- diately he is a smart player. He’s a nice. We changed the formation and it ment on although FINA will monitor developments skilled boy and we are happy about was nice to watch.” carefully,” said FINA in a statement. “However, it this. We will help him all we can.” Origi Liverpool will face Leicester City in was determined there was no case to answer set up the first goal for Liverpool on the Asia Trophy final on Saturday after based on the information that is available to FINA the hour mark with a clever back-heel the Foxes won the earlier match 7-6 at this time. “Moreover, there was no breach of any that found Solanke unmarked and the on penalties over West Bromwich FINA regulations.” The OCA denied any wrong- teenager made no mistake, finishing Albion following a 1-1 stalemate in doing on Musallam’s part and questioned the tim- coolly in the stifling Hong Kong heat. normal time. New signing Jay ing of the articles. Origi then rifled home Liverpool’s Rodriguez gave West Brom the lead “The OCA firmly denies that OCA officials second in the 79th minute, to the with a stunning finish after nine min- requested commissions for OCA sponsorship deals delight of a crowd of 40,000. Klopp’s utes, only for Riyad Mahrez to squeeze and confirms that no commission or money was new-look front line proved a welcome the ball past Ben Foster to level things paid to OCA officials, directly or indirectly, for OCA distraction for the German coach fol- up midway through the first half. “Jay’s lowing reports that Leipzig had reject- strike was fantastic,” said West Brom sponsorship deals,” read the statement. BUDAPEST: Team Singapour competes in the Women’s Team Free Routine preliminary during the synchro- ed a huge bid of $86 million for star boss Tony Pulis. — AFP “All money for sponsorship deals went directly nised swimming competition at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, yesterday. — AFP Emerging Asia propels world stocks to new high Page 20

Want to escape Sao Paulo's traffic? Take a flying taxi Business Page 21 THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

Oil markets remain bearish US housing starts rebounded in June Page 18 Page 19

BEIJING: Shoppers walk through the capital city's popular shopping mall in Beijing. China's economic growth held steady in the latest quarter, boosted by unexpectedly strong trade and consumer spending, despite fears tighter lending controls aimed at cooling a surge in debt are weighing on commercial activity. — AP Gulf Bank posts 10% rise in net profit for H1 2017 Global rating agencies upgrade their outlook on bank

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank K.S.C.P. announced yesterday its Loans & Advances increased by 2 percent over the Positive outlook bank received 'The Best Mobile Banking Experience in financial results for the first half of 2017. The Bank same period of last year. Total equity reported at the As part of their 2017 annual credit rating review, the Middle East' award from Arabian Business recorded a net profit of KD 22.8 million in the first 6 end of first half 2017 was KD 577.5 million and gener- S&P Global Ratings revised their outlook on the bank Magazine, 'The Best Retail Bank in Kuwait' award by The months of 2017, an increase of 10 percent over the al provisions stood at KD 222 million for the same to "Positive" from "Stable" and affirmed its issuer cred- Banker Middle East and was named by Forbes Middle same period of 2016. The Bank was able to generate a period, representing 38 percent of total equity. it rating at "A-". Similarly, Moody's Investors Service East among the Top 10 Companies in Kuwait during net interest income of KD 63.5 million and an operat- Commenting on the results, Omar Kutayba affirmed the bank's "A3" long-term deposits rating the Forbes 'Celebrating Kuwait's Success' event. ing profit of KD 60.5 million during the first half of Alghanim, Gulf Bank Chairman, said: "We are pleased and "Stable" outlook. In addition, Capital Intelligence Alghanim concluded his remarks by stating: "I 2017, recording an increase of 7.5 percent and 8.2 with our Bank's solid performance for the first half of also affirmed the Bank's Financial Strength Rating at would like to thank everyone who has contributed to percent respectively. In addition, credit costs (specific 2017. This has reflected positively on the earnings per "BBB+" and the subordinated bond rating at "BBB" these outstanding results. I want to thank our cus- provisions and write-offs less recoveries) continue to share as it grew by 10 percent to 8 fils per share for both with "Stable" outlooks. Fitch continues to rate tomers for their continuous support and loyalty improve quarter after quarter with a decline of 11 per- the first half of 2017 compared to the previous year." Gulf Bank at "A+" for its Issuer Default Rating with a towards Gulf Bank. I appreciate the dedication of our cent in Q2 compared to Q1 of 2017. Alghanim continued: "This year, we are proud to "Stable" outlook. management and staff, commitment of our Board of Gulf Bank Chairman As of first half 2017, total assets of the bank grew announce that S&P Ratings has revised its outlook of Gulf Bank continues to be strongly recognized Directors and Shareholders, and the support from the Omar Alghanim by 3 percent compared to first half of 2016 while Gulf Bank to "Positive" from "Stable". both internationally and locally. During Q2 2017, the Central Bank of Kuwait." Saudi Arabia empties domestic crude tanks

LONDON: Saudi Arabia has been progressively reducing its During the slump, Saudi Arabia struggled to find buyers bloated domestic stocks of crude in a sign the global oil for all its production. Now the kingdom is taking advantage market is rebalancing, albeit more slowly than OPEC antici- of strong demand to cut excess stocks to more normal levels. pated. Saudi Arabia's domestic crude stocks declined in 16 Assuming the data are accurate, the persistent draw in of the 19 months between November 2015 and May 2017 domestic stocks likely explains why Saudi officials sound con- according to government data reported to the Joint fident when they say the global oil market is rebalancing. Organizations Data Initiative. Domestic stocks fell to just 259 million barrels at the Supply chain end of May 2017, which was the lowest level since January In general, crude moves down the supply chain from 2012, according to updated figures published on Tuesday. areas of net production to areas of net refining and con- Stocks were down by 30 million barrels compared with the sumption. Despite significant trading activity around par- WASHINGTON: US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin (left) and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang pose for a photo same month a year earlier and are now down by 71 million ticular cargoes, the movement of crude essentially occurs before an opening session at a US and China comprehensive Economic Dialogue at the US Department of the Treasury barrels from their peak in October 2015. in only one direction. For commercial reasons, it makes no yesterday in Washington, DC. — AFP Like other producers, Saudi Arabia holds stocks for a sense to move crude back up the supply chain, away from range of reasons, including the need to cover field mainte- consumers and refineries back towards producers. Crude nance and manage seasonal changes in consumption and stocks are positioned as close to refiners and final con- US seeks 'fair, equitable and exports. Operational stocks are held to satisfy demand for sumers as possible, subject to the availability and cost of exports as well as from domestic oil refineries and power storage. Stocks in producing countries therefore tend to be plants burning crude to produce electricity. the last to fill during periods of oversupply but first to drain reciprocal' trade with China The best way to track stocks over time is to compare during periods of undersupply. The buildup of crude stocks them with the total daily requirement from exports, refin- in Saudi Arabia during the later stages of the slump in 2015 WASHINGTON: The US launched its first round of trade talks with relationship between the US and China," Mnuchin said. "It means ery intake and direct crude burn. In June 2014, just before and the subsequent draw down from 2016 is consistent China since Donald Trump took office in an unusually blunt man- addressing the imbalances cause by the Chinese intervention in oil prices started sliding, Saudi crude stocks totalled 286 with this pattern. ner yesterday, demanding more "fair, equitable and reciprocal" its economy," he said, adding: "A more balanced economic rela- million barrels, equivalent to about 28.4 days' worth of The turning point in Saudi stocks in October/November relationship, with more access to American made goods and serv- tionship will create prosperity for our two countries and the combined exports, refinery intake and direct crude use. 2015 roughly coincided with the turning point in crude ices. Noting the more than 200 percent surge in Chinese exports world." During his campaign, Trump attacked China for unfair By October 2015, with prices well on the way to their prices and calendar spreads in December 2015/January to the United States in the last 15 years, creating a trade deficit of trade practices, but his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping nadir in January 2016, stocks had risen to 329 million bar- 2016. Saudi crude stocks have fallen much faster than $309 billion last year, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross insisted at his Florida resort in April prompted a change of rhetoric and the rels, equivalent to 32.7 days' worth of combined require- crude stocks in the principal refining areas including the change was necessary. "If this were just the natural product of free launch of a 100-day economic cooperation plan. ments. Since then, stocks have been progressively reduced United States. Saudi crude stocks have fallen by 30 million market forces, we could understand it, but it's not," Ross said in the That led to specific but narrow achievements, including open- and were down to just 259 million barrels and 25.7 days' barrels since May 2016 compared with a drawdown of just opening ceremony of the one-day meeting between the world's ing the Chinese market to US beef exports, and pledges to worth of combined requirements in May 2017. Saudi crude 6 million barrels in the United States over the same period. top two economies. "So it is time to rebalance our trade and remove barriers to US credit card transactions, credit ratings, and stocks display a strong element of seasonality owing to Saudi stocks are down 71 million barrels since October investment relationship in a more fair, equitable and reciprocal other financial services, including bond underwriting, that were to refinery maintenance schedules and increased crude con- 2015 while US crude stocks are still up by 48 million barrels manner." The talks are a continuation of the process undertaken be concluded prior to Wednesday's talks. Wang said the key point sumption for electricity generation during the hot summer over the same period. Something similar seems to have by the previous two administrations, which the Trump administra- about the meeting is the two countries are "having dialogue, not months. Nonetheless, there has been a clear downward occurred with the draw down in Iran's crude stocks held in tion has rebranded as the US-China Comprehensive Economic confrontation." "We don't need to defeat each other in handling trend in both absolute stocks and days of cover since late floating storage during 2016. Dialogue (CED). differences," he cautioned, stressing that "confrontation will 2015 as production has fallen short of combined require- The persistent draw down in Saudi stocks is obviously a Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the talks with the immediately damage the interests of both" countries. ments. The rise and subsequent fall in Saudi crude stocks disequilibrium phenomenon since it cannot continue for- Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Wang Yang would focus Wang quoted a passage from Trump's 2009 business advice illustrates how heavily oversupplied the crude market was ever. Releasing producer stocks into the supply chain dur- on concrete steps to provide greater access and a "level playing book "Think Like a Champion"-which in turn was quoting industry during 2014/15 as well as the gradual rebalancing under ing 2016 and the first half of 2017 added to the sense of field" for US companies to the world's second largest market. "We pioneer Henry Ford-saying, "Coming together is a beginning; way during 2016/17. continuing oversupply.—Reuters need to work together to maximize the benefit for both sides. But keeping together is progress; working together is success." "China this is only possible if there is a more fair and balanced economic is ready to work together." — AFP THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 BUSINESS Indebted UK to scrap credit card charges LONDON: The British government yes- tions. According to the Treasury, the terday said it would ban companies from total value of surcharges for debit and charging consumers for paying by debit credit cards was an estimated £473 mil- and credit cards, as the country struggles lion in 2010. “This action forms part of to bring down its debt. our wider help for families with the cost “This is about fairness and transparen- of living by helping to raise their cy, and so from next year, there will be no incomes and keep more of what they more nasty surprises for people at the earn,” the Treasury said. Britain’s econo- check-out just for using a card,” Economic my is slowing as high inflation and low Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay, wage growth cuts consumer spending said in a statement. Consumers making and raises household debt. purchases in Britain are being asked to pay The Bank of England last month not- up to 20 percent more on their bills, such ed that UK consumer credit for items as for flights, for using a card rather than such as cars jumped by 10.3 percent in cash, the Treasury said. “With many feeling the year to April, or much faster than the squeeze in the cost of living, people growth in household incomes. shouldn’t be hit with unexpected fees,” Meanwhile in May, union umbrella said Guy Anker, managing editor at con- group, the TUC, said in a report that sumer website, MoneySavingExpert.com. unsecured, or non-mortgage, debt per Oil markets remain bearish But he cautioned that following the household would reach a record high of change, some companies would likely £13,900 this year ($18,118, 15,708 euros). raise prices of their goods and services Britain’s Conservative government is “to compensate for the loss, which could meanwhile struggling to bring down the NBK ECONOMIC REPORT hit those who currently pay in cash”. national deficit and debt, which bal- Currently, businesses face charges from looned following the global financial cri- KUWAIT: It was not meant to hap- recent edition, the IEA confirmed der that oil markets are despon- OPEC’s much-coveted ‘balance’ card companies for non-cash transac- sis that sparked bank bailouts. —AFP pen this way. Another month, what many analysts and market dent. Calls for OPEC to consider Nevertheless, there may be a glim- another decline in oil prices. This traders had long suspected, which is deeper cuts, in order to accelerate mer of light at the end of the tunnel. time, in Brent’s case, the drop was that OECD commercial crude and the stock drawdown, are growing US crude and petroleum product to its lowest level in ten months petroleum product stocks increased louder. In view of the fact that pre- stockpiles are slowly drawing down when it fell to $44.8 per barrel (bbl) rather than decreased in the first vious instances of OPEC market as the peak summer demand gets on 21 June. Since OPEC/non-OPEC into full swing. And there is certain- rolled over their production cut ly scope for more sizeable inventory agreement for an additional 9 declines before the autumn refinery months on 25 May, oil prices have Highlights maintenance period. According to fallen by 7 percent. Crude oil ● Oil prices declined for a second consecutive month in June, with the IEA, demand growth is expect- benchmarks, Brent and West Texas both Brent and WTI falling by 5% to $47.9/bbl and $46.0/bbl, ed to firm up to an average of 1.5 Intermediate (WTI), closed June at respectively. mb/d in 2H17 compared to 1.1 $47.9/bbl and $46.0/bbl, respec- ● Sentiment remains resoundingly bearish, despite a recent 8-day mb/d in 1H17. tively, a decline of 15 percent in bull run that saw Brent approach the symbolic $50 level. With demand outstripping sup- 2017 on average. Indeed, Brent’s ● US crude production continues to increase, rising to a high of 9.35 ply since the beginning of 2Q17, performance in the first half of this mb/d in June, driven by shale production. the demand/supply balance or year was its worst since 1998. ● US/OECD crude stocks are not drawing down fast enough to buoy stock change has swung into nega- While a late, 8-consecutive day the markets. tive territory. Barring demand gain at the end of June and in early ● OPEC output rose in May to 32.1 mb/d, thanks to a ramp up in growth moderating and/or supply July-the longest run of gains in sev- Libyan and Nigerian output, while compliance fell slightly to 105%. growth accelerating during the en years-helped spare some of remainder of the year, the much- ● Markets swung into supply deficit territory in 2Q17, with the deficit Brent’s blushes, there is little escap- touted stock draw should indeed expected to widen in 2H17; stock drawdowns should accelerate. ing the fact that oil bulls have finally take place. Based on our own largely deserted the scene and that estimates, for the end of 4Q17, a the markets have fallen into a state cumulative stock draw of around GAHARA, Rwanda: A man chops wood at a small factory in Gahara in the Southeast of despondency. And the chief cul- quarter of this year. Four months intervention, most notably in late 240 million barrels could be on the of Rwanda on April 28, 2017. Last year, Rwanda exported around 14 tons of essential prit is US light tight oil (shale), into the OPEC/non-OPEC agreement 2008, have tended to involve sever- cards. This would bring OECD oils — geranium, moringa, patchouli and tagetes — bringing in $473,000, according whose volumes are helping to both and total OECD stocks had reversed al production cuts, rather than one, stocks back down to 2.8 billion bar- to the National Agricultural Export Development Board. —AFP offset some of the supplies taken course and gained 60 million barrels it is not entirely wishful thinking on rels, not far off OPEC’s 5-year aver- off the market by OPEC/non-OPEC to reach 3.044 billion barrels by the part of the oil bulls. Stock age target of 2.75 billion barrels. this year and slow the drawdown of April. OPEC’s target of bringing draws to accelerate in 2H17 but 2018 thus looms large as the make- Rwanda’s essential oils offer crude stocks from storage tanks. global crude and petroleum stocks 2018 is looking more likely for or-break year. Weekly metrics on these two back to the 5-year average level of big profits from little land dynamics are, along with counts of around 2.75 billion barrels appears GAHARA, Rwanda: Inside a metal shed in “At first, it was not easy to convince them to US oil rigs, the most closely to be even farther away, possibly southeastern Rwanda, Nicholas Hitimana abandon subsistence for commercial agri- watched data by the markets. And into 2018 at the current rate. brandished a plastic container holding a culture,” he says, adding the work is more they have not made pleasant read- Moreover, OPEC’s own produc- green liquid: geranium essential oil, freshly precise than growing beans. ing for OPEC in 2017. US crude pro- tion is heading in the wrong direc- distilled and ready for export at more than “We need to plant on time, manure on duction is up 5.5 percent to 9.25 tion, away from its aggregate pro- $200 (175 euros) a kilo. time, hoe, turn the soil, irrigate and harvest mb/d as of 23 June -an additional duction target of 31.75 mb/d. The pioneer of essential oils in Rwanda, on time”, or risk a “drastically” reduced yield, 480,000 barrels per day (b/d) of According to OPEC secondary Hitimana said he understood over a decade Hitimana says, noting that it takes between crude to partly offset the 1.8 mb/d source data, the group’s total out- ago “the need to develop high-value crops” 600-1,000 kilos of geraniums to produce a of supplies that OPEC/non-OPEC put climbed back over the 32 mb/d in his hilly nation of just 2.6 million single kilo of oil. A few years on, and the have withdrawn from the oil mar- level in May to 32.14 mb/d, thanks hectares (6.4 million acres). employees seem convinced. “Since I’ve kets since January. US shale’s resur- to output gains in Nigeria and Agriculture accounts for nearly a third of been working here, I’ve been able to build gence is even more remarkable Libya. These two OPEC members GDP and employs four-fifths of the popula- a house with a tin roof, I can pay for my since bottoming out at 8.43 mb/d are not subject to output restric- tion and, as a result, there is “little arable son’s schooling and buy everything I need,” exactly a year ago: an impressive tions under the terms of the land” remaining. “On a hectare, if we grow says 55-year-old Stephanie Mukamana, 822,000 b/d, which is a year-on- November agreement. But compli- beans, we earn about $2,000 a year, where- busily weeding around a geranium plant. year (y/y) rise of almost 10 percent. ance levels among quota members The closely-watched oil market also deteriorated slightly in May, to as on the same land, if we grow geranium, Last year, Rwanda exported around 14 report by the International Energy 105 percent from 107 percent in the income can reach $6,000 or even tonnes of essential oils-geranium, moringa, Agency (IEA) is also unlikely to pro- April, as a result of output increases $8,000,” Hitimana says. The trained agrono- patchouli and tagetes-bringing in vide much comfort. In its most in Iraq, Iran and Algeria. Little won- mist embodies Rwanda’s ambition of diver- $473,000, according to the National sifying its agriculture and increasing the Agricultural Export Development Board. value of exports by getting into the lucra- Rwanda is also cultivating pyrethrum, tive global market for essential oils. To this used in natural insecticides. end, Hitimana has been importing gerani- ums from South Africa since 2004. Growth market At the time the flower was virtually According to the India-based firm unknown in Rwanda, but Hitimana was Market Research Future (MRFR), essential convinced of the “great potential” of the oils are increasingly in demand in richer essential oil sector. countries for use in cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals. The world market is fore- Four crops a year cast to grow by seven percent between “In South Africa there can only be two 2017 and 2022, says MRFR. To get its share harvests a year, but here, as there is no win- of the cake, Rwanda opened an essential oil ter, it is possible to get up to four crops a laboratory three years ago, the first of its year,” says Hitimana, whose company Ikirezi kind in the region, allowing quality control. Natural Products has since grown and “One of the main challenges facing diversified. With 25 hectares of plantations, Rwanda is a growing trade deficit and a it produces 1,000 kilograms of essential oils limited number of competitive companies derived from patchouli, lemon grass and that can meet regional and international eucalyptus as well as geraniums. The oils export standards,” says Patience Mutesi, are exported to Canada, South Africa, the Rwanda director for TradeMark East Africa, US and elsewhere for use in the perfume which promotes regional trade and helped industry. The company employs 70 farmers. fund the lab project. — AFP

