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THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com emergency number 112

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 / SHAWWAL 12, 1438 AH

NO. 16510

44 PAGES

150 FILS

RUSSIA, FRANCE, EU SUPPORT KUWAITI MEDIATION ❑ TRUMP CALLS SISI ... VIEWS IN LINE ❑ ONLY COUNCIL TO DECIDE DOHA SUSPENSION FROM GCC

Four term Qatar response negative Boycott to remain CAIRO, July 5, (Agencies): Arab states that have cut ties with Qatar vowed Wednesday to maintain their boycott of the emirate, criticising its “negative” response to their list of demands to end the diplomatic crisis. Qatar appealed for “dialogue” to resolve the row while US President Donald Trump spoke to Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi from aboard Air Force One to urge all parties “to negotiate constructively”.

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini

Newswatch KUWAIT CITY: Authorities say unexploded bombs from what was known as the “Highway of Death” in the 1991 Gulf War have been uncovered in Kuwait. Kuwait’s Public Authority of Housing Welfare said Wednesday a military bomb squad would defuse the ordinance found along Kuwait’s Highway 80, which connects Kuwait City to the Iraqi border. Construction crews working on a $950 million housing project in the area found the bombs. The state-run Kuwait News Agency said “finding explosives on the site is not surprising” and contractors had been warned they could be there. The “Highway of Death” got its name when US-led coalition aircraft bombed a convoy of fleeing Iraqi forces, killing hundreds and leaving behind hundreds of burnedout vehicles. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah sent a cable of condolences to President Xi Jinping of China on Wednesday over the victims of severe floods in two Chinese regions. His cable came after some 47 people were killed and another 22 went missing as floods are wreaking havoc in China’s central Hunan Province and the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. His Highness the Amir hoped that those killed in the floods may rest in peace, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He also expressed hope that local officials may be able to cope with the repercussions of this natural disaster. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah both sent similar cables. (KUNA) Continued on Page 9

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The foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, meeting in Cairo, “regret the negative response from Qatar,” they said in a statement. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Qatar’s response to the bloc’s conditions had “no substance” and “reflects a lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation”. The talks in Cairo came a month after the four countries severed ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting extremism. “The boycott will remain,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel alJubeir said at the same news conference in the Egyptian capital The four Arab states stopped short of announcing new sanctions but Jubeir said they would “take steps at the appropriate time”. The demands include Doha ending support for the Muslim Brotherhood and closing broadcaster Al-Jazeera. Saudi Arabia and its allies have not said what steps they could take next, but there are fears of a wider embargo that would hurt the Qatari economy, with credit ratings agency Moody’s announcing it was changing Qatar’s outlook to negative over the crisis. The countries issued the 13-point list of demands on June 22, giving Qatar 10 days to respond. The deadline was extended by 48 hours on Sunday at the request of Kuwait, which is mediating in the crisis, and Qatar handed in the response on Monday. The contents of the response have not been disclosed, but Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said Tuesday that the list of demands “is unrealistic and is not actionable”. Qatar has denied any support for extremism and accused the countries of seeking to infringe on its sovereignty. The other demands include Qatar downgrading ties with Iran — Saudi Arabia’s regional arch-rival — and shutting down a Turkish military base in the emirate. Qatar has said repeatedly it is ready for talks on the crisis, and Sheikh Mohammed reiterated that on Wednesday. “We welcome any serious efforts to resolve our differences with our neighbours,” he told the Chatham House thinktank in London. He accused Saudi Arabia and its regional allies of “demanding that we must surrender our sovereignty as the price for ending the siege”. Riyadh and its supporters have severed air, sea and ground links with Qatar, cutting off vital routes for imports including food. Continued on Page 9

KUNA photo

HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with the German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. (KUNA)

Amir receives German FM His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace Wednesday German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and the accompanying delegation. Present during the meeting were His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime

Other Voices

Why Indians are refusing to be more angelic than the angel! close to the current US administration to seek a relationship with Israel. Despite the current US President Donald Trump is described by many Americans as “reckless”, Israel seems to have its Al-Baghli way in every corridor of Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America. In my humble opinion, I will not go with Arabs in blaming the new friends of Israel and their warm relations for ignoring the welfare and demands of Arabs, which Israel usurps, and its adamancy to such demands. Instead, all the blame is on we Arabs — as countries and individuals — living in an unprecedented grim era where the majority or

more Arab countries, including some of our brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (without mentioning names) have brought down barriers and walls between them and the Hebrew nation. These countries are led to deal with Israel publicly and even wooed politically to prove that barriers and walls between them and Israel have been brought down. If Arabs — cousins of the victims of Israeli aggression, have managed to bring down barriers, walls and reservations on their relationship with Israel; why should we blame non-Arabs for doing the same? It seems we are asking them to be more angelic than the angel, which is unacceptable in the world of political interests. This is something we need to comprehend and live with!

Iraqi forces battle in Mosul

Turkish Airways off US ‘laptop ban’ list

street near the house where the officer spoke. Decaying corpses gave off a stench of death that permeated some streets, and a pool of half-dried blood spread out from the door of one house. Streets were strewn with clothing and other objects left by civilians who were fleeing the fighting. “The enemy is not a regular army,” said Brigadier General Nabil al-Fatlawi, a CTS commander. “It’s a street to street battle,” said Fatlawi, who expects the battle to be over in “a few days”. Despite the ongoing fighting, Prime Minister Haider alAbadi congratulated Iraq’s people, security forces and the Shiite religious leadership “on the achievement of this major victory in Mosul” in remarks broadcast Tuesday night. But automatic weapons fire and explosions on Wednesday made clear that the final stage of the battle for the city was not yet over. Iraqi forces launched the operation to retake Mosul on Oct 17, advancing to the city, recapturing its eastern side and then setting their sights on its smaller but more densely populated west. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces — an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters — have been battling IS in Syria, and made gains Wednesday in their drive to retake Raqa from the jihadists.

meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping that the two would work together to curb North Korea’s nuclear program. Moments before he departed for Poland, Trump chastised China on Twitter. “Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter,” the president tweeted. “So much for China working with us — but we had to give it a try!” In his initial response to the launch on Monday evening, Trump urged China on Twitter to “put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!” But he also said it was “hard to believe” that South Korea and Japan,

DUBAI, UAE, July 5, (AP): Emirates and Turkish Airways said on Wednesday they have also been exempted from a US ban on laptops in airplane cabins, joining Etihad in satisfying American security concerns that had cut into the long-haul carriers’ business. It remains unclear how the airlines addressed fears that the Islamic State or other militant groups might smuggle explosives in electronic devices. But in Turkey, authorities now use CT scanners to take cross-section images of passengers’ electronics just before they board airplanes heading to the US. Both airlines alerted the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees airplane safety in the United States, that “they are ready to comply with the enhanced security measures,” said David Lapan, a Homeland Security spokesman in Washington. He declined to discuss specifics. “Protecting the American people and raising the global baseline on aviation security remains the top priority,” Lapan said. “We will continue to closely observe operations in these airports to ensure these enhanced measures are implemented effectively and to the required levels.” Emirates’ hub at Dubai International Airport has grown into the world’s busiest for international traffic, in large part thanks to Emirates’ expansion. On Wednesday, Emirates said in a statement that it had worked to “implement heightened security measures and protocols” to satisfy American requirements. It did not elaborate, following a similar precedent set by Abu Dhabibased Etihad, which American officials cleared on Sunday. “We would like to express our gratitude to the US and local authorities for their support and thank our customers for their understanding and patience during the last few months when the ban was in place,” Emirates said. In Istanbul, Turkish Airlines tweeted that passengers aboard its US-bound

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By Ali Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil

ARABS and Indians have a strong historic, economic, social and political ties dating back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. The relationship became stronger in the middle of the last century when late Arab leader Jamal Abdul-Nasser with his Indian counterpart Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders in 1961 formed the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to distinguish their group of countries from the West and socialist bloc in the East in the wake of the Cold War. India has contributed to the greater good of Arab issues in the international arena, and its position on the “eternal” Palestinian issue is to help restore the right of Palestinians to return to their homeland by facing up to Israeli blustering stubbornness, hostility and oc-

cupation of lands in the West Bank, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, etc. This week, we were surprised by the Indian Prime Minister — who is known for his warm hug and handshake — after he announced his decision to make an official trip to Israel to discuss with the officials mutual trade, scientific and political affairs. So far, the issue may seem acceptable but we’re overwhelmed by the announcement that he’ll not visit Ramallah in the West Bank — the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority — like most of the world leaders visiting Israel do to show their political balance between Israel and the Arabs. Analysts have shown the reason behind the Indian official’s visit to the region, which was limited to Israel and cited the latter’s advancement in nuclear technology. Apparently, it became a norm for anyone who wants to get

MOSUL, Iraq, July 5, (AFP): Iraqi forces battled the last Islamic State group holdouts in Mosul on Wednesday, a day after the country’s premier feted the “major victory” over the jihadists in the northern city. In neighbouring Syria, US-backed forces gained ground after air strikes by the international anti-IS coalition punched holes in the wall of the Old City in Raqa, where they are waging a parallel offensive against the jihadists. “Today, our advance was easier than yesterday,” said Lieutenant Colonel Haider Hussein, a commander in Iraq’s elite Counter-Terrorism Service. “We took control of more than 200 metres (yards) today and there are less than 200 metres remaining toward the Tigris River,” Hussein said, referring to the waterway marking the eastern edge of remaining IS-held territory in the city. More than eight months since the start of the operation, IS has gone from fully controlling Mosul to holding a limited area in the Old City on its western side. But Iraqi troops in Mosul have faced tough fighting and a spike in suicide bombings in recent days, commanders have said. The jihadists “are using a new strategy in which they wait inside houses and when the soldiers enter the houses they fire bullets or blow themselves up,” Hussein said. The body of a woman said to have been suicide bomber shot before she could blow herself earlier in the day lay in the

Nukes, missiles not negotiable

See Page 35

▼ Dow -1.39 pts at 21:50 July 5 See Page 36

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Kim takes hard line

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Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad AlSabah, Deputy Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, in addition to Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. (KUNA)

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a US MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile is fired during the combined military exercise between the US and South Korea against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea on July 5. (AP)

WASHINGTON, July 5, (AP): President Donald Trump expressed frustration with China on Wednesday for failing to do more to cut off support to North Korea and exert pressure to curb its nuclear pursuits. North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile test this week demonstrated a dangerous new reach for weapons it hopes to top with nuclear warheads one day. The launch is spurring US demands for global action to counter the threat. Since he entered the White House, Trump has talked about confronting Pyongyang and pushing China to increase pressure on the North, but neither strategy has produced fast results. Trump had expressed optimism after his first

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ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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KUNA photos

His Highness the Amir with HH the Crown Prince, Speaker Al-Ghanim (center), and HH the Prime Minister.

His Highness the Amir receives senior state officials His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace on Wednesday.

He also later received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. (KUNA)

KUNA photos

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received early Wednesday at Bayan Palace the Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim (left), and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (center). His Highness the Crown Prince also received Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (right), as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah (below). (KUNA)

Kuwait lauds UNESCO decision on protecting Jerusalem’s sovereignty Arab League welcomes organization’s resolution The Kuwaiti official indicated that Israel was an occupying force that had no rightful claims over Jerusalem. The decision also condemned Israeli continuous violations in Jerusalem, a city considered under occupation since 1967. UNESCO’s World Heritage Council passed the resolution submitted by the council’s Arab states during its meeting in #Poland on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Arab League Wednesday extolled a recent resolution by the In a statement to KUNA, Kuwaiti delegate to the organization Dr. Meshal Hayat said that the approval of the Arab draft resolution was a United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization’s World Heritage moment of triumph for the Palestinian cause. Council, which denies Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem. “The resolution backs the historical fact and reflects the world stance that rejects the Israeli policy, and denies Jerusalem as capital of the occupying power,” the League’s Assistant Secretary-General for Palestinian and Arab Affairs Said Abu Ali said in a press statement. The fresh decision capped the fruitful efforts of Palestinian diplomacy in coordination and collaboration with the Arab Group, primarily Jordan, he said, insisting that Jerusalem would remain a Palestinian, Arab and Islamic capital regardless of Israel’s daily systematic aggressions. In this context, Abu Ali reaffirmed the Cairo-based Arab bloc’s relentless and unshakable position based on heavily backing the Palestinian cause. The Jordanian-sponsored resolution in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization’s World Heritage Council denounced Israeli activity in the Old City of Jerusalem, and called Israel “the occupying power” in Jerusalem. It reiterated previous UN resolutions denying Israeli claims to East Jerusalem. Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem has never been recognized KUNA photo by the international community. Travellers at the Kuwait International Airport. Ten countries voted in favor of the text, which was significantly softer than previous resolutions. Only three 427,000 travellers use airport since onset of summer vacation, Eid member states: Jamaica, the Philippines and Burkina Faso opposed the ing of passengers which contributed The total number of travelers through arrivals reached 152,000. resolution, while eight abstained. Kuwait Airport faced a significant to the success of the flow of the Kuwait International Airport since the The resolution slammed “the failbeginning of the summer vacation increase in the movement of aircraft movement easily despite the overure of the Israeli occupying authoriand Eid Al-Fitr holiday have reached and numbers of passengers during crowding witnessed by the airport. ties to cease the persistent excava427,000, Directorate General of Civil Eid holiday with the highest degree The DGCA also praised efforts of tions, tunneling, works, projects and Aviation (DGCA) said Wednesday. of responsibility and cooperation young volunteers who participated other illegal practices in East JeruIn statement to KUNA, DGCA said from men of the Ministry of the Inte- for the first time in organizing the salem, particularly in and around the the number of departures from June rior and the General Administration movement of the airport in cooperaOld City of Jerusalem, which are il22 to first of July reached around of Customs. They also pointed out tion with Ministry of State for Youth 275,000 thousand, while number of to the cooperation and understand- Affairs. (KUNA) legal under international law.”

PARIS, July 5, (KUNA): A Kuwaiti official lauded Wednesday the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) approval of an Arab-backed resolution rejecting Israeli claims of sovereignty over Jerusalem.

‘Ban on working outside during noon still in effect’

Time to comply with e-media law to run out July 25: official KUWAIT CITY, July 5, (KUNA): The legal time allotted to adhere to Kuwait’s electronic media (e-media) law will run out on July 25, an official said on Wednesday. Speaking to the press, Mohammad Al-Awash, the Ministry of Information’s (MoI) official spokesman and Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Knowledge Development, said that all media outlets encompassed by the e-media law are required to be in compliance with the law. He pointed out that those seeking permits should do so before the legal time was over. The MoI has enacted an e-media law in efforts to regulate print and online media. Meanwhile, the decision to ban laborers from working in exposed areas during noon hours is still enforced, said Deputy Director Manager of Kuwait Public Authority of Manpower Abdullah Al-Mutotah on Wednesday. He noted the decision, carried out since July first, was implemented to prevent workers from carrying out tasks under the scorching heat of the sun. Regarding the authority’s efforts to enforce the decision, Al-Mutotah said that some 56 sites, with 132 laborers,

have violated the accord, adding that only 35 sites, with 83 laborers, have abided by the decision. ❑

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The poet Sheikh Duaij Al-Khalifa and his media advisor, poet Fahad AlKhalawi, will Thursday leave for Alexandria, Egypt to attend the annual ceremony of the Educational Trainers League, reports Al-Anba daily. The African National Council for Human Rights will honor them with the title of “Goodwill Ambassador”. During the ceremony which will be held in Victoria College in Alexandria, the American University for Professional Studies will grant Al-Duaij with honorary doctorate in the presence of Head of Educational Trainers League Dr Essa Al-Shammari and a number of ambassadors, dignitaries and media professionals. It is worth mentioning that the title of Goodwill and Peace Ambassador will be given to several Arab personalities including Sheikh Duaij, Fahad Al-Khalawi and Al-Khalifa. In addition, 14 personalities will be granted honorary doctorate and 21 others will be offered honorary membership in the league.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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Closing ceremony honors winners of best projects from scientific depts

32nd Engineering Design Exhibition concludes KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Engineering Design Exhibition recently concluded its 32nd edition under the auspices of Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting State Minister for Youth Affairs Khalid Al-Roudhan. According to a press release, the event was organized by the Center for Engineering Training and Alumni at the College of Engineering and Petroleum in Kuwait University on July 3-4 inside Al-Baraka Hall of Crowne Plaza Hotel. The closing ceremony was held to honor winners of the best projects from scientific departments of the college. It was supervised by the Director of Engineering Training and Alumni Dr Bader Al-Busairi. Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences donated the prizes. Dignitaries that attended the event included Dean of the College of Engineering and Petroleum Professor Abdullatif Al-Khulaifi, Director of Scientific Culture at Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science Dr Salam Al-Ablani, Director of Motivation and Science and Technological Contributions at Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences Engineer Manar Al-Rashed, and several academic staff members of the college. Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences donated a sum of money to offer as prizes for the winning projects from each of the scientific departments during the exhibition. This was aimed to create a spirit of creativity and competition among students while producing the best academic results. Such an honoring has a positive impact and represent a strong push for them to put in more efforts. In a statement, the Dean of the faculty Professor Al-Khulaifi affirmed that the exhibition plays an important role in exposing the innate talents of the youths and their engineering creativity. He declared that the creativity will manifest in the engineering and scientific framework serving the nation and all citizens. Prof Al-Khulaifi said he was elated by the efforts of the students in improving their works, adding that he hopes they will sustain the same flair for improvement to attain resounding success and accomplishments through continuous creativity, innovation and development. He revealed that 497 male and female students had presented 123 engineering projects during the exhibition. In addition, Director of Engineering Training and Alumni Dr Al-Busairi, in his speech, said he was proud of the college’s academic and administrative staff for creating such an environment that is suitable for encouraging students to seek excellence and creativity. He marveled at the level of attainment of the future engineers, advising them not to deviate from this course because they have a long way to go, stressing that they need determination, resilience, patience and faith to succeed.

Top and above: Some photos from the event.

Kuwait’s efforts to tackle water scarcity showcased Al-Jabri speaks at the 40th Session FAO Conference ROME, July 5, (KUNA): Kuwait Tuesday presented successful efforts in dealing with water security, affirming strong backing to UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) initiative to crystallize a joint regional strategy towards challenges of water scarcity.

Conflicts settled tied to changes to anti-graft body

Speaking at the 40th Session FAO Conference on tackling the water scarcity and improving food security amid climate change, Mohammad Al-Jabri, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, said Kuwait has been suffering from a sharp shortage of water resources. The State of Kuwait has only a resource of water, limited to groundwater, while most of the country’s water needs are met by desalination, he added. He stated that population growth and a rise in standards of living led to an unprecedented rise in water consumption, despite the country’s efforts made over long decades in tackling water scarcity. As a result, the country had to depend on wastewater treatment as an additional source for agricultural purposes, and to reduce pressures on indispensable groundwater, he told the conference. This way has contributed to achieving sustainable water security in the country, he pointed out. Responding to instructions of His Highness the Amir, Kuwait is keen on securing many water resources to meet growing needs for agriculture, he said. He referred to some plants of wastewater treatment, mainly Sulaibiya Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Plant which operates 600,000 cubic meters per day for agricultural purposes. Kuwait is taking part in the conference to share expertise and views, and supporting the initiative launched by FAO in 2013 in collaboration with the Arab League in the Near East and

KUNA photo

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled while receiving Feltman.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister receives UN diplomat First Deputy Prime Minister And Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received Wednesday the UN UnderSecretary-General for Political Affairs Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman. The encounter was held in the presence of

North Africa region, he stressed. Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul Gheit said the future of the Arab region in tightly linked to the problem of water scarcity, referring to a major gap between supply and demand in water and food in the Arab region. Gap He said this gap leads to dire political, economic and security consequences. Abul Gheit told reporters that climate changes, water and agriculture dossiers are main reasons for instability of the region, and will lead to negative impacts on

Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. During the meeting, Ambassador Feltman expressed UN concern over the continuing crisis in the region, and its hope that the issue may be

the future of the regional countries. He reiterated the importance of mobilizing international efforts to tackle challenges to water and food security in the Arab region. For his part, FAO DirectorGeneral Jose Graziano da Silva said the Arab countries should continue to seek innovations to overcome the water scarcity crisis in the face of climate change. He lauded accomplishments made by the region’s countries, mainly the Gulf ones, in desalination, water harvesting, drip irrigation and treating wastewater.

resolved soon. The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister for the First Deputy Prime Minister And Foreign Minister Affairs’ Office Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and other ministry officials. (KUNA)

“It is fundamental to promote ways for agriculture, and food production in general, to use less water, and use it more efficiently,” he said. “Population growth and the impacts of climate change will put more pressure on water availability in the near future. Climate change, in particular, poses very serious risks.” He pointed out that farmers and rural households should be at the center of strategies to tackle water scarcity. He said not only to encourage them to adopt more efficient farming technologies, but also to secure access to drinking water

for poor rural households. This is vital for food security and improved nutrition, he made clear. In the Near East and North Africa region, the per capita renewable water availability is around 600 cubic metres per person per year - only 10 percent of the world average - and drops to just 100 cubic metres in some countries. The FAO conference, which includes over 600 high-level government officials and representatives from 194 countries, will run until July 8. It mainly focuses on issues and policies related to global food security.

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Parliamentary Legislative Committee has settled conflicts and disputes between the government bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations with regards to modifications to the establishment of Anti-Corruption Authority and several laws pertaining to declaration of assets through changing the name of the authority and retaining it under the Minister of Justice, and reducing members of the board of trustees from seven to five, reports AlRai daily. Report prepared by the authority’s special committee mentioned in detail the opinion of the parties involved and made its decision on several amendments and recommendations, among them the addition of a clause that gives both the parliament and the government a shared authority of appointing and dismissing the head of the board of trustee. Other decisions gave parliament the authority to appoint and dismiss the head and deputy of the board of trustee, whereas the role of appointing and dismissing its members lies on the side of the government represented by Cabinet. The legislative committee accomplished the preparation of the law, affirming it remedies negative effects emerging during its first implementation after the formation of the AntiCorruption Public Authority, in terms of inconsistent duties of the authority’s chairperson and head of the board of trustee. The Ministry of Justice decided not to put the authority under the cabinet or parliament, while the authority suggested cancellation of the board of trustees based on the fact that the State Audit Bureau has no such board.

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Some parliamentary panels plan to finish their work during recess MP queries on referral of firms to Capital Markets Prosecution By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Some parliamentary committees, such as the Legislation and Public Funds Protection, intend to complete their work during the parliamentary recess while the other committees’ work will be limited due to difficulty of reaching quorum, says MP

Khalil Al-Saleh. He said the first round of the current legislative term was overshadowed by the oversight aspect due to the series of interpellations, formation of inquiry commissions and parliamentary questions. He expects more focus on the legislative aspect in the next round provided there is no tension between the Parliament and government. In another development, member of the Arab Parliament MP Ali Al-Deqbasi

Some of the participants in the conference.

Union of Private Sector Workers organizes conference

Participants call for equality of workers KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Union of Private Sector Workers organized a conference on the rights of workers of the private sector at the headquarters of Kuwait Trade Union Federation (KTUF) in Maidan Hawally in the presence of Chairman of the union Saoud Al-Hujailan and MP Osama Al-Shaheen. Participants from the private sector called for equality of the workers in the private sector with their counterparts in the public sector. In his address, MP Osama AlShaheen urged the government to cooperate with trade unions for achiev-

ing expansion of privatization in the country. He stressed that the government’s aim to urge citizens to work in the private sector requires cooperation of the “safety valves” represented by the labor unions. Al-Shaheen expressed delight over the formation of Union of Workers in the Private Sector and its official announcement last month, describing the union as a strong addition to the voice of workers. On his part, Chairman of the Union of Private Sector Workers Saoud AlHujailan said strikes by the workers

are available means guaranteed by the law and the treaties signed by the country. He affirmed that strikes do not represent the goal, but if pushed, the union will use all available channels to preserve the workers’ rights. In addition, former minister and former MP Ahmed Al-Mulaifi said work in the private sector is one of the important matters of the country. He stressed that the oil sector was supposed to have the capacity to employ all Kuwaitis who are in search of jobs through petroleum industries.

stressed the importance of joint Arab action to address issues that threaten Arab security. Al-Deqbasi, who is also a member of the Arab Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Political and National Security Committee, revealed on the sidelines of the committee meeting in Cairo that they discussed ways to promote and develop joint Arab action to face threats and other negative phenomena like poverty, disease and hunger. He affirmed the committee deliberated on ways to unify and activate visions which serve Arab interests, hoping the Arab Parliament members will work towards the realization of the dreams of Arabs. He pointed out the current situation in the Arab region is frightening and unstable; hence, the need for everyone to intensify their efforts in overcoming difficulties. He also highlighted the role of Kuwait and its commitment to coordinate with international parliamentary organizations and federations to confront the Zionist entity which manipulates and disregards international resolutions while pushing for the implementation of settlement and ‘Judaization’ policies. Meanwhile, MP Ahmed Al-Fadel has submitted queries to Minister of Commerce and Industry and acting State Minister for Youth Affairs Khalid Al-Rowdan on the referral of some companies to the Capital Markets Prosecution under Article 122. He wants to know the total number of companies referred to the prosecution since the promulgation of Capital Markets Law Number 7/2010 and its amendments till date, reasons for referral and names of these companies. He requested for copies of final court verdicts in this regard, including the number of guilty and not guilty rulings as well as the pending cases. He also inquired about the number of those referred for administrative investigation in 2015, 2016 and 2017, number of those referred to the Disciplinary Board and those sanctioned by the board.

Officials during the signing of the memorandum of understanding.

Kuwait Food Bank inks MoU with KFCCS Kuwait Food Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kuwait Federation of Consumer Cooperative Societies (KFCCS) to distribute food bank’s charity coupons at 300 shopping outlets in various locations across the country.

The agreement was signed at the headquarters of Kuwait Food Bank between Deputy Director of the food bank Meshal Al-Ansari and Chairman of KFCCS Ali Al-Kandari in the presence of several other officials of the food bank and the federation.

Developments on Gulf dispute to be discussed

‘British Secretary of State to visit Kuwait next Saturday’ LONDON, July 5, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah announced Wednesday that Britain’s Secretary of State Boris Johnson is to pay an official visit to the country on July 8 to discuss recent developments on the Gulf dispute and ways to end it. Al-Jarallah made his remarks to KUNA and Kuwait Television after meeting with Johnson in London, adding that they both reviewed developments of the Gulf dispute since its beginning, as well as Kuwait’s efforts aimed at bridging the gap and reaching a solution to the root causes of the dispute. The Kuwaiti-British discussion also addressed recent situation developments in the region, particularly the dispute between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, he said, adding that Johnson expressed his country’s praise of the efforts exerted by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah in brining points of view closer and containing the ongoing dispute. Meanwhile, Al-Jarallah mentioned that his meeting with British Minister of State for the Middle East

and North Africa Alistair Burt earlier was “positive” and “beneficial” for both sides, adding that it addressed the ongoing Gulf dispute and Britain’s support of the Kuwaiti efforts to contain and end the dispute. The meeting also discussed regional issues regarding Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Gulf-Iranian relations, he said, noting that Kuwait and Britain share similar views on these issues. On outcomes of the Kuwaiti-British steering committee’s meeting, which concluded today, Al-Jarallah said that the committee reviewed latest achievements of deals signed in previous meetings, adding that the steering committee is a monitoring body that follows and watches implementation of signed agreements. The Kuwaiti senior diplomat official also mentioned that signing an MoU with Britain in the information security field will boost the fruitful cooperation between the two countries, particularly Kuwait as the deal will provide its various state and private sectors with high protection to their information security systems.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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MoCI on verge of establishing consumer protection centers K-Net card transactions in first 6-months total KD 8b

KUNA photo

Lutfi Alwan exchanges souvenirs with head of the delegation MP Dr Jama’an Al-Harbash.

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Ministry of Commerce and Industry is on the verge of establishing consumer protection centers on popular commercial complex with the aim of ensuring they are closer to the points of sale as well as for preventing fraud cases in the future, reports AlShahed daily quoting sources. They explained that the ministry has prepared a study and has presented recommendation about the need to open new consumer protection centers inside popular commercial complexes. The proposal will be forwarded to the Assistant Undersecretary for Commercial Control and the study on ways it can be implemented.

New Kuwait Sportsmen Association members.

KSA to take care of athletes affairs The new Kuwaiti Sportsmen Association (KSA) was announced earlier this week. The association will take care of the affairs of athletes and players of various local sports and will defend their rights. The association is headed by former Kuwaiti national team player and member of Kazma Sporting Club

Yousef Al-Suwayed deputized by former national team goalkeeper Khaled Al-Shammari. Hadi Al-Dosari will be the board secretary, Nawaf Al-Baghli treasurer, while former players Wael Sulaiman, Ahmed Al Jassem, Samira Yousif, Ibrahim Al-Fasam and Jalal Al-Jalal will be members of the board.

Authority to work with PACI

‘Thousands of applicants are not eligible to receive housing’ KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has discovered thousands of housing applications which are not eligible to receive housing. This was detected after the authority activated its electronic link with Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI). This new development will lead to reduced number of such applications which are currently more than 100,000, reports Aljarida daily quoting informed sources. They explained that the State Minister for Housing Affairs and State Minister for Services Yasser Abul has issued directives to sort out and clas-

Briefs CABLES: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent early Wednesday a cable of congratulations to the President of Cape Verde Jorge Carlos de Fonseca on the occasion of the National Day of his country. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. Meanwhile, HH the Amir sent a congratulatory cable Wednesday to Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro on his country’s National Day. His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister also sent similar cables. (KUNA) ❑ ❑ ❑

TASKS: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh issued Decision No. 33/2017 on assigning the tasks of the director general of the Customs General Department to Suleiman Al-Fahad during the director’s absence, reports Al-Shahid daily quoting sources. ❑ ❑ ❑ ATTACK: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Wednesday vehemently condemned a recent attack on a Saudi police patrol in Qatif Governorate, which left a policeman killed and three others injured. OIC Secretary General Youssef Al-Othaimeen said in a press statement that the attack was a “terrorist act”, voicing support to all measures taken by Saudi authorities to fight terrorism, uphold national security and stability and maintain regional and world peace. ((KUNA)

sify all applications in order to disclose the undeserving ones. Among the applicants are those who divorced their wives and do not have children. These figures constitute large numbers due to the increased number of divorces witnessed in the country annually. The sources said the process of sorting applications revealed that the total number of 10,000 applicants was misleading and inaccurate because the beneficiaries are much lesser. They affirmed that the authority will continue to work with PACI to sort out the applications and reach the correct figure very soon.

The sources stressed that this proposal will continue to increasing the monitoring on points of sale and preventing commercial fraud cases as well as receiving complaints directly before sending inspection teams to verify the claims. Meanwhile, The value of KNet card transactions in the first half of the year totaled KD 8 billion and the number of transactions reached 126 million — 15 percent higher than last year, reports Al-Qabas daily. According statistics, the K-Net card payment growth rate is higher than cash withdrawals, indicating the value of K-Net transactions daily reached KD 44.44 million — KD 26.6 million for purchases and payments through the card and KD 17.7 million for cash withdrawals. Furthermore, The Financial Supervisory Authority has asked the Ministry of Finance to set regulations for the allocation and use of mobile phones in governmental agencies, reports Al-Rai daily quoting a knowledgeable source. The source disclosed the financial supervisors have requested the ministry to study proposals related to Circular No. 13/1990 on the allocation and use of mobile phones in governmental agencies. He said the proposals include re-issuance of the circular on the allocation of phones in government agencies as the requisites of the existing circular are no longer suitable for the current status of names associated with the type of mobile phones which are part of privileges given to certain individuals.

KUNA photo

Kuwaiti-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee delegation with Turkish Minister of Development Lutfi Alwan.

Kuwait caravans cheap compared to other countries

Caravans stop registering pilgrims as quota full KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Chairman of Kuwait Hajj Caravans Association Ahmad Al-Duwaihi stated a large number of prospective pilgrims will register for this year’s Hajj. He added many caravans have since closed the door of registration after fulfilling their quota of pilgrims, reports Al-Anba daily. He explained that citizens and expatriates have been showing interest in registering with caravans due to exceptional services the Kuwaiti caravans offer. He said prices charged by Kuwaiti caravans are relatively cheap compared to their peers in other countries, which even offer fewer services. He stressed that Kuwaiti caravans are always keen on uniqueness of their services, indicating the caravans here stand

out of their peers in terms of assessment. He noted the association has resolved to submit recommendations for upcoming seasons to enable the caravans offer first class services to pilgrims to make the rites of the pilgrimage easy for all segments in Kuwait. He noted suggestions have been compiled for referral to the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and other senior officials of the ministry for review and possible implementation. ❑

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Stations Maintenance Contract Supervisor for Jahra Governorate at the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) Eng Mesaed AlAzmi has confirmed completion of maintenance works in 373 out

MoE announces scholarships KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Ministry of Higher Education has announced the opening of scholarships in the faculties of Engineering, Economics, Political Science, Medicine and Health Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, reports Al-Anba daily. In a press statement, the ministry revealed the conditions for admission such as the applicant should be a Kuwaiti, 23 years old for bachelors, not employed and the certificate must be new. The applicant must submit two copies of his passport and civil ID and that of the guardian, in addition to two copies of his birth certificate.

of 1,035 stations this summer, in addition to the maintenance of 8,270 equipment, reports Al-Qabas daily. In his interview with the daily, Al-Azmi asserted the maintenance team is working hard to ensure everything is in order especially during summer. He explained the maintenance program of the ministry includes comprehensive maintenance of batteries in stations every three months, in addition to providing the contracts supervisor with updated data and readings of stations. He said the ministry changed 18 transformers and three distribution units last year, while the maintenance season for fiscal 2015/2016 recorded the burning of three out of 3,600 transformers in Jahra.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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DIWANIYA A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Give and take’ policy only way out

‘Follow Mandela for peace’

KUNA photo

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah receives German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

Kuwait, Germany discuss boost in ties Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received the visiting German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Wednesday. The encounter was held in the attendance of Kuwaiti State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and acting Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammad Abdallah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Talks between both sides delved

into their bilateral relations, strategic partnerships and the exchange of viewpoints regarding matters of mutual importance in the regional and international spectrums. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said he values Germany’s support of Kuwaiti mediation efforts, led by His Highness the Amir, aimed at Gulf unity and resolving the crisis enveloping the region.

On the other hand, he hailed the positive and crucial role assumed by Germany on several regional and international issues, and its commitment to the security and stability of the region. For his part, the German minister reiterated support of Kuwait’s handling of the Gulf crisis, urging restraint and the need to resort to dialogue in order to reach a solution that satisfies all parties. (KUNA)

Kuwait, UK hammer out joint group’s 6-mth plan Britain lauds mediation efforts LONDON, July 5, (KUNA): Kuwait and the UK Wednesday signed the Joint Steering Group’s plan of action for six months to come aimed at ensuring an effective and smooth implementation of previously inked agreements. The blueprint was inked by Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled AlJarallah and UK Minister of State for Middle East Alistair Burt, with several officials from both sides attending. KUNA photo

Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah and UK Minister of State for Middle East Alistair Burt shake hands after signing the agreement.

News in Brief Tallest flagpole: The Amiri Diwan has requested Kuwait Municipality to allocate the seafront opposite the Flag Square and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center (also known as Kuwait Opera House) to construct the tallest flagpole in the world, reports Al-Shahed daily. Indicating that all technical studies will be carried out to approve the project and allocate the beach, Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering Affairs at Amiri Diwan Niyaz Khajah affirmed that the beach will be designed with necessary beautification elements including gardens, traffic routes, places of gathering, children’s play area, celebration facilities, and services for visitors and beachgoers, also taking into account the requirements of people with special needs.

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Just for unity: Al-Seyassah daily received several calls from the United Arab Emirates recently searching for Fawaz Al-Shalahi, a Kuwaiti who allegedly named his newborn daughter ‘Emarat’. According to the daily, the daughter of Al-Shahali was born

on June 28 and he seems to be following the example of another Kuwaiti — Khalid Al-Enzi — who named his daughter who was born on June 27 as ‘Al-Soudaiya; in addition to Talal Al-Enzi who named his daughter who was born last June as ‘Qatar’. It seems that citizens are naming their newborn daughters after the GCC countries to reaffirm the significance of Gulf unity in view of the ongoing strife between Qatar on one side, and Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt on the other side.

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Officer insulted: A first sergeant working at the Hawalli Traffic Department accused two Kuwaitis of abusing him in the course of duty, says Al-Seyassah. Apparently, the officer stopped the two citizens for a traffic violation and issued citation against the driver. The duo allegedly became incensed, threatened and insulted the officer before fleeing the scene. He provided details of their vehicle to the police. A case was registered against them.

The move came following the conclusion of the 10th meeting of the Kuwait-UK Joint Steering Group, which reflected on ways of promoting and beefing up bilateral cooperation in various domains. During the meeting, both sides reiterated mutual willingness to consolidate Kuwaiti-UK cooperation and to thrash out potential obstacles. They emphasized in a joint statement that they have to continue mutual visits, and work together in political, military, security, economic, trade, investment, cultural, development, scientific, research and cybersecurity domains. Also during the meeting, the Kuwaiti side voiced the desire to make use of UK experience in the area of financial policies and budgets, along with personnel training. Furthermore, they expressed satisfaction with existing cooperation and coordination among their military and security agencies in the fight against terrorism. The State of Kuwait and the UK also vowed to exchange views on an array of regional issues and problem’s, and on how to find peaceful settlements to ongoing conflicts in the region. In this regard, the British side highly commended Kuwait’s mediatory efforts to put an end to inter-Gulf tensions. The Kuwait-UK Joint Steering Group was formed during His Highness the Amir’s historic visit to Britain in November 2012. It convenes every six months alternately between Kuwait City and London. Meanwhile, Britain on Wednesday acknowledged the efforts of Kuwait as it seeks to defuse tensions in the Gulf region. This came as British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Boris Johnson met Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah in London. The British official said he looked forward to visiting Kuwait in the near future to discuss the issue. Al-Jarallah had previously met with British Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt, in an encounter that yielded the agenda for the Kuwait-UK Joint Steering Group.

“IN HIS country, South Africa, Nelson Mandela opposed the white minority rule or the so-called apartheid because of the discrimination by the whites against the blacks,” columnist and former Kuwaiti ambassador Ahmad Al-Dawas wrote for Al-Seyassah daily. “Mandela led the ‘Defiance Campaign’ a civil rebellion against the racist white government. In 1964, the white minority government sentenced him to twenty-seven years in jail. “In spite of the above, he resorted to a smart manner of political negotiation to end the political differences between his party and the said government. “While he was in prison, Mandela concluded an agreement with the then ruling class whereby he undertook to protect the property and functional rights of the white minority. This agreement minimized the migration chances of the white capital and expertise out of South Africa. “Not just that, he called on the blacks to be patient and refrain from resorting to violence while resisting apartheid because he was convinced the success of negotiations will bring concessions in exchange and that every party should believe gains through relevant negotiations exceeded losses. “Mandela also believed every party should persuade the other that concessions are the actual victory and gain for the pertinent party. In other words, Mandela during negotiations felt some sacrifices should be made to keep the negotiating parties under the impression that none was victorious at the expense of the other. “However, although we concede that the concessions hurt the concerned parties, it is needless to say the process of negotiations was based on ‘give and take’. “For his part, the former president of ‘white South Africa’ F.W. de Klerk was quoted as saying after the death of Mandela in December 2013 ‘I would like here to refer to some lessons we have learnt from South Africa to prevent other countries from getting involved in internal struggles. “One of these lessons, he went Al-Dawas on to say was represented by the fact that the then ruling white minority had come to a conviction that the apartheid policy followed by them was wrong and as such they should resort to a new vision based on radical change in their attitudes towards the blacks. “He added, Mandela and his followers should keep in mind that they will not win any war through revolution against the existing ruling regime, rather they should strive to reach a political settlement with this regime. On the other hand, De Klerk added these lessons are applicable at the moment to Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, Congo, the Sudan, Burma (Myanmar) Syria, Israel and the Israeli/Palestinian struggle. “Given the above, I hope the Arab leaders will look upon Nelson Mandela as a role model to be followed when it comes to settling their political disputes. “Mandela after his release from jail never sought revenge, rather he resorted to smart negotiations to prevent bloodshed among the blacks and the whites and was democratically elected first black president of his country. Not just that, he won the Noble Prize for Peace as his country marched on the road to progress. “Consequently, we hope the Arab leaders and the Muslim groups follow the example of Mandela and sit across at the table of negotiations to settle political conflicts and spare the blood and protect their countries from destruction. “In this connection, our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was actually a sophisticated and smart negotiator and this was evident through the Al-Hodaibia Reconciliation Accord in which he made many concessions to his foes for the sake of promoting and spreading Islam. “Referring to the situations which currently prevail in Iraq, we have observed that none of the two major sects in that country, Sunnis and Shiites, have made any type of concessions to the other sect and this is applicable to the Syrian situation where both the opposition parties and the ruling regime are still insisting not to make any concessions and as such the two countries — Iraq and Syria — have fruited nothing except mass destruction. Moreover, the struggle has lasted longer and killed a lot of people. “In light of the above, we infer that in our Arab region, none of the conflicting parties would like to sit around the table of negotiations, rather every party still insists to prove that its attitude is right while that of the others is wrong. “Hence, we believe that the method followed by Nelson Mandela is still better to solve differences that may surface among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member States.”

Also: “It was presumed that the State of Qatar will today make known its attitude pertaining to the conditions that have been imposed on Doha by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Arab Republic of Egypt,” columnist Tareq Abdullah Al-Aidan wrote for Al-Qabas daily. “However, everybody hopes HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will succeed in his good offices to heal this unprecedented rift among the GCC countries. “As a matter of fact, the most painful aspect that has surfaced on the sidelines of the current GCC crisis is the unprecedented media war among the concerned parties to project their own viewpoints on the crisis. This happens although the GCC citizens have yet to know the real grounds behind severing ties with Qatar by Saudi, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt. “In this connection, we say the sole thing that is known to us is the news report that has been leaked by unofficial means related to the thirteen conditions set by the boycotting nations to Qatar as a pre-condition to resume normal ties with Doha. “But anyone, who goes through the conditions, will be puzzled indeed, and will eventually wonder what Qatar has done to receive these conditions? “However, may the differences in question, have exposed the real attitudes of some Arab Satellite TV Channels and their failure in the professional test during their coverage of various events. “In this context, we say the thing that calls for sadness is the absence of rationality what was supposed to be shown by some of the Gulf media men, but unfortunately they have frustrated by fuelling sedition and pouring oil on fire. “Apart from the above, we have observed that during the holy month of Ramadan some the artistic works and serials attacked the political symbols and the rulers of some Gulf countries, but unfortunately

none of them took pain to solve the political differences among the pertinent States. “This type of artistic works seems to be strange for us in the region although we in Kuwait represent the most democratic and open-minded country in the Gulf region. Moreover, we have a tremendous storage of artistic products. “Anyway, all the people of the Gulf are currently looking forward to the containment of the crisis in question and resumption of fraternal ties among the relevant countries, because we and the Qatari brothers are looking forward eagerly to hug their Saudi, Bahraini and Emirati brothers.” ❑ ❑ ❑ “Health statements are part of the necessary tools in executing strategies and plans for preventing and confronting diseases and health-related challenges,” Dr Hind Al-Shomar wrote for Al-Anba daily. “In the course of discharging my duties via my website in my capacity as head of HIV/AIDS Office in the Ministry of Health and the national consultant who prepares nationwide reports that are presented to international organizations concerning Kuwait’s efforts in preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS, consultants at the international organizations are keen on Kuwait’s AIDS control Law No. 62/1992 that combines principles and values to draw a clear trend for synergy between rights of the society and those of the HIV/ AIDS patients. “It is not only HIV/AIDS that deserve a special law to prevent or combat, seeing many health-related issues also need legal instruments to organize. For instance heart diseases and non-gastric chronic diseases closely related to unhealthy food and irresponsible marketing of food products detrimental to health that hinder efforts to control contemporary diseases.” ❑ ❑ ❑ “In all population censuses conducted in Kuwait, Al-Awazim Tribe has always been the largest tribe. It covers one-fifth of the entire Kuwaiti population, which amounts to 20 percent in the digital language. This fact is known to all Kuwaitis in the country,” Nasser Al-Shatti wrote for Al-Nahar daily. “At the same time, their Shiite brothers are the smallest population in sectarian terms with less than one-fifth of the entire population. Al-Awazim Tribe and the Shiites live a similar lifestyle inside the precious Kuwait. In the laws of nations, any segment that constitutes more than ten percent of the population cannot be underrated, not to talk of those that boast of constituting almost 20 percent of the population. “The question to be asked here is this — how will the government deal with the two homogenous power blocs that together constitute 40 percent of the population? “Some people will be surprised as to how the Shiites and Al-Awazim Tribe are homogenous, because AlAwazim tribesmen are rural dwellers (Bedouin), while most of the Shiites are urbane? The answer is simple, considering the fact that a large number of Al-Awazim tribesmen live alongside the Shiites in residential areas. “Most of the Al-Awazim tribesmen are in-laws to the Shiites such that Al-Azemi men marry Shiite women and they bear children. I am also aware of the fact that some Al-Awazim children are breastfed by Shiite women, who automatically become their foster mothers, so several Shiites are the foster brothears to Al-Awazim tribesmen. “Due to this, I urge those who find pleasure in tribal conflicts to beware of sectarian crises, hidden or open. This is because it can only lead to hatred and animosity among people.” ❑ ❑ ❑ “O Lord, save us from hell! Kuwait has recorded the highest temperature in the world,” Talal Al-Saeed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily. “We could be exposed to high temperature since the minister insists that power cut is inevitable. Thieves have been conducting their operations and setting fire to locations to conceal their crimes without a trace, and our heroic firemen put their life on the line to battle the scary infernos while fasting. “Firefighters succeed in controlling fires each time, as published in the local dailies, but we are never told the outcome of their investigations in that concern, especially as they’re always busy with new fires started by arsonists. “The latest news about the Ministry of Electricity and Water is the swarming of jellyfish at the power station, and officials are saying three quarters of Kuwait is on the point of having power disconnection. “Why is the Minister of Electricity not aware that Kuwait is the hottest country in the world? Why isn’t the government sympathizing with citizens by absolving their two months electricity bill rather than contemplate on power cut? Sadly, our governments lack humanity. I doubt two months electricity bill exemption will affect state budget in any way compared to positive impact it will make on citizens?” ❑ ❑ ❑ “Since its independence in 1961, the State of Kuwait has provided a lot of material and moral support for the development of Arab and Islamic countries, and helped them to advance their homeland, in the belief it is a national and Islamic duty, and has made great efforts to solve all disputes between Arab and Gulf countries to preserve Arab solidarity and unity,” Taysir Abdul Aziz Al-Rashaidan wrote for Al-Qabas daily. “Despite the misfortunes that Kuwait experienced from the 1990 occupation of Iraq and the drop in oil prices, it did not stop supporting the brothers on every occasion and the Palestinians in their plight for a homeland since 1947. “It received 400,000 Palestinians and established the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and hosted its leaders in Kuwait. Today Kuwait supports the Iraqi and Syrian peoples with all their needs because of wars. “Where are the media efforts that show the Arab citizens who they are? What has Kuwait offered since its inception? Where are the advisers of the Ministry of Information who photograph the conferences and receive awards, and where are the huge budgets that should have gone to defend Kuwait and its issues? “I think that Kuwait needs to re-examine the media effort and to establish television channels, websites, info networks, electronic communication, and cooperation with the world’s friendly media in several languages to portray the bright side of the Kuwaiti efforts, defend their issues now and in the future. “Kuwait and its people have proved that the media that is a dangerous weapon which may provoke peoples and ignite wars and change regimes.” — Compiled By Zaki Taleb

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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KFSD photo

The Fire Prevention Sector of Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD), with the cooperation of the Federation of Kuwait Engineering Offices and Consultant Houses, held a seminar at KFSD building in the presence of the Acting Director-General of the Fire Prevention Sector Brigadier Khaled Abdullah and head of the federation Eng. Bader Al-Salman. They discussed the prevention measures required for buildings including those under construction in order to improve firefighting systems, facilitate relevant procedures, and provide protection from fire incidents. They also discussed the causes of fire that threaten

buildings and structures under construction as well as the important role of engineering houses in these structures. The attendees were in agreement of the importance of cooperation with KFSD to notify about the violations committed by contractors at the project sites. They discussed the outer cladding of buildings, stressing the need for it to be of the type that is fire resistant or at least that will delay the spread of fire. A presentation of the risks and fire incidents that result from poor cladding, as was the case with the recent fire incidents in Kuwait, Dubai and London, was given at the meeting.

