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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 SHAABAN 20, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Cabbies In diplomatic Bahrain fights India ride ignore rule breakthrough, competition, on Binny’s on taxi UK to reopen unrest to remain heroics to beat meters3 Iran embassy7 business21 hub Bangladesh17 MP proposes sweeping Max 44º Min 27º cuts to worker benefits High Tide 04:03 & 14:59 Call to slash leave, indemnity, holidays in private sector Low Tide 09:33 & 22:18 40 PAGES NO: 161200 150 FILS By B Izzak Merchants and employers had strongly opposed that they suffer from working in hazardous and harmful indus- law, but a large number of MPs backed the amendments tries. The proposal also calls to amend article 25 to exempt Sheikh Nasser KUWAIT: In a surprising and perhaps unprecedented and pressed the government to accept them. In his propos- employers from the requirement to establish a nursery if move, MP Nasser Al-Sane yesterday proposed key amend- al, Sane calls for deleting two articles of the 150-article law they employ 50 women and more or a total of 200 workers. ready to face ments to the labor law of 2010, calling for massive cuts to and for amending 11 other articles, all dealing with Sane also proposes to amend article 44 to cut the dis- benefits enjoyed by workers that include cuts in the annual employee benefits, whether they are expatriates or missal notice period from three months under the current investigation leave, end of service indemnity, public holidays and other Kuwaitis. law to just one month for permanent employees and from gains. The previous National Assembly spent years debat- The lawmaker calls for deleting articles 22 and 97. The one month to just two weeks for workers hired on daily By Staff Reporter and Agencies ing drafts after drafts of the labour law in the private sector first prohibits most women from working between 10 at basis. Sane also calls for amending the key article 53 which until it was passed in 2010, which was welcomed as night and 7 in the morning. Exceptions include nurses and deals with end of service indemnity and the way to calcu- KUWAIT: Former premier Sheikh Nasser Al- employee-friendly for the important benefits the law some other professions. Article 97 deals with compensa- late it. Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said yesterday he is included. tion that a worker or his heirs can seek for health conditions Continued on Page 15 ready to face a probe over alleged scandals that have rocked the state. A senior member of the ruling family who left office in Nov 2011 after nearly six years in office, he and another senior official were accused in Fighting erupts near Baghdad a lawsuit filed Monday. “Sheikh Nasser is prepared to answer all the points stated in a lawsuit with com- plete transparency and clarity,” his lawyer, Emad Al- Saif, said in a statement. US sends troops • Indian nurses stranded • Social media blocked The suit was filed by Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah, BAGHDAD: Fighting erupted at the northern approaches another senior ruling family member. The two sheikhs to Baghdad yesterday as the United Nations warned Iraq are cousins and nephews of HH the Amir. Sheikh is in danger of disintegrating in the face of the assault by Nasser resigned from office after massive street Sunni Arab militants. Washington deployed some 275 mil- protests over corruption charges that 13 MPs had itary personnel to protect its embassy in Baghdad, the received millions of dollars in bribes. Prime Minister first time it has sent troops to Iraq since it withdrew its HH Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah also filed a suit forces at the end of 2011 after a bloody and costly inter- Monday asking the attorney general to investigate vention launched in 2003. It was also mulling air strikes “allegations of money laundering, abuse of public against the militants, who are led by the jihadist Islamic funds and (financial) dealing with Israel.” State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) but include loyalists of The government also asked acting justice minister now-executed Sunni Arab dictator Saddam Hussein. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah to file another A relative calm in Baghdad - ostensibly as militants lawsuit against opposition leaders for the accusations have focused on their northern assault - was shattered by they made at a public rally last week against current a string of bombings that left 17 people dead, while the and former officials. Last week, the judicial council bodies of 18 soldiers and police were found near the city filed two lawsuits against opposition figures for alle- of Samarra, all shot in the head and chest. Since the insur- gations against them and against a Twitter account gents launched their lightning assault on June 9, they accusing them of accepting bribes. Corruption allegations were also made by promi- have captured Mosul, a city of two million people, and a nent opposition figures at a public rally last week. The big chunk of mainly Sunni Arab territory stretching Audit Bureau, the country’s accounting watchdog, towards the capital. has been asked to launch a separate investigation The offensive has displaced hundreds of thousands of into the allegations while the newly established people and sent jitters through world oil markets as the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority said Monday it will militants have advanced ever nearer Baghdad leaving the start its work by investigating the case. Shiite-led government in disarray. Officials said yesterday The case, described by some analysts and the that militants briefly held parts of the city of Baquba, just opposition as the most serious corruption issue in the 60 km from the capital. They also took control of most of country, has opened the doors for wild speculations Tal Afar, a strategic Shiite-majority town between Mosul DAHUK, Iraq: Iraqis fleeing fighting between security forces and militants in their hometown of Tal Afar about what could happen next. and the border with Syria, where ISIL also has fighters arrive in a car at the Germawa camp for displaced Iraqis in a hot dusty plain in this largely-autonomous engaged in that country’s three-year-old civil war. Continued on Page 15 Kurdish area 430 km northwest of Baghdad yesterday. — AP Continued on Page 15 Qatar top investor in Kuwait US nabs ringleader

KUWAIT: Qatar ranks first among nations with enables the government to find impediments to press conference that FDI in 2012 in Kuwait was of Benghazi attack foreign direct investments (FDI) in Kuwait, with more FDI in the country and helps it in charting divided among a number of sectors, the biggest total investments in 2012 topping KD 1. 9 billion, out future labor policies. She added a meeting of which was the telecom sector with KD 1.8 bil- WASHINGTON: The United States said concluded a survey by the Kuwait Central will be held today of a number of the country’s lion, followed by the investment sector with yesterday it had captured a suspected Statistical Bureau. Total FDI in Kuwait till end of distinguished economic organizations where over KD 597 million, and other sectors like bank- ringleader of the 2012 attack on the US 2012 came to almost three billion dinars, results of the survey on FDI and obstacles that ing, insurance and funds. Bahrain was the sec- diplomatic compound in Benghazi, according to the survey, the bureau’s director hamper it will be thoroughly discussed. ond after Qatar in the FDI rankings in Kuwait, Libya, a raid that killed four Americans Maryam Al-Aqeel told a press conference. She Kuwait University professor Nayef Al- followed by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, including the US ambassador and ignit- said the survey on foreign investment in Kuwait Shemmeri told KUNA on the sidelines of the he said. — KUNA ed a political firestorm in Washington. President Barack Obama said in a state- ment he had authorized the operation in Libya on Sunday in which US troops, working with law enforcement person- nel, captured Ahmed Abu Khatallah. “Since the deadly attacks on our facilities in Benghazi, I have made it a priority to find and bring to justice PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania: US those responsible for the deaths of four President Barack Obama speaks brave Americans,” Obama said, adding about the capture of a Libyan mili- that Khatallah would “face the full tant suspected of killing Americans weight of the American justice system.” in Benghazi during his visit to Continued on Page 15 TechShop yesterday. — AP Kuwait oil tanker rescues migrants KUWAIT: The Kuwait Oil Tanker with international maritime agreements Company (KOTC) has concluded rescu- and conventions on saving lives at sea, ing a large number of migrants whose said Sheikh Talal. boat capsized off the coast of Italy, said The tanker had to change its course KOTC CEO Shiekh Talal Al-Khaled Al- in order to save the lives of a total of 536 Sabah yesterday. In a statement to people, described as foreign refugees, KUNA, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah who were later dropped off on Italian said one of the company’s tankers, Al- shores, said Sheikh Talal, adding that Salmi, was bound for Italy in the early one person suffering from diabetes died. hours of the day when it received an Most of the people rescued were urgent distress call from Italian coast- women and children, some requiring guards regarding illegal immigrants critical medical attention. KOTC provid- whose boat had capsized at sea. The ed the refugees with shelter, food and crew of the tanker proceeded to imme- medical attention, reflecting Kuwait’s diately contact KOTC’s umbrella compa- outstanding commitment to interna- ny, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), tional maritime laws and humanitarian FORTALEZA, Brazil: Brazil’s defender Thiago Silva (down) vies with Mexico’s forwards Giovani Dos Santos (right) and Oribe Peralta dur- which authorized the go-ahead in line efforts, said Sheikh Talal. — KUNA ing a Group A football match at the Castelao Stadium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup yesterday. — AFP (See Page 20) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 LOCAL Some encouraging reforms in Kuwait Special report on Human Rights in Kuwait here have been some encouraging in the Personal Status Law No.51 of 1984 are viduals under that article, indicating that the bedoon community have frequently taken to to one million. Kuwait has since adopted a reforms in Kuwait since its last UPR in those regarding contracting marriage. Under pardon did not represent a change in policy. the streets to protest the government’s failure number of mechanisms facilitating quick, non- T2010. For example, in January 2013 a the law, a woman is never free to make a mar- to address their citizenship claims, despite judicial deportations in order to reach its goal. judicial decision granted women the right to riage decision on her own. Unlike a man, she is Bedoon government warnings that Bedoon should not apply for posts as prosecutors, allowing them not free to conclude her marriage contract but According to the government, Kuwait hosts gather in public. Article 12 of the 1979 Public Lesbian, Gay Rights to therefore enter the career path to become must have a male guardian (wali) do so on her 105,702 stateless persons, known as the Gatherings Law bars non-Kuwaitis from partic- Article 193 of Kuwait’s Penal Code punishes judges eventually. However Kuwait has yet to behalf, regardless of her age. A woman bedoon. The state does not recognize the ipating in public gatherings. Kuwait arrested consensual intercourse between men over the reform any of the provisions in its personal sta- between 15 and 25 years of age may be pro- right of these long-time residents to Kuwaiti and detained at least two bedoon individuals age of 21 with up to seven years imprison- tus laws that discriminate against women. hibited by her guardian from marrying, and nationality. Children of the bedoon are also in 2014 for participating in protests. ment. If the conduct involves persons under The most significant human rights regres- while she may appeal to the courts she still stateless. As a consequence of their stateless- the age of 21, then imprisonment is increased sion in the last three years is the authorities’ cannot marry if the court rules against her. In ness, the bedoon cannot freely travel in and Migrant Workers to ten years. Moreover, an amendment to arti- aggressive prosecution of individuals that use addition, the minimum age for registering a out of Kuwait. The government issues them Migrant workers make up around 2 million cle 198 of the penal code criminalizes “imitat- Twitter and other social media to criticize local marriage is fifteen for women, and 17 for men one-time travel documents at its discretion. of Kuwait’s population of 2.9 million, including ing the appearance of the opposite sex,” and foreign leaders as well as national politics in contravention with international standards Bedoon cannot participate in elections. As more than 600,000 domestic workers. While imposing arbitrary restrictions upon individu- and policies. that recommend a minimum age of marriage non-Kuwaitis, they face restrictions in employ- migrant workers in sectors such as construc- als’ rights to privacy and free expression. In addition, despite significant reforms at 18. Witnesses to the marriage must be ment, health care, education, marriage and tion are covered by the private sector labor In May and June 2012, the Kuwaiti police announced in 2011 to increase welfare bene- Muslim men for the marriage to be valid. In founding a family. The bedoon have no right law, in practice officials do not enforce its pro- arrested hundreds of young people on spuri- fits and access to work for Kuwait’s stateless addition, a man may legally have up to four to residency in Kuwait, and may be subject to tections, in particular wage and safety provi- ous grounds which included “imitating the population, known as the bedoon, the govern- wives simultaneously, without the permission deportation if found guilty of committing cer- sions. A major barrier to redress is the sponsor- appearance of the opposite sex,” practicing ment has not fulfilled promises to grant or even the knowledge of his first wife/wives. tain crimes. According to bedoon interviewed ship (kafala) system by which their legal resi- “satanic rituals,” engaging in “lewd behavior” nationality to all those with legitimate citizen- Kuwait has no laws prohibiting domestic vio- by Human Rights Watch, the Kuwaiti govern- dence in Kuwait is tied to their employer, who and “immoral activities,” prostitution, and ship claims. lence, sexual harassment or marital rape. serves as a “sponsor.” homosexuality. Many of these arrests took The Parliament passed a new private sector place during raids on private homes. A month Women Freedom of Expression This report was prepared labor law in 2010 that sets maximum working earlier, the Justice Bloc, a Salafi parliamentary In 2012, an administrative court cancelled a The Kuwaiti authorities have increased by Human Rights Watch hours, required a weekly rest day and annual group, proposed establishing “a prosecutions ministerial order that barred women from internet surveillance, and continue to detain leave, and end-of-service bonuses. However, office and a police force to combat crimes entry-level jobs at the Ministry of Justice. Also and criminally prosecute individuals based on on Kuwait for the Updated the law excluded migrant domestic workers, against public morality,” which could poten- in 2012, an administrative court ordered nonviolent political speech, including web mainly women who come chiefly from South tially institutionalize such crackdowns. Kuwait University to cancel a policy requiring commentary. Periodic Review (UPR) and Southeast Asia and work and live inside female students to achieve better results in The government has aggressively cracked Submission for the United employers’ homes in Kuwait. Their exclusion Death Penalty exams than male students in order to enroll in down on free speech, often resorting to a law under the current labor law deprives them of On April 1, 2013, Kuwaiti authorities exe- certain departments like medicine and archi- from 1970 (article 25 of the penal code) which Nations Office of the protections afforded to other workers, such as cuted three men convicted of murder, one tecture. In 2013, Kuwait gave women the right prescribes a sentence of up to five years in a weekly rest day or limits on working hours, Pakistani, one Saudi, and one bedoon. On to apply for posts as prosecutors, which until prison for anyone “who publicly objects to the High Commission thus leaving the conditions of employment June 18, 2013, Kuwaiti authorities executed then were only open to male candidates. rights and authorities of the Amir or faults subject to an employer’s whim. Many domes- two Egyptian men, one convicted of abduc- Despite these gains, major gaps in the law him.” It also uses laws that prohibit insulting of Human Rights. tic workers complain of confinement in the tion and rape, and the other on murder allow continued discrimination against the rulers of other countries, Islam, the house; long work hours without rest; months charges. These cases were the first applica- women. Kuwait’s nationality law denies Prophet or Kuwaiti government officials. ment has pressured some of them to sign affi- or years of unpaid wages; and verbal, physical, tions of the death penalty in Kuwait since Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaiti men Human Rights Watch knows of at least nine davits renouncing any claim to Kuwaiti nation- and sexual abuse. 2007. the right to pass their nationality on to their cases in 2012 and 29 in 2013 where local ality when they attempted to renew their Workers who escape situations of abuse children and spouses, a right Kuwaiti men authorities brought cases against people who identity cards. may also be arrested and detained before they International Criminal Court married to foreign spouses have. Foreign hus- expressed views critical of the government In 2011, the government granted bedoon can obtain any form of assistance, since their Kuwait signed the treaty establishing the bands of Kuwaiti women have no legal right to over Twitter, Facebook, blogs or other means certain benefits and services such as free passport is often kept in employers’ custody, International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2000. remain in the country without a residency per- of social media. health care and education, though the bene- and the workers fall out of legal status when Kuwait stated its intention to ratify the ICC mit. Such permits are granted only to non- In June 2012 authorities arrested and fits differ from those granted to Kuwaitis- as they leave their employer. Authorities rarely Statute publicly at the 9th Session of the Kuwaiti men who are employed. In contrast, detained for four months Nasser Abul, a 26- well as registration of births, marriages and investigate or prosecute domestic workers’ Assembly of States parties in 2010, at the foreign women married to Kuwaiti men are year-old Kuwaiti man, for Tweets critical of the deaths. Some bedoon have complained that abuses and workers are typically deported or Review Conference of the ICC in 2010 and dur- granted residency automatically and qualify Bahraini and Saudi royal families. According to they still face administrative hurdles to access choose to go home when faced with the long, ing its last Universal Periodic Review in 2011, for citizenship after ten years of marriage. his lawyer, state security officers beat and these benefits. In 2013, the Parliament passed costly and uncertain prospects of winning but has not yet taken steps to do so. Kuwait’s Personal Status Laws - both the insulted Abul in detention. In July 2012, police a law to naturalize 4000 “foreigners”, but redress in court. The International Criminal Court is the first codified law no.51 of 1984 which applies to detained Sheikh Meshaal Al-Malek Al-Sabah, a activists within the bedoon community said In June 2011 Kuwait was one of the govern- permanent international tribunal with jurisdic- Sunni Muslims and the uncodified Ja’fari inter- member of Kuwait’s ruling family, over com- that this measure did not benefit their com- ments that voted to adopt the International tion over war crimes, crimes against humanity pretation of personal status matters which ments promoted through Twitter in which he munity, but has functioned instead to facilitate Labor Organization’s Convention on Decent and genocide. As a court of last resort, which applies to Shi’a Muslims - discriminate against allegedly accused authorities of corruption citizenship for children born to Kuwaiti moth- Work for Domestic Workers, which establishes only has jurisdiction when national courts are women. In particular, women’s testimony is and called for reform. ers and foreign fathers. The Central Agency for the first global labor standards on domestic unwilling or unable to prosecute these crimes, given lesser weight than men’s; they are In July 2013, during the Muslim fasting Remedying Illegal Residents’ Status, known as work. However it has still not yet ratified the it is an essential institution in the effective afforded lesser inheritance rights; and spouses month of Ramadan, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah ‘the Bedoon Committee’, the administrative convention. implementation of international human rights are assigned unequal rights and responsibili- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued a pardon body responsible for reviewing bedoon claims In March 2013, the government announced and humanitarian law. ties as to marriage, during marriage and at its for all those who had been jailed under article to nationality, confirmed to HRW in November that it intended to reduce the number of expa- —Human Rights Watch (report is available in dissolution. 25. However, the authorities have subse- 2013 that no bedoon benefitted from the law triate workers by 100,000 every year for the full at http://www.hrw-.org/news/2014/06/- Among the most discriminatory provisions quently brought charges against multiple indi- that year. Since early 2011, members of the next 10 years, in order to bring the total down 16/kuwait-upr-submission-june-2014) Pilgrims advised to delay hajj over MERS concern

KUWAIT: Pilgrims who went to hajj formed hajj before to subscribe to vaccinated as a condition to register last year will be advised to avoid the limited seats allowed by Saudi for hajj this year, and be informed going again this year because of the authorities. about precautionary measures MERS virus and in order to allow The ministry does not have the against the MERS virus. room for those making the hajj for authority to ban pilgrims from In other news, Kuwait’s official the first time. going to the holy sites, and instead hajj delegation which left for the The Ministry of Awqaf and plans to advise them through Friday holy sites in Saudi Arabia last week Islamic Affairs wants to reduce the prayer sermons and media cam- examined the quality of services number of pilgrims due to health paigns, according to a ministry provided by local campaigning concerns, and to give more oppor- source. Saudi authorities have offices, and no violations have so far tunity to those who have never per- stressed that all pilgrims must be been detected. Kuwait continues to seek relief for displaced Syrians BEIRUT: Kuwait is wholly committed to do the best it KUWAIT: The men rescued from a sinking boat near Failaka. can to alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, away from any perceived political calculation, said Kuwait Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem Six rescued from sinking boat yesterday. He vowed Kuwait’s unabated help to Syrian refugees By Hanan Al-Saadoun in Lebanon and reiterated Kuwait’s support for Lebanon as it deals with the enormity of the influx of the Syrian KUWAIT: Sea firemen and coast- refugee problem. Al-Ghanim made these statements in guards rescued six men onboard a a speech he delivered at a luncheon banquet held in his wooden boat coming from Iran honor and a delegation of Kuwaiti lawmakers with him yesterday. The boat was sinking by his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri. near Failaka island, as large Speaker Al-Ghanem underscored Kuwait’s commit- amounts of water entered it ment to stand by Lebanon in thick and thin, saying because of high waves and bad “Kuwait will never abandon Lebanon as times of crises.” weather conditions. Two fireboats In a similar speech at the banquet, Berri thanked rushed to rescue them up from the Kuwait for its contributions through the Kuwait Fund for boat, but they refused to leave at Arab Economic Development to support growth and first. The four were taken to the development in Lebanon, and thanked Kuwait, more- Salmiya sea rescue center, then over, for its moderate and well-meaning policies with were handed over to the coast- the emphasis on building confidence and amity among guard. The boat had a load of fish Arab nations. Al-Ghanim and the delegation of lawmak- and watermelon. ers with him visited yesterday the campsites housing the displaced Syrian refugees and learned first-hand Doha fire about their needs and requirements to alleviate their BEIRUT: Kuwait Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al- Firemen put out a fire that broke plight. — KUNA Ghanem with his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri. out in Doha chalet area. Two chalets were gutted before the fire was put out. No injuries were Kuwait supports Rome conference reported. Kuwait Fire Service Directorate ROME: Kuwait stands steadfastly by ed by friends of Lebanon so as to car- foreign delegations to discuss future announced that fire broke out in an Lebanon and supports it politically ry out their duties efficiently. collaboration with the Lebanese Army uncovered area of the Education and economically so as to keep its He expressed hope that the cur- and the progress that has been made Ministry’s warehouses in Subhan, national unity, its security, and stabili- rent conference succeeds in giving so far. During the conference, destroying leftover furniture with- ty, said a Kuwaiti official at the kick-off ample support to the Lebanese armed Lebanon’s Foreign Affairs Minister out injuries. Mikrad said that fire- here yesterday of the Rome forces in helping to contain the ramifi- Gebran Bassil said the conference, men controlled the fire very quickly Conference to Support the Lebanese cations of the deteriorating crisis in which is merely aimed at providing and isolated it to keep it from Army. In a speech at the conference, Syria and in achieving that contain- political support for the military, reaching a chemical warehouse. Kuwait’s representative to the confer- ment these forces would be contribut- should be accompanied by concrete ence and its ambassador in Italy ing to the region’s stability. action to improve the Army. KFSD meeting Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled Al-Sabah stressed The international conference in Addressing the conference at the A meeting was held at Kuwait that Kuwait backed Lebanon in its Rome should be the starting point of Italian Foreign Ministry headquarters, Fire Service Directorate, chaired KUWAIT: Firemen in action after fire broke out in an uncovered area of the demands of the UNSC to put an end a long-term, structured process to Mogherini said “we need to begin a by Deputy Director General for Education Ministry’s warehouses in Subhan. to Israeli violations of Lebanese lands back stability in Lebanon through its process that is longstanding” for the Fire Fighting and Human and airspace. military, Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Lebanese Army. Security, Fishermen Union and fishing boats are increasing there, In that context, he praised the Federica Mogherini said at the confer- “We know this is not a pledging Resources Development Brig Ports Authority to discuss safety and lack safety procedures which Khalid Al-Mikrad, in the presence Lebanese army and security forces for ence. Her remarks were part of the conference but ... Italy is ready to pro- and security procedures at may lead to fires that can spread opening ceremony to kick start the vide education and training for the of the Coastguard, Border keeping peace and security in the Shamlan Marina, as the number of quickly. country, urging that they be support- conference attended by a number of Army,” she said. —KUNA p3.e$S_Layout 1 6/17/14 9:14 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 LOCAL Cabbies ignore rule on taxi meters Passengers rely on negotiation

By Ben Garcia ties on this issue. driving license and they must pass theory “I have stopped complaining. I am now and practical tests to secure a ‘tasreeh’ (per- KUWAIT: In recent years, Kuwait has made mastering the art of good negotiation when mit to drive public transport) in Kuwait. taxi meters compulsory in order to stop it comes to hailing a taxi. I know my limit, I Drivers must take and pass x-ray tests, eye complaints of excessive fares being sought know the price from one point to another, tests and provide fingerprints to check for by taxi drivers from passengers. Many cab- so if I negotiate, I demand the minimum,” a criminal records. bies do not follow this rule though. Kuwait regular taxi passenger said. “I hope the There are two types of public taxis plying Times rode taxis for three consecutive days Kuwaiti authorities will finally come out Kuwait’s streets: Call taxis [white] and roam- to see if the rules are being followed. In with a law that is respected.” ing taxis [orange and white colored]. The Dubai, taxi drivers are obliged to issue Public transportation in Kuwait is very call taxi picks up and drops passengers by receipts to their passengers. This is also limited, with taxis and public buses, request. The roaming taxi picks up passen- advised in Kuwait, but not a single driver although some illegal private taxis do ply gers along the highway or any street. The issued a receipt during the three trials. the streets, but these are now being strictly roaming taxi charges a minimum of 250 fils Instead, the driver requested that if a police- pursued. A call taxi is somewhat different. while the call taxi charges depending on man asks, this reporter should tell him the They have a fixed fare from one point to the route, and an additional 50 fils per kilo- meter is being used. another. “If a passenger calls us, we’ll tell meter covered. “The advantage with the call The second experience was the same them the price. It is fixed depending on the taxi is that our price is fixed although we are and the cabbie refused to use the meter destination. We follow the price standard also required to use the meter, but we are even when asked to. The third ride was a dif- which came out in January 2012, and even not using it anymore because the passenger ferent story. According to the driver, his during holidays, the price is the same,” men- knows how much we charge. No more meter was not functioning well, although tioned a call taxi operator. negotiations about the fare, since the oper- this reporter saw the meter working proper- Taxi drivers in Kuwait are expatriates ator will tell the passenger how much they ly. Complaints of the same from other pas- from various nationalities - mostly Indians, should pay. In a roaming taxi, you’ll have to sengers have continued, but there seems to Egyptians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and bargain your fare,” the call taxi operator told be no action on the part of Kuwaiti authori- Filipinos. A driver must possess a heavy this reporter.

Admission GPA raised for scholarship program By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Kuwait University announced yesterday that high school graduates can start submitting their admis- Senior GCC officials sion applications online from July 4, 2014 until July 15, 2014. Registration is open for Kuwaitis, children of Kuwaiti meet on labor issues women, citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and stateless residents if meet the required conditions, said Dr Subaih Al-Mukhaizem, the Dean of Admission KUWAIT: Undersecretaries of the The agenda of the meeting taken in Jeddah in June 2013. and Registration at KU. GCC labor ministries met here yes- includes several weighty issues He regarded the gathering as a The minimum GPA that qualifies KU hopefuls to terday to discuss a host of issues and topics, mainly suggestions to key step for attaining the goals of apply for the 2014/2015 academic year is 70 percent for bearing on manpower and labor turn GCC pilot systems and laws integration and coordination science students and 78 percent for arts students, Dr sector in the GCC member states. into national ones, he said. among the GCC member states. Mukhaizem added. The meeting aims to discuss He voiced confidence that “We are looking forward to Meanwhile, Al-Qabas reported that the Ministry of preparations and arrangements inter-GCC cooperation, sincere notching up the goals and direc- Higher Education increased the minimum GPA that for a meeting of GCC labor minis- efforts and hard work could surely tives of the GCC leaders aiming to qualifies students to apply for the government scholar- ters due here today. contribute to attaining the best provide maximum convenience ship program. It increased from 75 percent to 80 per- Addressing the gathering, results and lead to making appro- and reassurance to the GCC citi- cent for science students, and from 75 percent to 78 Director-General of the Public priate recommendations and res- zens,” he said. percent for arts students. Authority for Manpower and head olutions. Al-Hashem stressed the signifi- The decision comes in accordance with admission of the meeting Jamal Al-Dusry On his part, Assistant cance of improving manpower in regulations in foreign universities, especially universities said such meetings mark a valu- Secretary-General of the GCC for the GCC countries by means of in the United States, according to ‘academic sources’ able opportunity for the conferees Human and Environmental Affairs training personnel properly in quoted in the report. to share experience and to launch Abdullah Al-Hashem said the order to acquire technical skills The ministry is waiting for the high school finals to joint projects among the GCC meeting was held in line with a needed for the labor market in the finish before announcing registration for 6,000 seats in member states. previous ministerial resolution private sector. — KUNA next year’s scholarship program. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 LOCAL

In my view In my view Maelstrom of The Journey controversy of Hope

By Abdullah H. Erakat By Labeed Abdal he Palestinian professor who touched off a Tmaelstrom of controversy by taking a group of students to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps in Poland is now at odds with his former employer after the school accepted his resignation. Dr Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi, who headed the [email protected] American studies department and served as chief librarian at Al-Quds University, stirred-up a hornets’ nest among Palestinians who felt the visit was not any people have a general idea about disability appropriate when he led the March trip. Daoudi said Mas an impairment that comes at birth, or as a that although the participants were students at Al- result of complications during birth or directly Quds, the trip itself was under the aegis of Wasatia, after it. In the meantime, many people overlook the fact the NGO that he heads whose goal is to “promote a that there are many other reasons that cause disability, culture of moderation and reconciliation between such as road accidents or certain diseases. the Israeli people and the Palestinian people.” But It is important to give extra attention to that aspect, when the trip became a public issue, criticism was especially with the increase in the accident rate in leveled at both the school and the professor. Daoudi — Al-Anbaa Kuwait and diseases related to weak immune systems received threats and the employees union and stu- due to the changing lifestyles and pressures that peo- dents union, of which Daoudi was not even a mem- ple face daily. ber, formally banned him from membership. Kuwait’s continued keenness to support all cate- On May 18, Dr Dajani Daoudi submitted his resig- kuwait digest gories of the local community shines as a great exam- nation from Al-Quds University; a move incoming ple, especially when it comes to supporting people President Imad Abukishek says he was shocked by with special needs and integrating them with the socie- given the lengths the school went to on behalf of Development challenges ty. There are a lot of examples in Kuwait for such activi- Daoudi, both personally and professionally. “We ties, including the ‘Journey of Hope’ which visited sever- thought he noticed what we did for him and that he al countries in order to increase awareness about men- would respect what we did for him,” Abukishek said By Khalid Al-Tarrah tal and physical disability in Kuwait and the region. citing the assignment of two security guards to pro- The journey started in Kuwait, covered all Gulf tect Daoudi and the confronting of the employees Cooperation Council countries and ended in Egypt, here are a lot of projects through which Kuwait aims to ers privatization programs as an indication that the govern- and students unions to demand the rescinding of sending a significant message regarding the impor- achieve a quantum leap in vital fields leading to eco- ment is putting an end to providing citizens with services, the ban issued against the professor. T tance of measures taken by societies to embrace peo- nomic development. Many of these projects complet- thus leading to losing control in the country. ple with special needs - a key category in every society. ed the construction phase, while others are still under stud- On the other hand, another branch is fully convinced that These efforts not only leave huge positive effects on ies. the country cannot continue providing full subsidization for The trip would have stirred less of a those who became disabled for any reason, but also The problem that the country faces is that there is a huge all services, and guarantee the needs of every citizen from row if what happened to the Jewish number of initiatives and proposals for projects, combined the cradle to the grave. The welfare state is unsustainable. their families and loved ones. people in Poland was compared to the with a lot of competitors. This situation could confuse the The government was unsuccessful in explaining what it Palestinian experience. government and affect development plans. meant by the statement that “the welfare state is disappear- From my point of view, I think the reasons of this problem ing”. I am sure it did not mean that the country is on the digest is related to human factors. Every minister works as per his verge of austerity, but to rationalize spending policies in kuwait But Daoudi saw the university’s response in a dif- or her own perspective in order to record a heroic achieve- order to protect the Kuwaiti people today and the future of ferent light. In his letter of resignation addressed to ment, but at the expense of the government and its plans. the future generations. outgoing President Sari Nusseibeh, Dr. Dajani For instance, the World Bank conducted many studies Development depends on educating the public and mak- It is not a Daoudi charged that as a result of the fallout from since the Liberation as per the government’s request. The ing people aware of the challenges required to achieve that the Auschwitz trip, “The educational environment on studies agree on the need for the state to adopt privatiza- goal; not only on plans. this campus for teaching and learning is not avail- tion programs for many public services, saying that this Kuwait has a huge wealth, but the challenges require challenge able at your university which makes it difficult to would bring huge benefits for the country if applied. But the transparency so that everyone, especially the private sector, government is yet to take any step in that issue. I cannot will become part of the development process. practice my mission to educate and practice aca- find an excuse for that, except that the government did not True partnership with the private sector means removing By Dr Naji Al-Zaid demic freedom.” comprehend the main target of privatization programs, as obstacles that stand in its way; not only selecting entrepre- The administration strongly disagreed. Citing the well as the amount of financial return and quality which will neurs as minister. was hoping that the management at the Public school’s efforts to “act promptly and effectively to help the country to develop. IInstitution for Social Security would have reached an deal with the actions” of the two unions; and the There is a branch in the executive authority that consid- — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas agreement with the labor union before the latter assignment of two bodyguards, the administration went on a labor strike. insisted that although it “was being made to deal The PIFSS is considered outstanding; not only on the with ‘an external activity carried out by Professor digest level of Kuwait, the Arabian Gulf region and the Arab Dajani in his private capacity as the CEO of an inde- kuwait digest kuwait World, but it is also considered better than institutions pendent NGO which he runs [that]...had nothing to that carry out similar tasks in Europe. Despite suspi- do with the University,’” Al-Quds nevertheless did all Influence of Horror movies cions raised in the past ten years regarding some offi- it could do “to deal with the repercussions of his vis- cials there, the issue, as I understand, is still under it.” The administration declared that it did “all that it administrative and legal investigations. could do to ensure that individuals, including extremism of Kuwait What is sad about the labor strike is that the union Professor Dajani, had the right to express their views did not give consideration to emergency cases, senior freely, and to act freely within the confines of the By Abdellatif Al-Duaij By Thaar Al-Rasheedi citizens patients or people with special needs whose law, without fear of intimidations or threats.” situation does not allow them to wait until the strike is But Dr. Dajani Daoudi saw it differently, suggest- he terror that is being wrought on the Kuwaiti people uwait’s political life largely resembles the plot of over. The union could have formed a small team con- ing that “the statement the administration issued in Tis not that of ISIL or Al-Qaeda, with regret. Rather it is the horror movie ‘Saw’, as you cannot watch taining employees with different specialties to handle the terror of those who brought them to us since the K response to the trip sparked the incitement on cam- sequel three or four of the famous horror movie urgent cases. pus with their public statement distancing them- 1976 National Assembly was dissolved. Because during the without having watched parts one and two in order to The administration summoned retired employees selves from the trip and me as if we are doing some- past three, or actually four decades, religious groups con- understand the whole series of the five-part movie. You and used help of some managers to handle some of trolled all aspects of life, and employed the country infor- thing wrong.” The assignment of security guards, have to watch it like a series, one after the other. the duties of the workers on strike. This could be con- according to Daoudi, exacerbated the problem mation-ally, financially and even politically to serve terror- Kuwait’s political situation is much like this, where ism and back the so called Islamic awakening. sidered a humanitarian step, although I personally rather than solving it. “The high-pitched incitement The influence of extremism and zealousness reached one cannot understand what is happening today with- believe that employees at the PIFSS and many other against me made the university decide to have secu- the highest of levels, and decided, with regret, the coun- out knowing what happened in the 1992, 1996 and the state departments are subjected to injustice, especially rity guards escorting me on campus. How can I per- try’s general policy and its assets, staring with Kuwait’s subsequent parliaments. You have to know who allied considering the financial demands that the govern- form my duties under such circumstances?” he chairing of the Islamic conference, which we do not know with whom, who was against whom and turned against ment approved in recent years for specific categories, asked. exactly what is the relationship of Arab Kuwait with it, to whom all the way up to the 2006, 2009 and the subse- such as Kuwaiti teachers and oil sector employees. Dajani Daoudi, who has taught for more than 40 the NGOs that spread in every area and street. The country quent parliaments. The process may seem very compli- If the government believes that here are workers in years, realized that the trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau as the late Saud Al-Nasser said has been “kidnapped”. cated, but this is our parliamentary timeline and we certain state departments who deserve the financial would be controversial at best. He explained that, Now that it has become clear that taking it easy with the have to follow it since the post-liberation years to com- benefits that they demand, I believe that employees in “The Holocaust has been a taboo topic in Palestinian religious reverting strengthened religious extremism and prehend what is happening today. Changes and alter- a distinguished institution like the PIFSS are deserving memory and I believe for the sake of peace and rec- zealousness, and this zealousness, whether the lenient ations of power balances were not born yesterday. to have their demands put into consideration as well. onciliation we need to deal with this taboo among powers like it or not, will become, or actually is on its way to The conflict’s roots can be traced back to over twenty But what was really sad about the strike is when the others.” Students who traveled with Daoudi were become, tribal and ethnic wars, and Kuwait will be, even years ago. One has only to bring the puzzle’s bits and Voluntary Work Center sent members to fill in for the exuberant and uniform in praise of their professor. before Iraq, the first of its victims. What is required is a seri- pieces together to precisely perceive what is happen- workers on strike. I wonder who gave them the permis- Issa Jameel, the student coordinator for the trip, ous stand and a quick revision of the authority’s method ing. It is so simple. You might just have to refer to all pre- sion to work at a sensitive place with a technical nature said he expects Daoudi to win the Nobel Peace and its relation with religious extremism. Some of the rich vious parliamentary sessions’ minutes over twenty of work such as the PIFSS, and allow them to work Prize. “Over the ages there was a stage when the Gulf countries that established and supported terrorist years. It is a worthwhile task, though, if one wishes to unsupervised without consideration to the confiden- scholars were attacked by some because of what organizations are now trying timidly to neutralize them by tiality of subscribers? leaving the task of fighting and eradicating them to others. really and exactly comprehend what is happening they taught. Dr. Dajani wanted to teach us students today. I appreciate the efforts of Sheikha Amthal Al-Sabah to think out of the box, far from politics, just for They are trying to create parties to have a proxy war on their behalf. Exactly like the Palestinian cause. They provide Yes, indeed. We, the Kuwaiti people, have been living and her voluntary team, but as long as they are put in educational purposes and unfortunately what hap- the money and the surrounding countries provide martyrs a ‘horror movie’ for over twenty years and we need to re- fields that do not require a high level of accuracy and pened with him is the opposite because they and get exposed to the real harm. They are supporting watch the earliest parts of the political conflict’s series to professionalism, or include dealing with confidential viewed him taking us to Auschwitz politically and Egypt now to fight extremism on their behalf, while at the realize the origin of the conflict taking place at all levels. information. not from the educational level.” Speaking on the same time making peace with religious groups internally. To cut a long story short, today is the outcome of What if teachers at the Kuwait University went on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity and This stand will not be good, because it may eradicate reli- conflicts during voting on the citizens’ debts law, for strike? Will the volunteers step in to teach students? controversy, a female Al Quds University student gious organizations and groups, but the same extremism instance, and other subsequent laws where allies’ shifts Will they treat patients if doctors go on strike, or tackle who went on the Auschwitz trip expressed her sur- will remain instilled in the hearts, waiting for another a new are very evident. You just have to assemble the scat- fires if firefighters do the same? prise at word of Dajani Daoudi’s resignation and organization and active group to bring it out and use it for tered pieces of the puzzle calmly to understand what The Voluntary Work Center’s intervention in the PIF- said she is “sad because he really enlightened us the interest of its religious extremism. You fought Al-Qaeda happened, what is happening and what will happen lat- SS labor strike is siding with one party against another and made us think beyond the horizon.” as an organization, at a time when support of extremism er on! which finds itself under injustice, and they could be In confronting the unions, outgoing Al-Quds continued and it produced Nusrah and ISIL and maybe oth- This 20-year-old historic conflict was the reason correct with their claims. President Dr. Sari Nusseibeh and successor er organizations. behind delaying development projects. It will eventual- The solution is not by replacing the workers on Abukishek stressed “the values and principles we The solution remains in the true direction towards ly stop one day and development will be revived once strike with individuals who lack experience on how to have at Al Quds University...that every member development and advancement, and to seek the cultiva- manage work and protect the secrecy of information. It tion of democratic principals in freedom, justice and equali- more away from political alliances. We, the people, have should have freedom of choice and freedom of only settled for watching for years without caring who is not a challenge between the two sides; who instead expression and the diversity of it all.” ty among people, and using these principles to contain ter- need to have negotiations and agreements to find a ror ideology and defeat all forms of extremism. Anything wins or loses because we care more for achieving devel- The administrators admonished Daoudi that, opment and solving the country’s ageing problems! solution. “From our side, we will make sure that you will be else is a waste of time and an unaccepted submission to safe, have the freedom of expression, freedom of extremism and terrorism. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas choice, freedom to do whatever you want in our environment despite the fact that [going to Auschwitz] is not our [Al-Quds University’s] project. This is your project, your choice. But we will protect In my view you and we nominate two security guards from Al Quds University to be with [you] all the time if [you] feel that [you] are not safe.” Drastic change in Hezbollah position Despite the differing interpretations of the uni- versity’s actions, Abukishek said, “We thought he will By Linda Gradstein take it [the resignation] back.” He said the personnel department “was waiting for Dr. Dajani to cancel the sraeli army chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Benny focused on supporting Syrian President Bashar from Syrian and are straining the small coun- Hale. Yet, threats to end cooperation or letter, but he refused to cancel the resignation.” IGantz said recently that the Lebanon-based Al-Assad as he continues to battle rebel forces try’s resources and fueling increasing violence American aid to Lebanon because of The trip and reaction to the trip has been carefully Hezbollah organization possesses more mil- into a fourth year of civil war. Several thousand along the border and among supporters of Hezbollah’s listing as a terrorist organization by watched by international media because of the sensi- itary might than almost all of the developed Hezbollah fighters are believed to be currently President Assad and his detractors. At instabili- the State Department like those directed at tivity of the Holocaust. Al Quds University historically nations of the world. fighting in Syria, and an estimated 350 have ty increases, resentment against Hezbollah Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are rarely recognizes the Holocaust. incoming President Imad “Show me four or five states with more fire- been killed. seems to be growing. heard. Abukishek suggested the trip would have stirred less power than Hezbollah: the US, China, Russia, Hezbollah, which is made up of Shi’ite fight- “People are very angry and resentful of Until the current conflict in Syria, Hezbollah Israel, France and the UK,” Gantz told a foreign ers and has close financial ties to Iran, has Hezbollah,” Farid Chedid, the editor of Lebanon was seen as a hero for standing up to Israel. of a row if what happened to the Jewish people in policy conference in Herzliya. “The bad news clashed with Sunni compatriots who support Wire said. “The families of those fighting are During the course of a 34-day war fought in Poland was compared to the Palestinian experience. from our point of view is that while Hezbollah is various groups of rebel fighters challenging especially angry.” 2006, Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets into “If you connect it this way, you will remove the sensi- fighting on three fronts...it is also amassing Assad’s rule over the country. Beyond military Chedid said that Hezbollah gives compen- the Jewish state. The fighting ended in a draw tivity,” he suggested. But pragmatically, he urges that experience which we will one day face.” strength, Assad re-asserted his political control sation of between $25,000 and $50,000 to the with a United Nations-imposed ceasefire. “Instead of digging into history, it’s important for Israeli intelligence estimates that the Iranian with a much-expected re-election to a third families of those killed fighting in Syria. The “Hezbollah’s position has changed drastical- both of us (Palestinians and Israelis) to look at the proxy’s arsenal contains more than 100,000 term as president last week. United States and Israel consider Hezbollah to ly since it started getting involved in the Syrian future generations, how they can live together and rockets that can reach deep into all parts of Next door, Lebanon is struggling to absorb be a terrorist organization, a statement repeat- conflict,” Mario Abou Zeid of the Carnegie build the future together.” —The Media Line Israel. At the moment, however, Hezbollah is an estimated one million refugees who fled ed this week by US Ambassador to Syria Robert Institute in Beirut said. —The Media Line WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 LOCAL

