SHAWWAL 9, 1440 AH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

28 Pages Max 49º Min 33º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17854 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

UN Security Council adopts Kuwaiti Inventor of guilt-free desserts Israeli court finalizes Jerusalem Warriors edge Raptors to 3 resolution on missing persons in war 19 is world’s top pastry chef 24 church land sale to settler group 28 keep NBA title hopes alive

Finance minister defends foreign investment policy Hajraf’s grilling ends inconclusively • MPs allege wide-ranging violations

By B Izzak gate all issues in the grilling and report Op-Ed back to the Assembly within three KUWAIT: Finance Minister Nayef Al- months. He said over 95 percent of Hajraf yesterday strongly defended Kuwait’s investments are invested in sta- UK and Canada Kuwait’s policy in managing its foreign ble countries and instruments, and that investments estimated at around $600 out of 420 funds in which Kuwait billion, but acknowledged some invest- Investment Authority (KIA) is dealing co-host world’s first ment funds performed badly. Speaking with, there have only been a few bad during a grilling by MPs Riyadh Al- performers. He said the Future ministerial conference Adasani and Bader Al-Mulla, the minis- Generations Fund grew by 152 percent, ter also defended the government’s and the authority has risk management budget policy, saying that subsidies to centers in Kuwait, the US and Ireland. on media freedom public services have been maintained in The minister however acknowledged this year’s budget, which means there a massive loss of close to €600 million in will be no further increases in charges Kuwait’s investment in French nuclear By Michael Davenport, British Ambassador to Kuwait & or fuel prices. company Areva, saying what KIA had Louis-Pierre Emond, Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait The grilling ended after several hours done was the best available option to of intense debate without lawmakers stop further losses. He also said public ritish Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and presenting a no-confidence motion. They funds may have lost more than KD 500 Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland only submitted a recommendation calling million in the investment in the so-called will next month co-host in London the KUWAIT: Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf speaks during his grilling at the B on the National Assembly’s financial and port fund. National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat world’s first ministerial conference on media free- economic affairs committee to investi- Continued on Page 24 dom. Our aim is to shine a light on abuses and raise the cost for those who would harm journalists for doing their jobs. The London Conference will bring together for- eign ministers with journalists, media professionals Iran frees Lebanese and leaders of international and civil society organisations. We look forward to broad interna- MoI: Social media tional participation, including from Kuwait. convicted of spying The United Kingdom and Canada are commit- video on barring ted to promoting media freedom across the BEIRUT: Iran yesterday freed a Lebanese man globe. It is an essential component of economic detained in 2015 on charges of spying for the United prosperity, social development and resilient States, a gesture that comes amid soaring tensions travelers inaccurate between Tehran and Washington. A US resident in his democracy. It is a right to which all governments KUWAIT: The interior ministry yesterday have committed, as enshrined in Article 19 of the 50s, Nizar Zakka was arrested in Sept 2015 during a visit to Iran, where he was convicted the following July. described as inaccurate contents of a video on Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which social media alleging residents cannot travel with- guarantees “freedom to hold opinions without He is the head of The Arab ICT Organization, a non- profit that advocates the growth and development of out a civil ID card. The ministry affirmed that expa- interference and to seek, receive and impart triates can still travel via the airport by solely pre- information and communications technology in the BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Aoun (right) meets information and ideas through any media and senting a valid residency stamped on the passport. Middle East. Nizar Zakka after he was freed by Iran at the presiden- regardless of frontiers”. It explained that any resident who has a valid resi- Before his arrest, he had been taking part in a con- tial palace in Baabda yesterday. — AFP United Nations Secretary-General Antonio dency before ministerial decision 135/2019 was Guterres reflected in February this year that the ference in Tehran at the invitation of Shahindokht Molaverdi, then vice-president for women and family issued on March 10, 2019 (cancelling residency media has become significantly less free in recent missed the case against him. “There was no espionage,” stickers) can travel by solely presenting the resi- affairs, according to his family. He was stopped on his years, including through unprecedented threats to he said after meeting President Michel Aoun, accusing dency on the passport. way to the airport, his family and lawyer have said. At journalists and media outlets, and attempts to con- Tehran of “kidnapping him” on false charges and stag- Those who got a new residency as of March 10 the time, Iranian state television said he was accused of trol the media. ing a “show trial”. and later, or transferred data from an old passport “deep ties to the military and intelligence services of Media freedom is indeed under attack across For his part, the general security chief denied specu- to a new one, are obliged to present the civil ID the United States”. It broadcast photographs of a man the world. Reporters Without Borders assess that lation Iran’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah played a primary upon travelling, where the Latin first name and sur- 2018 was the most dangerous year on record to be in military uniform it said was of Zakka at a US base. role in brokering Zakka’s release. “The issue was name must be compatible with the names in the a journalist - at least 99 journalists were killed, Yesterday, Zakka arrived in Lebanon, after his resolved at the request of the president,” Ibrahim told passport. The nationality of the holder must match another 348 imprisoned and 60 held hostage. The release by Iranian authorities. He was escorted back to reporters. “Hezbollah definitely played a role but the the one mentioned on the card, along with the cor- latest World Press Freedom Index describes how his native country by Lebanon’s General Security chief basis (for the release) was a request from the presi- rect passport number. The ministry explained that the number of countries regarded as safe, where Abbas Ibrahim, who was in Tehran one day earlier, dent.” His comments came in response to a report by it had executed an awareness campaign regarding journalists can work in complete security, contin- according to the security service. In a speech at Iran’s Fars news agency on Monday that Zakka’s the issue and urged social media to be accurate in ues to decline. Nine in ten cases of killed journal- Lebanon’s presidential palace, Zakka declined to elabo- release followed “the request and mediation” of publicizing security matters. — KUNA ists remain unresolved. rate on the circumstances behind his arrest but dis- Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. — AFP0 Journalists face particular threats in war zones and at the hands of extremists. Unfortunately, how- ever, journalists face dangers beyond conflict and extremism. Continued on Page 24 Indian toddler dies after 110

News in brief hours down well Catholic Church fined NEW DELHI: A two-year-old Indian boy stuck in a narrow well for more than four days was pulled out KUWAIT: The manpower authority’s official dead yesterday, triggering protests over delays in spokesperson Aseel Al-Mazyad said the Catholic reaching the toddler. The case of Fatehveer Singh cap- Church in Kuwait was fined KD 100 for not respect- tured national attention after he fell into the 33-m deep ing the condition of employing Kuwaitis as a certain well in the Punjab state district of Sangrur while playing percentage of its staff, despite the fact that Christian on Thursday. The disused well was just 23 cm wide, Kuwaitis are very few in number. Mazyad said the complicating desperate efforts by dozens of rescue authority executes the Cabinet’s decisions in this workers and volunteers as locals and television cameras regard, namely resolution number 1104/2008 per- looked on. taining the ratio of the national workforce in non- “The child is not alive anymore. He was pulled out at governmental bodies including worship places. She 5 in the morning by the NDRF (National Disaster also noted resolution number 962/2010 excluded Response Force) personnel,” Vijay Inder Singla, a state BHAGWANPURA, India: Family members and close relatives carry the coffin of two-year-old boy Fatehveer Singh some bodies from the previous resolution, including Continued on Page 24 to the cremation ground to pay their last respects yesterday. — AFP worship places. Mazyad said other churches are excluded from this condition. — A Saleh

is going to play at Teddy,” the hardcore “La Familia” torched. In 2017 club manager Eli Cohen resigned under Man dies of heat stroke Fans of Israeli team group posted on its Facebook page, which has 36,000 pressure after pledging never to sign a Muslim player. followers. Beitar, based at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium, Last year Beitar’s new owner said such events were KUWAIT: Kuwait saw the first death in the has historically been considered anti-Muslim and anti- in the past and religion would no longer be a criterion country due to high temperatures, as an Egyptian demand player named Arab. But despite his name, the 23-year-old striker from for signings. That stance was reiterated on the official suffered from heat stroke in Surra. Temperatures Niger is actually Christian, Israeli media reported. club Facebook page on Monday evening. “We are have exceeded 50 degrees Celsius in the past two Mohamed adopt alias The first division club, which has its roots in the proud to have signed Ali Mohamed, the best foreign days. A security source said interior ministry nationalist right, is the only Israeli side never to have player in the league,” it stated. “We have read the reac- operations received a call about a man who had JERUSALEM: Far-right supporters of Israel’s Beitar fielded an Arab player, although Arabs account for 17.5 tions and threats following the transfer of Ali Mohamed fallen near a walking lane. Police and paramedics Jerusalem football club yesterday demanded that new percent of the country’s population. In 2013, the club’s and we will not let a minority tarnish the reputation of went to the scene and found the man had already player Ali Mohamed find an alias for his surname due to signing of two Muslim players from Chechnya sparked the club,” it said. Beitar Jerusalem has been working to died. The coroner said the death was due to heat its Muslim associations. “Like other players in the past, tension. Reaction from fans led to the team having to change its image in recent years and in 2017 received stroke. —Al-Rai Ali Mohamed will have to find himself a nickname if he employ bodyguards for them and the club’s offices were an award for its fight against racism. — AFP 2 Local Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Amir, Crown Prince receive Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Amir condoles with Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso presidents over deadly attacks

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness Sheikh His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Chief of the Kuwait Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. —- KUNA photos National Guard Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Hamad Al-Sabah addressed Al-Sabah and His Highness the cables of identical content to Mali’s Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- president. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received In the meantime, His Highness the separately at Bayan Palace yester- Amir addressed a cable of condo- day His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- lences to Nigerian President Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Muhammadu Buhari over armed Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir attacks that took place in Zamfara and His Highness the Crown Prince leaving scores of people dead and also separately received Deputy wounded. His Highness the Crown Chief of the Kuwait National Guard Prince and His Highness the Prime Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Minister sent cables of identical Al-Sabah. content to the Nigerian president. In other news, His Highness the Furthermore, His Highness the Amir addressed a cable of condo- Amir has cabled the President of lences to the President of Mali, Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, over the Kabore, on deaths inflicted in an demise of scores of people in an armed attack in a northern region. armed attack on a village in the His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- heart of the country. His Highness His Highness the Prime Minister Sabah meets with His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Sabah meets with Deputy Chief of the Kuwait National Guard Sheikh the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- sent cables of similar sentiments to Ahmad Al-Sabah. Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Ahmad and His Highness the Prime the president of Burkina Faso.

Hague Forum to translate theory into practice: Babtain

THE HAGUE: The World Forum for the Culture of Peace which kicks off at the Peace Palace in the Hague, the Netherlands, tomorrow will send a humanitarian message to the whole world to establish peace and security. “In this forum, we will not only provide suggestions and recommendations, but we will work to put the theories into reality. We have issued seventeen approaches to cultivating a culture of peace from schools to university,” the chairman of the foundation Abdul Aziz Saud Al Babtain, the organizer of the KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah receives Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the personal major event, said in a statement yester- envoy of the Bahraini Prime Minister.— KUNA photos day. “We are keen to invite personalities to participate in decision-making and Abdulaziz Al-Babtain influence in the official and public opin- ion to enable these approaches, in addi- whole world that we came from Kuwait, Premier receives condolences tion to what will result in the Forum to the state of peace and its Amir, the practice on the ground,” he noted. Leader of Humanitarian Action, His “First of all, I would like to express Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- from Bahraini counterpart my respects to the guests of the forum Jaber Al-Sabah, to cooperate together from around the world, who share com- to spread love and peaceful co-exis- KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al- mon visions and aspirations for a just tence,” he added. State leaders, world Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Mubarak had on Monday received a call peace to prevail among the peoples and cultural personalities and influential poli- Hamad Al-Sabah received yesterday from the Bahraini Prime Minister Prince provide them with the security that is cy makers from around the world are Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the per- Khalifa Al Khalifa to express condo- expected today and in the future,” said expected to take part in the one-day sonal envoy of the Bahraini Prime lences over the death of His Highness the Abdul Aziz Saud Al Babtain. “The whole event which will be dominated by three Minister, and his accompanying delega- Prime Minister’s mother. In his reply, His world is concerned with it. It reflects the themes: education and the protection of tion. The visiting envoy and his Highness the Prime Minister thanked symbolism and significance of the place cultural heritage, promoting the culture entourage expressed condolences to His Prince Khalifa for his heartfelt condo- concerned with justice. From here we of peace through education , and culture His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- send a humanitarian message to the of peace manuals. — KUNA Highness the Premier on the demise of lences, wishing him continued health and Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah receives condolences from his mother. prosperity. — KUNA Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa.

Kuwait calls on Belgrade, Pristina to reduce tension

NEW YORK: Kuwait acknowledged the impor- tance of continuous international calls upon Belgrade and Pristina to overcome their dis- putes and reach an agreement for sake of regional peace. This was brought up by the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi during the Security Council session on Kosovo late on NEW YORK: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Monday. In his speech, Ambassador Otaibi Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with his Tunisian counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui. — KUNA called on the two sides to exercise restraint, calm and address issues of concern through dia- logue, and demonstrate the necessary political Kuwaiti Deputy PM meets will to ensure full normalization of relations between the two sides. Kosovo police, ordered by the court, Tunisian FM in New York searched and monitored areas throughout NEW YORK: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister Kuwait in the third presidency of Kuwait to Kosovo, mainly in the Zubin Potok municipality, and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled the Security Council since its accession to the to combat corruption and crime, which led to Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met on Monday with his UN in 1963, and second for Kuwait during its the arrest of a United Nations Mission in NEW YORK: The Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi Tunisian counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui at non-permanent membership of the UN Kosovo (UNMIK) member that Kosovo’s gov- speaks during a Security Council session on Kosovo late on Monday. — KUNA the headquarters of Kuwait’s mission to the Security Council for the period 2018-2019. ernment described him as an undesirable per- United Nations in New York. Sheikh Sabah The meeting was attended by Assistant son, Otaibi said. He underlined respecting the sides to resume dialogue and implement the fully supports EU’s efforts in Brussels to settle Al-Khaled congratulated Jhinaoui on the Foreign Minister for the Minister’s office diplomatic immunity enjoyed by the UN staff Belgrade and Pristina agreements. outstanding issues between Belgrade and election of Tunisia as a non-permanent UN Ambassador Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic The ongoing work of the UNMIK collaborat- Pristina. Kuwait realizes the right of each state Security Council (UNSC) member for 2020- Mohammad Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign relations as well as the neutrality and commit- ing with the UN Kosovo Team (UNKT) to to form its national institutions in accordance 21 after the North African country won 191 Minister for International Organizations ment to their mandate. Otaibi welcomed the implement the joint recommendations of the UN with its constitution and national legislation as votes at the UN General Assembly. Nasser Al-Hayyen and Kuwait Deputy Balkan conference, which was called for by both Trust-building Forum in Kosovo in May 2018 Kosovo’s decision does not contradict with the The Kuwaiti minister arrived in New York Permanent representative to the UN Bader Germany and France last April, urging both was also welcomed, he said adding that Kuwait UN resolution 1244. — KUNA City on Sunday, to lead the delegation of Al-Munayyekh. — KUNA Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, June 12, 2019 UN Security Council okays Kuwaiti draft resolution on missing persons in war

Comprehensive framework on how to deal with missing people’s tragedy: Kuwait

NEW YORK: The United Nations conflict, calling upon all parties to put Security Council has unanimously an end to these tactics, in accordance approved a draft resolution put forward with their obligations under internation- by Kuwait to protect civilians in the al humanitarian law. It further calls on all midst of armed conflicts. The UN reso- member states to engage in networking lution, approved amid a session and exchange of expertise, as well as presided over by Kuwaiti Deputy Prime other means of cooperation and coordi- Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh nation with state institutions and Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah national commissions dealing with the yesterday, brings into focus the humani- matter. tarian consequences of war and con- The measure encourages member flicts, as the matter is all too familiar to a states to increase their voluntary finan- country that was invaded by its larger cial, technical and logistical assistance neighbor Iraq back in 1990. for states in support of the process of Kuwait sees the resolution, which is searching for missing persons in armed the first UN decision on the matter of conflicts, which includes the recovery missing persons in war, as a compre- and identification of bodies. It empha- hensive framework on how to deal with sizes the importance of allowing families the tragedy of people missing as armed to know the fate and whereabouts of conflicts break out. The UN resolution their missing relatives, consistent with explicitly states that all parties involved applicable international humanitarian in armed conflicts have the primary laws. The UN resolution also addresses responsibility to safeguard civilians, post-conflict peace building and recon- urging them to allow the safe and unim- struction efforts, which include negotia- peded access of humanitarian aid. It tions over such issues as prisoners of deplores such practices as the deliber- war, detainees and missing persons, all NEW YORK: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs a United Nations Security ate targeting of civilians and other pro- of whom are protected under interna- Council session yesterday held to discuss a draft resolution put forward by Kuwait to protect civilians in the midst of armed conflicts. — KUNA tected persons in situations of armed tional law. — KUNA

for using disabled parking spaces was Drugs found on Kuwaitization 11,500, while the number was 87,000 in 2015, 81,000 in 2016 and 37,000 in 2017. In another concern, the media department Kuwait-bound boat policy facing manager at the public authority for the By Hanan Al-Saadoun and Meshaal Al-Enezi disabled Doha Al-Khamees said the difficulties authority’s educational sector will receive KUWAIT: The coastguard foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs into disabled citizens’ scholarship applications the country, the Interior Ministry announced yesterday. Officers found from June 9 to 20, 2019. 94 pieces of hashish, a heroin joint and a small bag of shabu (metham- in govt sector Scholarship applicants phetamine), in addition to drugs paraphernalia. The drugs were found By A Saleh on a boat that police followed based on information received about a Assistant undersecretary for scholar- Firefighters seen during a safety inspection tour. ships and cultural relations at the ministry potential smuggling attempt through sea. Two people who were on KUWAIT: Well-informed governmental board were arrested and sent to the proper authorities. sources said the Civil Service Commission of higher education Fatima Al-Sannan (CSC) received responses from several said registration for scholarship appli- Businessman sentenced government bodies in which they cants will be on until June 20, adding that The criminal court yesterday sentenced a businessman and former expressed difficulty in laying off expats new majors had been added this year lawmaker to 10 years in prison with labor for issuing a dud cheque for working for fixed monthly payments, including aviation engineering, airport KD 240,000. Security sources added that the suspect fled a hospital which had been requested by CSC to help management and cyber security. Sannan and left for Saudi Arabia through the Salmi border exit with the help Kuwaitize the government sector within added 2,000-3,000 students will be of his sister and two policemen, who were also sentenced to two and five years. The sources added these bod- accepted in the program this year. four years in prison for assisting a fugitive. ies explained the expat workers get fixed low payments that do not overburden People born abroad Firemen hurt ministries’ budgets and that they do jobs Kuwait was ranked second worldwide An apartment on the fifth floor of a Fintas building caught fire that that Kuwaitis “do not or would not do,” in terms of people born abroad, including spread to the ventilation shaft, causing a blaze on the first and second while that their employment does not Kuwaitis and expats. Statistics by Pew floors. The building was evacuated and the fire was brought under contradict with citizens’ employment if Research Center published by the control. Two firemen suffered heat exhaustion and were taken to Adan they apply for the job. Canadian Le Journal de Quebec showed Hospital. In another incident, three vehicles caught fire in Maidan Further, the sources said that the con- 76 percent of Kuwait’s population was Hawally. Salmiya fire station men dealt with the fire and prevented it cerned government bodies promised to born elsewhere, after the UAE, where 88 from spreading. keep such employment within minimal percent of the population was born limits, to annually provide CSC with job abroad. The statistics showed Qatar came Safety inspection numbers, tasks and salaries, as well as the third with 65 percent, Bahrain with 48 Inspection teams at Kuwait Fire Service Directorate continued finance ministry’s approval. The sources percent and Singapore with 46 percent. their safety inspection campaigns under the direct supervision of the also noted that CSC replied by emphasiz- The study showed Sweden came first Deputy Director General for the Prevention Sector Maj Gen Khalid ing the need to lay off any of those expats amongst Western countries with 30 per- Fahd. The campaign resulted in issuing citations to 30 facilities that cent of its population born abroad, fol- A vehicle engulfed in flames in Maidan Hawally. in case of the availability of Kuwaitis to were warned of closure if the violations were not corrected in a maxi- replace them. Meanwhile, the sources said lowed by Australia with 29 percent, New mum of 72 hours. 63 percent of the Jahra labor city con- Zealand with 23 percent, Canada with 21 struction has been completed, adding that percent and Austria with 19 percent. the city is expected to be ready by next Further, the study showed 32 percent of year and is one of six due to be built. Bosnians live abroad, followed by 28 per- cent of Jamaicans, 28 percent of Syrians, Disabled parking 26 percent of Armenians and 5 percent of Recent statistics by the public authori- Canadians. Expatriates make up 70.4 per- ty for the disabled said the total number cent of Kuwait’s population, according to of violations filed in 2018 against drivers the latest statistics.

Minister of Economic Affairs Mariam Al- Palestinian Aqeel, on sidelines of the International Labor Organization convention, bilateral issues and the Kuwaiti support in reply official praises to a report by the ILO secretary general regarding conditions of the Palestinian KUWAIT: This photo released by the Interior Ministry yesterday shows Firefighters tackle a blaze in an apartment on the fifth floor of a Fintas Kuwait’s workers. He hoped to gain its further drugs confiscated on a boat bound for Kuwait yesterday. building. support for holding an international con- ference to back up the Palestinian labor support fund, adding that the talks with minister Aqeel touched on prospects of employ- GENEVA: Palestinian Minister of Labor ing skilled Palestinians in Kuwait. Nasri Abu Jaish lauded Kuwait’s support Meanwhile, Aqeel said her meeting with for the Palestinian workers at various minister Abu Jaish was fruitful, re-affirm- levels. The Palestinian official said yes- ing Kuwait’s unwavering support for the terday that he discussed with Kuwaiti Palestinian cause. — KUNA

scene. Eyewitnesses called police, who Decorator dead went along with paramedics and rushed the victim to Jahra Hospital’s ICU in a critical condition. Detectives are work- in Ahmadi ing on identifying the driver.

worksite mishap Sexual assault Detectives are looking for a Pakistani man who sexually assaulted his neigh- KUWAIT: A decorator fell to his death bor’s son. A source said that a 43-year- from a building under construction in old Pakistani man told police his 12-year- Ahmadi while installing the decor. old son was sexually assaulted by his Meanwhile, two Egyptian workers were Pakistani neighbor. When the victim was taken to hospital after falling while main- asked what happened, he said he was in taining a large manhole. Firemen helped front of the building when the suspect in getting the two out of the sewer. pulled him into the elevator and took him KUWAIT: Jahra municipality inspection teams recently removed a total of 32,000 cubic meters of waste and changed 97 garbage containers during to his apartment, where he committed Hit and run immoral acts and gave him KD 10. He a recent campaign, the inspection team’s leader Fahad Humoud said, adding that the teams also made 34 warning notices, removed 28 ATVs and An Egyptian man was taken to the removed 98 illegal ads as well. then asked him to remove his clothes, but intensive care unit (ICU) after a car ran the boy refused and escaped. — him over then drove away from the Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai 4

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Local

KUWAIT: A worm’s-eye view of Kuwait Towers. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Bilingual communication most demanded skill this year: Research Being a team player, having a great personality and demeanor also in high demand

KUWAIT: Most MENA employers demand ‘good commu- nication in English and Arabic’ as well as ‘being a team player’ as top skills for their hires this year, according to research by Bayt.com and YouGov. “Hiring activities never stop across the region or on our job site,” said Omar Tahboub, General Manager of Bayt.com. “Employers are making many job opportunities available on Bayt.com and they are revealing which qualifications are most useful so that job seekers can plan and upgrade their skills accord- ingly. At all time, we are available as the #1 hiring partner for 40,000+ companies, organizations, and governments, as well as the tool for job search and career planning for 36 million professionals.”

High demand Candidates’ skills that are in demand in the region this year include good communication in Arabic and English (63 percent) as the top skill, followed by being a team player (51 percent) and having a great overall personality and demeanor (44 percent). Omar Tahboub Regarding educational and academic qualifications, ‘Business Management’ (29 percent) and ‘Engineering’ (26 becoming proficient in a language, teamwork and other percent) are the most sought-after academic qualifications soft skills, candidates can demonstrate that they have amongst employers in the MENA region. For employers look- gained abilities for real business needs: multitasking ing to hire, nearly 4 in 10 state that they are looking for candi- and perception. dates with managerial skills, while These are most useful in 33 percent are searching for those industries that are most likely with sales and marketing skills and to hire: namely ‘HR’ (84 per- 31 percent want candidates with Business cent are planning to hire), mid-level (3-7 years) experience. ‘Advertising / Marketing / management, Public Relations’ (75 percent Jobs ahead are planning to hire), In the MENA region, English engineering ‘Manufacturing’ (73 percent and Arabic are the most sought- are planning to hire), and after languages employers hire for required ‘Hospitality / Recreation’ (71 in combination with other core percent are planning to hire). skills like teamwork. The most in- Banking/ Finance emerges as demand jobs for people with a the main industry attracting bilingual skill set in the coming national talent and fresh grad- three months will be for ‘sales executives’ (23 percent), ‘accoun- uate talent, while Advertising/ Marketing/ Public Relations tants’ (19 percent), ‘sales managers’ (16 percent), ‘project man- attracting top female talent. agers’ (14 percent), and ‘marketing executives’ (13 percent). “Our research is a key indicator of the MENA Looking at specific roles companies are looking to fill in region’s hiring activities. A higher probability for hiring the next three months in the GCC, the most common posi- with private sector multinational companies can be tions are reported to be ‘sales executives’ (27 percent), observed with most companies looking for good com- ‘accountants’ (18 percent) and ‘sales managers’ (17 per- munication skills in Arabic and English as the top skill for cent). In the Levant: ‘accountant’ (21 percent), ‘sales exec- potential candidates. In addition to providing an utive’ (17 percent) and ‘project manager’ (14 percent). In overview of current market trends, the findings will have North Africa and Egypt: ‘accountant’ (21 percent), ‘sales practical significance for employers and HR making their executive’ (18 percent) and ‘craftsman’ (17 percent). In short and long term plans,” said Kerry McLaren, Head of terms of industries with the highest hiring potential to hire Omnibus MENA at YouGov. in the next three months, the reported industries are ‘HR’, The data was collected online from Jan 10, 2019 and ‘Advertising / Marketing / Public Relations’, and Feb 25, 2019. Results are based on a sample of 1,107 ‘Healthcare / Medical Services’. respondents, 901 of whom were of working status, from the following countries: UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Proactive hiring in the long-term Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, By highlighting the added advantage of learning and Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Pakistan, and others.

month of last year, it said in a press statement. The oil- Kuwait’s non-oil rich country’s exports to Arab countries, excluding the GCC members, totaled KD 4.4 million ($14.5 million), compared with KD 5 million ($16.5 million) to foreign exports up by countries, it added. Kuwaiti exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council 17% in May (GCC) member states amounted to KD 2.5 million (around $8.3 million) last May, according to the state- ment. Iraq was Kuwait’s main importer, followed by KUWAIT: Kuwait’s non-oil exports edged up by 17 per- Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia, while Qatar cent in May, compared with the same month of last year, topped the list of GCC importers, chased by Saudi the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said yesterday. Arabia, UAE, Oman and Bahrain. Regarding Kuwait’s Kuwait’s total exports to Arab and foreign countries hit exports to other world countries, Italy came first, while roughly KD 9.4 million (around $31 million) in May Turkey, Belgium, Bulgaria, France and Portugal followed against KD 8 million (about $26.5 million) in the same respectively, the statement added. — KUNA Established 1961 5 Local Wednesday, June 12, 2019

KUWAIT: Zain’s volunteers at Jaber Al-Ali mosque. Zain’s team with Rijeemy officials. Zain’s annual Ramadan social campaign embodied spirit of giving Company welcomed holy month with plethora of social contributions