Kuwait Today Prayer Timings Fajr ........................................................ 03:19 Sunrise ................................................... 04:54 Zohr ........................................................ 11:53 Asr ........................................................... 15:27 Maghrib ................................................. 18:51 Isha ........................................................ 20:22

Weather Expected weather for the next 24 hours: By Night: Relatively hot and relatively humid over coastal areas with light to moderate southerly wind changing to south westerly wind, with speed of 0830 km/h. By Day: Very hot and with light to moderate north westerly wind to variable wind, with speed of 06-28 km/h and some high clouds will appear. Station Max Min Exp Rec Kuwait City 46 38 Kuwait Airport 48 32 Abdaly 49 30 Bubyan 38 31 Jahra 39 36 Failaka Island 42 31 Salmiyah 39 34 Ahmadi 38 37 Nuwaisib 46 31 Wafra 48 31 Salmy 47 32 4 days forecast - Weather Thursday, July 6 Expected weather ......................................... Very hot Max Temp............................................................47C Min Temp.............................................................32C Wind Direction .............................................NW-VRB Wind Speed ..............................................08-32 km/h Friday, July 7 Expected weather ........Hot and relatively humid over coastal areas Max Temp............................................................46C Min Temp.............................................................33C Wind Direction .............................................. VRB-SE Wind Speed ..............................................10-35 km/h Saturday, July 8 Expected weather ......................................... Very hot Max Temp............................................................47C Min Temp.............................................................31C Wind Direction .......................................................SE Wind Speed ..............................................15-40 km/h Sunday, July 9 Expected weather .................................................Hot Max Temp............................................................46C Min Temp.............................................................30C Wind Direction ................................................SE-NW Wind Speed ..............................................12-32 km/h Marine Forecast Station Max Min Sea Today’s Exp Rec Surf Waves Ht Dirn South Dolphin 37 31 30 3ft NW Umm Mudayrah 37 30 3ft NW Beacon M28 3ft NW Beacon N6 38 31 3ft NW Qaruh Island 36 31 3ft NW Umm Al-Maradem 37 30 3ft NW Sea Island Buoy Salmiyah 39 34 3ft NW 4 days forecast - Marine Thursday, July 6 Expected weather ......................................... Very hot Sea state ...................................... Slight to moderate Wave height....................................................... 1-4 ft Max Temp............................................................47C Min Temp.............................................................32C Wind Direction .............................................NW-VRB Wind Speed ..............................................08-32 km/h Friday, July 7 Expected weather ........Hot and relatively humid over coastal areas Sea state ...................................... Slight to moderate Wave height....................................................... 2-5 ft Max Temp............................................................46C

deaths Saqer Salem Abdullah Al-Otaibi, 82 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Khaitan, Block 3, Bin Tofail Street House 109, Tel: 99661956. (Women) Ardiya, Block 11, Street 4, Avenue 2, House 50, Tel: 90044712; Notha Mohammad Abdul Aziz Al-Ajmi, wife of Saud Nader Swaid Al Ajmi, 61 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolence: (Men) Rehab, Block 1, Street 24, House 28, Tel: 90906566. (Women) Eshbeliya, Block 3, Street 320, House 293; Eid Abdullah Al- Ewaihan Al-Enzi, 90 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Fahaheel, Block 1, Street 1, House 102, Tel: 66642664. (Women) Hadiya, Block 3, Street 3, House 48, Tel: 99663930; Fatima Yousef Husein Yousef Al-Yousefi, wife of husein Ali Al-Shati, 62 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) West Mishref, Al-Wazzan Mosque Tel 99631979. (Women) Mishref, Block 4, Street 4, House 8, starts from Friday. Saheem Qarmoul Khalifa Al-Faqaan, 74 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Salmiya, Block 12, Abu Thar Al-Gafari Street, Avenue 3, House 21, Tel: 66878753. (Women) Ardiya, Block 3, Street 8, House 4. Taleb Kathem Ismail Behbehani, 86 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Jabriya, Huseiniyat AlBaloch, Tel: 99898597. (Women) Jabriya, Block 11, Street 6 Opp. Al-Balosh Mosque, House 2, Tel: 55452767; Reem Humoud Ayeth Al-Otaibi, widow of Mohammad Qateem Eid Al-Mutairi, 43 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Sabah Al-Nasser, Block 1, Street 30, House 21, Tel: 55557342. (Women) Sabah Al-Nasser, Block 4, Street 34, House 7.

July 5, 2017 Min Temp.............................................................33C Wind Direction .............................................. VRB-SE Wind Speed ..............................................10-35 km/h Saturday, July 8 Expected weather ......................................... Very hot Sea state ............Slight to moderate becoming rough Wave height....................................................... 2-6 ft Max Temp............................................................47C Min Temp.............................................................31C Wind Direction .......................................................SE Wind Speed ..............................................15-40 km/h Sunday, July 9 Expected weather .................................................Hot Sea state ...................................... Slight to moderate Wave height....................................................... 2-4 ft Max Temp............................................................46C Min Temp.............................................................30C Wind Direction ................................................SE-NW Wind Speed ..............................................12-32 km/h Tide times at Shuwaikh Port 1st high tide: ......................................................08:55 2nd high tide: .....................................................21:37 1st low tide:........................................................15:20 2nd low tide: ......................................................03:31 Sunrise: .............................................................04:53 Sunset: ..............................................................18:51 Recorded yesterday at Kuwait Airport Max temp .............................................................46C Min temp ..............................................................28C Max Rh ............................................................... 45% Min Rh ................................................................ 09% Max Wind.................................................SE 32 km/h Total Rainfall in 24 hrs .......................................0 mm Recorded yesterday at South Dolphin Min/Max/ Air Temp .........................................31/38C Min/Max Rel Hum .......................................... 26/79% Wind Direction/Wind Speed.....................SE/28 km/h Prev Wave Dir/Max Wave Ht .............................N/3 ft Min/Max Sea Surface Temp ................................-/- C Sea Current ................................................Upwelling — Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Meteorological Dept.

Drugs overdose kills Jordanian youth Munaif Nayef Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Security operatives referred the body of 18-year-old Jordanian expatriate who was found dead in Shaab Park to Forensics. The youth is believed to have died of an overdose of drugs. A security source said the Operations Room of the interior Ministry

received information about a person found unconscious in Shaab Park and deployed a rescue team to the scene. Paramedics checked the body upon arrival and confirmed he was already dead. Initial investigation revealed the deceased person had taken illicit drugs, which may have caused his death. A case was registered in Maidan Hawalli police station for further investigation.

The Fire Prevention Sector of Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD), with the cooperation of the Federation of Kuwait Engineering Offices and Consultant Houses, held a seminar at KFSD building in the presence of the Acting Director-General of the Fire Prevention Sector Brigadier Khaled Abdullah and head of the federation Eng. Bader Al-Salman. They discussed the prevention measures required for buildings including those under construction in order to improve firefighting systems, facilitate relevant procedures, and provide protection from fire incidents. They also discussed the causes of fire that threaten

buildings and structures under construction as well as the important role of engineering houses in these structures. The attendees were in agreement of the importance of cooperation with KFSD to notify about the violations committed by contractors at the project sites. They discussed the outer cladding of buildings, stressing the need for it to be of the type that is fire resistant or at least that will delay the spread of fire. A presentation of the risks and fire incidents that result from poor cladding, as was the case with the recent fire incidents in Kuwait, Dubai and London, was given at the meeting.

Turkey to grant 3 years stay for Kuwaiti, other investors ‘Solutions to Arab crises must be political’ KUWAIT CITY, July 5, (KUNA): Turkey’s Minister of Development Lutfi Alwan Wednesday disclosed that the Turkish government has agreed to grant foreign investors, including Kuwaitis, three-year residency in Turkey. This declaration was made during a meeting that Alwan had with the Kuwaiti-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee, which is headed by MP Dr Jama’an Al-Harbash and have MP Dr Adel Al-Damkhi, MP Abdullah Fahad and MP Nayef Al-Mirdas as members, at the Ministry of Development building in Ankara. Alwan said the Turkish government, since last June, decided to cancel the Value Added Tax (VAT) of 18 percent for foreign investors including Kuwaitis.

Readiness He highlighted the deep historic and strong relations between Turkey and Kuwait, which has been witnessing great developments in the last few years. Alwan affirmed the interest of his country to encourage and motivate foreign investors in Turkey. He said the Turkish government supports Kuwaiti youths who want to invest in Turkey, expressing his country’s readiness to set up a mechanism for forming TurkishKuwaiti youth forum in order to make investments in both countries and to hold exhibitions for the Turkish Exporters Council in Kuwait. On his part, MP Al-Harbash revealed that the Kuwaiti delegation was briefed on the Turkish experience in development and explored Kuwaiti investment projects in Turkey and Turkish investments in Kuwait, affirming that the execution of the project for expansion of Kuwait International Airport by a Turkish company is a gateway to major developmental projects in Kuwait. He explained that the delegation discussed the problems faced by Kuwaiti investors in Turkey especially in the field of real estate.

KUNA photo

The sixth session of the Second Legislative term of the Arab Parliament in progress.

They presented a proposal to form a committee between the two parties to resolve the disputes between Kuwaiti investors and Turkish companies. The minister promised to discuss the proposal with the Turkish Minister of Interior and provide the Kuwaiti side with the results of the discussions as well as agree to establish a permanent link through the Kuwaiti-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee and the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Ankara. The delegation also proposed forming a mechanism for the Kuwaiti-Turkish Youth Forum in terms of the projects carried out by the Kuwaiti youths in Turkey in light of Kuwait’s interest in small and big projects. MP Al-Harbash affirmed that the Turkish minister expressed his readiness to create any forum to cooperate in presenting the Turkish experience and offering Turkish products through Kuwaiti investors. He said these measures are supposed to be activated through the

Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, highlighting the visit of Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan to Turkey last June as well as the scheduled visit of His Highness the Premier Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to Ankara in September this year. Meanwhile, the Arab Parliament Speaker Mishaal bin Fahm AlSalami stressed on Wednesday that any solution to crises and conflicts affecting the Arab region, including Syria, should be political, says KUNA.

Challenges Al-Salami highlighted the need to address challenges, he described as “grave, exceptional and dangerous,” through joint efforts, transparency, unearthing solutions and fighting terrorism and fundamentalism. “Our strength is in our unity and cohesion as our language is one, our identity is one, our culture is one, our history is one and our destiny is one,” he told Arab delegates gathered at the Arab League in Cairo.

He expressed support of the three summits recently hosted by Riyadh, saying they did much to build a solid partnership between Arab and Islamic countries, and the United States. This partnership is aimed at tackling fundamentalism and terrorism, along with nations and institutions that fund it, achieving peace, stability and development in Arab and Islamic countries Arab countries have become initiators in resolving issues of common interest, he said, particularly on terrorism and steps to ensure regional safety and security. Furthermore, he reiterated his condemnation of Israeli policies, including digging a tunnel under the Wailing Wall and it’s continuing construction of settlements on occupied Palestinian lands. On the Gulf crisis between Qatar and several Arab countries, he expressed extreme anxiety over its continuation and underlined the need to resolve this matter within the Gulf Cooperation Council’s framework.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

LOCAL

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Other Voices Oil not forever

Wake up before it’s late having proved his sincerity and seriousness in his job). proverb or a saying attributed The sources also indicated the to Ali bin Abi Taleb, the cousin government intention to merge and son-in-law of Prophet Muham- public-private partnership projects mad (PBUH), says: ‘Work for this with the privatization system. We world as if you will live forever and wish the government here does not work for the life-after as if you will to forget that the Supreme Standdie tomorrow’. ing Advisory Committee works to But in this article we will make a complete the application of the proslight change to this famous prov- visions of Islamic law, which has erb and say, ‘Work for your home- never known any achievement, and land as if oil will remain forever failed to ignite even a matchstick, and work more for your homeland for a quarter of a century, forget ilas if oil will run out toluminating a road. morrow’. Oil is losing its ‘glitYes, what will hurt ter’ with each passing us if we think in terms day, and we should not of our only source of be fooled by the rise in income will last forprice sometimes. As for ever or it will disappear every rise is followed by or lose its value in the a decline and this oscilworld the next day? lation depends on speWhat we see today cific ‘geopolitical’ facis the waste of money tors that end with time. and greater waste of Al-Sarraf The risk of depletion or this scarce resource. loss of importance of oil This is an unacceptable and an ir- remains is an important concern. rational behavior, especially given These highs must not prevent rethe terrible overspending by several forms, if started. government agencies beyond their A century of oil sovereignty over budgets which amounts to KD 4 the fate of billions of people, and its billion. control over the policies and econoHowever, this has not embar- mies of countries is smelling of rassed one senior or junior official decay, and the end will come much of our good government, not even sooner than later. the Members of Parliament, and the We need to remember that it opposition in particular, who, to the took 62 years to reach 50 million contrary have praised the govern- car users and 50 years to reach the ment and turned a blind eye to KD number of landline telephone users, 15 billion of unjustified spending or 46 years to reach 50 million elecwaste, without a word of protest, by tricity consumers, 28 years to reach using this issue as a bargaining chip 50 million holders of credit cards, for the reinstatement of withdrawn and 22 years to reach 50 million citizenships. TV subscribers, 7 years for Internet On the other hand, in spite of all users, 4 years for YouTube and 3 this waste, we commend the gov- years for Facebook, and only two ernment’s intention to integrate the years for Twitter. Youth Authority with the MinisSo we see that the evolution try of Youth Affairs, dissolve the and the acceleration of change are Quran Department and assign its above anyone’s imagination. As work, which is not yet implement- Nokia, Kodak, the dot matrix printed, to the Ministry of Awqaf and ers, and telex disappeared; many merge the Government Manpower other things will disappear from our Restructuring Program with the lives faster than we can think of. Public Authority for Manpower. (I ❑ ❑ ❑ wish Mr Ahmad Al-Mousa is apemail: [email protected] pointed as the head of this body,

Ethiopian maids and hiring office jointly cheating citizens, expats Social media ‘friend’ escapes rape by duo

By Ahmad Al-Sarraf

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KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Officers from General Department for Residency Affairs arrested 11 Ethiopian housemaids for cheating several citizens and expatriates in collaboration with a domestic labor office. According to a press release issued by Ministry of Interior, when the General Department for Residency Affairs received information about several citizens and expatriates being cheated by a domestic labor office, a team was formed for investigations. After confirming the information and taking necessary legal measures, 11 Ethiopian housemaids were arrested. When their details were checked, it was discovered that they are all wanted by law, as they were reported as absconding and some of them were involved in other cases. General Department of Public Relations and Media Security urged Kuwaiti citizens and expatriates to deal with only domestic labor offices that are licensed by the ministry, insisting that they should not trust everything they see and read on social media. ❑

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rested two bedoun for attempting to kidnap a 17-year-old Kuwaiti with the intention to rape him, reports Al-Rai daily. The arrest came when police on routine duty in Jaber Al-Ahmad city saw three young men struggling with each other. When police ordered the suspects to stop, the frightened-looking Kuwaiti told police he befriended the bedoun on social media and they requested to meet him in person. When he came to meet them, they threatened to stab him and ordered him to get in their vehicle. Police have seized the knife from the suspects’ car. ❑

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‘Renew visit visas’: The Ministry

News in Brief Beggars arrested: The Public Relations Department of Kuwait Municipality revealed that the emergency team of Ahmadi Municipality launched an inspection campaign on warehouses, markets, and restaurants in Fahaheel Area which resulted in the closure of a warehouse and issuance of 18 citations, reports Al-Seyassah daily. In this regard, the team explained that the violations included storage of goods in unhygienic conditions and non-adherence to hygiene-related regulations as well as operating without municipal licenses and employing employees without health certificates. Meanwhile, Director General of the Cleanliness and Road Works Department at Kuwait Municipality Dr Saad Al-Jalawi elaborated on the achievements of the department through the campaign titled “Your Health is Trust”. A total of 8.975 tons of debris and waste including construction and agricultural waste, abandoned furniture,

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Teen averts rape: Police have ar-

and waste from the yards of 210 mosques and houses of worship were removed. The department replaced large number of garbage containers and added 270 new ones. It arrested 11 individuals who were caught begging for alms during Eid Al-Fitr holidays.

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Citations issued: The Public Relations Department of Kuwait Municipality disclosed that the Emergency Team of Farwaniya Municipality launched an inspection campaign on restaurants and shops in Riggae area during which they issued 12 citations, reports Al-Seyassah daily. In this context, head of the team Eng. Khaled Rada’an explained that the team discovered violations in 24 restaurants, four laundry and dry-cleaning stores and a health fitness club in Riggae area. They issued 12 citations for violations that varied from lack of hygiene and operating without licenses.

of the Interior has given directives of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah to renew the visit visas of Syrians for 3 months through the Department of Residence Affairs in the respective governorates, reports Al-Rai daily. A reliable source close to the issue said the visas are renewable for a similar period after the expiry of three months provided the visitors abide by the laws of the country and does not get involved in illegal activities. Those getting involved in illegal activities will face immediate deportation. Security sources said Assistant Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry for Citizenship and Passport Affairs Major-General Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah has issued instructions to directors of residence departments in all governorates to renew the visitors’ visas of Syrians for 3 months. In case of a visitor who has overstayed his/her visit visa the renewal

A ‘dance of the flying bird’ … a picture snapped at Kuwait Bay (Bader Al-Methen — KUNA)

Appeals refers ‘storming’ case to judiciary By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah Staff

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Court of Appeals has referred the National Assembly building storming case to the head of the judiciary who will then forward it to another judicial circuit, in response to the defense panel’s request to dismiss the judiciary panel handling the case. In Wednesday’s session, will be done only after payment of fines. The sources pointed out the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior has taken this step in recognition of the humanitarian situation of the Syrians which will help about 20,000 Syrian to amend their legal status, including those who have overstayed their visit visas. ❑

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Smuggling bid foiled: The Coast Guard recently foiled the attempt of four men – three Egyptians and a Kuwaiti – to smuggle kilos of hashish, one kilo of heroin and 9,000 narcotic pills into the country, reports Al-Rai daily. According to investigations, the Maritime Security Department affiliated to the General Department of Coast Guard the suspects agreed

the prosecution presented the death certificate of one of the accused, the late Falah AlSawwagh. It also arraigned Abdul-Aziz Al-Munees who is in prison, MP Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and two others who will be assigned to a legal team. Both sides perused and copied the available documents related to the case. The case involves 70 citizens, including current and forwith another Egyptian living in an unidentified country to smuggle the narcotics into the country via the sea. Acting on information the security authorities lay in wait for the suspect to receive the contraband and seized them in the act. In a similar story, General Department of Jails and Sentences Enforcement combed the Central Jail and arrested an Arab woman who tried to smuggle narcotics into the facility. Public Relations and Media Security Department of the Interior Ministry stated the prisons security department renewed its commitment to track down drug smugglers by intensifying checking on visitors, and officers apprehended the woman who tried to smuggle

mer MPs, accused of storming and vandalizing the National Assembly building as well as assaulting members of the National Guard when the latter prevented them from entering the premises. The First Instance Court had earlier acquitted all the accused but the prosecution appealed against the verdict and demanded for imposing harsh sentence on the accused. illicit substance to the husband who’s serving a term in prison for drug related offense. The woman with the contraband was referred to concerned authorities for necessary action. ❑

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2 kilos heroin seized: Officers from the Criminal Security Sector arrested an Asian expatriate in possession of 2kg of heroin. Public Relations and Media Security Department of the Interior Ministry said the sector received information about the suspect’s activities and a team of detectives was formed to bring him to book. Guarded by search and arrest warrant, officers managed to arrest him with the contraband. He was taken to the relevant authority for necessary action.

Life for drugs

Friends campaign for cut in jail term KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The friends of a South African military man, Gareth Rutherford, sentenced to life imprisonment in Kuwait since 2008 after being convicted in a drug trafficking case has launched an online campaign to demand his release or reduction in jail term, reports Al-Rai daily. His military friends have rallied behind him in an attempt to get him freed or his sentence commuted. According to the case papers on his way to the airport to catch a flight to Cape Town from Kuwait on Sept 18, 2008 he was asked to make a detour into the city to pick up a package for a friend. Rutherford did not think much of it. He stopped at a tire shop and a group of men loaded the vehicle he was travelling in with tyres. When he left the tire shop‚ he drove straight into what he believes was a trap. Law enforcement officials cornered him. They searched his vehicle and found drugs hidden inside the tyres. Rutherford Dawid Lotter‚ a military friend is attempting to try to save Rutherford but he refuses to give up until he is reunited with his friend. Lotter has set up an online petition that will hopefully get his friend’s sentence reduced. Rutherford’s initial sentence was a death sentence but was later changed to a life sentence. Lotter explains the two met in 1980 during Operation Sceptic and during this operation‚ Rutherford was awarded a medal for the bravery he displayed during the war. Lotter has called on the help of his fellow army men that served with him and Rutherford to sign the petition and spread the word on it. Lotter aims to get 5‚000 signatures on the petition so that he can take it to the higher authorities in Kuwait and explain that Rutherford was wrongly sentenced for a charge of a doubtful nature. The petition currently has 1‚799 signatures.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

INTERNATIONAL Four term Continued from Page 1 They also ordered Qatari citizens to leave their territories and took various steps against Qatari firms and financial institutions. The crisis has raised concerns of growing instability in the region, home to some of the world’s largest energy exporters and key Western allies who host US military bases. Energy-rich Qatar has been defiant throughout the crisis, insisting it can weather action taken against it. On Tuesday it even announced a major boost in planned natural gas output, with Qatar Petroleum saying it would increase production to 100 million tonnes a year by 2024, up 30 percent from current levels. Qatar is the world’s leading producer of liquefied natural gas. Its energy riches have transformed Qatar into one of the world’s wealthiest countries, a major international investor and a regional player that will host the 2022 football World Cup. Concern has been growing, however, that a drawn-out crisis could have an economic impact. Moody’s said it was changing its credit rating outlook for Qatar to negative from stable, citing “the economic and financial risks arising from the ongoing dispute”. “The likelihood of a prolonged period of uncertainty extending into 2018 has increased and a quick resolution of the dispute is unlikely over the next few months,” the agency said. Some critics of Qatar have accused it of links to extremist organisations including the Islamic State group, alQaeda and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. But a British think-tank said Wednesday that foreign funding for Islamist extremism in Britain mostly originates from Saudi Arabia.

Kuwaiti mediation Russia on Wednesday expressed its support for Kuwait’s efforts as the main mediator in the Gulf crisis. At the end of his meeting with the Arab League’s Secretary General Ahmad Abul-Gheit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow backs Kuwait as the country attempts to quell the ensuing rift between the Gulf neighbors. The Russian Foreign Minister noted that his country stands ready to join efforts to solve the conflict, if asked. Lavrov also underscored the need to quell the unrest through productive dialogue. France also reiterated its support for the mediation of Kuwait in the current Gulf crisis around Qatar, saying the Kuwaiti initiative was positive in helping promote dialogue between the parties. “France invites the Gulf Arab States to settle the differences they evoke through consultations,” the French Foreign Ministry said. “We reiterate our support for the mediation brought by Kuwait, which constitutes a positive undertaking in favour of dialogue,” Paris added. Kuwait has played a crucial role in mediating between the parties and in shuttle diplomacy to encourage restraint and dialogue, and also to extend deadlines in the dispute. Meanwhile, the European Union is actively supporting the Kuwaiti mediation efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Gulf, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini announced Tuesday. The EU foreign policy chief in a statement said she is taking part in a number of high level engagements to de-escalate the situation with the backing of the 28 EU Member States, and she is in contact on a daily basis with all the relevant players including the foreign ministers of Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. She noted that last Friday she met in Croatia with Kuwait’s Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Information Minister, Sheikh Mohammad AlAbdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and underlined the importance of the unity and stability of the Gulf region and the “urgent need for a dialogue to avoid further escalation and resolve differences.” Both agreed that a solution should be found within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and that other countries should not be drawn into the dispute. Mogherini also met with the Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Thani, at the beginning of June. There she spoke of the good relations the EU has with the GCC, the interconnectedness of the region and that restoring a good level of regional cooperation in the Gulf is “key for the benefit of all citizens of the Gulf, of all people in the Gulf.” In an effort to engage all parties concerned, Mogherini also spoke with the foreign ministers Adel Al-Jubeir of Saudi Arabia and Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran. She also met Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gergash, in Brussels on 20 June. “All together, we encourage de-escalation and most of all we encourage all Gulf countries to engage in political dialogue without preconditions accepting the mediation role of Kuwait,” the High Representative said. The EU is “ready to help, assist and accompany these mediation efforts in all ways that might be requested,” she added. Mogherini restated that “the European Union has the firm intention to keep strong relationships and ties with all the Gulf countries and we hope that they will manage to restore good working relations among them.”

Views in line Egyptian President Abdel Fattah elSisi spoke with US President Donald Trump in a telephone call about the dispute with Qatar, Sisi’s office said on Wednesday. “The visions of the two presidents on dealing with current regional crises were in line, especially when it comes to reaching political settlements which contribute to regional security and stability,” Sisi’s office said in a statement. Qatar faces possible expulsion from

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Russia hits IS targets in Syria with advanced cruise missiles Powerbrokers fail to nail down safe zones MOSCOW, July 5, (Agencies): Russian strategic bombers fired advanced cruise missiles at Islamic State targets in Syria on Wednesday from a distance of 1,000 kms (621.37 miles) in a show of force Moscow said demolished three ammunition depots and a command post. Moscow carried out the attack just two days before President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump are due to hold heir first face-to-face meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, and after the Kremlin said they would discuss whether they were ready to team up against Islamic State in Syria. The Russian Defence Ministry said the attack was carried out by Tupolev95MS strategic bombers which had taken off from a base on Russian soil and refuelled mid-air before firing at targets on the border between the Hama and Homs provinces. “The strikes were carried out using high-precision Kh-101 missiles from a distance of about 1,000 kms,” the ministry said in a statement. Such missiles were capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 4,500 kms (2,800 miles) and could carry nuclear warheads, the ministry added. The Tupolev-95MS can carry eight such missiles at any one time. The ministry did not say how many aircraft took part in the attack, but said the strategic bombers had been escorted by Sukhoi-30SM fighters from Russia’s air base in Syria’s Latakia province. All of the bombers had returned to their home base in Russia safely, it said.

Retaliate Meanwhile, Turkish military preparations in northwest Syria are legitimate measures against a threat from Kurdish forces in the Afrin region, and Turkey will retaliate against any hostile move, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told Reuters on Wednesday. Kurtulmus was responding to the head of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, who told Reuters that Turkish military deployments near Kurdish-held areas of northwestern Syria were a declaration of war which could trigger clashes within days. The YPG forms a major part of the US-backed campaign to capture Islamic State’s stronghold of Raqqa. It also controls a pocket of territory in Afrin, about 200 kms (125 miles) west of Raqqa. Tensions between Turkish forces and the YPG have been mounting in the Afrin region in recent weeks. “This is not a declaration of war. We are making preparations against potential threats,” Kurtulmus said in an interview. “It’s ... a legitimate measure so that we can protect our independence. We cannot remain silent against those sending missiles from Afrin.” Turkey’s military, which launched an incursion last August into part of northern Syria which lies between Afrin and a larger Kurdish-controlled area further east, has said that it has returned fire against members of YPG militia near Afrin several times in the last few weeks. “Their (YPG) primary goal is a threat to Turkey, and if Turthe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional economic and security cooperation body founded in 1981, if its response to the demands fails to satisfy the four Arab states.

Only GCC can suspend Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said any decision on ending Qatar’s membership would come from the GCC itself and that such a measure would be on the table when the council next meet. Meanwhile, the UN’s political chief, Jeffrey Feltman, is in Kuwait for talks on ending the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors, a spokesman said Wednesday. The senior UN envoy stepped in as Arab states vowed to maintain their boycott of the emirate, jointly criticizing its “negative” response to their list of demands to end the crisis. Feltman, who is UN under-secretarygeneral for political affairs, “is there currently to discuss with a broad range of interlocutors the ongoing crisis in the region and other conflicts,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dispatched Feltman to the Gulf after meeting with Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani last week. Feltman arrived in Kuwait from the United Arab Emirates and will travel to Doha later this week. The United Nations has backed efforts by Kuwait to mediate an end to the crisis and has also offered to help broker a solution.

Turkish Airways Continued from Page 1 flights should “fasten your seatbelts and enjoy your own electronic devices.” A statement from the airline said it had taken over 81,000 electronic devices away from passengers to store them in specially protected baggage

Fleeing Iraqi civilians walk past the heavily damaged al-Nuri Mosque as Iraqi forces continue their advance against Islamic State militants in the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, on July 4. As Iraqi forces continued to advance on the last few hundred square kilometers of Mosul held by the Islamic State (IS) group, the country’s Prime Minister said Tuesday the gains show Iraqis reject terrorism. (AP)

Battle to oust IS ‘like a horror movie’

Corpses left to rot in Raqqa BEIRUT, July 5, (RTRS): When Abu Ahmad stepped out of his house in Raqqa after a night of heavy air strikes, he found several of his neighbours lying dead in the street. “I went out the next morning just to inspect,” he said. “I swear to God, cats were eating the corpses.” “We couldn’t do anything with the dead bodies,” he told Reuters in a series of voice messages from the city, the global headquarters of Islamic State. “They were just abandoned. We informed the hospital.” The US-led coalition battling to defeat the ultra-hardline militants in Raqqa says it goes to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties. Abu Ahmad said air and artillery attacks were relentless, leaving most people holed up inside, unable to bury the dead and paralyzed by fear of the warplanes and shelling by US-backed forces fighting on the ground. “We don’t dare come out of our houses,” he said. “There is death everywhere, the stench of death, of destruction. It’s terrifying.” He declined to give his full name out of fear for his life and his account could not be independently verified: Islamic State has imposed tight controls on communications in Raqqa, and routinely executes people accused of spying or treachery. He said he had encountered few Islamic State militants or armoured

vehicles recently in his district, which lies close to a front line in the west of the city. Many of those he did see were teenage boys with Kalashnikovs and rocket-propelled grenades. Under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish and Arab militias are now fighting inside the historic Old City, after pushing into Raqqa last month. On one particularly bad day last month, Abu Ahmad had just returned from getting water at a nearby well when he said intense air strikes battered his district around Raqqa’s al-Nour mosque. Jets pounded buildings and cars near the neighborhood bakery, killing more than 30 people, he said. The US-led coalition said it was investigating the allegation. People screamed for help in the dark and houses crumbled as the bombs fell, Abu Ahmad recalled. “Imagine ... we couldn’t even do anything. The rocket launchers, the warplanes. We left them to die under the rubble,” he said. A few men went out to search for and rescue the injured, but they could not get any of the dead bodies out. The Kurdish-led SDF has said it is careful to safeguard civilians in Raqqa, which Islamic State has used as a hub to plot attacks abroad. The US-led coalition also says it takes “all reasonable precautions” to

avoid civilian casualties in its bombing runs in Syria and Iraq. Ahead of the final assault on Raqqa city, the UN human rights office raised concerns about increasing reports of civilian deaths in the area. In a May report, it said there had been “massive civilian casualties” already. The United Nations estimates that 50,000 to 100,000 people are trapped in Raqqa. Witnesses said the militants have shot at those trying to escape, and people who have left in recent months reported paying large sums to smugglers to get them out. Abu Ahmad said his parents and children had been smuggled out of the city. “We had stocked food a while ago in anticipation of the siege,” he added. “But this fierce attack, we hadn’t expected even one percent of this, we would have left Raqqa immediately (if we’d known).” The US-led coalition said before the assault on Raqqa that 3,000 to 4,000 IS militants were still there, even after leaders abandoned the city for territory further south. The SDF says that Islamic State has heavily mined the old quarters of Raqqa and that the militants are doing most of their fighting at night without moving much in the daytime. “That’s it. It’s unbearable,” he said. “We are living in a horror movie.”

key sees a YPG movement in northern Syria that is a threat to it, it will retaliate in kind,” Kurtulmus said. Elsewhere, powerbrokers Russia, Turkey and Iran failed Wednesday to iron out the details of four safe zones in war-torn Syria after two days of peace talks in Kazakhstan. Moscow and Tehran, which back

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and rebel supporter Ankara agreed in May to establish four “de-escalation” zones in a potential breakthrough after more than six years of fighting that has claimed more than 320,000 lives. While fighting dropped off in the weeks after the deal, it has since returned in several areas, and the inter-

national players have yet to agree the exact boundaries of the zones or determine who will police them. Chief Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentiev said seven documents outlining how the zones should work “need finalising” despite being “essentially agreed” between the three key powerbrokers in Astana.

during the 102 days the ban was in place. The US laptop ban, first announced in March as a security measure, now applies to nonstop US-bound flights from seven international airports in Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City; Cairo; Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Casablanca, Morocco; and Doha, Qatar. In May, US President Donald Trump shared highly classified intelligence with senior Russian officials visiting the White House about the Islamic State group wanting to use laptops to target aircraft. Qatar Airways, the last of the three major Gulf long-haul carriers on the list, declined to answer questions Wednesday about the ban. That airline already has been blocked from much of its neighbors’ airspace over an ongoing dispute with four Arab nations. Speaking in London, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani said that American TSA officials were “already in Doha.” “I think they arrived yesterday,” Sheikh Mohammed told a crowd at Chatham House. “This is an ongoing process and I think irrelevant to the entire” political crisis. Saudi Arabian Airlines has said it hopes to be off the ban list “on or before July 19.” There is a precedent for concern over laptops being used as bombs. Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked al-Shebab said it planted a bomb inside a laptoplike device that exploded on a plane leaving Mogadishu in February 2016, killing only the bomber. However, the security concerns also come amid a wider dispute between Gulf airlines and American carriers, which accuse the Middle East airlines of flooding the market with flights while receiving billions of dollars of unfair government subsidies. The Gulf carriers all vigorously deny that. The laptop ban, coupled with the Trump administration’s travel ban on six predominantly Muslim countries, has hurt Middle Eastern airlines.

Emirates, the region’s biggest, said it slashed 20 percent of its flights to America in the wake of the restrictions. The airline said Wednesday it now flies 103 flights a week to the US.

“demonstrate its mettle to the US” and never put its weapons programs up for negotiations, a day after successfully testing its first intercontinental ballistic missile. The hard line suggests that North Korea will conduct more weapons tests until it perfects nuclear-armed missiles capable of striking anywhere in the United States. Analysts say Kim’s government believes nuclear weapons are key to its own survival and could be used to wrest concessions from the United States. Tuesday’s ICBM launch, confirmed by US and South Korean officials, was a milestone in North Korea’s efforts to develop long-range nuclear-armed missiles. But the North isn’t there yet, and many analysts say it needs more tests to perfect such an arsenal. Worry spread in Washington and at the United Nations, where the United States, Japan and South Korea requested an emergency UN Security Council session on Wednesday. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the US response would include “stronger measures to hold the DPRK accountable,” using the acronym for the nation’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In a show of force, US and South Korean troops fired “deep strike” precision missiles off South Korea’s east coast on Wednesday. South Korea’s military later released previously shot video showing the test-firing of sophisticated South Korean missiles and a computer-generated image depicting a North Korean flag in flames with the backdrop of a major building in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital. North Korean state media on Wednesday described leader Kim as “feasting his eyes” on the ICBM, which was said to be capable of carrying a large nuclear warhead, before its launch. “With a broad smile on his face,” Kim urged his scientists to “frequently send big and small ‘gift packages’ to the Yankees,” it said, an apparent reference to continuing the

Nukes, missiles Continued from Page 1 the two US treaty allies most at risk from North Korea, would “put up with this much longer.” North Korea conducts about 90 percent of its trade through China. In April, Chinese customs data said total two-way trade between China and North Korea increased 36.8 percent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period a year earlier. Raw data from the first quarter of this year, however, showed that total two-way trade between the sides increased by only a 7.4 percent in this first quarter. It was not immediately clear why the customs agency reported a higher growth rate. China has long resisted intensifying economic pressure on neighboring North Korea, in part out of fear of the instability that could mount on its doorstep, and Trump has not found a way to break through Beijing’s old habits. Trump spoke with Xi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday, discussing North Korea and its nuclear program with both leaders. He will meet them both this week at the Group of 20 meeting in Germany, as well as have his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. US officials joined South Korea and Japan in requesting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, scheduled Wednesday afternoon. Previously, North Korea had demonstrated missiles of short and medium range. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed Wednesday his nation will

stream of nuclear and missile tests Kim has ordered since taking power in late 2011. North Korea was also pleased that its test came as Americans celebrated Independence Day. State media said Kim told “scientists and technicians that the US would be displeased to witness the DPRK’s strategic option” on its Independence Day. Kim also said North Korea “would neither put its nukes and ballistic rockets on the table of negotiations in any case nor flinch even an inch from the road of bolstering the nuclear force chosen by itself unless the US hostile policy and nuclear threat to the DPRK are definitely terminated,” the Korean Central News Agency reported. The missile launch was a direct rebuke to Trump’s earlier declaration on Twitter that such a test “won’t happen!” and to South Korea’s new president, Moon Jae-in, who was pushing to improve strained ties with the North. South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it was unable to verify whether North Korea has mastered re-entry technology for an ICBM. It said North Korea may now conduct a nuclear test with “boosted explosive power” to show off a warhead to be mounted on a missile. The UN Security Council could impose additional sanctions on North Korea, but it’s not clear they would stop it from pursuing its nuclear and missile programs since the country is already under multiple rounds of UN sanctions for its previous weapon tests. “An attempt to curb Kim Jong Un’s nuclear and missile ambitions has clearly failed. I think North Korea won’t stop its nuclear drive until it feels that it has reached the level that it wants to reach,” said Lim Eul Chul, a North Korea expert at South Korea’s Kyungnam University. “I don’t know when North Korea can reach that level. But I would say it’s imminent.”

Iraqi forces Continued from Page 1 “The SDF advanced and captured the strategic Saif al-Dawlah road leading towards the Old Mosque,” said Nuri Al-Mahmoud, a spokesman for the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which makes up a bulk of the SDF. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said the SDF had pushed forwards about 200 metres (yards) by midday (0900 GMT) on Wednesday. “They are now approximately 300 metres (yards) from the Old Mosque — within firing range of it,” said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. Syria’s civil war provided fertile ground for IS, which seized territory in that country and also overran large areas north and west of Baghdad. The jihadists have since lost significant ground, but the recapture of Mosul and Raqa will not mark the end of the war against IS. IS holds other territory in both countries, and is expected to revert to its insurgent roots in Iraq, carrying out bombings and hit-and-run attacks that were its hallmark in past years.

Newswatch Continued from Page 1 MANILA: Islamist militants have beheaded two Vietnamese sailors held hostage for eight months in the southern Philippines, the military said on Wednesday. Philippine troops found the remains of the two hostages early Wednesday morning on the island of Basilan, a stronghold of the notorious Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group, military spokeswoman Captain JoAnn Petinglay said. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

DOHA: Barcelona star Jordi Alba has become the latest Spanish footballer to enter the Gulf diplomatic crisis after he was shown signing a T-shirt of Qatar’s leader on Wednesday. A video of Alba autographing the image of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which has become the symbol of Qatari resistance during the month-long row between Doha and neighbouring countries, was posted on Twitter. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑ SHANGHAI: At least five were killed and 89 injured in a gas pipeline explosion in northeastern China, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday, the second deadly incident of its kind this week. The blast occurred at around 2.45 pm local time (0645 GMT) on Tuesday in Songyuan city in Jilin province, Xinhua cited government officials there as saying. It did not name the owner of the pipeline. Xinhua said workers had been repairing a section of the pipeline where there had been a leak. It said the explosion had affected patients and staff at a nearby hospital but gave no other details. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

BANGUI, Central African Republic: At least 77 people have died after a heavy goods lorry that was carrying passengers tipped over in the Central African Republic, officials said Wednesday. The accident took place Tuesday between Bambari and Ippy in the centre of the country. “Fifty-nine bodies were taken to the morgue at the regional hospital in Bambari and 18 (were taken) by their relatives for burial,” Bambari hospital official Michel Zahandji told AFP. (AFP)

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World News Roundup

Contestants compete in the 2017 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (AFP)

‘Jaws’ downs 72 hot dogs in 10 minutes to win US holiday eat-fest Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, a competitive eater, talks like any other athlete. Conditioning is key for pushing the body to its limit, the 33-yearold Californian says. He certainly stretched that limit on Tuesday, downing 72 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at the annual wienereating contest on New York’s Coney Island, a

tradition that marks every Independence Day holiday in the United States. Chestnut won the competition for the 10th time and improved on the speed-eating tally he posted last summer. In the 2016 edition of the eat-fest at the Nathan’s Famous beachside hot dog stand — it began way back in 1916 — Chestnut wolfed

down 70 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win the title. His personal record — and the world record — is 73.5 dogs and buns in 10 minutes, but that came during a qualifying round rather than an actual contest. After Tuesday’s victory, organizer George Shea praised Chestnut as if he were a warrior

Canada

returning from a distant battlefield. “He is an American hero. He stands as a representative of freedom, of the American ideal,” said Shea to the 30,000 people who turned out to watch the competition. Chestnut spoke of himself in more measured language.

“I am just a goofy dude who likes to eat. I am a lucky guy, to travel around the world and eat and make people smile,” he told reporters. And Chestnut — who began eating competitively in 2005 in an asparagus-munching contest — does in fact want to get better for next year. (AFP)

Shooting

‘Khadr should be in jail’

NYC police shoot to death ex-convict

Decision to pay former Gitmo inmate slammed

Officer killed at command post RV

TORONTO, July 5, (AP): A decision by the Canadian government to apologize and give millions of dollars to a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner who pleaded guilty to killing a US soldier in Afghanistan came under mounting criticism on Tuesday. An official familiar with the deal said Tuesday that Omar Khadr will receive 10.5 million Canadian dollars ($8 million). The official was not authorized to discuss the deal publicly before the announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity. The government and Khadr’s lawyers negotiated the deal last month. The Canadian-born Khadr was 15 when he was captured by US troops following a firefight at a suspected al-Qaeda compound in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of an American special forces medic, US Army Sgt First Class Christopher Speer. Khadr, who was suspected of throwing the grenade that killed Speer, was taken to Guantanamo and ultimately charged with war crimes by a military commission. He pleaded guilty in 2010 to charges that included murder and was sentenced to eight years plus the time he had already spent in custody. He returned to Canada two years later to serve the remainder of his sentence and was released in May Khadr 2015 pending an appeal of his guilty plea, which he said was made under duress. The news of the government giving millions to someone who pleaded guilty to killing a US soldier has not gone over well among conservatives in Canada. “Odious. Confessed terrorist who assembled & planted the same kind of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that killed 97 Canadians to be given $10-million,” former Conservative Minister Jason Kenney tweeted said. “Khadr confessed to murdering Christopher Speer, a medic who rushed to his aid.”

Expenses Kenney added that Khadr should be in prison paying of his crimes, not profiting from them as the expenses of Canadian taxpayers. Conservative party Parliament member Tony Clement said “most Canadians know this is absolutely wrong” and urged Khadr to give any settlement money to the widow and children of the American soldier he was accused of killing in Afghanistan. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation started an online petition aimed at Trudeau, deploring the deal. “This is nuts. Khadr should instead be in jail for the murder of Sergeant Chris Speer, whom he killed. No consideration for Speer’s family,” tweeted Car Vallee, the former spokesman for ex-Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But Former Liberal leader Bob Rae tweeted that compensation was “long overdue.” Omar Khadr spent 10 years in Guantanamo Bay. His case received international attention after some dubbed him a child soldier. Meanwhile, the lawyer for the widow of an American soldier killed in Afghanistan said Tuesday they have filed an application so that any money paid by the Canadian government to a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner convicted of killing him will go toward the widow and another US soldier injured.