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah made an inspection tour of Adan hospital and its facilities, then held a meeting at the office of Ahmadi Medical Zone Director General. Science reinstated in primary schools Potential harmful effects on students KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education canceled a deci- the possibility that school administrations could have during the test, hinting at the possibility that sion to remove science from the curriculum for the ‘turned a blind eye’ to students who entered with favoritism on tribal basis is involved, the source said. first three primary stages in public and private their smartphones in the examination hall, according There have been reports that students cheated schools in Kuwait. The decision, taken by former min- to the source. using this method during several tests since the finals ister Nayef Al-Hajraf and supported by his successor The students reportedly snapped pictures of the began last week - namely maths, physics, history, Ahmad Al-Mulaifi, was supposed to become effective test papers, sent them to their private tutors, and geography and biology. The source who was quoted starting from the next academic year. It had received received the answers back, then shared the answers by Al-Rai yesterday said that cheating also happened criticism since it was announced last year, as educa- with each other. The reports mention incidents in during the Arabic exam. Acting minister Mudej said tors warned of its potential harmful effects on stu- which school principals returned confiscated phones earlier this week that an investigation is underway dents in the long term. back to students and allowed them to use the devices into the cheating allegations. Dr Saud Al-Harbi, the Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Research and Curricula, met recently with senior ministry officials to inform them about the new decision, which was taken by Undersecretary ‘Jordan king’ case to Mariam Al-Wutaid, according to a ministry insider. The source who was quoted by Al-Rai yesterday constitutional court did not explain whether Wutaid obtained permission from Acting Minister of Education Dr Abdulmohsen By A Saleh offending HH the Amir. Al-Mudej to cancel the two previous ministers’ deci- Meanwhile, the court decided to stop looking sions. Harbi met ten directors from science depart- KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday adjourned into a case filed by the Foreign Ministry against ments from the ministry’s six educational direc- a case involving a number of citizens and former Barrak in which he is accused of offending the torates. He gave them instructions to start prepara- MPs who are accused of repeating a speech made king of Jordan. The court referred the case to the tions to continue teaching science to first, second and by former lawmaker Musallam Al-Barrak deemed constitutional court. In other news, the parlia- third grade students next year. offensive to His Highness the Amir. The court set ment’s legislative committee canceled its meet- Nov 18, 2014 as the date for the next hearing. The ing yesterday due to lack of quorum. Cheating continues same court also adjourned a case of 68 people The meeting was supposed to discuss state- In other news, a ministry source revealed that a accused of participating in a demonstration car- ments by former Kuwait Transparency Society ried out by stateless residents, and set the next officials who said after resigning that Kuwait fell large number of twelfth grade students cheated dur- hearing on Sept 2, 2014. In another case, the in the international corruption index because of ing the Arabic language final exam Monday, and court sentenced a Saudi national to five years in errors in local reports that the KTS chief has sole accused school administrations of being complicit. prison and deportation after finding him guilty of authority to send to international organizations. Senior ministry officials received reports hinting on LOCAL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

KUWAIT: Public Relations Department at Kuwait Municipality said food and markets supervision department launched a campaign targeting warehouses in Ardiya resulting in the destruction of 735 kg liquid chocolate, because it was expired. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun Kuwait appreciative of UNCTAD role Indian stabbed to GENEVA: The State of Kuwait is highly many subjects including basic commodi- appreciative of the role played by the ties, flow of investments, debt-flow United Nations Conference on Trade dynamics, financing mechanisms, and death in Omariya and Development (UNCTAD) in human resources. addressing the economic challenges These reports are invaluable to offi- facing our world today, stressed cials as they make economic and politi- Attempt to rape police officer Kuwait’s delegate to the UN and inter- cal decisions, he stressed. national institutions Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghunaim, yesterday. Great professionalism KUWAIT: Investigations are ongoing to identify a National security ing, and found the keeper tied up. The keeper told The ambassador said this apprecia- The Kuwaiti representative then not- person who stabbed a man to death in Omariya State security service officials and criminal his employer after he untied him that three men tion of the organization and its status is ed that UNCTAD experts’ great profes- Monday afternoon. Paramedics and police rushed to investigators are working together in an attempt broke into the farm, stole eight sheep and fled, reflected in the participation of the sionalism in dealing with the issues fac- the scene after an emergency call reporting that a to identify a person who sprayed graffiti on the leaving him tied up inside. The owner took the man was bleeding in front of a house in the area. Subbiya Road bridge deemed harmful to national keeper to Al-Waha police station to file a case. A Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ing developing and least developed They discovered by the time they arrived that the security. Detectives had headed to the scene in security source said this is the second time that a Commerce and Industry and Acting nations of the world and its swift man had already succumbed to multiple stab response to an emergency call reporting the dis- similar case happened in the Salmi desert, after a Minister of Education Dr Abdelmehsin addressing of international develop- wounds. The victim was identified as a 56-year-old covery of freshly-painted graffiti reading ‘the similar theft took place nine months ago. Al-Medij in the UN’s ceremony marking ments also enabled it to be the first to Indian who worked at the Ministry of Electricity and Islamic State in Iraq and Levant.’ Fingerprints were the 50th anniversary of the UNCTAD. propose solutions for the global financial Water. Crime scene investigators took the body to lifted from the scene, and the state security service Wife beater The organization was and would con- crisis and to propose mechanisms to the forensic department after they examined the was contacted to follow up with the case. A Kuwaiti man kicked his wife out of the house tinue to be a source of balance in realize many environment-friendly eco- scene. A homicide investigation was opened. after beating her because of a smartphone, addressing nations’ trade interests nomic concepts on the ground. In another case, an investigation was opened to Rape attempt according to her statements. The man told officers regardless of the nature of their The United Nations Conference on determine the mystery behind the death of a man A newly recruited police officer filed a case during questioning later that he lost his temper economies, and it is successful in initiat- Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was who fell from a seventh floor apartment in Salmiya against two friends, accusing them of sexual after his wife refused to allow him to look at her ing dialogue even today, having proved established in 1964 as a permanent Monday. A homicide case was filed after preliminary assault. In his statements to officers at the Saad Al- phone when he wanted to see why she was its worth amid the cold war, adjusted to intergovernmental body. investigations revealed that the Sri Lankan man did Abdullah police station, the 18-year-old Kuwaiti spending too much time on it. The wife went to the tug and pull of globalization, and “UNCTAD is the principal organ of the not live in the apartment he fell from, and that the man said that two men he recently met visited him Jahra Hospital for treatment, then filed a case alleviated globalization economic bur- United Nations General Assembly deal- flat was rented by two compatriots who could be his in the diwaniya of his house, and he agreed to go against her husband supported by a medical den on many developing nations. ing with trade, investment, and develop- friends. The two men could not be found at the with them on a trip. The suspects took the teenag- report for bruises she said she sustained during Most significant among UNCTAD’s ment issues. The organization’s goals are apartment when police arrived, fueling speculation er to Salmi Road, then pulled over and tried to the attack. contributions, the ambassador noted, to: ‘maximize the trade, investment and that they were involved in the case. rape him, according to his statements. He added are proposals to address inequity in the development opportunities of develop- that he resisted their assault until he was able to Roommates fight world commerce order and its effort to ing countries and assist them in their Drug overdose break free, then escaped and called his brother to Two roommates were arrested after they speak for those who had no voice before. efforts to integrate into the world econo- A Kuwaiti man died in his house in Fintas due to come pick him up. The teenager went with his engaged in a fight because of a phone call. With its debut coinciding with many my on an equitable basis,’” the organiza- a drug overdose, according to preliminary investiga- brother to Jahra Hospital where he obtained a Investigations later revealed that one of them world nations’ declaration of independ- tion’s official webpage indicates. tions. Paramedics headed to the scene with police medical report for bruises, then went to the police confronted the other over his prolonged late ence, the organization became these UNCTAD membership currently after the man’s wife said in an emergency call that station and filed a case. night phone conversations with his wife, making states’ shield in the face of the bigger stands at 194 countries, and the organi- she found him motionless. They pronounced the him unable to sleep. The two engaged in an alter- economic powers and blocs of the time. zation has observer status in many inter- man dead at the scene, then summoned criminal Sheep theft cation which soon escalated into a fistfight, which UNCTAD reports, the ambassador national entities and cooperates with investigators. Drug paraphernalia was found at the Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest alerted other roommates in the apartment who added, are also of great importance as many academic institutions and non- scene, leading to suspicions that the man was abus- suspects who stole sheep from a farm in the Salmi called police. The Egyptian men were first taken to references of high credibility addressing governmental bodies. — KUNA ing drugs when he died. The body was taken for an desert. The farm’s owner discovered the theft when the hospital, then to Salmiya police station for fur- autopsy to confirm the cause and time of death. he went to check on his property Monday morn- ther action. KIB sponsors archicamp summer training program

KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank, ranked Best Islamic Bank in Kuwait for 2014, reasserted its commitment to sponsoring the annual Archicamp summer training program, the first of its kind in Kuwait, according to a press statement made by Matar Alshammari, Acting GM of KIB’s Retail Banking Department. Archicamp aims to educate second- ary school students who are nearing graduation on the principles and theo- ries of the architectural design field in order for them to be able to decide whether to pursue it in their future studies. The program will prepare them in terms of developing their sense and taste of architecture in gen- eral, encourage competition in addi- taking an excellent idea to fruition for Science & Technology in collaboration tion to challenging them to unleash the third year. He expressed his desire with the Center of Professional their imaginations, discover their cre- to see similar events that positively Advancement & Continuing Education ativity and explore their potential to reflect on the development of Kuwait. - PACE. excel in the field. KIB is committed to supporting the Ms. Al-Bannay thanked KIB for their Alshammari reiterated KIB’s the various activities and talents of role in stimulating the capacity of the desire to sponsor similar activities Kuwait’s youth as well as encourage youth and preparing them for univer- because theyengage the youth who and motivate them to put additional sity while contributing towards pro- comprise one of the most important effort in reaching their potential. moting appreciation for architecture. segments of society. He added that KIB Alshammari emphasized that She mentioned that KIB’s social considers such sponsorships, which Archicampis steering the youth in the responsibility program benefits stu- fall under its social responsibility pro- right direction due to it acting as an dents by strengthening their role in gram, as part of its national role as a excellent platform for the youth to society and introducing them to fields Kuwaiti bank. Alshammari extended showcase their creativity, skills and tal- which they may specialize in. his appreciation to Dalal Abdulwahab ents to the public. He stressed the Alshammari concluded by ensuring Al-Bannay who founded Archicamp need for Kuwait to embrace new ideas KIB’s commitment to maintain direct with the aim of giving back to Kuwait’s in order to preserve its excellent posi- interaction with the youth while architecture community following tion in the regional and international informing them on its Shariah-compli- years of study in the United States. spheres. ant products and services, pointing Alshammari was delighted to com- Archicamp is taking place from out that KIB’s representativesare avail- mend Ms. Al-Bannay on her success in June 15 to June 26 at Gulf University of able to answer visitor’s questions. Arab Parliament denounces terrorism

CAIRO: Arab Parliament Speaker Ahmad Al-Jarwan yester- ple, Al-Jarwan pointed out. On Iraq, the Arab Parliament day emphatically condemned the “strange and abhorrent” speaker called on all Iraqi forces and groups to get phenomenon of terrorism in the Arab world. engaged in serious and comprehensive dialogue aiming to Addressing an Arab Parliament session held here, Al- reach national consensus so that they could square up to Jarwan said: “Internal conflicts and disputes and heinous serious threats to their country. On Syria, he voiced much terrorist operations only serve foreign plans aiming to dis- concern over the current humanitarian situation in the vio- rupt security and impede growth, development and pros- lence-hit country, while urging the international communi- perity.” He stressed the necessity of denouncing terrorism, ty to live up to its due role by taking concrete action in stopping increasing domestic conflicts and unifying efforts order to stop bloodshed there. Concerning Palestine, Al- to achieve development with a view to cutting off the way Jarwan condemned Israel’s continuing Jewish settlements for anybody who could try to tamper with regional security in occupied Palestinian territories, making it certain that and stability. the Palestinian issue is the core of the Arab-Zionist conflict. “As representatives of the Arab people, we at the Arab He also blasted Israeli attempts to Judaize the occupied Parliament need to convey the voice of the Arab people city of Jerusalem by changing its Arab characteristics and who are yearning for security, stability and development imposing Israeli hegemony on the holy city. on our dear great nation,” he said. Finally, he called on Iran to positively comply with Abu Internal stability and security are the key to comprehen- Dhabi’s call to resolve the Iranian-occupied three islands of sive development for which everybody should work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through direct dialogue or order to fulfill the expectations and hopes of the Arab peo- the International Court of Justice (ICJ). — KUNA Iran nuclear talks get down to business

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 Israel aims to break Hamas Hunt for missing youths intensifies JERUSALEM: Israel stepped up efforts to colour representing Hamas. crush Hamas in the West Bank yesterday as Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who the hunt for three Israeli teenagers believed was at the meeting, told the radio Israel had kidnapped by the Islamist movement entered decided to “dramatically” change its approach its fifth day. Thousands of Israel troops to the Islamist movement. engaged in the search for the youths turned “We will bring about a situation in which their attention during the night to the north- Hamas people will become a nuisance for the ern West Bank city of Nablus and surrounding Palestinian population, and that their pres- area, arresting 41 Palestinians, the army said. ence in Judaea and Samaria (the West Bank) So far, Israel has arrested around 200 will cause harm everywhere,” he said. Palestinians, most of them Hamas members, as it conducts a vast search operation for the ‘Entry ticket to hell’ students, two of them minors. “In other words we will turn membership Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has in Hamas into an entry ticket to hell.” Writing accused militants from the Islamist move- in the top-selling Yediot Aharonot, Alex ment of kidnapping the youths last week. Fishman said the kidnapping had created a “We are here in the midst of a complex opera- “one-time operational opportunity” which tion. We need to be prepared for the possibili- Israel would use “to castrate” Hamas and sup- ty that it may take time. This is a serious event press its “strongholds in Palestinian Authority and there will be serious consequences,” territory to the greatest extent possible.” Netanyahu said on Monday evening. Pundits said Israel was also seeking to Israel has said it holds Palestinian presi- bring about the collapse of a newly-formed dent Mahmud Abbas responsible for the safe Palestinian unity government backed by return of the three, with Netanyahu phoning Hamas, the firstfruits of a reconciliation deal him to demand his help in the search efforts between rival leaders in the West Bank and in what was their first direct political contact Gaza which has been furiously denounced by since 2012. the Netanyahu government. So far, there has been no formal claim of “The purpose of the Israeli actions ... is to responsibility, and Hamas has dismissed drive a wedge between the Palestinian Israel’s accusations as “stupid”. Authority and Hamas, and stop the reconcilia- tion process that began some two months Smashing Hamas ago,” wrote Amos Harel in Haaretz newspaper. At a meeting of the Israeli security cabinet By crushing Hamas’s infrastructure, it on Monday, ministers decided to expand would weaken the movement ahead of moves against Hamas in order to smash its Palestinian elections which under the unity political and social infrastructure in the West deal are supposed to take place before the Bank, officials said. end of the year, Fishman said. JENIN: Israeli army soldiers patrol during a search operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Jenin, yesterday. Israeli security forces searched “As long as our boys remain abducted, “Removing the political leadership from the West Bank looking for three missing Israeli teenagers who they fear have been abducted by Palestinian militants. — AP Hamas will feel pursued, paralysed and the West Bank is supposed to weaken Hamas threatened,” said Lieutenant Peter Lerner, the in advance of the Palestinian presidential military’s official spokesman. elections,” he said. “We are committed to resolving the kid- But as the manhunt entered its fifth day, napping and debilitating Hamas terrorist commentators voiced concern about grow- capacities, its infrastructure and its recruiting ing reports of clashes around the West Bank, institutions,” he said in a statement. sparking fears that an already tense situation A series of punitive steps aimed at decapi- could rapidly escalate. On Monday, a 19-year- tating Hamas in the West Bank were dis- old Palestinian was shot dead by troops dur- cussed on Monday by ministers, who exam- ing clashes in Jalazoun camp north of ined the possibility of banishing its senior Ramallah. And during the night, troops shot members to Gaza and demolishing their West and seriously wounded a Palestinian who was Bank homes, Israeli media reports said. trying to infiltrate a Jewish settlement in the Ministers were reportedly meeting again same area, military radio said. In Gaza, the yesterday. “Israel has decided to perform a Israeli air force carried out a fourth straight root canal to uproot everything green in the night of air strikes after militants fired more West Bank,” said army radio, referring to the rockets over the border. — AFP Britain to reopen embassy in Tehran

LONDON: Britain plans to reopen its embassy House of Commons did not directly mention in Iran, Foreign Secretary William Hague the situation in Iraq but noted that “Iran is an announced yesterday, as the West steps up its important country in a volatile region”. He lat- engagement with Tehran amid rapid jihadist er told MPs in person that Iran had historically advances in neighbouring Iraq. Sunni mili- played a “divisive and sectarian” regional role tants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the but added: “We look to it to desist from that Levant (ISIL) group are moving towards the and we will use the expansion of bilateral Iraqi capital Baghdad after a week-long offen- relations to press for that.” Diplomatic ties sive which has seen them make key gains between Iran and Britain, the former colonial including taking the second city of Mosul. power, were strained long before the closure The British embassy in Tehran closed near- of the embassy in 2011. ly three years ago after it was stormed by a There have been a string of major flare- mob angry at sanctions imposed over Iran’s ups in recent decades including over a fatwa nuclear program. “The circumstances are issued against British author Salman Rushdie right to reopen our embassy in Tehran. There by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini in are a range of practical issues that we will 1989 and the seizure of 15 British sailors by an need to resolve first,” Hague said in a written Iranian naval patrol in the northern Gulf in statement to parliament. “However, it is our 2007. Britain appointed a non-resident intention to reopen the embassy in Tehran charge d’affaires to Iran in November, restor- with a small initial presence as soon as these ing direct diplomatic contacts severed in practical arrangements have been made.” 2011. Hague said he took the decision to The move came after historic foes Iran move towards re-opening the embassy after and the United States, which is considering a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister drone strikes in Iraq, briefly discussed the cri- Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday. He sis on the sidelines of nuclear talks in Vienna added there had “never been any doubt in my on Monday. President Barack Obama is send- mind that we should have an embassy in ing up to 275 military personnel to Iraq to Tehran if circumstances allowed”. protect US personnel and its embassy in Hassan Rouhani, the president of mainly Baghdad, while Washington has deployed an Shiite Iran, last week said it may consider aircraft carrier to the Gulf. Officials insist no cooperating with the US to fight Sunni combat troops will be sent back to the coun- extremists in Iraq. Rouhani took power last try. The last US fighting forces left Iraq in 2011 year amid hopes he would be more moderate following the 2003 invasion. and be more engaged with the West than his Hague’s statement to parliament’s lower predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. — AFP

TEHRAN: In a file picture taken on Nov 29, 2011, Iranian protesters gather outside the British embassy as some break into it and bring down the British flag (left). — AFP p8_Layout 1 6/17/14 9:13 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Egypt’s president swears in new govt

CAIRO: Egypt’s newly elected ouster of longtime autocrat Hosni is in line with the newly adopted con- President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi yester- Mubarak. stitution, which calls for an “indepen- day chaired the first meeting of his El-Sissi has also said there will be dent institution” to regulate media new Cabinet, shortly after its mem- no tolerance for those who took up and the press. After Mubarak’s 2011 bers were sworn in at the presidential arms against the government and ouster, activists and free media advo- palace in Cairo. Egyptians - a thinly veiled reference cates called for abolishing the min- There are 13 new faces on board, to Morsi’s supporters. Since Morsi’s istry and state media. The transitional including Foreign Minister Sameh removal, his supporters have held military council that took power after Shukri who was Egypt’s ambassador near-daily demonstrations, which Mubarak’s removal initially agreed to to Washington and who replaced vet- have been met by a fierce crackdown the move, but then reinstated the eran diplomat Nabil Fahmy. The gov- by security forces that has killed hun- ministry. Egypt’s new parliament - ernment has 34 ministers - including dreds and arrested thousands. which is to be elected within months - four women and several technocrats - Suicide bombings and Islamic mili- has a mandate to pass legislation that and is led by Prime Minister Ibrahim tant attacks prompted the govern- will regulate the work of the new Mahlab, who also served as the inter- ment to declare the Brotherhood a media body. Also missing is the im premier for the past five months. terrorist organization. Ministry of Administrative Mahlab was the second person to fill The group denies any link to vio- Development while a newly created the post of prime minister since el- lence while an al-Qaida-inspired ministry is supposed to tackle the Sissi ousted Egypt’s first freely elected group has claimed responsibility for problems of Cairo’s sprawling slums president, Mohammed Morsi, last most of the attacks. Morsi and many and major Egyptian cities.Interior July, following massive protests of the top Brotherhood leaders have Minister Mohammed Ibrahim said the against the Islamist leader and his been jailed and are facing a series of first Cabinet session focused on secu- NAIROBI: Sheikh Muhammad Khalifa (R), Chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) and Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sissi, the trials, mostly in connection to vio- rity efforts and counteracting all Abdullahi Abdi of the National Muslim Leaders Forum address a press conference with other Muslim leaders yes- country’s former army chief and lence associated with the protests. attempts to destabilize Egypt, accord- terday in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi following the massacre of over 60 people along the Kenyan coast in attacks defense minister, was sworn in as For the first time, the Cabinet doesn’t ing to the state MENA news agency. claimed by the Somalia-based Shabab islamists.— AFP president earlier in June, following his include the Information Ministry, the The report said the government landslide election victory last month. government body that for decades also discussed traffic safety after traf- He has pledged to restore security, has overseen state media, keeping fic accidents killed 6,700 people in the Islamists strike again improve the country’s battered econ- them to a close government line sup- last year alone. The Cabinet ordered omy and build a more stable future porting official policies and rallying more radar control points and 250 after three turbulent years since the support for the leadership. The move traffic cameras for Cairo alone.— AP on Kenyan coast, 15 dead Shebab declares Kenya a ‘war zone’

MPEKETONI: At least 15 people have Sunday night’s assault on have also been murdered in Kenya’s been killed in a new attack near Mpeketoni, near the coastal island port city of Mombasa in recent years, Kenya’s coast, officials said yesterday, and popular tourist resort of Lamu, with rights groups accusing the just 24 hours after Somalia’s Shebab was the worst attack on Kenyan soil Kenyan government of carrying out rebels massacred close to 50 people since last September’s siege of the extra-judicial killings. in the same area. Westgate shopping mall in the capital Shebab also declared Kenya a “war The Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group Nairobi, in which 67 people were zone” and warned tourists and for- said its fighters carried out the latest killed. Witnesses described how the eigners to stay out of the country, attack on a village, and that its com- militants drove into the predominant- once a top beach and safari destina- mando unit had managed to return to ly Christian town on Sunday night, tion but now facing a sharp drop in base unhindered after two nights of attacked a police station and then tourism revenue due to political ten- carnage. hotels and homes. The gunmen also sions, rising violent crime and the “We carried out another attack last singled out non-Muslims for execu- wave of shootings and bombings night. We killed 20 people, mainly tion, sparing Muslim men as well as blamed on the Shebab. police and Kenyan wildlife wardens. women and children. “Foreigners with any regard for The commandos have been going to “They arrived and asked people to their safety and security should stay several places looking for military per- get out. They asked them to lie down, away from Kenya or suffer the bitter sonnel,” Shebab’s military spokesman and then they shot them one by one, consequences of their folly,” Shebab Abdulaziz Abu Musab told AFP by right in the head, one after another,” said in a statement on Monday. telephone. said David Waweru, who was watch- “We hereby warn the Kenyan gov- “The commandos have fulfilled ing a World Cup match in a cafe but ernment and its public that as long as their duties and returned peacefully managed to hide behind a house you continue to invade our lands and to their base,” he added, without say- when the Mpeketoni attack started. oppress innocent Muslims, such ing if the attackers were still inside attacks will continue and the prospect Kenya or had driven back across the Warning to tourists of peace and stability in Kenya will be CAIRO: In this photo provided by Egypt’s state news agency MENA, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, right, Somali border, around 100 kilometres Shebab said the attack was further but a distant mirage,” the group said. listens to Egyptian Minister of Defense Gen. —AP (60 miles) to the north. retaliation for Kenya’s military pres- Mpeketoni was extremely tense Police confirmed the gunmen, ence in Somalia as well as the “Kenyan yesterday, with residents fearing new apparently part of the same group government’s brutal oppression of attacks despite the presence of police that massacred nearly 50 people in Muslims in Kenya through coercion, and paramilitary reinforcements, AFP the town of Mpeketoni overnight intimidation and extrajudicial killings correspondents said. Sunday, attacked the village of of Muslim scholars”. “People thought it was over yester- Poromoko, also situated in Lamu Kenyan troops crossed into south- day but when we heard the news of county, late on Monday. ern Somalia in 2011 to fight the this morning, the mood became very Kenyan police spokeswoman Shebab, later joining the now 22,000- bad,” said David Njoroge, a 54-year- Zipporah Mboroki confirmed the new strong African Union force battling old local pastor. attack-which came as top officials the militants and supporting the war- “Here we are Christians and were flying in to the area to coordi- torn Horn of Africa nation’s interna- Muslims, and all the people killed nate security operations-and security tionally-backed but fragile govern- were Christians. The tension is starting sources said there were 15 dead. ment. Several fundamentalist clerics to grow.” — AFP Iran nuclear talks get down to business

VIENNA: Nuclear negotiators from Iran Fabius said last week that Iran should said. She added that a “little bit” of draft- and six world powers got down to busi- slash the number of centrifuges, ing the deal began at the last multi-par- ness yesterday seeking to strike a machines that enrich by spinning urani- ty talks in May, and that this would con- momentous deal before a July 20 dead- um gas at supersonic speeds, to “several tinue this week, a hope echoed by line but with significant differences still hundred”. But Iran, which has 20,000 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad to bridge. centrifuges, 10,000 of them spinning, is Javad Zarif. Monday’s discussion of Iraq On Monday the United States and believed to want to massively increase showed how unsettled old foes Iran briefly discussed the crisis raging in its capacities. It is also developing new- Washington and Tehran both are by a Iraq, US officials said, but the focus in er, faster machines. “We are not even in major insurgency by Sunni militants Vienna on the second day of talks was the same ballpark,” said Fabius. overrunning swathes of Iran’s neigh- the mooted atomic agreement. The bour. Trita Parsi, president of the hugely complex accord would see the Tick tock National Iranian American Council, said Islamic republic scale down its nuclear The parties have set themselves a the Iraq crisis “adds urgency” to securing programme to ease concerns that it deadline of July 20, when an interim a nuclear deal because it would make it wants atomic weapons-something Iran deal struck in November expires, and easier to “explore regional areas of has long denied. In return Iran is many experts believe an extension is mutual interest”. demanding a lifting of all UN and already being talked about. But whether any sharing of interests Western sanctions that are hitting its The senior US official denied any or even US-Iranian cooperation in Iraq vital oil exports, clogging up its financial such discussion, however, indicating could actually help get a nuclear agree- system and causing major economic that some progress was made in one- ment remains to be seen. problems. Such a deal is aimed at on-one talks with Iran in Geneva last “I expect tactical cooperation over resolving one of the trickiest geopoliti- week. “We not only understood each Iraq to have as much impact on the cal problems of the 21st century after a other better after those two days, but I nuclear talks as the tactical disagree- decade of rising tensions, threats of war- think we both can see places where we ment over Syria,” Ali Vaez of the and of nuclear expansion by Tehran. might be able to close those gaps,” she International Crisis Group said. — AFP “The negotiations have already intensified, as we said that they would, and they will continue to do so in the days and weeks leading up to July 20,” a senior US official in Vienna said Monday. She added however that there are “still significant gaps... and we don’t have illusions about how hard it will be to close those gaps, though we do see ways to do so”. Thorny issues The many problem areas include the duration of any final accord, the pace of sanctions relief, Iran’s partially-built Arak nuclear reactor and allegations of past efforts to build a bomb. But the main sticking point remains, as it has been for years, uranium enrich- ment: a process that can produce nuclear fuel but also, when highly puri- fied, the core of an atomic bomb. The West hotly disputes Iran’s claim that it needs this material for nuclear VIENNA: Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Margaret facilities around the country, saying it Ashton (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif smile while only has one power plant-fuelled by attending the so called EU 5+1 Talks with Iran at the UN headquarters in Russia-and that others are years, if not Vienna, yesterday. The United States and Iran briefly discussed the crisis in decades, from completion. Iraq on the sidelines of a critical fifth round of nuclear talks in Vienna, US French Foreign Minister Laurent officials said on June 16. — AFP WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Federal charges rare against police officers

DENVER: A federal judge has taken the inmate Jamal Hunter, who says a sheriff’s unusual step of asking prosecutors to deputy not only failed to protect him dur- investigate whether Denver police tried to ing a July 2011 beating by fellow inmates intimidate a witness in a jail-abuse suit but encouraged the attack. Hunter, now 39, against the city, but experts say such says his cellmate accused him of snitching inquiries rarely yield criminal charges. and beat him, tied him up and burned his Nationwide, only about 20 civil rights genitals with hot water from a spigot. lawsuits yielded criminal charges against officers each year and convictions are even Beating less common, said Nancy Leong, an associ- One of the inmates who participated in ate professor at the University of Denver’s the beating, Amos Page, became a witness Sturm College of Law. The cases are a chal- in the lawsuit, saying in a sworn affidavit lenge for prosecutors, who have to prove that Denver sheriff’s deputy Gaynel Rumer not just that an officer violated someone’s knew about the beating in advance. Kane civil rights but that they intended to, Leong last week asked prosecutors to investigate said. Denver police after he listened to a record- The judge’s request could result in feder- ing of two police officers interviewing Page al oversight of the departments, or it could in March. The judge said the conversation lead to no action at all, she said. showed a “deliberate process of intimida- The US Attorney’s Office hasn’t said tion.” A transcript of the interview was whether it will pursue Judge John Kane’s among the documents released Thursday. request. The Justice Department opted not At least six times in the 48-page transcript to charge three Denver police officers with the officers suggested Page had implicated civil rights himself in Hunter’s beating. violations in a highly publicized 2009 Sheriff Gary Wilson said in court filings beating case, nor did prosecutors charge that he had referred a criminal investiga- sheriff’s deputies in the case of a street tion of Rumer to Denver police, prompting preacher who died after Denver sheriff’s their visit to a state prison to speak with PILGER: Rescue personnel tend to a young tornado victim in Pilger, Neb., yesterday. A hospital spokeswoman says at least 2 people dead and at deputies restrained him in jail. Page. Police Chief Robert White said he is least 16 more are in critical condition after two massive tornadoes swept through northeast Nebraska. — AP Last year, a federal judge overseeing a confident the officers did nothing wrong. civil lawsuit involving a 2009 beating out- Neither returned calls for comment side a Denver diner made the significant Monday. ruling that there was enough evidence the Often prosecutors choose not to pursue 2 dead as tornadoes flatten police department harbored a culture of cases against officers because they’re hard abuse and cover-up that the city could be to prove for juries, said Gloria J. Browne- tried for it. But the lawsuit was settled Marshall, an associate professor of constitu- tiny rural Nebraska town before it came to trial. tional law at the John Jay College of The latest allegations against the police Criminal Justice in New York. Witnesses are and sheriff’s departments came as part of a sometimes other officers who are reluctant ‘More than half of the town is gone’ civil rights lawsuit filed in Denver by former to testify against their own.—AP

PILGER: A storm packing rare dual tornadoes Josh Bennett said a 5-year-old girl was killed US hikes surveillance tore through a tiny farming town in northeast in Pilger on Monday. Bennett did not identify Nebraska, killing two people, crumpling grain the child further or provide details about her on Pakistan border bins like discarded soda cans and flattening death. dozens of homes. Unger said yesterday that a motorist also WASHINGTON: The top US military commander in Pilger’s 350 residents evacuated their died in a single-vehicle accident just east of Afghanistan says the US has increased its surveillance homes after the powerful twisters slammed Pilger as the storm pounded the area. State over the Afghan-Pakistani border since Pakistan began the area Monday afternoon. Nebraska State patrol confirmed that a male driver died in pounding a militant stronghold with airstrikes, but so far Patrol closed all roads into town. Cuming County. officials have not seen any militants fleeing the latest “More than half of the town is gone - At least 19 people were taken to hospitals. offensive. absolutely gone,” Stanton County The National Weather Service said the two Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford told The Associated Press Commissioner Jerry Weatherholt said. “The twisters touched down within roughly a mile in an interview that the US was not coordinating military co-op is gone, the grain bins are gone, and it of each other. Crews planned to examine the operations with Pakistan along the border, but officials looks like almost every house in town has area Tuesday to determine the intensity of have increased the amount of intelligence-sharing with some damage. It’s a complete mess.” the unusual twin tornadoes, said Barbara the Afghans. He said the Afghan troops and US forces in Larry Nelson, 73, has lived in Pilger, about Mayes, a meteorologist with the National that region were ready for any effects of the strikes, 80 miles northwest of Omaha, for 23 years. He Weather Service in Valley. including extremists seeking refuge in Afghanistan. rode out the storm in his neighbor’s base- “It’s less common for two tornadoes to The US has long pressed Pakistan to root out Taleban ment, emerging later to find his home com- track together for so long, especially with that militants who have found safe haven in the lawless tribal pletely gone. “I’m grateful I was over there,” same intensity,” she said. “By no means is it region of North Waziristan, along the Afghan border, and Nelson said. unprecedented. But we don’t see it often.” used it as a staging area to launch attacks against Afghan Another resident, Trey Wisniewski, said Residents were poised to return Tuesday and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Dunford said officials first his weather radio alerted him, then the morning to survey the damage and gather have seen Pakistani families crossing the border to escape power went out and the tornado sirens start- valuables. Sheriffs said law enforcement the military airstrikes that have pounded the country’s ed to sound. The sky went black and he and would escort residents to their properties. northwest since Sunday. his wife took their pets into the basement. Jodi Richey, a spokeswoman for Faith “The Afghan forces as well as our forces are fully pre- “My wife was holding our animals and I Regional Health Services in nearby Norfolk, pared to deal with the second-order effects of the was holding on to my wife. We could feel the said 16 people were treated there. Some were Pakistani operations in North Waziristan,” Dunford said in suction try to pull is out of there,” said in critical condition but others were treated an interview from Afghanistan. He added that officials Wisniewski, 43. “It wasn’t raining. It was rain- and released. ing debris.” Stanton County Sheriff Mike Providence Medical Center in Wayne treat- were still trying to determine how many Pakistani families Unger estimated that 50 to 75 percent of ed three tornado victims, including two who have fled into Afghanistan to escape the violence, but it Pilger was heavily damaged or destroyed and had lacerations, said hospital spokeswoman was difficult because many relocate to families in the the school was likely beyond repair. Sandy Bartling. Two were released Monday southeast and northeast. The storm was part of a larger system that evening, and the third was in stable condi- More broadly, Dunford expressed increased confi- tracked across the nation’s midsection tion. Authorities said the first tornado dence in the Afghan security forces, and said he did not Monday. More storms are forecast for touched down around 3:45 pm and downed believe that the military collapse playing out in Iraq Tuesday, stretching from eastern Montana to several power lines before it leveled a farm- would occur in Afghanistan once US combat troops leave. New York, but the system likely won’t be as house. The second tornado was spotted He said the US fully expects to get a bilateral security powerful as on Monday, said Steve Corfidi, southwest of Pilger, according to the Stanton agreement with Afghanistan’s government that will allow lead forecaster at the Storm Prediction Center County Sheriff’s Office. Shortly afterward, the up to 14,000 US and NATO troops to remain in the coun- in Norman, Oklahoma. town suffered a “direct hit” that leveled sever- try next year to advise the Afghans and conduct countert- The greatest risk for tornadoes will be in al buildings, including the Fire Department errorism missions. The US left Iraq after the government the Dakotas, eastern Montana and northeast- building. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman in Baghdad refused to agree on a security arrangement. ern Wyoming. Hail is expected west of the declared a state of emergency, and the “I don’t see, at least today, the divisive politics that Mississippi River, while damaging winds National Guard was preparing to assist local obviously resulted in the situation in Iraq playing out here could down some trees in upstate New York, emergency responders and help with the in Afghanistan,” said Dunford. “We’re encouraged by the Corfidi said. Stanton County Sheriff’s deputy cleanup.— AP fact that we will have a bilateral security agreement. I’m encouraged by the fact that we have multiethnic (presi- dential) tickets.” Sunni militants are advancing across Iraq, taking con- trol of several cities in the north and moving toward Baghdad, while roiling Sunni-Shiite ethnic tensions. In the face of the brutal al-Qaida-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, some Iraqi security forces have fled. The failure of the Iraqi troops to hold off the ISIL, just three years after American troops left the country after eight years or war, has led some US leaders to question whether the same slide into chaos and insurgent control will happen in Afghanistan. Dunford said that while Afghan military leaders at times expressed frustration with President Hamid Karzai, including his decisions to limit close air support missions or other partnered operations with NATO troops, “not once was there a hint that they wouldn’t follow his direc- tion.” —AP WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Asylum-seekers sue Australia over boat tragedy SYDNEY: Families of asylum-seekers show that the Commonwealth knew, or flotation devices back onshore. to bring cases to court-we are a free with safety of life at sea he would wel- killed in a shipwreck off Australia’s should have known, that there were vul- The terrified group on board drifted country-but they have to be account- come the court case.” Christmas Island in 2010 are suing the nerable men, women and children that for about an hour after losing engine able for the claims. After an eight-month hearing coro- government, arguing it breached its were on the high seas in a storm and power and only one man managed to “This is like someone who has been ner Alastair Hope laid the blame for the duty of care in a move Canberra yester- took insufficient steps to look out for leap to safety before the surging waves saved from a fire suing the firemen,” he tragedy firmly on the people-smugglers day blasted as “shameful”. them,” he said in a statement. smashed the vessel apart on the rocks. added. The Refugee Action Coalition who organised the trip. But he also criti- Fifty people died when a rickety fish- He also claimed that when authori- Fifty people died and 42 were res- claimed Morrison did not know what he cised Australian authorities for the lack ing boat crowded with nearly 100 Iraqi, ties found out the boat was foundering, cued by the Navy and customs and bor- was talking about. of adequate rescue vessels on the Kurdish and Iranian asylum-seekers was the systems in place and operational der protection officials. “It seems that the minister is not island. dashed against jagged rocks in danger- life-saving vessels to rescue them were actually familiar with the legal case. The Hundreds of people have died mak- ous seas at the remote Indian Ocean not adequate. ‘Shameful and offensive claim’ families are not suing the Navy or their ing the perilous sea journey to Australia, outpost. At the time authorities said they Immigration Minister Scott Morrison rescuers on the day,” said spokesman Ian although no boat has arrived in nearly Human rights lawyer George were not aware the boat was approach- defended the actions of the govern- Rintoul. “What the legal case is high- six months under the government’s Newhouse has launched legal action in ing Christmas Island due to the ment at the time, which was a Labor lighting is the negligence of the harsh new policies. the New South Wales state Supreme predawn darkness and “extreme” weath- administration. The conservatives are Commonwealth and the complete lack Boats are now turned back at sea, Court on behalf of eight families, claim- er conditions. Woken by the screams of now in power. of preparation or adequate rescue facili- mostly to Indonesia, while anyone arriv- ing the government failed to maintain a victims, locals gathered life jackets and “Frankly, I think this is a shameful and ties or equipment on Christmas Island ing is sent to camps in Nauru or Papua proper lookout. rushed to the sheer limestone cliffs to offensive claim to be making,” he told that could have avoided the tragedy. New Guinea for processing and perma- “We believe that the evidence will offer help, but strong winds blew the reporters. “Sure, people have the right “If the minister was really concerned nent resettlement. — AFP