EXCHANGE RATES

Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.280 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Swiss Franc 317.920 Indian Rupee 0.004247 0.004935 Australian Dollar 241.090 Thai Bhat 10.000 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 US Dollar Buying 302.250 Turkish Lira 86.255 ASIAN COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 0.002622 0.002802 Japanese Yen 2.706 GOLD Kenyan Shilling 0.002911 0.002911 Indian Rupees 4.713 20 Gram 249.070 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Pakistani Rupees 2.887 10 Gram 127.450 Malaysian Ringgit 0.067319 0.073319 Srilankan Rupees 1.971 5 Gram 64.570 CURRENCY BUY SELL Nepalese Rupee 0.002983 0.003153 Nepali Rupees 2.953 Pakistan Rupee 0.002676 0.002966 Singapore Dollar 228.800 Europe Hongkong Dollar 38.886 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd British Pound 0.388741 0.398741 Philippine Peso 0.005931 0.006231 Bangladesh Taka 3.731 Czech Korune 0.005379 0.017379 Sierra Leone 0.000037 0.000043 Philippine Peso 5.978 Danish Krone 0.042973 0.047973 Singapore Dollar 0.216373 0.226373 Rate for Transfr Selling Rate Thai Baht 9.052 Euro 0. 344374 0.353374 South African Rand 0.017435 0.025935 US Dollar 303.100 Norwegian Krone 0.033419 0.038619 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001602 0.002182 GCC COUNTRIES Canadian Dollar 240.555 Romanian Leu 0.076613 0.076613 Taiwan 0.009861 0.010041 Saudi Riyal 80.974 Sterling Pound 396.465 Slovakia 0.009055 0.019055 Thai Baht 0.008667 0.009217 Qatari Riyal 83.400 Euro 351.205 Swedish Krona 0.032473 0.037473 Omani Riyal 788.591 Swiss Frank 291.315 Bahraini Dinar 806.300 Swiss Franc 0.310833 0.321833 Arab Bahrain Dinar 803.920 UAE Dirham 82.673 Turkish Lira 0.081072 0.091372 Bahraini Dinar 0.797806 0.806306 UAE Dirhams 82.920 Egyptian Pound 0.015158 0.021066 ARAB COUNTRIES Qatari Riyals 84.135 Australasia Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.100 Saudi Riyals 81.720 Australian Dollar 0.232202 0.244202 Iraqi Dinar 0.000190 0.000250 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.830 Jordanian Dinar 427.420 New Zealand Dollar 0.217354 0.226854 Jordanian Dinar 0.423391 0.432391 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.219 Egyptian Pound 16.954 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Tunisian Dinar 125.910 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.971 Lebanese Pound 0.000151 0.000251 Jordanian Dinar 428.480 America Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.023 Indian Rupees 4.713 Canadian Dollar 0.234565 0.243565 Moroccan Dirhams 0.019702 0.043702 Syrian Lira 2.164 Pakistani Rupees 2.878 Georgina Lari 0.137053 0.137053 Nigerian Naira 0.000391 0.001026 Morocco Dirham 32.111 Bangladesh Taka 3.746 US Dollars 0.299350 0.303770 Omani Riyal 0.781762 0.787442 Philippines Pesso 5.967 US Dollars Mint 0.299850 0.303770 Qatar Riyal 0.079060 0.084000 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 167.275 Saudi Riyal 0.079833 0.081133 US Dollar Transfer 303.450 Japanese Yen 3.705 Asia Syrian Pound 0.001286 0.001506 Euro 351.400 Syrian Pound 2.413 Bangladesh Taka 0.003390 0.003974 Tunisian Dinar 0.121409 0.129409 Sterling Pound 399.190 Turkish Lira 0.081072 0.091372 Canadian dollar 241.120 Nepalese Rupees 2.951 Chinese Yuan 0.043352 0.046852 Turkish lira 86.640 Malaysian Ringgit 71.560 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036783 0.039533 UAE Dirhams 0.081193 0.082893 Yemeni Riyal 0.000986 0.001066 THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 BUSINESS After throwing in kitchen sink, what’s a central bank to do? CBs are nowhere near ready to deal with a recession LONDON: Central banks struggling to lift histori- cally low interest rates and rein in stimulus pro- grams may have more on their minds than just getting back to normal - they are, by some accounts, nowhere near ready to deal with the next recession or crisis. Start with a then-and-now comparison. When the global financial system nearly collapsed about a decade ago, the world’s major central banks launched a series of aggres- sive counter-measures, including trillions of dol- lars’ worth of asset-buying. The global economics team at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch - in a report that argues central banks are not currently capa- ble of responding to a new crisis - calculate that from 2006 to 2009 the five major central banks cut rates by an average of about 350 basis point. Could they do that now? Short answer, no. BofAML reckons the current average nominal Builders work on the roof of a home under construction at a housing plan in Jackson policy rate is just 50 basis points, with the Township, Butler County, Pa. The Commerce Department reported on US home con- European Central Bank and Bank of Japan in par- struction in June. —AP ticular at the bottom limit of what they can do. It is not the first time this concern has been raised. The Bank for International Settlements, US housing starts often called the central banks’ bank, fired a NEW YORK: In this Oct 16, 2014 file photo, a screen at a trading post on the floor of the New warning shot two years ago. York Stock Exchange is juxtaposed with the Goldman Sachs booth. Goldman Sachs, the most “In some jurisdictions, monetary policy is Wall Street of Wall Street firms, is pushing quietly into the realm of consumer banking. —AP already testing its outer limits,” it said in its rebounded in June 2014/2015 annual report. In the same vein, buying. Even the Bank of Japan, or some mem- mists Ethan Harris and Aditya Bhave go further, Stephen King, HSBC’s senior economic adviser, has bers, have been quietly retreating from its radi- saying central banks should prepare for the next WASHINGTON: US homebuilding ly higher against a basket of currencies, noted that in all U.S. recessions since the 1970s, cal monetary experiment. Ironically, it is this recession by keep the taps open to overshoot rebounded more than expected in June while prices for US government bonds fell. the benchmark Federal Reserve interest rate has desire to normalize that some economists their inflation targets, not make do with bump- after declining for three straight months, Single-family homebuilding, which fallen by a minimum of 5 percentage points. It is believe is the main risk for global economic ing up close to them. In other words, let inflation but construction activity remains con- accounts for the largest share of the resi- currently at a range of 1 percent to 1.25 percent. growth and for the next downturn. spike, then tighten. What then, if a downturn hits strained by rising lumber prices and labor dential housingmarket, surged 6.3 per- Similarly, central banks have been buying up “In the past, some recessions have been first, before normalization of monetary policy? and land shortages. cent to an 849,000 unit-pace last month, the shop since 2008, when the financial crisis hit caused by central banks acting too aggressively,” Innovation. The idea of “helicopter money” has Housing starts jumped 8.3 percent to a also the highest level since February. and the Great Recession began. Between them, Sarah Hewin, chief European economist at already been floated, involving anything from seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.22 Single-family construction has lost the US, Swiss, British, Japanese and euro zone Standard Chartered Bank, said, adding that her direct transfers to the private sector to monetiz- million units, the highest level since ground since vaulting to a near 9-1/2-year central banks have balance sheets - essentially firm did not see any sustained inflation pres- ing government deficits by direct bond sales February, as both single-family and multi- high in February, despite strong demand cash and asset holdings - totalling roughly $15 sures to rationalize tightening. BofAML econo- between government and central bank. — AFP family construction increased, the for housing. trillion. That compares with only around $4 tril- Commerce Department said yesterday. Single-family starts increased 9.3 per- lion at the start of 2008. They could and proba- May’s sales pace was revised up to 1.12 cent in the Northeast and but fell 3.6 per- bly would expand this in a crisis; central banks Trump NAFTA plan ‘workable’ million units from the previously reported cent in the Midwest. They climbed 7.2 per- have shown great innovation in the past. But 1.09 million units. cent in the South, where more than half of with the store of assets available to buy dwin- but analysts warn of pitfalls Economists polled by Reuters had fore- new homebuilding occurs, and advanced dling as a result of the $15 trillion, any expansion WASHINGTON: The Trump administration’s deal maybe ever signed anywhere.” In the cast groundbreaking activity rising to a rate 10.6 percent in the West to their highest would have to be far broader. Doable, but rela- plans to reframe the landmark North American negotiating goals released Monday, the White of 1.16 million units last month. level since last October. tively untried and possibly politically difficult. Homebuilding rose 2.1 percent on a year- Starts for the volatile multi-family hous- Free Trade Agreement faces significant hurdles House said it will focus on reducing its bilateral and includes some elements Canadians and trade deficits with each of its neighbors. But on-year basis. ing segment increased 13.3 percent to a Inflation key Mexicans may find hard to swallow, analysts Canada and Mexico already face bigger trade Despite the bounceback, homebuilding 366,000 unit-pace, after five straight Despite the huge monetary largesse, inflation has lost momentum after strong gains in months of declines. Construction had warn. And an aggressive push by the White deficits as a share of their economies than the remains low and well below target in all major House on its toughest demands could reduce United States. Last year, the US trade deficit both the fourth and first quarters. slowed amid a jump in multi-family homes industrialized economies bar Brexit-hit Britain - Economists blame the slowdown on supply coming on the market. Building permits Washington’s ability to achieve a successful amounted to 2.5 percent of GDP, but Mexico’s and even there it may be easing back because of outcome. was 2.6 percent and Canada’s 3.3 percent. bottlenecks. last month shot up 7.4 percent to a 1.25 the ebbing of base effects from sterling’s fall. A survey on Tuesday showed confidence million-unit rate, the highest level since “If the US pushes Mexico too hard, they And economists say there is little that gov- This means that central banks such as the Fed, might make it impossible to reach an agree- ernments can do to make an impact on the among homebuilders hit an eight-month March. Single-family home permits rose 4.1 ECB, Bank of England and Bank of Japan are all low in July amid complaints about high percent after three straight months of ment,” Antonio Ortiz-Mena, former head of deficit in any case. It is true the US trade bal- making noises of varying hawkishness without economic affairs at the Embassy of Mexico in ance with Mexico became a deficit under NAF- lumber prices and shortages of building declines. Permits for the construction of necessarily having solved their main problem. lots and labor. Lumber prices have surged multi-family homes surged 13.9 percent in Washington, told AFP. TA-swinging from a $1.7 billion surplus in 1993 The Fed has already started tightening and is The three nations are due to start the talks to a $55.6 billion deficit in 2016 but total trade after the government in April imposed anti- June to a five-month high. Building com- talking about cutting its balance sheet, the Bank subsidy duties on imports of Canadian soft- pletions surged 5.2 percent to their highest next month on the 1994 pact that President with Canada and Mexico more than tripled, of England is at least thinking about raising Donald Trump once called “the worst trade reaching $1.2 trillion by last year. —AFP wood lumber. The dollar was trading slight- level since November 2016.—Reuters rates, and the ECB is hinting at tapering its asset- THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 BUSINESS Emerging Asia propels world stocks to new high

LONDON: A weak US dollar combined with EM research, ABN AMRO. “If you look at the a series of crises engulfing the White House. A and the dollar sagging,” analyst Stephen lying economic growth momentum on the upbeat Chinese data to lift emerging market underlying figures they are relatively strong at crucial blow was struck Monday when it was Innes at trading firm Oanda. other hand are likely to keep the US within and Asian shares to levels not seen in more than the moment.” clear his Republican party would not be able to The greenback was only marginally up its current goldilocks scenario for longer,” two years and global stocks to an all-time high muster enough senators to pass controversial against its major peers but remained stuck analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note. yesterday. With the world’s most widely-used Dollar remains hobbled healthcare reforms, throwing into doubt his near multi-month lows, with the euro “Globally, financial conditions tend to currency near a 10-month low and bond yields The dollar’s travails extended into yesterday ability to pass big-ticket measures. With infla- enjoying some support from expectations improve when the dollar is weak and vice slipping, it is cheaper for emerging countries to as Donald Trump faces a battle to push through tion stuck below the Federal Reserve’s two per- the European Central Bank will soon begin versa,” they added. service their debts investor appetite for riskier his much-vaunted economic agenda, but equity cent target and prospects fading of any eco- to reduce stimulus. The bank will hold its assets such as equities has risen. After decent traders took the news in their stride. nomic reforms, traders are questioning whether next policy meeting today and boss Mario Asian gains gains in Asia on the back of positive signs from The euro eased slightly yesterday against the the Fed will raise interest rates for a third time Draghi’s statement will be pored over for European stocks made decent gains global economic powerhouse China, MSCI’s dollar, having surged the previous day to a near this year. Just months ago there had been bets clues about its timetable as the eurozone supported by a slew of upbeat earnings world stocks index looked set for a ninth day of 15-month pinnacle at $1.1583 — last seen in on four increases. economy continues to improve. from firms and Wall Street was set to open gains which would mark its longest winning May 2016. However, after a blistering rally in the “The market has been waiting for the Trump “As the ECB meeting gets closer... atten- a touch higher. But the most eye-catching streak since October 2015. months following Trump’s November election failure cascade to begin and yesterday’s health tion will increasingly focus on the likeli- stock moves were in Asia. Those gains “Most emerging markets are doing quite well win-fuelled by bets his tax cuts and big spend- care headlines once again bring into question hood of any further hawkish commentary come on the back of data this week which at the moment, especially in Asia. The figures for ing plans would fan inflation-the greenback the administration’s ability to enact on their key from the central bank that could squeeze showed China’s economy expanding at a China are positive,” said Marijke Zewuster, Head remains hobbled by a congressional logjam and legislative promises, leaving investors in limbo the euro even higher against the dollar,” faster-than-expected 6.9 percent clip in noted IG analyst Chris Beauchamp. the second quarter, setting the country on Analysts said the slight gains in the course to comfortably meet its 2017 dollar were down to expectations the growth target. European Central Bank and the Bank of MSCI’s index of Asia-Pacific shares ex Japan may strike dovish tones when Japan and its index of emerging market they meet today, which could dent shares were both up 0.6 percent at their recent strength in the euro and the highest since April 2015. Shanghai’s blue- Japanese Yen. The ECB is expected to chip CSI300 index rose 1 percent and back adjust its language, but substantive toward an 18-month peak, while Australia’s changes to policy will likely come later main index added 0.9 percent. The in the year. The BOJ is expected to raise strength of the yen limited Japan’s Nikkei its growth forecast but cut its inflation to a rise of 0.1 percent. outlook. Bank of America Merrill Lynch said it The diminished prospect of fiscal was reverting to a bullish position on Asian spending in the US has been a boon to and emerging market equities, having bonds, especially as a run of soft US infla- been “tactically neutral” since late tion readings had lessened the risk that February. the Federal Reserve would need to be It said more resilient growth estimates aggressive in removing its stimulus. and an assumption that inflation is unlikely Yields were broadly lower across the to rise was behind the decision, picking euro zone for a second straight day yester- out China, Korea and Taiwan as buying day, with US Treasury yields trading near opportunities. Oil prices traded a touch three-week lows. “The question marks over higher, adding to gains seen on Tuesday as US reform on the one hand, and the under- the dollar slipped. —Agencies THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 BUSINESS House budget blueprint key to success of Trump tax agenda Republicans press ahead with a plan WASHINGTON: Despite opposition from Pelosi of California. The plan promises to balance lizes a lot of gimmicks and vagueness to reach Republican moderates and conservatives, House the budget through unprecedented and politi- some semblance of theoretical balance and also leaders are pressing ahead with a budget plan cally unworkable cuts across the budget. It calls hides a lot of the draconian cuts would be inflict- whose success is critical to the party’s hopes to for turning this year’s projected $700 billion-or- ed on the American people.” deliver on one of President Donald Trump’s top pri- so deficit into a tiny $9 billion surplus by 2027. It All told, the GOP plan would spend about $67 orities - a GOP-only effort to overhaul the tax code. would do so by slashing $5.4 trillion over the billion more in the upcoming annual appropria- The importance of the measure has been coming decade, including almost $500 billion tions bills than would be allowed under harsh magnified by the cratering in the Senate of the from Medicare and $1.5 trillion from Medicaid spending limits set by a 2011 budget and debt Trump-backed effort to repeal President Barack and the Obama health law, along with sweeping agreement. It pads war accounts by $10 billion. Obama’s health care law, leaving a rewrite of the cuts to benefits such as federal employee pen- And, like Trump’s budget, the House GOP plan tax code as the best chance for Trump to score a sions, food stamps and tax credits for the work- assumes rosy economic projections that would major legislative win this year. The measure ing poor. erase another $1.5 trillion from the deficit over would require about $200 billion worth of cuts But in the immediate future the GOP measure 10 years. The budget resolution is nonbinding. It to benefit programs and other so-called manda- tory spending coupled with the tax plan. The budget plan unveiled on Tuesday is cru- cial because its passage would pave the way to pass a tax overhaul this fall without the fear of a Gulf Bank announces winners filibuster by Senate Democrats. But it also proposes trillions of dollars in cuts of Al-Danah daily draws to the social safety net and other domestic pro- grams and puts congressional Republicans at KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily prize of KD 1 Million and the largest inter- odds with Trump over cutting Medicare. It also draws on 16 July 2017 announcing the national bank prize according to Guinness would sharply boost military spending. names of its winners for the week of 9 July - World Records “In past years, the budget has only been a 13 July 2017. The Al-Danah daily draws 2) Kuwait’s biggest quarterly cash prizes, include draws every working day for two up to KD500,000 vision. But now, with the Republican Congress prizes of KD 1,000 per winner. 3) Two winners of KD1,000 every work- and a Republican White House, this budget is a ing day plan for action,” said Budget Committee Chair The winners are: 4) The most chances to win Diane Black, R-Tenn. “Now is our moment to (Sunday 9/7): Hamad Fahad Hamad Al- 5) Only Bank that transfers your chances achieve real results.” Mutairi, Mohammad Arshad Tajeldeen to win from the previous year to the cur- Unclear, however, is whether GOP leaders can (Monday 10/7): Fuad Essa Al-Awad, rent year Only Al-Danah makes millionaires. get the budget measure through the House. Anwar Saleh Al-Nuwailati Al-Danah also offers a number of unique Conservatives want a larger package of spend- (Tuesday 11/7): Tareq Abdulla Soud Al- services including: the Al-Danah Deposit ing cuts to accompany this fall’s tax overhaul bill, Eryan, Saleh Ahmed Al-Rakaf Only ATM card which helps account hold- while moderates are concerned cuts to pro- (Wednesday 12/7): Turki Maiah Ali Saleh, ers deposit their money at their conven- grams such as food stamps could go too far. Nawal Khalaf Mesfer Al-Shelahi ience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator to “I just think that if you’re dealing with too (Thursday 13/7): Nemshan Saod help customers calculate their chances of many mandatory cuts while you’re dealing with Nemshan Al-Nemshan, Abdulaziz Shaker becoming an Al-Danah winner. tax reform you make tax reform that much hard- Hussain Al-Ostath Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open er to enact,” said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. Black announced a committee vote for yes- Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2017 draw lineup to Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti residents of WASHINGTON: In this March 10, 2017 file photo, House Budget Committee Chair Rep Diane includes daily draws (2 winners per work- Kuwait. Customers require a minimum of terday, but was less confident of a vote by the Black, R-Tenn. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. —AP ing day and each receive KD 1,000). Al- KD200 to open an account and the same entire House next week; a delay seems likely Danah’s 3rd Quarterly Draw for the prize amount must be maintained as for cus- because of the ongoing quarrel between the is a budget buster. It would add almost $30 bil- would allow Republicans controlling Congress to of KD500,000 will be held on 28 tomers to be eligible for the upcoming GOP’s factions. lion to Trump’s $668 billion request for national pass follow-up legislation through the Senate September. The final Al-Danah draw for KD Al-Danah draws. If the customer’s The House GOP plan proposes to turn defense. The GOP budget plan would cut non- without the threat of a filibuster by Democrats. 1 million will be held on 11 January, 2018 account balance falls below KD 200 at Medicare into a voucher-like program in which defense agencies by $5 billion. And of the more GOP leaders and the White House plan to use whereby the Al-Danah millionaire will be any given time, a KD2 charge will be future retirees would receive a fixed benefit to than $4 trillion in promised saving from manda- that measure to rewrite the tax code. announced. made on a monthly basis to the account purchase health insurance on the open market. tory programs like Medicare and Medicaid, the As proposed by House leaders, tax reform Gulf Bank encourages you to increase until the minimum balance is met. Republicans have proposed the idea each year plan assumes just $203 billion would actually would essentially be deficit-neutral, which your chances by depositing more into your Customers who open an account and/ or since taking back the House in 2011, but they’ve pass this year. means cuts to tax rates would be mostly “paid Al Danah account, immediately from any deposit more will enter the daily draw never tried to implement it - and that’s not Democrats focused their fire on the plan’s for” by closing various tax breaks such as the local bank, using the new ePay (Self-Pay) within two days. going to change now, even with a Republican as sweeping promises to cut from almost every cor- deduction for state and local taxes. However, the service, which is available on Gulf Bank’s To take part in the Al-Danah 2017 president. ner of the budget other than Social Security, GOP plan would devote $300 billion claimed Online and Mobile Banking. upcoming quarterly and yearly draws, cus- “Republicans would destroy the Medicare defense and veterans’ programs. At the same from economic growth to the tax reform effort. tomers must meet the required hold peri- guarantee for our seniors and inflict bone-deep time, they have little fear those cuts would actu- But conservatives are insisting on adding cuts to Five reasons why the Al-Danah od for each draw; customers can visit one cuts to Medicaid that would devastate veterans, ally be implemented. so-called mandatory programs, which make up account is the best: of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches for assistance seniors with long-term care needs, and rural Top Budget Committee Democrat John more than two-thirds of the federal budget and 1) Kuwait’s single biggest yearly cash and guidance. communities,” said Democratic leader Nancy Yarmuth of Kentucky told reporters the GOP “uti- basically run on autopilot. —AP Mohammad Qasem wins KD 4,000 in Burgan Bank’s Value Account draw

