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TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SHAWWAL 14, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net ‘Habab and Trump show Iraq marshlands Call for blanket Shouna’ prepare rolls into named as Russia Olympics ships for annual Cleveland as UNESCO world exclusion over diving trip4 convention7 opens heritage13 site state-run18 doping Fleeing Turkish army attache Min 35º to Kuwait arrested by Saudis Max 47º High Tide 00:12 & 10: 40 Low Tide Turkey widens purge, demands US hand over Gulen 05:03 & 18:27 40 PAGES NO: 16936 150 FILS By Faten Omar and Agencies Activists, MPs call to KUWAIT/ISTANBUL/ANKARA: Saudi authorities have halt demolition of detained the Turkish military attache to Kuwait for his historical mosque suspected involvement in a foiled coup against the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, local media reported By B Izzak yesterday. The attache, identified as Mikail Ihsanoglu, was arrested at an airport in the eastern Saudi city of KUWAIT: A number of MPs and activists yesterday Dammam as he called on authorities to stop orders to demolish a 123- attempted to board a year-old historical mosque in Kuwait City to make way flight to Germany, the for a key road project. The Ministry of Awqaf and reports said. Islamic Affairs said the decision to demolish the “Saudi authorities Shamlan Al-Roumi Mosque, built in 1893, was taken by are holding the mili- the Cabinet and it had objected to the decision. The tary attache for the demolition is required because the mosque is in the Turkish embassy in way of the final phase of the First Ring Road project. Kuwait,” the kingdom’s The ministry of public works, which is supervising Asharq Al-Awsat daily the project, said it cannot change the course of the reported, quoting Salih Murat Tamer project, where a tunnel and a bridge are planned at a what it described as a foreign diplomatic source. “He was major intersection in the capital. Activists launched a stopped based on a Turkish request and was detained hashtag campaign on Twitter and other social media during his attempt to flee over his likely links to the coup calling on authorities to drop plans to demolish the in Turkey,” the daily reported. The Saudi-owned Al- mosque because of its historical and religious value Arabiya news channel confirmed the report from “Saudi and called for finding alternatives. sources” adding that Ihsanoglu was heading to MP Ahmad Al-Qhudhaibi condemned the decision Dusseldorf in Germany via Amsterdam. Kuwait’s Al- to demolish the mosque, saying it amounts to a humili- Qabas daily said that Ihsanoglu had fled Kuwait by land ation of Kuwait’s history and held Awqaf Minister to Saudi Arabia. Yaqoub Al-Sane responsible for the decision. The law- Turkey’s Ambassador to Kuwait Salih Murat Tamer told maker warned that MPs will not allow the minister to a press conference at the Turkish Embassy yesterday that demolish the historical mosque and if it happens, he “accusations against him are yet to be investigated, once will be grilled in the next term, which starts in October. he is handed over to Turkey”. Continued on Page 13 ANKARA: People carry the coffin of Sehidmiz Murat Inci, victim of the coup attempt, during his funeral ceremo- ny at Kocatepe Mosque yesterday. — AFP Continued on Page 13 TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 LOCAL

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Ambassador of the United Republic Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Chairman of the National Security Bureau of Tanzania Mahadhi Juma Maalim.— KUNA Kuwait Yu Yun Chol. Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali Al-Sabah. Crown Prince receives new ambassadors

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and appointed Ambassador of the United Republic of Republic of Korea to Kuwait Yu Yun Chol. The audi- Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. Thamer Al-Ali Al-Sabah, and Chairman of the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Tanzania Mahadhi Juma Maalim. His Highness also ences were attended by head of the protocol at Earlier, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf received Public Authority for Sports Sheikh Ahmad Al- Sabah received at Seif Palace yesterday the newly- received the newly-appointed Ambassador of the His Highness the Crown Prince’s Diwan Sheikh Chairman of the National Security Bureau Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. — KUNA

Bahrain’s PM asserts of GCC coordination’s importance

MANAMA: Prime Minister of the Kingdom uation of the plots and the diversity of their of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al tools confirm that there is no substitute for Khalifa stressed yesterday the importance our union which strengthens our resolve of increasing coordination among the Gulf and our ability to maintain our countries Cooperation Council (GCC) states and dou- and achieve the aspirations of our peoples”. ble the efforts for the sake of reaching the Meanwhile, Ambassador Sheikh Azzam sought Gulf Union for the best interest and said that Prince Khalifa’s remarks were a stability of the GCC peoples. real translation of cohesion between the He said, during his meeting with a num- leader and the citizens and this also proves ber of ambassadors accredited to Bahrain, keenness of the political leadership in the led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Gulf States, which are keen on continuing Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bahrain Sheikh to communicate with citizens and interact Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah, that “the contin- with their aspirations. —KUNA Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meets with the Sanaa delegation. UN Special Envoy meets prisoners’ committee of Yemeni peace talks Yemeni parties thank Kuwait for sponsoring talks

KUWAIT: The United Nations’ (UN) Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed met YES- TERDAY with the committee dealing with prison- ers and detainees, part of UN-brokered peace talks held in Kuwait. The meeting featured dis- cussions on the release of all captives, an issue that has seen much progress as of late. MANAMA: Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Moreover, the UN Special Envoy was expect- Khalifa meets with a number of ambassadors accredited to Bahrain, led by the Dean ed yesterday to meet with a number of officials, of the Diplomatic Corps, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bahrain Sheikh Azzam Mubarak Al- including Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Sabah. —KUNA Foreign Minister Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi to review current developments in the war-torn nation and efforts to find a political solution to a conflict that remains largely unabated. Diplomat touts Kuwait’s role The government’s delegation pulled out of the latest round of talks, citing that certain provi- in listing historical sites sos need to be in place, particularly, that the KUWAIT: Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meets with the Ansarullah movement and General People’s UN Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad.—KUNA ISTANBUL: Kuwait’s permanent delegate However, the meetings will resume in Congress recognize the legitimacy of President to the United Nations Educational, Paris, where the UNESCO is headquar- Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi’s rule. The UN Scientific, and Cultural Organization tered, due to the political situation in Special Envoy is expected to head to the Saudi (UNESCO) Dr Meshal Hayat hailed yester- Turkey which has recently witnessed a capital Riyadh soon to resume discussions with the Yemeni president and the country’s political day the role of Kuwait’s delegation partic- failed military coup. The participating parties ipating in the 40th session of the World Kuwaiti delegation consists of the perma- Heritage Committee (WHC) in putting nent delegate to the UNESCO, Kuwait’s Kuwait’s role historical sites of Arab, Muslim and friend- historical building observer Abdullah Al- Earlier on Sunday, Yemeni parties have ly countries on the world heritage list. Beishi and several other officials of the expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s sponsoring of Speaking after ending the WHC meeting National Council for Culture, Arts and the Intra-Yemen talks, as Kuwait reiterated calls in Istanbul due to the developments of Letters (NCCAL). The 40th session kick- for them to seize the chance to end the suffering Turkey, Hayat said backed by Arab and started in the Turkish city of Istanbul on of Yemeni people. These remarks were made in Muslim delegations, Kuwait played a July 10th. The World Heritage Committee three meetings held by the Acting Prime notable part in the listing of new histori- was formed in 1972. It is responsible for Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah cal sites. He added that a total 21 histori- implementing the World Heritage Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in Bayan Palace cal sites in European, Asian, African and Convention, outlining the use of the Sunday with Cheikh Ahmad, Mikhlafi and Sanaa Latin American countries had been regis- World Heritage Funds, and allocating dif- delegation. tered during the WHC’s 40th session. ferent financial assistance. —KUNA The UN envoy and Yemeni delegation said Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meets with the head of that they greatly appreciate Kuwait’s great role the Yemeni government delegation Abdulmalak Al-Mikhlafi. in hosting and creating conducive atmosphere a comprehensive peace deal to end the current Meanwhile, the UN envoy held Sunday meet- for the success of the talks. They thanked His crisis the country. In a press statement, the two ings with the delegations of the Yemeni Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- delegations stressed the talks should be based Ansarullah movement and the General People’s Jaber Al-Sabah and Kuwait’s government sup- on the previously agreed points. They laid it bare Congress and the delegation representing the port to the peace talks that aim to restore securi- that “any other agendas or diversions in this Yemeni government. ty and stability across Yemen. Meanwhile, Sheikh regard would not be accepted.” Ould Cheikh Ahmad discussed with the Sabah Al-Khaled urged both sides to redouble They noted that they have made additional Yemeni stakeholders a host of political, security their efforts and seize the chance to bring to a consultations during the past two weeks upon and humanitarian topics on the agenda of the halt the conflict in Yemen, promote peace and requests from the UN envoy to Yemen and the ‘Kuwait consultations,’ in addition to the safe- restore Yemen’s stability. State of Kuwait with a view to giving impetus to guards sought by the government delegation, talks benefiting from the progress achieved in namely acknowledgement of the legitimacy of Commitments towards peace the first round. The UN envoy has also visited a Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and In the meantime, the Sanaa delegation, number of regional countries for the same pur- the UN Resolution 2216. The UN-brokered intra- which represents Yemen’s Ansarullah movement pose. He noted the main goal of these efforts is Yemeni peace talks resumed in Kuwait Saturday and General People’s Congress, has reiterated to help reach a comprehensive and integrated after a two-week suspension. The talks first commitment towards the int’l efforts to mediate political deal to end the deadlock. began in Kuwait on April 21.—KUNA Info Minister cites

ISTANBUL: Permanent delegate to the (UNESCO) Dr Meshal Hayat during the World contest as incentive Heritage Committee meeting. — KUNA for youth KUWAIT: A contest held last May served as an incentive for youth to develop their business acumen, said Minister of Supreme council signs contract to Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah yesterday. improve Audit Bureau governing skills Sheikh Salman made those comments in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information (MoI) after a meeting KUWAIT: The General Secretariat of the ment sectors, General-Secretary of GSS- between the Minister of Information and Dr Redha Bahbahani, Supreme Council for Planning and CPD Dr Khaled Mahdi told the press Director General of the Global Center for Development and Development (GSSCPD) signed a con- yesterday. Leadership at Kuwait University (KU) and Dr Adel Al- tract to implement a UN-backed plan to The plan was signed with BWC Husseinan, KU’s Deputy Director General for Development. improve the governing performance of International and the UN Development Moreover, Sheikh Salman underscored the importance of the State Audit Bureau, which will, Program. The aim of the plan is to pro- translating youth ideas into actual projects that would help hence, allows other sectors in the coun- vide the Audit Bureau with a set of diversify the country’s revenue pool. Meanwhile, the state- try to realize their full potentials. tools and skills to evaluate the perform- ment also noted that the KU officials offered explanations on The plan will be supervised by an ance in health, oil and education sec- impending projects. The contest, dubbed ‘Start-up Kuwait’ KUWAIT: Minister of Information Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah meets with Dr international consultant and is part of a tors, initially, then the rest of the sec- and co-organized by KU and other universities, aims to hone Redha Bahbahani, Global Center for Development and Leadership at Kuwait national program to enhance collabo- tors. BWC is a global network of experts entrepreneurship in youth, encouraging them to contribute to University (KU) Director General and Dr Adel Al-Husseinan, KU’s Deputy Director ration among the country’s govern- to develop and run business. — KUNA the growth of the nation’s economy. — KUNA General for Development. — KUNA TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 LOCAL

GCC FMs hold ‘very positive’ meeting with Kerry

BRUSSELS: Foreign Ministers from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met US Secretary of State John Kerry in Brussels yesterday, discussing a wide range of issues of common interest with him. “The discussions were really very positive,” Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah said after the two-hour meeting. The meeting covered the regional issues such as the situation in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and rela- KUWAIT: Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (second from left) chairs the cabinet’s meet- tions with Iran, he said. Kerry earlier met ing yesterday. — KUNA the 28 EU foreign ministers. Jarallah noted that Kerry came to Brussels after meetings in Russia, and the US official informed the GCC ministers Deputy Foreign Minister about the US and Russian position on the Khaled Al-Jarallah Cabinet OKs final accounts, Syrian crisis and the steps to be taken for a political solution and support the selves, followed by a meeting with the efforts of the special UN envoy Staffan de 28-ministers of the EU. There are many supports Turkey, France Mastura to resolve the Syrian conflict. topics of common interest with the EU, “The discussions were very frank, open he said and stressed that “we have strate- and in depth with the US Secretary of gic ties with the EU. There are many areas State,” stressed Jarallah. “The situation in of cooperation and coordination with the Ministers examine financial stability report Syria regretfully is very complicated and EU.” “We are satisfied with the progress in difficult and requires the continuation of EU-GCC ties and these meetings con- KUWAIT: The Cabinet yesterday approved final Relief would work out a map to cope with the weather efforts and pressure,” he said. tribute to the strengthening of the ties accounts for the 2015-2016 fiscal year of govern- Meanwhile, Minister of State for Cabinet changes by 2020. Jarallah said that later yesterday, the and opens new horizons for the future of ment departments, addressed major external Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak They were notified about a message His GCC ministers were scheduled to hold a EU-Gulf relationship,” stressed the Kuwaiti issues namely Turkey’s events expressing satis- Al-Sabah, reading a statement after the session, Highness the Prime Minister had received from coordination meeting among them- official. — KUNA faction at the legitimacy success, expressed soli- said the ministers expressed relief and welcome Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive darity with France in aftermath of the “blatant regarding success of the legitimacy and democ- Chairman of the World Economic Forum, inviting and criminal” attack in Nice and affirmed stand racy in Turkey, depicting will of the Turkish peo- His Highness to take part in the annual conven- alongside the international community against ple-alluding to the recent botched bid to over- tion due in Davos, January 2017. terrorism. throw the government by military forces. The ministers reviewed a report by the per- During its weekly session chaired by the The Cabinet expressed sincere congratula- manent committee for improving the business Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister tions to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, environment in Kuwait. Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the praising the Turkish people for siding with the Finance, Acting Oil Minister and Acting Cabinet reviewed recommendations by the eco- legitimacy and adhering to the democratic sys- Commerce and Industry Minister Anas Al-Saleh nomic affairs committee on bills for approval of tem. Moreover, it lauded the Turkish people’s addressed the ministers about the committee the financial accounts for the fiscal year 2015- positive role in restoring stability to the country, accomplishments, namely cooperation between 2016 for a number of authorities and sectors. hoping it would witness further stability, the public and private sectors to create an ade- The ministers welcomed the relevant bills for progress and prosperity. quate business environment in the country, as the National Assembly, Kuwait Municipality, As to France, the Kuwait Cabinet expressed well as in cooperation with the World Bank. Kuwait University, the Public Authority for Civil deep condolences to President Francoise Information (PACI), Kuwait Fire Service Holland and the French people on demise of citi- Financial stability Directorate, the Public Investment Authority zens as a result of the “flagrant criminal act” that On other issues, the ministers examined a (PIA), the Public Authority for Applied Education has recently happened in Nice, affirming strong report about the general financial stability for and Training (PAAET), the Public Authority condemnation of “this terrorist and criminal act 2015, presented by the Central Bank of Kuwait, Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR), that contradicts all heavenly laws and humani- tackling hazards facing the banking sector and the Public Authority for Assessment of tarian values.” Furthermore, the Cabinet affirmed the banks’ resistance to pressure, affirming that Compensation for Damages Resulting from Iraqi the State of Kuwait stand alongside the interna- the sector maintained its strength. Aggression, the Public Authority for Youth and tional community in combating various forms of The executives approved bills regarding avi- Sports (PAYS), the Environment Public Authority terrorism. ation services with Mexico, Japan, standardiza- (EPA), the Public Authority for Disabled Affairs tion cooperation with Morocco, a cultural (PADA), the General Authority to Take Care of Letters accord with the Kyrgyz Republic and amending Printing and Publication of Holy Quran, Kuwait The session got started with a briefing about the accord for the aviation services with Anti-Corruption Authority, the Public Authority a message His Highness the Amir had received Switzerland. They also approved bills on join- for Manpower, the Public Authority for Food from Kofi Annan, head of the Elders organiza- ing the Cartagena protocol on Biosafety to the Affairs and Nutrition, the Investment Promotion tion, requesting financial support to cope with Convention on Biological Diversity and an Authority, the Authority for Projects El-Nino phenomenon, resulting for the climatic accord with France in the relics’ sector. Partnerships. The approved bills have been change. Annan had expressed hope that the Furthermore, the Cabinet congratulated referred to His Highness the Amir, pending refer- State of Kuwait and other UN member states, Theresa May on assuming the UK premiership ral to the National Assembly. during forthcoming meeting on climatic change, post. —KUNA Power cuts reported as temperatures soar Ministry blames bachelors, violating buildings By A Saleh and Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: As temperatures soared to over 50 C degree and the power load exceeded 13,000 megawatts, some residents complained against power outages in Mahboula, Fahaheel, Waha, Abu Halifa, agricultural Wafra, Wafra Road, Mishref and Qasr. The blackouts took place on Sunday and lasted for several hours, bringing everything to a halt, and the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) was informed through the hotline 152. MEW said the main reason for the cuts is bachelors living illegally KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met yester- in residential areas and overloads due to vio- day with directors of the projects, services and maintenance group at Kuwait Oil lating buildings, and asked consumers to Company (KOC). They discussed KOC’s latest developmental projects in Ahmadi City. switch off unnecessary appliances at home to Separately, Sheikh Fawaz met with members of the Committee to Preserve the avoid overloads. Cultural Identity of Ahmadi City, which he chairs. During the meeting, Sheikh Fawaz reiterated the need to providing necessary support for efforts to protect the city’s Renewable energy historical and cultural landmarks. In other news, the committee to develop uses of renewable energy sources held its fourth meeting at the main building of MEW in South MGRP coordinates with MoI to Surra. The meeting was chaired by MEW Undersecretary Mohammad Bushehri. The com- with a total of 1600 MW, divided as 85 percent being taken to cut power to 76 houses. stop labor support to convicts mittee aims at accounting for and documenting photoelectric, 10 percent solar and 5 percent all uses of renewable energy of all types in from house garbage. Judiciary insult The cassation court set July 25 as the date to KUWAIT: The Manpower and Government data provided by the ministry. The cooper- response to the initiative of HH the Amir, in Restructuring Program (MGRP) is coordi- ation with the ministry has revealed 65 which he announced Kuwait’s plans to diversify Housing violations give its verdict in a case in which Sheikh Ahmad Separately, Kuwait Municipality departments Al-Fahad Al-Sabah is accused of insulting the nating with the Ministry of Interior (MoI) on people serving prison sentences, have source of energy by using renewable energy a mechanism to provide names of Kuwaitis received national labor support and other sources by 15 percent of the total power pro- continued pursuing houses violating building judiciary. Defense lawyer Ali Al-Rashidi demand- rules and regulations. The Municipality public ed that the court upholds the court of first serving prison sentences to stop the financial advantages, however, which is duced by 2030. Chairman of the technical sub- National Labor Support. According to the against the law, Majdali said. The MGRP will committee Dr Salah Al-Mudhi gave a presenta- relations department said 100 violating houses instance’s ruling which found his client not were found in Mubarak Al-Kabeer. The depart- guilty of charges. He argued that the prosecutor law, no labor support must be paid to take legal procedures to restore payments tion that included current and future renewable those convicts, MGRP Secretary General from those who do not work for the private energy sources until 2020, which will reach 11 ment said the number of decisions to cut power general is not a judge, and his client did not to violating houses is 24, and legal action is insult him. Fawzi Al-Majdali added in a press state- sector or who were abroad or are in prison, percent of the total need of energy in Kuwait, ment. He stressed secrecy of the relevant Majdali said. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Students from the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity achieved top prizes in the ‘Smart Brain’ international competition in Thailand, which took place Sunday night featuring 1,465 students from different countries. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 LOCAL

