US Issues Global Alert, Citing Qaeda Threats
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SUBSCRIPTION SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013 RAMADAN 25, 1434 AH No: 15889 Pak TV preacher Chelsea blank defends Ramadan Inter Milan Emsak: 03:31 in friendly Fajer: 03:41 baby give-away Dohr: 11:54 Asr: 15:30 Maghreb: 18:39 13 48 Eshaa: 20:04 US issues global alert, citing Qaeda threats Max 48º 150 Fils Washington closes embassies in Muslim world Min 34º WASHINGTON: The United States issued a worldwide alert yesterday warning of plans by Al-Qaeda to launch an attack in the Middle East or North Africa this month. The State Department issued the caution to US citizens a day after announcing that some two dozen embassies or consulates would be closed tomorrow as a precaution. The State Department said attacks were possible “particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula.” “Current information suggests that Al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to con- duct attacks in the period between now and the end of August,” the State Department said in a worldwide travel alert for US citizens. The alert warned of “the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infra- structure.” As a precaution, the State Department said it was closing at least 22 US embassies or consulates tomorrow, a work day in many Islamic countries. The missions cover virtually all of the Arab world and also include two embassies in predominantly Muslim non-Arab nations-Afghanistan and Bangladesh-as well as US-run facilities in Israel. The missions posted notices on their websites saying that they would be closed tomorrow. US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that some embassies or consulates may decide to remain closed after tomorrow. Nancy Pelosi, the leader of President Barack Obama’s Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, said that congressional leaders received a briefing on the threat. “There is some understanding of the seriousness of the threat,” Pelosi told reporters. Representative Jason Chaffetz, a Republican who has criti- JERUSALEM: Palestinian Muslim worshipers pray outside the Dome of the Rock mosque at the Al-Aqsa mosque com- cized the Obama administration over embassy security, said pound, Islam’s third holiest site yesterday in Jerusalem’s old city on the last Friday of Ramadan. — AFP Continued on Page 10 PAGE PAGE Brotherhood US jobless rate falls Hotter temperatures defies police to a four-year low ‘lead to hot tempers’ CAIRO: Islamist backers of Egypt’s deposed president Mohamed Morsi staged defiant rallies yesterday, as police prepared to disperse their Cairo protest camps amid inter- Ahmadinejad steps aside national appeals to avoid further bloodshed. The new demonstrations came after US Secretary of State John Kerry DUBAI: Vilified abroad for his blistering economy under the weight of interna- His final speech as president yesterday said Egypt’s military had been “restoring democracy” when attacks against the West, blamed at tional sanctions and domestic misman- was vintage Ahmadinejad: “I swear to it deposed Morsi, in comments that prompted fury from home for Iran’s economic woes and iso- agement made him a magnet for blame God that a ferocious storm is coming the ousted leader’s supporters. lated from the supreme leader who at home. But those hoping for a rapid and it will uproot the Zionist entity,” he The international community meanwhile, pressed both groomed him for power, Mahmoud improvement in the quality of life, swift declared on Quds Day, an annual event sides to peacefully resolve the impasse, with US Under Ahmadinejad leaves the presidency with rapprochement with the West or more devoted to opposing Israeli rule over Secretary of State William Burns expected to arrive in Cairo few friends and an uncertain future. transparency in the way Iran is ruled Jerusalem. yesterday night for more talks. Morsi supporters began Iranians elected his opposite - a mild- may soon find that its problems go Mocked by progressive Iranians, he their marches after Friday prayers, pouring out of several mannered, moderate member of the deeper than the small man with the created a cult following among tradi- Cairo mosques and heading towards their key Rabaa Al- clerical establishment - to replace him, scruffy beard and ill-fitting suits. tionalists and the working classes Adawiya site. doubtless hoping for better times than Since his shock election victory in through his charisma, simple lifestyle They held small demonstrations at several locations, they endured for eight years under the 2005, Ahmadinejad rose from near total and populist beliefs. His name gives including in front of Cairo’s Media Production City, where caustic hardline outsider. obscurity to become the most visible three times as many results in a Google security forces fired tear gas after protesters “tried to Ahmadinejad’s abrasive rhetoric actor on the Iranian stage, on the way search as that of his former sponsor, Continued on Page 10 made him