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank yesterday ed revenue structure, diversified announced Mohammad Ahmad funding sources, and a strong capi- Qasem as the winner of the Value tal base. The adoption of state-of- Account KD 4000 draw. The winner the-art services and technology expressed his excitement of win- has positioned it as a trendsetter in ning the cash prize of KD 4,000. the domestic market and within Dedicated to offer the best in- the MENA region. Burgan Bank’s class services, Burgan Bank’s Value brand has been created on a foun- Account presents customers with dation of real values - of trust, com- exceptional features which were mitment, excellence and progres- specifically designed to suit the sion, to remind us of the high stan- needs of expatriates living in dards to which we aspire. ‘People Kuwait. Account holders will be come first’ is the foundation on able to enjoy matchless benefits which its products and services are that include receiving a free credit developed. card for one year, application for a The bank was re-certified with loan, in addition to a chance to the prestigious ISO 9001:2008, enter the quarterly draw to win KD making it the first bank in the GCC, 4000 as well as other discounts and the only bank in Kuwait to from selected merchant stores. receive such accreditation for the Burgan Bank will continue pre- third consecutive year. The Bank senting exclusive services and also has to its credit the distinction draws with an aim of exceeding of being the only Bank in Kuwait to customers’ expectations while Account. Established in 1977, bank customer base. Burgan Bank have won the JP Morgan Chase KFH announces cards summer offering them chances to win valu- Burgan Bank is the youngest com- has majority owned subsidiaries in Quality Recognition Award for able cash prizes all year round. mercial Bank and second largest by the MENAT region supported by twelve consecutive years. campaign 5th draw winners Opening a Value account is sim- assets in Kuwait, with a significant one of the largest regional branch Burgan Bank, a subsidiary of KIP- ple, interested Individuals with focus on the corporate and finan- networks. The Bank has continu- CO (Kuwait Projects Company), is a KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) worth noting that KFH has won several salaries starting from KD 150 and cial institutions sectors, as well as ously improved its performance strongly positioned regional Bank announced 7 winners of the fifth draw of awards in the field of banking cards above are eligible to open a Value having a growing retail, and private over the years through an expand- in the MENA region. the new banking cards summer campaign which reiterates its success and efficien- themed “Get Back Double the Value of cy in banking cards market. KFH enjoys your Purchases”. The campaign was high confidence and leadership in the Want to escape Sao Paulo’s traffic? Take a flying taxi launched in an attempt to encourage market in addition to high quality prod- clients to use KFH credit, prepaid and debit ucts which have enabled it to achieve SAO PAULO: While Uber has changed ground living in the United States who goes to Sao its municipal limits and millions more in satellite cards while making purchases in Kuwait growth in cards market and increase the transport in many cities, Sao Paulo’s infernal Paulo for business, is one of those who says the towns-is regularly choked by gargantuan traffic and overseas. number of customers. traffic jams have sparked a new app that opens hops above the city are the only way to get jams. There are 5.9 million vehicles, or one for The winners are: Raed Altaher, Tareq KFH was established in Kuwait in 1977 the sky to commuters: Voom, a helicopter taxi around. “I’ve opted for helicopters,” he said, every two people. At peak hour, traffic can be Almousharji, Jamal Alazmi, Dalal and is enlisted in the Kuwait Stock service that charges according to distance and pointing to the metropolis sprawling beyond backed up as much as 576 kilometers (358 miles). Boursely Nour Alfara, Essam Alojail, Exchange. KFH Group is a global pioneer the passenger’s weight. the horizon as he choppered from a chic central and Munirah Aldahesh. The campaign in the field of Islamic banking services, It’s a godsend for those in a rush-but only if district to the airport. Sao Paulo-South America’s Not so pricey that lasts for 120 days gives KFH cus- where it offers a wide array of Islamic the weather permits. Gustavo Boyde, a Brazilian biggest city, home to 12 million residents within A new venture launched in April by Europe’s tomers chances to enter draw to win products and services, not to mention a Airbus, Voom has taken a page out of Uber’s double cashback up to KD 2000 daily. high standard of innovation and client marketing manual to put clients above it all-at a KFH Credit and Prepaid cards used for service. KFH manages its operations in competitive price. The app asks passengers to domestic and international purchases the GCC, Asia, and Europe through over enter their weight and that of any baggage, and KFH Debit cards used for interna- 480 branches, including KFH-Turkey, in then immediately sends the calculated fare. tional purchases are eligible for the order to offer services for the bank’s Boyde’s run, from the southeastern neigh- draw. For every KD 1 spent locally clients in Turkey, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, borhood of Itaim Bibi to the airport some 30 earns 1 chance and every KD 1 spent Bahrain, Germany, Jordan, and Dubai. kilometers (20 miles) away, takes nine minutes and costs $150. Compare that with the market internationally earn 3 chances to enter KFH’s mission is to achieve highest rates before Voom became available. the daily draw. levels of excellence and innovation in Individual helicopter companies wanted 10 This campaign is part of KFH efforts to the field of client service, while devel- times more-and trips needed to be booked at reward its clients and grant them addi- oping common interest for all those least two days in advance. “Our goal is to make tional value; thus achieving customer sat- concerned with the financial institution. helicopter transport accessible to more peo- isfaction and boosting their confidence. KFH’s vision is to spearhead the global ple, so that the helicopter is seen as an alter- The campaign also aims at enhancing the development in Islamic financial servic- native,” said Voom’s executive director, Uma bank’s presence especially that it domi- es, and to upgrade the bank into the Subramanian. In Boyde’s case, taking a heli- nates the largest market share in the field level of becoming the most sustainable copter through the app was a no-brainer. of banking cards. KFH strives to continu- profitable Islamic bank in the world. Using a traditional taxi on the clogged roads ously offer its clients new promotions and KFH’s values include cementing leader- would have cost him $50 and an hour and a discounts in order to distinguish them ship through all its businesses, includ- half of frustrating stop-and-go. among peers, not to mention to further ing leadership in the Islamic banking “I chose Voom because it fits within my travel bolster bank’s leading position in the field services worldwide, through innovation budget, it’s economical and it’s practical,” Boyde of banking cards. and in client service and the develop- said. “Those are two hours I can now use for work, KFH marketing campaigns play a sig- ment of its employees. In addition, KFH SAO PAULO: Brazilian businessman Gustavo Boyle disembarks from the helicopter upon arriv- which is handy given the tight schedule I have,” nificant role in underlining KFH’s princi- is committed to all its procedures, and ing in Guarulhos, some 20 km from Sao Paulo. Airbus’ subsidiary Voom gives an alternative for he said. According to Subramanian, saturated ples that include boosting sales, and to setting up long-life partnerships with those willing to avoid Sao Paulo’s heavy car traffic, offering a helicopter service similar to the roads in Latin America mean that “people lose up benefitting clients and merchants. It is the concerned authorities. car service offered by Uber. —AFP to 10 hours a week” stuck in traffic. — AFP technology THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

Mimecast rolls out Sync & Recover for Exchange and Office 365 New service streamlines recovery of lost or corrupted email data

DUBAI: Mimecast Limited, a leading the data protection capabilities of breach, and email service continuity, all backup, and data protection capabili- email and data security company, yes- Microsoft Exchange Online and Office managed from a single intuitive adminis- ties, so they have the appropriate tools terday introduced Sync & Recover for 365 by leveraging Mimecast archive trative console. in any recovery situation - whether that Exchange and Office 365. As more data to provide intuitive point-and-click The new Mimecast feature also helps be the aftermath of a ransomware organizations move email and its data to recovery of email data in the event of simplify migration from local Exchange attack or if an employee accidently Office 365, they need to better protect accidental loss, malicious attacks or servers and Office 365, as well as the deletes an email file.” this data against malicious or accidental technical failure. management of complex, global messag- “To strengthen their cyber resilience loss. Sync & Recover offers unified man- Offered as an add-on option for ing environments and hybrid cloud envi- strategy, organizations need to ensure agement of compliance, archiving and archiving customers, Sync & Recover ronments. they have a backup-and-recovery capa- data resilience. The new service also pro- offers simplified administration and “With adoption of Microsoft Office bility to help protect email data and vides organizations with protection streamlined recovery taking out the need 365 steadily rising, organizations have maintain business continuity, in case of against downtime in the event of a ran- for organizations to acquire additional more to worry about than just the an incident resulting in data loss,” said somware or other malware attacks, software or hardware. Organizations can Glenn Brown, senior product impact in the event of an outage. While Glenn Brown, senior product manager while cloud-based efficiency can quickly manage compliance archiving and data manager at Mimecast an outage could take an organization at Mimecast. “Sync & Recover for restore corrupted or lost email data. resiliency from a single Administration offline for a couple of hours, malicious Exchange and Office 365 offers organi- Organizations have long deployed Console, without the need for dedicated Mimecast Continuity services, allows or accidental data loss could have even zations a simple, streamlined way to backup and recovery systems in con- backup and recovery solutions. organizations to combat ransomware bigger consequences - some that com- recover deleted or corrupted email, cal- junction with Exchange on-premises Additionally, IT admins can configure and other email-borne malware attacks panies can’t recover from,” said Andrew endar, and contact information by lever- mail servers, however with thousands of recovery and search easily, to recover on Exchange Server data. This layered Smith, senior research analyst at IDC. aging archive data.” organizations moving to Office 365 they individual items, entire mailboxes or fold- ransomware strategy combines preven- “Organizations must ensure their data Sync & Recover for Exchange and are left without an integrated backup of ers. Sync & Recover, in conjunction with tion of email-borne cyber exploits, sim- governance and management strategy Office 365 will be generally available in email data. Sync & Recover enhances Targeted Threat Protection (TTP) and plified recovery of email data in case of includes a combination of archiving, August 2017.

Kaspersky Lab introduces new free app for Android device batteries

DUBAI: Kaspersky Lab has introduced a tery life. Battery Life will also show the user new solution for Android device users - an urgent message if any application starts Battery Life. This free application is using more energy than usual. designed to save a mobile user from that Another useful feature of Battery Life is dreaded unpleasant situation - when their its ability to calculate the time remaining phone battery starts getting low at the before a smartphone’s battery is complete- most inopportune moment. ly low. This information gives users the According to a survey, 9 out of 10 people opportunity to urgently find a way of feel panicked when their phone battery is charging their phone, so that they are not getting low. This is not surprising, given that left without mobile communication when people feel more distressed when they are they might need it most. Similarly, during without these mobile companions, than charging, Battery Life calculates the time when they are without their real partners. left until the battery is full. In many cases, having an uncharged ‘Our approach to protecting users smartphone is not only an unpleasant includes reducing digital risks to a mini- experience, it might also be unsafe - for mum on all fronts, not just in the field of example, it might be risky to be without cyberthreats. Battery Life helps people stay mobile communication in an emergency, connected. However, it is also important to or if a user is in an unfamiliar environment. remember about Internet security whenev- Battery Life is designed to solve this prob- er you are online. And, it is especially lem once and for all. important to consider the protection of The Kaspersky Lab solution analyzes all your privacy from prying eyes, and the pro- applications on the user’s device and iden- tection of your device from loss or theft. For tifies those that are consuming the most all of these concerns, we have also pre- energy. This is especially important, consid- pared solutions’, reminds Elena ering that 96 percent of apps on Android Kharchenko, Head of Consumer Product devices run in the background, even if the Management at Kaspersky Lab. user has not launched them. Battery Life Kaspersky Battery Life takes only 15 Mb can stop these “battery gluttons” with one and runs on the Android 4.1 - 6.0.1 platform QNET kick-starts Limitless touch, thereby extending the device’s bat- in a limited number of languages. Expo ‘QNET Carnival’ in Gulf Concept propagates ‘Absolute Living’ among families, individuals

KUWAIT: Prominent Asian direct selling company QNET launched the Limitless Expo in the GCC region at the Marina Mall, Kuwait City. Themed ‘QNET Carnival’, the expo propagat- ed QNET’s concept of ‘Absolute Living’ among families and individuals by displaying a wide and exciting range of lifestyle enhancing and wellness products. The concept of ‘Absolute Living’ was formulated to help people achieve a well-balanced life with a healthier body, mind, and spirit. Some of QNET’s best-selling products includ- ing the newly launched HomePure Nova Water Filtration System, Qafe green coffee for weight loss, supplements like OlÈ (made from pure olive leaf extracts), LifeQode Sun & Moon, and LifeQode EDG3, as well as its skincare range, Physio Radiance and DEFY, are put on display for the public at the mall all day. Mall-goers can get acquainted with QNET and its products and services through the product demonstra- NEW YORK: In this file photo, the Bixby function of the new Samsung Galaxy tions, the product samples that are being given away, and S8 is demonstrated in New York. Samsung Electronics says its Bixby voice their cordial interaction with expo staff. assistant will start speaking English but only in two countries: South Korea “QNET’s products and services have the predominant goal and the US. —AP of making complete well-being accessible to all. Through the Kuwait Expo, we would like people to see and learn about the wide range of products that we offer and encourage them to Hi Bixby: Samsung phone’s voice proactively take care of their physical and mental health by using naturally healthy products,” said Khaled Diab, QNET’s assistant now speaks English Regional General Manager, MENA. The ‘QNET Carnival’ is open until 10 PM every day. SEOUL: Samsung Electronics said its Bixby or by clicking a button on the side of the S8 As a prominent Asian direct selling company, QNET provides voice assistant for smartphones will start phones. The rollout of the Bixby English a wide range of life enhancing products that are offered speaking English but only in two countries: version was delayed by a couple of months. through its proprietary e-commerce platform to customers and South Korea and the US. Samsung’s mobile chief Koh Dong-jin had distributors in more than 100 countries. The company has over The South Korean tech giant said start- earlier told reporters that the service would 25 offices and agencies worldwide, and more than 50 stockists, ed yesterday, users of the Galaxy S8 smart- be available in English before June. apart from localized operations or franchisees in a number of phones can speak in American English to It also comes about one month before countries. In the UAE, QNET operates from 3 locations, offices in their phones to turn on the flashlight, take Samsung is widely expected to announce Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as a logistics hub in Dubai. a selfie or make the phone search for say, its latest iteration of the Galaxy Note smart- Established in Hong Kong in 1998, QNET is a member of pictures from a summer vacation, and cre- phone after the discontinuation of its fire- the Direct Selling Associations of Malaysia, Singapore, the ate an album. prone Galaxy Note 7 phone last year. Philippines, and Indonesia. QNET is also a part of the Hong Samsung did not say why it could not Samsung, the world’s largest smart- Kong Health Food Association, and the Health Supplements make Bixby in English available to users phone maker, is a latecomer in the virtual Industry Association of Singapore, among others. outside South Korea or the US or when it assistant race. Its rivals introduced their ver- QNET is active in sports sponsorships around the world, will become available in other languages in sions several years ago but the company including football, badminton and more, due to the compa- other countries. The service, comparable to said it believes its status as the world’s ny’s strong belief that the drive, passion, and teamwork of Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant, was previ- dominant mobile device manufacturer will sports mirror those of QNET. QNET recently signed a new and ously available only in Korean. give it an edge. Bixby also enables users to exciting partnership with Manchester City Football Club Samsung says its virtual assistant can be find more information about real-world (MCFC) as its official direct selling partner for three years. activated by saying “Hi Bixby” to the phone items by pointing a phone’s camera. —AP Silicon Valley mostly quiet in internet surveillance debate