‘Habab and Shouna’ prepares ships for annual diving trip

KUWAIT: Young Kuwaiti divers participated yester- day in the ‘Habab and Shouna;’ an event held as a prelude to the 28th Pearl Diving Trip which takes place between July 24 and August 4, 2016. During the annual event, ships are cleaned and prepared for the trip. Ships are laced with oil; a step known as the ‘Habab.’ After that, the bottom of the ship is paint- ed with ‘noora,’ which is the material that keeps water from leaking inside the ship. This process is called by the ‘Shouna.’ — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 LOCAL

In Brief Kuwait Airways resumes Flight made emergency Kuwait Navy to carry out flights to Istanbul landing due to death case drill: Defense Ministry KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) said KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways said yesterday that its flight KUWAIT: Kuwait Navy will carry out shooting training yesterday it has resumed its flights between Kuwait 411 that was en route to the Thai capital Bangkok with live ammunition at the naval range on July 20- and Istanbul. The move came as the situation is back made an emergency landing on Sunday at Dhaka 21, the Ministry of Defense said yesterday. The loca- to normal in Turkey and flights are resumed at airport because of the death of a Kuwaiti passenger tion is 16 nautical miles east of Ras Al-Jailaa, all the Istanbul Airport, Kuwait’s national carrier said in a on the plane. The company said in a press statement way to Garu island, six nautical miles east of Ras Al- press statement. The KAC had announced Friday today that the plane completed the journey to Zor, with a stretch reaching Umm Al-Maradem island. suspending flights to Istanbul due to the develop- Bangkok after the completion of the necessary pro- Sea-goers are advised to refrain from approaching ments of the failed military coup in Turkey. — KUNA cedures. — KUNA the location. — KUNA Photo of the day

KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti man rearranges traditional teapots at a store in Kuwait City. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Volume of direct investments amounts to KD 230 million: Legalese Commerce Minister The Oxymoronic Media KUWAIT: Kuwait’s direct investment since the first quarter of the current fiscal year (the first of April 2016) amounted to more than 230 million Kuwaiti dinars, said Minister of By Mohammad Hani Farran Commerce and Industry Dr Yousef Al-Ali. Lecturer at the Arab Open University The total volume of investments since the beginning of adical Islam, Muslim extremist, honor killing and work of Kuwait holy war are nothing but contradictory terms that Direct Investment R the mainstream media has coined to demonize Promotion Islam. Islam is definitely not radical, an extremist is not a Authority in 2015 true Muslim, there is no honor in killing and war is cer- and to date has tainly not holy. Islam is a religion of peace and mercy and reached more than the very word ‘Islam’ means to submit or surrender. KD 635 million, Ali We sometimes fail to stop and think about the said in an interview words the media bombards us with especially when it with Arabic-lan- comes to religion. Over time, we become desensitized guage daily news- and they become part of our vocabulary. Lenin once paper Al-Rai, pub- said, “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” Minister of Commerce and lished yesterday. Thanks to such biased terms, Islamophobia is also Industry Dr Yousef Al-Ali The requests on the rise and a quick search on Google brings in 4.7 submitted by for- million results. Whereas Christianophobia produces eign companies during the past three months are concen- 46,000 hits and Judeophobia nets in 57,000 hits respec- trated in the service, information technology, telecommu- tively. Clearly, an extremely tiny amount for both com- nications and energy sectors, he added. He pointed out KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry honored a number of long-time volunteers who helped worshippers and senior citi- pared to the 4.7 million for Islamophobia. Where did all that the ministry is working on reducing the documentary this prejudice against Islam come from? Are the crazy cycle to one step, as well as separation of corporate found- zens during the ëQiyamí prayers performed during Ramadan this year, as well as the Eid Al-Fitr prayers. Director of the ministryís General Department of Civil Defense Major General Abdullah Al-Ali and his assistant Colonel violent ones only on our side? Or is there a more sinis- ing and licensing procedures and the launch of an elec- ter agenda by some in the media business? tronic system for transaction procedures. — KUNA Jamal Al-Foudari attended the honoring ceremony. Kuwait crude to reach $39-42 pb by year end

KUWAIT: The price of Kuwait crude oil is expected to be between $39 and $42 per barrel (pb) by the end of the 2016, according to analysts interviewed yesterday. They said that the prices would remain over $40 pb next year as markets are recovering. The current fluctuations of oil prices were much expected as the

Analyst Mohammad Al-Shatti Abdul-Samea Behbehani

market was making for a balance but at a slow pace carries on. Contango refers to a situation where the that was affected by developments either in demand future spot price is below the current price, and or supplies, analyst Mohammad Al-Shatti said. He people are willing to pay more for a commodity at referred to factors that impacted oil prices over the some point in the future than the actual expected past period, namely the rise of the US gasoline and price of the commodity. diesel fuel and the decline of future contracts. Chairman of Al-Sharq for Petroleum Consulting Company Abdul-Samea Behbehani Brexit vote said that Brent crude had seen a sharp fall of Shatti said that oil prices had seen new falls in $1.4 last Wednesday to hit $46.6 pb. He referred the aftermath of the Brexit vote in the UK, as to the alterations of oil price to oversupply, uncertainty has the upper hand regarding conse- especially from the North Sea. quences on the country, the European Union (EU) Production from Iran reached 3.6 million barrels and the world at large. He pointed to forecasts that and from Iraq 4.22 million barrels in May, as OPEC the decline of demand would not exceed 100,000 output remained at 32.88 million barrels, one mil- barrels daily in worst scenarios, with production lion barrels above demand, he said. Behbehani had recovery from countries like Canada, Nigeria and an optimistic view for 2017, as demand on OPEC oil Libya. A recent report by the International Energy is forecast to hit 33 million barrels, which will tight- Agency (IEA) warned of the continuation of the en the gap between supply and demand. He also oversupply on the market as a state of contango expected Brent crude to stand at $45pb.— KUNA TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Jarida Al-Qabas Report This is what I learned Man raped from my teacher

in Sulaibiya By Nermin Al-Houti Respect is more important than love KUWAIT: Farwaniya detectives are investigating Understanding is better than proportionality the case of a young man who was raped repeated- Trust is better than jealousy ly for four years under threats and blackmail of Patience is a great evidence of sacrifice. posting his naked pictures on social media, accord- Staying away from problems does not mean ing to the victim’s statements. A security source weakness... rather it means you are more able said a youth aged 23 told Omariya police that he to enjoy your life. When you forgive, you do not change the was raped by a citizen, who lured him to a house in past, but you make the difference in the future. Sulaibiya, took photos of him naked, then threat- A fine line is what separates gaining hearts ened to post them online. The victim was con- and breaking them, it is called: method. cerned by the suspect asking him on Friday to Coup Everything around us leave and disappear accompany him to a Gulf country and continue his except good deed, it remains instilled in the acts, and again threatened to publish his pictures. heart. Congratulations for who seeds goodness, happiness and good kindness everywhere. Contrabands found Congratulations to he who gave those who Two Gulf nationals were sent to the Drugs Control General Department (DCGD ) after they were found in an abnormal condition. The two These are short were in a car with Gulf license plates, in which hashish and an imported liquor bottle were sentences and simple found. Separately, detectives arrested an Egyptian man who sold Tramadol tablets, and words, but it is very he had 700 pills on him. DCGD received tips difficult for the human about the Egyptian, so they conducted investi- gations. Policemen waited near his home in being to be able to Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, then caught him with 700 Tramadol pills. reach them passed through his life something of his scent. Embezzlement Make he who sees you pray for the one who The appeals court sentenced a citizen, who is a sen- raised you. ior official in a company, and a Lebanese, for 10 years Purity of heart is not stupidity, rather it is an each in a case of embezzling KD 86,000, and terminated instinct Almighty Allah distinguishes who He the official from his job. The two were asked to return loves with. These are short sentences and sim- the money they embezzled and fined double that ple words, but it is very difficult for the human amount. The public prosecution charged the citizen of being to be able to reach them. Those words enabling the Lebanese man to embezzle KD 86,000 and attributes were and continue to be values using forged invoices for electronic systems for a com- that my teacher ‘Abu Mubarak’ instills in us to pany the Lebanese works for. make his school and diwan a utopia, so con- gratulations to you and your students, includ- ing myself. You are the Plato of our era. Fake office busted Final word: “Beauty is not in what we wear... The Ministry of Interior’s relations and security beauty is the beauty of knowledge and good manners,” - Ali bin Abi Taleb. information department said residency detec- — Translated by Kuwait Times tives busted a bogus domestic help office run by an Ethiopian who swindled customers. An under- cover agent agreed with the office to hire a domestic helper for KD 200 per month, and the suspect was arrested along with two women - an Ethiopian and a Sri Lankan - both reported Zain provides MoI with absconding. The department said that while the arrest was being made, an Ethiopian woman offered a KD 800 bribe to free them, and the offi- over 40 wheelchairs cer pretended to agree to it and she was caught in the act. The suspects were sent to concerned KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecom- Ministry of Interior’s various depart- will always be keen on shouldering authorities. munications company in Kuwait, pro- ments, including The General initiatives that work towards enhanc- vided the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Department of Immigration, General ing the society’s welfare. Zain’s long- with over 40 wheelchairs with the Directorate of Traffic, General term cooperation with the Ministry Officers attacked aim of distributing them to the min- Department of Citizenship and of Interior included launching SMS Two citizens attacked a policeman who asked for istry’s various departments that wit- Travel Documents, Civil Defense, and awareness campaigns regarding vari- their IDs after pulling them over on Fahaheel ness large numbers of visitors on a more. Zain launched this initiative as ous issues that are of interest to the Expressway. Both were arrested and sent to Bayan daily basis. part of its CSSR strategy to serve the society. police station. A Najda police patrol was on Fahaheel Zain’s team was welcomed by community, as such departments Zain’s solid Corporate Sustainability Expressway across Bayan, when a car was spotted with Director of the General Directorate for witness large numbers of visitors and Social Responsibility strategies pri- two persons inside. The car was stopped and policeman Residency Major General Talal Marafi that include elderly and special marily focus on the wellbeing of the asked for their IDs, but they attacked and beat him. A and the Ministry’s Relations and needs individuals. entire nation. For this reason, the com- security source said a call for backup was made and Security Information Department’s Zain will continue to find ways to pany has maintained its support of policemen arrested the two and took them to the police Director Brigadier Adel Al-Hashash. serve the community as to foster a numerous initiatives that spread station.— Al-Rai Zain provided the wheelchairs better world and be a productive awareness and help make a difference with aim to distribute them to the member of the society. The company to people’s everyday circumstances.

Burgan Bank invited ‘BuBa’ Kids customers to attend ‘Finding Dory’ movie at Grand Cinemas KUWAIT: Stemming from its wide range of valuable privileges specially designated to its ‘BuBa’ Kids Account holders, Burgan Bank, in collaboration with Grand Cinemas, recently invited its ‘BuBa customers to watch ‘Finding Dory’ movie for free, at Grand Cinemas Al Hamra Luxurious Centre , on Thursday, 14 July, 2016. KFH renews strategic p ‘BuBa’ kids customers had the choice of reserving their seats to any of two shows that were exclusively artnership with Kuwaiti available for them that day. They enjoyed watching the movie in 3D, which added a new dimension of enter- Skydiver Mohammad Al-Refaei tainment filled with excitement and anticipation while watching the movie, while bringing along a friend or acquaintance. KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) KFH’s partnership with Refaei emanates renewed its strategic partnership with the from its social responsibility and its keen- Burgan Bank is committed to rewarding its ‘BuBa’ Kuwaiti Professional Skydiver Mohammad ness to support the youth and sport, while account holders with exclusive offers that are tailor- Al-Refaei in the framework of its commit- recognizing the national talent in efforts to made for their own lifestyle and aspirations, and will ment towards assuming the social respon- motivate them to win international titles continue accommodating optimal customer conven- sibility and keenness to support the youth and elevate Kuwait’s name in the interna- ience with the provision of added value benefits inside and sports. Refaei is a certified skydiver tional championships and forums. and outside Kuwait. from the International Federation of this Meanwhile, Refaei praised KFH’s support KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry announced recently that it continues to receive appli- To find out more about Burgan Bank’s ‘BuBa’ Kids sport. He took part in a plethora of interna- and keenness on appreciating him, which cations to enroll for training courses in the noncommissioned officers’ institute, Account, customers are urged to visit any of Burgan tional championships in Kuala Lumpur, comprises an impetus for further success including the 22nd batch for noncommissioned officers and the 34th batch for the Bank’s conveniently located branches, or call the bank’s Spain, Holland and Dubai. He achieved and achievements in his upcoming cham- lance corporal rank. Furthermore, the ministry announced receiving enrollment call center on 1804080, or log on to Burgan Bank’s web- many international titles. pionships. application for the 87th batch of students at the Police Academy. site at www.burgan.com. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

Suicide bombers attack Yemeni France falls silent for Nice victims as politicians bicker army, killing 10 Page 10 Page 8

CLEVELAND, Ohio: Protesters hold up a sign before the opening of the Republican National Convention yesterday. —AFP Trump show rolls into Cleveland ‘Unconventional’ Republican National Convention opens CLEVELAND: Thousands of delegates descended on a tightly Of more immediate concern for Trump however is a split secured Cleveland arena yesterday for the opening of the among Republicans. The reality TV star’s unorthodox style and Republican National Convention, with Donald Trump’s wife play- hard-right message have left the party more divided than it has ing character witness as the tough-talking mogul locks up his been in a generation. After his wife, the candidate’s team will send party’s presidential nomination. Melania Trump, a Slovenian-born his son and daughters to the convention stage in the coming days former model, will headline the opening night of the 2016 con- in an attempt to humanize The Donald. Polls show that Trump vention in Cleveland, Ohio, which takes place against a backdrop struggles badly with moderate voters, and his campaign will want of fear over racial violence and unrest abroad. to project a more positive image to the general electorate. HCA The four-day confab will end Thursday with a speech from the But several party luminaries will be absent - reportedly includ- 70-year-old billionaire real estate mogul, whose rise to lead the ing John Kasich, host state Ohio’s sitting governor. Kasich battled Republican White House ticket has been one of the more Trump and others unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination, International Hospitals improbable journeys in American politics. Trump told Fox News and kept himself out of contention to be Trump’s vice presiden- ...... early yesterday that his wife would be “speaking about her love of tial running mate. “He’s making a big mistake,” Trump campaign the country,” adding that he will attend the opening session and chairman Paul Manafort said of Kasich’s absence. Trump’s choice may even say a few words - a sign that the convention will be of Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate could help anything but political as usual. “I will be there. I want to watch. It’s shore up his position among conservatives, although the real going to be very exciting,” Trump said. estate billionaire seemed tepid about his decision. HCAA is ann The theme of yesterday’s proceedings, which will also feature In a remarkable first joint appearance on Saturday, Trump former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, is “Make America Safe eventually got around to talking about Pence and explained why Again” - a play on Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again”. A he was picked, in less-than-enthusiastic terms. “One of the rea- spate of race-tinged police-involved shootings - and cop killings, sons is party unity - so many people have said, ‘party unity.’ Americ including the fatal shooting of three officers in Louisiana on Because I’m an outsider.” Manafort insisted Republicans were Sunday - has put the country on edge. Deadly attacks overseas, shoulder to shoulder. “This is a Trump convention. The party is most recently in Nice, and an attempted coup in Turkey, have united,” he said. “It’s a few people who are holding up and they only stoked an overall sense of instability. don’t reflect anything other than their personal opinion.” Pence President Barack Obama has urged Americans to temper their will address the convention tomorrow. comp words and show stronger common resolve, but Trump is instead highlighting divisions. “We are TRYING to fight ISIS, and now our Protests own people are killing our police,” Trump tweeted shortly after Inside the convention arena, it remains to be seen if the the Baton Rouge shooting, referring to the Islamic State group. “Never Trump” camp will make themselves heard. Outside, how- “Our country is divided and out of control. The world is watching.” ever, law enforcement is bracing for a wave of protests, when prov Trump has portrayed himself as a sheriff who can fix things. protesters aim to march close to the heavily protected venue. “We have to bring law and order back to this country, whether Cleveland’s roads are lined with concrete barriers and metal fenc- we like it or not,” he told Fox, as he bemoaned the deteriorating ing, and helicopters buzz overhead. The Midwestern city of near- race relations in America. He believes that presumptive ly 400,000 has taken out $50 million in protest insurance. wor Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton should be jailed for using a Ohio’s open-carry law, which allows people to carry loaded private email server to handle sensitive government documents weapons on the streets, is adding to fears of violence. Police Chief while serving as secretary of state, something the FBI said was Calvin Williams said officers were on alert after the Dallas and careless but not criminal. Trump will also call on retired Baton Rouge killings. “Officers are more keen to things that are Lieutenant General Michael Flynn and tough-talking Senator Joni happening and our officers are told to be especially cautious dur- priva Ernst as convention speakers to back up his point. ing their tours,” Williams said. — AFP Militant kills 5 in Kazakhstan hospital ALMATY: A lone gunman with Islamist links killed at least three economy hard and there have been rare outbreaks of violence and policemen and two civilians in Kazakhstan’s financial capital public protests since April, initially caused by discontent over pro- Almaty yesterday, senior security officials said, the second such posed land reforms but swiftly attracting others unhappy about attack in less than two months. Police detained the attacker, iden- wider issues. Interior Minister Kalmukhanbet Kasymov told the United Kingdom iLin London d tified as 26-year-old Ruslan Kulikbayev, in a shootout on a busy same Security Council meeting that police had first believed that central street after he had gone on the rampage, attacking a the attacker had accomplices, but had later learnt that another man ...... police station and an office belonging to the KNB security service. they had detained was driving a car under duress at gunpoint. Kulikbayev had been imprisoned before for robbery and illegally Nazarbayev, who chaired the meeting, called the attacks a ter- possessing weapons and had “became close to Salafists” in prison, rorist act and ordered tighter security in public areas. Five witness- TeTel: +44 (0)20 7034 85564 KNB security service head Vladimir Zhumakanov told a Security es told Reuters they had heard gunshots in three parts of Almaty, Council meeting. the mainly Muslim nation’s largest city. “We saw a man with a rifle,” [email protected] The shootings will stoke fears of a growing Islamist threat to one shop worker said by phone. Footage uploaded to the the oil-producing nation of 18 million people. Last month, men Internet showed a man pointing an assault rifle at a car he tried www.hcainternational.comcom the authorities said were Islamic State sympathizers attacked gun and failed to stop. stores and a military facility, killing seven. Thousands of nationals Interior Minister Kasymov said the attacker had shot a police- from Central Asian nations are known to be fighting alongside man guarding a police station, taken his automatic rifle and then Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, and the authorities have opened fire at others, killing one civilian and wounding several long warned they could return and carry out attacks on home soil. policemen. Kulikbayev then hijacked a car and went to a KNB Kazakhstan is far more prosperous than its post-Soviet neigh- building where he shot two more policemen. He hijacked another bors and has been ruled with a firm hand by President Nursultan car, according to Kasymov, before engaging police in the final Nazarbayev since 1989. But the fall in global oil prices has hit its shootout after which he was captured. Kasymov said the gunman INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 In Lebanon, Syrians fear rising discrimination