Kenyan security chiefs under fire as Islamist threat grows

NAIROBI: Kenya’s security chiefs were rity has taken its eye off the ball, partly dis- under mounting pressure yesterday to tracted by issues such as domestic politics resign after Islamist militants carried out and the ICC, but also a sheer head in the another brazen attack, with the govern- sand approach to the scale of the problem ment accused of ignoring an increasingly they face,” a Western security source said. sophisticated threat from Somalia’s Al- Security experts say Kenya has is own Qaeda-linked Shebab. dangerous cells of homegrown extremists, The Islamist group said its fighters car- independent but with similar ideology to ried out two nights of carnage that have the Shebab in neighbouring Somalia. left close to 60 Kenyans dead in a town and But heavy handed police operations on villages along Kenya’s coast, before they the coast-with Muslim communities accus- “returned peacefully to their base” without ing the government or extra-judicial a single arrest being made. killings of radical clerics-have enraged Criticism of the government response many, as have the round-ups in the capital has been stinging. The Law Society of of ethnic Somalis and Somali refugees. Kenya said security forces were either “The state’s response to insecurity is ad “incompetent or incapacitated”, and called hoc, and the operations put in place have for the resignation of police chief David violated human rights,” said George Morara Kimaiyo and the increasingly unpopular of Kenya’s National Commission on Human Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku. Rights. Attacks are increasingly sophisticat- Newspapers warned that people were ed and outsmarting a security forces riven terrified and that the country’s tourism sec- by divisions within the multiple agencies. tor, a pillar of east Africa’s largest economy, Similar concerns were raised after last was in tatters. “The government’s response year’s attack on the Westgate mall, but was lacking in clarity and, in parts, bor- security changes were cosmetic at best. dered on the ridiculous,” the Daily Nation “Security in general is going in wrong newspaper said, criticising Lenku’s charge direction,” a Nairobi-based diplomat said, that attacks were the “product of political pointing to both a sharp rise in violent incitement”. The Standard said it was crime as well as the new, complex terror KIEV: A young boy holds a banner reading “My father is a patriot! Give him rest!!!” as relatives and children of Ukrainian servicemen taking part incredulous at the scale and extreme vio- threat from the Shebab. in operations against pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine demonstrate in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev yesterday. The United lent nature of the attacks, the worst since “It was disgraceful that the attackers States said on June 16 that it had closed ranks with European allies to impose further sanctions on Russia if Moscow continues to destabilize last September’s siege of the Westgate could rampage for hours and the security eastern Ukraine. —AFP shopping mall in the capital Nairobi, in service did not arrive until the next day,” which 67 people were killed. “How could a The Star newspaper said. gang of 50 heavily armed gunmen gain The nature of the threat is shifting too. access into the township without being Kenya has suffered a spate of attacks since Ukraine suspects gas pipeline intercepted by security forces?” it asked. its 2011 invasion of Somalia, which The Shebab said attacks were in revenge prompted Shebab warnings of revenge. for Kenya’s military presence in Somalia, as Some Kenyans on social media have blast was ‘act of terrorism’ well as the “brutal oppression of Muslims in made calls to “bring back our soldiers” from Kenya through coercion, intimidation and Somalia, where they provide a key part of extrajudicial killings.” the 22,00-strong African Union force, Russia circulates new UN resolution demands dismissed by politicians and the ‘Eye off the ball’ army. “Recall of troops will only give Al- Security experts say leaders have been Shebab false victory,” army spokesman KIEV: Ukraine said yesterday it was treating an flow and a source at Russian gas producer countries supported a condemnation of the more focused on domestic politics, as well Major Emmanuel Chirchir said. Early attacks explosion on a pipeline carrying Russian natural Gazprom said: “Exports have not been cut. embassy attack, but some wanted a parallel or as fighting crimes against humanity were largely confined to small ambushes, gas to the rest of Europe as a possible “act of ter- There is a parallel pipeline.” The emergency separate condemnation of the downing of a charges at the International Criminal Court homemade bomb or hand grenades, tar- rorism”. The government, which is facing a rebel- services said the blast was caused by the Ukrainian military transport plane by pro-Russia (ICC) for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his geting poor areas of Nairobi and Mombasa, lion by pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine, pipeline becoming depressurised, though it did separatists early Saturday which killed all 49 deputy William Ruto. as well as the remote northeastern border said the blast in central Ukraine one day after not say what caused it to become depressurised. crew and troops aboard. “Despite the clear danger, Kenya’s secu- region with Somalia. — AFP Russia cut gas supplies to Kiev in a pricing dis- “Russia called this an unacceptable condition pute - did not disrupt gas flows to the European UN resolution and canceled the statement,” she said. “We were Union. But Interior Ministry Arsen Avakov said: Meanwhile, Russia circulated a new UN reso- not the ones who blocked. It was taken off the “Several theories of what happened are being lution on Ukraine Monday in a fresh effort to get table by Russia.” Spain’s Senate votes on considered including the key theory - an act of the deeply divided Security Council to address Murmokaite said her government will study terrorism.” the worsening humanitarian situation and esca- the new text, and one key issue will be whether “According to local residents, they heard two lating conflict in the east between the govern- the reference to territorial integrity includes future King Felipe VI big bangs just before the explosion which could ment and separatist fighters. Crimea. “For us it does, and it cannot be any oth- indicate they were deliberate explosions.” Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said er way,” she said. “We cannot equate the legiti- MADRID: Spain’s senators voted yesterday to of state including Prime Minister Mariano The Energy Ministry also suggested there Monday the new resolution includes parts of mate government with illegitimate illegal insur- clear the future King Felipe VI’s path to the Rajoy. On Wednesday, Juan Carlos will sign may have been foul play, without speculating two earlier resolutions it circulated this month gents who are better armed than the Ukrainian scandal-hit throne in the first royal succession the act of parliament formalising his abdica- who might have been behind the blast. which called for humanitarian aid, a cease-fire, army and are carrying out attacks on the territo- of the post-Franco era. tion. The new King Felipe VI then begins his “It is not the first attempted terrorist attack and a national dialogue in Ukraine. ry and against the state of Ukraine.” Lawmakers in the upper house are set reign at the stroke of midnight on on the Ukrainian gas transportation system,” the It also includes several issues raised by coun- Before the new Russian draft was circulated, overwhelmingly to approve the handover of Wednesday, the moment his father’s abdica- ministry said in a statement, referring to two cil members including a reference to Ukraine’s the Security Council received a briefing by UN the crown to the blue-eyed 46-year-old for- tion becomes legally effective. explosions on transit pipelines in the western sovereignty, independence and territorial humanitarian chief Valerie Amos on the situation mer Olympic yachtsman, who stands nearly Felipe will be sworn in before both houses part of the country in May. integrity, he said. Churkin said Russia, which in Ukraine. two metres (six feet six inches) tall. of parliament on Thursday morning. In cele- Yesterday’s explosion was in the Poltava holds the Security Council presidency in June, Murmokaite said Amos told council members At the head of a new generation of royals, bration, the new king and the queen-whose region, which is far from the violence that has made the changes “to try to get as much sup- by videoconference that the humanitarian situa- and with his glamorous wife Letizia, 41, a for- dress for the ceremony remains a closely rocked east Ukraine, where the pro-Russian sep- port as possible,” and will be working at a rapid tion was deteriorating and could deteriorate fur- mer television presenter, on his arm, the new guarded secret-will be driven through the aratists have risen up against central rule. pace to win council approval. ther. Churkin said that towns and villages in the monarch is riding high in the polls but faces a broad avenues of central Madrid. The Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod which was But Russia is likely to face an uphill struggle east are being attacked daily with artillery, tanks formidable task ahead. hit on Tuesday is the main transit pipeline carry- because of widespread opposition to its annexa- and planes, that “hundreds of people including As king, Felipe must restore the image of A fresh start ing Russian gas to the European Union via tion of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in March and children were killed in and around the cities of the monarchy after his father’s reign became The royal couple, who have two blonde- Ukraine. the activities of pro-Russian militias in the east. Luhansk and Slovyansk,” and that many towns bogged down in scandal; inspire a people haired daughters-eight-year-old Leonor, who Kiev’s relations with Moscow are in crisis fol- In the latest example of the divisions in the have no drinking water because energy and suffering from a 26-percent unemployment will be the youngest direct royal heir to the lowing Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region. council, Churkin said Russia is “disappointed” water supplies have been targeted. He said rate; and try to unite the nation even as the throne in Europe, and seven-year-old Sofia- Russia stopped supplying Ukraine with gas on that the council didn’t support a press statement 60,000 Ukrainian refugees are in Russia. northeastern region of Catalonia seeks an will also appear before the crowds on the Monday but Kiev said it was guaranteeing the condemning Saturday’s attack on the Russian Amos told the council that 34,000 independence referendum this November. front balcony of the Spanish capital’s old gas flow to the European Union. Embassy in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. Ukrainians have fled their homes, including The Senate vote, predicted by Spanish Royal Palace. Police in Poltava region said the blast was at Press statements require support from all 15 10,000 from Crimea, and that 4,600 Ukrainians media to be 89-percent in favour of succes- Spain has deployed 7,000 police for the 14.20 (1120 GMT) and hit the pipeline about two council members and Churkin blamed Lithuania. have applied for asylum or refugee status in sion, is being held eight days after the lower ceremonies but no foreign dignitaries have metres (six feet) below a field. There were no Russia, UN diplomats said. She said that if there house of parliament gave its agreement, also been invited, in keeping with the hard eco- casualties. Video footage showed smoke pour- Unacceptable is no political settlement, there could be a by a wide margin. nomic times in Spain. The country emerged ing high into the sky. It was “the only country” that objected, he humanitarian crisis, the diplomats said, speak- It is one of the last parliamentary acts gingerly in mid-2013 from five years of stop- Ukrainian state-run gas transport monopoly said. Lithuania’s UN Ambassador Raimonda ing on condition of anonymity because the before Spain says farewell to the 76-year-old start recession but still suffers financial hard- Ukrtransgaz said there was no disruption the gas Murmokaite told The Associated Press that all briefing was closed. — Agencies King Juan Carlos and his wife Queen Sofia, ship and high unemployment. The new gen- who guided the country from dictatorship to eration of Spanish royals, who appear to be democracy in a nearly 39-year reign. deliberately keeping celebrations low-key, The outgoing king hosts the last official will be hoping to regain the support of their Time deepens agony for lunch of his reign yesterday for senior figures scandal-weary subjects.—AFP Flight 370 relatives

BEIJING: In the more than 100 days since her hus- Ocean far from any land, but with no trace of the easier to remain in (denial) for a much longer peri- band disappeared along with Malaysia Airlines aircraft recovered, many cling to a flicker of hope - od of time,” he said. “At this point, those who have Flight 370, Zhang Qian’s world has collapsed. She however faint - that their loved ones might still be not accepted the possibility that the plane crashed quit her job, sleeps rarely and prefers not to go out, alive. and all aboard were lost are relying on extended except to the Buddhist temples where she has “It may be my fantasy, but what if one day he family and friends to maintain the belief that family found some solace. sends some distress signals and he gets saved, and members are still alive, or that hope is still viable “At the temple, I can speak from my heart to my that will be the end of this?” Zhang said. until the remains are found.” husband,” Zhang, 28, said on a recent visit to the Her husband was among 153 Chinese on the Liu Weijie held onto his wife’s plane ticket for a Temple of Spiritual Light in the western hills of plane. Chinese culture places an especially heavy US trip in late May for more than two months, even Beijing. She broke down in sobs before continuing. emphasis on finding and seeing the remains of though she was among the Flight 370 passengers. “I think he can hear me ... I have so much to tell people believed dead before true grieving and the They were supposed to go to their son’s graduation him, there is so much I have not said. I hope the process of moving on can begin. ceremony. He returned the ticket three days before Buddha will carry those words to him and bring the flight, and canceled his own trip as well. him back.” Trip cancelled In messages posted to a mobile phone blog, Liu Much of the world has moved on from the fren- The absence of proof of death has made closure apologized to his wife for not allowing her to visit This combination of 8 images shows Spanish Crown Prince Felipe of Asturias and his zied interest in the mysterious March 8 disappear- elusive for all relatives, said Lawrence Palinkas, pro- their son earlier. “I truly regret that I did not let you wife Princess Letizia attending various events. Modern and discreet, VI Felipe de ance of the plane, but relatives of the 239 people fessor of social work at the University of Southern visit your son during the Chinese New Year. Now it’s Bourbon was raised in a single goal: to become King of Spain. A role cut since child- missing cannot. Satellite data shows that the plane California. been nine months since you last saw your son,” he hood, he assumes it today at the age of 46, by succeeding his father, Juan Carlos. — AFP went down in a remote area of the southern Indian “When there is no physical proof of death, it is wrote.—AP

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Philippine trial of Chinese fishermen delayed

MANILA: A Philippine case against nine vention on trading wildlife species. hearing has been postponed twice and “There was an apparent pressure defend the fishermen are also having Chinese fishermen caught with hun- China has demanded the release of events on Wednesday may also be called from the Chinese embassy,” the prosecu- difficulty getting the Chinese embassy dreds of marine turtles in a disputed the fishermen, saying the arrest was ille- off unless an interpreter is found. tion team member added. “These peo- to certify that they can handle the crimi- South China Sea shoal was delayed yes- gal because they were caught in China’s “We can’t find a competent inter- ple are conducting business in China nal case. Such a sign-off is a necessary terday due to the lack of an interpreter, waters. China claims about 90 percent of preter for the Chinese fishermen,” a and they do not want to get involved in step before they can represent the fish- which one prosecutor said was due to the South China Sea, an area believed to member of the prosecution team, who the case.” ermen as indigent litigants. Last month, pressure from China. be rich in hydrocarbon deposits and asked not to be named, told Reuters. A Telephone calls to the Chinese Philippine police seized a Chinese fish- Manila says the fishermen were with- fisheries. Brunei, Malaysia, the Chinese businessman based in the embassy seeking comment went unan- ing boat in Half Moon Shoal in the dis- in the Philippines’ 200-mile (322-km) Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also island of Palawan in the west of the swered. The court has asked the foreign puted Spratly islands, about 100 miles exclusive economic zone and were in claim the sea, through which $5 trillion Philippine archipelago, who usually vol- ministry in Manila, the capital, for an offi- off the coast of Palawan, and arrested 11 possession of endangered species of tur- in ship-borne trade passes every year. unteers his services as interpreter in cial interpreter in order to avoid delay. crew members, but later freed two tles, a violation of a United Nations con- The Chinese fishermen’s pre-trial court, has begged off. But lawyers appointed by the court to because they were minors. — Reuters

Top China diplomat to visit Vietnam to ease tension

BEIJING: China’s top diplomat will visit country wants to avoid conflict, but can Vietnam yesterday in a sign the two coun- this visit really solve all of the issues?” Ni tries want to ease tensions over China’s said. “It’s difficult to say to what extent deployment of an oil rig in the disputed there will be resolutions.” South China Sea, but experts said there “Vietnam in this case went too far. It’s up were many obstacles to healing the rup- to them to choose not to incite conflict,” he tured relationship. added. The Haiyang Shiyou 981 rig is The visit by State Councilor Yang Jiechi, drilling between the Paracel Islands, which who outranks the foreign minister, will be are occupied by China, and the Vietnamese the highest level direct contact between coast. Vietnam has said the rig is in its 200- Beijing and Hanoi since a Chinese state oil nautical mile exclusive economic zone and company parked the rig in waters claimed on its continental shelf, while China says it by both countries on May 2. is operating within its waters. Yang would attend an annual meeting The rig’s deployment triggered anti- on bilateral cooperation, Chinese Foreign Chinese riots in Vietnam last month in Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told which four people were killed during a a regular briefing. Vietnamese officials said rampage of destruction and looting of fac- Yang would meet Prime Minister Nguyen tories believed to be owned by Chinese Tan Dung as well as the head of the coun- companies. Many of the factories were try’s ruling communist party. Taiwanese-owned. “We hope that Vietnam keeps its eye on China has demanded Vietnam provide the broader picture, meets China halfway compensation for damage caused in the and appropriately resolves the present situ- riots and punish those responsible. ation,” Hua said, without directly mention- Vietnam detained several hundred peo- ing the rig. Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry ple in the aftermath of the violence. spokesman Le Hai Binh said the rig would Around a dozen people have been tried be discussed. and given jail terms of up to three years. Ties between the two neighbours have Prime Minister Dung last month said his been largely frozen since early May, with government was considering taking legal both sides constantly accusing the other of action against China following deployment inflaming the situation. Dozens of of the rig. That drew an angry response Vietnamese and Chinese coastguard and from Beijing. fishing vessels have repeatedly squared off China has said the rig will explore in the LAHORE: Pakistani policemen arrest an injured protester during clashes in Lahore, Pakistan, yesterday. Police clashed yesterday with followers of around the rig, resulting in a number of col- area until mid-August. Beijing claims about an anti-Taliban cleric critical of Pakistan’s government in the eastern city of Lahore, violence that killed at least five people, officials said. —AP lisions. 90 percent of the South China Sea, but Ni Lexiong, a naval expert at the parts of the potentially energy-rich waters Shanghai University of Political Science and are also subject to claims by the Seven dead as police, religious Law, said he believed China was extending Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and an olive branch to Vietnam. “Of course our Taiwan. — Reuters party workers clash in Pakistan More deadly riots MQM party announces a day of mourning flare in S Lanka resort LAHORE: At least seven people were killed yes- gal security barricades from the office of Qadri’s porters in the central city of Multan where they terday when Pakistani police clashed with fol- Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), meaning ‘Pakistan burnt tyres at the city’s main Ali Chowk. ALUTGAMA: More deadly violence flared in Muslims make up about 10 percent of lowers of an influential preacher in Lahore, hos- People’s Movement’, in the city’s Model Town In Karachi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement a Sri Lankan coastal resort where Buddhist the 20 million population, but are accused pital officials said, a rare act of political violence suburb on Monday night. (MQM) party which controls the city announced hardliners set shops and homes alight for a by nationalists of having undue influence. in the relatively peaceful city. “When police arrived to remove illegal a day of mourning. “We have appealed to the second night running in defiance of a cur- As armed troops and police guarded the The clashes involved supporters of cleric encroachments, party workers started pelting people to observe a day of mourning all over the few, police and residents said yesterday. area on Tuesday, residents huddled in some Tahir-ul-Qadri who resides in Canada but came stones and threw petrol bombs from the roof,” country to show solidarity with the innocent vic- Amid mounting international concern at the of the homes spared from the overnight vio- to Pakistan last year to lead a major anti-corrup- the city’s police chief Chaudhry Shafiq told AFP. tims of today’s brutal act,” Haider Abbas Rizvi, a unrest, residents of a town which has borne lence. tion march prior to elections. He also disputed the number of dead, and senior leader of the party told AFP. the brunt said an unarmed security guard Hundreds of soldiers have been The cleric, who is seen as a religious moder- said police were among those injured. “I can con- The PAT did not participate in last year’s elec- was killed in an attack outside a Muslim- deployed to help police contain the vio- ate, is due to return on June 23 where he hopes firm five deaths and at least 27 policemen were tions which saw Sharif sweep to power, criticis- owned farm, raising the overall death toll to lence. Although the unrest on Monday was to lead a “peaceful revolution” against the coun- also wounded, two of them critically,” Shafiq ing the current system of parliamentary democ- four. not as widespread as the previous night, it try’s parliamentary democracy. said, adding that “deaths are from the bullets racy for being corrupt and lacking legitimacy. “More than a dozen houses and shops came despite the announcement of an The violence came as Pakistan’s military is fired by workers, not police”. Qadri led a rally of 100,000 people to the cap- have been burnt overnight,” a police source indefinite curfew. engaged in a major offensive against Taliban ital ahead of the polls, where he gave the gov- told AFP from the mainly Muslim town of militants in the country’s restive northwest and Party accuses PM ernment an ultimatum to initiate reforms or face Alutgama after another night of mob vio- Vehicles torched could put political pressure on the government Shahid Mursaleen, a spokesman for the party, the prospect of prolonged protest. lence by followers of the extremist Buddhist Residents said several vehicles had also of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. accused Prime Minister Sharif of having a direct Commentators suggested PAT’s founder and Force. Western embassies in Colombo been set alight in Alutgama. While sporadic “We received seven dead bodies including hand in the killings. “These killings have been leader Qadri was working with the country’s advised their nationals holidaying in the attacks were reported in several neighbour- two women. All of them had bullet wounds,” said made on the orders of Nawaz Sharif and powerful military establishment in order to area to stay indoors, while other foreigners hoods on Tuesday morning, police said the Doctor Abdul Rauf, Medical Superintendent at Shahbaz Sharif. We will register police cases undermine civilian rule. He is viewed as a reli- were urged to avoid crowded areas and situation was under control by afternoon. the city’s Jinnah Hospital. “We also received 80 against Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and their gious moderate and has authored numerous respect the curfew. A curfew which was lifted for four hours injured, 40 with bullet injuries and 40 with other team,” he said. books as well as a fatwa denouncing suicide In Welipanna, a suburb of Alutgama, resi- to allow residents to stock up on supplies wounds. Two injured are critical,” he said. “We are a peaceful party but if such brutal bombs. dents said nine houses and 26 shops were was reimposed at noon (0630 GMT). The Muhammad Rizwan, another member of the acts by the government continue, our workers A Canadian citizen, he is something of a destroyed overnight by a mob of 50 to 60 authorities say nearly 80 people have so far medical staff, confirmed that the dead bodies will come on roads and then they will get out of favourite on the international lecture circuit and men armed with guns, petrol bombs and been seriously injured in clashes while many had been received. Police said the clashes began Doctor Qadri’s control,” he added. has been a guest at the World Economic Forum knives. Local school principal, A. R. M. more have suffered minor injuries. Dozens when they went to remove what they called ille- The event also lead to protests by PAT sup- in Davos. —AFP Nahuman, said residents had pleaded with of homes, shops and mosques have been authorities to provide more police protec- partially or completely destroyed. tion but to little avail. “There were only three The most senior Muslim member of CM vows turn around for India’s ‘failed state’ constables and they were quite helpless in President Mahinda Rajapakse’s government the face of the big mob,” Nahuman told AFP, threatened Monday to resign in protest at LUCKNOW: Best known as home to the Taj “We are people with such values, we are to improve unless underlying causes such as while showing the destruction. the decision to allow militant Buddhists to Mahal, Uttar Pradesh is gaining a new reputa- socialists, but since we are doing politics in high youth unemployment are tackled. Service station owner Abdul Kafar, 60, rally in the flashpoint region on Sunday. tion as India’s “failed state”, with a series of rapes Uttar Pradesh, anything we do becomes nation- Mohammad Tauheed Siddiqui, founder of a said the attackers fire-bombed his business The fighting erupted after a prominent and killings fuelling calls for it to be brought al news.” charity for disaffected youngsters known as the as well as his home. “We have lost every- Buddhist monk threatened to obliterate under central government control. The state’s police have frequently been Youth Club Welfare Foundation, said there was a thing. We lived here for 25 years, but never mainly Muslim towns in the majority After yet more grim headlines Monday over accused of failing to properly investigate accu- general lack of resources. experienced anything like this before,” said Buddhist nation. UN human rights chief another gang-rape and fatal shooting of two sations of rape, covering up for perpetrators “Not enough funds for schools, not enough Kahar as he stood among the charred Navi Pillay expressed concern the riots could policemen, Home Minister Rajnath Singh who have family or caste connections. funds to provide electricity to schools, no teach- remains of his home. spread to other areas and demanded announced he was “closely monitoring” the The lynching of two girls gained national ers, nothing,” he told AFP. While it adjoins New Chicken farm owner Hijasin Mustapha, Colombo immediately bring the perpetra- “prevailing law and order situation”. attention after villagers prevented police from Delhi and its lawmakers include Prime Minister 31, said attackers set fire to his warehouse tors of Sunday’s attacks to justice. With senior members of his administration taking the dangling bodies down from a mango Nardendra Modi and his beaten election rival after stabbing an elderly unarmed security “The government must urgently do warning things could get worse unless deep- tree until the local media had captured them on Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party, Uttar guard. “They first stabbed our watcher and everything it can to arrest this violence, curb rooted social problems are tackled, the heat is film. Pradesh is widely seen as a victim of neglect. another worker and then set fire to the the incitement and hate speech which is on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. A.L. Banerjee, Uttar Pradesh’s top police offi- Even major cities such as Varanasi suffer from stores,” Mustapha said. driving it, and protect all religious minori- But in an interview with AFP, Yadav insisted cer, acknowledged there had been some “bad the lack of proper roads, sanitation and high The attacks are the latest in a series of ties,” Pillay said in a statement. he would not be bowed by his critics and was handling” of cases but said claims of apathy levels of unemployment. In rural areas mean- religious clashes to hit the island following The United States, which has led interna- determined to restore the good name of the among his force were wide of the mark. while, power cuts lasting 12 hours a day are unrest in January and also last year when tional condemnation of Sri Lanka’s human state which has a population of some 200 mil- Privately, police say crime rates are unlikely commonplace. —AFP Buddhist mobs attacked a mosque in the rights record, had also urged Colombo to lion-the biggest in India. “Because UP is a big capital Colombo. end the violence. — AFP state, politically, it is a very strong state and crit- ics don’t want to see a young chief minister here, they think ‘let’s damage him’,” Yadav, 40, said at his residence in the state capital Lucknow. But the “critics are making me more strong and they think I’m going to lose. No, I’m going to be strong and I will work more hard. In a good way I will improve.” Since he became India’s youngest state minister two years ago, Yadav has struggled to shake off the impression that he is merely doing the bidding of his pow- erful father Mulayam Singh Yadav. The elder Yadav, a former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and federal defence minister who remains leader of the socialist Samajwadi Party (SP), triggered outrage during the recent gener- al election with comments about rape in which he said that “boys will be boys”. But in the interview Sunday, the chief minis- ter said that he was in favour of capital punish- ment for rapists. ALUTGAMA: A Sri Lankan resident surveys the damage to a charred Muslim- owned home following clashes between Muslims and an extremist Buddhist Respect for women LUCKNOW: In this photograph taken on June 15, 2014, Indian helpline operators work at the group in the town of Alutgama yesterday. More deadly violence flared in a Sri “The society that respects its women, only women’s ‘Power Helpline 1090’ call centre in Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh is gaining a new reputa- Lankan coastal resort where Buddhist hardliners set shops and homes alight for a that society progresses,” said Yadav, once a stu- tion as India’s “failed state”, with a series of rapes and killings fuelling calls for it to be brought second night running in defiance of a curfew, police and residents. — AFP dent in Australia. under central government control. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Focus Cuban exiles pressure US to loosen policy

By Daphne Rousseau

uban exile Joe Arriola at one time would never have Cdreamed of returning to his homeland while it was under communist rule. But after 53 years in the United States, the former manager of the city of Miami swallowed his pride and decided he had waited long enough. Arriola, 67, said a weeklong trip to the island last year had opened his eyes to what he now believes is a failed US policy of trying to isolate Cuba. ìThe number one weapon we have is capitalism, and we are not using it,î he said over breakfast at the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, a bastion of older, conservative-minded exiles in Break over, Obama returns to Iraq nightmare Miami-Dade County. ìWe should be flooding the place with tourists and commerce.î By Jerome Cartillier Washington reaching out to a fairly unlikely sounding new lines of pre-planned negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear pro- Tired of waiting for the end of communism in Cuba, regional partner. gram, State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf more and more Cuban-Americans have concluded that it arack Obama returned to Washington on Monday “What’s happening in Mosul is a wake-up call for the said. It is yet to be determined “if we want to keep talking to is time for the United States to allow more engagement after a brief family break in California to find himself administration that the crisis in Syria is never simply going Iran about Iraq,” she added. with the island they left behind, polls show. ìOur president B confronted once again by the nightmare from which to stay in Syria and that crisis management is going to The idea of ongoing discussions will likely be anathema has not had the guts to do the right thing,î said Arriola, America thought it had escaped: Iraq. Obama ran for the entail American leadership,” she said. to many in Washington, and the idea has already come who helped raise funds for Barack Obamaís campaign and White House as a young leader who opposed the 2003 US “I think there is an onus on the administration to engage under attack from the right, which sees it as another sign of whose son, Ricky, sits on the Presidentís Committee on the invasion, and then won re-election as the steady hand who in problem solving rather than simply crisis management America losing its leadership role. Arts and the Humanities. had finally withdrawn American troops eight years later. But and that means talking to all the parties in the region, par- “The United States should be seeking to minimize Advocates of policy change say the administrationís caution stems less these days from concerns about a now his generals have brought out the old map once again ticularly the Iranians.” greater Iranian involvement in Iraq right now, not encour- Miami backlash than from the hard-line stance of lawmak- and the 44th president - like the 41st, 42nd and 43rd - is Iran is a long-time US foe but has a shared interest in aging it,” declared Senator John McCain. “That means rapid, ers like Bob Menendez, a Cuban-American and the influ- contemplating new military action against targets in Iraq. protecting Maliki’s Shiite-led government, and Washington decisive US action to degrade (ISIL) and halt their offensive ential chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Without putting large numbers of US boots on the has not ruled out talks on Iraq. On Monday, the US and Iran in Iraq. The longer we wait to act, the more our Iraqi part- The New Jersey Democrat and other members of ground, Obama’s best option to counter a lightning offen- held “brief discussions” on the crisis in Vienna, on the side- ners grow dependent on the Iranian regime.” — AFP Congress, including Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida sive by Sunni extremist militants that have threatened the Republican who is also of Cuban descent, have lashed out Baghdad government may be strikes from the air. But, at exiles who favor lifting a five-decades-old trade embar- whether he limits action to drone strikes, cruise missile Ankara’s dangerous liaisons go against Cuba, accusing them of betraying the cause of salvoes or bombardment from carrier-based aircraft, he will democracy and putting money in the pockets of the be taking a step he wanted to avoid: expanding US action Castro dictatorship. in the Middle East. By Burak Akinci paper Radikal, agreed that the government had made “a But a poll released yesterday by Florida International gross error of judgement”. “After the diplomats return we University shows the exile community is tilting in favor of ‘Range of Options’ he kidnapping in Iraq of dozens of Turks by extremist clearly need to analyse the political and intelligence gaps” change, with a majority favoring closer ties with the com- On Monday night, Obama met with his national security Tfighters has revived debate over Ankara’s alleged between Ankara and Iraq and Syria, he wrote. Under inter- munist-run island. The poll found that 52 percent of team after returning from California. “The purpose of that courtship of jihadist groups and prompted calls for national pressure, and likely conscious of the growing Cuban-Americans surveyed in Miami-Dade County meeting would be to hear from members of his national an overhaul in its approach to the war in Syria. The abduc- security threat they posed, Ankara finally included Al- oppose continuing the embargo. An even greater majority security team directly about their ongoing efforts to pres- tion in Mosul last week of 49 Turkish diplomats, guards Nusra and ISIL on its list of terrorist organisations in June. - 68 percent - favor diplomatic relations with Cuba, while ent him with a range of options,” spokesman Josh Earnest and children, as well as 31 truck drivers by the Islamic State Some commentators speculated last week’s abductions 69 percent favor lifting travel restrictions to Cuba for all told reporters prior to the meeting. Last week, Obama said of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), drew a fierce rebuke from may have been revenge for Turkey’s blacklisting of ISIL. Americans. Such widespread sentiment could ease the he would take a few days to study his options. Since then, Turkey’s government and the opposition, which accused way for the Obama administration to revise US-Cuba poli- Davutoglu Targeted cy by permitting greater travel and commercial activity to the ISIL militant group that had captured Mosul has only Ankara of siding with extremists fighting in Syria and Iraq. help an emerging private sector on the island. ìThe old made further gains against Iraqi government forces. The government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip The government has so far favoured diplomacy over understanding was that you could not do anything in The Sunni extremist faction, fighting civil wars on two Erdogan has long denied maintaining tacit ties with force in response to the kidnapping, an approach fiercely Cuba without causing a tempest among the exiles,î said fronts in Iraq and Syria, has boasted on Twitter of having extremists via his spy agency in a bid to confront the criticised by the opposition, which has called for Foreign Peter Schechter, director of the Latin America Center at killed 1,700 Shiite prisoners - a claim denounced in common enemy of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s resignation. “The people will the Atlantic Council think tank. ìNow itís clear there really Washington. Late last month, in a major foreign policy Today, ISIL controls swathes of Syria as well as large decide,” Davutoglu said Thursday after a meeting of lead- isnít a political price to pay.î address delivered before a graduating class at the West regions of northern Iraq, seizing the cities of Mosul and ers of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). But Point military academy, Obama expressed caution about Tikrit in a lightning offensive last week. Analysts say the CHP member Mahut Tanal told AFP: “If democracy exists in Taking to the Skies new military adventures. “Just because we have the best Sunni militant movement now threatens the security of this country, Erdogan and Davutoglu must go immediately The poll is the latest in a series of developments seem- hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail,” the NATO member Turkey. “Turkey got it wrong in Syria and and pay the price for this fiasco.” ingly destined to undo the last vestiges of US-Cuba policy commander-in-chief insisted. But since then, officials as in fact in the Middle East in general. Today, Turkey feels Reports say Davutoglu has vowed to stay on at least crafted during the height of the Cold War. Many Cuban senior as Secretary of State John Kerry have signaled that the threat of radical groups towards its security and sta- until the hostages and all Turkish citizens in Kurdish areas exiles are letting their feet do the talking, taking advan- he has not ruled out some form of military response to ISIL’s bility,” Mehmet Altan, a lecturer at Istanbul University, of Iraq - between 7,000-10,000 - return to Turkey. The min- tage of relaxed travel restrictions Obama introduced in brazen aggression. told the opposition Today’s Zaman. “Turkey should imme- ister said Saturday that national carrier Turkish Airlines, 2009. Between January and June, there were 2,345 flights We have been here before. Last year, Washington was to Cuba from the United States, and about 82 percent of diately revise its Syria policy and realise the other actors which had ceased to operate out of Mosul, would put on braced for Obama to announce air strikes to punish Syria’s in the game,” Atlan added. additional flights to repatriate Iraq’s Turkish residents. the 282,450 passengers were Cuban-Americans visiting Bashar Al-Assad for using chemical weapons. Obama family, according to Emilio Morales, president of the Last year, the Turkish press reported that then interior Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru said on Saturday that declined. For many, Obama’s reluctance to engage has Miami-based Havana Consulting Group. He calculates that minister Muammer Guler recommended offering accom- the Turkish hostages were in good health and being well- 650,000 people, mostly Cuban-Americans, will travel proved a mistake. As Syria has plunged deeper into civil modation and assistance in Turkey to jihadists from the treated but that there was “no negotiation process” between Cuba and the United States this year. The exiles war, Assad’s opponent ISIL has gained in strength on both Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front. The Turkish army between Ankara and ISIL. will also send $3 billion in cash remittances. sides of the Syria-Iraq frontier. When asked about the even- on Saturday denied a report that appeared in the opposi- He said the kidnapping has “developed unexpectedly” George Feldenkreis, owner of Miami-based fashion tual deployment of American troops, National Security tion press alleging Turkish officers had trained ISIL mili- when Iraqi security personnel pulled out of Mosul, contra- company Perry Ellis, led a group of 12 family members Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said: “The president tants now fighting in Iraq. “This information is baseless,” a dicting remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, back to Cuba in 2011 for the first time. ìI wanted to make a was very clear that we will not be sending US troops back statement from the military command said. who said Ankara was given advance warning that its con- trip to show my grandchildren what I came from, how into combat in Iraq.” sul would be targeted. But she noted that Washington had been “steadily poor I was,î he said, describing how he took the family to ‘Paying the Price’ The government is under fire for its failure to evacuate see his humble home near Havanaís train station. For increasing its security assistance” to Prime Minister Nouri Al- Analysts said Erdogan’s government had failed to grasp the compound ahead of the arrival of jihadist fighters in Feldenkreis, 78, age was also a factor. ìI didnít want to go Maliki’s government over the past year, including in training the severity of the threat radical groups across the border Iraq’s second city and for surrendering its staff without while he (former Cuban President Fidel Castro) was still and intelligence. In a letter to Congressional leaders in Syria and Iraq posed for Turkey. “We’ve all seen the pic- alive, but I am getting old,î he said. Monday night, Obama announced the deployment of up to resistance. Feldenkreis is frustrated with Cuba policy, but remains 275 military personnel to protect American personnel and tures in the media of bearded men brandishing weapons, Erdogan, who is widely expected to run in a presiden- a staunch opponent of loosening US sanctions. A chorus the US embassy in Baghdad. The force “is equipped for com- being treated in a hospital in the south of Turkey,” said tial election on Aug 10, rejected criticism over his handling of voices from Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state bat,” he wrote. Serkan Demirtas, a columnist for Hurriyet Daily News. of the kidnapping. “The opposition has lost its mind. We under Obama, to John Negroponte, the director of nation- The Iran Dilemma “Turkey is paying the price of its collaboration with terror- are doing everything we can to bring our people back al intelligence under President George W Bush, have Suzanne Maloney, a senior fellow at the Saban Center for ists and without doubt it has misjudged the situation,” he from Mosul safe and sound, and all it can think about is recently spoken in favor of rethinking Cuba policy. The Middle East Policy, said a proper response might involve said. Ozgur Mumcu, a commentator for the liberal news- using this situation” for political gain, he said. — AFP head of the US Chamber of Commerce visited Cuba last month and praised Havanaís free-market reforms, saying the US trade embargo was an impediment for American companies. In February, a poll by the Washington-based Atlantic Xinjiang executions no answer to violence Council found a strong majority of Americans nationwide favored loosening Cuba sanctions. Obama has hinted he is By Felicia Sonmez southern city of Kunming leaving 29 dead and 143 wounded tumultuous Cultural Revolution and, more recently, in a series considering a policy shift. In November he told a Miami in March, and 39 civilians killed and more than 90 wounded in of occasional “strike hard” anti-crime campaigns that began in area fundraiser that it might be time for the United States hen China put 13 people to death in one day for ter- an attack on an Urumqi market last month. 1983. Authorities would sometimes parade criminals through to ìupdateî its policies toward Cuba. But administration Wrorism offences in mainly Muslim Xinjiang, it raised the the streets before executing them with a bullet to the back of officials have repeatedly said in recent months that there spectre of the mass executions of years past. But ‘Bloody Agenda of Terror’ the head.One campaign in 1999 saw the southern province of are no plans to change current policy. —Reuters experts say Beijing’s “strike hard” campaign is unlikely to curb The development has alarmed authorities and Xinhua Guangdong hold 57 public rallies to announce sentences for mounting violence. The 13 were executed on Monday in con- hailed the executions and sentences in a commentary 818 convicted criminals. Another in 2001 saw 89 convicts exe- nection with seven different cases, the official Xinhua news Tuesday, arguing that “to fight such crime, China must cuted in one day across the country - one of the highest sin- agency said, including a riot in Lukqun last June when “knife- mobilise all the people and use all legal weapons to deal a gle-day tallies on record for China, which puts more people to All articles appearing on these wielding mobs” attacked police stations, a government build- crushing blow”. “Only the rule of law will protect the people death annually than the rest of the world combined, according pages are the personal opinion of ing and a construction site and set cars ablaze before officers from the bloody agenda of terror... Anyone who breaks the to the human rights group Amnesty International. opened fire. A total of 24 police and civilians were killed with law, threatens life or property, any separatists, will be severely the writers. Kuwait Times takes no 11 attackers also dying, according to previous Xinhua reports. punished,” it wrote. Yet death penalty experts and campaign Anti-Crime Credentials responsibility for views expressed The executions came on the same day a court in the groups say that while harsh punishments and public sentenc- China has since largely adopted lethal injection but occa- regional capital Urumqi sentenced three people to death over ing rallies may help the government garner attention, such sionally there are echoes of such events, as when four south- therein. Kuwait Times invites read- a fiery car crash last October that killed two tourists in Beijing’s moves actually do little to reduce the likelihood of further vio- east Asian gangsters were shown live on state television last ers to voice their opinions. Please Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of the Chinese state, lent attacks. “The death penalty may work in those cases year being taken away for execution for the murder of 13 along with the trio in the vehicle - a man, his wife and his where someone is committing a crime and thinking rationally,” sailors on the Mekong. The approach may allow ruling send submissions via email to: opin- mother. Resource-rich Xinjiang, where mostly Muslim Uighurs said Surya Deva, a professor at the City University of Hong Communist Party leaders to burnish their anti-crime creden- [email protected] or via snail are the largest ethnic group, borders Central Asia far from Kong and an expert on Asia’s use of the death penalty. “But in tials, but “it doesn’t really deliver the stability” they aim for, China’s heartland, and has long seen sporadic clashes. Rights many of these crimes, these elements are not there. “Capital according to Anu Kultalahti, China researcher for Amnesty. mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. groups accuse authorities of cultural and religious repression punishment is not going to work against the potential terror- Recent highly-publicised “speed trials” - such as May’s mass The editor reserves the right to edit that feeds dissent in the region, while Beijing counters it has ists because these people are already willing to die.” sentencing of 55 people before a 7,000-strong crowd in a any submission as necessary. invested heavily in economic development in the area. The recent crackdown and now-unusual public announce- Xinjiang stadium - suggest that Chinese authorities “have been Recently, violent incidents have escalated in scale and spread, ment of as many as 13 executions have echoes of China’s past more concerned about public opinion than delivering justice”, with a horrific knife assault at a railway station in the distant mass-sentencing drives - which were popular throughout the she said. —AFP NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