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading digital serv- ice provider in Kuwait, concluded its ‘Zain Al-Khair’ online donation portal annual campaign for the Holy Month of Before the holy month of Ramadan, Ramadan with a plethora of humanitarian, Zain launched ‘Zain Al-Khair’ social, religious, sports, and recreational (khair.kw.zain.com), an online donation contributions. Zain’s extensive program of portal that allows Zain customers - both various social, charitable, and humanitari- prepaid and postpaid - to donate to any an initiatives planned for the holy month of the listed charitable organizations with came in line with the company’s any amount ranging from KD 1 to KD 80. Corporate Sustainability and Social Customers were simply able to select the Responsibility strategy that closely focus- preferred organization, pick one of the es on giving back to the community. The available projects to donate to, then spec- company carefully selected the activities ify the donation amount. The donated and programs that most presented an amount was then automatically added to added value to all segments of the society, the customer’s monthly phone bill or pre- which all embodied the spirit of giving. In paid balance with ease. this report, Zain showcases the initiatives All the charitable organizations listed in and programs it undertook during this the portal were certified and licensed by Zain’s team and officials at Social Care Centers. past Ramadan: the official authorities in Kuwait, and each one featured a number of different charity Ramadan Machla projects to choose from. The current list Zain kicked-off its Ramadan campaign included: Al-Najat Charity, Al-Manaber before the beginning of the holy month, Al-Quraniya Society, Social Reform where it delivered ‘Ramadan Machla’ Society - Rahma International, Social (supplies) to a number of its strategic Reform Society - Namaa, Kuwait Food partners of non-profit organizations, who Bank, International Islamic Charitable in turn distributed them to underprivi- Organization, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nouri leged families in Kuwait. The ‘Ramadan Charity Society, Revival of Islamic Machla’ initiative is one of the main pillars Heritage Society, and the Kuwaiti Charity Zain Al-Shuhoor campaign’s logo. of Zain’s annual Ramadan campaign, Society for Serving the Holy Quran and its which came in line with the company’s Sciences. More organizations will be mental projects for empowering family Corporate Social Responsibly and added to the portal during the upcoming economies. Sustainability strategy. Every year, Zain period. prepares boxes containing essential food Al-Roudhan Football Tournament 40 supplies and delivers them through the ‘Ya Baghi Al Khair Aqbel 3’ Zain was the Strategic Partner of the network of its strategic partners of non- This Ramadan, Zain launched the third 40th edition of Al-Roudhan Ramadan profit organizations. This year, the compa- edition of its charitable initiative ‘Ya Baghi Football Tournament for the fourth con- ny favored delivering vouchers instead of Al Khair Aqbel’ in collaboration with secutive year, which came under the the boxes to give every family the patronage of His Highness the Amir opportunity to choose specific supplies Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- as per their different needs. Sabah. On Ramadan of every year, the Zain delivered the ‘Ramadan Machla’ 35,000 daily Kuwaiti audiences, especially young From Al-Roudhan Tournament. vouchers to strategic partners of non- ones, eagerly look forward with great profit organizations; the Kuwait Red iftar meals passion to Al-Roudhan Tournament, Crescent Society (KRCS), Kuwait Food given the fact that it witnesses high lev- at Al-Roudhan Tournament on a daily Zain believes in the importance of Bank, Direct Aid, Ministry of Social throughout els of professionalism and excitement basis, where it interacted with the audi- embracing the beautiful values of the Affairs and Labor’s Social Care Centers, Ramadan through both the competing local teams ences through various competitions, Islamic religion as well as the noble tradi- and Zakat House. The vouchers were as well as the international football stars activities, and entertainment programs. tions of the Kuwaiti heritage all year distributed to underprivileged families hosted. The company also distributed valuable round and especially in the Holy Month of in Kuwait who were in need of support This year, Al-Roudhan tournament prizes and held daily challenges and com- Ramadan. Zain also shared the joys of the during the month of fasting. The vouch- witnessed the participation of Italian petitions on its official social media chan- Holy Month with children and patients in a ers were used at Saveco, an all-inclusive Direct Aid. As part of the initiative, Zain legend Francesco Totti and Ivorian legend nels, and more. number of the biggest hospitals in Kuwait. one of-a-kind one-stop mega market, donated 500 Fils (half a KD) each time a Didier Drogba, who both took part in a The company’s team always visits the considered one of the biggest in Kuwait customer paid their bill anytime during the special iftar banquet along with Zain cus- ‘Rijeemy’ Health Program hospitals during this blessed time of year and the region, and offers a vast range of holy month of Ramadan through one of tomers who won a competition on the This year, Zain was the strategic part- to distribute gifts and girgian to children products and services. Zain also dedicated Zain’s electronic or direct channels, company’s social media channels. The ner of the ‘Rijeemy’ Health Program, which and their families and celebrate the occa- a day of special deals and exclusive offers including Zain’s website, Zain’s smart- event also hosted Croatian legend Luka is considered one of the biggest health sion in a family atmosphere full of joy and for voucher holders in collaboration with phone app, any of Zain’s Quickpay Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or as world and sports programs in Kuwait during the happiness. Saveco. machines, and the company’s main player of the year 2018, as well as Holy Month of Ramadan. The event was Zain also shared the joys of girgian branches available throughout the coun- Portuguese legend Luis Figo. held on a daily basis at Mall 360, and with special needs children in collabora- Zain Quran App try. The collected donations were used to Zain and Al-Roudhan’s organizing aimed at promoting a healthier and more tion with Al-Kharafi Activity Kids Center, Zain launched an all-new update to its support Direct Aid’s Medical Sciences committee, both being Kuwaiti organiza- active lifestyle during fasting. The event where the company’s volunteers visited Quran App, which the company gifts to its College project at Kenya, where six class- tions proud of their national identity, worked to elevate the level of health the children and their families to distribute customers during Ramadan of every year. rooms will be built for the Environmental organized a Girgian celebration where awareness among people who are fasting Girgeaan and gifts while also organizing The app offered the best Quran reading Health section in the college. candy was distributed to the attending during Ramadan, especially while fasting, many other fun activities. experience on iOS and Android smart crowds while hosting a traditional per- through engaging participants in exciting devices, and this year supported Apple ‘2,000 Projects’ campaign formance. The event also witnessed a spe- activities. Qiyam prayers and last 10 days of Watch. The app featured a user-friendly This year, Zain also collaborated with cial friendly match between ministers and Ramadan interface and many great features, includ- Direct Aid to support the ‘2,000 Projects’ members of the parliament, which was Social Visits During the last 10 days of Ramadan ing reading all pages of the Holy Quran, campaign, which was held throughout an held under the patronage and attendance Every Ramadan, Zain is keen to reach and during Qiyam prayers, Zain was pres- downloading and listening to the Holy entire day to receive donations through of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh out to the many segments of the commu- ent at Jaber Al-Ali mosque, where the Quran in the voices of over 20 famous the official online portal and Zain’s SMS Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and nity, including orphaned children, the eld- company’s volunteers offered hospitality reciters, read Tafseer (interpretations) to service. All of the campaign’s proceeds Speaker of the National Assembly erly, and people with special needs, by services to worshippers to contribute in understand the meaning of verses, search- will go to supporting 2,000 projects in Marzouq Al-Ghanem. The match ended visiting the Ministry of Social Affairs and lightening the hot weather conditions and ing the whole text of the Holy Quran, as Africa, 500 of which are water wells, 500 with a 3-2 win for the parliament team. Labor’s Care Centers to share the joyful offer a more comfortable atmosphere. well as synchronizing usage between mul- health projects, as well as 1,000 develop- As it does every year, Zain was present blessings of the Holy Month with them. tiple devices. The app also included a dark Cultural and Recreational Programs mode feature for easy reading in the dark, Every Ramadan, Zain is keen on diver- prayer times and Athan notifications, Qibla sifying the content of its campaign to direction, and much more. Customers include cultural and recreational pro- were able to download the app for free by grams. This year, Zain sponsored ‘Jaber searching ‘Zain Quran’ in the App Store Khater,’ a social and cultural show hosted and Google Play Store. by social media influencer Fahad Al- Beshara. In the show, Beshara discussed Iftar halls many topics related to good deeds, Every year, Zain launces the iftar halls politeness, and the values of the Holy initiative, which is a main pillar of the Month in a simple and creative way on company’s Ramadan campaign. Through social media channels. The show present- this initiative, Zain provided fasting indi- ed ideas in a modern way to attract the viduals with daily iftar meals under the attention of viewers, especially young supervision of its volunteers team. The ones. banquets were spread in two main halls in As for the classic Ramadan competi- Jleeb and Jahra as part of a strategy to tions that the public eagerly waits for cover the most populated areas of Kuwait every year, Zain sponsored ‘Kanz FM’ dai- in order to assure the maximum amount of ly radio show throughout the whole individuals’ iftar needs are covered. This month. Customers enjoyed participating in year, Zain offered nearly 35,000 daily iftar the show’s quizzes and winning valuable meals in total during the holy month. Zain’s iftar halls. prizes on a daily basis. Established 1961

InternationalWEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019 Pompeo restricts gay flags at US embassies

Indian town on edge after murder of two-year-old girl Page 9 Page 8

SANAA: A Yemeni boy holds a riffle as Muslim worshippers pray at a square in the capital Sanaa. —AFP Saudi intercepts attack Houthi drones Iran-aligned militia steps up attacks on the kingdom

RIYADH: Saudi air defense forces have intercepted The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in “underlined their full support” for envoy Martin UN Security Council is due to discuss Yemen on two drones launched by Houthi rebels from neighboring March 2015 to push back an advance by the Houthi Griffiths and “called on the parties to engage construc- June 17. Hadi has accused Griffiths of siding with the Yemen, state media reported, as the Iran-aligned militia rebels, who still hold the capital Sanaa, and to restore tively and continuously” with him. Houthi rebels, telling UN Secretary-General Antonio steps up attacks on the kingdom. The drones targeted to power President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Since The statement followed talks in Riyadh between UN Guterres in a letter last month that he “can no longer Khamis Mushait in the kingdom’s south and caused no then, the conflict has killed political chief Rosemary accept these offenses” by the envoy. The president damage or casualties, the Saudi-led coalition fighting in tens of thousands of people, DiCarlo with the Saudi foreign has taken issue with Griffiths over the rebel handover Yemen said in a brief statement released yesterday by many of them civilians, relief minister and with President last month of ports to a “coast guard” that the gov- the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). agencies say. It has triggered Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, the ernment says is in fact rebel fighters in different uni- The rebels said earlier via their news outlet Al- what the UN describes as Saudi-backed leader of forms. Successive UN envoys to Yemen have grap- Masirah that they had targeted the King Khalid airbase the world’s worst humanitari- UN council backs Yemen, to try to defuse the pled with disagreements from both sides in their near Khamis Mushait. The attacks come as SPA report- an crisis, with 24.1 million- row. Saudi Foreign Minister efforts to end the devastating war. ed the coalition was intensifying air raids on Houthi more than two-thirds of the embattled Ibrahim Al-Assaf and Abdel British diplomat Griffiths was appointed in positions in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah. The population-in need of aid. Yemen envoy Aziz Hamad Aluwaisheg from February 2018, replacing Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed rebels have stepped up drone and missile attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council of Mauritania after the Houthis broke off ties with the kingdom amid tensions between Shiite power Iran Embattled Yemen envoy “both expressed their support him. His predecessor, Jamal Benomar, quit in 2015 and the United States, Saudi Arabia’s main ally. Meanwhile, the UN for the work of the United after a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Last month, the Saudi air force shot down a bomb- Security Council on Monday Nations in Yemen and for the Yemen to push back the Iran-aligned Houthis, who laden drone deployed by Houthi rebels that targeted expressed full support for the UN envoy for Yemen efforts of the special envoy,” said UN spokesperson continue to hold the capital, Sanaa. The conflict, Jizan airport, close to the southern border with Yemen, after he came under sharp criticism from Yemen’s Eri Kaneko. which has killed tens of thousands of people, has had the coalition said. The airport is used by thousands of president. The dispute threatened to derail fragile DiCarlo, the UN undersecretary general for politi- a devastating toll on civilians and triggered the civilians every day, but the coalition reported no casu- efforts to implement a ceasefire truce agreed in cal affairs, also held “productive” talks with Hadi, a world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the alties and warned the rebels of a strong response. December in Sweden. In a statement, council members UN statement said, without providing details. The United Nations. — Agencies From hiding, Light exposure during sleep linked former envoy to weight gain in women: Study WASHINGTON: Women who sleep Health Sciences in North Carolina and accuses pope of with the television or a light on in the coauthors. They suggested that the light bedroom may be more likely to gain may be suppressing production of mela- weight, according to a new study pub- tonin, thereby disruption circadian ‘blatantly lying’ lished Monday. The research, which was rhythm and eating patterns. published in the Journal of American Other possibilities were that light Medical Association (JAMA) Internal acts as a “chronic stressor” disrupting WASHINGTON: A longtime Vatican dissi- Medicine, relied on a survey of almost the release of stress hormones such as dent broke months of silence Monday to 44,000 US women, with a follow-up five glucocorticoids that play a part in regu- accuse Pope Francis of “blatantly lying” in years later. lating food intake, or that there may be denying knowledge of the sexual abuse alle- The women were classified according another mechanism at work that affects gations against a now-defrocked American to their level of exposure to artificial light metabolism directly. The authors cardinal. Retired Italian Archbishop Carlo at night (ALAN) which came from a vari- acknowledged several limitations Maria Vigano told the Washington Post in a ety of sources, from small nightlights or including that the data was self-report- series of emails that Francis and his predeces- clock radios to light shining in from the ed and they did not know how intense sor Pope Benedict XVI must come clean street to televisions or room lights. One various light sources were. High light about what they knew of ex-Washington of the key findings was that women who exposure may also “reflect a constella- archbishop Theodore McCarrick’s alleged VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis walks as he celebrates the Pentecost mass In Saint Peter’s slept with a television or a light on in the tion of measures of socioeconomic dis- decades of abuse. square at the Vatican. — AFP room were 17 percent more likely to advantage and unhealthy lifestyle Vigano said it is “immensely sad” that have gained five kilograms (11 pounds) or behaviors, all of which could contribute Francis was “blatantly lying to the whole more during the study period. to weight gain and obesity.” world to cover up his wicked deeds” in 2006 about allegations that McCarrick calling for the church to be honest and open The correlation remained strong even Commenting on the paper, Malcolm allegedly protecting McCarrick. Vigano reit- engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct and about the priest sex scandals. after controlling for factors like sleep von Schantz, a professor of erated his earlier claims that he warned abuse with male seminarians over a period of Vigano, 78, whose 2012 accusations of duration, diet, and physical activity. Chronobiology at the University of Francis in 2013 about McCarrick. “How could decades. The allegations only became public corruption in the Vatican sparked the Although the authors cautioned they Surrey in Britain said: “What is novel anybody, especially a pope, forget this?” he in 2018. “Vatileaks” scandal, would not divulge to the could not definitely draw a causal link, with this paper is that it is a longitudinal said, according to the Post. He also wrote of deeply embedded “homo- Post where he is staying since he retired from they said their findings added to a grow- study comparing the weight of the same Vigano, an iconoclastic Catholic conserva- sexual networks” that “are strangling the the church. He said his life “is quite normal,” ing body of evidence that supports individuals at baseline and more than five tive who has rocked the Vatican for years entire church.” Vigano, who is backed by an without providing any details. But he defend- sleeping in a dark room. “Public health years later.” He added: “These new find- with accusations of corruption and abuse at ultra-conservative US church faction, called ed his August letter. “My silence would make strategies to decrease obesity might ings won’t change the advice to maintain the highest levels, disappeared last August for the pope to resign over his alleged silence. me complicit with the abusers, and lead to yet consider interventions aimed at reducing good sleep hygiene, and avoid light and after penning a sweeping 11-page attack on Francis has rejected the criticism, denying he more victims,” he said. “The results of an ALAN while sleeping,” wrote Dale electronic distractions in the bedroom, Francis and Benedict over McCarrick. In that knew of the powerful McCarrick’s transgres- honest investigation would be disastrous for Sandler and Yong-Moon Mark Park of but they add further strength to the case letter, he said he warned church leaders in sions. But the pope has become more vocal in the current papacy,” he added. — AFP the National Institute of Environmental for this advice.” — AFP Established 1961 7 International Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Fear, kidnap worries in Ghana after abduction of Canadians Rise of kidnapping for ransom could dent hard-earned reputation ACCRA: It was a shocking attack; two young Canadian wave of kidnapping makes things dangerous.” women grabbed as they stepped from a taxi outside a Businesses relying on tourism are fearful. “We are golf club in Ghana - and still missing one week later. concerned because it could affect our business,” said But the abductions have also shed light on other attacks Samuel Owusu Oppong, who runs a backpacker hostel in a country popular with tourists, raised fears of copy- in Accra. “Seeing such things will make people stay cat Nigeria-style abductions, and sparked warnings of home.” Violent crime towards foreigners is rare, but rising crime if security forces don’t crackdown on the analysts point to a rising number of kidnappings for gangs responsible. “Ghana had long had an enviable cash. Last year, three Ghanaian women were kidnapped reputation as the safest country in West Africa, avoid- in the southern port of Takoradi. ing the violence that has plagued most of its neigh- In April, an Indian man was reportedly abducted, bors,” said Nnamdi Obasi, an analyst from the also in Kumasi, by an armed gang demanding a cash International Crisis Group (ICG). ransom. He was swiftly rescued by police. The Estonian “The rise of kidnapping for ransom could dent that consul was also briefly abducted in April, but released hard-earned and well-deserved reputation. It could soon after. “Everyone is a target - but foreigners are also harm tourism, an important industry for the coun- becoming the main focus because they get more atten- try.” The Canadians, charity volunteers aged 19 and 20, tion,” said Vladimir Antwi-Danso, from the Kofi Annan were abducted last Tuesday, 4 June, in Kumasi, Ghana’s International Peace Keeping Training Centre, in Accra. second-largest city, some 200 kilometers northwest of “If it’s about ransom, it means the kidnappers can ask the capital Accra. The police, who have not released the for huge sums of money for themselves.” names of the women, are working with Canadian authorities to find them. “The combined efforts to trace Nigerian influence? the ladies is still going on,” assistant commissioner of Some fear that the example of nearby Nigeria, where police David Eklu said yesterday. abductions take place nearly daily, has inspired crimi- nals. “The surge of kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria KUMASI: Photo shows the Silver Spring residence in Kumasi, where two Canadian women, 19 and 20 years old, Tourism dent could be having an unhealthy demonstration effect on were living before having been kidnapped late on June 4. — AFP Ghana, better known for its palm-fringed beaches, criminal groups in Ghana and elsewhere in West hosts over 1.3 million tourists a year. Many visitors, Africa,” Obasi said. especially from North America, also come to see the “It is important to track down and punish the perpe- need to do something about it, to make sure that it Bulwark of stability grim reminders of the slave trade. Tourism plays a big trators of these crimes, in order to prevent a climate of doesn’t become a feature of our society.” The vast Ghana is a country of some 30 million people, where role in Ghana’s economy, making up some five percent impunity that could embolden other criminals,” he majority of visits are safe, but foreign embassies err on more than two-thirds of people follow Christianity and of GDP. So the kidnaps are a big worry. “Who wants to added. Earlier this year, local media quoted President the side of caution when they issue travel advice. the rest Islam and other religions. It has long been seen visit a country that is not safe to visit?” said Adam Nana Akufo-Addo as warning that kidnapping must not Canada’s High Commission warns citizens to “exercise a as a bulwark of stability in a region struggling to con- Bonaa, who heads Security Warehouse Limited, a become commonplace in Ghana. “Our brothers and sis- high degree of caution due to petty crime” in Ghana - tain multiple groups of Islamist fighters. “Ghanaian Ghanaian company fitting electronic alarm and security ters in Nigeria have known it,” Akufo-Addo said, as it does for France or Britain. “Violent crimes, includ- security sources say previous kidnappings had been for systems. “We want to be in a country you can walk according to Ghanaian newspapers. ing armed robbery and kidnapping, may occur,” the ransom - and that they do not think the most recent around without looking on your shoulder, and the latest “But we have not known it in this country, and we Canadian government travel advisory warns. incident is terrorism-related,” Obasi added. — AFP

War-style assassination that shocked the world. Two Nuclear stalemate N Korean leader’s young women, one Vietnamese and one Indonesian, were arrested and charged with the murder. They insisted they were tricked by North Korean agents into one year after brother was CIA carrying out the hit and had thought it was a reality TV show prank. Trump-Kim summit informant Malaysian prosecutors eventually dropped the mur- der charges against them and Indonesian Siti Aisyah SEOUL: When Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump shook SEOUL: Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of was released in March this year while her Vietnamese hands before the world’s cameras in Singapore a year North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who was killed in co-accused Doan Thi Huong was freed in May. South ago on Wednesday, they pledged change and progress. Malaysia in 2017, was a CIA informant, the Wall Street Korea has accused the North of ordering the hit, which But now they are gripped by diplomatic recriminations Journal reported yesterday. Citing “a person knowl- Pyongyang denies. Once seen as leader Kim Jong Il’s after a failed second meeting in Hanoi. In Singapore - edgeable about the matter”, the paper said Kim Jong natural successor, Kim Jong Nam apparently fell from the first-ever summit between a sitting US president SINGAPORE: In this file photo taken on June 12, 2018, Nam had met with CIA operatives several times. grace after being deported from Japan in 2001 for try- and a North Korean leader - Kim signed a vaguely- US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Nam, who was once seen as heir apparent ing to enter on a forged passport to visit Disneyland. worded deal on denuclearization, touted by Trump as a Kim Jong Un shake hands following a signing ceremony to the North’s leadership, died after having his face Since then he had been living in virtual exile, mainly historic breakthrough. during their historic US-North Korea summit at the smeared with the outlawed VX nerve agent as he wait- in the southern Chinese enclave of Macau. He had spo- But a second meeting in Vietnam in February ended Capella Hotel on Sentosa island. — AFP ed at Kuala Lumpur airport. According to the Journal’s ken to Japanese and other overseas media with surpris- abruptly - without even a scheduled lunch - after the source there was a “nexus” between Kim Jong Nam ing candour on various occasions and 2011 he told a two failed to agree on what the North would be willing and the CIA, but the paper said many details of his con- Japanese newspaper that he opposed the idea of the to give up in exchange for sanctions relief. The process ures eased in return for closing all the nuclear produc- nection with the intelligence agency were unclear. North’s dynastic power transfer. “Several former US remains deadlocked and analysts say the two sides tion facilities at its Yongbyon complex. “The current The source said Kim Jong Nam travelled to Malaysia officials said the half brother, who had lived outside of have sobered up since. “Immediately after the impasse will continue indefinitely unless both sides can in February 2017 to meet his CIA contact, but that may North Korea for many years and had no known power Singapore summit, we had a tidal wave of completely come to grips with why it has occurred in the first not have been the only purpose of his trip. Kim Jong base in Pyongyang, was unlikely to be able to provide unrealistic, almost comical expectations,” said Andrei place,” Kazianis told AFP. Nam died after being attacked at Kuala Lumpur details of the secretive country’s inner workings,” the Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul. In Hanoi the US had in essence demanded “an International Airport on February 13, 2017 in a Cold Journal said. — AFP “Then it became clear what has been obvious - the unprecedented military and diplomatic surrender” by North Koreans are not going to surrender nuclear Pyongyang, he said, but added the North should not weapons,” Lankov told AFP. expect “the most crippling sanctions” to be removed Kim declared an end to nuclear tests and long-range for only closing the Yongbyon facility. The two leaders missile launches last year amid a rapid rapprochement, will drag out the current stalemate “to prevent engage- paving the way for the Singapore meeting. Since Hanoi, ment from running completely off the rails”, the Eurasia Pyongyang has accused Washington of acting in “bad Group said in a brief, forecasting a slight possibility of faith” and given it until the end of the year to change its a third summit this year. approach. And last month the North fired short-range missiles for the first time since Nov 2017. “We have ‘Cycle of provocation’ gone from what felt like a spirit of hope and optimism Officials in Washington say they have proposed to now a clear path of uncertainty,” said Harry Kazianis working-level talks to Pyongyang but are not plan- of the Center for the National Interest. ning another summit until a deal is hammered out. And with a US president who says he is in “no rush” ‘Military and diplomatic surrender’ and appears content with the status quo, analysts say US officials say privately there has been no direct the ball is now in North Korea’s court - even as contact with the North Koreans since the Hanoi summit Pyongyang insists otherwise. Trump has dismissed and have expressed increasing frustration over worries about the North’s recent missile tests, reiter- Pyongyang’s silence. The North has instead spoken ating his trust in Kim who he described as “a man through its state media, demanding the removal of who perhaps wants to get attention”. Trump’s top aides - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo With sanctions still in place, the US expected and National Security Adviser John Bolton - and warn- pressure to mount on the North to offer concessions, ing of a “new path” if Washington does not change said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at the Asan Institute course. The two leaders went to Hanoi with very differ- for Policy Studies. But Go warned that Pyongyang ent approaches - the US wanting an “all-for-all” deal appeared to be “heading back towards its traditional while Pyongyang sought a “step-by-step” process - cycle of provocation”. The missile launches were “a and have blamed each other for the failure to reach an friendly reminder to Donald Trump that North Korea agreement. exists and that they still are ready to talk”, Lankov Washington accused Pyongyang of effectively said, adding the North had been “explicit” about demanding an end to all sanctions for partial disarma- resuming nuclear testing unless the US accepts its ment, while the North said it wanted some of the meas- conditions. — AFP

women have spoken to a person or an institution about Many women their suffering and only 6.6% have brought their case before justice, the survey said. Ben Ghala said she was referred to the Araafa listening and counseling centre in Morocco face after she went to the hospital to seek treatment for her injuries. “We live under oppression and we live in pain. abuse at home The blow I received in my head deteriorated my vision,” she said. Ben Ghala did not identify the relative who she said had abused her. RABAT: Bearing pictures of scars and bruises she said The Araafa centre can help only a small proportion she had suffered at home, Fatna Ben Ghala sought help of the women who say they have been abused. Last at a women’s counseling centre in a poor neighborhood year, it offered advice to 146 women subjected to all near Morocco’s capital Rabat after she and her mother kinds of violence and abuse. Morocco has dozens of endured domestic violence by a relative. The case of such centers across the country. “I had a miscarriage Ben Ghala, 40, and her mother was not unusual. Some because of the beating and the mental pressures I was 54.4% percent of women, amounting to millions in a enduring,” said Raja, an unemployed 19-year old, who country with a population of about 35 million, have said her husband had been violent and who now lives been subjected to violence, according to a survey with her parents. “I can’t understand why that violence released last month by the Solidarity, Family and Social happened. Was it a habit or a mental illness or some- Development Ministry. thing else?,” she said. Charifa, 26, told Reuters she had The survey, which showed the 25-29 age group is been beaten by her husband, who expelled her from most vulnerable, also pointed up the amount of work to the house and prevented her from seeing her son and be done to remedy the abuse. Only 28.2% of abused daughter, aged 7 and 6. — Reuters 8 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 International Where’s Johnson? UK candidate criticized for avoiding scrutiny Come out of your bunker, Boris: Daily Mail

LONDON: Boris Johnson, the favorite to succeed British due to begin his campaign today. ing journalist in Brussels, then entered politics in the Prime Minister Theresa May, was criticized yesterday by “Time to come out of your bunker, Boris” the Daily Conservative Party. He also raised his profile through a rivals who said the former foreign minister was avoiding Mail, Britain’s second-most-read newspaper, said in an series of appearances on a television comedy. He upset public scrutiny in the contest. After three years of political editorial. “Usually he positively craves media attention ... some Europeans before Britain’s Brexit referendum by deadlock over Brexit, the ruling Conservative Party is pick- Yet for weeks now he has been stuck in his trench, drib- comparing the goals of the EU with those of Adolf ing a new leader from 10 candidates and hopes to have a Hitler and Napoleon. His quick wit and eccentric style new prime minister in place by the end of July. Johnson, helped him shrug off a series of scandals, among them who led the official campaign to leave the EU in the 2016 getting sacked from the party’s policy team while in referendum, is the frontrunner to replace May despite a Why is Johnson opposition for lying about an extra-marital affair. That long record of scandals and gaffes. Betting markets give and other episodes earned him the tabloid nickname him a 60 percent probability of winning the top job. avoiding “Bonking Boris”. But rivals have turned on Johnson over his pledges to But where others would have floundered, Johnson cut taxes for the wealthy, deliver Brexit with or without scrutiny? became increasingly popular, culminating in his two vic- an exit deal and his apparent desire to keep a low profile. tories in usually left-leaning London’s mayoral contests in Rival Matt Hancock said: “I certainly think that every- Hancock asks 2008 and 2012. He was considered a favorite for the top body who puts their name forward to be prime minister job when David Cameron resigned after the 2016 refer- should be open to scrutiny, should be accountable. endum. But his close ally, Michael Gove, abruptly desert- “Everybody should participate in the proposed TV ed him and announced his own candidacy. debates. And I think we’ve got to ask the question: why Gove, again one of his main rivals for the leadership, not?” he told BBC radio. “I’ve got nothing to hide and bling out vague policy ideas,” the newspaper said. Rivals on Monday taunted Johnson. “If I get through, which I am that’s why I am here.” When asked about Johnson, Mark say he is avoiding the limelight because the contest is his sure I will, actually, to the final two against Mr Johnson, Harper, another candidate, said: “If you’ve got nothing to to lose - a stray word or poorly placed joke could this is what I will say to him: ‘Mr Johnson, whatever you LONDON: Conservative MP Boris Johnson leaves his home hide, you won’t mind answering questions.” A spokesman deprive him of his best chance at getting Britain’s top job. do, don’t pull out, I know you have before, and I know in London yesterday. The contest to replace Theresa May for Johnson did not immediately respond to requests for you may not believe in your heart that you can do it, but as Britain’s next leader formally has begun, with candi- comment. Johnson left his home in London yesterday ‘Boris’ the Conservative Party membership deserve a choice’,” dates lining up to define themselves against the ‘bluff and morning without comment, a Reuters reporter said. He is Johnson made his name as a European Union-bash- Gove said. — Reuters bluster’ of frontrunner Boris Johnson. — AFP

