Defense Minister Orders Officers' Detention Over Deaths of 2 Cadets
THULHIJJA 22, 1439 AH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
Max 47º 32 Pages Min 29º 150 Fils Established 1961
ISSUE NO: 17621 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net
Coastguards rescue eight 2 presidents - not Trump - pay India’s women-only comedy Shoe company to design special 56people from burning yacht tribute to McCain at funeral 19 show tackles societal biases 26 footwear for 12-toed India champ
Defense minister orders officers’ detention over deaths of 2 cadets
Joint investigative panel formed • Sheikh Nasser leaves to pursue medical treatment
KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah yes- terday issued a decision to form a joint investigation Trump welcomes committee after two cadets died at Ali Al-Sabah Military Academy. Sheikh Nasser also issued instruc- Amir to White tions to the army chief of staff Lt Gen Mohammad Al- Khader to detain a number of officers, non-commis- sioned officers and trainers at Ali Al-Sabah Military House on Sept 5 Academy. The directorate of moral guidance and public relations at the defense ministry issued a statement say- WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is ing that Sheikh Nasser’s instructions are to refer the set to welcome HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh detainees to the joint investigation committee to exam- Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the ine the circumstances of the student officers’ deaths, White House on Sept 5, 2018 for a “working vis- who passed away on Wednesday at the academy. it”, the White House announced. The White The statement referred to the arrestees, namely the House said in a statement that HH the Amir “is commander of Ali Al-Sabah Military College and assis- leading a Kuwaiti delegation to the United tant director of educational affairs. The arrestees are States to discuss trade, investment, and security also from the directorate of educational affairs, the arms cooperation”. wing commander, the students’ affairs commander and Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and the assistant commander of the battalion. They also Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al- include students’ affairs command officers, namely com- Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah headed yesterday to mander of the student officers, commander of the stu- Washington in preparation for the Amir’s summit dent cadets and from the weapons wing, the weapons KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with Trump. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled is accom- agent and four weapons trainers. attends the funeral of the cadets. — KUNA (See Page 3) panied by a high-level delegation consisting of The directorate of moral guidance and public rela- officials from the Kuwait Direct Investment tions said the joint investigation committee consists of death cases and use the help of any other authority to essary legal action on the deaths of current and former Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and the foreign the ministry of defense represented by the military judi- get to the facts, the statement added. officers at Ali Al-Sabah Military Academy and Ahmed ministry. — KUNA cial authority, ministry of health and ministry of justice. The committee will submit a comprehensive report of Al-Jaber Air College, the statement noted. The committee will investigate recent and previous the conclusions and recommendations to take the nec- Continued on Page 24
Amir’s visit to US Anger as US reflection of strong, ends funding enduring partnership for UNRWA RAMALLAH: Palestinians reacted angrily yesterday to a US decision to end all funding for the UN agency that assists millions of refugees, seeing it as a new policy shift aimed at undermining their cause. Washington, which until last year was by far the biggest contributor to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), announced on Friday that it would By Lawrence Silverman no longer make any contributions to the “irredeemably US Ambassador to Kuwait flawed operation”. The move by President Donald Trump’s administra- he United States government warmly welcomes tion was described as “cruel and irresponsible” by sen- the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah ior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi. “The Palestinian Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to the United States and refugees are already the victims who have lost their T homes, livelihoods and security as a result of the cre- his meeting with President Trump at the White House GAZA: Palestinian schoolgirls pose for a picture near an UNRWA tractor in the Rafah refugee camp in ation of the state of Israel,” she said. The US has Sept 5. The visit provides an opportunity to exchange southern Gaza Strip yesterday. — AFP views on pressing regional challenges, building upon backed Israel in accusing the agency of perpetuating the Middle East conflict by maintaining the idea that a face-to-face dialogue between the two leaders talks by “preempting, prejudging issues reserved for future, my aspirations, my capital, my Aqsa Mosque, my begun at last year’s US-GCC Summit in Riyadh and many Palestinians are refugees with a right to return to homes in what is now Israel. But to Palestinians, the permanent status” negotiations. Palestinian and Israeli Holy Sepulchre Church?” he demanded. continued at the Amir’s visit to the White House last “elements that want to achieve peace peacefully, based Trump had already angered Palestinians by his September. His Highness’ visit is further proof that the right of return for the hundreds of thousands who fled or were expelled during the 1948 war that accompanied on a two states solution, are being destroyed”, he told December recognition of the disputed city of Jerusalem strong relationship between the United States and AFP. “The United States may have the right to say that as Israel’s capital and axing more than $200 million in Kuwait is growing even stronger. The visit will wit- Israel’s creation is central to their cause. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the we don’t want to give taxpayers’ money, but who gave bilateral aid for Gaza and the West Bank. ness the signing of several bilateral arrangements that the US the right to approve the stealing of my land, my Continued on Page 24 will enhance the strategic ties and cooperation American administration was invalidating future peace between our two countries. Every day, cooperation between the United States and Kuwait makes both countries more secure and more prosperous. Commerce and investment between Libyans endure our two countries (both government and private) are Saudi official growing; defense and security cooperation is enhanc- baking summer ing mutual capabilities to keep our people safe and hints at Qatar promoting long-term regional stability. While the amid power cuts United States maintains its commitment to Kuwait’s canal project security, US training and defense and security exer- TRIPOLI: On a sweltering night in Libya’s capital, Ahlam cises further build Kuwait’s capacity to prevent ter- Fathi watches her son study by candlelight as yet anoth- RIYADH: A Saudi official hinted Friday the king- rorism and defend its territory. Increasing information er power cut has plunged the family home into darkness. dom was moving forward with a plan to dig a sharing will help us both prevent the organization and Despite the large windows being swung open, the air canal that would turn the neighboring Qatari financing of terrorist acts, of which we have both hangs heavily in the small central Tripoli apartment. “I peninsula into an island, amid a diplomatic feud been victims. can’t even be mad at him for failing one or two sub- between the Gulf nations. “I am impatiently wait- Large numbers of Kuwaitis continue to visit the jects,” said Fathi of her son, who is revising for his high ing for details on the implementation of the Salwa United States, and thousands of Kuwaiti students school exit exams. The 41-year-old mother of two island project, a great, historic project that will TRIPOLI: Libyan men repair power generators in the capital on entering US universities follow in the footsteps of five teenagers is one of millions of Libyans enduring pro- change the geography of the region,” Saud Al- generations of their fellow countrymen and women. longed power cuts amid high summer humidity and tem- Aug 25, 2018. — AFP Qahtani, a senior adviser to Crown Prince The United States welcomes Kuwaiti students. The peratures which sometimes reach 50 degrees Celsius. Mohammed bin Salman, said on Twitter. quality education they earn is a fundamental invest- “The summer is difficult in Libya, as lways,a but you share the burden of power shortages, and militias often The plan, which would physically separate the ment in the intellectual capital of Kuwait. Our two feel the heat even more in small apartments because of forcefully prevent national electricity firm Gecol from Qatari peninsula from the Saudi mainland, is the lat- countries agree that healthcare and the management the electricity cuts, which often last more than 10 imposing rationing. In Tripoli, fighting erupted this week est stress point in a highly fractious 14-month long of healthcare in Kuwait open new avenues for coop- hours,” she said. Tripoli residents flock to beaches and between rival militias in the southern suburbs, with Gecol dispute between the two states. Saudi Arabia, the eration. Today, we are working together to increase other public spaces during power outages, escaping warning of a total blackout after the clashes damaged United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplo- protection of the innovation and creativity produced the heat of their homes as air conditioning and fans the electricity network. University professor Amal matic and trade ties with Qatar in June 2017, accus- by Kuwaitis and Americans - their intellectual prop- remain switched off. Residents have also been hit by Khayri, 40, said the situation has forced Libyans to install ing it of supporting terrorism and being too close to erty. That will help improve the business and invest- sharp price rises, including a fourfold jump in the cost generators, but they are “often very expensive, not very Riyadh’s archrival, Iran - charges Doha denies. ment environment in Kuwait and foster entrepreneur- of bread in less than a month. powerful and of poor quality”. The trade has created Qahtani has mentioned the project on Twitter over ship - the keys to the country’s economic future. Cross-border smuggling of subsidized goods has cre- employment in a time of crisis, as selling and fixing gen- the past few months, but Friday’s tweet was the The United States and Kuwait share concern for ated shortages which have left families struggling to get erators has become a lucrative business. Abdallah Al- clearest reference yet to an initiative which critics regional threats and the need for unity among part- by. While these are nationwide problems, they are exac- Werfalli, an electrical engineer, said repairing generators dismiss as a public relations tactic aimed at intimi- ners to address those threats. erbated in the crowded capital, which is home to 2.5 mil- has boosted his income. “That’s how I provide for my dating Qatar rather than a serious plan. Continued on Page 24 lion residents and others displaced from fighting else- family,” said the 53-year-old father of three. Continued on Page 24 where in the country. Cities in western Libya refuse to Continued on Page 24 2 Established 1961 Local Sunday, September 2, 2018 Minister, officials tour new education ministry’s building
Panel, government meet to discuss lowering retirement age
By Meshaal Al-Enezi and A Saleh lowered the retirement age, especially since it received the approval of 43 MPs. He said the lowering of the KUWAIT: Education Minister Hamid Al-Azmi visited retirement age should be discussed again and the gov- the new education ministry’s building in South Surra, ernment’s opinion will be sought, while the matter is where he made minor observations and asked that they still being discussed. “We are waiting for the Silk City be corrected, according to sources familiar with the proposal and the islands’ development plan from the tour. The minister along with undersecretaries toured government,” he added. the building and each of them had a look at their own subdivision, the sources said, adding that some need Air quality two or three floors. The sources expected the building Informed sources said the project to monitor pollu- to be officially opened in tants from fixed and mobile October and the subdivisions sources, and the development will move in gradually. The of a monitoring program and 142,300-square-meter build- improving air quality will cost ing consists of 12 floors and Air quality a total of KD 700,000 - an was built at a cost of KD 76 annual cost of KD 384,960, million. The building was con- control informed sources said. The structed in a unique shape program eyed project is currently 45 percent resembling a dhow, and is set complete, said the sources, to house offices for the min- adding that it is expected to KUWAIT: The Education Ministry’s new headquarters building. istry’s various administrative be completed in 2020. The sectors and departments. project aims at increasing the control network by two setting up fixed stations, train- said the total amount of the fifth project to collect affairs ministry put forth regulations for those par- Retirement age ing five employees on calculating the environmental udhiya (sacrificial) donations will be announced ticipating in the project, mainly a ban on cash col- Chairman of the parliamentary financial committee load, continuously monitoring pollutants and calculat- within two weeks. They said there is a virtual com- lections either at their main premises, foundations or MP Salah Khorsheed said the committee will hold a ing air quality. mitment by all societies and foundations, and some in public. They added that collecting donations can meeting with the finance ministry to discuss the rea- violations were corrected immediately. The sources be done through K-net, online, bank deductions, e- sons for the government sending back the law that Udhiya donations added that 32 NGOs are participating in the project applications, smartphones, and telecommunication Informed sources at the social affairs ministry (28 societies and four foundations). The social companies’ SMS. Defense minister holds separate meetings
year. He said the Interior Ministry security estab- lishment has ready for new made all prepa- rations in all sec- tors, and preven- school year tive and precau- tionary measures By Hanan Al-Saadoun are already in place. Kandari Brig Tawheed KUWAIT: Acting Director General of said his depart- Al-Kandari the Ministry of Interior’s Relations and ment works on Security Information Department Brig implementing the Tawheed Al-Kandari said there are awareness plan for citizens and expats clear instructions by Deputy Premier on the occasion of returning to school, and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid and the department makes announce- Al-Jarrah with follow-up by ments on various media including Undersecretary Lt Gen Essam Al- social media, and is in continuous con- Naham to complete all security and tact with parents to explain traffic traffic preparations for the new school matters.
KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah meets officials. — KUNA
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, members of the apparatus tasked with developing national lines of cancellation and delay Defense Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met separately Mubarak port and Boubyan island as well as a delegation of the Kuwait declares on flights. on Friday with members of the Supreme Council for Planning and ‘Kafu’ youth group. — KUNA The Ministry allocated the following emergency phone numbers to receive emergency the calls of citizens to help facilitate their returns as soon as possible: Athens: numbers 00306943010301; Istanbul: 0090 5306902097, 00905333864949; Baku: for returning 00994502330536, 00994509999661; Sarajevo: 003876120287, 0038760 3200000; Beirut: 0096171171441, citizens 0096176700080; Malaga: 003466 KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry 6665066; Tbilisi: 00995568627160, yesterday urged citizens with flight tick- 00995568627148. ets from Wataniya Airways abroad, The Directorate General of Civil namely in Beirut, Istanbul, Tbilisi, Baku, Aviation (DGCA) had coordinated with Sarajevo, Malaga and Athens, to get in Kuwait Airways to send additional flights contact with the Kuwaiti Embassy and yesterday to Tbilisi, Georgia, and Baku, Consulate to arrange for a returning trip Azerbaijan to bring back Kuwaiti citizens back home. A statement by the ministry whose returning flights on Wataniya explained the framework of the govern- Airways were cancelled. Meanwhile, ment’s efforts in cooperating with the Kuwait’s Embassy in Beirut called on concerned authorities for this situation Kuwaiti nationals who hold return tickets and allocate the following emergency on Wataniya Airways flights to contact numbers to assist citizens and provide the embassy to arrange their return after support to facilitate and ensure their cancellation of their flights from Beirut to comfort and safety in the light of the Kuwait. — KUNA
Kuwait voices support to efforts for
Guinea-Bissau Tareq Al-Bannai NEW YORK: The State of Kuwait renewed its support to the regional and Agreement parties should abide by the international efforts to realize the tenets of the deal to lead Guinea-Bissau Conakry Agreement in Guinea-Bissau. towards a bright future, said the Kuwaiti The Conakry Agreement, reached in diplomat who saw that there was much to 2016, called for the appointment of a improve during the upcoming period. consensual Prime Minister, the organizing In regards to the legislative elections of fair election, and the implementations next scheduled for November, Bannai of reforms in the West African country. said that Kuwait shared the concern of Delivering Kuwait’s speech to the the UN in regards to the agreed upon UNSC session on the agreement late timetable leading to the election in Thursday, member of the Kuwaiti perma- Guinea-Bissau, stressing that a free and nent delegation to the UN headquarters fair democratic process must take place. in New York Tareq Al-Bannai lauded the Bannani commended all efforts carried UN, African Union (AU), the European out by the UN Peacebuilding Union (EU), and Community of Commission and the UN Office on Drugs KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) concluded a special campaign it had launched during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, and which featured sev- Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and Crime namely within implementing eral activities including campaigns on social media, as well as visits to KFH staff who worked during the break. for their concentrated efforts to help UNSC resolution 2404 and reinforcing Guinea-Bissau and the West African efforts for stability, security and peace in region in general. The Conakry Guinea-Bissau. — KUNA 3 Local Sunday, September 2, 2018 Defense minister: Full medical care for military personnel Sheikh Nasser promises ‘immediate action’ after cadets’ deaths
KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah visits a non- offers his condolences over the cadets’ deaths. —KUNA photos commissioned officer at the hospital.