MP proposes sweeping cuts to worker... Fighting erupts near Baghdad Continued from Page 1 He also calls to amend article 70 to cut annual leave. Continued from Page 1 because we have no security here,” Marina Jose, one of the Under the current law, annual leave is 30 days for all nurses, told NDTV by phone from the northwestern city, Under the current law, employees who resign get no employees regardless of the service duration. The amend- The overnight attack on Baqouba, which was pushed back which was seized by insurgents recently. “All the military, indemnity if their service is less than three years, half the ments call to give 15 days a year for the first four years of by security forces but left 44 prisoners dead at a police station, police, everybody escaped from here. Only we are here. We indemnity for 3-5 years, two-thirds indemnity for 5-10 years service, 21 days a year for the next three years and 30 days a marked the closest that fighting has come to the capital. In Tal are literally prisoners within the hospital premises. There are of service and full indemnity for service exceeding 10 years. year thereafter. The lawmaker also calls to cut the hajj leave Afar, militants controlled most of the town but pockets of no Iraqi employees here,” she said. The amendment calls for giving only half the indemnity for Muslims by amending article 76 which states that an resistance remained. Further south, security personnel aban- Jose said the Red Cross had made contact with the group. until 10 years of service and two-thirds indemnity for above employee can enjoy a 21-day paid leave to perform the hajj doned the Iraqi side of a key crossing on the border with Syria, “If it is safe they (Red Cross) can take us from here. Otherwise 10 years. after two years of service, while the amendment calls for officers said. Syrian rebel groups opposed to ISIL, who already we have to stay here,” she said. The Indian foreign ministry said Sane calls to amend article 68 to cut public holidays just 15 days and after three years of service. controlled the other side of the Al-Qaim crossing, advanced the situation in Iraq was receiving “high priority” but ruled out from 13 days under the current law to just eight days. He Sane also calls to cut the so-called mourning leave for across the border to take over. A cameraman was also killed any immediate emergency evacuation of its nationals. “Crisis wants to cancel holidays for the Feb 26 Liberation Day and widows. Currently, Muslim women whose husbands die are and a correspondent wounded while covering the unrest, management meeting underway on situation in Iraq and pos- the New Year in addition to reducing one day to two for Eid entitled to a special mourning leave of four months and 10 their television channel said. sibilities of assistance to Indian nationals,” foreign ministry Al-Fitr and two days from four for Eid Al-Adha. He also pro- days and the amendment calls to cut it to just 21 days and The swift advance of the militants has sparked internation- spokesman Syed Akbaruddin posted on Twitter yesterday, poses to amend article 69 to cut sick leave. Under the cur- gives the woman the right to ask for additional four months al alarm, with UN envoy to Baghdad Nickolay Mladenov warn- adding that a “24 hour control room to provide information rent law, employees are allowed to take sick leave as fol- of unpaid leave conditional to the employer’s approval. ing that Iraq’s territorial integrity was at stake. “Right now, it’s on Iraq” was set up. lows: 15 days with full pay, 10 days with half pay, another 10 Non-Muslim women have 21 days of mourning now and life-threatening for Iraq but it poses a serious danger to the Iraq widened a clampdown on social media on Monday, days for a quarter of their pay and finally, 30 days of unpaid the amendment calls to cut it to just seven days. region,” Mladenov told AFP. “Iraq faces the biggest threat to its blocking secure private communications channels to prevent leave before the employer can dismiss the employee after The proposals must be first approved by the legal and sovereignty and territorial integrity” in years. The violence has Sunni militants from using them in their stunning sweep. In paying full indemnity. The proposal calls to cut the 15 days legislative committee and then by the health and labor stoked regional tensions, with Iraq accusing neighbouring addition to banning virtual private networks (VPNs), it has to 10 and the 30 days of unpaid leave to just 10, leaving panel before it comes up for voting in the National Saudi Arabia yesterday of “siding with terrorism” and of being also recently instructed mobile telephone operators to stop others unchanged. Assembly. responsible for financing the militants. mobile data including instant messaging services, a mobile The comments came a day after the Sunni kingdom operator and an industry source said on Monday. blamed “sectarian” policies by Iraq’s Shiite-led government for These setbacks led state-run Iraq Telecommunications and US nabs ringleader of Benghazi attack triggering the unrest. The prime minister of Iraq’s Post Company (ITPC), which owns almost all fixed line net- Continued from Page 1 comment on the US announcement and it was unclear autonomous Kurdish region told the BBC it would be “almost works outside Kurdistan, to block some social media including impossible” for the country to return to how it was before the Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and Skype, according to a circu- whether Washington had notified Libyan officials before offensive, and called for Sunni Arabs to be granted an lar obtained by Reuters. That spurred many Iraqis to access A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said carrying out the operation. autonomous region of their own. these applications through VPNs, which are now blocked, Khatallah was being held aboard an American ship after It was the second time the administration has said US Alarmed by the collapse of much of the security forces in Martin Frank, chief executive of Sulaymaniyah-based Internet he was grabbed on the outskirts of Benghazi in an opera- special operations forces have gone into Libya to detain a the face of the militant advance, foreign governments have provider IQ Networks, told Reuters. VPNs allow the user to tion carried out by US special operations forces. militant. A U.S. Army Delta Force team grabbed al Qaeda begun pulling out diplomatic staff. US President Barack appear as if they are accessing the Internet from elsewhere. Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, suspect Nazih Al-Ragye, better known as Abu Anas Al-Liby, Obama announced that around 275 military personnel Banning them may be ineffective because tech-savvy users said there were no civilian casualties in the operation and in Tripoli in Oct 2013 and sent him to a US Navy ship for “equipped for combat” were being deployed to Iraq to help can usually find alternative means. all US personnel involved had safely left Libya. The interrogation. Liby was later charged in a US federal court protect the embassy in Baghdad and assist US nationals. The government has instructed mobile operators Zain Pentagon declined to discuss further details of the opera- in New York in connection with the 1998 bombing of the Washington has already deployed an aircraft carrier to the Iraq, part of Kuwait’s Zain, Ooredoo unit Asiacell and Orange tion and it was not immediately clear whether there were US Embassy in Kenya, which killed more than 200 people. Gulf, but Obama has ruled out a return to combat in Iraq for affiliate Korek to block mobile data, a Korek spokeswoman non-civilian casualties. A US official said Khatallah would House of Representatives Intelligence Committee US soldiers. and an industry source said on Monday. Mobile calls and texts be charged and prosecuted through the US court system Chairman Mike Rogers, a Republican, called the capture “a Meanwhile, Indian nurses stranded in northern Iraq have have not been disrupted, they said. The ITPC circular last week and would not be sent to the prison for suspected Al- little bit of a bright spot in what has not been a great story been living like prisoners at a state-run hospital in Tikrit after also ordered a complete Internet shutdown in Kirkuk, Qaeda militants in Guantanamo, Cuba. to tell on the rising tide of terrorism organizations around being abandoned by their employers as well as the military, Salaheddin, Anbar, Diyala and Nineveh provinces as well as That decision follows past practice and is in line with the world”. He said, however, that the arrest did not break reports said yesterday. As many as 46 nurses from the south- some districts and towns around Baghdad including Abu President Barack Obama’s policy of bringing suspected Khatallah’s organization and said there were more than a ern Indian state of Kerala are in Iraq waiting for the turmoil to Ghraib and Fallujah. The Internet briefly went down in parts of militants caught abroad through the US justice system dozen “individuals of interest” that the United States need- subside, NDTV and other media reported. “We are afraid Baghdad on Monday. — Agencies rather than trying them in the military tribunal system at ed to apprehend. Secretary of State John Kerry said the Guantanamo Bay, a prison he is trying to close. A criminal Sept 11, 2012, attack was felt “acutely” by the State complaint released by the US District Court for Department. He welcomed Khatallah’s capture, saying: Sheikh Nasser ready to face investigation Washington, DC, accused Khatallah of killing a person in “This bold action by the superb United States military is a Continued from Page 1 lic prosecution after investigating mentarians group, the Popular Action the course of an attack on a federal facility, providing clear reminder to anyone who dares do us harm that they the case must either press charges Movement (PAM), the Progressive material support to terrorists and using a firearm in com- will not escape with impunity.” Many online activists called for against the accused or accuse Movement and the youth Civil mission of a crime of violence. US Senator Lindsey Graham indicated the suspect was arresting the two former senior offi- Sheikh Ahmad of making unfound- Democratic Movement (CDM). All the After the 2012 attack, which killed Ambassador Chris being held on a ship and blasted the administration for cials like the public prosecution did ed accusations. Opposition groups groups also called for abolishing the Stevens, Republicans accused the Obama administration not taking him to the US-run prison at Guantanamo Bay, with opposition activists, but the however called for an international so-called single-vote electoral law and of playing down the role of Al-Qaeda in the attack for polit- Cuba. He said in a tweet that he was “very pleased our prosecution is expected to take investigation into the serious allega- reinstating the old electoral law and ical reasons. They also said then-Secretary of State Hillary Special Forces” have captured Khattalah but he criticized some time before launching its tions and for the government to be holding fresh election on its basis. The Clinton had failed to take adequate steps to ensure the Obama’s administration for holding the suspect on a naval investigation. dismissed and National Assembly to groups reiterated their calls for funda- safety of American diplomatic personnel, an issue that is ship. “Holding Khattalah on a ship shows the haphazard Former information minister and be dissolved. mental democratic reforms that lead still resonating as Clinton considers running for US presi- approach which comes from not having rational detention political analyst Saad bin Taflah said The calls were made by at least four to the formation of an elected govern- on his Twitter account that the pub- opposition groups - the former parlia- ment and a full parliamentary system. dent in 2016. The Libyan government had no immediate & interrogation policies,” the senator wrote. — Agencies WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 SPORTS

Iranian president leads Turkey’s Belozoglu gets Okocha blames Nigeria praise for team’s draw a suspended jail term coach for a bore draw ISTANBUL: Turkish footballer Emre Belozoglu was handed a TEHRAN: ranian President Hassan Rouhani took to Twitter yesterday to two-month 15 days suspended jail sentence yesterday for a ABUJA: Former captain Jay-Jay Okocha blamed Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi for the praise his country’s 0-0 draw with Nigeria, after a lackluster football World racist slur he used against Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora African champions dropping two points in a 0-0 draw against unfancied Iran in their Cup opener for Team Melli in Brazil.”Proud of our boys who secured our first opening World Cup match. “We were poor but we hope to get better as the tourna- point-hopefully the first of many more to come,” Rouhani tweeted on his during a match in 2012. The court sentenced the Fenerbahce and Turkey national team midfielder on the grounds that the act ment progresses,” said Okocha, who is on the technical committee of the Nigeria English-language account, alongside a picture of him in tracksuit bottoms Football Federation (NFF). and a sports shirt adorned with the national flag. constituted an insult crime of “religious, racist, ethnic, sexist or It was a rare casual image of the president, who is normally seen in a for- sectarian discrimination.” “This was a must-win for Nigeria but we did not take it. We did not do enough in mal robe and white turban, sitting alone on a sofa watching the match on The incident, in which Zokora accused Belozoglu of calling terms of our tactical play. Keshi did not do enough work on the team. The tactical play of Eagles was so bad, I hold Keshi responsible for this.” Okocha, who netted television with a glass of tea and some pistachios. Rouhani’s optimistic take him the “N” word, occurred in April 2012 at a playoff match 14 times during a 13-year career for the national team, blasted the on the match was at odds with supporters in Curitba, who booed Iran off the between Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor. pitch after a defensive performance. However coach coach for replacing Liverpool’s Victor Moses early in the second half Carlos Queiroz said the crowd had to be realistic about The sentence was suspended by the court as Belozoglu had with Shola Ameobi, who parted company with Newcastle this sum- what his side could achieve. “The spectators maybe not had any previous incidents of a racist nature, the judge said, mer. “Osaze (Peter Odemwingie) was more creative when he came in, didn’t see it this way, but in football when you play and on belief that he would not repeat his behavior. Belozoglu and we needed more in this game,” the midfield playmaker added. with attitude, soul, emotions, tension it can also be an was accused of racism three times during his three-year career Jonathan Akpoborie, a forward for the Super Eagles mainly in the late attractive game and that is what happened,” said the at Newcastle United, but the English FA’s investigations failed to 1990s, said the side were held by Iran because their tactics went in the former Real Madrid boss. Iranian media also circulated prove the accusations. Belozoglu became the first Turkish foot- bin when they began to get impatient. “Well, the game did not go pictures of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his nuclear negotiating team watching the match baller ever to have been handed a prison sentence for racism. well for us as a team, but I believe we lost formation too early in a in Vienna, where the Islamic republic is in talks with Zokora, in Brazil now for the World Cup, had previously played in game we ought to have controlled fully and we started playing world powers. — AFP England for Tottenham Hotspur. — Reuters long balls which was not our style,” he said. — AFP Kaymer success barely registers in soccer-mad Germany

BERLIN: As Germans celebrated a 4-0 World that Kaymer’s victory had been “buried” in an of the team’s World Cup bid”. On Monday, seven US Open. German Golf Association chairman would be rooting for his friends on the German Cup win over Portugal and welcome news avalanche of news about Germany’s bid to end times Formula One champion Schumacher, who Marcus Neumann added that the lack of media squad, like Bastian Schweinsteiger, who sat out regarding the health of Formula One legend an 18-year soccer title drought. suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident attention would not diminish the scintillating Monday’s game, and Lukas Podolski, who Michael Schumacher, one major sports story It was “bad timing”, said Christian Hansel, a last year, had come out of a coma and was trans- return to form for Kaymer, whose rise to the tweeted about Kaymer’s “legendary perform- appears to have gone largely unnoticed - a first 38-year-old product manager. He was not a golf ferred to a Swiss medical centre, officials said, number one ranking after winning the 2010 ance” just before the match against Portugal. US Open golf title. Martin Kaymer’s eight-stroke fan but did remember Bernhard Langer, who without giving details of his condition. PGA Championship proved short-lived. “For the Kaymer is due to play at the BMW International victory in North Carolina on Sunday was greet- along with Kaymer is the only other German to golfing world itself, it doesn’t matter; for Open in Cologne next week and despite the ed with widespread praise within golfing circles, have won two majors, with Masters titles in Return to form Kaymer it doesn’t matter. He will pass into golf tournament taking place during the World Cup, but the 29-year-old’s runaway triumph barely 1985 and 1993. The top-selling German daily Despite the other big stories, the German history and in a few years nobody will talk Neumann still expects to see an increase in registered in soccer-mad Germany as the World Bild, which runs a “winner” and “loser” column golfing community did pay attention to about it coinciding with the World Cup,” public and media interest thanks to his US Cup kicked off in Brazil. “I feel nothing about his on its front page, put Kaymer in both categories Kaymer’s win, according to Timo Schlitz, who Neumann told Reuters. Open victory. “The parking lots in Cologne are win... no sorrow, no happiness,” said Berlin on Tuesday, remarking that “Germans are only covers the sport on the Golf.de website, telling He believed that Kaymer - who himself going to be crowded with spectators,” accountancy firm employee Anne Ihle, adding talking about the Schumi-wonder and the start Reuters that traffic rose substantially during the wanted to be a professional soccer player - Neumann said. — Reuters Kingman reigns at Royal Ascot

ASCOT: Arab dominance of the racing scene in when Hughes launched his challenge, although Britain was evident when horses owned by a there was never much doubt he would land the Saudi Arabian prince and a brother of the Emir spoils. of Qatar grabbed the headlines on the opening Sheikh Joaan purchased Toronado 18 day of Royal Ascot yesterday. Prince Khalid months ago, since when the horse has lurched Abdullah’s Kingman was a majestic winner of between brilliance and disappointment. Hughes the feature event, St James’s Palace Stakes, after believes the horse has now matured into the Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani started the real deal. The sheikh was still beaming with meeting by winning the first two races. A rela- delight when he returned to the winner’s circle tive newcomer to the British turf, Sheikh Joaan 35 minutes later after The Wow Signal respond- was celebrating an inaugural Royal Ascot tri- ed to Frankie Dettori’s urgings to win the umph. Abdullah, by contrast, has been a regular Coventry Stakes. It was a 48th Royal Ascot tri- visitor to the hallowed winner’s circle ever since umph for the popular jockey, who is retained by Abeer won him the Queen Mary Stakes in 1979. Sheikh Joaan. The alliance has excellent Abdullah’s silks will forever be associated prospects of supplementing its laurels when with Frankel, his unbeaten champion and win- Treve, last season’s champion racehorse, con- ner of the St James’ Palace Stakes three years tests the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday. ago. And while Kingman is unlikely to emulate The Wow Signal won by 1æ lengths from Frankel, he is a supremely talented horse in his Capella Sansevero, who was bought by three of own right. This was his fifth win from six career Sheikh Joaan’s cousins, among them Sheikh starts to date - and much the most impressive. Fahad, for £1.3 million ($2.2million) at an auc- Restrained towards the rear by James Doyle, tion in the grounds of Kensington Palace, Kingman cruised up to long-time leader Night London, just 24 hours earlier. But the race was Of Thunder before accelerating clear in a hand- marred when Case Statement had to be ful of strides to win by 2º lengths, with Outstrip humanely destroyed after he suffered a fracture back in third place. to his left front leg that proved beyond repair. ‘He has an electrifying turn of foot,’ the win- ‘The nature of the injury was such that there was BOSTON: Minnesota Twins’ Brian Dozier fields the infield single by Boston Red Sox’s Xander Bogaerts during the sixth inning of a baseball game ning trainer, John Gosden, said afterwards. ‘The no other option,’ said Jenny Hall, the British on Monday, June 16, 2014. — AP jockey rode him the way I wanted him to do it. Horseracing Authority’s chief veterinary officer. The plan was to wait and launch our attack in It later emerged that Sir Graham Wade met the final furlong. He (Doyle) has shown his skill.’ with the same fate after fracturing his pelvis in Red Sox overpower Twins Kingman thus avenged the only blot on his the Ascot Stakes. Hughes went on to complete record after he lost out to Night Of Thunder in a double, courtesy of Sole Power’s withering last month’s 2,000 Guineas. Gosden was vindi- late thrust to win the King’s Stand Stakes for BOSTON: Rubby De La Rosa matched his first Moss added his 17th for Oakland. Drew Pomeranz Donnie Joseph. Michael Mariot struck out Austin cated in his belief that Kingman would outrun the second successive year. And the day closed career Fenway Park start with another seven (5-4) allowed eight runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 Jackson looking for the final out. Jason Vargas (7-2) Night Of Thunder on their next encounter. Few on a positive note for Irishman John Magnier impressive innings and AJ Pierzynski had a sacrifice innings - his shortest outing since joining the A’s gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks to among his 33 previous Royal Ascot winners and his powerful Coolmore syndicate, which fly, lifting the Boston Red Sox to a 1-0 win over the rotation in early May. win his third straight. Verlander (6-7) allowed seven were more easily gained. purchased the American challenger, the Wesley earned runs in consecutive starts for the first time Richard Hannon offered no excuses for Night Ward-trained Hootenanny, in the Royal Ascot Minnesota Twins on Monday night. Mike Napoli Of Thunder’s defeat but the trainer will try to build-up. On a day when spending power helped get a runner trying to score with a heads up INDIANS 4, ANGELS 3 in his career, giving up a season-high 12 hits and take Kingman’s scalp later in the summer with proved pivotal to success, Hootenanny repaid play in a Red Sox victory that came after two one- Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera homered, striking out two over six innings. Toronado, who started his own campaign with a the faith by surging clear in the final furlong run losses. Boston is 9-15 in one-run games. De La and Cleveland ended Jered Weaver’s unbeaten decisive victory in the Queen Anne Stakes. under Victor Espinoza. It is fast becoming a Rosa (2-2) gave up only a single in the third inning streak at Progressive Field. Santana’s leadoff homer RAYS 5, ORIOLES 4 Richard Hughes, who set the pace aboard Night banner year for the crack US jockey who won as he combined with three relievers on a three-hit- in the fifth inning broke a 3-all tie and moved the Jerry Sands, Yunel Escobar and Ryan Hanigan Of Thunder, rode a more patient race aboard the Kentucky Derby aboard California Chrome ter. He walked three and struck out three. Andrew Indians (36-35) over the .500 mark. Cabrera hit a homered to lead Tampa Bay past Baltimore. Sands’ Toronado. The colt took a few strides to respond six weeks earlier.— AFP Miller struck out the only batter he faced, Burke two-run homer in the first. Both home runs came first homer since Sept. 20, 2011, a two-run, pinch- Badenhop got two outs and Koji Uehara three outs off Weaver (7-6), who lost for the first time in 10 hit shot off Brian Matusz, snapped a 3-3 tie in the to remain perfect in 15 save chances. He extended career starts at the Indians’ ballpark. Weaver was 6- eighth inning. Escobar hit a solo homer in the first his streak to 31 straight saves over the past two 0 and allowed 11 earned runs in 60 1-3 innings in and Hanigan added a two-run drive in the fourth regular seasons. Kevin Correia (3-8) gave up five nine starts at Progressive Field coming into the for a 3-0 lead against Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen. hits, walking one and striking out two in six game. Trevor Bauer (2-3) allowed three runs in 6 2-3 Sands went deep on a 2-0 pitch after Matusz innings. innings for his first win since May 20. Carlos replaced Darren O’Day (2-1), who departed with a Carrasco pitched 2 1-3 innings for his first career runner on and two outs. Adam Jones homered for CUBS 5, MARLINS 4, 13 INNINGS save. the second straight day for Baltimore, hitting a Pinch-hitting pitcher Travis Wood hit an RBI two-run shot in the sixth. Jake McGee (3-0) got the double with two outs in the 13th inning to lift BREWERS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 3 last two outs in the top of the eighth, giving up a Chicago. Called on to hit for reliever Carlos Wily Peralta pitched seven effective innings, tying infield RBI single to Nelson Cruz. Delmon Villanueva (3-5), Wood hit a sharp groundball off Aramis Ramirez lined a two-run double in the Young had a pinch-hit homer in the ninth off Juan Jacob Turner (2-5) down the left field line, scoring eighth inning and Milwaukee broke open a close Carlos Oviedo, who got the last three outs for his Junior Lake for the go-ahead run. Wood, who is game late. Peralta (7-5) shook off a shaky second first save. batting .250 this season, was 0 for 4 as a pinch hit- inning to keep the NL Central-leading Brewers ter entering the game. Miami’s Tom Koehler was close against Arizona and Brandon McCarthy. DODGERS 6, ROCKIES 1 near perfect to start, retiring 14 of the first 15 bat- Milwaukee ran away with it once McCarthy left, Dee Gordon had four hits, including a triple that ters. Only Mike Olt registered a hit against the scoring three runs in the eighth against Will Harris was misplayed into four bases by left fielder Charlie Marlins’ starter during that stretch. But the Cubs (0-2): two on Ramirez’s third hit and another on a Blackmon, and Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched six strong overcame a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning. run-scoring single by Khris Davis. Ryan Braun hit a innings to help Los Angeles snap Colorado’s sea- two-run triple off J.J. Putz in the ninth inning and son-best five-game winning streak. Ryu (8-3) CHRISTCHURCH: England’s captain Ed Slater (right) is tackled by Canterbury PHILLIES 6, BRAVES 1, 13 INNINGS Scooter Gennett had a run-scoring single after allowed a run and three hits in six innings and Crusaders right wing Johnny McNicholl (center) and fly half Tyler Bleyendaal during Ryan Howard homered and drove in the go- homering earlier in the game for the Brewers, who struck out six in his 13th start. In his first 13 starts their rugby union match at AMI Stadium yesterday. — AFP ahead run in Philadelphia’s five-run 13th inning. had 12 hits. last season - his first in the major leagues - the left- The Braves lost in 13 innings for the second time in hander was 8-5 with a 2.85 ERA. This was the ninth three days. Ben Revere led off the 13th win a sharp MARINERS 5, PADRES 1 time this year that Ryu has allowed fewer than Six-try England taste single up the middle off David Hale (2-2) before On a somber day for the Padres organization three earned runs, and he is 7-0 in those games. stealing second base and moving to third on following the death of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn at Matt Kemp drove in two runs for Los Angeles, while Jimmy Rollins’ fly ball to right field. Following an age 54, Seattle’s Kyle Seager hit a three-run homer Hanley Ramirez, A.J. Ellis and Yasiel Puig had RBI success in N Zealand intentional walk to Chase Utley, Howard hit a sharp in the first inning, Brad Miller added a solo shot, singles. Tyler Matzek (1-1) allowed three runs and grounder that took one hop past first baseman and Chris Young threw six shutout innings against 10 hits through five innings in his second big CHRISTCHURCH: England notched up the first “There’s a lot of frustrated guys who haven’t Freddie Freeman for an error as Revere scored from his former team. Gwynn died earlier in the day of league start and did not strike out a batter. win of their New Zealand tour when they had a chance to play in the Tests, so this was our third. Marlon Byrd following with a run-scoring sin- oral cancer, a disease he attributed to years of downed Super 15 heavyweights the Canterbury opportunity to play,” Slater said. “A lot of our gle up the middle. Howard scored on a fly ball to chewing tobacco. San Diego was shut out by CARDINALS 6, METS 2 Crusaders 38-7 in Christchurch yesterday. The focus has been on this game and we prepared deep right field by Carlos Ruiz. Reid Brignac, who Young (6-4) and a pair of relievers until Carlos Allen Craig and Matt Adams each had two RBIs England side consisted mainly of back-up play- well and I thought we executed well.” England had three hits, added a two-run triple. Antonio Quentin hit a solo homer leading off the ninth. and St Louis got effective work from rookie pitch- ers motivated by the hope of impressing coach opened with an attack that caught the seven- Bastardo (4-3) pitched two scoreless innings. Seager’s homer came on a 3-0 pitch from San ers subbing for ace Adam Wainwright. Carlos Stuart Lancaster enough to make Saturday’s times Super champions napping, though the Diego starter Tyson Ross (6-6). Robinson Cano Martinez allowed an unearned run in four innings third and final Test side against the All Blacks. Crusaders were lacking 11 players with interna- RANGERS 14, ATHLETICS 8 added an RBI double as Seattle scored all five runs in his second career start and Nick Greenwood (1- They monstered the Crusaders pack in the first tional commitments. Donnie Murphy homered twice to help Colby in the first two innings. 0) allowed a run on two hits in 3 1-3 innings to half and feasted off a stream of turnover balls to Although the Crusaders still managed to field lead 26-7 at half-time with four tries in the bag. six All Blacks that was not enough experience to Lewis win for the first time in more than three win in his major league debut for the Cardinals, The Crusaders found their rhythm and protect- hold back a fired up England. The tourists con- weeks. Michael Choice and Robinson Chirinos also ROYALS 11, TIGERS 8 who have won seven of eight. Matt Holliday had ed their possession with more determination trolled play up front and fly-half Danny Cipriani, homered, and Adrian Beltre drove in three runs as Omar Infante hit a three-run homer in the sixth two hits, including a single for his 1,000th career after the break but were unable to break knowing incumbent Test pivot Owen Farrell has the Rangers got their fourth straight win at the inning and had an RBI single in a four-run fifth RBI in a four-run fifth that put the Cardinals up 6- through the England defence, while England been sidelined with a knee injury, had ample ball Coliseum. Texas swept a three-game series in against former teammate Justin Verlander as 1. Jacob deGrom (0-4) gave up six runs on 12 hits scored two further tries despite their attacking to direct play. The spectators had barely taken Oakland in April. Lewis (5-4) allowed 10 hits and Kansas City beat Detroit. The Royals have won a in 4 1-3 innings in his seventh career start. Mets chances diminishing. their seats than England hooker Joe Gray scored five runs over 5 1-3 innings to win for the first time season-high eight straight to pull within a half- manager Terry Collins batted the pitcher eighth For England, with four players including cap- the first try, and Ben Foden scored minutes later since May 25. Murphy hit a two-run home run in game of the AL Central leading Tigers. Detroit for the first time in franchise history, but New York tain Ed Slater making their debut, there was a when the Crusaders defense misread a corner the fourth and a solo shot in the ninth. Yoenis scored six runs in the ninth inning and pulled with- mustered just five hits and lost for the 10th time lot more at stake than just the scoreline. kick that did not go out. —AFP Cespedes hit a three-run home run while Brandon in three on J.D. Martinez’s two-out grand slam off in 13 games. — AP WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 SPORTS India ride on Binny’s heroics to beat Bangladesh

DHAKA: Paceman Stuart Binny grabbed a record six wickets for just four runs as India thrashed Frustrated Cook keen to Bangladesh by 47 runs in a low-scoring second one-day international in Dhaka yesterday. Binny, get back among the runs 30, upstaged the efforts of Bangladeshi debu- tant Taskin Ahmed (5-28) to help India pocket LONDON: England captain Alastair Cook 11 called for a review and former Australia the three-match series with one game still to go will hope a return to the scene of his last paceman Paul Reiffel’s decision was over- tomorrow. Binny’s figures were the best by any Test hundred sees him back among the turned for an inside edge. Pradeep then Indian bowler in the 50-over game, surpassing runs after a thrilling series opener with Sri nicked the last ball short of the slips to Anil Kumble’s 6-12 against West Indies in Kolkata Lanka ended in a draw at Lord’s. Cook saw secure a draw. in 1993. Chasing India’s modest 105, Bangladesh England pile up 575 for nine declared in were cruising at 44-2 but then lost their remain- the first innings at Lord’s on the back of 23- ‘Gutting’ ing eight wickets for just 14 runs to be shot out year-old Joe Root’s unbeaten 200 not out Cook insisted he’d no problems with for 58 in 17.4 overs. and then be bailed out second time the Decision Review System verdict that The total equaled their worst show in one- around by a maiden Test century from reprieved Pradeep. “I’ve always been a big dayers, having also scored 58 against the West Gary Ballance-Root’s 24-year-old Yorkshire fan of it,” he said. “It’s to stop the howler Indies in the 2011 World Cup. Binny, playing in colleague. and unfortunately, that one was quite a only his third one-day international, was well Ballance’s hundred enabled Cook to big inside edge. “It’s gutting to take at that supported by medium pacer Mohit Sharma who declare before Monday’s final day and set time but as players you want the right finished with an impressive 4-22. Mithun Ali was Sri Lanka 390 to win. However, Sri Lanka decision.” Apart from fifties by Kaushal the lone batsman to offer some resistance, mak- just did enough to cling on for a draw at Silva (57) and Kumar Sangakkara, who ing 26 off 39 balls. India were earlier bowled out 201 for nine after last man Nuwan Pradeep made 61 to go with his first-innings 147, for 105 in 25.3 overs, their lowest against saw out the final five balls of the match Sri Lanka found runs hard to come by on Bangladesh in ODIs, after being put in to bat in from Stuart Broad. Although Cook was Monday. “I thought we batted poorly, after overcast conditions at the Sher-e-Bangla stadi- DHAKA: India’s Stuart Binny (right) celebrates with teammates after the wicket of heartened by a new-look England’s per- tea especially,” said Sri Lanka captain um. The day-night clash was interrupted in the Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah during their second one-day International cricket match yester- formance in their first Test since the 5-0 Angelo Mathews, eighth man out for 18, sixth over because of heavy rain and was later day. — AP Ashes drubbing in Australia, the 29-year- having made 102 in the first innings. reduced to 41-overs-a-side affair. old left-handed opener accepted his own However, the all-rounder saluted the The 19-year-old Taskin was the star performer form was a concern. tenth-wicket duo of Shaminda Eranga and for the hosts, picking a five-wicket haul on SCOREBOARD Scores of 17 and 28 at Lord’s meant it Pradeep, whose combined score of nought debut-the best figures by any Bangladesh was now 22 innings since Cook compiled not out Monday told only part of the story. bowler on debut. Taskin wreaked havoc with his the last of his England record 25 hundreds “I thought it was a great effort by the last seam and bounce, dismissing Robin Uthappa DHAKA: Full scoreboard of the second one-day cricket international between India and - 130 against New Zealand at Headingley pair, Stuart Broad running in hard, espe- (14), Cheteshwar Pujara (11) and Ambati Rayudu Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka yesterday: in May last year. However, the Leeds cially with the new ball,” Mathews said. (1) in his fiery first spell. He picked his first inter- India: Bangladesh: ground is the venue for Friday’s second There were suggestions that Cook should national wicket when opener Robin Uthappa, R. Uthappa c Ziaur b Taskin 14 Tamim Iqbal c Saha b Sharma 4 and final Test of the Sri Lanka series. “I’d have declared earlier, although the fact who made a fine half-century in the opening A. Rahane lbw b Mortaza 0 Anamul Haque c Rahane b Sharma 0 love a score. Leading from the front as a England didn’t bowl at least six overs in game, top-edged the paceman to mid-off where C. Pujara lbw b Taskin 11 Mithun Ali c Patel b Binny 26 captain, you want to score runs - that’s the match because of a slow over-rate Ziaur Rahman took an easy catch. The bowler A. Rayudu lbw b Taskin 1 Mushfiqur Rahim c Saha b Binny 11 your job as a batter,” Cook said Monday. probably hurt them more in the end. “We had the visitors reeling at 55-4 after he sent back S. Raina run out 27 Shakib Al Hasan c Saha b Sharma 4 Root was named man-of-the-match but were a bit behind, it wasn’t ideal,” Cook Rayudu and Pujara in the 14th over. W. Saha lbw b Mortaza 5 Mahmudullah c Rayudu b Binny 0 the honour could have gone to James admitted. Captain Suresh Raina fought back briefly, S. Binny c Mushfiqur b Taskin 3 Nasir Hossain b Binny 5 Anderson after the England spearhead As for the declaration, he added: “The making 27 off 23 balls with three fours when he A. Patel b Al-Amin 8 Ziaur Rahman c Patel b Sharma 0 turned the game on its head with a spell of last four overs (on Sunday) went for 40 or was run out as he tried to go for a second run. A. Mishra lbw b Taskin 4 Mashrafe Mortaza c Saha b Binny 2 three wickets for one run either side of tea 50 runs. “So if you’d declared (before then) Only four batsmen managed to score in double M. Sharma not out 4 Taskin Ahmed not out 0 on Monday. at 330 or 340 (in front) on that wicket, 100 figures with India crashing to their worst total U. Yadav c Nasir Hossain b Shakib 17 Al-Amin Hossain b Binny 0 Anderson, who finished with impres- odd for one at lunch, as Sri Lanka were, it against Bangladesh in one-dayers. Taskin Extras: (lb6, w5) 11 Extras: (w6) 6 sive innings figures of four for 25 in 19 would have looked a very short total. “Give returned in his second spell to send back Binny Total: (for all out, 25.3 overs) 105 Total (all out; 17.4 overs) 58 overs on a docile pitch, was well-support- Sri Lanka some credit there. They bowled and Amit Mishra in a space of five balls. Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Tamim), 2-13 (Anamul), 3-44 ed by longtime new-ball partner Broad well, and made it difficult for us.” England (Mushfiqur), 4-50 (Mithun), 5-50 (Mahmudullah), His effort bettered that of off-spinner Sohag Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rahane), 2-26 (Uthappa), 3- (three for 43). Come the last over, England named the same 12 for Headingley, with 6-52 (Shakib), 7-52 (Ziaur), 8-56 (Mortaza), 9-58 Gazi who had taken 4-29 against West Indies in 28 (Rayudu), 4-55 (Pujara), 5-65 (Saha), 6-66 still needed two wickets for victory. The all-rounder Chris Woakes, omitted at (Nasir), 10-58 (Al-Amin) 2012. India, who won the opening game on (Raina), 7-75 (Patel), 8-81 (Binny), 9-86 (Mishra), first ball of that over saw Broad have Lord’s, again in the squad. But Sri Lanka are Bowling: Sharma 8-2-22-4(1w), Yadav 5-0-32-0 10-105 (Yadav) Rangana Herath caught behind and set to make at least one change after wick- Sunday by seven wickets, brought in all-rounder (5w), Binny 4.4-2-4-6 Bowling: Mortaza 9-1-35-2, Al-Amin Hossain 5-1- England thought he’d won the match et-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene broke a Stuart Binny in place of off-spinner Parvez (Note: Match was reduced to 41 overs-a-side 26-1 (2w), Taskin Ahmed 8-0-28-5 (2w), Ziaur when Pradeep was given out lbw to the finger, with Dinesh Chadimal in line to take Rasool. For Bangladesh, Mithun Ali came in for after rain interruption) Rahman 1-0-2-0 (1w), Shakib 2.3-0-8-1 penultimate delivery. But the Sri Lanka No over the gloves. — AFP Mominul Haque and Taskin replaced Abdur India won by 47 runs Razzak. — AFP Red Bull’s Austria makes comeback

SPIELBERG: Formula One racing will get an These included the infamous 2002 Grand Prix, extra whiff of excitement and novelty this when Ferrari ordered leader Barrichello to let weekend when it returns to Austria after a his teammate Schumacher take the victory, decade-long absence. Home to champions like helping him to the season title. Niki Lauda and Jochen Rindt, as well as the dominant team in recent seasons-Red Bull- F1’s DNA Austria will once again welcome the cream of Keen to get a Grand Prix again, Red Bull took F1 drivers at Spielberg on Sunday, on a circuit over the track in 2004 and redeveloped it, also steeped in history but unfamiliar to many. The promising to inject money into the region. The last time the small alpine country hosted a result is “a short track, with only a few turns, but Grand Prix was in 2003, when Ferrari’s Michael it’s very challenging,” said the team’s four-time Schumacher grabbed his second consecutive champion Sebastian Vettel. “There are also a lot win there, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Rubens of elevation changes, which makes it interest- Barrichello. ing and fun. The fans will have a great time.” Raikkonen will be one of just four drivers Rival teams, however, will have to race in the with race day experience on this track Sunday- shadow of the Austrian energy drinks company: alongside Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and the stands are in the team’s colours and the Jenson Button, who finished fourth in 2003. track loops around a massive steel bull sculp- For all others, the 4.3-kilometre (2.7-mile) Red ture. A turn named after Lauda-now non-execu- Bull Ring circuit, nestled among green hills in tive chairman at Red Bull’s rivals Mercedes-was southern Austria, will be a test. “Although I’ve also renamed, to his dismay. Over 220,000 spec- driven the circuit before, that was more than tators are expected at Spielberg between Friday 10 years ago in F3... so it’s basically like start- and Sunday, with race day alone due to draw ing from scratch for everyone on the grid,” cur- some 95,000 people. The event is known as rent leader Nico Rosberg of Mercedes said last much for the party atmosphere off the track- week. “Personally, I love that kind of challenge.” with crowds of fans camping in the surrounding Teammate Lewis Hamilton, who has been fields-as for the action on it, and tickets have preparing in the simulator, was similarly eager been sold out for months. to try a new track: “It’s always exciting to go to Local hotels have long been fully booked Toyota Racing tastes success a new venue, so it should be an interesting and even rooms in private homes have been weekend.” fetching a good price. Ahead of the race, Spielberg hosted its first Grand Prix in 1964 Mercedes complained about Red Bull’s organi- with another podium finish on a bumpy course, but it would be years zation, saying they had not been given accom- before the event returned in 1970, this time on modation close to the circuit. But this could not a purpose-built track-the Oesterreichring distract from the significance of this 27th DUBAI: Toyota Racing stood on the podium front left corner. After reentering the race, um finish. Credit goes to the entire team and (Austria Ring). Austrian Grand Prix. at the Le Mans 24 Hours held at the Circuit de Anthony, Nicolas and SÈbastien kept up a the pit crew for how they managed to make 1984 saw the venue’s sole home win so far, “Spielberg is a historic track, like la Sarthe with the #8 TS040 Hybrid of consistent pace and moved into the top four, the necessary repairs after an accident to put when Austrian Niki Lauda finished first, despite Hockenheim, Nuerburgring, Spa, Monza or Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre and with an eye on the podium as technical issues the #8 TS040 hybrid back on the track and gearbox problems, on his way to nabbing his Silverstone. They belong to F1. They’re the DNA, SÈbastien Buemi finishing third to extend affected several competitors before finally still manage a third place finish.” third and last championship title. Dropped from the backbone of F1,” said Mercedes team chief their lead in the World Championship. The #8 crossing the line for a bitter sweet third place. On this occasion, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Team the F1 circuit in 1987, Spielberg made yet Toto Wolff. “I hope we will race there for a long TS040 Hybrid also had high expectations of According to Nobuyuki Negishi, Chief President said: “There is certainly a huge another comeback in 1997 for seven editions. time.”— AFP fighting for victory but realistic hope was Representative, Middle East and North Africa amount of disappointment in our team because both of our TS040 Hybrids had enough speed to win the race. There is no doubt that part of the magic of Le Mans is Bouchard suffers setback that it is so unpredictable and challenging. We will come back stronger for this experi- Seeds fall in Wimbledon tune-up ence and we have a World Championship to fight for, starting at the next race. All team ‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH: Rising Canadian star went with the Canadian struggling to find her members, including the drivers, performed Eugenie Bouchard saw her pre-Wimbledon rhythm on the grass before King sealed the brilliantly in this race, not only to repair the preparations go awry after losing 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 contest after just over two hours on court. damage but to stay positive and bring home to American Vania King in the first round of Second seed Dominika Cibulkova was also third position. I am very proud of this and the the WTA/ATP ‘s-Hertogenbosch Open yester- sent tumbling out in the Netherlands after whole team should be proud of their efforts day. Former Wimbledon junior champion losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava too.” Bouchard, who pulled out of last week’s tour- Shvedova. Anthony Davidson said: “It was definitely nament in Birmingham after reaching the French Open quarter-finalist Garbine an eventful race. We had the speed all along semi-finals of the French Open, will now Muguruza swept aside Yvonne Meusburger of but it didn’t go right in the tricky conditions arrive at next week’s tournament at the All Austria 6-4, 6-1 in her second-round match, and the car was heavily damaged; from there England Club with just one grass-court match while fellow Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, we were on the back foot. It could have hap- under her belt this season. 13th-ranked who also reached the last eight at Roland pened to anyone, it was just one of those Bouchard, who also made the last four of the Garros, eased past Barbora Zahlavova things. I was surprised to be standing on the Australian Open in January, raced through Strycova 6-4, 6-2 in round one. Men’s second podium. From not even being in the top 30 the opening set backed by a pair of service seed Fernando Verdasco, the highest-ranked after the accident to end up on the podium breaks. player in the field following the withdrawal of just goes to show the speed. The win comes But the 20-year-old was pegged back in compatriot David Ferrer, recovered from a to you, not the other way around in this race.” the second set with King, the world number slow start to beat Frenchman Paul-Henri The next round of the 2014 FIA World 75, capitalising on a lone break of serve. Mathieu 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round. ended within 90 minutes. In a sudden down- Representative Office, TOYOTA Motor Endurance Championship will be at the Bouchard was forced to fend off a pair of Spanish third seed Roberto Bautista Agut also pour, and on slick tyres, Nicolas was involved Corporation, “I would like to commend the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, in September. break points at the start of the deciding set breezed into the last 16 with a routine 6-1, 6- in a multi-car accident on the Mulsanne Toyota Racing team for competing till the end Before then the Toyota Hybrid TS040 is sched- but the third seed came unstuck in her fol- 3 win over Daniel Gimeno-Traver. However, Straight. to finish a tough race at the Le Mans 24 uled to take part in the hill climb course at lowing service game as King made the vital Halle finalist Alejandro Falla was unable to He nursed the badly damaged car back to Hours.This is exemplified by the #8 TS040 the Goodwood Festival of Speed 26 - 29 breakthrough to take a 2-1 lead. Bouchard repeat last week’s heroics as he was dumped the pits where the team worked quickly to Hybrid of Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre June), as part of a large collection of contem- had opportunities to pull herself back into out at the first hurdle by eighth seed Juergen replace front and rear bodywork, as well as and SÈbastien Buemi who finished third porary and classic Toyota race and rally cars the match as four break points came and Melzer of Austria. — AFP replacing the suspension installation on the inspite of several challenges to have a podi- that will be in action and on display. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Cameroon and Croatia in bid for WCup rescue