News in brief Medical experts consider psychological or spiritual inter- regions have done. Spahn has commissioned two reports Germany to ban gay ventions to change someone’s sexual orientation pseudo- and a 46-member expert panel which have concluded that scientific, ineffective and often harmful. a ban is both “medically necessary and legally possible,” 7 die; migrant boat sinks The most controversial techniques involve administer- his ministry said. ‘conversion therapy’ ing electric shocks as subjects view images of homosexual Several people who underwent such therapies testified ATHENS: At least seven people died yesterday when a acts, or injections of the male hormone testosterone. In about their suffering to the panel, said the ministry in a boat carrying migrants sank near the Greek island of BERLIN: German Health Minister Jens Spahn said yester- Germany, there are an estimated 1,000 attempts a year to statement. One gay patient reported how during standard Lesbos, the coastguard said. Assisted by an EU border day he plans to write a law this year to ban so-called con- “re-educate” homosexuals - from family members, psychotherapy, the doctor suddenly declared sexual con- patrol boat, the coastguard said it had rescued 57 peo- version therapies that aim to make gays and lesbians het- “coaches” and therapists, and sometimes involving prayers version a “therapy goal” and pursued it through “indoctri- ple and is continuing to search for survivors. No infor- erosexual. “My position is clear: homosexuality is not an and even exorcisms, said Joerg Litwinschuh-Barthel of the nating conversations”. When electric shock treatment was mation was given on the nationalities of the migrants. illness, which is why it does not need to be treated,” said anti-discrimination Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation. also proposed, the patient terminated the treatment. The But a coastguard source said the dead were four Spahn, who is gay and married to a man. “I would very Early last year the European Parliament adopted a non- health ministry said it plans to release a final report in women, a man and two young girls. More than 300 much like to have a bill this year that could then be pre- binding text that called on EU members to ban the prac- August, to pave the way for a law to be written before the refugees and migrants have died this year while trying sented to parliament,” he told a Berlin press conference. tice, something that so far only Malta and some Spanish end of the year. — AFP to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration. Greece is hosting some 70,000 mostly Syrian refugees and migrants who have fled their countries since 2015, and Pompeo restricts crossed over from neighboring Turkey. — AFP gay pride flags at Wreckage of missing plane US embassies NEW DELHI: Indian authorities yesterday spotted the wreckage of a plane missing with 13 air force personnel aboard after days of searching a remote mountainous WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has region close to China. The Soviet-built AN-32 plane, barred US embassies from flying the rainbow flag of the carrying eight crew and five passengers, disappeared gay pride movement on flagpoles, the State Department from radar on June 3 in the northeastern state of confirmed Monday after criticism. Pompeo, an evangelical Arunachal Pradesh, prompting a frantic search by the Christian, has said that he defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman but has also said he respects Indian Air Force (IAF) and ground teams. “The wreck- employees regardless of sexual orientation. age of the missing #An32 was spotted today... at an “The secretary has the approximate elevation of 12,000 ft by the #IAF Mi-17 position that, as it relates to Helicopter undertaking search in the expanded search the flagpole, that only the zone,” the IAF said on Twitter. “Efforts are now contin- American flag should be flown uing to establish the status of occupants & establish there,” State Department survivors.” — AFP spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told reporters. But she said that US diplomats Ukraine hospital fire kills 6 overseas were free to display rainbows flags elsewhere at ODESSA: Six people died when fire swept through a embassies in June - Pride psychiatric hospital for war veterans in the Ukrainian Month, with this year marking Mike Pompeo city of Odessa, authorities said yesterday. The fire the 50th anniversary of New erupted late Monday evening in the one-storey build- York’s Stonewall uprising that ing, Ukraine’s emergency services said in a statement. sparked the modern gay rights movement. “Pride month, that “Six people died and four have been hospitalized,” the we’re in right now, was celebrated around the world by many statement said. Nine other people escaped unharmed. PLAYAS DE TIJUANA: Photo captures an aerial view of US (left)-Mexico border fence in Playas de Tijuana, State Department employees,” she said. The facility provided mental health care for veterans of Baja California state. — AFP The previous administration of president Barack the Soviet Union’s 1980s war in Afghanistan and World Obama, an advocate of gay rights equality, let US War II. Police and emergency services did not immedi- Dark Web or internet,” CBP said in a statement quoted by embassies fly the pride flag without no questions asked ately comment on whether the fire was started deliber- Travelers’ images the Times. CBP hasn’t identified the name of the subcon- and even lit up the White House in the rainbow colors ately, but said it did not appear to have originated tractor hacked but the newspaper identified it as when the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage inside the building. Paramedics continued to search the Perceptics, which makes license plate readers and works nationwide in 2015. News of Pompeo’s orders, first report- hospital after the fire had been extinguished, looking for exposed in US with the agency on border security matters. ed last week by NBC News, provoked outrage among any patients who could have been left behind, an AFP Facial recognition is being deployed in airports around advocates of gay rights. “At a time when LGBTQ+ com- journalist said. — AFP data breach the United States, aiming to help speed boarding and munities around the world face persecution, this Trump arrivals and also monitoring for suspects and people who @StateDept decision is a blatant attack on LGBTI rights,” may have overstayed their visas. US customs authorities said Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts. Roadside bomb kills six WASHINGTON: Images of tens of thousands of travelers are also reported to be studying the technology to help “As we celebrate Pride Month, this decision must be crossing the United States’ border have been stolen from identify illegal immigrants. Supporters of the technology reversed. I am demanding the Trump admin explain this KANDAHAR: At least six people were killed yesterday an immigration subcontractor in a data breach, US media argue that facial recognition systems can help police fight hate,” he tweeted. Chad Griffin, head of the Human Rights reported on Monday. The images were snatched from the after a roadside bomb ripped through their vehicle in crime and make streets safer. Campaign, the lead US gay rights group, said that the flag network of a subcontractor for US Customs and Border order “sends a chilling message not only to LGBTQ people southern Afghanistan. It is the latest violence to hit the But rights groups have raised concerns about the tech- Protection (CBP), after the company copied data to its in this country, but around the globe.” A number of US war-weary country where ordinary Afghans continue to nology, particularly its use by law enforcement, because of database without the agency’s consent, according to The embassies have already highlighted their celebrations of bear the brunt of decades of conflict. The vehicle was its reliance on huge databases with little oversight and New York Times. The data included images of drivers in Pride Month. The US embassy in New Delhi was lit up in travelling from Kandahar’s Dand district to the provin- potential for error. Last month, San Francisco passed a ban their cars and license plates taken over a six-week period the rainbow colors as a sign of solidarity in a country cial capital when the bomb detonated near the car, on law enforcement’s using facial recognition. Civil liber- at an undisclosed border crossing, the newspaper said. ties activists decried the reported CBP breach. “The best where the Supreme Court last year overturned a colonial- killing everyone inside, according to provincial police An unnamed official said as many as 100,000 people era ban on gay sex. One of the most prominent gay mem- spokesman Qasim Afghan. “Four children - two girls and way to avoid breaches of sensitive personal data is not to may have had their images stolen, the Times reported. “As collect and retain it in the first place, @CBP,” the American bers of President Donald Trump’s administration is Richard two boys - are among those killed in the blast. They are of today, none of the image data has been identified on the Grenell, the US ambassador to Germany. — AFP all members of one family,” he said. Haji Abdullah, gov- Civil Liberties Union said on Twitter. — AFP ernor of Dand district, said the bomb was placed by the Taleban on a road frequently used by foreign and to switch from electoral fraud to repression. The determi- Mousavi. On Friday, June 12 when polling stations opened, Afghan forces. — AFP When Iran was at nation of the state to stamp out what it considered to be the turnout-officially at 85 percent-forced voting hours to “sedition” at any cost, including mass trials and death sen- be extended late into the night. The first signs that some- tences, gradually brought the movement to a standstill. thing had gone awry came when Iranians realised the SMS NYT’s anti-Semitism row ‘edge of the abyss’ One of the reformists arrested in the firstwave of the messaging system had been disabled overnight. crackdown was journalist and activist Ahmad Zeidabadi. Reformists soon claimed telephone lines to their vote NEW YORK: The New York Times (NYT) has TEHRAN: A decade has passed since Iran held its most bit- “History will look back at the defeat of the green move- tallying centers had been cut and many observers had not announced it will no longer include daily political car- ment as a bitter event that left its supporters extremely been allowed to enter polling stations. Later on, some of toons in its international edition, weeks after apologiz- terly contested elections ever, the aftermath of which shook the Islamic republic to its core over allegations of mass elec- and deeply frustrated and disillusioned,” said Zeidabadi, Mousavi’s main campaign centers in Tehran were closed by ing for publishing a caricature of Israeli Prime Minister toral fraud. Massive demonstrations and counter demonstra- who was detained the day after the election. Amir security forces. Mousavi held an impromptu press confer- Benjamin Netanyahu deemed anti-Semitic. The cartoon, tions by protesters and state supporters raged across major Mohebbian, a conservative politician and analyst, said the ence late at night and claimed victory, warning that any published in April, depicted Netanyahu as a guide dog cities for 19 months, nowhere more so than in the capital circumstances had changed in many ways since 2009 reports to the contrary would be a sign of fraud. The final wearing a Star of David collar and leading a blind Tehran, in what was later described by Iran’s supreme leader when “the state realized that the opposition and America” official count showed Ahmadinejad had won with nearly 63 Donald Trump - who was wearing a kippah, or a Jewish Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the “edge of the abyss”. were behind the riots, and therefore used its “full powers percent of the vote, and within hours sporadic protests skullcap. It prompted an uproar within the Jewish com- As the world watched on in amazement, the so-called to take control of the situation”. began in Tehran and soon spread to other major cities. As munity, with Israel’s ambassador to the UN likening the Green Movement that started out with “silent” demonstra- the vote breakdown was published, reformists pointed to drawing to the content of Nazi propaganda tabloid Der tions against ultra-conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s ‘Where is my vote?’ irregularities and claims of mass fraud gained traction. Sturmer. Editor James Bennet said the paper had re-election as president and demands for an independent The 2009 election campaign might well have been one Ahmadinejad’s victory rally on June 14 in which he called planned for a year to cease running political cartoons in recount evolved into running battles between protesters of the most dynamic in the Islamic republic’s history. The protesters “dirt and rubbish” riled many voters. When the international print version of the Times, in line with and security forces. one-on-one TV debates between candidates changed the Mousavi and the other reformist candidate Mehdi Karroubi, the US edition. The decision will come into effect on The advent of camera-equipped mobile phones and the mood of the campaign from festive to a bitter face-off, who had officially gained 34 and one percent respectively, July 1, Bennet said in a Monday statement. — AFP spread of the internet meant images of the protests fanned none more so than an explosive encounter between called for a counter rally in Tehran on June 15 the response out quickly, causing the main focus of the demonstrations Ahmadinejad and his main challenger Mir Hossein by supporters was beyond expectations. — AFP 9 International Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Drones, money, cheap drugs: Laos route spewing meth into Thailand Drug gangs now using drones along Thai-Laos border NAKHON PHANOM: As dusk falls along the routes west and east - through Laos and Friday - with an estimated street value of US Mekong River, a nightly dance begins between across the Mekong. In the fading light, as the $840 million - wrapped in packets of Thai border security and Laos drug gangs now limestone karst scenery of Laos elbows into Chinese-branded tea and hidden in a ship- using drones, scouts and a pool of poor fishermen the night sky, black-clad Thai military rangers ment of stereo speakers shipped from to shift record amounts of meth into Thailand. wait in mosquito-infested bushes for suspi- Thailand. At that price, losses are easily Landlocked, secretive and with ungovernable cious crossings. But the drug gangs are also absorbed by the drug networks. “If just one borders, Laos has become a sluice for transport- quick to adapt. “They have drones (from out of ten shipments gets through, they still ing Made-In-Myanmar meth to the drug hungry Laos) searching the river to see if there are get their money,” a senior Thai drug official markets of Southeast Asia and Australia, where any officials,” Phoomsak Kampoo, district told AFP, requesting anonymity. Inside billion-dollar seizures are now being made. chief officer of Tha Utain district of Nakhon Thailand, street prices are plunging - evi- Whisked over the remote mountains of Phanom said. “And they have scouts watching dence of a huge oversupply from the meth Laos - one of the world’s last surviving com- for checkpoints on this (Thai) side.” lords who have slashed costs by using cheap- munist countries - shipments are regularly er precursor chemicals. The tiny pink or green slipping into Thailand, the region’s drug Cheap as a beer vanilla-scented yaba pills now go for as little superhighway. “It’s coming in from over On smaller runs, Laos fishermen will cut as 30 baht (less than a dollar) in some border there,” Thai navy captain Sumnuan Kamdee their engines and drift close to the Thai bank zones, drug officials told AFP - as little as a said, gesturing across the wide Mekong, before lobbing wax-covered parcels of 2- bottle of Thai beer. A kilo of ice is down to which bisects Thailand and Laos. 3,000 yaba pills towards the shore, where around $11,000 in Bangkok - and just $4,800 “Drugs have become a national threat.” Thai couriers scamper out to claim them. But in Laos. “Meth is destroying lives, families and Armed with M4 rifles and night vision gog- bigger, multi-million-dollar shipments are communities,” police major-general Pornchai gles, his Mekong River Unit scours the water becoming more frequent. Experts say the Charoenwong, deputy commissioner of the in speedboats in Nakhon Phanom, one of Golden Triangle region is now likely to be the Narcotics Suppression Bureau said. Thailand’s poorest border provinces in the biggest meth production hub in the world. Yet northeast. But the border is long and cannot without the ultraviolence of the Latin Spotlight on Laos NAKHON PHANOM: An armed Thai navy personnel rides in a boat during a patrol along the Mekong be fully policed. Once inside the kingdom, American cartels, it captures fewer headlines. Under pressure, Laos is co-operating with river bordering Thailand and Laos in Tha Utain, Nakhon Phanom province. — AFP tons of highly addictive crystal meth, known On May 31 the Mekong River Unit received neighboring law enforcement. “But frankly as “ice”, and hundreds of millions of yaba pills a tip off that led to a 133-kilo haul of crystal Laos really needs to up their game when it ates has been prosecuted. Meanwhile, meth Deputy National Police Chief Mok Chito said. - caffeine-laced methamphetamine tablets meth a few kilometers down river in Mukdahan comes to tackling organized crime, drug traf- continues to cascade across the Mekong The falling drug prices are curdling a public guzzled by everyone from laborers to ravers - province. It was a fraction of the near three ficking and border control,” said Jeremy region. Vietnam has made record seizures this health and crime crisis in local communities rid- are consumed or warehoused before being tons of “ice” seized by Thailand between just Douglas of the United Nations Office on year, including 700 kilos of ice hidden in tea dled with addiction and petty drug dealing. In smuggled onwards. A months-long Thai mili- May 31 and June 4 - on top of nearly five mil- Drugs and Crime (UNODC). packets in Nghe An province, which borders a remote Thai village near the Laos border, a tary-led crackdown in the northern jungles of lion yaba tablets. Despite the intense anti-drug The high profile 2017 arrest of Laos drug Laos. Cambodia is also reporting a spike in recovering addict explained how his life slowly the kingdom’s section of the notorious operations, meth is still getting through to lord Xaysana Keophimpa at Bangkok’s main drug movements over its Laos border. unraveled after being introduced to yaba aged “Golden Triangle” has blocked the quickest more lucrative overseas markets. airport was hailed as a new era of intelligence “Myanmar to Laos, then through 15. “I lost money, friends and my health,” Nat - drug route south. But with big money to be Australian border authorities announced a sharing. But with scant details from Laos it is Cambodia... this is now one of the main drug not his real name said. “It took away ten years made, the narco gangs have carved new record 1.6 tons haul of ice in Melbourne last not clear which of Xaysana’s alleged associ- routes from the Golden Triangle,” Cambodia’s of my life. I am trying to get it back.”— AFP

Four passengers die News in brief in ‘unbearable’ heat Businessman paid to spy on Indian train WASHINGTON: A United Arab Emirates business- man linked to a probe of illegal donations to Donald Trump’s political campaign was paid by his coun- NEW DELHI: Four people died in ‘unbearable’ heat while try’s intelligence agency to spy on the US presi- travelling by train in northern India, which has been in the dent’s administration, The Intercept reported grip of a heatwave for two weeks, officials and passengers said yesterday. The four died Monday while travelling from Monday. Rashid Al-Malik received tens of thou- Agra — the city of the Taj Mahal - to Coimbatore in the sands of dollars a month for gleaning information on country’s south. “Heat seems to be a factor,” Indian Trump administration policy toward the Middle East Railways spokesman Ajit Kumar Singh told AFP, “it is really in 2017, the website said, citing a former US official unfortunate”. “When the train was approaching Jhansi, we and documents. He reported back to the UAE’s got a call from the on-board staff that one of the passen- National Intelligence Service on topics of interest to gers is unconscious,” Singh said. “We rushed medical staff the oil-producing Gulf state-including US efforts to to the station but they found that three of the passengers mediate a Gulf feud involving Qatar-as well as were already dead.” A fourth person died later in hospital. meetings between US officials and Saudi Arabia’s Temperatures have hovered around 45 degrees Celsius powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The (113 Fahrenheit) in Jhansi, in northern Uttar Pradesh state, Intercept said. — AFP in recent days. Singh said the Kerala Express train had no technical problems, but the tourists were not in air-condi- tioned coaches. A passenger who was a part of the group that boarded in Agra said the train was stiflingly hot. 3 jihadists, 9 kids expelled “Shortly after we left Agra, the heat became unbearable and some people started complaining of breathing prob- PARIS: Three French jihadists and their nine chil- lems and uneasiness,” the passenger was quoted as saying dren returned to France yesterday after being by News18 television. expelled by Turkey, legal sources said, a day after “Before we could get some help, they collapsed.” One France took back 12 children of French jihadists of the dead was 81 years old, the channel said. Much of from camps in northern Syria. The returns mark an India has been sweltering in temperatures that have risen acceleration in the repatriation of children of French above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in northern nationals who travelled to Iraq or Syria to join Rajasthan state. A number of deaths from heatstroke have extremist groups, amid growing pressure on been reported. Temperatures touched 50.3 degrees UTTAR PRADESH: Indian People fill water from a tanker of the Allahabad municipal corporation near Sangam, Western countries to take back their combatants. Celsius in the Rajasthan town of Churu recently, just below the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during a hot day in Allahabad. — AFP The three adults-a 35-year-old man and the two India’s record of 51 degrees. — AFP mothers of his children-were taken into custody and the children were placed under the protection crude bomb blast late Monday, east of Kolkata. On of the state. The French foreign ministry stressed Three killed in fresh Saturday four people died and at least 18 were injured in Indian town on that the trio’s return was unrelated to the repatria- gun battles between BJP and Trinamool supporters in tions of children from French jihadist families Sandeshkhali district. stranded in Syria. — AFP political violence in The BJP, which has traditionally held sway in the Hindi- edge after murder speaking belt in the north, has been trying hard to pick up India’s West Bengal support in West Bengal. In the elections that ended last of 2-year-old girl Sri Lanka MPs defy president month with a big national victory for Modi, the BJP increased its tally of seats in the state to 18 from just two COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s parliament yesterday KOLKATA: Three people died in fresh political violence at the last vote in 2014. NEW DELHI: Indian authorities yesterday deployed hun- between members of Indian Prime Minister Narendra dreds of police and suspended the internet in a northern defied President Maithripala Sirisena and resumed Yesterday locals in Sandeshkhali remained tense. an investigation into security lapses surrounding Modi’s ruling party and a local rival in restive West Bengal “There is a continuous sense of fear,” resident Rabin town following the brutal murder of a two-year-old girl the Easter suicide bombings that killed 258 people, state, authorities said yesterday. Modi’s Hindu nationalist Mondal told AFP by telephone. “We are spending sleep- over a $144 loan owed by her family. The mutilated body of officials said. The Parliamentary Select Committee Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress less nights. Many have fled.” Last month, a BJP supporter the Hindu girl was found on a rubbish dump last Sunday in - which runs the state - have accused each other of insti- was shot dead in the state capital Kolkata, and a car the Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh state. The fact that her (PSC) began hearing testimony from Muslim lead- gating weeks of violence during and since India’s recent belonging to a Trinamool member was pelted with rocks. alleged killers were from India’s minority Muslim commu- ers who claimed they repeatedly alerted the author- election. In February, a Trinamool lawmaker was shot dead. Political nity has stoked tensions with the majority Hindu popula- ities to dangerous radicalization, a parliamentary A police official said the bodies of two BJP members killings are rife across India. National Crime Bureau data tion in the Tappal area where she lived. official said. President Sirisena last week asked his were found hanging from a tree in Howrah district over the showed more than 100 political murders in 2016, but Right-wing Hindu groups, including those backing coalition cabinet to halt the hearings, which have past 48 hours, while a Trinamool stalwart was killed by a experts say the figure was likely much higher. — AFP Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata already revealed senior police and security officials Party (BJP), have led the protests in Tappal, urging author- directly under him had ignored repeated intelli- ities to mete out “instant justice” to the perpetrators. A gence warnings. Sirisena sacked his intelligence prominent leader of the far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief over the weekend after he told the hearing group was stopped by police from visiting the girl’s family that the April 21 attacks could have been avoided if on Monday, and on Sunday members of another radical police had been allowed to arrest the ringleader as group gathered to demand the death penalty for the early as last year. — AFP accused. The groups also tried to organize a “grand assembly” but police thwarted their attempt. “We have clamped sec- tion 144 (prohibiting unlawful assembly) and internet has NZ quashes China extradition been suspended in Tappal,” district magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh said yesterday. “Additional police forces WELLINGTON: A New Zealand court yesterday have been deployed as a precautionary measure. The situ- stopped a murder suspect from being extradited to ation is normal as of now.” Police were also clamping down China, saying it could not send him to a country on those sharing fake social media posts which were likely where torture was “widespread” and “systemic”. to “inflame communal passions”, the Press Trust of India The Court of Appeal quashed a ministerial decision news agency reported. to extradite Kyung Kim to China, saying to do so Despite police reporting the child is not believed to when there was a risk he would be tortured have been sexually assaulted, unverified social media posts breached New Zealand’s international obligations. have claimed otherwise-tapping into deep-seated anger The 99-page judgment, which included a damning about sexual violence against children in the country. The assessment of Beijing’s justice system, comes amid Times of India daily reported yesterday that a Muslim huge protests by Hong Kong residents against a family in a minibus in the area was allegedly attacked on proposed law to allow extraditions to mainland Sunday by men on motorcycles and only escaped because China. Kim’s lawyer Tony Ellis said the decision was a Hindu woman was travelling with them. a precedent-setting human rights victory. “It is a “They beat me, my daughter who wore a veil and our judgment that has profound human rights impor- driver,” Shafi Mohammad Abbasi, one of the seven mem- tance which will resonate throughout the Common bers of the Muslim family, told the newspaper. “Pooja Law world, it is not just important in New Zealand,” WEST BENGAL: Indian supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hold placards as they observe ‘Black day’ (the Hindu woman) stepped out and boldly confronted he said in a statement. — AFP during a silent protest rally against the recent killings at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal. — AFP the attackers.” — AFP 10

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People battle a blaze in an agricultural field in the town of Qahtaniyah in Hasakeh province near the Syrian-Turkish border on Monday. — AFP Cousins in command seal family rule Kurds and Syrian regime battle for wheat over Iraq Kurds azing over his wheat field in northeastern Syria, ized, Syria’s Kurds have largely stayed out of the eight- the cereal to other parts of Syria, he said. “We will not farmer Adel Othman expects a bumper crop this year civil war, instead setting up their own institutions in allow it to leave northeast Syria,” he added, without pro- Gyear, but two rival authorities squabbling over his areas under their control. But they did lead the US- viding further details on how this would be achieved. he succession of two powerful cousins to the harvest have dashed his enthusiasm. After successive backed fight against IS in Syria, and are now hoping that top government posts in Iraqi Kurdistan has droughts and eight years of civil war, both the local will give them leverage in retaining a degree of autonomy ‘Wheat weapon’ Tsealed the Barzani family’s “monarchic” rule over Kurdish authorities and the Damascus regime are desper- in the northeast. Syria’s war has killed more than 370,000 people since the autonomous region, analysts say. With his son and ate to buy up his region’s produce to feed their people “The Kurds do not want to let wheat out because the it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-govern- nephew at the helm, veteran leader Masoud Barzani is and maintain the peace. In a country where millions production is barely enough to feed the local population,” ment protests. After successive Russia-backed victories expected to remain the region’s “real boss,” despite no depend on bread as a staple food to survive, both want Syria expert Fabrice Balanche said. “If the wheat went off against rebels and jihadists since 2015, President Bashar longer holding a formal government position. the wheat grown in the country’s northeastern breadbas- to Damascus because of the higher price, it would cause a al-Assad’s regime today controls some 60 percent of the Yesterday, the region’s parliament named Masoud’s ket region of Hasakeh. food crisis,” he added. According to the World Food country. But Syrians in these areas are struggling to get by eldest son Masrour Barzani, 50, as the region’s new Farmers in the Kurdish-held region like Othman have Programme, 6.5 million people in Syria are “food inse- in an economy ravaged by war, as well as facing fuel short- premier after seven years as its top security official. been caught up in the middle, with only two potential cure”, or do not know where their next meal is coming ages the regime blames on international sanctions. He succeeds his 52-year-old cousin Nechirvan - buyers, neither offering a satisfactory price. Our “liveli- from. This year Syria is anticipating an ample crop yield “Assad needs access to cereal crops in northeast Syria sworn in as president the previous day. Their party, the hood should not be transformed into a political bargaining after abundant rain, following a wheat harvest last year to prevent a bread crisis in the areas of western Syria that Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), was founded by chip,” said the 55-year-old, his sky-blue shirt streaked in that was the worst since 1989. he controls,” Syria analyst Nicholas Heras said. But in the the cousins’ storied grandfather Mustafa - and while places with dry earth. The regime is offering a better The Syrian government is expecting 850,000 tonnes almost 30 percent of the country they control, the Kurds the clan’s domination of the KDP was long apparent, price, but the Kurds have said no wheat can leave the of wheat from Hasakeh. The head of the Damascus gov- and their US ally also need to cling on to the wheat as a their rise through democratic means clinches its con- region under their control. “We’ll sell our crop to the ernment’s agriculture office in Hasakeh, Amer Sello, told trump card in ongoing negotiations. Damascus and the trol over public institutions. “The Barzanis were highest bidder,” Othman said in Kurdish by his field in the AFP he expected to snap up most of the province’s har- Kurds have started talks to discuss the future of the already strong enough within the KRG, but now they area of Amuda. “In the end, a farmer needs to make a vest. “Government cereal reception centres will see grow- northeast, but so far without success. are becoming even stronger,” said Kamal Chomani, a profit,” he said, his short black hair slightly unruly above a ers flock because of the attractive prices,” he said. The At a national level, endless rounds of UN-brokered Kurdish analyst with the Tahrir Institute for Middle thick moustache. Kurds last month increased their buying price for a kilo of peace talks have also failed to end the war. “Wheat is a East Policy. “They know it is not possible in Iraq and wheat from 150 to 160 Syrian pounds ($0.37), but that is weapon of great power in this next phase of the Syrian the Kurdistan region to legally establish a monarchy, ‘Food crisis’ still not enough to compete with the regime’s offered 185. conflict,” Heras said. And the Kurds and their US ally but they have established one practically,” he told AFP. Farmers are especially eager to sell their crop to make The Kurdish grain authority chief, Salman Bardo, “have a significant stockpile of this wheat weapon”, Heras Iraqi Kurdistan has been split for decades between up for poor harvests in previous years, but also to save accused the regime of announcing its higher price “to sow said. “It can be used to apply pressure on the Assad the KDP and its rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan them from fires - some claimed by the Islamic State group discord between the people and the autonomous adminis- regime, and through the regime on Russia, to force con- (PUK). In Oct 2017, the KDP spearheaded a contro- - that have ravaged fields in the region. Long marginal- tration”. The Kurds would not permit the regime to ferry cessions in the UN-led diplomatic process.” — AFP versial independence referendum that prompted Baghdad to reoccupy large swathes of Kurdish-held appointed by President Donald Trump seen as likely to nonprofit Yellowhammer Fund, which subsidizes abortions territory and led to Masoud’s resignation as president. approve such a reversal -Alabama this year passed one of for low-income women, say the state’s deeply conservative But a year later, the party made a resounding come- In Alabama, an the country’s most restrictive laws, banning most abortions values lead to a neglect of women’s needs. back in regional elections, winning 45 of the 111-seat even in cases of rape or incest. It will take effect in They point to a shortage of health care services and Kurdish parliament. It could therefore comfortably increased blurring November unless blocked by legal challenges. bemoan the schools’ conservative approach to sex educa- elect Nechirvan as president in late May despite a The religiosity of Alabamians is undeniable. Eighty-two tion. The high schools, Reyes said, teach that sex “should PUK boycott, and Masrour’s nomination sailed through of church-state line percent of Alabama’s 4.8 million people say they believe in only be done in the context of heterosexual marriage.” Is it a few weeks later. God “with absolute certainty,” according to a 2016 Pew acceptable, then, to use condoms or other contraceptive survey. Compare that to the 40 percent in Massachusetts methods? “Oh no,” she said, with a surprised laugh. “Oh The ‘real boss’ n Alabama, look up - almost anywhere - and you’ll see who say so. Some secular-minded Alabamians say they my God. Mercy!” Sex education is not a required subject With the cousins in command, analysts expect the a church. In this state already ranked as one of the most find the pervasive influence of religion repressive, and in Alabama. But if it is taught, teachers must follow the KRG’s decision-making process - and the policies Ireligious in the country, the traditional separation Americans elsewhere see events in that state as part of a guidance laid out in a 1975 state law advocating absti- themselves - will be increasingly influenced by family between church and state has been increasingly blurred. growing threat to the long untouchable line separating nence - a stance backed by many religious conservatives. politics. Megan Connelly, a doctoral candidate at the Soon, classrooms in Alabama’s public schools may be church and state. “I shouldn’t have to follow the rules of a Under that law, abstinence is promoted “as the only guar- State University of New York and analyst on Kurdish allowed to hang crucifixes and other religious iconography belief system that I don’t belong to,” said 25-year-old anteed way of preventing sexually transmitted diseases affairs, said the grandiose Barzani family home would on their walls; and the religious conservatives who domi- Margaux Hartline. Growing up in Alabama, she was taught and unexpected pregnancies,” said Michael Sibley, a rival government bodies as the centre of gravity for nate the state have been a potent force in the heated that a young girl had to remain a virgin until marriage. She spokesman for the Alabama Department of Education. policymaking. “The assertion of Barzani headquarters debate over abortion rights. is now a lesbian activist and a fierce defender of abortion Local school systems do “have the ability to teach about as this alternative institution is becoming quite appar- As a largely religiously driven push to outlaw abortion rights in this southern state deep in the country’s “Bible contraception if their local board supports that policy” - ent right now,” she said. nationwide gains steam - with two Supreme Court justices Belt”. Hartline and Amanda Reyes, a spokeswoman for the but that is said to happen rarely. — AFP As a result, Connelly told AFP, the presidency as an independent institution would “definitely be weaker, and Nechirvan will struggle to step out of Masoud’s shadow”. Indeed, the first speech after Nechirvan’s Freedom and fear: swearing-in on Monday did not go to the new presi- dent but to his uncle, Masoud. And in a March inter- Kosovo remembers view with Al-Monitor, Nechirvan admitted Masoud remained “the real boss”, describing him as “the one person who cannot be removed from the scene”. war, 20 years after The elder Barzani would also likely have a role mediating any dispute between his son and nephew. wenty years ago tears were flowing in Kosovo - of “Nechirvan and Masrour Barzani will remain united in joy or of despair depending which side you were on the face of external challenges facing their family and T- as NATO troops rolled in, ending the war with the KDP,” said Chomani. “However, their internal con- Serbia. For Kosovo Albanians, June 12, 1999 was a day of flicts over power and resources, as well as monopoly of liberation from Belgrade’s repression. But for the Serb the market, will intensify.” minority, it was a loss that ushered in a new chapter of fear and uncertainty. Today marks the 20th anniversary of that ‘One, big, warring family’ turning point. Kosovo’s government will celebrate with The phenomenon of family rule is not limited to the fanfare, in a ceremony featuring a speech from former US KDP, with the PUK, too, dominated by the Talabani president Bill Clinton, a core ally during his time in office. family. One of its founders, Jalal Talabani, served as NATO’s three-month intervention ultimately halted federal president of Iraq from 2006 to 2014 and his the violence between Albanian separatists and Serb son, Qubad, served as the KRG’s deputy premier and forces under the direction of strongman Slobodan could return for another term. The Barzanis and Milosevic. But while the violence was ended, the two Talabanis have been bitter rivals for decades, fighting a sides have never fully reconciled. Relations between civil war in the mid-1990s that left thousands dead Kosovo’s Albanian and Serb communities remain fraught. before Masoud and Jalal signed a peace agreement. Memories of June 12 trace that split. Shpresa Gashi, a 68- Now, said Connelly, the older generations “sit across year-old Kosovo Albanian singer, recalls the “explosion the table and they bring their sons and their grandsons. of emotions” after news arrived that the international This is almost one, big, warring family”. troops had entered Kosovo. The familiarity has sparked bitterness among oppo- Over the course of a year and a half, the conflict had sition parties, including the New Generation move- claimed 13,000 lives - the vast majority Kosovo Albanians. ment, founded in 2018 to channel public anger at the At the time, Gashi was one of the hundreds of thousands region’s elite. “Bringing Masrour as PM is the final step of people who had fled to neighboring states as war broke towards establishing family rule in Kurdistan through out. “It was the first time I saw joy among refugees from democratic means,” said Sarkawt Shamsaddin, a New Kosovo,” she recalled. Esat Rexhepi, a 72-year-old living Generation MP in Iraq’s federal parliament. He told in Pristina, also cherishes the memory of that “wonderful AFP the muted public reaction showed residents were day”. “I put on my best suit, put on a tie and went out to “demoralized.” “They are tired of KRG politics, party welcome NATO troops,” he remembered, smiling. politics and polarization. The situation has been nor- For Edita Brajshori, a 40-year-old Pristina hairdresser, malized, which is really dangerous,” said Shamsaddin. what lingers is the sound of music pouring out of apart- In the short term, the formalization of family rule ment windows that had been shuttered for months. “It was possible to hear loud music in Albanian for the first time would likely stymie opposition parties’ attempts at after so many years,” she told AFP. affecting change, he said. But it may sow the seeds of But fear and bitterness still dominate the memories of long-term activism if party members unhappy with the Kosovo’s Serbs, a community caught up in the crossfire. domination of a single clan splinter off into new fac- Serbs have lived for centuries in Kosovo, a southern region tions. “This is how I think change will come,” said considered a cradle of their Orthodox Christian faith. After Shamsaddin. — AFP the war, many were pressured to either flee or sequester themselves in enclaves. There was also a series of revenge attacks on their community, seen as score-settling after years of oppression suffered by ethnic Albanians under All articles appearing on this page are the Milosevic. According to Belgrade, 200,000 Serbs ulti- personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait mately left Kosovo to take refuge in Serbia. Around 120,000 remain, mainly in the north near the border. “I was Times takes no responsibility for views crying.... I watched our army withdraw and foreigners expressed therein. arrive,” said Dobrosav Jakovljevic, a 73-year-old Serb who now lives in Kosovo’s north, a poor region. — AFP Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