WASHINGTON: Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc’s an unknown number of Americans - some pri- embarrassing some US technology firms. Shield, the sources said. The litigation hinges on Companies have also been limited in how Google, Apple Inc and other major technology vacy advocates have suggested it could be mil- The companies, working with privacy rights whether US surveillance practices afford they can lobby for changes to the law because firms are largely absent from a debate over the lions - without a search warrant. activists, successfully lobbied Congress two years enough privacy safeguards. A coalition of no comprehensive reform bill has been intro- renewal of a broad US internet surveillance law, Section 702 will expire at the end of the year ago to pass legislation that curtailed the NSA’s human rights organizations has urged Europe duced yet in Congress, said Alex Abdo, a privacy weakening prospects for privacy reforms that unless the Republican-controlled Congress votes bulk collection of call records. For example, to suspend Privacy Shield unless Section 702 is advocate and staff attorney at the Knight First would further protect customer data, according to reauthorize it. The White House, US intelli- Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg substantially reformed. Amendment Institute at Columbia University. to sources familiar with the matter. gence agencies and many Republican senators wrote on his Facebook page that he had person- US technology companies have privately bris- A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House While tech companies often lobby want to renew the law, which they consider vital ally called then-President Barack Obama to tled at those efforts, three industry lobbyists Judiciary Committee is not expected to intro- Washington on privacy issues, the major firms to national security, without changes and make express “frustration over the damage the gov- said, in part because expectations that 702 duce such legislation until after Congress returns have been hesitant to enter a fray over a contro- it permanent. ernment is creating for all of our future.” reforms will pass Congress are low. “If you link from its August recess. versial portion of the Foreign Intelligence A coalition of Democrats and libertarian-lean- Now, however, Silicon Valley’s reduced them and you lose one, you lose both,” said one The schism between tech companies and pri- Surveillance Act (FISA), industry lobbyists, con- ing conservatives prefer, however, to amend the involvement frustrates civil liberties groups of the lobbyists, who like the others requested vacy groups was on display earlier this year in liti- gressional aides and civil liberties advocates said. law with more privacy safeguards. Reform because of a widely held view that Section 702 anonymity to discuss private conversations with gation in Ireland - Facebook argued customer Among their concerns is that doing so could Government Surveillance, a coalition of tech poses a far greater threat to privacy than the technology companies. data was sufficiently protected from US spying jeopardize a trans-Atlantic data transfer pact firms established after the 2013 leaks by former telephone program, which did not harvest The lobbyist added that several major firms programs, while an attorney for the American underpinning billions of dollars in trade in digi- NSA contractor Edward Snowden, said reform- actual content. Facebook declined comment. were more interested in making deals with the Civil Liberties Union testified that more protec- tal services, the sources said. Technology com- ing the law remains a priority. A spokeswoman Google and Apple did not respond to requests Trump administration that could affect their bot- tions were needed. panies and privacy groups have for years com- declined to comment further but referred to two for comment. tom lines, such as tax repatriation, than getting Snowden’s leaks showed that Section 702 col- plained about the part of FISA known as letters sent earlier this year bytechnology com- caught in politically charged fights over govern- lects content of digital communications directly Section 702 that allows the U.S. National panies urging Congress to consider changes to Privacy shield agreement ment surveillance. from the internet backbone and through a pro- Security Agency (NSA) to collect and analyze the law. The companies’ relative inactivity is Another industry lobbyist said Section 702 gram formerly code named Prism where the emails and other digital communications of for- Snowden exposed the spy agency’s program explained by several legal challenges in Europe surveillance is “not a C-suite issue” that concerns NSA gathered data directly from several compa- eigners living overseas. Though targeted at for- that collected US phone call metadata in bulk to an agreement between the United States and chief executives in Silicon Valley like other issues, nies, including Facebook, Google, Apple and eigners, the surveillance also collects data on and also the extent of spying under Section 702, the European Union, known as the Privacy including encryption. Microsoft Corp. —Reuters THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE Chile moves to ease strict abortion laws

VALPARAÕSO, Chile: Chile’s senate early Bachelet introduced it in January 2015. Bachelet, a pediatrician who returned to minors. The approval comes ahead of were called in to remove religious activists yesterday took a major step towards lifting Nevertheless polls show that 70 per- office in March 2014 after serving as Chile’s November presidential elections in which from the chamber because they kept inter- the socially conservative country’s total cent of Chileans support legalized abor- first woman president from 2006 to 2010. Bachelet will not participate. rupting debate with anti-abortion chants. ban on abortions by agreeing to decrimi- tion under those three conditions. She said that she will make the mea- Lawmakers from Bachelet’s Socialist nalize the procedure in certain cases. The Abortion of any type has been strictly out- Police kick out protesters sure’s approval and full implementation a party have tried in the past to introduce measure, supported by President Michelle lawed since 1989, during the final days of The approval “is a great contribution to priority before she leaves office in March abortion bills, but they have always been Bachelet, allows abortion in cases of rape, the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship. Under the history of Chile,” said Claudia Dides, 2018. “It’s an act of cruelty to not allow voted down by the legislature. Bachelet, if the mother’s life is at risk, or if the fetus current law abortion is punishable by up to spokesperson for Miles, a pro-sexual and women to decide,” said pro-government who was a senior United Nations official presents a deadly birth defect. After hours five years in prison. Prior to that, for more reproductive rights group. Supporters Senator Guido Girardi during the debate. working on female empowerment issues of tense debate and more than two years than 50 years, Chile permitted abortion if gathered outside Congress clapped and Conservative Senator Ena Von Baer warned after her first term in office, has seen her in the making, the senators approved the the mother’s life was in danger or if the cheered when news broke that the meas- that she would send the measure to the support wane due to administration scan- proposal by voting separately on each fetus was not viable. The abortion measure ure was approved. Debate however con- Constitutional Tribunal for review, claiming dals. Opinion polls show that in November measure. Chilean conservatives have ral- still needs approval by the Chamber of tinues over finer points, such as what role that it denies protection to the child that is voters will likely re-elect right-wing former lied against the abortion bill ever since Deputies to be signed into law by parents will play in the case of pregnant about to be born. During the debate police president Sebastian Pinera. —AFP

Pioneering procedure in London offers hope Vietnam to rescue 1,000 to Kuwaiti children bears and end bile trade KUWAIT: Kuwait children with treat hydrocephalus and the only hydrocephalus have been options are surgical. “The tradi- offered new hope through a rev- tional way to treat hydro- olutionary technique, ETV-CPC, cephalus is with a shunt. While it HANOI: Vietnam agreed yesterday to rescue more which reduces the risk of fluid is still a very good operation that than 1,000 bears from illegal farms across the country, production in the brain, and is conducted commonly, it leaves in a move to end the traditional medicine trade in the often means less follow-ups for the patient with a permanent creatures’ bile. Though bile farms are already outlawed patients compared to the tradi- tube in the body to allow for the in Vietnam, bears are still captured and caged in illicit tional brain shunt procedure. The draining of the fluid. The limita- facilities where their bile is extracted using invasive procedure, now available to tions with any tube or mechani- and painful techniques. Vietnam’s Administration of Kuwaiti patients treated at Great cal device is that it can snap, it Forestry (VNFOREST) and non-profit group Animals Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), can get blocked, it can get infect- Asia signed an agreement yesterday to rescue all is set to improve the lives of ed and cause problems. ETV-CPC remaining bears from farms, committing to end bile thousands of babies with hydro- gives the patient the chance to trade and close all facilities within five years. cephalus, one of the most com- avoid the lifelong burden of care “This is a truly historic day,” Animals Asia CEO Jill mon birth defects. that comes with having a shunt,” Robinson at the signing in Hanoi, adding that the deci- Hydrocephalus is a condition Dr James added. sion “will lead to the definitive end to bear bile farming where the patient has a build-up ETV-CPC is a well-established here in Vietnam”. of fluid in the brain, this causes procedure that was originally Bear bile farming has been outlawed in Vietnam an abnormal widening of spaces designed to create a cost-effec- since 1992. But many bile farms use a legal loophole in the brain. tive and permanent solution for allowing them to raise the animals as pets. There are children in Africa as it results in about 1,200 bears in captivity in Vietnam today, down less follow-ups. “The procedure is from more than 4,000 in 2005, caged in more than 400 well-tolerated and only takes an bear farms across the country. Animals Asia estimates hour or two. The child can then it will cost up to $20 million to rescue and build go home within a day or two of enough sanctuaries to house the bears, and called on the operation. There is reassur- donors, companies and the government to pitch in. ance for Middle Eastern families “We cannot do this by ourselves, the government needs to take responsibility for the wildlife in the coun- HANOI: Bears search for fruit and vegetables during feeding time at the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre near that with ETV-CPC, there is less Tam Dao National Park in Vinh Phuc province, some 70 kms north of Hanoi. — AFP chance that they will need to try,” said Tuan Bendixsen, Vietnam director for Animals access specialist care very quick- Asia. Officials said funding is the main hurdle to rescu- and urged countries to adhere to an international con- and their bile is ‘free dripped’ via a hole in the animal’s ly. Unlike with a shunt, for exam- ing the bears and putting an end to the trade. “We face vention that bans cross-border bear and bile trading. gall bladder or a catheter. Many are starved, dehydrat- ple, which can get blocked and difficulties finding funds to prevent and stop the hunt- Yesterday’s agreement follows an announcement in ed, wounded and psychologically scarred when they then needs to be treated imme- ing and rescue of wild animals,” VNFOREST deputy 2015 from Vietnam’s Traditional Medicine Association are rescued. Bear bile contains an acid which can help diately by a specialist neurosur- director Cao Chi Cong said. Bendixsen warned that bile to remove bear bile from its list of sanctioned prescrip- treat liver and gall bladder illnesses, though effective geon - which is not always possi- farms could move into neighboring Laos or Cambodia, tions by 2020. The bears are often kept in small cages, herbal alternatives are available.—AFP ble to access locally,” he says. Dr Greg James Dr James points out that The widening can cause every case is different and it is Risky business for fish in oil-polluted reef waters harmful and possibly fatal pres- important to choose the right sure in the brain. An unusually operation for the child. “ETV-CPC SYDNEY: Coral reef fish are more likely ed “many polluted coastlines in industri- order cognitive processing and behav- ecosystems,” they added. “Each year, large head is the main sign of is less likely to work for children to engage in risky behavior and be alized regions worldwide”, the scientists iors necessary for the successful settle- over six million metric tons of petrole- congenital hydrocephalus. The who need an immediate solution unable to identify predators if they from Australia, Norway and the United ment and survival of larval fishes”. um products are estimated to enter condition is common in babies and sometimes the child will swim in waters contaminated with States said. The scientists said the oil “This emphasizes the risks associated global oceans from anthropogenic who have spina-bifida and chil- have to have to come back and petroleum-based oil, researchers said. exposure appears to “impair higher- with industrial activities within at-risk sources such as industrial discharge, dren who get infections such as have a shunt. But if ETV-CPC Concentrations equivalent to only “a urban run-off and shipping operations.” meningitis in their early child- works, it is a relief from a long- couple of drops in a swimming pool” The scientists said when the fish were hood. One to two of every 1,000 life of follow-ups. We need to could be enough to impair their judg- exposed to increased oil concentrations babies are born with hydro- have a discussion as part of a ment, scientists said in the study pub- in the lab tests, there were higher death cephalus, which makes it as com- multidisciplinary team and with lished Tuesday in the journal Nature rates and changed behavior. With mon as Down’s syndrome and the family to make the right Ecology & Evolution. “The fish were ecosystems such as the Barrier Reef more common than spina bifida choice for the patient,” he unable to identify friend from foe and already under pressure from coral or brain tumors. A study con- explains. Dr James estimated they stopped travelling in groups,” study bleaching and development, they ducted in Abu Dhabi over a peri- that the majority of cases GOSH co-author Jodie Rummer from added that limiting pollution-particular- od of three years showed that sees are still undergoing shunt Australia’s James Cook University’s ARC ly oil-near reefs was key to preserving 16.6 per 1000 births have severe surgeries, however half of them Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef such biodiverse sites. malformation with 72 percent of are good candidates for ETV- Studies said. “If an oil spill were to occur, this study newborns being Arab. GOSH CPC. Dr James believes that this “The fishes also had trouble selecting suggests there could be major conse- performs approximately 400 operation, which is now avail- suitable habitats, swam toward open quences for reef fish, coral reefs, and the hydrocephalus surgeries every able at GOSH, offers internation- waters, and could not swim away quick- people working in fisheries and tourism,” year, of which 10-20 cases are al patients from Kuwait the ly from danger.” The research, which the lead author Jacob Johansen from the patients from the Middle East. chance to have a better quality scientists described as the first of its University of Texas said. “Over the past 35 Consultant pediatric neuro- of life and limits the life-long kind, focused on larvae-the juvenile years, many of the world’s coral reefs have stage when fish are especially vulnera- declined. Still, many governments contin- surgeon, Dr Greg James, from burden of care which often ble-and on six fish species from QUEENSLAND: A handout photo received from the ARC Centre of Excellence ue to allow industrial activities, including GOSH explains that there are no comes with having the tradition- Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The oil for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University shows blue-green chromis on oil drilling and exploration, in sensitive medical therapies available to al shunt procedure. concentrations used in the study reflect- the Great Barrier Reef near Lizard Island in Queensland. — AFP reef habitats.” — AFP WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

anaging Editor of Annahar daily Hussein Abdullah Monday. Officials, media and society personalities were Al-Fadhli celebrated the wedding of his son Yousuf among the guests at the wedding. Mat the Abu Ramiya Hall in Andalus this past — Photos by Joseph Shagra THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 TV PROGRAMS