Emergency personnel pray near the scene where a police officer was shot in the Bronx section of New York on July 5. The officer was ambushed inside her command post RV by an ex-convict, authorities said. He was later killed after pulling a gun on police. (AP)

America Prince’s former drummer dies: One of Prince’s drummers, 43-year-old John Blackwell Jr., has died in Florida. Blackwell’s wife, Yaritza Blackwell, said in a post Tuesday on his official Instagram account that he died “peacefully” in her company. She thanked God for his life and his fans for their support. The Tampa-based Blackwell was Prince’s drummer for more than a decade. The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office did not respond to a message seeking confirmation of Blackwell’s death. A Go Fund Me account set up by his wife said Blackwell was in the process of getting tested for “what the doctors think may be tumors in his brain.” The fund, set up about four months ago, had raised about $79,000. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

‘Cause of explosion unknown’: The head of a southern Wisconsin milling and ethanol company where five people were killed in an explosion says it will be rebuilt with the best available technology for safety and efficiency. Didion Milling CEO John Didion told the Cambria Village Board on Monday night that the milling facility, which was severely damaged in the May 31 explosion, will be torn down starting next week. He says work at the company’s nearby ethanol plant can resume not long after that’s done. Didion says he still doesn’t know what caused the blast. Federal regulators are still investigating. In the meantime, Didion says he’s been reaching out to local employers to try to find work for his displaced workers while he pays their wages until he can call them back to work. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ Man doesn’t recall killing wife: A man told investigators he didn’t remember shooting and killing his wife inside an Uber employee’s car, saying he had been drinking and “not having a good night” with her before the gunfire rang out, authorities said.

NEW YORK, July 5, (Agencies): A police officer was shot to death early Wednesday, ambushed inside her command post RV by an ex-convict who once ranted online about his treatment in prison and about police getting away with killing people, authorities said. He was later killed after pulling a gun on police. The officer, a 12-year member of the New York Police Department, was wrapping up her shift when the man fired one round through the passenger-side window and struck her in the head. “PO Miosotis Familia has been assassinated in an unprovoked attack on cops assigned to keep NYers safe,” Police Commissioner James O’Neill tweeted after her death. Her partner radioed for help. “Shots fired! 10-85!” the officer is heard frantically shouting after the gunfire, including the code for an officer down. “My partner’s shot! My partner’s shot! My partner’s shot! Hurry up, central!”

Responded Officers responded quickly and caught up to 34-year-old Alexander Bonds about a block away, police said. As they confronted him, he pulled a revolver, and police fired, killing him. A silver revolver was found at the scene. A bystander was hit in the stomach by a bullet and is in stable condition, police said. Familia, 48, had been stationed in a mobile command post, an RV-sized truck used as a communications hub during major events and in high-crime areas as a constant police presence. She had been writing in her memo book, a police log where officers record their shift activity, when Bonds walked up. Bonds, who also went by the name John Bonds, was sentenced to six years in prison on an armed robbery case in Syracuse and had been released on parole in 2013. His supervision was set to end next May. Bonds was captured on video exiting

Cameron Espitia, 31, who worked for the US Coast Guard, was being held on $3 million bail in the death of Jennifer Espitia, 29. Defense attorney Kristen Gestaut had asked for lower bail Monday, citing Espitia’s lack of criminal history and ties to the agency, The Seattle Times reported. The Uber driver told police that Jennifer Espitia was sitting in the front seat and Cameron Espitia was in the back when they began arguing shortly after midnight Sun-

‘Nothing’s changed’ as shooting by police hangs over neighborhood BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, July 5 (AP): A year ago, Abdullah Muflahi rushed outside his convenience store, whipped out his cellphone and began recording moments before a white police officer shot and killed a black man in the parking lot. Muflahi’s video fueled nightly protests that turned his friend, 37-yearold Alton Sterling, into another symbol of outrage over deadly police shootings. The July 5 shooting also transformed Muflahi’s store into a hub for protesters and a canvas for their grief and anger. Visitors routinely stop by the Triple S Food Mart to photograph an iconic mural of Sterling’s smiling face on its aluminum siding. A makeshift memorial — now reduced to soggy stuffed animals and withered flowers — still stands on the table where Sterling once sold homemade CDs outside. Little has changed in this povertystricken neighborhood since the shooting — a frustrating fact of life for residents and business owners who had hoped a national spotlight on their problems could erode racial

divisions and improve police relations in Louisiana’s capital. “It’s overlooked. It’s not much that the city does around here,” Muflahi said. “There are things that the city could fix and help make it better, but nobody looks at it like that.” Muflahi, a 29-year-old native of Yemen, mourns Sterling as the friend who introduced himself as “Big Boy” and welcomed him after he moved here from Detroit and bought his store in 2010. “He’s the one who actually showed me around and looked out for me,” Muflahi said. The shooting strengthened Muflahi’s bond with neighbors who protested outside the store after Sterling’s death. But Muflahi said store revenue also plummeted and has been slow to rebound. “A lot of people were scared to come up here,” he said. “A lot of my regulars, the older people, I haven’t seen them.” A federal investigation found the confrontation with the two white officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, lasted less than 90 seconds.

a nearby convenience store, then moving tightly along the wall, pulling his hoodie over his head and walking purposefully toward the van. The video doesn’t capture the shooting but shows him running from the scene with a gun in his hand, police said. In a video posted on Facebook in September, the Bronx man ranted about the treatment of civilians by officers and talked about how hard life was behind bars. The photos of Bonds posted on the page match a police mugshot. “Don’t think every brother, cousin, uncle you got that get killed in jail is because of a Blood or Crip or Latin King killing them. Nah, police be killing them

and saying that an inmate killed them,” he said in the video. Aside from the police rant, Bonds’ Facebook page mostly consisted of inspirational quotes and quizzes. The shooting recalled the Dec 20, 2014, killing of patrol officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were ambushed and shot to death in their vehicle by a man who approached the passenger window of their marked police car. The suspect, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, then fatally shot himself. Brinsley announced online in the moments before the shooting that he was planning to shoot two “pigs” in retaliation for the police chokehold death of Eric Garner.

Blackwell Jr

Didion

day, according to probable cause documents. The driver for the ride-hailing service said Cameron Espitia cursed repeatedly at his wife before he heard a boom. He thought a tire had burst but saw Jennifer Espitia’s head slumped forward and realized she had been shot, documents said. Fearing for his life, he kept driving as ordered, police said. Eventually, Cameron Espitia told the driver to pull over. After he got out, the driver called police. (AP)

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Fireworks explode over the National Mall as the US capitol (right), and National Monument are seen on July 4, in Washington, DC. (Inset): People wait for fireworks to celebrate US Independence Day, in Washington, DC. (AFP)

Budget

Politics

Majority on tax hike

Allegations of Russian ‘meddling’ alarm lawmakers

Illinois Senate nixes budget plan vetoes SPRINGFIELD, Ill, July 5, (AP): The Illinois Senate voted Tuesday to override Gov Bruce Rauner’s vetoes of a $36 billion budget package fueled by a $5 billion tax increase designed to start digging out of the nation’s deepest budget crisis since at least the Great Depression. The Democratic-controlled chamber completed its work within 30 minutes of the Republican governor’s vetoes, sending the package back to the House for an override vote that would give Illinois its first annual budget since 2015. Fifteen Republicans defied their governor Sunday to give the House a veto-proof 72-vote majority on the tax hike. Whether they’ll stand firm against his influence and hefty campaign bank account to override the veto is the question. It wasn’t answered Tuesday. Rauner A quorum of House members failed to show up on the Fourth of July holiday, prohibiting work. The House returns Wednesday morning but its leadership gave no indication of whether overrides are in sight. “The package of legislation fails to address Illinois’ fiscal and economic crisis — and in fact, makes it worse in the long run,” the first-term governor wrote in a veto message that claimed the Democrats’ proposal remains $2 billion in the red. “It does not balance the budget. It does not make nearly sufficient spending reductions.” Rauner’s role in stymieing a budget deal since taking office in 2015 has been to demand a freeze on local property taxes and “structural” changes to boost business. The governor acted about three hours after the Senate voted to hike the personal income tax rate by 32 percent. Individual rates would go from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent. Corporations would pay 7 percent instead of 5.25 percent. Democrats say it provides the revenue bridge to fund a $36 billion blueprint, which also includes $2.5 billion in spending reductions. “We are faced today with the fierce urgency of ‘now,’” the tax increase legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Toi Hutchinson of Olympia Fields, said Tuesday morning before the first vote. “We don’t have any more time. And too late is not good enough.” With the GOP defection, the House approved the tax increase with 72 votes on Sunday, one more than necessary to override a veto. But House Speaker Michael Madigan announced shortly after the Senate votes that there would be no House action to override Tuesday, but his spokesman said he couldn’t answer why. Later, when only 54 members answered the House quorum call, Madigan and Republican leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, were among 64 absences. Although there’s no firm deadline, credit-rating houses have vowed to downgrade the state’s creditworthiness to “junk,” signaling to investors that buying state debt is a highly speculative venture. The bond houses predicted a downgrade without a fix by the July 1 debut of the fiscal year — the third consecutive fiscal year Illinois has opened without an approved budget plan. But Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings gave Illinois some breathing room on Monday, issuing notices marking the House tax increase approval a day earlier and indicating they wouldn’t take immediate downgrade action. Government has limped along for two years on the strength of court-ordered spending, but the state comptroller says the treasury will be $185 million short of what’s needed to cover basic services by August.

Pressure on Trump over Russia

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump listen to the national anthem during the military families picnic at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 4. (AFP)

Levy

Blattner

America Fla city to rename streets: City commissioners in Florida have agreed to begin the process of changing the names of streets named after Confederate generals in the heart of an African-American neighborhood. During a contentious three-hour meeting Monday night, the Hollywood City Commission voted 5-2 to begin renaming Lee Street, named after Confederate Gen Robert E. Lee; Hood Street, named after Gen John Bell Hood, and Forrest Street, named after Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan member Nathan Bedford Forrest. “It is time to change the names and the time is now,” Commissioner Debra Case said during the meeting. “We must do the right thing and we must do it now.” The SunSentinel reports a final vote is expected when the board returns from its summer break on Aug 30. The current plan calls for Forrest Street to become Savannah Street, Hood Street to become Macon and Lee will be renamed Louisville. The controversy has been brewing for a while. Two years ago vandals painted over streets signs and a similar call to change the names went ignored 15 years ago. A clash broke out last month at city hall between those pushing for the name change and those against it. Five people were arrested. On Monday night, Hollywood resident Cynthia Baker asked commissioners when it would end. “We have streets named for slave-owning presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Madison. Activists have said those streets are next.” The commission voted 5-2 to waive the city’s policy requiring that property owners on all three streets receive mailed ballots and vote on the matter. Commissioners Traci Callari and Peter Hernandez offered the votes against renaming streets. The majority

WASHINGTON, July 5, (Agencies): During his presidential campaign, Republican Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “strong leader” with whom he would like to reset tense US-Russian relations. But as Trump heads to his first face-to-face meeting as president with Putin on Friday at the G20 summit in Germany, he is under pressure at home to take a tough line with the Kremlin. Allegations of Russian meddling in last year’s US election have alarmed both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who are pushing to extend tough sanctions placed on Russia following its 2014 annexation of Crimea, a peninsula belonging to Ukraine. Lawmakers including Republican Senator Cory Gardner are also concerned Russia has prolonged the civil war in Syria by backing its President Bashar al-Assad, a strongman whose forces have used chemical weapons against insurgents and civilians. The chaos has fueled instability in the region and a flood of migrants to Europe. “President (Trump) needs to make it clear that the continued aggression by Russia around the globe ... is unacceptable, and that they will be held accountable,” said Gardner, who was among six lawmakers invited by the White House last month to discuss foreign policy with Trump over dinner. Meanwhile, the appointment of a special counsel who is investigating potential links between the Russian government and members of the Trump campaign has weakened the president’s ability to maneuver with Russia, foreign policy experts say. The US intelligence community has included Mayor Josh Levy and Commissioners Dick Blattner, Kevin Biederman, Debra Case and Linda Sherwood. The debate isn’t over.

concluded Russia sponsored hacking of Democratic Party groups last year to benefit Trump over his Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. Russia has denied those allegations while Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea of any coordination between his campaign and Russia as a “witch hunt.” Still, just the optics of Trump meeting with Putin, a former KGB agent, are fraught with risk, foreign policy experts say. “If (Trump) smiles, if he wraps his arm around Putin, if he says, ‘I’m honored to meet you, we’re going to find a way forward,’ ... I think Congress is going to react extremely negatively to that,” said Julie Smith, a former national security aide in the Obama administration. Trump has signaled an interest in cooperating with Russia to defeat Islamic State in Syria and to reduce nuclear stockpiles.

Sanctions The White House has been mum on what Trump would be willing to give Russia in exchange for that help. But there has been speculation he could ratchet down sanctions, or even return two Russian diplomatic compounds in Maryland and Long Island. President Barack Obama seized those facilities and expelled 35 Russian diplomats just before he left office as punishment for the election hacks. While some administration officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, also support engagement, others, such as Vice President Mike Pence and US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, have taken a hawkish line on Russia. The lack of a unified strategy has left Callari wants to impose a 10-year moratorium to prevent any other street names from being changed. And Hernandez wants to change the name of every street to a number

US allies anxious. And it has lowered expectations for American leadership to help resolve crises in Syria and Ukraine, where Russian cooperation would be critical. “Trump is like a horse with his front legs tied,” said a German diplomat, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. “He can’t make any big leaps forward on Russia. If he tried people would immediately suspect it was all part of some big conspiracy.” Trump’s administration is still reviewing its Russia policy, a process that may not be wrapped up for a couple of months, a US official said. Speaking with reporters last week about Trump’s upcoming meeting with Putin, White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster said his boss would like “the United States and the entire West to develop a more constructive relationship with Russia. But he’s also made clear that we will do what is necessary to confront Russia’s destabilizing behavior.” In related news, Trump’s first face-toface meeting with Putin on Friday will be brimming with global intrigue, but the White House says there’s “no specific agenda.” So in the absence of a set list of topics, what are two of the world’s most famously unpredictable leaders to discuss? Trump, who prefers to have neatly packaged achievements to pair with high-profile meetings, may be looking for some concessions from Russia to show he’s delivering progress and helping restore a productive relationship between the two powers. Putin would almost surely want something in return, and there’s a long list of “irritants” between the two countries that they could potentially resolve. throughout the entire city. “If you inconvenience one, you should inconvenience them all,” Hernandez said. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

FBI, groups at odds: Rolando Arriaza

Small American flags are placed in all 2,983 names on the 9/11 Memorial in the Manhattan borough of New York City. The flag placement has become an annual tradition at the site on July 4. (AFP)

has visited hospitals, morgues and even the harsh, mesquite-covered terrain in South Texas that his brother trekked nearly two years ago after illegally crossing into the US — all as part of an ongoing effort to find his sibling’s remains and bring his family closure. “You want to know if he died and you want to find the body,” said Arriaza, whose 50-year-old brother Hugo Arriaza, from Guatemala, disappeared in August 2015 after being abandoned by a smuggler when he became ill. Like many family members of missing immigrants, Arriaza, 45, has submitted DNA so it can be compared to remains found along the Texas-Mexico border. But while Arriaza, who lives in Philadelphia, submitted DNA to US authorities, many others choose a different path that complicates potential identification of their loved ones’ remains. Many missing immigrant family members living outside the US, or who live in the country but fear going to authorities due to concerns about their immigration status, instead give their DNA to non-governmental organizations working on this issue. (AP)

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World News Roundup

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (centre), attends the annual garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, on July 4. (AP)

Britain

Politics

All visible remains retrieved

May lonely at top, but battles on

‘Heroics’ symbol of anti-austerity push

‘Balance pay, living within means’

LONDON, June 5, (AP): Britain’s police and firefighters, repeatedly hailed as heroes in recent months for facing down extremists and rushing into burning buildings, have become the symbol of a new anti-austerity drive in the country. Their exploits are adding to the pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to ease seven years of belt-tightening after a disastrous election that cost the government its majority in Parliament and led to calls for her to step down. Over the past few days, key ministers have broken with government policy on the issue amid a change in public mood. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn made emergency services the focus of a march on Parliament last weekend when demonstrators called for an end to the 1 percent cap on pay increases for public employees. With the inflation rate now at 2.9 percent, the cap means the spending power of government workers is shrinking. Speaking before the march, the head of the national firefighters union said the government’s spending policies and deregulation contributed to the June 14 inferno at Grenfell Tower in May west London that killed at least 80 people. More than 11,000 firefighting jobs have been eliminated, and fire stations are being closed and fire engines taken out of service because of the budget cuts, said Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union.

Fire “This was not an act of God,” Wrack told Sky News, speaking of the Grenfell Tower disaster. “It was a horrific fire, but the failings that led to it happening on that scale are the result of political decisions, a series of decisions that were taken over many years. That includes the deregulation of building control within local authorities, privatization of building control, the destruction and decimation of fire and rescue service safety inspections, the complete obsession with deregulation.” Grenfell Tower is only the most recent tragedy to put Britain’s emergency workers in the news. On May 22, paramedics rushed to Manchester Arena when a suicide bomber blew himself up after a pop concert, killing 22 people and injuring 116 others. Doctors and nurses worked through the night to treat the wounded, and police launched an around-the-clock investigation to find any accomplices.

Also: LONDON: British police said Wednesday that they have recovered all “visible human remains” from a fire-gutted London tower block, three weeks after a blaze tore through the building and killed at least 80 people. But they say the devastation at Grenfell Tower is so catastrophic that it will be months before the full death toll is known. The Metropolitan Police force said 87 “recoveries” of human remains have been made — but they may not be from 87 different people. Police say 80 people are either dead or missing and presumed dead, but only 21 have been formally identified. Officers believe no one survived from 23 of the building’s 129 apartments. Commander Stuart Cundy, who is overseeing the police response to the disaster, said specialists had “forensically recovered the last of the visible human remains from Grenfell Tower” and taken them to a mortuary.

This is an undated hand out photo of Chris Gard and Connie Yates with their son Charlie Gard provided by the family, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London. The president of the United States has offered to help. The pope is willing to have the Vatican hospital take him in. Some 1.3 million pounds ($1.68 million) have been raised to help him leave Britain for treatment. But little has changed on July 4, for Charlie Gard, a terminallyill British infant suffering from a rare genetic disease that has left him severely brain damaged. (AP)

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Britain Sinn Fein lash out at UK PM: Irish nationalists Sinn Fein on Tuesday accused British Prime Minister Theresa May of setting the Northern Ireland peace process back decades after a further delay in talks to form a new government for the province. Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein’s leader in Northern Ireland, said an agreement between May and the Democratic Unionist Party’s 10 MPs in the London parliament to prop up her minority government was at fault. “She is in hock to the DUP,” O’Neill told reporters in Belfast in comments aired on national television. Marathon talks to form a new powersharing executive in Northern Ireland with Sinn Fein and the DUP were delayed yet again after the parties admitted they could not reach a deal before the summer recess. “Sinn Fein are disappointed but not surprised that a deal has not yet been done. What this constitutes is a monumental failure on behalf of Theresa May. “She has set back decades of work,” O’Neill said. (AFP) ❑

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LONDON, July 5, (RTRS): Any decision on lifting a pay cap on public sector workers must be balanced against the need for Britain to live within its means, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday. At a rowdy session in parliament, May was questioned repeatedly about restrictions on pay increases for jobs including police, nurses and doctors as the opposition Labour Party pressed an argument that her governing Conservatives do not look after working people. Finance minister Philip Hammond has defended the country’s strict cap on public sector pay after some senior Conservatives also questioned whether it should be loosened. May said the government would consider outstanding public sector pay review recommendations, which include teachers and prison officers, “very carefully” and respond to them. “We will always recognise the need to ensure that we take those decisions against the need to live within our means,” she told parliament. Hammond and May are under pressure to loosen the seven year-old cap which limits public sector pay increases to 1 percent a year at a time when inflation is about to hit 3 percent, but junior finance minister Liz Truss said the policy was unchanged. “Our policy on public sector pay has the court meant Prime Minister Theresa May has drawn a red line that “would prevent any future involvement of an EU-UK court-like body, even when such an arrangement is demonstrably in the national interest”. “We have called for a more flexible approach that would make it far easier for Britain to stay inside common EU arrange-

always been designed to strike the right balance between being fair to our public sector workers and fair to those who pay for them. That approach has not changed and the government will continually assess that balance,” she told parliament. It’s lonely at the top for British Prime Minister Theresa May but she’s holding on – for now. May faced calls to quit from inside and outside her ruling Conservative Party after losing its parliamentary majority in an ill-judged election that she did not need to call, plunging Britain into the worst political instability for decades.

Agree She has struggled since then to unite her government on policy and to assemble a new team of aides – one Conservative lawmaker described it as “career suicide” to agree to serve a leader whose days in office may be numbered. But party sources say moves to oust May are now on hold after senior figures agreed she should be the one to at least make a start on two years of Brexit talks that are likely to stretch her government and possibly the public’s patience, giving the world’s fifth biggest economy some breathing space. If she fails to make headway or satisfy some of her more eurosceptic party members, then she can answer for it, the party sources said. ments that benefit the UK,” wrote Starmer, a career lawyer who rose to be head of the state prosecution service before going into politics. (RTRS)

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PM ditches ‘fox-hunting’: British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government ditched

two controversial manifesto promises on Tuesday on fox-hunting and free school lunches, as it limits its ambitions after last month’s disastrous election. The ruling Conservatives lost their majority in the House of Commons in the June 8 vote, forcing them to form a minority government with the help of a small Northern Irish party -- and scrap some plans they think will not pass. One of the most contentious was the promise to allow MPs to vote on the future of the 2004 ban on fox-hunting with dogs, which has widespread public support. “We are not planning to bring forward a free vote in this session,” environment minister Theresa Coffey told the Commons in response to a question from the opposition Labour party. The Conservatives had also pledged to scrap free lunches provided for children in their first three years of school, offering instead cheaper school breakfasts for more children. (AFP)

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‘Chances for Canada, Ireland’:

‘Drop European court red line’: Britain’s opposition Labour Party called on the government to drop its “deeply unhelpful red line” in Brexit talks over the European Court of Justice, saying it should be more flexible to retain access to EU bodies. In a letter to the Financial Times on Wednesday, Labour’s Brexit policy chief Keir Starmer said the party understood that the future relationship with the European Court of Justice would have to change as Britain leaves the European Union, due in March 2019. But he said by ruling out any deal that would keep Britain under the jurisdiction of

“She’ll stay for as long as we want her to,” one lawmaker told Reuters, on condition of anonymity. “Now is not that time.” Concerns over the reaction of Britons if asked to vote for the fourth time in just over two years, over losing Conservative seats and of having someone else take over the lead in talks with the European Union have calmed calls to replace May. Even the most embittered lawmakers say a new leadership vote would simply deepen divisions in the party over Brexit and its austerity agenda, blamed by opposition politicians for a devastating fire in west London that killed at least 80 people and for straining a police service battling militant attacks. May, 60, has said she will carry on, despite her pride being “shattered” by the election, said one veteran Conservative Party member who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But I suspect her sense of duty is bigger than (predecessor David) Cameron’s,” the source said. “No one actually wants the job, well they do want the job but not now.” May, Britain’s longest serving interior minister in over a century with a reputation as a tough and diligent politician, became the country’s second female premier after Margaret Thatcher when Cameron resigned after Britons voted for Brexit.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (center), is shown around the Great Famine Memorial statues by artist Rowan Gillespie (left), in Dublin on July 4. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar both took a swipe at their bigger neighbours during the Canadian premier’s visit to Dublin Tuesday ahead of the G20 Summit in Hamburg later this week. (AFP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that his country and Ireland should seize the opportunity to be open and progressive as their big neighbors, the U.S. and Britain, turn inward. Trudeau said there are “tremendous opportunities for countries like Canada and Ireland at a time where perhaps our significant allies and trading partners ... are turning inward or at least turning in a different direction.” He said the two nations should “make the pitch that Canada and Ireland are places that are exciting and open to the world in a positive, progressive way.” (AP)

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel (second from right), listens to China’s President Xi Jinping (second from left), during a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin on July 5. (AP)

Extremism

Summit

Tajik police kill 4

Germany, China pledge new cooperation

Five arrested in Belgian and French terror raids

Trump, world leaders in stormy G20

BRUSSELS, July 5, (Agencies): Five people have been arrested and an arms cache found after overnight terror raids in France and Belgium linked to a bikers’ club called the Kamikaze Riders, officials and sources said Wednesday. A series of searches in the gritty Anderlecht district of Brussels netted four people and arms hidden in a garage, the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said. Meanwhile, in northern France, a joint Franco-Belgian operation picked up a man on suspicion of having links to the Kamikaze Riders, a group implicated in terror offences in Belgium. The raids and arrests come with Belgium and France still on high alert after several deadly attacks claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group, with troops on patrol in Brussels and Paris to guard key buildings and infrastructure. Only last month, a soldier shot dead a man who had attempted to set off a bomb in Central Station, right in the heart of the Belgian capital, Khalimov sparking fears that further incidents might be in the offing. Investigators said at the time they had evidence that the suspect, a 36-year-old Moroccan national, had IS sympathies. They also found explosive materials in a raid on his home in Molenbeek, a Brussels district where many of the jihadis who carried out the deadly Paris attacks in November 2015 and those in the Belgian capital in March 2016, grew up and found shelter. In a statement on the latest raids, the Belgian federal prosecutors’ office said “various weapons” were found during one of the house searches and that four people had been “arrested and taken in for questioning”. A source close to the probe said investigators had found at least two Kalashnikov assault rifles, while reports spoke of explosives also being discovered during operations in the immigrant-heavy Anderlecht district. ❑ ❑ ❑ Tajik police kill four: Tajik police killed four relatives of a former elite police force commander who defected to Islamic State two years ago, two security sources told Reuters on Wednesday, during a raid on a house near the Afghan border. The United States last August offered up to $3 million for information about Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov, whom it trained in counter-terrorism before he joined Islamic State. Washington has described Khalimov as “a key leader” of Islamic State, which has seized parts of Syria and Iraq and staged or inspired deadly militant attacks around the world. According to the security sources, police suspected that some of Khalimov’s relatives were also linked to the militant group and were about to cross the border into Afghanistan. When police raided a house in the Ibrat village in southern Tajikistan late on Tuesday, the suspects resisted and wounded at least one policeman, the sources said. Police killed two of Khalimov’s brothers and two of his nephews, and detained several people. ❑ ❑ ❑ Syrians in dock for German ‘plot’: Three alleged Syrian jihadists went on trial in Germany Wednesday accused of plotting coordinated suicide bombings and shootings in the western city of Duesseldorf. The three defendants, identified as per German practice only as Saleh A and Mahood B, both 25, and 27-year-old Hamza C, were in the dock accused of belonging to the Islamic State group and planning the attacks in the Duesseldorf old town centre in 2015. The accused “are believed to have plotted to have two suicide bombers set off explosive vests and then open fire on passers-by with automatic rifles,” the Duesseldorf court said in a statement. The case came to light when Saleh A. went to a police station in Paris in February last year and told officers that he had “a certain amount of information about a sleeper cell that was ready to strike in Germany”. He had been registered as an asylum seeker in the Duesseldorf region in 2013 and Germany requested extradition from France after he turned himself in. German authorities believe Saleh A. and Hamza C. joined IS in early 2014 in Syria. They crossed from Syria to Turkey in May 2014. From there they travelled separately in March and July in 2015 via Greece to Germany. Prosecutors said the pair planned to finance the attack by selling a video to the Vatican with proof of life of a priest kidnapped by IS in Syria. Germany since 2015 saw an influx of more than one million migrants and refugees who mostly travelled overland, the majority via Turkey, Greece and Balkans countries, to seek asylum in Europe’s biggest economy.

This file photo taken on July 18, 2014 shows a piece of wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 pictured in Shaktarsk, the day after it crashed. The trials of any suspects arrested in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over war-torn eastern Ukraine will be held in the Netherlands, Dutch officials announced on July 5, 2017. All 298 people on board were killed when the plane was downed on July 17, 2014 on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. (AFP)

Europe France pays tribute to Veil: France paid homage on Wednesday to Simone Veil, who survived the Nazi death camps and went on to make her mark in the maledominated world of French politics by championing the legalisation of abortion as health minister in the 1970s. President Emmanuel Macron said Veil, who died aged 89 on June 30, would be laid to rest with her husband in the crypt of the Pantheon mausoleum alongside other national icons including Emile Zola, Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas. At a ceremony in the sun-drenched courtyard of the Les Invalides military museum in Paris, her two sons, prominent criminal affairs lawyers, delivered moving tributes to their mother’s dogged defence of tolerance and the feminist cause. “I forgive you for emptying a jug of water over my head because of a remark you considered misogynistic,” said one of the two sons, Jean Veil. A Jewish survivor of the Nazi death camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau and BergenBelsen with the prisoner number 78651 tattooed on her arm, Simone Veil was a fervent European and fighter for civil liberties, elected president of the European Parliament in 1979. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

Polish, US leaders hold talks: Polish President Andrzej Duda says he and visiting US President Donald Trump will hold talks on “very concrete issues” of security and economic cooperation. Trump arrives in Warsaw Wednesday night and will hold meetings with Duda and other leaders and deliver a speech on Thursday, before traveling to a G-20 summit in Germany. Poland is hailing the visit as a huge success and confirmation of its European standing. Duda said Wednesday on TVN24 that his talks with Trump will not be “some general talk about world security” but will tackle concrete issues like energy security for the region still dependent on gas and oil deliveries from Russia. Duda said the visit will have a “historical character” and Trump’s speech will be “not only for Poland but for the whole world.” (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

Spain PM urges calm: Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called Wednesday for calm in the face of “authoritarian delusions” in Catalonia, as tensions between Madrid and separatists in the northeastern region surged over an independence drive. “To all Catalans, to all Spaniards, I want to tell you to maintain confidence in the future as authoritarian delusions ... will never defeat the serenity and harmony of our democratic state,” Rajoy said at a gathering in Madrid. His comments came a day after the separatist coalition that governs Catalonia, a wealthy region of 7.5 million inhabitants with its own language and customs, unveiled a bill aimed at ensuring an independence referendum takes place despite Madrid’s refusal. Lawmakers who form the coalition said Catalonia would declare independence “immediately” if the region’s voters opt to separate from Spain in the vote planned for Oct 1.

BERLIN, July 5, 2017 (AFP) -US President Donald Trump meets other world leaders at Germany’s G20 summit from Friday, with conflicts looming over climate, trade and other global issues both inside and outside the heavily fortified venue. Fears over nuclear-armed North Korea, which just successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), cast another long shadow over the gathering, which will bring the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea to the northern city of Hamburg. Some 20,000 police will guard the heads of the Group of 20 big industrialised and emerging economies against anti-capitalist protesters are greeting them with the combative slogan “G20 – Welcome to Hell”. But trouble is also brewing at the conference table at a time when the West and Europe are deeply divided, the post-Cold War order is fraying and China and Russia are asserting themselves on the global stage. All eyes will be on Trump, who had vowed North Korea’s goal of developing a nuclear weapon that can reach the US “won’t happen” and has repeatedly pressed China to rein in its truculent neighbour. His counterparts are bracing for fresh surprises after Trump stunned the world by pulling out of the 2015 Paris climate pact, questioned long-standing NATO allegiances and dismissed freetrade principles. “There is a danger that the summit will lead to polarisation between the US and other countries” on climate change and other issues, warned Oxford Analytics economist Adam Slater. Trade wars loom as Trump has demanded Germany and China reduce their huge surpluses and his administration has threatened other countries with punitive measures in battles over cars, steel and natural gas. In the most anticipated moment of the G20, Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, the ex-KGB agent accused of having aided, with hackers and fake news, the surprise ascent of the property tycoon to the White House. The moment they shake hands is sure to see “an Olympian level of macho posturing between these two leaders, who both understand the importance of symbolism and the perception of being tough,” said Derek Chollet of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

Event The year’s biggest diplomatic event outside the UN will also provide a stage for other world leaders muscling for power and regional influence. Meanwhile, ties between China and Germany are about to enter a new phase, China’s president said after meeting Germany’s chancellor, ahead of a G20 summit which is expected to highlight their differences with the US administration on a host of issues. “Chinese-German relations are now about to have a new start where we need new breakthroughs,” said Xi Jinping at a joint news conference with Angela Merkel on Wednesday, adding that he hoped to make a “new blueprint, set our sights on new goals and plan new routes” for cooperation during his visit to Germany.

If the “no” side wins, new regional elections will be called, they added. The bill aims to extract the region from Spain’s legal system — a step aimed at preventing the central authorities from throwing up any legal and practical challenges to organising a referendum. It will be submitted to a vote in the Catalan regional parliament, where separatists hold a majority, at the end of August. For years separatist politicians in the region have tried to win approval from

G20 battle lines drawn over wars, climate & global trade BERLIN, July 5, (AFP): Leaders of the world’s top economies will gather Friday in Germany for likely the stormiest G20 summit in years, with disagreements ranging from wars to climate change and global trade. Here are some of the most volatile issues and disputes, and the key personalities involved, in the July 7-8 meeting in the northern port city of Hamburg. North Korea North Korea’s first successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday is likely to overshadow all other trade and diplomatic rows. The reclusive state’s relentless pursuit of its nuclear ambitions comes as a slap in the face for US President Donald Trump, who vowed Pyongyang’s goal of possessing an ICBM “won’t happen”. The tough-talking property tycoon has so far failed to persuade China to bring its rogue neighbour to heel. Storm clouds Germany has made climate protection a priority of its G20 presidency. It had hoped to get the world’s biggest industrialised and emerging economies to commit to taking the lead in implementing the landmark 2015 Paris climate deal on keeping the global rise in temperatures “well below” two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) from preindustrial times. But Trump dashed those hopes after vowing in early June that he would pull the world’s second biggest carbon emitter out of the Paris accord. Host Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted that after Trump’s announcement, she “knew that we could not expect discussions to be easy”. But she and European allies have vowed to defend the climate pact at the summit, setting them on a collision course with Trump. Looming trade war Signing up to an anti-protectionist pledge used to be routine at G20 meetings, but not this time. Trump, swept to power by popu-

lar anger over deindustrialisation in vast parts of the United States, has pledged to “follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American.” That has put him at odds with many US trading partners, including export giants Germany and China, whom he has criticised over their massive trade surpluses. Trump’s threats may soon materialise, as Washington is reportedly preparing to impose punitive tariffs on steel imports — something that G20 exporters would be keen to ward off. The United States in April launched a probe into whether steel imports posed a danger to national security, with the result due within days. Trump is reportedly waiting to hear from trading partners before announcing his decision on whether to limit imports of the metal. According to news website Axios, the US leader is leaning towards imposing tariffs as high as 20 percent on the metal — a move that would likely unleash retaliatory measures. Antagonistic pairs With accusations of Russian meddling in the US elections and contacts between Trump’s senior aides and President Vladimir Putin’s men, the vexed relationship between the two will be closely scrutinised when they meet face to face for the first time on Friday. The two leaders face an array of contentious foreign policy issues, from Syria to Ukraine and North Korea. Trump has struck a tough tone on Russia’s ally Syria, while Washington’s decision to toughen sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine has angered Moscow. Another meeting to watch will be Trump’s talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, particularly after the US billionaire leader in a tweet accused Beijing of not doing enough to rein in North Korea. Meanwhile, Trump infuriated Beijing last week when he approved a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, while China lashed out after a US warship sailed close to an island claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The two countries, which are at odds with US President Donald Trump on climate policy, pledged to work more closely together on trade and aerospace, to progress toward a free trade agreement and also cooperate on development in Africa and in Afghanistan. In related news, Moscow hopes the first face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump later this week will establish an effective working dialogue between the two men, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. The meeting, due to be held on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg on Friday, will be closely watched at a time when ties between the two countries remain strained by US al-

legations of Russian election hacking, Syria, Ukraine and a US row over Trump associates’ links to Moscow. “This is the first meeting, the first time the two presidents will get acquainted - this is the main thing about it,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with reporters. “The expectation is that a working dialogue will be established, which is vitally important for the entire world when it comes to increasing the efficiency of resolving a critical mass of conflicts.” The meeting would explore whether there was a chance and a readiness for the two countries to fight international terrorism together in Syria, Peskov said, saying Putin would explain Moscow’s stance on the conflicts in both Syria and Ukraine.

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Spain’s central government to hold a vote similar to Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum from Britain — which was approved by London, though it resulted in a “no” vote. But Madrid has remained steadfast in its opposition to such a vote, considering it a threat to Spain’s unity. The Constitutional Court has already quashed a resolution approved by Catalonia’s parliament calling for the referendum to take place. (AFP)

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World News Roundup Turkey Move sparks outcry

Evolution moved from ‘curriculum’ ANKARA, July 5, (AFP): A move by the Turkish education ministry to remove evolution from the national school curriculum has sparked an outcry and accusations the government is “brainwashing” students. The government says the change -- part of a broad revision of the school curriculum -- will modernise learning. But critics see it has a step back from scientific rigour towards creationism by the Islamic-rooted authorities under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The head of the Turkish education board, Alparslan Durmus, said in a video message evolution would no longer be taught in biology lessons in high schools from September onwards as it was “controversial”. “We have left aside some controversial subjects because we know it is not possible for our students to have the necessary scientific or information background to understand them,” Durmus said. The theory -- formulated by Charles Darwin in the 19th century as the theory of natural selection -- would be studied from university-level onwards. The change is not the only shift in a planned curriculum Kurtulmus overhaul that will be implemented by 2019. Durmus also said the curriculum would move away from “a eurocentric point of view”, especially in history lessons. The move comes after Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said in January the theory of evolution was “a scientifically obsolete and rotten theory”. “There is no rule saying that this theory must absolutely be studied,” he said. Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz said the new curriculum -- approved by Erdogan -- would “give children a much better education”.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left), with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center right), meet with Moshe Holtzberg (center), an Israeli boy, whose parents were killed in the Nov 26, 2008 terrorist attack on the Mumbai Chabad House, at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem

Israel

Quoted The goal was to ensure “our children and students do not just use knowledge and technology but at the same time will create” them, Yilmaz said, quoted by Dogan news agency on June 27. Feray Aytekin Aydogan, head of the secular EgitimSen teachers’ union, described the move to remove evolution as “backward, dangerous”. Aydogan said the move would make Turkey compare unfavourably with Iran, where she said students received 60 hours of lessons on evolution and 11 hours on Darwin. “We will not surrender to the darkness. We will continue to promote scientific education,” said Aydogan whose union represents over 100,000 education and science workers. Thousands of the union’s members were suspended from their jobs over alleged links to Kurdish militants under the state of emergency, though many were later reinstated. The union denies any links to terrorism, saying it supports secular education, peace and democracy. Baris Yarkadas, a lawmaker from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of “brainwashing” children and wanting to isolate Turkey. “What they want to do here is completely remove secular and scientific education to avoid a generation that thinks, questions or creates,” he told AFP. Independent lawmaker Aylin Nazliaka agreed: “They want to create an ideological apparatus with young people who think like them.” Durmus explained in the video published on June 21 that the purpose was to prepare children for “tomorrow”. Contacted by AFP, an education ministry official declined to comment on the controversy. Critics say there will also be fewer mentions in the new curriculum of the Turkish Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who set up the modern secular Republic in 1923 out of the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. Ataturk believed that in order to be a strong modern state, Turkey had to embrace values like women’s rights, Western arts and also science. “This democratic, secular republic has come about thanks to scientific education,” the head of the Kemalist Thought Association, which defends Ataturk’s legacy, Tansel Colasan, told AFP. She said the changes were part of the government’s goal to create a “New Turkey” ahead of the Republic’s 100th year anniversary in 2023. “They want to remove Ataturk’s name (and) those who built the Republic from schools,” Nazliaka said. Meanwhile, the former co-leader of Turkey’s third largest political party went on trial in Ankara on Tuesday on charges of disseminating “terror propaganda” for outlawed Kurdish militants.

Detained Figen Yuksekdag and the other co-leader of the proKurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas, were detained in November and have been held in jail ever since. Their incarceration gravely alarmed the European Union and raised further concerns over use of the state of emergency imposed in Turkey in the wake of a failed coup last July. In her testimony, Yuksekdag denounced her trial as political, claiming that the judicial system was beholden to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). “The government thinks the courts are under its ownership,” she said. She added that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dominated Turkey to the extent that anyone who dared oppose him was deemed to be a “terrorist”. “We have one man, one party, one way of thinking, one ideology and everyone against is a terrorist,” she told the court. If found guilty, Yuksekdag risks being sentenced to up to 83 years in jail, according to the indictment. Demirtas risks a term of up to 142 years. The HDP party in May named Serpil Kemalbay as Yuksekdag’s successor as co-leader after the Supreme Court revoked her party membership. Demirtas, however, remains in his post. Dozens of Yuksekdag’s supporters crowded the courthouse, shouting “Resisting, resisting we will win!” and “Women are proud of Figen!” Her charges include directing an armed terrorist group, making terror propaganda and inciting people to commit a crime. Both she and Demirtas are accused of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) which has waged an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984. “You enter into politics to solve issues, you go to parliament, then you are tried for what you say,” Yuskekdag said in her testimony to the court. “You are punished for speaking, raising your hand in parliament.”

on July 5. Israel and India signed several agreements on cooperation in the fields of technology, water and agriculture Wednesday, the second day of a landmark visit by the Indian prime minister to the Jewish state. (AP)

Opposition Labour chief loses re-election bid

Israel, India sign series of agreements Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu (center), waves as he walks with thousands of supporters in Izmit on July 5, on the 21st day of a three-week ‘march for justice’ from Ankara to Istanbul. Kilicdaroglu began the march on June 15 after former journalist turned CHP lawmaker Enis Berberoglu was sentenced to 25 years in jail on charges of leaking classified information to a newspaper. (AFP)

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Friedman

Mideast Iranians to take part in Hajj: Iran will allow its citizens to take part in this year’s hajj pilgrimage despite soaring tensions with archrival Saudi Arabia. Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency on Wednesday quotes a representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ai Khamenei as saying the decision was approved last month by the National Security Council. The representative, Ali Qaziaskar, says “there is no doubt ... pilgrims will participate in the ceremony magnificently.” Iran boycotted the 2016 Hajj after a stampede and crush of pilgrims the previous year killed at least 2,426 people. Iran had the highest death toll of any country, with 464 killed. Millions of Muslims from across the world take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah, in Saudi Arabia. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ Pro-Israel group meets US envoy: A liberal pro-Israel advocacy group says its meeting with the US ambassador to Israel, who has made derogatory comments against them in the past, was vital for maintaining diverse dialogue. J Street said its meeting Monday with David Friedman was off record but recognizes the need for “broad dialogue in the pro-Israel community, even with those with whom we disagree.” Friedman in the past infuriated many by referring to J Street supporters as “kapos,” a term for Jews assigned by Nazis to assist them in concentration camps in the Holocaust. In his US Senate confirmation hearing he regretted using inflammatory language. The meeting came at a tense time between Israel and some Jews abroad over a government decision to suspend plans to expand and upgrade the prayer area at Jerusalem’s Western Wall for liberal Jews. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

JERUSALEM, July 5, (AFP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday on the first ever visit by an Indian premier to Israel as they sought to deepen ties beyond high-priced defence deals. The two leaders sign a series of agreements between India and Israel for cooperation on satellite technology, water and agriculture, as well as the creation of a $40 million innovation fund. The agreements are part of efforts to extend relations in civilian areas between both countries, with Israel already selling India an average of $1 billion per year in military equipment. Netanyahu and Modi have greeted each other warmly throughout the three-day trip that began on Tuesday, calling the visit “historic” and “groundbreaking”. “I have a feeling that today India and Israel are changing our world and maybe changing parts of the world,” Netanyahu said after talks with Modi in Jerusalem. He added that they had asked their staffs to put together concrete plans for further cooperation in a range of fields by the end of the year. Modi said the discussions extended beyond bilateral projects to “how our cooperation can help the cause of global peace and stability.” The Indian premier also said they “agreed to do much more together to protect our strategic interests and also cooperate to combat growing radicalisation and terrorism, including in cyberspace.” Modi’s visit marks 25 years since India and Israel established diplomatic relations. Netanyahu and other officials gave him a red carpet welcome at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv as he began his visit on Tuesday. Israel, constantly searching for allies at the United Nations and for new business partners, has portrayed the

illegally into Turkey from Syria with 5.25 kilograms of TNT and nine detonators. Police detained 25 people in simultaneous raids in nine provinces including Istanbul overnight, targeting Islamic State suspects who had been on a security watchlist for the past four months, the private Dogan news

visit as a major diplomatic victory. Israeli analysts have noted that Modi is not scheduled to travel to Ramallah to meet Palestinian leaders during his three-day stay, as is common for visiting dignitaries. Modi did however meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in New Delhi in May. India has traditionally voiced its support for Palestinian statehood, long shunning ties with Israel. But the frost has thawed in recent years, with India seeking closer defence ties — particularly as it moves away from relying on traditional ally Russia for its military hardware. India is the world’s biggest importer of defence equipment, and Israel has become one of its major suppliers.

Defence In April, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries said India would buy nearly $2 billion worth of weapons technology, making it the military exporting giant’s largest ever defence contract. The deal will see IAI provide India with an advanced defence system of medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and communications technology. The Hindu nationalist makes the trip after his visit last week to Washington, where he and US President Donald Trump embraced each other as friends, vowing to work more closely on combatting terrorism, the war in Afghanistan and defence cooperation. While ties with some US allies have been strained by Trump’s complaints that Washington has been the loser in trade agreements, Modi appeared sensitive to his host’s emphasis on transactional diplomacy. Modi has seemed to find similar common ground with Netanyahu, Israel’s longtime right-wing prime minister who hosted Trump in May. Meanwhile, the head of Israel’s

agency reported. In a separate set of operations, police detained 12 individuals, 2 of them children, in southern Adana province with suspected links to the Islamic State overnight, Dogan said, adding that one of them was an 12-year-old Indonesian girl.