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and cers, Hamad Al-Mutairi and Khaled Al-Bassam. He was ed until investigations are complete. Sheikh Nasser Minister leads wave of mourners Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- also informed in details about their condition and treat- urged senior military officials to make sure that all Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad and masses of Sabah affirmed on Friday that no effort would be ment given to them. officers, regardless of rank, are safe and well looked mourners held a funeral Thursday for the two student spared for providing all medical facilities and care for after in training camps and military academies. The officers. Sheikh Nasser expressed his deepest condo- the military personnel. The minister was addressing a ‘Immediate action’ statement revealed that the military defense council lences, asking Almighty Allah to bestow his mercy upon group of non-commissioned officers’ families at the Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al- has clarified to the minister the deceased. The funeral was attended by Chief of Armed Forces Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, while visiting Ahmad had called for “deci- the details behind the unfor- Staff Lt Gen Khader, Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant their sons there. sive and effective measures” tunate incident. Meanwhile, General Abdullah Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah and several army Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad has in response to the death of the Kuwaiti military’s Chief of leaders, Directorate of Moral Guidance and Public assured the families that he considers their sons as his two Kuwaiti cadets. The Amir expresses Staff Lieutenant-General Relations of Defense Ministry said in a press statement. own, wishing them quick recovery so they may resume Kuwaiti defense minister’s Mohammad Al-Khader has Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- their studies and serve the dear homeland, says a comments came after he grief over said that he would oversee Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah extended his deepest condo- Ministry of Defense statement. Sheikh Nasser Sabah presided over a meeting cadets’ deaths the formation of a committee lences on Thursday over the death of the two Kuwaiti Al-Ahmad visited the hospital yesterday to check on involving the military defense tasked with determining if officer trainees. His Highness the Kuwaiti leader condition of the non-commissioned officers Abulwahab council, according to a state- the cadets’ deaths might expressed his “deepest sympathies” in a cable he sent to Al-Ghannam and Saeed Al-Hajeri from Ali Al-Sabah ment by the defense ministry. have been caused by negli- the families of the late cadets, saying he was distraught Military Academy. He expressed his “grave con- gence. The Kuwaiti army has over the tragic loss. His Highness the Deputy Amir and The statement said the minister was briefed about all cern” over the tragic incident, launched an “impartial and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- medical procedures that have been taken to treat each saying that the officials who were referred for investi- transparent probe” in conjunction with the health Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber one since admission. He proceeded to Al-Sabah gation in connection with the deaths of Hadib Al- ministry into the circumstances surrounding the offi- Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar messages Hospital to inquire about the non-commissioned offi- Swarij and Falih Al-Azmi will be indefinitely suspend- cers’ deaths. to the families of the fallen soldiers. —KUNA
First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah visits a non- commissioned officer at the hospital.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah speaks with family members of one Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti military’s Chief of Staff of the non-commissioned officers at the hospital. Lieutenant-General Mohammad Al-Khader are seen during the funeral of the deceased’s cadets.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah pays tribute. Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah visits a non-commissioned officer at the hospital. 4 Established 1961 Local Sunday, September 2, 2018
Photo of the Day
KUWAIT: A worm’s-eye view of the Liberation Tower in Kuwait City. The Liberation Tower is the second tallest tower (372 meters) in Kuwait, after Al-Hamra Tower. —Photo by Basheer Al-Khairallah (KUNA) 95% MENA job seekers want companies to engage with them via job sites 82% believe it is difficult to learn about company before applying
DUBAI: In today’s hyper competitive market, com- ees’ (15.2 percent), ‘the marketing department’ (10.3 panies have to find ways to differentiate themselves percent), and ‘the company’s senior management’ to become an employer of choice and ensure not (3.6 percent). only talent attraction, but also retention. In the lat- “The recent technological advancements and est Bayt.com poll entitled Employer Branding in the trends, which make information easily and readily Middle East and North Africa, the leading job site in accessible, have rendered employer branding one of the Middle East found that engaging with potential modern-day essential business practices. Indeed, in job seekers online is positive for a company’s today’s hyper-connected world, and amidst the employer branding and is demanded by 94.7 per- ongoing battle to hire and retain the best talent, cent of the region’s job seekers. In fact, two thirds companies that manage their online presence and of these job seekers (66.5 percent) said they follow create a powerful online brand are able to better companies on job sites to ‘learn about their work position themselves as an employer of choice environment’. That being said, the majority (82.3 among top talent. Bayt.com provides employers percent) of respondents believe that it is currently around the region the essential tools to elevate their ‘difficult’ to learn about company culture and work employer brand and become a more attractive environment before applying for a job, including workplace for potential job seekers. In fact, a full three in every four respondents (76.1 percent) who branding platform is now launched on Bayt.com to say that it is ‘very difficult’. Only one in 10 respon- allow companies to share more information with dents claimed that finding out sufficient information their target talent, attract more applicants, and about the company culture and work environment track and measure their brand power in real time,” was easy (10.9 percent). said Suhail Masri, Vice President, Employer Solutions, Bayt.com. The employer branding imperative 93.6 percent of job seekers believe that a compa- The importance of an employer’s digital presence information respondents need to know about share more information with online talent, and real- ny’s employer brand is In today’s digital era, one companies. This, in addition to ‘work environment time analytics for assessing employer branding per- important for its success, of the best ways to let peo- and facilities’, ‘perks and benefits’, and ‘rewards formance. Click here to learn more about Bayt.com’s with 85.9 percent stating ple know about your work and recognition’ are all important points of con- new Branding Platform. that it is ‘very important’. Bayt.com launches environment is by being sideration for a quarter of MENA respondents Data for the 2018 Bayt.com ‘Employer Branding in When asked about the ben- active online and engaging (24.2 percent). the Middle East and North Africa’ poll was collected efits of employer branding, employer with your audience. The newly launched Bayt.com Branding Platform online from June 10 2018 to August 02 2018. Results seven out of 10 MENA Humanizing the digital allows companies to target custom audiences are based on a sample of 8,681 respondents. respondents said ‘ease of branding approach is essential to through tailor-made mailers and ads with premium Countries that participated are the UAE, Jordan, attracting job seekers’ (70.2 platform make potential employees placement and homepage integration, as well as the Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, percent). Others also men- relate to your company. In ability to create a customized company profile to Yemen, Algeria, Morocco, Bahrain, Tunisia, and others. tioned ‘recognition as an fact, more than three quar- employer of choice’ (3.4 ters of MENA respondents percent), and ‘better believe that ‘online job sites’ religious duties, Hamar said in a press statement. employee engagement’ (2.2 percent). (79.9 percent) work best for employer branding. Food Bank plans Hamar noted that the value of mosque construc- What’s more, nine in every 10 respondents claim Other channels such as ‘social media’ (9.6 percent), tion in India is about KD 2,500 (about $8,257), and that online employer branding helps ‘increase talent a ‘company’s own website’ (5.2 percent), ‘PR and retention rates’ (89.8 percent) and 79 percent media’ (2.2 percent) and ‘offline events and market- several charity the wells’ cost starts from KD 50 (about $165). agreed that it can also help ‘reduce long-term hiring ing’ (0.7 percent) are reported to be less effective. Muslim people in remote Indian areas are in dire costs’. Nine out of 10 MENA respondents (93 percent) projects in India need for drilling fresh water wells, where they suf- Two thirds of respondents believe that the most say that they ‘research a company online before fer the most to get a drop of water, he added. He harmful thing for an employer brand is ‘not commu- applying for a job’, while only 7 percent do not. Job KUWAIT: Kuwait Food Bank is continuing to follow stressed that the bank will not hesitate to provide nicating with talent’ (67.4 percent), this is followed seekers in MENA follow companies on job sites to support and assistance to Muslims in many poor by an ‘unprofessional work environment’ (6.6 per- ‘learn about their work environment’ (66.5 percent), up the project to dig dozens of wells and build 100 countries, pointing out that the bank has launched cent), ‘unclear job descriptions’ (2.5 percent), and to ‘find and apply for jobs’ (15.4 percent), to ‘evalu- mosques in India, Kuwait Food Bank Director- ‘lack of information on job sites’ (2.3 percent). ate a job offer’ (1.9 percent), as well as to ‘check the General Salem Al-Hamar stated yesterday. The proj- several charitable projects in various Arab and When asked about who in the company was latest news and updates’ (1.8 percent), and to ‘pre- ect was launched by the bank this year to provide a Islamic countries during the past months, which responsible for employer branding, a majority of the pare for an interview’ (1.6 percent). decent life for the needy outside of Kuwait and a had a significant impact on charity and humanitari- respondents answered that the onus lay on ‘the HR At 62 percent, ‘reputation and culture’ rate high suitable environment for housing communities and an work. —KUNA department’ (69.1 percent), followed by ‘all employ- on the list of priorities as an important type of Established 1961 5 Local Sunday, September 2, 2018 Coastguard rescues eight people on burning yacht
Runaway maid turned apartment into unlicensed creche
local spotlight Fake employment
By Muna Al-Fuzai
uwait provides citizens financial support to encourage them to join the private sector to Kreduce the employment rate in the government sector, but the implementation of this policy must be KUWAIT: Firefighters tackle a blaze on a yacht in front of Marina Mall on Friday. done in cooperation with the private sector. The problem is that some companies in the private sector are trying to manipulate the law despite government By Hanan Al-Saadoun and Agencies Policemen attacked control and procedures, as well as penalties. There Police officers in Jahra put an end to chaos that have been cases of cheating and deceit by some com- KUWAIT: Kuwait Ministry of Interior announced on spoiled a wedding party, which ended in attacking panies that grant citizens half of the basic salary on Friday the coastguard have successfully rescued eight policemen. Eight bedoons were arrested, six of whom the condition that they do not come to work and stay people on a yacht that caught fire in front of Marina Mall; were sent to traffic detention, Al-Anbaa reported yes- home. This has resulted in the phenomenon of dis- no injuries were recorded. The Ministry’s Public Relations terday. The other two were detained for attacking guised unemployment, which has disastrous conse- and Security Media Department said in a press release policemen. Police received complaints about six vehi- quences on the actual employment of citizens and that the coast guards have had been dispatched to the cles showing off in front of a wedding hall in celebra- expatriates, so the government must act strictly. scene of the accident as soon as the emergency call came tion of their relative’s wedding. Policemen rushed to In January, the minister of social affairs and labor in. People who need assistance should dial (112), or con- the area and attempted to break up the ‘show’, but revealed the existence of 60 companies that are not tact the coast guards at: 1880-888, in case of emergency. were attacked. Backup was called in, and while the present in their licensed addresses, which were moni- reckless drivers were being tored during inspections and follow-up by the Public Unlicensed creche rounded up, two others Authority for Manpower, adding out that the total An Indian maid turned her attacked the police and number of such companies discovered over the past apartment in Mahboula into an Cops attacked injured some of them. seven months reached 270. Their files were suspend- unlicensed creche and was ed until their situation is modified. The minister point- receiving children from apart- during Dress damaged ed out that these campaigns aim to monitor violations ments around her, Al-Anbaa An Indian tailor damaged a and regulate the labor market, as such companies reported yesterday. She ‘wedding female citizen’s dress and pre- cause the spread of fake laborers who are in violation became so famous that mayhem’ vented her from attending a of residency laws and constitute a danger to the secu- authorities learned about her. private party. A dispute took rity of society. The woman became in viola- place, then the owner of the I believe that the time has come to address this tion of residency law three workshop intervened and issue. Many decisions have been taken to deal with years back, so she decided to kicked the client out, and she fake employment, but to this day this dangerous phe- work in her apartment and turned it into an unlicensed went to the police. The woman bought an expensive nomenon has not been eliminated, especially with nursery. She was busted after a citizen became furious piece of textile to make a dress for the party, then, regards to real employment and the importance of when he learned that his ex-wife left their daughter with according to a security source, when she went to collect distinguishing between the two. the woman and her bachelor friends. He videotaped the the dress, she was shocked to find it was damaged and Recently, the head of the Masrafi banking group creche in which 16 children appeared. He then went to not as she had ordered. A verbal dispute took place Faisal Al-Kandari said that for a long time he has been the police station accusing his ex-wife of negligence. between the tailor and the woman. The owner then demanding and suffering from illusory employment Policemen went to the apartment, arrested the Indian interfered and lost her temper, insulted and kicked the that violates and wastes public funds. Kandari asked woman and sent her for deportation. client out of her shop, so she resorted to police. why is the real employee in the private sector being harassed and why measures aren’t being taken against companies that manipulate quotas to avoid fines imposed by the state. In July 2016, the residency authority arrested the owner of a local company and his accountants who were accused of bank fraud and abusing public funds. No injuries in Salmiya fire According to a tipoff it received, the company had won a private tender, but one of the tender conditions was the recruitment of Kuwaiti security officers. A number of female citizens were employed on a salary of KD 230 per month, but the management of the company seized their bank cards with the aim of withdrawing their salaries immediately after deposit- ing them, which prompted the employees to report the case to the police. They arrested the manager and accountants, who admitted to the crime. They said they wanted to prove to the labor authority that the women were receiving their salaries to prevent the suspension of the company’s file. The company also took advantage of the labor support allowance to pay insurance and monthly subscriptions. Also, some expatriates change their residencies from housewives, for example, to employees for a sum of money, but in fact they do not work for the compa- ny. These expatriates may hold real and valid residen- cies, but they do not have a real job and therefore struggle to survive, especially since they often paid large sums to come to Kuwait. Some pay around KD 1,000 to renew their residency every year and do not have any business relationship with the company that brought them to Kuwait. This reality must be eliminated by intensifying procedures, follow-up, inspection and control to dis- tinguish between real and fake employees. One of the suggestions to end this situation is by forcing com- panies to pay the labor support allowance with the basic salary, to be offset by the restructuring pro- gram and supporting companies that pay salaries to employees. Kuwait has signed several agreements aimed at protecting workers and preserving their rights and benefits. Those who attempt to trade the rights of workers, whether citizens or expatriates, must be stopped and punished.
KUWAIT: A fire was reported in a Salmiya apartment, prompting Bidaa and Salmiya fire stations to respond. The fire was in a room and was put out, while no injuries were reported. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun International SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 Mauritanians vote before key presidential ballot Gangster turned lawmaker new face of Mexican politics Page 8 Page 9
WASHINGTON: General view of late US Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, National Memorial Service at the Washington National Cathedral. — AFP Americans bid McCain solemn farewell Bush, Obama pay tribute to McCain at Washington funeral
WASHINGTON: Americans paid their final respects Final rebuke to Trump They were set to continue at the nationally televised elder statesman and the current president from his own Friday to John McCain as the national icon lay in state in Vice President Mike Pence — who represented Trump cathedral ceremony, a who’s who of political Washington party. Their feud took root during Trump’s 2016 campaign, the US Capitol as part of a momentous sendoff for the war at the ceremony — began his tribute with an address to attended by the likes of dozens of congressional colleagues, when he questioned the notion McCain was a war hero — hero and statesman. McCain’s widow Cindy, his seven chil- McCain’s family, and particularly his mother. “It is deeply Bill and Hillary Clinton, former vice presidents Al Gore and because he had been captured after his navy fighter jet dren and his 106-year-old mother Roberta McCain joined humbling to stand before you today at the United States Dick Cheney and former secretaries of state Madeline was shot down over Hanoi in 1967. The enmity was clear in scores of members of Congress, state governors, diplo- Capitol to commemorate the life and service of an Albright, John Kerry and Henry Kissinger, who is to address the fracas this week over whether the White House would mats and other dignitaries to bid the senator farewell. American patriot, senator John McCain,” Pence said. “The the gathering. The president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and keep its flags at half staff in McCain’s honor — which President Donald Trump, who had feuded bitterly with president asked me to be here, on behalf of a grateful her husband Jared Kushner were also present, along with Trump finally agreed to do under heavy pressure from McCain, was notably absent from the somber ceremony in nation, to pay a debt of honor and respect to a man who Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, White House Chief of Staff politicians, veterans groups and reportedly his own aides. the Capitol Rotunda, an honor accorded to just 30 served our country throughout his life, in uniform and in John Kelly and Hollywood icon Warren Beatty. McCain meanwhile took a final swipe at Trump in a Americans throughout the nation’s history. The last visit to public office.” farewell message to the nation, delivered posthumously on Washington by McCain — who died last Saturday at age It was an awkward message to deliver from a president Memorial service Monday, warning not to “confuse our patriotism with tribal 81 after a yearlong battle with cancer — is being spread who has studiously refrained from praising McCain, either Earlier yesterday McCain’s flag-draped casket was tak- rivalries.” The president was unusually quiet in the White out over two days with former presidents George W Bush during his illness or since his death. Guests included for- en by honor guard from the US Capitol and placed in a House Friday, not tweeting during the McCain ceremony, and Barack Obama to eulogize him during a memorial mer secretary of state Henry Kissinger, riding in a wheel- black hearse, which stopped at the Vietnam Veterans then departing for a political event in North Carolina. While Trump stayed away, Pence was joined by Defense service Saturday at the city’s National Cathedral. chair at age 95; the actor Warren Beatty, a McCain friend; Memorial to allow his widow Cindy McCain to lay a and former senator Joe Lieberman, who in 2008 McCain wreath honoring all of those who died in the conflict. At Secretary Jim Mattis, National Security Advisor John Just before 11:00 am Friday, a military honor guard car- came close to naming as his running mate. the National Cathedral, attention will no doubt focus on Bolton and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. ried the flag-draped casket up the Capitol stairs, moving The former aviator spent more than five years in a the addresses by Bush and Obama. Thousands of people queued outside for hours, many one deliberate step at a time, while inside the Rotunda Vietnamese prison camp, returning home to launch a polit- That the men who vanquished McCain in their presi- holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun, wait- dark-suited mourners stood at silent attention. The silver- ical career that saw him win the Republican presidential dential battles were asked to speak is testament to his ing their chance to honor a patriot. US Capitol staff con- haired Roberta McCain — whose presence was only con- nomination in 2008. commitment to looking beyond party and signaling that firmed that as of 2200 GMT Friday more than 10,000 firmed on the eve of the ceremony — appeared composed The final public ceremony honoring late US senator Americans, regardless of political affiliation, are rowing people walked through the Rotunda to view McCain’s as she drew near her son’s casket in a wheelchair, making John McCain began Saturday in Washington, where eulo- together in the same boat. But the absence of Trump, casket. “I wanted to pay my respects to John McCain,” the sign of the cross on her chest. Seated beside her gies by two former presidents will highlight the warrior whose bitter feud with McCain has wrangled America’s Mike Holy, a Vietnam war veteran sporting a Hillary granddaughter Meghan McCain, she held the young politician’s call for healing, but current commander-in- already stormy politics, will serve as a final rebuke to the Clinton button, told AFP as he waited in a line that snaked woman’s hand and appeared to comfort her as she wept. chief Donald Trump is notably absent. president, highlighting the clash between a Republican down the street. — AFP