MANAUS: Cameroon and Croatia clash in Manaus today felt pain,” said the 33-year-old. Croatia’s problems are some- Olic wasn’t one of those exposed on the pictures-defenders looking to put their troubles behind them and keep alive what different as they lick their wounds and try to digest the Vedran Corluka and Dejan Lovren were wearing nothing but FAN FERVOR their hopes of making the World Cup knock-out rounds. bitter pill of their 3-1 loss to Brazil last Thursday. Two key inci- their birthday suits while playmaker Luka Modric had his Having both lost their opening match, a victory would be dents changed the game as Brazil were awarded a highly trunks on in the photos. The publication had caused outrage fundamental in staying alive in a tough Group A including contentious penalty to go 2-1 ahead before the Europeans amongst the players who decided to boycott the media until hosts Brazil and Mexico. But a win would also allow each side controversially had a goal disallowed that would have lev- Olic opted to speak to Sportske Novosti. to forget off-field troubles that have threatened to disrupt elled the scores. The photos, originally published online, were reprinted by their preparation. In the case of the Africans it is the near cer- But worse was to follow at the weekend as players were many Monday newspapers and were especially well received tain absence of talismanic striker Samuel Eto’o due to a knee upset by some overly revealing coverage of their Brazilian by women on social networks. But they haven’t helped the injury. “I am hoping the gods grant me a miracle and that I campaign. A Croatian website published photos of naked mood of players who were already aggrieved by what their am able to defend my dear, beautiful country,” Eto’o told players frolicking in a swimming pool at their team base in coach Nico Kovac described as the “ridiculous” penalty award Cameroon Radio-Television (CRTV). “If this is not the case, I Praia do Forte. Veteran striker Ivica Olic, 34, accused the in their opening match. Kovac said the tournament would will always play my role as captain and especially as the big country’s media of sabotaging their preparations. “You can turn into a “circus” if referees continue to make such deci- brother to push my young teammates to victory.” Eto’o’s knee write freely that it’s really shameful!,” slammed Olic in the sions. So the referee today will likely come under stern scruti- problem stems from the end of his club season with Chelsea. Sportske Novosti daily. “We came here to represent Croatia, ny, particularly since the gaffes have continued from the men He says he hasn’t been 100 percent for months and right give our best, we are preparing ourselves for a difficult match in the middle. Cameroon actually benefitted from two seem- from the start of the opening 1-0 loss to Mexico last Friday, against Cameroon and then such things happen. ingly valid Mexico goals being chalked off for what appeared he was in pain. “During the first match of the World Cup “Is it normal? Do people really need to watch us without non-existant offsides. Whatever the outcome today, both against Mexico, I tried but after consulting the medical staff our underpants, do our families have to blush? Did media sides will be hoping that headlines are made for the right we realised that I needed a rest. Even in the ninth minute, I representatives come here for football or something else.” reasons. — AFP

PRAIA DO FORTE: Croatia’s prayers warm up during a training session in Praia do Forte. — AFP Japan still bruised after the Elephant stampede

TOKYO: Japan’s defeat by Ivory Coast in their World Cup substituted after only 54 minutes. “It’s the coach’s decision,” questions over his decision to replace Hasebe with Yasuhito opener has sparked a flood of recriminations, with former sniffed Hasebe, whose substitution, along with the introduc- Endo when the match was so delicately poised. “The coach captain Hidetoshi Nakata ripping into the Blue Samurai after tion of Ivorian talisman Didier Drogba, quickly changed the carries the responsibility for defeat,” said the Italian. “We’re their 2-1 weekend loss. “They need to go away and think complexion of the game. Keisuke Honda, who again faded upset we couldn’t get into our rhythm. about what kind of football they’re trying to play,” Nakata said badly in the second half after firing Japan ahead in the 16th “I will analyse how I can change things when things start in his role as an analyst for Japan’s NHK Television. “I couldn’t minute, insisted Japan had picked themselves up after their going against us. But I do have confidence we will respond see at all what kind of football they were striving for.” The setback in Recife. against Greece.” Japan, who reached the last 16 of the World rumblings of discontent among Japan’s players were equally “We’ve got it out of our system,” said Honda, who before Cup four years ago, had been set a quarter-final target by unmistakable as they prepared for their must-win Group C the tournament denied speculation he had undergone thy- the country’s soccer chief Kuniya Daini. Playmaker Shinji game against Greece tomorrow. Captain Makoto Hasebe, roid surgery after training with a band-aid over his lower Kagawa, who has been criticised for an anaemic display in whose removal from the fray early in the second half proved throat. “Losing wasn’t what was shocking, it was not being his World Cup debut, admitted Japan would now have to pivotal as Japan surrendered a one-goal lead against the able to play to our strengths. take risks against Greece. “We weren’t aggressive enough,” Elephants, called the team’s performance “gutless”. “The best characteristics of the Japanese turned against he said. “We were never really in control of the game. Greece Hasebe, only recently returned to fitness after knee sur- us. We’re a diligent side and when we started trying too hard will attack us because they lost too (to Colombia). We have gery, told Japanese media he had not known he would be it destroyed us.”Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has faced no option but to attack.” — AFP Adidas’ World Cup Q&A for Gary Cahill

Question: You won your first England cap shortly after 100% best, someone else is ready to take your place. And Roy the World Cup in 2010. It must have been a long wait for Hodgson is an excellent coach. He knows what he wants from you, but your chance to play in the planet’s biggest tour- his defense and he makes that very clear for us. nament is finally here... It has been quite a wait, although the time went quickly. I Question: You’re a Sheffield lad and grew up as a keen thought I had a chance of making it to South Africa, I got a call Wednesday supporter. Do you remember watching Des up to the squad in 2009, but it was just a little bit too early for Walker for England? me to make it into the side. That was frustrating, so to go out He was my hero as a lad, one of the best England players to Brazil will be something very important. ever. I saw him play so much for Wednesday and I tried to model my game on him. If I could ever be a patch on Des then Question: Being ruled out of Euro 2012, where you I’d say I’d achieved my ambition as a footballer. He was the would have almost certainly started in the team, with a best marker and the best tackler you could ever see, and he broken jaw, must make you doubly hungry... was smart, so clever. He was quick but he got to the ball first Definitely. I’m 28 now and I’ve not made an appearance at because it was all in his head. I was only four when he was a major tournament yet, so I’m starting late in a way. It was playing for England in 1990, but I remember him playing later cruel breaking my jaw in a collision with Joe Hart just before on. I think he left international football too early, because he the tournament, but injuries are part and parcel of football so carried on being a sensational player for his clubs for a long, you can’t just sit moping about it. But I’m determined to make long time after he finished. the very most of my chance this time around. Those setbacks are what drive you on and make you value your time in foot- Question: What attributes do you and Des have in ball. I want to get out there and get playing, I can’t wait. common? I think we’re both reasonably technical, we are both quite Question: Has moving to Chelsea given you the quick - although I’m not sure I’m as quick as Des - and we’re momentum to get into that England squad and team? good tacklers. I score a few more than he does though. Absolutely. No disrespect to Bolton Wanderers or any of the other clubs that I’ve played at, but moving to a side that is Question: How will you celebrate if you score in Brazil - playing Champions League football, and contending for the have you got a special Samba dance planned, perhaps? Premier League title, is what I needed to do to push my game I’m not sure, but certainly no dancing! I’ll leave that to the on. I’ve learned so much from the other defenders at Chelsea, Brazilians, I think. I think it’ll be such a good moment that I and I’ve picked up a lot of experience playing against some of wouldn’t know what to do with myself. But hopefully my head- the best forwards in the world. Hopefully that will hold me in ing ability can be an asset for us this summer. England do well good stead at a World Cup, because that is another step up for out of set pieces at World Cups, it is a strength we have, so it me. I feel ready. we can get the right delivery in to the box and from corners, Brazil. Argentina obviously have a shout if the rest of the team some of the big lads will have the chance to get goals, for sure. can play really well along with Messi. You’ve got to think the Question: England’s defense is one of its strengths. Question: What have Oscar and David Luiz been telling South American teams will have a big say in this tournament, What has helped make them such a solid unit? you about a World Cup in their homeland? the Uruguays and Ecuadors even. There are a lot of teams that We have got some really good players in there, and there They says it is going to be crazy, a festival like nothing can rise to the occasion, and I think England are one of them is a lot of competition for places, which is healthy. You’re you’ve ever seen, a carnival. I’m sure they are right, although always on your toes because if you aren’t playing at your us players won’t be getting involved in anything like that, we Question: You’ve become a dad recently, how has that have to concentrate on something more important than par- affected you. Has it helped you settle down off the pitch? tying! But they do say that the fans out there are like nothing Yes, my son is one now. It’s great fun and it’s great having a family, I feel very happy and settled. It’s a good way to relax MATCHS ON TV you’ve ever experienced. The fans in England are very loud, and the Brazilian lads love the passion that our supporters after training and it does put everything in perspective. You’re show, but I think Brazil is something very different. It is reli- playing for your family and you want to do them proud. My gion out there, but they have real fun, too. lad is a bit young to understand this tournament, but if I could FIFA WORLD CUP have a DVD of England winning the World Cup to show him Australia v Netherlands 19:00 Question: How do you fancy facing your Brazilian when he is a bit older, that would be quite something. beIN SPORTS 1 HD teammates in a knockout match, or the final at the beIN SPORTS 2 HD Maracana? Question: You’re a keen tweeter from @GaryJCahill. beIN SPORTS 11 HD England vs Brazil in Brazil - it couldn’t be any bigger or Will you be following what the fans are saying online dur- beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR romantic, could it? I’d relish it. It is the sort of thing that comes ing the tournament? beIN SPORTS 1 FR around only once or twice in the life of a footballer, like a I will a bit. You don’t want to get too involved because it is all about staying focused on the job when you are out there. Spain v Chile 22:00 Champions League final, so I’d say bring it on. Everyone is But I’m sure there will be one or two tweets when we are out beIN SPORTS 1 HD going to fancy Brazil on their home turf, but we aren’t afraid of there, in the jungle, no doubt! beIN SPORTS 2 HD anyone. Surely your Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would nom- beIN SPORTS 11 HD inate Portugal as having a chance, too...I’m sure he would, he’s Question: Will you be thinking of the folk back in the beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR very proud of being Portuguese. The one thing I would say, pubs in Sheffield when you’re lining up, singing the beIN SPORTS 1 FR and no disrespect to the current Portugal manager, is that I’m glad Jose isn’t Portugal boss, because he just has that magic national anthem? touch. They have some very good players, but with him in Absolutely. That’s when you think of England. If I wasn’t Tomorrow wearing the England shirt out on the pitch, I’d be wearing one Cameroon v Croatia 1:00 charge - you’d fancy them to win the World Cup wouldn’t you? Just because of the Mourinho factor. He brings a fear factor in the pub myself, cheering the lads on. That shirt, the Three beIN SPORTS 1 HD Lions, means everything. The reason we are out there is to do beIN SPORTS 2 HD and an organization to every team he is in charge of. One day he’ll manage them and we’ll all have to look out. the English public proud. I can only imagine the mayhem back beIN SPORTS 11 HD home if we were to win a semi final or a final. It would go crazy. beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR We are aware that we can make people’s dreams come true, beIN SPORTS 1 FR Who else do you rate as title contenders? Spain, Holland, Germany are the big ones along with and that’s what we hope to do. Let’s have a right good go. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Dempsey, Brooks lift US

FAN FERVOR Ghana face a huge task

NATAL: US defender John Brooks (left) celebrates after scoring during a Group G football match between Ghana and US at the Dunas Arena in Natal on June 16, 2014. — AFP NATAL: The United States got a dream start to their World ter-finalists and heroes of an entire continent in South Captain Asamoah Gyan squandered a string of oppor- Cup campaign when Clint Dempsey scored the fifth Africa four years ago, rued their profligacy in front of goal tunities for an equalizer but he was not alone with Jordan fastest goal in tournament history but they needed an and now face a huge task if they are to get past the group Ayew, son of three times African Footballer of the Year 86th minute winner from John Brooks to secure a dramat- stage for the third straight tournament. Abedi Pele, passing up an excellent chance just before ic 2-1 victory over Ghana on Monday. Dempsey drilled the “Any team you have beaten twice will come out very halftime with a weak shot after Atsu had beaten the off- ball into the net with the goal officially timed at 29 sec- strong and I believe they came out very strong and they side trap. It was left to Ayew’s brother Andre to get Ghana onds and it looked like being enough until Andre Ayew were determined not to lose a third time,” Ghana coach back into the match in the 83rd minute, latching on to his finally secured some reward for Ghana’s pressure with an Kwesi Appiah said. “We were unfortunate. I believe we skipper’s neat back flick and lashing the ball into the net equaliser seven minutes from the end. played really well and had a lot of chances but couldn’t with the outside of his left boot from almost the same The match then appeared destined for a draw until take our chances.” Ghana’s problems started at the back spot Dempsey had scored from. The Americans would not substitute defender Brooks rose to head Graham Zusi’s and fears many had about the fragility of their defence be denied, however, and three minutes later Brooks corner firmly into the back of the net and give the United were confirmed when Dempsey struck before many of proved the unlikely winner to send the red, white and States revenge over the team that ended their participa- the fans had sat back down in their seats after the blue half of the stadium into raptures. tion in the last two World Cups. Juergen Klinsmann’s side anthems. He took a pass from Jermaine Jones at pace, cut The victory came at a cost, though, with striker Jozy will now go onto their next match against Portugal, beat- inside central defender John Boye on his left foot, con- Altidore looking unlikely to play any further part in the en 4-0 by Germany in the Group G opener earlier on trolled the ball with his right, then went back to the left for tournament after limping off with a left hamstring injury. Monday, with renewed belief that they can reach the last the finish across the goalkeeper and inside the far post. “If Dempsey finished the match with a bloodied and swollen 16 for the fourth time in the last seven tournaments. you score after just a minute you think there can’t be any- nose after taking a whack in the face from Boye’s boot, “We knew it was going to be a grind and it was going thing better than that,” said Klinsmann. “But after that it while Matt Besler was withdrawn at halftime with what to go down to the wire,” said German Klinsmann, who maybe wasn’t so good because we sat back and let them looked like another hamstring problem. It was Besler’s maintained his record of having won the opening match come to us. That is why I was screaming on the sideline to departure that allowed Brooks to win his fifth cap, howev- at every World Cup he has competed in as both a player take control of the game.” Ghana soon showed that what- er, and Klinsmann has been at enough World Cups to and a coach. “I was convinced we would win the game ever their defensive problems, they were an altogether know that dealing with injuries is part of the job. “Players even after the equaliser. I knew two or three opportunities different proposition at the other end with right winger need to be ready, we need the whole bench,” he said. would come and we would have to take one. It is a good Christian Atsu looking particularly dangerous in all but “John showed his talent. What better stage to learn and feeling to have the first three points.” The Black Stars, quar- the delivery of the final ball. grow than at a World Cup?” — Reuters Bloodied Spain peer into abyss in Chile’s clash

RIO DE JANEIRO: After their 5-1 annihilation by Holland, the spectre of a humiliating World Cup group-stage exit hangs over champions Spain ahead of today’s game with Chile in Rio de Janeiro. While the nation is still reeling from Spain’s heaviest defeat in 51 years a result branded “a catastrophe” by the Spanish media-there could be worse to follow at the iconic Maracana. If Spain lose again and Holland avoid defeat against Australia in today’s other Group B game, Vicente del Bosque’s side will join Brazil (1966), France (2002) and Italy (2010) in the list of defending champions to have fallen at the first hurdle. The same set of results would take Chile through, and Jorge Sampaoli’s aggressive, hard-working team, who go into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over Australia, have lost only twice in their last 16 outings. Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has described the fix- ture as “life or death”, but Del Bosque-architect of the triumphs at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 - says there is no need to panic. “The hours go by and the mood gets better,” the Spain coach told Spanish tele- PORTO ALEGRE: Australia’s players go through their stretching exercises in the final pre-match train- vision channel Cuatro. “We have the challenge of win- ing session at The Beira-Rio Stadium yesterday. — AFP ning our next two matches. It won’t be easy, but it is possible. We are trying to prepare as well as possible Australia aiming to shock and not be too sad. “The first half against Holland was good. The problem was the second half. Now people are more high-flying Netherlands optimistic. We need to remember that it is a game and we need to enjoy ourselves.” Del Bosque has sug- PORTO ALEGRE: Australia forward Mathew Leckie believes defeat from the final four years ago. Star duo Robin van gested that he will make “two or three changes”, with his side can become the latest to cause an upset at the Persie and Arjen Robben were both on target twice as Louis goalkeeper Iker Casillas’s position under particular World Cup today when they face a Netherlands team fresh van Gaal’s men ran riot in Salvador, but captain Van Persie scrutiny after an error-strewn display in the capitula- from hammering defending champions Spain 5-1. The said experience has taught him not to get ahead of them- tion to the Dutch. Pepe Reina, the Liverpool goal- Socceroos desperately need to take something from the selves. “The tournament has barely started yet,” he told keeper who spent last season on loan at Napoli, is in game if they are to match their run to the last 16 from 2006 FIFA.com. “We achieved an impressive result but we have a line to step in, but third-choice goalkeeper David de after going down 3-1 to Chile in their opening game. long way to go to win this tournament. This is my fifth tour- Gea is struggling with a muscle problem. However, Leckie thinks they showed enough in that game nament and I know how these things work: the euphoria after going down 2-0 inside the first 15 minutes to suggest vanishes just as quickly as it appears. “So we have to make Vidal expects angry Spain they can cause the Dutch problems. “I’m sure Chile didn’t sure that we hold on to it, not only for the people and fans, Pedro Rodriguez and Juan Mata could also come expect such a hard game as what they got and Holland, but also for ourselves.” And the Manchester United striker obviously they’ve now seen that game and they’ll probably believes his new boss at club level, Van Gaal, will be pre- into the starting XI and the Barcelona forward is review it as well. pared for the very different task offered by Australia. “It was eager to erase the memory of Spain’s last trip to the “But we’ll definitely hit them in areas they won’t expect an amazing start for our World Cup and I think we’ve made Maracana, when they crashed 3-0 to Brazil in last and hopefully we can be clinical in the opportunities that a lot of people very happy. I’ve seen the spectacular year’s Confederations Cup final. “It is a mythical we get and we can put a few goals away. “We’ll go out there footage and images from the celebrations across the world ground,” said Pedro. “Every player would love to play with our game plan and hopefully we can play as well as and that makes me so proud. there because of its history. It is a big pitch and that we did for that 70 minutes against Chile and I think we’ll “However, as I said, those were only the first three could help us with our style of play. “In the definitely have our opportunities to win.” Australia’s most points. Now the focus is on Australia and I think that will be Confederations Cup I started, like Mata, and we potent weapon in attack against Chile was from crosses completely different to the game against Spain. “Australia couldn’t beat Brazil. Let’s hope we can beat Chile at towards Tim Cahill, who became just the eighth player to have a very different style and I think we are going to have the Maracana.” score in three World Cups with a fine header to bring his to adjust our own game to beat them. “It’s an interesting Sampaoli, a disciple of his fellow Argentine side back into the game at 2-1. And Leckie believes the process, having to adjust your game every time. However, Marcelo Bielsa, the former Chile coach, could elect to New York Red Bulls frontman will be key again if they are to we have a fantastic technical staff who know exactly how bring Osasuna midfielder Francisco Silva into his trouble the Dutch. to prepare us for matches, so I’m not worried.” Van Gaal is team and switch to a three-man defense. Another “We exposed Chile a lot on the wings, we have a lot of expected to name the same side that started against Spain option would involve Silva replacing playmaker Jorge speed on the sides and we have Timmy who is one of the with Wesley Sneijder joining Van Persie and Robben in Valdivia, which would see Arturo Vidal move forward best headers in the game, so if we can get into wide areas attack. Australia boss Ange Postecoglou will be forced into from midfield to play in support of strikers Eduardo and get some good crosses in, I think it’s going to be tough at least one change due to an injury suffered by Ivan Vargas and Alexis Sanchez. —AFP for any side to stop us.” The Netherlands, though, will be full Franjic, with former Heart of Midlothian defender Ryan of confidence after humiliating Spain to avenge their McGowan set to deputize. — AFP Akbar Travels opens branch in Kuwait

Page 22 Iraq’s oil growth at risk Business as demand accelerates: IEA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 Page 22 Mercedes-Benz app brings customers For Africa, credit bureaus the path to growth closer to C-Class Page 23 Page 26

BAHRAIN: This file picture released by NASA shows construction on the surface of the two southern atolls and petals of the Durrat Al-Bahrain. Artificial beaches have been created on the inner shorelines of the Crescent and petals, with smaller beaches on the inner ends of the atolls and Hotel Island. — AFP Bahrain fights to remain business hub Sagging state finances limit investment in economy

MANAMA: When Bahrain announced plans last almost daily in villages outside the capital. nearly 24 percent since February 2011, to $6.9 billion December to cut fuel subsidies, it was a rare step But inside Manama, the skyscrapers of the finan- at the end of 2013, the lowest since the end of 2005. Tear gas, clashes: France towards economic reform in a region where lavish cial district are undisturbed, while luxury hotels host cradle-to-grave welfare systems are the norm. The Saudis who cross the King Fahd Causeway to enjoy Future National Oil and Gas Authority said it would gradually Bahrain’s malls, restaurants and more liberal nightlife. Bahrain looks set to avoid any economic crisis fed up with train strike raise the domestic selling price for diesel fuel, almost Although some foreign financial firms have moved indefinitely because of support from neighboring PARIS: Even France may be getting fed flares on the tracks at Paris’ busy doubling it by 2017. But the plan soon got bogged some staff to Dubai, Bahrain has fought successfully Saudi Arabia, whose Sunni rulers have a geopolitical up with strikes. A week into a nationwide Montparnasse station, which links travel- down in domestic politics. to prevent a mass pull-out of foreign companies. It interest in supporting the country. In the wake of the train strike that has tangled traffic and ers with cities across western and south- Some members of parliament boycotted their still extends licenses to over 400 banks and financial 2011 uprising, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab stranded tourists, police fired tear gas western France. weekly meeting to protest the price hikes. Prime institutions, roughly the same number as before the Emirates and Kuwait pledged $10 billion of aid to yesterday at protesting rail workers. Two Even in a country where the right to Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa visited unrest, and continues to attract some new arrivals. Manama. This gesture encouraged Gulf companies polls suggest passengers have little sym- strike is almost sacred, the Socialist lead- parliament to say the plan should be reviewed. Six Officials say the past three years have shown and individuals to continue viewing Bahrain as a safe, pathy for the train workers’ lament. Even ership and their conservative opponents months later, it is not clear if it will go ahead. The sub- Bahrain can compete with Dubai and Qatar, partly by convenient business centre. the labor-friendly Socialist government is are losing patience. Prime Minister sidies saga underlines the obstacles facing Bahrain as marketing itself as a relatively low-cost alternative Last year, Manama relied on output from the Abu breaking a long-held French taboo and is Manuel Valls called the violence “unac- it seeks to move on from the events of 2011, when with a skilled local workforce as the other centers’ Safa oilfield which it shares with Saudi Arabia for openly criticizing the striking unions. The ceptable” and defended the reform bill in the country’s Sunni rulers put tanks on the streets to booms make them more expensive. “We welcome some 71 percent of its state budget revenue, up from strike has caused some of the worst dis- Parliament yesterday. A day earlier, in very quell Shiite-led pro-democracy protests. competition - it forces you to improve and raises 67 percent in 2012. Analysts believe Riyadh could ruption to the country’s rail network in unusual public criticism, Valls said “this The tiny Gulf state is now struggling to remain a standards. The faster the GCC economy as a whole raise Bahrain’s share of the oil if Manama runs into fis- years - and heated up as the reform bill strike is useless and irresponsible given major regional business centre in the face of continu- grows, the better it is for us,” said Kamal bin Ahmed, cal trouble. But survival as an economic satellite of went to the lower house of Parliament for the situation in the country.” ing domestic political unrest and tough competition minister of transportation and head of the Economic Saudi Arabia is a far cry from the glittering future as a debate yesterday. The bill would unite the Last week, French President FranÁois from wealthier rivals such as Dubai and Qatar. Growth Development Board (EDB). top regional commercial hub that seemed possible SNCF train operator with the RFF railway Hollande called on rail unions to bring an in its financial industry remains sluggish, while the Privately, local businessmen say they were for Bahrain before the unrest began. network, which would pave the way to end to the strike, even if he has no power unrest hinders Bahrain’s efforts to market itself as a cheered by the appointment in March 2013 of Crown If oil prices fall in coming years, as some analysts opening up railways to competition. to stop it. The right to strike is guaranteed logistics and tourism hub. The government wants to Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as first deputy expect, Bahrain may be unable to invest in its long- Workers fear the reform will mean job by the French constitution, with minor reform its finances, freeing up money to spend on prime minister. He is seen as business-friendly but term economic future while also spending heavily on losses and hurt the quality of France’s restrictions for transport workers, who developing the economy, but it will risk more dissent lost influence to hardline members of the ruling social welfare to limit social discontent. The latest extensive and often-vaunted train net- must give 48-hours’ notice of their inten- if it cuts back generous welfare payments. Khalifa family after the uprising; now he appears to state budget data hints at this dilemma. The deficit work. The government says the reform is tion to strike. The strike began last “Even though the subsidy plan is for diesel and be reasserting his authority over institutions such as nearly doubled to 410 million dinars ($1.1 billion) or needed to better streamline the railway’s Wednesday, and while only a minority of not gasoline that’s used in cars, it’s not something the EDB. 3.3 percent of GDP in 2013. Recurring expenditure on administration, as France and other workers is taking part, it has disrupted that will be accepted by the public, and that’s some- A look at the sources of Bahrain’s growth reveals a areas such as staff costs and services rose 14 percent European countries gear up for full-scale travel on trains and commuter lines thing the government doesn’t want to deal with,” less promising picture, however. Most growth is com- to 2.9 billion dinars, while spending on development railway liberalization in coming years. across France. About a third of trains were Jamal Fakhroo, deputy chairman of the Shura ing from the oil industry, which is vulnerable to projects plunged 35 percent to 477 million dinars. With sentiment piling up against them, canceled nationwide yesterday. The strike Council, a consultative body for the government, swings in global prices. Bahrain has less ample oil In an April report, the International Monetary unions aren’t backing down. Several hun- has not affected international lines such told Reuters. “People in the region in general are reserves than its rich neighbors - its proven reserves Fund said government debt was likely to rise to a dred workers staged a protest yesterday as the Eurostar train from Paris to London, used to having a government that takes care of could run out in a decade or so at current rates of record high of nearly 68 percent of GDP in 2019 from near the National Assembly on Paris’ Left but it has caused problems for interna- them. Now in Bahrain people are not paying their production, according to US government estimates. 44 percent in 2013, adding that Bahrain urgently Bank, waving red union flags and tional travelers using the commuter rail to electricity bills because they expect the king to par- The resources sector, which consists almost needed to reform its economy to stop its debt bur- demanding that the bill be delayed or and from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. don them.” entirely of oil and provides over a fifth of GDP, led den from becoming unsustainable. With talks changed. In northern Lille, protesters The strike further angered the public growth in the fourth quarter of 2013, expanding 14.6 between the government and opposition on ending briefly occupied City Hall. in Week Two as it ran into the start of high Growth percent from a year ago. Construction and financial the unrest deadlocked, it is not clear that Bahrain can The protesters blocked cars and tried school baccalaureate exams Monday. The By some measures, Bahrain’s economy has recov- services each edged up just 1.5 percent - a contrast find the political will to revamp its tax and subsidy to push past police to approach the par- SNCF had to reorganize its service to ered well since the protests in early 2011. Gross to Bahrain’s much more diversified development in systems. “It is dangerous to continue with the current liament building, firing flares and throw- make sure students get priority places on domestic product grew 5.3 percent in 2013, its the decade before its unrest, and the current rapid state debt. The economy is still a hostage to changes ing bottles. Officers responded with tear packed trains and buses. Two polls this fastest since 2008 and comparable to other states in growth across a wide range of sectors in Dubai and in the oil market and state revenue depends largely gas and batons and wrestled a few pro- week showed that most respondents the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. That was Qatar. While Bahrain’s financial industry continues to on oil,” said Jassim Hussein, an economist and mem- testers to the ground. Then protesters oppose the strike and support reform of up from 3.4 percent in 2012. Low-level unrest - police operate, it is far from the dynamism of Dubai. ber of leading opposition party Wefaq. “You can’t marched onto train tracks and set off the rail system. —AP firing tear gas and birdshot at youths burning tires Outstanding investments in Bahraini mutual funds, solve the economic problems when you have an and throwing rocks and petrol bombs - continues one indicator of investor confidence, have dropped ongoing political crisis.” — Reuters WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 BUSINESS Akbar Travels opens branch in Kuwait Focus on leisure market, holiday travel

By Sajeev K Peter together through tourism. In addition to catering to regular travel requirements, we propose to offer tai- KUWAIT: Akbar Travels, the leading travel services lor-made packages for families and leisure travelers company in India, is further widening its footprints from Kuwait,” he said. by opening its branch in Kuwait today. The new “We believe that tourism industry has the poten- branch located at Al-Qatami/Maryam complex, tial to create an understanding and foster friend- Grand Hypermarket, Fahaheel, will offer “every ship and cooperation among nations and nationali- aspect of travel and tourism industry services to its ties. Tourism can bring people together to make customers with a special focus on holiday travel ‘one world, one nation’. This is the cornerstone of and leisure market”. our philosophy when we offer a wide range of Announcing the company’s entry into Kuwait at tourism products to our customers such as confer- a press conference on Monday evening, Akbar ence and incentive tours, domestic and internation- Travels of India General Manager R Kannan said, al trade fairs, corporate business travel, medical “We are here not to compete, but to co-exist and tourism, student holidays, group tours and family cooperate with the local travel industry fraternity.” tours, students’ educational tours, honeymoon The company began its journey of expansion in tours, cultural tours and pilgrimage tours and the GCC with opening of its branch in the UAE. adventure tours. “Today, we have 14 branches outside India, includ- The Akbar Travels, the flagship company of the ing outlets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Akbar Group, has grown remarkably in the last 36 Malaysia and the USA and now in Kuwait. Soon we years with its strong infrastructure, professional will open our branch in the UK,” he said. manpower, network and financial stability. Akbar Travels is the only agency with 59 IATA According to Kannan, the growth and expansion of branches and 30 non-IATA outlets in India with the company paved way for its diversification and turnover worth billions of dollar every year. It has formation of ‘Benzy’ brand within Akbar Group. approximately 5,000 well-trained employees. As per “Today, we have Benzy holiday division under the IATA data, Akbar is the highest ticket issuing agency brand to take care of our overflowing travel busi- KUWAIT: R Kannan (second right), general manager, Akbar Travels, addresses the press conference in South Asian subcontinent. ness,” he said. to announce the opening of Akbar Travels branch in Kuwait. “Currently, we are operating Benzy inter-state “The growth of Akbar Group has also necessitat- Shaikh Abdulla, Kuwait regional manager, Packages bus service, Benzy Restaurants and Motels, Benzy ed it to create different verticals. As a result, we cre- Narayanan Kutty, general manager, head office, Talking about the company’s philosophy, Food & Beverages, Benzy Real Estate Developers - ated verticals to place our important divisions such Vinod Menon, general manager (NI) and K M Kannan said, “We are not a mere ticket-issuing sin- Home Makers, Benzy Transports, Benzy as Akbar Holidays, Akbar online portal, Akbar Sukumaran, Sr Executive, were also present during gle door travel agency. Our vision is to bring people Supermarket, Printing Press etc,” he added. Academy and Benzy Infotech,” he informed. the press conference. Iraq’s oil growth at risk as demand accelerates: IEA

China may overtake US as top crude importer in 2014

LONDON: Iraq’s oil growth targets look increas- OPEC crude plus inventories by 900,000 bpd to ingly at risk, the International Energy Agency 30.1 million bpd in 2014. “Oil markets are in RAKBANK joins said, as threats to supplies from political instabil- many ways tighter today than they were at the ity and violence grow just as demand is picking onset of the US shale and tight oil boom, and UAE wave with up due to a stronger global economy. Iraq is the considerably tighter than they were a year ago,” second-largest producer in OPEC and its north- the IEA said. $500m debut issue ern exports have been offline since March. The Paris-based IEA also coordinates the use OPEC output has also been hit by unrest in of strategic oil reserves held by its members in FRANKFURT: Marguerites stand near the new headquarters of the European Central DUBAI: United Arab Emirates-based National Bank of Ras Al- Libya, sanctions on Iran and oil theft in Nigeria. case of supply shocks. Van der Hoeven said on a Bank in Frankfurt yesterday. The ECB is expected to move into the building by the Khaimah (RAKBANK) priced its debut $500 million bond yes- “Within OPEC, Iraq remains the main source conference call the latest violence in Iraq had end of 2014. — AP terday, the latest offer from the UAE as heavy investor of most of the expected capacity growth, but not cut its supply, although the agency was demand brings down borrowing costs for Gulf firms. The this expansion looks increasingly at risk,” Maria keeping an eye on developments there. lender, rated BBB-plus by Fitch and around 50 percent owned van der Hoeven, the IEA’s executive director, “We will continue to monitor the situation German confidence by the government of Ras Al-Khaimah, one of the seven emi- wrote in the report’s Foreword. Still, the adviser closely and keep in close touch with our mem- rates in the UAE, attracted orders worth over $1.5 billion. to the United States and other industrialised bers, ready to respond in the event of a major at 18-month low The transaction, which has a lifespan of five years, carries a countries also said in its Medium Term Oil disruption in physical supplies of oil,” she said. It coupon of 3.25 percent and came at a reoffer price of 99.275 Market Report yesterday that global growth in last tapped the stocks in 2011 during the Libyan FRANKFURT: Investment sentiment in months. and a spread of 160 basis points over mid-swaps, according to oil demand may start to slow down by the end war. In the report, the IEA cut its estimate of Germany fell to its lowest level for 18 months The sub-index measuring financial market a document from lead managers. The spread was tighter than of this decade due partly to high prices, and Iraq’s oil production capacity growth by 470,000 in June amid concern Europe’s top economy is players’ view of the current economic situa- the initial price thoughts in the area of 170 bps given on shale oil would start to spread outside the bpd, and now expects capacity to reach 4.54 losing momentum, a survey found yesterday. tion in Germany rose by 5.6 points to 67.7 Monday. United States. million bpd by 2019 - much lower than the Iraqi The widely watched investor confidence points in June its highest level since July 2011. RAKBANK, the UAE’s sixth-largest lender by market value, Oil prices jumped to almost $115 a barrel government’s plan of up to 9 million bpd by index calculated by the ZEW economic insti- A frequent criticism of the ZEW index is that it joins others from the Gulf Arab state in tapping bond markets last week, the highest since September, as 2020. tute fell by 3.3 points to 29.8 points in June, it can be volatile and is therefore not particular- at a time when borrowing costs have tightened, supported by advances by Sunni insurgents in Iraq raised con- While highlighting production risks in OPEC, said in a statement. That was the lowest level ly reliable. strong global and local investor demand. cern that more of the country’s supply could be the IEA also said shale oil would make an since December 2012. “There recently had been doubts and con- Last week, Emaar Malls Group, a unit of Dubai’s largest list- disrupted. At present, the agency expects OPEC impact outside the United States before the Analysts had been projecting a slight cerns about the strength of the German econ- ed developer Emaar Properties, and telecommunications to increase its production capacity by 2.08 mil- end of the decade, with 650,000 bpd of supplies lion barrels per day (bpd) - to 37.06 million bpd coming by 2019 from Canada, Russia and increase to around 35 points this month. “The omy,” said ING DiBa economist Carsten operator Etisalat completed deals, with the latter pricing the by 2019. More than 60 percent of the growth is Argentina. But the IEA also questioned whether indicator has decreased for the sixth time in a Brzeski.”Slowing emerging market economies, largest ever corporate bond deal by a Gulf corporate at the expected to come from Iraq. other countries looking to develop shale had row,” said ZEW president Clemens Fuest. “The the economic weakness of Germany’s most tightest pricing. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi state-owned lender The report contrasts with the IEA’s previous the combination of above- and below-ground recent decrease, however, was notably less important trading partner France and ongo- Al-Hilal Bank is currently meeting fixed income investors and medium-term update in May 2013, which fore- advantages that enabled the U.S. supply boom, significant than the May decrease, when the ing geopolitical conflicts close to Germany’s is expected to issue a capital-boosting Islamic bond next cast U.S. shale oil would help meet most of the and said that US output growth would tail off. indicator lost more than ten points. backyard looked set to take their toll on the week. world’s new oil demand, leaving little room for Underlining the steady shift of oil demand “The German economy is currently in a German economy,” the expert said. Other Gulf borrowers are also benefiting from the con- OPEC to lift output without risking lower prices. growth to Asia, the IEA said China would over- very good shape, but further increases are “However, fears of crash landing were ducive market environment: Commercial Bank of Qatar has Now, the IEA expects world oil demand in 2014 take the United States as the world’s top crude becoming more difficult,” Fuest said.”We had a overdone,” even if the fundamental risks had attracted orders worth over four times the $750 million bond size. While the region is witnessing strong deal flows, to average 92.76 million bpd, 960,000 bpd more oil importer as soon as this year. After 2015, the strong first quarter in 2014 due to favorable clearly not disappeared, Brzeski said. Capital than expected in May 2013. Global demand IEA sees a slowdown in global oil demand weather conditions, but signs are that the sec- Economics economist Jennifer McKeown said bonds sales are expected to taper off in coming weeks, once the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan starts at the end growth will accelerate to 1.42 million bpd next growth further down the road, citing environ- ond quarter will be weaker,” he said. For the investors had been unimpressed by the year from 1.32 million bpd in 2014, it said. The mental concerns and cheaper alternatives to oil. survey, ZEW questions analysts and institu- European Central Bank’s recent raft of mone- of June. RAKBANK’s bond is being issued through the Rakfunding Cayman Ltd special purpose vehicle, with Organization of the Petroleum Exporting “While ‘peak demand’ for oil, other than in tional investors about their current assess- tary easing. The ZEW reading “adds to signs Countries will need to pump more oil than mature economies, may still be many years ment of the economic situation in Germany, that the German recovery is nearing a peak,” National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Standard Chartered arrang- ing the sale. — Reuters expected in the previous medium-term report, away, peak oil demand growth for the market as well as their expectations for the coming she said. — AFP the IEA said, raising its forecast of demand for as a whole is already in sight,” it said. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Syrian Pound 2.900 Philippine Peso 0.006360 0.006640 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Nepalese Rupees 3.880 Sierra Leone 0.000069 0.000075 Malaysian Ringgit 87.040 Singapore Dollar 0.223263 0.229263 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.395 South African Rand 0.020476 0.028976 Japanese Yen 2.773 Thai Bhat 9.680 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001871 0.002451 Indian Rupees 4.686 Australian Dollar 269.29 266.29 Turkish Lira 134.045 Taiwan 0.009311 0.009491 Pakistani Rupees 2.865 Canadian Dollar 262.76 263.76 Thai Baht 0.008396 0.008946 Srilankan Rupees 2.168 Swiss Franc 319.33 317.33 Nepali Rupees 2.929 Euro 385.26 386.26 Arab Singapore Dollar 226.560 US Dollar 282.25 285.25 Bahrain Exchange Company Bahraini Dinar 0.743809 0.751809 Hongkong Dollar 36.478 Sterling Pound 482.08 485.08 Egyptian Pound 0.037151 0.040251 Bangladesh Taka 3.636 Japanese Yen 2.82 2.84 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000080 Philippine Peso 6.433 Bangladesh Taka 3.633 3.903 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Thai Baht 8.734 Indian Rupee 4.736 5.036 Belgian Franc 0.007351 0.008351 Jordanian Dinar 0.394722 0.402222 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.166 2.601 British Pound 0.467655 0.482655 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 Nepali Rupee 2.964 3.499 Czech Korune 0.006211 0.018211 Lebanese Pound 0.000138 0.000238 Pakistani Rupee 2.875 2.790 Danish Krone 0.047368 0.052368 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024406 0.048406 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 76.91 77.38 Euro 0.377876 0.385878 Nigerian Naira 0.001196 0.001831 Bahraini Dinar 751.23 753.30 Saudi Riyal 75.430 Norwegian Krone 0.043199 0.048399 Omani Riyal 0.728643 0.734323 Egyptian Pound 39.46 40.06 Qatari Riyal 77.721 Romanian Leu 0.081615 0.81615 Qatar Riyal 0.076982 0.078195 Jordanian Dinar 401.71 407.36 Omani Riyal 734.800 Slovakia 0.008099 0.018099 Saudi Riyal 0.074790 0.075790 Omani Riyal 734.03 741.33 Bahraini Dinar 751.300 Swedish Krona 0.038484 0.043484 Syrian Pound 0.001754 0.001974 Qatari Riyal 77.94 78.49 UAE Dirham 77.033 Swiss Franc 0.308548 0.318748 Saudi Riyal 75.40 75.80 Tunisian Dinar 0.167305 0.175305 Turkish Lira 0.136149 0.143149 Turkish Lira 0.136149 0.143149 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 0.076028 0.077177 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.470 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001275 0.001355 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.465 Australian Dollar 0.257785 0.269285 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.320 New Zealand Dollar 0.239188 0.248688 Tunisian Dinar 170.950 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Al Mulla Exchange Jordanian Dinar 399.450 US Dollar 281.500 Canadian Dollar 259.510 America Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.898 Canadian Dollar 0.255406 0.263906 Syrian Lira 2.016 Sterling Pound 475.750 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Euro 391.810 US Dollars 0.278750 0.283100 US Dollar 282.000 Morocco Dirham 35.124 US Dollars Mint 0.279250 0.283100 Swiss Frank 320.975 Euro 384.800 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 749.235 Pound Sterlng 480.500 UAE Dirhams 76.620 Asia US Dollar Transfer 282.750 Bangladesh Taka 0.003295 0.003895 Canadian Dollar 261.500 Euro 384.540 Qatari Riyals 78.200 Indian Rupee 4.698 Saudi Riyals 75.340 Chinese Yuan 0.044118 0.047618 Sterling Pound 481.100 Egyptian Pound 39.450 Jordanian Dinar 396.715 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034406 0.037156 Canadian dollar 261.320 Indian Rupee 0.004490 0.004891 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.166 Turkish lira 131.790 Egyptian Pound 40.115 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.154 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Bangladesh Taka 3.635 Swiss Franc 315.920 Japanese Yen 0.002696 0.002876 Philippines Peso 6.425 Australian Dollar 265.500 Indian Rupees 4.679 Pakistani Rupees 2.852 Kenyan Shilling 0.003297 0.003297 Pakistan Rupee 2.870 US Dollar Buying 281.550 Bangladesh Taka 3.622 Korean Won 0.000268 0.000283 Bahraini Dinar 751.500 GOLD Philippines Pesso 6.322 Malaysian Ringgit 0.084172 0.090172 UAE Dirham 76.850 20 Gram 245.000 Cyprus pound 691.420 Nepalese Rupee 0.002994 0.003164 Saudi Riyal 75.400 10 Gram 124.000 Japanese Yen 3.750 Pakistan Rupee 0.002662 0.002942 5 Gram 64.000 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 For Africa and its entrepreneurs, credit bureaus the path to growth