Oil prices pummeled in May Gulf Bank congratulates winner NBK launches ‘Go Business +’ for 12by escalating trade tensions 13 of its 5th monthly salary draw 14 its Business Banking Customers

The Amazon logo at the entrance area of the Amazon logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France. US retail giant Amazon has moved past hi-tech titans Apple and Google to become the world’s most valuable brand, a key survey showed.—AFP Amazon dethrones Google as top global brand Survey shows US retail giant’s brand value surges by 52% to $315 billion

LONDON: US retail giant Amazon has sitions, superior customer services and a with Apple on $309.5 billion, Google on tance, 23 of the top 100 brands were Asian- consumer touchpoints. moved past hi-tech titans Apple and disruptive business model, Kantar said in a $309 billion and Microsoft on $251 billion. including 15 from China. The leading brands “Using their consumer experience and Google to become the world’s most valu- statement. “Amazon’s smart acquisitions, Payments specialist Visa had the fifth have embraced “disruptive” business models expertise, these brands are crossing over able brand, a key survey showed yesterday. that have led to new revenue streams, excel- biggest value at almost $178 billion, while to beat traditional rivals in the technology, into the business services sector, creating The brand value of Amazon surged by 52 lent customer service provision and its abili- social networking group Facebook was the finance and retail sectors. new opportunities for brand growth. percent to $315 billion, global market ty to stay ahead of its competitors by offer- sixth largest at nearly $159 billion. For the “Amazon’s phenomenal brand value “Disruptive ecosystem models are flour- research agency Kantar said in its 2019 100 ing a diverse ecosystem of products and first time, Alibaba beat Tencent to become growth of almost $108 billion in the last year ishing in regions such as Asia, where con- Top BrandZ report. services, have allowed Amazon to continu- the most valuable Chinese brand. E-com- demonstrates how brands are now less sumers are more technology-enabled and Amazon jumped from third to first place ously accelerate its brand value growth,” merce leader Alibaba was the seventh anchored to individual categories and where brands are integrating themselves to eclipse Google-which slid from first to said Kantar. The agency, which is owned by biggest at $131.2 billion, up two places on regions,” said Doreen Wang, Kantar’s global into every aspect of people’s daily lives.” third place with Apple holding on to the British advertising group WPP, added that the previous year. head of BrandZ. “The boundaries are blur- Brand value on the key survey is calculated second spot. The Seattle-based retail behe- Amazon showed “little sign” of any slow- Internet giant Tencent fell three spots to ring as technology fluency allow brands, on the basis of the companies’ financial per- moth, founded by Jeff Bezos in his garage in down in its growth. The top ten companies stand at number eight with a value of $130.9 such as Amazon, Google and Alibaba, to formance and their standing among con- 1994, topped the table thanks to key acqui- were once again dominated by US firms, billion. In a sign of Asia’s growing impor- offer a range of services across multiple sumers across the globe. — AFP

China says will Trump renews respond if US Mexico tariff escalates threat amid row MEXICO CITY: US President Donald Trump renewed his threat Monday to impose tariffs on Mexico as controversy trade tensions erupted over what exactly is in the countries’ new migration BEIJING: China will respond firmly if the United States deal, which the Mexican government admitted would be insists on escalating trade tensions, the foreign ministry reviewed in 45 days. Trump reignited the pressure three days said yesterday after US President Donald Trump said after granting a reprieve from tariffs that he had threatened to SAN DIEGO: Trucks wait in line to exit the inspection facility further tariffs were ready to kick in if no deal was apply from this week to force the major US trading partner to and enter the United States at the Otay Mesa port of entry MIAMI BEACH, Florida: The Bremen Express cargo ship boost measures against illegal immigrants trying to enter the reached at a G20 summit this month. Trump has repeat- prepares to dock at PortMiami, which saw China as its at the US-Mexico border in San Diego, California.—AFP edly said he is getting ready to meet Chinese President United States. top trading country in 2018, as trade tension continues Xi Jinping at the Osaka summit at the end of June, but In a series of statements and tweets, Trump alluded to between the US and China.—AFP China has not confirmed it. China did not confirm a still-secret provisions in the deal that he said would need been agreed on months before his tariff threat. Secretary of planned face-to-face meeting between President Xi approval by the Mexican Congress. “If for any reason the State Mike Pompeo sidestepped controversy, instead praising Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump, will resolutely respond and fight to the end.” approval is not forthcoming, Tariffs will be reinstated!” he Mexico and highlighting what he said was an example of after the US leader threatened new tariffs against US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross yesterday tweeted. “diplomacy at its finest.” Beijing amid an escalating trade war. Trump said a downplayed this month’s summit in Japan, saying it Faced with a surge of Central American immigrants flee- “It’s the biggest effort to date that the Mexicans have com- meeting with Xi has been “scheduled” during the G20 would not be “a place where anyone makes a definitive ing poverty and gang violence, Trump had already declared mitted. It’s something that we pressed for,” he said. “We will summit in Japan later this month, and that he expected deal.” “At the G20, at most it will be ... some sort of a national emergency in an effort to build his promised bor- work closely with them to make sure that that is a successful the Chinese leader to attend. agreement on a path forward, but certainly it’s not going der wall with Mexico, and had also more than once threat- effort.” “We have noticed that the US has repeatedly pub- to be a definite agreement,” Ross told CNBC in a televi- ened to shut the frontier before mooting the tariffs. Controversial deal licly expressed its expectation that the Chinese and US sion interview. The president did not go into details Monday, but Mexico heads of state will meet during the G20 summit,” foreign Tensions between Washington and Beijing rose said it had agreed to discuss one of Trump’s top demands, a Trump’s tariffs were to start at five percent Monday and ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular brief- sharply in May after the Trump administration accused so-called “safe third-country agreement”-in which migrants rise incrementally to 25 percent by October. Economists had ing. “If there is any news in this regard, we will release it China of having reneged on promises to make structural entering Mexican territory must apply for asylum there rather warned the pain of those threatened levies and Mexican retal- in due time.” economic changes during months of trade talks. The than the US-if the flow of undocumented Central Americans iatory measures would have been acute for both countries, A Trump-Xi meeting would mark a turning point in United States is seeking sweeping changes, including an continues. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who led the with potentially global spillover. the bruising trade dispute between the world’s two end to forced technology transfers and theft of US trade Mexican negotiating team in Washington last week, said he Markets were relieved over the deal struck Friday. But what biggest economies, which has spooked markets world- secrets. It also wants curbs on subsidies for Chinese had rebuffed the US demand for such a measure, but agreed is known of the agreement has drawn criticism from human wide and sparked worries about the global economy. state-owned enterprises and better access for US firms to revisit the matter in 45 days. rights groups who condemn what they call a Draconian crack- Trump said last week he would decide after the meet- in Chinese markets. “In the meeting with the vice president of the United down on migration and the criminalization of immigrants. And ing of the leaders of the world’s largest economies On May 10, Trump raised tariffs on $200 billion of States, they were insistent on the safe third-country issue,” as the contours of the deal continued to come to light, it whether to carry out a threat to impose tariffs on at least Chinese goods up to 25 percent and took steps to levy Ebrard told a press conference. “We told them-I think it was appeared to grant Mexico only a temporary reprieve-with $300 billion in Chinese goods. On Monday, Trump said he duties on an additional $300 billion in Chinese imports. the most important achievement of the negotiations-’let’s set a confusion surrounding key elements. was ready to impose another round of punitive tariffs on Beijing retaliated with tariff hikes on a revised list of $60 time period to see if what Mexico is proposing will work, and Ebrard said Friday that the promised deployment of 6,000 Chinese imports if he cannot make progress in trade talks billion in US goods. The US government has also if not, we’ll sit down and see what additional measures’” are officers from Mexico’s newly created National Guard to the with Xi in Osaka. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman angered China by putting Huawei Technologies Co Ltd needed, he said. Told by reporters at the White House that southern border would begin Monday. Geng Shuang again would not be drawn on confirming a on a blacklist that effectively bans US companies from Mexico has not confirmed its legislature will vote on the However, he appeared to backtrack Monday, saying the Xi-Trump meeting at G20, saying information would be doing business with the Chinese firm, the world’s biggest unspecified further measures, Trump answered: “I don’t think deployment would happen “as quickly as possible.” There was released once it was available to the ministry. telecoms equipment maker. Investors worry China will they’ll be denying it very long.” no sign of a new deployment in Tapachula, the entry point for “China does not want to fight a trade war, but we are retaliate by putting US companies on a blacklist or ban- Under the deal, Mexico agreed to bolster security on its the migrant caravans that have crossed Mexico in recent not afraid of fighting a trade war,” he said, adding ning exports to the United States of rare earth metals, southern border and expand its policy of taking back asylum- months, AFP correspondents said. Local officials said the fed- China’s door was open to talks based on equality. “If the which are used in products such as memory chips, seekers as the United States processes their claims. Trump eral government had indicated the new deployment could take United States only wants to escalate trade frictions, we rechargeable batteries and cell phones. —Agencies angrily rebuffed criticism over a New York Times report that around a week. In the meantime, it has sent 400 federal police said the main terms of the deal were not new, and had in fact reinforcements to the border, they said.—AFP 12 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, June 12, 2019

NBK economic report Oil prices pummeled in May by escalating trade tensions OPEC+ continues to pare back supply as crude stocks fall KUWAIT: Oil prices recorded their first monthly decline of 2019 in May, with international crude benchmarks Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declining by at least 11 percent m/m to $64.5/bbl and $53.5/bbl, respectively, by month’s end. Oil’s performance in May was its worst for that month in seven years. Oil, along with international financial markets more broadly, has been buffeted by increasing market anxi- ety over the negative impact on global economic growth of the deteriorating US-China trade relation- and Russia (pipeline contamination) remains acute. ship. Oil prices suffered their biggest one-day sell-off The potential for a positive knock-on effect on oil of the year on the 23 May, falling by 4.5 percent on a prices also increased after regional tensions spiked in combination of trade worries and rising US invento- the wake of the alleged sabotage of five oil tankers off ries, both of which the market took to be bearish for the coast of Fujairah in the UAE and the drone attack oil demand. on Saudi oil facilities by suspected Houthi rebels. Then, as May drew to a close, prices were pum- Crude supply tightens on the upside; and oil demand growth remains healthy. meled by US President Trump’s surprise announce- OPEC+ continues to pare back supply According to the IEA, OECD commercial crude and Deteriorating global trade, sparked by the US-China ment of a 5 percent tariff on all Mexican imports to OPEC+, for its part, notched up another month of petroleum product stocks-a proxy for global invento- trade tariff dispute is at the moment the single biggest the US from 10 June, as he raised the pressure on the over-compliance in April, paring back crude produc- ries-fell for the second month in a row in March, by risk to the global economy, with the potential to signif- Mexican government to halt the flow of illegal immi- tion as it looked to drain excess supplies from the mar- 25.8 mb to 2,849 mb. The decline was considerably icantly upend the current demand growth forecast and grants to the US. Worries over the outlook for oil ket. Aggregate output was 43.7 mb/d, with overall more than the five-year average of 4 mb typical for send oil prices downwards. demand growth were also not helped by the compliance reaching 150 percent. Indeed, April was that time of the year and left stocks 2.2 mb below the In May, the IEA already revised down its demand International Energy Agency’s (IEA) downward revi- the first time in sixteen months that both OPEC and its five-year average at end-March. Global stocks, in growth estimate for 2019, by 90 kb/d to 1.3 mb, due to sion-albeit a slight one-to global oil demand growth non-OPEC partners complied fully with the supply terms of forward demand cover, currently amount to below-forecast growth in Brazil, China and Japan in in 2019 agreement. Non-OPEC members reached 150 percent, 59.8 days, which is the lowest since July 2018. 1Q19. The agency did note, however, that 1Q19 softness thanks mainly to lower supply from Kazahkstan due to According to the IEA projections for demand and could be limited to that quarter and, notwithstanding Geopolitical risk is high though field maintenance. Russia’s compliance rate reached 80 non-OPEC supply growth in 2019 and our own esti- global trade tensions, the pace of demand growth Oil’s fall in May came despite rising geopolitical percent in April, helped in part by the Druzba pipeline mates for OPEC crude production, the market is likely could accelerate during the rest of the year. The onset risks and continuing evidence of market tightness. The contamination. to witness stock draws of an average of 0.63 mb/d of the US and northern hemisphere driving season, for US’s ending of sanctions waivers for some of Iran’s Among OPEC members, Saudi Arabia continues to over the second and third quarters of the year as sup- example, when demand for gasoline traditionally rises, largest crude importers on 2 May, as it vowed to bring do the heavy lifting, bringing its output down to 9.74 ply lags demand. In 4Q19, demand will slightly under- would be positive for oil demand. OPEC and its part- Iranian exports down to “zero”, threatens to intensify mb/d in April, a full 569 kb/d below its official quota shoot supply, leading to small stock build of 0.14 mb/d. ners will be encouraged by the above metrics sugges- global supply constraints amid the OPEC+ production (277 percent compliance). GCC oil producers Kuwait Of course, a number of assumptions are inherent in this tive of a tightening market ahead of their biannual min- cut agreement and while the probability of continued and the UAE recorded compliance rates of 132 percent scenario: OPEC and its partners continue with their isterial meeting this month. In view of the still-delicate low or declining supplies among oil producers such as and 112 percent, respectively. Among the large OPEC production cut accord (with output at roughly April’s oil market dynamics, the expectation will be that, at Venezuela (socio-economic strife and sanctions), Libya oil producers, only Iraq (16 percent) and Nigeria (-153 levels) during the second half of the year; non-OPEC Saudi Arabia’s behest, the OPEC+ group will likely roll (civil-military conflict), Canada (production restraint) percent) have yet to fully comply with the supply pact. supply growth, driven by US shale, does not surprise over the production cuts until the end of the year.

The release of the figures comes as dis- needs final approval by the fund’s board, and Pakistan to content simmers in Pakistan following repeat- it is widely believed the body is waiting for ed devaluations of the rupee, soaring infla- the presentation of the budget before giving UK unemployment rate tion, and increasing utility costs. The eco- the final sign-off. present austerity- nomic pain follows months of failed efforts by Analysts have warned the IMF deal Khan’s administration to stave off ballooning would likely come with myriad restrictions holds at 45-year low centered budget fiscal and balance of payments deficits, along that could bridle Khan’s grand promises to LONDON: British unemployment has he sounded a note of caution about with low tax yields and mounting debt. build an Islamic welfare state, as the coun- held at a 45-year low, official data the impact of Brexit and the slowing after IMF deal “Prime Minister Imran Khan has committed try is forced to tighten its purse strings. showed yesterday, despite headwinds global economy. “The overall picture to... trying to correct things permanently even Pakistan’s increasing economic woes also from Brexit and the slowing global for the UK economy remains one that if we go through hard times for six months or come as the country is facing possible sanc- economy. The unemployment rate is far from thriving and looks to be ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister one year or one and a half years,” said the tions from the Financial Action Task Force-a remained at 3.8 percent in the three simply treading water to be honest,” Imran Khan’s government was set to present country’s finance advisor, Abdul Hafeez money-laundering monitor based in Paris-for months to April-the lowest level since Cheetham said. “But given the dual an austerity-focused budget yesterday, Sheikh, late Monday. failing to rein-in terror financing. The organi- the final quarter of 1974, the Office for headwinds of ongoing political uncer- weeks after the country reached an agree- Earlier Monday, Khan took to the coun- zation will decide soon whether to add National Statistics (ONS) said in a tainty and a slowing global economy, ment with the International Monetary Fund try’s airways for the second time in recent Pakistan to a blacklist that would trigger statement. the current level of activity could for a $6 billion bailout. weeks to plead with Pakistanis to declare automatic sanctions, further weakening an The reading was unchanged from arguably be viewed as about as good The presentation of Khan’s first budget their assets in the latest scheme aimed at already-faltering economy. the rate in the quarter to March, and as could be expected under these cir- comes just a day after the government increasing tax revenues. To add to its troubles, the United States matched market expectations. cumstances.” Official data Monday released the latest round of bleak economic Pakistan has struggled for decades to col- has also warned it will be watching closely to “All in all, there’s very little here to showed UK gross domestic product figures for the cash-strapped country, lect taxes with estimates suggesting that only ensure Pakistan does not use IMF money to suggest any weakness” in the labour contracted 0.4 percent in April on a showing growth for the current fiscal year around one percent of the 200-million strong repay debts to China, which has poured bil- market, said analyst David Cheetham slump in manufacturing caused large- falling to 3.3 percent-well below the 6.2 population filed a return in 2018. lions into the country for infrastructure proj- at online trading firm XTB. However ly by Brexit uncertainty. — AFP percent target. The agreement eked out with the IMF still ects under its Belt and Road Initiative. — AFP

first five months of year, it said. 12 months ending in April, part of the ened by President Donald Trump. Venezuela The slowdown is the result of regu- first official economic indicators World shares Investors are also heartened by expectations lations requiring banks to keep a released in more than five years. the US Federal Reserve will soon start cutting greater percentage of the bolivar cur- Those figures show that the econo- rates, with markets pricing in a cut by July. Those inflation falls rency in reserve, and because the cen- my, which went into recession in 2014, rally again on hopes were re-ignited by Friday’s disappointing tral bank is issuing fewer new bolivars contracted 22.5 percent in the third jobs report, and could be boosted further if retail below 1m% than in the past. quarter of 2018 with respect to the Trump tariff and inflation data this week also disappoint. The result is that the banking sys- same period a year earlier. “We are in a situation where bad news is good tem has less capacity to lend, said leg- The government of President Nicolas news,” said Silvia Dall’Angelo, senior economist at CARACAS: Venezuela’s annual inflation islator Angel Alvarado in an interview, Maduro says Venezuela’s economic relief, Fed hopes Hermes Investment Management, noting the dropped below 1 million percent in May which will further slow an already ail- problems are caused by US sanctions recent dovish signal from Fed Chair Jerome Powell for the first time since 2018, the opposi- ing economy. that have crippled the OPEC member’s LONDON: World shares rallied yesterday to hold and recent lackluster US data. “Equity markets are tion-run congress said on Monday, the “They are slowing inflation through export earnings and blocked it from bor- near one-month highs, with German carmakers relying on loose monetary policy, but they are also result of the central bank restricting the greater economic contraction,” rowing from abroad. Critics say a dys- outperforming and Wall Street looking to extend taking Trump at face value so I expect more domestic money supply. Consumer Alvarado said. functional system of price and currency gains after the United States stepped back from volatility ahead,” Dall’Angelo said. Frankfurt’s prices in the 12 months ending in May The figures are significantly more controls along with a wave of national- imposing tariffs on Mexico. With Frankfurt re- DAX index rose 1.2 percent. BMW, Daimler and rose 815,194 percent, the legislature dire than those published by the cen- izations of private businesses turned opening after a one-day holiday, German VW - considered sensitive to trade tariffs - all said, compared with 1.3 million percent tral bank last week that showed infla- what was once a strong economy into a investors returned to shares after a US-Mexico gained 1.8 percent to 2 percent, mirroring a 1.9 in April. Prices rose 906 percent in the tion at around 130,060 percent in the collapsing basket case. — Reuters deal on Friday apparently averted tariffs threat- percent gain for the auto sector. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Thai Bhat 10.545 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 18.172 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036735 0.039485 Turkish Lira 50.585 AL-MUZAINI EXCHANGE CO. Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.222 Indian Rupee 0.003764 0.004536 Singapore dollars 220.210 Tunisian Dinar 105.660 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Jordanian Dinar 429.950 Japanese Yen 0.002715 0.002895 US Dollar Transfer 304.300 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.030 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Korean Won 0.000247 0.000262 Euro 346.140 Syrian Lira 0.000 Malaysian Ringgit 0.069689 0.075689 Morocco Dirham 32.201 Sterling Pound 388.440 Nepalese Rupee 0.002677 0.003017 CURRENCY BUY SELL Canadian dollar 230.530 Pakistan Rupee 0.001453 0.002223 Europe Turkish lira 53.290 Philippine Peso 0.005743 0.006043 DOLLARCO EXCHANGE CO. LTD British Pound 0.378526 0.392426 Swiss Franc 308.930 Singapore Dollar 0.217344 0.227344 Czech Korune 0.005402 0.014702 US Dollar Buying 303.100 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001351 0.001931 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Danish Krone 0.041995 0.046995 Taiwan 0.009568 0.009748 ASIAN COUNTRIES US Dollar 304.290 Euro 0. 336614 0.350314 Thai Baht 0.009368 0.009918 Japanese Yen 2.801 Canadian Dollar 227.140 Georgian Lari 0.110722 0.110722 Vietnamese Dong 0.00013 0.00013 Indian Rupees 4.385 Sterling Pound 388.330 Hungarian 0.000983 0.001173 Pakistani Rupees 2.094 Euro 342.520 Norwegian Krone 0.031090 0.036290 Arab Srilankan Rupees 1.721 Swiss Frank 306.445 Romanian Leu 0.055983 0.072833 Bahrain Dinar 809.220 Bahraini Dinar 0.792591 0.809091 Nepali Rupees 2.738 Russian ruble 0.004695 0.004695 UAE Dirhams 83.250 Egyptian Pound 0.018083 0.020683 Singapore Dollar 223.750 Slovakia 0.009095 0.019095 Qatari Riyals 84.490 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000086 Hongkong Dollar 38.799 Swedish Krona 0.028246 0.033246 Saudi Riyals 82.040 Iraqi Dinar 0.000210 0.000270 Bangladesh Taka 3.596 Swiss Franc 0.300605 0.311605 Philippine Peso 5.873 Jordanian Dinar 430.470 Jordanian Dinar 0.424290 0.433290 Egyptian Pound 18.055 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Thai Baht 9.748 Australasia Sri Lankan Rupees 1.724 Lebanese Pound 0.000151 0.000251 Malaysian ringgit 77.826 Australian Dollar 0.203063 0.215063 Indian Rupees 4.383 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020471 0.044471 New Zealand Dollar 0.194194 0.203694 Pakistani Rupees 2.016 Omani Riyal 0.784071 0.789751 GCC COUNTRIES America Saudi Riyal 81.201 Bangladesh Taka 3.604 Qatar Riyal 0.079317 0.084257 Canadian Dollar 0.223933 0.232933 Qatari Riyal 83.633 Philippines Pesso 5.807 Saudi Riyal 0.080060 0.081360 US Dollars 0.300200 0.305500 Omani Riyal 790.903 Cyprus pound 18.105 Syrian Pound 0.001290 0.001510 US Dollars Mint 0.300700 0.305500 Bahraini Dinar 808.560 Japanese Yen 3.780 Tunisian Dinar 0.098795 0.106795 UAE Dirham 82.904 Syrian Pound 1.590 Turkish Lira 0.046216 0.056061 Asia Nepalese Rupees 2.741 UAE Dirhams 0.081425 0.083125 Malaysian Ringgit 73.530 Bangladesh Taka 0.003006 0.003807 ARAB COUNTRIES Yemeni Riyal 0.000989 0.001069 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.250 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.545 Chinese Yuan 0.042436 0.045936 Established 1961 13 Business Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Gulf Bank congratulates winner of its 5th monthly salary draw Winner claims a cash prize of up to 12 times his salary

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced the winner of its interest-free loan of up to KD 10,000. Customers must fifth monthly Salary Account draw of the year. This have a minimum salary of KD 500 and are eligible for month’s lucky winner, Wadha Nafae Al-Otaibi, will take the offer following their first salary transfer to Gulf home a cash prize of up to 12 times her salary. Bank. The draw, which took place live at Q8 Pulse 88.8 FM Customers can also enjoy additional benefits like a (Diwaniyat Alyaqout and Al-Ansari show), in the pres- Visa or MasterCard credit card free of charge for a ence of a representative from the Ministry of year. They can also apply for a loan of up to KD Commerce, is the fifth salary draw this year. To date, 70,000 or a consumer loan of up to KD 25,000. Wadha Al-Otaibi is one of five winners of this year’s To find out more about Gulf Bank’s Salary Account, monthly draws, each of whom took home cash prizes. customers can visit one of the Gulf Bank’s 58 branches With the new 2019 Kuwaiti salary offer, new cus- or log on to www.e-gulfbank.com. Customers can also tomers who transfer their salaries to Gulf Bank are contact the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 or automatically enrolled in the monthly draws, giving direct their queries through the WhatsApp service on them the chance to win cash prizes of up to 12 times 65805805 for assistance and guidance. their salary. Customers are also enrolled in a yearly Gulf Bank is one of the leading conventional banks in draw of Kuwait’s largest salary prize, a cash prize of up Kuwait with total assets of KD 6 billion for year ending to 100 times the winner’s salary. 31 December 2018. The Bank provides a broad offering Gulf Bank’s Salary Account also gives new cus- of consumer banking, wholesale banking, treasury, and tomers the opportunity to receive either a KD 100 cash financial services through its large network of 58 gift upon transferring their salaries to Gulf Bank or an branches and more than 200 ATMs in Kuwait.