to respect victims. Ezzati has denied allegations around the country over the church’s own probe Chilean clergy that he covered up cases of abuse, including into decades of abuse by priests, crimes over that the assailant did not know his vic- those of a top aide, 56-year-old Oscar Munoz, which it often failed to take any action or hand- tims and that he did not specifically tar- who was jailed in July while a probe into allega- ed down lenient punishments. Now bishops and US citizens get them, the police spokesman said- abuse cases tions he raped at least seven children continues. other priests accused of abuse in Chile will face suggesting a random attack. the full force of secular law. hurt in Dutch An Amsterdam police spokesman, Frans triple to 119 Public outrage Zuiderhoek, told AFP late Friday “we are Reflecting public outrage over the investi- Number of cases triple knife attack seriously taking into account that there was SANTIAGO: Scores of new cases of priestly gation’s findings, the Chilean parliament has Prosecutors initially indicated that 38 cases a terrorist motive.” Another police sexual abuse of minors have come to light in begun moves to withdraw citizenship from the had been opened in the first weeks of their spokesman, Rob van der Veen, said Chile, public prosecutors said Friday, deepening naturalized Italian-born Ezzati, who has probe, which began in July. “The number of AMSTERDAM: Two people who were Saturday that “the police investigation is in a crisis in the country’s Catholic Church that has protested his innocence. A recent opinion poll investigations into sexual crimes committed by seriously injured in a knife attack at full swing and we are looking at all angles”. embroiled Pope Francis. The country’s chief by pollsters Cadem showed 96 percent of members of the Catholic Church has reached Amsterdam’s Central Station are US citi- Further details of the two Americans injured prosecutor’s office said the number of cases it Chileans believe the church systematically cov- 119 cases,” the state prosecutor said Friday in a zens, the US ambassador said yesterday, were not immediately known, although one was investigating had soared to 119 as more vic- statement. Many of the cases have come to light as Dutch police probed a possible terror ers up abuse by priests. was reported to be a young man. Hoekstra tims came forward. Pope Francis has already apologized repeat- after recent searches of properties belonging to link. “We are aware that both victims said the US is ready to “assist as appropri- A total of 167 bishops, priests and lay mem- were US citizens and have been in touch edly to Chileans over the scandal, admitting the the Marist Brothers religious order. ate, with our main priority as always being bers of the church are now under investigation with them and their families,” Pete church failed “to listen and react” to the allega- The Vatican recently defrocked a Marist the safety and well-being of US citizens in for sexual crimes committed in the South Hoekstra said in a statement. tions, but vowed to “restore justice.” In May, priest Abel Perez, who confessed to sexually the country”. American country since 1960. Seven of those the Argentine pontiff accepted the resignation abusing 14 minors in the 1970s. He admitted the Panic broke out at the Dutch capital’s The attack comes a day after an main station shortly after midday Friday under investigation are bishops and 96 are of five Chilean bishops amid accusations of abuses in 2010, but the Marists only reported announcement by Dutch anti-Islam politi- priests, but it was unclear from the figures abuse and related coverups. Francis himself his crimes to the authorities seven years later. when the knive-wielding man stabbed cian Geert Wilders that he was cancelling released Friday how many were currently serv- became mired in the scandal when, during a trip Earlier this month, Episcopal Conference presi- two bystanders before he was shot and movbes to stage a cartoon competition to ing. Among those implicated is the country’s to Chile in January, he defended 61-year-old dent Santiago Silva announced a series of meas- wounded by police. Police later identified caricature the Prophet Mohammad, a plan most senior Catholic figure, Santiago Archbishop ures to “at least begin to resolve the serious the suspect as a 19-year-old Afghan man that had angered many Muslims. bishop Juan Barros, who was accused of cover- Ricardo Ezzati, who faces accusations he helped problem we have in the church.” In an attempt with a German residency permit. He is Witnesses described scenes of panic ing up abuse by pedophile priest Fernando being questioned in hospital under police on Friday as gunshots rang out and thou- cover up sexual abuse in his diocese. Karadima in the 1980s and 1990s. to douse the fires of the crisis engulfing the guard and Dutch authorities said they sands of commuters and tourists were Most of the evidence against him was gath- Karadima was suspended for life by the Catholic Church in the South American country were in close contact with their German evacuated from the rail terminus shortly ered during a search of the archdiocese offices in Vatican over the allegations of child molestation. over the deluge of accusations against clergy, counterparts for more details about his after midday. “The two people are very Santiago earlier this month. The search was Francis eventually accepted he was wrong to bishops have decided to publicly disclose the background. badly injured, and they were brought to ordered by the prosecutor in charge of the inves- defend Barros and subsequently accepted his previous investigations on alleged sexual abuse A preliminary investigation revealed the hospital,” said Van der Veen. — AFP tigation, Emiliano Arias, after the church refused resignation. State prosecutors began investigat- of minors. Previously, bishops had insisted that to hand over files to investigators, citing the need ing scores of abuse cases following outrage canonical law prevails over criminal law. — AFP 7 International Sunday, September 2, 2018 Trump’s key decisions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict A timeline of the key developments since 2017
WASHINGTON: From the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem Jerusalem, to the halting of US aid to Palestinians, US On December 6 Trump says “it is time to officially President Donald Trump has made key moves in the recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel”, breaking Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here is a timeline of the key with the policies of his predecessors and provoking crit- developments since 2017: icism worldwide. Palestinians express rage. Palestinians have since refused all contact with the American admin- Silence on settlements istration, and no longer accept the United States as a On January 24, 2017, Trump’s administration refuses to peace mediator. be drawn on whether he backs Israel’s decision to approve 2,500 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, the ‘Slap of the century’ biggest project of its kind for years. “He wants to grow On January 14, 2018 Abbas denounces White House closer to Israel,” his spokesman says. peace efforts as “the slap of the century”. On January 16 Washington holds back $65 million, more than half of what First break with Palestinians that had been earmarked for the UN relief agency for On February 15, welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. Washington says its move is Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, Trump halts not linked to tensions over Jerusalem, but it further height- Washington’s quest for a two-state solution to the Israeli- ens tensions with the Palestinians. On January 25, Trump Palestinian conflict, saying he would back a single state if it accuses Palestinians of disrespecting the United States led to peace. On March 27 new US ambassador Nikki after it snubbed Vice President Mike Pence during his visit Haley promises an end to bias against Israel at the United to the Middle East. He threatens to withhold aid worth Nations. hundreds of millions of dollars until they accede to US- brokered talks. Trump at Western Wall On May 3, Trump hosts Palestinian leader Mahmud US embassy in Jerusalem Abbas at the White House, saying of a Middle East peace On March 5 Trump hosts Netanyahu at the White agreement: “We will get it done.” On May 22, Trump House and says US-Israel ties have “never been better”. becomes the first sitting US president to visit the Western On May 14, the transfer of the US embassy from Tel Wall in Jerusalem’s Old Town. Netanyahu announces new Aviv to Jerusalem coincides with a bloodbath in the US military aid. Gaza Strip, where about 60 are killed from Israeli fire. Palestinians steer their boat as they protest against the more than a decade-long Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, in On June 1 the United States vetoes a UN draft resolu- Beit Lahya on the border with Israel in the northern Gaza strip on August 11, 2018. — AFP ‘Alleged’ occupation tion calling for protection measures for the Palestinians In September, US ambassador to Israel David Friedman, and on June 19 announces its withdrawal from the Halt to US aid the Gaza Strip and West Bank, then on August 31 decides a longtime friend and advisor of Trump, angers Palestinians United Nations Human Rights Council over its alleged The United States announces on August 24 it has can- to end funding for UNRWA, saying the organization was by downplaying the Israeli occupation of the West bank. bias against Israel. celled more than $200 million in aid for the Palestinians in “irredeemably flawed”. — AFP
Brazil’s top electoral Turkey calls for court votes down new chapter in Lula candidacy BRASILIA: A majority of Brazil’s top electoral court shot Greece relations down late Friday the candidacy of popular leftist Luiz ATHENS: Turkey’s foreign minister called for a new Inacio Lula da Silva in the country’s upcoming presidential chapter in testy diplomatic ties with Greece yesterday, vote, telling the jailed former leader he cannot participate even as he berated the neighboring country for pro- in October’s critical election. The vote punctuated a grip- viding a safe haven for Turkish “criminals.” Eight ping case that has roiled the country for months, with Lula, Turkish commandos are seeking asylum in Greece 72, remaining the top contender among Brazilians to lead after commandeering a helicopter to flee Turkey fol- Latin America’s largest economy — despite sitting behind lowing a failed coup attempt against President Tayyip bars since April for accepting a bribe. Erdogan in July 2016. In an extraordinary session the Superior Electoral Turkey describes the fugitives as criminals involved Court dashed Lula’s hopes after hours of debate, with the in the coup plot, and has demanded that Greece hand judges voting an overwhelming 6-1 against him. Shortly them back. Greek courts have so far rejected Ankara’s thereafter, the former president’s Workers’ Party (PT) requests. “The situation in our relations today is not to vowed to “fight with all means” to secure candidacy for the benefit of our countries. Building trust is important. the leftist icon. “We will present all appeals before the We should open a new chapter in our relations,” courts for the recognition of the rights of Lula provided by CURITIBA: Supporters of Brazilian former president (2003-2011) Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva attend a vigil outside the Mevlut Cavusoglu told Ta Nea newspaper in an inter- law and international treaties ratified by Brazil,” said the Federal Police Superintendence. — AFP view released yesterday. “We should continue the party in a statement. “We will defend Lula in the streets, process of bilateral talks without any conditions. This with the people, because he is a candidate of hope.” is the way to solve our problems.” Lula’s case was a last-minute addition to the court ses- ago. The court’s decision would be open to appeal, magis- ongoing court cases. But he is adored by millions of He repeated demands, however, for the eight com- sion. The result was expected, but the vote of Judge Edson trate Henrique Neves, a former electoral court member, Brazilians due to the prosperity Brazil enjoyed under his mandos to be sent to Turkey to face trial. “The Greek Fachin, the second to speak, had momentarily rekindled told AFP. He said either party would also be able to lodge leadership from 2003 to 2010. He left office with a popu- justice system, contrary to the rules and the principles suspense. He relied on Lula’s recent backing from the UN an appeal with the Supreme Court over the constitutional larity rating of over 80 percent. Despite the uncertainty of the international law, is letting the culprits go Human Rights Committee, which ruled that the former nature of the electoral court’s ruling. The court decision over his ability to stand, Lula currently leads polls with unpunished and is violating the victims’ rights,” leader cannot be disqualified from the elections as his legal dropped late in the night but before the spots of presiden- more than double the share of his nearest challenger, the Cavusoglu was quoted as saying. “We remain deter- appeals are ongoing. But the votes that followed torpe- tial hopefuls were set to broadcast. right-winger Jair Bolsonaro. But the PT’s second choice mined in our effort to make sure that the fugitive coup doed the former president’s bid for a third term. looks hopeless. Former Sao Paulo governor Fernando perpetrators will be extradited and stand trial in Adored by millions Haddad, who will stand if Lula is barred, commands little Turkey,” he added. Potential appeal Lula was found guilty in July 2017 and then lost a first popular support. Long-time regional rivals, the two neighbours have Lula has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for appeal in January. Nonetheless, UN committee member However, the political chaos has had wider repercus- been at odds over a host of issues from ethnically divid- accepting a luxury seaside apartment as a bribe from a Olivier de Frouville told AFP that Lula should be allowed sions in the country with the currency losing 20 percent of ed Cyprus to rights in the Aegean Sea. Rhetoric on construction firm. He vehemently denies the accusations to “organize and campaign, even from jail.” Brazil is techni- its value against the dollar since January. Lula’s social both sides in recent months has taken a marked turn for and has dismissed the charges as a political plot aimed at cally obliged to abide by those findings, but the govern- media followers remain upbeat, though. The PT launched the worse, particularly after the collapse of peace talks preventing him from standing in the elections. The PT has ment in Brasilia described the committee’s conclusions as an appeal for support on Twitter, after which a hashtag in Cyprus in July 2017. — Reuters stubbornly kept up its attempts to force Lula’s name onto “a recommendation” that is “not... legally binding.” Former translating as “Lula on the ballot box” quickly began the ballot box, registering him as a candidate two weeks trade union leader Lula is also involved in another five trending. — AFP
Drought puts 30 soldiers killed in Iraq at risk Boko Haram raid of jihadist KANO: At least 30 Nigerian soldiers 30 kilometers from the town of Damasak died in combat with Boko Haram on the border with Niger. The jihadists resurgence jihadists who overran a military base in are thought to have attacked the base the northeast near the border with from the nearby Garunda village, where Niger, two military sources told AFP 17 troops were killed and 14 injured in an BAGHDAD: Iraq risks a jihadist resurgence if it yesterday. Scores of jihadists in trucks attack on another military base last fails to tackle a critical drought and other cli- stormed the base at Zari village in north- month, the sources said. In a statement mate-related security issues, according to a ern Borno state late Thursday and briefly late Friday the Nigerian military con- study presented to the UN Security Council and seized it after a fierce battle, they said. firmed troops fought Boko Haram “insur- made public yesterday. “The combination of its “They came in large numbers in gents...on rampage to loot the communi- hydrological limitations, increasing temperatures trucks and carrying heavy weapons and ty and extort money from villagers”. and extreme weather events puts pressure on engaged soldiers in a battle that lasted “Troops...have successfully routed basic resources and undermines livelihood for an hour,” a military officer said. “We Boko Haram insurgents in an encounter security for Iraq’s population,” the Expert lost at least 30 men,” the officer said, that ensued yesterday evening at Zari Working Group on Climate-Related Security Risks warned in its report. adding that the attack took place at village,” the military said in the state- “Failure to monitor and manage these cli- around 4:00 pm. “They overwhelmed the ment. It did not speak of military casual- mate-related risks will increase the risk of ISIS troops who were forced to temporarily ties and the raid on the base but main- and post-ISIS terrorist groups gaining support withdraw before reinforcements tained “several Boko Haram fighters and and regaining strength within resource-con- arrived,” said the officer who asked not weapons” were destroyed in the fight. strained communities,” it said. The jihadist to be named because he was not author- The Nigerian army has on several organization, also known as the Islamic State ized to speak. occasions disputed reports on losses to group, seized a third of Iraq’s territory in 2014 BASRA: An Iraqi man and a boy collect dead fish from a reservoir at a fish farm north Boko Haram has intensified attacks on Boko Haram and has in some cases before being beaten back in a sweeping govern- of Basra. — AFP military targets in recent months. The played them down. On July 14 Boko ment offensive last year. The water study, pre- attacks appear to undermine repeated Haram militants overran a military base sented to the Security Council in July, draws a lack of economic and political investment,” table distribution of water resources. claims by the military that Boko Haram in Jilli village, in neighboring Yobe state clear link between climate change and security. the report read. Scarce rainfall and dam projects in had been defeated. The militants took when dozens of troops were said to be Iraq is in the midst of a devastating drought “The absence of an adequate national water neighboring countries have put more than weapons and military equipment before been killed, wounded or missing. The and water levels are at their lowest since 1931. management policy exacerbates and com- seven million people living along the banks they were pushed out of the base by army at the time conceded the base was The flow of water in the country’s rivers has pounds these critical threats.” While the agricul- of the Tigris River at risk of displacement, troops with aerial support, said a second attacked but said troops remobilized shrunk by 40 percent in recent decades, bat- ture sector is Iraq’s top employer after the oil the report said. Water shortages could also military source who gave a similar death and succeeded in repelling the attack- tering the country’s agricultural sector threat- industry, its ministry is alloted one of the lowest increase inter-communal tensions, particu- toll. The militants were pursued and ers. In a short statement on Wednesday, ening the population’s water security. The federal budgets. The Ministry of Water larly in rural areas, it added. bombarded by a fighter jet, said the mili- IS-affiliated Boko Haram jihadists shortage stems from the “climate change and Resources also suffers financial constraints and The working group urged the UN’s mission tary sources. claimed to have killed “several” increasingly erratic precipitation across the has not been able to modernize the country’s in Iraq to monitor and report on the risks of “The terrorists also suffered heavy Nigerian troops in mortar strikes on a region, a decline in water flows from Iran and water infrastructure despite plans being in place climate change and to support the authorities casualty from the bombardment”, one of military base in the town of Arge in the Turkey, weak irrigation systems due to dam- for over two decades. Baghdad does not have by integrating climate and displacement into the military officers said. Zari is located Lake Chad area. — AFP age to infrastructure during the war, and a formal agreements with its neighbors on equi- their post-IS plans. — AFP 8 Sunday, September 2, 2018 International Tense New York primary highlights national divide issue for Democrats 52-year-old actress and activist has never held elected office NEW YORK: She hasn’t yet taken off in the polls, but as fact he agreed to a televised faceoff against Nixon showed he actress Cynthia Nixon seeks the Democratic nomination for “is sufficiently worried (and)... did not want to take his oppo- governor of New York, she has managed to push incumbent nent for granted,” said Robert Shapiro, a political science Andrew Cuomo to the left while raising concerns among professor at Columbia University in New York. other establishment Democrats about the party’s rising and restive progressive wing. The 60-year-old Cuomo — whose As progressive as she is father, the late Mario Cuomo, was himself a respected gov- “Her running has pushed him to the left politically,” ernor — is the embodiment of an establishment Democrat Shapiro said. “He needed to be on the stage with her to show and remains