Turkey has detained more than 5,000 Islamic State suspects in recent years and deported some 3,290 foreign militants from 95 different countries, according to Turkish officials. It has also refused entry to at least 38,269 individuals. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

Tripoli beachgoers killed: Five people

Turkey detaines 37 IS suspects: Turkish police detained 37 Islamic State suspects in anti-terror operations in provinces across Turkey, media said on Wednesday, while officials said another suspect was held carrying more than 5 kg (11 lb) of explosives at the border with Syria. The governor’s office in the southern province of Hatay said the Syrian citizen was caught on Tuesday trying to cross

main opposition Labour Party lost a re-election bid Tuesday as the party which once dominated the country’s politics faces dwindling relevance. Isaac Herzog was knocked out of a leadership primary election that saw veteran politician Amir Peretz and former environment minister Avi Gabbay proceed to a head-to-head second round set for July 10. Peretz, 65, who served as chairman of the Histadrut labour union, defence minister and previously as Labour chairman from 2005-2007, took 33 percent of the vote. Gabbay, 50, won 27 percent of the vote. Gabbay quit his post as minister in the government of Benjamin Netanyahu in May 2016 in protest at the appointment of ultra-nationalist hardliner Avigdor Lieberman to head the defence ministry. He also quit the centre-right Kulanu party to join Labour. While around 31,000 party members voted in the primary, neither Peretz or Gabbay took the 40 percent of votes necessary to win outright. Labour began as an incarnation of the Mapai party that controlled Israeli politics following the state’s inception in 1948 to the 1977 rise of right-wing Likud. It has seen its influence drop significantly in the past 25 years, during which it saw no less than 10 different leaders. The country’s last Labour prime minister was Ehud Barak from 1999 to 2001. Israeli politics has seen a shift rightward in recent years, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party in power since 2009. Ahead of the 2015 general elections, Labour joined forces with Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua to form the Zionist Union, which won 24 seats to become the largest opposition to Netanyahu’s government.

Demonstrators protest against India’s support for Israel outside the Indian consulate in the West Bank city of Ramallah on July 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel for what he called a ‘groundbreaking’ first ever visit by an Indian premier, with growing ties between the two countries including billion of dollars in defence deals. (AFP)

including at least one child were killed late on Tuesday when a shell landed on a beach near Mitiga airport in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, the health ministry said. At least 18 people were injured, according to reports from Tripoli hospitals. “The casualties are the result of clashes on Tuesday between a security force and outlaws who fired a shell that fell on a beach in front of Mitiga airport,” Abdulsalam Ashour, a deputy interior minister in Libya’s UN-backed government, told Libya Al-Ahrar TV channel. Fighting resumed on Wednesday morning, causing the suspension of flights at Mitiga. Some reports said the shell was fired during a revenge attack against members of one of the capital’s many armed factions. Pictures posted on social media showed plastic furniture strewn on the sand under strings of outdoor lights. Tripoli is home to a patchwork of armed groups, some of which share control of Mitiga and the surrounding area. They occasionally clash in turf wars over the control of smuggling businesses and localised disputes. (RTRS)

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

INTERNATIONAL

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Philippines Duterte backs out from ‘talks’

Troops ‘detain’ Marawi militants’ main financier MANILA, July 5, (RTRS): Philippine security forces arrested on Wednesday the main financier and logistics supporter of the pro-Islamic State militants who have for weeks been battling government troops for control of a southern town, the army said. The militants from a faction known as the Maute group, seized the town or Marawi on May 23 and are resisting daily assaults by government forces using aircraft and artillery, and with help from allies the United States and Australia. The fighting in the largely Muslim town in south of the predominantly Christian Philippines has alarmed neighbours, fearful that Islamic State is bent on gaining a foothold in the region as it loses ground in the Middle East. Security forces raided a village not far from Marawi and detained three suspects found with ammunition and material for making bombs, an army spokesman, BrigadierGeneral Gilbert Gapay, said. One of those detained was an important supporter of the Maute group who Gapay identified as Monaliza Romato, alias Monay. The woman is a niece of Duterte the matriarch of the Maute clan, whose men-folk lead the Marawi attack. Two of seven Maute brothers, Omar and Abdullah, were educated in the Middle East, and were the main planners of the assault on Marawi, the military has said. “Monay has replaced her aunt as the main financier and logistic supporter of the militant group,” Gapay said in a statement. “The arrest will adversely affect the logistics support network of the group,” he said. The raid, seizure of weapons and the arrests would also prevent the militants from mounting diversionary attacks, he said.

Killed More than 400 people have been killed in the fighting in Marawi. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced and about 20 percent of the centre of the town has been destroyed. On Wednesday, military aircraft dropped bombs on the town while ground forces tried to advance from house to house. President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law on Mindanao island, where Marawi is located, for 60 days when the fighting erupted and Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there was pressure on the military to defeat the militants before it expires on July 23. That is also a day before Duterte is due to deliver his annual state of the nation address in Congress. Lorenzana said the military last week sent an aircraft to the United States to stock up on various bombs and rockets, supplies of which were running out. US forces are providing Philippine troops with technical assistance for the battle while Australia has sent two surveillance planes. In another part of Mindanao, soldiers on Tuesday found the beheaded bodies of two Vietnamese sailors abducted a year ago by militants from the Abu Sayyaf group. Meanwhile, Duterte was preparing to make a deal with Islamic State-inspired militants in the days after they laid siege to a southern city, but aborted the plan without explanation, an intermediary involved in the process said. Agakhan Sharief, a prominent Muslim leader, told Reuters that after a band of Islamist fighters overran parts of Marawi City on May 23 and took hundreds of people hostage, he was approached by a senior Duterte aide to use his connections with the Maute militant group’s leaders to start back-channel talks. Two other Marawi sources familiar with the matter confirmed the president had worked behind the scenes to hold talks with the Maute brothers, Omarkhayam and Abdullah. However, the process was halted when Duterte in a May 31 speech declared he “will not talk to terrorists”. It was not immediately clear what prompted Duterte’s about-face. Changing “The problem with our president, his mind is changing always,” said Sharief, a cleric who has had roles in various peace agreements on the long-restive southern island of Mindanao. “He announced he will no longer talk to terrorists and that made our negotiations cut.” Duterte’s top peace adviser and his spokesman did not respond to separate requests for comment. Despite his tough rhetoric and frequent promises to wipe out militants, Duterte has a reputation as a peace-broker, having dealt with separatist and Marxist rebellions during his 22 years as mayor of Davao City in Mindanao, an island of 22 million with a long history of unrest. The battle for control of Marawi has been the biggest crisis of Duterte’s year-old presidency. Fighters from the Maute group and others loyal to Islamic State have been holed up in the commercial district of the town through more than 40 days of air strikes, artillery bombardments and fierce street clashes with troops. More than 400 people have been killed, including 337 militants, 85 members of the security forces, and 44 civilians. Some 260,000 residents have been displaced by a siege that has fanned regional fears that Islamic State is trying to establish a stronghold in Southeast Asia. Marawi Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra confirmed that back-channel talks did start but said he was not privy to details. He told Reuters the process failed because the rebels did not show good faith or reduce the intensity of attacks on government forces after Duterte offered them an olive branch. “There was a window of opportunity,” he said. “But there was no show of sincerity.” Sharief, known locally as “Bin Laden” due to his resemblance to the late al Qaeda leader, would not reveal the identity of Duterte’s aide, whom he said was confidentially assigned to set up a meeting with the Maute clan.

This US Navy photo obtained July 4, shows US Navy ships assigned to Carrier Strike Group 5 as they sail in formation during a live-fire gunnery exercise on June 29, in the Pacific. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, providing a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (AFP)

North Korea ICBM test intensifies friction between superpowers

China walks tightrope with Trump

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korea’s Hyunmoo Missile II is fired during the combined military exercise between the US and South Korea against North Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea on July 5. Grinning broadly, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delighted in the global furor created by his nation’s first launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, vowing to never abandon nuclear weapons and to keep sending Washington more ‘gift packages’ of missile and atomic tests. (AP)

Asia Japan’s population falls: Japan’s population, excluding resident foreigners, fell at the beginning of this year at its fastest pace since comparable figures were kept in 1968, highlighting the demographic challenge to economic growth. As of Jan 1, the number of Japanese people fell by a record 308,084 from a year earlier to 125,583,658, marking the eighth consecutive year of declines, government data showed Wednesday. The number of births fell 2.9 percent from the previous year ago to 981,202, the lowest since comparable data became available in 1974. People aged 65 or older accounted for 27.2 percent of the total population, the highest ratio on record, while the ratio of those aged 14 or younger fell to a record low of 12.7 percent, the data showed. The number of registered foreign residents increased to 2,323,428, up 6.9 percent from a year earlier, according to the data. Japan has long been reluctant to open up to immigration. Many Japanese pride themselves on what they see as their cultural and ethnic homogeneity, even as the population ages and its workforce shrinks. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

Heavy rain kills 1 in Japan: Heavy rain following a recent typhoon has left a man dead and flooded many houses in southwestern Japan. Police say they found the 93-year-old man washed up dead Wednesday. They believe he was swept away in flooding in Asakita in Hiroshima prefecture. Media reports say more than 20,000 people in Fukuoka prefecture were advised to evacuate. The Japan Meteorological Agency says there has been a record amount of rain in the prefecture, telling residents to be vigilant and take precautions. Heavy rain continued in southwestern Japan late Wednesday, threatening to bring landslides and more flooding. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

‘Radicalised’ maids repatriated: Singapore has repatriated two Indonesian maids it said were radicalised online, one of whom wanted to travel to Syria with her foreign boyfriend to join the Islamic State (IS) group. Second Home Affairs Minister Desmond Lee told parliament the discovery of the two brought to nine the number of radicalised foreign domestic workers uncovered by the city-state since 2015. All have been repatriated. The affluent island-republic’s leaders have warned it is a prime target for a terror attack because of its strong stand against terrorism and reputation as a regional financial centre. The city-state is also supporting the US-led international coalition against IS with non-combat assistance like air-to-air refuelling. Lee said in response to a question in parliament that the two Indonesian maids were IS supporters who were “radicalised through social media”. “One of them intended to travel to Syria

BEIJING, July 5, (AFP): The US and Chinese presidents face an awkward encounter at the G20 summit this week as rising tensions over how to deal with North Korea threaten to shatter the already-crumbling facade of their friendly rhetoric. North Korea’s landmark test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching Alaska has intensified friction between the superpowers ahead of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the summit in Germany, which starts Friday. In the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s missile test, Trump had used a series of Twitter outbursts to criticise China over its failure to rein in the nuclear-armed North, vexing Chinese leaders who prefer closed-door diplomacy to public tongue-lashings. In a marked change of tune, Trump has gone from calling Xi a “good man” after their first face-to-face meeting at the US billionaire’s Florida resort in April to accusing him last month of failing to resolve the North Korea issue. In his latest salvo on Monday, Trump called on China to “put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!” China’s foreign ministry responded that Beijing had made “relentless efforts” to resolve the issue. For his part, Xi complained in a call with Trump on Monday about a “negative” patch in relations after the US administration slapped sanctions on a Chinese bank linked to North Korea and authorised a $1.3 billion arms sales to Taiwan. While China, the North’s sole major ally and economic lifeline, could do much more to starve Pyongyang of the foreign currency it needs to fund its weapons programmes, analysts say the US actions make that less likely to happen. China is also carefully calibrating its moves to avoid destabilising its unpredictable neighbour for fear of triggering the regime’s collapse and a flood of refugees across its border – or giving the US a reason to launch a strike in its backyard.

Find “They are trying to find the point to keep the Americans happy and keep Trump from veering off and looking at military options,” said Andrew Gilholm, director of analysis of Greater China and North Asia at Control Risks. Gilholm added, however, that China’s economic leverage over the North did not necessarily mean it could persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions. But the North’s possession of a working ICBM could signal time is running out for China to act. Trump, who has made halting the nuclear threat his top foreign policy priority, has vowed to act unilaterally against Pyongyang if Beijing fails to rein in North Korean leader Kim JongUn’s regime. “It’s a delicate balance,” said Willy Lam, a politics expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “If they (China) don’t take action fast enough it’s possible that the US might contemplate some action, either a surgical strike or other action.” China appeared to cave to US pres-

With Alaska in North Korean range, few options for Trump WASHINGTON, July 5, (AFP): North Korea’s test-firing of a missile apparently capable of reaching Alaska underlines the shrinking options for US President Donald Trump to halt Pyongyang’s nuclear drive after losing faith in China’s mediation efforts. Shortly before his January inauguration as president, Trump said he would never let North Korea develop a nuclear weapon that would put parts of the United States in range, declaring on Twitter: “It won’t happen!” But after Washington confirmed that North Korea had successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), experts say the US may have to accept that red line is close to being crossed if the missile system can be developed to carry a nuclear warhead. “The window for negotiating denuclearization is closed,” Jeffrey Lewis, an expert in nuclear non-proliferation, told AFP. “The big point is that we have to accept North Korea with a nucleararmed ICBM.” In the immediate aftermath of the latest test, Trump again took to Twitter to berate the North’s leader Kim Jong-Un and press China to “put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!” But there are growing signs that Trump has already effectively given up on China’s capability of reining in Kim’s regime, declaring last month that Beijing’s efforts had not worked out. The Trump administration’s hardening stance was also illustrated last Thursday when it slapped sanctions on a Chinese bank linked to North Korea — drawing an angry response from Beijing. In a weekend phone call with China’s president, Trump reportedly told Xi Jinping that Washington was prepared to act on its own in pressuring North Korea, according to the New York Times. As well as leaning on China, Trump has also been seeing if he can work with South Korea’s new leader Moon Jae-In, inviting him to the White House last week. He has even tried to flatter Kim himself, calling him a “smart cookie” whom he would be “honored” to meet

— if only he would halt his missile programs. Adam Mount, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress for Nuclear and Defense policy, said international pressure and diplomacy was of limited use now that Pyongyang was so far down the line. “It is now illogical to apply pressure to prevent the threshold from being crossed. It has been crossed. Denuclearization is untenable,” said Mount. “US policy failed. The best we can hope for now is to sustainably deter, contain, constrain, and reform the regime over the long term.” In the short term, the Pentagon is studying its options for military action, though the United States and South Korea quickly made a show of force following the ICBM test, firing missiles off the coast of the Korean peninsula in what Washington called a display of “precision fire capability.” But US military chiefs have made clear they see enormous risks in a confrontation with the North. Speaking in May, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said any war with North Korea would be on a scale similar to the devastating Korea conflict in the 1950s. “The North Korean regime has hundreds of artillery cannons and rocket launchers within range of one of the most densely populated cities on Earth, which is the capital of South Korea,” he told CBS News. “The bottom line is, it would be a catastrophic war if this turns into a combat, if we’re not able to resolve this situation through diplomatic means.” Trump’s National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said in a speech last week that nothing had been ruled out but was blunt about the risks associated with any effort to impose a military solution. “The president has directed us to ... prepare a range of options, including military options, that nobody wants to take,” he said. Lewis, a researcher at the California-based Middlebury Institute for International Studies, said the Trump administration’s focus should now be on dissuading North Korea from firing anything in earnest.

sure in February when it announced the suspension of coal imports from North Korea for the rest of the year. The total value of all imports from North Korea fell to $721.5 million between January and May from $773.6 million over the same period last year, according to Chinese official figures. While the US has traditionally favoured sanctions as a pressure tactic against the North, China has been pushing for the resumption of six-party negotiations that have been dormant since 2009. Xi, on a visit to Moscow on Tuesday, got Russian President Vladimir Putin to back his “dual track” proposal for North Korea to freeze its nuclear activities in return for the US and South Korea to halt joint military drills. But analysts said China could try to appease the United States by doing more to crack down on Chinese banks, companies and airports with ties to the

North or even reducing food and fuel supplies to the hermit state. “What makes the difference is not whether the UN takes any measures, it’s how far China goes in implementing them,” said Gilholm, referring to UN sanctions on North Korea. Xi might be inclined to act if it means avoiding an embarrassing crisis ahead of a key Communist Party congress later this year, which is due to cement his position as the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation. But Lam said Xi would likely take covert action so he is not “seen as failing to stand up to the Americans” after the Trump administration took steps last week that angered China. As the two leaders prepare to meet at the G20 a breakthrough on North Korea is looking unlikely, said Michael Cole, a Taipei-based academic with the University of Nottingham’s China Policy Institute. “We’re at an impasse,” Cole said.

with her foreign boyfriend to join ISIS,” he said Tuesday, using another name for IS. No details were given for the seven other maids repatriated earlier. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

Lam hits conciliatory tone: New Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam struck a conciliatory tone on Wednesday and vowed to improve ties with the legislature, but she suggested fresh reforms to bring greater democracy to the Chinese city would not be

Lee

Lam

tabled any time soon. The former British colony celebrated the 20th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on Saturday, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the city and warned that it should crack down on moves towards “Hong Kong independence”. In 2014, Lam spearheaded government efforts to push through a contentious, Beijing-backed political reform package that would have allowed a direct vote for the city’s next leader. (RTRS)

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

INTERNATIONAL

16

World News Roundup ashram in the northern state of Punjab. On Wednesday the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a three year old petition by Dalip Kumar Jha, who claims to be his son, and who wanted his father’s body to cremate him as per Hindu rituals. Jha’s lawyer, S P Soi told AFP that it was unclear whether or not the court approved the sect’s argument that Maharaj was alive. “But they dismissed our petition which is disappointing and we will challenge it in the Supreme Court,” said Soi. The court while rejecting their plea set aside a 2014 judgement that had ordered his cremation after doctors confirmed him clinically dead. His disciples had challenged the court’s Maharaj cremation order saying he had simply drifted into a deeper form of meditation, something he did often in sub-zero Himalayan temperatures. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

Indian forces kill 3 rebels: Gov-

An Indian Kashmiri woman looks on near the debris of houses destroyed during a gunfight between rebels and Indian government forces at Bahmnoo village in Pulwama, south of Srinagar, on July 4. Five homes were destroyed during a gunfight in which three rebels were killed, and one Indian Army officer and one paramilitary officer were injured, as well as dozens of protestors injured during clashes near the site. (AFP)

Asia

Himalayas

Indonesia plane missing

Indian chopper goes missing in border

Junta suspends labour law, extends deadline

Withdraw troops: China

BANGKOK/MAHACHAI, Thailand, July 5, (Agencies): Thailand’s junta delayed on Tuesday parts of a new labour law aimed at regulating the foreign workforce after the decree sparked panic and prompted more than 60,000 foreign workers to flee from the country. The military government, which has ruled since a 2014 coup, has invoked Article 44, a security order that gives it power to push through policy, to delay the law that imposes heavy fines on employers and employees who do not have work permits, a senior official said. The original decree was issued in part to tackle human trafficking concerns raised by the international community, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam told reporters. “The government had to issue this law because we are being watched by the foreign community in terms of ... human trafficking. If we don’t issue this law they will not buy our goods. So we have to do it,” Wissanu said. The U.S. State Department last month left Thailand on a Krea-ngam Tier 2 Watchlist, just above the lowest ranking of Tier 3, in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report because it did not do enough to tackle human smuggling and trafficking. ❑ ❑ ❑ Thai lawmakers quit assembly: More than a dozen members of an assembly appointed by Thailand’s junta have resigned to be able to contest elections, one of the first signs of political activity ahead of a poll set tentatively for next year. The military government had initially promised a vote within 18 months of a May 2014 coup, but the timetable has slipped – intensifying suspicion among government critics about the army’s real willingness to relinquish power. The vice-chairman of the National Reform Steering Assembly, which shapes government policies, said 25 of its 200 members had resigned ahead of a July 4 constitutional deadline they needed to meet if they were to stand. “Most of them want to retain their right to run as members of parliament in the next election,” Alongkorn Ponlaboot told Reuters on Wednesday. Not all those who had resigned were planning to take part in politics, he said. ❑ ❑ ❑ Plane feared to have crashed: A small plane carrying five people is believed to have crashed in Indonesia’s eastern Papua province, an official said Wednesday, with a search and rescue mission underway. Authorities lost contact with the Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft at midday Wednesday after it took off on a short flight across the remote, mountainous region. “We have found the coordinates of the plane, though we still need to find the exact location. In that area, it can be assumed the plane has crashed,” Yusuf Latif, a spokesman at the search and rescue agency told AFP. The plane was carrying three passengers and two crew, with the pilot believed to be European, he said. ❑ ❑ ❑ Mob kills Rohingya: A mob in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State killed a member of the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority and injured six others who were on a police-guarded trip Tuesday from the displacement camp where they live to the city that many Rohingya were forced to flee five years ago. The seven were given a ride by police to the dock area of Sittwe, the Rakhine capital, to purchase some boats. The Rohingya are normally confined to the camp, and police provide rides in a closed truck to both restrict and protect them. A police officer and one of the men said the group was attacked by about 100 members of the Buddhist Rakhine ethnic group, whose violent assaults in 2012 drove most Rohingya residents from their Sittwe homes.

The daughter of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, speaks to media after appearing before an anti-corruption commission at the Federal Judicial Academy in Islamabad on July 5. Nawaz Sharif and his children are accused of graft in an ongoing case which has captivated Pakistan and threatened to topple the prime minister after the Panama Papers leak last year linked the family to offshore businesses. The Supreme Court issued a split ruling calling for a joint investigation team of anti-corruption officials along with the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence to probe the claims and issue a report within 60 days. (AFP)

BEIJING, July 5, (Agencies): China on Wednesday insisted India withdraw its troops from a disputed plateau in the Himalayan mountains before talks can take place to settle the most protracted standoff in recent years between the nuclear-armed neighbors who fought a brief but bloody frontier war in the area 55 years ago. India must pull back its troops “as soon as possible” as a precondition to demonstrate “sincerity,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a daily news briefing. His comments came after weeks of saber-rattling in New Delhi and Beijing, as officials from both sides talk up a potential clash even bloodier than their 1962 war that left thousands dead. The confrontation could spill over into the G-20 summit in Germany later this week where Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are expected to meet at a gathering of leaders from five emerging economies on the sidelines of the main event in Hamburg.

Standoff

Subcontinent US Sen calls for new strategy: A bipartisan delegation of US senators visiting Afghanistan on Tuesday called for a new strategy from the Trump administration to turn the tide against an increasingly strong Taleban insurgency and end the longest war in US history. The delegation led by Senator John McCain was in Kabul on a regional trip that included two days in neighbouring Pakistan. The visit preceded an expected Trump review later in the month of the strategy for the United States’ longest war, now in its 16th year, a subject that was largely absent from last year’s presidential campaign. Since the exit of most foreign troops in 2014, Afghanistan’s US-backed government has lost ground to a Taleban insurgency in a war that kills and maims thousands of civilians each year and has made Afghanistan the second-ranking country in people seeking refugee status abroad last year, behind Syria. McCain said in a Kabul press briefing on Tuesday at NATO-coalition headquarters that “none of us would say that we are on a course to success here in Afghanistan”. “That needs to change and quickly,” added McCain, a sharp critic of Trump within their Republican party. McCain was accompanied by US senators Lindsey Graham, Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse and David Perdue on the regional tour. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

The month-long standoff — and unconfirmed reports of troop buildups on both sides of the border — has also underscored the swiftly deteriorating relations between the two Asian rivals. China claims about 90,000 sq kms (35,000 square miles) in the Indian province of Arunachal Pradesh, referred to informally by some Chinese as “Southern Tibet.” India says China is occupying 38,000 sq kms (15,000 square miles) of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau. More than a dozen rounds of talks have failed to make substantial progress in the dispute, although there have been relatively few confrontations in recent years. China appeared frustrated that India refused to sign on this year to its continent-wide “One Belt, One Road” infrastructure initiative, which includes a component in Pakistan and a part of Kashmir that is contested by India. China also complained bitterly when Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India, visited Arunachal Pradesh in April, something India said amounted to interference in its internal affairs. Yet India also formally joined the Russian and Chinese-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organization this year alongside Pakistan. The latest dispute flared up in June

after Chinese teams began building a road on territory also claimed by Bhutan. Although China and Bhutan have spent decades negotiating the precise border without serious incident, the tiny Himalayan kingdom sought help this time from its longtime ally, India, which sent troops onto the plateau to obstruct Chinese workers. China then retaliated by closing a mountain pass that Indian pilgrims use to reach Mount Kailash, a sacred Hindu and Buddhist site in Tibet. Since then, videos have emerged of Indian and Chinese soldiers blocking each other with their arms and physically jostling without coming to blows. After Chinese officials said India should learn “historic lessons” from its humiliating defeat in the 1962 war, Indian Defense Minister Arun Jaitley shot back by saying that “India in 2017 is different from India in 1962,” in a reference to its improved military strength. Meanwhile, an Indian helicopter with three people on board has gone missing near the country’s border with China after taking off on a flood rescue mission, an official said Tuesday. The aircraft lost contact in Arunachal Pradesh state in India’s remote northeast amid turbulent weather, the defence official told AFP. “The ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) had taken off from Tezpur airbase in Assam state around 4:00 pm (10:30 GMT),” he said, declining to be named. India’s junior home minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted that efforts were on to locate the Indian Air Force helicopter, which was carrying relief material for flood-affected residents in the northeast of the country.

Also: BEIJING: Work is underway on China’s second railway line to Tibet that will wind through some of the world’s most mountainous and inhospitable territory and likely take the better part of a decade to complete, state media said Wednesday. Work at the line’s two ends in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, and Tibet’s capital of Lhasa has already begun, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Other feasibility studies have been completed, but the most difficult section, through the mountains from Kangding in Sichuan to Nyingchi in Tibet, is still being designed and may take seven years to finish once construction begins, Xinhua said.

Afghan teen denied US visas: Two Afghan girls refused visas to the United States for a robot-building competition said on Tuesday they were mystified by the decision, as the contest’s organizers said teams from Iran and Sudan as well as a de facto Syrian team had gained visas. The unusual story of the Afghan all-girl team of robotics students emerged as the United States grapples with the legality of President Donald Trump’s order to temporarily ban travel from six Muslim-majority countries. Afghanistan itself is not on the list and Team Afghanistan’s robot, unlike its creators, has been allowed entry to the United States. Asked by Reuters on Tuesday why the girls were banned, a US State Department spokesperson cited regulations prohibiting the agency from discussing

individual visa cases. So the six team members will watch the ball-sorting machine compete in Washington DC via video link during the July

16-18 event from their hometown of Herat, in western Afghanistan, according to the FIRST Global contest organizers. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

Guru’s body to stay in freeze: An

McCain

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Indian court Wednesday allowed disciples of a spiritual guru to preserve his body in a freezer, as they believe he is in a deep state of meditation and will return to life. Ashutosh Maharaj, founder of the multi-million dollar sect, Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan (Divine Light Awakening Mission), apparently died of a cardiac arrest in January 2014. But his followers insist he is in a deep spiritual state called samadhi and have controversially kept his body in a commercial freezer at his heavily guarded 100 acre

ernment forces killed three rebels in a gunbattle in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir while 35 civilians were injured in anti-India protests and clashes in solidarity with militants, police and witnesses said Tuesday. The 24-hour long fighting erupted Monday after soldiers and counterinsurgency police raided southern Bahmnoo village on a tip rebels were hiding there, police Inspector-General Muneer Ahmed Khan said. Witnesses said the fighting ended Tuesday morning after troops blasted and destroyed four homes during the fighting. Khan said soldiers were searching for the body of a fourth militant in the debris. At least six police and soldiers were injured in the fighting. The gunfight triggered intense clashes after hundreds of civilians marched near the site to help the trapped militants escape. Government forces fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas to stop the march by rock-throwing protesters who were chanted slogans such as “Go India, go back” and “We want freedom.” At least 35 civilians were injured, including five with bullet wounds. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

Monsoon floods kill 20: Heavy rains since the start of India’s monsoon season have triggered floods and landslides in parts of the remote northeastern region, causing at least 20 deaths, authorities said Wednesday. The deaths included drowning or fatal injuries from collapsed homes in Assam state, where the mighty Brahmaputra River was flowing above the danger level, swelled by the heavy rain in the past two weeks, said the state’s disaster management authority. Nearly 400,000 people have left their flooded homes in 750 villages across nearly half of Assam’s 27 districts. Nearly 30,000 people have taken shelter in relief camps run by the state government. Most others were living with their relatives or on nearby river embankments or higher ground. On Tuesday, the authority said it evacuated 400 students after their school campus was flooded in western Nalbari district, 90 kms (55 miles) west of Gauhati, the state capital. In neighboring Arunachal Pradesh state, roads to several districts have been cut off due to incessant rain and landslides. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ Lanka vows Tamil autonomy: Sri Lanka vowed Wednesday to grant greater autonomy to its Tamil minority in a new constitution after an influential Buddhist monk said the clergy opposed the plan. President Maithripala Sirisena has said the new constitution will grant extensive autonomy to Tamils concentrated in the island’s northern and eastern regions. He has said he wants to prevent a repeat of a bloody separatist conflict that claimed 100,000 lives between 1972 and 2009. On Tuesday the senior monk Anamaduwe Dhammadassi said the clergy opposed the plan, which would “create unnecessary problems”. But government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said the national parliament would not roll back the process which began in April last year to draft a new statute that will be put to a referendum. “The monks can have their views, but the people’s mandate at two elections in 2015 was to change the constitution,” Senaratne said. “We will not work against the people’s will just because Buddhist monks want us to do so.” Nearly 70 percent of the island’s population is Buddhist and the monks, who hold huge sway, have generally opposed any political concessions to the mostly Hindu Tamils community. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

Bangladesh accuses 13: Police in Bangladesh have filed charges ranging from negligence to murder against more than a dozen people after a boiler explosion at a garment plant killed 13 people and injured dozens, officials said on Wednesday. Monday’s blast happened during maintenance work at a factory owned by Multifabs Ltd, whose top buyers include fashion chain Lindex, which is part of Finland’s Stockmann, German supermarket chain Aldi, and Rexholm of Denmark. Police have blamed the accident on three boiler operators killed in the explosion on the outskirts of Dhaka, the capital, and 10 unidentified people. “They have been accused of negligence and murder as they continued to operate the boiler, ignoring safety concerns,” said Aminul Islam, chief of the police station investigating the incident. Survivors found guilty could face punishments ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty, authorities said. Preliminary investigations showed the licence for the boiler had expired on June 24, district administrator Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir told Reuters. The company said it had applied to renew the licence before the deadline, however. “We applied to the authorities for renewal on June 15,” company chairman Mahiuddin Faruqui told Reuters. “There was no negligence on our side.” (RTRS)

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Duarte is one of six Mexican ex-governors under arrest for corruption, fraud, money laundering or racketeering. Guatemalan prosecutors accused him of involvement in organized crime and a “complex scheme” of illegal financial transactions. They presented evidence from Mexican investigators that he set up shell companies, made dodgy real estate deals and bough a yacht in the United States. Duarte’s lawyer, Duarte Carlos Velasquez, called the case against his client “political persecution.” (AFP)

Africa Johannesburg fire kills 7

Gambia schoolkids denied US ‘visas’ for robotics competition BANJUL, Gambia, July 5, (Agencies): A group of high-flying Gambian schoolchildren were denied visas to attend a robotics competition in the United States, they told AFP Tuesday, following a similar rejection of an all-girls team from Afghanistan. The group of five teenagers from the tiny West African nation were invited to attend the FIRST Global Challenge in Washington DC this month to show off their engineering skills in front of peers from 160 countries. “It is going to be sad if we cannot be in the US to exhibit the robots we built ourselves,” said Fatoumata Ceesay, 17, describing the team dedicating “six to seven hours a day on building the robots” during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The competition is aimed at building inTrump terest and confidence in engineering and technology in schools worldwide. Africa has an acute shortage of qualified engineers, according to experts. Although the group’s mentor has vowed to reapply for visas costing $170 a piece on their behalf, Ceesay said they could be forced to “ship the robots and follow the proceedings on Skype.” The US embassy in Banjul did not respond to AFP calls for comment. Forbes magazine reported last week that six girls from Herat, Afghanistan had faced a similar fate and would be blocked from attending the robot battle, despite two rounds of interviews for a one-week visa. The US authorities’ decision to deny access to schoolchildren from Muslim-majority African and Asian nations from participating in the science competition follows several other high-profile examples of stricter visa policy since President Donald Trump took power. ❑ ❑ ❑ Fire in Johannesburg kills 7: South African authorities say seven people have died in a fire in downtown Johannesburg. The city’s emergency services department said a crane was used to rescue more than 50 people from the roof of the building during the fire on Wednesday. It says five people were rushed to hospital. South African media say some people were treated for smoke inhalation. ❑ ❑ ❑

Zambia’s biggest market gutted: Fire gutted part of Zambia’s biggest market in the nation’s capital on Tuesday in what the government suspected was an act of arson as tensions rise following the arrest of an opposition leader. United Party for National Development (UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was arrested in April and charged with treason for impeding president Edgar Lungu’s motorcade. The arrest of the opposition leader has stoked political tensions in what is regarded as one of Africa’s more stable and functional democracies following a bruising election last year. ❑ ❑ ❑ Jail sought for Obiang’s son: A French public prosecutor on Wednesday asked a court to sentence the son of Equatorial Guinea’s president to three years in jail on charges of using money plundered from his country to buy Parisian luxury properties and exotic cars. The public prosecutor also said Obiang should pay a 30 million euro fine and have all his assets in France confiscated. Teodorin Obiang, eldest son of President Teodoro Obiang and a vice-president himself, denies charges of laundering embezzled public funds. He is being tried in absentia. The court’s ruling will come at a later date. ❑ ❑ ❑ Hundreds killed in CAR: Armed groups in the Central African Republic have killed hundreds of civilians in an unfettered spree of bloodletting, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Wednesday. The group issued a 92-page report ahead of the impending opening of a Special Criminal Court, a new judicial body that will probe rights violations in the country since 2003. Investigators found evidence of more than 560 civilian deaths and the destruction of more than 4,200 homes by militias since late 2014, HRW said. But this was likely to be just a small fraction of the total crimes that had been committed, it cautioned. The killings had occurred “with wholesale impunity,” the watchdog said. “Over the past two years, hundreds of witnesses told us of brazen war crimes committed by Seleka and anti-balaka fighters across the centre and eastern part of the Central African Republic,” HRW researcher Lewis Mudge said.

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Plane crashes with 9 aboard: A small jet with nine people aboard crashed Tuesday off the coast of Venezuela as it was attempting an emergency landing. It’s not known if there were any survivors. The Gulfstream 3 jet was operated by a Venezuelan government agency responsible for transporting public officials. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said the plane had departed from Margarita Island and reported a mechanical failure around 1:45 pm local time. It tried to return to the airport but the failure intensified and it went down in crystal blue Caribbean waters about 45 miles (75 kms) from the coast. (AP) View of the funeral of Mexican painter and sculptor Jose Luis Cuevas during a ceremony in his honor at the Fine Arts Palace in Mexico City on July 4. Cuevas, a leader of a movement that broke with the nationalist muralists of the 1920s and 30s, died on July 3 aged 83. (AFP)

Lat/Am 9 dead in Mexico shootings: Nine people were killed in central Mexico in a series of shootings involving disputes between suspected fuel thieves, officials said. It was the latest round of violence in an area east of Mexico City where theives who siphon fuel out of state-run pipelines have fought police, the army and each other. Prosecutors in Puebla state said late Monday the shootings started when a gang of gunmen led by a man known as “El Cuije” — “The Lizard” — went looking for other thieves to extort money from them. They killed three people on the spot and kidnapped five others, whose bodies were found elsewhere, burned. A local police official was also killed in circumstances related to the shootings in the township of Huehuetlan El Grande. Another policeman and a town official were injured. Mexican drug and criminal gangs frequently charge other criminals for the right to operate in their territory and that part of Puebla state has come to be dominated by fuel thieves. In May, gunmen using local residents as human shields opened fire on Mexican

army patrols investigating fuel pipeline thefts, in clashes that left four soldiers and six attackers dead. (AP) ❑

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Guatemala to extradite ex-gov: Guatemala will extradite Mexican ex-governor Javier Duarte to face racketeering and money-laundering charges after he told a court Tuesday he wanted to return home to clear his name. Duarte is known for presiding over an explosion of violence and human rights abuses in the eastern state of Veracruz from 2010 to 2016, when he abruptly resigned and went into hiding. Arrested at a lakeside resort in Guatemala in April, he accepted extradition and proclaimed his innocence on federal corruption charges Tuesday. “I did not commit these crimes, and I wish to prove so before the judicial authorities in my country,” he said. The judge ruled Duarte could now be extradited, after the ex-governor also accepted extradition on separate state corruption charges last week. Authorities said they expected him to be sent back to Mexico in about two weeks.

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Venezuela jails 27 students: A Venezuelan military court jailed 27 students accused of “rebellion” in anti-government protests, a non-governmental watchdog said Tuesday. “The prosecutor charged them with crimes of instigating rebellion, theft of armed forces property, destruction and violation of a security zone,” said lawyer Alfredo Romero, director of the judicial watchdog Foro Penal. He said the 27 were arrested on Sunday at UPEL university in the northern city of Maracay after protests against the government. (AFP) ❑

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Venezuela prosecutor snubs court: Venezuela’s chief prosecutor refused to appear in court Tuesday in a case she says was trumped up by the authorities after she defied them over the country’s deadly political crisis. Luisa Ortega faced imminent suspension after her move cranked up the tension in a standoff with President Nicolas Maduro, who is resisting fierce opposition calls to quit. Ortega, 59, is the most senior figure to defy Maduro as he fends off efforts to remove him from power in the volatile oilexporting nation. “I am not going condone a circus that will stain our history with shame and pain and whose decision is foretold,” Ortega told a news conference at the public prosecution department. (AFP)

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World News Roundup Erosion Hard choices for locals

$50b eyed to keep S. Louisiana coast BURAS, Louisiana, July 5, (RTRS): Southern Louisiana, a picturesque stretch of shadowy swamps and broad Mississippi River delta, lies in the bull’s eye of rising waters, sinking land and coastal erosion, losing thousands of acres of wetlands to the encroaching Gulf of Mexico each year. Fishing channels widen as barrier islands disappear, and unremarkable rainstorms leave roads flooded. Withered, blackened cypress and oak trees, succumbing to an invasion of salt water, turn once lush land into eerie ghost forests. Some 120,000 people live on the most vulnerable shrinking lowlands south of New Orleans, fishing for shrimp and crawfish, harvesting oysters or working in the shipyards, oil refineries and petrochemical plants along the river banks and Gulf shores. They face difficult decisions over whether to stay and fight, or flee their diminishing land – yet even getting their attention to the looming threats is no Edwards easy task. Warnings that Louisiana is losing more than 10,000 acres – equal to 10,000 American football fields – of wetlands each year are often met with skepticism, distrust and resignation. “Most people, they’re trying to live their life,” said Richie Blink, who lives in Empire, a town on a skinny stretch of river delta laced with canals to the Gulf. “They’re worried about putting food on the table within the next two weeks and not what’s going to happen 50 years from now.” Many work in the energy or commercial fishing industries, where depressed prices are costing jobs, he said. Blink, 30, volunteers with LA SAFE (Louisiana’s Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments), a $40 million project funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is asking coastal residents how they would like to adapt to changes predicted in the next 10, 25 and 50 years. The delta that fans into the Gulf of Mexico, formed from silt carried by the Mississippi River, is subsiding and is no longer replenished by the powerful waterway. Instead, the river is lined by levees, or raised banks, that rush its water past the delta into the depths of the Gulf. Maps of southern Louisiana a few decades ago show a boot of land, not unlike southern Italy, that is all but gone now.

In this June 10, 2015 file photo, a diver makes an immersion at the International Diving Center Maria la Gorda on the Guanahacabibes peninsula in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. (AP)

US-Cuba sea mission finds healthy reefs, invasive lionfish A joint US-Cuban expedition to explore the island’s coral reefs uncovered a surprisingly healthy ecosystem and large schools of mackerel with significant commercial value, scientists involved in the mission said Tuesday. The study also found alarmingly high numbers of invasive lionfish, which is not native to the Western Hemisphere and has become a growing marine menace in

recent years. “We found an incredible amount of diversity, especially in algae and sponges, and the reefs were in incredible health as well,” said Patricia Gonzalez of the Marine Investigations Center at the University of Havana. “Some of the most fascinating results have to do with widespread coral coverage, in some cases up to 70 and 80 percent ... and some species we be-

lieve are new.” The preliminary findings came from an expedition aboard a boat that sailed more than 1,400 nautical miles around Cuba in May and June. Scientists said the mission was made possible by the restoration of diplomatic relations between Havana and Washington two years ago under then-President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro.

It was a result of an agreement signed in 2015 between the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the US National Park Service and Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. Florida Atlantic University provided technology aboard the boat that allowed specialists to observe coral reefs at a depth of over 200 feet (60 meters), participants said. (AP)

Climate

Fresh Deprived of silt and fresh water, and sliced by hundreds of miles of deeply dredged shipping channels, the shrinking wetlands are growing less effective as natural barriers to storm surges from hurricanes, putting the area at higher risk of devastation. “It looks pretty out here, but a storm comes along and half the land leaves,” said Nicky Alfonso, 52, a commercial fisherman docked at Pointe à la Hache between the Gulf and a river levee. “We’re not the scientists, but we see what’s happening,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “We’re losing land.” Many low-lying coastal regions in the United States face erosion and rising sea level, linked to climate change, but the Mississippi delta is particularly vulnerable because it is sinking as well. It is subsiding an average of 9 millimeters (0.35 inches) a year, 50 percent faster than had been thought two years ago, according to Tulane University geologists, who described the coast of Louisiana as one of the “most vulnerable” in the world. “We are in a race against time in Louisiana,” Governor John Bel Edwards said in March, announcing LA SAFE – which he said could become a national model for threatened communities. “A few of our most vulnerable coastal communities will need to contemplate resettlement over the next 50 years, while others are likely to experience population and economic contraction as a result of ongoing land loss and sea level rise,” he said. One such community is an Indian tribe on Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles, in the process of relocating with $48 million in government funds after losing most of its land to the sea. Here are some facts about the area and its residents, as well as shorelines under threat across the United States: ■ In June, the state of Louisiana adopted the “2017 Coastal Master Plan” that will serve as a blueprint for more than 120 projects to fight coastal loss over the next 50 years. ■ Fully funding all the projects would cost $50 billion. About $7 billion is due to come from fines levied after the explosion and oil spill at BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig in 2010. The state has identified a further several billion dollars from a range of sources over the next 15 years. ■ Many projects are aimed at building up to 800 square miles (2,072 square km) of new land, and lowering the likely cost of coastal damage by about $8 billion per year by the plan’s 50th year. ■ According to the US government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), global sea level rise could range from 1 foot (0.3 meters) to 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) by 2100, depending on the pace of climate change and other factors. ■ Two in five – or more than 123 million people – in the United States live on its shorelines, facing rising sea levels, flooding and erosion. That number is projected to grow by 10 million people by 2020, NOAA says. ■ An Indian tribe of about 100 people living on Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles has a $48-million federal government grant to relocate after rising seas and erosion gobbled their land. ■ The plight of the tribe, which has lost 98 percent of its land since the 1950s, was depicted in an Oscar-nominated 2012 movie “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and a 2013 documentary “Can’t Stop the Water”. ■ Relocation of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw members is the first time in the United States an entire community is being moved due to sea level, according to the government.

EPA to launch scientist debates on research

Climate review a step to undercut rule This NASA handout photo shows NASA astronauts Jack Fischer and Peggy Whitson celebrating the Fourth of July from over 250 miles above Earth on the International Space Station on July 4. Fischer shared this photo on social media and said, ‘We sometimes have issues standing up straight, but we have no problems at all showing our American pride — Happy 4th!’. (AFP)

Colborn

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Discovery ‘Ice’ poised to snap off: A chunk of ice bigger than the US state of Delaware is hanging by a thread from the West Antarctic ice shelf, satellite images revealed Wednesday. When it finally calves from the Larsen C ice shelf, one of the biggest icebergs in recorded history will be set adrift — some 6,600 sq kms (2,550 square miles) in total, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). The iceberg’s depth below sea level could be as much as 210 metres (almost 700 feet), or about 60 storeys, it said. “The crack in the ice is now around 200 kms (125 miles) long, leaving just 5 kms between the end of the fissure and the ocean,” the ESA said in a statement. “Icebergs calve from Antarctica all the time, but because this one is particularly large its path across the ocean needs to be monitored as it could pose a hazard to maritime traffic.” (AFP) ❑

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WASHINGTON, July 5, (RTRS): The Trump administration will soon begin a review that will question the veracity of the climate change science used by president Barack Obama’s administration as the basis for environmental regulations. The move by the Environmental Protection Agency to launch public debates between scientists on climate research, known as redteam, blue-team exercises, would be the first major effort by the Republican administration to challenge the long-standing scientific consensus on human-caused climate change. Advocates who have petitioned the EPA to reverse the scientific finding underlying US regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions see the proposal to scrutinize mainstream climate science as a first step in that direction. “It’s a way to survey the landscape before reopening the endangerment finding,” said Myron Ebell, head of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, one of the groups that filed a petition with the agency to undo the 2009 scientific determination that formed the basis for the Democratic Obama administration’s regulation of greenhouse gases. In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the EPA had authority under the federal Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases from cars if the agency determined they endangered human health. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has spoken several times about the merits of opening the climate change debate up to the public. The website Climatewire on Friday cited a senior administration official, who said Pruitt plans to launch the back-and-forth scientific critiques formally. Francis Menton, a lawyer who filed an endangerment finding petition in January on betoward a regulatory system on EDs. The body’s endocrine tissues — in the ovaries and testes, as well as the adrenal, pituitary and thyroid

China backs hundreds of global coal power projects, says report BEIJING, July 5, (AFP): Chinese companies are planning or constructing hundreds of coal-fired power projects around the world, data show, even as Beijing talks up its commitment to fighting climate change. The report by German environmental lobby group Urgewald comes as China seeks to fill a vacuum left by the United States following President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the Paris climate agreement. Urgewald estimates about 250 Chinese companies are involved in nearly half of the 1,600 new coal power projects planned or being built worldwide. They include state-owned energy giants China Datang Corporation, China Huaneng Group, and SPIC. Urgewald bases its figures on publicly available company information and the Global Coal Plant Tracker published by San Francisco-based research platform CoalSwarm. It estimates more than 840,000 megawatts will be added to the world’s coalfired power capacity if the 1,600 projects

are completed. Just 120 major coal plant developers — including 26 Chinese companies — are responsible for about two-thirds of the planned expansion. The projects are in 62 countries, including 14 which have no existing coalfired power capacity. China-backed projects are planned or under way in several nations including China, Pakistan, Malawi, Egypt and Jamaica, Urgewald said in the report published on June 29. “If the Chinese government truly wants to position itself as a global climate leader, it needs to rein in its state-owned companies that are flooding the world with new coal power plants,” Trusha Reddy, coordinator of the International Coal Network at Earthlife Africa, was quoted by Urgewald as saying. China’s National Energy Administration did not respond to a request for comment. Urgewald said the top 120 companies were “paving the road towards climate chaos”.

half of the Concerned Household Electricity Consumers Council, said Pruitt told an event at the Manhattan Institute think tank in New York on Friday that he would launch the debates in the next few months. Menton said he asked Pruitt whether he had made a decision on reopening the endangerment finding. Pruitt said the agency is weighing its options.