BEIRUT: Syrian refugee Abu Adnan was more than one million Syrian refugees - Syrians; instead it evicted dozens from began in March 2011 and has killed picious movement to the authorities,” it rushing his newborn to the doctor one roughly a quarter of its population - and their homes.” more than 280,000 people. “Amnesty says. Municipality chief Marun Shibli says night in the Lebanese town of Rmeish has regularly been praised for opening International is concerned about recent Rmeish is home to 6,000 Lebanese and when municipal police stopped him and its borders to those fleeing the brutal Obligation to Protect Refugees reports of harassment and physical that the arrival of more than 1,000 began questioning him. He was in viola- conflict in its neighbor. Such incidents spiked again recently abuse of Syrian refugees including arbi- Syrians was “more than we could handle”. tion of a municipal curfew that prevents But the refugee influx has strained after a string of suicide bombers trary arrests and forced evictions from Syrian refugees from leaving their resources and tempers, with some attacked Al-Qaa village on Lebanon’s informal settlements,” said its refugee ‘Forced to Clean Streets’ homes between sunset and sunrise. Lebanese viewing the years-long pres- border with Syria. Reports initially sug- researcher Khairunissa Dhala. She said “A decision was taken to keep only “They began questioning me - ‘Where ence of Syrians as a burden, even an gested the attackers had come from Lebanon has “international obligations those who could have a local sponsor. are you going? Why?’” he told AFP, imposition. Some municipalities have nearby refugee settlements, though that to protect Syrian refugees who are seek- Now there are only about 500 refugees speaking on condition that a pseudo- taken matters into their own hands, was later denied by Interior Minister ing safety in the country”. left,” he said. Other municipalities have nym be used. imposing curfews on refugees, ordering Nuhad Mashnuq. Lebanese activists say Matthew Saltmarsh, senior communi- also come under fire for their treatment Eventually he was allowed to contin- night raids on their homes, evicting the security fears of citizens are being cations officer for the UN’s refugee of refugees. In mid-July, municipal police ue, but was followed to and from the them or even making them clean the manipulated by some to justify meas- agency UNHCR, added: “It is important to in the coastal town of Amchit north of doctor’s office, ensuring that he returned streets. “Lately, things have become very ures against the Syrians. On Monday, remember that Syrian refugees in Beirut carried out night-time raids on home directly. This is just one example difficult,” said Abu Adnan. “Once, a group they planned a “march against racism” in Lebanon are themselves seeking sanctu- several homes. Pictures posted online of what Syrian refugees and local of drunken young men broke into the Beirut from the foreign ministry to the ary from violence in their home country.” showed refugees kneeling or lined up activists say is increasing pressure on, home of some Syrian refugees and start- interior ministry. But in Rmeish, the municipality’s facing a wall, their hands crossed behind and even outright racism against, Syrian ed beating and cursing them,” he said. Rights groups have urged Lebanon to Facebook page urges “all citizens to be their backs, as municipal policemen refugees in Lebanon. Lebanon hosts “The municipality did nothing for the protect Syrians escaping the war that guards”. “It is our duty to report any sus- checked their identity documents.— AFP Fear in rebel-held Aleppo as Syria regime lays siege Coalition strikes kill 21 civilians in Manbij

ALEPPO: Civilians in rebel-held parts of Syria’s ‘Mission Impossible’ high concentration of people living in this area”. Aleppo expressed fears yesterday of a lengthy In the city’s opposition-controlled Al- It said eastern Aleppo had not received human- government siege, as food supplies dwindled Mashhad district, mechanic Mohamed Zeitun itarian supplies since July 7, and that there was after regime troops seized the only road into the said his work had dried up because a shortage enough food there to last 145,000 people for city’s east. The advance by the government, of fuel meant residents were not driving any- one month. which has been backed by a Russian air offen- where. “The idea of the siege keeps me up at OCHA said some essentials had been stock- sive, is seen as a major setback for opposition night,” the 44-year-old told AFP. “I don’t have piled and there were sufficient emergency forces in Syria’s second city. The United Nations supplies to last me more than a week, and if medical supplies for four to five months. But says about 600,000 Syrians already live under there is no food in the markets, there could be “further life-saving aid is needed urgently,” it siege throughout the country, most encircled by a famine,” said the father-of-five. added. In some places, civilians have reportedly government forces, though rebels and the Aleppo city was once Syria’s economic pow- starved to death or died for lack of medical Islamic State group have also used the tactic. erhouse, but it has been ravaged by the war supplies because of siege tactics. Despite suc- A US-backed alliance of Kurds and Arabs has that began in March 2011 with anti-govern- cessive rounds of talks, international efforts to also surrounded the IS stronghold of Manbij ment protests. The conflict has killed more find a solution to the conflict have yet to bear about 100 km northeast of Aleppo city. Air strikes than 280,000 people and left Aleppo divided fruit, and UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura has ANKARA: People shout slogans as they block the entrance of the armored troops by the US-led coalition killed at least 21 civilians roughly between government control in the urged Russia and the United States to push for school yesterday. —AFP in and around the jihadist bastion yesterday, the west and rebel control in the east. Analysts renewed peace talks in Geneva next month. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said the government advance was a signifi- But the opposition High Negotiations said. In Aleppo city itself, food and fuel shortages cant blow for rebels. “It has now become mis- Committee said the regime’s advance around Army saved Erdogan had already hit rebel-held eastern districts that sion impossible for Syria’s rebels who are com- Aleppo could jeopardise new talks. “This is are home to at least 200,000 people, after gov- pletely deprived of any breathing space,” said pushing the negotiations in Geneva to a more ernment forces advanced to within firing range Karim Bitar, an analyst at the Paris-based remote date. Frankly the prospects are but risks losing clout of the key Castello Road supply route on July 7. Institute of International and Strategic becoming less and less possible or more and Regime forces seized the road itself at the Relations. The advance also leaves Syria’s more remote,” HNC member Basma Kodmani weekend, completely severing the rebel-held President Bashar Al-Assad feeling “consider- said on Sunday night. Syria expert Aron Lund, Support from the highest eche- attempt. He refused, despite a pistol held ISTANBUL: portion of the city from the outside world and ably more secure than a few months ago,” he at the Carnegie Endowment for International lons in the army helped keep President to the head, to sign a declaration that the raising fears of a potentially devastating siege. said, meaning his forces could move “to fur- Peace, said that if Assad manages to secure Recep Tayyip Erdogan in power after the rebel leaders had taken power, according “I don’t know what is going to happen to us,” ther consolidate his positions.” both Damascus and Aleppo it would be a “dev- failed coup but Friday’s events risk further to comments given to NTV television. He said 38-year-old Mohamed Rukby, an unem- astating blow for his opponents”. “It wouldn’t undermining the military’s status as a key was applauded and cheered as a national ployed father-of-four in the Bustan Al-Qasr mean the war is over. The government is still player in Turkish politics. Relations between hero by lawmakers when he attended an ‘Devastating Blow’ neighborhood. “We have nowhere to go. All The encircling of eastern Aleppo has raised weak and exhausted... But it might have Erdogan and the Turkish army have often extraordinary session of parliament after the roads are closed and we’ve been suffering international concern, with the UN’s humanitar- severe repercussions for rebel morale and per- been strained, but he can thank the top the foiling of the coup. for days with shortages of bread, food and ian coordination body OCHA warning that “the haps also for foreign support to the opposi- brass - as well as the mass mobilization of basically everything.” situation is particularly worrying due to the tion,” he added. — AFP his own supporters - for seeing off the ‘Marriage of Convenience’ threat. Turkey has detained 103 generals Analysts say the rapprochement and admirals as well as more than 2,800 between Erdogan and the military came soldiers accused of supporting Friday’s about for two reasons - hostility to Gulen attempted power grab, but most of the mil- and the renewal of the Kurdish conflict in itary’s senior figures stayed loyal to the southeast. Kurdish rebel attacks against Erdogan. Turkish security forces have intensified with These included chief of staff General almost daily attacks since the collapse of a Hulusi Akar who was taken hostage by the two-and-a-half-year ceasefire last July. For coup plotters in a terrifying ordeal. “The Professor Jean Marcou of France’s Sciences- coup d’etat was foiled thanks to an alliance Po university, the new relationship between Erdogan and the secular arm of between the head of state and the army is the army,” said Fuat Keyman, director of the a “marriage of convenience”. Istanbul Policy Center. The alliance was on display in April when Turkey’s highest court quashed the ‘Army Chief Refused to Sign’ 2013 convictions of dozens of senior army Erdogan has reached out more to the officers for allegedly trying to overthrow armed forces since he fell out with erst- the government. The Turkish authorities while ally Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic said Gulen - who wields enormous power preacher now living in the United States, with supporters in the media, judiciary and whom the Turkish leader blames for the police - was behind that bid. Retired attempt to topple him. Ironically, Erdogan, General Ilker Basbug, a former chief of staff who came to power in 2003, allied himself who was jailed for life under the original with Gulen in order to rein in the military ruling, on Sunday denounced the “action of deemed to be the main threat to his the putschists” and said he hoped the army Islamo-conservative government. The would emerge stronger. armed forces are considered the guardians of the secular Turkish state created in 1923 ‘Devastating for Army’ by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, ready to act But Friday’s events have more likely pro- when the mainly Muslim nation’s govern- vided Erdogan with the chance to again HAJR, Yemen: People run for cover as smoke rises following a car bomb attack at an army checkpoint at the entrance to this town in southeast- ment takes on a religious hue. clip the wings of the armed forces. The ern Hadramawt province yesterday.— AFP The army led successful coups in 1960, army now risks losing its role as a political 1971 and 1980 and was also behind the actor and becoming more of a traditional ouster in 1997 of Islamist prime minister purely military force, said Marcou. Erdogan Suicide bombers attack Necmettin Erbakan, a political mentor of could meanwhile beef up the role of the Erdogan, in a bloodless coup. But when the police, who were massively opposed to the putschists were trying to overthrow plotters and had already been growing in Erdogan, dozens of senior officers, includ- power. “The videos of men in uniform Yemen army, killing 10 ing generals, rushed on to television chan- attacking civilians are devastating for the nels to denounce the move. Akar was held army, which is now going to have to work hostage for 20 hours during the coup hard on its image,” said Keyman.—AFP ADEN: Two suicide bombers tried to ram vehi- cles laden with explosives through two Yemeni military checkpoints near the government-held port city of Mukalla yesterday, killing at least 10 Suspects in Saudi embassy Muslim mob stabs Christian people, the army and medics said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack appear in Iran court to death in Egypt over feud attacks near the capital of Hadramout province on the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a series of DUBAI: More than 10 people accused of that more than 100 suspects had been arrested bombings since forces loyal to Yemeni storming Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran in over the attack on the Saudi missions and 48 MINYA, Egypt: A Muslim mob in southern in the village of Abu-Yacoub, also in Minya, President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, backed by January appeared in a Tehran court on charged. All were released on bail. Egypt stabbed a Coptic Christian to death following a rumor that a Christian intended UAE troops, drove out Al-Qaeda militants from Monday, Iranian news agencies reported, At yesterday’s hearing, a 25-year-old defen- over a personal feud, officials said yester- to turn a kindergarten into a church. the city in April. weeks after President Hassan Rouhani urged dant said he had learned of the protest action day, stoking anger among Christians amid Security forces arrested at least 14 people. The Yemeni army’s Second Military the judiciary to take action. The suspects are against the Saudi embassy from social media a spike in assaults on their community. Last week, in another Minya village, Kom Command, which is based in Mukalla, said mili- accused of “disturbing the public order and groups “said to be linked to the Revolutionary Bishop Macarious of the southern Minya Al-Lufi, a group of hardliners attacked and tants had used a booby-trapped bus at a check- damaging embassy buildings”, according to Guards”, according to the ISNA news agency. governorate said the mob attacked the torched houses of Christians after a similar point in Al-Burum, southwest of Mukalla, and a state media. Around 10 other suspects were The Revolutionary Guards Corps is the strongly families of two priests with knives and rumor. booby-trapped car in Al-Ghaber, to the west. absent from the first hearing. anti-Western and most powerful military and batons in the village of Tahna Al-Gabal late In May, a Muslim mob stripped an elder- “Forces at the checkpoints were able to con- Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with security force in Iran. Some Guards command- Sunday. A family member, Fam Khalaf, 27, ly Christian woman of her clothes and front the vehicles and prevented them crossing its rival Iran after protesters stormed the king- ers condemned the attack as a plot against Iran was killed and the father of one of the paraded her on the streets of another the security barriers,” an army statement said. It dom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in and suggested “foreign agents” had been priests was wounded. Police said they Minya village, following a rumor that her said six soldiers had been killed and 18 wound- Mashhad following Riyadh’s execution of a behind it. arrested four people in connection to the son had an affair with a Muslim woman. ed. Medics said four civilians were also dead, prominent Saudi Shiite cleric. The Iranian gov- “I didn’t know the protest did not have a incident. The incident sparked public uproar and and that 15 soldiers had been taken to hospital, ernment condemned the assault and Rouhani, permit ... I am regretful as I broke the heart of Yesterdaty, mourners gathered at a local prompted Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah five in serious condition. keen to improve Tehran’s long-strained rela- the supreme leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei),” church for prayers for the dead and Al-Sisi to publicly vow to bring the attack- Militants from Al-Qaeda and its rival Islamic tions with neighbors and the West, asked the ISNA quoted the unnamed defendant as say- protests. Marching to the graveyard, they ers to justice. Egypt’s Orthodox Coptic State have been building up their presence in judiciary to punish the protesters and prevent ing. Khamenei, the highest authority in the chanted “with blood and soul, we redeem Christians strongly supported Sisi’s ouster the impoverished country, taking advantage of further attacks. Islamic Republic, has said the attack was “very the cross”. Christians make up 10 percent of of his Islamist predecessor Mohammed the chaos created by Yemen’s civil war, which Such incidents have recurred throughout bad and wrong” and had “damaged the coun- Egypt’s mostly Muslim population. Morsi, who hails from the Muslim began in 2014. Al-Qaeda’s Yemeni branch had the Islamic Republic’s 37-year history, often try and Islam”. A defense lawyer said two of his Sectarian violence occasionally erupts, Brotherhood group. Following Morsi’s top- built up a mini-state centred on Mukalla. It has harming its foreign relations. Protesters clients were absent from court as they were mainly in rural communities in the south. pling, many Islamists claimed that tried to bomb several Western airliners and attacked the US embassy in 1979, Kuwait in fighting in Syria against the rebels. Iran is allied Islamic extremists have also targeted Christians had conspired with the military claimed responsibility for an attack on the 1987, Saudi Arabia in 1988, Denmark in 2006 with President Bashar Al-Assad in Syria’s civil Christians. against them. Attacks on Christian homes, offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and Britain in 2011. None of the assailants were war while Saudi Arabia has supported his On Saturday, a group of Muslims businesses and churches subsequently in Paris last year. — Reuters convicted. Iran’s judiciary announced in April opponents.—Reuters attacked and torched houses of Christians surged in the south. —AP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 Gunman ‘was seeking out,’ ambushed six US officers Police-community relations in Baton Rouge tense

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana: A former Marine dressed in black and carrying extra ammunition ambushed police in Baton Rouge, shooting and killing three law enforcement officers less than two weeks after a black man was fatally shot by police there in a confrontation that sparked nightly protests that reverberated nationwide. Three other officers were wounded Sunday, one critically. Police said the gunman was killed at the scene. “His movements, his direction, his attention was on police officers,” state police Col Mike Edmonson BATON ROUGE: Police guard the emergency room entrance of Our Lady of the Lake said Monday morning. He would not elaborate but Medical Center, where wounded officers were brought on Sunday. — AP said the gunman “certainly was seeking out police officers”, and he used the word “ambush” to Shooter an ex-Marine who describe the attack. Edmonson also confirmed that investigators have interviewed people with whom the shooter denied ties to any group had contact in Baton Rouge. But Edmonson would- n’t say how many or give details. He stressed that WASHINGTON/KANSAS CITY: The gun- also appears in local court records for a This three image combination photo shows (from left) Baton Rouge police officers Matthew the interviews don’t mean that those people were man who killed three police officers in Gavin Long in two separate civil cases. Gerald and Montrell Jackson and Baton Rouge Parish Deputy Brad Garafalo. — AFP Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sunday was a In a YouTube video posted on July 10, involved in the shooting and urged any others who former US Marine sergeant who served in the host of “Convos with Cosmo” says he is might have had contact with or information about United States involving police over the past two from the Baton Rouge Police Department: 32-year- Iraq and made the dean’s list in college, in Dallas and had gone to the city to join shooter Gavin Long to come forward. weeks. In all, the violence has cost the lives of eight old Montrell Jackson, who had been on the force government officials with knowledge of protests there. The shooting less than a mile from police head- officers, including those in Baton Rouge, and two for a decade, and 41-year-old Matthew Gerald, who the case said. The suspect, Gavin Eugene The man says that African-Americans are quarters added to the tensions across the country civilians and sparked a national debate over race had been there for less than a year. The third fatali- Long, 29, who also wounded three other oppressed and questions why white between the black community and police. Last week, and policing. Authorities initially believed that ty was Brad Garafola, 45 and a 24-year veteran of officers, was from Kansas City, Missouri, a American revolutionaries are praised for a gunman targeted police during a march in Dallas, additional assailants might be at large, but hours the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. source familiar with the investigation told fighting their oppressors but African ones killing five officers. And just days before the Baton later said there were no other active shooters. They Reuters. He was divorced and living in a are not. Later in the video, he suggests that Rouge attack, one of the slain officers had posted an did not discuss the gunman’s motive or any rela- Tensions working-class neighborhood, and Missouri only violence and financial pressure will emotional Facebook message about the challenges tionship to the wider police conflicts. Jackson, who was black, posted his message on records show he had no criminal history. cause change. of police work in the current environment. The shooting began at a gas station on Airline Facebook on July 8, just three days after the death It was not immediately clear how Long, “We know what it’s going to take. It’s President Barack Obama urged Americans to Highway. According to radio traffic, Baton Rouge of 37-year-old Alton Sterling, a black man killed by who was black, ended up in Baton Rouge, only fighting back or money. That’s all they tamp down inflammatory words and actions. “We police answered a report of a man with an assault white Baton Rouge officers after a scuffle at a con- where police killed him in a shootout on his care about,” he says to the camera. don’t need careless accusations thrown around to rifle and were met by gunfire. For several long min- venience store. In the message, Jackson said he 29th birthday, according to media reports. “Revenue and blood, revenue and blood, score political points or to advance an agenda. We utes, they did not know where it was coming from. was physically and emotionally tired and com- The city has become a flashpoint for revenue and blood. Nothing else.” A gov- need to temper our words and open our hearts ... The radio exchanges were made public Sunday by plained that while in uniform, he gets nasty looks. protests after police shot and killed Alton ernment source said federal officials were all of us,” Obama said. The gunman was identified the website Broadcastify. Nearly 21/2 minutes after When he’s out of uniform, he said, some people Sterling, a black man, outside a conven- reviewing the web postings but could not as Gavin Long of Kansas City, who turned 29 the first report of an officer getting shot, an officer consider him a threat. A friend of Jackson’s family, ience store there on July 5. A website, social definitively link them to Long. Sunday. Long, who was black, served in the on the scene is heard saying police do not know Erika Green, confirmed the posting, which is no media accounts and YouTube videos that Marines from 2005 to 2010, reaching the rank of the shooter’s location. longer on Facebook. A screenshot of the image appear tied to Long include complaints Decorated Military Career sergeant. He deployed to Iraq from June 2008 to Almost 6 minutes pass after the first shots are was circulating widely on the Internet. about police abuse of African-Americans Long was affiliated with the anti-gov- January 2009, according to military records. reported before police say they have determined Police-community relations in Baton Rouge and indicate he recently joined demonstra- ernment New Freedom Group, the Wall Although he was believed to be the only person the shooter’s location. About 30 seconds later, have been especially tense since Sterling’s death. tions in Dallas, where a black former US Street Journal reported, citing a person who fired at officers, authorities were investigating someone says shots are still being fired. The record- The killing was captured on cellphone video. It was Army reservist killed five officers two days briefed on the investigation. A spokes- whether he had some kind of help. “We are not ing lasts about 17 minutes and includes urgent followed a day later by the shooting death of after Sterling’s death. woman for the Southern Poverty Law ready to say he acted alone,” state police calls for an armored personnel carrier called a another black man in Minnesota, whose girlfriend In a YouTube video, Long praised the Center, which tracks extremist groups, said spokesman Major Doug Cain said. Two “persons of BearCat. livestreamed the aftermath of his death on killing of the Dallas officers and said, “It’s she had no information about such a interest” were detained for questioning in the near- “There simply is no place for more violence,” Facebook. The next day, a black gunman in Dallas justice.” He also posted a separate video on group. Reuters was not able to confirm the by town of Addis. They were later released without Louisiana Gov John Bel Edwards said. “It doesn’t opened fire on police at a protest about the police July 8, in which he described himself as a existence of the New Freedom Group. any charges being filed. While in the military, Long further the conversation. It doesn’t address any shootings, killing five officers and heightening ten- former Christian, former member of the Records provided by the US Marines show was awarded several medals, including one for injustice perceived or real. It is just an injustice in sions even further. Nation of Islam and then repeatedly stated Long received a number of awards during good conduct, and received an honorable dis- and of itself.” From his window, Joshua Godwin said Thousands of people protested Sterling’s death, he was now not affiliated with any group. his five years in the military, including a charge. His occupational expertise was listed as he saw the suspect, who was dressed in black with and Baton Rouge police arrested more than 200 “They’ll try to put you with ISIS or some oth- good conduct medal. “data network specialist”. The University of a ski mask, combat boots and extra bullets. He demonstrators. Sterling’s nephew condemned the er terrorist group,” he said. “No. I’m affiliated He served in the Marines from Aug 2005 Alabama issued a statement saying Long attended appeared to be running “from an altercation”. Mike killing of the three Baton Rouge officers. Terrance with the spirit of justice. Nothing else.” to Aug 2010 as a data network specialist classes for one semester in the spring of 2012. A Spring awoke at a nearby house to a sound that he Carter spoke Sunday to AP by telephone, saying A website named “convoswithcosmo” and rose to the rank of sergeant, according school spokesman said university police had no thought was from firecrackers. The noise went on the family just wants peace. “My uncle wouldn’t that features self-help, health and relation- to Yvonne Carlock, deputy public affairs interactions with him. for 5 to 10 minutes, getting louder. want this,” Carter said. “He wasn’t this type of man.” ship advice was owned by a Gavin Long at officer for the Marines. Long was deployed Of the two officers who survived the shooting, A few yards from a police roadblock on Airline a Kansas City address, according to online to Iraq from June 2008 to Jan 2009. CBS Deadly Encounters one was hospitalized in critical condition, and the Highway, Keimani Gardner was in the parking lot of records. As of Sunday night, police in News reported that he left the Marines In Kansas City, police officers, some with guns other was in fair condition. Another officer was a warehouse store that would ordinarily be Kansas City had cordoned off the block with an honorable discharge, but Carlock drawn, converged on a house listed as Long’s. It being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, hos- bustling on a Sunday afternoon. He and his girl- where that address is located. That address would not confirm that detail. — Reuters was the fourth high-profile deadly encounter in the pital officials said. Two of the slain officers were friend both work there. — AP