22:50 The Detectives Club: New 16:00 Disney Lights, Camera, Lexi! 17:30 Seinfeld Orleans 16:05 Sofia The First: The Curse Of 18:00 The Middle 23:40 Murder Calls Princess Ivy 18:30 The Middle 16:50 PJ Masks 19:00 American Housewife 01:45 Rocky Balboa 17:05 Doc McStuffins 19:30 The Mick 03:30 Last Action Hero 17:35 The Lion Guard 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 00:45 Animal Cops Philadelphia 05:45 Win A Date With Tad 18:05 PJ Masks Jimmy Fallon 01:40 The Bronx Zoo Hamilton! 18:35 Mickey And The Roadster 02:35 Tanked 07:40 Rocky Balboa Racers 03:25 Wildest Middle East 09:25 Casino Royale 19:05 Sofia The First 04:15 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 11:55 Barely Lethal 19:35 Jake And The Never Land 05:02 Big Fish Man 13:35 The Blind Side Pirates 05:49 Insane Pools: Off The Deep 00:00 Hank Zipzer 15:50 Reign Over Me 20:05 The Lion Guard End 00:25 Alex & Co. 18:00 Sherlock Holmes 20:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:30 How Do They Do It? 06:36 Call Of The Wildman 00:45 The Hive 20:10 Quantum Of Solace 21:00 Goldie & Bear 00:55 Food Factory 07:25 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 00:50 Evermoor Chronicles 22:00 Indecent Proposal 21:25 Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital 01:20 Invent It Rich 08:15 The Bronx Zoo 01:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A 02:10 Extreme Engineering 09:10 Wildest Middle East Teenage Witch 21:50 Minnieʼs Bow-Toons 22:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 03:00 Weird Or What? 10:05 Tanked 01:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A 03:48 Mythbusters 11:00 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Teenage Witch 04:36 How Do They Do It? 11:55 Animal Cops Philadelphia 02:05 Binny And The Ghost 05:00 Food Factory 12:50 The Bronx Zoo 02:30 Binny And The Ghost 05:24 Invent It Rich 13:45 Big Fish Man 01:15 Growing Up And Other Lies 02:55 Hank Zipzer 02:45 Oscar 06:12 Extreme Engineering 14:40 Wildest Middle East 03:15 The Hive 07:00 How Do They Do It? 15:35 Tanked 04:35 Clifford 03:20 Hank Zipzer 06:05 Take Care 07:26 Weird Or What? 16:30 Big Fish Man 03:45 Alex & Co. 00:20 Wheeler Dealers 01:05 Blowing Up History 07:40 7 Chinese Brothers 08:14 Mythbusters 17:25 The Lion Queen 04:35 Sabrina Secrets Of A 09:02 Extreme Engineering 18:20 Wildest Europe 01:50 Strip The City 08:55 Clifford Teenage Witch 10:25 Take Care 09:50 How Do They Do It? 19:15 Tanked 05:00 Sabrina Secrets Of A 02:35 Made By Destruction 03:20 Fast Nʼ Loud 12:00 7 Chinese Brothers 10:14 Food Factory 20:10 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Teenage Witch 10:38 Invent It Rich 21:05 The Lion Queen 04:05 Mega Shippers 13:15 Indian Summer 05:25 Binny And The Ghost 14:55 Parenthood 11:26 Weird Or What? 22:00 Wildest Europe 05:45 The Hive 04:50 Gold Rush 05:35 How Do They Do It? 17:00 Crazy On The Outside 12:14 Mythbusters 22:55 Wildest Middle East 05:50 The 7D 13:02 How Do They Do It? 23:50 Big Fish Man 06:00 Gold Divers 18:35 Confessions Of A Shopaholic 06:00 Jessie 20:20 Playing It Cool 13:26 Food Factory 06:25 Jessie 06:45 Wheeler Dealers 07:30 Fast Nʼ Loud 22:00 The Night Before 13:50 Extreme Engineering 06:50 The Adventures Of Disney 23:45 Get Hard 14:38 Weird Or What? Fairies 08:15 Mega Shippers 09:00 Storage Hunters 15:26 Invent It Rich 07:15 Tsum Tsum Shorts 16:14 Mythbusters 07:20 Elena Of Avalor 09:25 How Do They Do It? 10:10 Blowing Up History 17:02 Extreme Engineering 00:00 Escaping Polygamy 07:45 The Zhuzhus 17:50 Weird Or What? 01:00 Celebrity Ghost Stories 08:10 Bizaardvark 10:55 Strip The City 11:40 Made By Destruction 18:40 Mythbusters 02:00 My Haunted House 08:35 Bunkʼd 19:30 Food Factory USA 03:00 Psychic Kids: Children Of 09:00 Stuck In The Middle 12:02 Made By Destruction 00:55 Eat That Question - Frank 12:25 How Do They Do It? Zappa In His Own 19:55 Food Factory USA The Paranormal 09:25 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 20:20 How Do They Do It? 04:00 Escaping Polygamy And Cat Noir 12:47 Storage Hunters 02:35 Young Ones 13:10 Gold Rush 04:20 Eyes Of An Angel 20:45 Food Factory 05:00 Celebrity Ghost Stories 09:50 Best Friends Whenever 21:10 Extreme Engineering 06:00 Evil Up Close 10:15 Liv And Maddie 13:55 Mega Shippers 05:55 Memories 14:40 Gold Divers 07:30 The Joy Luck Club 22:00 Food Factory USA 07:00 Evil Up Close 10:40 Jump In 22:25 Food Factory USA 08:00 The First 48 12:05 Welcome To The Ronks 15:25 Fast Nʼ Loud 09:50 Steve Jobs: The Man In The 16:10 Wheeler Dealers Machine 22:50 Weird Or What? 09:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 12:20 Jessie 23:40 Mythbusters 10:00 Killers 13:10 Girl Meets World 17:00 How Do They Do It? 12:00 Young Ones 11:00 Killers 13:35 Austin & Ally 17:25 How Do They Do It? 13:45 The Man Who Wasnʼt There 12:00 Killers 14:00 Austin & Ally 17:50 Storage Hunters 15:45 Jappeloup 14:00 The First 48 14:25 Lolirock 18:20 Storage Hunters 17:55 The Theory Of Everything 15:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 14:50 The Zhuzhus 18:50 Mega Shippers 20:00 Dead Poets Society 16:00 Evil Up Close 15:15 Whisker Haven Tales With 19:40 How Do They Do It? 22:10 Carrington 00:02 Max & Ruby 17:00 Homicide Hunter The Palace Pets 21:00 Ocean Warriors 00:25 Ben & Hollyʼs Little Kingdom 18:00 Homicide Hunter 15:20 Bizaardvark 21:50 How Do They Do It? 00:36 Ben & Hollyʼs Little Kingdom 19:00 The First 48 15:45 Elena Of Avalor 22:15 How Do They Do It? 00:46 The Day Henry Met 20:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 16:10 Liv And Maddie 22:40 Storage Hunters UK 00:51 The Day Henry Met 21:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 16:35 Descendants Wicked World 23:05 Storage Hunters UK 00:57 Blaze And The Monster 22:00 Homicide Hunter 16:40 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 01:15 Ratchet And Clank Machines 23:00 The First 48 And Cat Noir 02:55 Pet Pals In Windland 01:19 Blaze And The Monster 17:05 Stuck In The Middle 04:30 The Heart Of The Oak Machines 17:30 Bunkʼd 06:00 Ducktales: The Movie 01:42 Zack & Quack 17:55 Girl Meets World 06:00 Gravity Falls 07:15 Big Baby 02:03 Team Umizoomi 18:20 Disney Mickey Mouse 06:25 Disney11 08:40 Ghosthunters On Icy Trails THE BLIND SIDE ON OSN MOVIES HD 02:25 Olive The Ostrich 18:25 Alex & Co. 06:50 Supa Strikas 10:20 Mia And The Migoo 02:30 Olive The Ostrich 18:50 Best Friends Whenever 07:15 Right Now Kapow 12:00 Marco Macaco 00:30 The Big Brain Theory 15:00 E! News 02:36 Paw Patrol 19:15 Star Darlings 07:40 Future-Worm! 11:50 Royal Recipes 13:20 Ratchet And Clank 01:20 Bondi Vet 15:15 E! News: Daily Pop 12:45 Emmerdale 02:58 Little Charmers 19:20 Liv And Maddie 08:05 Marvelʼs Rocket And Groot 14:55 Capture The Flag 02:10 Kings Of The Wild 16:15 Hollywood Medium With 13:15 Coronation Street 03:10 Ben & Hollyʼs Little Kingdom 19:45 Mako Mermaids 08:10 K.C. Undercover 16:35 Ghosthunters On Icy Trails 03:00 Destroyed In Seconds Tyler Henry 14:15 The Chase: Celebrity 03:22 Dora The Explorer 20:10 The Adventures Of Disney 08:35 Milo Murphyʼs Law 18:15 Albert 03:25 Destroyed In Seconds 19:00 E! News Specials 03:45 Max & Ruby Fairies 09:00 Walk The Prank 01:40 7500 19:40 Mamma Moo And Crow 03:50 Ultimate Survival 20:00 WAGs Miami 15:10 Royal Recipes 04:08 Nella The Princess Knight 20:35 Cracke 09:25 Supa Strikas 03:25 Age Of Tomorrow 21:00 Capture The Flag 04:40 How Itʼs Made 22:00 WAGs Miami 16:00 Prince Harry In Africa 04:31 Shimmer And Shine 20:40 Alex & Co. 09:50 Gravity Falls 05:05 Maze Runner: The Scorch 22:40 Big Baby 05:05 How Itʼs Made 23:00 E! News 16:55 Royal Stories 04:54 Dora And Friends 21:05 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 10:15 Marvelʼs Rocket And Groot Trials 05:30 Dirty Jobs 17:25 Paul OʼGrady: For The Love 05:16 Zack & Quack And Cat Noir 10:20 K.C. Undercover 07:25 I Am Number Four 06:20 Mythbusters Of Dogs 05:28 The Day Henry Met 21:30 Stuck In The Middle 10:45 Right Now Kapow 09:20 Maze Runner: The Scorch 07:00 Doki 17:50 Autopsy: The Last Hours 05:33 The Day Henry Met 21:55 Tsum Tsum Shorts 11:10 Lab Rats Of... Trials 07:25 Dick ʻnʼ Dom Go Wild 11:35 Mech-X4 11:35 Beyond Redemption 05:38 Blaze And The Monster 07:50 Bad Dog 22:00 Bunkʼd 18:45 Emmerdale 12:00 Life Is Ruff 19:15 Coronation Street 13:10 Rivers Nine Machines 08:40 How Itʼs Made 22:25 Bunkʼd 00:00 Chopped 13:30 Milo Murphyʼs Law 20:10 Royal Recipes 14:55 I Am Number Four 00:15 The Middle 06:00 Rusty Rivets 09:05 How Itʼs Made 22:50 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 01:00 The Great Food Truck Race 13:45 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty 21:00 Prince Harry In Africa 16:50 Black Rose 00:40 The Middle 06:12 Paw Patrol 09:30 The Big Brain Theory And Cat Noir 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives Much Everything 21:55 Royal Stories 18:25 Tekken: Kazuyaʼs Revenge 01:05 Youʼre The Worst 06:37 Dora The Explorer 22:25 Paul OʼGrady: For The Love 20:00 Mission To Mars 01:30 Youʼre The Worst 07:00 Zack & Quack Of Dogs 22:00 Universal Soldier: The 01:55 Family Guy 07:21 Bubble Guppies Return 02:20 The Tonight Show Starring 07:44 Blaze And The Monster Jimmy Fallon Machines 03:10 Late Night With Seth Meyers 08:07 Paw Patrol 04:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 08:30 Shimmer And Shine 04:50 George Lopez 08:53 Nella The Princess Knight 00:20 Detroit Steel 05:15 Two And A Half Men 09:15 The Day Henry Met 01:10 Forged In Fire 05:40 The Last Man On Earth 09:22 Paw Patrol 02:00 Hunting Hitler 00:10 Inspector Gadget 09:45 Rusty Rivets 01:30 Marvelʼs Iron Man & Captain 06:05 The Last Man On Earth 02:50 Storage Wars 06:30 Mom 09:57 Bubble Guppies 03:15 American Pickers America: Heroes United 10:20 Fresh Beat Band Of Spies 02:45 The Amazing Wizard Of 06:55 Men At Work 04:05 Pawn Stars 07:20 Late Night With Seth Meyers 10:40 Zack & Quack 04:30 Pawn Stars Paws 10:52 Team Umizoomi 04:30 Hercules (1997) 08:10 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:00 Mountain Men 09:00 The Tonight Show Starring 11:15 Shimmer And Shine 06:00 Fifth Gear 06:05 Further Adventures Of 11:38 Shimmer And Shine Professor Branestawn Jimmy Fallon 06:50 Duck Dynasty 09:50 George Lopez 12:01 Max & Ruby 07:15 Duck Dynasty 07:15 Inspector Gadget 12:25 Ben & Hollyʼs Little Kingdom 08:40 Marvelʼs Iron Man & Captain 10:15 Two And A Half Men 07:40 Counting Cars 10:40 Mom 12:36 Ben & Hollyʼs Little Kingdom 08:05 Counting Cars America: Heroes United 12:47 The Day Henry Met 10:00 The Good Dinosaur 11:05 Men At Work 08:30 Pawn Stars 11:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:52 The Day Henry Met 08:55 Pawn Stars 11:35 The Amazing Wizard Of 12:57 Blaze And The Monster Paws 12:20 Seinfeld 09:20 Storage Wars 12:45 Seinfeld Machines 09:45 Storage Wars 13:20 A Bugʼs Life 13:19 Blaze And The Monster 15:00 Tuck Everlasting 13:10 The Middle 10:10 American Pickers 13:35 The Middle Machines 11:00 Alone 16:35 The Great Gilly Hopkins 13:41 Zack & Quack 18:15 Hannah Montana Movie 14:00 George Lopez 11:50 Duck Dynasty 14:25 Two And A Half Men 14:03 Team Umizoomi 12:15 Duck Dynasty 20:00 Marvel Super Hero 14:25 Olive The Ostrich Adventures: Frost Fight 14:50 Mom 12:40 Counting Cars 15:15 The Last Man On Earth 14:30 Olive The Ostrich 13:05 Counting Cars 21:20 A Bugʼs Life 14:35 Paw Patrol 23:00 Tuck Everlasting 16:05 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:30 Ice Road Truckers 17:00 Seinfeld 14:58 Little Charmers 14:20 Mountain Men 15:10 Fifth Gear 16:00 Storage Wars 16:25 Storage Wars 16:50 Pawn Stars 17:15 Pawn Stars 17:40 Detroit Steel 18:30 Forged In Fire I AM NUMBER FOUR ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 19:20 Mountain Men 20:10 American Pickers 21:00 Pirate Treasure Of The 10:20 Mythbusters 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives Knights Templar 11:10 Quarx 14:15 Future-Worm! 03:00 Man Fire Food 21:50 Lost Worlds 11:35 Quarx 14:40 Kirby Buckets 03:30 Man Fire Food 22:40 Time Team 12:00 Quarx 15:05 Lab Rats 04:00 Chopped 12:25 Quarx 15:30 Walk The Prank 00:00 Henry Hugglemonster 05:00 Guyʼs Grocery Games 14:30 Doki 15:55 Right Now Kapow 00:15 Calimero 06:00 Barefoot Contessa 14:55 Dick ʻnʼ Dom Go Wild 16:25 K.C. Undercover 00:30 Art Attack 06:30 Barefoot Contessa 15:20 Bad Dog 16:50 Disney11 00:55 Zou 07:00 The Kitchen 16:10 The Big Brain Theory 17:15 Mech-X4 01:05 Loopdidoo 08:00 The Pioneer Woman 17:00 Weather Top Tens 17:40 Milo Murphyʼs Law 01:20 Henry Hugglemonster 09:00 Sibaʼs Table 00:15 Maximum Foodie 17:50 Storm Chasers 18:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 01:35 Calimero 09:30 Sibaʼs Table 00:45 Rustic Adventure Argentina 18:40 Troy 18:10 Gravity Falls 01:50 Zou 10:00 The Pioneer Woman 01:10 Eat Street 19:30 How Itʼs Made 18:35 Lab Rats 02:05 Art Attack 10:30 The Pioneer Woman 01:40 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 19:55 How Itʼs Made 19:00 Supa Strikas 02:30 The Hive 11:00 The Kitchen Spaces 20:20 Mythbusters 19:25 Milo Murphyʼs Law 02:40 Loopdidoo 12:00 The Pioneer Woman 02:35 Whatʼs For Sale? 21:10 Weather Top Tens 19:50 Marvelʼs Rocket And Groot 02:55 Henry Hugglemonster 12:30 The Pioneer Woman 03:00 Whatʼs For Sale? 22:00 Storm Chasers 19:55 K.C. Undercover 03:10 Art Attack 13:00 Sibaʼs Table 03:30 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita 22:50 Destroyed In Seconds 20:20 Mech-X4 03:35 Loopdidoo 13:30 Sibaʼs Table 03:55 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita 23:15 Destroyed In Seconds 20:45 Disney11 03:50 Calimero 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 04:25 The Great Food Revolution 23:40 Ultimate Survival 21:10 Walk The Prank 04:05 Art Attack 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 05:20 Poh & Co 21:35 Marvelʼs Rocket And Groot 04:30 Henry Hugglemonster 15:00 Chopped 05:45 Poh & Co 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 04:45 Zou 16:00 The Kitchen 06:15 Eat Street 21:45 Lab Rats 05:00 Art Attack 17:00 The Pioneer Woman 06:40 Eat Street 22:10 Lab Rats 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 17:30 The Pioneer Woman 07:10 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 22:35 Phineas And Ferb 05:45 Loopdidoo 18:00 Chopped Spaces 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am 00:30 The Coroner: I Speak For 06:00 Zou 19:00 Chopped Junior 08:05 Whatʼs For Sale? KSA The Dead 06:15 Calimero 20:00 Rev Runʼs Sunday Suppers 08:30 Whatʼs For Sale? 01:20 Murder Calls 06:30 Loopdidoo 20:30 Rev Runʼs Sunday Suppers 09:00 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita 02:10 Murder Comes To Town 06:45 Henry Hugglemonster 21:00 Private Chef 09:25 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita 03:00 Grave Secrets 07:00 Sofia The First 21:30 Private Chef 09:55 The Great Food Revolution 03:48 Swamp Murders 07:25 PJ Masks 22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 10:50 Poh & Co 04:36 Swamp Murders 07:50 The Lion Guard 22:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 11:15 Poh & Co 05:24 Swamp Murders 08:15 Mickey And The Roadster 00:05 Hollywood Medium With 23:00 Chopped 11:45 Eat Street 06:12 Swamp Murders Racers Tyler Henry 12:10 Eat Street 07:00 Obsession: Dark Desires 08:40 Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital 00:55 Hollywood Medium With 12:40 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 07:50 Obsession: Dark Desires 09:05 Jake And The Never Land Tyler Henry Spaces 08:40 Obsession: Dark Desires Pirates 01:50 E! News 13:35 Whatʼs For Sale? 09:30 Obsession: Dark Desires 09:35 Disney Lights, Camera, Lexi! 02:50 Celebrity Style Story 14:00 Testing The Menu With Nic 10:20 The Locator 09:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: 03:20 Celebrity Style Story 00:10 The Chase: Celebrity Watt 10:45 The Locator Super... 03:50 WAGs Specials 14:30 The Food Files 11:10 Iʼd Kill For You 10:30 Mickey And The Roadster 04:40 Botched By Nature 01:00 Emmerdale 14:55 The Food Files 12:00 Swamp Murders Racers 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 02:00 Coronation Street 15:25 The Great Food Revolution 12:50 Swamp Murders 11:00 PJ Masks 06:00 La Clippers Dance Squad 02:30 Royal Recipes 16:20 Poh & Co 13:40 Swamp Murders 11:25 Goldie & Bear 06:55 E! News 03:25 This Is England ʻ88 16:45 Poh & Co 14:30 Swamp Murders 11:50 Mickey And The Roadster 07:10 La Clippers Dance Squad 04:20 Lewis 17:15 Eat Street 15:20 The Locator Racers 08:10 E! News: Daily Pop 05:15 Tonight At The London 17:40 Eat Street 15:45 The Locator 12:15 Sofia The First 09:10 Keeping Up With The Palladium 18:10 Fearless Chef 16:10 Love The Way You Lie 12:40 The Lion Guard Kardashians 06:10 The Chase: Celebrity 19:05 The Great Food Revolution 17:00 Beauty Queen Murders 13:10 Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital 10:05 Keeping Up With The Specials 20:00 Poh & Co 17:50 Beauty Queen Murders 13:35 PJ Masks Kardashians 07:05 Royal Recipes 20:30 Poh & Co 08:00 This Is England ʻ88 18:40 Beauty Queen Murders 14:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 11:00 Keeping Up With The 21:00 Eat Street 09:00 Lewis 19:30 Beauty Queen Murders 14:30 The Lion Guard Kardashians 21:30 Eat Street 12:00 E! News 10:00 Tonight At The London 22:00 Fearless Chef 20:20 The Locator 14:55 Unbungalievable Palladium 20:45 The Locator 15:00 Goldie & Bear 12:15 Botched 22:55 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 13:10 Botched 10:55 The Chase: Celebrity Spaces 21:10 Killer Confessions 15:30 Mickey And The Roadster Specials 22:00 Murder Comes To Town Racers 14:05 Botched 23:50 Whatʼs For Sale? THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING ON OSN MOVIES FESTIVAL stars26 THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

CROSSWORD 1664 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) You will be extremely busy today. There will be many times where you will Self-sacrifice and an understanding attitude on your part could have far- have to supply a solution to a particular problem. Be prepared to work hard. This is not a reaching effects on your own life-path and career during this time. You have improved great time to attempt to plan a noon break with friends as you may find yourself less your working abilities and higher-ups are taking note. This may mean that you are work- conversational. It would be good to walk or visit a pet or music store, if possible. ing more efficiently with others and this helps you to achieve bigger and more encom- Transferring your concentration to a lighthearted arena would do wonders for your ener- passing goals. Outer circumstances are favorable and it should be easy for you to push gy level and enthusiasm as you return to the work expectations. Take care to examine all forward with regard to developing your career. You will have no problem moving up the aspects of your work or dealings today-there is success! A long-awaited dialogue with an professional ladder. Now is the time when personal insight into your most secret and older person may take place later. You enjoy keeping up-to-date with the news regard- psychological self may be possible. There is the possibility of new visions or sudden ing your friends, relatives or neighborhood events. insights into your self-image or into your beliefs and dreams.