The review “can create a body of scientific work that can be trustworthy and dependable to make regulatory choices and decisions,” said Rob Henneke, of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a third group that filed an endangerment finding petition. Unlike the other two, it has challenged the legality of the endangerment findng, not the science.

glands — produce hormones that are secreted into the bloodstream to control and coordinate a range of critical body functions.

Peru reveals ancient female ruler replica

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EDs potentially harmful: Potentially harmful chemicals which can interfere with the normal functioning of human hormones are known as endocrine disruptors (EDs). These mostly manmade substances can cause a range of health problems. EU member states Tuesday approved a European Commission list of criteria to help identify endocrine disruptors in products used to protect farm animals and plants from disease and insects — a move seen as a step

These hormones help regulate energy levels, reproduction, growth, development, as well as our response to stress and injury.

This Nov 10, 2016 image obtained from NASA shows the Antarctic Peninsula’s rift in the Larsen C ice shelf from NASA’s IceBridge mission Digital Mapping System. A chunk of ice bigger than the US state of Delaware is hanging by a thread from the West Antarctic ice shelf, satellite images revealed on July 5. (AFP)

LIMA, July 5, (RTRS): She died in her twenties some 1,700 years ago, and is believed to have ruled over a desert valley in ancient Peru where her elaborately tattooed body was buried with weapons and gold objects. But a glimpse of the former priestess, the Lady of Cao, can now be seen in a replica of her face unveiled by culture officials and archaeologists on Monday. Using 3D imaging technology and forensics archaeology, the replica was based on the Lady of Cao’s skull structure and ethnographic research and took 10 months to create, Peru’s culture ministry said.

The term endocrine disrupter comes from a 1992 study by US epidemiologist Theo Colborn on the effects of chemical products on hormones. (AFP)

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Teotihuacan tunnel likely: Archaeologists at Mexico’s Teotihuacan ruins have found evidence that the city’s builders dug a tunnel beneath the Pyramid of the Moon and researchers said one of its purposes may have been to emulate the underworld. The National Institute of Anthropology and History said researchers used a kind of computerized tomography scan to discover the apparent tunnel about 30 feet (10 meters) below the surface of the plaza in front of the pyramid. Experts say the tunnels may be associated with sacred flows of water and the underworld. “The discovery would confirm that the inhabitants of Teotihuacan followed the same pattern in their large-scale temples, and that their function would be to emulate the underworld,” said INAH archaeologist Veronica Ortega. (AP)

A different kind of love story about unlikely couple

‘Change’ challenges misconceptions about autism By Ed Meza

Film

achel Israel makes her feature film debut with “Keep the Change,” R a very different kind of romantic comedy about an unlikely couple. Israel, who serves as an adjunct professor of film at Rhode Island School of Design, spoke to Variety about her inspiration for the story, the challenges she faced in making the film and the rewards of collaboration. “Keep the Change,” which expands the story of her awardwinning 2014 short film, took the Best Narrative Feature and Best New Narrative Director prizes at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The film screens in competition at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Question: How did you come up with the story of “Keep the Change” and what was it about the autistic community that inspired you? Answer: The experiences of our lead actor, Brandon Polansky, first inspired me to make this story. I’ve known Brandon now for over 15 years, and he led me to know this specific autistic community in New York City when he met a serious girlfriend there. As I then got to know the incredible individuals in the community, I grew determined that they should be seen in film. Q: What kinds of challenges did you face in making the film? A: Pulling together the financing was challenging, and keeping the actors hopeful during those years was probably the hardest part of it all for me. I needed to maintain the cast’s faith in the project, but I also didn’t want to lead anyone on. Ultimately, during the driest periods, it was the actors’ belief in the project that kept me resolved it would happen. Q: How did working with autistic actors and their contributions help

shape the film and influence your direction? A: As a director, I approached working with each actor differently, learning how to best direct each person according to his or her individual strengths and needs. I also collaborated with the cast during the screenwriting process, so the characters were written around the real people, and the cast were involved in crafting these fictional versions of themselves. It was great fun. Q: How significant was the success of your original short film to the making of the feature film version? A: The short not only served as a proof of concept for the feature, but it was also my testing ground for how to best direct such a unique project. When making the feature, we prepared for and budgeted the time to get those happy accidents that had made the short feel so alive. We talked about it during pre-production as “catching fireflies” - catching those electric performance moments within scripted scenes was our highest mission, and required intense planning on our end, so that we could give the performers the maximum space to breathe and play, and forget about the cameras. Q: Autism Spectrum Disorder is relatively widespread but at the same time it’s a subject that many average moviegoers might not be all that familiar with. In what ways do you think your film can help or improve the general understanding for autism and for individuals with ASD? A: I’ve always thought of “Keep the Change” as primarily a love story, rather than a film about autism. So I hope that audiences find the love story compelling first, and leave the movie feeling emotionally connected to these characters, who are each so unique. There is

a common misconception about people on the spectrum that they are emotionally limited, and so I think it would be powerful if audiences could overcome this notion not in any didactic way, but rather through having an emotional experience with these characters. Q: Do you have a next project in the planning and if so, what will it be about? A: I’m currently developing two feature scripts, both character driven stories, with strong senses of humor. I’m also developing an idea for a TV series related to the autism world that feels very fresh, and exciting to me.

Also: LOS ANGELES: Sony released a brand new teaser for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” over the long, 4th of July weekend, prompting reboot and re-release speculation. A new website referencing the 1977 original has also popped up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the science fiction film. A video entitled “This Means Something” was uploaded to the Sony Pictures Entertainment YouTube page on Monday, which just so happened to be World UFO Day. The video features an air traffic control radar animation locating an unidentified flying object targeting one of its planes. While many fans expected the clip to be an unofficial announcement of a “Close Encounters” reboot or sequel, the studio actually intends to re-release the film theatrically for a week this September, Variety can confirm. (RTRS)

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Features

Variety

A model presents a creation by Alexandre Vauthier during the 2017/2018 Fall/Winter Haute Couture collection in Paris on July 4. (AFP) — See Page 21

Film Do audiences still want to look through her gaze? LOS ANGELES: Actress Annette Bening will preside over the jury of the upcoming 74th Venice Film Festival, ending an 11-year succession of male jury chiefs on the Lido. “It was time to break with a long list of male presidents and invite a brilliant talented and inspiring woman to chair our international competition jury,” Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera said in a statement. “I am extremely happy that Annette Bening has accepted this role, which she will carry out by virtue of her stature, her intellect and the talents she has manifested over the course of her career, in Hollywood, Europe and on the stage,” Barbera added. The last time a woman headed the Venice fest jury was in 2006, when French actress Catherine Deneuve oversaw the panel. Bening has been nominated four times for an Academy Award, for “The Grifters” (1991), “American Beauty” (1999), “Being Julia” (2004), and “The Kids Are All Right” (2010). She was last seen opposite Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig and Billy Crudup in A24’s “20th Century Women,” directed by Mike Mills, for which she received her eighth Golden Globe nomination. She also recently appeared in husband Warren Beatty’s “Rules Don’t Apply” with Alden Ehrenreich, Lily Collins and Beatty. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑ LOS ANGELES: The creative team behind “A Ghost Story,” which received its European premiere at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival this week, has developed a sympatico relationship they intend to return to again, says Oscar-winning actor Casey Affleck, director David Lowery and the producer duo behind the idiosyncratic film and their next venture, “Old Man and the Gun.” After finding their groove with 2013’s laconic western noir “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints,” the group, including producers Toby Halbrooks and James M. Johnston, was determined to return to small films, working as close colleagues. “Everything I do is very personal,” Lowery says. “I don’t really think too much about why it is.” (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑ LOS ANGELES: Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody will be feted

Coppola real star of her films By Owen Gleiberman a Coppola ever going to take it to the next level? IsidersTheSofimyself answer may be no, and that could be fine. I cona Coppola fan (though I didn’t care much for “The Beguiled”), and part of me thinks that she’s in the perfect place and always has been. In a directorial career that stretches back 18 years, she has made just six features. Only one of them, “Lost in Translation” (2003), ever put her at the center of the white-hot center. Tellingly, it was the one time that she deigned to build an entire film around the personality of a movie star (no slight to Scarlett Johansson, who’s terrific in it, but that movie is defined by Bill Murray), and I feel like I understand why she hasn’t done it since. It’s part of her lone-wolf art mystique. The real star of her movies is Sofia Coppola. Which is fine. Or maybe it isn’t. We’ve reached a point when a lot of people are asking — rightly — why there aren’t more women directors of power and influence in Hollywood. Yet Sofia Coppola has always been ahead of that curve, or maybe just beyond it. She’s on her own wavelength, working not just apart from the lockstep system of blockbuster imperatives but a layer or two outside the indie world. At the start of each Sofia Coppola film, you see the logo of American Zoetrope, the film studio founded by her father and George Lucas and now owned, as a production company, by Sofia and her brother, Roman. That logo is at once a declaration of independence and a declaration of royalty. It says that she can make her films the way she wants to, in part because of who she is. It’s an enviable position, and Coppola has used it in the most admirable way possible. Her six movies are astoundingly diverse, shot and edited with an immaculate voice, every one of them an aesthetic adventure, a fluky vision that adds up. Each carries the fine-cut aura of being the precise movie she wanted to make. What ties them together? Many observers have noted their overlapping themes of celebrity and privilege (“Marie Antoinette,” “Lost in Translation,” “Somewhere”), those themes occasionally targeted from the outside in (“The Bling Ring”), and there’s a more elusive motif of women living a step removed from the fray, in a bubble that’s also a trap (“The Beguiled,”

by the Locarno Film Festival with its Leopard Club Award for lifetime achievement. Brody is expected to make the trek to the prominent Swiss fest dedicated to indie and cutting-edge fare, where his tribute will include an Aug. 4 screening of Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist,” for which Brody won the Academy Award for best actor in 2003, in the lakeside

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“Marie Antoinette,” “The Suicides”). But when I think of sitting down to watch a Sofia Coppola film, either one that I’ve seen or a new one, what entices — and, on occasion, perplexes — me is the prospect of fusing with the Coppola Gaze. Every good filmmaker has a gaze, a sensibility, a way of taking in the world, but in Coppola’s case the word is almost literal, because you can really feel her sitting there gazing, endlessly curious and fascinated, and more than a shade detached. Sofia Coppola is an immense contradiction as a filmmaker, because she’s a bold artist who goes her own way and has the audacity to work without a net, and has the craftsmanship to pull it off, yet there’s something almost cosmically passive about her point-of-view. She’s gazing, enraptured and absorbed, at the characters she creates, and she wants you to partake in that trance. As filmmaking strategies go, this isn’t a bad one (there have been a lot worse), yet as often as not it leaves the audience wanting more.

Allure I watched “Marie Antoinette” again recently, a movie I’d had powerfully divided feelings about the first time. Once again, I was drawn into its world, and saw that it touched insider truths about royalty, yet by the end I felt the movie’s allure fizzling rather than cresting. This time, knowing what I was in store for, I was ready to meet Coppola on her idiosyncratic terms, yet I had the same enthralled-but-still-hungry experience. Half the film is brilliant: the sense that you’re there, in the baroquely preposterous splendor of Versailles, a place of unspeakable beauty and decadence, and that Kirsten Dunst’s Marie is the luminous naif that Marie Antoinette may, in spirit, have been. Dunst, who shows us Marie learning her wiles, is marvelous, and the palace machinations, caught from around the edges — the wasp stings of gossip, the libertine extravagance, the insanely big hair — create their own luxe intrigue. Yet the picture lacks the compulsive undertow of a journey. There’s a resolution, but there is never a reckoning. That’s all by design — Marie remains, to the end, locked in her bubble — yet it’s a design more conceptual than dramatic. At the time, “Marie Antoinette” played as a meta-

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town’s 8,000-seat Piazza Grande. There will also be a public conversation with the actor. “Brody gained a lasting place in the collective imagination of the movie-going public when he played composer Wladyslaw Szpilman in ‘The Pianist’ (2002), and has since demonstrated his status as one of the most versatile of actors, appreciated by filmmakers in Hollywood and

physical metaphor for our own increasingly gilded culture, and that gave it, back in 2006, a moment of cachet. But I actually think that the two films Coppola made after that are (along with “Lost in Translation”) her best. “Somewhere” (2010), the story of a dissolute movie star holed up in the fabled Deco shadows of the Chateau Marmont, may be the most authentic drama ever made about the life of a Hollywood player. It’s pure voyeuristic candy, and the startling thing is that Coppola brings that off with a minimum of dialogue. It’s as if we were watching an extended episode of “Entourage” directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. Yet every scene — every moment — carries its own hovering drama. Stephen Dorff’s Johnny Marco slacks around and ambles into PR junkets and international awards ceremonies and falls into bed with groupies without trying to, and through it all he’s walking on air, but he’s also a benumbed addict of bored sensation, so he’s kind of like us. His daughter (played by the 11-year-old Elle Fanning) is his only real connection to life, and the film is tartly graceful about letting him figure that out on his own. “Somewhere” is the purest expression of the Coppola Gaze. Yet there’s a lesson in the fact that the movie went nowhere. Three years later, “The Bling Ring” (2013) connected a bit more, though not nearly as much as it should have; it should have been a knockout. It dramatized the true story of a rat pack of Los Angeles teenage girls who busted into the homes of celebrities (Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan) while they were away, mostly to steal their stuff but also to get “close” to them — to rub up against their aura in a stars-they’re-just-like-us-especially-if-we’re-wearing-their-designer-handbags way. The girls were doing what Charles Manson and his followers called “creeping” (snooping around empty homes, marking them with their presence), but mostly they were doing a degraded version of shopping. The film was brilliantly made, a satire that played like a staged documentary about the depravity of tabloid fame-whore culture. But though the ensemble included Emma Watson, in a remarkable change-of-pace performance as a glassy-eyed consumerist mean girl, the film failed to find the audience it was made for. It never connected to the generation it’s about. (RTRS)

beyond,” the festival said in a statement. Brody won the Oscar when he was 29 years old. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

LOS ANGELES: Lady Gaga stood up for Ed Sheeran and called for a more positive online community in an Instagram posted on Tuesday. “What an incredible talented artist,” she wrote. “I love Ed deserves

all our love and respect like all humans do.” Gaga wrote that she wishes that the internet community would be more “kind and empowering, not hateful and mean.” She wrote, “No reason to tear down an artist simply because they are on top. Work harder to be kinder everybody. That should be your first duty to humanity.” (RTRS)

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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People & Places Film Rwandan genocide film

‘Kigali’ warns against being scared of ‘other’ LOS ANGELES, July 5, (RTRS): With “Birds Are Singing in Kigali,” Polish directors Joanna KosKrauze and Krzysztof Krauze not only draw parallels between the horrors of war in Rwanda and Poland, but also explore the often violent natural order of the world. Speaking to Variety, Kos-Krauze discusses the challenging project, which she finished by herself after the death of her husband, as well as the many positive aspects of shooting in Rwanda. The film screens in competition at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Question: What inspired you and your husband to tell this particular story about Rwanda? Answer: We come from Poland, a country on whose land the Holocaust was carried out and where the consequences of the genocide are visible until this very day. We feel obliged to return to the basic questions as to why it happened and how to live afterwards. It is why for us the memory and awareness of social mechanisms of a spiral of violence are so important. Genocide was never a spontaneous act in the history of civilizations. The society needs to be first prepared for what is about to ensue and Krauze this process usually starts with words. This is one of the reasons why the current situation in Poland and Hungary is so frightening. Recently my assistant conducted research on the German, French and Polish newspapers in the 1930s. While reading the excerpts, I was struck by their stylistic similarity to the Polish press now - the same headlines, the same language and phrases. It is no longer a cabaret, but a serious problem. Q: Do you have special or personal ties to Rwanda or East Africa? A: We lived in Africa for several years. When we first went there, we didn’t think these would be the most difficult years for us personally - of illness, passing, mourning, but also hope. Most of the time we spent in South Africa, where Krzysztof was undergoing oncological treatment, but we also worked and observed the society so differently from what we know - a society hurt by apartheid, full of unimaginable violence, racial tensions, striking economic disparities, but also, in my view, in many areas a society much more tolerant than ours. Rwanda was for us at first a traumatic experience as I spent many weeks at exhumations and memorial sites. Everyone there is either a victim, a killer, or a descendant of a perpetrator. We instantly knew these experiences would eventually find a way onto the screen. After having hundreds of conversations with people living in Rwanda, we realized we would like to do a symbolic film about the trauma of genocide. To think about what it means to forgive, to reconcile, to remember, and to mourn. Q: Did you film on location in Rwanda or East Africa? If so, what kinds of challenges did you face shooting in the region? A: The shooting took place in Rwanda and Kenya, and I founded the film production company in Rwanda. Personally, I liked working in Rwanda more than in Poland, mostly because of the involvement and generosity of the Rwandans. Their governmental policy supports investors and they treated my film as every other investment project. They allowed free shooting at memorial sites and national parks, and - what is the most important - they secured the screenplay’s acceptance by the censorship office. They were very kind and pragmatic. There is a one-stop shop policy in Rwanda, which means that all of the official procedures can be finalized at one place. They instantly proceeded with banking accounts and one can even negotiate taxes, depending on a scale of business. Their law permits individually set terms for conducting business, which are calculated based on the level of investment. Generally, the rhythm of work in Rwanda is different as we sometimes shot one instead of the six scenes that we had planned, but everything that was promised was also delivered. I’m very, very grateful. In Kenya, we shot mostly the scenes with vultures as there are very few of them in Rwanda. Q: How difficult was it for you to continue the production following the death of your husband? A: I don’t know why I wouldn’t have finished the film. I lived and worked with Krzysztof for 20 years, and he knew that if I begin anything, I also end it. We were fully aware that the chances of finishing this film together were slim. Krzysztof was on set for the first six days of shooting and he was fighting heroically, entirely committed to work. He knew that I’m strong and that the film would be made. He knew he could count on me. Afterwards we had all together the next 64 shooting days in Poland and Africa. The film got public funding, I got the screenplay rights back, set up the production companies in Poland and Rwanda. There was no other option. Anyway, why wouldn’t the film have been made? That someone is ill, is dying, or mourning does not stop the world... Q: In what ways do you think this film could create greater awareness in Poland of the current refugee crisis in Europe and Africa? A: I have to admit I don’t know what can be currently done in Poland. I spent the last two years out of the country, and earlier we were living in Africa for almost six years. These were very interesting, creative, but also difficult years. I understand Europe and my own country less and less, although I closely observe what is happening. In the 1960s, Ryszard Kapuscinski prophetically wrote that the 21st century would be a century of the “other”. Europe is changing shape, color, and its ethnic structure. There is no need for hysteria, we just need to prepare ourselves for this encounter: historically, intellectually, procedurally and emotionally. The “other” does not mean “stranger” and “dangerous”. The question is to perceive “other” as a suffering man, a man looking for help, interesting, a man who can give me something. This is a huge task for politicians, teachers, and social and spiritual leaders. Europe has to come to terms with its colonial heritage, the exploitation of people and lands, and the compulsory conversion by the Church. I don’t see anything strange about it; what seems strange is rather someone who doesn’t understand these relations. Someone who didn’t see the immigrant camps, the war and its after-effects, cannot know that nothing and no one will stop people in despair. This process is irreversible.

Canadian singer Celine Dion performs on the stage of the AccorHotels Arena in Paris on July 4. (AFP)

Music Drake, Ed Sheeran rule 2017 so far

Grime spreads beyond London

Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida arrives in Via Condotti to celebrate her 90th birthday on the red carpet in front of Piazza di Spagna in central Rome on July 4. (AFP)

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Variety MOSCOW: Daniil Granin, a Russian author who wrote a chronicle of the Nazi siege of Leningrad and several widely popular novels, has died. He was 98. Granin, a World War II veteran whose writings made him a moral authority for many in Russia, died Tuesday at a hospital in St Petersburg, Russian news reports said. President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to his family, praising Granin as a “great thinker” and a “man of great spiritual strength.” Granin, who was trained as an industrial engineer, joined the Red Army when the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 and fought through the end of WW II. He published his first work in 1949 and authored several novels inspired by his experience as an engineer, describing scientists fighting for their inventions against stolid bureaucracy. Several of Granin’s books were turned into movies, earning him quick popularity. In the 1970s, Granin published “A Book of the Blockade”, containing horrifying accounts by survivors of the Nazi siege of Leningrad. When Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev launched his openness campaign, Granin won acclaim with a 1987 biography of genetic scientist Nikolai Timofeev-Resovsky who faced repression under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s rule. In 2014, Granin — 95 at the time — made a powerful, widely quoted speech about the siege of Leningrad at the German parliament on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. City authorities said Granin is to be buried Saturday at the Komarovo cemetery outside St Petersburg. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ SHANGHAI: Chinese cinema-goers now have to sit through a short clip promoting “core socialist values” and President Xi Jinping’s “Chinese dream” political credo before the show starts — and some aren’t happy about it. Authorities enlisted action star Jackie Chan and domestic film idols as part of the public-service adverts, which have been ordered shown at cinemas in China since July 1 and last a few minutes apiece, state media said.

LONDON, July 5, (RTRS): Squeezed in to a small and sweaty East London nightclub at 3 a.m., the Slew Dem Crew spit bars to a raucous audience revelling in the fast growing popularity of Britain’s new musical obsession. Grime, developed from garage and rap, has been enjoying a breakout period since British artist Skepta scooped the prestigious Mercury Prize in September and fellow Londoner Stormzy gave the genre its first number one album in March. In the small nightclubs, cafes and independent radio station studios of the capital, the accolades and recognition are drowning out the critics who say the music glamorises violence. “To those critics I would say you haven’t listened to enough grime music because there’s so many creative people in the scene for someone to belittle us with that statement,” Rage, 32, a member of the Slew Dem Crew, told Reuters. “Grime is now being accepted all over the world. We are seeing people of all races and genders actively listening to, buying and making grime music.” The grime artists do tackle drugs, money, respect, turf wars and other gritty topics, all set over a tempo of 140 beats per minute. “A lot of us come from dark backgrounds and deeper struggles so the real lyrics we write may have violence in them but it’s just a form of expression,” said Clipson, another member of the Slew Dem Crew. The energy onstage is infectious, wild celebrations from artists and listeners showcase camaraderie over competitiveness. “I love the atmosphere of a set and performing with the guys... everyone pumping each other up. For me it’s all about the unity,” said 21-year-old Tiny K, a member of The Collective. “People associate it with trouble ... but I think it has kept me out of trouble.” Four videos were made under the title series “The glory and the dream — our Chinese dream”, borrowing from Xi’s vision of a revitalised China, and were an initiative of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television,

The leader of Britain’s opposition Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, sat down to speak with grime artist JME before last month’s vote to try and get his manifesto across to young voters. The mainstream may be embracing it, but its artists aren’t ready to be contained. “(Grime) is a way for the underground to be creative and illustrate whatever they want,” said 18-year-old MC Squintz. ❑ ❑ ❑ As 2017 hits the mid-year mark, BuzzAngle has released a new report on the state of the music industry. Among the highlights: audio streams are way up -- 58.5% -- reaching 179.8 billion streams year to date, when compared to 2016 numbers. Of that, subscription streams grew 69.3% and now account for 78.6% of total audio streams so far in 2017, a 5% uptick over 2016. The big winners among artists who released new music: Drake, who tops BuzzAngle’s “Total Consumption” tally with the year’s most streamed album, “More Life”; and Ed Sheeran, whose latest, “Divide,” came in at No. 1 on the “Albums By Sales” chart, while its lead single, “Shape of You,” topped the “Songs By Sales category. Migos’ “Bad and Boujee” was the most-streamed song, registering 711 million streams, more than half of which were video streams. Overall music consumption, which the company monitors, saw a rise of nearly 10%, yielding 293 million project units in 2017, versus 266.6 million album project units during this time period in 2016. Of that, song consumption was up 29.5%, equaling 1.5 billion

song project units in 2017. The vinyl market continued to see growth, as vinyl album sales were up 20.4% over 2016. Vinyl albums accounted for 4.9% of all physical album sales, up from 3.5% in 2016, with the biggest sales bump, not surprisingly, impacted by Record Store Day, which took place on April 22 this year. Per the report: vinyl sales at independent music stores were up 14% when compared to RSD 2016. As for the not-so-good news: CD album sales were down 3.9% while overall album sales declined 13.9% compared to 2016, suggesting that music listeners continue to consume songs individually and are less inclined to dive into the ten or more tracks that make up an album. The proof may lie in digital album sales, which were down 24.3% over the previous year, but still accounted for 46.6% of all album sales in 2017 (down from 53.0% in 2016). Song sales, aka downloads, also saw a drop-off of nearly a quarter -- down 23.8% compared to 2016. Physical album sales were down 2.1% (39.6 million in 2017), but accounted for 53.4% of all album sales in 2017, up from 46.9% a year earlier. Perhaps most telling in the BuzzAngle report is that the goal post for ondemand streams has moved yet again. In 2016, the industry had not yet seen a a single week reach 10 billion on-demand streams. So far in 2017, total ondemand streams have been averaging 10.8 billion per week, with the seven days following April 21 2017 logging 11.8 billion streams. Also worth noting: while hip-hop is far and away the most consumed genre when it comes to albums, songs, and streams, World music saw sizable growth in song consumption, up 124% over the previous year. BuzzAngle is owned by New Yorkbased Border City Media and specializes in business analysis. Read or download the full report here.

said the official Beijing Youth Daily. “The purpose is to help people better understand and accept the (ruling communist) party’s principles and policies,” it added. The state-aligned Global Times quoted

one of the videos as saying: “No matter what you do, as long as you respect the country, our society, our nation and our family, you are helping us to realise the Chinese dream.” (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

The fast-paced world of grime was dubbed “a commercial force” by The British Phonographic Industry in January and even broke into Britain’s national election.

Manifesto

US film director Oliver Stone (right), and his wife Sun-jung Jung react after he received an Honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh during a graduation ceremony in the city’s McEwan Hall on July 4. (AFP)

LOS ANGELES: Hope springs eternal among independent film and documentary producers, and several new European initiatives for distributing their work — all wholly or in part supported by Creative Europe, the European Commission’s cultural and audiovisual support program — were presented at the session Innovative Examples of Film Distribution in Europe on Monday afternoon at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Philipp Hoffman of the European Cinema and VOD Initiative (ECVI) described a program whereby theatrical exhibitors can gain revenues in the digital on-demand market in conjunctions with the films showing on their screens. His organization’s business model provides cinemas with a VOD program that’s specifically tailored to their customers. Via the program, theaters get a website that sells VOD offerings that are curated in conjunction with indie films showing on their screens. “Cinemas are natural homes for independent films,” said Hoffman. “By offering VOD, they extend their value chain into the digital market.” (RTRS)

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PARIS: The ever-audacious Karl Lagerfeld proved he is still nimble when it comes to putting on a fashion show. The 83-year-old had a 46-ton Eiffel Tower recreated inside the Grand Palais for the pleasure of his Chanel couture celebrity guests. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo returned the love by presenting him with the city’s highest honor. Here are some highlights from the fall-winter 2017 shows Tuesday at Paris Haute Couture Week. “Does it go through the roof?” asked a bemused fashion insider, pointing at the ceiling of the Grand Palais exhibition hall in Paris It was a fair question. The 38-meter (125-foot) replica of Paris’ most iconic monument that greeted Chanel’s couture guests seemed to extend past the famed hall’s glass roof thanks to the illusion of swirling clouds created by steam. Back at ground level, celebrities including Julianne Moore, Katy Perry, Kristen Stewart, Pharrell Williams and Tilda Swinton were shown to metal seats in real sand and gravel. “It’s extraordinary to come into the Grand Palais, which is awesome at the best of any time, but to stand under the tour Eiffel is extraordinary. Only Chanel,” Swinton said. The wood-and-steel tower, which took workmen six weeks to make, was a stunning piece of craftsmanship. It copied nearly beam for beam the columns and metal twists of the edifice made by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Universal Exhibition.

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Above and below: Models display creations by Elie Saab, Ulyana Sergeenko, Alexandre Vauthier and Giorgio Armani during the 2017-2018 Fall/Winter Haute Couture collection in Paris on July 4. (AFP)

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Chanel The dawn of the 20th century — the period following the Eiffel Tower’s construction — was the creative touchstone for Chanel’s winterylooking couture. The first model strode out in sunlight filtered by wrought-iron columns to set the tone of the graphic, steel-colored collection. She wore a wide-hipped, charcoal gray coat with exaggerated leg-of-mutton arms — styles that harkened to the Belle Epoque period. This clever historic musing continued with flattened bowler hats and black patent lace-up ankle boots popular before World War I. Flourishing bouquets of plumes then shot out from wrists, ankles and shoulders in evening wear. “In this collection, there are feathers treated like fur,” Lagerfeld Giorgio explained.

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for the City of Light. “I am a foreigner and I intend to stay a foreigner because foreigners see Paris and France through a different eye,” he said, accepting the award. “And when you are not French, you look without nationalism or patriotism... Long live Paris.”

Lagerfeld The German-born Lagerfeld was awarded Paris’ highest honor — the “La Medaille Grand Vermeil” — by Mayor Anne Hidalgo for service to the city he’s called home for seven decades. And there was perhaps no better

leitmotif of small cone hats and sensual face veils gave the silken 61-piece show a feel for the theatricality of the 1920s. Large black neck ruffs evoked a harlequin. And a black cape with fuchsia floral embroideries was conceived by the fashion legend in gargantuan proportions — visually overpowering the model’s body. But Armani’s fall-winter couture silhouette was all about the chest. An open menswear tuxedo jacket with peaked shoulders exposed the flesh underneath. Elsewhere, a neckline on a pale blue top plunged daringly and was given a tasteful lift with a broach detail under the bust. Beautiful black gowns in organza and satin — with huge full skirts — also Giorgio exposed the shoulArmani ders and the chest. Another couture week, another set of exhausting, champagne-guzzling soirees Saab replete with fashionistas and VIP guests. One of Tuesday’s highlights was the launch party of Chanel’s new perfume “Gabrielle Chanel” — after house founder Coco Chanel’s real name.

rmani

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site for such an award than beneath a replica of the Eiffel Tower. “Paris gives you its thanks and its love through this Grand Silver Gilt medal ... which is our city’s highest award,” Hidalgo said in front of a celebrity audience, including models Claudia Schiffer and Cara Delevingne. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank

Giorgio Armani Prive

ier

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Alexand you. Paris loves you. You are Paris.” Lagerfeld, a contemporary of the late fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent, has been at the forefront of Paris fashion

since the 1960s, designing for Chloe before taking over Chanel in 1983. Although he doesn’t see himself as French, the designer professed his love

Kate Winslet, Isabelle Huppert, Priyanka Chopra and Italian cinema icon Sophia Loren led the front row at Giorgio Armani Prive’s demure yet playful collection. As ever, it was classic glamour. The

The fashion history books seemed to have been consulted on more than one occasion ahead of this season’s couture — with age-old styles wafting in the Parisian air. French fashion designer Alexis Mabille headed for the 1860s to produce a short but beautifully executed collection of silk gowns. Old gold, shimmering white, pale blue, purple and silver brought to life the archetypically “couture” styles rendered in yards of pleated silk fabric, embroidery and thick sumptuous layering. As was the style in the mid-19th century, gowns came adorned with all the trimmings. (AP)

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

22

Other Lives Camara seen as an example to village girls

Guinean fashion model digs into West African mining GUINGOUINE, Côte d’Ivoire, July 5, (AFP): Leaving behind chic gowns and catwalks to stomp in the mud in heavy work boots, Guinean former fashion model Tiguidanke Camara has made herself west Africa’s first woman mine owner. In the small forest village of Guingouine, in the west of Ivory Coast, Camara runs a team of 10 geologists and labourers who are probing the soil for gold deposits. She readily wades into a mucky pond to help take laboratory samples. “When I was a model, I showed off for the jewellers. They have licences in Africa to provide their precious stones,” says Camara amid a swarm of gnats, still youthful and trim in her 40s. She does not recall any macho male resistance to her rise in an industry almost devoid of women, though bemused men have been prompted on occasion to ask whose assistant she might be. “When it got too much one day, I had to produce my CEO’s ID badge!” she protests mildly.

TMG Tigui Mining Company owner Tiguidanke Camara speaks during an interview in Guingouine, a small town in Logouale locality, near Man, western Ivory Coast on Feb 5, 2017. (AFP)

Camara says that modelling for jewellery firms “roused my curiosity. I started to ask myself questions. What

if African men or women took charge of business in the mining sector?” “I’m the answer to that question,”

declares the entrepreneur, who has been ranked by France’s weekly Jeune Afrique among the 50 most influential businesswomen of Francophone Africa. Inspired to join forces, she and a number of other women last year created an association of Women in the Mining Network of Ivory Coast (Femici by its French acronym), while Camara is also seen as an example to village girls. Camara had to dig deep into savings — earned on runways for big international fashion labels and jewellery brands and in promoting the wares of luxury design houses — to launch her Tigui Mining Group in 2010 and acquire two licences to prospect for gold in her homeland. Then last year she followed up with a mining concession to look for gold in Ivory Coast, which she has turned into “my base in west Africa”. “I’m the owner of a mining company that belongs to me 100 percent,” says Tigui’s founder, stressing that she is a continental rarity, “apart from South Africa, where there are other

women bosses, but mostly in partnerships.” In Guingouine, inhabitants have started to dream of the big changes that could benefit the village if the site proves to be rich in gold and a mine is opened. “Guingouine means happiness (in the local Yacouba language), but we lack everything,” says village chief Alphonse Doh, clad in his traditional blue and white robe. “The school of six classes is a shed without electricity. Women in labour have to be taken in wheelbarrows 10 kilometres (six miles) to the nearest health centre,” Doh explains. For the chief, opening a mine could transform the lives of thousands of people. Apart from the potential economic gains, he also hopes that Tiguidanke Camara may serve as a successful role model in a region where more than 80 percent of girls are illiterate. In the meantime, the “mining lady” has encouraged the women of the village to form a cooperative, providing them with agricultural equipment and two solar panels.

Your story will be part of a new book to be published by DAI. I am confident that your contributions will be an essential part of the history of Amricani. Share with us! ❑ ❑ ❑

art WASHINGTON, July 5, (Agencies): A soaring exhibit of stacked cardboard tubes shaped into three hive-like interconnected structures will make its debut on Thursday at a Washington, DC, museum as part of its annual interactive art installation series. The “Hive” exhibit, designed by architect Jeanne Gang, will take over the Great Hall of the National Building Museum, standing more than 60 feet (18 meters) tall. It is open to the public through Sept. 4. Its three domed chambers are made from 2,700 lightweight cardboard cylinders ranging from several inches to 10 feet (3 meters) in height, painted silver and magenta and stacked in an interlocking fashion. Gang told Reuters that “Hive” is similar to the vaulted structures of cathedrals, designed to hold their own weight. “We thought this is such a big space, we wanted to go high,” she said. “We wanted to make something that had some monumentality but at the same time, inside, a certain intimacy.” “Hive” can be explored from the museum’s fourth floor balcony as well as on the ground level, where visitors can enter the dark, intimate interiors and interact with the work’s multiple acoustic elements such as chimes and small drums. ❑ ❑ ❑ Cuban-American multimillionaire Roberto Polo will loan his collection of 7,000 contemporary paintings, sculptures and photos to Spain for 15

click Alcoholics Anonymous: If you know someone who can’t stop drinking and would like to help them please check us out and we promise to try to help at www.aaarabia.org There are no fees. This is a genuine public service. ❑ ❑ ❑ Drinking problem?: Friends of Bill W. are available to help. Totally confidential. Email: rohsecretary@ gmail.com ❑ ❑ ❑

Narcotics Anonymous: NA can help with addiction problems. Totally confidential: 94087800 English/Arabic. ❑ ❑ ❑ Cancer online support group: If you are Cancer patient or family member fighting with this deadly disease, come join our online support group. Best way of dealing with this disease is providing support and share our experience with each other. There are lot of things which even doctors can’t tell so be member of this website and start sharing your experiences which may help others. October is recognized

“We are very pleased with this cooperation,” says Elise Kpan, who runs the Women of Guingouine association. The cooperative has enabled villagers “to place their farming produce on the market easily and to make money”. The mining sector, dominated by the production of manganese (two mines) and gold (five mines) has been growing for a decade in Ivory Coast. Current activity accounts for five percent of the gross domestic product of the country, which also has diamonds, iron, nickel, bauxite and copper. Women are poorly represented in Ivorian mining, where they account for just 112 of some 6,000 jobs directly involved in the sector and about 400 of the 30,000 connected secondary jobs. Concerned women have bonded to improve this state of affairs. The newly launched Femici association pools the resources of women professionals as diverse as geologists, drivers of heavy industrial vehicles, lawyers and environmental specialists.

KIFF anti-drugs campaign: As part of the Fraternity fest, Kuwait India Fraternity Forum (KIFF) is conducting Anti-Drugs Campaign among Indians living in Kuwait. According to the available statistics of Indian Embassy, 60% of the convicted Indians in Kuwaiti Jails are arrested on drug-related cases. The recent cases of death and captives of Indian drug abusers is a threatening news. To defend and to campaign against such social crisis by protecting individuals as well as the society has become obligatory. In this current situation, Kuwait India Fraternity Forum is conducting campaign by distributing handouts, conducting counseling, seminars etc. to educate the Indians living in Kuwait informed President Saifudheen Nalakath in a press release. For more details contact: 55062071 or email at [email protected]. ❑ ❑ ❑ NYF offers free yoga classes: NYF Kuwait offers free yoga, breathing, meditation and reiki classes by a well-experienced female yoga teacher for all age groups. Classes are given on the basis of different health problems, stress and other problems by different techniques. Contact: 99315825. ❑

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Leadership Excellence Course:

years, the country’s biggest cultural deal in over 20 years, officials said Tuesday. The collection, which includes works by German artist Max Ernst and US sculptor Martin Kline, will be shown at museums in Toledo and Cuenca in central Spain, the president of the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano GarciaPage, told a news conference in Toledo. After 15 years the loan period may be extended or the works may be donated to Spain, he added. Garcia-Page said this was “the most important cultural operation for the country” since the Spanish government in 1993 agreed to buy

as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). The primary purpose is to promote self examination and screening mammography as the most effective way to save lives by detecting breast cancer at early stage. For more information visit: http:// fightingwithcancer.webs.com/

Latest Indian Embassy notice: Indian nationals are issued Emergency Certificates (EC) to facilitate their oneway travel to India due to urgency or deportation, under the circumstances of loss of passport or non-retrieval of passport from their sponsors in Kuwait. Since it is illegal to hold two travel documents in India at the same time, the concerned passport has to be cancelled before an Emergency Certificate (EC) is issued to an Indian national. At times, Indian nationals who are either detained or due for deportation may not have their passports with them. They apply for travel documents (Emergency Certificate) either directly or through Kuwait Police. In such cases, ECs are issued to them after cancelling their passports. However, in certain cases, they recover their passports later and travel on those passports which already stand cancelled in data available with immigration authorities in India.

the prized art collection of the Swiss industrialist Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. Officials did not give an estimate for the value of the works which will be loaned but top-selling daily newspaper El Pais said the collection is insured for $50 million (44 million euros). “I have always loaned works, and in the end if they have been well taken care of, valued and respected, I have always ended up donating them, but I first want to have proof that they are valued and respected as they should,” said Polo, who lives in Brussels where he owns an art gallery that bears his name. “I am going to turn 66 in Au-

These passports are immediately seized by Immigration authorities in India. This results in much harassment and inconvenience to these Indian travelers, whose passports are seized. They are also liable to pay penalties as per the law. Indian Embassy advises all Indian nationals that if an EC is issued to anyone of them, that implies that his/ her passport has been cancelled and that he/she should travel only on the EC issued to him/her. ❑ ❑ ❑

Chess coaching, round robin: Registrations are open for chess coaching and the summer round robin Challenger Series. Send your name Civil ID no., mobile number, age, rating to [email protected] with CCR in the e-mail subject. No entry fee. ❑ ❑ ❑

Invitation to Grand Mosque: The Visits Department is pleased to invite you to visit the Grand Mosque, which is one of Kuwait’s most treasured religious and cultural landmarks to discover the beauty of Islamic arts and architecture. Free guided tours are available all year round on official working days between (9-11 am) and (5-7 pm), within a special tour program designed to cater to the needs of different age groups. The program

gust and in 15 years I will not have many more years left,” he added. Polo, whose parents moved to Miami from Cuba after the Castro regime seized their assets in 1961, said he wanted to die “with empty hands” and without taking “anything to the grave”. The regional government of Catilla-La Mancha will refurbish the Santa Fe museum in Toledo, and a public records archive in Cuenca, to display the works but Polo will receive no money for the loan of the works, Garcia-Page said. The works will start to be displayed in Toledo from the middle of 2018, and in Cuenca shortly after, a spokesman for the regional government said.

A column supporting the National Building Museum is seen through an oculus in the studio Gang’s Hive, made over 2,700 wound paper tubes, in the Great Hall on July 3, in Washington, DC. (AFP)

is as follows: Reception; Auditorium show; (according to age group); Touring the Mosque; Q & A; Art workshops; (according to age group – between 5 and 18 years old); Snack break; Distribution of the Grand Mosque publications and souvenirs; End of tour. According to these age groups: Age group: 5 to 9 years old: Morning: 60 visitors max; Evening: 20; 10 to 15 years: Morning: 100 visitors max; Evening: 45; 16 and above: Morning: 140 visitors max, Evening: 105: Tour language: Arabic- EnglishFrench; Arabic (English upon prior request); Arabic- English- French; Arabic (English upon prior request); Arabic- English- French: Arabic (English upon prior request) Rules and Regulations: ■ Please arrive in time for your visit. ■ All visitors are kindly required to abide by the mosque’s dress code. Male visitors should wear long pants. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Female visitors: should wear head cover and long loose clothing (available at the mosque). ■ Foods and drinks are not allowed inside the prayer halls. ■ For school visits, teachers are responsible for their students and are required to cooperate with the staff members of the Grand Mosque.

The Leadership Excellence Course (LEC) is a course modeled on the Seerah of Rasoolullah who is the best model of leadership for all mankind. The LEC focuses on the lessons that we can learn from the Seerah of Rasoolullah and see how we can apply them in our lives to become winners in this world and the next. The objectives of the course are 1. Understand what leadership is from the Seerah of Rasoolullah and how to apply it in our lives today 2. Understand the purpose of our lives and learn to live that purpose with confidence 3. Understand the importance of connecting to Allah and learn how to do it 4. Understand how to leverage your strengths and overcome weaknesses 5. Understand how to articulate your life goal and create a road map to achieve it. For more information please visit www.leckuwait.com or call 99514995 / 66363310. ❑ ❑ ❑

AWL registration: If you would like to join the American Women’s League (AWL), please call 99039723 or 94067999 or email: kuwaitawl@ yahoo.com. All American women and wives of Americans are welcomed. ❑ ❑ ❑

Ugandans register with UIK: Are

■ Photography is allowed inside the Grand Mosque (please note that disrespectful poses are strictly prohibited). If you would like to book a tour, please contact us: Tel: 22980813/ 22980815/ 22980812 Email: [email protected] Fax: 22473708

General Share your story with Amricani: Do you or any of your family members, acquaintances or friends happen to have a story with the American Missionary hospital in Kuwait (Mustashfa Lemraicani) during the years from 1914-1967, the official period of offering medical services in Kuwait? Please share with us your story or your memory during those old days by writing the event and sending it to the following email address: Mystory@ darmuseum.org.kw Notes: 1. Please send your story only to the above mentioned email. Story shared in Instagram, Facebook or Twitter will not be considered. 2. Please write your story or memory and sign it with your full name, and your contact number. 3. It will be great if you send us your personal photos or those of the place related to the story (optional).

you a Ugandan living and working in Kuwait? Would you like to get in touch with other Ugandans in Kuwait both socially and professionally? Then please get in touch with us. We would like to invite you to register with the Ugandans in Kuwait (UIK) association, an informal organization of Ugandans living and working in Kuwait. The purpose of this exercise is to get together as Ugandans and to consider taking the first steps to establishing a more formal organisation. This association is voluntary. It is designed to create a forum for Ugandans in Kuwait to foster a sense of community, to communicate more effectively with each other and to encourage Ugandans out here to work together. We are also planning a celebration to mark 50 years of Ugandan’s Independence this year. If you have any questions regarding this association or if you are interested in registering, then please send us an email at ugandansinkuwait@gmail. com. We hope to hear from you soon. ❑ ❑ ❑

Free drum music classes: Free professional drum music classes are available at Salmiya for all age groups from beginners to advanced by a well experienced drum teacher. For more details: 94974295. ❑ ❑ ❑ Indian Embassy SPDC notice: Attention of all Indian associations/ Indian schools in Kuwait is once again drawn to Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) which was introduced by Government of India

Continued on Page 23

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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Overheard in the Souk

the grapevine ● It’s scorching hot Kuwait! The heat hazard is on. ‘Tis the season for heatstroke. ‘Tis the season for dehydration. ’Tis the season for fire! Yes, fire! Old buildings are fire hazards and can easily go up in flames if the electrical wirings go berserk with some short circuit along the way. Old materials become combustible when the heat is on and there goes the fire. During summer, old buildings with old A/C system cannot withstand the heat. It can either malfunction or gets overloaded that may ignite and engulf the old building to flames.