This file photo taken on Jan 11, 2005 shows US air force tanker planes lining to take off from the Incirlik Airbase in southern Turkey for a daily patrolling mission over northern Iraq and Afghanistan. — AFP Key base near Syria risks new Turkey-US tensions

ISTANBUL: The future use by the United ‘Risks Backfiring’ investigation of the failed coup, inviting States of a key Turkish air base near Gulen, a reclusive 75-year-old Islamic Ankara to share any evidence it has Syria risks causing new tensions preacher, has been in exile in the United against Gulen. Unluhisarcikli said any between the key NATO allies after the States since 1999, but wields enormous use of Incirlik as a bargaining chip botched coup attempt, but using it as a influence in Turkish society, with sup- would dent Washington’s reliance on bargaining chip could prove risky for porters in the media, police and judici- Turkey as a partner in anti-IS operations Ankara. Washington has since 2015 ary. The United States has so far shown and would push Americans to seek an used the Incirlik base in the southern little interest in Turkey’s repeated alternative. “And that would not be province of Adana as a highly conven- demands for his extradition since a vast smart,” he told AFP. ient launch pad for bombing raids corruption scandal that shook Erdogan’s against Islamic State (IS) jihadists in government in 2013, which was also ‘Active Anti-IS Player’ Syria. Before being granted permission blamed by Ankara on Gulen and his loy- Already, French Foreign Minister by Turkey to use Incirlik for the air strikes alists in the police and judiciary. Jean-Marc Ayrault said Sunday that the - after tough negotiations - US planes Soner Cagaptay, director of the events in Turkey had raised questions had to use bases far further away in Turkish Research Programme at The about its “reliability” in the fight against Jordan and Kuwait. Washington Institute, said Turkey would IS. And after Friday’s turmoil, Turkey However Friday’s failed coup, which be making a mistake to use Incirlik to briefly shut down Incirlik, forcing its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames speed up Gulen’s extradition. “In my NATO ally to halt strikes in Syria. Turkish on US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah view, if Ankara did that, it would back- authorities also detained at the base a Gulen, has raised anti-American rhetoric fire,” he told AFP. “While access to the senior air force general and a dozen oth- in Ankara. Turkish officials are furious that base is important for US operations er suspects accused of backing the the United States has so far turned a deaf against the Islamic State, it is not indis- failed coup. Pentagon spokesman Peter ear to requests for his extradition, with the pensable. Washington gained access to Cook said Sunday that operations Labor Minister Suleyman Soylu even say- the base only in 2015 and before then, it against IS had resumed from the base ing Washington was “behind the coup”. was handling anti-IS operations very after its air space reopened. This has raised fears that Ankara well without access to Incirlik or other After long being accused of not doing could use Incirlik as a lever to pressure Turkish bases,” he said. “If Turkey forces enough in the fight against the jihadists, Washington for Gulen’s extradition to the United States, Washington can go Turkey has played a fuller role in the US- face trial in Turkey. Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, back to that option again.” led anti-IS coalition and carried out its director of the German Marshall Fund’s Incirlik houses 1,500 US troops and is own artillery strikes. “Turkey is an active office in Ankara, said Turkey-US ten- just 110 km from the Syrian border. It member of the international coalition,” a sions were already high because of has notably been used to deploy Turkish official said. But Turkey had also Washington’s support for Kurdish mili- drones, Prowler electronic warplanes lamented the delay in the delivery of tias in Syria. “The situation would only and A-10 ground attack aircraft in the American light multiple rocket launchers get worse if Washington does not fight against IS. US Secretary of State - High Mobility Artillery Rocket System answer Turkey’s calls for Gulen’s extradi- John Kerry said Saturday that (HIMARS) - to be deployed along its bor- tion,” he told AFP. Washington would assist Turkey in the der with Syria to combat IS. — AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 Armenia authorities urge hostage takers to give up

YEREVAN: Authorities in Armenia called ty service said talks were deadlocked so far. on gunmen holed up in a police station in “The armed group is refusing to release the capital Yerevan to lay down their arms other hostages, including high ranking offi- yesterday and release four people they cials, to lay down their weapons, or to sur- were holding hostage. The gunmen seized render,” the National Security Service said in the police station and hostages on a statement, saying the group posed a Sunday, killing one police officer and direct threat to society. wounding two others in the process Yerevan’s deputy police chief, Valery before demanding Armenians take to the Osipyan, was reported to be among the streets to secure the release of jailed hostages as was Vardan Yeghiazaryan, the opposition politicians. They released two country’s deputy police chief. The security hostages on Sunday and three more on service said the outcome remained uncer- Monday, the security service said. tain. “Law enforcement agencies are doing Negotiations to end the situation peace- everything they can to end this peacefully, fully are underway. The hostage takers’ but in the circumstances it might not be main demand is to free Jirair Sefilian, an enough,” it said. “That’s why we again opposition leader whom the authorities appeal to the members of the armed group have accused of plotting civil unrest. ... to end their armed resistance. For now, Sefilian was jailed in June over allegations there is still time and the opportunity to do of illegally possessing weapons. The securi- that.”— Reuter Who were Nice attack victims? NICE: This handout picture taken by a drone shows a general view of the Jardin ALbert 1er and the promenade des Anglais crowded as thou- PARIS: Victims of the Nice truck attack includ- cousin Anais said. “He was a great guy,” she sands gather to observe a minute of silence in Nice. France fell silent on July 18, 2016, for the victims of the Nice truck attack, but the mourning ed three generations of a family out for a said. “A young dreamer, but someone who was overshadowed by politicians tearing into each other over the massacre. —AFP stroll, a Frenchman protecting his pregnant was always there for his family.” wife and a former Soviet soldier. The Bastille Day assault killed 84 people of all ages-includ- Killed on holiday Faith in government drops; ing 10 children-who had been out enjoying a A Texas-based newspaper identified the fireworks display on a warm summer evening. two Americans killed as baseball coach Sean The dead came from at least 12 countries. Copeland, 51, and his 11-year-old son Brodie, More than 300 people were also injured when who were on a family vacation in Europe. France mourns Nice victims the Tunisian driver slammed his truck into the “They are so loved,” the Austin American- crowd on the seaside promenade on Statesman quoted the family as saying in a Thursday. Here are some of the victims’ stories. statement. Sisters Magdalena, 21, and Marzena Chrzanowska, 20, were on holiday with their Crowds jeer French leaders Children’s lives cut short two other sisters when they were killed, the Four-year-old Yanis C, described by his priest in their hometown of Krzyszkowice, PARIS: Crowds jeered France’s leaders at a trib- to have the decency when the bodies were still counter-terrorism department in the western father Michael in local media as “a rascal, a scal- Poland said. Slain Russian tourist Victoria ute yesterday to victims of last week’s truck on the Promenade not to start saying to it’s so- edge of Paris. The bickering between politi- lywag, always smiling”, was playing with other Savchenko, a 20-year-old student, was also attack in Nice and an opinion poll showed a and-so’s fault,” said Stephane Bebert, who was at cians contrasted starkly in speed and intensity children a few feet from his parents when he holidaying in the French Riviera resort. sharp drop in confidence in the ability of the ceremony. with the restraint seen in the immediate wake was hit. Mehdi H was the 12-year-old son of a President Francois Hollande’s government to As tributes drew throngs of people back to of the attack on Paris last November and one Nice football referee who also lost his sister-in- Devoted local mothers combat terrorism. Before and after a minute of the scene of the carnage, police investigated, in January 2015 on the Charlie Hebdo newspa- law in the attack. His twin sister is in a coma. Fatima Charrihi, 60, a Nice resident and silence held to pay respects to the 84 dead, with some four of the six people arrested after per. Some four million people took to the Another 12-year-old, Amie V, was the daughter mother of seven, was among the first to be many of the thousands gathered in the south- the attack transferred early on Monday for streets to march in solidarity after the Charlie of a magazine journalist based in Nice. killed by the driver, her son Hamza told local coast resort city of Nice chanted “resign, resign” questioning at the headquarters of France’s attack.—Reuters media. He described her as “an extraordinary at Manuel Valls, the Socialist prime minister. Families wiped out mum” and a devout Muslim who practised Others yelled “Hollande, resign”. One 14-year-old boy who is in a critical con- “real Islam, not that of the terrorists”. The poll published in Le Figaro newspaper Britain will keep ‘leading dition will wake up to the death of his mother, Madagascan mother Mino Razafitrimo, 31, showed 33 percent of respondents were confi- Christine Fabry, 67, and her partner Hugues was with her two children aged four and six, dent in the current leaders’ ability to fight terror- Mismarck. His sister is injured and 17-year-old who survived. She was a “joyous person very ism, down sharply from confidence levels of at role’ in Europe: Johnson brother is missing. Christophe Lyon, the former involved with the Malagasy community in least 50 percent in the wake of two major head of a rugby club, lost his wife, parents, par- Nice”, a friend said. attacks last year. “The government promises us BRUSSELS: New British foreign minister and tions as soon as possible so as to end uncer- ents-in-law and his wife’s son in the attack. things but nothing sticks,” Nice city resident top Brexit backer Boris Johnson pledged yester- tainty. New British Prime Minister Theresa May They were grandparents Francois, 82, and Students Antony Fernandez told Reuters TV. “What have day Britain would continue to play a “leading says she will likely do that at the end of this Christiane Locatelli, 78, their daughter A teacher and two of her students from they done up to now to make us feel safe? And role” in Europe as he met his European Union year or early in 2017 but not before London has Veronique Lyon, 55, and grandson Michael Berlin’s Paula-Fuerst School were killed, the yet what do we expect? Every six months we’re peers in Brussels for the first time. The normally worked out what sort of future relationship it Pellegrini, 28. His parents were Gisele and Berlin mayor’s office said. American student going to mourn for more dead?” The latest poll ebullient Johnson was on his best behavior wants with the other 27 EU members. The Germain Lyon. Laurence Tavet, 49, who was Nicolas Leslie was also killed, the University of came at a moment when, less than a year from a after infuriating his partners in the run-up to prospect of Britain leaving has stoked fears the married to an Algerian, was killed with two of California, Berkeley said. The 20-year-old had presidential election, political opponents have last month’s referendum by comparing the EU’s bloc could struggle for global heft since it will her grandchildren. One of them, seven-year- been in the French city as part of Berkeley’s fast abandoned the initial restraint that usually ambitions for closer integration to Adolf be losing a nuclear-armed power with a perma- old Yanis, had come to visit her on his holidays, study abroad program. prevails on such occasions to sharply criticize Hitler’s. “We have to give effect to the will of the nent, veto-wielding seat on the UN Security the Algerian foreign ministry said. Tunisian Hollande and his government. people and leave the European Union but... we Council. Among one of the last acts of former national Olfa Bent Souayah Khalfallah, 31, was Soldier, sportsman, farmer Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is compet- are not going in any way to abandon our lead- Prime Minister David Cameron, who resigned with her four-year-old son on a family holiday Men and women of all professions were ing in a November primary for the ticket to run ing role in European participation,” Johnson last week, was to announce that Parliament from their home in Lyon, France. Her devastat- among the dead. Former Soviet soldier Igor as presidential candidate for France’s main- told reporters. would vote Monday to replace Britain’s ageing ed husband searched for their son for more Sheleshko, 47, was a father-of-four who held stream centre-right parties, said overnight He said he had a “very good conversation” Trident nuclear deterrent. MPs are widely than two days before discovering that the little both Russian and Belgian nationality. He had Hollande’s government had failed to do all it with EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini expected to approve the revamp but some may boy had also been killed. been living in Nice for four months, said Andrey could. “I know there’s no zero risk, I know per- late Sunday-although a dinner with her was blanch at the massive price tag of £41 billion Eliseev, arch-priest of the Saint-Nicolas cathedral fectly well that we don’t pull each other apart called off after his plane had to make an emer- (49 billion euros, $54 billion). Dying to save his wife who described him as “a pious man”. The priest before the victims have even been buried,” he gency landing. “I am very much looking for- Timothe Fournier, a 27-year-old Parisian, named another victim as Roman Ekmaliyan, a told TF1 TV. “But I want to say, because it’s the ward to meeting my colleagues,” he added. US Trepidation over Johnson died after pushing his seven-months-preg- Georgian businessman of Armenian origin who truth, that everything that should have been Secretary of State John Kerry, attending his first The foreign ministers’ meeting was over- nant wife out of the truck’s deadly path, his had lived in Belgium.— AFP done over the last 18 months ... wasn’t done.” In EU foreign ministers meeting, said Johnson had shadowed by the failed military coup in Turkey Thursday’s attack, delivery man Mohamed told his peers Britain intended to remain a “vital and last week’s deadly attack in Nice, the third Lahouaiej Bouhlel ploughed a 19-tonne truck component” of Europe. Kerry visits London lat- major terror incident in France since 2015. into crowds of revelers, killing 84. It has plunged er Monday in an effort to reaffirm the two sides’ Johnson was awaited with some trepidation France back into a state of grief, fear, and now shared history and values which the Brexit vote given his reputation for quips and bon mots political recrimination. had not changed, he said. which have often landed him in hot water. The former mayor of London and one-time school- Politics under scrutiny France ‘frank’ with Britain mate of Cameron is well known in Brussels The government has struck back by denounc- Johnson was a key player in the June 23 where he worked in the 1990s as the Daily ing opponents for breaking ranks so fast. Brexit referendum and his appointment last Telegraph’s EU correspondent. Speaking ahead of the nationwide minute-of- week stunned many in Europe, with French His critics accuse him of exaggerating his silence on Monday, Interior Minister Bernard Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault saying he stories to play to the eurosceptic gallery at Cazeneuve accused the government’s oppo- had lied to voters during the campaign. Ayrault, home. Officials in Brussels stressed they would nents of breaking ranks in an unseemly way. speaking on his arrival at the talks, said he had welcome Johnson but there is little doubt his “We’ve seen tirades emerge immediately and a “frank and useful” phone conversation with Brexit role ruffled feathers. Johnson was sup- personally this is both shocking and sad ... it’s Johnson over the weekend. “There are lots of posed to have met all his EU colleagues on undignified in the current context,” he said. things to work on with Britain. I will always talk Sunday for an informal dinner but several Voters also denounced the lack of restraint to Boris Johnson with the greatest sincerity, the member states objected, saying it would among competing politicians while many of greatest frankness, I think it’s like that we have amount to “informal talks” with London before Photo shows garbage at the site where Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a 31-year-old those killed in Thursday’s attack on the seafront to move on,” he said. Ayrault repeated French it began formal divorce negotiations, one Tunisian who drove a truck into a crowd watching a fireworks display on Bastille Day, Promenade des Anglais boulevard had yet to be calls for Britain to launch the Brexit negotia- European diplomat said.— AFP was killed by the police. The message reads ‘murderer and coward’. — AFP identified or buried. “I’d have liked the politicians Albania ravaged by ‘gangrene’ of corruption