for ever. But Vlieghe, another MPC external member, BoE policymakers was more cautious when asked about his colleagues’ views yesterday. “The news since May I think has been ... a little dis- bang drum for appointing and in terms of both the global downside risks and the domestic downside risks my read is that Cubans left higher rates despite they have both intensified,” Vlieghe said at a panel dis- cussion hosted by the National Institute of Economic frustrated by and Social Research (NIESR). NIESR forecast on Brexit clouds Monday that Britain’s economy was on track to con- tract during the current quarter for the first time since slow and costly LONDON: Bank of England Deputy Governor Ben 2012, after official data showed a 0.4 percent fall in Broadbent added his voice to reminders from the cen- GDP in April. This decline was driven by planned clo- Internet rollout LONDON: BoE Governor Mark Carney attends a mone- tral bank that it still wants to raise interest rates, but sures by car factories which had feared disruption tary policy committee in London. —AFP one of his colleagues, Gertjan Vlieghe, struck a differ- around the original Brexit date of March 29 date. HAVANA: Six months on from the euphoria that ent note by highlighting recent weak data. The US Saunders, speaking at a business event in greeted full Internet access for mobile phones on Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank have with our projection ... interest rates would probably Southampton late on Monday, said the BoE had fore- the communist-run island, frustrated Cubans com- sounded more dovish after trade tensions grew have to rise by a little more than what was in the curve cast a slowdown in the second quarter after pre-Brexit plain it is too expensive, too slow and crippled by between the United States and China, but the BoE has at the time of the forecast,” he told legislators. stockpiling boosted first-quarter growth. government censorship. Hundreds have joined a kept the door open for tighter policy. Broadbent said he was not particularly bothered if Speaking to legislators yesterday, just before Twitter campaign to call for affordable rates. Governor Mark Carney told investors last month that markets disagreed with the BoE’s outlook, given the Broadbent, he said he expected consumer spending to “We are hungry, hungry for information, hungry they were wrong to price in just one BoE rate rise over deep uncertainty about Brexit which could change the beat the BoE’s forecasts, adding to inflation pressures. for online surfing, hungry for knowledge and intel- the next three years. While Britain’s economy is outlook significantly. The BoE’s forecasts assume that Britain’s job market continues to be strong - bucking lectual freedom,” summed up one user. “It’s not shrouded in uncertainty about Brexit, data yesterday Britain will avoid an abrupt departure from the EU. the subdued trend in most of the economy since June possible that the Internet is a luxury in the 21st showed that wages are growing strongly, raising the 2016’s Brexit referendum - and official data yesterday Century,” said another campaigner using the hash- prospect of inflation pressure ahead. Global risks showed faster-than-expected wage growth and job cre- tag #BajenLosPreciosDeInternet-”drop Internet But financial markets think the BoE is more likely to Two other BoE policymakers, chief economist ation during April. Pay excluding bonuses rose at its prices” in Spanish. Another accused state-owned cut rates than to raise them over the coming year, given Andy Haldane and Monetary Policy Committee exter- fastest annual pace since May 2008 in April alone, up telecommunications company Etecsa of spying on the risk of a disorderly departure from the European nal member Michael Saunders, have made the case 3.8 percent on the year. “If the BoE wants to push back the population. Etecsa “is spying on us and censor- Union on Oct. 31 as well as the slowing world economy. for a rate rise more forcefully in recent days. Haldane against a dovish market ... this data may provide some ing us with full impunity.” Broadbent said yesterday he still shared the BoE’s view said the time was nearing for a rate rise to nip infla- ammunition,” HSBC economist Elizabeth Martins wrote from early May that rates would need to rise faster than tion pressure in the bud, while Saunders said Brexit in a note to clients. The BoE announces its next policy Blocked sites markets expect. “Were the economy to develop in line uncertainty was not a reason to delay tighter policy decision on June 20. — Reuters “Cubans’ purchasing power is one of the lowest in the American continent, so is the minimum wage and access to the Internet is not among the cheap- strategic partners to address the needs est,” said Norges Rodriguez, who runs a technology Fiat Chrysler of customers in a rapidly changing blog, Yucabyte.org. Mobile packages run from $7 industry,” said Mike Manley, FCA’s chief for 600 megabytes to $30 for 4 gigabytes. Those executive. “Aurora brings a unique prices put it of reach for the vast majority of Cubans taps Aurora for skillset combined with advanced and who subsist on a wage of around $30 a month paid purposeful technology that comple- by public sector jobs. Uptake is poor for home self-driving ments and enhances our approach to Internet. Only 79,000 homes have signed up to the self-driving.” service, — out of a population of 11.2 million. The deal is the latest for Aurora, co- “If you want to connect to the Internet at home vehicles founded by former Google car executive 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you have to pay Chris Urmson, and which has integrated the equivalent of $800 a month. “There is no flat its technology into sedans, SUVs, mini- rate on that service, as you have in the rest of the WASHINGTON: Fiat Chrysler vans and trucks. “We are thrilled to world,” he said. Rodriguez said the Havana govern- Automobiles said Monday it would forge a partnership with FCA US to ment also banned any news sites critical of the gov- develop self-driving systems for its develop a meaningful business model ernment. “The government has blocked all media commercial vehicles in partnership for delivering the benefits of self-driving websites with content they dislike.” with Aurora Innovation, a tech startup commercial vehicles,” said Sterling The ongoing US embargo means sites like led by a former Google car executive. Anderson, Aurora co-founder and chief Google, Apple and Amazon cannot be accessed Under the partnership, Aurora will sup- BURLINGAME, California: The Fiat logo is displayed near a car at a Fiat dealer- product officer. ship in Burlingame, California. — AFP from Cuban IP addresses, said Rodriquez. The gov- ply a self-driving platform that com- Aurora earlier this year secured ernment recently greenlighted the importation of prises the hardware, software, and data $530 million in new funding that includ- routers to allow private wifi networks, albeit using services that aim for “level 4” autono- ed a “significant” investment from more than $2.5 billion. ing with automakers. Volkswagen said state-monopoly Etecsa servers. my which can navigate without human Amazon. The funding round led by Aurora is developing the technology last year it would work with Aurora to Critics say the dollar-an-hour cost makes it too intervention. Silicon Valley venture capital power- for autonomous vehicles, but leaving the create self-driving cars, hoping to expensive. Before the roll-out of 3G technology in “As part of FCA’s autonomous vehicle house Sequoia reportedly valued the making of cars to other companies, deploy fleets of autonomous taxis to city December-opening up the online world to the strategy, we will continue to work with startup launched just two years ago at working alongside, rather than compet- streets by 2021. — AFP country’s 5.3 million smartphone users-the Internet was available to the general public only via wifi Producer prices excluding food, ener- hotspots, payable by the hour. Underlying gy and trade services rose 0.4 percent last month, matching April’s gain, the No turning back Last year, Abraham Jiminez discovered that his government said. The so-called core PPI online magazine, El Estornudo, was blocked. US producer increased 2.3 percent in the 12 months “Readers started to write to me saying they through May after rising 2.2 percent in couldn’t access it, and when I realized I couldn’t April. Weaker energy and food prices, inflation either, I thought it was a server problem,” he says. however, partially offset the increase in Sixteen months later, the site-which offers an inde- services last month. That led the produc- pendent view of the news-remains inaccessible in pushing higher er price index for final demand to edge Cuba. He never received an official explanation over up 0.1 percent in May after gaining 0.2 why it was blocked. WASHINGTON: US producer prices percent in April. In the 12 months increased solidly for a second straight He says the Havana government is scared about through May, the PPI climbed 1.8 per- the reach of social networks, especially since the month in May, boosted by a surge in the cent, slowing from April’s 2.2 percent cost of hotel accommodation and gains arrival of 3G. “This has generated a different dis- advance. course from the official discourse, with real life in a range of other services, pointing to Economists polled by Reuters had a steady pickup in underlying inflation effect,” says Jiminez. “Now, once they organize forecast the PPI would nudge up 0.1 online, Cubans can demonstrate against animal pressures. The report from the Labor percent in May and rise 2.0 percent on a Department yesterday likely supports Shoppers carry bags of purchased merchandise at the King of Prussia Mall, abuse, for the rights of the LGBT community, year-on-year basis. US Treasury yields protests like that would have been unthinkable in the Federal Reserve’s view that the United States’ largest retail shopping space, in King of Prussia. ticked up and the dollar rose to a session the past.” recent weak inflation readings are prob- high against a basket of currencies after “That’s what the government is afraid of.” Larry ably transitory. the release of the data. US stock index measure, the core personal consumption since April 2009. Press, professor of information systems at the Fed policymakers are scheduled to futures were trading higher. expenditures (PCE) price index, That accounted for nearly 80 percent University of Texas and author of a blog on the meet on June 18-19 against the back- increased 1.6 percent in the year to April of the rise in services prices in May. Internet in Cuba, agrees. “When the Internet was drop of rising trade tensions, slowing Food prices fall after gaining 1.5 percent in March. Data Services prices rose 0.3 percent after first launched, Cuba was possibly one of the most growth and a sharp step-down in hiring The services-led increase in the core for May will be released later this month. gaining 0.1 percent in April. The cost of advanced nations in Latin America and the in May that have led financial markets to PPI last month is likely to translate into a In May, wholesale energy prices fell healthcare services increased 0.2 per- Caribbean” because of connections built-up by the price in at least two interest rate cuts by slightly higher reading for other under- 1.0 percent after rising 1.8 percent in the cent last month after increasing 0.3 per- Soviet Union,” said Press. “In the pre-Internet net- the end of 2019. Fed Chairman Jerome lying inflation measures in May. prior month. Goods prices slipped 0.2 cent in April. There were increases in the work they were doing quite well. Then they got an Powell said last week that the US central According to a Reuters survey of econ- percent last month after gaining 0.3 per- prices for both inpatient and outpatient Internet connection that was subsidized by the bank was closely monitoring the impli- omists, core consumer prices probably cent in April. Wholesale food prices fell care last month. Those healthcare costs United States “They decided not to follow the cations of the trade tensions on the increased 0.2 percent last month after 0.3 percent in May. Core goods prices feed into the core PCE price index. Internet, to not let it in,” fearing a large-scale rollout economy and would “act as appropriate nudging up 0.1 percent in April. The were unchanged for a second straight There were also gains in prices for pas- would lead to social unrest and a political shift simi- to sustain the expansion.” A rate cut is, consumer price data will be published month. Prices for hotel accommodation senger transportation and portfolio lar to Moscow’s Perestroika. — Reuters however, not expected next Wednesday. today. The Fed’s preferred inflation surged 10.1 percent in May, the most management. — Reuters 14 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Business NBK launches ‘Go Business +’ for its Business Banking Customers NBK is the first bank in Kuwait to launch this service

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched the develop products and servic- through a single portal. We are certain NBK cardholders latest of its services aimed at providing an advanced bank- es that provide an enhanced will embrace the new service to reap its many benefits, and ing experience on par with international standards, intro- banking experience to our we will continue to work with a like-minded partner such ducing the Go Business + service in partnership with customers. The launch of “Go as NBK to redefine the everyday banking experience for Mastercard and available for its Business Banking cus- Business +” comes as part of business banking customers.” tomers who benefit from a range of offers and discounts. our endeavors and targets NBK Business Banking customers have access to a NBK is the first Bank in Kuwait to launch this service. our Business Banking cus- wide range of banking products and services including: Customers holding an NBK Business Banking Credit tomers to give them more Business Banking Officers, Points of Sale, Business Card benefit from the service with access to many offers advantages when banking Banking Credit Cards, Online Salary Transfers, Online provided by international brand names including basic with us.” Wavare added that Banking, Insurance, Business Loans, Letters of Credit, and business services and special features for employees. NBK commits to providing local invoices. NBK also provides 9 Business Banking “Go Business +” is a Mastercard platform that supports the most advanced solutions branches tailored to the needs of customers and located entrepreneurs and helps them focus on the development of Deepankar Wavare catering to the needs of every across Kuwait, including: Head Office, Surra, Shuwaikh, their business by facilitating easy and quick communica- customer and in particular Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Arraya Tower 2 (5th floor), Fintas, tion with suppliers and negotiating the best prices with Business Banking customers, Ghazali, Sharq, and Ras Salmiya. These branches provide a world leading brands. helping them run their business easily and conveniently, team of professionals with different expertise to service NBK customers can request access to the service by gaining time and effort, and supporting their success. Business Banking customers. Customers benefit from a visiting www.gobusinessplus.com/kw where they can reg- Girish Nanda, General Manager, Mastercard said, one-on-one experience with their Business Banking ister, and then search and claim offers through the mobile “Supporting the long-term profitability and growth of Officer for credit, financial and investment consulting, app of the service. Commenting on the campaign, businesses is a key priority for Mastercard in Kuwait and commercial finance and treasury. Customers can complete Deepankar Wavare, (Head of Cards and Loans), National across the region. The Go Business platform is an innova- their banking transactions in a seamless and convenient, Bank of Kuwait, said, “We have a strong and long-standing tive network that enables entrepreneurs to redeem incred- and visit NBK.com to learn more about the Business partnership with Mastercard and continue to collaborate to ible discounts across a broad range of leading brands Banking products and services.

CI affirms KAMCO’s Burgan Bank ‘BBB’ credit rating announces winner with a ‘stable’ outlook

of Al-Thuraya KUWAIT: KAMCO Investment Company, a leading investment company with one of the largest AUMs in the salary account draw region, announced that Capital Intelligence Ratings (“CI”) has affirmed the Company’s long-term credit rating at KUWAIT: Burgan Bank, announced yesterday Husain ‘BBB’ and short-term at ‘A3’ with a stable outlook in a Mustafa Mohammad Al-Fahad as the lucky winner of the recently released report. Al-Thuraya Salary Account monthly draw. CI’s report highlighted KAMCO’s substantial The draw rewards new and existing customers who assets under management, growing investment bank- transfer their salary to Burgan Bank by offering them a ing business and recent acquisition of a majority that KAMCO’s liquidity has improved, and that the rating acknowledges the strength of our team, and busi- chance to win a Nissan Patrol SUV every month. With stake in Global Investment House (“Global”). Company holds a good track record and strong mar- ness, which we plan to further enhance throughout execut- every KD 10 available in the account, the customer KAMCO’s AUM reached $13.8 billion as of 31 March ket position in asset management. ing growth and expansion strategy. We will continue to receives one chance to enter the draw. The Al-Thuraya 2019, including the effect of acquiring the majority Faisal Mansour Sarkhou, CEO of KAMCO, said, harness the full potential of our organizational resources, account holders have the option to hold money in Kuwaiti stake in Global. Aside from the sharp increase in “Capital Intelligence’s affirmation of KAMCO’s credit rat- while taking advantage of new opportunities in regional dinar and other major currencies and can access account- AUM, the acquisition grants access to greater geog- ing underscores the Company’ solid performance, strong emerging capital markets to achieve sustainable measura- related services such as standing orders, loans and credit raphies, capacities and fund offerings. CI also stated financial position and growth prospects. We believe CI’s ble results for our stakeholders.” cards, and benefit from the discounts and offers through- out the year. Customers wishing to open the Al-Thuraya account can do so by simply visiting the nearest Burgan Bank branch and obtain all the necessary details. Huawei P30 Pro: Under pressure, 5 features that Fed faces an prove it is the outlook clouded flagship champion by trade wars

KUWAIT: Today’s smartphone market has been over- WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s loaded with a wide range of devices to choose from. attacks on the Federal Reserve have broken one set of However, what sets each device apart are the innovative precedents, his talk of stacking the central bank with technologies it packs, something Huawei is reputed for political allies has strained another, and his on-again constantly bringing outstanding flagships. Bringing ulti- off-again tariff threats have made the economic out- mate performance and superb cameras without compro- look harder than ever to predict. mising on battery, Huawei recently announced the While the Fed may well find reason to cut interest Huawei P30 Pro, the latest device from the company and rates in recent weak job and inflation readings, doing easily one of the most powerful ones, further strengthen- so could also put a safety net under Trump policies ing its position as a leading smartphone innovator. Here that, to the eyes of many policymakers, have to date Mimecast report: are five features of the Huawei P30 Pro that make it a done more harm than good. “There is a kind of feed super phone. the beast aspect to it,” said former Fed vice chair Alan Native email security Blinder. “Among the many things the Fed has to take 1. Power of four: SuperZoom, SuperSpectrum, Ultra- as given is trade policy. And if in fact trade policy is wide and Time of flight going to push the economy into a slump, that is a rea- systems open doors The Huawei P30 Pro houses a never-seen-before son to cut interest rates ... If the Fed comes in to bail Quad Leica Camera that consists of a 40MP main camera him out you encourage bad behavior.” to vulnerabilities with the HuaweiI SuperSpectrum sensor, a 20MP Ultra- Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other officials insist Wide angle lens for horizontal and vertical shooting, an they can only consider what is happening in the econ- DUBAI: Mimecast, a leading email and data security company, 8MP telephoto lens with SuperZoom capabilities and a omy and the appropriate policy response, and not try yesterday announced the availability of its latest quarterly Email Huawei Time of Flight (ToF) camera for beautiful portrait to second guess what the administration does or Security Risk Assessment (ESRA), an aggregated report of tests shots with rich bokeh and sophisticated depth informa- might do. Trump on Monday renewed his attacks on that measure the efficacy of widely used email security systems.1 tion capture. the Fed, claiming that central bank policy put him at a The report shows the need for the entire industry to continue to This setup packs a few of Huawei’s latest innovations, disadvantage in his trade negotiations with China work toward a higher standard of email security. because that country, with closer political control of Many organizations think their current email security systems including SuperSpectrum, lets more light to enter the camera sensors, allowing for crisp and clear photos and its central bank, could devalue its currency or use are up to the task of protecting them from phishing. other tools to offset the tariffs Trump has imposed on Unfortunately, many of them fall videos even in low light conditions and SuperZoom which allows the camera to zoom up to 5x optical zoom, 10x Chinese imports. “Our Fed is very destructive to us... short and do not keep their They haven’t listened to me,” Trump said in a CNBC organizations safe. The latest hybrid zoom and 50x digital zoom and still click clear pictures, even of the moon. It also includes Dual-View interview. “They’re not my people.” quarterly ESRA report shows that In fact, Trump elevated Powell to the Fed leader- many email attacks ranging from Video[1], a unique feature that uses multiple cameras for ship and appointed three of the other four sitting Fed opportunistic spam to highly tar- different perspectives, and a split-screen for one close- geted impersonation attacks are up and one wide-angle view at the same time. Feature governors. Trump has for a year berated the Fed for getting through incumbent email will be enabled via HOTA update at a later date. raising rates and other policy steps that Fed officials security systems both in large say are the best way for keeping the recovery under number and variety. The report 2. Powerful hardware for unrivalled performance way. That broke a roughly 30-year run of presidents found 26,305,457 spam emails, The Huawei P30 Pro is powered by the Kirin 980, largely staying away from specific policy recommen- dations for the Fed, even if they were sometimes 27,156 malware attachments, Huawei’s fastest chipset yet. More than just delivering effi- generically critical of the central bank. 55,190 impersonation attacks cient performance, the chipset also plays a key role in han- Joshua Douglas Earlier this year, Trump threatened a fuller assault and 466,905 malicious URLS, dling complex processes to create the perfect shot. It also by considering the appointment of two highly parti- were all missed by these incum- includes GPU Turbo 3.0, which improves gaming experi- san political allies to the central bank, straying from a bent providers and delivered to users’ inboxes, an overall false ence by enhancing graphics and ensures smoother per- negative rate of 11 percent of inspected emails. tradition of more technocratic appointments. formance with no lag. Huawei P30 Pro users can also enjoy Impersonation and phishing attacks are becoming a growing The surprise announcement in early May of higher 8GB of RAM for faster processing. Storage options user experience. This includes the Huawei Acoustic problem. According to the recently launched State of Email Display Technology, which takes away the need for having tariffs on China and a threatened imposition of levies Security 2019 report, 85 percent of the 1,025 global respondents include both 256GB and 512GB, giving users more space a telephone receiver on the screen, paving the way for on Mexican imports added to the minefield the Fed experienced an impersonation attack in 2018, with 73 percent of for all their photos, videos, apps and more. even slimmer bezels. The display also houses an In-Display must now navigate. Though Trump in the end chose those victims having experienced a direct business impact - like not to impose the tariffs on Mexico, the prospect of financial, data or customer loss. Not only that, but 94 percent of 3. Supersized 4,200 mAh battery with 40W Fingerprint Sensor where users can just place their finger on the display to unlock it. using an economic lever for the non-economic end of the respondents said they experienced a phishing attack, with 55 SuperCharge border control showed how in the Trump era policy percent noting an increase in this type of attack year over year. The Huawei P30 Pro packs a massive 4,200 mAh bat- could shift abruptly for central bankers who try to This reaffirms the need for the industry to continue to provide tery that will stay strong even after an entire day of inten- 5. Stunning gradient colors inspired by nature In addition to these premium features, Huawei has not keep their focus on medium- and longer-term out- better efficacy in their email protection to help organizations sive use. Additionally, the phone also comes with a 40W comes. “We take all kinds of things...into account,” St. forgotten about design, bringing together stunning ele- strengthen their cyber resilience to keep their data and communi- Huawei SuperCharge, which can bring back up to 70 per- Louis Fed President James Bullard said last week cations safer. ments both for good looks and durability. Inspired by cent charge in just 30 minutes. This is possible even on the before Trump called off the Mexican tariffs. “There “Today’s threat landscape continues to evolve as cybercrimi- nature, the stunning gradient colors of Breathing Crystal go, thanks to Huawei’s patented Car SuperCharge technol- are some good policies in there. There may be some nals adapt their attack methods, particularly email-borne attacks, and Aurora on the Huawei P30 Pro represent the beauty of ogy. The phone also supports 15W Huawei Wireless Quick bad policies in there. But we have to take everything to evade the detection of traditional security solutions. This is salt flats and its different looks during the day. This is Charge. Users can also use the Wireless Reverse Charge into account.” Recent economic data are already becoming a huge problem for companies regardless of size- achieved by a strenuous process which also boosts dura- technology, which enables the device to work as a power complicating the Fed’s job. Policymakers have expect- across the globe. The ESRA results offer deep insights so our bility, leading to the IP68 rating, protecting the phone bank for selected electronic devices that support Qi ed the economy to slow, but also regarded the likely customers can better understand the types of attacks threatening against water and dust. Wireless charging. slowing as modest, and not enough to warrant a rate their business,” said Joshua Douglas, vice president of threat There is a lot more to see in the Huawei P30 Pro with intelligence at Mimecast. “Through better email security, paired cut. The story shifted after Trump’s latest trade war 4. Acoustic Display Technology and In-Display its industry-leading innovations in its supercamera, per- with improved security awareness, Mimecast can help customers salvo. “I don’t feel backed into a box,” to cut rates, Fingerprint Sensor formance and battery, making this the smartphone you Dallas Federal Reserve bank president Robert Kaplan build a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy that prepares need to get. You can now buy your Huawei P30 Pro from them to take on and defend against both known and unknown Packed into the Huawei P30 Pro’s massive 6.47 inch said last week. — Reuters all leading retail outlets and Huawei stores. cyber threats.” FullView display are innovative features that enhances 15 Established 1961

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 What’s On

CBK concludes its Ramadan social and charity program

he Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) recently humane and charity programs designed for the holy and distributed Gergian to hospitalized kids, visited geri- month for social media users and, by the end of the concluded its Ramadan special and charity pro- month of Ramadan. atric homes and disabled centers in addition to the Ramadan, CBK’s PR staff and other volunteering CBK Tgram especially designed to highlight the spirit of Al-Wer’ added that the program included distributing annual Ramadan gift for the staff”, she elaborated. employees distributed Eid clothes to cleaning and con- integration and social communication. Commenting on the CBK’s Ramadan Gifts to worshippers in various mosques Moreover, Al-Wer’ added that CBK also held an Iftar struction workers within its 4th campaign of ‘Hawwin program, the assistant general manager for media and PR in addition to launching that ‘Sahourek Alaina’ campaign banquet for the 112 operator employees and police pilots Alaihom’ (Make it easier for them). “Our team also cele- affairs, Amani Al-Wer’ said that CBK continues with its which provides free sahour meals to cleaning and con- at Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Air base. She added that CBK brated the Eid with kids at special care houses”, she con- mission of serving all social sects with special social, struction workers. “Moreover, CBK PR staff celebrated also organized a special competition throughout the cluded.

Relation Coordinator: Sujith Sureshan, Advisory Board: New office-bearers Baiju Pillai, KP Vijaya Kumar and Girimandiram Sasikumar, Auditors: Gunaprasad G Nair and ASB Thambi. Area Coordinators: Abbasiya/Jahara/ Hassawi: for NSS Kuwait Sreenivasn, Mangaf: Vijayakumar, Fahaheel/Mina Abdullah: S Omanakuttan, Abuhalifa/ Mahboulla: Syam, SS Kuwait area wise annual general body meet- Farwaniya/Khaitan: CS Biju Mon, Riggae: Naveen Nair, ings had been conducted during the month of May Salmiya: Akhil Vasudevan and Sharq: Madhu Vettiyar. N2019. Annual reports and audited accounts were Vanitha Samajam: Convener: Dr Manjusha Rajesh, presented and approved in the meetings. The Pradhinidhi Abbasiya/Jahara/Hassawi (Coordinator): Anju Anilkumar, Sabha and executive members were also elected for all the Mangaf (Coordinator): Chandra Lekha, Fahaheel /Mina respective areas. Thereafter in the meeting held on 31st Abdullah (Coordinator): Santhi AnilKumar, Abuhalifa May, 2019, the executive members unanimously elected /Mahboulla (Coordinator): Sunitha Harikirshnan, the following office-bearers for the year 2019-2020. Farwaniya /Khaitan (Coordinator): Dhayna Anil, Salmiya: President: Prasad Padmanabhan, Vice President: A. P Thejaswi and Sunil Menon will continue as patron of NSS Jaya Kumar, General Secretary: Sajith C Nair, Jt Secretary: Kuwait. President Prasd Padmanabhan in his presidential Aneesh P Nair, Treasurer: Hari Kumar, Jt Treasurer: address welcomed newly elected executive members, Nishanth Menon, Welfare Coordinator: Radha Krishnan General Secretary Sajith C Nair gave felicitation speech, MK, Jt Welfare Coordinator: Rajesh Kumar R.N, IT/Public and Treasurer Hari Kumar conveyed vote of thanks. 16 Health Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Indian temple helps nurture ‘extinct’ turtle back to life HAJO: The black softshell turtle is officially black softshells hand-reared at the temple, was extinct in the wild, but a centuries-old Indian released into a nearby wildlife sanctuary. temple and its nature-loving caretaker are A key figure is the caretaker of the temple Indian students hope to set helping the creature make a tentative come- pond, Pranab Malakar, who long before environ- back. The northeastern state of Assam was mentalists became involved took a keen interest once rich in freshwater turtles, but habitat loss in the turtles’ wellbeing. “I used to take care of example on plastic recycling and over-exploitation — they were once a them as I like them. Later, after I became associ- CHENNAI: Armed with bags full of dis- “Initially parents did not comply and popular local food — have massively depleted ated with Good Earth, it became my responsibil- carded plastic, students at a school in thought it was very strange that we were their population. ity,” he said. “No one harms them here as they north-east India are hoping to set a asking for their trash,” Mukhtar said in a The black softshell turtle was declared are incarnations of Lord Vishnu (a Hindu deity). precedent by helping the planet - and telephone interview. “Now everyone extinct in the wild in 2002 by the International I was born and grew up here. We have been getting free tuition. The Akshar Forum sends plastic waste.” Amarjyoti Kashyat, Union for Conservation of Nature, while the seeing the turtles since our childhood. People school in Pamohi in Assam state in north- head of Guwahati-based charity Environ Indian softshell turtle and the Indian peacock respect them,” he said. east India encourages pupils to bring in that works on solid waste management, softshell turtle are classified as vulnerable. But Malakar collects eggs laid by the turtles on at least 20 pieces of plastic waste every praised the project as a “very positive and all the while, the pond of the Hayagriva Madhav the sandy banks of the pond — a new concrete week in exchange for free schooling. unique initiative”. “These are problems temple in the Hajo pilgrimage centre has provid- bank had to be demolished a few years ago — For despite a ban on single use plastic created by us and there is no proper sys- ed a safe haven, thanks to the sacred status of and gingerly puts them into an incubator. The across many Indian states, it continues to tem for management of plastic waste. turtles protecting them from harm. “There are project has been so successful that Good Earth be widely used with thousands of tons of These children are teaching their parents plenty of turtles in the temple pond,” said has identified 18 other temple ponds in the area plastic waste generated daily that is and that is the first step,” he said. Jayaditya Purkayastha, from conservation group which could also be used for similar initiatives. dumped in streets, drains or landfill, Teenager Prasanta Rangshal carries an Good Earth. But it is not without its challenges. For one thing, according to the Central Pollution Control. extra bag to school every other day, The group has teamed up with the temple some of the hundreds of daily visitors to the Mazin Mukhtar, school co-founder, said packed with old plastic packets and wrap- authorities in a breeding program. “The popula- temple outside Guwahati throw bread and other they came up with the idea this year of pers. Before joining the school three years tion of the turtle in Assam has gone down by a food to the turtles — which they clearly like. collecting plastic waste to turn into eco ago, Rangshal, 14, worked in the stone great extent. So we thought we needed to inter- “This has triggered some biological changes bricks to use in construction, which could quarries near his home having dropped vene and do something to save the species from among the turtles in the pond. They have also HAJO: Turtle caretaker Pranab Malakar holds a turtle also help students earn some money and out of education at the age of nine to help extinction,” he said. In January his organization’s lost their natural tendency of hunting for food,” near the pond at Hayagriva Madhava temple. — AFP keep them out of manual child labour. support his grandmother. — AFP first batch of 35 turtle hatchlings, including 16 Purkayastha said. — AFP 17

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

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CROSSWORD 2229 STAR TRACK

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

You may find this to be one of those days you are in true admiration A desire for the unusual seems to overcome you today. A desire to of the beauty that surrounds you. You may see beauty in everything and everyone broaden your horizons and experience more of what this world has to offer you. you encounter today. This brings a sense of peace and harmony into your world The in and outs of your regular world seem to have you bored and unsatisfied. and you may find this to be a delightful day. Be careful not to overspend today Planning a trip or planning an outing with friends will satisfy your needs. Spend because this mood tends to make you want to bring home every beautiful treas- time with friends from different cultures and religions. A new outlook on the same ure you find. Not the best day for a trip to the mall. You will want everything you day to day issues will be enlightening. Your eccentric ways could bring a new see! Take a stroll in the park and enjoy the beauty of the nature that surrounds outlook into their lives as well. Spend some time learning to appreciate the beau- you. This will keep your money in your wallet and a sense of peace in your heart. ty that surrounds you.

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

After much thought and reflection you may come to realize how much you truly appreciate where you are in life. Through many challenging situa- It seems the more independent you become the more you face con- tions, and past you may not be very proud of, you have successfully been able to flict with those close to you. This is a time you may be trying too hard to be dif- turn the stumbling blocks you have encountered into stepping stones. Seeing oth- ferent. This could be met with disapproval from your peers. Not everyone is fond ers go through some of the same hard times you have draws you to them and of the changes they see you making. This could cause a great deal of pressure in gives you a desire to reach out and help. You may feel especially kind to a close your life. You well know when making decisions under pressure you seem to friend in need. This is a person you are led to take under your wing. You may find freeze and never seem to do the right thing. Take your time. Relax and wait until this person looks up to you. Your kind words will have more of an impact than some of the stress passes. Save the decision making for later. These issues are not you can ever imagine. matters of life and death.