strongly favored in the state’s September 13 that, on certain issues, he compares in a sufficiently liberal primary election. way.” Cuomo is now quick to describe himself as a “progres- The most recent poll, published July 31 by Siena College, sive leader,” citing his work for the homeless, the environment gave him a lopsided 31-point lead and for a higher minimum wage. over Nixon. Another survey, Since Nixon announced her released July 18 by Quinnipiac candidacy he has begun saying University, showed him with an he is open to legalizing recre- even wider 36-point lead. With a Aggressive ational marijuana. campaign budget exceeding $30 Nixon, an openly bisexual million, Cuomo can flood the air- use of social mother of three, has long been waves with ads extolling his active in the causes of public record and positioning him as a media education and LGBTQ rights. last line of defense against a She describes herself as a president, Donald Trump, who “socialist.” She has denounced took only one-third of the state’s Democratic establishment fig- HEMPSTEAD: In this file photo taken on August 29, 2018 New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Democratic New vote in 2016. ures as being overly cozy with York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon pause during a gubernatorial debate at Hofstra University in For her part, Nixon has refused to accept the big dona- Wall Street bosses. And she advocates for working-class Hempstead. — AFP tions from wealthy individuals, unions and corporations that people and minorities in areas as diverse as housing, educa- Cuomo has raked in, relying instead on small donors, an tion, justice and transportation. sive backed by Sanders — to represent the party in the national debate within the party over how to respond to the aggressive use of social media and an enthusiastic base of Her positions are largely in line with those of Bernie November election for governor. Can Nixon similarly beat the Trump phenomenon. supporters. Still, the sometimes biting tone and personal Sanders, the radical Vermont politician who lost to Clinton in odds to become the first woman to govern New York’s 20 What makes New York different, he added, “is there is a attacks Cuomo lobbed at the “Sex and the City” star during the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries. She is even clos- million people? greater chance for a candidate like Nixon to win, compared their lone televised debate Wednesday suggested that the er to the stances of the young Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, who to places like Midwestern states like Ohio or Minnesota, two-term governor does not think he is out of danger. stunned the political world in late June when she won a New A Democratic microcosm where Democratic candidates have to walk the line on guns “Can you stop interrupting me?” an exasperated Cuomo York primary election against greatly favored Democratic Shapiro and most other observers consider a Nixon victo- or fiscal issues.” Miller said the debate between centrists and snapped at one point, prompting Nixon to shoot back, “Can heavyweight Joe Crowley. Ocasio-Cortez’s victory galvanized ry unlikely but not impossible. “Her campaign should be taken progressives could benefit the party. But some Democratic you stop lying?” The 52-year-old actress and activist has the Democrats’ progressive wing, which scored another vic- seriously,” said Michael G. Miller, assistant professor of politi- strategists fear the party could be caught up in an internecine never held elected office, but is clearly at ease before the tory on Tuesday in Florida. In a major upset, Democratic pri- cal science at New York’s Barnard College. He said New York, tempest such as divided establishment Republicans from the public. Cuomo had not taken part in a debate since 2006. The mary voters there chose Andrew Gillum — a black progres- a Democratic bastion, is something of a microcosm of the ultraconservative Tea Party movement in 2010. — AFP
wants to use his own past of drug addic- tion of “Los Chondos,” a neighborhood Gangster turned tion and gangs to help other people facing gang. First they beat him up. Then they the same poverty and violence that he made him one of their own, becoming his lawmaker new grew up in find a better future. Like the “second family,” he says. Before long, he Kremlin warns Ukraine phoenix, he says, “I was reborn from my was caught up in drinking, drugs and fight- face of Mexican ashes to save other gang-bangers. ing. But he learned some life lessons, too. rebel’s murder could Everyone I save brings me peace and “The gang gives you honor, loyalty. In the politics lessens my sins a little bit.” ‘barrio,’ nobody gets left behind. We’re all derail peace process equals,” he says. SAN LUIS POTOSI, Mexico: Pedro Boy gangster MOSCOW: The Kremlin warned yesterday that the assas- Carrizales’s body is a hodge-podge of From his downtrodden neighborhood in Hitting bottom sination of east Ukraine’s main separatist leader was a scars and tattoos that tell the story of how the central city of San Luis Potosi-capital The darker side of gang life left its provocation that would undermine the long-stalled he went from street-gang thug to Mexican of the state of the same name-he wants to marks, too. He still has machete scars on Western-brokered peace deal and fuel tensions in the help Lopez Obrador fulfill his promise to his head, knife wounds that went all the state congressman, reborn like the mythical SAN LUIS POTOSI: Mexican deputy-elect smoldering conflict. Alexander Zakharchenko, the 42-year- phoenix inked on his chest. Carrizales, 39, end the violent crime that has swept way to his lung and the imprints of busted for San Luis Potosi State, Pedro Carrizales, old chief of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, is part of a deluge of political outsiders Mexico since the government deployed the teeth on his knuckles. The invisible scars alias “El Mijis”, of the Juntos Haremos was killed in a bombing at a cafe in Donetsk in broad day- who won office for Morena, the party of military to fight the country’s powerful hurt more. The deepest one: he was out Historia party, poses for a picture at the light Friday, becoming the four-year conflict’s most promi- President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez drug cartels in 2006. drinking the day his mother died, instead of state’s congress in San Luis Potosi, nent victim from the Moscow-backed side. His bodyguard Obrador, in Mexico’s July 1 elections. The president-elect’s proposals include at her side. “I tried to commit suicide five Mexico. — AFP was also killed and 12 more people were injured. Better known by his street name, “El gradually taking the army off the streets, times. Imagine the guilt you feel. I never Moscow and rebel authorities have pointed the finger Mijis,” Carrizales is seen as a symbol of the legalizing drugs and an amnesty for certain even said goodbye, because I was out get- at Kiev, while Ukraine links the bombing to internal feud- new Mexican politics: Voters rejected the drug criminals, such as marijuana farmers ting trashed,” he says. “After that, I spent paign trail for his baggy jeans, his tattoos ing and Russia’s desire to control the territory. Observers two parties that had run the country for 89 and gang members who, like Carrizales, two months doing drugs.” and his past. He is just one of the contro- have expressed fears that the high-profile killing could fan years in favor of an anti-establishment left- were recruited as children. “El Mijis” has After he hit bottom, “a series of mira- versial lawmakers riding the Morena wave the flames of a conflict that has been half-forgotten by the his own ideas at the local level. “In my dis- cles happened,” he says. He got his first into office. Others include Napoleon West amid crises elsewhere. ist and the upstart party he founded just four years ago. As of Saturday, the start of trict, in the spots where drug traffickers go job. He quit drugs. Eventually, he joined a Gomez, a mining union boss accused of Officials led by President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman to dump bodies, I want to put in basketball protest movement by construction work- stealing $55 million from workers, and said the former mine electrician’s murder would further the new legislative session, Morena and its allies will have an absolute majority in both courts and open-air theaters,” says ers demanding more rights, and found his Nestora Salgado, a vigilante group leader derail the Ukraine peace deal brokered by Germany and Carrizales, who does not try to hide the calling. He soon became one of its leaders. accused of kidnapping. Both won seats in France in the Belarussian capital Minsk in 2015. “This is no houses of Congress. tattoos that betray his past. “I started developing a reputation in poli- the Mexican Senate. doubt a provocation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov Lopez Obrador, a former Mexico City “I want the local police to have emo- tics,” he says. “I also gained the respect of “El Mijis” brushes off his haters. Now told Russian reporters. “Zakharchenko’s death will cer- mayor, will be the first president in tional management training, so they can the gangs, because I got them work, medi- tainly lead to increased tensions in the region” and under- Mexico’s modern democracy to wield such about to start a law degree, he plans to mediate in conflicts between gangs and ated truces, helped them get ahead.” He mine conditions for the “start of the implementation” of power when he takes office on December 1. take his seat in the state Congress on the so-called Minsk agreements. Carrizales said the “consistency and tenac- residents, instead of showing up like estimates he has helped some 12,000 September 14 in his jeans, T-shirt and ity” of Lopez Obrador, who ran unsuccess- RoboCops with their guns out.” His own young men. sneakers, the same clothes he wears every ‘Serious situation’ fully for president twice before winning on life as a gangster started at age 11. day. “I’m going as I am,” he says. “I’m Zakharchenko was a co-signee of the peace agree- his third try, inspired him to run for the Growing up in a poor family with a history ‘Change the system’ going to change the system, the system’s ment, along with fellow rebel Igor Plotnitsky, the chief of state Congress of San Luis Potosi. He of domestic violence, he caught the atten- Carrizales faced criticism on the cam- not going to change me.” — AFP the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic, who was deposed in late 2017. Germany and France have sought in recent months to revive the stalled peace process in a bid to end a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than German city hit 10,000 since April 2014. Russia’s top diplomat Sergei Balloon of mayor Lavrov also said Saturday that Zakharchenko’s killing derailed the Minsk deal and ruled out any meetings with by violence France, Germany and Ukraine to discuss the crisis in the Khan in bikini so-called Normandy Format. braces for “This is a serious situation that has to be analyzed,” flies over London Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. “What happened today puts a big question mark over the demonstrations entire process,” added Russian foreign ministry spokes- LONDON: Critics of London Mayor Sadiq Khan woman Maria Zakharova, speaking in televised remarks CHEMNITZ: Supporters and oppo- yesterday launched a big balloon caricaturing him late Friday. Putin on Friday swiftly sent condolences to nents of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s in a yellow bikini “in retaliation” for the “Baby Zakharchenko’s family and residents of rebel-controlled liberal immigration policy hold rival Trump” blimp he let fly over Westminster in July. Ukraine and seemed to imply that Kiev may be behind the demonstrations yesterday in the city The stunt was staged by Yanny Bruere, who murder. “Those who have chosen the path of terror, vio- of Chemnitz, where the fatal stabbing describes himself as a free speech advocate, and lence and intimidation do not want to look for a peaceful, of a German man by two migrants funded through nearly £60,000 ($78,000, 67,000 political settlement of the conflict, do not want to have gen- sparked violent far-right protests. euros) in donations on a crowdfunding website. uine dialogue with residents of the southeast,” Putin was More than 1,200 policemen will keep It follows activists flying a giant balloon quoted as saying by the Kremlin. In east Ukraine, senior watch over the rallies in the eastern CHEMNITZ, Germany: A woman wearing a headscarf attends a depicting US President Donald Trump as an separatist commander Eduard Basurin claimed that Kiev counter-march in Chemnitz, eastern Germany, ahead of a protest of orange nappy-clad baby during demonstrations planned to launch an offensive in mid-September, adding city, where deep divisions over Merkel’s 2015 decision to welcome a the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and anti-Islam on July 13 against his visit to Britain. To the fury separatist troops had been put on high alert. Kiev has Pegida movement. — AFP denied any such plans. Rebel authorities declared a three- million asylum-seekers have flared up of Trump supporters, Khan authorized the flying day period of mourning and delayed the start of a new since the killing of the 35-year-old of the caricature, arguing Londoners had a right man six days ago. been murdered.’ But he was an anti- “People are worried” to peaceful protest. Bruere, 28, from school year until Tuesday. The acting head of the region, fascist and people outside the city Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Dmitry Trapeznikov, told reporters late Friday that local Leftist protesters will start a march Northampton, a town 65 miles north of London, under the slogan ‘Heart instead of don’t know that.” German police have whose centre-left Social Democrats confirmed yesterday’s launch was to hit back at authorities had detained several suspects and they helped said little about the man and the cir- (SPD) hold the mayor’s office in confirm that the blast was “an act of sabotage by Ukraine”. Hate’ at 1300 GMT in the centre of the mayor. “I think a certain amount of respect Chemnitz, which was known as Karl- cumstances surrounding his murder. Chemnitz and helped organize the should be afforded to the leader of the free world Hundreds of far-right activists clashed first march, said on Twitter that ‘Tragedy for entire Donbass’ Marx-Stadt under Communist rule in and the greatest ally the UK has — the president Germans had a special duty to stand People in Donetsk openly wept at the news of East Germany as a homage to its with police and hounded migrants in of America,” he said. the streets of Chemnitz last Sunday up against any form of fascism. Zakharchenko’s death. “It is a tragedy for the entire industrial past. Dozens of leftist Organizers chose the yellow bikini because after authorities said a Syrian and an “When people are once again roam- Donbass,” said Donetsk resident, Alexander Grigoryev, 61, demonstrators started gathering near Khan ruled in 2016 London’s transport network Iraqi have been detained as suspects ing our streets with the Hitler salute, referring to war-torn east Ukraine. “It’s such a pity. He a large bust of the father of would not allow adverts which could create body could have been the leader of our country for a very long Communism in the city centre, where in the fatal stabbing. our history mandates us to stand up Images of skinheads raising their for democracy,” he wrote yesterday. confidence issues following controversy over a time,” he said. Zakharchenko — who briefly worked as a only a few days ago far-right demon- protein shake poster featuring a model in a yel- mine electrician before going into business connected to strators clashed with police. Two arms for a Hitler salute, chasing dark- The influx of more than 1.6 million skinned people, and wrestling riot people seeking asylum in the last four low bikini asking “are you beach body ready?” A the industry — had led Russian-backed insurgents in the hours later, supporters of far-right small crowd of supporters and press gathered in rebel region for the last four years. police to the ground were a painful years, mainly Muslims from Syria, Iraq groups, including PEGIDA and Westminster to see the giant inflatable lift off He became the rebel prime minister in August 2014, reminder for many Germans that not and Afghanistan, has already changed Alternative for Germany (AfD), will Saturday morning. It will fly over Parliament taking over from a series of Russians who had held the gather to mourn the man who was everyone has learned the lessons of Germany’s social and political land- post. In November 2014, he was elected the first presi- the country’s Nazi past. The leaking scapes. The AfD, which says Islam is Square for two hours. The mayor said people stabbed to death. were welcome to watch the stunt. “If people want dent of the Donetsk republic, facing no real opposition. “Who was the stabbing victim?,” of the arrest warrant for one of the incompatible with the German consti- to spend their Saturday looking at me in a yellow Zakharchenko, who liked to be seen wearing khaki military asked a woman in her 50s at the left- two suspects to PEGIDA, under sur- tution, entered the national parliament bikini they’re welcome to do so — I don’t really fatigues, sold his business to finance the rebels and took ist demonstration, declining to give veillance by security agencies, raised for first time in an election last year, part in the storming of the Donetsk regional administration her name. “The far-right is exploiting concerns that some justice officials in sealing third place after stealing vot- think yellow’s my color though,” he quipped to building that launched the conflict in 2014. — AFP his death by saying: ‘A German has the state of Saxony, where Chemnitz ers from both Merkel’s conservatives ITV News. — AFP lies, were sympathetic to the far-right. and the SPD. — Reuters 9 International Sunday, September 2, 2018 Mauritanians vote in election before key presidential ballot Oppn deplored logistical snags, hints at flawed outcome
NOUAKCHOTT: Mauritania, a frontline state in the would take place on September 15. fight against Islamic extremism, voted yesterday in Aziz, 61, who came to power in a coup in 2008, won legislative, regional and local elections that will test elections in 2009 and again in 2014 for a second five- head of state Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz’s record sev- year term. He has been frequently accused by opposi- en months before a presidential vote. Military person- tion figures and NGOs of rights abuses, including the nel cast their ballots Friday to free themselves up to arrest of a former senator and the “secretive” deten- provide security in the vast and arid West African tion of a blogger. Aziz says he will not seek a third state with a registered elec- mandate, which would be torate of some 1.4 million. against the constitution, but Polling opened at 0700 statements by ministers and GMT in the capital supporters have allowed Nouakchott but several vot- suspicions to flourish. ers were sent to different A registered polling stations due to last ‘Assassinating democracy’ minute changes, an AFP electorate of Aziz has slammed oppo- reporter said. President Aziz sition leaders as “villains” hailed the “peaceful and some 1.4 million and “troublemakers”. He has democratic nature” of the described some as “danger- ballot after casting his vote ous Islamists, racist extrem- but a leading opposition fig- ists and the leftovers of for- ure Mohamed Ould Moloud mer regimes which brought deplored logistical snags and hinted the outcome the country to its knees”. Earlier this week he accused could be flawed. Islamists of “just awaiting their political failure to take “There are voters who have been misdirected and up arms” drawing an indignant response from Jemil don’t know where to vote,” he said, adding that there Ould Mensour of the Islamist party Tewassoul. were “serious signs of possible fraud”. The opposition “It is Mr Aziz who took up arms against an elected boycotted the last polls in 2013 but a record 98 par- regime and is assassinating democracy,” he charged, NOUAKCHOTT: In this file photo taken on July 2, 2018 Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (R) and French ties are taking part this time. Voting ends at 1900 referring to the 2008 coup. Veteran opposition leader President Emmanuel Macron (L) meet as they arrive for the African Union (AU) summit. — AFP GMT with results not expected until the middle of Ahmed Ould Daddah, who heads the Gathering for next week. There are no international observers. Democracy (RFD), has urged voters to make “the nec- “I voted for people I support in different parties essary leap to get rid of dictatorship and generalized warned they would give the president more power. tions set for his release and remained in detention, including some from the ruling party and others in the bankruptcy”. The ruling Union for the Republic is cam- After more than a year of detention on corruption laywer Mohamed El Mamy said in a statement. opposition,” a woman who identified herself as paigning largely on changes it made in the 2017 con- charges, former senator Mohammed Ould Ghadda was Mauritania, which hosted an African Union summit in Fatimatou said. “It’s not easy,” she added after taking stitution, abolishing the senate and bringing in a new due to be released on Friday, his lawyer said. July, has recently revived diplomatic ties with eight minutes to fill in the forms and deposit them in national anthem and flag. Voters endorsed the contro- However, Ould Ghadda, who led the campaign Morocco, after years of tension over the status of five different ballot boxes. Potential run-off elections versial measures in a referendum, while the opposition against the constitutional changes, rejected the condi- Moroccan-annexed Western Sahara. — AFP