TIRANA: Lusha Qogle was asked to pay like auctions, it is bargaining,” he said. be retained,” Islamaj said, adding that 5,000 euros ($5,520) for a court docu- only “four or five” of some 700 judges or ment proving she had sold her bar in the ‘Gangrene of Albania’ prosecutors in the country had been Albanian capital 20 years ago: 1,000 There are frequent land disputes in axed. Earlier this month, the state attor- euros for her lawyer, 4,000 euros for the the agrarian nation that suffers from ney’s office sought five years imprison- judges. “Corruption! With a capital C!” poor record keeping. Houses destroyed ment for a prosecutor from the southern said Qogle, 56, voicing the outrage felt without due process, divorces are town of Saranda, who reportedly asked by many of the Balkan nation’s 2.7 mil- wrongly recorded and organized crime for 80,000 euros from a litigant in a land lion people. But slapped with a 20,000 us rampant: no area is free of corruption. dispute to rule in his favour. euros invoice for unpaid electricity bills “It is endemic,” said the country’s going back years, she needs the docu- ombudsman Igli Totozani. “It is the gan- ‘Political interference’ ment to prove she has had nothing to grene of Albania”. Politicians of all politi- In its latest annual report on Albania, do with the bar for two decades. cal stripes agree. Albanians “distrust the the European Parliament singled out Albania’s judiciary is ravaged by corrup- judiciary, they distrust politicians,” the “political interference” and a “high level tion and the European Union has said it centre-right opposition leader Lulzim of corruption”. The judicial reform pack- cannot join the 28-member bloc until it Basha said. For Socialist Prime Minister age negotiated with European help has cleans up its act. Edi Rama, the judicial system is the been blocked as the opposition is According to surveys, 90 percent of “shame of this country”. According to an opposed to foreigners being included in Albanians are desperate to see the expert report published on parliament’s a body tasked with examining candi- sweeping reforms demanded by website, many Albanians believe that dates for magistrates. Prime Minister Brussels. But a disagreement between some magistrates “pay between 100,000 Rama has also rejected the involvement the ruling majority and the opposition and 300,000 euros for a better position of political parties, including the opposi- has thrown into doubt whether the law in urban areas,” where they can earn tion, in the body. He is backed by Knut TIRANA: People wait in front of the Court building in Tirana. The Balkan coun- will be adopted by parliament before it more money in kickbacks. Fleckenstein, the European Parliament’s try’s judiciary is plagued by corruption and the European Union said it could concludes its session on Thursday.The Another common perception is that a rapporteur for Albania, who has been not join the 28-member bloc before reorganizing it.—AFP political parties met on Monday in prisoner could arrange to be moved trying to foster dialogue between the cial corruption not only allows judges Albania’s status as an EU candidate, Tirana, in the presence of US and from solitary confinement to house parties since 2014. “As long as the judges and politicians to fill their pockets with obtained in 2014. The threat provoked a European representatives, in a bid to arrest for “60,000 to 80,000 euros”. Fatri are all-in one way or another-dependent corrupt money, it is destroying the lives fierce outcry. Ombudsman Totozani said break the deadlock. Lawyer Artan Haxhia Islamaj, the head of Tirana’s main court, on some politician, the corruption will of normal, honest people”. In late June, he trusts “only in the international com- said that his peers “sometimes serve as said that while corruption does exist, “the not stop,” he said. the chairman of the German parlia- munity,” describing the country as a par- middlemen” in arranging deals, while perception of its magnitude is greater The US ambassador to Albania ment’s EU Affairs Committee, Gunther adox-a democratic system with no dem- waiting for hearings. “Here trials are led than reality”. “Corrupt judges should not Donald Lu warned last month that “judi- Krichbaum, threatened to revoke ocratic culture.—AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 Indian rape survivor gang-raped again by same men NEW DELHI: An Indian student was recov- The woman’s family has accused the horrific attacks continue to be reported ering in hospital after being gang-raped by five of threatening them in the lead-up to in the media on a daily basis. The most a group of men including some charged Wednesday’s attack, demanding that they recent official figures show that 36,735 with sexually assaulting her three years withdraw the rape case lodged after the rapes were reported across the country in earlier, an officer said yesterday. Police in 2013 assault. “The accused were constantly 2014, although activists say the true Haryana state were hunting for the five, threatening us to compromise outside the number is likely much higher because of accused of abducting the 21-year-old stu- court. They even offered us a hefty amount the social stigma attached to sexual dent of the lowest Dalit social caste from for settlement. crimes. — AFP outside her college before drugging and But we didn’t agree,” the victim’s broth- raping her in a car. er was quoted by the Hindustan Times as NEW DELHI: The mother and father of The student was found unconscious in saying. The family also alleged they were the victim of the fatal gang rape on a bushes on the side of a highway last forced to move to Rohtak district in the moving bus in 2012 arrives to address Wednesday night in Haryana which borders state from a neighboring district after the the media at the Supreme court, as the New Delhi, in the country’s latest shocking 2013 attack because of harassment by the top court began its hearing in the sexual attack. Haryana deputy superintend- accused. appeals filed by the convicts in the ent of police Pushpa Khatri said the student, Members of the Dalit caste held small case, in New Delhi, India yesterday. A who is still in hospital, has identified all five protests in Rohtak on Sunday to demand trial court in September 2013 awarded men-two of whom are currently on bail justice for the victim. The fatal gang-rape the death sentence to the convicts, awaiting trial for raping her in 2013. “She of a student on a bus in Delhi in 2012 which was also upheld by the Delhi has identified the five accused and two of shone a global spotlight on frightening High Court. The convicts then them were involved in the gang-rape of the levels of violence against women in India. approached the Supreme Court which student in Bhiwandi district in 2013,” Khatri It also led to major reform of India’s rape had in 2014 stayed their execution and said. “We have formed several teams to laws, including speeding up of trials and the matter has been pending in the top arrest the accused.” increased punishments for offenders, but court since. — AP ‘Selfie’ cleric under fire over Baloch’s murder

LAHORE: A prominent Muslim cleric in typical orthodox mindset” of Pakistanis. Pakistan who was censured for appear- Her pictures and videos outraged reli- ing in “selfie” photographs with mur- gious conservatives who viewed her as a dered social media celebrity Qandeel disgrace to the cultural values of Islam Baloch is being investigated in connec- and Pakistan. Others hailed her as a “fem- tion with her killing, police said yester- inist icon”. day. Baloch, 26, described as Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian, divided opinion in the Breadwinner deeply conservative Muslim society with Police were also investigating her risquÈ photos. Her murder on Friday Baloch’s other brother, Muhammad has shocked the country and sparked Aslam, who is a junior army officer, fresh debate about so-called honor Ikram said. More than 500 people - killings. almost all of them women - die in “hon- Baloch’s brother, Muhammad or killings” in Pakistan every year, usual- Waseem, told media he drugged and ly at the hands of relatives acting over a strangled his sister as she had violated perception “shame” has been brought their family’s honour with her social on the family. Governments have media posts, including a series of selfies deplored the practice but done little to with cleric Abdul Qavi last month. One stop it. Many Pakistanis have called for video appears to show her sitting on the passage of an anti-honor killing law Qavi’s lap. aimed at closing a loophole that allows Police said Qavi, who was suspended family members to forgive those from a prominent Muslim council after responsible for such killings. the photographs were published, was After Baloch’s death her father, also part of their investigation into her Muhammad Azeem, filed a police report murder. “We have decided to widen the against both his sons, alleging Aslam had scope of the investigation and include encouraged Waseem to carry out the Mufti Abdul Qavi in the probe,” Azhar killing. Police have declined to comment Ikram, the police chief in the town of on Aslam’s role and he was not available ALLAHABAD: Indian Hindu devotees take a holy dip in the flooded River Ganga at the Sangam in Allahabad. — AFP Multan, where Baloch was killed, told for comment yesterday. Baloch built a Reuters. modeling career on the back of her social Qavi has denied any involvement in media fame and was the family bread- Hindu monk’s temple mission Baloch’s murder but said yesterday he winner. “She was my son, not a daughter. would present himself to police for ques- I have lost my son,” Baloch’s father tioning if summoned. Qavi told media on said, according to the English-language in India a headache for Modi Saturday Baloch’s death should serve as Dawn newspaper. “She supported all of an example for others who tried to us, including my son who killed her.” malign the clergy, though he also stated Azeem was also not available for com- Members of Hindu right lobby for temple that he had “forgiven her”. ment. After the outcry over the selfies Baloch, who described herself as a with Qavi, Baloch held a news confer- modern day feminist, was unapologetic ence and appealed to the interior min- AYODHYA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Pradesh) election by whatever means,” said swarmed the Babri Mosque; he could see its three about her bid to push the boundaries of istry to provide her with security. No help was flying high in June, jetting from Afghanistan to Ramachandra Guha, a historian who has written domes crumpling from his small alleyway home in acceptability for women and change “the was provided. — Reuters Mexico in a whirlwind of red carpet diplomacy about the significance of the temple in Ayodhya as a Muslim quarter of Ayodhya. The rail-thin 96-year- crowned by a speech to the US Congress extolling a galvanizing issue for the various factions of the old, who can hardly hear and has many teeth miss- democracy and investment opportunities in the Hindu right, including the BJP. But, he said, there is ing, is the oldest litigant in a case seeking to pre- subcontinent. But when Modi returned home, he a catch. “Modi, given his intelligence, knows that serve a Muslim claim on the land. He is not confi- was reminded of the headwinds those ambitions constructing the temple will be disastrous for his dent of his chances in the face of an ascendant face, as his hardline Hindu supporters agitate for a image.” Instead, Guha expects the BJP to “finesse Hindu right: “I don’t want the temple to be made, greater say in how the country is run. the question” with proxy issues. That may include but they have a plan for building it. They’ve taken The pressure on the leader of the world’s fastest clamping down further on cow slaughter, for over the government, they’re in power. They can growing major economy is clearest in Ayodhya, a example, as the animals are held sacred by Hindus. do whatever they want.” dilapidated outpost of muddy roads and open Critics say such concerns are signals to the Hindu An aide to Modi in New Delhi said the prime sewage where religious and political leaders from majority that the nation is for them, not Muslims minister wants no talk of the temple in the Uttar the Hindu right are pushing for the construction of and Christians. Pradesh elections: “Development is the top priori- a temple where a mosque was destroyed by a mob Tradition holds that Ayodhya was the birthplace ty.” It is not clear if that will satisfy Modi’s doctrinal in 1992. “We expect and hope that the temple will of Lord Ram, a physical incarnation of the Hindu base in the runup to the state ballot. During the be constructed during his tenure,” Nritya Gopal god Vishnu. Many Hindus believe that the exact festivities marking his 78th birthday in June, Das Das, the elderly, influential monk leading the spot of his inception was where the Babri Mosque convened a private meeting with some of the Ayodhya temple campaign, said of Modi. was razed. The call to build the Ram temple is a country’s most influential Hindu religious leaders. The disputed site, now ringed with guard tow- core tenet of the Hindu right. The BJP’s manifesto His message, according to a person present, was ers and troops, is in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh says it is committed to “explore all possibilities that religious and political discourse on the subject state, the setting of elections early next year that within the framework of the constitution” to make of the temple should not be separated. Every monk could make or break Modi’s chances of gaining that happen. As Modi heads to the halfway point in every city, Das was quoted as saying, should be control of the upper house of parliament. That of his term in office, Hindu activist groups who talking about the importance of the Ram temple. would help the prime minister push through his helped elect him in 2014, including the ideological The BJP’s parent organization and a source of economic reform agenda, which firebrands within parent organization of the BJP, are pushing for him conservative activism and ideology, the Rashtriya his religious base do not always agree with. It was a to deliver. Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), lobbied for an upper campaign of public insults by Hindu hardliners that house seat this April for a firebrand politician helped push the highly respected head of India’s Modi’s call named Subramanian Swamy. Less than two weeks central bank, Raghuram Rajan, to announce last Modi faces a tough choice. Green light the lay- later, Swamy informed parliament that he had a month that he was stepping down, a shock move ing of a cornerstone, and he would enthral sup- point of order to raise. Amid cries of disbelief, that disappointed foreign investors. porters yet risk unrest. After the mosque came Swamy rose from his seat and voiced frustration The prime minister’s office has said it wants the down in 1992, rioting in Mumbai claimed some that the nation’s attorney general had not done temple issue kept completely out of electioneer- 1,000 lives; a day of revenge attacks that followed more to get a court verdict on the temple in ing. The demolition of the mosque by Hindus in in that city killed 257 people and wounded hun- Ayodhya. In Ayodhya and across India, there are Ayodhya sparked some of the deadliest riots in dreds. Mohammad Hashim Ansari remembers the powerful men who have waited their entire lives India’s independent history and deepened reli- December morning in 1992 when the mobs for a Ram temple to be built. — Reuters ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani civil society activist carries a placard during a protest yesterday gious divisions that still exist today. The town is against the murder of social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch by her brother. — AFP becoming a defining test of Modi’s ability to navi- gate a tension central to his administration: Bangladesh indicts 41 appeasing Hindu nationalist activists who corral votes for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while preventing them from derailing his pro-busi- on murder charges Deaths from toxic ness growth agenda. Modi’s success or failure will go a long way to defining his legacy. DHAKA: A Bangladesh court yesterday indict- ents and the owners of the five factories ed 41 people for murder in the deaths of more housed in the building. alcohol reach 33 Actions louder than words? than 1,100 people in the collapse of a building Investigators from Bangladesh’s Criminal And so, on a recent visit to Ayodhya, the words that housed five garment factories and Investigation Department said the change NEW DELHI: Another 12 people have died to four, with over a dozen more in critical of the BJP’s state chief in Uttar Pradesh, Keshav became known as the country’s worst indus- from culpable homicide charges came after after drinking toxic homemade liquor in condition. Prasad Maurya, sometimes jarred with his actions. trial disaster. Investigators initially said those the investigation found that Rana, his staff and northern India, officials said yesterday, tak- Bootleggers often add methanol-a high- As sweat streamed over the saffron-colored tilak accused of wrongdoing in the 2013 collapse of the management of the five factories had the Rana Plaza building would be charged forced the workers to enter the building the ing the overall toll to 33 with dozens more ly toxic form of alcohol sometimes used as dot on his forehead, he smiled at reporters and with culpable homicide, which carries a maxi- day of the collapse despite their unwillingness fighting for their lives in hospitals. The vic- an anti-freeze or fuel-to their home-brew described the BJP’s electoral strategy: emphasize mum punishment of seven years in jail. But to work after the building had developed tims, all from the same district in Uttar liquor to increase the alcoholic content. If development, expose corruption. they later changed the charges to murder due major cracks a day before. The collapse high- Pradesh state, fell ill after drinking the alco- ingested, it can cause blindness and liver Asked about demands to build the Hindu tem- ple, he said the courts should decide. “We respect to the gravity of the disaster. lighted the grim conditions in Bangladesh’s hol on Friday night and were taken to hos- damage and can kill in larger concentra- Masud Rana, who owned the building garment industry. pital suffering from severe stomachache, tions. Hundreds of poor people die every every institution of democracy,” said Maurya. Yet he had spent much of the day in the company of men outside Dhaka, and 33 other people pleaded Low wages in the South Asian country vomiting and blurred vision. year in India due to alcohol poisoning, not guilty when the charges against them have led global brands and retailers to prefer Most were daily wage labourers and mostly from consuming cheap hooch. In who cheer the mosque’s demise, and are increas- ingly restless to raise a temple in its place as an were read out in court. Another seven who Bangladesh over China, the leading apparel farmers too poor to afford branded alcohol, April eight people including two soldiers absconded will be tried in absentia, said exporter in the world. Bangladesh has the who would usually buy a cheap mix from died after drinking tainted liquor in the expression of Hindu supremacy. His convoy of white sports utility vehicles had pulled into Mizanur Rahman, a public prosecutor. world’s second-largest garment industry with illegal bootleggers. Police have arrested a western desert state of Rajasthan. More District Judge SM Kuddus Zaman announced nearly 4,000 factories employing about 4 mil- local vendor on charges of culpable homi- than 100 people died in Mumbai last year Ayodhya so that he could celebrate Das’s birthday. That morning, Maurya folded his hands in supplica- their trial will begin Sept 18. Those found lion workers, mostly women. The building cide and authorities have suspended 11 after drinking illegal homemade moon- guilty of murder could face the death penal- collapse triggered uproar at home and tion and awaited blessings from the monk, whose officials, including some police. shine in a slum. Nearly three billion liters of ty as a police report submitted to the court abroad, with a call for reforms in a sector that self-described mission is to build the temple, a Ajay Yadav, the top civil official in Etah legal liquor and an estimated two billion called the deaths a “mass killing.” About helps Bangladesh earn more than $20 billion project that risks enraging India’s Muslim minority district said the death toll there had liters of hooch are consumed in India annu- 2,500 people were injured in the April 2013 a year from exports, mainly to the United of about 170 million people. reached 29. In neighboring Farrukhabad ally, according to the International Spirits disaster. The defendants include Rana’s par- States and Europe. — AP district, police said the death toll climbed and Wines Association. — AFP “I think Modi wants to win the UP (Uttar INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 Philippines’ Duterte ‘not afraid of human rights’

MANILA: Human rights are not a con- speech Sunday, referring to the late he employed as mayor of the southern Bangkok office of the ICJ criticized Duterte hopes to restore to the country. cern in Philippine President Rodrigo African ruler whose 1971 - 1979 regime city of Davao. Police on Monday Duterte, saying “there has been a Major TV network ABS-CBN said it had Duterte’s war on drugs, he said, as he was characterised by large-scale rights unveiled plans for a large electronic bill- marked increase in the number of recorded 408 “drug fatalities” between vowed to ignore due process and com- abuses that killed tens if not hundreds board outside the force’s Manila head- deaths of alleged drug dealers from the May 10 and July 15, based on police and pared himself to Ugandan dictator Idi of thousands of Ugandans. quarters to broadcast a running tally of day you assumed office.” “We are also media reports. Images of people killed Amin. Duterte’s threat came as the “I am not afraid of human rights (con- drugs suspects who have been arrested concerned about your recent state- in police anti-drug operations, or International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) cerns.) I will not allow my country to go or “neutralized”-killed-during operations. ments that appear to be encouraging corpses found with signs saying things joined the chorus of groups criticizing to the dogs,” Duterte said, vowing to par- The billboard will “give everyday peo- extra-judicial killings,” the non-govern- like “I am a drug pusher” have become Duterte’s advocacy of killing. In the lat- don all abuses committed by security ple... the accomplishments of their ment organization of judges and daily fare in the local newspapers. A for- est of a series of tirades, the country’s forces. “Why will I give you a (due) police,” community relations chief lawyers said. mer addict said yesterday that he had newly elected leader doubled down on process? I am the president. I don’t give Senior Superintendent Gilberto Cruz The group reminded him that the handed himself into police as part of an a promised campaign of widespread you (due) process,” he said. Duterte said. The billboard, which was ordered Philippines had passed laws and signed official mass drug amnesty event after killings and said he wouldn’t listen to swept to power on May 9 after pledging by Duterte and the police leadership, international agreements binding it to two acquaintances turned up dead. “I “bleeding hearts”. “I will retire with the to end crime in the Philippines using the will likely be completed by September, work against police abuse, extra-judicial could be killed. That really scared me,” reputation of Idi Amin,” he said in a same “shoot-to-kill” methods critics say he added. In a public statement, the killings and the death penalty which he said.—AFP