LUSAKA/LAGOS: When Joyce Musonda wanted to start a according to the World Bank. The numbers are even low- formal economy. The informal sector accounts for 55 per- borrowers. “It helps you take a risk with your eyes wide business two years ago selling kitchen tiles from her er, or non-existent, in other African countries. cent of the economic output in Sub-Saharan Africa and open,” said George Akello, Standard Chartered’s credit backyard in an up-and-coming district of Zambia’s capi- But gradually, at the urging of the World Bank - which 80 percent of the labor force, according to the African officer for African retail banking tal of Lusaka, she braced herself for a battle to find a has introduced programs in 19 sub-Saharan countries to Development Bank. start-up loan. Her predicament is common: around 80 promote the growth of credit bureaus - Zambia and oth- In Nigeria alone, home to one of the continent’s Learning process percent of sub-Saharan adults have no bank accounts er countries are doing more. Making more entrepreneurs biggest informal sectors, the IFC expects its credit bureau On the diesel-choked streets of Nigeria’s biggest city, and struggle to access finance from banks reluctant to visible to banks not only increases the number of loans push to help create $5.1 billion in lending to small busi- Lagos, the reach of the informal economy is plain to see: lend to new customers, especially the small entrepre- but in turn lifts the larger economy and creates employ- nesses in the next three years. That’s an attractive women sell bags of drinking water and young men hawk neurs for whom they have no history. ment - the ultimate goal. prospect for investors, and some are now stepping up for “Nollywood” DVDs and paperback copies of “Think and Musonda’s solution came from an unexpected quar- “When there’s little information, then there’s little a slice of the action. Grow Rich”. With the help of more credit bureaus these ter: she discovered that Zambia - wanting to encourage financing,” said Luz Maria Salamina of the International Private equity firm Actis this year took a stake in street hawkers could be the next small-scale entrepre- more middle-class business people like her - had set up a Finance Corporation (IFC), an arm of the World Bank. South Africa’s Compuscan, which operates credit bureaus neurs, analysts say. That said, rolling out the bureaus is credit bureau to record her credit history and show her to “When you extend credit to a very small company or in Africa. “In many African markets the only way to get easier said than done, and growth in many markets is be a reliable customer. Within days, the bank had business and they expand their services, they impact credit is if you have some sort of physical asset that can slow. Compuscan has had to come up with work-arounds approved a $3,000 loan. Musonda now does brisk trade society and they create jobs,” added Salamina, who leads be used as collateral, or you are a well-known person,” in Uganda where there are no national ID numbers, and from the 20-foot steel container packed with Chinese- an IFC programme to promote the growth of credit said Frank Lenisa, a director at Compuscan. instead introduced biometric cards to track borrowers. made floor tiles and roofing that sits in the yard of her bureaus in sub-Saharan Africa. “A credit report provides the consumer with another And among the banks themselves there is sometimes a freshly painted Lusaka home. type of asset, what we call reputational collateral.” A side- reluctance to understand why sharing of their customers’ “Before the credit reference bureau I don’t think I Making it formal effect of this, bankers say, is that customers now tend to credit data can make a difference to their business. “It is could have been granted the loan with such ease,” said Loans from banks and micro-lenders also play a major pay off their debts more readily in order to protect their still very much a cash-based economy,” Compuscan’s the 37-year-old. Zambia’s credit bureau, set up five years role in bringing cash-based small businesses - the so- record. Most African credit bureaus only provide rudi- Lenisa said. “Until they actually get together and love ago, still only has data on 12 percent of the population, called informal sector that isn’t usually taxed - into the mentary data, but that still helps banks size up potential data it’s still a learning process.” — Reuters DreamWorks mixing faves, newbies in YouTube debut

LOS ANGELES: When AwesomenessTV ence large enough to attract the atten- launched as a YouTube channel two tion of a major studio. DreamWorks years ago, it was a bet by veteran TV and Animation SKG Inc. bought movie producer Brian Robbins on the AwesomenessTV in May 2013 for what ability of teen and tween audiences to could exceed $100 million if the channel find videos they love to watch online. On operator continues to hit its earnings tar- Monday, Robbins kicked off DreamWorks gets. This March, The Walt Disney Co said TV, another YouTube channel that repre- it would pay up to $950 million for rival sents one of the first attempts by YouTube channel operator Maker Studios, Hollywood to mesh the polished look of a price that makes the AwesomenessTV movies with the chaos of content on the deal seem like a bargain. Internet. The online platform will be a relatively The channel is aimed at 6 to 11 year inexpensive way to develop hits and to olds and will have a mix of videos featur- forget failures. Birk Rawlings, head of ani- ing characters familiar to DreamWorks mation at DreamWorks TV, said the net- Animation audiences - like “Shrek” and work will debut more than a dozen new Po from “Kung Fu Panda” - alongside shows in the first few weeks, including those who haven’t yet made it big - like “Jimmy Blue Shorts” and “Fifi Cat cardboard cut-out news anchors from Therapist.” One live-action show will re- “The Report Card.” The hope is that kids imagine the comic book character who come to watch their favorite charac- “Richie Rich,” one of the hundreds of ters will get interested in new ones that characters DreamWorks acquired when it might one day become just as valuable. bought Classic Media in June 2012. Robbins compared his channel to Executives will tweak the lineup based cable TV networks such as MTV and ESPN on audience feedback in the form of in the 1970s and ‘80s. What were once “likes,” repeat viewings and the amount fledgling networks that no one watched of time people stick around. The venture have now become multibillion-dollar represents a great way for DreamWorks enterprises that are the bedrocks of to try out new content and keep audi- LVIV: In this file photo, a Ukrainian worker operates a valve in a gas storage point in Bil ‘che-Volicko-Ugerske underground gas storage facilities in Strij, outside Lviv, Ukraine. — AP major media companies. “This is really ences engaged with their biggest fran- about building the cable channel of chises, said Peter Csathy, chief executive tomorrow,” Robbins said in an interview. of Manatt Digital Media Ventures, an investor in YouTube channel network Ukraine reassures public “What we think is happening digitally is that the next generation of those brands DanceOn. will be born out of this digital revolution He said it’s fine if some quickly made that’s going on.” programming doesn’t live up to the lus- after Russian gas cut AwesomenessTV was one of the start- cious imagery and vibrant animation of up channels that received a small piece of the DreamWorks brand. “You don’t have to the $100 million in seed funding that wait to see if you succeed after you put YouTube doled out to some 100 creators hundreds of millions of dollars into ‘Shrek,’” Russian oil companies say Iraqi fields not threatened two years ago to develop original content he said. “Now you can put in a fraction of for the online video platform. Today, it is that and throw spaghetti against the wall KIEV: Ukraine rushed yesterday to assure a jittery promise solution proposed in Kiev by the European have for the most part refused to complicate their one of the few to have amassed an audi- and see what sticks.” — AP public it would not suffer from Russia’s latest gas Union’s energy commissioner. Ukraine receives half relations with Russian energy giant Gazprom by cut and sent a team to Europe to bolster energy its gas from Russia and transports 15 percent of the selling Russia’s own gas back to Ukraine at a price ties. The delicate mission came as lawmakers pre- fuel consumed in Europe-a dependence that has lower than that imposed on Kiev by Moscow. pared to call on Kiev to declare martial law in two not diminished despite similar supply disruptions in European companies “do not have the right to do separatist eastern regions where a 10-week insur- 2006 and 2009. that,” Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller told gency has claimed more than 320 lives. Russia imposed the cut after Ukraine balked at Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency on Monday. The latest violence in the heavily Russified rust- making a $1.9-billion (1.4-billion-euro) debt pay- belt saw the border guard service report the injury ment in protest at Moscow’s decision to nearly dou- Martial law of 31 soldiers in mortar fire attacks. The pro-Russian ble Kiev’s rates in the wake of the February ouster of Ukraine’s new President Petro Poroshenko said uprising has threatened the survival of the ex- a Kremlin-backed president. A gas shortage is not on Monday he hoped impose a ceasefire once Soviet state and put East-West relations under pres- expected to felt in either Ukraine or Europe for sev- troops regain control of the Russian border and sure not witnessed since the Cold War. The Kremlin eral months. Ukraine’s bolstered its underground stop the flow of arms and gunmen into the conflict has denied fomenting the unrest. But its March storage volumes and analysts believe that Europe’s zone. The 48-year-old confectionery tycoon prom- seizure of Crimea and border troop movements own reserves are nearly full. ised to accomplish that uneasy goal by the week- were followed on Monday by a fuel stoppage that But Kiev is seeking to devise a longer-term solu- end and then launch talks with peaceful sepa- Kiev called “another stage of Russia’s aggression tion that would eliminate a need to maintain an ratists. But lawmakers want him to go much fur- against the Ukrainian state”. alliance with Russia to secure gas prices it can ther and declare martial law-a step Poroshenko has The head of Ukraine’s indebted state energy firm afford. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said yes- resisted out of fear of fanning pro-Russian senti- Naftogaz said consumers-already facing unpopular terday that a team headed by Kobolev and Energy ments in the east. Parliament was expected to social benefit cuts being adopted under the terms Minister Yuriy Prodan was flying to Budapest to adopt a non-binding motion calling on of a massive IMF rescue loan-would be shielded negotiate “reverse-flow” deliveries along pipelines Poroshenko to take that emergency measure from Russia’s punitive step. “I think that normal now used for transporting Russian gas west. immediately. But a separatist leader in the Donetsk users will not be affected in any way,” Naftogaz chief “Our volumes of reverse-flow shipments are region-the epicentre of fighting where militants on Andriy Kobolev said in televised remarks. Weeks of insufficient to provide Ukraine with gas. But when Monday briefly seized local central bank-said no This undated image shows an image from “Jimmy Blue Shorts,” one of more than a acrimonious debt and price negotiations broke up we start large-scale reverse supplies... we will see talks with Poroshenko were possible without dozen new shows on DreamWorks TV. — AP on Monday with Russia walking away from a com- real diversification,” he said. But European utilities Moscow’s direct involvement. —Agencies Egypt extends slump as Iraq worries weigh

MIDEAST STOCKS DUBAI: Egypt’s stock index fell for a third Telecom Egypt dropped 2.2 percent, property a near two-year rally and buying back stocks at straight session yesterday as worries over the developer Talaat Moustafa slid 1.8 percent and lower prices. crisis in Iraq spurred Cairo investors to lock in Commercial International Bank fell 1.5 percent. “Dubai triggered a downtrend on a technical some of this year’s gains. But Gulf markets gen- The government’s financial year ends on June basis, which would indicate there’s probably erally stabilized after losses earlier this week. 30, which has prompted some fund managers more downside to come after breaking below The Cairo benchmark dropped 1.5 percent to at state-linked institutions to cut equity posi- the lows of about a month ago,” said Bruce 8,397 points, taking its losses to 4 percent since tions and lock in this year’s gains, said Radwan. Powers, technical strategist and president at June 12’s two-week high. The measure is still up Also, Egypt’s regulator has yet to approve WideVision in Dubai. “It’s a long overdue correc- 23.8 percent in 2014. Beltone Financial’s bid for 20 percent of invest- tion and in the bigger picture it’s healthy for the “We’re mainly being affected by the regional ment bank EFG Hermes, causing some jitters market, but it’s happening just before the sum- equity sell-off that’s due to the escalating vio- among investors. Beltone made a $257 million mer so it could go on for a few months. Within lence in Iraq,” said Mohamed Radwan, head of offer together with billionaire Nauib Sawiris for that there will be plenty of short-term trading equities at Pharos Securities in Cairo. “There’s no the EFG stake on June 5, but a few days later the opportunities.” positive macro political or economic news, market regulator said the offer did not yet meet Property-related stocks, which are among which is depriving the market of any more regulatory requirements. Shares in EFG fell 1.1 the most liquid on the bourse and tend to exag- gains. It’s taking a breather.” US President Barack percent yesterday. Beltone mounted a late rally gerate broader market moves, recouped some Obama considered options for military action to to reverse early-session losses and end 3.3 per- of their recent losses. Builder Arabtec and con- support Iraq’s besieged government on Monday cent higher, although only 7,536 shares traded. tractor Drake & Scull climbed 4.2 and 7.3 per- but made no decision on the US response to a cent respectively. Arabtec, down 45 percent Sunni militant onslaught that has threatened to Gulf from May’s peak of 7.74 dirhams, has been tear the country apart. Meanwhile, Gulf markets were mixed follow- plagued by concern about the decision by Although the conflict may have no direct ing a widespread sell-off earlier this week that major shareholder Aabar Investments to cut its impact on Egypt, higher oil prices could worsen was partly due to unease over Iraq, even though stake earlier this month. In late trade on its balance of payments and hit state finances the region’s oil-exporting economies are unlike- Monday, Arabtec’s chief executive Hasan Ismaik through the fuel subsidy system. Last week, the ly to be hurt and could even benefit from higher told Al-Arabiya television that recent rumors of index tested and failed to break chart resistance crude prices. In Dubai, the benchmark rose 0.6 a conflict between the managements of on May’s multi-year peak of 8,823 points. Its percent to 4,495 points in another volatile ses- Arabtec and Aabar were untrue. He said the sharp pull-back suggests that level is a strong sion. The measure eased away from Monday’s stock’s plunge did not reflect its fair value. barrier. 11-week low to stand up 33 percent in 2014, as Qatar’s measure edged down 0.3 percent to a Selling was across all sectors yesterday. investors switched between booking gains from two-month low. — Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 Bank of England sees strong chance rates will rise

LONDON: British interest rates have a dropped to 1.5 percent in May, its lowest strong chance of rising before next May, since October 2009. Miles said he had no a member of the Bank of England’s rate- desire to keep up his record of never vot- setting committee told a newspaper, ing for a change in interest rates - which reinforcing the view that the central some in the market took to mean that he bank may still tighten monetary policy was more open to voting for a rate hike. this year. BoE Governor Mark Carney said Minutes from the latest monetary pol- last week that interest rates might rise icy meeting are due on Wednesday and earlier than the market had been expect- investors will scour them to see if more ing. That led market participants to bring policymakers voted for rate hikes. The forward expectations of a rate hike to latest change in the Bank’s tone comes 2014 from early next year. David Miles, after its forward guidance had to be the most persistent advocate for more adjusted earlier this year because of a stimulus in 2012 and 2013, told the surprisingly fast fall in unemployment. Times that consistently strong growth Forward guidance was adopted to man- might have influenced the change in age market expectations without need- tone. ing to provide more stimulus. The origi- “I guess until very recently the expec- nal guidance stipulated that the Bank tation implied by the short end of the would not consider raising rates until yield curve (was) that the first rise in unemployment fell below 7 percent. interest rates might be April or May next Asked about its credibility in light of year. Clearly there is the chance that the those changes - and whether people rise will be before that,” Miles said. would pay attention to the BoE’s remain- “Consistently, growth has come in ing message that any rise in rates will be stronger. The longer that lasts, clearly gradual and limited - Miles defended the one starts to change one’s view of how policy. “That first stage of forward guid- robust the recovery is and that will affect ance served its purpose in heading (off) when you think is the right time to start a risk of a rapid tightening in the stance normalizing policy.” of policy in the embryonic stage of a Miles said the chance of a rate rise recovery. We’ve gone beyond that now, before the end of the year was above the so it makes sense the message has to 10 percent probability which markets change,” Miles said. had previously priced in, which he “The committee can agree that the described as “implausibly low”. Britain’s most likely outcome at the moment is economy kept up last year’s strong pace that, when the rate increases come, they of growth in the first three months of this are probably going to (be) gradual,” he year, and a record number of people said. “There is no point in saying definite- found work in the three months to April. ly because stuff happens that you can’t But subdued inflation has enabled the expect - they will be gradual and to a lev- BoE to keep rates at a record low. Figures el that is lower than what we used to yesterday showed that annual inflation think of as normal.” — Reuters

AVIA NAPA: A woman sits on the sand as other people enjoy the sea at “Nissi Beach” in the famous southeastern coastal resort of Ayia Napa, Cyprus. Some 2.4 million tourists visited Cyprus in 2013, with tourism revenues up 8.2 percent over the previ- ous year. — AP Bulgaria sees gas supply potential from Cyprus

NICOSIA: Bulgaria’s foreign minister said covered one field off its southern coast esti- Monday that Cyprus could eventually sup- mated to hold 3.6 trillion to 6 trillion cubic ply his country and other central European feet of gas that US firm Noble energy and its nations with natural gas to lessen the Israeli partners Delek and Avner are looking region’s heavy dependence on Russian to develop. Cyprus has licensed industry deliveries. Kristian Vigenin said Cyprus giants Eni of Italy, South Korean Kogas and could be key to an envisioned “north-south France’s Total to look for oil and gas off its corridor” supplying gas to central Europe. shores and wants to speed up the search. “Cyprus can play an important role in the Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos project delivering gas to (liquefied natural Lakkotrypis said Monday that Eni has expe- gas) terminals in Greece and then from dited exploration plans by several months there this can bring gas up to Bulgaria, and drilling - which is expected to start Romania and central Europe,” Vigenin said toward the end of summer - will last 12 to after talks with his Cypriot counterpart 18 months. He said Total plans to start Ioannis Kasoulides. Vigenin said Bulgaria drilling in the second half of next year. The can’t fully replace Russian gas given its near east Mediterranean island nation is seeking total reliance on Moscow for the fossil fuel, to build its own land-based facility to but Cyprus could become a future supplier process gas for export, but needs additional over the medium term. He cautioned much deposits to make the project viable over a work remains to make that a reality. 20-year period. Lakkotrypis said Cyprus may Bulgaria imports around 106 billion also seek additional quantities of gas from cubic feet of gas annually. Cyprus has dis- neighboring countries.— AP After oil, natural gas may be next on N American rails NEW YORK: As politicians debate the dangers port a robust gas-by-rail market, experts said. of a massive increase in oil carried by rail in More-volatile liquids like ethylene and North America, railroads and energy producers propane already travel on the rails in growing are considering the same for natural gas. volumes. But as concerns about the safety of Buoyed by the unexpected success of crude by crude by rail intensify, regulators are exercising rail, companies are beginning to consider trans- extreme caution with uncertified fuels like LNG, porting natural gas as remote drilling frontiers said executives involved in developing the tech- emerge beyond the reach of pipelines, execu- nology. Stressing that it is too early to say, many tives said. of the major Class 1 railroads that have Natural gas by rail is years away and likely to embraced crude by rail declined to speak about face strong public resistance after a series of specific plans for gas by rail. Calgary-based explosive crude-by-rail accidents. But the poten- Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd, for example, was tially multibillion-dollar development could con- just “monitoring any discussions in this area,” a nect gas-rich regions like North Dakota with spokesman said. urban centers, presenting an opportunity for Breitling Energy Corp CEO Chris Faulkner railroads, drillers and tank car makers already said he and other gas producers were dis- cashing in from hauling oil on trains. cussing the idea, but his company was not con- It could also be a cure for environmentally sidering it. “I can only imagine the amount of unfriendly flaring, a growing problem in far- pushback we’re going to have on transporting flung areas where more than $1 billion of natu- gas by rail,” Faulkner said. “The discussion isn’t ral gas produced alongside oil is burned off about safety and fact, it’s about fear.” each year for lack of processing plants or But as railroads team up with companies like pipelines that can take years to build. “Everyone General Electric Co and Caterpillar Inc to devel- is talking about moving gas by rail,” said David op technology to run locomotives on LNG, Demers, chief executive officer of Westport many say that hauling the fuel as cargo is the Innovations, which is developing technology for next step as a drilling revolution transforms natural gas-powered locomotives. “They see North American energy markets. this as a large opportunity and have their pen- cils out to see how it could work.” “A lot of money” Demers said Berkshire Hathaway’s BNSF was LNG, natural gas cooled and shrunk to a liq- one railroad considering the move. BNSF uid for shipping, already powers heavy-duty declined to comment on its plans, but a spokes- trucks and boats in the United States and woman said it would take time for any develop- Canada. A network of fueling stations is crop- ment of gas by rail. Transporting gas by rail, ping up with backing from the likes of Royal most likely as cryogenic liquefied natural gas Dutch Shell Plc and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (LNG), faces obstacles. The technology is in its Small-scale refrigeration plants that can turn gas infancy, and so far no tank car is permitted to to LNG are being built in drilling regions to carry the fuel on US rails. Nor are there enough reduce gas flaring. In remote North Dakota, one- plants that convert natural gas to LNG to sup- third of the gas produced is flared. — Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Asia shares mixed as traders watch Iraq, Fed meeting

HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed yester- while Brent crude for August declined 42 cents to day, following a tepid lead from Wall Street ahead $112.52. of a US Federal Reserve policy meeting, while oil edged down a touch from nine-month highs as All eyes on Fed chief Yellen traders nervously watch the crisis in Iraq. The dollar On Wall Street the three main share indexes end- nudged a little higher against the yen after the pre- ed lower last week but edged up slightly Monday, vious day’s sell-off but the uncertainty caused by helped by a better-than-expected rise in US indus- events in the Gulf kept gains to a minimum. trial production. The Dow was up 0.03 percent, the Tokyo closed 0.29 percent, or 42.68 points, high- S&P 500 tacked on 0.08 percent and the Nasdaq er to finish at 14,975.97 after sinking more than rose 0.24 percent. Attention will now turn to the one percent on Monday, while Seoul gained 0.40 Fed’s policy meeting that wraps up on Wednesday. percent, or 7.96 points, to 2,001.55. But Sydney Expectations are for the bank to cut a further gave up 0.21 percent, or 11.6 points, to end at $10 billion from its monthly stimulus spending and 5,400.7 while Shanghai slipped 0.92 percent, or keep interest rates at record lows. Investors are 19.29 points, to 2,066.70. Hong Kong slid 0.42 per- more interested in what chief Janet Yellen has to cent, or 97.08 points, to 23,203.59. With few eco- say about future policy. Kathy Lien, managing nomic catalysts to drive trade, Iraq has dominated director at BK Asset Management, said the Fed investors’ attention as militants sweep across the could tweak its forecasts for the year to trim its country, taking over key cities and heading for unemployment projection and raise its estimate Baghdad. for inflation. If that happens, “Yellen will need to On Monday the jihadists battled government provide an explanation that convinces the market forces for control of a strategic northern town, while (the Fed) hasn’t gotten any closer to tightening”, US officials considered using drone strikes against Lien said. “If she fails, the US dollar and Treasury the rebels. The fighting has raised fears over sup- yields will rise.” In afternoon Tokyo foreign plies of oil from Iraq, a key exporter, sending prices exchange trade the dollar was worth 102.00 yen rocketing to highs not seen since September. compared with 101.84 yen in New York. The euro Yesterday dealers cashed in some of those gains, bought $1.3557 and 138.29 yen, up from $1.3570 although losses were limited. In the afternoon US and 138.20 yen. Gold fetched $1,265.00 an ounce benchmark West Texas Intermediate for July delivery at 1045 GMT compared with $1,280.00 late fell 39 cents to $106.51 a barrel in afternoon trade, Monday. — AFP TOKYO: People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm yesterday. — AP China’s FDI down 6.7% Antigua, China investors plan big tourism project

BEIJING: Foreign direct investment into China fell 6.7 percent year-on-year to $8.6 billion in May, the government said yesterday, denying that a row with Vietnam was behind a slump in investment from southeast Asia. For the first five months of the year, FDI-which excludes invest- ment in financial sectors-was up 1.6 percent at $48.91 billion, the commerce ministry said in a statement. In April, FDI was $8.7 billion. “Investment from major countries and regions into China generally maintained a stable growth momentum,” the ministry said. Over the January-May period, investment from the European Union dropped 22.1 percent to $2.58 billion, with that from Association of Southeast PARIS: Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser (left), Mitsubishi CEO Shunichi Miyanaga (center) and Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries falling 22.3 per- Gerhard Cromme, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens, arrive for a meeting cent to $2.54 billion. Funding from Japan- with French President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace yesterday. — AP China’s fifth-biggest investor-plunged 42.2 per- cent, the ministry said, without giving an amount.China has multiple territorial disputes Siemens and Mitsubishi claim with its neighbours, and tensions with Vietnam are at a peak after Beijing deployed an oil rig in their Alstom offer beats GE’s disputed waters, but ministry spokesman Shen Danyang denied the row was responsible for the PARIS: German industrial group Siemens and GE offer ‘clear, coherent’ fall in ASEAN investment. Japanese firm Mitsubishi valued the energy General Electric has made a firm offer to The statistics were based on specific projects division of French group Alstom at 14.2 bil- buy the power division of Alstom which and the comparison base also mattered, he told lion euros yesterday, after presenting their accounts for about 70 percent of Alstom’s reporters. “Generally China’s cooperation with rival offer for the business. This is nearly 2.0 activities. Shares in Alstom were showing a ASEAN has not been affected by the current sit- billion euros ($2.7 billion) more than a bid by fall of 1.33 percent to 28.94 euros, with ana- HAIMEN: A woman shows the 2014 FIFA World Cup gift balls produced in a factory in Haimen, east uation,” he said. Beijing is also embroiled in a China’s Jiangsu province. — AFP US giant General Electric. lysts saying that investors were disappointed long-running dispute with Tokyo over islands in But analysts said the German-Japanese with the joint offer by Siemens Mitsubishi on the East China Sea and Shen added: “The contin- offer outlined on Monday and presented to Monday. Investors had expected the two ued strains in China-Japan political relations will Plans call for the construction of five luxury that my administration would bring the type of French President Francois Hollande yesterday firms to make a block bid to compete with make the environment for bilateral economic hotels, 1,300 residential units, a casino, golf investments to the country that will transform was too complex and would break up terms offered by GE, but instead interpreted cooperation deteriorate and may cause eco- course, and marina, among other things. The Antigua & Barbuda into an economic power- Alstom. The chief executive of Siemens, Joe the Siemens-MHI offer as a complex attempt nomic and trade relations to regress and affect 460-acre (184-hectare) Guiana Island and the house and I am serious about that promise,” Kaeser, told a press conference after the two to break up Alstom. Under the terms, companies’ will to cooperate.” additional patchwork of land was previously Browne said. groups had met Hollande that their offer was Siemens offered to pay 3.9 billion euros for owned by convicted Ponzi schemer R Allen Attorney General and Labor Minister more competitive. Alstom, which builds Alstom’s gas turbine business. Suppress inflows Stanford, a Texas financier who based his fraudu- Steadroy CO Benjamin said the resort and resi- power-generation systems and railway MHI wuld buy from French conglomerate “The responsibility is not China’s,” he added. lent offshore banking empire in Antigua and dential development will provide jobs for a equipment including the TGV high-speed Bouygues up to 10 percent of Alstom, offer- China’s top investors in the five-month period funded the islands’ government before his 2009 country that was hit hard by the global eco- train, says it is not strong enough in the world ing to create three joint businesses in the were Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, South arrest by US authorities. Developers will have to nomic recession and the 2009 collapse of market for power stations and it is suffering areas of steam turbines, hydraulic turbines, Korea and Japan, the ministry said. Investment purchase the roughly 1,500 acres of land from Stanford’s fraudulent empire. “This project will from weak demand in Europe. It wants to and electricity networks. MHI would also from South Korea and Britain jumped 87.9 per- Stanford liquidators. ensure that we move people from unemployed focus on its rail operations, although earlier inject 3.1 billion euros. At brokers Aurel BGC, cent and 62.2 percent respectively, while that to being employed,” Benjamin said. It’s not yet this year it put part of them up for sale. analysts commented: “We are sceptical. MHI from the United States dropped 9.3 percent, the Providing jobs clear how much resistance will be posed by When the advanced state of negotiations would not contribute assets and is propos- ministry said, without providing values. Browne’s Labor Party announced late Sunday conservation-minded islanders and environ- by the Alstom board to sell the power divi- ing a complex solution which would result Foreign investment into China rebounded in that the new prime minister signed the agree- mental groups. For centuries, tiny Guiana sion to GE became known, the French gov- in the Japanese company holding different 2013 to $117.59 billion, though slowing growth ment with Yida Zhang, director of Yida Island has been a refuge for creatures such as ernment objected, fearing a loss of jobs and stakes in various activities of the energy divi- in the world’s second-largest economy could International Investment Antigua Ltd, after eight the European fallow deer, Antigua’s national loss of decision-making. The government sion, while remaining a competitor to suppress inflows this year. China’s economy hours of negotiations. “I promised the people animal. — Agencies encouraged a counter offer by Siemens Alstom.” expanded 7.7 percent in 2013, the same as 2012 which has huge power interests and also has Aurel BGC also commented that — the worst pace since 7.6 percent in 1999. big rail activities. Bouygues had said after the closing of Beijing’s official growth target for this year is 7.5 However, Siemens also said yesterday it stock trading on Monday that it was not percent, also the same as last year’s. US home building declines 6.5% wanted to create a “champion” European rail- interested in selling Alstom shares and It grew 7.4 percent in the first three months way equipment group by putting its rail wanted to remain a long-term of 2014, the worst pace since a similar 7.4 per- WASHINGTON: The pace of US home con- ly flat wages and job insecurity, both obstacles struction slipped in May with many Americans to saving for a down payment. The home own- activities into a joint operation headed by investor.General Electric has offered cent expansion in the third quarter of 2012. The still struggling to afford new houses. Builders ership rate was 64.8 percent at the start of the Alstom. The president of the Siemens super- 12.35 billion euros for Alstom energy commerce ministry also announced that China’s visory board, Gehrard Cromme laid out this division, and has offered to create 1,000 started work at a seasonally adjusted annual year, down from a peak of 69.2 percent during overseas investment in non-financial sectors in rate on 1.01 million homes last month, the 2004. part of his interest in the tie-up with Alstom jobs in France, but has also said that it the first five months fell 10.2 percent year-on- in remarks after the meeting with President will not enter a bidding war. The GE bid Commerce Department said yesterday. That Applications for building permits, a gauge year to $30.81 billion. Investment to the United was down 6.5 percent from 1.07 million in of future activity, fell 6.4 percent in May to an Francois Hollande. Cromme and the chief had the merit of being “clear and coher- States rose 144 percent year-on-year to $2.03 executive of Japanese group Mitsubishi ent,” Aurel BGC commented, while the April. Construction firms began work on fewer annual rate of 991,000. Now that the spring billion, and that to the ASEAN countries single-family houses, condominiums and and summer buying season is in full swing, Heavy Industries had met Hollande to “MHI-Siemens offer has been conceived increased 4.2 percent to $1.9 billion, it said. apartments last month. homebuilding appears to be struggling. explain their proposals for acquiring parts of to seduce the government and not the Home construction has struggled to gain Builder confidence has improved slightly but Alstom. French group.” — AFP International experience much traction this year, limiting its ability to remains pessimistic. The National Association China’s investments into Hong Kong, the EU contribute as much to broader economic of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder senti- and Australia fell 32.6 percent, 9.2 percent and growth as it has in the past. Many would-be ment index rose to 49 in June, up from 45 in Shell to cut Woodside 3.2 percent respectively, it said. But investment buyers face higher mortgage rates than at this May. A reading below 50 indicates that into Russia and Japan leapt by 105.7 percent time last year, while builders are selling fewer builders consider the conditions for new con- and 141.9 percent “due to low comparison bases new homes but charging more for them. That struction to be poor. The index had been holding by $5 billion last year”, it said. Beijing has encouraged has reduced the number of possible buyers above 50 from June through January. Sales of Chinese companies to “go out” to seal supplies and the number of construction jobs. Builders new homes rose 6.4 percent in April to a sea- employ 1.49 million fewer workers than they sonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000, SYDNEY: Royal Dutch Shell yesterday said it Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith said of crucial resources as well as make overseas did at the start of the Great Recession in according to a separate Commerce will reduce its stake in Woodside Petroleum, Perth-based Woodside, which operates six of acquisitions to gain market access and interna- December 2007, a loss of roughly 20 percent. Department report. That comes after sales selling Aus$5.3 billion (US$5.0 billion) of stock Australia’s seven LNG processing plants, tional experience. China’s total outstanding “We expect housing to contribute positive- declined 6.9 percent in March to an annual as it focuses its Australian growth in directly remained a key partner. overseas investment in non-financial sectors as ly to 2014 economic growth, but the magni- pace of 407,000, while buying slipped 4.4 per- owned assets. The after-tax sale represents “Woodside is an important strategic part- of the end of May stood at $556.5 billion, the tude of its contribution likely will be much cent in February. Median prices on new 19.0 percent of Woodside’s issued share capital ner for us, through our investments in estab- ministry said. Chinese outbound investment smaller than that reported for the past two homes are $275,800, a 10 percent increase and will leave the global oil giant with around lished projects such as the North West Shelf increased last year, hitting $90.17 billion, and years,” said Dana Saporta, director of U.S. eco- since the beginning of 2013. 4.1 percent of the Australian energy company. and growth opportunities such as Browse,” he officials said it could overtake FDI this year. nomics at the bank Credit Suisse. In May, con- All of this comes amid a broader real estate “Today’s announcement is part of our drive said. Woodside chief executive Peter Coleman Meanwhile, the new government of Antigua struction tailed off in the Northeast, Midwest slowdown after significant sales and price to improve Shell’s capital efficiency and to said the deal would deliver value to sharehold- & Barbuda has signed an agreement with and West. Only the South experienced greater gains in the first half of 2013. Both prices and focus our Australia growth in directly owned ers through enhanced cash flow and dividends Chinese investors to build a major resort and building activity in May. borrowing costs are higher. Average rates on a assets,” Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden with fewer shares issued. residential development project in the twin- Housing starts have risen 9.4 percent over 30-year, fixed mortgage are 4.2 percent, up said. “It doesn’t change our view of Australia as “The combined transaction will also island Caribbean nation. Gaston Browne the past 12 months. But apartments account from a low of 3.93 percent over the past year, an important player on the global energy increase our liquidity in the market and resolve became prime minister on Friday after leading for most of the gains, suggesting that more according to Freddie Mac. Existing-homes were stage, or Shell’s central role in the country’s the uncertainty in relation to Shell’s sharehold- Americans will be renting instead of owning purchased at a yearly clip of 4.65 million in energy industry.” ing that has existed for several years,” he said. his Antigua & Barbuda Labor Party to a dominat- ing win in general elections. Over the weekend, homes. The growth in apartment buildings April. That’s below the 5.1 million homes sold It is the biggest deal orchestrated by Van Shell launched a full takeover of Woodside in points to an economy in which more last year. New-homes usually represent about he signed a memorandum of agreement with a Beurden since he took the reins in January and 2001 to gain an advantage over its rivals in the Americans are renting, rather than buying 20 percent of all homes sold, but that figure comes with Shell in the middle of a $15 billion scramble to meet demand for clean-burning Chinese company for a proposed $740 million homes. Following the housing bust and reces- has fallen recently to 10 percent, according to global asset sale, including Australian refiner- fuels, but it was blocked by the government project on outlying Guiana Island and nearby sion, Americans have had to deal with relative- Zillow, the real estate data firm. — AP ies and service stations. Despite the sell-off, on national interest grounds.—AFP parcels. BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

VIVA exclusively launches new Huawei Ascend P7 Smartphone

KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing tion, it is achieving just that. and most developed telecom operator, The Huawei Ascend P7 features the exclusively launched the latest Huawei Android 4.4.2 KitKat, a 5-inch display run- Ascend P7, at unbeatable monthly pack- ning at the full HD resolution of 1080 x ages allowing customers to enjoy yet 1920, with a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, another smartphone experience at com- 16 GB internal memory and 2GB of RAM, petitive prices. VIVA’s postpaid customers and 4G LTE, a 13 mega pixel back camera can enjoy the Huawei Ascend P7 exclu- and a front-facing 8-megapixel camera to sively with the package that best suits fully embrace the ‘selfie’ era. VIVA continu- their needs. VIVA continuously looks for ously presents its customers with the the newest products to present its cus- exciting packages that offer excellence in tomers with to surpass their expectations, quality of service with added value for and through this latest exclusive promo- money.