again by police on Thursday evening at Entebbe air- Ugandan pop star port, outside the capital Kampala, his lawyers said. He was taken to the government’s Kiruddu General Hospital in Kampala, where, the MP’s international MP flies to US lawyer Robert Amsterdam said he had locked himself in a room with his wife and refused access to army doc- Myanmar releases for treatment tors. “The doctor who oversaw Bobi’s torture is part of the team trying to access him,” Amsterdam said 75 more children Supporters say he had been badly beaten and tor- KAMPALA: Ugandan singer-turned-politician Robert tured while in army custody, during and after his arrest Kyagulanyi has left Uganda for medical treatment in in the northwestern town of Arua earlier this month, and soldiers: UNICEF the United States following accusations he was tor- required medical treatment abroad. On Friday, Ugandan tured by security forces, his lawyer told AFP yester- chief justice Bart Katureebe issued a public reminder YANGON: Myanmar’s military has released 75 child day. The 36-year-old reggae star — better known as that the constitution bans torture. “Security forces, soldiers, a UN agency said, and its first discharge this Bobi Wine — had spent Friday holed up in a govern- when you are arresting Ugandans, arrest them like GULU: In this file photo taken on August 27, 2018 year as part of a gradual process to end decades of ment hospital after being re-arrested while trying to human beings not animals,” he said. Ugandan singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi forced recruitment of underage fighters. There are no leave the country. Kyagulanyi, who chanted lyrics about poverty and (C), better known as Bobi Wine, reacts as he gets into concrete figures on how many children are still among Kyagulanyi became an MP in 2017, firing up a the estimated 500,000 troops that serve in Myanmar’s social justice, has become a lightning rod for youthful an ambulance after being released on bail at The youthful population and proving a thorn in the side of military, or the ethnic rebel armies that it battles in the opposition to the 74-year-old president. Museveni, High Court. — AFP ageing President Yoweri Museveni. He was charged who has held power since 1986, is expected to seek country’s border regions. with treason last week after protesters stoned another term in 2021 after constitutional changes were The state’s army-also referred to as the Museveni’s car during a by-election campaign. The passed last year to scrape age limits. In this context, the Museveni with delivering a degree of stability after he “Tatmadaw”-has released 924 children and young peo- lawmaker’s arrest sparked violent protests and interna- brash former slum-dweller channels the daily frustra- came to power at the head of a rebel army, he said. ple from its ranks since signing a deal with the United tional condemnation over his alleged torture. “He left tions of many young Ugandans in a country led mostly “Now the majority of Ugandans are young women, Nations in 2012, according to Friday’s statement released by UN child protection agency UNICEF. The last night at around 11.OO pm aboard KLM flight for by old men. and they don’t relate to Museveni’s political message.” Schipol (Amsterdam) onward to United States,” lawyer Wine’s “age, his background and his story” make child soldiers released will have to attend reintegration However, it is unclear what Kyagulanyi’s political ambi- programs to return them to civilian life, a process that Nicholas Opiyo said. “He was in the company of his him a challenge unlike any Museveni has faced during tions will become the next election, Kagumire said. “He wife, Barbie and brother Daks Sentamu.” will contribute to “bringing lasting peace in Myanmar as his 32-year rule, said political analyst Rosebell has not yet even said that he wants to stand for presi- productive citizens”, the statement added. Released on bail on Monday, Kyagulanyi was seized Kagumire. Many Ugandans nonetheless credit dent but a lot of people expect that” he will. —AFP Friday’s ceremony was attended by the discharged children and young people, with the youngest ex-sol- dier being 14 years old. UN Myanmar resident coordi- nator Knut Ostby said in a speech during the ceremony that it is much more difficult to recruit a child today than Bosnian police before the 2012 pact was signed. But more could be done to ensure the safety of children and young people in Myanmar, he said, calling out the Tatmadaw for “not find 50 migrants having put in place measures for protection of children with regards to killing and maiming, and rape and other forms of sexual violence.” on cargo train Ostby yesterday recounted to AFP scenes of joy from the children and their families during the ceremo- ZVORNIK: Bosnian police stopped about 50 ny. “The children and youth and their families were migrants from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan try- clapping, they were so happy that this was happening. ing to cross from Serbia in a cargo train overnight These are (children) who are going back to their normal on Friday as authorities step up patrols of the lives,” he said. “The context is challenging but there has been considerable progress in stopping underage border. Bosnia had not been on the well-trodden recruitment and discharge of child soldiers.”— AFP migrant route through the Balkans to European Union nations until earlier this year when arrivals jumped. About 11,000 people from Asia and North Africa have been registered as arriving so far this year. Still recovering from a devastating war in the Buddhist monk held 1990s, Bosnia was bypassed in 2015 and 2016 when more than a million migrants and refugees The abandoned Indonesian ship “Sam Rataulangi PB1600” is seen from the shore of Yangon region. — AFP passed through the Balkans. But as borders have over sexual abuse closed elsewhere, Bosnia has become a new tran- sit route. “Migrants are crossing the River Drina Based on these findings, the navy scoured the waters at India school (the border between Serbia and Bosnia). They pay Creepy ghost ship for a second ship and found the “Independence” vessel, between 250 and 300 euros to smugglers to take carrying 13 Indonesian crew members, about 80 kilo- NEW DELHI: Indian police have arrested a senior them over the Drina,” said a police source who metres from Yangon’s shores. After questioning the Buddhist monk accused of sexually abusing 15 boys at asked not to be named. in Myanmar waters crew members, the navy discovered that the a meditation centre he ran in a holy city, officials said The cargo train carrying coal was stopped Independence departed Jakarta on August 13, towing yesterday. Bhante Shanghpriya Sujoy was detained in near the Bosnian border town of Zvornik on the towed: Navy the old vessel bound for a ship-breaking factory in the UNESCO heritage town of Bodh Gaya, which banks of the River Drina. As the train was brought Bangladesh, the Facebook post said. attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims every year, after to a halt, some of the migrants onboard jumped “They faced bad weather when they arrived south of boys complained that they had been beaten, abused out and started running, some back to Serbia, said YANGON: A stranded vessel empty of crew and goods Yangon River”, the navy said. “The cables attached to and forced to dance naked, police said. a Reuters photographer who witnessed the oper- that was found in Myanmar’s waters this week was the ship broke, and the ship was floating along with the The scandal is the latest to hit the Buddhist establish- ation. A group remained on the train and were being towed by a ship with 13 Indonesian nationals tide and it was difficult to continue its journey.” Old and ment after the former head of China’s government-run then turned back to Serbia, the photographer and before it became unmoored, the Myanmar Navy said. unseaworthy vessels are often towed to Bangladesh’s Buddhist association was removed this week as abbot of police said. Local police did not give further Fishermen came across the rusted and empty vessel, southern Chittagong province, which houses a thriving a Beijing temple following a sexual assault investigation. details. Migrants and asylum seekers, most of bearing the name “Sam Rataulangi PB 1600”, drifting in — and controversial — ship-breaking industry. A senior police officer at Bodh Gaya told AFP there are them from Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Pakistan, the Gulf of Martaban, about 11 kilometers (seven miles) According to the Marine Traffic website, which lists the “serious allegations” against Bhante Shanghpriya Sujoy reach Serbia via Albania and Montenegro, off the coast of Myanmar’s commercial capital. movements of ships around the globe, the vessel was who took boys aged between six and 12 from impover- according to Bosnian authorities. Some go to Myanmar Navy personnel boarded the vessel to built in 2001 and had a deadweight of 26,500 tons. The ished families in India’s remote northeast. “The children beaches on the Serbian side pretending to be investigate the situation this week, and shed some light navy said the investigation is ongoing. complained to their guardians about physical and sexu- tourists and then swim to the Bosnian side, the on their search in a post on the navy’s official Facebook An official from the Indonesia Foreign Ministry con- al abuse by their head monk. “The children say they police source said. They then walk west to try to page late Friday. “It was the view that the ship could firmed Saturday that they had received word of this were thrashed and sexually abused at the school. They cross into the EU member Croatia. But with have been towed by another ship after two cables... case and said the embassy in Yangon was handling it. were locked up without food and water if they resis- Croatian police increasing border patrols and were found at its head”, the post said. The navy’s “It is the boat that was arrested; the Indonesians are ted,” the official said, speaking on condition of turning back migrants, around 5,000 remain coastal radar records showed the movement of two just the boat crew,” Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, director at anonymity. Bhante Shanghpriya Sujoy was first arrested stranded around in Bosnia. — Reuters ships on Sunday and Monday in the Yangon and the ministry’s Indonesian citizens protection depart- on Wednesday and police are also investigating the Sittaung rivers — which run into the Gulf of Martaban. ment said. — AFP trust which runs the school. — AFP 10 Established 1961
Sunday, September 2, 2018 Analysis
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WASHINGTON WATCH Myanmar-Thai highway branded ‘ecological and social disaster’ ommunity and conservation groups in Myanmar have branded a planned high- Cway linking a port project to Thailand an “ecological and social disaster”, saying it would uproot indigenous people from their homes and farms. Critics said an environmental and social impact assessment for the road project, approved by the Myanmar government in June, failed to adequately specify compen- sation for loss of land and livelihoods, among other problems. “This is a road to an ecologi- Mr Trump, you cannot erase Palestinian right to return cal and social disaster (in Myanmar),” said Christy Williams, Myanmar director for the By Dr James J Zogby nation of the historical record (link to book about timing, place, and those we hit. If we In the face of this, the actions of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an inter- on AAI) establishes that the Zionist political accuse a family - we need to harm them Trump Administration are not only danger- national conservation group. irst, the Trump Administration “took leadership executed a deliberate plan to without mercy, women and children includ- ous and reckless, they are cruel and insensi- The highway is considered strategically Jerusalem off the table”. Now, in an “cleanse” entire areas of their Arab inhabi- ed. Otherwise, this is not an effective opera- tive, and violations of international law and important to both nations as it would link Fespecially dangerous display of reck- tants in order to create a state that would be tion. During the operation there is no need covenants. While some conservatives love to lessness, they have announced their inten- larger than what was provided by the UN to distinguish between the guilty and the cherry pick the celebrated 1948 Universal Thailand to a deep-sea port and planned tion to do the same for the Palestinian “right partition, with fewer Arabs. not guilty.” Declaration of Human Rights - citing their Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Dawei, a town of return”. The first indication that this was They are indicted by their own words: Menachem Begin (leader of the Irgun): favorite, Article 18, which guarantees free- on the Myanmar side of an isthmus divided in the works came with the administration’s Yigal Allon (leader of the Palmach - the offi- “Arabs throughout the country, induced to dom of religion and belief - they willfully between the two countries. The industrial com- announcement that they would be suspend- cial Zionist military): believe wild tales of ‘Irgun butchery’, were ignore other relevant articles: plex would serve as a gateway to Southeast ing all US assistance to UNWRA, the UN “We saw the need to clean the upper seized with limitless panic and started to Article 9: “No one shall be subjected to Asia’s markets, with goods trucked between agency created to address the humanitarian Galilee and to create...Jewish continuity in flee for their lives. The mass flight soon arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.” Dawei and Thailand, avoiding the need for ships needs of the Palestinians who were forced the entire area of the upper Galilee...We, developed into a maddened uncontrolled Article 13/2: “Everyone has the right to to flee from their homes in 1948 and again in therefore, tried a tactic...which worked stampede. Of the almost 800,000 who lived leave any country, including his own, and to to sail southward through the Malacca 1967. More recently, the administration sup- miraculously well. I gathered all of the in the present territory of the State of Israel, return to his country.” Straights, the world’s busiest shipping lane. ported by some Republican members of Jewish Mukhtars, who have contact with the only 165,000 remain. The political and eco- Article 17/2: “no one shall be arbitrarily But Williams said the planned road would Congress, launched an effort to limit Arabs in the different villages, and asked nomic significance of this development can deprived of his property.” pass through a region of “huge ecological “refugee” status to only those Palestinians them to whisper in the ears of the Arabs that hardly be overestimated.” In addition, there is the 1948 UN resolu- importance with rich biodiversity”. The who were victims of the 1948 expulsions. [In a large Jewish reinforcement has arrived in In the aftermath of the war, during which tion declaring “the right of Palestinian assessment looked only at the effects on peo- a future article I will address the devastating Galilee and that it is going to burn all the thousands of Palestinians were murdered and refugees to return to their homes” - a reso- ple and the environment within 500m (550 humanitarian and political consequences villages in the Huleh. They should suggest to another 700,000 were forced into exile, Ben lution which has been regularly and over- that will result from crippling the work of these Arabs, as their friends, to escape while Gurion celebrated what he termed “a double whelmingly passed by the UN General yards) of the road, he added, but the impact UNWRA.] they had time to flee. The flight numbered in miracle” - an Israel with more land and less Assembly. will affect a much wider area. He said WWF Because Israel has always rejected its the myriads. The tactic reached its goal Arabs. After its establishment, Israel com- When in the face of this incontrovertible had been working with communities and pro- culpability for the Palestinian refugee crisis completely.” pounded its crimes against the Palestinians history of Israeli “ethnic cleansing” and vided “extensive recommendations and solu- and has consistently refused to acknowl- David Ben Gurion (speaking of “Plan D,” by passing a series of Orwellian laws which international conventions on the rights of tions” to the Myanmar government and edge that those who fled in 1948 had any the operation designed to expand the size enabled the new state to seize Arab-owned refugees, I cringe when I hear of the Trump Myandawei Industrial Estate Co Ltd, the Thai rights to repatriation, the US intent to take of the “Jewish State” and to reduce the land (over 2 million acres were taken - Administration’s intention to take the the refugee issue “off the table” was number of Arabs within it): including businesses, homes, orchards, and refugee issue “off the table.” What they are, firm developing the road and SEZ, but these described by one Israeli writer as a “dream “These operations can be carried out in farmland) and demolish 385 Arab villages - in fact, taking off the table is so much more. had “been ignored”. come true.” And a minister in Prime Minister the following manner: either by destroying vil- all done in the effort to physically erase any At stake is: the lives and fortunes of inno- The impact assessment failed to address Netanyahu’s government celebrated the US lages (by setting them on fire, by blowing evidence of the prior Palestinian presence. cent Palestinians and their families; the rule many issues brought forward by residents dur- move as “finally speaking the truth to the them up, and by planting mines in their rub- I spent time in Palestinian camps in 1971 of law; simple human justice; and the possi- ing consultation sessions, said Thant Zin, direc- Arab lie that has been marketed all over the ble), and especially those population centers collecting the nightmarish personal stories bility of peace. The more than 5 million tor of the Dawei Development Association, a world for decades...There is no reason for that are difficult to control permanently; or by of those who were expelled, perusing their Palestinians living under occupation and in local civil society group. “Our main concerns [Palestinians] to dream of returning.” mounting combing and control operations family photo albums of the homes they had refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon and Israel claims that they have no responsi- according to the following guidelines: encir- left behind, and being shown the keys they Syria cannot be erased and in their attempt over the project are forced relocation of thou- bility for Palestinian refugees. As is their clement of the villages, conducting a search still carried -which had become a sacred to do so, it is not only the Israelis who are sands of local indigenous people, potential practice, the Israelis have attempted to inside of them. In case of resistance, the armed symbol representing what they had lost guilty of the war crime of ethnic cleansing. industrial pollution ... land grabbing and liveli- exonerate themselves by creating “alternate forces must be wiped out and the population and hoped to regain. One said to me “the The Trump Administration is making itself hood issues, and human rights violations in facts” - that Palestinians voluntarily left their expelled outside the border of the state.” Jews said they remembered for 2,000 complicit in this crime. project area,” he said. A spokesman for homes or that they were ordered to leave by Yigal Allon: “There is a need for strong years. For me, it has only been 23 years, NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the Myanmar’s environment ministry did not advancing Arab armies. However, an exami- and brutal reaction. We need to be accurate how can I forget?” President of the Arab American Institute respond to repeated requests for comment. Gunn Bunchandranon, a spokesman for Balanche. “HTS definitely retains a size- Myandawei Industrial Estate Co Ltd, said the HTS: Regime’s able foreign fighter component, perhaps highway’s impact assessment was in line with comprising at least 20 percent of its total the laws of both Myanmar and Thai. He said fighting force,” said Charles Lister, an people from affected communities who attend- toughest foe analyst at the Middle East Institute. The ed public consultations did not raise any con- fighters are mostly from the Middle East, in Idlib “but also from Russian-speaking areas, cerns about compensation for loss of land. Europe and south Asia,” he added. However, a 2015 draft of the impact assessment he Syrian regime and its Russian provided by conservation group EarthRights ally are threatening an offensive to How powerful is it? International included the minutes of one such Tretake the northwestern province HTS now controls nearly 60 percent of meeting where the land compensation question of Idlib, Syria’s last rebel bastion, where Idlib province. It has set up a civil admin- was raised. the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham group holds istration that collects customs duties at sway. The jihadist alliance, the core of the border with Turkey and imposes taxes Risk of conflict which is formed by the former Al-Qaeda on traders. The group “derives so much of Myanmar residents have also expressed fear branch in Syria, is likely to be the its power from being the authority over that the highway could reignite conflict regime’s toughest foe. how trade flows into and out of Idlib, which helps fund the group and gives it between the government and Myanmar’s oldest Here is some background. power beyond its size,” said Nicholas armed group, the Karen National Union (KNU), What is HTS? Heras, a researcher at the Center for New according to Ben Hardman of EarthRights American Security. HTS first appeared in Syria in Jan 2012 A Syrian protester chants slogans as he waves a flag of the opposition as International. Those concerns did not make it as the Al-Nusra Front, and Syrian Previously, HTS had a presence in into the impact assessment, Hardman said. The he protest against the regime and its ally Russia, in the rebel-held town of President Bashar Al-Assad and his many of the country’s rebel-held areas, Maaret Al-Numan in the north of Idlib province on Friday. —AFP KNU signed a ceasefire agreement with the Russian ally still refer to the group by that especially near Damascus and in the military in 2012, ending six decades of fighting. name. Classified as a “terrorist” group by south. But it has lost that territory as its In 2015 it signed a national ceasefire agreement the United States, the European Union fighters were evacuated to Idlib in surren- Al-Zinki announced their Turkey-backed What is its future? (NCA), along with other armed ethnic groups. and the United Nations, it arrived in Syria der deals. HTS has consistently been merger to counter the growing power of On Aug 22 the reclusive Jolani broke a But relations with the government remain as an extension of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. The excluded from ceasefires negotiated by HTS. They joined four other rebel factions long silence to reiterate that the group tense and the KNU claims control over territo- group’s current leader, a Syrian who uses the United Nations or Russia. The alliance in early August to form a new coalition - was determined to repel any offensive by has been the target of air raids from both ry the highway would pass through. Saw Tah the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad Al- the National Liberation Front. Damascus. “Just thinking about surrender- Jolani, is a veteran of fighting in Iraq. Moscow and the US-led anti-jihadist Separately, HTS has increased raids in ing to the enemy and handing over Doh Moo, the group’s secretary general, said In 2013, the group swore allegiance to coalition, which have killed several of its the NCA required that the KNU be consulted recent weeks against “sleeper cells” linked weapons is an act of treason,” he said. Al-Qaeda before splitting with the global senior commanders. to the Islamic State group (IS), which has Russia has called for the dissolution of about any development projects in areas under syndicate in July 2016 and renaming itself claimed responsibility for assassinations HTS, but neighboring Turkey is trying to its control. However, neither the company nor the Fatah Al-Sham Front. In 2017, it dis- Who are its rivals? and bombings targeting HTS’s leaders and negotiate a solution with the jihadists to the government have officially discussed the solved that group to form the backbone of Formerly associated with influential fighters. The two heavyweights have also avoid a large scale offensive that would road project with them, he said. “I don’t want to Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. The group mainly Islamist rebel groups like Ahrar Al-Sham clashed in Syria’s northern city of Raqqa destabilize the border area, the Britain- say what would happen, but it would undermine consists of Syrian militants, estimated at and Nureddine Al-Zinki, HTS underwent a and in eastern Deir Ezzor province. In July based Observatory said. According to the NCA,” he told the Thomson Reuters about 30,000 fighters, according to the bloody period of power struggles in 2017 2014, Nusra’s chief said the group’s goal Heras, the alliance’s “dissolution on the Foundation by phone. “We have to think about Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The that included battles with former allies, was to set up an “Islamic emirate”, akin to command of Turkey would rob it of much creating resentment that persists today. In how to respond.” —Reuters jihadists are “well organized and battle- the “caliphate” proclaimed by IS shortly of its power, which would replace HTS hardened”, said Syria expert Fabrice early 2018, Ahrar Al-Sham and Nureddine beforehand. rule with Turkish rule.” —AFP Established 1961