Government authorities should check on these old buildings that are like ticking time bombs that may cause so much damage to life and properties any moment when the heat is on! ❑ ❑ ❑ ● Consumers in Kuwait need to beware of couriers who despite claims of being ‘super’, fail to deliver on their promises. One expatriate who send a large cargo to her hometown by sea freight was spectacularly duped by a company - as the date of its anticipated arrival drew near, it was dis-

covered that the cargo had failed to leave Kuwaiti soil. Another customer who has been given the run around, has a parcel that has been stuck in Sharjah for weeks, just going through the motions of being loaded and off-loaded, but never reaching its final destination. Consumers should pay close attention to comments and reviews and make an informed choice to avoid being scammed and seek redressal vehemently when they are taken advantage of. ❑ ❑ ❑

● The temperature is getting extremely high in Kuwait and people are advised to take extra precaution not to stay in open spaces for long to avoid sunstroke or dehydration. It is also advisable to take more liquid and water during this summer season. Furthermore, the State has formally banned people to work in open place during high temperature. In this respect, an MP presented a bill to suspend work in government institutions and agencies as well as classes in schools, colleges or universities when

temperature reaches 50 degree Celsius citing safety and protecting people’s health as the reason for submitting this bill. However, some see this bill is irrelevant especially here in Kuwait where all facilities are equipped with air-conditioner and moreover these classes and other works are usually taking place indoors not in open places and wondering what is the essence of suspending classes or work when students and workers are in the safe place and protected from extreme heat wave.

Tongues Way Events click General Continued from Page 22 in the academic year 2006-2007 with the objective to make higher education in India accessible to the children of overseas Indians and promote India as a centre for higher studies. Under the scheme, 100 PIO/NRI students were awarded scholarship of up to US$ 4,000 per annum for undergraduate courses in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and some other courses. The scheme is open to NRIs/PIOs from over 40 countries (including Kuwait) having substantial Indian Diaspora population. The Scheme was revamped and launched in July 2016. Under the revamped Scheme, number of scholarships has been enhanced from 100 to 150 with introduction of 50 scholarships for children of Indian workers employed in the Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries. The Scheme is now applicable to four categories of applicants: (i) Persons of Indian Origin (ii) Non-Resident Indians (iii) Children of Indian workers working in ECR countries (including Kuwait). (iv) Children of Indian workers in ECR countries - studying in India The institutions that are covered under this Scheme are: (i) NITs, IIITs, Schools of Planning and Architecture (ii) “A” Grade institutions accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognised by University Grants Commission (UGC). (iii) Other institutions covered under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme. Income criteria will be applicable to all four categories. Applicants will seek scholarships after they obtain admission in the approved list of educational institutions. Applications are required to be submitted online at SPDC portal - http://spdcindia.gov. in/login/index.php. Last date for submission of applications was extended till Oct 14, 2016. Nodal officer for SPDC is P. Bharadwaj, Deputy Secretary (OIA-II), Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, Tel: 00-91-11-24197952, Email: [email protected] ❑ ❑ ❑

A flyer of the event.

Experience Science for Adults: Registration is now open for Experience Science for Adults. Why should kids have all the fun?! The five week programme will be held on Saturday from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Yarmouk Cultural Centre. Registration is limited to 16. You may register at either the Amricani Cultural Centre, Sunday to Thursday 10:00-3:00 or the Yarmouk Cultural Centre, Sunday to Thursday 10:00-6:00. For more information, please

email:[email protected] ❑ ❑ ❑

IMA summer classes: Indian Muslim Association (IMA) announces its much awaited Summer Islamic classes this year immediately after Eid ul Fitr. The classes were launched in 1994 when it was widely felt by the parents that there was a need to impart fuller knowledge to students when compared to that imparted in their regu-

A flyer of the event. lar schools This year IMA (Indian Muslim Association, Kuwait) with the coordination of IPC, opens the doors of its well-known 2-month long, ‘Summer Islamic Classes’ program to students in Kuwait from LKG up to 12th standard. Offering a syllabus with a wide range of Islamic subjects such as Quran reading/understanding/ memorization, Prophet’s Life and Day to day Jurisprudence. Apart from this, teachers work on Personality Development of the students

and also engage them in various activities including field visits. Competitions are held on Islamic Quiz, Recitation of Quran and Elocution. Date: July 1 to Aug 24; Timings: 4:00 to 6:30 pm; Venue: Indian Community School, Junior Branch; Salmiya, Kuwait. ❑ ❑ ❑

Scrabble sessions are back: Scrabble Continued on Page 24

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

24

‘Use firm fruit for this recipe’

Stone fruit almond upside-down cake summertime treat this cake while it’s still hot, your guests will really be wowed, but it’s plenty tasty at room temperature, too. Either way, don’t forget to top it off with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

By Sara Moulton

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his recipe for Stone Fruit Almond Upside-Down Cake works equally well using any kind of stone fruit or a mix of every kind of stone fruit, including plums, apricots, nectarines, peaches and plumcots. The appeal of the mixed-fruit version — the rainbowlike beauty of the unmolded cake in concert with the rich chord of its flavors — edges out the monochrome visuals and taste of a cake made with just one kind of fruit. I have specified using firm ripe fruit for this recipe. If the fruit is very ripe, it’ll be too ripe — mushy and difficult to slice. However, very firm unripened fruit will work well, too. Baking those guys simultaneously tenderizes them and amps up their flavor. The only hurdle when cooking with stone fruit is de-stoning it. The best way to do the job is to slice around the natural seam, preferably with a serrated knife. Then you twist the two halves apart to expose the pit, much as you would with an avocado. Lastly you pluck out the pit with your fingers, if it’s loose enough, or scoop it out with the aid of a melon baller. Now it’s easy to rest

Stone fruit almond upside-down cake Start to finish: 1 hour 25 minutes (45 active) Servings: 8 to 10 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 pound stone fruit (apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, plucots or a mix), pitted and cut into 1/3to 1/2-inch thick wedges, 4 ounces almond paste, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, at room temperature, 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon table salt, 1/4 cup apricot jam, Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for garnish This June 21, 2017 photo shows a stone fruit, almond upside-down cake in New York. (AP)

the two halves flat on the counter and slice them into wedges. The heart of this recipe’s allure hinges on the contrast between the fruit’s tartness and the cake’s sweetness. That sweetness resides in the almond paste, so be sure not to use

marzipan, which is much more sugary and would make the cake cloyingly sweet. This cake is a cinch to throw together using a mixer, but the ingredients should all be at room temperature to develop the proper texture. If you’re able to prepare and serve

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons of the butter, the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract. Lightly grease the sides of an 8-inch square cake pan; spread the brown sugar mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Arrange the fruit wedges in one layer, decoratively on top of the brown

sugar mixture. In a food processor combine the almond paste and the sugar; process the mixture until it is finely ground. Transfer it to a large bowl, add the butter and beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each one is incorporated before adding the next one and scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula between each addition. In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the almond mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Spoon the batter over the fruit slices, spreading it evenly. Bake the cake on the middle shelf of the oven until a skewer, when inserted, comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on a rack. In a small saucepan combine the apricot jam and 1 tablespoon water; cook over medium-low heat until the jam is melted and smooth. Add additional water if necessary to make the jam loose enough to brush on the fruit. Run a knife around the edge of the cake and invert it onto a serving platter. Brush the fruit with the jam and serve the cake with the whipped cream or ice cream. (AP)

Food click General Continued from Page 23 sessions are back for all to come, learn and play with us at Better Books, Salmiyah, Bldg 19, next to Badur Travel, opposite the Ministry of Private Education, on Friday afternoons from 2:30-5:30 pm. Inviting all kids aged 8 and above to join me and play competitively with me Rohaina. Classes are held every Saturday from 12-1.30 pm. Bknelled, Euphuize, Waqf, Zooeae are some of the lovely words and there are 200,000 more you can learn with us. But the fun part is playing this wonderful game competitively. So come and see us and call me @66634224, Rohaina Tanweer. ❑ ❑ ❑

TIES Center events: TIES Center announces following events – Tajweed and Recitation: Learn and practice the art of reciting the Holy Quran (tajweed). The instructor will also answer questions related to the meaning of the Arabic words and verses. Every Sunday & Tuesday @ 10 – 11:30am; every Monday @ 5-6:30pm. The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking expats in Kuwait. For more information, please call 25231015 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www. tiescenter.net. ❑ ❑ ❑ Bridge game: Bridge tournament is being held every Sunday and Wednesday at 20:00 hours, played at the Graduates Club, next to Kuwait Engineering Society. Interested Bridge pairs or individual players please contact Mohammed Merchant, Tel: 24815622, 24841158, 99612287.

Sports Chess Round Robin Challenge: Registrations are open for chess coaching and the Annual Round Robin Challenger Series. Send your name, Civil ID No., mobile number, age, rating to [email protected] with CCR in the e-mail subject. No entry fee. ❑ ❑ ❑

This November 2016 photo shows cavatappi with roasted cherry tomatoes and pesto in New York. (AP)

Summer berry clafoutis tastes delicious when served warm

Cavatappi with cherry tomatoes a breezy dish By Katie Workman

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ummer, summer, summer. The word is fat and round and breezy and rolls around nicely on the tongue. And we want our food to be breezy, too. If you have basil and tomatoes growing in your garden, make this. If you have a farmers market near you, make this. And if you have leftover pesto hanging around, even store-bought, you can still make this. Youll cook the pasta and make the pesto in the time it takes to roast the little tomatoes. The amount of oil in the dish is flexible; a bit is added to the roasting tomatoes, a bit to the cooked pasta, and the rest goes into the pesto. The pesto is intentionally a bit thick, as it will distribute itself nicely over the pasta and tomatoes when tossed, but you can always add a little more oil if you want a more fluid pesto. By no means do you have to use cavatappi it was the pasta I grabbed at the moment, and I do love its compact, chewy, twisted little shape. Another thing to love is the fact that this can be served hot, warm or at room temperature. Its a great make-ahead dish, hanging out happily for a day in the fridge before being brought to room temperature and served. Its very portable. And its not too hard on the eyes either. Yellow tomatoes are a nice burst of sunny colour, but you can use red too, or a mix of colours.

Cavatappi with roasted cherry tomatoes and pesto Serves 6 Start to finish: 35 minutes 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, 5 sprigs fresh thyme, about 1/2 cup olive oil, divided, Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 cup packed basil leaves, 3 tablespoons finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 1 pound

cavatappi or other chunky pasta

Preheat the oven to 300 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it with nonstick cooking spray. Place the tomatoes and thyme sprigs on the baking sheet and toss them with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 30 minutes, until they are wrinkly and slightly collapsed. While the tomatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil, make the pesto. Place the garlic and basil in a food processor or blender and pulse until everything is roughly chopped. Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil, a bit of salt and pepper and process, scraping down the sides part way through until everything is well blended. If it is very thick, add a bit more olive oil. Add the cheese and pulse until blended in. Taste and adjust seasonings. Cook the cavatappi according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and drain the pasta. Toss the pasta with the cooking water, the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil (more if it seems dry) and the roasted tomatoes (discard the thyme sprigs), and transfer to a serving bowl. Dollop the pesto on top, and toss. Serve hot, warm or cold. ❑ ❑ ❑ One of the great, great, great (three times, that’s how great it is) pleasures of summer is figuring out what to do with all that fruit that floods the markets. Stone fruits like plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries; melons of all stripes; and berries. Oh, the berries. We eat them by the fistful when we’re lucky. Did you ever read Robert McCloskey’s “Blueberries for Sal”? It was one of my favorite children’s books, especially the part where Sal and a baby bear meet while overindulging in a thicket of blueberries. When I read that book as a kid, and then

later to my own kids, I knew where Sal and that bear were coming from. But besides funneling them straight into our mouths, there are other excellent ways to use berries. One of my favorites is a clafoutis. A clafoutis (or clafouti) is a baked dessert of French origin, classically made with cherries even more classically made with cherries with the pits left in them all ensconced in a lightly sweetened, pancake-like batter that is poured over the fruit. It puffs up enticingly all around the fruit when it bakes. And it’s great with all kinds of fruit, especially berries. And it’s easy. This particular version

This June 1, 2017 photo shows berry clafoutis in New York. (AP)

cools into a custardy cake, and if you can serve and eat it slightly warm, you will be in for heightened deliciousness. A few cracks may appear as it cools that’s just the way it goes.

Summer berry clafoutis with whipped cream Start to finish: 1 hour 15 minutes Serves 8 Berry clafoutis: 1 pint blueberries, 1 pound strawberries, halved, or quartered if large, 4 large eggs, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1-1/2 cups halfand-half, Confectioners’ sugar for dusting Sweetened whipped cream: 1-1/2 cups heavy or whipping cream, 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter a shallow 2-1/2-to-3-quart casserole. Place the berries in the casserole. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs well, and then add the sugar, salt and vanilla, and whisk well to combine. Dump in the flour and whisk until the batter becomes very smooth. Slowly pour in the half-and-half and whisk until incorporated. Pour the batter over the berries. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, and the whole thing is prettily puffed and nicely browned. Cool the pan on a wire rack until the clafoutis is slightly warm, or at room temperature, knowing that it may crack in a spot or two, which is fine. While the clafoutis is baking, make the whipped cream. In a large mixing bowl, using a whisk or a hand mixer, whip the cream with the 2 tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar just until slightly firm peaks are formed. Dust the clafoutis with additional confectioners’ sugar before serving, and serve with whipped cream. (AP)

Kwt-Brits football supporters: A new football supporters website for British expats living and working in Kuwait has been set up by an Everton supporter, Trevor Powell. The Kuwait Brits Football Supporters Association (KBFSA) site aims to provide contact information for supporters of each others’ whereabouts and also in the future hopes to organise social events such as quizzes and even five-a-side matches on a home international teams basis. We need expats to register their support and hence we can then start to cast around for a suitable meeting venue. The site can be accessed at www.kbfsa.co.uk. ❑ ❑ ❑ Free fitness classes: Free fitness classes at B.FIT studio in Salmiya! Classes include Zumba, Masala Bhangra workout, aerobics, toning & much more. Contact +965-65077062 for further information. Hurry and enroll now!” ❑ ❑ ❑ Football coaching workshops: Interested in Coaching/professional development? This weekend Everton Academy, Bayan will be welcoming three top coaches from Glasgow Celtic F.C., the Scottish Premier League Champions, including their International Academy Manager, Tony Massie. They will be delivering a certified Celtic Coach Education program on Saturday, 6-8pm, Sunday, 6-8pm and Monday, 8- 9.30pm. Certificates will only be awarded to coaches attending all 3 sessions. Places are limited - register at Bayan office any evening 5-8pm.

Courses Islamic and Arabic courses: Islamic and Arabic courses are being offered at the Enlightenment into Islam Center starting from 5:00-7:00 pm. Registrations can be done at the main office — Women’s Committee in Qurtoba. For more information contact: 24322684, 25362693, 97743327 and 25362681. ❑ ❑ ❑

IPC Arabic Course: IPC Rawdah Ladies Section will commence the Arabic Conversation Course. The students must have successfully completed at least 3 levels of Arabic. Placement test will be taken by those who took Arabic class outside IPC. Class is every Friday from 9-11 am. IPC Rawdah-22512257 ❑ ❑ ❑

IPC Islamic Courses: ‘Say: O my Lord, let me grow in knowledge’. IPC is offering Islamic courses in English (for ladies only). Muslims and non-Muslims are welcome. 1. Tilawa Surah Ar-Rad and Surah Ibrahim — Sundays at 5:30-7:00 pm; 2. Principles of

Continued on Page 25

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

25

NY-bound, a ballet star rises in Bollywood’s heartland

Czech orchestra of disabled musicians gets world attention PRAGUE, July 5, (Agencies): It’s an unusual orchestra, one that has played in London, Madrid, Moscow and Jerusalem. Its next stops are New York, Washington and Chicago. The Tap Tap, created 18 years ago to give students at a renowned school for the disabled in Prague an extracurricular activity, has become a major musical operation that has drawn millions of fans, first at home and gradually abroad. You can’t tell from its professional, typically rhythmic sound that many of the musicians are in wheelchairs with serious disabilities. And that’s just what its director wants. Band leader Simon Ornest believes that often the disabled aren’t challenged enough and people tend to be too solicitous of them. “My goal from the very start was not to do it as a therapy but as a band with everything that it could involve,” Ornest said. “(Those) around 18 to 20 years old are confronted in our band for the first time with a situation where we really want something from them. We insist on it.” Ornest said he had a feeling the concept was viable but has been astounded at its success. “I wouldn’t believe it would be possible to develop it as we have done. It’s an elaborate system with hard work behind it, unexpectedly hard work,” he said. He said the band’s strength is based on its two essential rules. “We come on time and we do what we promised among ourselves to do. It’s a pretty good basis for any teamwork,” he said. In the beginning, The Tap Tap started with

cover versions of their favorite songs. Today it produces music of its own, with help from local musicians, and lyrics that target the world of the disabled. “We try to sing about the people with disabilities in a sensitive but also humorous way,” Ornest said. Their recent hit, “The Bus Director” is about a bus driver who prevents a disabled man from boarding the bus with his bicycle. The song has had over 6.9 million views on YouTube — quite an accomplishment for a song sung in Czech in a country of only 10 million. “At the beginning, people were more curious about what we are, about what the disabled can perform,” said Jana Augustinova, a The Tap Tap singer. “And then (came) pity, wonder. Now, we have fans as any other band. They like our music and they don’t consider us a band of disabled kids but as a real band.” Today, the 20-member ensemble plays about 60 concerts a year and has been preforming a musical at the National Theatre in Prague. Despite all the difficulties of going on the road, The Tap Tap has played a number of European capitals. This year it is crossing the Atlantic to put on concerts in New York City, Washington D.C. and Chicago. The orchestra’s next project for next year is to perform in Czech prisons together with inmates in concerts that will be broadcast live by Czech public television. “What the people just released from prison and the disabled have in common is that the public doesn’t expect much from them,”

In this picture taken on Feb 9, 2017, members of the Tap Tap orchestra perform during a theater performance in Tabor, Czech Republic. (AP)

Ornest said. Ladislav Angelovic, the band’s master of ceremonies, said The Tap Tap is ready to face a whole new level of challenges. “We started as an extracurricular activity and it got out of our hands a bit,” he said. “In

fact, we are a professional ensemble now.”

Also: MUMBAI: Amiruddin Shah has been described as India’s “Billy Elliot” — a young lover of dance who rises from humble beginnings to great things on the ballet stage.

It is strangely appropriate. Shah, the 16-year-old son of a metal welder, dared to give up his studies a few years back to chase his ballet dreams. He has now received an invitation from the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in New York City for a four-year course. And all because of a video clip. Some months ago, Yehuda Maor, Shah’s instructor at the Danceworx Performing Arts Academy in Mumbai, sent the artistic director of the school a clip of Shah dancing. The director, Cynthia Harvey, jumped at the idea, insisting Shah turn down a rival offer from the Royal Ballet School in London and attend her school’s pre-professional programme. In Maor’s estimation, Shah, the youngest of five siblings, is an unusually rare talent. “I don’t believe in reincarnation, but if I did he is Rudolf Nureyev,” Maor said, referring to the ballet great once described as juggling “his weight on his feet the way magicians juggle objects with their hands”. Not long ago, Shah was in a different kind of school, one run by the Mumbai municipality. He studied up to the 10th grade, but said he “wasn’t interested in school anymore”. Enter Maor, who signed up on Twitter and has since tweeted eight times asking for financial assistance for Shah and another gifted dancer. The appeals have brought — among other things — a scrum of reporters and photographers to the dance studio, a development that annoys Maor.

Travel click Courses Continued from Page 24 Tafsir (part 2) - Sundays at 7:00-8:30 pm; 3. Tajweed 3 - Tuesday, at 5:30-7:00 pm; 4. Jesus in Surah Mariam (part 2) - Tuesdays at 7:008:30 pm. Instructor: Sr Zeinab Hassan Ashry Place: IPC - Women Section Al-Rawdah, Area 3, Street 30, House 12, opp 4th Ring Road. Email: [email protected], Telephone: 22512257. ❑ ❑ ❑

Islamic classes in French: The Enlightenment into Islam is offering Islamic Classes in French for ladies. Timings 4:30 to 7 pm. Every Wednesday. Please register at the office (Women’s Section), 2nd floor. For more information please contact us. Telephone 25362684, 99789954, 99507076, 97743327. Fax 25342573 (attention — Enlightenment into Islam)

Embassies Chinese Embassy notice: Documents issued in Kuwait and to be used in China mainland shall first be notarized and legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait, and then be legalised by Chinese Embassy in Kuwait. Specific requirements and information for document legalisation, please refer to the website of Chinese Embassy in Kuwait. For documents issued by member countries of the Apostille Convention*, after getting Apostilles from the competent authorities, they can be used in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR of China directly. *Refer to the Convention of Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents ❑ ❑ ❑

Chinese Embassy notice: Please be noted that effective starting today, the photo used in a Chinese visa application must meet the requirements (For details, please visit the website of Chinese embassy http://kw.chineseembassy. org/eng/). Application with non-compliant photos will not be processed. Thank you for your attention and cooperation. ❑ ❑ ❑

Indian Embassy notice: India has further liberalized grant of visas to nationals of USA, Canada and Japan. Fee structure is as below: 1. Visa fee for USA nationals: (a) Tourist visa: Multiple Entry of ten years duration —KD 36; (b) Business visa: Multiple Entry of one year duration — KD 51; (c) Business visa: Multiple Entry of ten years duration —KD 76. 2. Visa fee for Canadian and Japanese nationals: (a) Tourist visa: Multiple Entry of six months duration — KD 14; (b) Tourist visa: Multiple Entry of one year duration — KD 22; (c) Tourist visa: Multiple Entry of ten years duration — KD 42; (d) Business visa: Multiple Entry of one year duration — KD 39; (e) Business visa: Multiple Entry of ten years duration — KD 64 3. Visa fee for Kuwaiti nationals: (a) Tourist visa: Multiple Entry of six months duration— KD 14; (b) Business visa: Multiple Entry of One year duration — KD 39; (c) Business visa: Multiple Entry of Five years duration — KD 64. All applicants may visit Passport and Visa Centres of CKGS at (a) 17 Floor, Behbehani Building, Sharq, Kuwait : Tel. No. 22440392 (e-mail: [email protected]) or ; (b) Complex Kais Alghanim, 4 Floor, Mecca Street, in front of Annod Complex, Fahaheel, Kuwait: Tel. No. 22909229 (e-mail: indiavisa. [email protected]). (c) Jleeb Al Shuyoukh (Abbasiya) 2nd Floor, Jleeb Al Shuyoukh Block 1, Street 1, Xcite Building, Kuwait Tel. No. 24342428) (e-mail: indiavisa.kuwait@ ckgs.com). CKGS’s website is http://www. kw.ckgs.in. In emergency cases, Indian Embassy accepts visa applications directly at its Visa Wing from applicants. ❑ ❑ ❑

Indian Embassy notice: All Indian nationals in Kuwait holding hand written passports are advised once again to apply for urgent re-issuance of new passports, in lieu of handwritten passports, under the following circumstances: ■ The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had set a deadline of Nov 24, 2015 for globally phasing out of all non-Machine Readable Passports. From Nov 25,

Continued on Page 26

Builders work on a waterproof roof of a building of El Gotic neighborhood with the cathedral in background in Barcelona on Feb 17. (AFP)

Residents desert buildings to make way for tourist rentals

Bye locals: Europe’s city centres sound alarm BARCELONA, July 5, (AP): Memories of the past come flooding back as Manuel Mourelo strolls through Barcelona’s picturesque Gothic Quarter: children playing, fun with the neighbours, traditional bars... But now, “all of that has disappeared.” Hordes of tourists fill the narrow, winding alleys on guided tours, bike and Segway rides, while residents have deserted buildings full of history to make way for quaint hotels and tourist rentals — an issue that affects popular spots Europe-wide. Last year, Mourelo himself joined the exodus out of a district he had lived in since 1962 when he came to the Spanish seaside city from Galicia in the northwest. The flat he had been renting for 25 years was sold to an investor and he was evicted. Having paid 500 euros ($560) a month in rent, he was unable to find anything else affordable in the area. “They were asking for 1,000, 1,200, 1,500 euros,” says the 76-year-old, his face framed by thick glasses and a bushy moustache. “This was my village. I had it all here, my friends, my shops, I got married here, my children were born here, and I thought I would die here. “I feel displaced,” he adds, his eyes welling up.

reasons... or due to sheer frustration. The arrival of Airbnb and other such homerenting platforms has only aggravated the problem, locals say. “We’re not talking about gentrification, about substituting the original population by another more wealthy one,” says Gala Pin, a councillor in Ciutat Vella. “We’re talking about the historic centre emptying out.” For sociologist Daniel Sorando, co-author of “First We Take Manhattan,” an essay that analyses the phenomenon in various cities, the trend is towards “urban centres conceived as machines to make money while the working classes are displaced outside.” The problem also affects cities further afield.

In Paris, concerned residents of the 4th district, where Notre-Dame Cathedral is located, organised a symposium on the “invisible desertification” of city centres in March. The city hall in the French capital said earlier this year that it had lost 20,000 housing units in five years, partly to tourist rentals. This contributes to a “rise in prices” and a “drop in the population,” Ian Brossat, in charge of housing for Paris’ city hall, told AFP. In Amsterdam, meanwhile, the ING bank found that owners could earn 350 euros more per month with seasonal rentals, pushing the prices up, Senne Janssen, author of the study, told AFP. To try and remedy the situation, Paris, London and Amsterdam want to regulate the

Population According to the city hall, the fixed population in the Gothic district so loved by tourists has dropped from 27,470 residents in 2006 to just 15,624 at the end of 2015. Now, 63 percent are “floating” residents — tourists or people in short-term lets. At the same time, according to real-estate website Idealista, rental prices in Ciutat Vella, where the Gothic Quarter is located, have gone from 14.4 to 19 euros per square metre in just two years. Rising rental prices, noise and crowds jostling for space in the streets and the disappearance of traditional, everyday stores have all contributed to forcing people out for economic

Tourists pull their suitcases as they pass by a butcher shop of El Gotic neighborhood in Barcelona on Feb 17. (AFP)

duration of rentals and register all flats and houses being used for short-term lets in order to better control them. In Berlin, people are only allowed to rent out one room in their home since last year, and the whole flat or house if it is a secondary or occasional use pied-a-terre.

Impact Barcelona, whose mayor Ada Colau is a former anti-eviction housing activist, has chosen to be even more strict. The city hall last year imposed a 600,000euro fine on home rental platforms Airbnb and HomeAway for marketing lodgings that lacked permits to host tourists. But Airbnb Spain says housing problems existed before. In Ciutat Vella, for instance, “there is three times more empty accommodation (that is not being rented out) than accommodation ads on Airbnb,” says Spain spokesman Andreu Castellano. And research in cities like Berlin, Los Angeles, London and Barcelona into occupancy shows that “the amount of accommodation put online for purely professional use (rented out more than 120 days a year) is too low to have an impact,” Airbnb adds. Hard data on the impact of seasonal rentals on accommodation prices are few and far between, but all experts questioned by AFP said these could worsen the situation in already saturated areas. Barcelona has been particularly hard hit by a rise in prices as investors are attracted by the profitability of a city that sees some 30 million visitors annually. Sergi Leiva, of real-estate firm MK Premium, says half of his clients are foreigners, who are looking for a second home or a good investment. And for those who hold on tight despite the prices, life is far from peaceful with the crowds, noise and lack of convenience stores. “If the prices don’t throw you out, daily pressure does,” says Marti Cuso, a 27-year-old local activist in Barcelona.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

26

Dr Khalifa cherishes trainers’ effort, trust of partners

AOU Training Center honors trainers of Ramadan sessions KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Training Center of the Arab Open University (AOU) honored the trainers participating in the Ramadan training sessions held for the employees of the University, and which aimed to discover abilities and develop skills and capacities that enable them to contribute to achieving the vision and mission of the University. During the honoring ceremony, Dr. Sami Khalifa, Manager of the Center, emphasized the importance of these sessions that strengthen the culture of teamwork and experience-exchange in addition to promote the loyalty concept to the University. He added that the AOU is keen on developing the administrative work and keeping up with training and development advances, praising the cooperation between the work sectors of the University that had a great impact on success of these training sessions. Khalifa said, “It is my pleasure to thank all our partners in both public and private sectors on their cooperation that reflect their trust in the Center which offers a wide range of

training and developing programs”. He also thanked all the trainers and Mrs Juman Sharawi, Coordinator of these sessions, for their efforts. Khalifa pointed out that the Center held eight training sessions during Ramadan. The first one was about Job Competence by Anoud Al-Nabhan, while the second one was on SPSS by Ehab Al-Dawi. The body language was the third session delivered by Fatima Al-Enezi and the fourth one was about MS Office by Sarah Qabora. In addition, Khadija Ahmadi talked about the Art of Persuasion in the fifth session. Then, in the sixth meeting, Arsalan Wasti addressed the basics and procedures of conducting a research. Anisa Yousif talked about the Holy Quran Tajweed. The last session was by Saud Mudhhi, who lectured on the basics of writing skills in the English language. At the end of the ceremony, Dr Sami Khalifa handed the trainers an appreciation certificate for their efforts.

A photo from the event.

College dean praises bank’s role in reinforcing students’ initiatives

KFH key partner of College of Social Sciences

Adds value and convenience

Burgan Bank offers Premier clients new airport meet & assist services KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Burgan Bank is pleased to announce a new service tailored specifically to its Premier Customers, to provide an enhanced travel experience in luxury and style, as part of its customer centric and innovative approach. Adding value and further convenience, Burgan Bank’s latest service provides Premier customers with up to 25 percent discount on meet & assist services at over 450 airports worldwide. This service is provided by YQ Now Group to help Premier customers speed pass through airports. Premier customers holding Visa Signature can now enjoy personalized voyages and world class service quality in airports around the world with the

click Embassies Continued from Page 25 2015 onwards, foreign Governments may deny Visa or entry to any person travelling on a non-Machine Readable Passport. ■ The Government of India has been issuing Machine Readable Passports since 2001. The Passports, however, issued before 2001 and particularly those issued during mid 1990s with a validity of 20 years will fall in the category of non-MRPs. All handwritten passports with pasted photographs are also considered nonMRPs. ■ Indians living in Kuwait holding handwritten passports as explained in Para (b) above, are advised to apply urgently for re-issue of their passports well before the deadline in order to avoid any inconvenience in obtaining valid visa for international travel. ■ For more details related to passport services, visit the website – http:// www.indembkwt.org/Pages/Passport. aspx – or call Tribhuvan Kumar, Assistant Consular Officer at Tel:. 22530600, Extn-261 or Shri. K.K. Pahel, First Secretary (Consular) on Mob: 97229948. ❑ ❑ ❑

ECI registration of NRIs: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is in the process of registration of NRIs as overseas electors. The present number of overseas electors is insignificant in comparison to the number of NRIs. Overseas/NRI electors can submit their details in NVSP (National Voters Services Portal) for inclusion of their names in the State Level Electoral roll which should furnish full details of address in the country outside India where they are currently residing. An Overseas Indian (NRI) can get registered/enrolled in the electoral roll by filing an application in prescribed Form 6A before the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer of the constituency at the place of residence of the applicant in India according to the address given in his/her passport. For any queries (including FAQs) in this regard, all concerned may contact the following telephone numbers which are given below: Telephone: 0091-1123717391-98; Fax 0091-11-23713412. For more details please log on to www.eci.nic.in ❑ ❑ ❑

Indian Embassy notice: At the initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, a scheme for Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals has been launched by the Ministry of

help of a global network of specialists. YQ Now Group provides travel services such as fast-track immigration, customs clearance baggage handling, executive car transfers and flowers on arrival. Such services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To avail this offer, Premier customers must book the required service 72 hours before their travel through the YQ designated website – https://cemea.yqnowgroup.com. For more information on Burgan Bank products or services, customers can contact the personal banking executive at the branch, or contact the call center on 1804080. Additionally, customers can also log onto the bank’s website on www.burgan.com. AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturuopathy, Unani, Sidha & Homeopathy) to spread the traditional knowledge of India by assuring quality of Yoga Practices across the world. The Ministry of AYUSH in the wake of declaration of International Day of Yoga has identified Quality Council of India (QCI) to develop a scheme for Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals since QCI has expertise in developing such quality based on the best international practices. The objective of the scheme is to certify yoga professionals which will evaluate four levels of competence ie: yoga instructor, yoga teacher, yoga master and yoga acharya. The scheme is being launched by the Ministry of AYUSH and implemented by Quality Council of India. Yoga stands for harmony & peace. The aim of the scheme is to specify the competence requirements in terms of knowledge and skills to be complied by the Yoga professionals in the form of Competence Standard. It also aims to define the process of evaluation and certification in laying down requirements for competence and operation of assessment of bodies through Accredition after creating awareness about the launch of the scheme by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. For further details about the scheme please log on to yogacertification.qci. org.in ❑ ❑ ❑

Vidya Lakshmi Portal: ‘Vidya Lakshmi Portal’ has been launched on Aug 15, 2015 by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi. Under this scheme, any Indian student can apply for educational loan online by browsing on www.vidyalakshmi.co.in. The main purpose of this portal is to have facilities of education loan, scholarship and other student friendly facilities through one link. Students can apply from his/her home, institution, kiosk or Cyber café. The portal is linked with “Centre for Good Governance National-e-Scholarship Portal: www.scholarship.gov.in. Students can also apply for scholarship. Besides, a good number of student-friendly schemes are also mentioned in the portal. Students can apply, view and track their educational loan application to banks anytime by accessing the Portal which would be useful for students, parents, institutions, bankers, employers, researchers, etc. ❑ ❑ ❑ Serbian Embassy notice: The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the State of Kuwait makes the following announcements: 1) The new phone and fax numbers are as follows: Telephone: 25375042/45; Fax: 25375049. 2) The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Consular Section announces to all Serbian citizens living in Kuwait,

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: College of Social Sciences at Kuwait University hosted Kuwait Finance House (KFH) that was accessible to students and Hesabi customers through a booth to reinforce communication with the students and emphasize its support to their initiatives and activities. This initiative emanates from the bank’s social responsibility and keenness to reward the youth segment of customers, especially holders of Hesabi Account, by providing them with programs tailored especially for the youth to suit their lifestyles. College Dean Dr Humood Alqashan praised KFH initiative, indicating the bank is a key partner to support the students’ activities at the college, which contributes in boosting the efforts towards further success. He valued the bank’s prestigious status as a global leading Islamic financial institution. He said that the number of students at the college is 4,000 and is daily visited by 27,000 students as it delivers some subjects to other colleges’ students. He added that KFH presence at the college is also aimed at raising the awareness of the importance of saving and that saving means the best use and investment of money. Faculty staff; Dr Khaled Alqahes, Dr Fawaz Alajmi and Dr Mohammad Albeloushi also applauded KFH efforts in supporting the college and the students. It is worth noting that Hesabi’ program has been designed to meet the needs of youth from 15 to 21 years old and to go in line with their active life style. This program presents for youth many exclusive offers and a wide range of privileges including ATM card with a unique design, eligibility to issue KFH prepaid cards, distinguished offers and discounts. Bahrain and Yemen that start issuing again of the biometric passports effective from 16/02/2016. ❑ ❑ ❑

Albanian Embassy new premises: Albanian Embassy in the State of Kuwait would like to inform on the change of its premises. The new address of the embassy is: Salam Area, Block 7, Street 717, Villa 293, Kuwait. For postal services in addition to the address: P.O. Box 3090, Safat 13031, State of Kuwait. Also, the landline phone number of the embassy is the same one: 25240627 and Fax: 25240628. The e-mail address: [email protected]. The working hours from Sunday to Thursday, 08:30-14:00. ❑ ❑ ❑

Dean and faculty staff at KFH booth

Brazilian Embassy notice: A Embaixada do Brasil solicita a brasileiros/ as que efetuem e/ou atualizem sua matrícula consular. (formulário na página: http://kuaite.itamaraty.gov.br). The Embassy of Brazil requests Brazilian citizens to register or to update their consular registration (form http://kuaite.itamaraty.gov.br). ❑ ❑ ❑ Czech Embassy notice: The Embassy of Czech Republic in Kuwait is pleased to announce the opening of the Visa Application Centre in Kuwait City. Starting 15.11.2015 the visa applications can be submitted at the Joint Visa Application Centre in Kuwait. The Address is: VFS Global. Czech Republic Visa Application Center; 1st floor Al-Banwan Building, Ali AlSalem Street, Al-Qiblah Area, Kuwait City; Submission of Applications: 9:00-16:00 (Sunday-Thursday) Passport collection time: 16:0017:00 (Sunday-Thursday) Further instructions you can get from the website : www.vfsglobal. com/Czech/Kuwait or on call line: 00965 22971114 Note: Applicants need to come in person to submit the visa application at the Czech Visa Centre. The Embassy of Czech Republic in Kuwait reserves the right to invite the applicant for a personal interview. ❑ ❑ ❑

Embassies Football League: The Premier Sport Academy in association with Everton FC is pleased to invite embassy teams to participate in a football league dedicated to serving the international community in Kuwait. Continued on Page 28

A photo from the event.

WFK presents summer rhythms At the residence of Umesh Sharma, the Writers’ Forum, Kuwait (WFK) held its monthly meeting on Friday, June 30. The soaring temperatures in Kuwait did not deter the evening fiesta of literary compositions that the WFK members relish every month. The President of WFK — Maimuna Chougle presided over the meeting, while Dr Arvind Raina was invited to be the Chief Guest for the evening. The meeting was conducted by its Joint Secretary — Sunil Sonsi. After a brief introduction of WFK for the new attendees,

the first session began by Afroz Alam presenting an article on the noted Urdu poet — Dr Kalim Kaiser and Sunil Sonsi read a short story titled: Dua Kijiye, which was centred on communal harmony. Biswa Ranjan presented an article in Oriya on the importance of charity — Daan. In the second session, Afroz Alam, S. Nazar Kadpawi and S. Qamar Minto recited poetry in Urdu. Nadir Aziz recited a poem in Urdu, which was penned by his mother. A poem in Hindi was recited by Umesh Sharma and one in Kanna-

da, by Ameer Uddin Ameer. Mohan Singh read out a poem in English, which was penned by his daughter Parminder Kaur. Also present in the meeting were Satish Kumar, Usha Kumar, Ali Chougle, Aminah Japanwala, and Ainy Chougle. Towards the culmination of the evening, the Chief Guest-Dr Arvind Raina recited his poem in Hindi and expressed his opinions on the evening’s deliberations. Maimuna Chougle gave her Presidential remarks at the conclusion of the meeting, followed by a vote of thanks by Sunil Sonsi.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

27

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By Jacqueline Bigar Happy birthday for Thursday, July 6, 2017: This year you demonstrate the ability to be the workhorse of the zodiac. You will be able to focus and push distractions aside in order to achieve your goals. Others watch your concentration and dedication. Don’t be surprised at the offers that emerge as a result. If you are single, you open up doors and willingly date people who are not your normal type. Verify that a bond works for the long term before committing. If you are attached, the two of you become much closer than you recently have been. Fall might be cold, but your romantic life sizzles. SAGITTARIUS ignites your imagination about travel. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult

Capricorn - (Dec 22 - Jan 19) **** Investigate what could be a problem if

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not handled quickly and carefully. A heartfelt discussion allows you to express your vulnerabilities. A friend appreciates this conversation, especially as you express a considerable amount of trust in this person. Tonight: Out and about.

Aquarius - (Jan

20 - Feb 18)

***** Take a risk and move forward. You need to handle a personal matter as directly as possible. A meeting or discussion with a friend is likely to point you in a new, more successful direction. Follow this person’s lead, and you’ll be a lot happier. Tonight: As you like it.

Pisces - (Feb 19 - Mar 20) **** You’ll take a step onto the stage and steal the show. Others like your ideas and will support you in making them become a reality. Assess what is needed for you to continue to achieve your goals. You enjoy being in the

home decor

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limelight. Tonight: Relish the attention.

Aries - (Mar 21 - Apr 19) *** You might be wondering which way to go in order to succeed and fulfill others’ expectations. You’ll become more centered as the day goes on. Listen carefully to feedback. Your instincts will point you in the right direction, Tonight: Don’t overthink a personal matter.

Taurus - (Apr 20 - May 20) **** Success comes through one-on-one relating. When you speak, you make quite an impression. Don’t be too demanding in your expectations of others; not everyone has your gifts. Use diplomacy to get the results you desire. Tonight: Enjoy dinner with a special person.

Gemini - (May 21 - June 20)

indoor gardening

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***** You’ll head in a new direction in a different way. Your thinking and orchestrating of ideas seem to have taken on a new pace. Understand where others are coming from. Maintain a sense of humor with a partner who often changes his or her mind. Tonight: Accept an offer.

like to believe. A loved one could be uptight and cause a current hassle to become even more of a problem. Tonight: Lighten up, and others will too.

Cancer - (June 21 - July 22)

**** Honor a fast change, and don’t fight it. Perhaps you would like to go through your mental checklist in order to confirm a decision. You would like to proceed in your tried and proven way. Sometimes a leap of faith is necessary. Tonight: Dinner with a friend at a favorite place.

**** Allow greater give-and-take with friends. You will learn a lot about a mutual acquaintance without even having to initiate a discussion. Let others speak; someone will spill the beans. You might encourage an open exchange more often. Tonight: Choose a favorite stress-buster.

Leo - (July 23 - Aug 22) **** Your individuality comes through in almost any creative endeavor you decide to pursue. A decision is more serious than you’d

Virgo - (Aug 23 - Sept 22):

Libra - (Sept 23 - Oct 22) ***** You can keep up a conversation and make it flow with little to no effort. You could be surprised by how some nuggets of information seem to pop up from out of nowhere. You have a lot to think about and a lot on your plate right now. Tonight: Do whatever you need to.

beauty tips

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Scorpio - (Oct 23 - Nov 21) **** Manage a matter by tapping into your cleverness. You’ll remain clear-headed, even when translating a creative, inspirational idea. You have a way of drawing others into your way of thinking. A romantic tie could demand some time. Tonight: Do not mix business with pleasure.

Sagittarius - (Nov 22 - Dec 21) ***** Take a risk, even if you have moments of trepidation and find yourself wanting to run for the hills. Fight the instinct to run away or disappear. In the long run, you will find this type of selfdiscipline to be a tremendous asset. Tonight: Settle in to what you would like to be a routine.

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Born today: Painter Frida Kahlo (1907), former U.S. first lady Nancy Reagan (1921), comedian Kevin Hart (1979)

taste buds

candle apple

fatsia

beauty tips during pregnancy

fish pate

Supplies: Apple; Tea gentle or votive candle; Small knife; Lemon juice; Instructions: Whether or not you use red, green or gold apples, decide on a less crisp apple. Wash the apple. Eliminate the stem, making use of a tiny knife if needed. Place the candle you prepare to use on top and use the knife to mark the outer edges. Core the marked section with a spoon. Pour adequate lemon juice into the hole to fill it and enable it sit for 5 or 10 minutes. This will not only retain the uncovered fruit from browning as swiftly, it will stop your residing candleholder from rotting a bit extended. Following you pour the lemon juice out, permit the root dry a little bit. If you are utilizing a votive, you may want to gentle the candle for a number of seconds and pour a few drops of wax into the gap to assist it stay. If you’re utilizing a tea light candle, that’s unnecessary. Then just push the candle into the hole firmly.

common name(s): castor oil plant, aralia Fatsia are evergreen shrubs or small trees from E. Asia. They have large, leathery, palmate 7- to 11-lobed leaves, produced mainly at the branch tips, and compound umbels, to 12 in (30 cm) across, of small, creamy white flowers borne in autumn, followed by clusters of usually spherical black fruits. Fatsia can reach a height of 4 ft or more. Site: Bright light - avoid direct sunshine. It prefers a cool, well-ventilated and bright condition. Temperature: Average or above average warmth in summer. Keep fairy cool in winter - minimum temperature 55°F or 16°C. Watering: Water freely from spring to autumn sparingly in winter. Use tepid water. Mist leaves frequently, especially in hot weather. Note: Wash the leaves occasionally. Don’t allow compost to dry out.

Include laxative fruits like figs, punts and beetroot in your daily diet this will reduce skin blemishes. To avoid stretch marks, massage the abdomen and the breasts regularly with oil from the first month of pregnancy right to the last and even after delivery for a few months at least. Proper care of the skin and hair is especially important during pregnancy. A daily bath with a mild fragrant soap is a must. Clean your skin both morning and night with milk cream to which a little lime juice and turmeric powder has been added. Every morning before you go in for your bath take a teaspoon of curd and mix in a few drops each of almond oil and essence of rose. Rub it well into the skin and remove with cotton wool. This will soothe and feed the skin.