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

Today is a fine day . . . Your work benefits from your total concentration. Your idea of where you want to be in this life and where you really are with This may be a good thing as you will be able to forget about personal plans for a while your goals are very close. You are progressing well with your goals and you will want to and relax your expectations of the day. Surprises happen all day long and, you are able set some new goals soon. Do not be afraid that present goals will be forgotten as you to finish what you start in the work world. The noon break is fun with co-worker friends begin to look into toward the future-they will soon be realized. This is a time of good for- and somewhere in the visit there is talk of metaphysics, horoscopes and telling fortunes. tune-when things open up in a very natural way for you. Situations are within your reach You are also interested in the subject of writers and teachers that talk about self-help and it is easy to see which path is the one for you to take. Opportunities to improve and techniques. You might spend time in a bookstore after work for a short while. Young enlarge your friendships are available to you now. You may find yourself wanting to do people want some of your time this afternoon and you enjoy their company. Later this almost anything today. This is a good time to project your image. Give yourself more evening you will want to have a camera handy. Happy birthday! credit for the original ways you handle family matters.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Whether you are working in a place of business or at home, your attention Go with the flow today. Trust in your own instincts. Your ideas are just as is in getting things completed. If you find yourself working within a group good, if not better, than someone else’s ideas. Take a chance-try out your today, you will be productive. You expect praise for your good works but this may not new ideas-you will have a feeling of accomplishment. Perhaps you are improving or ACROSS DOWN come on your time schedule so-do not push. Emotions and feelings of those around you updating a piece of technical equipment or some new computer software. Your perse- 1. Preserve of crushed fruit. 1. An island in Indonesia south of Borneo. may be very clear allowing you to know what is expected of your energies and your verance pays off, particularly when you stop occasionally for a break or two-all work and 4. Low stingless nettle of Central and 2. Norwegian mathematician (1802- time. If you have things you want to accomplish that might be a separate interest from no play, etc. A person that you were close to in the past may contact you this afternoon. South America having velvety brownish- 1829). the people you are with-set reasonable time limits before obligating yourself to new An earnest effort in letting go of hard feelings can free you to move forward. This person projects. This is a good time to use your writing skills as you can communicate with real has something special to offer you. This is a day of good surprises, opportunities, money green toothed leaves and clusters of 3. The molecular weight of a substance and romance. A new game fills your evening hours. small green flowers. expressed in grams. originality. Learning ways to release the restlessness is beneficial to your health. 12. A syndrome that occurs in many 4. A proportion multiplied by 100. women from 2 to 14 days before the 5. A colorless and odorless inert gas. onset of menstruation. 6. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 15. A dark-skinned member of a race of the alkali metal group. You waste few words when you describe or give instructions. You could be people living in Australia when 7. Eaten as mush or as a thin gruel. Investigating and examining results and statistics find you at your mental in a hurry, so if someone has a lot of difficulty in understanding what you best. Your analytical abilities are at a high. This can be an expansive, creative Europeans arrived. 8. Being nothing more than specified. want, be wise with your response. You have a natural sense of organization and come and successful time-a time you may remember with much fondness. You are your warm, 16. The quantity contained in a crate. 9. A United Nations agency that invest across as disciplined and careful, perhaps a little too sober. An inner vision, coupled with loyal and generous self today and others follow your example as you deal with the public 17. Any of various long-tailed rodents directly in companies and guarantees the ability to see the big picture, may find you working as a go-between with others. You and interact with others in the workplace. Your need for admiration and appreciation will similar to but larger than a mouse. loans to private investors. could even have a special gift for spanning the generation gap, bringing older and certainly be met as you entertain and visit with friends this afternoon. Others could seek 18. Elevated open grassland in southern 10. Wild llama. younger spirits together. A love of animals, children, older people and the needy, is a life- you out for your psychological insight and understanding. This could be a time to make Africa. 11. A silvery ductile metallic element long trait that is visible today. It is easy for you to work with people in authority. There are changes in your environment. Any work toward creating a balance in your life will be 20. Predatory black-and-white toothed found primarily in bauxite. opportunities for outdoor activity with friends this afternoon. beneficial. Good vibes are present all week long. whale with large dorsal fin. 12. Capital and largest city of the Czech 22. On or toward the lee. Republic. 25. According to the Old Testament he 13. Type genus of the Majidae. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) was a pagan king of Israel and husband 14. A thrusting blow with a knife. Opportunities may go against your own sense of security and you may feel You will make practical decisions concerning group issues today. A super- of Jezebel (9th century BC). 19. Be false to. it is best not to take chances. This is a tough call when it comes to business visor or higher-up is listening to your intelligent summations about how things should 26. Any of several short-billed Old World 21. A large number or amount. and some compromise is perhaps the best way to a workable solution. Your career, practi- be run. You have a natural sense of what the public wants. You are always making new rails. 23. With no effort to conceal. cal vision and skills are of central importance to you now. You feel there is a waste of time discoveries. Clear decisions affecting others are requested and triumphant. You have a 30. Earnest or urgent request. 24. (informal) Being satisfactory or in sat- if there is no organization and your actions are deliberate in this area of your life. Your rep- great appreciation of how your life is going and this afternoon you will be able to enjoy the company of a good friend. You will both enjoy talking about what each of you has 33. Formerly a gold coin of various isfactory condition. utation and image are a source of concern and you do everything you can to make them European countries. solid. You appear perhaps more charming and refined than usual this evening as people accomplished. Perhaps you will even be evaluating and reassessing your plans for the 27. (the feminine of raja) A Hindu future. Life, like a good painting, has to be looked at occasionally to really appreciate the 36. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory princess or the wife of a raja. gather to celebrate or just simply gather together away from the workplace. Putting your best foot forward may take on a greater importance this evening. true essence. Friends may visit this evening. drug (trade name Clinoril). 28. A special anniversary. 39. A Russian soup usually containing 29. An agenda of things to do. beet juice as a foundation. 31. Carry out or participate in an activity. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 41. A horizontal beam that extends 32. A skilled worker who coats articles Pisces (February 19-March 20) across something. with a film of metal (usually silver or Your work or career is in true harmony with the rest of your life. Much can Money, money, money-it seems to occupy your mind much of this day. 42. A member of a Finnish people living gold). You could be applying for a loan or looking to purchase a vehicle or home in the northwestern Urals in Russia. be accomplished. You could gain from subordinates or young people just now as infor- 34. A percussion instrument consisting of mation or help is available for whatever you want to complete. You make your way and there is almost a feeling of static electricity in the air. Easy does it, meaning, have 44. A statement that deviates from or vertical metal tubes of different lengths through ideas and concepts, and you have a good ability to communicate and express more confidence. If you really need this new item to make your life work better, it will be perverts the truth. that are struck with a hammer. them to others. Reading or attending a lecture on law, politics, education, travel or reli- yours! Be aware, however, that time and process may not meet with your own idea of 45. The condition of being honored 35. The function or position properly or gion may be part of your day, which is productive. Your creative side is showing this how things should move along. Do not let these thoughts occupy your time-you will (esteemed or respected or well regard- afternoon when you help a friend decorate or update an old look. Your home environ- want to be attentive to your work. You are valued for your ability to make practical deci- customarily occupied or served by anoth- sions and you could find yourself representing co-workers in sensitive issues. Clear deci- ed). er. ment, friends and surroundings in general become simplified and receive encourage- ment. Things may seem almost magical in the way they work out in your favor. sions affecting others could be made by higher-ups as a result of your input. 47. Minute floating marine tunicate hav- 37. A state in northwestern North ing a transparent body with an opening America. at each end. 38. Ratio of the adjacent side to the Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 50. European strong-scented perennial hypotenuse. herb with gray-green bitter-tasting 40. Group of people related by blood or leaves. marriage. 51. Having accumulated or become more 43. Genus of sticky herbs with yellow intense. flowers open in morning or evening but 53. (Akkadian) God ruling with his con- closed in bright light. sort Ereshkigal the world of the dead. 46. A group of island in eastern Indonesia 57. A region in southeastern Italy on the between Celebes and New Guinea. Adriatic. 48. Spread or diffuse through. 59. The basic unit of money in Finland. 49. Acquire or gain knowledge or skills. 63. North American republic containing 52. A mettlesome or fiery horse. 50 states - 48 conterminous states in 54. Make false by mutilation or addition. North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands 55. The capital of Western Samoa. in the Pacific Ocean. 56. A complete metric system of units of 67. An alloy of copper and zinc (and measurement for scientists. sometimes arsenic) used to imitate gold 58. A white soft metallic element that tar- in cheap jewelry and for gilding. nishes readily. 70. A master's degree in business. 60. A Bantu language spoken by the 71. Fleshy and usually brightly colored Kamba people in Kenya. cover of some seeds that develops from 61. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked the ovule stalk and partially or entirely on a skewer usually with vegetables. envelopes the seed. 62. A city in southern Turkey on the 72. A common complex mineral consist- Seyhan River. ing of calcium fluoride phosphate or cal- 64. God of death. cium chloride phosphate. 65. An independent ruler or chieftain 74. A decree that prohibits something. (especially in Africa or Arabia). 75. Not widely known. 66. Precipitation of ice pellets when there 76. A machine that inserts staples into are strong rising air currents. sheets of paper in order to fasten them 68. A plant hormone promoting elonga- together. tion of stems and roots. 77. A loose sleeveless outer garment 69. Standard temperature and pressure. made from aba cloth. 73. A heavy precious metallic element.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution Classifieds

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (20/07/2017 TO 26/07/2017)

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Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Thursday 20/7/2017 JZR 239 Amman 12:25 Departure Flights on Thursday 20/7/2017 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:00 Airlines Flt Route Time UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 Airlines Flt Route Time SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 MSC 501 Alexandria 00:05 FEG 933 Sohag 12:55 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 QTR 1075 Doha 12:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:05 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 RBG 556 Alexandria 00:05 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 THY 772 Istanbul 00:10 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 BBC 144 Dhaka 00:10 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KAC 102 London 00:15 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 JZR 1540 Cairo 00:20 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 SVA 502 Jeddah 00:20 KAC 522 Al Najaf 13:40 MSR 2615 Cairo 00:30 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 SVA 514 Riyadh 00:25 KAC 792 Madinah 13:55 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 PAL 669 Manila 13:10 MSC 411 Asyut 00:30 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 PIA 240 Sialkot 00:40 THY 767 Istanbul 13:45 KAC 786 Jeddah 00:30 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 MSC 502 Alexandria 01:05 FEG 932 Alexandria 13:55 JZR 267 Beirut 00:35 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 JZR 502 Luxor 01:15 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 504 Beirut 00:45 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 SVA 503 Jeddah 01:20 KAC 413 Bangkok 14:05 DLH 635 Doha 01:00 KAC 352 Kochi 14:20 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:25 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 JZR 539 Cairo 01:20 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 SVA 515 Riyadh 01:25 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 KAC 618 Doha 14:20 MSC 412 Asyut 01:30 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 UAE 853 Dubai 01:40 JZR 779 Jeddah 14:25 THY 773 Istanbul 01:40 KNE 382 Taif 15:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 KAC 677 Dubai 01:45 FDB 060 Dubai 15:05 THY 1464 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:55 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:00 QTR 1079 Doha 15:15 KKK 6506 Istanbul 01:55 KAC 304 Mumbai 14:55 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 KAC 563 Amman 15:40 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 KAC 692 Muscat 14:55 THY 765 Istanbul 02:50 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 KLM 446 Bahrain 02:05 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:05 KKK 6505 Istanbul 02:55 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 QTR 1086 Doha 02:10 OMA 645 Muscat 15:10 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 KAC 775 Riyadh 15:50 PGT 830 Istanbul 02:10 KAC 562 Amman 15:10 KAC 351 Kochi 03:05 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 15:55 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:15 FDB 8053 Dubai 15:25 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 KAC 502 Beirut 15:25 UAE 854 Dubai 03:30 KAC 743 Dammam 16:00 THY 768 Istanbul 02:35 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:30 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:30 KAC 619 Doha 16:00 MEA 406 Beirut 02:50 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 THY 769 Istanbul 03:30 FDB 8054 Dubai 16:05 KAC 418 Manila 02:50 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 MEA 407 Beirut 03:50 OMA 646 Muscat 16:10 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 SAW 705 Damascus 15:50 MSR 607 Luxor 04:05 GFA 222 Bahrain 16:15 MSR 606 Luxor 03:05 RJA 640 Amman 16:00 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 FDB 051 Dubai 16:15 QTR 1087 Doha 04:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:30 FDB 069 Dubai 03:15 JZR 535 Cairo 16:20 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 SAW 706 Damascus 16:50 KAC 382 Delhi 03:15 JZR 257 Beirut 16:20 KAC 417 Manila 04:20 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 KAC 118 New York 16:25 PGT 831 Istanbul 04:20 KAC 675 Dubai 17:00 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:50 KNE 531 Jeddah 16:35 JZR 560 Sohag 04:45 FDB 052 Dubai 17:05 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:35 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 KAC 503 Beirut 17:15 QTR 1090 Doha 04:05 NIA 361 Alexandria 16:50 QTR 1091 Doha 05:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:15 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:05 KAC 542 Cairo 17:05 QTR 1077 Doha 05:35 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:25 UAE 873 Dubai 04:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KAC 303 Mumbai 05:50 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 JZR 1543 Cairo 04:45 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 FEG 934 Sohag 05:55 KNE 532 Jeddah 17:25 KAC 358 Kochi 04:50 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:35 THY 1465 Istanbul 06:00 JZR 240 Amman 17:30 FEG 931 Alexandria 05:00 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 UAE 874 Dubai 06:15 KAC 357 Kochi 17:40 KAC 784 Jeddah 05:00 QTR 1080 Doha 18:10 RJA 643 Amman 06:25 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 THY 1414 TZX 05:05 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 773 Riyadh 06:35 KAC 381 Delhi 17:50 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:30 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 NIA 362 Alexandria 17:50 KAC 344 Chennai 05:30 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 JZR 529 Asyut 05:35 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 KAC 173 Munich 06:55 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 18:00 KAC 362 Colombo 05:50 KAC 744 Dammam 19:05 JZR 238 Amman 07:00 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 BAW 157 London 06:05 NIA 161 Cairo 19:15 KAC 167 Paris 07:15 JZR 184 Dubai 18:25 KAC 204 Lahore 06:20 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 538 Cairo 18:30 KAC 678 Dubai 06:25 KAC 174 Munich 19:25 KAC 501 Beirut 07:50 KAC 785 Jeddah 18:45 QTR 8511 Doha 06:35 KAC 154 Istanbul 19:30 KAC 613 Bahrain 07:55 QTR 1081 Doha 19:15 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:40 KAC 674 Dubai 19:40 QTR 8512 Doha 08:05 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 19:20 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:50 KAC 616 Bahrain 19:40 BAW 156 London 08:20 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:20 KAC 302 Mumbai 06:55 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:45 KAC 177 Vienna 08:25 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 156 Istanbul 07:05 KAC 178 Vienna 19:45 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 JZR 1541 Cairo 07:10 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 KAC 791 Madinah 08:35 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 JZR 503 Luxor 07:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 KAC 513 Tehran 08:45 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 620 Doha 20:05 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:50 NIA 162 Cairo 20:15 KAC 354 Bangalore 07:50 KNE 381 Taif 20:10 JZR 256 Beirut 09:00 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 KAC 384 Delhi 08:00 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:05 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:15 KAC 353 Bangalore 20:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 20:20 KAC 117 New York 09:15 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:00 IRA 673 Ahwaz 08:35 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 561 Amman 09:30 DLH 634 Doha 21:00 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 QTR 1088 Doha 20:40 JZR 534 Cairo 09:30 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 564 Amman 21:00 KAC 691 Muscat 09:30 KNE 232 Riyadh 21:10 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:05 KAC 168 Paris 21:05 IRA 672 Ahwaz 09:35 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 QTR 1070 Doha 09:25 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:10 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:40 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:40 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 KAC 101 London 09:45 KAC 203 Lahore 21:45 FDK 803 Damascus 10:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 AHY 5101 GYD 10:15 THY 764 Istanbul 21:30 KAC 521 Al Najaf 10:00 QTR 1089 Doha 21:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:20 KAC 676 Dubai 21:35 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:00 KAC 774 Riyadh 10:45 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 KAC 155 Istanbul 22:15 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 QTR 1074 Doha 11:00 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 KAC 617 Doha 10:15 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:25 PAL 668 Manila 11:00 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:15 KAC 153 Istanbul 10:30 THY 1401 ADB 22:25 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 QTR 1071 Doha 10:35 KAC 383 Delhi 22:35 JZR 561 Sohag 11:10 JZR 241 Amman 22:55 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 FDK 804 Damascus 11:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 KAC 614 Bahrain 11:15 JZR 185 Dubai 23:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 MSR 2614 Cairo 23:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:05 KAC 783 Jeddah 23:10 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 MSC 405 Sohag 23:30 AHY 5105 GYD 11:15 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 THY 766 Istanbul 12:15 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 KAC 1801 Cairo 23:55 lifestyle THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

MUSIC & MOVIES 'Dunkirk,' 'Get Out' may give Oscars a crowd-pleasing punch

he stranglehold that autumn prestige films released "Mad Max: Fury Road" crashed the America, "Wonder Woman" set a new record for have on Oscar season just might be wilting Academy Awards with 10 nominations and six top-grossing film by a female director. Jenkins Tin the summer sun. Christopher Nolan's wins. "Dunkirk" may be a similar force in craft cat- and star Gal Gadot could well be in the hunt. The World War II epic "Dunkirk" hits theaters Friday, egories. Its ensemble nature may leave less room unlikely awards run last season of "Deadpool" but the overflowing reviews have already made for acting attention, though recent Oscar-winner suggested voters may be open to awarding a it abundantly clear: It's a major Oscar contender Mark Rylance is a standout. More notably, Nolan superhero film. A campaign for Jenkins, who and a best-picture front-runner - even in July. seems likely to finally land his - some would say helmed the Oscar-winning "Monster," would be And "Dunkirk," which analysts expect to debut overdue - first directing nomination. He has closely watched since only four women have this weekend with $60 million-plus in domestic already earned the praise of fellow filmmakers ever been nominated for best director. Kathryn ticket sales, might not be the only box-office hit like Rian Johnson (who called the film "an all Bigelow, the sole winner of the four, also has a to crash this year's awards season. The zeitgeist- timer") and Jon Favreau ("believe the hype"). film upcoming: her ambitious Detroit riots drama grabbing sensations "Get Out" and "Wonder "Detroit," out Aug 4. Woman" could also be players come Academy Digitized movie world Usually, a highly relevant, socially conscious Awards time. Other summer movies might also shake up film from one of Hollywood's most celebrated It is, of course, exceptionally early to handicap the Oscars. The acclaimed romantic comedy "The filmmakers would be plunged right into awards the Oscars. And it's far from uncommon for early Big Sick" has the backing of Amazon, which last season. But the calculus was different for breakouts to recede once the fall film festivals year similarly acquired "Manchester by the Sea" "Detroit," which was deliberately timed to the start firing out heavily anticipated releases from This image released by Warner Bros Pictures shows a scene from "Dunkirk." — AP at Sundance and made it an Oscar heavyweight. 50th anniversary of the riots. And she, like many Hollywood's most acclaimed directors. Steven "The War for the Planet of the Apes" even has others, doesn't love the increased emphasis on Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson and Alexander often lacked in recent years: major release awards) and "The Dark Knight." The Oscar over- some buzz, including pleas for considering Andy Oscar season. "It's not why we make these films," Payne are just some of those waiting in the crowd-pleasers. "It's not really a factor for us, the sight of the latter, released in 2008, was seen as a Serkis' motion-capture performance as the ape said Bigelow. "The motivation behind the release wings this year. But any influx from the rest of awards thing," says Emma Thomas, producer of major motivation for the expansion of the best- Caesar. Such an honor, while unlikely, would be a has to do with the 50-year anniversary," she said. the calendar year would be a welcome change of "Dunkirk." "This film we primarily thought of as picture category the next year from five nomi- game-changer in an increasingly digitized movie "I think it's important to honor that and the pace for an awards season that has in recent an entertainment. For us, we make films for audi- nees to up to 10. world. Jordan Peele's horror sensation "Get Out" resiliency of the city of Detroit. Whatever hap- years only further solidified as a predominantly ences. My feeling is always: If your film works and "We've had very good luck in July in the past ($252 million worldwide after opening in late pens along any other lines, I have no idea." September-December affair. Last year, August's people engage with it, anything that comes later and we like this date. It's an accessible movie," February) could well be the first horror film nom- Bigelow knows from experience. Her "The Hurt "Hell or High Water" was the earliest best-picture is a huge bonus." said Thomas. "When you put movies at the end inated for best picture since 1991's "The Silence Locker" was a June release but went on to best nominee. "Dunkirk" may bear the look and seriousness of the year, you're sort of saying something of the Lambs." At the least, Peele should be a like- "Avatar" at the Oscars. "To say that it was even a of an Oscar season film, right down to the wool about it. You're almost limiting it, in a way, and ly nominee for best screenplay. remote thought would be in inaccurate," she Major motivation coats. But shot in 70mm IMAX, it also has much we don't want to limit the film." The Oscars Patty Jenkins' "Wonder Woman" has been an said, laughing. — AP Aside from spreading out what are potentially of the visceral spectacle of a summer movie. haven't been without crowd-pleasers. "La La even bigger box-office dynamo and earned near- some of the year's best movies, any awards love Thomas and Nolan have also previously had suc- Land" made more than $440 million globally. ly as good reviews as "Get Out." Whereas Peele's for the likes of "Dunkirk," "Get Out" or "Wonder cess July. It's when they released "Inception" "Hidden Figures" charmed North American audi- film was received as landmark film for its fusion Woman" would give the Oscars something it has (which earned eight Oscar nods and won four ences to $230 million. The year before, the May- of genre with a satirical critique of race in