Ships worsen air pollution in China, killing thousands

OSLO: A boom in shipping is aggravating China, where Shanghai is the world’s air pollution in China and other nations in busiest container port, will start demand- East Asia, causing thousands of deaths a ing cleaner fuels for ships in coastal regions year in a region with eight of the world’s 10 from 2019. China has thousands of protests biggest container ports, scientists said yes- every year sparked by concerns about envi- terday. Often overlooked compared to cars ronmental degradation. North America and and factories that are far bigger causes of parts of Europe already require that ships smog, ship traffic has more than doubled operating close to land use more costly, off East Asia since 2005 and some pollution less polluting fuel with a sulphur content from the fuel oil of ships wafts inland, they below 0.1 percent. The US Environmental said. The Chinese-led study estimated that Protection Agency expects the North sulphur dioxide, which generates acid rain, American controls will prevent 14,000 pre- and other pollution from ships caused an mature deaths a year by 2020. Worldwide, estimated 24,000 premature deaths a year the UN’s International Maritime in East Asia, mainly from heart and lung Organization (IMO) plans to cut the sulphur diseases and cancer. limit for ships’ fuel to 0.5 percent from 2020 About three-quarters of deaths were in from a current 3.5 percent. China, and others mainly in Japan, Taiwan, The curbs could be delayed to 2025 if Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea, member states decide that refineries are according to the study published in the unable to adapt in time. Natasha Brown, an Journal Nature Climate Change based on IMO spokeswoman in London, said a deci- satellite data tracking almost 19,000 ves- sion is due in October. Yesterday’s study sels. The death toll is a tiny though rising also found that emissions of carbon diox- share of an estimated one million deaths ide, the main man-made greenhouse gas, caused annually by air pollution in East from shipping off East Asia had doubled in Asia, the study found. Given many uncer- less than a decade to 16 percent of the tainties, the number of deaths could be as global total from the industry in 2013. low as 14,500 or as high as 37,500, it said. “A Other air pollutants from ships have a cool- HONG KONG: A woman sleeps as she stands during her commute in an underground MTR train in Hong Kong yesterday. — AFP few years ago in East Asia the levels of ship- ing effect on global climate, however, by ping just weren’t that large. Now they’re reflecting sunlight into space. The cooling huge,” Drew Shindell, one of the authors at is likely to predominate for about another Duke University in the United States, told eight years before warming takes over, it Many in Hong Kong seek Reuters of reasons for the study. said— Reuters Afghan forces see hopeful exit amid China tension signs; air strikes hit Taleban 42 percent of residents looking to emigrate KABUL: A combination of airstrikes and a Barack Obama gave them broader powers Taleban apparently still adapting to its in June, operations are being conducted HONG KONG: When activists began setting fire Taiwan,” it said. due to political concerns. It provided its own new leader Mullah Haibatullah “almost daily”, the top NATO commander to trash bins and hurling bricks at police during Hong Kong’s immigration department emigration estimates based on the number of Akhundzada has given a lift to Afghan Gen John Nicholson said last week. a February riot in Hong Kong, Chris Lee became declined to comment on the survey. The requests it had received for certificates of no forces that had braced for heavy fighting Afghanistan’s own Special Forces and its more convinced his decision to leave his siblings Security Bureau declined to answer questions criminal conviction. Those figures showed a at the start of summer. After 15 years of fledgling airforce, including eight A-29 jets, and mother behind and move to Taiwan was the about whether the Hong Kong government was slight increase last year but were below where war, nobody believes a lull in fighting seen have also played a growing role in hitting right one. Hong Kong, long known as one of the concerned about emigration or believed it was they were a decade ago.— Reuters over the past few weeks is a decisive shift the Taleban forces and chains of com- safest and most law-abiding cities in Asia, has in the conflict. Officials even admit to mand. The Taleban have been scornful of become increasingly polarised with occasional some surprise at the problems facing the claims of coalition success, issuing a state- violent protests, fuelled in part by tensions with Taleban, which launched its annual spring ment last week dismissing the “futile” Communist Party leaders in Beijing over the Freedom of navigation offensive in April promising major attacks change to US rules of engagement. But Chinese-ruled city’s democratic future. across the country. Mohammad Rasoul Zazai, spokesman for “It’s not just the politics that are messed up,” could end ‘in disaster’ The insurgents started their spring the 215th Maiwand army corps in said Lee, who moved to Taiwan in March and offensive in April with a major push to take Helmand, said insurgents were avoiding opened a restaurant. “It is also the people who BEIJING: Freedom of navigation patrols car- with it a military threat, and which challenges Kunduz, the strategic northern city its fight- large formations and were patrolling only have become irrational and fickle that drove me ried out by foreign navies in the South China and disrespects the international law of the ers briefly seized last year. A bumper opium in small groups of 10 or 15. “The Taleban to leave.” Lee is not alone. Some 42 percent of Sea could end “in disaster”, a senior Chinese sea,” Sun said. “This kind of military freedom of crop promised to swell the coffers of the are no longer in a position to attack in Hong Kong residents want to leave, a survey by admiral has said, a warning to the United navigation is damaging to freedom of naviga- insurgents who control much of the trade, large numbers,” he said. independent think tank Civic Exchange showed States after last week’s ruling against Beijing’s tion in the South China Sea, and it could even allowing them to pay for more fighters and in June. This compares with 20 percent wanting claims in the area. China has refused to recog- play out in a disastrous way,” he added, with- equipment. But the assault on Kunduz city Taleban on the defense to leave neighboring Singapore. Seventy per- nize the ruling by an arbitration court in The out elaborating. He said the court case at The was beaten back and fighting has eased in Brig Gen Charles Cleveland, spokesman cent of 1,500 people surveyed said Hong Kong Hague that invalidated its vast territorial Hague must be used by China’s armed forces other key regions including the southern for the NATO-led Resolute Support mis- had become “worse” or “much worse” to live in, claims in the South China Sea and did not take to improve its capabilities “so that when push province of Helmand, where government sion, said there was “cautious optimism” with the biggest concerns housing, the “quality part in the proceedings brought by the comes to shove, the military can play a deci- forces were holding on in a few district cen- amid signs the Afghan army had improved of government” and education. Philippines. sive role in the last moment to defend our ters after heavy fighting in the winter. over the winter as well as at the impact of The number of Hong Kong people emigrat- It has reacted angrily to calls by Western national sovereignty and interests”. A Taleban drive to cut off the main high- the US airstrikes in recent weeks. “It could ing to Canada almost doubled in the first quar- countries and Japan for the decision to be Despite the warnings, China and the way linking the southern provinces of change tomorrow, but at this point we ter of this year compared with the same period adhered to. China has repeatedly blamed the United States have been maintaining open Uruzgan and Kandahar, which led to fierce believe that the Afghans are successfully last year, and the number moving permanently United States for stirring up trouble in the lines of communication, with US Chief of fighting in May, was also quelled and on the offence,” he said. Earlier this year, to Taiwan rose 36 percent over a similar time South China Sea, a strategic waterway Naval Operations John Richardson meeting Afghan government forces backed by US coalition officials estimated the Taleban frame, data shows. The most recent data from through which more than $5 trillion of trade the head of the Chinese navy, Wu Shengli, in air power have gone on the attack in controlled as much as six percent of the United States is from 2014 and flat. moves annually. China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Beijing yesterday. “I think that you can visit Kandahar. Haibatullah, a hardline cleric Afghan territory but threatened up to a Emigration to the UK has declined, but the mini- Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have rival China this time at our invitation, that shows who took over after his predecessor Mullah third of the country. mum amount for those seeking to qualify for claims, of which China’s is the largest. The both sides attach great concern to maritime Mohammad Akhtar Mansour was killed in a However while they still threaten many residency as investors there has also doubled to United States has conducted freedom of navi- security,” Wu told Richardson in brief com- US drone strike in May, is respected in the provincial areas, they do not appear to 2 million pounds ($2.64 million). Australia gation patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to ments in front of reporters. In the meeting, Wu movement for his religious credentials. But have made substantial gains. “It was clear doesn’t provide data for Hong Kong but aggre- Beijing’s anger, while China has been bolster- said China would not stop building reefs and Afghan and Western officials say he does from the outset that they wanted to seize a gate figures for emigrants from mainland China, ing its military presence there. islands in the sea, state-owned Xinhua news not appear to have Mansour’s administra- provincial capital as well as multiple district Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Mongolia rose Speaking behind closed doors at a forum in agency reported, with that construction also tive ability. capitals and they have not done that,” slightly last year. Beijing on Saturday evening, Sun Jianguo, an part of China’s efforts to bolster its claims. At the same time, the movement’s wider Cleveland said. Interior ministry figures sup- admiral and Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Separately, China’s Maritime Safety leadership has suffered, with 45 senior fig- port the impression of a less active Taleban ‘Started to be nervous’ Department of the powerful Central Military Administration said yesterday that an area just ures, including key commanders in in recent weeks, but officials stress the The diminishing confidence in Hong Kong’s Commission, said the freedom of navigation off the east of the island province of Hainan Helmand, Ghazni, Kunduz and Kandahar change is relative and heavy fighting contin- future follows the “Occupy Central” protests in issue was bogus and one that certain countries would be a no-sail zone from July 19-21 while killed over the past six months, according ues in many regions. Since the start of the late 2014 demanding Beijing grant Hong Kong repeatedly hyped up. “When has freedom of military drills take place. China generally to information from the interior ministry. Persian new year on March 21, the Taleban full democracy. “After Occupy, (Hong Kong peo- navigation in the South China Sea ever been describes its exercises in the South China Sea “Last year, we were more in active defense have conducted 1,024 attacks, compared ple) started to be nervous about the future,” said affected? It has not, whether in the past or as routine. China’s air force also said on its mode and the enemies were attacking us, with 1,309 in the same period last year, Andrew Lo, a director of Anlex Services Limited, now, and in the future there won’t be a prob- microblog it had recently carried out “normal but this year we are after them,” said according to interior ministry figures. Bomb which handles Taiwan immigration cases. Mary lem as long as nobody plays tricks,” he said, battle patrols” over the South China Sea Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi. blasts were down at 599 compared to 948 Chan, of immigration experts Rothe according to a transcript of his comments seen involving bombers, spy planes and flying With US commanders free to step up air last year and there were four complex International Canada, said the immigration by Reuters. China is the biggest beneficiary of tankers, including over Scarborough Shoal strikes against the Taleban since President attacks against 11 last year.—Reuters process typically takes one to two years. “Which freedom of navigation in the South China Sea which is disputed with the Philippines. Such is why the numbers are only increasing now,” she and won’t let anybody damage it, Sun said. air patrols would become “a regular practice” said. The disappearances of five Hong Kong “But China consistently opposes so-called in the future, Xinhua reported an air force booksellers who specialized in gossipy political military freedom of navigation which brings spokesman as saying.—Reuters books about Chinese leaders, some of whom were believed to have been abducted by Chinese agents, has also eroded broader confi- dence in the “one country, two systems” formula under which the former British colony returned to China in 1997. One of the booksellers who returned to Hong Kong told media he may emi- grate to Taiwan because he no longer feels safe in the city. “Young people were more upset about the government two years ago but the sense of dissatisfaction actually cuts across ages now,” said Professor Michael DeGolyer, who co- led the study. The Mainland Affairs Council in Taiwan, a self- ruled island China considers a breakaway province, said it expected the increase in Hong Kong immigrants to continue. “Taiwan is an open, pluralistic and liberal democracy. The peo- In this file photo, Chinese missile frigate Yuncheng launches an anti-ship missile during a ple are very friendly. Housing prices and con- military exercise in the waters near south China’s Hainan Island and Paracel Islands. China sumer prices are relatively cheap, while entre- said yesterday, that it is closing off a part of the South China Sea for military exercises this KABUL: This photo shows a general view of a landscape with many destroyed tanks, preneurial opportunities and the similar cultures week, days after an international tribunal ruled against Beijing’s claim to ownership of vir- remaining from soviet regime era, on the outskirts of Charikar city in Parwan of Hong Kong and Taiwan are all factors for tually the entire strategic waterway. — AP province, north of capital Kabul, Afghanistan.—AP Hong Kong residents to consider coming to NEWS TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 Iraq marshlands named as UNESCO heritage site

BAGHDAD: UNESCO has named Iraqi marshlands once religious terms, saying it was targeting idols, but that ravaged by dictator Saddam Hussein as a World has not stopped it from selling artefacts to fund its Heritage Site, a bright spot for a country where jihadists operations. The marshlands once stretched across have repeatedly sought to wipe out history. The area some 20,000 sq km, but they were devastated after named “is made up of seven sites: three archaeological Saddam ordered them drained in the 1990s to stop sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern Iraq,” them being used as hideouts by Shiite guerrillas UNESCO said. “The archaeological cities of Uruk and Ur opposed to his regime. and the Tell Eridu archaeological site form part of the Many dams and canals ordered built by the dictator remains of the Sumerian cities and settlements that have now been demolished, allowing waters from the developed in southern Mesopotamia between the 4th Tigris and Euphrates rivers to flood back, fish and fowl and the 3rd millennium BCE,” it said. to return and humans to settle once again. But dams “The Ahwar of Southern Iraq - also known as the farther upriver in Syria and Turkey still limit the flow of Iraqi Marshlands - are unique, as one of the world’s water into the marshes, and high levels of salinity in largest inland delta systems, in an extremely hot and water in the south has also been a problem, making it arid environment,” UNESCO said. Iraq has been seeking undrinkable for humans and animals and killing fish. World Heritage status for the marshes since 2003, and In addition to the newly named site in the south and its government hailed the move. Prime Minister Haider Hatra, an ancient fortress city in present-day Nineveh Al-Abadi congratulated the Iraqi people on UNESCO’s province in the north, Iraq is home to three other decision, and thanked “all those who contributed to UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Arbil Citadel, where this success”. Abadi also said that culture in the coun- 19th-century facades still stand at a much older site, is An Iraqi man rides a boat on July 14, 2016 in the Ahwar area in southern Maysan province - also known as the try will continue “despite the destruction and demoli- located in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, while Iraqi Marshlands - one of the world’s largest inland delta systems. — AFP tion of Iraqi heritage and antiquities by barbaric terror- Samarra Archaeological City - the site of the 9th-century ist gangs”. capital of the Abbasid Caliphate - lies north of Baghdad. He was referring to Islamic State group’s destruction And Ashur, a city that dates to the 3rd millennium BCE of artefacts at the Mosul museum and the ancient cities and which was the first capital of the Assyrian Empire, is Fleeing Turkish army attache to Kuwait... of Nimrud and Hatra, the latter of which is a World in the Sharqat area to the north of Samarra, where Iraqi Heritage Site. IS has sought to couch the destruction in forces have battled IS militants. — AFP Continued from Page 1 ing four suspects, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Authorities have also detained General “Ihsanoglu has not come to work since two days, and Mehmet Disli, who conducted the operation to capture we heard that he is out of country, but this does not chief-of-staff Hulusi Akar during the standoff, an official Celebratory gunshots mean he is a suspect. No one can confirm or deny if he said. The 103 generals detained are accused of seeking to was with the coup or not,” he said. violate the constitution and attempting to overthrow the Erdogan has blamed Friday’s putsch on his archene- authorities by force, as well as belonging to what the under fire in Lebanon my, US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. “We are dealing with authorities call the Fethullahci Terror Organisation (FETO) a smart terrorist organization led by Gulen. He is manipu- led by Gulen. BEIRUT: Whether it’s joy, political passion or grief, for many Shopowner Qassem, a resident of the southern Lebanese lating people’s minds by denying his involvement in the Erdogan has urged citizens to remain on the streets Lebanese, there’s only one way to show it: By lifting a gun and port city of Sidon, is undeterred by the legislation. He first fired coup - the devil will not admit he is a devil. They are like a even after the defeat of the coup, in what the authorities firing off rounds into the air. But the deadly practice, a tradi- into the air 14 years ago, to celebrate the birth of his daughter. cancer, and we have started to clean it up. They will now describe as a “vigil” for democracy. Public servants’ annual tion in many Arab countries, has attracted new scrutiny and “It was our first joy and I shot about 75 bullets into the air. I think twice before attempting any coup,” Tamer told leave has meanwhile been cancelled until further notice. police attention following a spate of deaths and serious started firing every year on my daughter’s birthday, which is reporters. “We cannot force the US to hand over Gulen With Turkey’s big cities still on edge, Turkish security injuries in incidents involving indiscriminate gunfire. “It felt like Lebanese Independence Day,” he said. He insisted he takes because every country has its system. We have good rela- forces killed an armed attacker who shot at them from a a fire had burst into my chest,” said 15-year-old Hussein Azab, precautions before firing, refraining from shooting in packed tions with America in fighting IS,” he added. vehicle outside the Ankara courthouse where suspects whose chest was pierced by a bullet fired during celebrations residential streets and asking those around him to step away Tamer stated that the violence is not the answer, from the failed coup were appearing before judges. after municipal elections in May. One person was killed and before he lets loose. “What came with elections goes with elections. Western leaders have urged Turkey to follow the rule three others were wounded in celebratory gunfire that day. In a bid to deter people like Qassem, one member of parlia- Throughout the process, all political parties and mem- of law in the wake of the coup bid, with the massive retal- The following month, a child was killed and a woman ment has submitted a draft law increasing the jail time for such bers of the Turkish parliament and the people stood firm- iatory purge adding to concerns about human rights and wounded in separate incidents by people firing guns to cele- gunfire to up to 20 years, and the maximum fine to the equiva- ly by democracy, democratic institutions and the consti- democracy in the NATO member state. Responding to brate official exam results. “I was with my mum, my brother lent of $12,500. The bill has received support from various tution. A joint declaration in defense of democracy was the criticism, Yildirim said the plotters would be brought and my aunt on our way to my grandfather’s house at around political parties, but it has yet to be voted on because issued during the extraordinary meeting of the general to account but Turkey would “act within the law”. But the 8:30 (pm) when I was hit,” said Azab, who was shot in southern Lebanon’s parliament is paralyzed and not meeting to legislate. assembly on July 16,” he said. divisive Erdogan added fuel to the fire Sunday when he Beirut. “The blood started pouring out of my chest and I was In the interim, the powerful group Hezbollah has taken Tamer said that the Turkish Embassy since Jan 2016 is told supporters that Turkey could consider reintroducing very afraid. I thought I would die,” he said, struggling to the initiative to curb indiscriminate shooting in neighbor- receiving visa applications by Syrians, Iraqis and other the death penalty which it had abolished in 2004 as part recount his ordeal as he gazed at the 15-centimetre scar run- hoods under its control. The issue is more pressing for the nationalities by filling an online form. “The citizens of of its longstanding EU membership bid. “We cannot ning down his chest. group because its supporters often fire bursts of bullets into these countries are our friends and brothers, but they will ignore this demand,” he told a chanting crowd outside his The experience has also scarred him psychologically, leav- the air when Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah gives one of only be granted visas online. People have to fill the appli- house in Istanbul late on Sunday. “In democracies, what- ing him afraid of loud noises, particularly fireworks. “My life his frequent speeches, or during the funerals of fighters cation and come to the embassy on the date mentioned ever the people say has to happen.” changed. I’ve become irritable and afraid all the time. I can’t killed in the Syrian conflict. Nasrallah himself has publicly online,” he said, pointing out that this decision was to lim- EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini responded sleep, and if I do, I wake up from panic attacks,” he said. criticized the practice, telling his supporters in June that cel- it immigration to Turkey. bluntly yesterday. “Let me be very clear... no country can Hussein’s mother Wafaa was angry and tearful. “They were cel- ebratory gunfire “will be enough for us to expel someone become an EU state if it introduces the death penalty,” she ebrating winning elections while we were crying blood.” Omar Al-Tahan, Turkish Airlines’ director of corporate from our ranks”. The decision would apply to everyone, even and regional marketing, said the carrier will deal with any said. Yildirim said it would be wrong to “act in haste”, call- With the deadly incidents making headlines, Lebanon’s senior Hezbollah members “who have been fighting Israel for problems regarding tickets for July 15, 16 and 17, and ing for a parliamentary debate on the issue. There has also police force says it has made more than 130 arrests of people 30 years”, he warned. anyone who has a problem will be provided fresh tickets. been concern about the nature of the arrests which have firing in the air since early June. It is also encouraging people Fadi Abi Allam, who heads the Permanent Peace He added Turkish Airlines will help Kuwait Airways evacu- appeared aimed at humiliating the suspects. Meanwhile, to report shooters via a special hotline. Police spokesman Movement, an NGO, called for tighter regulations and better ate all Kuwaitis who want to return from Turkey. Tahan a Greek court will Thursday decide the fate of eight Joseph Mousallem called the practice “a sick, fatal phenome- implementation of existing gun laws. “I know that firing stressed that everything is back to normal and the carrier Turkish military officers who fled across the border by hel- non”. “Civilians must come together to stop shooting and not has returned to work at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. icopter after the failed coup in Turkey and who Ankara be silent about the shooters,” he told AFP. “This isn’t an issue of weapons is an expression of joy or sadness, but the sky has Meanwhile, Turkey launched fresh raids and sacked wants to see extradited. tradition. It is a crime that leads to death.” never once swallowed a bullet,” he said. Exacerbating the issue almost 9,000 officials yesterday in a relentless crackdown Erdogan has long accused Gulen of running a “parallel Officially, celebratory gunfire is illegal in Lebanon, where is the sheer number of weapons in Lebanon. An estimated against suspected coup plotters that has alarmed the state” in Turkey, and urged Obama to extradite the reclu- firearm ownership remains widespread more than two decades four million guns are licensed as personal firearms in Lebanon, West and sparked fears Ankara could reinstate the death sive preacher from the United States to face justice. The after the end of its 1975-1990 civil war. A 1959 law states “any- which has just four million citizens, according to Abi Allam. penalty. Erdogan has vowed to wipe out the “virus” of the 75-year-old preacher has categorically denied any one firing in residential areas or in a crowd, whether their gun is “Some households don’t own any weapons - others own putschists after facing down Friday’s dramatic coup bid involvement in the plot and suggested it could have been licensed or not” faces up to three years in prison or a fine. But dozens,” he said. Abi Allam urged families, schools, religious that left more than 300 people dead. staged by Erdogan himself. Kerry said he had urged his the fine has not increased since it was set at 500 Lebanese figures, civil society and the state to combine their efforts and But the United States and European Union have stern- Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu to “send us evi- pounds in 1959, an amount now worth just 60 US cents. work together to put an end to the practice. — AFP ly warned him against excessive retribution as the dence, not allegations.” Yildirim rejected that demand. “We authorities round up the alleged perpetrators of the would be disappointed if our (American) friends told us to attempted power grab. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said present proof even though members of the assassin Activists, MPs call to halt demolition... over 7,500 people have been detained so far, including organization are trying to destroy an elected government Continued from Page 1 Meanwhile, the court of cassation yesterday set July 25 103 generals and admirals, in the investigation into under the directions of that person,” Yildirim said. “At this as the date to issue its verdict against Sheikh Ahmad Al- Friday’s coup. The interior ministry said almost 9,000 peo- stage there could even be a questioning of our friend- MP Rakan Al-Nisf urged the minister to halt the demoli- Fahd Al-Sabah on charges of insulting the judiciary. The ple, including almost 8,000 police but also municipal ship,” he added. tion immediately, and warned that he will be held political- criminal court had sentenced Sheikh Ahmad, a top inter- governors and other officials, had also been dismissed in In another development, Turkish prosecutors have ly responsible for the action. MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji called national sports figure and a former minister, to six months a widening purge. started searching a key air base in southern Turkey, on the prime minister to intervene and stop the decision in jail. The appeals court however acquitted him of the Early yesterday, special Istanbul anti-terror police units used by the United States for air raids on the Islamic to raze the mosque because of its historical value as one of accusations. Rulings by the cassation court are final and raided the prestigious air force military academy, detain- State group, for evidence Turkish troops there assisted the coup. Kuwait’s important sites. cannot be appealed. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 ANALYSIS