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 Business
Boursa Kuwait equities mixed India’s economic growth surges US presses ahead with Mexico 12amid growing selling pressures 13 to 8.2% despite currency woes 14 trade pact, Canada talks go on
ANKARA: A man counts dollar bills in a money exchange office in Ankara. The lira has fallen 42 percent against the dollar this year. — AFP Turkey hikes gas, power prices by 14% Inflation running at 14-year high as currency crisis deepens ANKARA: Turkey raised natural gas prices yesterday by tial use effective from yesterday, two sources told Reuters. Eyes on inflation sector. Investors, who see the economy heading for a as much as 14 percent, two sources said, while the energy Officials for Botas were not immediately available to com- Retail prices in Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest city, surged hard landing, say decisive interest rate hikes are regulator announced a similar increase in electricity costs ment. Last month, Botas increased the price of natural gas 2.23 percent month-on-month in August, for a year-on- needed to put the brakes on inflation. Erdogan, who as a deepening currency crisis stokes inflation. The lira has for electricity production by 50 percent and by 9 percent year increase of 14.99 percent, the Istanbul Chamber of has appointed his son-in-law Berat Albayrak as fallen 42 percent against the dollar this year, hit by con- for residential use. Turkey is dependent on imports for Commerce said yesterday. finance minister, casts the lira’s slide as an economic cerns over a worsening rift with the United States. almost all of its energy needs. The lira crisis has driven up Official August inflation data is due tomorrow, and attack on Turkey by Western governments, financiers The sell-off has increased the cost of food and petrol the cost, in local currency terms, of oil and gas. economists expect another hefty reading. “This will and ratings agencies. and raised fears about the impact on the country’s wider Likewise, Turkey’s energy regulator said it would raise provide the first hard evidence of the impact of the He says high interest rates cause inflation-a stance economy and banks. Economists are particularly worried electricity prices by 14 percent for industrial use and 9 lira’s collapse this month on the wider economy,” at odds with orthodox economics. “We see little about the central bank’s inability to rein in inflation, which percent for households from yesterday. It increased prices Jason Tuvey of Capital Economics said in a note to chance that an ugly set of inflation figures will hit a 14-year high of nearly 16 percent in July. by the same amount last month. Almost a third of Turkey’s clients on Friday. Erdogan, a self-described “enemy of change the government’s-and, crucially, President State pipeline operator Botas raised natural gas prices total 293 billion megawatt power production came from interest rates”, wants to see lower borrowing costs to Erdogan’s-stance on interest rates,” Tuvey of Capital by 14 percent for industrial use and 9 percent for residen- natural gas power plants in 2017. keep credit flowing, particularly to the construction Economics said. — Reuters ‘Shape up or we’ll quit’, 60% of Americans Trump tells WTO disapprove of Trump’s job WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has threatened to pull the United States out of the World Trade Organization if it does not “shape up.” performance: Poll His remarks, made in an interview with Bloomberg WASHINGTON: Sixty percent of Americans disapprove of President News on Thursday, were the latest in a series of Donald Trump’s job performance and nearly half support impeachment, attacks on institutions of the global order that the according to an opinion poll published on Friday. US helped to build after World War II. Thirty-six percent of Americans approve of Trump’s White House per- “If they don’t shape up, I would withdraw from formance, the Washington Post-ABC News poll found. In the last Post-ABC the WTO,” Trump told the news agency, describing survey, in April, Trump received an approval rating of 40 percent and a dis- the agreement to set the organization up as “the approval rating of 56 percent. single worst trade deal ever made”. The latest survey of 1,003 adults was conducted between August 26 and Trump, who has previously criticized the WTO’s 29, the week when Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was dispute settlement system as being unfavorable to found guilty of tax and bank fraud and his attorney, Michael Cohen, pleaded the US, said Washington had “rarely won a lawsuit” WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said the agreement to set the World Trade Organization up was “the single worst trade deal ever made”. — Reuters guilty to making hush payments to women who claimed to have had sexual there although things began changing last year. liaisons with Trump. “In the last year, we’re starting to win a lot,” he Forty-nine percent of those polled by the Post and ABC News said that said. “You know why? Because they know if we cerns. In a response on Friday, Azevedo, the Many diplomats say that although they dislike Congress should launch impeachment proceedings against Trump, while 46 don’t, I’m out of there.” China, which is currently WTO’s director general, said there was no reason the US tactics, they agree that the WTO needs percent disagreed. Fifty-three percent said they believed Trump has com- embroiled in a trade war with the US, joined the for “panic”. “The US concerns about areas in the reform, and hope that the situation can be used mitted obstruction of justice by trying to interfere with Special Counsel WTO in 2001 — a move which US Trade WTO that they would like to improve are not new. to make the 23-year-old trading club more effi- Robert Mueller’s investigation into whether the Trump election campaign Representative Robert Lighthizer has described as And I think what he said yesterday is consistent cient and effective. The WTO is run on the basis colluded with Russia. a mistake. with what they have expressed before.” of “consensus”, meaning that every one of its Thirty-five percent said they do not believe the president has sought to Trump made the threat as Washington presses Trump has previously called the WTO a “disas- 164 members has an effective veto and it is interfere. Trump has denounced the ongoing probe as a political “witch challenges at the WTO against trading partners ter” and a “catastrophe”. During his election cam- almost impossible to get agreement on any hunt.” Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said they support Mueller’s that have fought back against tariffs on importers paign he told NBC’s Meet the Press program that if change to the rules. investigation while 29 percent said they oppose it. that were imposed by the Trump administration. the WTO rules blocked his policies, he would rene- Azevedo said many WTO members were now Trump’s ratings are better when it comes to handling the economy, the gotiate US membership or pull out. talking about improvements, which was a good Post-ABC poll found. Forty-five percent approved of his handling of the No panic Trump’s ambassador has said the United States development. economy while 45 percent disapproved. Republicans and Democrats differ World Trade Organization head Roberto will not shy away from being disruptive to shake up “Everyone that would like to see improvements sharply when it comes to Trump’s popularity. Seventy-eight percent of Azevedo said on Friday US President Donald what it sees as a complacent organization, and has in the WTO is very welcome to present their ideas Republicans approve of the Republican president’s performance while 93 Trump’s comments about potentially leaving the precipitated a crisis by blocking appointments of and their suggestions to improve the organization, percent of Democrats and 59 percent of independents disapprove. The poll WTO were consistent with what the United States WTO appeals judges, forcing other countries to sit down with the other members and get the job has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. — AFP has said previously and did not reflect new con- discuss potential reforms to assuage Trump. done,” he said. — Agencies 12 Established 1961 Business Sunday, September 2, 2018
Bayan Weekly Market Report Boursa Kuwait equities mixed amid growing selling pressures
Market capitalization reached KD 28.71 billion
KUWAIT: Boursa Kuwait ended last week with mixed performance. The Premier Market Index closed at 5,261.82 points, down by 2.23 percent, the Main Market Index increased by 0.06 percent after clos- ing at 4,897.46 points, and the All-Share Index closed at 5,132.31 points down by 1.46 percent. Furthermore, last week’s aver- age daily turnover increased by 16.70 per- cent, compared to the preceding week, reaching around KD 18.84 million, whereas trading volume average was about 76.15 million shares, recording a decrease of average number of outstanding shares as Gas sector came in the second place, as its 18.27 percent. per the latest available official financial index closed at 1,097.18 points recording The Boursa ended the trading of last statements). 0.99 percent increase. followed by week of August with mixed closing for its Last week witnessed trading over 147 Consumer Goods sector, achieving 0.23 three indices, whereas the Premier Market stock out of 175 listed stock in the Market, percent growth rate as its index closed at Index and the All-Share Index continued where prices of 48 stock increased against 890.39 points recording losses for the second consecutive prices of 83 stock decreased, and prices of week amid increased selling pressures and 44 stock remained at no change. Sectors’ activity profit collection operations on many lead- The Banks sector dominated a total ing and heavy stocks headed by the stocks Sectors’ indices trade volume of around 119.29 million in the Banks and Telecommunication sec- Seven of Boursa Kuwait’s sectors ended shares changing hands during last week, tors, while the Main Market Index succeed- last week in the red zone, three recorded representing 31.33 percent of the total mar- ed in recording some weekly gains sup- increases, while the Heal Care & ket trading volume. The Financial Services ported by the random purchasing opera- Technology sector’s index closed with no sector was second in terms of trading vol- tions executed on some small-cap stocks change from the week before. Last week’s ume as the sector’s traded shares were especially in the last session of the week. highest loser was the Real Estate sector, as 24.88 percent of last week’s total trading The market capitalization of the Boursa its index declined by 2.37 percent to end volume, with a total of around 94.72 million recorded weekly losses equivalent to KD the week’s activity at 986.77 points, The shares. On the other hand, the Banks sec- 319.14 million, as it reached by the end of Banks sector was second on the losers’ list, tor’s stocks were the highest traded in the last week around KD 28.71 billion, down which index declined by 1.84 percent, clos- terms of value; with a turnover of around by 1.10 percent compared to its level in the ing at 1,062.19 points, followed by the KD 44.17 million or 46.88 percent of last previous week, where it was KD 29.03 bil- Telecommunications sector, which index week’s total market trading value. The lion. The market cap gains of Boursa since declined by 1.41 percent, closing at 931.63 Industrial sector took the second place as the application of the new market segmen- points. the sector’s last week turnover was approx. tation contracted reaching KD 855.29 mil- On the other hand, Last week’s highest KD 16.14 million representing 17.13 percent lion or 3.07 percent. (Note: the market gainer was the Consumer Services sector, of the total market trading value. — capitalization for the listed companies in the achieving 2.23 percent growth rate as its Prepared by the Studies & Research Market is calculated based on the weighted index closed at 1,056.99 points. The Oil & Department , Bayan Investment Co.
But recent data have indicated that economic Vodafone seals Italy, after Fitch growth is slowing this year, further reducing the gov- ernment’s room to manoeuvre. After the Fitch announcement, a source in the prime merger to become cuts outlook, minister’s office said the government’s 2019 budget would “confirm the commitment to proceed along the India’s biggest vows to respect path to reduce Italian debt”. ‘Sizeable differences’ telecoms group EU commitments Italy’s 2.3-trillion-euro debt - equivalent to more NEW DELHI: The Indian offshoot of Britain’s than 130 percent of its domestic output - makes the Vodafone on Friday completed a merger with Idea country vulnerable to changes in investors’ sentiment. ROME: Italy will respect European Union budget But neither of the governing allies have yet signalled Cellular to become the country’s biggest mobile phone commitments and address the concerns of credit rat- company with more than 400 million customers. which of their promises they are willing to delay or ings agencies like Fitch - which cut the outlook for scale down in order to keep the public accounts under The new $23 billion Vodafone Idea giant deposes Italian debt - with concrete policy choices in coming Bharti Airtel-with its 350 million subscribers-as India’s control. In its analysis, Fitch also underscored “sizeable weeks, the economy minister said yesterday. policy differences” between the coalition partners as a top mobile firm. Approval by the National Company Fitch Ratings on Friday changed the outlook for Law Tribunal allowed the two companies to finalize risk, adding that it saw increasing chances for an early Italian debt, the world’s third-largest pile of state bor- election from next year. “The risk or strategy of early their merger. rowing, to “negative” from “stable”, citing concerns “Following clearance of the transaction by the rele- elections will make it more challenging for both parties about the populist government’s “new and untested to make compromises that alienate their political bases, vant competition and regulatory authorities, Vodafone nature” and its promises to hike spending. “Fitch Group Plc announces the completion of the merger while fiscal realities will make it hard to deliver on elec- MUMBAI: An Indian customer is pictured inside a expects a degree of fiscal loosening that would leave tion promises,” the agency said. between Vodafone India Ltd and Idea Cellular Ltd,” the Vodafone store in Mumbai on Friday. — AFP Italy’s very high level of public debt more exposed to company said in a statement. League leader Matteo Salvini yesterday renewed his potential shocks,” said the agency, which held steady tax-cut promise, saying on Twitter, “step by step” tax The two companies generated around 7.1 billion its overall ‘BBB’ credit rating. euros ($8.2 billion) in revenues in the year to June 2018, cuts would fuel economic growth, hinting the reduc- market consolidation as competitors tried to match the Fitch’s move followed remarks on Friday by a gov- tions will be staggered. Five-Star, on the other hand, it said. Vodafone and Idea flagged the tie-up in March resources of a firm backed by Ambani’s energy-to- ernment official, who said Italy could exceed the EU 2017 and the deal is expected to further shake up wants to introduce a universal income for the poor. chemicals conglomerate Reliance Industries. budget ceiling next year if needed. Those comments “The actions of the next few weeks will be translated India’s giant telecom industry. India is expected to gen- Jio, now the third biggest operator, announced a drove short-dated bond yields to their highest levels erate telecom service revenue of more than $50 billion into official government documents,” Tria told profit of 5.10 billion rupees ($76.43 million) for the in almost three months. “We have commitments to reporters. “The (Fitch) judgments will be corrected... by 2020, according to Market Research Store. quarter ended March 31, up from 5.04 billion rupees Europe that must be respected, but they essentially The sector was jolted in 2016 when Asia’s richest positively since they are opinions not based on facts, reported in the previous quarter. Observers expect are a function of the financial markets,” Economy but on intentions attributed to the government.” man Mukesh Ambani launched Jio with market-defying further tariff wars in India’s ever expanding telecom Minister Giovanni Tria said in Shanghai yesterday. The tariffs for consumers. Jio’s arrival sparked a rush to The government is due to unveil its growth and pub- sector. — AFP comments were first reported by state news agency lic finance targets at the end of the month, and the cab- Ansa and later confirmed by a spokeswoman travelling inet then will approve the budget in late October. with Tria. Moody’s, which in May placed Italy’s “Baa2” rating on The coalition of the far-right League and anti-estab- review, last week extended to the end of October a Japan’s BoJ chief lishment 5-Star Movement, which took office in June, deadline to decide whether to cut Italy’s debt ratings so China’s Zijin to plans to increase welfare spending and cut taxes next that it would have “better visibility” of the government’s says no rate hike year to follow through on their campaign pledges. policy choices. — Reuters acquire Serbia’s for ‘long time’ largest copper mine TOKYO: The Bank of Japan will not raise interest rates EXCHANGE RATES “for quite a long time”, its chief said in an interview pub- lished yesterday even as its US and European peers tight- BELGRADE: Serbia has picked a Chinese firm en monetary policy. Haruhiko Kuroda dismissed specula- to take over its debt-hit copper mine after the tion that the central bank was planning to adjust its super- BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Indian Rupee 0.003830 0.004602 company offered to invest $1.26 billion, a minis- loose policy, aimed at keeping long-term interest rates Indonesian Rupiah 0.000016 0.000022 Japanese Yen 0.002657 0.002837 ter said Friday. around zero percent and short-term rates at minus 0.1 CURRENCY BUY SELL Korean Won 0.000261 0.000276 The deal, which gives China’s Zijin Mining a 63 percent “We don’t intend to raise them for quite a long Europe Malaysian Ringgit 0.070806 0.076606 percent stake in the RTB Bor mining and smelting time,” he told the mass-circulation Yomiuri newspaper. British Pound 0.387179 0.401079 Nepalese Rupee 0.002625 0.002965 complex in eastern Serbia, marks the latest Czech Korune 0.005762 0.015062 Pakistan Rupee 0.001956 0.002726 The BoJ has struggled for years to reach the 2.0 per- Danish Krone 0.043499 0.048499 Philippine Peso 0.005608 0.005908 expansion of Beijing’s economic footprint in the cent inflation rate thought necessary to turbocharge Euro 0. 345424 0.359124 Singapore Dollar 0.216759 0.226759 Balkan region. As part of the agreement, Zijin has Japan’s economy, and has defended its decision to main- Georgian Lari 0.137682 0.137682 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001519 0.002099 also promised to cover RTB Bor’s $200 million Hungarian 0.001144 0.001334 Taiwan 0.010417 0.010597 tain monetary easing even as other central banks tighten Norwegian Krone 0.032434 0.037634 Thai Baht 0.008967 0.009517 debt and keep 5,000 jobs at the mine, Serbia’s policy. After its last policy meeting in July, the BoJ said it Romanian Leu 0.065015 0.081865 Minister of Energy and Mining Aleksandar Antic “intends to maintain the current extremely low levels of Russian ruble 0.004487 0.004487 Arab told reporters. Slovakia 0.009062 0.019062 Bahraini Dinar 0.790203 0.806703 short-and long-term interest rates for an extended peri- Swedish Krona 0.029319 0.034319 Egyptian Pound 0.014335 0.020053 The contract is expected to be signed in od of time.” Kuroda told the Yomiuri that “an extended Swiss Franc 0.307399 0.318399 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 September and Zijin could start managing the period”-a phrase borrowed from the US central bank- Iraqi Dinar 0.000200 0.000260 company early next year, Antic added. Australasia Jordanian Dinar 0.423906 0.432906 meant “quite a long time.” “We don’t specify the period, Australian Dollar 0.210694 0.222694 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 A Chinese company bought Serbia’s sole steel such as whether it is one year, three years or five years,” New Zealand Dollar 0.195277 0.204777 Lebanese Pound 0.000156 0.000256 mill in 2016, while other firms have built infra- he was quoted as saying. “It’s a commitment that we will Moroccan Dirhams 0.022420 0.046420 structure projects across the Balkans as part of maintain the current low levels (of rates) as long as America Omani Riyal 0.782253 0.787933 Canadian Dollar 0.227731 0.236731 Qatar Riyal 0.079101 0.084041 Beijing’s global “One Belt, One Road” ambitions. uncertainty lingers.” US Dollars 0.299500 0.304800 Saudi Riyal 0.079673 0.081173 The deals have raised concerns in Brussels and His remarks are in sharp contrast to the direction the US Dollars Mint 0.300000 0.304800 Syrian Pound 0.001287 0.001507 Western Europe over growing Chinese influence US and European central banks are taking. The US Tunisian Dinar 0.106360 0.114360 in the region, as well as risky loan terms for the Asia Turkish Lira 0.041406 0.052906 Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates twice Bangladesh Taka 0.002990 0.003791 UAE Dirhams 0.081234 0.082934 host countries.— AFP more by the end of the year while the European Central Chinese Yuan 0.043044 0.046544 Yemeni Riyal 0.000987 0.001067 Bank is exiting massive monetary easing. — AFP Hong Kong Dollar 0.036933 0.039683 Established 1961 13 Business Sunday, September 2, 2018 India’s economic growth surges to 8.2% despite currency woes