Ingredients: 1-1/2 pounds whitefish fillets; 1-1/2 pounds pike fillets; 4 medium sweet onions, peeled and diced (about 2 pounds); 3 tbsps vegetable or canola oil; 4 large eggs; 2 cups cold water; 6 tablespoons matzoh meal; 1 tbsps salt to taste; 2 tsps ground white pepper; 2 tbsps sugar; 2 large carrots, peeled and grated; Parsley for garnish Method: Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with vegetable oil. Place whitefish and pike fillets in the bowl of a food processor, pulse to a fine grind, but do not puree. Gently saute the sweet onion in the oil until translucent. Let cool to room temperature. Combine fish, onion, eggs, water, matzoh meal, salt, pepper, carrot and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer for about 15 minutes. Pour into prepared bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour. Remove, cover with aluminum foil and bake an additional 1 hour or until center is solid. When done, let cool on a rack or trivet for 5 minutes, then invert gelfilte fish onto a serving platter. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Dear Abby

what’s on today

Man ‘faces’ choosing between job, lifestyle By Abigail Van Buren Dear Abby: I’m a 47-year-old man. I live alone in a small city in New York. I have a good job. I have been with the company for years and my bosses take good care of me. However, I want to live a semihomesteading-type life on my own property, providing myself with my basic needs. I cannot do this in the area where I live because of strict zoning. I’m torn between leaving my job to move and live the life I dream of, or staying where I am and trying to get as close as I can to that lifestyle. Can you help me? — Torn in New York Dear torn: The questions you need to answer are can you afford to live your dream right now and, if not, how long Abigail Van Buren will you have to wait until you can achieve it? Your next move should be to talk to your CPA or to a certified financial planner and see what it will take to make your dream a reality. Unless you are sure about that, you should stay where you are until you have enough money for a comfortable retirement off the grid. ❑ ❑ ❑ Dear Abby: I am a working mother of two, married for 20 years. I go to great lengths to keep a Google calendar updated, which my husband has access to any time he wishes to see it. The problem is, he rarely looks at it. Instead, he asks me daily, “What have we got going on today?” or, “What time is (blank)?” or, “Do we have anything happening the weekend of (blank)?” Sometimes he texts me while I’m working to ask what time one of our children needs to be picked up. Abby, it drives me crazy! At any hour of any day he is one click away from all this information. It makes me feel like I’m his secretary. I have told him how it makes me feel numerous times to no avail. How can I get him to use the calendar and stop treating me like his personal secretary? — Fed up in the South Dear fed up: Here’s how: Do not react in anger. When he asks these questions, your response should be: “I don’t know, Honey. I’m sure it’s on the calendar. Why don’t you look it up?” ❑ ❑ ❑ Dear Abby: My son is 29. He has no vanity at all and does not care how he dresses or looks. He has always been this way. He just got married, and his wife is a darling girl. How can I make him understand how important this is, not only to him but also to his wife? — Concerned mom Dear concerned mom: It’s my observation that people who make the effort to “put themselves together” usually feel better for having done so. However, if your son is doing well at his job, happy in his relationships and in his marriage, then perhaps you shouldn’t secondguess him. The time to have impressed the importance of good grooming on your son was while he was still a minor and living with you. Now that he’s 29, face it, that horse left the barn years ago. ❑

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. (Source: Universal Uclick)

emergency number 112

Civil ID info: 1889988

Site for checking travel ban www.kuwaitcourts.gov.kw/mojweb/NGeneral/Main.jsp

Salhiya Police Station & Kuwait Airways Bldg) in Kuwait City. There will be a community started and lunch after Friday prayers at KPC Center in Farwaniya. For further information, please call KPC Center, Tel 4712574. ❑ ❑ ❑

THURSDAY ■ TIES Center classes: TIES Center is conducting a series of classes about some of the Prophets and Messengers of God who strove very hard to spread monotheism and teach their respective peoples how to worship God. Their message was not only spiritual; they also taught people how to conduct their daily lives and develop the living conditions on earth. In this series, we will focus on the following prophets: Adam, Nouh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Ayoub (Job), Yousuf (Joseph), Mousa (Moses), and Eisa (Jesus) — may peace, mercy and blessings of Allah (to Whom all might and majesty is ascribed) be upon them all. We will not only focus on historical facts, but will also deduce some important lessons whose application in our daily interactions and chores determine our success and salvation. Join us every Thursday at 7 pm to learn about the life and times of those messengers of firm resolve. The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking Muslims in Kuwait. For more information, please call 25231015 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net.

FRIDAY

■ St Paul’s Church activities: English Worship Services on Fridays at 10.30 am and on Sundays at 6.30 pm at St Paul’s Church in Ahmadi. The Friday English Service has got separate sessions for Children and Youth. Chinese Worship Services on Fridays at 10.30 am at House No 16, Street 9, Block 11, Salwa. Urdu Worship services on Thursdays at 5.35 pm at St. Paul’s Church, Ahmadi and on Fridays at 5.45 pm at Diwaniya of NECK Campus, Kuwait City. Please contact Fr Harrison Chinnakumar for English and Urdu Congregations and his phone numbers are 66396539 or 239859292 and email address: [email protected]. For Chinese congregation, please contact Zhu Peijin and her number is 99551783 and email address is: [email protected] ❑ ❑ ❑

A flyer of the event.

■ FBC tournament: Filipino Badminton Committee (FBC) is inviting all badminton enthusiast in Kuwait to join their regular badminton tournament being held every Friday from 8 am to 7 pm at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, Bin Khaldoun Hawalli. Over 10 badminton courts are now available for badminton practices and tournament and it is open for all nationalities and from different badminton organizations. Exclusiveprivate court are also available on per hour rental. For more information, please contact Dr Chie Umandap – 97197268 ❑ ❑ ❑

■ El Shaddai weekly fellowship: The El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI Kuwait Chapter invites all the Filipino in our weekly fellowship. ● Every Monday, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm St Joseph Hall (Basement), Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City. ● Every Friday (except 1st Friday), 12:30 pm to 4 pm, Sacred Heart Hall, Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City. For more information please call any of the following nos: 66758948, 66523946, 99615956, 99495832, 66078953 and 67067956. ❑ ❑ ❑

■ Arnis/Eskrima training: EskrimadorKuwait a member of Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation now opens a new batch of training. Learn the Philippine national sports, which is Arnis/Eskrima with the authentic style and techniques. Training schedule will be every Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm @ Kaifan Sports Complex-Karate Gym. Text or call #50292148-Herms. ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Free IFRA coaching classes: Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) will be starting free refresher/coaching classes for existing referees, new recruits, those aspiring to be referees and even those who would like to learn about the laws of the game at IEAS – Salmiya (Don Bosco). Classes will be from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm every Friday. Those interested may call 99519439 or get in touch with any IFRA member for registration. ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Holy Quran classes: Emanway Foundation – Musk is offering classes to teach English-speaking ladies (and girls ages 5 and up) to read the Holy Quran in Arabic. The method is al-Qaedah Noorania, a traditional program which has been used for many years around the world. (Note: ‘Al-Qaedah’ simply

■ Redeemed Christian Church: The Redeemed Christian Church of God (HOD Parish) worship in English. Celebration Service: Friday 9 am – 11 am; Divine encounter: Sunday, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Digging Deep (Bible studies): Tuesday, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Night vigil every last Friday of the month from 10 pm. Venue: New Mishref. For more information and direction please call 99276603, 6557-7482. Email: [email protected] ❑ ❑ ❑

A flyer of the event. means ‘base’; this can be likened to a basic phonics program.) No Arabic knowledge is required. Every Friday from 4:00 to 5:15 pm, beginning Oct 4. Al-Salam Area (south Surra), Block 2, Street 201, House 30. Classes are free, but seats are limited, so register now by calling 66274724. ❑ ❑ ❑

■ Tagalog Khutba for Filipinos: The Ministry of Awqaf, Islam Presentation Committee, & Kuwait Philippine Cultural Center (KPC Center) invites all Filipino Muslim & Muslima to hear Khutba (Sermon) in Tagalog every Friday at Marzouq Al-Badr Mosque, Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq St (at the back of Ambassador Supermarket and SM Supermarket, near

■ Father’s Love Int’l Ministries: Have you had a challenging week? Want to hear something different for a change? Something positive and energizing? At FLIM, you will find all this and much more ... Love, laugher, life and liberty. You will find a community of God-loving believers, who come every Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday to praise and worship together. There always a word of blessing and edification for everyone who comes to the Father’s House. So, don’t be left out! Come join the family! You will be restored, received, renewed and greatly rewarded! Father’s Love Encounter Service on Friday at 11:00 am to 2:00 pm African service on Saturday at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Empowerment Services on Monday at 6:30 pm 8:30 pm Tamil Service on Wednesday at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Please call 66020972, 99874730, 51003531

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

28

Couch slouch click

BBC boosts kids’ programming

Embassies

BBC Studios preps Follett and Forsyth ‘adaptations’

Continued from Page 26 Weekly matches will be played at the Everton Bayan Sports Arena on Sunday evenings with kick off times of either 7 pm or 8 pm starting in October. Teams should consist of 7 players (one goalkeeper plus 6 outfield) and upto 4 substitutes. Matches will be two halves of 25 minutes each. Participating teams must represent their embassy and be either employees or nationals from the embassy. The league will be organised by PSA Everton and will initially run for twelve weeks followed by the Everton Cup competition. Please contact Mike Finn, Everton Academy Director to confirm your involvement or for further information on 99981327 or by email: [email protected] prior to the end of September 2015. ❑ ❑ ❑

BBC Studios makes BBC shows “Doctor Who” and ongoing dramas such as soap opera “Eastenders.” With its new mandate, “we can now think about things that we know won’t be BBC projects,” Betts said. “There’s a huge appetite for specialist sci-fi around the world, for example, and particularly with the SVOD players, while on the BBC there isn’t huge scope beyond ‘Doctor Who.’” ❑ ❑ ❑ The BBC is sinking an extra £34 million ($44 million) into its children’s services to fight off competition from Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, and US-owned social media platforms such as Facebook. The UK public broadcaster said the money would come from cost savings elsewhere in the BBC Corporation, and that the extra cash would be used across its CBeebies service, which caters to preschool kids, and CBBC, which is for older children. The BBC said it would invest in “new forms of content and interactivity.” On the TV side, the BBC is by far the largest funder of original programming for kids in the UK, with ITV and Channel 4 having scaled back after rules curbing ads for unhealthy food limited the commercial value of kids’ TV for them. The BBC has, however, faced new competition from streaming services Amazon and Netflix, both of which have invested heavily in kids’ content, mostly out of the US. British children are also spending more time online and on social networks, and while the BBC introduced a Kids iPlayer last year, it is mindful of losing eyeballs to newer services. Accordingly, the BBC Children’s online budget will get a significant boost and receive about a quarter of the new funding. There will be new online content, games, vlogs, podcasts, and apps. ❑ ❑ ❑ Fox Networks Group is aiming to reach 1 billion views around the world with “Trading Floor,” its first high-end original miniseries in Asia, set against the backdrop of the financial wheeling and dealing in the region. Cora Yim, head of Chinese entertainment and Hong Kong chief for Fox Networks Group, said the five-part thriller revolving around the greed and scheming behind the stock market would be a draw for Asian viewers fascinated by the world of high finance and by drama. She said the group has more than 10 million subscribers across Asia outside China, and the partnership with Tencent’s Penguin Pictures, one of the studio operations under Chinese digital giant Tencent, would help boost the number of views of the show to 1 billion. The show is produced by Andy Lau and directed by KK Wong, director and producer of the hit Hong Kong show “The Election”, and stars an ensemble of Chinese-speaking actors including Francis Ng from Hong Kong, Taiwanese heartthrob Joseph Chang and mainland Chinese actress Yu Nan. But the show wasn’t created only for Chinese viewers, said Yim. “A story about the financial market in Hong Kong can be identified with by a lot of Asians in the region,” she said.

LOS ANGELES, July 5, (RTRS): BBC Studios is lining up TV adaptations of author Ken Follett’s World War II novel “Jackdaws” and Frederick Forsyth’s terrorist thriller “The Kill List.” BBC Studios is the UK public broadcaster’s production arm, which can work with outside parties as well as within the BBC. It has already set up “Good Omens,” a six-part TV comedy based upon the Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett novel, for Amazon and the BBC, and an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables,” for flagship channel BBC One. It will now look to add to the drama slate with the Follett and Forsyth projects. Of the two, “Jackdaws” is further along, with a script for the first episode already written by Mick Ford (“The Boy With the Topknot”). Follett’s 2001 novel follows a team of female insurgents in Occupied France in World War II. For TV, it was originally developed as a four-parter for the BBC, but the broadcaster was already well-stocked with World War II dramas with “SS-GB” and “My Mother and Other Strangers,” and is no longer on board the project. BBC Studios subsequently redeveloped “Jackdaws” as a bigger-budget series of eight episodes, said Hilary Salmon, who is BBC Studios’ head of drama, London, working alongside the recently appointed heads of drama for Wales and Northern England, Simon Winstone and Tom Sherry, respectively. It will be pitched to partners as a returning series rather than as a one-off, with the action moved back several years from the book, with Follett’s approval, to provide room for the story to develop over multiple seasons, Salmon said. BBC Studios is pitching the project to broadcasters and potential partners, and if it can attract some, production could start in 2018, Salmon said. The adaptation of Forsyth’s “The Kill List” is less developed, with writer Ed Whitmore (“Rillington Place,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) attached and starting work on the script. A film version was in the works, but BBC Studios is prepping a TV series based on the 2013 novel, which may be Forsyth’s last as he switches his focus to nonfiction. The book follows Tracker, a former elite soldier, on his mission to find and kill a prolific terrorist called the Preacher. The adaptation will cover the events in the book, likely across six or eight episodes, and BBC Studios would then like the Tracker character to return for subsequent series. BBC Studios emerged out of the BBC’s in-house production division, with the crucial difference that it can develop and make shows for third parties as well as the BBC’s channels. It is already in talks with potential partners internationally — including in the US — about several projects, said Nick Betts, director of scripted production. “There’s a good demand for BBC-produced content in the marketplace, and we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of commissioners on both sides of the Atlantic,” Betts said. “There’s a lot of co-production being done, and a big tranche of that comes from the States, whether it is AMC, BBC America, Amazon, Netflix or someone else.”

Malaysian citizens registration: The Embassy of Malaysia in the State of Kuwait advises all Malaysian citizens residing in Kuwait who have not registered with the Embassy, to do so. For those who have registered, the Embassy advises them to update the Embassy on any changes in their particulars. The purpose of registration and updating your particulars with the Embassy is to enable the Embassy to contact you in case of Malaysian community events, information bulletins and emergencies. The registration form may be downloaded at www.kln.gov.my/ web/kwt kuwait/forms, while the Embassy’s address and contact details are as follows: Plot 5, Yemen Street, Area 5, Diplomatic Enclave, Daiya, P.O. Box: 4105, Safat 13042, Kuwait. Tel: (965) 22550394/5/6; Fax: (965) 22550384; E-mail: [email protected] ❑ ❑ ❑

A flyer of the event.

Indonesian Embassy services: The Embassy of Indonesia in Kuwait encourages anyone who needs the consular service from the Embassy to log on into: https://ekonsuler. kbrikuwait.com/ The Embassy would also like to remind that 30 foreign nationals including Kuwaiti passport holder is exempted from obtaining visa for entering Indonesia. According to Article 3 and 4 of the Presidential Decree No: 69 Year 2015 dated 9 June 2015 concerning the visa exemption for the 30 foreign nationals, this visa exemption is valid only for the touristic purpose for the period of stay of thirty (30) days and it is not extendable nor exchangeable to other type of immigration stay permission status. In order to get this facility, the tourists must enter Indonesia through nine (9) designated immigration check-points as follows: Soekarno Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, Kuala Namu Airport in Medan, Juanda Airport in Surabaya, Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, Sri Bintan Seaport in Tanjung Pinang, Batam Center Seaport in Batam, Sekupang Seaport in Batam, and Tanjung Uban seaport in Riau. To get update, please check: http://www. kemlu.go.id/kuwaitcity, twitter: @KBRI_Kuwait; instagram: @KBRI_Kuwait; Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KBRI.Kuwait and YouTube Channel: KBRI Kuwait. For further information, please contact the Information Section of the Embassy at 22531021, 22531025 ext 122. ❑ ❑ ❑

Bhutan Embassy notice: The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bhutan in Kuwait is located in South Surra, Al Salaam Area, Block 3, Street 308, House 3. Tel: 25213601/2, Fax: 25213603 and Email address: [email protected]. The Royal Bhutanese Embassy is opened Sunday to Thursday, from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Please note that we are no longer using Gmail address.

A flyer of the event.

tv highlights Cinema Cinema programme from Thursday 06/07/2017 to Wednesday 12/07/2017

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Sharqia 1 Sharqia 3 Muhalab 1 Fanar 1 Marina 2 Avenues 6 Avenues 10 360° 7 360° 9 Al-Kout 2 Al-Kout 4 Bairaq 2

11:30 (No Fri) 17:00 14:45, 17:15, 00:45 13:30, 21:30 13:30, 00:15 23:30 13:15 (No Fri) 16:00, 18:45, 00:15 13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00, 00:45 22:00 16:45 13:30 11:30 (No Fri) 00:05

Despicable Me 3 Sharqia 1 Sharqia 2 Muhalab 2 Muhalab 3 Fanar 4 Fanar 5 Marina 2 Avenues 2 Avenues 4 Avenues 6 Avenues 11 360° 1 360° 9 360° 12 360° 15 Al-Kout 1 Al-Kout 3 Bairaq 1 Bairaq 2 Laila Ajial 3

14:00, 16:00, 18:00 11:45 (No Fri) 11:30, 13:30 (No Fri) 15:30, 17:30 13:45 (Fri) 11:45 (No Fri) 13:00 (No Fri) 15:00, 17:00, 19:00 11:30 (No Fri) 16:00, 18:00, 20:00 14:30, 19:15 13:00 (No Thu) 17:45 (No Sun) 11:30 (No Fri) 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 21:30 14:15, 16:15 12:30 (No Fri) 14:30, 16:30, 18:30 20:30, 22:30 (No Tue) 15:15 11:30 (No Fri) 15:15, 20:00 11:45 (No Fri) 15:00, 17:00, 19:00 11:30 (No Fri) 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00 18:30 15:30, 23:15

Tubelight (Hindi Film) Sharqia 1 Muhalab 1 Fanar 3 Avenues 1

20:00 12:00 (No Fri) 19:45 11:30 (No Fri) 16:15, 21:00 12:45 (No Fri) 18:30, 21:15

Avenues 4 360° 3 360° 9 Bairaq 3 Ajial 1

15:00, 19:45 12:00 (No Fri) 14:45, 20:45, 23:45 12:30 (No Fri) 17:15 18:30 16:15, 19:00, 21:45

The Mummy Sharqia 1 Muhalab 1 Fanar 1 Marina 2 Avenues 8 Avenues 9 360° 6 360° 11 Al-Kout 4

22:45, 01:00 22:30 16:15, 00:15 22:00 12:30 (No Fri) 14:45, 00:30 11:30 (No Fri) 13:15 (No Fri) 15:30, 17:45, 20:00, 22:15, 00:30 01:15 (Thu) 16:00, 00:15

Spider-Man: Homecoming Sharqia 2 Sharqia 3 Muhalab 2 Muhalab 3 Fanar 2 Fanar 4 Fanar 5 Marina 1 Marina 3 Avenues 2 Avenues 4 Avenues 5 Avenues 9 Avenues 11 360° 10 360° 11 360° 12 360° 13 360° 15 Al-Kout 1

13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00, 00:45 11:30 (No Fri) 23:45 23:30 13:00 (No Fri) 15:45, 18:30, 21:15, 00:15 12:45 (No Fri) 13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00, 00:45 21:00, 23:45 12:00 (No Fri) 14:45, 23:30 13:30, 16:15, 19:00, 21:45, 00:30 11:45 (No Fri) 16:30, 21:15, 00:05 00:30 12:00 (No Fri) 14:45, 17:30, 23:00 20:15 (No Thu) 13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00, 00:45 11:30 (No Fri) 18:15, 21:00, 23:45 13:00 (No Fri) 15:45, 18:30, 21:15, 00:05 11:30 (No Fri) 14:15, 17:00, 19:45, 22:30 13:30, 16:15, 19:00, 21:45, 00:30 12:30 (No Fri) 15:15, 18:00, 20:45, 23:30 12:15 (No Fri) 17:15, 22:00, 00:45 13:45, 16:30, 19:15,

Al-Kout 3 Bairaq 1 Bairaq 3 Plaza Laila

22:00, 00:45 12:15 (No Fri) 21:00, 23:45 13:30, 16:15, 19:00, 21:45, 00:30 23:15 16:00, 21:30 15:45, 22:30

Khammis & Jumma (Horoob Ejbary) — Arabic Film Sharqia 3 Fanar 2 Avenues 1 Avenues 3 Avenues 10 360° 4 360° 14 Al-Kout 2 Bairaq 3

14:30 17:30 00:05 17:30 21:30 13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00, 00:45 11:30 (Thu, Sat) 12:00 (No Fri) 21:30 16:00

Tisbah Ala Khair (Arabic Film) Sharqia 3 Muhalab 2

19:45, 21:45 13:30 (Fri)

19:30, 21:30 11:30 (No Fri) 15:30, 20:15, 22:15, 00:30 17:30, 19:30, 21:30 11:30 (No Fri) 11:30 (No Fri) 13:30, 15:30, 20:00, 22:00, 00:15 22:30 13:00 (No Fri) 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00, 01:00 20:00, 00:45 14:45, 19:30, 00:05 12:00 (No Fri) 14:00, 21:15 20:30

Fanar 1 Fanar 2 Marina 1 Marina 3 Avenues 3

Avenues 4 360° 8

360° 9 Al-Kout 2 Bairaq 3 Laila

Mom (Hindi Film) Fanar 1 360° 3 Ajial 2

18:30 17:45 15:30, 18:30, 21:30

Tafash We Arb3een Harami (Arabic Film) Fanar 3

14:15, 19:00, 00:05

How to find us 1. 360°

Zahra’a Area, South Surra, 6th Ring Road, corner of King Faisal Highway 2. Ajial Ajial Complex, Fahaheel 3. Al Bairaq Between Jaber Al Ali East & Al Agalia West 4. Al Fanar Al Fanar Complex, Salem Al Mubarak Street, near Sultan Center, Salmiya 5. Al Kout Al-Kout Complex, at the end of the Coastal Road, Fahaheel 6. Al Muhalab Al Muhalab Complex, Behind Hawally Clinic, Hawally 7. Al Sharqiya Arabian Gulf Street, Souq Sharq, near the Amiri Hospital 8. Laila Gallery Salem Al Mubarak Street, near Sultan Center, Salmiya 9. Marina Marina Mall, Between Salem Al Mubarak Street & Arabian Gulf Street, Salmiya 10. Metro Metro Complex, Farwaniya, near Crowne Plaza Hotel & Farwaniya Garden 11. Plaza Salem Al Mubarak Street, near Sultan Center, Salmiya 12. The Avenues The Avenues Mall, Al Reggai near Al Rai, 5th Ring Road & Ghazali Road Intersection NB: Friday no show before 1:30 pm Regular show KD3:000; 3D-Digital — KD3.500; VIP show — KD6.000. ‘On Monday, price is KD1.500 except Digital movies.

Cinescape cinema movies inquiries and Fax Back hotline 1803456

13. The Scientific Center – IMAX Opp Holiday Inn, Salmiya, Gulf Road 14. Grand Al-Hamra Grand Al-Hamra, tel: 22270333, www.grand cinemas.com 15. Grand Gate Grand Gate, tel: 22056464, www.grandcinemas.com

Avenues 7 360° 2

360° 11 Al-Kout 4

14:00, 18:30, 20:30 11:30 (No Fri) 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30 01:15 (No Thu) 11:30 (No Fri) 18:15, 20:15, 22:15

Transformers: The Last Knight Avenues 1 360° 1 360° 14

15:30 00:30 14:15, 17:15, 22:15

Science Fiction Volume One: The Osiris Child Avenues 7 360° 4 360° 5 360° 7 360° 14

11:45 (No Fri) 16:15, 22:30, 00:45 11:45 (No Fri) 13:00 (Sat) 15:00 (Thu, Fri, Sat) 11:30 (No Fri) 20:15, 01:15

The Dinner Avenues 8 360° 5

17:00, 19:30, 22:00 17:00 (No Mon) 19:30, 22:00, 00:30

Role Models (Malayalam Film) Plaza Ajial 4

18:45 15:45, 18:30, 21:30

Guest In London (Hindi Film) Ajial 3

17:45, 20:30

IMAX Imax film programme at The Scientific Center

Sunday Showtime Available for Groups Flying Monsters 3D

09:30 am 10:30 am 07:30 pm A Beautiful Planet 3D 11:30 am 06:30 pm, 09:30 pm Journey to Space 3D 12:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 05:30 pm Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 08:30 pm

Monday Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am A Beautiful Planet 3D 10:30 am 05:30 pm, 07:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 11:30 am 09:30 pm Flying Monsters 3D 12:30 pm, 06:30 pm Journey to Space 3D 08:30 pm

Tuesday Showtime Available for Groups Journey to Space 3D

09:30 am 10:30 am 04:30 pm Flying Monsters 3D 11:30 am 09:30 pm A Beautiful Planet 3D 12:30 pm, 02:30 pm, 05:30 pm, 08:30 pm Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 01:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 03:30 pm, 06:30 pm Secret Ocean 3D 07:30 pm

Wednesday Showtime Available for Groups Flying Monsters 3D

09:30 am 10:30 am 05:30 pm A Beautiful Planet 3D 11:30 am 06:30 pm, 09:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 12:30 pm Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 07:30 pm Journey to Space 3D 08:30 pm

Thursday Showtime Available for Groups A Beautiful Planet 3D

09:30 am 10:30 am 07:30 pm Flying Monsters 3D 11:30 am 06:30 pm, 09:30 pm Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 12:30 pm Journey to Space 3D 05:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 08:30 pm

Friday A Beautiful Planet 3D 02:30 pm, 06:30 pm, 09:30 pm Journey to Space 3D 03:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 04:30 pm Secret Ocean 3D 05:30 pm Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 07:30 pm Flying Monsters 3D 08:30 pm

Saturday Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am Flying Monsters 3D 10:30 am 05:30 pm, 07:30 pm A Beautiful Planet 3D 11:30 am 03:30 pm, 08:30 pm Journey to Space 3D 12:30 pm, 06:30 pm, 09:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 01:30 pm Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 02:30 pm Secret Ocean 3D 04:30 pm

Notes: All films are in Arabic. For English, headsets are available upon request. Film schedule is subject to changes without notice. For information call 1 848 888 or visit www.tsck.org.kw

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

HEALTH

29

Untreated wastewater a threat to both farmers and consumers

Dirty water use puts nearly a billion at risk ROME, July 5, (Agencies): Untreated wastewater from cities is used to irrigate 50 percent more farmland worldwide than previously thought, leaving some 885 million people exposed to the risk of diseases, including diarrhoea and cholera, a study said on Wednesday. Crops covering almost 36 million hectares — an area roughly the size of Germany — are irrigated with water from rivers and lakes used by cities within 40 kms (25 miles) upstream to discharge sewage, according to an international team of researchers. About 80 percent of these crops — 29 million hectares — are in countries with very limited wastewater treatment, such as China, India, Pakistan, Mexico and Iran, according to the paper published in the journal Environmental Research Letters. The study was the first to use remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) for its data analysis, improving on earlier estimates based on case studies and guesswork, researchers said. Untreated wastewater, even when diluted, poses health risks for both farmers and consumers, said Pay Drechsel, one of the authors. “In wastewater we have a lot of faecal contaminants from excrement,” Drechsel, a scientist at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. Farm workers can get skin infections from contact with contaminated water, while consumers are at risk of contracting worms, diarrhoea and even cholera from vegetables eaten raw, he said. Pollution from human and animal waste affects nearly one in three rivers in Latin America, Asia and Africa, and some 3.4 million people die each year from diseases associated with

French smokers may think twice

Tokyo gov pushes for smoking ban

People practice yoga on the top of the Montparnasse Tower on July 4, in Paris. (AFP)

pathogens in water, according to the United Nations. The threat will get worse as the global population grows and informal settlements not supported by proper infrastructure spring up in rapidly expanding cities in developing countries. “As long as investment in wastewater treatment lags far behind population growth, large numbers of consumers eating raw produce will face heightened threats to food safety,” said the

study’s lead author Anne Thebo, of the University of California, Berkeley. In March UN experts said governments should see treating wastewater not as a costly problem but a valuable resource that could be used to meet growing demand for freshwater, energy and raw materials. Wastewater contains nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrates which can be turned into fertiliser while treated sludge can be turned into bio gas.

TOKYO, July 5, (Agencies): Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike will push for a law banning smoking in public places, to make the Japanese capital smoke-free ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, media said, defying national politicians who failed to pass a similar law this spring. Tokyo risks being one of the unhealthiest cities to host the Olympics in years, but efforts for a national ban died in the face of opposition from pro-smoking politicians — many in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling party — as well as restaurateurs and Japan Tobacco, which is one-third governmentowned and paid the state $700 million in dividends in 2015. Although passive smoking kills thousands of Japanese each year, the Health Ministry’s watered-down proposal — which would have allowed indoor smoking in smaller establishments with adequate ventilation — could not make it to a vote in parliament this spring. Koike, her hand strengthened by a sweeping victory over Abe’s party in weekend local elections, told the Nikkei Shimbun daily that a law banning indoor smoking could be submitted to the assembly, where her party and allies now have a strong majority, for a vote as soon as this autumn. “The country is slow, but we will carry out our duty as the host city,” the paper quoted Koike as saying. Tokyo’s proposed law, part of the election platform of Koike’s Tokyo Citizens First party, would ban smoking in all public plac-

es under penalty of fines. It could include provisions for “non-smoking efforts” in private homes and cars with children. A 2003 national law now “encourages” restaurants and other public areas to separate smoking and non-smoking areas, but non-compliance attracts no penalty. Tokyo faces pressure to go smoke-free by 2020, from bodies such as the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization (WHO) — which ranks Japan at the bottom worldwide in antismoking regulations, gauged by the types of public places entirely smoke-free.

Also: PARIS: The cost of lighting up at a French sidewalk cafe may finally dissuade even the most ardent smoker, if Prime Minister Edouard Phillippe gets his way. With 80,000 tobacco-related deaths in France each year, “doing nothing is not an option,” Philippe said Tuesday, announcing a plan to raise the price of a packet of cigarettes to 10 euros ($11.3) from the current seven euros. Tobacco “is the leading cause of preventable death, and daily use is growing among adolescents,” the premier said in a speech to parliament. Philippe did not give a timeline for the price hike, which he said would be accompanied by “a merciless fight against traffickers who undermine this policy.” French smokers already pay some of the highest prices for cigarettes in the European Union, surpassed only by Britain and Ireland.

Egypt’s gas law passed Egypt’s parliament passed a law on Wednesday establishing a gas regulatory authority that the government hopes will attract greater private sector participation in the country’s rapidly expanding gas sector. Egypt has said it aims to be a regional hub for the trade of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after a string of major discoveries which are expected to

make the country gas selfsufficient by the end of 2018. The new authority and law are expected to pave the way for private sector companies to import and distribute gas within the country, activities currently monopolised by the government. The prime minister is expected to issue executive regulations for the gas law within six months. (RTRS)

Market Movements INDIA JAPAN PHILIPPINES S. KOREA HONG KONG GERMANY FRANCE

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Sensex Nikkei All Shares KRX 100 Hang Seng DAX CAC 40

Egypt picks banks to handle IPO

Change +35.77 +49.23 +15.80 +16.76 +132.96 +16.55 +5.20

Closing pts 31,245.66 20,081.63 4,712.70 4,849.96 25,521.97 12,453.68 5,180.10

Egypt has picked a consortium led by CI Capital to act as lead managers and bookrunners for a stock market listing of oil company ENPPI, the country’s first initial public offering (IPO) of a state-owned company for 12 years. The consortium also includes Jefferies International Limited and Emirates NBD Capital Limited, the investment ministry said on Wednesday.

05-07-2017 AUSTRALIA EUROPE

- All Ordinaries - Euro Stoxx 50

Change Closing pts -18.60 5,801.00 -1.06 3,478.41

The government is launching an IPO programme that will offer shares in dozens of stateowned companies over the next 3 to 5 years in areas such as petroleum, services, chemicals, shipping, maritime and real estate to help boost state finances. Investment Minister Sahar Nasr told Reuters shares in ENPPI would be traded during the fourth quarter of 2017. Egypt aims to raise up to

$150 million from the ENPPI offering, which be will be the first in a state-owned company since shares in Telecom Egypt and oil companies Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals and AMOC were floated 12 years ago. It has said state company IPOs will raise 5-7 billion Egyptian pounds ($276 million-$387 million) during the 2017-2018 fiscal year beginning in July. (RTRS)

KD rates The exchange rate of the US Dollar was stable at KD 0.303 so as the euro at KD 0.344, said the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Wednesday. The CBK noted that the Sterling Pound was down at KD 0.391, so as the Swiss Franc at KD 0.314. The Japanese yen remained at KD 0.002. Meanwhile, the price of Kuwaiti oil was up by 50 cents to $46.60 per barrel Tuesday as oppose to $46.10 pb the day before, said Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Wednesday. (KUNA)

Business

Kuwait economic update National Bank of Kuwait

Trade surplus steady in first quarter 2017 uwait’s trade surplus was K steady in 1Q17, holding on to strong gains from a year ago thanks to an improvement in the price of oil. The trade surplus was steady from the last quarter despite a jump in imports, after oil export revenues stabilized. The surplus, at KD 1.6 billion, is expected to expand somewhat in the near- to medium-term as oil earnings gather pace on the back of some improvement in oil prices. The average price continued to edge upwards in 2Q17, and is slated to continue to do so, especially after OPEC and nonOPEC producers decided to extend production cuts through 1Q18. Oil export revenues held steady, even as the price of Kuwait export crude (KEC) rose thanks to lower output in line

with the OPEC agreement. Oil revenues, at KD 3.7 billion in 1Q17, were steady as a higher price of oil was offset by a decline in Kuwait’s oil production. The price of KEC was up 12 percent quarter-on-quarter (q/q) while production was off by 5 percent. Non-oil export earnings jumped to a multi-quarter high in 1Q17 mainly on stronger ethylene prices. Non-oil export revenues rose by 37 percent year-onyear (y/y) in 1Q17, after ethylene prices rose by 29 percent y/y during the same period. Non-oil export earnings are expected to pick up further in the second quarter, on the back of still higher ethylene prices. Imports soared by a healthy 11 percent y/y in 1Q17 as capital goods continued to witness solid gains and the drop in consumer goods imports moderated.

Move to cut impact of low oil prices

Bouteflika urges support for new economic reform ALGIERS, July 5, (RTRS): Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Thursday called for broad support for new economic reforms to help the country through the impact of three years of low oil prices that have eroded the OPEC nation’s revenues. The North African state has already cut spending, but it is in the early stages of reforming a massive subsidy system and attempting to ease the country off dependence on oil and gas by developing its non-energy industries. Bouteflika’s message came after the government announced a new plan to overhaul subsidies, a sensitive move for a state that spends $30 billion a year on a welfare system from cheap fuel to housing that helped keep social peace in the past. “Our country faces a huge reduction in its external earnings and deterioration in its balance of payments, even if it retains its sovereignty in social and economic decisions,” Bouteflika said in a written message on the anniversary of Algeria’s independence from France. “I renew my call for the people to work for and implement in a sovereign manner, the necessary economic reforms.” Bouteflika, 80, has been in power for nearly two decades. He is still praised by many for bringing Algeria out of the “dark years” of a 1990s war with Islamist militants and into an era of high oil prices and spending.

But he has rarely been seen since he suffered a stroke in 2013 that left a question mark over who will follow him and what reforms the country will enact in transition if he steps down before the end of his fourth term in 2019. Oil and gas sales account for 60 percent of Algeria’s budget, and energy revenues have been at times halved by the fall in crude prices. Foreign reserves, while still high, have fallen to $108 billion from $178 billion three years ago. The government is working on a plan to reduce broader social spending for a more targeted system. But reform comes slowly in Algeria, where many people are wary of unrest after the upheaval that triggered the 1990s war, in which 200,000 people died. The International Monetary Fund has praised Algeria’s initial steps to tackle its budget deficit, including reducing spending and looking to diversify its oil-reliant economy. But most analysts say the government has so far taken only cautious steps to overhaul an economy that is still mostly state controlled and whose bureaucracy has been an obstacle to drawing more foreign investment to develop non-oil sectors. Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune wants to hold consultations with social groups and political parties to get a consensus on the sensitive task of subsidies. His plan also calls for new taxes and Islamic finance for revenues.

Saudi Arabia ‘lowers’ August Arab Light crude OSP to Asia KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia, July 5, (RTRS): Saudi Aramco has cut the August price for its Arab Light grade for Asian customers by $0.20 a barrel versus July to a discount of $0.45 a barrel to the Oman/Dubai average, it said on Wednesday, in line with market expectations. However, Aramco raised the official selling price for its heavy grade crude it sells to Asia by 10 cents to a discount of $1.75 a barrel to the average of Oman and Dubai quotes in August, close to the narrowest discount since December 2013. The increase for the Arab Heavy crude is in line with expectations of four Asian crude buyers that told Reuters the world No.1 oil exporter may lift the official selling price (OSP) of the grade to Asia by 20 cents a barrel to $1.65 below the average of Oman and Dubai quotes in August. The comes after refiners’ profits on churning out fuel oil from heavy crude have hit record highs, with state oil giant Saudi Aramco cutting heavy crude production as part of a drive led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to rein in global output. A hike in prices for Saudi heavy crude could buoy demand for such

oil from other Middle Eastern producers, as well as supplies from Russia, Angola and the Americas. The company raised its Arab Light OSP to Northwest Europe by $0.55 cents for August from the previous month at a discount of $2.55 a barrel to the ICE Brent. The Arab Light OSP to the United States was unchanged at a premium of $1.10 a barrel to the Argus Sour Crude Index (ASCI) for August. Meanwhile, the global oil market is expected to rebalance in the second half of 2017, but further output increases among key producers such as Nigeria and Libya could hamper this process, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said on Tuesday. He said some key producers including Libya and Nigeria had significantly increased output in recent months. “In the current context we see the market rebalancing in the second half of the year. But if production increases in some of the key producers this may change the picture,” Birol told Reuters on the sidelines of an Energy Institute event. “Whatever OPEC do, if the prices go up, there will be a response from shale oil producers,” he said.

Growth in capital goods imports held strong at 16 percent y/y in 1Q17, as did growth in industrial supply imports which came in at 20 percent y/y during the same period. The strong growth in these segments is a reflection of the improved implementation of the government development projects.

Consumer goods imports appeared to stabilize in early 2017 following a contraction driven by a slowing consumer sector. Consumer imports saw a small 0.2 percent y/y decline, thanks to a rebound in food & beverage imports and as passenger motor car imports fell at a slower pace.

EU and Japan join forces on free trade challenging Trump Abe set to sign deal with Tusk, Juncker The deal comes days before a G20 meeting in Germany at which Trump is expected to defend his protectionist stance on trade. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to officially rubberstamp the preliminary accord at a meeting on Thursday with EU Council President Donald Tusk and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker. The EU and Japanese economies combined account for a colossal 28 percent of “We’ve reached political agreement at ministerial level on an EU-Japan global output making the deal one of the biggest trade pacts ever attempted. trade deal,” European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem The “political agreement” on the trade deal covers some of the accord’s toughsaid in a tweet after talks in Brussels with Japanese Foreign Minister Fu- est aspects but leaves aside details that could still prove difficult. mio Kishida which capped four years of tough negotiations. At the heart of the deal is an agreement for the EU to open its market to the The two sides “ironed out the few remaining differences” and will now “recworld-leading Japanese auto industry, with Tokyo in return scrapping barriers to ommend to leaders to confirm this at summit” on Thursday, Malmstroem added. EU farming products, especially dairy. Left untouched for now are the controversial investment courts that have stoked opposition to trade deals in the EU nations, including Germany and France. The deal could be seen as a provocation to Trump who pulled the United States out of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership this year, in favour of striking country-to-country bilateral deals, including with Japan. The EU’s Malmstroem and Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan visited Tokyo last week to unblock the talks, with tariffs on European cheese a key sticking point. Brussels wants Japan to eliminate its 30 percent tariffs on some EUmade cheese, while Tokyo wants duties cut on cars which it exports to the 28-member bloc. Officials said that EU automakers would win a long transition period -probably seven years -- to adapt to the arrival of tariff-free autos on the European market. European automakers on Tuesday meanwhile sought assurances that the deal would truly give them access to Japan, which is known for finding ways to block imports in sensitive sectors. Launched in 2013, the talks had effectively been put on hold while Japan concluded the mammoth TPP deal, EU Commissioner of Trade Cecilia Malmstrom (right), welcomes Japan Foreign minister Fumio Kishida (left), bethat was torpedoed by Trump in Janufore their meeting at the EU Headquarters in Brussels on July 5. (AFP) ary. With TPP gone, the EU-Japan negotiations accelerated, as both sides eyed the G20 in Germany as a possible end point for the broad outline of the deal. said the excess supply for August loadhamper the rebalancing. LONDON, July 5, (RTRS): Nigerian “The G20 helped... There was very ing was higher than earlier months as “It is still a buyer’s market,” said crude for August loading is proving strong political will on both sides on production has increased. slow to find buyers amid rising supply, Olivier Jakob, analyst at Petromatrix. that,” an EU source said. “It’s more because there is a much oil trading sources said on Wednesday, “This is really the peak demand season Japan had been holding back on the bigger programme in August. It’s slow a sign that an expected second-half reand it does not feel particularly strong trade deal with the EU because of the on Nigerian.” balancing of the global market is getin the crude oil market.” ongoing TPP discussion . Lingering cargoes of crude from Niting off to a slow start. To be sure, traders say some NigeDespite the breakthrough, the EU’s geria, Africa’s biggest exporter, have An increase in production in Nirian crude grades for August are sellrecent history on trade however points been a feature of the market this year geria and Libya, where conflict and ing well, such as distillate-rich crude to difficulties ahead. , weighing on prices since Nigeria’s unrest had curbed output earlier this Forcados, and traders say the number Last year the giant CETA trade deal crude is sold in relation to Brent, the year, is adding to the volume of of remaining July-loading cargoes has with Canada nearly sank when the small light, sweet crude looking for buyglobal benchmark.. dwindled to less than 10. Belgian region of Wallonia threatened to ers in the Atlantic Basin, despite an Such signs of excess should start to There were more signs of strengthveto it, before eventually relenting. OPEC-led supply cut aimed at getbe less visible in coming months if, as ening in the North Sea crude market, Wallonia’s then-regional chief, Paul ting rid of a surplus. analysts like the International Energy where the number of cargoes in floatMagnette, tweeted on Thursday: “You Oil traders say there are at least 40 Agency forecast, the global market ing storage has declined and producliked CETA? You’ll love JEFTA!” unsold August-loading Nigerian cartightens in the second half of the year tion is set to fall in August amid sea(Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement). goes looking for buyers, the equivalent helped by the OPEC cut. sonal oilfield maintenance. “I don’t think we are there yet. of almost half of daily world demand But Nigerian exports are set to exAngolan crude has traded more Greenpeace has already begun to and a higher volume than at similar ceed 2 million barrels per day (bpd) quickly for August loading than in repoliticise the deal, especially over inpoints in earlier months. in August, a 17-month high, and on cent months, supported by increased vestment courts,” said Pieter Cleppe, “It’s starting to clear but there are Tuesday the head of the IEA said furdemand from China, the biggest buyer, head of the Brussels office for think still 40 plus left,” said a trader, who ther increases by key producers could traders say. tank Open Europe.

BRUSSELS, July 5, (AFP): The EU and Japan broadly agreed on a massive free trade deal Wednesday in a clear challenge to US President Donald Trump days before he takes his “America First” stance to a key summit.