2 new Harry Potter books set to be published in October

wo new books from the Harry Potter universe are set to be released as part of a British exhibition Tthat celebrates the 20th anniversary of the launch of the series. The British Library's Harry Potter exhibi- tion, "A History of Magic," opens in October and runs through February 2018. In an earnings statement released Tuesday, British publishing house Bloomsbury This image released by Universal Pictures shows, from left, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, revealed that two new Potter books will be released in Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith in a scene from the comedy "Girls Trip." — AP conjunction with the event. "Harry Potter: A History of Magic - The Book of the Exhibition" promises to take readers through subjects studied at Potter's wizarding school, Hogwarts. "Harry 'Girls Trip' a wonderfully Potter - A Journey Through A History of Magic" will touch on mystical things such as alchemy, unicorns and ancient witchcraft. Both books will be published in This file photo shows the Palace Theatre in central London which is showing a stage hilarious destination October. — AP production of, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." — AP

et ready to know the name Tiffany public goals. If only we were all as glamorous as Haddish. If there were such a thing as Sasha, who consistently rocks incredible hair- GComedy Oscars, she would win for "Girls dos, as composed as Ryan or as riotous as Dina, Trip ." Like Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids," who's like Id personified. Her enumeration of Haddish steals this film from her big-name co- what she plans to do to Stewart in revenge for stars: Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Jada his scandalous photo is another scene-stealing Pinkett Smith. All four actresses have shining moment. Her plans are so graphic, they can't moments of comedy and heart in director be printed here. The Flossy Posse is #friendship- Malcolm D. Lee's ode to female friendships, goals. thanks to the winning script by Kenya Barris ("black-ish") and Tracy Oliver ("Barbershop: The Nothing is gratuitous Next Cut"), but Haddish emerges as the most "Girls Trip" definitely earns its R rating. memorable. She has a scene with a grapefruit There's crude language, overt sexual jokes, that will go down in the annals of hilarious drug references, public urination, bar fights and movie moments. full-frontal male nudity. And, girl, is it funny. The "Girls Trip" here is to the Essence Nothing is gratuitous. The story is both outra- Festival in New Orleans. A group of friends who geous and realistic, grounded by the women's called themselves the Flossy Posse back in col- friendship. Because the film was actually shot lege in the '90s travel there for a long-awaited during the Essence Festival, there are countless reunion after one of their members, self-help cameos. Look for Mariah Carey, Maxwell, Ava guru Ryan (Hall), is invited to give the festival's DuVernay, Terry McMillan, Iyanla Vanzant, In this Sept 4, 1996 file photo, Rapper Tupac Shakur In this file photo, Madonna, left, sits with her adopted children David, Stella and Mercy, at keynote speech. She's joined by her longtime Morris Chestnut, Faith Evans, Common, Diddy, arrives at New York's Radio City Music Hall for the 13th the opening of The Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care. besties: Journalist Sasha (Latifah), who runs a Ne-Yo, Doug E Fresh and many others. Annual MTV Video Music Awards. — AP photos celebrity-gossip website; Lisa (Pinkett Smith), This film delivers for all adult audiences. an uptight, divorced nurse with two young chil- Regardless of your race or gender, you'll be dren, and brash, outspoken Dina (Haddish), laughing all the way home. The members of who hasn't stopped partying since graduation. the Flossy Posse are fully realized people: Auction of Madonna's panties, Ryan and her retired football star husband accomplished people trying to have fun and Stewart (Mike Coulter) have billed themselves find themselves as they navigate their grown- as the couple that has it all, and they have a lot up lives. They just do it with more outrageous riding on her Essence appearance: They're swagger than most. love letter from Tupac halted poised to sign a major corporate contract at I can't wait to see this film again (and again), the festival that would bring them Oprah-level and to watch Haddish in whatever she does n impending auction of pop star Madonna's regard to highly personal items," Madonna said in Madonna's court papers name Darlene Lutz, a for- success. Their agent (Kate Walsh), who insists next. "Girls Trip," a Universal Pictures release, is personal items, including a love letter from court papers. "I understand that my DNA could be mer friend, art consultant and "frequent overnight on awkwardly using street slang, warns Ryan rated R by the Motion Picture Association of Aher ex-boyfriend the late rapper Tupac extracted from a piece of my hair. It is outrageous guest" in Madonna's home when she was "not in against getting too "turned" over her girls' America for "for crude and sexual content Shakur, a pair of previously worn panties and a and grossly offensive that my DNA could be auc- residence," as behind the sale of the property. weekend, lest she jeopardize the deal. The throughout, pervasive language, brief graphic hairbrush containing her hair, was halted by a tioned for sale to the general public." Court papers A spokesman for Lutz and the auction house posse's trouble begins when Sasha receives a nudity, and drug material." Running time: 122 judge on Tuesday. Manhattan state Supreme Court said the Tupac letter was expected to fetch up to said the allegations will be "vigorously challenged paparazzi picture of Stewart in a compromising minutes. Three and a half stars out of four. Judge Gerald Leibovitz ordered Gotta Have It! $400,000. Tupac, one of the best-selling rappers of and refuted" in court. "Madonna and her legal army position. Could it be the perfect couple isn't so MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 Collectibles to pull 22 items from its rock-and-roll- all time, dated Madonna in the early 1990s and have taken what we believe to be completely base- perfect after all? What about their lucrative requires accompanying parent or adult themed auction scheduled for yesterday. The died of injuries suffered in a Las Vegas drive-by less and meritless action to temporarily halt the contract? guardian. — 'Despacito' declared most Material Girl had earlier sought an emergency shooting in 1996. sale of Ms. Lutz's legal property," spokesman Pete The women in "Girls Trip" are so distinct and streamed song ever'Despacito' declared court order saying she was "shocked to learn" of Madonna, behind such hit songs as "Like a Siegel told the New York Post. "We are confident well-drawn, they're universally relatable. most streamed song ever'Despacito' the planned online auction of the Tupac letter and Virgin" and "Vogue," has sold hundreds of millions that the Madonna memorabilia will be back." — AP Everyone has a wild friend they wish was like declared most streamed song had no idea it was no longer in her possession. of albums. Other Madonna items scheduled to be Dina or one as tightly wound as Lisa. Many of ever'Despacito' declared most streamed "The fact that I have attained celebrity status as auctioned were private photographs taken at a us know people so driven they might compro- song ever — AP a result of success in my career does not obviate bachelorette party at her Miami home, personal mise their personal standards to achieve more my right to maintain my privacy, including with letters and cassette tapes of unreleased recordings. 'Despacito' declared most streamed song ever uerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi's "Despacito," whose Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music reggaeton beat has swept the globe, yesterday was Group, the world's largest label conglomerate, called Pnamed the most streamed song of all time. The "Despacito" the biggest hit of 2017. "Streaming has song's label, Universal Music Latin Entertainment, said opened up the possibility of a song with a different beat, "Despacito" in its original and remixed versions had from a different culture and in a different language to reached 4.6 billion streams across platforms including become a juggernaut of success around the world," YouTube and Spotify. "Despacito"-a racy track full of sexual Grainge said in a statement. innuendo which features Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Reggaeton-which has roots in Jamaican dance hall and Yankee-went viral soon after its release in January and hip-hop-has historically provided a voice to black Puerto found an even wider audience in April when pop celebrity Ricans and has been shunned by the US territory's Justin Bieber appeared in a remix. elite.Streaming-the on-demand selection of music online- "Despacito" dethroned another track with Bieber, the has rapidly grown in recent years.No central body combines Canadian's 2015 song "Sorry," which has 4.38 billion plays, streaming data across all platforms, giving leeway to labels according to Universal. "Despacito"-which means "slowly" to announce figures and feats. "Despacito" has soared on in Spanish-has spent 10 weeks at number one on the US YouTube where it is already the fourth most watched video singles chart, the first Spanish-language song to reach the ever at 2.66 billion views. While popular on Spotify, it was in top spot since "Macarena" in 1996. "Streaming is a connec- 39th place on the all-time list yesterday. — AFP In this file photo, singers Luis Fonsi, left and Daddy Yankee perform during the Latin Billboard Awards in Coral tor for audiences worldwide and it has helped my music Gables, Fla. — AP reach every corner of the planet," Fonsi said in a statement. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 lifestyle

(Above below ) A waitress takes a plate of sushi from the kitchen at a high-end French sushi chain that opened the previous week in northern

Chefs prepare sushi at a high-end French sushi chain that opened the previous week in northern Tehran. — AFP photos Foreign food chains brave risks for a bite of Iran 'Things are changing at full-speed here. I'm very excited to be a spectator to its evolution'

or years, Iranians have had to put up with the likes of biggest headaches are back in Europe, where banks are so Iran's ballistic missile program and what it called Tehran's "Mash Donalds" and "Pizza Hat". Now real Western afraid of US penalties that they freeze accounts at the support for terrorist groups in the Middle East. Ffood franchises have finally arrived, but doing busi- merest whiff of a link to Iran. Conservatives in Iran still rail against Western "cultural ness in Iran is not for the faint-hearted. Despite strict inter- "It's crazy. We went to the French Ministry of Economy infiltration", even if the time in 1994 when the first post- national sanctions being eased under a nuclear deal with and they gave us a list of all the banks that would agree to revolution McDonald's was burned to the ground-two Iranians order at a high-end French sushi chain that opened the previous world powers last year, the Iranian economy remains work with Iran. But when we called them, every single one days after opening-seems a distant memory. week in northern Tehran. bogged down by red tape and struggles to attract foreign said no," said de la Serre. Eventually he found a small pri- Today, Iran's affluent middle class has largely rejected investors. But a couple of European food franchises have vate bank willing to handle his transactions because they ideology and is hungry for foreign brands, while fast-food decided the risks are worth taking for a taste of the esti- have no links to the US. has spread like wildfire even in remote villages. And even mated $7 billion (six billion euros) Iranians spend in restaurants each year, and which local consultancy ILIA says will double in the next decade. Spain's Telepizza opened its first outlet this month through an Iranian consortium that plans to pump 100 million euros into expanding nationwide. But one of the first Europeans to really get his hands dirty on the ground is 41-year-old French entrepreneur Amaury de la Serre, who bought the rights to launch Sushi Shop in Iran after falling in love with the country during a visit in 2013. The first branch of the high-end French chain opened last week in a chic north Tehran neighborhood, marking the culmination of a bruising 18 months of work. "There's a strong government will to bring foreign capital and know-how here, but at the day-to-day administrative lev- Iranians stand outside a high-end French sushi chain. el, it's hell," de la Serre told AFP. 'No pain, no gain' "Everything takes time, everything is complicated. It is very, very difficult to deal with customs. "But no pain, no gain. And things are changing at full-speed here. I love this country and I'm very excited to be a spectator to its Iranians look at the menu at a high-end French sushi chain. evolution." Getting the supply chains running was certain- ly complex-the restaurant uses 150 mostly local suppliers 'Then Mr Trump arrived' conservatives recognize the urgent need for jobs with and must ship fresh fish from Norway three times a week. But while he remains bullish on Iran's economic unemployment at 12.5 percent, and far higher for young It took a year just to get the license to import Japanese prospects, there are enough storm clouds on the horizon people. "Expansion in the fast-food sector is a job creator sauces, and navigating Tehran's notorious real estate rack- to keep him cautious. "We wanted to launch several precisely where Iran needs it most," wrote Esfandyar ets was a saga in itself. brands at once, but then Mr Trump arrived so we're taking Batmanghelidj, founder of the Europe-Iran Forum, in a The government says it is trying to streamline its the foot off the pedal a little," said de la Serre. The US pres- recent briefing note. "After all, many of the world's great- bureaucracy, but Iran actually fell three places in this ident has worried would-be investors in Iran with his est entrepreneurs got their start delivering pizzas." — AFP year's ease of doing business rankings from the World aggressive stance against the country. Bank, down to 120 out of 190 countries. Still, some of the Just this week, he announced new sanctions over

A waitress takes a plate of sushi from the kitchen.

Iranians eat at a high-end French sushi chain. An Iranian woman works behind the counter. Iranians are served at a high-end French sushi chain.

In junta-ruled Thailand, critics turn to comedy

issent has been muted by Thailand's ruling generals Rules" - a reference to Article 44, a measure that gives junta tank - a nod to the junta's recent military spending - past a activist and vocal coup critic, was charged over a mock poll since a 2014 coup. But there is one area where critical chief Prayuth Chan-ocha absolute power in the name of farmer struggling with falling commodity prices and a civilian that parodied the junta's theme song, "Returning Happiness Dvoices still have some space: humor. With political national security. "Dictator Girl" includes lyrics such as: "I must who can't afford health care. Another Facebook page uses to Thailand". There is also one area where comedy is always off activity banned, internet censorship in force and activists and accept everything" and "there are no equal rights", not-so- memes from the 2004 movie "Mean Girls" to tackle topics limits. Thailand's monarchy is protected by one of the world's dissidents detained or summoned for "attitude adjustment", subtle references to the ruling National Council for Peace and including a general election that has been pushed back sever- harshest laws against royal insult which says anyone who public discontent is being manifested in widely shared car- Order, which has broadly cowed opponents into silence. al times. defames it can be punished with up to 15 years in prison for toons, internet memes, and parody music videos. "We're happy that people get it and try to interpret what "There is more talk, especially about the hypocrisy of the each offence. "Thais are becoming more open to what critics and we meant," Nittakarn Kaewpiyasawad, who directed the video, military government. There is laughter, but there is also an Police have said they will target even those who look at humorists are saying about the junta and the military govern- told Reuters. Also at the forefront of the trend is Facebook impact on people's feelings," said Winyu. Government online content critical of the royal family. — Reuters ment," political satirist Winyu "John" Wongsurawat told page, Kai Maew. Known for comic strips featuring prominent spokesman Weerachon Sukhontapatipak warned against pok- Reuters. Winyu is the co-host of YouTube show "Shallow News political figures, it has more than 350,000 followers. ing fun at the military government online because it could in Depth", which uses humor to comment on politics. breach defamation and cybercrime laws. Last week, Thai pop band Tattoo Color released a video for It is produced anonymously. "Before you do anything, please consider existing laws and their single "Dictator Girl", which opens with a book titled "44 In one of its most popular strips, Prayuth is depicted in a regulations first," he said. In March, Veera Somkwamkid, an lifestyle THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

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Photo provided by Nike, shows the Nike VaporMax running shoe, A Cat & Jack bathing suit that is par- Cat & Jack jeans, foreground, appear on display at a Target store Photo shows Cat & Jack tops for girls made with Repreve poly- which contains recycled material. — AP photos tially made from recycled plastic in New York. ester fabric created from recycled plastic bottles, on display at a bottles hangs on display at a Target Target store, in New York. store, in New York. Retailers, brands see green for back-to-school shopping

or the back-to-school season, many parents and their Rubber and foam Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group, says 38 percent bottles, says Jay Hertwig, vice president of global brand sales, kids are thinking green. Concerns about the environ- Abramson, of Sandwich, Massachusetts, buys eco-friendly of 1,000 millennial shoppers polled in April said they would marketing and product development. The added cost comes Fment have them looking for secondhand clothing or cleaning products and recycles plastic bottles. Her daughter "respond positively" to environmentally friendly products. But from the collection, cleaning and converting to flakes and then fashions made from reused material - but price still rules. Emma says she likes to help the environment by recycling, not they would spend, on average, just 3 percent more. Another sur- to recycled polymer chips, Hertwig says. Marketing the green Shoppers want quality and style in backpacks, jeans and the littering, and bringing a thermos to school. She says she would vey by Deloitte Services found that parents of school-aged chil- products can be tricky. like without spending a lot more money. Retailers like H&M, be interested in recycled clothing. "If it looks the same, and it is dren would spend no more than 4 percent extra on "green" Target uses tags that say "Responsible Style" and "Better for Target and J.C. Penney are coming out with more clothes that better for the environment, I would want to buy it," said Emma, products for the back-to-school shopping season. All." It also provides information including how much of the fab- use waste from all sorts of sources, like recycled denim or who likes to shop at Macy's, Justice and Old Navy. Many retailers ric content incorporates Repreve, which varies from 20 percent leather, nylon waste, remnants of old garments, or even plas- are recycling. At Nike, 71 percent of its footwear and clothing Remnants of old garments to 90 percent. During the back-to-school season, store signs will tic bottles. contains recycled materials, and it says more than 31 million Penney says the recycled Arizona jeans cost from $36 to $42, better highlight the Cat & Jack products that use Repreve. Cat & J.C. Penney is delivering three styles of jeans this fall made pairs of used shoes and 36,000 tons of rubber and foam have comparable to other jeans in that collection. "Value is important Jack pieces that include Repreve are sold at the same price as from 20 percent polyester created from bottles under its been reborn into high-performance products since 2010. to the JC Penney customer, especially during the back-to-school the rest of the collection. "It's not terribly overt," said Joshua Arizona brand, after seeing what it believes to be teen cus- H&M, which is offering jeans this fall made from recycled fab- shopping season, so we knew the jeans had to be affordable," Thomas, a Target spokesman. "We're not trying to pat ourselves tomers searching for "recycled jeans" on its site, the company ric, says more than 26 percent of its clothing comes from sustain- said spokeswoman Sarah Holland. In cases when companies use on the back. What we try to do is provide awareness of what said. Target started offering fashions made of polyester created able sources like organic cotton or recycled materials like leather remnants of old garments, keeping prices down is easier. goes into the garment." from recycled plastic bottles with last year's launch of its chil- and denim. By 2030, the goal is for all its products to be eco- "Using old garments and textile leftovers, when making Carry Gear Solutions produces backpacks and lunch bags dren's brand Cat & Jack after focus groups of parents and chil- friendly, the company said. Deborah Weinswig, managing direc- new clothes, means we can both save on raw materials and made of recycled water bottles for store brands and most dren expressed interest in eco-friendly products. tor at research firm Fung Global Retail & Technology, says she stop old clothes from going to waste," said Pernilla Wohlfahrt, recently for Lego. After testing some bags and backpacks for James Reinhart, CEO and founder of the online used cloth- expects to see more major names introduce more sustainable head of design and creative director at H&M. H&M's jeans of Lego last year, it expanded the collection for fall and did focus ing marketplace Thredup, says he's finding that many of the products. However, she says the trend must be kept in context. recycled fabrics are priced from $29.99 to $49.99, the same groups with children and adults. The end result: a tag featuring site's shoppers aren't motivated just by price the way they "Back-to-school shopping remains driven, in large part, by fru- range as its regular jeans. But recycling plastic bottles into fiber an illustration of eight water bottles that add up to a backpack. used to be, but also because of environmental concerns. "If I gality," she says. "So, retailers must continue to offer low prices is more costly. Unifi Inc.'s Repreve business, which works with "We wanted to know, how much do they want to know about was deciding between two items, I would pick up something alongside more sustainable product." 250 companies including Target, Roxy and Fossil, says the recy- the process and how much do they understand," said Jennifer more eco-friendly," said Ellen Abramson, the mother of an 11- But people's style and quality expectations put pressure on cled fiber sells at a 25 percent to 30 percent premium to non- Carroll, general manager at Carry Gear for Lego Bags. "There's a year-old girl and 16-year-old twin boys. "But the price has to be retailers to keep prices the same, even though manufacturing recycled fiber. fine line." — AP comparable, and it has to be done in a fun, cool way." through the recycling process can be more expensive. C. Britt A pair of men's dress pants or jeans can use up to six plastic Natural immune boosters and ingredients to add to your recipes