Mercedes-Benz Augmented Reality app brings customers closer to C-Class

KUWAIT: With the regional launch coming up this Class set within a completely unique interactive Drive and the new touchpad. Customers can also summer, AR Albisher and Z Alkazemi Co - the exclu- dimension. ‘enter’ the car for a panoramic 360º view of the roomi- sive general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait - With the ‘Augmented Reality’ app customers can er, and completely redesigned, cabin that boasts an has revealed yet another tool developed by simply point their iPad, Iphone or Android camera at even higher level of luxury and craftsmanship. Kuwait’s first single prepaid Mercedes-Benz to immerse customers in the details the printed target image available which is also avail- “We are about to launch one of the most sought of the latest C-Class. The Mercedes-Benz ‘Augmented able in the app, and they will see the all-new C-Class after cars this year and we wanted to introduce the C- card with multiple currencies Reality’ application gives C-Class enthusiasts a true come to life right before their eyes in virtual 3D. They Class into Kuwait with an entirely new and different one-on-one experience with the highly-anticipated can move their smart phone around the target image concept. The C-Class has earned a respectable follow- new model and allows them to explore the fascinat- and it will automatically scale and rotate the car. ing over the years and the new model puts it as the exclusively with ABK ing features. The app users can explore the all-new exterior, leading car in its segment,” said Michael Ruehle, CEO With pre-orders currently in full force following which artfully merges elegant proportions with of Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company. KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) the card market by consistently exceeding the announcement earlier this month of the dedi- aggressive bodywork, and learn about some of the C- “The app is phase two of our C-Class launch activities launches a new addition to its line of pre- and anticipating the changing needs of our cated C-Class webpage that also has an online pre- Class’ innovative new features and technology, and it is practically the next best thing to visiting the paid cards, the ABK Multi Currency Prepaid customers, and with the new ABK Multi booking function, the mobile application delves including the lightweight bodyshell, the powerful dealership and taking it for a test drive. It is also a lot Freedom Card, in partnership with Currency Prepaid Freedom Card, a product even deeper into the specifications of the new C- and efficient engines, Mercedes-Benz Intelligent of fun and very engaging.” MasterCard. For the first time in Kuwait, that is powered by MasterCard, we at ABK ABK and Non-ABK customers will have the offer you the convenience and security to freedom to load up to 10 different curren- carry up to 10 currencies on one single Etihad Airways appoints cies on a single prepaid card. card. In addition, the card is protected by The new ABK Multi Currency Prepaid CHIP and PIN technologies, cardholders General Manager for Armenia Freedom Card is a monetary passport solu- can access their funds with ease and with- tion, which offers one card with 10 curren- out the risks associated with carrying cash KUWAIT: Etihad Airways, the national air- the already strong trade and tourism ties cies giving customers total freedom to money at more than 35 million merchant line of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has with the UAE, and provide great opportuni- choose from any of the available currencies outlets and some 2 million ATMs world- appointed Robert “Dougie” Douglas as its ties to connect over Abu Dhabi to the on the card such as Kuwaiti dinar, US dollar, wide.” General Manager for Armenia. Douglas, entire Gulf region and key North and South British pound, euro, Emirati dirham, Saudi “We are delighted to collaborate with who takes up the role immediately, will American destinations - home to a vast riyal, Qatari riyal, Bahraini dinar, Swiss ABK to launch the new ABK Multi Currency lead the airline’s Armenian sales and mar- Armenian diaspora.” Etihad Airways’ Abu francs and Canadian dollars. Prepaid Freedom Card, which is a first for keting operations from its new Yerevan Dhabi-Yerevan flights will be operated by a The most prominent feature of the card the Kuwaiti market,” said Pankaj Kathuria, office. two-class Airbus A320 aircraft configured is the ability to load funds in a number of Area Head for Southern Gulf, MasterCard. The appointment comes as Etihad with 16 Business Class and 120 Economy foreign currencies at any time through our “This prepaid solution will prove to be the Airways prepares to launch four flights per Class seats. A total of 1,088 seats per week dedicated online portal, thus locking in perfect travel companion, as cardholders week between Abu Dhabi and Yerevan on 2 will be offered. exchange rates at the time of loading, and will be able to use their cards around the July 2014. Douglas’ aviation career spans protecting against any fluctuations in world with the safety, convenience and more than 30 years and prior to joining future rates. flexibility that MasterCard products offer. Etihad Airways in 2005, he worked in more ABK’s Prepaid Freedom Card provides its Consumers no longer need to worry about than 10 countries with British Airways and holder with many features and exclusive traveling with cash and will have enhanced partner airlines. benefits such as complimentary travel control over their finances.” Ahmed Al-Khader, NBK Deputy General Manager, He moves to Yerevan from Jakarta, insurance, instant discounts with ABK One card, ten currencies and total free- Consumer Banking Group where he was Etihad Airways’ General advantage, priceless Arabia offers from dom. Travel smart with ABK’s Multi Manager for Indonesia between 2007 and MasterCard, purchase and fraud protection Currency Prepaid Freedom Card, and gain NBK invites Premium 2014. Previously, Douglas was the airline’s and the MasterCard global assistance serv- access to your funds from anywhere in the Area Manager for Northern India and ices. world with MasterCard(r), accepted at over Banking customers to Nepal, based in New Delhi. Peter Stewart Lockie, GM Retail Banking stat- 2 million ATM machines and 35 million oth- Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief ed: “ABK has maintained its leadership in er locations. enjoy exclusive travel Commercial Officer, said: “As we continue to build our presence in key markets offers with IFA Travel around the world, showcasing Abu Dhabi as a fantastic business and leisure destina- KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) rewards its tion and global connection point, Dougie Premium Banking customers with a variety of travel pack- Douglas is the ideal choice to lead our new ages in partnership with IFA Travel and Tourism. In an Armenian operations. exclusive offer that’s ongoing until December 2014, NBK “Dougie is an expert airline manager, Private, Privilege Banking and Thahabi customers can knows Armenia and the region very well, enjoy special offers to the most exciting places in the world and his knowledge and experience from when booking using their Credit Cards at IFA Travel and having previously worked and lived in Tourism offices. Yerevan will be invaluable to the success of “NBK is keen to reward its high net-worth and high- Etihad Airways’ new services to Abu Dhabi. income customers with the best personalized, preferential “These services will contribute to the devel- services and offers available in the world today,” said opment of tourism in Armenia, strengthen Dougie Douglas Ahmed Al-Khader, NBK Deputy General Manager, Consumer Banking Group. “NBK Premium Banking customers live an affluent lifestyle and expect the best. NBK continues to meet those expectations by providing the most exclusive offers and Protest in eastern benefits”, added Al-Khader. NBK’s leadership in the market has been established by consistently delivering superior value to its customers. NBK understands the needs of its Libyan oil port town premium customers, and supports their lifestyles by pro- viding them with exclusive offers and services that cater to TRIPOLI: Protesters have closed an air- as part of a deal with a group of rebels their needs and preferences. NBK will continue to bring port used by oil firms in the eastern in the volatile east to reopen four key valuable offers that will make a difference in the lives of its Libyan port city of Brega over the oil ports they have occupied for almost Private, Privilege Banking and Thahabi customers. appointment of a new head of a state oil a year to press Tripoli into granting guard force, senior members of the force regional autonomy and financial bene- and state media said yesterday. It was fits to their area. The Brega protesters Jazeera Airways secures $18.3m not clear if this had any impact on the opposed the removal of the previous nearby Brega oil port, now mainly used force head Idris Bukhamada, who aircraft refinancing facility to ship crude cargoes to the Zawiya comes from the area, Bukhamada and refinery in western Libya and the Libyan Ahrash told Reuters by telephone. KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways Group and Islamic banking. The bank also pro- Norwegian Fertiliser Co (LIFECO) owned Ahrash said the protesters had announced that it has secured an $18.3 vides retail banking services through its by Tripoli and Norway’s Yara. closed only the small oil airport but million aircraft refinancing facility through network of retail banks in the MENA region, The airport is part of the oil facilities Bukhamada and a port engineer, who Arab Banking Corporation (B.S.C) (ABC). namely in Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and complex in Brega and used by firms asked not to be named, said harbor Jazeera Airways Group will use the pro- Jordan. operating in the port and connecting operations had been also affected. ceeds to close an existing facility through Jazeera Airways Group is a Kuwait Stock oilfields to fly their workers in or out. State-run Sirte Oil, which runs oil opera- the French corporate and investment bank, Exchange-listed company with a fleet of 15 The North African country is struggling tions in Brega, could not be immediate- Natixis, resulting in a reduction of the com- wholly-owned Airbus A320s, through its with turmoil as the government is ly reached for comment. pany’s debt financing charges. wholly-owned leasing-arm Sahaab Aircraft unable to control militias, armed tribes- Implementation of the oil port deal Jazeera Airways Group Chairman, Leasing. Sahaab has assets placed with men and Islamists who help oust signed in April has been slow. The Marwan Boodai, said, “The improving debt Virgin America, Sri Lankan Airlines, Flynas, strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 rebels have so far reopened only two markets have given us the opportunity to TAP Portugal and Jazeera Airways. but now defy state authority. ports, Zueitina and Hariga, but the lat- lower our cost of debt, enabling us to Jazeera Airways, the airline, operates its Libya’s oil production has fallen to ter has been closed again because of deploy an even better capital structure and seven Airbus A320s with a two-class cabin less than 300,000 barrels a day due to a another protest, reflecting growing a stronger balance sheet to support the comprising a Business Class and an wave of protests at oil ports and fields, chaos in Libya. The two bigger ports, Group’s operations and strategic growth Economy Class. Business Class travelers get drying up vital state revenues for more Ras Lanuf and Es Sider, have stayed prospects.” both an upgraded experience and exclusiv- than ten months. The protest in Brega shut by rebels who objected to the The $18.3 million refinance facility ity, starting with exclusive check-in lines, was aimed against the appointment of election of Prime Minister Ahmed through ABC has a five-year term. Bahrain- business lounge access, up to 60 kilograms Ali Al-Ahrash as new head of the Maiteeq in May by parliament. The based ABC is a leading player in the in free baggage allowance, and an exclu- Petroleum Facilities Guards, a force in Supreme Court ruled last week that the region’s banking industry and provides sive on-board cabin. The airline’s Economy charge of protecting oil facilities and vote had been unconstitutional. innovative wholesale financial products Class offers travelers free baggage residents, the state news agency LANA Maiteeq quit as a result, which raised and services that include corporate bank- allowance of 40 kilograms and free on- said. hopes the oil port deal would finally be ing, asset finance, project and structured board meals with a changing menu every The government appointed Ahrash implemented fully. — Reuters finance, syndications, treasury products month. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 technology

German company revels in World Cup controversy

BERLIN: The company that created the hi-tech cam- the match, Karim Benzema’s shot cannoned off a staff and is based in the small western town of emerge in Europe’s most important professional eras which ruled on a World Cup goal for the first post and then hit Honduras goalkeeper Noel Wuerselen wants to use the incident to play in the football leagues but also worldwide in coming years,” time on Sunday is happily anticipating involvement Valladares and went over the line. big league. predicted Broichhausen, a passionate football fan, in in a growing number of football controversies, but The computer gave two judgements which were The system, under which referees receive a vibra- an email. For now, however, Germany is resisting. not in its German home market. flashed onto the stadium screen. The ball was not tion and an optical signal on their watches in less Germany’s 36 first and second division clubs voted in GoalControl, which aims 14 cameras at the two over the line when it rebounded off the post, it said. than one second, was put in place for the March to reject the precision technology. goals in each World Cup match and produces 500 Some fans thought that was the end of the mat- Confederations Cup in Brazil last year. But there was The debate was revived two months later, howev- computer generated 3-D images in a split second, ter. Then it said that there was a goal after the ball hit no controversy to test. er, in the German Cup final. The referee failed to was called into action for the first time in France’s 3-0 Valladares. The company surprisingly beat three rivals, Cairos grant a valid goal to Borussia Dortmund against Group E win over Honduras. GLT System and GoalRef, which works with a chip in arch-rivals Bayern Munich, who won in extra time. This is football and even the way the technology Unique nature the ball, and Sony’s Hawk-Eye, a camera-based sys- Broichhausen said GoalControl costs about worked caused arguments. But GoalControl, only set FIFA said Monday they will modify the way deci- tem now used by the English Premier League. Goal- 200,000 euros ($270,000) for each stadium. up in 2012, is enjoying its moment in the spotlight. sions are communicated to fans. Delia Fischer, a line technology was first used in the 2012 FIFA Club The company chief did not want to comment on “The World Cup is of course an international spokeswoman for football’s governing body, said the World Cup when the Hawk-Eye and GoalRef systems the turnover generated by his business, but showcase which will significantly increase demand “unique” nature of the incident-the ball striking a were tested. But again there was no contentious German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung recently for goal-line technology in general and our system in post and rebounding into the Honduran goalkeeper- goal to rule on. put GoalControl sales at just less than 10 million particular,” company chief Dirk Broichhausen said. In had caused the confusion. GoalControl which has 40 “We are convinced that goal-line technology will euros. —- AFP

Tech giants seek to halt overseas snooping by US NEW YORK: Microsoft Corp. and four oth- concern about their ability to protect the er large American technology companies privacy of personal information located are using a Manhattan court case to draw outside the United States,” Microsoft said. a line in the cloud, saying the US govern- “The government’s position in this case ment has no right to seize computer data further erodes that trust, and will ultimate- stored outside the country. ly erode the leadership of US technology US companies that host services over companies in the global market.” the Internet and sell remote data storage - Two phone carriers, Verizon a concept broadly known as “cloud com- Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc., have puting” - say they stand to lose billions of joined the fight, along with Apple Inc. and dollars in business if emails and other files Cisco Systems Inc., submitting arguments they house overseas are seen vulnerable in support of Microsoft in recent days to a to US snooping. district judge prior to a late-July hearing. Lawyers for the companies say the per- In court papers, prosecutors said ception was stoked by former NSA systems Microsoft’s position that the warrant effec- analyst Edward Snowden’s revelations last tively authorizes law enforcement agents year that the US and other countries’ intel- to conduct a search in Ireland is “simply ligence agencies routinely and indiscrimi- not so.” They said the warrant is the func- nately gather and store huge amounts of tional equivalent of a subpoena com- data from phone calls and Internet com- pelling the Redmond, Washington-based munications. provider to review its stored records and And it was harmed again in April, they produce relevant material. say, when a Manhattan magistrate judge Microsoft’s position “serves as a danger- concluded it was legal for the government ous impediment to the ability of law to order Microsoft to comply with a sealed enforcement to gather evidence of crimi- search warrant for a consumer email nal activity,” they said. account it stores in Dublin, Ireland. Microsoft lost the first round of what is A Microsoft vice president wrote in a likely to be a lengthy court battle in April, court document that the company offers when the New York magistrate judge who its cloud services in more than 100 coun- issued the search warrant in December tries and tries to keep a customer’s data - ruled that the Stored Communications Act including email, calendar entries and doc- in the Electronic Communications Privacy NEW YORK: A man arrives for the Inside Bitcoins conference and trade show in New York. The Bitcoin digital currency system is in danger of losing uments - in a data center near where the Act of 1986 gave the government authori- its credibility as an independent payment system because of the growing power of a group that runs some of the computers behind it. — AP customer is located for easy and cost- ty to subpoena information on the effective access. Microsoft maintains data Internet that is stored outside the country. centers worldwide, including in the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan and Substantial burden Brazil. Magistrate Judge James C. Francis Bitcoin system faces The mammoth software company said referred to the warrant as a “hybrid, - part in court papers this month that the ruling search warrant and part subpoena” - and threatens to rewrite the Constitution’s pro- said it has long been law that the recipient tections against illegal search and seizure, of a subpoena must produce information damage US foreign relations and “reduce in its possession regardless of where it is biggest threat yet the privacy protection of everyone on the stored. planet.” Francis added that if territorial restric- tions on conventional warrants were Growing mistrus extended to cyberspace, “the burden on ‘Mining pool’ takeover “Over the course of the past year, the government would be substantial, and Microsoft and other US technology com- law enforcement efforts would be serious- NEW YORK: The Bitcoin digital currency system is bilities. A single mining computer might take years to panies have faced growing mistrust and ly impeded.” — AP in danger of losing its credibility as an independ- The value of bitcoins has fallen 6 percent in a produce a single block of coins, and there’s no ent payment system because of the growing week to around $600 as the threat posed by way to know when that might happen. In pools, power of a group that runs some of the comput- GHash has become clearer, although the decline miners divide the bitcoins they create among ers behind it. is within the range of normal fluctuations for the themselves in proportion to the work done, pro- In recent weeks, a British-based “mining pool” volatile currency. viding with them with a steadier stream of called GHash has amassed nearly half of the Bitcoins allow people to send money over the income. The pools aren’t created to threaten the Bitcoin computing power and has briefly gone Internet without going through banks. This trust placed in bitcoin; it’s a side effect of the over 50 percent. Miners operate the computers means transaction costs are low, but it also means pool’s growth. that keep track of bitcoins and create additional they’re useful for illegal activities such as money GHash is controlled by a British company, coins. Miners pool their computing power to laundering and drug sales. Bitcoins have also CEX.IO Ltd. The company said in a statement spread the financial risk of their operations. If become a target of speculators betting on a con- Monday that it wants to protect Bitcoin, but it GHash amasses more than half of the computing tinued run-up in the currency. Its value has grown doesn’t want to turn away people from the pool power devoted to Bitcoin, it could in theory con- a hundredfold over two years. or impose other temporary solutions to back trol the flow of transactions, freeze people out of away from the 50 percent threshold. the network and keep all future bitcoins for itself. Side effect GHash said it’s arranging a “round table” meet- Although GHash says it’s committed to pre- From a technical standpoint, bitcoins are ing of key players in the Bitcoin system in July to serving Bitcoin as a trustable technology, the sequences of numbers, painstakingly produced “with the aim of discussing and negotiating col- mere fact that one player can amass majority con- by computers churning through millions of calcu- lectively ways to address the decentralisation of trol could undermine trust in the currency, which lations. Bitcoin transactions are recorded in a vir- mining as an industry.” WASHINGTON: The Microsoft sign outside the headquarters campus in is worth only what people are willing to pay for it. tual public ledger, known as the blockchain. Eyal said the problem needs to be fixed in “a Redmond. Microsoft Corp. and four other large American technology companies “The entire premise of bitcoin relies on the fact Miners are in charge of maintaining the very drastic fashion” to reduce the incentive to are using a Manhattan court case to draw a line in the cloud, saying the US gov- that no single authority would control the majori- blockchain. As their computers perform the calcu- create pools. That will probably with an update ernment has no right to seize computer data stored outside the country. — AP ty of the mining power,” said Ittay Eyal, a Cornell lations to do that, the process rewards them with to the software the underlies the system, he University researcher who studies bitcoin vulnera- newly minted bitcoins. said. — AP Domino’s introduces a ‘Siri’ Gossip site wins appeal of to take mobile orders cheerleader’s lawsuit

NEW YORK: Domino’s is introducing its own version of Siri. CINCINNATI: A former Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader should 20 years and we find out he was innocent all along,” said The pizza delivery chain on Monday is introducing a func- not have been allowed to sue an Arizona-based gossip web- Richie’s attorney, David Gingras, from his office in Scottsdale, tion on its mobile app that lets customers place orders by site over online posts about her sexual history, an appeals Arizona. “You’re happy that he’s out of jail but you’re really not speaking with a computer-generated voice named “Dom.” court ruled Monday in a case watched closely by Internet happy it took so long to get there.” The rollout is part of an ongoing push by Domino’s to take giants including Google and Facebook. Jones’ Cincinnati attorney, Chris Roach, said he is planning business away from rivals and smaller pizza shops by offer- The ruling from the Cincinnati-based 6th US Circuit Court to ask the US Supreme Court to review the case. ing more convenient ways to order. of Appeals reverses a Kentucky federal judge’s decision that “(Richie) is using those basic editorial functions and the The company, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, says the allowed the cheerleader’s lawsuit to proceed and further Communications Decency Act to get people to submit updated app for iPhones and Android devices will deliver a strengthens broad immunities enjoyed by Internet providers defamatory material so he can post it,” Roach said. “That just “human-like, conversational” experience, but notes that it for content posted by third parties. doesn’t go with the spirit of the law.” will take some time to work out the kinks in the technology. Former Bengals cheerleader Sarah Jones sued Richie’s website allows users to submit anonymous posts “It is not perfect,” Domino’s CEO Patrick Doyle said in an thedirty.com and its owner, Nik Richie, over graphic posts about anyone from the girl next door to professional athletes interview. “This is the sort of thing, like any other really new about her and her ex-husband’s sexual history. Jones said the and politicians, often accusing them of promiscuity, criticizing technology launch, you’re going to learn, you’re going to get posts were untrue and caused her severe mental anguish and their plastic surgery or picking apart their looks. Richie screens better.” embarrassment. each post, decides what goes up and frequently adds com- Already, mobile and online ordering accounts for 40 per- In July, federal Judge William Bertelsman rejected argu- mentary. cent of Domino’s US sales. Growing that portion of its busi- ments from Richie’s attorneys that the publisher should be Internet heavyweights and free speech advocates had ness has become a priority for the chain, with customers immune from lawsuit. A jury later found the posts about filed court briefs blasting Bertelsman’s decision and warning increasingly saying they prefer to place orders that way. Jones were substantially false and that Richie had acted with that it could chill speech. People who order digitally also tend to spend more and SANDY: Domino’s Pizza delivery person Brandon malice or reckless disregard by publishing them, and awarded “If websites are subject to liability for failing to remove return with greater frequency because they like the conven- Christensen plugs in the company sign atop his car in Jones $338,000. third-party content whenever someone objects, they will be ience, Doyle said. Meanwhile, he noted that smaller pizza Sandy, Utah. The pizza delivery chain plans to intro- In Monday’s ruling, a three-judge appeals panel said subject to the ‘heckler’s veto,’ giving anyone who complains shops don’t have the money to invest in such technologies. duce a function on its mobile app that lets customers Bertelsman should have granted Richie immunity, citing the unfettered power to censor speech,” according to joint briefs “It is clearly an area where we’ll be able to leverage our place orders by speaking with a computer-generated federal Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law that gives filed by lawyers for Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, scale,” he said. voice named “Dom.” — AP websites immunity from liability for content posted by users. Amazon, Gawker and BuzzFeed, among others. according to Doyle. Judges and courts across the country have upheld the law Jack Greiner, a First Amendment attorney who represented Marketing campaign Darren Tristano, an analyst with the industry tracker hundreds of times, including other lawsuits involving Richie’s many of the Internet companies, said Monday that “the con- Although other factors have played a role, Domino’s cred- Technomic, said the major chains have the potential to grow website. Bertelsman did the opposite, finding that the very sequences could have been very problematic” if Bertelsman’s its its digital platforms for helping drive sales. Last year, the their market share by leveraging national marketing cam- name of Richie’s website, the way he manages it and the per- ruling stood. company’s domestic sales rose 5.4 percent at established paign and the ability to offer steeper discounts. And while sonal comments he adds to many posts encourage offensive “The concerns that Amazon and CNN and BuzzFeed and locations. sophisticated digital ordering platforms give the big chains content. the other clients were as much as anything, to try to avoid the Still, compared with many other cuisines, the pizza indus- an edge, Tristano said those technologies will eventually The 6th Circuit’s decision reverses Bertelsman’s ruling and uncertainty that would have resulted,” Greiner said. “Say a con- try remains fairly fragmented. Four of the national biggest become cheap enough for smaller players to adopt. means Jones does not get the $338,000 award. servative website says, ‘If you’ve got dirt on Obama, send it in,’ chains - Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s and Little Caesars - “That gap is shrinking,” Tristano said. For now, the voice “I feel like one of those lawyers who has a client that just would that make that website the creator of that content (and together have a little more than 40 percent of the market, ordering function on the Domino’s app is fairly simple. — AP got out of death row from DNA and he’s been sitting there for liable)? Under the trial court’s ruling I think it could.” — AP WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE

UGANDA: A patient is fitted with a non-surgical circumcision device called A medical staff member points at a non-surgical A patient is fitted with a non-surgical circumcision device called Prepex in Mukono on May 12, 2014.— AFP photos circumcision device called Prepex. Prepex. HIV battle: Uganda tests out rubber band circumcision KAMPALA: With trousers around his ankles, Justin Igalla (WHO) as “priority” states where the risk of acquiring HIV Doctor Barbara Nanteza, male circumcision project Since then 1.2 million men have been circumcised-or awaits a tight rubber band for his foreskin, an innova- is high and male circumcision, and access to conven- manager at Uganda’s AIDS Control Programme, said 13 percent of men over 15, including 800,000 last year tive non-surgical technique rolling out in several African tional surgical procedures, is low. Uganda hopes the that trials had shown that circumcision reduced risk of alone, the health ministry said . nations to encourage circumcision and cut HIV infection device, called PrePex, will convince adult men to be cir- transmission from a woman to a man by as much as 60 The introduction of the PrePex device is expected to rates. The simple device-two plastic rings and an elastic cumcised as part of the battle against AIDS, now resur- percent. Although some contest the validity of these boost numbers even further-but it’s still not enough, band-cuts off blood supply to the foreskin, which then gent in the East African nation after years of decline, studies, WHO and the United Nations AIDS programme according to Nanteza. Though the device greatly shrivels and is removed with the band after a week. “I with as many as 80,000 people dying of the disease push circumcision as an additional prevention measure reduces the pain of traditional circumcision, she con- felt nothing, not even a little discomfort,” Igalla said after every year. in high-prevalence countries where HIV transmission is ceded the issue remained an awkward one for married a procedure taking just minutes, noting there was no predominantly heterosexual. men. “It is difficult for them to explain to their wife that blood-unlike traditional circumcision where the foreskin Safe sex still needed The WHO says there is “compelling evidence” cir- they want to get a circumcision to prevent HIV infec- is sliced off by knife-thus reducing the risk of infection. From a peak of 18 percent infected in 1992, cumcision reduces risk of heterosexually acquired HIV tion when they are supposed to be faithful to them,” Igalla, a father of two, said he opted to have his fore- Uganda’s “ABC” strategy-Abstinence, Be faithful, infection in men. The organization has “prequalified” Nanteza said. skin taken off for “health reasons”. Scientists have found Condom-helped slash rates to 6.4 percent in 2005. But PrePex, meaning the device has been assessed and Despite massive health awareness campaigns, that male circumcision can significantly reduce the rates have crept back up, to 7.2 percent in 2012. As meets international standards for efficacy and safety. problems remain. James Brian, a counselor with the chances of HIV infection because the foreskin has a many as 1.8 million people in the country now live with And with health budgets already overstretched, the Walter Reid Project, a US-based medical organiza- higher concentration of HIV-receptors than the rest of HIV, and a million children have been orphaned after device offers a cheaper way to tackle the problem, tion supporting the program, said it was essential to the penis and is prone to tears during intercourse, pro- their parents died of AIDS. The makers of PrePex boast Nanteza said. emphasize that while circumcision reduces the risk viding HIV an entry point. that a man “can resume work and almost all daily activi- “If circumcision can help reduce the cost, that could of infection, it does not prevent it.”After circumci- As well as Uganda, the device is being used in ties shortly after the procedure,” with the device very good for the country,” she told AFP. Uganda, long sion someone should not think that they are Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, “designed to be placed, worn, and removed with mini- praised for its efforts in the fight against AIDS, immune against HIV,” Brian said, who works with Zimbabwe and other sub-Saharan countries. All have mal disruption”, although they should abstain from sex launched a general circumcision program in 2010, patients to highlight the continuing need to prac- been identified by the World Health Organization for six weeks afterwards. when some 9,000 had the conventional treatment. tice safe sex. — AFP E-cigarettes mostly used by young smokers, would-be quitters Almost 30 million people across Europe use e-cigarettes LONDON: Nearly 30 million people across Europe now use e-cigarettes and are most likely to be aged between 15 and 24, who smoke tobacco regularly and are trying to quit, a new analysis shows. The rising number of users has led to “staggering” growth in the availability of e- cigarettes with around 10 new brands coming to market every month, a second study showed. Writing in the journal Tobacco Control, researchers from the United States said their findings underlined the size and speed of Staring at screens all growth in the market for e-cigarettes, and the need for more research into their potential risks and benefits. “As e-cigarettes represent an day linked to changes emerging market in which the tobacco industry has extensively invested, it is imperative to in eye secretions identify the population subgroups that are more likely to use them and the subsequent NEW YORK: Office workers who spend long ing to the tests. implications this might have on public health,” hours looking at computer screens have Overall, participants looked at screens for said Constantine Vardavas, a senior research changes in their tear fluid similar to people with work for just over eight hours a day and had an scientist at Harvard School of Public Health the disease known as dry eye, according to a average of about 6.8 nanograms of MUC5AC per who led the study. study from Japan. The protein MUC5AC, secret- milligram of protein in each eye. However, peo- “These new findings show that millions - ed by cells in the upper eyelid, makes up part of ple who worked with computer screens for including many young people and smokers try- the normally occurring mucus layer, or “tear film,” more than seven hours per day had an average ing to quit - are trying e-cigarettes, which under- that keeps the eye moist. But study participants of 5.9 ng/mg of MUC5AC, compared to 9.6 scores the importance of assessing their poten- with the most screen time had MUC5AC levels ng/mg for people who spent fewer than five tial harm or benefits.” E-cigarettes are battery- nearing those of people with diagnosed dry eye. hours daily with screens. Similarly, people with operated devices designed to deliver a similar has soared in the past few years, with around 10 had tried to quit during the previous 12 months, “To understand patients’ eye strain, which is definite dry eye disease had an average of 3.5 nicotine hit and sensory sensation to conven- new brands and more than 240 new flavors and whether they had used e-cigarettes to do one of major symptoms of dry eye disease, it is ng/mg of MUC5AC compared to 8.2 ng/mg for tional cigarettes, but without the harmful car- coming to market every month. this. And they were asked what factors influ- important that ophthalmologist pay attention to people without the disease. cinogens that come from burning tobacco. Researchers in that study said the large num- enced their choice of cigarette brand. The results MUC5AC concentration in tears,” said Dr Yuichi “Mucin is one of the most important compo- They are seen by many as a healthier alter- ber of brands and “the variety of flavors (is) stag- showed that e-cigarette users were more likely Uchino, an author of the new study. Uchino is an nents of the tear film,” said Dr Yuichi Hori, who native to cigarettes and as a way to help smok- gering” and noted a shift in marketing tactics to be young - aged 15 to 24 - current smokers of ophthalmologist at the School of Medicine at was not a part of the new study. “Mucins (like ers quit. A group of 53 top scientists warned from promoting them as cigarette substitutes to up to 20 cigarettes a day, and to have made at Keio University in Tokyo. “When we stare at com- MUC5AC) function to hold water on the ocular the World Health Organization (WHO) last styling them as nicotine delivery systems offer- least one attempt to kick their habit over the puters, our blinking times decreased compared surface of the epithelia that synthesize them, month not to classify and regulate e-cigarettes ing consumer choice in models and flavors. past year. Would-be quitters over the past year to reading a book at the table,” he told Reuters hence, they are major players in maintenance of as tobacco products, arguing that doing so were twice as likely to have tried an e-cigarette Health by email. the tear film on the ocular surface,” Hori told would jeopardize a vital opportunity to reduce Re-normalization of smoking as those who had not tried to quit. People staring at screens also tend to open Reuters Health by email. smoking-related disease and deaths. Smoking In the first study, which sought to gauge per- Extrapolating the figures to the whole EU their eyelids wider than while doing other tasks, He is chair of the department of kills half of all those who do it, giving a death ceptions of e-cigarettes and their use across population suggests that 29.3 million adults and the extra exposed surface area in addition to Ophthalmology at Toho University Omori toll of around 6 million people a year, according Europe, the researchers analyzed data from a across the 27 countries have tried e-cigarettes, infrequent blinking can accelerate tear evapora- Medical Center in Tokyo. Concentration of the to the WHO. survey known as Eurobarometer 2012 which the researchers said. “Our study’s implications tion and is associated with dry eye disease, he said. protein was also lower for people with symp- The tobacco industry has invested heavily in involved more than 26,500 adults from 27 coun- are strategically important for European policy- Dry eye may be chronic for some but can be toms of eye strain than for people without the rapidly emerging e-cigarette market and tries in the region. Respondents were asked if makers,” they wrote. “On the one hand, quitting managed with over the counter or prescription symptoms, according to the results published in some public health experts worry they could be they had ever tried e-cigarettes, and how often; tobacco use at an earlier age would substantially eye drops. Past research suggests that up to 5 JAMA Ophthalmology. a new route to nicotine addiction and a gateway whether they had ever heard of them; and benefit individuals and public health. However, million men and women over age 50 in the People with dry eyes at work tend to be less to cigarette smoking. A second study published whether they thought they were harmful or not the re-normalization of smoking ... or main- United States suffer from dry eye disease, the productive and are more likely to be depressed, in the same journal on Monday found that the to health. tained nicotine addiction may significantly hin- researchers write in their report. InJapan, tens of according to previous studies, Uchino said. number and type of e-cigarettes available online People who smoked were also asked if they der efforts to stop tobacco use.” — Reuters millions of people report some dry eye symp- Office workers who are worried about dry toms, often associated with computer work, eye can make some simple changes to decrease they add. their risk, Uchino said. “The exposed ocular sur- The study team tested the tears from both face area can be decreased by placing the termi- For parents of children with food eyes of 96 Japanese office workers, about two- nal at a lower height, with the screen tilted thirds of them men, and measured how much of upward,” Uchino said. Doctors also recommend the total protein content of the tears was using a humidifier at the office and avoiding allergies, dietary counseling can help MUC5AC. being in the direct path of the wind from an air NEW YORK: Children with food aller- Christie, a dietician at the Arkansas of the experiment, researchers used to cow’s milk might be advised on the Workers employed in jobs involving comput- conditioner, he said. gies have a tough time getting all the Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, who blood and other laboratory tests to appropriate amount of a substitute er screens filled out questionnaires about their “We advise the office workers suffering from nutrients they need, but a small study was not involved in the study. Christie evaluate what nutrients the children formula to provide. working hours and symptoms of any eye prob- ocular fatigue and dry eye symptoms that they suggests that working with a dietician explained that children grow very fast were getting from their current diets. Parents of the children in the food lems. Seven percent of men and 14 percent of should blink more frequently in an intended could help parents provide their kids during the first three or four years of They also had all parents keep a food allergy group met with the dietician women were diagnosed with ‘dry eye disease,’ manner during (screen use), and that they with a balanced diet. After their par- life and being unable to eat these diary and record everything their to receive further counseling two and meaning they reported symptoms of eye prob- should use artificial tears,” Hori said. “And they ents were given six months of dietary foods could keep them from getting child consumed for three days. four months into the experiment. lems like irritation, burning or blurred vision and should ask an eye care doctor if their symptoms counseling, children with food aller- enough calories and nutrients. That Initially, the children without a Finally, at six months, the researchers had poor quality or quantity of tear film, accord- still remain.” — Reuters gies began getting more key nutrients might have permanent consequences food allergy had higher levels of nutri- ran all of the initial tests on the chil- and eating as many calories as their such as stunted growth, a reduced IQ ents like zinc and calcium and ate dren with food allergies again and peers without any food restrictions. and poor math skills. more calories per day than the chil- found there was a significant increase Food allergies cause the body’s For the new study, researchers dren who had allergies. Protein con- in their total calorie intake as well as immune system to have an abnormal recruited 157 children between six sumption was about twice as high carbohydrate, protein, iron, fiber, calci- reaction like vomiting, diarrhea, months and three years of age from among children without a food aller- um and zinc levels. There were no chil- eczema or asthma to certain foods. two health centers in Italy. All of the gy, on average. dren with food allergies who did not But avoiding these foods means sacri- children were generally healthy. Counseling led to the changes get help from a dietician and this ficing the energy and nutrients they Ninety-one of the kids had food aller- The food diaries were evaluated by makes it difficult for the researchers, provide. Researchers estimate that gies and were being kept away from a dietician and parents of children in led by Dr Roberto Canani of the certain nutrient-rich foods such as the foods that caused their allergic the food allergy group received per- University of Naples “Federico II” in cow’s milk, hen’s eggs, soy, peanuts, reactions. Parents of these children sonalized counseling. Counselors Italy, to prove that the counseling tree nuts, wheat, fish and shellfish are had never received counseling for used the child’s weight, dietary history itself led to the changes. But the responsible for 90 percent of child- their child’s dietary needs. and energy requirements to deter- report is supported by previous hood food allergies. The other 66 children did not have mine what kinds of changes to the research that monitored differences in “A wide variety of foods are need- a food allergy and were used as a diet could be feasibly made. For the growth of children with food aller- ed for normal growth,” said Lynn comparison group. At the beginning instance, the parents of a child allergic gies. — Reuters

WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Team MBMC. Al Mulla & Behbehani Motor Company awards top performers for customer service excellence

he long-term objectives of Al Mulla & Behbehani Abdalla - Director of Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Motor Co. (MBMC), the sole distributor of Chrysler, Care from Fiat Chrysler Middle East’s Regional Office in TDodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Dubai. Professional in Kuwait, are built around total customer Five other top performers from MBMC’s sales team also delight, and the company runs an on-going mystery shop- received awards in recognition of their customer service per programme to assess customer service skills through- skills, Fahad Al Harbi, Radwan Barakat, Moumen Al Najjar, out the business. Diya Bergouthy and Mohammed Sanad received special “We’re determined to deliver exceptional customer certificates and value gifts from the MBMC management service,” said Maher Abu-Shaaban, Assistant General team in recognition of their achievements. Manager - Sales and Marketing at MBMC. “This is a key pil- “Across the region, our objective is to not only meet but lar of our guiding principles and we consistently stress that exceed customer expectations in terms of our service the customer is king to every one of our employees, delivery,” said Abdalla. “We know that total customer satis- enabling us to deliver world-class customer service excel- faction is the result of the overall skill levels of our team, so lence and add real value to customer relationships.” we’re continually looking at ways to engage, recognise and The management of MBMC recently acknowledged top reward their performance to make customer satisfaction customer satisfaction performers that were identified an integral part of their DNA and daily processes - our com- through the mystery shopper programme throughout mitment to employee satisfaction plays a key role in 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. enhancing the overall experience of our customers.” “In selecting our top performers we take into account A similar programme is also running across MBMC’s every aspect of customer service,” said Mr. Abu-Shaaban. service & parts operation to ensure that optimum levels of “This includes greeting customers, listening to them care- customer service are being delivered at every point of cus- fully to identify their requirements, presentation skills and tomer interaction. follow-up actions.” “At MBMC, we continuously measure service delivery Nouha Al Wafaee, who took first place in the pro- levels to the customer and monitor the extent to which the gramme was awarded a special certificate and a value gift frontline operations and procedures exceeds customer MBMC’s top achiever Mrs Nouha Al Wafaee receiving the award. by the MBMC management team in the presence of Maher expectations”, added Maher Abu Shaaban.

Movenpick Hotel Kuwait Free Trade Zone arranges mock fire evacuation drill

ovenpick Hotel Kuwait - Free Trade Zone initi- in the designated Assembly Point which is outside the whole building was evacuated in 2.5 minutes accord- ated a mock fire extinguishing and evacua- building. ing to the management comprehensive plan devel- Mtion drill for Hotel staff and guests as fire Hassan Hassanien General Manager said “This oped prior to the evacuation. Emergency exits as well alarms sounded. The drill aims at verifying the actual training has been launched in line with the Hotel as staff and guests gathering areas were determined technical preparedness of the Hotel should such directions and approved policies to ensure adopting beforehand. emergency occur. It also allows evaluating emergency the highest safety procedures for its facilities, staff It is worth mentioning that Movenpick hotel plans and considering improvements to be more and guests to preserve lives and properties. Kuwait is always keen on developing evacuation sce- effective during emergencies. The Hotel’s security The Hotel management supervised this drill as it narios and plans from its facilities and buildings for team and Kuwait fire service directorate team initiat- usually does every year. They briefed all staff and staff and guests as part of predetermined programs in ed the fire extinguishing process and relieved an guests about the importance of security and safety case of fire to ensure security and safety. injured successfully. Hotel staff and guests assembled instructions should any emergency may occur. The

‘Summer Surprise’ winners

Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain hosted a dinner at India House on 15th June in honour of R. Buhril, Protector General of Emigrants and Iqbal Singh Bains, Joint Secretary (Emigration Policy) in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, ifth and sixth raffle draw winners of “Summer Surprise” campaign by Malabar Gold & Diamonds receives the prize of quarter KG gold from Afsal Khan Government of India, which was attended by a cross-section of Indian community - Zonal Head in the presence of officials from Malabar Gold & Diamonds. Fifth winner Mirunisa and sixth winner Mohammed Rahman purchased in Kuwait. Mubarak Mehzem Mubarak, a well-known Kuwaiti singer, enthralled Ffrom the Souq Al Watya outlet. the audience with Indian film sons sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 GUST VP Ghassan Aouad named president of Chartered Institute of Building

he Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) Vice an increasingly professional industry to deliver modern infra- process mapping. His publications record includes over 90 refer- President for Academic Affairs, Professor Ghassan Aouad, structure, and to hold onto places of cultural significance. CIOB eed journal papers, 113 conference papers, and a number of Twas named as President of the Chartered Institute of membership in the Middle East is growing at a fast rate and we books, book chapters and reports. He is also currently on the Building (CIOB). Professor Aouad is the first-ever President of the are expecting Ghassan’s appointment to only encourage more editorial board of several international journals, and has been an CIOB from Middle Eastern descent. The inauguration took place people into a professional construction career.” external examiner to more than 52 PhDs and successfully super- in Qatar at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Institute Professor Ghassan Aouad is the current Vice President for vised 24 PhD students at Salford. As a principal investigator, and involved an international gathering from across the globe. Academic Affairs at GUST and is helping the University to grow Professor Aouad generated over £20M to support research relat- The Chartered Institute of Building is the world’s largest and and develop its programs and research in order to support stu- ed to built and human environment processes and products, most influential professional body for construction manage- dents and faculty alike. Before his tenure at GUST, Professor collaborating widely with many UK and international institu- ment and leadership established in 1834 with a membership of Aouad was the President of the University of Wollongong in tions, and has presented his work in more than 42 countries. 45,000 from across the globe. The headquarters is based in the Dubai (UOWD). Prior to this, he was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Professor Donald Bates, President of GUST, said that the UK and one of its Branches is in Dubai, UAE. The CIOB accredits Research and Innovation and Dean of the College of Science and University is proud of Professor Aouad’s new appointment as universities from across the globe and provides leadership in Technology at the University of Salford in the UK. Prior to joining this will raise the University’s profile and Kuwait as a whole con- developing professionalism in the construction sector. Salford, he spent five years in the Department of Civil and sidering that this is the first time somebody from the Middle “Ghassan becomes our 111th President and takes over the Building Engineering of Loughborough University, where he East has achieved this prestigious position within the CIOB. His role at an exciting time and it is especially poignant that he does obtained an MSc in Construction (1987) and a PhD entitled expertise and knowledge of the built environment will help so in the Middle East, said Chris Blythe chief executive at the Integrated Planning Systems for the Construction Industry (1991) many construction organizations in Kuwait, GCC and the Arab CIOB. Prof. Aouad has spent the last 25 years teaching and world and open doors for them at a global level. The university “His leadership, expertise and knowledge of both academia researching subjects related to the areas of Information is fully committed to encourage its staff and faculty to reach and industry are an invaluable commodity in a world that wants Modelling and Visualisation, multi-dimensional simulation, and their potential professionally and academically.

The French School of Kuwait graduation ceremony

he ‘Lycee Francais de Koweit’ in Salmiya During the ceremony the students added a (LFK) recently held the graduation ceremo- ‘French touch’ presenting various cultural pro- Tny of higher grade students in the pres- grams to entertain the gathering. ence of the parents of the students, the media, Speaking on the occasion, the French ambas- social and political activists, teachers and mem- sador said he was proud to see the distinguished bers of the LFK team. Notable dignitaries among levels, and success which the students achieved the audience were the French Ambassador to this year. The manager of the school GÈrard Kuwait Christian Makhle, owners of the school Lahourcade wished the graduates a bright Mrs Mona Al-Khaled and Dr. Fahd Al-Rashid. future, cut the cake and gave away the plaques.

azagan Beach & Golf Resort, a leading tourism desti- nation in Morocco created by Kerzner International, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort teams up Mhas partnered with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), one of the most prestigious soccer clubs in France, to launch the Paris Saint-Germain Soccer School at Mazagan. The strategic move targets kids from Kuwait as well as with PSG to launch ‘PSG Summer Camp’ Morocco and North Africa, to be trained in professional soccer skills delivered by such a top-legacy football team as PSG. The camp, targeted at youngsters aged between 6 and 16 years, promises an outstanding soccer training program deliv- ered by PSG, the French league title winner, and FIFA-certified professional coaches. Supervised by Benjamin Houri, the program of the camp is spread over the entire summer season, with the goal of help- ing younger players reach their full potential. “We have designed three sessions: the morning one for technique training, afternoon one for beach soccer and Fitness Game after 5pm. The sessions will take place on a daily basis from 15 June to 15 September 2014, except Mondays and Tuesdays,” said Stephan Killinger, President, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort. Mazagan offers these programs on a day to day basis as well as a full package tailored for Kuwaiti children who spend vacations with their families in Mazagan. “First-time enrollment requires course and Paris Saint- Germain Soccer school kit, which includes shirt with name, short, socks and sports bag. Moreover, children attending a five-day program will receive a Paris Saint-Germain Soccer School certificate and a pin,” Killinger added. Founded in 1970, PSG has gained strong reputation for its football training targeted at passionate fans of the sport, while offering programs tailored to nurture elite budding players. PSG Academy has organised over 150 courses since incep- tion in 2005. It has its own soccer school in Paris, which that attracts around 1,000 kids on a weekly basis.

McDonald’s hosts private screening of ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’

KUWAIT: McDonald’s Kuwait held a private screening of the the screening. “McDonald’s Kuwait has always been devoted supporter community who helped us make this a truly special event for movie “How To Train Your Dragon 2” for Special Needs The fun-filled evening started off with the screening of the of the special needs community in Kuwait. We wanted to treat these children and a night to remember for all those involved.” Children and Orphans at 360 Mall on Monday evening. With film, which proved to be a very popular choice for the young these kids to a night of genuine entertainment, allowing Operating since 1994 in Kuwait, McDonald’s today has 70 the support of the Shabab Al Khair group the screening audience. During the screening, the McDonald’s “Senior Stars” them to get lost in the magic of movies,” said Sherif Coutry, restaurants geographically located to service customers in included kids from a wide range of local children’s organiza- distributed goodie bags to the children, filled with fun gifts Marketing Director of McDonald’s Kuwait. “It was an over- many areas, committed to the wellbeing of the society with tions and centers such as Al Kharafie Kids Center, Abeer 2 and and memorabilia of the movie. After the movie ended, all the whelming experience for us and we are overjoyed at being an active social responsibility agenda, while maintaining various other special needs organizations from across Kuwait. children sat down together and enjoyed a special “How to able to share smiles and laughter with these children. We are high-quality products served in a safe and friendly atmos- Members of the media and their families were also invited to Train Your Dragon 2” Happy Meal. also very grateful for all the organizations and members of the phere.

Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (12/06/2014 TO 18/06/2014)

SHARQIA-1 THE RAID 2 (DIG) 12:15 AM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 12:30 PM FANAR-3 AVENUES-3 NO SUN+TUE+WED MALEFICENT (DIG) 2:45 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 1:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 1:30 PM 7500 (DIG) 4:45 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 3:15 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 4:00 PM BAIRAQ-1 7500 (DIG) 6:30 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 5:00 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 6:30 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 12:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 8:15 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 6:45 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 9:00 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 2:45 PM 7500 (DIG) 10:45 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 9:15 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 11:30 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 4:45 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 12:30 AM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 11:45 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 7:00 PM AVENUES-4 MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 9:15 PM SHARQIA-2 FANAR-4 BLENDED (DIG) 1:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 11:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 1:00 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 2:00 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 3:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 3:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 4:15 PM BLENDED (DIG) 6:00 PM BAIRAQ-2 MALEFICENT (DIG) 5:30 PM BLENDED (DIG) 6:15 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 8:15 PM BLENDED (DIG) 1:30 PM I, Husain Suksorwala MALEFICENT (DIG) 7:30 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 8:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 10:45 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 3:45 PM Murtuza Mohammed, hold- THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 9:30 PM BLENDED (DIG) 10:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 1:00 AM BLENDED (DIG) 6:15 PM er of Indian Passport No: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 12:05 AM BLENDED (DIG) 12:45 AM 1:00 AM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 8:30 PM L4536374, hereby change 360º- 1 BLENDED (DIG) 11:00 PM my name to Murtuza SHARQIA-3 FANAR-5 EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG-3D) 2:00 PM BLENDED (DIG) 1:15 AM Mohammed Husain BLENDED (DIG) 1:30 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 1:00 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 4:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED Suksorwala. (C 4747) A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST (DIG) 3:45 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 3:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 7:00 PM 14-6-2014 BLENDED (DIG) 5:45 PM JUMP JILANI (DIG) (Telugu) 3:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG-3D) 9:30 PM BAIRAQ-3 BLENDED (DIG) 8:00 PM JUMP JILANI (DIG) (Telugu) 6:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 12:05 AM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 2:00 PM ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 10:15 PM FRI+SAT+MON EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 4:15 PM BLENDED (DIG) 12:15 AM THE RAID 2 (DIG) 6:30 PM 360 º- 2 7500 (DIG) 6:30 PM TUITION NO FRI+SAT+MON BAD WORDS (DIG) 12:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 8:15 PM MUHALAB-1 JUMP JILANI (DIG) (Telugu) 9:30 PM ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 2:30 PM 7500 (DIG) 10:30 PM Arabic Teacher for non- BLENDED (DIG) 2:00 PM THE RAID 2 (DIG) 12:30 A BAD WORDS (DIG) 4:30 PM 7500 (DIG) 12:15 AM native speakers beginners & JUMP JILANI (DIG) (Telugu) 4:15 PM THE ANGRIEST MAN IN BROOKLYN (DIG) 6:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED advanced - All levels of the FRI+MON MARINA-1 ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 8:30 PM Arabic language - IGCSE & X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 4:30 PM BLENDED (DIG) 12:30 PM ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 10:30 PM PLAZA GCSE, language training syl- End Time: 3:00am 7500 (DIG) 2:45 PM ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 12:30 AM MALEFICENT (DIG) 3:45 PM labus foreign and common- NO FRI+MON BLENDED (DIG) 4:30 PM FRI+SAT+MON 360 º-- 3 wealth office. Only KD 10 for BLENDED (DIG) 7:15 PM 7500 (DIG) 6:45 PM HOW OLD ARE YOU (DIG) (Malayalam) 5:45 PM an hour & free books. BLENDED (DIG) 8:30 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 2:00 PM BLENDED (DIG) 9:30 PM THU+FRI+SAT+MON Contact: Mr Khalid: BLENDED (DIG) 11:45 PM ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 10:45 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 4:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 5:45 PM 99619998. (C 4740) 7500 (DIG) 12:30 AM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 6:30 PM SUN+TUE+WED MUHALAB-2 15-6-2014 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 8:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 8:30 PM MARINA-2 MALEFICENT (DIG) 1:30 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 11:00 PM BLENDED (DIG) 10:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 3:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 12:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 MALEFICENT (DIG) 6:00 PM A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST (DIG) 3:15 PM LAILA MALEFICENT (DIG) 8:00 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 5:30 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 12:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 6:15 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 10:00 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 7:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 3:00 PM BLENDED (DIG) 8:15 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 12:30 AM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 10:15 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 5:00 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 12:45 AM MALEFICENT (DIG) 7:15 PM 7500 (DIG) 10:45 PM MUHALAB-3 MALEFICENT (DIG) 9:30 PM AJIAL.1 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 12:30 PM MARINA-3 BLENDED (DIG) 11:45 PM 7500 (DIG) 2:30 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 1:30 PM NAAN THAN BALA (DIG) (TAMIL) 4:00 PM 112 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 4:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 3:45 PM AL-KOUT.2 FRI+SAT+MON EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 6:30 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 5:45 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 1:15 PM NAAN THAN BALA (DIG) (TAMIL) 7:00 PM 7500 (DIG) 8:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 8:00 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 3:00 PM MUNDAASUPATTI (DIG) (Tamil) 10:00 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG-3D) 10:30 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 10:00 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 5:30 PM Prayer timings 7500 (DIG) 12:45 AM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:05 AM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 7:30 PM AJIAL.2 ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 10:00 PM JUMP JILANI (DIG) (Telugu) 3:45 PM FANAR-1 AVENUES-1 THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 12:45 AM FRI+SAT+MON MALEFICENT (DIG) 12:45 PM 7500 (DIG) 12:45 PM JUMP JILANI (DIG) (Telugu) 6:45 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 2:45 PM 7500 (DIG) 2:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 JUMP JILANI (DIG) (Telugu) 9:45 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 5:00 PM 7500 (DIG) 4:30 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 1:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 7:15 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 6:30 PM 7500 (DIG) 4:00 PM AJIAL.3 ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 9:30 PM 7500 (DIG) 8:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 5:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 4:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 12:15 AM 7500 (DIG) 10:30 PM 7500 (DIG) 8:00 PM FRI+SAT+MON 7500 (DIG) 12:30 AM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 9:45 PM HOLIDAY (DIG) (HINDI) 6:30 PM FANAR-2 7500 (DIG) 12:05 AM HOLIDAY (DIG) (HINDI) 9:30 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 1:30 PM AVENUES-2 Fajr: 03:13 AL-KOUT.4 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 3:45 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 1:15 PM AJIAL.4 Shorook 04:49 ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 6:00 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 4:00 PM BLENDED (DIG) 1:00 PM HOW OLD ARE YOU (DIG) (Malayalam) 3:45 PM Duhr: 11:49 7500 (DIG) 7:45 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 6:00 PM THE RAID 2 (DIG) 3:15 PM FRI+SAT+MON Asr: 15:23 ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 9:30 PM BAD WORDS (DIG) 8:30 PM BLENDED (DIG) 6:00 PM HOW OLD ARE YOU (DIG) (Malayalam) 6:45 PM 7500 (DIG) 11:15 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 10:15 PM BLENDED (DIG) 8:15 PM Maghrib: 18:50 HOW OLD ARE YOU (DIG) (Malayalam) 9:45 PM 7500 (DIG) 1:00 AM BAD WORDS (DIG) 12:45 AM ALIEN ABDUCTION (DIG) 10:30 PM Isha: 20:22

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 18/6/2014 KAC 546 Alexandria 14:15 Departure Flights on Wednesday 18/6/2014 FDB 072 Dubai 13:15 Airlines Flt Route Time MSC 407 HRG 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 JZR 562 Sohag 00:10 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 267 Beirut 00:25 IRC 526 Mashhad 14:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:20 CLX 792 Hanoi 14:30 JZR 539 Cairo 00:30 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:40 UAL 981 IAD 00:25 IYE 827 Mukalla/Sanaa 14:30 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:25 IYE 824 Sanaa/Doha 15:05 JZR 502 Luxor 01:30 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 THY 764 Istanbul 01:40 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:20 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 IRM 1180 Mashhad 15:45 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 MSC 408 HRG 15:15 GFA 211 Bahrain 01:55 KAC 672 Dubai 15:45 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 KNE 460 Riyadh 15:55 MSC 404 Asyut 03:30 IRC 527 Mashhad 15:30 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:30 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:35 MSC 403 Asyut 02:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:15 FDB 5068 Dubai 03:45 SVA 503 Madinah/Jeddah 15:45 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:35 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 FDB 5067 Dubai 03:05 JZR 243 Amman 16:40 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:20 IYE 824 Sanaa 16:05 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:45 OMA 644 Muscat 04:20 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 OMA 643 Muscat 03:20 KAC 562 Amman 16:50 QTR 1077 Doha 04:25 KAC 513 Tehran 16:20 QTR 1076 Doha 03:25 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:50 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 UAE 857 Dubai 16:55 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 KNE 481 Taif 16:40 THY 770 Istanbul 04:35 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 JZR 560 Sohag 05:35 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 JZR 357 Mashhad 17:30 THY 765 Istanbul 06:00 IRM 1187 Tehran 17:00 RBG 555 Alexandria 05:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 RBG 556 Alexandria 06:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:30 QTR 1073 Doha 17:20 BAW 157 London 06:35 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 JZR 563 Sohag 06:35 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 JZR 538 Cairo 17:40 JZR 483 Istanbul 17:55 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:45 FDB 053 Dubai 07:00 KAC 542 Cairo 18:15 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:00 NIA 262 Luxor 17:50 QTR 1080 Doha 18:25 JZR 150 Dubai 07:15 UAE 858 Dubai 18:15 KAC 204 Lahore 07:35 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:30 JZR 503 Luxor 07:40 KAC 545 Alexandria 07:20 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 288 Dhaka 07:45 FDB 063 Dubai 18:35 FDB 054 Dubai 07:50 JZR 156 Dubai 18:20 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:50 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 18:40 BAW 156 London 08:25 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 ABY 129 Sharjah 19:00 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 JZR 554 Alexandria 18:30 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 KAC 117 New York 09:05 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 KAC 364 Colombo 08:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:30 JZR 134 Bahrain 18:50 KAC 352 Kochi 08:05 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:35 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 KAC 344 Chennai 08:20 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 QTR 1081 Doha 19:25 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 MSR 606 Luxor 19:30 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:55 ABY 120 Sharjah 19:40 ABY 125 Sharjah 08:50 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 IRM 1186 Tehran 09:10 KAC 102 New York/London 19:35 FDB 5056 Dubai 10:15 MSR 619 Alexandria 20:30 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:25 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 IRM 1181 Mashhad 10:20 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:30 FDB 5061 Dubai 20:05 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 FDB 5055 Dubai 09:35 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 MEA 407 Beirut 10:40 FDB 5062 Dubai 20:50 MEA 406 Beirut 09:40 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:15 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 20:25 JZR 242 Amman 11:05 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:50 FDB 057 Dubai 10:40 KAC 514 Tehran 20:50 KAC 671 Dubai 11:20 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 FDB 058 Dubai 11:20 DLH 636 Dammam 21:00 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 IAW 157 Baghdad/Al Najaf 11:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 JZR 151 Dubai 11:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 JZR 356 Mashhad 11:40 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:50 JZR 135 Bahrain 21:45 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 JZR 561 Sohag 12:00 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 IAW 158 Al Najaf/Baghdad 12:00 ETD 920 Sharjah 22:25 SYR 341 Damascus 12:05 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 KAC 175 Frankfurt/Geneva 12:10 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 FDB 071 Dubai 12:35 JZR 157 Dubai 22:55 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 KAC 381 Delhi 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 FDB 059 Dubai 23:15 KAC 103 London 12:30 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:40 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:20 JZR 786 Riyadh 12:50 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 CLX 792 Luxembourg 13:15 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 IYE 826 Sanaa/Mukalla 13:30 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 23:40 SYR 342 Damascus 13:05 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:35 QTR 1078 Doha 13:45 THY 772 Istanbul 23:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 NIA 263 Luxor 23:50 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:15 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 34 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 stars

CROSSWORD 582 STAR TRACK

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

Decisions made now may have to be rethought later; take your time with Things are happening, and your career or path depends upon your own how you think you want to proceed on some project. You are a heavy-duty ambition and drive, which can be quite strong now. There could be some thinker and serious student, always ready to work an idea through, reducing it to what is discussions over business affairs but a compromise can be reached. Learn better time essential. You enjoy mental efforts and discipline and will often work long and hard management by briefly monitoring your use of time. Schedule tasks so that they serve toward any project’s end result. Teaching opportunities and ideas repeatedly present your larger goals and are achievable in time and circumstances. Build some time for breaks opportunities for you. You enjoy working with other people and may pour a lot of energy and rewards into your schedule. Leave some space for regular and periodic review. Last, into helping those around you. Your home and surroundings reflect this as well. When it but not least, provide time for exercise and relaxation as well as sleep and nourishment. comes to teaching or coaching young people, you are a natural and may be asked to help Strength, perseverance and an attitude that emphasizes common sense will also enable motivate and inspire young people. Tonight could be a socially active evening. you to help make proper decisions in family matters.

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

You are able to act quickly and get things accomplished fast. You may find Your ability to work more efficiently with others eventually enables you to people coming to you for those odd jobs that nobody wants and that need to be complet- achieve even bigger and more encompassing goals. As a good detective or ed and out of the way. You may like to be depended on in this way but it could cause research person, you will find yourself having a passion for answers. Questioning and some stressful moments in getting your own work accomplished. So that others will searching finds you in pursuit of some piece of useful information. It could only be that an respect your time, you must learn to politely say no, occasionally. Your organizational abil- accounting problem is solved. You enjoy a game of team sports this afternoon. When you ities and sense of responsibility will be what guides you and proves successful. Your career are not involved in sports, create for yourself a regular period of vigorous exercise-and could assume a much more determined and solid form. You naturally are a giving person, then use exercise to drain off tension. This evening you may want to dive into some inter- sacrificing your own interests for the sake of what you feel is right. A born psychologist, esting philosophical ideas with a love partner. Cultivate methods that enable you to get you may find yourself counseling a friend this evening. enough good sleep-wind down first, perhaps with a bit of relaxing music.

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

This could be a less busy day, but it seems as though requests for your serv- You have a relentless drive to get at the heart of things this today, whatever ices are in a constant flow of motion. This is good in many ways but you may is under the surface or behind the scenes. Your relentless pursuit of any- thing hidden or secret makes you a researcher or investigator bar none. Emotionally, you ACROSS want to request a little earlier leave time for yourself this afternoon. Obligations at work for a piece of work. don’t keep you from your obligations at home, and although most times you enjoy all the are also hot stuff, rushing into areas and handling subject matters that others would never 1. A syndrome that occurs in many women 4. A New England state. energy that is around you and the opportunity to help others, this is your day. Out-of- come near. You may not like displays of emotion and pushy people, or at least find them from 2 to 14 days before the onset of men- 5. A period marked by distinctive character town guests or some project that calls for your attention keeps calling your name. It is not challenging and thought-provoking. There is not much to slow your progress, however, struation. or reckoned from a fixed point or event. unusual for you to balance several things at once. You have great compassion for others and by this afternoon you are moving forward with your professional activities at full 4. French postimpressionist painter who 6. The capital of Croatia. and may want to stop to visit and help an older person in your neighborhood later today. speed ahead. This evening is a good time to have a long talk with your partner about your future plans. You may decide on a new budget at this time. influenced modern art (especially cubism) 7. Be in accord. At home this evening, life is good. Happy birthday! by stressing the structural components 8. Clean or orderly. latent in nature (1839-1906). 9. A yellow trivalent metallic element of the 11. Used as a Hindi courtesy title. rare earth group. Cancer (June 21-July 22) 15. Apparent power to perceive things that 10. The organ of sight (`peeper' is an infor- Capricorn (December 22-January 19) are not present to the senses. mal term for `eye'). It may be hard to organize or persevere today. Everything may seem to be The word for today is accomplishment. If there is a job, you can do it. As a 16. An event resulting in great loss and mis- 11. A member of a subgroup of people who falling apart and coming unglued. Do not force things. A little note-taking prodigious worker, you pour yourself into any task with absolute determina- fortune. inhabit Lesotho. can bring the plans for the day back into focus. Be patient and let the chaos of others dis- tion. You are responsible to the extreme and take on obligations as though you just can- 17. (Roman mythology) God of love. 12. A compound derived from ammonia by solve. It is time to dive into your work now-you seem to shine when it comes to practical not get enough. You enjoy discipline and limitations are seen as opportunities rather than 18. Pass gradually or leak through or as if replacing hydrogen atoms by univalent matters or those involving work and career. You have an easy way with superiors or those as handicaps. Home and family matters can play a big part in your life. Relatives take on through small openings. hydrocarbon radicals. in authority and can always manage to get the most out of any skill or ability you have. greater importance than ever before. You are pleased with the results of your efforts and 20. A city in northern India. 13. A city in western Germany on the Rhine You may tend to fear that others find you too sense-oriented from time to time. You radi- may busy yourself making new plans with family. This may mean a game of golf or tennis 21. A change for the better. River. ate energy and have to just accept the fact that people like to feel your warmth. Enjoy the or camping, etc. Music plays an important role and you enjoy photography, especially to 23. English scholastic philosopher and 14. An instinctive motive. attention you receive from your loved ones this evening. capture the moments of family time. assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285- 19. Fortification consisting of a low wall. 1349). 22. Largest known toad species. 25. A network of intersecting blood vessels 24. A member of the Siouan people former- Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) or intersecting nerves or intersecting ly living in the Missouri river valley in NE Take a little trip, or get outside today. You may want to break that routine lymph vessels. Nebraska. You enjoy working hard and being organized and you exercise skill and dis- and try something new or different right now. You may discover insights 27. Irish patriot and a founder of the Sinn cipline in anything that affects your career and reputation. Today you will enjoy working 26. Freedom from difficulty or hardship or into day-to-day problems that will be of great value later. You are very much the creature Fein (1865-1953). in the environment where higher-ups show off their independence and originality. You effort. of habit and habitat. The encircling networks of friends and relationships are crucial to could find yourself engaged in nonconformist causes, always ready to promote what is 28. Tall perennial herb of tropical Asia with 29. A percussion instrument consisting of a your success or lack thereof. You are nourished in great measure by the atmosphere and independent and innovative. You like radical approaches and may find yourself in support dark green leaves. pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usu- conditions you are able to set up for yourself. You are happiest today as you accomplish of whatever new-wave product or breakthrough advance is next in line. Communication, 30. (medicine) Having or experiencing a your chores and improve your surroundings, perhaps by cleaning or working with plants. ally held between the thumb and fingers) computers, electronics and everything new excite you and these are the areas in which rapid onset and short but severe course. All that is fine and luxurious may be what you enjoy most. You will make your own way that are made to click together (as by you excel now. You may discover new ways of working with traditional materials. This is a 32. A soft silvery metallic element of the and find solutions to whatever problems you have. Tonight is for romance. Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance. great time to reflect. Enjoy a walk this evening. alkali earth group. 31. The 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet. 34. According to the Old Testament he was 33. A town in northern Michigan on an arm a pagan king of Israel and husband of of Lake Huron. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Jezebel (9th century BC). 36. A deep bow. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 35. Title for the former hereditary monarch 37. A colorless liquid hydrocarbon extract- of Iran. Someone could challenge you on a very sensitive issue this today. This You are concerned with living up to your standards and are stable and ed from petroleum or coal tar and used in methodical in your ways of moving forward. You resist change and may have 38. Antineoplastic drug (trade name Elspar) making synthetic resins. could result in a very intense discussion. You may find yourself analyzing a situation. Too much time spent in serious thought could undermine your progress. Lighten up! Tell trouble getting started with initiating changes, but once on the move you can be unyield- sometimes used to treat lymphoblastic 39. (Japanese) Rice (with raw fish) wrapped leukemia. some jokes and enjoy the company of others. Soon, you will find the most sensitive issues ing. You may mistrust that which is new or untried. Given time, you will become more confi- in seaweed. can be put to rest. You may become very interested in research surrounding life survival, dent and trusting as well as forgiving and understanding. This is what makes up a mature 41. A strategically located monarchy on the 40. A white soft metallic element that tar- adult and you are well on your way; just be a little more patient with yourself. Listen to your southern and eastern coasts of the Arabian scientific research or what have you. There is a passion for searching, finding out and com- nishes readily. municating your discoveries. This may turn out to be a very interesting day with perhaps a intuition-it is strong and can guide you accurately in making forecasts or decisions. You Peninsula. 42. Transmissions that are disseminated renewed appreciation for all that is beautiful and fine. There is a time of meditation when know and understand more than you realize; others may experience growth by simply 43. Expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or spu- widely to the public. that first sip of wine or a little evening refreshment is quite relaxing. answering your penetrating questions. Your affections are returned tonight. tum) from the mouth. 45. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked 44. A Loloish language. on a skewer usually with vegetables. 48. Late time of life. 46. A complex red organic pigment con- Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 49. Testacean rhizopods. taining iron and other atoms to which oxy- 54. Antibacterial drug (trade name gen binds. Nydrazid) used to treat tuberculosis. 47. A lyric poem with complex stanza 55. A very young child (birth to 1 year) who forms. has not yet begun to walk or talk. 50. A port city in southwestern Iran. 56. Of or relating to the Iberian peninsula or its inhabitants. 51. An ancient Egyptian city on the west 57. An Indian side dish of yogurt and bank of the Nile opposite Cairo. chopped cucumbers and spices. 52. A mining town in southern Wales. 59. Affect with wonder. 53. An Asian river. 61. Flat and uninspiring. 58. The capital and largest city of Albania in 62. A state in the Rocky Mountains. the center of the country. 63. Very large red gum tree. 60. The act of concealing yourself and lying 65. Away from the mouth or oral region. in wait to attack by surprise. 70. Having gaps or spaces. 64. An intensely radioactive metallic ele- 74. A tranquilizer (trade name Navane) ment that occurs in minute amounts in ura- used to treat schizophrenia. nium ores. 75. Large American feline resembling a lion. 66. A port city on the Caspian Sea that is 77. Exhibiting or restored to vigorous good the capital of Azerbaijan and an important health. center for oil production. 78. A Kwa language spoken in Ghana and 67. Rounded like an egg. the Ivory Coast. 68. Keep in mind or convey as a conviction 79. Something very ugly and offensive. or view. 82. Horny projecting mouth of a bird. 69. An organization of countries formed in 83. Type genus of the Sulidae. 1961 to agree on a common policy for the 84. (Old Testament) The guardian sale of petroleum. archangel of the Jews. 71. The (prehensile) extremity of the superi- 85. Any of several small ungulate mammals or limb. of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors 72. English essayist (1775-1834). and feet with hooflike toes. 73. United States labor organizer who ran for President as a socialist (1855-1926). DOWN 76. Extinct flightless bird of New Zealand. 1. The basic unit of money in Uruguay. 80. A Loloish language. 2. One thousandth of a second. 81. Angular distance above the horizon 3. A detailed description of design criteria (especially of a celestial object).

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 Al-Madeena 22418714 Al-Shuhada 22545171 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Al-Shuwaikh 24810598 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Al-Nuzha 22545171 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Sabhan 24742838 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Al-Helaly 22434853 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Al-Faiha 22545051

Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Al-Farwaniya 24711433 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Al-Sulaibikhat 24316983 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Al-Fahaheel 23927002 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh 24316983 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Ahmadi 23980088 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Al-Mangaf 23711183 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Al-Shuaiba 23262845 Rawda 22517733

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Available at The Sultan Centre & Carrefour lifestyle WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Travel Dubai Creek heart of a changed city

Traditional abras, or taxi boats, cross the creek waters from Burj Dubai to Deira, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

eneath a glitzy skyline, wooden boats ply creek is very much the heart of the city, physically Dubai Creek, the historic heart of a city that and metaphorically,” says Yasser Elsheshtawy, asso- Bwas transformed in little more than a gener- ciate professor of architecture at the United Arab ation from a tiny pearling and fishing port to a Emirates University. “You know, that’s really where global trading hub. From early morning to late everything started.” evening the creek is abuzz with daily commuters The city is awaiting the results of a bid for Dubai and tourists riding in abras, the wooden boats that Creek to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage have been used for more than a century and are Site, and a $544 million creek-side project has been still built by hand nearby. The 25-cent passage approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al - from one bank to the other is one of the only bar- Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister gains left in a city where much of the population is and ruler of Dubai, that aims to transform the area expatriates lured to the Gulf emirate by job oppor- into a cultural and artistic hub for the city. Here are tunities. images from Associated Press photographer Unlike the rest of the city, the Dubai Creek area Kamran Jebreili of Dubai Creek. — AP has until now been left relatively untouched by developers, offering a glimpse into the modest beginnings of a city that is now a byword for Skyscrapers along the Sheikh Zayed highway, at background, pink flamingos look for food by the creek, at the Ras Al- wealth, excess and overnight development. “The Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai.

A man rides his bicycle past the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum House, a historic building by Tourists and residents cross the creek waters which cuts through An Iranian sailor climbs down a ladder from his dhow for upload- the creek, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. the heart of the city, on a traditional abra, or taxi boat, in Dubai, ing goods at the creek in Dubai. United Arab Emirates.

Trading dhows for uploading goods are docked at the creek in Dubai. In this Monday, May 26, 2014 photo, people shop at a souq by the creek in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Unlike the rest of the city, the Dubai Creek area has until now been left relatively untouched by developers, offering a glimpse into the modest beginnings of a city that is now a byword for wealth, excess and overnight development. — AP photos

An abra, or boat taxi, driver performs the evening prayers on his boat at the An Asian laborer carries imported goods to a dhow at the creek in Dubai. Tourists and residents cross the creek waters which cuts through the heart of creek in Dubai. the city, on a traditional abra, or taxi boat, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. lifestyle WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014

Music & Movies

Madonna Madonna attends preview of Tupac B’way musical ne of Tupac Shakur’s old friends celebrated his Thursday at the Palace Theatre. It uses Shakur’s songs Ya Hear Me” uses some of the rap genius’ well-known birthday by seeing a new play inspired by his to tell an original story about two young men dealing songs, including “California Love,” “Dear Mama,” “I Get Omusic. Madonna attended a preview of “Holler with life and tragedy in a Midwestern industrial city. Around” and “Keep Ya Head Up.”— AP If Ya Hear Me” in New York City on Monday, which Recent Tony winner Kenny Leon is directing. would have been the rapper’s 43rd birthday. Shakur Madonna sat in the third row. Shakur’s mother and died in 1996 at age 25. The musical officially opens show producer, Afeni Shakur, also attended. “Holler If

Review: Sam Smith an emotional powerhouse on debut

hy am I so emotional?” new- tures the mood perfectly, especially on the comer Sam Smith sings on his bold “Leave Your Lover” and the guitar-tinged “WTop 10 hit, “Stay With Me.” “No, “Not In That Way,” where he closes with the it’s not a good look, need some self-control.” It heartbreaking line: “You’d say, ‘I’m sorry, may not be a good look, but as far as the believe me, I love you, but not in that way.’” sound? Amazing. The 22-year-old English The 10-track set is full of more lyrics like singer’s soulful pop debut, “In the Lonely that - words that reel you into Smith’s story of Hour,” is a passionate, heart wrenching album loneliness and love lapses, making for beauti- that explores the emotions behind falling in ful music. “I’m Not the Only One” is addictive, love with someone who doesn’t feel the the sounds of strings stun on “Good Thing” same. It’s a brave and honest album that cap- and the falsetto heavy “Life Support” feels like falsetto heaven. “Lonely Hour” is not all depressing: Album opener “Money On My Mind” is full of upbeat swag, while the dance- soul bonus track, “Restart,” feels classic. There are also the hits Smith co-stars on that are helping him shine brighter: Disclosure’s “Latch” and Naughty Boy’s “La La La,” which showcase the breakthrough singer’s versatili- ty. Smith’s powerhouse voice - full of impres- sive high notes - also helps lift the album’s sad tone, bringing on a fiery, spirited vibe much like Adele on her masterful “21” album. And Smith even borrows from some of her top col- laborators: Eg White, who co-wrote and pro- duced Adele’s “Chasing Pavements,” is behind “Good Thing,” while “Set Fire to the Rain” co- writer and producer Fraser T Smith helps on ‘Jersey Boys’ Review: Clint Eastwood’s jukebox “Not In that Way.” With this release, Smith won’t feel alone for much longer.—AP musical is Nic, entertaining, just not all that good lmost everyone I know with living parents has got- Eastwood does everything but insert a lightbulb going off This photo provided by Capitol ten the phone call where Mom asks, “Have you seen over Gaudio’s head. Music Group shows the cover of A‘The Jersey Boys’? Your father and I went last night, Cinematographer Tom Stern, a frequent Eastwood col- Sam Smith’s new album, ‘In the and we loved it.” If you’re a fan of harmonic 1960s pop, or laborator, accentuates the film’s feeling of days gone by, by Lonely Hour.’—AP cars with fins, “Jersey Boys” will provide a nice evening out frequently desaturating the colors; sometimes the movie at the movies. It’s nice. It’s entertaining. It’s pleasant. It’s all looks like a faded postcard, and at other times it’s all but the positive adjectives that mean “not terrible, but ulti- monochromatic. When the color pops (in Crewe’s apart- mately negligible.” ment, which prominently features an Andy Warhol Clint Eastwood directs the film adaptation of the global Campbell’s Soup painting, or in the cheesy, reprise-y clos- stage hit, and the movie fulfills the duties of a jukebox ing number), Stern makes it count. musical: it works in the hits, and it casts singers who make Clint Eastwood reflects on those hits sound virtually identical to the original versions. Four Seasons What the movie doesn’t do is answer the question, “Why The performances are mostly engaging, from Walken’s did I just spend 134 minutes watching the Frankie Valli laid-back Mafioso to Young’s earnest Valli to Doyle’s showy age, America and acting episode of ‘Behind the Music’?” Valli and the Four Seasons turn as the openly gay Crewe, in a performance that resides are certainly responsible for more than their share of mem- perilously on the border (without tipping over) between head of his Broadway adaptation “Jersey Boys” on orable pop ditties, but there’s nothing about their lives or flamboyantly tongue-in-cheek and ridiculously caricatured. Friday, Clint Eastwood, 84, shares his thoughts on their music that makes them more of a biopic candidate The hits - including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Ahow to stay young, his first time acting and why than, say, The Beach Boys or The Kinks or The Ink Spots. Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” among many oth- America is “floundering”: It doesn’t help that the rougher edges of the story are ers - inject some dazzle into the proceedings, and they’re sanded down whenever possible: We’re informed immedi- mostly presented as performance pieces when the band is On directing late in life ately by group founder Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza) that touring, recording, or appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” You have more experience as you get older. You have he and Frankie (John Lloyd Young) had mob ties, although The one attempt to work a song into the plot falls flat; more to draw on, as long as you don’t lose your faculties. it’s really Tommy who’s more connected, since he’s an Valli sings “My Eyes Adored You” to his young daughter You can play on that if you’re lucky enough genetically or errand boy for local made man Gyp DeCarlo (Christopher Francine, and the song is reprised later as the theme to you take good enough care of yourself, or a combination of Walken). their fractured relationship. It’s forgivable that the tune the two. You can go ahead and experiment with things. Tommy is the driving force behind the band, but he’s pops up in the 1960s (even though it wasn’t released until There’s so many different stories to tell out there. You can also a hothead who gets deeply into debt with loansharks 1975), but a song about a childhood crush sounds creepy be 21 or 81. ... If you tell yourself, “I’m too old to do that” - when he’s not going to jail for petty offenses. There are when it’s a dad singing it to his child, particularly since they bulls—-. You’re not too old to do anything. actors out there who could effectively portray a genuine leave in the “Though I never laid a hand on you” line. One menace while also singing four-part harmony, but Piazza would have assumed you didn’t. On his first acting experience isn’t one of them. He’s credible as a musician, but never as There’s an airlessness about “Jersey Boys,” mainly in that As a kid, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was forced threatening as Norm Waxman (Donnie Kehr), Tommy’s loan- Eastwood and the writers never seem particularly interest- to do a one-act play when I was in an English class. ... We shark. The film’s other mobsters, Walken included, come off ed in reflecting the group against the context of their had to put it on for the senior high school. This was junior Eastwood Clint innocuously, as if to say, “Hey, these guys had mob ties, but times. We never hear about the decade’s controversies or high school. Jesus. We were all talking about cutting school not, you know, the bad kind.” newsworthy incidents, or the other groups competing and not showing up. And I did the play and it was success- On missing acting The trajectory of the Four Seasons is one we know from against the Four Seasons for pop supremacy, or anything ful. Everybody kept going around saying, “Oh that was fun.” No, not particularly. There are less parts as you get older. a million rock biopics (and fictional band movies like “That else outside of the bubble of their lives. As such, the movie And I said, “Yeah, but I never want to do that again, ever.” I But you can also do things like “Gran Torino” where you can Thing You Do!” and “The Commitments) - the struggle to never really makes a case for the Four Seasons being was adamant about it. And here I am. experiment with some of your past things. get signed, early success, in-fighting, familial strife, bridge, important enough to merit big-screen treatment in the first chorus. Screenwriters Marshall Brickman (Woody Allen’s place. On America On casting collaborator on “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan”) and Rick Not that this historical vacuum has kept the show from I think we’re floundering. Both of the last two regimes Selling yourself as an actor is tough to do. You go in Elice, adapting their book of the stage musical, keep things filling theaters from Broadway to Vegas and beyond, nor got into a spending spree that put us into a recession there, you do interviews. There’s 10, 15 guys your height, moving along, even interjecting odd humor at places, but will it keep its core audience from a nice, pleasant, enter- longer than any recession before. Everybody talks about liv- weight, everything and they all want the same thing. You’re they wage an uphill battle against genre conventions. taining time at the movies. Those more inclined to think of ing within your means, but nobody really wants to do it, at going, “Oh, s—-. What are the odds?” The odds were against Sometimes the clichÈs are knowingly funny, like when the Four Seasons as a Vivaldi piece or a luxury hotel chain least in government. I have strong feelings about that me for quite a few years, say from ‘53 to ‘59. I did a lot of the group gets its name from the neon advertisement for a may remain unconvinced. — Reuters because I was born in 1930. I was a Depression kid. It was a other jobs other than acting, that’s for sure. That’s why bowling alley, and someone says, “It’s a sign!” But then you long time before my parents got stable. I lived with grand- when I’m casting, I always cast off-types for stuff. Otherwise, get songwriter Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen) watching “Ace in parents and various relatives while they were struggling, so I’d hire everybody. Because I’ve been there. — AP the Hole” on TV with lyricist-producer Bob Crewe (Mike it’s just engrained in me. Doyle); when Kirk Douglas slaps Jan Sterling in the Billy Wilder movie, Crewe comments, “Big girls don’t cry,” and Christopher Jackson shines in Tupac musical hristopher Jackson remembers exactly where for telling a musical story,” he says. “The essence of it is Diga Doo” in “After Midnight” and Derek Jeter in “Bronx he was on Friday, Sept 13, 1996. That was the storytelling, so why wouldn’t it be on a Broadway Bombers.” He is also a composer and songwriter for Cday Tupac Shakur died from wounds suffered in stage?” If Shakur was one of the most dynamic stars of the “The Electric Company” and “Sesame Street,” writ- a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, and Jackson honored the 1990s, Jackson is perfectly qualified to interpret ing the music for the touching song “I Love My Hair” the rapper the only way he knew how: with music. “I songs by the late actor and singer. This will be for a white father of an African-American child, and remember putting his CD in my CD player and walk- Jackson’s third Broadway show in six months and he’s the lyrics for “What I Am,” a fun song featuring will.i.am ing through Central Park and weeping and being an Emmy Award winning music composer for kids and and puppets. angry,” Jackson recalls. “I didn’t know that he held such a freestyle rapper. “I’ve never wanted to do just one thing,” he says. “I a place in my heart. I mourned the fact that I wouldn’t “He has a great sense of character. He has charis- don’t have an attention span for that. I can focus really ever get to work with him.” ma. He has a wonderful singing voice and he has well on one thing - what’s in front of me.” He and his Eighteen years later, Jackson has found himself as edge. And he listens,” director Kenny Leon said. “He’s wife, Veronica Vazquez-Jackson, who starred in “Selena close to that dream as possible. He’s singing Shakur’s the real deal. I just love his heart.” Raised in Cairo, Forever,” are the parents of a 9-year-old boy and a 4- songs on a Broadway stage in “Holler If Ya Hear Me,” Illinois, Jackson sang in church each Sunday and year-old girl. In his spare time - if he has any - Jackson including the heartfelt “Dear Mama,” the first song moved to New York when he was 17. He graduated is also a member of the improve hip-hop act Freestyle Jackson listened to that sad day in 1996. The musical, from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Love Supreme. The group, which creates impromptu which opens Thursday at the Palace Theatre, uses studying acting and musical theater. He also taught rap songs often from single-word audience sugges- Shakur’s songs - including “Me Against the World,” himself piano, having spurned lessons as a kid. “I was tions, also includes “In the Heights” composer Lin- “California Love” and “Keep Ya Head Up” - to tell an going to be a St Louis Cardinal. I didn’t have time to Manuel Miranda and new Tony winner James Monroe original story by Todd Kreidler about two young men play piano,” he explains. Iglehart of “Aladdin.” Cable TV outlet Pivot has ordered dealing with life and tragedy in a Midwestern industri- 10 episodes of their concerts. “Not to overstate what al city. Creative process we’re doing - because we’re just a bunch of dudes If gangsta rap on Broadway seems an improbable He got a gig right out of college in 1995 - the off- being stupid onstage - but it really is the essence of thing, Jackson points to such groundbreaking shows Broadway revue “Time and the Wind” - and never the creative process,” he says. “You come in with noth- This photo provided by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows Christopher Jackson, right, and as “American Idiot,” which used Green Day music, and stopped working. He has played Simba in “The Lion ing. It’s like a freehand drawing.”— AP Tonya Pinkins in a scene from ‘Holler If Ya Hear Me’ at the Palace Theatre in New York. the rock musical “The Who’s Tommy.” “I think Broadway King,” Benny in “In the Heights,” and Delray in — AP is waking up to the idea that rap is an incredible tool “Memphis.” Jackson most recently performed “Diga Madonna attends preview of Tupac B’way musical

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 39

A combination of pictures taken in June 2014 shows female supporters from various countries during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. — AFP ‘Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the Civil War’ exhibition

This photo provided by the New-York This photo shows a quilt titled ‘Quilt, Pieced and This photo provided by the New-York Historical This photo provided by the New-York Historical Historical Society shows a quilt titled ‘Quilt, Tied,’ ca 1860, hand spun and woven linen and wool, Society shows a bright and exuberant 1867 Society shows a quilt called ‘Quilt, Alabama 40-Block,’ dated February 5, 1865, Sophonia twill weaves, pieced and tied, made by two enslaved ‘Reconciliation Quilt,’ by Lucinda Ward Gunboat,’ ca. 1862, Martha Jane Hatter, Greensboro, Clark and friends, from Yates, Orleans County, women, Martha and/or Sarah, in Stony Point, Honstain, of Brooklyn, New York. Alabama, made of wool challis, and cotton; New York. —AP photos Sullivan County, Tenn, on loan from the Historic Crab appliqued, stuffed, and embroidered, from the First Orchard Museum, Virginia. White House of the Confederacy.

he New-York Historical Society contributes to the Featuring approximately 130 objects, including textiles, New-York Historical Society. Historical Society. “We are so pleased to present this exhibi- nationwide conversation on the sesquicentennial com- clothing, artifacts, and images, Homefront & Battlefield exam- “Homefront & Battlefield demonstrates New-York tion in New York and share highlights from our collection, to Tmemoration of the American Civil War (1861-65) with ines how textiles were both an expression of and a motivat- Historical’s signature initiative to frame history with art, telling commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in a the exhibition Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the ing force behind American politics and culture. Organized by the story of the Civil War era through abolitionists’ slogans on unique way.”The exhibition started from April 04, 2014 till Civil War. The exhibition offers a new perspective on the most the American Textile History Museum, in Lowell, MA, where silk handkerchiefs, plantation owners’ deals with Rhode Island August 24, 2014. — www.nyartbeat.com divisive period in American history, reflecting the personal the show debuted in 2012, the presentation features addi- mills for rough wool to clothe slaves, and needlework stitched sacrifice, heroism, mourning, and reconciliation that changed tional significant artifacts from New-York Historical’s collec- by patriotic women on both sides in support of the war the course of the nation. tion, curated by Margi Hofer, curator of decorative arts at the effort,” said Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York Buffalo Bill’s necklace, gun fetch $80K at auction

necklace made from the claws of a grizzly bear and a Colt .45 six-shooter once owned by ex-scout and Ashowman “Buffalo Bill” Cody sold at auction in Dallas for more than $40,000 each. Heritage Auctions says both says Sioux warrior chief Sitting Bull gave Cody sold Saturday for the same sale price: $40,625. the grizzly bear-claw necklace. Slater says Cody The Dallas-based auction house sold the two pieces bought the 1873 Frontier Six-Shooter Revolver from the during its “Legends of the West Signature Auction,” which New York City firearms dealer Hartley & Graham in January featured nearly 400 collectible items including guns, pho- 1883.—AP tos, badges and books. Heritage spokesman Tom Slater

This undated photo provided by Heritage Auctions This photo shows a Colt .45 six-shooter shows a necklace made from the claws of a grizzly once owned by ex-scout and showman bear once owned by ex-scout and showman ‘Buffalo ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody which sold at auction in Bill’ Cody which sold at auction in Dallas for more Dallas for more than $40,000. than $40,000. — AP photos