India on course to overtake Britain as world’s fifth-largest economy
MUMBAI: India’s economy grew at a stunning 8.2 the Asian giant, with its population of 1.25 billion peo- percent in the first quarter of the 2018-19 financial ple, would become one of the world’s top three year, official data showed Friday, as it charts a economies around 2030. India’s GDP expansion is course to overtake Britain as the world’s fifth- back on track after a rocky start to economic reforms largest economy. implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Central Statistics Office figures showed GDP Quarterly growth fell as low as 5.6 percent in mid- growth for April to June in Asia’s third-biggest econo- 2017 as the economy reeled from a shock cash ban my improved from 7.7 percent in the previous quarter. that scrapped 86 percent of currency notes. The latest figures, which mark India’s highest Business and customers were also wary of a new growth rate in eight quarters, shot up from 5.6 percent nationwide goods and services tax, introduced last for the same period last year and reinforces the year, which replaced a myriad of state and national nation’s status as one of the world’s fastest growing taxes. economies. “The Q1 figures were higher than we The International Monetary Fund has forecast GDP expected. Exports, infrastructure and industry activity growth for the current fiscal year at 7.3 percent, rising have picked up pace,” Sujan Hajra, chief economist at to 7.5 percent the following year. This compares to the Anand Rathi Securities, told AFP. world’s expected average growth of 3.9 percent. India India became the globe’s sixth-biggest economy in is a massive importer of oil, however, and analysts say 2017, pushing France into seventh place, according to high crude prices and a tumbling rupee threaten to figures released by the World Bank last month. derail growth. India’s gross domestic product (GDP) was $2.597 The Indian currency breached 71 against the dollar trillion at the end of 2017, against $2.582 trillion for for the first time ever Friday. It started the year at France, it said. The United States is the world’s top 63.67. The slump is widening India’s current account economy, followed by China, Japan and Germany. deficit, a measure of when the value of imports exceeds Britain is currently the world’s fifth-biggest econo- that of exports, threatening the country’s balance of my with a GDP of $2.622 trillion last year. “Next year payments. Friday’s 8.2 percent figure was above the GUWAHATI: Indian fishermen load their boat with fish to sell at a market at the banks of the Brahmaputra River we are likely to overtake Britain,” Indian Finance median estimate of a survey of economists by at Ujanbazar Ghat in Guwahati. — AFP Minister Arun Jaitley said Thursday. He predicted that Bloomberg, which had predicted of 7.6 percent. — AFP
Argentine peso recovering after Sept. 1, 2018,” it said. To become law, Kenya imposes the bill on delaying the tax that was record low passed in parliament still needs 16% VAT on approval by President Uhuru against dollar Kenyatta. Analysts had said on Thursday that Kenya’s fiscal deficit petroleum was likely to be higher than project- BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s peso was ed after parliament rejected most of recovering on Friday after President Mauricio products the tax measures proposed by the Macri’s bid to secure accelerated IMF fund- government for the 2018 budget. ing sparked two days of crashes that sent it Kenya’s legislature also rejected a to a record low against the dollar. The peso NAIROBI: Kenyans will pay a 16 “Robin Hood” tax of 0.05 percent recovered almost five percent on Friday to percent value added tax on all on bank transfers of over 500,000 end the day at 37.98 to the dollar, as the petroleum products, the revenue shillings ($5,000) and an employee Central Bank sold $250 million of its reserves authority said, a move that defies a contribution scheme towards the to put the brakes on the peso’s plummet. parliamentary vote to delay the tax national housing development fund. It had lost 20 percent of its value over the for two years. The rejected tax hikes were previous two days. The peso was trading at Kenyan lawmakers on Thursday designed to fund a range of govern- almost 40 to the dollar at the end of Thursday BUENOS AIRS: Currency exchange values are displayed in the buy-sell board of a bureau de voted to delay the tax, which had ment development goals including after the Central Bank hiked interest rates to exchange in Buenos Aires, on Friday. -— FP already been postponed several universal healthcare and affordable 60 percent-the highest in the world-in a des- times, citing the high cost of living. housing. perate bid to stabilize a currency in freefall That was seen as a blow to govern- KRA said it had advised since Macri revealed the day before he had lost 15 percent of their value,” said 46-year- Monday” that would be a “trigger for further ment efforts to raise revenues importers, depots, distributors and asked the International Monetary Fund to old bank employee, Monica Vaccaro. falls in the peso.” Macri’s request had seen the through higher taxes. But the rev- retailers, including roadside fuel sta- advance the remainder of an agreed $50 bil- Finance Minister Nicolas Dujovne is head- peso lose almost 7.0 percent on Wednesday enue authority said in a statement tions, to charge, account and submit lion loan. ing to Washington next week to “continue to and when it opened on Thursday down anoth- that it was proceeding based on pre- returns on a monthly basis. An initial $15 billion tranche was released progress” talks with the IMF on “additional er 4.0 percent, the Central Bank decided to viously approved budget bills. “KRA has instituted measures to by the IMF when the three-year stand-by disbursements in 2019.” intervene, pledging to keep interest rates at 60 “Kenya Revenue Authority support oil industry players in com- loan was agreed in June, with another $3 bil- percent until December at least. But that informs the general public, oil mar- plying with the law. We have also lion due next month. IMF talks measure didn’t stop the fall as the peso ended keters, resellers and retailers that engaged the Energy Regulatory Part of that first installment was meant to The IMF released a statement saying its the day down 13.5 percent. VAT will be charged on all petrole- Commission in order to ensure coor- help shore up the peso, but that backfired “goal is to rapidly conclude these talks and On Friday, the S&P ratings agency placed um products at a rate of 16 percent dinated action by relevant govern- after Macri’s announcement as the crisis in submit the revised economic plan to the Argentina’s short- and long-term credit rat- on all transactions with effect from ment agencies,” it said. — Reuters investor confidence deepened. Executive Board.” Chief spokesman Gerry ings under review for a possible downgrade. “It is now unclear if that will be enough to Rice said the IMF was “confident that the Although it praised Macri’s efforts to “stabi- stabilize the government’s finances amid per- strong commitment and determination of the lize the economy through difficult austerity sistent reserve drain,” said Europe-based Argentine authorities will help the country measures,” it said that “recent pressure on Deutsche Bank analyst Jim Reid. Argentina’s overcome the current difficulties.” the Argentine currency could jeopardize the currency has lost more than 50 percent of its Argentina isn’t out of the water yet, effective implementation of economic adjust- management had “sufficient policy value against the dollar since the start of according to independent researchers Capital ment measures.” Cabinet Chief Marcos Pena China Party space” to counter negative impacts, 2018, when the rate was 18 to one. Economics, who released a report warning had tried to downplay the crash, saying: “We with fiscal policies potentially playing a Inflation over the last 12 months is at that “investor confidence is fragile.” are not facing economic failure. “This is a journal warns of “greater role in expanding domestic around 30 percent. And it said that if the “government fails to transformation, not failure. In that transforma- demand and restructuring”. “Unblocking “It’s a worrying situation, our salaries have deliver a convincing austerity plan on tion there are difficult moments.” —AFP the transmission mechanism of mone- trade war’s tary policy and guiding funds to invest in the real economy, particularly small impact on and micro-enterprises, can alleviate the iar with the details of the transaction told Bankers wary problem of difficult or expensive financ- Bruised bankers Reuters. HSBC, which was also an adviser on The bankers are nevertheless wary after financial stability ing and strengthen the ability of the the Aramco IPO, is expected to play a role in the Aramco experience. It highlighted the financial industry and the real economy seek consolation putting together the debt to fund that pur- hurdles of doing business in a country gov- to withstand risks,” it said. chase, they said. One of the sources said the erned by an absolute monarchy where public SHANGHAI: A Chinese Communist “A just cause finds much support, an issue could exceed the 2016 sovereign bond protest and political parties are banned. It Party journal said yesterday that the unjust one finds little,” the commentary prizes after shelved issue of $17.5 billion, which was a record for also added to uncertainty after scores of top country may experience near-term pain said, quoting the Chinese philosopher the kingdom. Aramco said earlier this month it royals, ministers and businessmen were from trade friction with the United Mencius. “Over time, Sino-US econom- Aramco IPO was in “very early-stage discussions” with the rounded up in an anti-corruption campaign States, including a negative impact on ic and trade frictions will surely contin- kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to last November. financial stability, but China’s stable ue to develop in a direction favorable to acquire the stake in SABIC but has not said The preparation for the listing was growth trend would not change. China.” In a separate Qiushi commen- DUBAI/LONDON: Investment banks which how it will finance the deal. launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin A commentary in the ideological tary yesterday, Chinese Commerce lost out on big payouts for the work on the Spokespeople for JP Morgan, Morgan Salman two years ago and some bankers had journal Qiushi, or Seeking Truth, Minister Zhong Shan called for “proac- shelved listing of oil giant Aramco are lining Stanley and HSBC declined to comment on flown to the kingdom hundreds of times to warned that trade and economic fric- tively expanding imports to promote up for a raft of other projects as Saudi Arabia their role in the Sabic deal. None of those work in the Dhahran camp, a gated compound tion between Washington and Beijing balanced trade”. pursues reforms. banks have confirmed they were involved in for the oil group’s residents. could undermine “China’s economic China must “strengthen the protec- Banks including JPMorgan and Morgan the Aramco IPO. Other deals are expected to A different source said Aramco had growth, financial stability, trade and tion of intellectual property rights, pro- Stanley worked for months to prepare what be forthcoming. demanded it deal only with the very top investment, employment and people’s tect the legitimate rights and interests would have been the biggest ever stock mar- “The PIF (sovereign wealth fund) has had bankers. Another person familiar with the livelihoods,” particularly in industries of foreign investors, and create a good ket debut. But the plan to sell 5 percent of the to reconsider its budget in the last three Aramco deal said he had made more than 20 exposed to tariff action by the United business environment for investing in company for a targeted $100 billion was months, after finding out that they wouldn’t be trips to Dhahran over 18 months but with little States. “But at the same time, we must China,” Zhong wrote. China will “great- pulled. The bankers were paid retainer fees getting $100 billion from the Aramco IPO to show for it. He said his team would “give see that the fundamentals of China’s ly relax market access” and “steadily but were expecting around $200 million right away,” said a banker in Saudi Arabia. “So the same presentation each time without get- economic development have not expand the opening of the financial would be shared among all the banks involved there’s been a flurry of activity as they look to ting much feedback.” changed. In particular, China’s econom- industry, continue to promote the when the deal was done. raise cash in other ways. A lot of these are Bankers also say the fees are modest in ic structure has been significantly opening of the service industry and Now, they are pinning their hopes on other smaller deals, $1 billion here and there, but all comparison to those paid by other countries. improved in recent years, which has deepen the opening up of the agricul- projects from a privatization program that is geared toward financing their commitments “The deal flow is huge but there’s a worry that effectively improved its ability to with- tural, mining and manufacturing sec- part of Riyadh’s economic reform plan to for big infrastructure projects without slowing the fees coming from these projects are low,” stand external shocks.” tors,” he said. loosen its reliance on oil. Without the funds down their timelines.” said a Gulf-based banker who spoke on condi- The United States had “provoked” China has made moves to ease for- from the Aramco sale, the government is look- The banker did not give details of the oth- tions of anonymity. “Saudi Arabia is lower than these frictions, but China would accel- eign investment curbs amid Beijing’s ing to raise money in other ways, creating er deals. PIF officials did not respond to a Hong Kong and Dubai when it comes to fees,” erate research and development of core trade dispute with the United States. new opportunities for the banks, bankers say. Reuters request for comment. After Reuters he said. “It’s all substandard.” technologies, optimize its industrial But an official said earlier this year that Teams from JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley reported last week that the Aramco deal had Typical fees for banks doing IPOs in structure, promote market diversifica- China’s opening of its financial sector to that worked on the IPO, have been shifted to been shelved, Energy Minister Khalid al- more developed markets are around 1 per- tion, and strengthen support provided foreign banks and financial institutions advise on Aramco’ planned acquisition of up Falih said the government was committed to cent of the overall deal while estimates from by domestic demand to “turn bad into would be based on the principal of reci- to $70 billion in petrochemicals firm Saudi conducting the IPO at an unspecified date in bankers and analysts for an Aramco IPO good,” the commentary said. procity, and would not reward protec- Basic Industries (SABIC), three people famil- the future. was 0.2 percent. — Reuters It said that China’s macroeconomic tionism by other countries. — Reuters 14 Sunday, September 2, 2018 Business US presses ahead with Mexico trade pact, Canada talks go on Trump comments anger Canadian officials
WASHINGTON: The United States is pressing ahead with ment. Lighthizer stressed that the new agreement will have a free trade pact with Mexico, but whether Canada will “huge benefits for our workers, farmers, ranchers, and join depends on a new round of talks next week, after businesses.” After the US and Mexico reached an agree- negotiations ended Friday without an agreement. ment on new rules for auto trade, and tougher protections Officials had appeared to be on track to reach a deal for workers and intellectual property, talks with Canada that would rewrite the North American Free Trade were hung up on the mechanisms used to resolve disputes Agreement, but in a bizarre twist, inflammatory comments among partners, and on Ottawa’s strictly controlled dairy from President Donald Trump angered Canadian officials sector. “I think all three countries have worked together and threatened to upend the talks. very productively, and we’re getting more and more excit- The US and Mexico announced a breakthrough accord ed about the results,” a senior US official told reporters. on Monday, potentially leaving Canada out in the cold if no But the official said that Washington could go ahead deal is reached, but Ottawa’s foreign minister insisted that with just Mexico if Canada decides not to sign on to the a “win-win-win” agreement is within reach. near trade deal. US and Canadian officials said talks will resume on Mexican officials stressed in a joint statement that they Wednesday, but the White House already notified are “continuing to promote an agreement to which Canada Congress Friday of its “intent to sign a trade agreement is a party.” Jake Colvin of the National Foreign Trade with Mexico-and Canada, if it is willing — 90 days Council agreed with that priority, saying: “Our strong from now.” preference is for a trilateral” agreement. The White House now has 30 days before it must pres- “That’s the preference of the business community, and ent the full text of the new agreement to Congress, which the preference of Congress,” Colvin said. will give Ottawa and Washington time to iron out remain- ing differences. ‘I can’t kill these people’ As negotiations went down to the wire earlier on Friday, ‘Win-win-win’ Trump, who has been highly critical of Canada’s managed “We know that a win-win-win agreement is within dairy market, confirmed he was taking a hardline stance in reach,” Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters the talks. Then the Toronto Star reported that Trump after a week of talks to rewrite the 25-year-old NAFTA. boasted in an interview that he was playing hardball with “With good will and flexibility on all sides, I know we can Canada in the negotiations. “If I say no-the answer’s no. If get there.” However, she repeated that Canada will only I say no, then you’re going to put that, and it’s going to be WASHINGTON: Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks at a press conference on Friday at the Embassy of sign an agreement that is in its national interest. “We’ll so insulting they’re not going to be able to make a deal... I Canada in Washington, DC. — AFP keep talking until we reach a good deal,” Freeland said. can’t kill these people,” the newspaper quoted Trump as US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the saying off-the-record during an interview with Bloomberg. negotiations over the past four days were “constructive, While Freeland said the US trade team was negotiating reaching a deal with Washington, were angered by the “Wow, I made OFF THE RECORD COMMENTS to and we made progress. in good faith, a Canadian source told AFP that Ottawa reported comments. Bloomberg concerning Canada, and this powerful under- “Our officials are continuing to work toward agreement. expressed their disapproval to Lighthizer. Trump lashed out on Twitter for what he said was a standing was BLATANTLY VIOLATED. Oh well, just more The USTR team will meet with Minister Freeland and her The Star said officials in the government of Prime breach of an off-the-record agreement, but he confirmed dishonest reporting. I am used to it,” Trump tweeted. “At colleagues Wednesday of next week,” he said in a state- Minister Justin Trudeau, who had been optimistic about that he was taking a hardline stance in the talks. least Canada knows where I stand!” — AFP