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

Communication is important. When it is put in writing, what you ACROSS DOWN It may seem if your sexual needs are coming to mind quite fre- quently. You crave power and control. The great mysteries of life and death seem thought was a compliment could be interpreted as criticism. 1. Wet spongy ground of decomposing veg- 1. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Something you thought was completely innocent or innocuous may be seen as etation. are subjects you find intriguing. This is a time you long to mend fences and let Chad. by gones be by gones. This is a time you crave peace and lasting friendships. derogatory. Misunderstandings that are in writing are difficult to overcome. They 4. Having no leaves. 2. An organization of countries formed in can result in a lifetime of hard feelings. Be thoughtful about what you put on social 12. The compass point that is one point east 1961 to agree on a common policy for media. Consider the possible reactions before you send a text, a tweet, or an email. of due south. the sale of petroleum. 15. A drug combination found in some over- 3. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which Cancer (June 21-July 22) the-counter headache remedies (Aspirin the pilot is talked down by ground con- and Phenacetin and Caffeine). trol using precision approach radar. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. A genus of herbs of the family Cruciferae. It you could snap your fingers and disappear that is just what you 4. Somewhat late. 17. Someone who is morally reprehensible. would do today. You need an escape from reality. Always being responsible is 5. Subject to popular election. starting to wear you down. You work hard and never take any time for yourself. This may be a great day to enjoy a good book or catch a movie. An 18. A beverage made by steeping tea leaves escape from reality may be just what you need . This could clear your mind and in water. 6. Any substance that can cause an allergy. A massage, a good book, even a night out at a quiet restaurant would be a wel- come break for you. You work hard and need to always remember to take a leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. You feel your most secure when sur- 19. German baroque composer (1681-1767). 7. Characterized by intense emotion. rounded by friends. You may be feeling a real need for a change in your life. You 8. A rapid escape (as by criminals). break. Take to reward yourself for all you do. You will find spoiling yourself a lit- 20. A condition (mostly in boys) character- tle will help you be much more productive in the long run. may feel as if you want to throw out the old and bring in the new. You have had ized by behavioral and learning disor- 9. An implement used to erase something. this on your mind for a while and today seems the day you really begin to act on it. ders. 10. Estrangement from god. It seems a change in the right direction may bring great reward into your life. You 21. A radioactive element of the actinide 11. A shoe consisting of a sole fastened by will send enjoy world you have no desire to escape from. series. straps to the foot. Leo (July 23-August 22) 23. Indigo bush. 12. A burn cause by hot liquid or steam. 25. A dough of flour and water and shorten- 13. A Chadic language spoken in northern ing. Nigeria. You have always had that strong shoulder that others seem to lean Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 26. Either of two large African antelopes of on. Today is no exception. You may find your phone ringing off of the hook with 14. Tropical starchy tuberous root. friends in need. Your advice is in high demand. The level of respect your friends the genus Taurotragus having short spi- Sexual needs seem to be a major focus for you now. There are just 22. East Indian cereal grass whose seed yield have for you is to be envied. You are the friend others wish to have. Being the one some things and some one you can not seem to get off of your mind. This is a rally twisted horns in both sexes. a somewhat bitter flour, a staple in the everyone turns to in their time of need can be exhausting. Who is there when you great desire for some special time to be spent with a special someone. You desire 28. A unit of energy equal to the work done Orient. need a friend to confide in? You may find someone older or in authority can offer by an electron accelerated through a power and control. These thoughts have your mind racing and you start focusing 24. Administer an oil or ointment to. you the support you need today. potential difference of 1 volt. on a plan to accomplish your goals and satisfy your desires. The great mysteries 30. The dialect of Albanian spoken in north- 27. Of or relating to the lips of the mouth. of life and death fascinate you and you have a desire to live each day to the 29. A basic polypeptide antibiotic (trade fullest. You may appear to be at ease and loose today. Everything seems to be ern Albania and Yugoslavia. working together, and you will be able to communicate and express yourself well. 31. A rapid series of short loud sounds (as name Viocin) administered intramuscu- might be heard with a stethoscope in larly (along with other drugs) in the Virgo (August 23-September 22) some types of respiratory disorders). treatment of tuberculosis. 34. (Greek mythology) Winged goddess of 32. Feeling or showing anger. victory. 33. Protective outer layer of seeds of flower- Variety is the spice of life. This seems to be your motto at this time. Pisces (February 19-March 20) You may find yourself drawn in different directions or drawn to new experiences. 36. An administrator in charge of a division of ing plants. You can’t seem to sit still. You are finding you are happiest when on the go. You a university or college. 35. German arms manufacturer and son of have a desire for knowledge and you are gathering it from all new experiences. This is day you may feel as if you are spinning your wheels. It seems 39. A narrow way or road. Friedrich Krupp. You may find others being drawn to you and expressing admiration toward your to be a very superficial day for you. Everything and everyone seems fake to you. It 41. (Greek mythology) Daughter of Zeus and 37. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- desire for knowledge and for the wisdom you possess. This day could bring a seems as if you are going through the motions, it is a very repetitive and senseless Demeter. cially in Turkey). variety of emotions as well. You may go from feeling on top of the world to feel- day for you. You find no depth nor meaning in your actions nor the ones around you. You can not seem to get beneath the surface. It may seem as if your feelings 42. A group of southern Bantu languages. 38. (Roman Catholic) A diplomatic represen- ing misunderstood. Remember, Virgo, this day is about your pursuit knowledge and it is ok to do just what makes you happy. are going against what you value. You could find this difficult for you to deal with. 43. Oval reproductive body of a fowl (espe- tative of the Pope having ambassadorial cially a hen) used as food. status. 44. A hospital unit staffed and equipped to 40. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- provide intensive care. cially in Turkey). 47. An associate degree in nursing. Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 45. The battle in 1356 in which the English 48. A colorless and odorless inert gas. under the Black Prince defeated the 50. Hormones (estrogen and progestin) are given to postmenopausal women. French. 51. Bony fishes of the southern hemisphere 46. A step to one side (as in boxing or danc- that breathe by a modified air bladder as ing). well as gills. 49. The property of being extremely abun- 53. Peruvian shrub or small tree having large dant. glossy leaves and cymes of fragrant yel- 52. Of or in or relating to the nose. low to green or red flowers. 54. The blood group whose red cells carry 56. Not paid. both the A and B antigens. 58. Being ten more than one hundred ninety. 55. Any of a number of fishes of the family 59. (electronics) Designating sound trans- Carangidae. mission from two sources through two 57. Wish harm upon. channels. 60. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element 65. Not made with leavening. that resembles manganese chemically 68. In truth (often tends to intensify). and is used in some alloys. 69. A room equipped with toilet facilities. 61. To some (great or small) extent. 70. Place in a line or arrange so as to be par- 62. A subsidiary proposition that is assumed allel. to be true in order to prove another 73. A master's degree in business. proposition. 74. Greenwich Mean Time updated with 63. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on leap seconds. a skewer usually with vegetables. 75. Succulent carpet-forming plant having small brilliant reddish-pink flowers. 64. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 77. An adult male person (as opposed to a River. woman). 66. A short personal letter. 78. A unit of force equal to the force exerted 67. Grains used as food either unpolished or by gravity. more often polished. 79. Tropical trees having one-seeded fruit. 71. A boy or man. 80. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 72. Being one more than two. from aba cloth. 76. An uproarious party.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily Sudoku Yesterday’s Solution Established 1961 Lifestyle WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

Aerial view showing an agriculture field next to a native Cerrado (savanna) in Formosa do Rio Preto, western Bahia state. — AFP

ince its sale for a record $450 million, the where- abouts of the “Salvator Mundi,” said to be painted er desserts are often not at all sweet and she Sby Leonardo da Vinci, has become one of the art Hcouldn’t give a fig if people complain that they world’s greatest mysteries. On Monday, London-based don’t look great on Instagram. But that did not art dealer Kenny Schachter, writing for the website stop Jessica Prealpato being named the best pastry chef Artnews, offered answers: the painting now resides on on the planet Tuesday by the World’s 50 Best the gargantuan yacht owned by powerful Saudi Crown Restaurants ranking. The 32-year-old French woman, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. who is about to have her first child, is the creator of a Since its record-setting sale at Christie’s in 2017, the whole new genre of guilt-free patisserie. For Prealpato it painting, in which Jesus Christ is depicted emerging from is not about how a dessert looks, it’s how it tastes-and darkness blessing the world with one hand while holding the feel good glow afterwards. The subtle and sublime a transparent globe in the other, has never been exhibited creations she turns out at the three-star Michelin restau- in public, triggering doubts about its ownership, where- rant of the Plaza Athenee hotel in Paris are a rebuff to abouts and authenticity. Many art experts are split over the sugar-rush burn of food porn. whether the painting is genuine, saying it was not painted Yet even she has not dared to have her father-a by the Italian master personally but instead by his work- patissier forged in full-on sugar worship of French tradi- shop. tion-taste her creations that match strawberries with The Wall Street Journal first reported that the painting pine shoots and lemon with seaweed. “He would not was bought by Saudi prince Badr bin Abdullah, who act- understand what I do at all,” she told AFP. Prealpato has ed in the name of the Saudi crown prince, known by his French pastry chef Jessica Prealpato of the Plaza Athenee eschewed the sugar high to go for what her boss at the initials MBS. Riyadh never confirmed or denied that hotel poses for a portrait in Paris. — AFP photos Plaza Athenee, the French superchef Alain Ducasse, calls report. AFP could not corroborate Schachter’s column, “naturalitÈ”-or naturalness-bringing out the full range of and in a nod to the opaque nature of international art flavours that an ingredient already has. What Prealpato sales, he wrote, “In the murky Middle Eastern waters also does is use ingredients that would never normally crowned the world’s best pastry chef all the more sweet. nothing is quite crystal clear.” But citing several sources make it onto a dessert trolley. So you have malted beer “I am amazed. It’s enormous for me. I never would have including two involved in the sale, Schachter claims the sorbet with barley crumble and hop galettes, cherry guessed that my patisseries would go that far.” With a painting “was whisked away in the middle of the night on olive vinaigrette or vanilla Jerusalem artichokes with frankness rare at the top of her profession, Prealpato MBS’s plane and relocated to his yacht, the Serene.” truffles. admitted that “they aren’t exactly beautiful to look at. After saying the painting was originally found in “They may seem very simple but a huge amount of shards and had to be reconstructed before its auction, he Sugar as seasoning work goes into making them,” she said. On average it asks, “what harm could the occasional splash of seawater “We shake people up,” Prealpato laughed. She has takes a month to create a new recipe and her dessert do?” Schachter later wrote that the painting will remain already produced a book of 50 of her desserts called menu changes rapidly with the seasons. Nor does the onboard the massive yacht until it is relocated to the Al- “Desseralite”, including her “All Rhubarb”, where the Earth generally shake when Prealpato puts them on Ula governorate, which Saudi Arabia is aiming to trans- often astringent plant is served roasted, raw, fermented, Instagram-unlike her Parisian rival Cedric Grolet who form into a culture and tourism destination. — AFP grilled and poached. “I love to use vinegars and try won the title last year and has more than 1.3 million fans every style of cooking so that I get the most flavours out who eagerly share his visually stunning creations. “My of a product,” said Prealpato, one of a tiny number of poor 20,000 followers!” Prealpato joked. female patisserie chefs working in three-star restaurants. Unlike Grolet-who like her is something of a sugar Some of her peers have criticized her for the unfussy skeptic-she said she doesn’t have the time to make her way she presents her food, claiming that it is not sophis- desserts look good by putting them on a white back- ticated enough for such an upscale establishment. ground. Nor does she have anything against traditional And four years ago when she was starting out at French patisserie, which she loves-she just doesn’t want Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athenee she said that the to spend her life making them. “I came here (to work famed chef left her in tears when he refused to taste one with Ducasse) because I was sick of doing chocolate of her first fruit-based desserts. “I can see why now,” she pistachio and cherry almond all the time. Some of the said. “I had presented it like a patisserie chef usually classics “are so good I don’t see how you can revisit would, with lots of mousse, cream and a tuile. “For him, a them,” she said. dessert didn’t have to be about these things.” So None of the members of her Franco-Italian family of Prealpato “took everything away... today I rarely ever cooks and patissiers have tasted her latest creations. work with chocolate or coffee.” Instead her desserts “When I go home we don’t talk about my work, and my play with sourness and acidity, and she uses sugar as parents don’t really know what I am up to, which is fine others would salt-for seasoning. by me. “We love to sit down together and eat food you can share-it’s often not fancy at all.” —AFP Pretty isn’t everything In this file photo Christie’s employees pose in front of a paint- “I understand why some clients may not like that,” ing entitled ‘Salvator Mundi’ by Italian polymath Leonardo da she said. Initially hurt by such negative feedback, Vinci at a photocall at Christie’s auction house in central Prealpato has become used to it. It also makes being London ahead of its sale at Christie’s New York. — AFP 20 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, June 12, 2019

French boxer Ana Gasquez trains in a gym of Havana. — AFP photos Cuban boxer Idamelys Moreno (left) trains in a gym of Havana. Cuban boxer Idamelys Moreno trains in a gym of Havana.

n the musty funk of a Havana boxing gym, Moreno is not the only woman working the began with Olympic gold at London 2012. IIdamelys Moreno smacks a series of whomping bags. Taking turns to spar with her are Yuria right hooks into a heavy punching bag. For the Pascual, a 26-year-old biologist, and Ana Gasquez, Help from the boys past four years, she has ripped it up in training to a French woman who says she was drawn to Cuba Ironically, women are welcome to train in try to emulate dozens of Cuban men in winning by the mystique of its boxing tradition. Ever ambi- countless boxing gyms across Cuba and Gasquez Olympic boxing gold. But she and other big-hitting tious, Moreno has set her sights on “a world and acknowledges the gesture from male counterparts women are punching not so much a glass ceiling as Olympic medal”. Pascual says: “If men can do it, at boxing’s grassroots level. “Boys help us, they a glass wall: In Cuba, only men are allowed to why can’t we?” don’t discriminate against us,” she says. It’s the compete in boxing tournaments. “They haven’t officials in suits that draw their ire. Women seemed given us our chance,” fumes Moreno, a muscular Male bastion primed for a breakthrough in 2016, when Cuban 27-year-old with burning ambition and a simmer- It’s an ugly paradox for these women that since Boxing Federation President Alberto Puig ing frustration. 2006 Cuba has been represented in the female announced the possibility of opening competition Ducking and feinting, her stance constantly programs in all Olympic sports, including to females. But three years on, nothing has shifts as she works her way around the swinging weightlifting and wrestling-but not in that last bas- changed. bag, the room resounding as her heavy blows dent tion of Cuban machismo, inside the ropes of a box- They continue to train, fueled by optimism that its synthetic leather. The island’s boxing greats ing ring. It is generally accepted here that boxing the Cuban Sports Institute may eventually give a beam down from posters on the walls, among them is a man’s sport, far too dangerous to accommo- green light to women’s boxing ahead of the 2020 three-time Olympic champion Teofilo Stevenson. date women. Elsewhere, gender equality in sports Olympics in Tokyo. For these young boxers, it’s “She’s a boxer with a lot of enthusiasm and has evolved and boxing joined the ranks of impossible not to think of Namibia Flores, held up enormous physical capacities, but she is nowhere women’s Olympic events at the London Games in as an example to women boxers but who reached near her full potential yet,” said her coach Emilio 2012. Moreno dismisses the views of Cuban men the age of 40 — the age ceiling for competition- cannot be denied their rights to participate in box- Female boxers train in Correa, who won Olympic silver in 2008 and that boxing is too dangerous for her, insisting body without ever realizing her dream of bringing a ing competitions,” said Sagarra, 82. He has a keen a gym of Havana. World Championship gold in 2005. Cubans are protection is more than adequate. women’s gold medal to Cuba. “I don’t want the eye for developing talent, having trained more than rightly proud of their unique boxing tradition “All combat sports are dangerous. But we have same thing happening us,” vows Moreno. 80 Cuban Olympic and world champions, includ- which has brought a haul of 37 Olympic golds and protection for the chest, the head and mouth.” The Correa, the coach, says that if women’s boxing ing the legendary Stevenson who died in 2012. 76 World Championship winner’s medals-all by official reluctance to recognize female boxing “will is eventually sanctioned by Cuban authorities, the Their talent is still raw, he says, but is willing to men. But featherweight Moreno-whose haymaking end up discouraging” young women who want to potential for the sport is “massive-because this is make a prediction: “They will eventually have a right fist has been honed by sparring with men- climb into the ring, says Moreno. They have role the island of boxing.” Alcides Sagarra, considered good level.” — AFP pleads: “If they’d give us the opportunity, we can models aplenty across the globe, including by many as the father of Cuban boxing, believes it also build on the medal collection that the men Ireland’s undisputed lightweight world champion is only a matter of time before women take their have won.” Katie Taylor, whose path to professional success place among the sport’s icons. “Cuban women

In this file photo US actress Julianne Moore poses as she arrives for the screening of the film “Les Miserables” at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern In this file photo Actor Kevin Hart (right), his wife Eniko Parish (left) and children Hendrix, Heaven and Kenzo walk the carpet at France. — AFP the ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ Los Angeles Premiere at Regency Village Theatre in Westwood, California. — AFP

amoa has banned the blockbuster Elton John biopic “Rocketman” from cinemas over -Men: Dark Phoenix” flopped to the franchise’s In third place was Disney’s live-action “Aladdin,” at Sdepictions of gay sex, which remains illegal in worst opening weekend as its mutant super- $24.7 million. The Guy Ritchie feel-good film stars Will the Pacific island nation. Samoa’s Principal Censor “X merican Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore will heroes were beaten at the box office by fellow Smith as the genie. Dropping from last weekend’s top Leiataua Niuapu confirmed the ban to local media be honored at the Karlovy Vary film festival in the new entry “Secret Life of Pets 2.” “Dark Phoenix” could spot to fourth place was “Godzilla: King of the this week, saying the film contained too many ACzech Republic at the end of the month, organizers only conjure up $32.8 million at North American theaters Monsters,” taking in $15.5 million. And in fifth was scenes that were “not good for public viewing”. said yesterday. Moore won the 2014 Best Actress award for over the three-day weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Paramount’s “Rocketman,” the biopic about singer Elton Niuapu told the Samoa Observer that the movie her role in “Still Alice”. She is also known for “The Big Relations said Monday. Its opening haul-by far the low- John, at $13.8 million. Actor Taron Egerton, who plays “violates laws against same-sex marriage and Lebowski”, “Hannibal”, “The Hours” and “The Kids Are All est of the dozen “X-Men” titles released over the past John, has drawn strong reviews, including a warm doesn’t go well with cultural and Christian beliefs Right.” Moore will receive the Crystal Globe award “for two decades-was described as “disastrous” by Variety. endorsement from the singer himself. Rounding out the here”. “It’s a good story, in that it’s about an indi- outstanding contribution to world cinema” at the opening Starring Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner alongside weekend’s top 10 were: vidual trying to move on in life,” he said. ceremony, the organizers said in a statement. James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender “Ma” ($7.8 million) “He (Elton John) went through a difficult family Together with her husband, screenwriter and director and Jessica Chastain, the movie cost $200 million to “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” ($7.4 million) life and managed to move on and become very Bart Freundlich, Moore will introduce their latest film “After make. It is said to be the final installment of the current “Avengers: Endgame” ($4.9 million) successful. But there are acts that are not good for the Wedding”. “Six Feet Under” and “Sharp Objects” star “X-Men” film series. It was forced into second place by “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu” ($3.2 million) public viewing and against the law.” Samoa is a Patricia Clarkson will receive the same Crystal Globe at the Universal’s new animation “The Secret Life of Pets 2”, “Booksmart” ($1.6 million). — AFP devoutly Christian nation and gay sex can attract final ceremony, the organizers said. The 54th edition of the which pocketed $46.7 million over the same period. A jail terms of up to seven years, according to festival in the western Czech spa city of Karlovy Vary, sequel to the 2016 hit tale of what animals do when their London-based lobby group Human Dignity Trust, which sold 140,000 tickets to 501 screenings last year, will owners are away, “Pets 2” features the voice of Harrison although it notes authorities do not actively enforce run from June 28 to July 6. — AFP Ford as a straight-talking pooch. the laws. The country is also well known for its acceptance of fa’afafines-men who dress as women and adopt female mannerisms-known locally as the third sex. “This censorship is yet another way for moral seekers to bash a few people for no good reason,” Tuisina Ymania Brown, a Samoan fa’afafine who is co-secretary of Geneva-based rights group ILGA. She said fa’afafines were part of Samoa’s cultural he Egyptian embassy in from the Resandro Collection-one fabric and the “Rocketman” ban was a contradic- London requested that of the world’s “most renowned tion of the tolerance they enjoyed. “Now are we T Britain prevent the planned private collections of Egyptian saying that art that celebrates fa’afafines are not sale by Christie’s of an ancient art”-to fetch more than four mil- allowed?” she told Newsline Samoa. sculpture representing King lion pounds (4.5 million euros, $5.1 “The power of the church has now reached into Tutankhamun’s head and return it million). The foreign ministry also censoring the celebration of art. There are more to Egypt, Cairo said. “The requested the sale of all Egyptian important issues we should focus on, such as gen- Egyptian embassy in London items planned by Christie’s during der-based violence (and the) church paying tax- requested the British foreign auctions on July 3 and July 4 be es.” Samoa also banned the 2009 movie “Milk” affairs ministry and the auction stopped, stressing the importance about pioneering US gay activist Harvey Milk, but hall to stop the sale,” Egypt’s for- of securing valid ownership cer- last year’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was screened eign ministry said. Christie’s has tificates before the sale of these without attracting any complaints. In Russia, the announced that the brown items. The statement also said the gay sex scenes were cut from “Rocketman”, quartzite head of the pharaoh- antiquities ministry had requested prompting condemnation from Elton John and the measuring 28.5 centimeters high the UN cultural agency UNESCO stars of the movie. — AFP and more than 3,000 years old- stop the sales. —AFP would take place on July 4. It said it expected the sale, Established 1961 21 Lifestyle Fashion Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Models present creations by British designer Oliver Spencer on the second day of the Spring/Summer 2020 London Fashion Week Men’s fashion event in London.

odels in zombie make-up and a growing number of women on the catwalks were among the eye-catching features of Men’s Models present M creations by fashion Fashion Week, which wrapped up in London on Monday. The models from the Art School collection by house Fashion East designer duo Eden Loweth and Tom Barratt wore white on the second day of contact lenses and vacant expressions as they sashayed the Spring/Summer down the catwalk. The show was accompanied by the live 2020 London sounds of singer-guitarist Anna Calvi, surrounded by an Fashion Week Men’s occult salt circle. Barratt himself took part in the catwalk fashion event in show wearing a leopard-print dress showing part of his London. — AFP torso.

Blurred lines Highlighting the trend of gender fluidity, more women took part in the catwalk shows and the line between mas- culine and feminine styles was increasingly blurred. “I don’t think it is especially modern to tell people what they should wear. I think it is for them to choose,” designer Edward Crutchley, one of the rising stars of British fashion, told journalists after his show. “It is never a piece designed for a man or a woman, it is never specif- ically gendered,” he said of his collection, featuring bag- gy trousers, plunging necklines and summery prints with flowers and parrots in soft pastels. “I wanted beauty and glamour and I wanted that it looked expensive... because it is expensive!” he said.

Chunky trainers Worn with a blue wool jacket with purple satin sleeves at Alexander McQueen or with a canary yellow and blue also featured in the collection by Oliver Spencer, sportif”. Saul Nash also re-imagined sportswear with his turquoise number at Iceberg, chunky basketball trainers who was inspired by the night markets of Hong Kong and collection featuring technical performance wear pieces were as ubiquitous as they would have been in the 1980s. Wong Kar-wai’s cult film “In the Mood for Love”. such as white running vests, steel gray nylon pants and Irish designer Robyn Lynch meanwhile went for more Spencer told AFP after the show that his style was blue tracksuits. The designs by Nash, a dancer and casual footwear comfort with large sandals worn with that of “a travelling guy... he is very sustainable, he is designer, were loose-fitting to allow for easier movement. socks. really into linen, into organic cottons, he cares about the Nash said he was “inspired by the kinetic body and the environment. “He wants to invest in good pieces of cloth- subversion of sportswear”. — AFP Burnt orange ing, he doesn’t want short fast fashion,” he said. The spring/summer collections for next year looked like a sunset to sea. The dominant colors were burnt ‘Le Goth sportif’ orange, sand and sky blue, including in the collection by Black jumpers, heavy chains and earrings worn with Turkish designer Hussein Chalayan. Named “Post- basketball pumps with Vibram soles. This was the look Colonial Body”, the collection explores the influence of that Italian fashion house Iceberg dubbed “Le Goth colonization on Japan and South America. Orange and 22 Established 1961 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Lifestyle Features

Guillaume de Bernadac teaching children how to use cutlery during an etiquette and manners class in central Guillaume de Bernadac (back left) and Miona Milakov (back right) posing for photographs with children after an eti- Shanghai. — AFP photos quette and manners class in central Shanghai.

anielle Liu stares straight ahead, a book balanced says that demand has surged since he started his compa- Dprecariously on her head, and carefully walks ny Academie de Bernadac in 2014. Shanghai authorities along a red line on the floor. The 10-year-old’s recently approached him about designing programmes Danielle Liu balancing a book on her head during an eti- mother hopes the exercise will help make Danielle “a lit- for schools across the city and he also does classes for quette and manners class in central Shanghai. tle lady” and allow her to shine among the offspring of adults and private firms. China’s ultra-competitive elite. Danielle is with seven oth- er young children spending their Saturday holed up on ‘Fast-tracked to adulthood’ the top floor of a five-star hotel in central Shanghai for a De Bernadac is adamant that he is not simply trying to class in etiquette and manners. The four boys look dap- make the kids more Western. “Our point is really to say if per in bow ties, suits and shiny black shoes. The four girls you go abroad, or even within China if you move to an are all billowing dresses and angelic smiles. international environment where you may be facing other “You have a stability problem,” Guillaume de cultures, we give you the keys to adapt,” he said. De Bernadac, the self-styled French doyen of all things eti- Bernadac has no formal training, but according to him, his quette in Shanghai, tells one boy of his attempt to walk great grandfather and his great-great uncle were sent to and keep the book on his head. If the children, who in this Morocco in the 1920s as tutors to the nobility. class are aged between nearly seven and 11, enjoy that Among the subjects they taught was “how to be polite, exercise, they are less keen on having to sit straight and how to behave” and the then-future king, Hassan II, was keep their elbows off the table at lunch. “I’m scared,” among their students, he said. De Bernadac, who sports a Danielle Liu eating during an etiquette and manners class Zachary repeats as he attempts to eat his pea-and-mint cravat and well-rehearsed smile, said that the interest in soup while keeping two pieces of white paper tucked his classes in Shanghai and other main cities in China in central Shanghai. Miona Milakov (left) guiding Zoey Zhang on how to walk under his armpits. The paper is to ensure they eat with shows the country wants to be “part of the global vil- during an etiquette and manners class in central their elbows in, but soon enough, the carpeted floor is lit- lage”. “The elite are ready to make some effort, some Shanghai. tered with A4. The children also have a red ribbon tied steps, towards the international community,” he added. behind their shoulders to stop them slouching. Those that Cheng, sitting elegantly next to daughter Danielle do are gently upbraided by de Bernadac or his staff in “fierce competition” to stand out in Shanghai, China’s when class is done, brushes off concerns that at their age, English or Chinese. most international city and which has a population of these children should be playing outside and having fun. about 25 million. Apart from the dining part, the children mainly seem to ‘Fierce competition’ Cheng and the other parents pay the 31-year-old de enjoy being fast-tracked to adulthood. “Kids should be Danielle’s mother Cheng Liyan, who also uses the Bernadac 2,688 yuan ($390) for four hours of practical kids, that’s true, but at least they should have some disci- English name Shirley, wants her only child to be “per- instruction for one child. Against a soundtrack of classical pline,” said Cheng. She explained: “For example in a pub- fect”. “To be lady-like, to be athletic, also academic, I music, the children learn social skills, dining manners and lic situation, they can’t yell, they can’t scream. It’s so hope she can develop herself in an all-round way,” said deportment-hence the books on heads to teach them to inappropriate.”— AFP Cheng, a teacher, in near-faultless English. Danielle walk nicely. Other exercises include how to introduce Miona Milakov (center) teaching children how to balance already takes part in extra-curricular swimming, piano themselves and greet people, including “air kisses”, and a book on their head during an etiquette and manners and dancing, which is her favorite. “I always talk to her even what topics are appropriate to discuss at the dinner class in central Shanghai. and ask if she likes it,” said Cheng, but admitted there is table. De Bernadac, who first came to China as a student,

illed as “one of the most exciting artists of our ties, Ai-Da was finally completed in April. Meller was time”, Ai-Da differs from generations of past mas- eager for her to adopt a female persona because he Bters in one inescapable way: she is a robot. Ai-Da is argued the art and coding worlds need more women rep- the brainchild of Aidan Meller, who claims she is the resented. “She’s got a persona, she’s an avatar, she’s fiction, world’s first ultra-realistic humanoid artist, able to draw she’s real,” he said. creatively thanks to in-built artificial intelligence (AI) The avatar uses her camera “eyes” to capture what is in technology. The 46-year-old art dealer unveiled Ai-Da- front of her, which an internal computer-and its machine- dressed in a brown wig and period-style painter’s learning technology-translates into the coordinates of a blouse-in Oxford on Wednesday, ahead of an exhibition corresponding image to be plotted on a page. She can of her first works opening next week in the English uni- move, allowing what Meller calls “performance art” which versity city. “She is fully algorithmic... fully creative,” features in several videos at the upcoming exhibition. Meller told reporters, standing alongside his creation. Meller hopes that Ai-Da will also eventually be able to “She is not an expensive printer. We do not know what intuitively communicate and perhaps describe her own she’s going to do,” he insisted. artwork. But for the moment she is given voice by a As he spoke, an occasionally blinking Ai-Da, built with human helper listening from her home studio outside cameras for eyes and a robotic arm to draw with, worked An oil painting entitled Bee-Shattered Space, created by oth- Oxford, who responded to reporters’ questions. on a sketch of him from behind a desk. Forty-five minutes er artists based on an illustration by Ai-Da the AI humanoid later, a delicate expressionist drawing of Meller, compris- robot artist is seen in an exhibition space during a launch Racking up sales ing deft pencil strokes, emerged. Several dozen of Ai-Da’s event for Ai-Da’s first solo exhibition in Oxford. Despite technology’s paramount role in the work pro- other works adorned the nearby walls. They include simi- duced by Ai-Da, Meller is adamant it is also the fruit of a larly styled pencil sketches of historical figures from “highly creative” process. “She has the incredible tech- Leonardo da Vinci to Alan Turing. There are also colorful eight years ago. But he only began seriously working on nologies and abilities to produce remarkable, innovative, paintings and sculptures based on her initial sketches, the project in 2017, after concluding that the common creative artwork,” he said, noting no two works are ever completed by human assistants. Ai-Da can currently only thread linking history’s greatest artists was that they had the same. hold certain hard tools like pencils, not brushes. Meller all captured “the zeitgeist of their time”. Reasoning that Meller is cagey about how much the project has cost, told AFP the artwork was “genuine innovation”. the coming age of AI was today’s equivalent, Meller set saying only that funding has come from sales of the result- about creating a robotic artist to fuse his ideas into one ing artworks. He noted that everything in this first exhibi- Capturing the zeitgeist grand artistic endeavor. “It’s a nuts project, completely left tion had already sold, for over £1 million ($1.27 million, 1.13 Meller, also an art gallery director, first dreamed up Ai- of field,” he said. million euros). — AFP With the help of British robotics company Engineered A picture shows the back of Ai-Da the AI humanoid robot Da-named after Ada Lovelace, the English mathematician artist. and writer often called the world’s first computer coder- Arts, and researchers at both Leeds and Oxford universi-

Gallery Director and inventor of Ai-Da the AI humanoid robot artist, Aidan Meller, (right) Ai-Da the AI humanoid robot artist draws a portrait of her creator Aidan Meller. An illustration by Ai-Da the AI humanoid robot artist poses with Ai-Da and an oil on canvas painting (left) created by other artists based on a described as depicting British Mathematician and code sketch by Ai-Da during a launch event for its first solo exhibition in Oxford. breaker Alan Turing is seen at a press conference. ClassifiedsWednesday, June 12, 2019

Airlines Kuwait Airways 171 Jazeera Airways 177 Wataniya Airways 22 066 536 Turkish Airlines 1884918 American Airlines 22087425 22087426 Jet Airways 22924455 FlyDubai 22414400 Qatar Airways 22423888 name as given name Pakkir KLM 22425747 CHANGE OF NAME Royal Jordanian Mohamed Surname Anver Ali, 22418064/5/6 hereinafter in all my documents British Airways 22425635 I, Abdul Khadar Sheeja Beegum, my name will appear as Anver Ali Air France 22430224 Vilakampurayidom, near T.B, Pakkir Mohamed. Emirates 22921555 Pathanamthitta P.O, (C 5546) Air India 22456700 Pathanamthitta, Pin-689645, Air India EXPRESS 22438185/4 Kerala, India, holder of Indian I, CHADERVATI, holder of Indian Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Passport No. T4012709, residing Passport No. S3691440, 967 Egypt Air 22421578 in Kuwait at present, hereby Street 31 Pushpa Bhawan, Dr. Swiss Air 22421516 declare, the name changes as, Ambedkar Nagar, New Delhi, Saudia 22426306 given name Sheeja Beegum and 110062, would like to change my Middle East Airlines` 22423073 Surname Abdul Khadar. (C 5547) name to CHANDERVATI, Passport Lufthansa 22422493 No. A6554388, 967 Street 31 PIA 22421044 I, Pakkir Mohamed Anver Ali, Pushpa Bhawan, Dr. Ambedkar Bangladesh Airlines 22452977/8 holder of Indian Passport No. Nagar, New Delhi, 110062. R5458898 wish to correct my (C 5548) 11-6-2019