By The Real Fouz are built in our bodies. It also has anti aging benefits and 4. Echinacea much more! I incorporate this ingredient into my diet by If you feel a cold or flu coming, this is the herb for you. It s it is now summer time, I'm all about staying healthy! adding it to my salad and I've noticed a lot of difference in really helps to reduce any symptoms of cold and flu and other What's worse than getting sick while on your summer how I feel. You can also blend it into a smoothie or into your illnesses and infections. Its benefits are endless: reliving aches Avacation? Nothing. With my busy work schedule and tea, whatever you prefer. and pains, healing joint and muscle pains, reduces the appear- everything going on, it's important for me to keep my ance of wrinkles and other signs of aging, heals skin condi- immune system in the best shape. I always go for natural 2. Ginger tions such as eczema and acne, and more! I personally drink options to help boost my immune system because this way Ginger is amazing for reliving digestive problems, nausea, Echinacea tea but you can find it in chewable capsules too! you can be sure you're not harming your body in anyway and and motion sickness. I always make sure to have ginger tea you wont get any bad side effects. In this article, I'll be sharing while I'm traveling to avoid the sick feeling we often get while 5. Garlic my favorite ingredients that you can add to your recipes or traveling for long hours at a time. Ginger is also an amazing Adding garlic into your meal can give you so many benefits incorporate into your diets that will do wonders for your immune booster and I've found that I can feel the effects of it like lowering cholesterol levels, regulating blood pressure and health. immediately; its definitely one of my favorites. blood sugar levels, and boosting your immune system. It also contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and fiber, which are all essen- 1. Turmeric powder 3. Oregano Oil tial to our health. It also helps to detox your body from any This powerful ingredient has been used in India for thou- The oregano plant is also a very powerful one and has anti- toxins and even heavy metals that are built up in your organs sands of years as a spice and medicinal herb. It's one of the bacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and immune boosting proper- so its extremely powerful. Lets not mention it's also delicious most effective nutritional supplements to ever exist. It is a ties. I love adding a few drops to my water or you can do a few and can add something to any meal. I personally use a little bit powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant which helps the drops under your tongue but it does burn a little bit which is in my salad dressing and it tastes amazing! Stay healthy this body to fight any diseases as well as getting rid of toxins that why I prefer having it with water. summer the right and natural way! Stylish decor and pets can co-exist t's gotten easier to have a house full that we can't have anything too pre- pets used to be rough and often unap- of pets without sacrificing the home cious.' Then there are these really specif- pealing to touch, Yip says. Now, you can Idecor you want. Interior designer ic requests, like, 'I'd like a built-in dog find stain-resistant and antimicrobial Vern Yip, a judge on HGTV's "Design bed in my island in my kitchen.'" Often, fibers in a range of styles and soft tex- Star" and a dog person, says new tech- the planning starts with the biggest ele- tures. Burnham suggests looking for nology has led to a variety of stylish ments: walls and floors. Paints have textiles made with a finish called AND pet-friendly home-furnishing become much more pet-friendly (and Nanotex, which makes the fibers stain- options. "The furniture and home-decor kid-friendly) in recent years: "There are a resistant and waterproof. If you have industry has really rounded the corner lot of paint companies now that have cats, it's also helpful to choose fabrics and come to realize that this is a way of flat paints that are wipe-able," a feature that are smooth. "We sort of embrace life for a lot of people," Yip says. previously offered only with glossy leathers and flatter weaves so that the Durable, easy-to-clean paints, paints, Burnham says. cat can't get their claws into it," Burnham says. Leather is also a good choice because it's durable, and it can look even more attractive with a bit of time and wear. Bechen suggests avoiding very light- This undated photo provided by interior designer Vern Yip shows Yip sitting on a couch with his dogs in his home in colored fabrics if dark pet hair will frus- Atlanta. — AP photos trate you (or very dark fabrics if your pets have light hair). Print patterns are less likely to show pet hair than solids are, she says. And it helps to keep an attractive throw blanket on your pet's favorite furniture, and then remove it when guests come over.

Separate space It's a luxury to have a room devoted to pets, or to have a large enough mud- This undated photo provided by Vern Yip shows Yip at his home in Atlanta with room to create a sort of pet bedroom. his family and dogs. But Yip says that's becoming more com- mon. When guests who aren't comfort- antimicrobial stain-resistant rugs and Flooring options have also expand- able with animals come to visit, a dedi- more mean that a beautiful home and a ed: Wood flooring companies have cated room gives pets "a space that's furry pet are no longer incompatible. developed finishes that resist scratch- theirs, that they can retreat to that does- Here, Yip and two other interior-design ing, Yip says. Ceramic tile designed to n't feel like punishment," Yip says. experts - Betsy Burnham, founder of Los look like stone flooring is another prac- Even if the space does double-duty Angeles' Burnham Design, and small- tical option. "It used to be, a few as an office or laundry room, you can space expert Kathryn Bechen - offer decades ago, that if you put down a create a secure area for a pet by keep- some tips: ceramic tile floor, it just looked like ing their bed, food dishes and familiar ceramic," Yip says. This tile "looks like toys all in one place. Get creative by Pet planning stone, but unlike stone it doesn't adding something to entertain your Many pet owners today "are design- absorb urine or other things if your pet (Yip's dogs have an aquarium to ing a space around their animals," dog has an accident." look at), and create a sleeping space Burnham says. "Most of the time, I hear, they'll love. — AP 'Oh, we've got dogs and a couple of cats Fabric strategies This undated photo provided by interior designer Vern Yip This undated photo provided by Vern Yip shows a mud- and three kids, so please be mindful Fabrics that can withstand life with shows Yip's dogs at his home in Atlanta. room for his pets in his home in Atlanta. lifestyle THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

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Picture of a boat known as "Trajinera" taken in a water channel amid the floating gardens of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during a sym- Venezuelan chef Maria Fernanda Di Giacobbe cooks during a symposium on biodiversity posium on biodiversity and gastronomy, in Mexico City. — AFP photos and gastronomy. Star chefs in Mexico to defend biodiversity

tar chefs from around the world gathered in Mexico that named this year's winner on Monday: Colombian nampas. They include the likes of Enrique Olvera, owner City's ancient floating gardens for a symposium on chef Leonor Espinosa of the restaurant LEO in Bogota, of the feted restaurant Pujol, and Ricardo Munoz Zurita, View of a water channel amid the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Ssaving the world's threatened biodiversity, a bleak who is known for sourcing local ingredients and giving of "Azul y Oro." subject they peppered with breaks to savor the local cui- back to the communities that supply them. That was also Munoz Zurita, whom Time magazine has called a sine. Joan Roca of Spain, Michel Bras of France and a key theme at the symposium. To illustrate the point, "prophet" of preserving culinary tradition, called for a Gaston Acurio of Peru were among the big-name chefs participants toured the lettuce and cactus fields of return to niche local ingredients such as native Mexican who took part in the event Tuesday at Xochimilco, a Xochimilco's famous "chinampas," artificial islands creat- corn, instead of the mass-produced basket of produce UNESCO World Heritage Site criss-crossed with natural ed with age-old agricultural techniques used by the that dominates the world's supermarket aisles. "We're canals and artificial islands first created by the Aztecs. Aztecs and other Mesoamerican peoples. going to be the ambassadors of critically endangered Munching on hand-made tortillas stuffed with organic The chinampas are one of the last reminders of how products. We have to start cooking with them so people beans and quesadillas made from local corn, participants the Aztecs lived 500 years ago at the time the Spanish don't forget they exist," he said. To get to the event, used the idyllic setting to tackle a grim problem: the conquistadors arrived in the Americas, when Mexico City which was held under a large thatch hangar, partici- threats that climate change, industrial agriculture and was mostly covered in water. pants ventured to an artificial island by boat, a trip of overexploitation pose to the world's plant and animal about 30 minutes. life."I believe that solidarity is in a chef's DNA, along with 'Urban stain' The symposium was sponsored by the Basque the desire to create a commitment to preserve the envi- Today, the city has become a sprawling urban area of Culinary Center, a gastronomic university born off the ronment and biodiversity," said Roca, whose restaurant El more than 20 million people. Xochimilco is one of the back of a revolution in Spanish cuisine epitomized by Celler de Can Roca has twice taken top place on the pres- area's last vestiges of small-scale agriculture amid what the Basque country's plethora of Michelin-starred tigious list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. the Mexican academic Refugio Rodriguez called "the restaurants and by Ferran Adria, the father of molecular The chefs were in town to pick the winner of the growing urban stain of the Mexican capital." Seeking to gastronomy. — AFP Basque Culinary World Prize, a 100,000-euro award for help revive a more sustainable kind of agriculture to sup- Picture of a boat known as "Trajinera" taken in a water channel amid the food-related projects that have made a positive differ- ply the city's food, some Mexican chefs have started floating gardens of Xochimilco. ence beyond the kitchen. Roca presided over the jury sourcing fresh, organic ingredients straight from the chi- Art in the garden: Placing the right work in the right spot

or many landscape designers and homeowners, a garden isn't complete without the right art. But how do you find Fthe right spot for a piece of outdoor art and choose the plants to complement it? The first step is finding a work that really speaks to you, and then "allow the art to help define the landscape," says landscape architect Edmund Hollander. He recommends working with an artist or gallery, when possible, to create a relationship between artwork and garden. "It's really not so different from the relationship between a house and its surrounding landscape," he says. Susan Lowry, coauthor with Nancy Berner of "Private Gardens of the Bay Area" (The Monacelli Press, October 2017), says art in a garden should enhance its surroundings. "Scale, texture and light all play off the object, and there is also an emotional content that influences how we see the garden itself," she says. Less is more, she cautions: "We have seen many a garden ruined by too many extraneous voices jumbled into the frame." The most common mistake when placing art in gardens, Hollander warns, is "sticking a work where there's too much other stuff. It's as if a museum hung a painting on a wallpa- pered wall instead of on a white one." So experts recommend that works be placed against quiet backdrops like evergreens, This undated photo provided by the Glass House and the Morgan Art Foundation/Artists Rights This undated photo provided by HOLLANDER design/Landscape Architects hedges or lawns. Society (ARS) shows Robert Indiana's "One Through Zero," left, at the Glass House in New shows a sculpture by artist Robert Indiana in a residential garden on the east Karen Daubmann, associate vice president for exhibitions Canaan, Conn. end of Long Island in New York. and public engagement at the New York Botanical Garden, has helped design plantings around works by glass artist Dale Most important, Daubmann says, is to choose art you Daubmann says. "A mossy, shaded garden can be spiced up various parts of the property, should feel like an extension of Chihuly and others. The principles for selecting and showing really love. "Chances are, if you're placing it in a garden you quite a lot with light colored art." And the artwork doesn't have the landscape, and should draw people in. art in a home garden are similar, she says. have designed and planted yourself, it will work, because to be expensive. "I sometimes find wonderful pieces in antique For inspiration, experts suggest visiting sculpture gardens, "It's nice to go for something as a larger focal point - some- it's the same aesthetic," she says. Keep in mind when and shops or at barn sales that really spark my imagination," museums or botanical gardens. "There are lots of sculpture thing you can see from your window and enjoy all year round, from where the work will be viewed. From the kitchen win- Daubmann says. gardens of all kinds around these days, and the combination of and then some smaller works that you only discover up close," dow? The living room? If you'll be viewing it at night, con- Hilary Lewis, chief curator and creative director at The Glass landscape and art, when done right, can be very inspiring," she says. "And when you're decided where to place something, sider lighter colors, she says. House, Philip Johnson's iconic house and surrounding land- Hollander says. — AP don't forget to look up. It's a nice surprise to look up and see a "White glass or white flowers make for a great moonlight scape and structures in New Canaan, Connecticut, helps plan pergola, chandelier or lantern." garden, while dark blues will tend to get lost in the evening," the installations there.She says works should be visible from

This undated photo provided by The Monacelli Press shows "Per Adriano" by sculptor Igor Mitoraj in a This undated photo provided by The Monacelli Press shows Viola Frey's "The Three This undated photo shows sprites and colorful residential garden on the east end of Long Island in New York. — AP photos Graces" in the Rena Bransten Garden, a private residential garden in San Francisco. leaf-shapes atop bamboo-like stems are inter- spersed with the plants in the Marcia Donahue Garden in Berkeley, Calif. Star chefs in Mexico to defend biodiversity

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Members of the Sichuan Province Acrobatic Troupe practice outdoors in the evening to avoid the summer heat, in Suining, in China’s southwest Sichuan province. The folk art troupe, established 43 years ago, has performed in France, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and other countries and regions. — AFP Long-distance motorcycle trips seek to empower women 'My company tagline is life-changing experiences on two wheels'

year ago Alisa Clickenger helped organ- New York to Argentina. "It's been really fun ize a cross-country motorcycle trip for watching the ripple effect, how the cross- Awomen to commemorate the 100-year country trip affected them and their self-per- anniversary of a most amazing ride by two sis- ceived limitations about what's possible for ters from Brooklyn, New York. The Sisters' them in their own lives." Centennial Motorcycle Ride honored the exploits of Augusta and Adeline Van Buren, Swimming pool who in 1916 rode motorcycles more than Next year, Clickenger will offer several 5,000 miles (8,000 km) across the country to tours, including a motorcycle adventure in Photo shows Clickenger riding her motorcycle in India, prove that women could be military motorcy- southern Africa dubbed "Waterfalls and descending the mountains headed for Manali. cle couriers, able to endure long distances and Wildlife." She also plans a series of weekend harsh conditions as well as men. For retreats in San Diego, San Francisco, and Clickenger, it was a breakthrough. Sedona, Arizona, and two teaching tours for "The ride was important to me," Clickenger women just getting started in touring on two said. "It was the realization of a long-held wheels, as a way to inspire them to take big dream of mine to lead a group of women trips on their own. across the United States on motorcycles. Diane Huston, who served in the Middle Seeing nearly 250 women on motorcycles in East during a 20-year career in the Air Force, is my rearview mirror riding over the Golden long past the learning stage, and she wasn't Gate Bridge was epic - something I'll never for- deterred after the first ride on her new get. It was very emotional for me." The ride also Harley-Davidson in 1995 ended up in a swim- helped Clickenger demonstrate what her ming pool. The lure of the open road is a fledgling company, Women's Motorcycle powerful thing. "To me, riding a motorcycle is Tours, could accomplish. In this photo provided by Alisa Clickenger, Clickenger leads a group of women riders an absolute brain dump with the freedom of "For me, part of riding motorcycles still is over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco at the end of a cross-country trip to wide-open spaces," said Huston, who was on the challenge of embracing the unknown, the honor two sisters from Brooklyn, NY, who made a similar ride in 1916. — AP photos the centennial ride, toured Cuba, and hopes mastery of machine and also facing my fears to go on Clickenger's Africa tour next year. "I and meeting the challenges of an extended Kermisch, a novice rider who works for her venture. "The joy I finding bringing women do hope that women we encountered along motorcycle adventure," said Clickenger, Polaris, the company that owns Indian and together to ride and explore and become the way have become empowered them- whose company focuses solely on tours for Victory motorcycle brands. "I did all the class- empowered through mastery over machine is selves to realize that no matter what we female motorcyclists. "It was the first time I've room stuff. what drives me," said Clickenger, who figures desire, we can have it. We just need to do it, seen so many manufacturers (Indian and she's ridden at least 250,000 miles (400,000 against all odds."— AP BMW among them) come together for a com- Freedom from our fears km), including a seven-month solo trip from mon goal - promoting women and motorcy- That's one thing, but it's another thing to Photo shows Clickenger posing with her motorcycle in cling. It was wonderful." actually get on and do it. Once you do it, it's Namibia. Women own about 14 percent of regis- very doable. I think for a lot of people, that's tered motorcycles, up from 8 percent in 1998, the scary part. I think the second piece of it is according to the Motorcycle Industry Council's that in order to get confidence you have to do latest numbers. But Genevieve Schmitt, it more." Which is where Clickenger, who lives founder and editor of online magazine in Diamond Bar, California, but is on the road "Women Riders Now" , says those numbers most of the time, comes in. Like just about count only new registrations. She says women everybody who rides a motorcycle, she identi- comprise nearly 25 percent of those who ride fies with the credo that the only way to travel (including passengers), and that makes them is on two wheels. In March, she organized an major players in the riding business. all-female motorcycle tour of Cuba. That will "Personally, I feel we've kind of seen an be followed by the Colorado Backcountry exponential growth in the 11 to 12 years that Discovery Route during the last week of July I've had the site," Schmitt said. "There is a and a tour of the American Southwest in whole new market of young girls in their 20s October departing from Las Vegas. who have taken up riding that we haven't "My company tagline is life-changing expe- seen, really, in history." Why are more women riences on two wheels," Clickenger said. "The taking up motorcycling? Schmitt calls it the bottom line is it's about empowerment, and "copycat effect. A woman sees another the feeling of freedom - freedom from our woman riding a motorcycle and says, 'If she fears, freedom from societal constraints, free- dom from our own self-constructed, pre-con- In this photo an aerial view shows a field in Utting am Ammersee, southern can do it, so can I!'" Manufacturers such as Germany, with a portrait of German theologist and seminal figure for the ref- Harley-Davidson produce entry-level motor- ceived constraints and breaking those bound- aries." Clickenger says she isn't concerned that ormation Martin Luther which was created by farmers Corinne and Uli Ern to Photo shows Clickenger posing in front of the Che cycles but it can still seem "intimidating get- celebrate the 500th anniversary of the reformation. — AP ting on a powerful vehicle," said Pam catering to women limits her company's Guevara Mausoleum, a favored stop for visitors in Cuba. potential. In fact, that's the ulterior motive to