31 who won KD 1,000 each: Amer Mousa Mohammad Al- for the chances for winning, each customer is eligible to Warba Bank announces Yasjeen, Tala Bader Hamed Al-Mulla, Fayez Turki Waqqaf enter the draw against each KD 10. It is noteworthy, that Al-Enezi, Hani Abdulati Abdulfattah Al-Tantawi and Salah Warba Bank has recently launched the Al-Sunbula Fixed Award winning winners of Al-Sunbula Khalaf Awwad Al-Fadhli. Deposit, which provides depositors with high returns of up Al-Sunbula Account is the perfect choice for all cus- to 3 percent, as well as getting monthly chances to win in tomers who wish to save money and achieve steady Al-Sunbula Account draws. HUAWEI P20 Pro: weekly draws returns while simultaneously have the opportunity to win Furthermore, Warba Bank has launched its latest cash prizes throughout the year. Due to the high traffic on Customer Onboarding solution, in line with its ambitious Leading the KUWAIT: Warba Bank, “the Best investment Bank” and this account, for its offerings of unparalleled opportunities, five-year strategy that enables non-Warba Bank cus- “Best Corporate Bank” in Kuwait, held the 30th and 31st Warba Bank has worked on enhancing Al-Sunbula account tomers to request opening Al-Sunbula account in an innovation agenda Al-Sunbula Account weekly draws in parallel as the 30th to provide customers with more benefits. Such enhance- easy electronic manner through the Bank’s website draw was postponed due to Eid Al-Adha holidays. The ments include increasing the number of winners and the without having to visit any of the Bank’s branches, by draw announced the 10 lucky winners in the presence of frequency of the draws. following 5 simple steps that might take up to 5 minutes. KUWAIT: Huawei recently grabbed headlines when it representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Now, on every Thursday the Bank holds draws for 5 New customers will be able to request opening the climbed up to become the second smartphone vendor Industry and Bank officials. weekly winners of KD 1,000 each. In addition, the Bank account at anytime, anywhere, and the Bank will receive, globally. As reported by IDC, Huawei’s Q2 2018 glob- The bank proudly announced the lucky 5 winners of continues its monthly draws held on the first Thursday of process and pass the new application for approval al smartphone market share increased to 15.8 per- week 30 who won KD 1,000 each: Abdullah Dhuhawi every month, with cash prizes of KD 30,000 divided through whole new and unique electronic system used cent, solidifying the brand’s new ranking. Faddan Al-Dhafeeri, Abdulmalek Mohammad Hasan amongst 4 winners: two winners getting KD 10,000 each, to implement this service. Warba Staff will then contact With Android smartphone makers dominating the Keewan, Khaled Mohammad Saleh Al-Ajeel, Maali Bassam and two winners getting KD 5,000 each. the customer to determine the appropriate time to visit industry, the battle for best smartphone camera is Dandan Saad Mzaiel and Fawaz Khaled Yaseen Muhalhel Thus, the new development of Al-Sunbula account has the branch to get required signatures, verify the cus- currently being led by the HUAWEI P20 Pro. It is one Al-Yaseen. increased the total number of winners to 24, and the total tomer’s identity, deliver his/her debit card, and activate of the first smartphones with cameras that surpass The bank also announced the lucky 5 winners of week amount of prizes to KD 50,000 instead of KD 30,000. As the account. the 100-mark threshold on the DxOMark leader- board, an independent industry benchmark that sci- entifically assesses image quality of smartphones, prizes to the Al-Hassad Islamic account whereby, the lenses and cameras. 26 new winners in total number of winners annually will include more Huawei, driven by innovation, has been leading the than 1300. The weekly grand prize winner of KD Dell Technologies development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Al-Hassad Islamic 25,000 Salem Eid Al-Enezi. 25 other winners won its devices. The brand took the smartphone industry prizes of KD 1,000 and are as follows: Bader Habeb by storm with the launch of HUAWEI P20 Pro earlier Al-Awad, Musaed Raheel Al-Enzi, Ardeshir announces new this year. While it is a known fact that most smart- account this week Abdolhossein Sabouhian, Mohyi Ali Motlaq, Abdullah phone makers face challenges when it comes to offer- Faleh Almehjan, Mohammad Ahmad Al-Rasheed, KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank recently conducted its Al- IoT solutions ing low light or night mode photography as a feature, Souad Mohamed Sabah, Naousheen Faruki Faruki, Hassad Islamic account weekly draw, Kuwait’s leading Naflh Mnahi Ajmi, Ali Mohammad Yousef, Yousef however, HUAWEI P20 Pro has made this a thing of sharia-compliant rewards program that offers a broad KUWAIT: Dell Technologies’ Edge the past. Mohammad Al-Musallam, Khawlah Othman Al- and IoT Solutions Division is range of prizes to the largest number of winners, on the Othman, Ali Alsayed Al-Musawi, Ahmad Hussain The innovative device is powered by the world’s 29th of August 2018. The account provides 26 weekly announcing new solutions and bundles Ebrahim, Barges Homoud Al-Barges, Khaled to simplify deployment of secure, first Leica triple camera that has unparalleled low- prizes that are comprised of KD 25,000 as a grand light photography capability. The path-breaking Mohammad Al-Muhanna, Reem Ebrahim Al-Husain, scalable solutions for edge computing prize and 25 other prizes valued at KD 1,000 each. Zaid Fahad Al-Zaid, Jaafar Mansoor Naser, Hasan and IoT use cases. With these solutions, smartphone is enabled with AI Image Stabilization AUB also offers four quarterly prizes that are valued at that allows one to capture incredible blur-free, hand- Fadhel Al-Dhaif, Bashar Hashim Al-Mishqab, Leena Dell Technologies is combining tools KD 250,000 to each winner allowing them to achieve Khalifa Sulaibeekh, Ali Moh’d Shekar, Faisal Aadam from its broad portfolio with technology held shots in low-light using Night Mode, without the their dreams of travelling, studying abroad, or owning need for a tripod. Moreover, its night mode also bal- Qaher and Ali Jawad Al-Mishal. from Intel and partners in the Dell their dream home or car. Al-Hassad Islamic account’s customers in Kuwait Technologies IoT Solutions Partner ances high-contrast scenes for effortlessly clear, On this occasion Ahli United Bank announced, light-balanced pictures in any setting, sometimes and Bahrain are eligible to participate in the draw in Program. This will drive workloads for “With this draw, we are adding 26 new winners and computer vision - enabled by imaging capturing scenes that even the naked eye cannot see. line with the program’s terms and conditions. sensors - and machine intelligence - Joyce Mullen Enabled with AI scene recognition, the device can characterized by structured telemetry automatically recognize 500 scenarios in 19 cate- from sensors and control systems. Dell gories of scenes and then adjusts the camera settings Technologies has collaborated with Intel, who has helped advance automatically to deliver incredible, professional-look- ABK offers 10 lucky KGL awarded a these solutions with their computer vision and analytics technologies. ing images. “Workloads and use cases for computer vision and machine intel- HUAWEI’s P20 Pro also offers 5x Hybrid Zoom - students chance $6.4m govt ligence require different combinations of tools, but the computing one of the most powerful zoom ever on a smart phone infrastructure elements are the same,” said Joyce Mullen, president, camera and with HUAWEI’s AI capabilities quality to experience an Global Channel, OEM and IOT Solutions at Dell Technologies. “Dell loss in pictures is absolutely minimal. contract for KOC Technologies provides a scalable, secure, manageable and open Without a doubt, a camera is one of the most infrastructure - spanning edge to cloud - so customers and partners important features we all look for in a phone and with adventure for 2! can realize value today and build a foundation to support these KUWAIT: Kuwait & Gulf such state-of-the-art features, HUAWEI P20 Pro will workloads and case studies in the future.” KUWAIT: In line with its commitment to offer the Link Transport Company turn any user into a professional photographer. Cameras provide rich information about the physical world, but best banking experience to customers of all ages, (KGL) announced that one Looking at these amazing features, it comes with- the deluge of video data creates too much data for humans to cost- Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) is launching its of its subsidiaries KGL out a surprise that the HUAWEI P20 Pro has effectively monitor for real-time decision making. Applying analytics, “Experience an Adventure” campaign that gives Transportation was secured several accolades globally and is definitely such as Artificial Intelligence, to these data streams automates pow- university students the chance to win unique trips in awarded a government in the run for being one of the best phones launched erful, actionable insights. Events driven by computer vision and ana- a bi-monthly draw. Starting September 2nd until contract for the supply of this year, with one of the recent achievements being lyzed together with telemetry from machines - including data that January 20th 2019, ABK’s A+ Student Account firefighting equipment to imaging sensors cannot provide, such as voltage, current and pres- named as “EISA Best Smartphone 2018-2019” an holders will enter 10 draws. Kuwait Oil Company sure - results in even more powerful insights. award from the European Image and Sound During the bi-monthly draws, one lucky student (KOC) for KD1.94 ($6.4 Because of rapid evolution in the IoT market and the fast pace of Association (EISA), a group comprising 55 of the between the ages of 18 and 25 will be eligible for a million), where the expect- innovation required to stay competitive, many customers now world’s most respected consumer electronics maga- pre-selected travel prize. To make the experience require an ‘IT grade’ infrastructure. This should include a security- ed return is expected to Mohammed Mirza zines. This is the sixth consecutive year that Huawei more exciting, ABK is also extending the chance for be around 5 percent of the first perspective to support scalability, data diversity and the has been recognized by EISA. The global shipments winners to invite a friend or family member to contract. increasingly complex needs of connected devices. of the HUWAEI P20 series have surpassed 9 million accompany them in their exhilarating voyage. In Mohammed Mirza, Chief Technical Officer of in the first half of 2018, a testament of its success addition to the free adventure, winners will be given the company, said: “Since its inception, the compa- Integrating solutions amongst users globally. a FREE prepaid card worth KD 200. ny has been striving to be a successful and pio- By enabling computer vision with Dell Technologies IoT solutions, Offered in partnership with Al-Qiblah Travel & While being an award winning smartphone for its neering model by working in an organized manner customers can more accurately, efficiently and effectively “see” rele- features, HUAWEI P20 Pro’s design and colour is also Tourism, winners will receive an all-inclusive pack- vant information pertaining to areas such as public safety, customer age to visit and explore one of the following desti- to build what private or public institutions need to a testament of Huawei’s continued commitment to develop their economic structure to be able to face experience, and product inventory and quality. Surveillance is the first innovation. The smartphone’s stunning and unique nations: use case to which Dell Technologies has applied computer vision, so ● Abu Dhabi Sir Bani Yas Island Day Trip competitive market conditions. customers can more cost-effectively monitor events in the physical gradient twilight colors are set to up the style quo- Mirza said that the company would provide fire- tient of any fashionista, while adding to their personal (Snorkeling inclusive) world and automate decision making. The IoT Solution for ● Jordan Wadi Mujib (Dead Sea) and Ziplining fighting equipment to meet the requirements of Surveillance is specifically built to transform and simplify how sur- style statement. KOC due of the need for strict measures to provide With no other smartphone maker offering such Trip veillance technology is delivered with an easy to deploy and manage ● the highest standards of safety in firefighting innovative features in recent times, it is safe to say Atlantis Dubai Dolphin Adventure hyper-converged, software-defined solution. Available later this year ● equipment. that HUAWEI P20 Pro continues to be a leader in Hot Air Balloon Ride- Dubai to purchase as a package, the engineered, pre-integrated solution ● “There is no doubt that the presence of fire- will provide a consistent foundation from edge to distributed core to comparison to other smartphones in the same cate- Sky Dive Dubai ● YAS Waterworld VIP Experience fighting equipment is very important even if not cloud. It will also be ready to run on day one with customer data to gory, offering breakthrough technology that makes its ● YAS Ferrari World VIP Experience used for many years; the time may come when the speed the return on investment. The solution is currently available as smartphones a class apart from everything else avail- ● Dinner in the Sky Dubai Experience equipment becomes a shield to fight fire or to save a reference architecture to align systems and build a framework for able in the market. ● Zipline- Dubai lives from sudden fire given the sensitivity of the oil computer vision learning and adoption for other use cases. ● Qatar Desert Safari trip extraction process by KOC”. Established 1961 15 Technology Sunday, September 2, 2018 Voice assistants tool up in hope of a bright future 100 million AI devices set to be sold this year
BERLIN: Some two years after stepping into the spot- light, voice assistants are learning new languages and connecting to ever-more devices around the home-but mass adoption and widespread ease with the new tech- nology remain some way off. Virtual assistants are artifi- cial intelligence (AI) programs that can be accessed from smartphones, specialized devices like Amazon’s Echo speaker, smart televisions or even cars. Connected via the cloud to search engines, databases, apps and other devices, they are designed to allow users to retrieve information and control their digital lives with- out laying a finger on their phone or computer. Some 100 million devices featuring the likes of Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri are set to be sold this year according to con- sultancy Canalys-up from around 40 million last year. The figures remain far short of the billions of smartphones in people’s pockets around the world. “Virtual assistants will reach mainstream adoption in the next two to five years,” predicts Mike J. Walker, vice- president of research at Gartner. He forecasts that the hype around speakers and other electronics featuring voice-controlled artificial intelligence (AI) may ebb tem- porarily before their blockbuster moment arrives. Even so, at Berlin’s IFA-the largest technology trade show in BERLIN: A Loomo by Segway-Ninebot is on display at the BERLIN: A booth host presents the Drift W1 at the booth of Segway. — AFP photos Europe-almost every new product is designed to work booth of Segway during a preview day of the IFA, the with offerings from Google, Apple, Amazon, Samsung or world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and Microsoft, or all of them. home appliances in Berlin.
‘I’m home!’ quick to give up visiting stores in favour of online shop- Panasonic shows off air conditioning, lights and televi- ping, so-called “voice commerce” still puts off consumers, sions that can be turned on or off all at once, simply by used to at least seeing if not touching prospective pur- telling Google’s assistant “I’m home” or “good night”. chases. Speakers and headphones on Others fear placing an display from firms like always-on microphone in Harman Kardon boast similar their homes-necessary for voice capabilities for queuing the voice assistants to listen up new music. But sector Virtual for activation phrases like specialists note that the “Hey Google” or “Alexa”, bewildering arrays of gadg- assistants will although there is usually a ets that can be controlled button on devices to deacti- and tasks completed with reach mainstream vate the sensor. Different spoken commands alone- adoption firms offer their own forms of from turning on the heating reassurance about personal to ordering a taxi-are racing data, with Google allowing ahead of users. users to delete their voice “Early adopters will have history and Apple keeping limited evidence on which to base their own best prac- information saved on the customer’s iPhone, rather than in tices” in dealing with voice technology, Gartner predicts. the cloud. One area where firms are making progress is Many may not even be aware of their silicon-powered language, with Amazon adding French to Alexa and butlers’ prodigious talents, using them instead as simple Google offering bilingual control in any two of English, BERLIN: The LG CatBot robot is on display at the LG booth. speech-driven search engines. While shoppers were Spanish, German, French, Italian or Japanese. —AFP
Microsoft requires US suppliers to Apple self-driving car rear offer parental ended during road testing leave NEW YORK: An Apple Inc self-dri- Vehicles website. ving car was rear-ended while merg- The accident happened at about 3 SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft said ing onto an expressway near the com- pm as the Apple vehicle had slowed Thursday it will begin requiring US suppliers pany’s Silicon Valley headquarters this and was waiting for a safe gap in traf- to offer employees at least 12 weeks of paid month, the company said in an acci- fic to complete the merge, the report parental leave when they have or adopt chil- dent report posted on Friday that said. Both vehicles sustained damage dren. The new policy applies to suppliers with confirmed the iPhone maker is still in but there were no injuries, the report 50 or more employees who do substantial NEW YORK: This file photo shows the Microsoft logo displayed outside the Microsoft the race to build autonomous vehicles. said. Under a safety plan filed with work for the US technology giant, according Technology Center near Times Square in New York City. — AFP Apple executives have never publicly California regulators, a human driver to Microsoft general counsel Dev Stahlkopf. spoken about the company’s self-dri- must be able to take control of Apple’s “We recognize today’s announcement ving car program, but filings in a crim- self-driving test cars. comes during an ongoing national dialogue their kids, their companies, and their commu- paid leave isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s inal court case last month confirmed An Apple spokesman confirmed about the importance of paid parental leave,” nities - benefits,” Melinda Gates, the wife of good for the bottom line, helps increase gen- that the company had at least 5,000 that the company had filed the report Stahlkopf said in an online post, while noting Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, said in a der equity in the workforce - and worker employees working on the project and but did not comment further. He that only 13 percent of US workers in the pri- tweet. “Great to see.” prosperity,” the organization said. General that it was working on circuit boards declined to respond to questions vate sector have access to paid parental leave. Mills on Wednesday announced it is ramping and a “proprietary chip” related to about whether the trailing car could “The case for paid parental leave is clear.” Ripples up family leave benefits. self-driving cars. have been at fault. Apple’s efforts Three years ago, Microsoft began requir- Microsoft said the requirement was Beginning next year, the US food giant Apple is entering a crowded field remained shrouded in secrecy until ing major suppliers to provide paid time off inspired by legislation in several US states will begin providing 18 to 20 weeks paid where rivals such as Alphabet Inc’s years after its rivals like Google had for workers, and parental leave was including Washington, where the technology leave to new mothers while giving 12 weeks Waymo unit and traditional carmakers begun testing on public roads. The described as a reasonable next step. “Paid firm is based. A law set to take effect in paid time off to fathers, partners, and adop- such as General Motors Co’s Cruise iPhone maker’s first public acknowl- time off is good both for employers and Washington State in 2020 will require that tive parents. “General Mills has been making Automation, as well as startups such edgement of interest in the field came employees,” Stahlkopf said. The technology employees who qualify get 12 weeks paid food people love for over 150 years and our as Silicon Valley’s Zoox, are pouring in a letter to US transportation regu- giant planned to work with US suppliers parental leave. Microsoft opted to move employees have always been our secret billions of dollars into cars that can lators in late 2016 urging them not to during the coming year to implement the before the law took effect, and wanted to ingredient,” chief human resources officer drive themselves. On Aug 24, one of restrict testing of the vehicles. Last paid parental leave policy, which calls or help extend the benefit to employees of sup- Jacqueline Williams-Roll said in a release. Apple’s Lexus RX 450h self-driving year, Apple secured a permit to test workers to be paid as much as $1,000 for pliers located outside the state, according to “We want to keep innovating in how we meet test vehicles in “autonomous mode” autonomous vehicles in California. It each of the 12 weeks they are given off. Stahlkopf. their evolving needs.” A 2016 Pew Research was merging south on the Lawrence has been testing cars on the road Microsoft acknowledged that the benefit Family advocacy groups welcomed the Center study based on data from the Expressway in Sunnyvale, California since last year and now has permits could result in ramping up its own costs, but news, and expressed hope that US legislators Organization for Economic Cooperation and at less than 1 mile per hour when it for more than 60 vehicles. Apple promised a process for addressing that issue and other companies would champion the Development found the United States was the was rear-ended by a 2016 Nissan researchers also last year published with suppliers. “When parents can take time cause. On Twitter, the Family Values @ Work only one of the 41 member countries without Leaf going about 15 miles per hour, their first public research on cars, a off work to care for their families, everyone- coalition congratulated Microsoft. “Offering any mandated, paid parental leave. —AFP according to the report posted on the software system that could help spot California Department of Motor pedestrians more readily. —Reuters
issued an “important directive” to protect lost more than eight percent. Ourpalm Co China to limit children’s eyesight. The education ministry was down nearly six percent. said in a statement Thursday that the China has a high rate of myopia among authorities will regulate and control the total students at an increasingly younger age, the online games number of internet games, as well as the official Xinhua news agency said, citing Xi’s number of new titles. The statement, which order. Myopia has seriously affected chil- over myopia fears was signed by eight ministries, said the dren’s physical and mental health, posing a authorities will also explore an age-appro- big problem for the nation’s future, the priate alert system and take actions to limit agency said. The plan follows a halt in the SHANGHAI: Shares of Chinese video game the amount of gaming hours among children. approval of new online game licenses. companies plunged on Friday after the gov- The news sent the shares of Chinese Bloomberg News reported earlier this ernment unveiled plans to control the num- video game companies sharply down on month that China had stopped approving ber of online games as part of an effort to Friday morning. Tencent dropped by more any new mobile games as part of a wider prevent myopia among children. The plan is than five percent in Hong Kong while Perfect shake-up of the market. No new titles for the latest move to tighten government over- World Co, which was once listed on the domestic firms had been added since May sight over the country’s fast-growing and NASDAQ stock exchange, sank almost nine and no new imported games has been highly popular video game industry-and a percent in Shenzhen. Smaller game develop- approved since February, according to the CALIFORNIA: A file photo shows the Apple logo on the outside of Bill new blow to their stock market fortunes. ers also lost ground in Shenzhen. Youzu National Radio and Television Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California. — AFP The new regulations were announced late Interactive Co plunged nearly eight percent Administration, which updates the online list Thursday after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sichuan Xun You Network Technology of approved games regularly. —AFP 16 Sunday, September 2, 2018
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