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In my view The world that stands supreme

By Pani J Anthony

hile the world hopefully enjoys the new slo- Wgans such as peaceful world, one looks back with a sense of pride as a global citi- zen - over the great achievements of mankind in improving the quality of life and the historical feats in the information age. Yet one shudders at the thought of the danger in stock - the uncertainty over the very existence of the human race: poverty, hunger, disease, unemployment, illiteracy, the debt burden, unfavorable trading conditions, all forms and types of conflicts and environmental degrada- tion. On the other side, in the last few decades, there is more talk about justice and human rights than ever before. The time spent to close and open the eye lids is the time that it takes for more atrocity to be com- Rebel jets had Erdogan plane in sights mitted against a woman somewhere in the world. Whether she is beaten in her home, molested out- By Humeyra Pamuk and Orhan Coskun both Istanbul and Ankara through Friday night, as the same three Ankara officials said. They described Kose as a side or raped, either within outside her home, jus- armed faction which tried to seize power strafed the head- follower of Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric whose net- tice doesn’t come easily, even if it comes at all. t the height of the attempt to overthrow Turkish quarters of Turkish intelligence and parliament in the capi- work Erdogan has blamed for carrying out the coup The growing violence against women is part of APresident Tayyip Erdogan, the rebel pilots of two F- tal. At one point it ordered state television to read out a attempt. Kose was removed from his post in March for mis- dehumanization and vulgarization process of socie- 16 fighter jets had Erdogan’s plane in their sights. statement declaring a nationwide curfew. conduct but had not been discharged from the armed ty. There are exceptions, a mother of a girl child feels And yet he was able to fly on. The Turkish leader was But the attempt crumbled as forces loyal to Erdogan forces, one of the officials said. His whereabouts are cur- that the girl child is a burden to her since she has to returning to Istanbul from a holiday near the coastal resort pushed the rebels back and as the Turkish leader, at one rently unknown. meet all the heavy expenses.This growing syn- of Marmaris after a faction in the military launched the point appearing on broadcaster CNN Turk in a video call “There were serious preparations ongoing for a very drome of violence makes the women to be on ten- coup attempt on Friday night, sealing off a bridge across from a mobile phone, urged people to take to the streets long time. The two people in question seem to have been terhooks several times. There is a woman behind the Bosphorus, trying to capture Istanbul’s main airport to support him. More than 290 people were killed in the the brains behind the coup attempt,” the official said, every successful man is a celebrated statement. But and sending tanks to parliament in Ankara. violence, 104 of them coup supporters, the rest largely declining to be identified because the investigation is still we are not ashamed to relegate them always as the “At least two F-16s harassed Erdogan’s plane while it civilians and police officers. continuing. Erdogan and the government have long shadow of man. was in the air and en route to Istanbul. They locked their The aerial aspect of the plot appears to have centred on accused Gulen’s followers of trying to create a “parallel radars on his plane and on two other F-16s protecting him,” the Akinci air base around 50 km northwest of Ankara, with structure” within the courts, police, armed forces and Vital role a former military officer with knowledge of the events told at least 15 pilots involved under the orders of a rebel com- media with the aim of seizing power, a charge the cleric “Investing in a girl is watering a plant in a neigh- Reuters. “Why they didn’t fire is a mystery,” he said. A suc- mander, according to the former military officer. The head has repeatedly denied. cessful overthrow of Erdogan, who has ruled the country of of the armed forces, Hulusi Akar, was held hostage at the bor’s garden” is a popular saying.”No society can about 80 million people since 2003, could have sent Turkey base during the coup attempt but was eventually rescued. ‘Not Fully Prepared’ make any progress without the co-operation of spiralling into conflict and marked another seismic shift in Jets from Akinci piloted by the rebels roared low over Erdogan, his roots in Islamist politics, has always had a women who, indeed, play a vital role in developing the Middle East, five years after the Arab uprisings erupted Istanbul and Ankara repeatedly during the chaos of Friday difficult relationship with the military, which long saw itself the nation”. It makes me wonder if the world has and plunged its southern neighbour Syria into civil war. night, shattering windows and terrifying civilians with son- as the guardian of secularism in Turkey, carrying out three conveniently forgotten the Indian Nobel laureate A senior Turkish official confirmed to Reuters that ic booms. Fighter jets taking off from another air base at coups and forcing a fourth, Islamist-led government from Tagore’s saying: “Women is the builder and moulder Erdogan’s business jet had been harassed while flying from Eskisehir, west of Ankara, were scrambled to bomb Akinci power in the second half of the 20th century. Coup plot tri- of a nation’s destiny”. the airport that serves Marmaris by two F-16s comman- and try to stop the rebels. However, the rogue aircraft were als saw hundreds of officers jailed while Erdogan was Political participation of women has now deered by the coup plotters but that he had managed to able to keep flying through the night by refuelling mid-air prime minister, as the government used the courts to clip become a reality and, let us hope, this will pave for reach Istanbul safely. A second senior official also said the after a tanker plane was commandeered, the first senior the wings of the armed forces. The allegations were later gender equality. It pains that the politicians are sys- presidential jet had been “in trouble in the air” but gave no official said. The tanker aircraft was taken from the Incirlik discredited and convictions overturned, but the actions tematically delaying the rights of the women. The details. Erdogan said as the coup unfolded that the plotters air base in southern Turkey, which is used by the US-led damaged morale and fuelled resentment. statesmen need to understand that without the had tried to attack him in the resort town of Marmaris and coalition to bomb Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The com- Yet the coup plotters appear to have overestimated the dues given to women, any nation can hardly had bombed places he had been at shortly after he left. He mander of Incirlik was detained on Sunday for complicity, support they would find within the military ranks. “It was achieve total progress. “evaded death by minutes”, the second official said. the official said. outside the chain of command which was the biggest Over several years after freedom, in many coun- Around 25 soldiers in helicopters descended on a hotel handicap for the coup plotters,” said Sinan Ulgen, a visiting tries, the midnight woes are not over. The dastardly in Marmaris on ropes, shooting, just after Erdogan had left Masterminds scholar at Carnegie Europe and a former Turkish diplomat. events are on the rise and they pose a threat to the in an apparent attempt to seize him, broadcaster CNN Turk Three senior officials in Ankara said Akin Ozturk, head of “They had an insufficient portfolio of resources. They were very integrity of the nation and its overall growth. “A said. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had also been directly the air force until 2015 and a member of High Military grossly under-equipped to achieve their strategic objec- nation depends highly on the quality of the citizens targeted in Istanbul during the coup bid and had narrowly Council (YAS), the top body overseeing the armed forces, tives ... There was definitely quite a degree of incompe- rather than the quantity”, said Rousseau, the French escaped, the official said, without giving details. Flight was one of the masterminds of the plot. He was among tence compared to how coups were done here in the past.” tracker websites showed a Gulfstream IV aircraft, a type of thousands of soldiers detained, pictured on Sunday in At one point they tried to silence CNN Turk, forcing the revolutionary writer. business jet owned by the Turkish government, take off handcuffs wearing a striped polo shirt at Ankara police evacuation of the studio. When it came back on air, anchor- The right to education and religion, though from Dalaman airport, which is about an hour and a quar- headquarters. Ozturk was due to be retired this August at a woman Nevsin Mengu described the soldiers as young and enshrined in Constitution, has not reached a large ter’s drive from Marmaris, at about 2240 GMT on Friday. meeting of the YAS, which convenes twice a year. with “only fear in their eyes and no sign of devotion or deter- section of the population. Racial discrimination, It later circled in what appeared to be a holding pattern According to his biography, still on the military’s website, mination”. The former military officer said the coup plotters long declared a sin, loom large still. just south of Istanbul, around the time when a Reuters wit- he was born in 1952. appeared to have launched their attempt prematurely ness in the airport was still hearing bursts of gunfire, before The second mastermind was thought to be Muharrem because they realised they were under surveillance, some- Equality finally coming in to land. Gunfire and explosions rocked Kose, a former legal adviser to the chief of military staff, the thing corroborated by other officials in Ankara. —Reuters Social justice will remain a dream until economic equality becomes a reality. To make this happen, the oppressed and the unfortunate need a level ground in education and employment. Hardline backlash could sideline Rouhani Provided the right opportunity and given opti- mal inputs, the depressed can rise to the occasion By Parisa Hafezi figures within Iran contacted for this story. “If they fail to find a months Khamenei has spoken about the importance of “revolu- and substantially contribute to the future of the candidate, then they will impose more limits on Rouhani in his tionary ideology” and the “resistance economy”, seen as veiled year after Iran’s nuclear deal with the West, hardliners are second term.” criticisms of Rouhani’s policies of political and economic engage- land; Nelson Mandela and Ambedkarbear testimony gaining authority in a backlash against pragmatic President ment with the West. There is no clear challenger lined up to stand to this. Ambedkarvirtually rose from the dust and A Hasan Rouhani that his allies say could leave him sidelined ‘Revolutionary Ideology’ against Rouhani yet, but hardliners could reach a consensus on a sowed the seeds of hope in the minds of the or push him out of power in an election next year. Rouhani, who Iran’s political system allows elections for president and parlia- high-profile candidate for the election in coming months. oppressed. was elected in a landslide in 2013 on a promise to reduce Iran’s ment, but gives a hardline watchdog body power to veto laws “Rouhani’s policy of interaction with the world ... scares the hard- This ensuing millennium need not necessarily diplomatic isolation, delivered the agreement that resulted in a and decide which candidates may stand. Since taking over from liners as they believe that without confrontation, particularly with spread the pall of gloom, there are men and women lifting of financial sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear the Islamic Republic’s founder Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini, the West, the Islamic Republic could stop being a revolutionary in all walks of life who are leading lights in their own programme. Khamenei, now 76, has made sure that no group, including state,” said Meir Javedanfar, an Iranian-born Israeli lecturer on Iran chosen field of activity. The deal had the grudging approval of Supreme Leader Ali among his own hardline allies, has gained enough power to chal- at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in Israel. The hardliners fear There is a hope of a better a world, a world of Khamenei, the archconservative in office since 1989, whose ulti- lenge his authority. Khamenei’s allies control the bulk of financial that could ultimately “lead to the establishment’s collapse,” he better men and women, with sense and sensibility, mate authority outranks that of the elected president. resources as well as the judiciary, the security forces, public added. But now that the negotiations are over, Rouhani’s broadcasters and the Guardian Council which vets with reason and rationale, a world of peace, pros- supporters say that Khamenei and his followers laws and election candidates. “Khamenei’s ideal ‘High Expectations’ perity and glory. Weighing the pros and cons, assets are trying to restrict the president’s authority set-up is to have weak presidents who can be Hardliners have criticized Rouhani for the slow pace of eco- and liabilities, the world of the present millennium or replace him. In the face of such pressure, held accountable for the frustrations and eco- nomic recovery, saying his government was duped into accepting promises to be paradigm, sans poverty, penury, Rouhani himself may decide not to stand nomic malaise that many Iranians feel,” said concessions on Iran’s nuclear program while getting little back in pestilence where friendship and brotherhood will again. Iran analyst and senior associate at the return. “The focus at the moment is of course on the economy stand supreme. Already, hardliners are blaming the Carnegie Endowment for International and that will be the battleground for the next election,” said Ali president’s faction for the failure of the Peace Karim Sadjadpour. What mattered Ansari, director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at the University deal to deliver a swift improvement in most for Khamenei was not “the support of of St. Andrews. “The expectations Rouhani created around the living standards, at a time when prices the electorate, but the support of the pro- deal were going to be difficult to reach, and popular disappoint- All articles appearing on these for oil exports are low and promised tectorate,” he said. “Khamenei can live with- ment, no doubt encouraged by the hardliners, is likely to rebound pages are the personal opinion of foreign investment has yet to arrive. out the admiration and social media likes of on him.” Partly because of unilateral US sanctions that remain in “The political infighting has intensified Iran’s urban sophisticates, but not without the place, major European banks and investors are holding back from the writers. Kuwait Times takes no in Iran. The legitimacy of the establish- loyal support of 150,000 Revolutionary doing business with Iran. So far, Iran has secured banking links responsibility for views expressed ment is at stake,” said a senior official, Guardsmen and their Basij henchmen,” said only with smaller financial institutions, and the US banks remain who asked not to be identified. “It will Sadjadpour, referring to an elite military force prohibited from doing business with Iran directly or indirectly. therein. Kuwait Times invites deepen further until the presidential elec- and its affiliated militia. Foreign investors also face other risks, like complex regulations, tion next year,” the official said, adding that lack of transparency within Iran’s banking system, unclear dispute readers to voice their opinions. Rouhani himself now had “serious doubts Not Needed Now Talks Are Over? resolution mechanisms, labor issues and corruption. Please send submissions via email about running for a second term”. The parlous state of Iran’s economy For many ordinary Iranians, a sense of disillusionment has set in, Rouhani’s allies believe his personal pop- pushed Iran’s top leaders to accept Rouhani as because expected economic improvements have failed to material- to: [email protected] or ularity and the prospect of Iran coming out of the best option to resolve their nuclear dispute ize, and Rouhani’s government has fallen short of delivering a via snail mail to PO Box 1301 its political and economic isolation have pan- with the West. But Rouhani’s allies believe that hoped-for easing of social restrictions. The government was tainted icked hardline allies of Khamenei, who fear los- those close to Khamenei no longer see Rouhani by the leak of pay slips of some top executives, which were dozens Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves ing power and aim to bring the presidency to as useful. “Now the nuclear crisis is over. Hardliners of times the average monthly income of an Iranian urban house- the right to edit any submission heel. “Hardliners want a president who is closer want to retake the control by weakening Rouhani. hold. The source of the leak has yet to be identified. “I am struggling to their camp and gets his directions from An election victory next year will cement hardliners’ to pay my rent and look at the salaries these people get. They only as necessary. Khamenei’s allies,” a reformist former official said, grip in power,” said a Rouhani ally. “Rouhani was care about people when our votes are needed,” said government speaking on condition of anonymity like other elected to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue.” In recent employee Reza, 32, who said he voted for Rouhani. — Reuters TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SPORTS

Golfer Villegas China to send 416 Pyeongchang unveils out of Olympics athletes to Rio two 2018 mascots

TROON: Camilo Villegas of Colombia pulled out of the Olympics yesterday SHANGHAI: China will send 416 athletes to Rio de Janeiro SEOUL: A white tiger named ‘Soohorang’ and an Asian black bear called because he is trying to keep his job on the PGA Tour. Villegas had indicated for next month, its largest overseas delegation in Olympic his- ‘Bandabi’ were unveiled yesterday as the two mascots for the 2018 Winter the last two weeks that he wanted to be in Rio for golf’s return to the Olympics for tory, continuing its pursuit of medals that saw it take sec- Olympics and Paralympics in Pyeongchang. “Soohorang and Bandabi will be the first time since 1904. While he considered the Zika virus - Villegas and his wife ond spot in the table behind the United States four years your good friends and promote the Pyeongchang Olympic Games to the are trying to start a family - his main concern was work. Having pulled out of the ago. The country will send 256 women and 160 men to whole world,” Lee hee-beom, president of the Games Barbasol Championship last week with a thumb injury, he is No. 146 in the FedEx compete in 26 sports, the government said during a cere- organising committee, told students during a Cup standings. Only the top 125 advance to the playoffs and keep full cards for mony unveiling the team in Beijing yesterday, state news ceremony at Hoeng Gye elementary school in the following season, and Villegas has only four tournaments left. He agency Xinhua reported. It fielded 396 athletes in the Pyeongchang. Soohorang’s name is derived is playing the RBC Canadian Open this week. “This is an incredibly London 2012 games. “This is the largest ever Olympic dele- from the Korean words for ‘protection’ (Sooho) difficult decision for me, but ultimately I have to do what’s gation China has sent overseas,” Cai Zhenhua, deputy direc- and ‘tiger’ (ho-rang-i). The white tiger is con- best for my career,” Villegas said. He is the 21st male golfer tor of China’s General Administration of Sport, was report- sidered a sacred guardian animal in South to withdraw from the Olympics, and he joins Brendon de ed by Xinhua as saying. He added that the delegation has Korea, with some locals considering the Jonge of Zimbabwe in citing his job security for pulling 711 members including 29 foreign coaches. Local fans were Korean peninsula to be tiger-shaped. The out. “Right now, I have not secured my PGA Tour card for next assured by the inclusion of popular Chinese swimmer Ning 1988 Seoul Olympics also featured a tiger season and I have several opportunities to improve my FedEx mascot. Paralympic Games mascot Cup standing, one of which overlaps with the Olympics,” he Zetao, the recent subject of rumours that he had been cut from the squad for taking on too many commercial “Bandabi” represents courage and strong said. “I have waited until the last minute to withdraw as I have willpower, organisers said. The Pyeongchang engagements. He is first Asian swimmer to win the 100 been working hard to secure my playing privileges so I can con- 2018 Olympic Winter Games will be held from metres freestyle at the world championships. —Reuters tinue to represent Colombia on the PGA Tour.”—AP Feb. 9-25. — Reuters