an easy target for Iran’s oppo- pulling through a disputed re-election Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali nents abroad, and the collapse of the victory that rocked the nation to its core. Continued on Page10 LOCAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013 NBK hosts Girgian for Zeina Friends Club members KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) recently held a Girgian event for Zeina Friends Club at KidZania at the Avenues mall. All Zeina Friends Club members were invit- ed to celebrate Girgian at the kid-centric city KidZania. Children enjoyed many fun activities. The event also witnessed distributing hundreds of valuable prizes and gifts. Towards the end of the evening, each child was given a specially packed Girgian gift from NBK. Zeina account provides children until 14 years old with their first bank account, to learn about saving and banking with the help of their parents. Zeina Friends Club was the first club in Kuwait established in 1994 for young children. Zeina account holders can also partic- ipate in other fun events held year round, as well as benefit from many offers especially designed for them. For further information visit Kuwait. As the leading bank in Kuwait, NBK ing and financial responsibility. NBK’s branch at deposit and withdraw ‘KidZos’, the national www.nbk.com, or call Hala Watani at 1801801. provides all bank activities in the kid-centric Kidzania introduces children to a unique expe- currency which kids can earn, spend, save and NBK is the first to partner with KidZania city to teach children real life aspects of bank- rience in basic banking services so they can invest through the NBK branch and ATMs. Zain provides worshippers with prayer essentials at mosques KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications com- Ahmadi; and Abu Bakr mosque in Jahra. pany in Kuwait, announced yesterday that its dedi- The company made an extra effort to provide bev- cated team of volunteers distributed gifts to worship- erages and ice cream free of charge to those praying pers at mosques across the country on the occasion at the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al-Kabir) and Aqla Al- of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. The aim of the ges- Dhafeery mosque, allowing the undertaking of ture is to help the faithful to re-focus their thoughts prayers in more comfortable circumstances. and time while praying on the last remaining nights Zain has celebrated the month of Ramadan of Ramadan. through ongoing social activities that create a vibrant This initiative is one of many charitable and and uplifting religious experience for everyone humanitarian activities that Zain conducts annually involved. The company is committed to its Corporate to foster an even more spiritual environment during Social Responsibility activities that are based on help- the blessed month of Ramadan. During Ramadan the ing all members of society. It is worth mentioning company managed to provide comfort to worship- that this year Zain is providing an extensive array of pers performing their Qiyam prayers at: Al-Fares and programs during the holy month, including the dis- Al-Saddah mosques located in Kuwait City; Al- tribution of daily Iftar meals; the circulation of 2,000 Muzzaini and Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah mosques in the “Machla” boxes; visitations to an orphanage, elderly Hawalli district; Zabbin and Betlla mosques in care center, and special needs center; as well as the Farwaniya; Duaij Salman Al-Sabah mosque in hosting of Girgian events at 360 Mall. LOCAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013 MPs agree to focus on ‘developmental issues’ Conflicts-free parliament By A. Saleh constitution, which was made ment plans until the end of the year recently by constitutional law pro- or of the company’s privatization KUWAIT: A number of MPs agreed fessor at the Kuwait University Dr process has been finalized before during a recent gathering to focus Obaid Al-Wasmi. “We at the Salafist that. on ‘reinforcing’ the parliament’s leg- movement believe that the current The five directors had filed retire- islative and supervisory role through constitution has the minimum limits ment papers to go into effect by the steps that include avoiding post- [of constitutional rights], contains end of the month in protest against ponement of a grilling motion’s contradictory clauses, and with time what they believed was ‘release debate unless if necessary. The six- has become part of Kuwait’s political orders’ made against colleagues teen lawmakers gathered on an invi- problem after once being part of the who lost retirement benefits as a tation from MP Saadoun Al-Otaibi to solution”, member of the move- result. According to sources with his diwaniya in Surra, and agreed to ment’s political office Abdullah Al- knowledge of the meeting, board KUWAIT: The Envoy of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait focus on ‘developmental issues’ and Daie said in a statement.