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PGT 859 Istanbul 02:50 KAC 563 Amman 16:00 KAC 156 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 412 Bangkok 15:10 KKK 1269 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 THY 768 Istanbul 02:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 775 Riyadh 16:05 JZR 502 Lahore 02:55 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 UAE 854 Dubai 03:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 16:20 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 KAC 546 Cairo 15:50 THY 769 Istanbul 03:50 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 SVA 504 Madinah 16:00 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 OMA 646 Muscat 16:20 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 FEG 341 Sohag 16:00 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 KAC 619 Doha 16:25 KAC 418 Manila 03:20 FD B051 Dubai 16:10 QTR 1087 Doha 04:15 FEG 242 Alexandria 16:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:10 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:55 OHY 352 Istanbul 04:00 JZR 732 Cairo 16:10 JZR 1735 Cairo 04:40 SVA 505 Madinah 17:00 IGO 1751 Chennai 04:10 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 QTR 1077 Doha 05:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 KAC 784 Jeddah 04:25 KAC 502 Beirut 16:15 OHY 351 Istanbul 05:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 KAC 796 Madinah 04:25 SAW 705 Damascus 17:00 IGO 1752 Chennai 05:10 KAC 155 Istanbul 17:35 JZR 404 Hyderabad 04:50 JZR 116 Doha 17:05 KAC 303 Mumbai 05:15 KAC 361 Colombo 17:35 FDB 069 Dubai 05:05 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:10 KAC 103 London 05:20 KAC 503 Beirut 17:40 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:05 OMS 225 Muscat 17:20 JZR 737 Cairo 05:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:40 KAC 382 Delhi 05:15 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 THY 1465 Istanbul 06:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 KAC 343 Chennai 17:50 THY 770 Istanbul 05:20 JZR 214 Jeddah 17:35 FDB 070 Dubai 06:00 KAC 381 Delhi 17:55 JZR 402 Mumbai 05:25 JZR 124 Dubai 17:40 THY 771 Istanbul 06:30 SAW 706 Damascus 18:00 KAC 344 Chennai 05:30 KAC 158 Istanbul 18:00 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 OMS 226 Muscat 18:00 KAC 552 Cairo 05:45 JZR 104 Bahrain 18:00 RJA 649 Amman 07:00 KAC 615 Bahrain 18:10 JZR 112 Doha 05:50 QTR 1080 Doha 18:10 JZR 251 Amman 07:10 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:10 BAW 157 London 06:10 JZR 302 Istanbul 18:20 JZR 121 Dubai 07:15 JZR 721 Alexandria 18:15 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:15 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 167 Paris 07:15 JZR 127 Dubai 18:20 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:15 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 RBG 550 Alexandria 07:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 714 Sohag 06:20 FDB 063 Dubai 19:05 JZR 113 Doha 07:30 JZR 403 Hyderabad 18:25 KAC 678 Dubai 06:40 RJA 640 Amman 19:05 BAW 156 London 08:00 JZR 733 Cairo 18:35 RBG 559 Alexandria 06:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 KAC 165 Rome 08:00 JZR 253 Amman 19:10 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:50 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:00 JZR 261 Beirut 19:10 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:05 KAC 744 Dammam 19:25 IGO 1756 CNN 08:10 QTR 1081 Doha 19:20 IGO 1755 CNN 07:10 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:45 JZR 151 Mashhad 08:15 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 358 Kochi 07:25 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 FDB 064 Dubai 19:45 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 KAC 545 Cairo 08:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 QTR 1084 Doha 08:00 KNE 381 Taif 20:00 KAC 501 Beirut 08:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 19:55 KAC 354 Bengaluru 08:00 KAC 104 London 20:00 KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 08:50 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:05 KAC 166 Rome 20:00 KAC 561 Amman 08:55 RJA 641 Amman 20:05 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 KAC 613 Bahrain 09:00 JZR 401 Mumbai 20:30 JZR 706 Asyut 08:25 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:10 KAC 117 New York 09:05 KAC 351 Kochi 20:30 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:50 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 KAC 511 Mashhad 09:05 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 OMA 641 Muscat 09:00 JZR 126 Dubai 20:20 QTR 1085 Doha 09:10 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 AB Y125 Sharjah 09:00 MSC 401 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:15 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:40 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:50 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:15 KAC 620 Doha 20:30 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 DLH 624 Dammam 20:55 QTR 1070 Doha 09:20 QTR 1088 Doha 20:40 KAC 157 Istanbul 09:20 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 IGO 1753 Ahmedabad 09:40 RBG 217 Asyut 20:55 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:00 KAC 773 Riyadh 09:40 MSC 402 Alexandria 21:30 KAC 384 Delhi 09:55 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:00 JZR 731 Cairo 09:45 RBG 214 Sohag 21:35 IAW 157A Al Najaf 10:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:10 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 SYR 341 Damascus 10:00 KAC 192 Tbilisi 21:10 JZR 301 Istanbul 09:55 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:50 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 10:20 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 09:55 QTR 1089 Doha 21:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 OMA 642 Muscat 10:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:55 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 KAC 101 London 10:05 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:10 QTR 1074 Doha 11:00 THY 764 Istanbul 21:30 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:15 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 JZR 1736 Cairo 11:05 KAC 616 Bahrain 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 10:30 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 JZR 114 Doha 11:10 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 THY 1413 Trabzon 22:25 KIS 6032 Mashhad 11:30 KAC 564 Amman 21:55 IGO 1754 Ahmedabad 10:40 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 JZR 122 Dubai 11:45 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 KAC 617 Doha 10:40 KAC 383 Delhi 22:35 TBZ 6605 Mashhad 11:55 JAV 621 Amman 22:15 SYR 342 Damascus 11:00 JZR 407 Ahmedabad 22:40 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:00 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 IAW 158A Al Najaf 11:00 KAC 547 Alexandria 22:45 JZ R252 Amman 12:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:20 JZR 221 Riyadh 11:20 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 JZR 738 Cairo 12:20 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 AXB 890 Mangalore 11:20 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:55 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 SVA 514 Riyadh 22:25 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KAC 411 Bangkok 23:00 RBG 553 Alexandria 12:30 SVA 502 Jeddah 22:45 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 KAC 551 Cairo 23:00 JZR 410 Delhi 12:30 JZR 128 Dubai 22:50 JZR 213 Jeddah 12:05 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 KAC 614 Bahrain 12:30 MSC 411 Asyut 23:15 QTR 1075 Doha 12:10 JAV 622 Amman 23:15 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 KIS 6033 Mashhad 12:30 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 SVA 515 Riyadh 23:25 MSR 610 Cairo 12:45 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 TBZ 6606 Mashhad 12:55 SVA 503 Jeddah 23:45 24 Established 1961 News Wednesday, June 12, 2019

This aerial photo taken yesterday shows a farmer drying wheat with a tractor during harvest season in Lianyungang in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. — AFP Israeli court finalizes Jerusalem church land sale to settler group

JERUSALEM: Israel’s top court gave final approval Supreme Court’s decision as “illegal and illegitimate”. yesterday for the 2004 sale of properties by the Greek “The seizure of the historic Jaffa Gate properties by Orthodox Church to a Jewish pro-settlement organiza- extremist settler organizations is a new catastrophe to tion in mainly Palestinian areas of annexed east the misfortunes suffered by the Christians in this Holy Jerusalem. In its Monday decision, the supreme court City,” he said, calling for the deal to be cancelled in a rejected the church’s appeal against a district court’s lawful manner. 2017 approval of the same deal. Three companies The Greek Orthodox Church is the largest and linked to a group named Ateret Cohanim in 2004 wealthiest church in the Holy Land. Its Jerusalem patri- secured the long-term lease of three buildings owned archate commands massive wealth, largely in land port- by the Greek Orthodox Church-the Petra hostel and the folios in Israel, the occupied West Bank and Jordan, with New Imperial Hotel, both located by the Jaffa Gate, and Palestinians often accusing it of selling or leasing prop- a residential building in the Muslim Quarter. erties to Israel. Israel took over mainly Palestinian east Ateret Cohanim works to “Judaize” east Jerusalem in Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it its entirety by purchasing real estate in the city’s in a move never recognized by the international commu- Palestinian areas through front companies. The deal nity. It now considers the entire city its capital, citing the made Ateret Cohanim the owner of the majority of the Jewish historical and biblical connection there. properties between the Old City’s Jaffa Gate and Arab The Palestinians see east Jerusalem, which includes market. A source close to the Greek Orthodox patri- the Old City, as the capital of their future state. Some archy of the early 2000’s told AFP in 2017 that the 320,000 Palestinians live in east Jerusalem, while the church was unaware of the land sale. The sale triggered Israeli settler population there has grown to 210,000. Palestinian anger and led to the 2005 dismissal of The Jerusalem district court had dealt with claims Patriarch Irineos I. against the deal for nine years before approving it. The In a statement yesterday, Palestinian Greek supreme court said the earlier ruling was sound and JERUSALEM: This picture taken yesterday shows a view of the Petra Hostel (right) and the New Imperial Hotel Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna described the “the appeal is rejected”. — AFP (left) in the Old City of Jerusalem near Jaffa Gate. —AFP

“The police need to act to penalize users who, for to lack of required technical assistance,” resident Kultar First electric scooter example, cross a red light,” he said. Indian toddler Singh was quoted as saying by local media. Mayor Anne Hidalgo had on Thursday announced a The bore well was dug by the child’s family in 1984. ban on parking electric scooters on the pavement and They used to draw water from it to irrigate the fields death in Paris as said their speed on roads should be limited to 20 km dies after 110... per hour. Paris has already introduced fines of €135 but stopped using it after 1991. Punjab Chief Minister for riding electric scooters on the pavement. Fans Continued from Page 1 Amarinder Singh has ordered a crackdown on open controversy rages have embraced scooters as a quick and cheap way to wells across the state. “Very sad to hear about the trag- PARIS: A man died in Paris after his electric scooter get around since the “dockless” devices are unlocked lawmaker, told AFP. The toddler, who had oxygen ic death of young Fatehveer,” he tweeted yesterday. collided with a lorry, sources said yesterday, the first with a phone app and can be left anywhere when a supplies but no food or water, was flown in an air “Have sought reports from all DCs (deputy commis- such fatality involving the increasingly-popular devices ride is finished. ambulance to a hospital in the capital Chandigarh sioners) regarding any open bore well so that such ter- in the French capital as concern grows over their safety. But critics say they are a grave safety risk both for where he was declared dead. Authorities had dug a rible accidents can be prevented in the future.” The 25-year-old was riding the scooter in the bustling users and pedestrians while scooters strewn randomly hole parallel to the well and inserted a 36-inch wide The tragedy underscored the dangers of uncov- Goutte d’Or neighbourhood in the north of the city across the city have also become an eyesore. French pipe into it, in an attempt to reach the trapped toddler. ered wells which are common across northern India. Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne yesterday said she when the accident happened late Monday. He was Villagers angry about the failed rescue mission gath- A one-and-a-half-year-old child was rescued in was in favor of new mobility options but admitted the rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries, the Paris ered at the site Tuesday and shouted slogans against March, in Haryana state, after being trapped for two emergency services said. development of the scooter market was “totally anar- the state government. Protesters also blocked a main days. In 2006, a six-year-old child was recovered The lorry driver has been detained with prosecu- chic, and this poses safety problems”. She said legisla- road briefly before police were deployed to prevent tors opening an investigation into “involuntary homi- tion would be in the pipeline later this year to provide a safely in the same state after being stuck in a well for cide”. A source close to the case, who asked not to be framework on rules for scooter usage. further trouble. The rescue operation was “delayed due 48 hours. — AFP named, said the lorry driver had priority on the road But the government was still against making it oblig- at the time. It was the first deadly accident involving atory to wear a helmet on a scooter or on a bicycle for an electric scooter within the city limits, police and the over 12s, she said. “The French are tired of having the mayor’s office confirmed. According to press obligations imposed on them. What we recommend is a Third, there will be a focus on rebuilding trust in the reports, an 81-year-old man died in April in Levallois- helmet is worn and everyone takes their responsibility,” UK and Canada media and countering disinformation. Perret outside Paris, days after being knocked over by she said. The mobility benefits of scooters, as well as the Fourth, we will look at media ownership and its an electric scooter. dangers inherent in using them, is making their increas- impact on media independence, with a view to coming Just a year after they first appeared on the Paris ing popularity an issue not just in France but across co-host world’s first... up with recommendations on media sustainability. streets, mushrooming electric scooters have become a Europe. Germany in May authorized battery-powered Continued from Page 1 Our joint expectation is that the London Conference gigantic headache for the Paris authorities who are now scooters on its streets and cycle paths but banned them will inspire common action worldwide. All participants rushing to implement some kind of framework for their from pavements to protect pedestrians. Also in May, a will be invited to make a solemn pledge and specific use. Monday’s deadly accident has “underlined the need young man aged 27 died after being hit by a car while Media freedom is also under threat from increasing commitments. Countries will also be encouraged to to emphasize the elementary rules that users must riding an electric scooter just after they were launched intolerance of independent reporting, widespread and design National Action Plans on journalists’ safety, in the Swedish city of Helsingborg. — AFP respect,” deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire told AFP. growing corruption, and the breakdown of law and supported by an international task force. We also plan order. We must work together to stop the alarming to hold the first meeting of the High Level Panel of value of inventories has been reduced from some KD increase in attacks on journalists and the media. Next Legal Experts on Media Freedom, to be convened by Finance minister 8.6 billion to around KD 4.5 billion, adding that trans- month’s conference is an important milestone in our the Foreign Secretary’s Special Envoy Amal Clooney, fers between chapters of the budget are mainly to two governments’ wider media freedom campaign. It is and to launch a global Media Freedom Defence Fund finance the employment of Kuwaitis. a response to the UN Secretary-General’s call “to pro- to support follow-up. defends foreign... The two lawmakers had charged that the ministry of tect journalists and media workers and to create the As the British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in Continued from Page 1 finance is responsible for losses of billions of dollars in conditions they need to do their essential work, and to a recent speech, “We want to build a coalition of gov- Kuwaiti investments abroad and locally, some of them investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of attacks”. ernments committed to a stronger diplomatic response Hajraf said more than 95 percent of the issues raised very suspicious. MP Adasani said hundreds of millions Canada and the UK want to see a renewed and when media freedom is curtailed, and to ensure greater in the grilling were from long before he became a min- of dinars were lost by the social security institution by strengthened commitment from the international com- support when countries do the right thing, remove munity to the safety and protection of journalists. The ister, which means that raising these issues involves a not taking timely action against its former managing restrictions and push out the frontiers of free expres- conference itself will seek to arrive at commitments constitutional violation. He said the state’s finances and director who fled the country, claiming the ministry has sion.... A free media is not an optional extra, still less a and a joint pledge along four main themes: investments have improved, saying this will be illustrat- not taken proper legal action against him. ‘Western’ value: it forms one pillar of a thriving society, First, participants will discuss measures to enhance ed when the country’s financial status is discussed in He highlighted a corruption case in port investments, benefiting people in every corner of the world.” the safety of journalists, with particular focus on the Assembly, adding that such finances and those of alleging an organized gang was stealing public funds The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. female journalists, activating international mechanisms, defense will be kept confidential. through some fake companies, charging that some Chrystia Freeland, PC, MP said : and ways of ending impunity through more prosecu- In any democracy, journalists must have the ability The minister declined to explain what is happening overseas interference has taken place to protect those tions of those abusing journalists’ rights. to report facts freely, to defend, expose and advance in the Philippines with regards to Kuwaiti investment in involved. Adasani also said some KD 290 million was Second, the conference will look at national legal the truth without fear of retaliation, reprisal, violence order to safeguard measures being taken by the invest- lost by the Touristic Enterprises Co. MP Mulla claimed and professional frameworks for protecting journalists or imprisonment. Canada will always defend this right. ment authorities. Hajraf said it is not possible that “all the government keeps investment information confiden- and safeguarding media freedom. We anticipate in We are very pleased to co-host this conference with our investments everywhere will be successful, because tial because it does not want anyone to see its manage- particular the launch of Joint Declarations by Special the United Kingdom, and we look forward to joining all ment failures. investments are subject to loss and profit”. He said the Rapporteurs on Media Freedom. participants in London later this year.” 25 Sports Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Diamondbacks top Philadelphia in record 13-homer game Rockies out-slug Cubs despite Chicago’s 3-HR inning

PHILADELPHIA: The Diamondbacks hit a franchise- Ronald Acuna Jr., and the Braves rolled over record eight home runs, and they combined with the Pittsburgh. Acuna delivered his 15th homer to highlight Phillies for a major-league-record 13 homers as a five-run outburst in the second inning that erased a Arizona won 13-8 at Philadelphia on Monday. Arizona’s 1-0 deficit and put the Braves ahead to stay. Albies Eduardo Escobar hit two home runs and finished with added a solo homer in the third and another in the sev- four hits and five RBIs. Ildemaro Vargas also hit two enth, his eighth and ninth. Freddie Freeman hit his 18th home runs while Jarrod Dyson, Ketel Marte, David homer in the fourth, a two-run shot. Atlanta third base- Peralta and Alex Avila each homered for the man Josh Donaldson and Pittsburgh starter Joe Diamondbacks. Marte had three hits and two runs as Musgrove and manager Clint Hurdle were ejected in the Diamondbacks won their fifth in a row. The the first inning. Donaldson was grazed by a fastball and Diamondbacks’ previous season high for home runs in exchanged words with Musgrove. Donaldson shoved a game was five. The Phillies added five home runs-two catcher Elias Diaz, who was trying to shield his pitcher, by Scott Kingery and one apiece for Jean Segura, Rhys and players from both teams rushed onto the field. Hoskins and Jay Bruce. Kingery also had a triple in his 3-for-5 game for the Phillies, who dropped their sec- RAYS 6, ATHLETICS 2 ond in a row. Aided by three home runs, Charlie Morton extended his unbeaten streak to 21 games with seven shutout ROCKIES 6, CUBS 5 innings as Tampa Bay won the opener of a three-game Charlie Blackmon homered and had three hits, series with Oakland in St. Petersburg, Fla. Brandon Nolan Arenado and Ian Desmond also hit home runs, Lowe, Kevin Kiermaier and Ji-Man Choi hit two-run and Colorado beat Chicago in Denver. Ryan McMahon homers, helping the Rays prevail in their first meeting had a tiebreaking single in the eighth to lift the of the season with the A’s. Morton (8-0) struggled ear- Rockies. Scott Oberg (4-0) pitched an inning of relief, ly but retired the last 14 batters he faced before turn- and Wade Davis got the final three outs for his eighth ing a 4-0 lead over to the Tampa Bay bullpen. The vet- save. David Bote, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber eran, whose unbeaten streak began last August against PHILADELPHIA: Jarrod Dyson #1 of the Arizona Diamondbacks lined out to end the top of the fifth inning all hit third-inning homers for the Cubs. Oakland, allowed just two hits and two walks in his against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Diamondbacks seven innings. He struck out seven. defeated the Phillies 13-8. — AFP ANGELS 5, DODGERS 3 Wilfredo Tovar’s fielder’s choice plated the tiebreak- RANGERS 4, RED SOX 3 (11 INNINGS) former home stadium, and Michael Wacha pitched six Washington past host Chicago. Kurt Suzuki smacked a ing run, and Mike Trout smacked a two-run homer as Elvis Andrus hit a tiebreaking single in the 11th scoreless innings as St. Louis won at Miami. Ozuna ninth-inning grand slam as part of a six-run rally that the Los Angeles Angels rallied to beat the Los Angeles inning as Texas rallied past host Boston to begin a went 2-for-3 with a double, a single and a walk as the punctuated the Washington rout. Suzuki knocked in Dodgers to begin the Freeway Series at Anaheim, Calif. four-game series. Andrus’ game-winner drove in Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak despite five runs, Adam Eaton had three hits, and Juan Soto, The Angels pushed across two runs in the bottom of Danny Santana, who began the frame with his fourth getting just four hits. Ozuna is 5-for-7 in his past two Howie Kendrick and Victor Robles added two hits the eighth without benefit of a hit as they won for just hit of the game, a double. Jesse Chavez (2-1) escaped a games and is hitting .462 in seven career games apiece. Washington’s 16-hit attack proved to be plenty the third time in the past eight games. Ty Buttrey (4-2) bases-loaded jam with two outs in the 10th to get the against the Marlins. Wacha (4-2) improved his career of support for Sanchez (2-6), who limited Chicago to worked the eighth, and Hansel Robles worked out of a win for Texas, and Chris Martin pitched a perfect bot- record against Miami to 3-0. He allowed five hits-all one run on four hits and one walk with one strikeout. ninth-inning jam for his eighth save. Chris Taylor deliv- tom of the 11th for his second save. Ryan Brasier (2-3) singles-and two walks, striking out four in his first win ered a two-run double for the Dodgers, who fell for took the loss for Red Sox, who tied the game in the since May 9. He had been relegated to the bullpen METS-YANKEES, PPD only the fourth time in the last 17 games. bottom of the ninth after blowing the lead in the top of after losing his second straight start on May 22. The opener of the annual Subway Series between the ninth. the New York Yankees and New York Mets at Yankee BRAVES 13, PIRATES 7 NATIONALS 12, WHITE SOX 1 Stadium was postponed due to heavy rain. The game Host Atlanta hit a season-high five home runs, CARDINALS 4, MARLINS 1 Trea Turner doubled, tripled and homered, and will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader including two by Ozzie Albies and a grand slam by Marcell Ozuna scored two runs in his return to his Anibal Sanchez pitched six strong innings to boost Tuesday. — Reuters Land of the rising scrum: Japan packs Stronger, faster, down for World Cup but not higher: FUKUOKA: A newly refurbished stadium, tattoo- Tokyo Olympics friendly baths and enough traditional street bars to sat- isfy the thirstiest fan: Japan’s southern port city of Fukuoka is pulling out all the stops for the Rugby to warn on weed World Cup. With just 100 days to go until rugby’s showcase TOKYO: In what you might call a joint statement, kicks off in Asia for the first time, organisers are confi- Tokyo 2020 organisers yesterday noted the need to dent everything is in place for what could be the most warn countries with relaxed cannabis laws that open World Cup yet. Fukuoka’s 20,000-seat, saucer- weed isn’t allowed in Japan. shaped stadium, surrounded by trees, is being spruced “There are countries and regions around the up with new lighting, seats and screens, and fresh turf. world that have relaxed rules recently on the use of The city hosts three group matches, including games cannabis,” noted Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto. involving Ireland and France, and organisers are leaving “The use of cannabis constitutes a violation of nothing to chance amid headlines of beer shortages and the law in Japan and that needs to be fully commu- bans on tattoos at onsens, traditional Japanese baths. nicated,” he added. Muto said the topic was raised Onsens generally bar people with tattoos, given their by a member of the Tokyo 2020 executive board as historic link to organised crime in Japan, but officials something that should be transmitted to the heads are surveying establishments willing to relax the rules FUKUOKA: A ground keeper works on the pitch at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori stadium, one of the venues for of country teams when they visit Tokyo ahead of for the tournament. the 2019 Rugby World Cup, in Fukuoka. —AFP the Games. “By the time the tournament rolls around, we will be Cannabis rules in Japan are strict, with up to five able to offer a full list of onsens that fans can enjoy,” years’ prison for personal use and seven years for Kazuhiro Shinohara, head of the regional organising the traditional offering, Grenard is hoping for a flood of Rugby, meanwhile, has raised doubts about how to dealing. Cannabis is also listed as a performance- committee, told AFP. But with beer-guzzling supporters visitors during the World Cup. capitalise on the World Cup to build the game in the enhancing drug by the World Anti-Doping Agency. descending en masse, Shinohara is in no doubt as to the “They told me there would be 3,000 French fans in country and across Asia. On the streets of Fukuoka too, The US anti-doping agency USADA notes on its priority after fears host cities had underestimated rug- one day,” joked Grenard as he chatted with customers, organisers face a challenge to promote rugby in base- website that marijuana could “decrease anxiety and by fans’ drinking capacity. “The biggest point in our only stopping to extinguish a brief kitchen fire or pose ball-mad Japan. tension, resulting in better sport performance under view is nightlife and alcohol-more than anything, rugby for selfies with locals. “Only problem, I’ve only got 10 “I am not personally interested in it,” said Tomoaki pressure”. “Due to the illegal nature of marijuana in fans drink a lot of beer,” he said, adding he was briefing seats and I would need a month to feed them all!” Ueda, a 50-year-old salesman, adding that his most countries, the use or abuse of marijuana does establishments to ensure kegs are full. After previously warning local organisers to raise American-football-playing colleague is more excited. “I not exhibit the ethics and moral judgment that Fukuoka will be the only host city where fans can their game, tournament director Alan Gilpin told AFP am from the baseball generation.” upholds the spirit of sport,” the body adds. slake their thirst at traditional street bars, or “yatai”, they were “exactly where we want to be with 100 days Takashi Tsukamoto, a 35-year-old maintenance The issue hit the headlines in Japan when two tiny stalls seating only a dozen or so which sell booze to go”. Ticket sales had shown “incredible demand”, worker, admitted: “I don’t even know when it will be Japanese snowboarders were punished after traces and comfort food. Gilpin said. “We’re heading for a sell-out, so that’s great.” held. Baseball and football are big in Fukuoka-rugby is of marijuana were detected in their hair following a On the pitch, Gilpin said there were “genuinely more not even shown on regular TV.” BAR-HOPPING FANS party in December 2015. contenders than there have been in a World Cup for a Kazuhiko Obata, who is in charge of supervising the One of the athletes admitted taking the drug at a A Fukuoka speciality, around 100 yatai line the city very long time” with “more unpredictability” than ever. matches in Fukuoka, is aware of the issue, admitting party while on tour in Colorado, where cannabis streets, the idea being to visit several in an evening- rugby is “unfamiliar for many Japanese” but urged the AN ‘UNFAMILIAR’ SPORT was legalised for recreational purposes in 2012, good news for bar-hopping fans. public to seize a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance to see the provided the user is 21 years old. Skateboarding Business was clearly booming for Frenchman Remy Not everything has been plain sailing though, with a world’s best. “Our duty is to convey to people how bril- and surfing, two counter-culture pursuits with Grenard, 42, a rare foreign yatai owner, with several recent mix-up on the ticketing website forcing red- liant it is,” he said. “If they watch it, I am absolutely reputedly high rates of drug use, are among the customers waiting for a coveted spot at his bar. faced organisers to refund tickets listed for the wrong convinced people would feel the appeal of rugby. sports that will be contested at Tokyo 2020. — AFP Offering wine and cassoulet stew, a French twist on venue. The ejection of Japan’s Sunwolves from Super There’s no sport like it.” — AFP

down with my emotions,” Thomas said Monday after prac- California coast. ticing at sun-drenched Pebble. “Every major has their ‘Oh, wow, you won the US Open Thomas hopes for “I just feel like he handled that really well. So maybe if I at Pebble Beach or you won the Open Championship at St. got in that scenario then I could — I hate to say channel Andrews,’” Thomas said. “This is as good as it gets for a chance to ‘channel my inner BK, to boost his ego-but definitely show some of US Open.” those characteristics.” Thomas has had his own experience Koepka was on the course Monday. So was 15-time defending a big lead. He took a seven-stroke lead into the major champion Tiger Woods-whose 15-shot US Open tri- inner Koepka’ final day of the 2017 Sony Open, and won by the same umph at Pebble in 2000 remains a monumental achieve- margin. “It’s still, to this day, the most nervous I’ve been ment. “From what I’ve heard from everybody, the course is PEBBLE BEACH: Justin Thomas says missing the PGA teeing off,” Thomas said, adding that the pressure only absolutely perfect,” said Thomas, who limited himself to Championship with a wrist injury was difficult but instruc- increased with reporters helpfully pointing out that “No the practice areas on Monday. “Jordan (Spieth) said it’s the tive, and he hopes he’ll have a chance to apply what he one has ever blown a seven-shot lead in the history of the best poa annua greens he’s ever seen in his life. learned watching Brooks Koepka’s Bethpage triumph PGA Tour on Sunday. “I’m excited to check it out. I really do love US Opens,” when the US Open tees off this week at Pebble Beach. “Every question I got was led with that,” he said. “It Thomas said. “I love the test, the grind. They just have a “I feel like I learned a lot,” said the world number seven, was tough at the Sony Open. So I can’t imagine how it was different feel to them, like all the majors do.” With an icon- who claimed his lone major title at the PGA Championship at the PGA Championship.” Koepka passed the test and ic venue at their disposal, the US Golf Association will be at Quail Hollow in 2017. The seven-shot lead Koepka took arrived at Pebble Beach this week chasing history. He can under the microscope. into the final round at Bethpage last month dwindled to become just the second golfer, after Willie Anderson in Woods and world number three Rory McIlroy went on one stroke on the back nine before he emerged with the 1903, 1904 and 1905 to win three straight US Open cham- record last month saying they wished the USGA would go victory-his fourth major triumph. pionships after his victories at Erin Hills in 2017 and wind- back to traditional US Open style course set-up of tight HAMILTON: Justin Thomas of the United States plays “Watching how he handled that and the adversity that whipped Shinnecock Hills last year. fairways and dense rough, and perhaps forego some of the his shot from the third tee during the final round of the was thrown at him and just the shots that he hit when he Thomas says there’s no better place to pursue such a gimmicky multiple teeing grounds, graduated rough and RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club needed to, because I know that I can get a little bit up and feat than the scenic course on the rugged northern chipping areas that have featured in recent years.—AFP in Hamilton, Canada. — AFP 26 Sports Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Finch hopes washouts don’t hurt Australia’s World Cup Australia call-up Mitchell Marsh after Stoinis’s side strain