Kuwait defeat Malaysia 4-1 in Davis Cup

By Abdellatif Sharaa next day. On Sunday night, Kuwait’s Sulaiteen 6-2, 7-6 (8), though Al-Sulaiteen was made ready by the Public Authority for tee Abbas Al-Busairi and workers at KTF and Abdelrahman Al-Awadhi defeated gave strong showing, ending the round Sports in a record time. Yarmouk sports club. Al-Otaibi said chair- KUWAIT: Kuwait defeated Malaysia in four Malaysia’s Mohamamd bin Zain Al- with Kuwait winning 4-1. With this win Tournament Director Faleh Al-Otaibi man and board members will hold a special matches to one during the Davis Cup com- Aabideen by the score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, in the Kuwait remains in the second international thanked PAS for its obvious and major sup- ceremony to mark Kuwait’s win and ITF’s petition that was held in Kuwait over the match Al-Awadhi displayed his skills and group, while Malaysia drops to the third port of KTF activities, and pointed to its honoring of Kuwait’s tennis player past three days. marked his first win for Kuwait in the Davis group. The tournament was held under the efforts in making this event a success. Mohammad Al-Ghareeb who has been rep- Kuwait won the two singles matches on Cup competition. Kuwaiti flag under the supervision of the Al-Otaibi lauded the spirit of the players resenting Kuwait over the past 20 years. the first day, then ensured their win of this The final match saw Malaysia’s Hao Ching International Tennis Federation (ITF), at the and their outstanding efforts. He also Faleh Al-Otaibi thanked the players, round when it won the doubles match the Kuwai defeating Kuwait’s Hamid Al- main court of Yarmouk sports club, which thanked chairman of the technical commit- coaches and team captain Adel Al-Shatti. Cal’s Australia game is new move to take football Down Under

LOS ANGELES: California coach Sonny lege games. Dykes has prepared for the travel chal- It is a far cry from how Porebski dis- lenges associated with a season-open- covered football. ing game in Sydney. “The first time I actually watched Dykes has spoken with NFL coaches American football it was on at like 2 who have taken their teams to London, o’clock in the morning on some weird prepared onboard exercises for players channel,” Porebski said. “It definitely and consulted Nike for compression has grown, though. Even had a few apparel they can wear during the flight mates who had Super Bowl parties when the Golden Bears depart the Bay over there. It is taking off, and I think in Area on Aug 20 and arrive down under four or five years, it will be really big.” on Aug 22. Porebski grew up playing Australian But for a real understanding of how rules football starting from 5 years old, taxing travel to and from Australia can but had to give it up due to shoulder be, Dykes could have just asked injuries. He then started working with Oregon State punter Nick Porebski. Prokick Australia, a program that has “When I first did it, I was jet-lagged for helped the winners of the last three Hassan Kameel about two days,” the Melbourne-born Ray Guy Awards as the top punter in Porebski said at Pac-12 media days. “It college football transition to the American game. “The rugby-style punt, that’s pretty much an Aussie-rules kick,” Porebski said. “The thing that we have to learn is the spiral with two steps and kick.” The Beavers found Porebski when he was at a junior college in Utah, but have since sent an assistant coach to Australia to recruit. “And it’s not just kickers,” Oregon State coach Gary Andersen said. Helyolido team “There’s some very talented young men over there. And there are some quality people over there that are help- Helyolido crowned champions ing these kids get better.” Stanford coach David Shaw has wel- CAIRO: Helyolido team was crowned champions of Shams and Nasr during the semifinals, as they Coach Hassan Kameel said there were 14 teams comed Australian coaches to observe Sonny Dykes arrives Cairo handball tournament in the juniors category defeated Al-Shams, which ended in second place divided into two groups and we reached the semi- practice. He believes the Pac-12 could after a draw with Al-Ahly. Helyolido defeated Al- by 16-14. Meanwhile Al-Ahly ended in third place. finals and were able to win the tournament. is a tough flight. You’re sitting there for play a major role in continuing foot- a long time. Your legs are going to get ball’s upward trajectory there. heavy.” “There are opportunities for other Porebski is one of a growing num- Pac-12 schools possibly,” Shaw said. ber of Australians to find success play- “We’ve heard a lot about how excited Russian skating star denies doping ing what his countrymen call American they are about this game and if we can football, fueling growth in the sport help that in some way, shape or form MOSCOW: Evgeni Plushenko, Russia’s two- Olympics next month and other interna- house of Russian parliament’s sports and back home. by our conference investing in a game time Olympic figure skating champion, tional sport after an investigation found the physical culture committee, said the investi- A Cal spokesman said approximate- like this, you never know where it angrily distanced himself from a damning FSB secret service helped a “state-dictated gation by Canadian law professor Richard ly 70,000 tickets have been sold for the could lead.” report yesterday that revealed rampant failsafe system” carried out by the Moscow McLaren for WADA was just more “uncon- Aug. 27 game against Hawaii at the Cal offensive tackle Steven Moore is Russian state-run doping at the 2014 Sochi sports ministry. firmed fantasy”. 83,500-capacity ANZ Stadium, the first thrilled for the chance to play outside Winter Games and other events. The 33-year-old Plushenko, who has “We’ve already heard all of that and noth- college football game to be played in the US, as he and the other Bears big “I, Evgeni Plushenko, declare that I’ve competed at four Olympics, accused Russia’s ing new has been said,” Svishchev told Australia since BYU defeated Colorado men could benefit from the lengthy never used any kind of doping, I’ve always rivals of attempting to besmirch the coun- Match! TV channel. He accused Grigory State in 1987. nature of the trip. Since Dykes puts the competed fairly,” TASS state news agency try, after its track and field team was already Rodchenkov, the former Moscow doping The eight-team professional starting offensive and defensive line- quoted him as saying. barred from Rio. laboratory director whose allegations National Gridiron League will begin men up front on team charter flights, “At Sochi I gave samples for testing twice “The Games in Sochi were the best in his- prompted the McLaren probe, of lying. “He’s playing its inaugural season in the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Moore is and there always was a man next to me who tory and everybody knows that,” he said. “I a person that cannot ever be trusted. He October. Rugby star Jarryd Hayne’s already thinking about a lie-flat seat in kept the procedure under control. And can say it with pride. “I suppose the coun- said one thing in Russia and completely dif- stint with the San Francisco 49ers last first class. “That would be cool,” Moore there has never been any additional medical tries competing with Russia, who launched ferent in the United States. “No one should season resulted in increased media said. “I definitely don’t want to be sit- interference, whatever anyone says.” this campaign, are just nursing a grievance believe him. Now we have just plenty of his interest, while ESPN’s Australia net- ting in a little chair all the way to The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and are burning with envy because of that.” fantasies and insinuations, but none of works regularly broadcast NFL and col- Australia.” —AP called for Russia to be banned from the Rio Dmitry Svishchev, who heads the lower them were backed up by facts.” —AFP TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SPORTS

Nadia still turning heads 40 years on from perfect 10

LONDON: She was once the ponytailed like I’ve been celebrating the anniver- I look around, I turned my head and saw Scoring that first 10 became such a lowed, Comaneci admitted memories of Romanian teenager excited at the sary the entire year. Everyone I meet this the scoreboard. I first saw the 073 which traffic-stopping moment people seem pre-Montreal can be a little blurry at thought of owning coloured socks and year wants to talk about it.” was my competition number and 1.00 to forget that Comaneci went on to col- times. While she needs to “go and eating bubble gum yet Nadia Comaneci Those celebrations are set to contin- score which was under. “I looked at one lect three gold medals in Montreal, Google to see where I went” on her first went on to captivate the world by per- ue for the next few weeks as Comaneci of my team mates and she shrugged her including the all around title, and two trip outside Romania, what she does forming an Olympic feat that continues heads to Montreal on July 21 where her shoulders, indicating that something more top prizes in Moscow four years remember is the things that used to to stir the emotions four decades later. 10-year-old son Dylan will get his first was wrong with the scoreboard. It all later. light up her eyes. “The fascinating thing The ponytail is long gone, the child- chance to see the Olympic Stadium happened so fast.” Born in 1961 in the factory town of for us to bring home to Romania was hood cravings have been replaced by “where his mom’s name is engraved”. Onesti to a car mechanic named bubble gum, coloured socks and more sophisticated tastes, but no mat- Then it will be on to Rio for the Aug. WHITE SOCKS Gheorghe and his wife Stefania, coloured hair clips. These were things ter where she goes Comaneci cannot 5-21 Games. The anniversary will be With officials not expecting any gym- Comaneci still has to pinch herself when we didn’t have in Romania at the time,” escape the memories of what happened spent together as a family with Dylan nast to attain perfection, the electronic she thinks how her life is now dictated said Comaneci. “We only had white on July 18 1976 in Montreal. and her husband-fellow Olympic cham- scoreboard installed in Montreal lacked by something she did “as a 14-year-old socks in Romania. But when I used to The day she became the first gym- pion Bart Conner- and Comaneci’s mem- the space needed to accommodate all child”. “Nellie (Kim) got a 10 a little after come back from the States, I used to nast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympic ory of the occasion remains razor sharp four figures to illustrate the perfect me but nobody talks about it. If fate had bring back pink and yellow socks with Games. “Every time there is a zero in the despite the passage of 14,610 days. “I mark. That epic fail by technology did wanted it, it would have been someone all kind of designs, and hair clips and anniversary, it’s kind of bigger. There remember when I started to do the com- little to tarnish Comaneci’s memory of else making history. I was just a little bit elastic bands for the ponytail that had was 10, then 20, then 30 and now 40, it pulsory (routine on the uneven bars), I the feat. “The fact that the scoreboard quicker!” she quipped. colourful designs. seems like a lot of numbers. It’s like half thought I did a pretty good routine but I could not show the 10 added to the dra- “At that time I didn’t understand the “We used to exchange leotards with of your life is gone,” Comaneci told didn’t think I did my perfect routine,” ma, it made it bigger,” she said breaking impact it made as I wasn’t competing to gymnasts from other countries. I don’t Reuters in a telephone interview while said the 54-year-old, who now resides in down in laughter. “Scoring the first 10 in make history, I was competing to win remember who I got my most prized on a short holiday in California with her Oklahoma. “I know I didn’t watch the history was a big deal but the fact that medals. “It’s very special that it will be leotard from but it was one with a lot of family. “But to realise that it’s 40 years scoreboard as I was already thinking even an electronic scoreboard could not there for eternity.” stars on it.” Chances are whoever got since it happened, it’s like ‘oh my gosh, about the balance beam after I finished. figure out how to put out a score, it There is so much focus on what hap- Comaneci’s leotard has not forgotten its really?’ “Because it’s the 40th year, I feel “Then I heard the big noise in the arena, made the story more historic.” pened in 1976 and the years that fol- original owner. — Reuters

Asian and European Tour announce ‘strategic alliance’

SINGAPORE: The Asian Tour and the we are delighted to announce this European Tour announced a “strategic ‘Strategic Alliance’,” Keith Pelley, chief exec- alliance” yesterday that could pave the way utive of the European Tour said. for more co-sanctioned golf tournaments “We have enjoyed a very strong and being held in Asia. The alliance follows a prosperous relationship with the Asian Tour period of negotiations, which began last over the past 17 years, and this formalises August, between the two circuits who will that partnership, representing an exciting now both be invested in expanding playing new era in our association.” opportunities in Asia and the rest of the The Malaysian Open in 1999 was the globe. The two tours will have a new joint first co-sanctioned tour between the two organisations, which have since conducted 95 such tournaments. Talks on the expected union appeared to be in trouble in December when Asian Tour Chief Executive Mike Kerr resigned for unspecified reasons following player con- cerns about limited opportunities on the combined circuit. Last year’s Asian Tour featured only 12 stand-alone events with many more co- sanctioned with larger circuits such as the European, U.S. PGA and Japan Tours who all boast fuller schedules and bigger prize money. “This is a very positive step forward in our desire to further grow professional Keith Pelley golf in Asia and around the world,” Kyi Hla Han, commissioner of the Asian Tour said. office in Singapore but will retain their own “We are also confident a greater collabora- separate identity in terms of brand and tion between the Asian Tour and European TROON: Phil Mickelson of the United States, left congratulates Henrik Stenson of Sweden for winning the British Open Golf Championships at logo, and will be managed by their own Tour will deliver a stronger product to our the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Sunday. — AP individual boards, both organisations said partners and appeal to new sponsors to get in a statement. involved with the game. “Following successful discussions over “The future looks very exciting for the the past year to develop our joint vision, Asian Tour and European Tour.” —Reuters Stenson, Mickelson forever Thai badminton linked after epic Open duel TROON: They walked off the 18th green togeth- putt bogeys and a 5-foot birdie attempt that slid Swede again up by a shot after rolling in an 18- star Ratchanok er, arms wrapped around each other, forever by the cup at 17, Stenson became only the sec- foot birdie the previous hole. linked by one of golf’s greatest duels. ond player to close with a 63 in the final round Mickelson had the edge, putting his Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson. No losers of a major. Johnny Miller did it first in 1973, rally- approach on the green, about 30 feet from the cleared of doping here, but only one winner. Stenson claimed the ing from six shots down to capture the U.S. Open flag. Stenson’s second shot rolled off the right claret jug, a major champion for the first time at by a single stroke. side of the green, leaving him with a 50-foot age 40. All it took was 10 birdies and a magnifi- This one was more like the 39-year-old show- putt up the ridge. Thai Badminton star Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the BANGKOK: cent 8-under 63 in the closing round of the down between Watson and Nicklaus at another Stenson made his. Mickelson didn’t. That was Ratchanok Intanon broke down in tears Badminton Association of Thailand, said British Open. course in the British Open rotation, the one 25 the decisive blow. “We both played some great and spoke of her relief yesterday after doctors had been treating Ratchanok for Right on his heels, almost to the very end, miles down the Scottish coastline. Watson’s 65 golf,” Stenson said. “It makes it even more special being cleared of doping, ending fears her pain in her right hand and back. “We said it was Mickelson. Lefty shot a bogey-free 65, good was just enough for a one-stroke victory against to beat a competitor like Phil. He’s been one of Olympic dreams had been scuppered. The was used honestly to cure her injuries,” she enough to win on just about any Sunday but this Nicklaus’ 66, with the next-closest player another the best to play the game, certainly in the last 20 21-year-old shuttler, who is beloved in told reporters. The 21-year-old star has one, another runner-up finish in a major provid- 10 shots back. On Sunday, J.B. Holmes finished years.” Now it’s on to the PGA Championship in Thailand and remains the kingdom’s best charmed the Thai public-who affectionate- ing little consolation. third, 11 shots behind the runner-up. less than two weeks, the schedule compressed chance for a medal in Rio, tested positive ly call her Nong May-with her girl-next- “I’m happy for Henrik,” said Mickelson, who because of the Olympics. For Mickelson, it’s a for a banned substance in May after a tour- door demeanour despite the fame and finished three shots behind Stenson’s record chance to get over the sting of such a bitter nament in China. riches of sporting success. DECISIVE BLOW score for a major championship. “I knew that he “I thought we played great and had a won- defeat. He won the PGA the last time it was But the Badminton World Federation In 2013 she became the youngest ever would ultimately come through and win. I’m dis- derful match,” Nicklaus wrote on his Facebook played at Baltustol in 2005. (BWF) Monday cleared her after ruling that world champion. She was briefly ranked appointed that it was at my expense.” page, remembering Turnberry. “Our final round For Stenson, it’s a chance to quickly add the substance had been administered to number 1 after winning Singapore Open in This was a shot-for-shot showdown that mir- was really good, but theirs was even better. another major to the one he waited so long to treat a tendon injury and was allowed. April but has since slipped to fourth. A rored Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at What a great match.” get. “We’re only getting started, aren’t we?” he “I was confident in my innocence and I medal favourite in Rio, she will carry the Turnberry in 1977, the famed “Duel in the Sun.” Stenson began the day with a one-stroke said, a newfound confidence in his voice. “You am glad that I received justice. I will prac- Olympic hopes of a country with few top- Maybe it was a sign when the sun popped lead. Neither player could push the margin any never know once you open the floodgates what tise and hope to bring a medal back for class athletes. out from behind the clouds for the first time in higher than that until they got to the 15th, the might happen.” —AP Thais,” she told reporters at a press confer- She has caught the imagination of Thais three days at Royal Troon just as Stenson and ence in Bangkok. as much for her rags to riches back story as Mickelson walked to the first tee. “The Olympics is my dream,” she added, on-court heroics. “I knew he wasn’t going to back down at any before bursting into tears. Rumours of the Her parents are migrants to Bangkok point,” said Stenson, whose 20-under 264 beat positive test result first surfaced in the Thai from the country’s poor northeast who Troon duel an example to the scoring mark of 265 that David Toms set at media last week, leaving fans on tenter- worked in menial jobs at a badminton cen- the 2001 PGA Championship and was three hooks. tre on the outskirts of the city. While they shots better than anyone had ever shot in the rest of sport: Jacklin In a statement published Monday, the worked, Ratchanok played badminton Open. “I knew I had to keep on pushing, keep on BWF said Ratchanok tested positive for tri- unlocking her talent at the age of six. giving myself birdie chances.” amcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid In a recent interview with AFP in TROON: Tony Jacklin won two majors and is Scotland, high-fiving and fist-pumping fans as For Mickelson, there was no second-guessing which is banned in most circumstances. Bangkok she said she was “100 percent Europe’s most decorated Ryder Cup captain they made their way from one hole to the the way he played. This wasn’t another Winged However if administered directly into a confident” of bringing home a medal from but he says he has never seen anything like next. Foot, where his silly decision to go with a driver muscle tendon for medical reasons it is the Rio Olympics. Fans congratulated the battle royal between Henrik Stenson and “It was wonderful sportsmanship from off the tee at the 72nd hole cost him the U.S. allowed under the BWF’s rules. Ratchanok on her Instagram account Phil Mickelson at the 145th British Open. both of them and Phil was gracious in defeat Open in 2007. But it was still a runner-up finish “The panel concluded that because the where she had recently posted a picture of Stenson and Mickelson traded birdie blow at the end,” said Jacklin. “I was sorry for Phil in a major, the 11th of his career, his extensive route of administration of the substance in the stars with the cryptic caption “I’m fad- after birdie blow in a remarkable final-round but delighted for Henrik because he’s waited a list of close calls surpassed only by Nicklaus’ 19. the medical treatment process was intra- ed” as the doping rumours swirled