TAUNTON: Australia captain Aaron Finch with a fine performance. a side strain that ruled him out of today’s hopes the holders don’t become the latest “I think Pakistan are obviously a very World Cup match against Pakistan in World Cup team to be derailed by bad dangerous side,” Finch said of Pakistan, Taunton. weather. Heavy rain has forced two no- who have only won one of their last 14 Stoinis sustained the injury during cham- results in the World Cup so far and Finch matches against Australia. “We’ve seen pions Australia’s 36-run defeat by India at has been anxiously eyeing the forecast to consistently throughout, especially ICC the Oval on Sunday. Australia, however, will see if Australia could be the next victims tournaments, that they win a lot of games wait to decide whether to bring in Marsh as when they face Pakistan at Taunton today. and they get themselves in a position to win a permanent tournament replacement for Pakistan’s match against Sri Lanka was the tournament. Stoinis-a decision that will require the washed out on Friday before the clash “They had a great Champions Trophy. So approval of the World Cup’s event technical between South Africa and the West Indies regardless of what kind of form Pakistan go committee. was abandoned after less than eight overs in with, they’re always incredibly danger- International Cricket Council regulations play on Monday. There is rain predicted in ous.” Pakistan survived a defeat against allow injured players to be replaced during the Taunton area today and Finch conceded India in their opening game of the 2017 the World Cup but they cannot then rejoin luck with the weather could play a role in Champions Trophy before crushing their their squad if they regain full fitness later on who makes the semi-finals from the 10- arch rivals in the final, leaving Finch a firm in the tournament. “Stoinis has a bit of a team group stage. admirer of several of their players. side strain,” Finch told reporters in Taunton “I think it (weather) might play a huge “They’ve got some world-class players. yesterday. part in the next few days,” Finch told Obviously Babar (Azam) is in great touch “He won’t be available for tomorrow. So we’re going to have to juggle around espe- reporters yesterday. “Next week it starts batting at No. 3 and holding their batting TAUNTON: Australia’s captain Aaron Finch speaks at a press conference at The cially that all-rounder spot and have got fine and looks good across the country for together,” Finn said. “(Mohammad) Amir County Ground in Taunton, southwest England yesterday, ahead of their 2019 Mitch Marsh flying over just as a bit of a the remainder of the tournament. “So it’s coming back and he looks to be back to his World Cup match against Pakistan. — AFP important that you get early wins on the best. He’s swinging the ball again. Wahab precaution. “(We’re) not exactly sure on board because you don’t want to be on the (Riaz) has been fast and aggressive. Shadab how many games he’ll miss,” added Finch. wrong end of a couple of washouts that (Khan) is a great bowler. “It’s still being assessed. Over the next cou- medium pace including a superb and wins from their three World Cup matches might leave you just outside that top four.” “Hasan (Ali) had a great Champions ple of days we’ll have a clearer picture on caught bowled to dismiss MS Dhoni. Marsh so far, having beaten both Afghanistan and Australia failed to qualify for the semi- Trophy as well,” said Finch of the pace what that looks like. was not included in Australia’s original 15- the West Indies before losing to India. finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy in bowler who was the player of the Finch, explaining how Stoinis had been man squad for the World Cup but is a mem- They are now fourth in the table with England following their rained-off matches Champions Trophy with 13 wickets in 2017. injured, added: “It was towards the back ber of the Australia A side which will begin four points. Pakistan have three points against New Zealand and Bangladesh “When you look down their side there’s no end of his second spell (against India), and a tour of England in the run-up to the Ashes after a win, a defeat and a no-result before they lost to England on D/L method. player that you can disregard. They’ve got a he came back and bowled two overs at the Test series that starts after the one-day washout. All 10 teams play each other If the match does get underway, Finch lot of experience on their side. They’ve got death. “He was in some discomfort, it international showpiece event. once in the round-robin group stage, with expects unpredictable Pakistan to provide a a lot of match winners.” wasn’t ideal, but he still managed to bowl a “He (Marsh) was meant to fly over with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals. stern test. They lost to the West Indies by Meanwhile, Australia are flying Mitchell couple of overs.” the Australia A side on Friday. He’s just New Zealand now lead the standings with seven wickets in their opening match, but Marsh to England as cover for Marcus Stoinis, 29, was out for a duck against coming a couple days early as a bit of pre- six points following three wins from as shocked tournament favourites England Stoinis after his fellow all-rounder suffered India but took two for 62 with his lively caution,” said Finch.” Australia have two many matches. — AFP

Amir aims for another Taunton triumph as Thumb injury leave Australia await India star Dhawan’s TAUNTON: Mohammad Amir will hope to enjoy another landmark occasion at Taunton when Pakistan face World Cup in doubt Australia there in a World Cup match today. The group fix- ture at southwest county Somerset’s headquarters sees NOTTINGHAM: India’s Shikhar Dhawan is set to Amir back at the ground where he made his return to first- discover the extent of a thumb injury that threat- class cricket in England three years ago. Amir was the ris- ens the opening batsman’s ongoing participation at ing star of world cricket when his career came to a stun- the World Cup. Dhawan led India to their second ning halt during a Lord’s Test in 2010 after both he and straight win of the 50-over tournament with a 109- new-ball partner Mohamed Asif were caught bowling no- ball 117 against reigning champions Australia at the balls on the orders of then Pakistan captain Salman Butt as part of a newspaper sting operation. Oval on Sunday but took a hit to his left thumb The trio all received five-year bans from cricket and jail during the course of his innings. terms. That same 2010 season had seen Amir produce a Team physio Patrick Farhart is due to make a superb display of swing bowling in taking three for 20 as decision on the extent of Dhawan’s injury later Pakistan dismissed Australia for just 88 on the first day of a Tuesday but reports in the Indian media have sug- ‘neutral’ Test at Headingley. gested the 33-year-old has fractured his thumb. Those skills remained intact as Amir marked his 2016 The left-handed batsman suffered the injury as return to the first-class game in England in 2016 with a a result of a nasty blow from a rising delivery by haul of three for 36 against Somerset at Taunton. All three Australia paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile but still wickets-including that of former England opener Marcus went on to complete his 17th one-day international Trescothick-owed much to late swing. NOTTINGHAM: File photo shows Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir (C) celebrates after taking the wicket of century. Dhawan, however, played no further part The intervening years have not been easy for Amir, England’s Jos Buttler during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between England and in the match after his dismissal, with substitute however, and he almost missed what is his first World Cup Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, central England, on June 3, 2019. — AFP Ravindra Jadeja taking the field in his place as after taking just five wickets in 14 matches before a recent India comfortably defended their total of 352 for one-day international series in England. five to complete a 36-run victory. Amir did not bowl in the washed-out first match against tory was inspired by Mohammad Hafeez’s 72 at Melbourne are ready for them.” The Virat Kohli-led side are up against New England and missed the last four games with chicken pox. in January 2017. And it was Hafeez’s 84 that laid the foun- Australia will hope opener Warner, for all he has Zealand in Nottingham on Thursday before taking England won the series 4-0. But having been left out of dations for an impressive total of 348 for eight against already scored two fifties this World Cup, is back to his on arch-rivals Pakistan in the showpiece match of Pakistan’s preliminary squad for the World Cup, the 27- England. “We have not won many matches against destructive best at Taunton. Warner’s 56 off 84 balls the 10-team round-robin group stage in year-old made it into the final 15. Australia but we had not won too many against England against India-of which 48 were dots-helped contribute to Manchester on Sunday. — AFP His World Cup debut was a rare Pakistan highlight after either,” said Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. a slow run-rate that left Australia with too much to do at they slumped to 105 all out against the West Indies, with “But we have finally beaten England and that has given the end of their innings. Amir taking three for 26 in a seven-wicket loss at Trent us a lot of positives. “We will go with the aggressive The left-hander was also involved in the run-out of Bridge. He was in the wickets again at the Nottingham approach we showed against England.” The wicket-keeper Australia captain and opening partner Aaron Finch. But ground, but this time in a winning cause, with two for 67 as expects to face an Australia side stung by a 36-run loss to Finch backed Warner, who along with Smith is playing in Pakistan surprisingly beat tournament favourites England India last weekend-their first defeat of this World Cup fol- his first major tournament for Australia since serving a ICC won’t change by 14 runs last week. But Pakistan’s progress was checked lowing wins over Afghanistan and the West Indies. “We year-long ban for ball-tampering. by a total washout against Sri Lanka at Bristol. Pakistan know Australia will try to come back and with (Steve) “They (India) bowled very well to Warner and he needs have won just one of their last 14 matches against champi- Smith and (David) Warner back they are at their best some more time. He’s a world-class player and will get us bails after WCup ons Australia, the five-times World Cup winners. That vic- again,” said Sarfaraz. “We respect all our opponents and off to a flyer,” said Finch. — AFP wicket problems

Mack flops at LONDON: The International Cricket Council have ignored Bangladesh-S Lanka pleas from World Cup stars to resolve the bail controversy that threatens to spoil the tournament. India captain Virat Aussie trials Kohli and Australia skipper Aaron Finch joined forces to washout sets condemn the “unfair” problem on Sunday. BRISBANE: Olympic champion Mack Horton was ruled Australia’s David Warner avoided being bowled early World Cup record out of the individual races at next month’s world champi- in his side’s unsuccessful run-chase against India when onships when he finished third in the 800 metres at the he deflected Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery onto the wicket Australian trials yesterday. Emma McKeon, Australia’s via his boot. BRISTOL: Sri Lanka’s World Cup match against Not for the first time in this tournament, the ball struck Bangladesh was abandoned without a ball being most successful swimmer at the Rio Olympics, held off ris- ing star Ariarne Titmus to book her spot in the 200m the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails, meaning bowled due to rain in Bristol yesterday. The umpires’ Warner earned an unexpected reprieve. It was the fifth decision left tournament organisers with the unwanted freestyle next month in South Korea. incident in the tournament of the ‘zing’ bails, which contain record for the most number of abandoned games at a But Horton, who had already missed out in his pet lights that flash when the ball hits the wicket, failing to World Cup, surpassing the two each at the 1992 tour- event, the 400m, and the 200m, completed an unwanted nament in Australia and New Zealand and the 2003 treble when he was beaten in the 800m. Mack Horton come off when hit. edition in southern Africa. Horton, who beat China’s Sun Yang for gold in the But despite calls for a change to the bails from Kohli, It was the second successive World Cup match at 400m at Rio, came third in the 800m behind Jack Pellegrini at the last worlds in Budapest, came out of the Finch and former England captains Michael Vaughan and Bristol that had fallen victim to bad weather, with Sri McLoughlin, who touched in 7:46.79, a new personal best. blocks first and never looked back, hitting the wall in a Nasser Hussain, tournament organisers have no plans to Lanka’s group game against Pakistan at southwest Only the top two in each final earn selection for individ- personal best one minute 54.55 seconds. make a switch back to the traditional wooden style. county Gloucestershire’s headquarters on Friday ual races at the world championships, and only if they It was fractionally outside the Commonwealth record “We wouldn’t change anything mid-event as it would another no-result washout that did not witness a sin- swim under the designated qualifying time. set by teenager Titmus last year, setting the pair up as compromise the integrity of the event - the equipment is gle delivery. Rain has also been forecast for today’s No one made the grade alongside McLoughlin, who serious challengers for gold next month. the same for all 10 teams across all 48 games,” the match between Australia and Pakistan in Taunton. No also edged out Horton in the 400m on Sunday. The strap- “I haven’t done a PB in that race for quite some time, I International Cricket Council, the sport’s’s global govern- reserve days have been scheduled for the 10-team ping 24-year-old announced himself last year, claiming think I lost a bit of confidence for a bit,” said McKeon, ing body, told Sky Sports in a statement yesterday. round-robin stage, despite the well-known risks of 1500m gold at the Commonwealth Games before upset- who collected a gold, two silver and a bronze at the 2016 “The stumps have not changed in the last four years. rain during a British summer. ting a top field to win the 400m and 800m at the PanPacs Rio Olympics. “I’m usually out pretty fast... I just focus on They have been used in all ICC events since the 2015 Asked whether there should be reserve days in the in Tokyo. “That was all right, I kind of wanted to go faster,” my stroke count and timing.” Men’s Cricket World Cup and in a range of domestic group phase, Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes, a for- he said of his best-ever 800m time. “But I’m pretty happy McKeon has also qualified for the 100m butterfly, while events. “This means they’ve been used in more than 1000 mer England wicket-keeper, said: “Yes, I would (have with how it is going so far.” Titmus fired a warning shot to Ledecky with a new games-this is a statistical anomaly. them). “I know logistically it would have caused prob- He swims the 1500m on the penultimate day of the tri- Commonwealth record in the 400 metre freestyle this “This issue has always been part of the game, with the lems. But we can put a man on the moon, so if we have als on Thursday. McKeon, who shared silver with American week. In other racing yesterday, David Morgan qualified in accepted concept being that it requires some force to dis- to travel a day later, so be it.” —AFP superstar Katie Ledecky behind Italian great Federica the 200m butterfly. — AFP turb a batsman’s ‘castle’.” — AFP 27 Sports Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Ramos and Morata on the spot as Spain cruise past Sweden

Spain stay top of Group F, now five points clear of second-placed Sweden MADRID: Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Morata both Kepa Arrizabalaga had little to do in goal but his scored penalties as Spain beat Sweden 3-0 on Monday third consecutive start suggests he is now not just an to keep their perfect start to Euro 2020 qualifying alternative to Manchester United’s David de Gea but intact. Spain struggled to break down a determined the side’s preferred keeper. “I think in Spain we don’t Sweden defence at the Santiago Bernabeu until Ramos watch so much foreign football,” Moreno said. “If they’d struck in the 64th minute after Sebastian Larsson seen the end of the season Kepa had, nobody would be blocked Marco Asensio’s cross with his hand. surprised by our decision.” Two late goals in two minutes then gave the score a Sweden’s disciplined defence carried them to the deceptively comfortable look as Ramos deferred a sec- World Cup quarter-finals almost a year ago and Spain ond spot-kick to Morata, who had won the foul, before only really rattled them for five minutes in the opening Mikel Oyarzabal curled in a third. half. The first of a flurry of chances saw Fabian’s shot Victory means Spain stay top of Group F, now five palmed over by Robin Olsen, who then parried away a points clear of second-placed Sweden, with four wins dipping volley from Parejo. out of four. Their advantage reflects an impressive Even when Spain had the ball in the net it was return to form after a disappointing performance in the crossed off, incorrectly, for offside, after Rodrigo UEFA Nations League, even if the previous three suc- tapped in Parejo’s cutback. VAR, not in use until the cesses came against Norway, Malta and the Faroe tournament’s finals, would surely have intervened. Islands. Luis Enrique has been absent from matches Albin Ekdal was also fortunate not to concede a since missing Spain’s win over Malta in March due to a penalty when he placed both hands on the shoulders of family emergency and he was away from the bench Ramos but referee William Collum was not so tolerant again, leaving his assistant Robert Moreno in charge. after half-time. Asensio’s cross was blocked by the “We can still improve in lots of ways,” said Moreno. outstretched arm of Larsson for a clear spot-kick, leav- “We’re looking for perfection.” ing Ramos to whip right-footed into the bottom corner. Moreno confirmed on Sunday he has been in con- Sweden had not been without chances of their own, stant contact with Luis Enrique and Ramos has insisted Ludwig Augustinsson firing a shot into Ramos before the situation is not affecting the players. Robin Quaison hit straight at Kepa. But they capitulat- There have been many given a chance to impress, ed late on as Spain added two in the 85th and 87th with eight changes from the 4-1 thrashing of the Faroe minutes. First Morata, on for Asensio, drew a foul from Islands on Friday taking the number of starters to 24 in Filip Helander with an aggressive run into the box and, the last four games alone. after Ramos deferred, struck the penalty into the cor- Dani Parejo and Fabian Ruiz both impressed in mid- ner. Then, Oyarzabal, who had replaced Rodrigo, dart- MADRID: Spain’s forward Alvaro Morata shoots a penalty kick to score Spain’s second goal during the field but Asensio and Isco lacked spark again in the ed inside Augustinsson and curled a brilliant shot UEFA Euro 2020 group F qualifying football match between Spain and Sweden at the Santiago Bernabeu final third, with Rodrigo Moreno also ceding ground to between Olsen’s hand and the far post to wrap up a stadium in Madrid. —AFP Morata in the central striker spot. hard-earned win. — AFP

“You really have to love what you do, because other- Toppserie earn less than 100,000 kroner (10,200 Equal pay in wise you don’t have the heart to do it,” says Guro euros, $11,590) a year, according to a report by news- Bergsvand, a defender for the Stabaek club who by day paper VG. And 13.6 percent of them don’t make a cent. is head of administration for an IT company. In 2017, the club Avaldsnes had to resort to online soccer? Norway Her daily routine is jam-packed and disciplined. crowd funding to make ends meet to be able to travel Hopeful Messi Everyday, she leaves the house at 6:00 am for a work- to Montenegro for the Champions League qualifiers. still far from the goal out. Then she has a “normal” workday at the office, and The same year, the average income for a single player rounds it all off with football practice. She usually at Rosenborg, which won the men’s top division, was keen to end returns home around 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm. higher than that of all of the women combined who OSLO: Guro puts in 60 to 70-hour weeks, half her time “It’s not easy. Your employer also has to understand played for LSK, which won the women’s top division. Argentina spent on football and the other half at her job, but that’s you, they have to understand that women play football. Even at Lillestrom, the lowest-ranking team in the just the way it is if you’re a woman football player in Because not everyone does,” she says. men’s division, the average player’s wage was more Norway. The Scandinavian country made headlines Norway is one of the leading women’s football than 3.5 times what LSK players earned that year. title drought when it announced in October 2017 that its national nations, winning the World Cup in 1995, two European Because of the strain of having a full-time occupa- women’s team would earn the same as their male coun- Championships in 1987 and 1993, and an Olympic gold tion in addition to football, many young talents burn out RIO DE JANEIRO: With Neymar sidelined by an terparts, in a groundbreaking move. medal in 2000. It is also home to the first women’s quickly and give up the game too early. Others go ankle injury, Lionel Messi heads into the Copa But equal pay for other professional football players Ballon d’Or winner, Ada Hegerberg, a role model for abroad, like the Hegerberg sisters-Ada plays for America this weekend as the competition’s main remains a pipe dream, even in this egalitarian nation. aspiring young talents-and who has complained about European champion Lyon and Andrine for Paris Saint- attraction but one with a desperate need to end more While top division wages in Norway come nowhere the lack of respect the Norwegian Football Federation Germain, or Caroline Graham Hansen who just left than a decade of hurt with Argentina. near the astronomical sums earned by the Messis and has shown women’s football and has therefore boy- Wolfsburg for Barcelona. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has one of the Ronaldos of the men’s top leagues, men still earn way cotted the national team for two years. For that reason, And some quit their studies, at the risk of putting most impressive trophy hauls in football history but more than women, who typically make just a few hun- Hegerberg is absent from the World Cup in France their future careers in jeopardy. “It was too difficult. I there is a glaring void when it comes to national team dred euros a month even though they are signed to where Norway play their first match against the host tried for a long time to find a balance between my stud- accolades. Four Champions League crowns and 10 La professional contracts. nation on Wednesday. ies and full-time football,” says Kristine Leine, a Liga titles with Barcelona are not matched by To make ends meet, most women players hold down But the women’s professional league remains sorely defender with Roa IL who has taken a break from nurs- Argentina success. jobs off the pitch, or study and live off student loans. underfunded. Almost eight of 10 players in the women’s ing school.— AFP And the 31-year-old knows he’s running out of time to rectify that anomaly. “I want to end my career having won something with the national team, or at least try to do so as many times as possible,” he told Fox Sports last week. Pogba’s remedy for Four finals played with Argentina, four defeats, including the last two Copa finals on penalties against Chile. But the most painful was the 2014 World Cup racist abuse is play final to Germany at the iconic Maracana, where Messi will hope to return on July 7 for the Copa title well not walk off decider. That Germany defeat began a run of losing finals LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba in three successive years and after the last of those, a said the best way to quell racist spectators is to per- bitterly disappointed Messi announced his interna- form well on the pitch not as some suggest walk off if tional retirement. He and his team-mates came in for a there is racial abuse. The 26-year-old was a pivotal torrent of abuse and criticism. figure as France won the World Cup last year and said “People were attacking us from every side,” he in an interview with The Times that nothing wins peo- said. His retirement lasted just six weeks, though, and ple around better than success. it was his hat-trick in Argentina’s final qualifier that Pogba is expected to start against Andorra in Euro secured a 3-1 win in Ecuador that sent the team to 2020 qualifying on Tuesday night and played 90 min- the World Cup in Russia last year. utes in a loss in Turkey on Saturday when the home But, as so many times before, Messi was unable to fans caused outrage in France by jeering the recapture his Barca form while on international duty Marseillaise. Racism reared its head last season with VALENCIENNES: Australia’s forward Samantha Kerr celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 and dejection followed as the albiceleste were sent Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling being abused by a Women’s World Cup Group C football match between Australia and Italy, at the Hainaut Stadium in home in the second round after a 4-3 defeat to even- group of Chelsea fans. Then Sterling and other black Valenciennes, northern France. —AFP tual winners France. England players were the targets of Montenegro sup- But while Messi then missed Argentina’s next six porters in a Euro 2020 qualifier. matches-all friendlies-there was no talk of retirement One of those players,Tottenham Hotspur defender would one day represent her beloved West Coast Eagles, this time. His son Thiago “loves it when I play for the Danny Rose said he “can’t wait to see the back of Australia superstar like her brother. national team,” Messi told Fox. But the disappoint- football” because of the lack of decisive action to She switched to football aged 12 and made her debut ments have kept piling up despite a 10th La Liga tackle racism. Rose said he was “shocked” at the for the Matildas as a substitute against Italy in 2009 crown secured in May. lightness of UEFA’s punishment in ordering Kerr enters before she was even 16. She admits that shifting from Messi had made no secret at the start of the sea- Montenegro to play just one game behind closed Australian Rules-where there was little hope of earning a son that winning the Champions League for the fifth doors. Pogba told the newspaper he had once handed living as a woman-was not easy. time was his priority as he wanted to bring that his Juventus shirt to a fan who had been making mon- Ronaldo’s orbit “The change from AFL to football was really hard. I “beautiful cup back to Camp Nou”. Things looked so key noises at him. “Leave the pitch? You want to play, remember I struggled a lot,” Kerr told the Daily Telegraph good as Barca took a 3-0 advantage to Anfield for you want to score for your team,” said Pogba. “And at SYDNEY: Sam Kerr’s star has been shining so brightly ahead of her third World Cup. the semi-final second leg last month. the end they (racist abusers) will come and ask for a since her Australia debut at just 15 that she has become “I’m really thankful for my time in the AFL, but I’m also What happened next-an inspired Liverpool picture.” Pogba also responded to critics who say he not only one of global football’s elite players but one of its thankful I had to make the switch, because there was no stormed to a 4-0 victory and 4-3 aggregate success- has not justified his then world record £89.3 million most marketable faces. pathway for me at that time in AFL. I think nowadays, if left as bitter a taste in Messi’s mouth as had the ($113.5 million) move from Juventus in 2016. “I Kerr is the all-time leading scorer in the US National there was a pathway, I probably would have stayed.” Germany loss five years ago. “To lose a final of the become another player because of the transfer,” he Women’s Soccer League. She has twice been shortlisted She made her debut for the W-League’s Perth Glory at World Cup is the most important of all, it is a big dis- said. “Because it was the biggest transfer of history at for FIFA player of the year. And earlier this year the for- 15 and spent four years at the club before moving to appointment,” he said in May. the time, you get judged differently. ward was the female face alongside five-time Ballon d’Or Sydney FC. Known for her pace, agility and heading abili- But he admitted that the Liverpool loss felt a bit “You expect more because of the price tag. A winner Cristiano Ronaldo and 2018 World Cup winner ty, as well as her trademark backflip goal celebrations, worse “because we were winning and we didn’t good game becomes a normal game, a top game will Kylian Mbappe at the launch of sportswear giant Nike’s Kerr headed to the United States in 2013, first to Western expect them to come back”. be a good game.” latest boot campaign. New York Flash, then Sky Blue FC in New Jersey and now Messi has long been talisman for club and country He proved a popular target when United started Kerr first played in the Women’s World Cup as a Chicago. but he will be even more so in Brazil with a rejuvenat- poorly last season under Jose Mourinho. Critics con- teenager in 2011 in Germany and the 25-year-old scored While her onfield achievements have grabbed attention, ed squad full of inexperienced campaigners. But that trasted Pogba’s outstanding World Cup performances on Sunday in her ninth finals game for the Matildas, albeit and countless awards, she has also won plaudits for her hasn’t dampened expectation either within the group with those for his club. He also came under fire as in a shock opening 2-1 defeat to Italy in Valenciennes. work behind the scenes as an advocate for women’s sport. or the country as a whole. United’s early good form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer- She is reportedly on course to become the first She was named “Young Australian of the Year” in 2018 and “We’re going there with the same hope and desire who replaced Mourinho when the latter was sacked in Australian woman footballer to earn more than a million was hailed as “inspirational, well-grounded, professional as ever. Argentina is going through a process of December-tailed off at the end of the campaign. As a dollars a year, as her profile soars on the back of unstop- and mature”. change with young and new lads,” he told TyC Sports result, United finished sixth and missed out on pable recent form for the Chicago Red Stars which saw the Kerr has helped drive change in Australian football with last week. “For most of them it’s their first official Champions League football. However, Pogba can point two-time NWSL Golden Boot winner named the league’s a minimum wage now in place in Australia’s W-league and tournament, but that won’t stop Argentina trying to to being the only player selected in the Premier League player of the month for May. players treated as true professionals. “We work hard first win the competition,” he added. It’s 26 years since team of the season to come from outside the top two- It could have been very different. Born to an Indian and foremost but we also enjoy it. We love being a part of Argentina last won the Copa America, despite con- champions Manchester City and Liverpool.—AFP father and Australian mother, she played Aussie Rules in this team and we love representing Australia,” she said testing four of the last five finals.—AFP Western Australia as a youngster and was convinced she recently.—AFP Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

Thomas hopes for chance Thumb injury leave India star Ramos and Morata on the spot 25to ‘channel inner Koepka’ 26 Dhawan’s World Cup in doubt 27 as Spain cruise past Sweden

Roord heads late Dutch winner ‘We were looking for a win and Kiwis were looking for a draw’

LE HAVRE: Netherlands’ midfielder Jill Roord (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women’s World Cup Group E football match between New Zealand and the Netherlands, yesterday, at the Oceane Stadium in Le Havre, northwestern France. —AFP

LE HAVRE: Jill Roord came off the bench and headed but we’re a resilient group and I’m pretty confident In the first half, Olivia Chance hit the bar and Rosie player of the match Lieke Martens. “New Zealand home from close range in added time yesterday to give we’ll bounce back,” said New Zealand coach Tom White drew a sprawling save from Van Veenendaal defended well and it was not our best match, that’s the Netherlands a 1-0 women’s World Cup victory Sermanni. with a long-range strike. Early in the second half Sarah clear.” The Dutch swung one more hanging cross to over New Zealand in Le Havre. The stars of a lively match were the two goalkeep- Gregorius, who is of Dutch descent, shinned a volley the far post where Lineth Beerensteyn bullied Ali Riley The victory lifts the European champions into a tie ers, Sari van Veenendaal for the Netherlands and into the ground that gave Van Veenendaal time to into a tame header back across the goal and Arsenal’s with Canada atop Group E. “I think we can play better New Zealand’s Erin Nayler. Both were busy and both, lunge to her right and claw the ball round the post. Roord guided the ball past the advancing Nayler. than we did today. But we were looking for a win and at different stages, underwent on-field treatment after At the other end, centre-backs Rebekah Stott and “We can’t go away from the game saying we have New Zealand were looking for a draw, and I’m very brave saves. Abby Erceg coped well with the physical presence of regrets, we have disappointment,” said Sermanni, who glad we finally got what we wanted,” said Dutch coach The Dutch had almost 70% of possession and Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema and the lively skills has coached four of the nations in this year’s World Sarina Wiegman. “I’m very relieved, of course.” almost three times as many goal attempts but New of the attackers around her. When the Dutch did carve Cup. “We’ve got to look at the positive things we did.” The Football Ferns, stout in defence and sharp on Zealand went painfully close three times. “The Dutch a clear chance, they were frustrated either by Nayler Later in the day Group F kicks off with Chile facing the counter attack, were left with nothing but disap- were the dominant team but we created some great or some anxious finishing, until the final moments. Sweden in Rennes and the USA and Thailand end the pointment. “The players will be absolutely devastated chances,” said Sermanni. “We found it tough to create openings,” said FIFA’s first set of games in Reims. — AFP

every time we step on the hardwood.” Durant posted Warriors edge on Instagram: “I’m hurting deep in my soul right now. I can’t lie, but seeing my brothers get this win was like taking a shot of tequila. I got new life.” Raptors to keep He also breathed life into Golden State’s title quest, Curry said. “We understand the moment and I think we title hopes alive can rally, considering how the second half went,” Curry said. Durant, Golden State’s top playoff scorer with 34.2 points a game, will have an MRI today. TORONTO: Clutch 3-pointers by Stephen Curry and “On the one hand I’m so proud of them, just the Klay Thompson enabled the defending champion amazing heart and grit they showed, and on the oth- Golden State Warriors to edge Toronto 106-105 on er I’m just devastated for Kevin,” Warriors coach Monday and sustain their hopes of winning a third con- Steve Kerr said. “So it’s a bizarre feeling we all have secutive NBA Finals. But any joy from the victory was right now, an incredible win and a horrible loss at dimmed by a right Achilles injury to Kevin Durant only the same time.” 12 minutes into his first game after being sidelined for a The Warriors seek their fourth title in five seasons month by a right calf injury. while the Raptors suffered an agonizing near-miss in Curry scored 31 points while Thompson added 26 as their bid for the first title in their 24-season history. the Warriors pulled within 3-2 in the best-of-seven History remains on the Raptors’ side. Only once in 34 championship series, forcing a sixth game Thursday at prior situations has a team led the NBA Finals 3-1 and Oakland, California, with game seven if needed in lost the title, that being in 2016 when LeBron James-led Toronto on Sunday. Cleveland rallied to defeat Golden State. “Do or die,” Curry said. “It wasn’t pretty in the sec- Kawhi Leonard, who led Toronto with 26 points, ond half but we just made the shots.” Durant’s long- sank a back-to-back 3-pointer and jumper to give the awaited return ended with the All-Star forward being Raptors, who trailed by 14 points in the third quarter, TORONTO: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors go helped off the court. “You could kind of just feel the life their largest lead at 103-97 with 3:28 remaining. for a rebound during Game Five of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. — AFP just go right out of us,” Warriors forward Draymond “In this day and age, up six with three minutes to go, Green said. “But to Steph’s credit, he rallied the troops. doesn’t mean a whole lot,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse “He talked to everybody, went around the huddle said. “I felt good at that point. Just needed to make a the Raptors had one last chance to swipe the title. But but we didn’t.” and just told everybody to stay locked in and do this for couple more plays.” Golden State answered with the Warriors double-teamed Leonard and Green Durant had missed nine playoff games but he briefly Kevin. And I think we did a good job of coming togeth- Thompson and Curry sinking 3-pointers and Thompson blocked a Lowry corner 3-point shot at the buzzer. made the Warriors look like the team that dominated er.” Durant, the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals Most valu- nailing another that put Golden State ahead to stay at “It has got to be the greatest,” Green said when the past two NBA Finals. Disaster struck 2:14 into the able Player, departed the arena on crutches but became 106-103 with 57 seconds to play. asked to compare the win to others in Golden State’s second quarter when Durant planted his right foot and an inspiration to his teammates. Kyle Lowry cut the lead to the final margin with 30 history. “Down six with a couple minutes to go in an pulled up, then sat on the court and grabbed his leg. “We do it for Kevin,” Thompson said. “He wants us seconds remaining and, after Golden State’s DeMarcus elimination for these guys to win a championship, we Durant was helped off the court, his dramatic comeback to compete at the highest level and we’ll think of him Cousins was whistled for a foul trying to set a screen, could have thrown in the towel. We could have folded, over far too soon. — AFP