Nigerian oil output recovery adds to surplus

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

BUSINESS

31

Tesla to produce new car Tesla’s first lower-priced Model 3 will come off the assembly line Friday, two weeks early, CEO Elon Musk announced Monday. “Model 3 passed all regulatory requirements for production two weeks ahead of schedule. Expecting to complete SN1 on Friday,” Musk wrote on Twitter, referring to the first car as “serial number 1.” The production of the electric car aimed at the broader market — with a price of $35,000 — is ex-

pected to ramp up quickly, Musk said, with 100 in August and 1,500 or more in September. “Handover party for first 30 customer Model 3’s on the 28th! Production grows exponentially,” Musk tweeted. “Looks like we can reach 20,000 Model 3 cars per month in Dec.” Tesla aims to produce 5,000 units of the Model 3 a week this year, and 10,000 units a week in 2018. (AFP)

judge asked to gag Shkreli Prosecutors want a judge to make “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli stop talking and filed a motion on Monday asking that he and all attorneys in his criminal case be ordered to refrain from making any statements outside court. Shkreli, a former pharmaceutical company CEO most notorious for raising the price of a lifesaving drug by 5,000 percent while at another company, is on

regulators ends Cabela probe

trial for charges of federal securities fraud. In the motion, federal prosecutors told US District Court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto that Shkreli has interacted with the media since the jury for his trial was picked, in the courthouse, outside and on digital media. They said his statements risk tainting the jury. “Shkreli appears determined to ignore the instructions of defense counsel. (AP)

US antitrust regulators have ended their investigation into Bass Pro Shops’ $4 billion deal to buy Cabela’s, Cabela’s said Wednesday. The Nebraska-based chain said the Federal Trade Commission signed off on the deal earlier this week, but banking regulators still haven’t approved one part of the transaction. Cabela’s shareholders will vote on the deal, which would

pay them $61.50 per share, next Tuesday. Stifel Nicholas analyst Jim Duffy said gaining FTC approval makes it much more likely that the merger of the two outdoor gear selling rivals will be completed. In addition to selling Cabela’s stores, website and catalog business to Bass Pro, the company plans to sell its credit card unit. (AP)

Lagarde urges action on issues like debt, growth

IMF warns G20 to address risks to economic recovery WASHINGTON, July 5, (AFP): The global economy is strengthening but the International Monetary Fund warned on Wednesday that leaders of the Group of 20 must take action to deal with risks that remain a threat to growth. Ahead of the G20 leaders summit this weekend in Hamburg, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said the mood is upbeat given the now one-year-old recovery. However, “it should be cautious optimism that prevails -- policy efforts are still needed to strengthen the recovery and build more inclusive economies,” Lagarde said in a blog post. In her comments on the report the IMF prepared for the G20, Lagarde urged action to address issues such as high corporate debt in emerging market economies, especially China, low productivity growth, and US policy uncertainty. “Left alone, this constellation of concerns could be a recipe for sudden financial distress, when the world’s economies also continue to struggle with several longer-term problems,” she said. Adding to concerns about aging populations and growing economic

inequality, these “challenges put a ceiling on potential growth, making it harder to raise incomes and living standards.” The IMF “Surveillance Note” said while the risks to the global economy in the short term are more balanced, “downside risks still dominate in the medium term.” “There is no time for standing still,” the IMF said. “Policymakers will have to take tangible policy action to strengthen and sustain the recovery while ensuring that it is resilient, well-balanced, and more inclusive.” The comments echo themes raised frequently in the fund’s regular World Economic Outlook report, including the most recent quarterly update in April, which flagged the risk posed by policy uncertainty in the United States and elsewhere. “Despite a drop in election-related risks, policy uncertainty remains at a high level and could well rise further, reflecting -- for example -- difficultto-predict US regulatory and fiscal policies, negotiations of post-Brexit arrangements, or geopolitical risks,” the IMF warned. “This could harm confidence, deter private investment, and weaken

Trump wrongly blames others

US debt was not made in China, Canada or Europe WASHINGTON, July 5, (AP): No, the US national debt was not made in China. Or by Canada, or Europe or other trading partners. President Donald Trump wrongly blamed his country’s trade imbalance for swelling the sea of red ink the US government is swimming in. But imports are not related to national debt. Here’s a look at a variety of statements by Trump and others during a week marked by a struggle over the Senate Republican health bill, a White House cheerleading session for US energy, assertions by the president on trade and vulgar tweets from him on a more personal note. Trump: “For many, many years, the United States has suffered through massive trade deficits. That’s why we have $20 trillion in debt. So we’ll be changing that.” — Remarks Friday in a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jaein and aides. The facts: Trump’s comments suggest he could use a refresher in how the economy works. Trade deficits are not why the US has nearly $20 trillion in national debt. Because the US imports more than it exports, it has a negative trade balance, or a deficit. Of course, many of the goods that the US imports are popular with consumers so a deficit isn’t necessarily negative. Americans may buy coffee from Central America, electronics from China, cars from South Korea and jeans sewn in Turkey. The national debt is a separate thing. It’s the debt accumulated from budget deficits year after year, when the federal government must borrow because it spends more than it collects in taxes. The total public debt outstanding is $19.8 trillion. Of that, close to $4 trillion is held by other countries (China with about $1 trillion). But that’s got nothing to do with the trade deficit. Trump: “Crazy Joe Scarborough and dumb as a rock Mika are not bad people, but their low rated show is dominated by their NBC bosses.” — tweet Saturday Leaving aside the state of mind and intelligence of the hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Trump wrongly stated the show is floundering. “Morning Joe” recently finished the highest-rated quarter in MSNBC’s history in that time period, marking the show’s ninth straight quarter of growth. And that was before Trump went after hosts Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski on Twitter, a development that could interest more people in tuning in. Trump: “Democrats purposely misstated Medicaid under new Senate bill - actually goes up.” — tweet Wednesday. The facts: The stalled Senate bill would cut Medicaid — by phasing out ex-President Barack Obama’s expansion of the program and reducing over time the number of people who can be on it. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the program would cover 15 million fewer people by 2026, a 16 percent reduction. Although Trump is correct that Medicaid spending overall would continue to rise — at a slower rate

than projected — the effect would be a significant cut in the program. The Republican emphasis on spending growth is a sleight of hand that both parties resort to when it suits their political purposes. Obama’s law slowed the growth of Medicare spending, primarily by reducing projected payment increases to hospitals and other providers, and Republicans roundly denounced that as the cut that it was. Trump: “Our new American Energy Policy will unlock Millions of jobs & Trillions in wealth. We are on the cusp of a true energy Revolution.” — tweet Friday. The facts: It’s hard to see how any government policy could yield the results Trump predicts. Despite a recent boom, the energy sector employs fewer workers than it did a decade ago. The Labor Department said there are 655,300 jobs in mining coal and extracting oil and natural gas, down from a peak of 1.18 million jobs in 1981. And a report in January from the authoritative Energy Information Administration shows that the entire energy generation sector - including solar, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear and bioenergy - employs 2 million people. Trump: “As you all know, I approved the Keystone XL pipeline and the Dakota Access pipeline in my first week. Thousands of jobs, tremendous things are happening.” — remarks Thursday on energy. The facts: His timing is off and his boast about jobs leaves out the fact that almost all the employment is temporary. In his first week, Trump signed orders asking TransCanada to resubmit its application to build Keystone XL and requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider its earlier refusal to grant an easement needed to finish the Dakota Access project. Both projects had been blocked by the Obama administration and Trump undoubtedly revived them, but his Jan. 24 orders did not approve them. That came later. The US government estimated Keystone XL will create 42,100 jobs directly and indirectly in the US for up to two years. Once the pipeline is complete, operating it would support an estimated 50 jobs. The recently completed Dakota Access pipeline is expected to support several dozen permanent jobs. Trump: On how he braced for trouble when he revived the pipeline projects: “I thought I’d take a lot of heat. I didn’t take any heat. I approved them and that was it. I figured we’d have all sorts of protests. We didn’t have anything.” — remarks on energy. The facts: Hundreds of authorities went into the Standing Rock protest camp in late February, clearing it out and arresting 46 people. Trump is wrong to say there were no protests. But they were much diminished by the time he took his action. Protesters had declared victory in December when the Army Corps ruled against the easement, freezing the project. The Standing Rock Sioux, the tribe at the center of the protests in North Dakota, told demonstrators through the winter that it was time to go home.

Trump and EU offer starkly different trade visions at G 20 FRANKFURT, July 5, (AP): Competing visions of world trade are set to collide at the Group of 20 summit of world leaders in Hamburg, Germany, this week. US President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach faces off against the European Union (EU) and its support for free trade, with the Europeans touting a new, farreaching pact it is completing with Japan. The summit takes place with the global economy in fairly good shape; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees growth rising from 3.1 percent last year to 3.5 percent this year and 3.6 percent in 2018. But trade among countries has not recovered to the levels from before the global financial crisis. Increasing trade is credited by economists for raising global growth

and prosperity over the past decades. Its benefits, however, have been unevenly distributed among workers and industries. Here’s what’s on the table when the big shots sit down together on Friday. US vs the world? Trump’s views on trade will put him at odds with most other major leaders. He says free trade deals that enable goods to pass borders without import taxes or regulatory hurdles have hurt American companies and workers. He is particularly focused on countries that sell more to the US than they buy from American companies. At the G-20, those include China, Japan, and Germany. The summit’s host, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said re-

cently that “anyone who thinks that they can solve the problems of this world with isolationism and protectionism is making an enormous mistake.” The European Union is expected to underline that approach by announcing the outlines of a free trade agreement with Japan on Thursday. The EU also recently completed a trade deal with Canada, whereas Trump pulled the US out of an Asian pact. “In my view it will be 19 against one at the G-20, and the European Union will try to take over the role of the US in respect to trade,” said Claudia Schmucker, head of the program on globalization at the German Council on Foreign Relations. The 28-country EU had been discussing the deal with Japan for four years, but the timing of the an-

nouncement is symbolic. “It’s a direct answer to what Trump stands for,” Schmucker said. Steeling for conflict The Trump administration has other countries on edge about one trade issue in particular: steel. The US government is investigating the possibility of putting new barriers on steel imports based on national security considerations. The investigation’s primary justification was China, which has flooded international markets with cheap exports, lowering prices and hurting steelmakers in other countries. US import taxes imposed as a countermeasure have already sharply reduced Chinese steel imports. So those hardest hit by new barriers could potentially be countries like Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, and EU producers.

growth.” In fact, the IMF recently cut its growth forecast for the United States on the absence of expected spending measures that had been expected to boost growth. Meanwhile, failure by China to

deal with risks from excess credit growth “could result in an unwanted, abrupt growth slowdown, with adverse spillovers to other countries.” Likewise, joint policy actions are needed to reduce current account deficits in countries like the United

States and UK through “growthfriendly” budget adjustments, and to reduce the surpluses in countries like Germany by boosting investment and encouraging spending. “A more expansionary fiscal stance in Germany would not only allow a

much-needed increase in public investment and raise potential output -it would also support external adjustment, while at the same time having positive spillovers to other euro area economies where there is still cyclical slack,” the report said.

Fed minutes suggest increasing ‘tensions’ on inflation shortfall Recent decline in inflation temporary: Yellen WASHINGTON, July 5, (RTRS): Federal Reserve policymakers were increasingly split on the outlook for inflation and how it might affect the future pace of interest rate rises, according to the minutes of the Fed’s last policy meeting on June 13-14 released on Wednesday. The details of the meeting, at which the US central bank voted to raise interest rates, also showed that several officials wanted to announce a start

to the process of reducing the Fed’s large portfolio of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities by the end of August but others wanted to wait until later in the year. “Most participants viewed the recent softness in these price data as largely reflecting idiosyncratic factors ... however, several participants expressed concern that progress ... might have slowed and that the recent softness in inflation might persist,” the Fed said in the minutes. The committee questioned why financial conditions had not tightened despite recent rate rises and a few said equity prices were elevated. US stock prices edged lower after the minutes were released and yields on US government debt rose slightly while the dollar firmed against a basket of currencies. Last month’s 8-1 vote to lift the benchmark interest rate another quarter percentage point, a third hike in six months, signaled the Fed’s confidence in a growing US economy and the eventual inflationary effects of low unemployment. In a press conference at the time, Fed Chair Janet Yellen described a recent decline in inflation as temporary and the central bank kept its forecast of one more rate rise this year and three the next.

Struggle

Michael Milano (center), works in the crowd of fellow traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Major US indexes are slightly lower in early trading on Wall Street, but grocery stores and other retailers are plunging after Amazon said it would buy Whole Foods Market. (AP)

Capital goods orders revised up

US factory orders decline in May WASHINGTON, July 5, (Agencies): New orders for US-made goods fell more than expected in May, but orders for capital equipment were a bit stronger than previously reported, suggesting the manufacturing sector remained on a moderate growth path. Factory goods orders dropped 0.8 percent, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday after a revised 0.3 percent decline in April. It was the second straight monthly decrease in orders. Economists had forecast factory orders falling 0.5 percent in May after a previously reported 0.2 percent drop in April. Factory orders were up 4.8 percent from a year ago. Manufacturing, which accounts for about 12 percent of the US economy, is losing momentum after gaining steam since mid-2016 amid a recovery in the energy sector that led to demand for oil and gas drilling equipment. Activity is slowing against the backdrop of a moderation in oil prices and declining motor vehicle sales. Motor vehicle manufacturers reported on Monday that auto sales fell in June for

a fourth straight month, leading to a further increase in inventories, which could weigh on vehicle production. The dollar held steady against a basket of currencies as investors awaited the release of minutes of the Federal Reserve’s June 13-14 policy meeting later in the day. US stocks were trading slightly lower while prices for US Treasuries rose. Wednesday’s report from the Commerce Department also showed orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft – seen as a measure of business spending plans – rising 0.2 percent instead of slipping 0.2 percent as reported last month. Shipments of these so-called core capital goods, which are used to calculate business equipment spending in the gross domestic product report, nudged up 0.1 percent instead of the previously reported 0.2 percent decrease. Moderate capital expenditure comes despite relatively strong business confidence. A survey this week showed a measure of factory activity rising to a near three-year high in June. In May, orders for machinery jumped 1.1 percent. Mining, oilfield

and gas field machinery orders surged 8.5 percent. Orders for electrical equipment, appliances and components increased 1.0 percent and orders for primary metals advanced 0.6 percent. Orders for transportation equipment fell 3.0 percent. That was the biggest drop since last November and reflected an 11.6 percent tumble in nondefense aircraft orders. Motor vehicle orders gained 0.1 percent after rising 0.9 percent in April. Unfilled orders at factories fell 0.2 percent after two straight monthly increases. Manufacturing inventories slipped 0.1 percent after rising for six consecutive months, while shipments gained 0.1 percent. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was unchanged at 1.38. Economists had expected factory orders to drop again in May — but the fall was twice what they’d forecast. Excluding the volatile transportation sector, factory orders fell 0.3 percent in May. Orders for civilian aircraft plunged 11.6 percent after dropping 12.2 percent in April. Computer orders slid 2.1 percent

Some policymakers since then, however, have shown increasing worry about the Fed’s struggle to get inflation back to its 2 percent objective. The Fed’s preferred measure of underlying inflation slipped again in May to 1.4 percent, the Commerce Department reported on Friday, and has run below target for more than five years. In the minutes, a few policymakers also said the inflation weakness made them less comfortable with the current implied path of rate hikes. “These participants expressed concern that such a path of increases... might prove inconsistent with a sustained return of inflation,” according to the minutes. The issue of when to begin reducing the Fed’s $4.2 trillion portfolio of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities and how it might affect deciding future rate rises also sparked debate. At the June meeting, the Fed gave a clear outline of its plan this year to reduce its portfolio but gave no precise timing. The shedding of the bonds and other securities, most of which were purchased in the wake of the 20072009 financial crisis, marks the final chapter in the central bank’s normalization of monetary policy. Several Fed officials felt the reduction in the balance sheet and associated policy tightening “was one basis for believing that...the target range for the federal funds rate would follow a less steep path than it otherwise would.” Some others, however, said the shedding of bonds should not figure heavily in deciding monetary policy. Economists largely expect the Fed to begin shrinking its balance sheet at its September meeting before raising rates again at its final meeting of the year in December. Investors also see the next rate increase occurring in December, according to Fed funds futures data compiled by the CME Group. The rate-setting committee is next scheduled to meet to decide interest rate policy on July 25-26.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

BUSINESS

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Philippines’ entertainment king wins ‘jolli’ battle The Philippines’ biggest fast-food chain has lost a long trademark battle against the nation’s “King of Night Entertainment” to own the “jolli” brand, according to government documents. Famous for fried chicken, hamburgers and spaghetti, Jollibee Foods opposed in 2013 the trademark registration of real estate firm Jolliville Holdings Corporation, saying it was “confusingly similar” with its name. But the Intellectual Property

Office of the Philippines ruled in favour of Jolliville, which said the company’s name was a tribute to its founder Jolly Ting. “While (Jollibee) was making it big in the food service business so was Mr. Jolly L. Ting in the night entertainment business,” the Philippines’ patent office said in the decision released this week. “As the owner of a string of night entertainment establishments such as Pegasus, Discovery, Mega Heartbeat, Lexus, he earned the

moniker ‘King of Night Entertainment.’” The government agency said there was no reason to prohibit the registration of Jolliville, which later diversified its business into property management and development. Jollibee had accused Jolliville of unfair competition but the government said there was no evidence the property firm passed off its goods and services to be part of those of the fastfood giant. (AFP)

British firm buys Australian steelmaker Arrium London-based GFG Alliance has bought Australia’s Arrium, the miner and steelmaking giant said Wednesday, ending a tussle with a Korean consortium over the company after it went into voluntary administration last year. The cash-strapped firm, formerly known as OneSteel when it was spun-off from BHP Billiton in 2000, had struggled with bad debt on the back of plunging commodity prices. “The administrators and sale advisers Morgan Stanley de-

cided the GFG Alliance offer was superior to the conditional offer of the Korean consortium with whom we were negotiating,” Arrium administrator Mark Mentha said in a statement. He added that the alliance, owned by Britain’s Gupta family, had submitted a modified offer late Tuesday. No further details, including the bid price, were released. Arrium had owed more than Aus$2.0 billion (US$1.5 billion) before its shares were suspended and re-

ported a full-year loss of Aus$1.9 billion in 2014/15. The agreement is subject to approval by Arrium’s committee of creditors and the government’s Foreign Investment Review Board, with the sale expected to be completed late next month. The deal ended 15 months of uncertainty, particularly for the employees of Arrium’s steelworks in the South Australian city of Whyalla, and was warmly welcomed by federal and state politicians. (AFP)

NTPC to add over 5 GW coal capacity over next 5 years

Indian utility bets $10 bln on coal power amid green concerns NEW DELHI, July 5, (RTRS): India’s state-run power utility plans to invest $10 billion in new coal-fired power stations over the next five years despite the electricity regulator’s assessment that thermal plants now under construction will be able to meet demand until 2027. In the first phase, India’s biggest power producer, NTPC, plans to build three new plants with a combined capacity of more than 5 gigawatts (GW), nearly double the capacity of those currently being phased out, five senior company officials said. The company has not made the investment public because it has not yet received government approval. If approved, the plan could set back efforts by the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter to control carbon output and raise questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vow to stand by commitments under the Paris climate accord. The proposal also comes as several coal-fired stations built in the last power boom a decade ago are standing idle due to softer-than-expected demand. State-controlled Coal India is struggling to sell its stockpile as a result. But other indicators indicate demand will pick up, a top NTPC executive said, asking not to be named because the plan had not yet been announced. “I don’t think (the current) electricity surplus will be there for a long

time,” he told Reuters. “We should not fool ourselves.” More than 300 million of India’s 1.3 billion people are still not hooked up to the grid, according to NITI Aayog, which makes policy recommendations to the government. As connections improve, the panel reckons, the country’s per-capita power consumption could jump around a third to up to 2,924 kilowatthours by 2040 from 2012 levels. In the next decade, the around 50 GW of capacity from thermal plants due to come online by 2022 will meet demand, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said. Additional supplies will come from sources such as solar and wind, it said. Asked about NTPC’s plan, CEA chairman R.K. Verma said the commercial decisions of the company were its own affair. “NTPC is a commercial organization and they must be having their own commercial considerations,” Verma said. For its part, a spokesperson at NTPC would say only: “NTPC takes decisions after consulting both the CEA and the ministry of power.” Solar power generation capacity in India has more than tripled in three years to more than 12 GW since Modi targeted raising energy generation from renewable sources to 175 GW by 2022, against total installed capacity at the end of May of 330.3 GW. Around 78 percent of generated

30 pct GST on tickets

Indian state cinemas shut in protest at hike in taxes NEW DELHI, July 5, (AFP): More than 1,000 cinemas in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu have closed in protest at a hike in taxes after the government introduced a nationwide levy. Movie theatres in the southern state darkened their screens from Monday, saying a state tax of 30 percent on tickets on top of the new national tax of 28 percent will deter cinema-goers and encourage piracy. The government introduced a new goods and service tax (GST) on Saturday in India’s biggest-ever fiscal reform. It intends to replace more than a dozen national and state levies with a single unified tax code. But as part of negotiations to get states to accept the GST, the government agreed some could impose additional local levies. Tamil Nadu has targeted cinema tickets.

the

“The tax rate on tickets is 58 percent, the highest in the country,” Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners and Distributors Association President Abhirami Ramanathan told AFP. “It is a burden on movie-goers and defeats the objective of the new tax regime,” he said. Ramanathan added that the taxes would encourage people to illegally download films. The association accepts the new GST but says cinemas cannot afford the state duty as well. The Tamil film industry is India’s second biggest after Mumbai-based Bollywood, and the state accounts for a huge chunk of the $2.1 billion annual box office earnings across the country. Tamil film industry representatives say the taxes could affect the livelihoods of nearly one million people.

bottomline

TOKYO: Shares in Japanese energy giant Idemitsu Kosan plunged Tuesday following news it is raising $1.2 billion in a share sale ahead of a proposed merger with rival Showa Shell Sekiyu that is opposed by the company’s founding family. The stock fell as much as 13 percent, the most in six years, before ending the day down 11.2 percent at 2,896 yen. Showa jumped 7.04 percent to 1,125 yen. Idemitsu’s fall came as a filing showed it plans to raise about 138.5 billion yen in the stock sale, which could dilute its founding family’s 34 percent ownership stake and possibly clear the way for a merger of the rival refiners. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑ TOKYO: Japan’s top currency diplomat has been appointed for another oneyear term in a regular finance ministry reshuffle, underscoring a desire to maintain policy consistency as Tokyo faces potentially tough economic talks with the United States. Masatsugu Asakawa, a 59-year-old policy veteran with policymaker contacts inside and outside of Japan, played a key role in setting up Japan’s bilateral economic dialogue with the United States, which kicked off in April. The Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday that Asakawa will serve another year as vice-finance minister for international affairs, a position he has held since July 2015. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑ BEIJING: Chinese internet giant Baidu’s roll-out of a new self-driving car may have police trying to figure out who to ticket, local media reported Wednesday, after CEO Robin Li took one of the vehicles for a joy-ride on a Beijing highway. The company’s billionaire founder livestreamed himself catching a ride in a semi-autonomous car on the way to a conference for developers hoping to

learn about the software giant’s new artificial intelligence initiatives. A packed auditorium, including an AFP reporter, oohed and aahed over the video of Li riding in the passenger seat of the car, part of a presentation introducing Baidu’s new technology. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics plans to recycle and sell its recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones starting this week in South Korea, salvaging their unused parts. The Galaxy Note FE phone will go on sale in South Korea on Friday at 700,000 won ($611), about three quarters of its original price, the company said late Sunday. Samsung said the Note FE has “perfect safety” — unlike the recalled versions that were found to be prone to overheating and catching fire. The supply will be limited to 400,000 units. Overseas sales plans will be determined later, the company said in a statement. The original Note 7 was one of the biggest black eyes in Samsung’s history. When it was launched in August 2016, the Note 7 was Samsung’s answer to Apple’s upcoming iPhone. It was also one of the most expensive Samsung phones with the price starting at $850. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑

SEOUL: South Korean barista Lee Kang-bin is taking coffee art to the next level, creating miniature imitations of famous paintings on foamy cups of java at his central Seoul cafe. With meticulous strokes of tiny brushes and spoons, Lee, 26, recreates the likes of Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” and Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” using thick cream stained with food colouring atop a cup of coffee. The result of the painstaking 15-minute process is a 10,000 won ($8.71) cup of cold coffee that has won Lee thousands of fans at his cafe and online. (RTRS)

Indonesia hopes for additional $10 bln inflows after S&P upgrade JAKARTA, July 5, (RTRS): Indonesia is hoping for additional inflows worth $10 billion from pension funds and other institutional investors over the next two years following Standard & Poor’s upgrade of its credit rating to investment grade, President Joko Widodo told Reuters. The government will also ease foreign ownership restrictions on certain industry sectors in August, Widodo said in an interview at the presidential palace in Jakarta on Monday. For the first time in almost 20 years, Indonesia is rated investment grade by all three major rating agencies after S&P on May 19 raised its outlook to ‘BBB-’ from ‘BB+’, matching the ratings already awarded by Fitch and Moody’s. The upgrade was “very im-

portant” because it would encourage more capital inflows and reduce borrowing costs, said Widodo, a former Jakarta governor who was elected to lead Southeast Asia’s biggest economy in 2014. “Now the pension funds look to Indonesia,” he said, adding that some of the money will go into the country’s stock and bond markets. “After that the companies here can take and invest to the real sector, to the infrastructure, to the factory.” While growth in Indonesia’s gross domestic product has slowed from a peak of more than 6 percent several years ago to around 5 percent due to a commodity downturn, its vast domestic market is still seen as an engine of growth. Foreign companies have complained that vested interests are block-

ing them from gaining more access to the country of 250 million people, at a time when neighbours such as Vietnam are actively courting investment dollars. Widodo, who often points to his background as a former furniture exporter to show that he understands the language of business, said he is committed to keeping Indonesia’s economy open and competitive. Widodo’s government has introduced 15 economic stimulus packages since late 2015, including the easing of foreign ownership restrictions on dozens of business sectors such as tourism, transportation and movie theatres last year. “We will revise again the negative list of investment in August in some sectors,” Widodo said, referring to the

list of sectors that are partially or fully closed to foreigners. He declined to say which sectors would be opened up. Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said last month that the government was considering easing rules on airport operation services. Foreign ownership in that sector is currently capped at 49 percent. Trade openness will be high on Widodo’s agenda when he travels to Hamburg, Germany, to meet other world leaders at the G20 summit later this week. Widodo said he would have a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump, whose administration had put Indonesia on a list of 16 countries to be reviewed over trade surpluses with the world’s largest economy.

power in India at the moment still comes from coal-fired plants, however, making it one of the biggest users of the dirty and cheap fuel in the world. Carbon dioxide emissions from India’s thermal plants are expected to jump to 1,165 million tonnes by 2026/27 from 462 million tonnes in 2005, the CEA estimates. Emission intensity, measured in carbon dioxide emissions versus GDP, is likely to fall, however.

India is undergoing a programme to retrofit several coal-fired plants to reduce emissions. The plants planned by NTPC are “supercritical”, meaning they are 2-3 percent more efficient than conventional plants and therefore have lower emissions. NTPC’s proposal is likely to be greeted with alarm by environmental activists who are already worried by the CEA’s statement that existing power plants are unlikely to meet In-

dia’s emission norms before the Paris deadline of December this year. “Adding more power plants would aggravate health impacts even further,” said Sunil Dahiya, an energy activist with Greenpeace in New Delhi, when asked about the possibility of new coal-fired plants. NTPC’s proposal is to build plants of two 660 megawatt (MW) units each at Singrauli in central India’s Madhya Pradesh and Talcher in Odisha in the east.

The biggest plant, with a capacity of 2.4 GW in the eastern state of Jharkhand, was close to getting clearance from the environment ministry, one of many steps in the process of getting government approval, one of the senior company officials said. A plan announced by NTPC last year to generate 10 GW of energy from renewable sources by 2022 was making slow progress due to land acquisition issues, another company official said.

Japan scrambles for job-hoppers to cope with manpower shortages Number of job-hoppers rise for the 7th straight year TOKYO, July 5, (RTRS): Japan’s labor shortage has pushed job-hopping to its highest since the global financial crisis, as companies scramble for workers with experience in the rapidlyageing economy. Job-hopping goes against the grain of Japan’s work culture, where many companies hire graduates and employ them until they retire. But the country’s jobs-for-life system is slowly giving way as firms curb labor costs and society shifts. Switching jobs for better conditions is no longer taboo amid a tightening labor market, and the trend is being led by mid-career workers. “There’s always a risk of failure. But you can’t get what you want if you don’t try,” said Hiromichi Itakura, 44, head of a medical job placement department at Saint Media Inc in Tokyo, who changed jobs in January. “I took up this job because it gives me a more responsible post. As a salary man, I also wanted a higher salary,” he said, adding that his pay is now 20 percent higher than previously. The number of job-hoppers rose for the seventh straight year to 3.06 million in 2016, the highest since 2009, though it still accounts for just 4.8 percent of the labor market. Older workers have more opportunities because of demographics: a fastageing society, low birth rate and falling working-age population. The jobless rate has stood at a near two-decade low while the jobs-to-applicants ratio is at a 43-year high.

Survey Big firms say the labor market is at its tightest since 1992, according to the Bank of Japan’s latest “tankan” survey published this week. Though job turnover is still low relative to other major economies — the change should be welcome news to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has been championing labor flexibility and merit-based pay — with little success so far. Enhancing labor mobility is expected to help raise low productivity and boost wages, getting Japan convincingly out of a deflationary rut. Companies facing labor shortages are willing to pay for battle-tested workers who don’t need as much training. Electric motor maker Nidec Corp is actively hiring mid-career engineers and remunerating them for their experience. “Competition is tough for tried-andtrue personnel,” a company spokesman said on condition of anonymity. “We are doing our best to persuade talented people to join our company.” Job-hoppers aged between mid-40s and 65 or older are on the rise, hitting their highest, according to comparable

Motorcyclists ride at rush hour on a street in downtown, Hanoi on July 4. Officials in Vietnam’s traffic-chocked capital Hanoi vowed on July 4 to banish motorbikes by 2030 to ease environment and congestion woes, a decision that swiftly divided a city where two-wheelers are the main means of transportation. (AFP)

Hanoi to ban motorbikes to curb pollution HANOI, July 5, (AFP): Officials in Vietnam’s traffic-choked capital Hanoi vowed on Tuesday to banish motorbikes by 2030 to ease environment and congestion woes, a decision that swiftly divided a city where two-wheelers are the main means of transportation. Hanoi is famed for legions of motorbikes — sometimes stacked with entire families or overloaded with deliveries — that clog roads in a fast-growing city with limited public transportation. There are five million motorbikes among a population of about seven million, compared to half a million cars on the road. In a country where the average annual wage is still around $2,200, the affordability of motorbikes makes them ubiquitous. Yet critics have blamed the

emissions-heavy motorbikes for Hanoi’s deteriorating air quality and worsening traffic congestion. The decision to ban motorbikes by 2030 was approved by 95 out of 96 city councillors at a meeting on Tuesday. Officials said the number of vehicles was growing at an “alarming” rate, according to a report on the city government’s website. “Traffic jams and air pollution will become serious in the future if no immediate management measures are in place,” the report said. The ban will be implemented in metropolitan districts and public transport options would be increased to wean people off their scooters, the report added. The number of registered motorbikes in Vietnam is among the highest in

Southeast Asia, and officials in Hanoi have long-mulled banning the bikes in an effort to modernise the city along the lines of Seoul or Tokyo. Some welcomed the move, saying the ban is crucial to cleaning up Hanoi’s air, which is notoriously smoggy in the winter months. “Too many private cars, too many motorbikes... the quality of air is really bad and the decision made today will improve that,” economist and transport expert Luong Hoai Nam told AFP. The city clocked 282 days of “excessive” levels of PM2.5 — fine particulate matter harmful to human health — last year, according to non-governmental group GreenID, citing World Health Organisation guidelines.

data going back to 2002. “The mid-career job market is booming,” said Hirofumi Amano of en-japan inc, a job placement agency. People older than 35 used to be considered past their prime in the mid-career market but these workers are now sought after. Companies are seeking experienced managers and engineers and offering higher pay, Amano said. Workers who secured higher salaries from changing jobs outnumbered those whose paychecks shrank, labor ministry data from 2015 showed. A quarter of job-hoppers saw their salaries rise by 10 percent or more. In comparison, average base wages in April rose just 0.4 percent from a year

earlier. The International Monetary Fund has urged Japan to enhance worker mobility to strengthen productivity and wage pressures. “Low labor mobility, a strong preference for job security, and wage setting based on past inflation constitute the main bottlenecks for triggering needed wage-price dynamics.” The rising mid-career job market reflects Japan’s changing business climate and evolving attitudes about lifetime employment and seniority-based promotion, analysts say. “Look what happens to even big firms like Toshiba, there’s no guarantee for job security. Lifetime employment is some-

thing of the good old past,” said Masae Miyachi, 41, of an IT venture company kaonavi, inc. Miyachi changed jobs a year and half ago and her annual salary has now increased by 1 million yen ($8,857), helping her finance a home loan. “You need to carve out a career for yourself to earn stable income, and I’m doing just that by changing jobs.” Japanese firms have curbed labor costs by replacing full-time jobs with part-time positions since the asset-inflated bubble burst in the early 1990s. Now a rising rank of non-regular workers — including part-timers and contract workers — account for nearly 40 percent of the workforce.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

BUSINESS

33

UK car sales fall in June British new car registrations fell by an annual 4.8 percent in June, the first time in six years sales have fallen for three months in a row as the market cools from record highs, an industry body said on Wednesday. A total of 243,454 vehicles were sold last month according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) as demand among individual consumers dropped 7.8 percent and business fleet demand fell 2.4 percent.

In the first half of the year, demand dropped 1.3 percent with the SMMT expecting full-year numbers to decline by 2.6 percent to 2.62 million sales, according to a forecast published earlier this year. Sales hit a record high last year, boosted by cheap credit and strong consumer confidence which has fallen after a rise in inflation, the inconclusive outcome of June’s national election and as Brexit talks begin. (RTRS)

UN survey finds cybersecurity gaps everywhere except Singapore Singapore has a near-perfect approach to cybersecurity, but many other rich countries have holes in their defences and some poorer countries are showing them how it should be done, a UN survey showed on Wednesday. Wealth breeds cybercrime, but it does not automatically generate cybersecurity, so governments need to make sure they are prepared, the survey by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said. “There is still an evident gap between countries in terms of awareness, under-

standing, knowledge and finally capacity to deploy the proper strategies, capabilities and programmes,” the survey said. The United States came second in the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index, but many of the other highly rated countries were small or developing economies. The rest of the top 10 were Malaysia, Oman, Estonia, Mauritius, Australia, Georgia, France and Canada. Russia ranked 11th. India was 25th, one place ahead of Germany, and China was 34th. The ranking was based on countries’ le-

gal, technical and organisational institutions, their educational and research capabilities, and their cooperation in information-sharing networks. “Cybersecurity is an ecosystem where laws, organizations, skills, cooperation and technical implementation need to be in harmony to be most effective,” the survey said. “The degree of interconnectivity of networks implies that anything and everything can be exposed, and everything from national critical infrastructure to our basic human rights can be compromised.” (RTRS)

Euro’s global role could grow as Europe stabilises: ECB

Eurozone June growth ‘higher than previously thought’ LONDON, July 5, (Agencies): Economic growth across the 19-country eurozone was even higher than previously thought during June, according to a closely watched survey Wednesday, in yet more evidence of momentum in the single currency bloc. Financial information firm IHS Markit said its main purchasing managers’ index, which surveys both the manufacturing and services sectors, was at 56.3 points in June. Though that is slightly down on the previous month’s 56.8, it’s well ahead of the previous estimate of 55.7. Anything above 50 indicates expansion. The average reading over the second quarter was 56.6, the best outcome since the first quarter of 2011. That, according to the firm, indicates healthy quarterly growth of 0.7 percent, which compares favorably with most of the past decade and with the current performance of peers like the United States. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the survey is that it’s broad-based and not just isolated to Europe’s biggest economy, Germany, which has borne the lion’s share of the region’s growth since the global financial crisis. And with new orders to companies rising, employment is improving. “All four of the largest euro nations (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are reporting faster growth in the second quarter as a whole, adding to the picture of an increasingly self-sustaining recovery amid rising domestic demand in the single currency area,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit. According to the monthly survey, which is one of the key indicators informing the interest rate decisions of the European Central Bank, the expansion was again led by the manufacturing sector, where production rose at its fastest tick since April 2011. And

though the rate of growth in the services sector moderated, it was still among the strongest seen over the past six years. Separately Wednesday, the Eurostat statistics agency reported that retail sales across the eurozone rose by a monthly 0.4 percent in May. Though that’s still only modest, it does mean retail sales have risen for all five months this year. For a region that’s spent the last few years taking two steps forward and one step back, that counts for something. The mounting evidence of an economic revival in the eurozone suggests the ECB will at least start considering how to ease up on its stimulus measures. As well as slashing interest rates, including its main one to zero, the ECB has gone on a massive bond-buying spree in the hope of keeping a lid on interest rates in the markets.

Inflation However, too-low inflation has so far tempered any urge to move. The ECB, after all, is mandated to set inflation just below 2 percent and at last count, in the year to June, inflation was only 1.3 percent. If anything, Wednesday’s survey from IHS Markit may work against any imminent tightening in monetary policy as average output prices — those charged by firms — rose at their slowest pace for five months in the wake of a recent dip in oil prices. Meanwhile, the euro gained ground as a reserve currency in 2016 after years of decline, the European Central Bank said Wednesday, suggesting that receding political uncertainty in the eurozone could boost the trend. The euro’s share of foreign currency reserves worldwide inched up 0.3 point to 19.7 percent in the fourth quarter, according to an annual ECB report.

Fleeing crisis back home

Self-made Venezuelans in Spain support countrymen MADRID, July 5, (AFP): A decade ago, Edgar Rodriguez travelled from his home country of Venezuela to Madrid to carve a new life. Now the head of the Arepa Ole chain of restaurants serving stuffed corn tortillas typical of his country, he is one of several Venezuelan entrepreneurs giving work to fellow countrymen and women who are increasingly coming to Spain to flee the crisis back home. “It’s about giving them a hand, support, for them to arrive and somehow or other have a job, which probably isn’t what they did over there, but they get stability,” says Rodriguez, whose 25 employees are all Venezuelan. Rodriguez himself had to work under the table when he first arrived in 2006 before getting the necessary ID. “We’re supporting the Venezuelan community that is arriving. We suffered when we started out,” he says. In 2016, the number of Venezuelans emigrating to Spain increased 26.2 percent according to official data, and they are the biggest community to ask for asylum, ahead of Syrians, says the Spanish Commission for Help to Refugees. Ricardo Rojas, 33, left Venezuela last year with his wife. Training An engineer by training and the head of a small coffee company in his home country, he grew tired of the acute shortages. Venezuela has the world’s biggest oil reserves, but a collapse in energy prices has drained its revenues, prompting shortages of food, medicine and basic goods along with soaring violent crime and a stratospherically high inflation rate. The economic crisis has been a major factor in three months of protests in which 89 people have died. Once they arrived in Madrid, Rojas and his wife survived on their savings for several months, until the money got tight. He met Fernando Rodriguez, president of Antojos Araguaney, a company of Ven-

ezuelan products in Madrid with around 50 employees, 95 percent of whom are from the south American country. Rodriguez gave him a chance and Rojas is now the firm’s director of operations. “He was once in this situation as an emigrant, he arrived with little, and he understands and the first thing he does is help whoever he can,” says Rojas. Rodriguez founded his company in 2008 after arriving in Madrid, first as a small factory of homemade cheese. Now he has a meat restaurant, two bakeries and stands of Venezuelan products in markets. Receives He receives 40 CVs a day, “99 percent from Venezuelans,” he says as he cooks cachapas, typical corn pancakes from Venezuela, in an enormous pan in the company’s factory outside Madrid. Those who work in these companies are often over-qualified for the job — varying from engineers, lawyers, to journalists and students — but they aim to get stability first before going for a post in their specialist area. Fashion designer Mayela Figuera, for instance, a 38-yearold from Caracas, escaped “the terrible situation in Venezuela” in December 2015. When she got a residency permit in Spain, she got a job in the kitchen of Arepa Ole, even if she had never worked in a restaurant before. “It’s been a great help,” she says in between orders at one of the restaurants in central Madrid, where she works alongside an engineer and a tourism degree-holder. She recognises that in Spain, her life “is different.” In Caracas she had her own business and lived with her husband in a middle-class district. Now, on top of nostalgia for her country and her separation from her husband, her salary only allows her to live and pay rent in Usera, a poorer district of Madrid where many immigrants live. But “the difference is that now I can go out at night and know that I will come back alive,” she says.

Volvo Cars to phase out conventional engines starting 2019 STOCKHOLM, July 5, (AFP): Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars said Wednesday it plans to phase out production of conventional petrol-only cars starting from 2019, with all new models to be either electric or hybrid. The Gothenburg-based group is the first major manufacturer to electrify all of its models and to set out a roadmap for the gradual end to the internal combustion engine, a century and a half after it was invented. Volvo, owned by China’s Geely, said it plans to launch five fully electric models between 2019 and 2021, three under its own brand and two under the Polestar brand, as well as a range of hybrid models. Polestar is a subsidiary specialising in high-performance electric vehicles and is a rival to California-based Tesla, which is to launch the production of its first lower-priced “Model 3”. “This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car,” Volvo Cars president and chief executive Hakan Samu-

“Instability seems to be receding in the eyes of market participants,” ECB board member Benoit Coeure told journalists in Frankfurt. “That might bode well looking forward for the role of the euro as a reserve currency.” By comparison, the US dollar accounted for some 64 percent of foreign currency reserves worldwide, a drop of more than 6.0 percentage points from the 2007 level, while China’s renminbi stood at 1.1 percent. A 2017 survey of foreign reserves

elsson said in a statement. A Volvo Cars spokesman said the first fully electric car would be manufactured in China, and that the production location of the other four was yet to be determined. The car maker, which posted record sales in 2016, noted that “consumers are increasingly pleased with electrified cars” and that it intends to respond to the growing demand for cleaner and less polluting vehicles. A Volvo Cars spokesman said the company would continue to manufacture existing petrol or diesel-only models launched before 2019, but they will gradually be replaced by hybrid and fully electric cars. The announcement comes a week after Geely unveiled a research and innovation centre in Gothenburg, focusing on the development of electric vehicles. “When we said it, we meant it. This is how we are going to do it,” Samuelsson said in the statement. In an interview with the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) in May, Samuels-

managers highlighted by the central bank found that one in three were concerned about political instability in Europe. But the failure of anti-European Union and anti-euro parties to take power in French and Dutch elections this year could see those fears dwindle, Coeure suggested. “Given what we hear from investors, they perceive political uncertainty in the eurozone to be less,” he said, suggesting that “we could see a rebound in the role of the euro” in future.

son had said he did not want to develop a new generation of diesel engines because of the high costs of stricter regulations. EU legislation, which sets mandatory emission targets for cars, stipulates that, by 2021, the emissions of all new models and cars must not exceed 95 grammes of CO2 emissions per kilometre on average. Failure to comply would result in a fine. In Sweden, the government plans to raise the tax rate on CO2 emissions in 2018, which would lead to a fivefold increase in the rate for some cars. In concrete terms, that would translate into an increase in taxes of 630 euros ($713) per year for an owner of a Volvo V90 T5 4WD and an increase of more than 1,500 euros for an owner of an SUV BMX X6 M, according to calculations by specialist magazine, TeknikensVarld. Proponents of the eco tax argue that this is a marginal cost compared to the purchase price of these high-end models, which retail at between 60,000 and

100,000 euros. “We have high climate targets in Sweden (and) the transport sector must change direction,” Sweden’s industry and innovation minister Mikael Damberg told AFP. Clean energy “is completely necessary to manage climate challenges,” he added. In 2016, new registrations of all electric and hybrid cars amounted to 433,847 across the whole of the EU, almost three percent of the total registrations. Electric car registrations jumped by seven percent last year compared to 2015. Registered plug-in hybrids rose by 3.9 percent and non-rechargeable hybrids by 27.3 percent, according to the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). Volvo aims to sell one million electric cars before 2025, when it wants its production operations to become “climate neutral”. Since Geely bought the brand from the American Ford in 2010, Volvo Cars has seen a dramatic turnaround. In 2016, its net profit group share almost doubled to over 600 million euros.

The euro remained the second mostused currency worldwide on a range of measures, with its share of international payments for goods and services growing almost 2.0 points to 31.3 percent. Some 42 percent of international payments were in dollars and 1.7 percent used renminbi. Most other measures saw the euro used less, notably on international debt markets, where the share of both outstanding and newly-issued debt denominated in euros fell. Its share of new foreign-currency-

denominated debt dropped 4.4 points to 20.4 percent by the end of 2016. The ECB insists that it does not aim to increase international use of the euro, as its mandate empowers it only to work for price stability — or a steady rate of inflation just below 2.0 percent. Nevertheless, Coeure acknowledged that “the single currency is an instrument for Europe to play a role on the global stage ... it’s only normal that European leaders would see it that way.”

Outlook for Britain’s economy clouds over in 2nd half of 2017 UK services PMI hits 4-months low in June LONDON, July 5, (RTRS): Britain’s economy is likely to lose momentum in the second half of 2017, according to a closely watched survey that could disappoint some Bank of England officials who want to raise interest rates for the first time in a decade.

in June.

Although the survey suggested the economy recovered some speed in the second quarter and probably expanded at a quarterly pace of around 0.4 percent, double the pace of the weak first quarter, there were some ominous signals in the PMI’s forward-looking gauges. Business expectations sank to their weakest level since last July’s dip Sterling dipped after Wednesday’s Markit/CIPS survey showed after the vote to leave the European Union, and it was not far off lows last growth across British services companies fell to a four-month low reached in late 2011. Growth in new orders hit a nine-month low. The headline index edged down to a four-month low of 53.4 in June from 53.8 in May, just shy of a forecast for 53.5 in a Reuters poll of economists. On Tuesday BoE rate-setter Michael Saunders said he was “reasonably confident” that lower consumer spending will be offset by higher exports and investment, justifying his vote to raise interest rates from a record low 0.25 percent. “But the latest PMI survey pours some cold water on that hypothesis,” said JPMorgan economist Allan Monks. “Indeed, it is worth highlighting that the weakness in the UK PMI comes at a time when the broader European PMIs have strengthened considerably.” Firms The mood among services firms was probably hit by uncertainty after June’s election, in which Prime Minister Theresa May gambled Venezuelan businessman Edgar Rodriguez poses inside his restaurant called ‘Arepa Ole’ in Madrid on June 14. away her parliamentary majority, Edgar Rodriguez landed in Madrid ten years ago. Now owner of a chain of restaurants, he gives work to his comand by Brexit talks, as well as the patriots who have fled the crisis and the violence in Venezuela. (AFP) economic outlook, IHS Markit said. A third monthly drop in car sales in June -- albeit from recent record highs -- underlined the slowdown among consumers. tisation programme. BRUSSELS, July 5, (AFP): Euro- agreed in 2015. Separate official data showed Greece’s supreme court on Tueszone finance ministers delayed the Senior eurozone officials would productivity, arguably Britain’s latest bailout disbursement to Greece meet again by teleconference on Fri- day dismissed the case, raising exbiggest economic problem over on Wednesday awaiting clarification day in hopes of releasing the funds, pectations that the last-minute snag the last decade, fell in the first three on a legal case against European ex- instead of Wednesday as originally would be quickly overcome. months of the year -- the first de“I think they will solve the last perts who had worked on the Greek planned, the statement said. cline since late 2015. privatisation programme. Eurozone ministers struck a long- pending issues as discussions are The latest productivity data furWhile officially approving the lat- delayed bailout deal with Greece on about relatively small assurances,” a ther complicates the outlook for est raft of reforms, eurozone finance June 13 to unlock the badly needed source close to the matter told AFP BoE policymakers. Although weak on condition of anonymity. ministers in a conference call put rescue cash. productivity reduces the scope for “Nobody would like to get Greece off the payment of 8.5 billion euros future wage growth, it goes handRepeat back in trouble,” the source added. ($9.5-billion) from Greece’s massive in-hand with higher inflation. The deal was to avert a repeat of The legal case concerns three advibailout. “Unless more is done to tackle The eurozone finance ministers the summer of 2015 when Greece sors from Spain, Italy and Slovakia the nation’s low productivity, peo“encouraged the Greek government spectacularly defaulted on an IMF to the Greek privatisation agency, ple’s wages and living standards to resolve the pending issues swift- loan, and allow Athens to meet seven created at the insistence of Germany will continue to fall and the UK ly,” a statement from the European billion euros of debt repayments due in the wake of the debt crisis in 2011. will be ill-equipped to compete The Greek courts initiated proStability Mechanism, the eurozone in July. But Spain last month threatonce we do leave the EU,” said Ian ened to block the disbursement, an- ceedings against the experts in 2014 bailout fund, said in a statement. Brinkley, acting chief economist at This would “pave the way for the gry that Athens has failed to drop a after alleged irregularities in the sale the Chartered Institute of Personapproval of the third tranche” from legal case against European experts of 28 real estate properties owned by the country’s 86-billion euro bailout, who had worked on the Greek priva- the Greek state. nel and Development.

Eurozone delays Greece bailout payment

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

BUSINESS

34

China probes graft

Name: Kuwait Sharia Compatible Indices

China will prosecute the former president of the People’s Insurance Co (Group) of China Ltd after an investigation found he engaged in corrupt practices including bribery, the ruling Communist Party said on Wednesday. The party’s corruption watchdog said Wang, who was also the vice-chairman and executive director of People’s Insurance, had been expelled from the party for “serious discipline violations,” the usual euphemism for corruption. In a notice on its official website, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Wang interfered with inspections and audits and took bribes. (RTRS)

Providers: Al Madar Finance & Investment Co.

Description: Index of Sharia compatible companies traded on the KSE

Website: www.almadar-fi.com

Xiao vanishes

Missing China tycoon’s firm puts investments up for sale HONG KONG, July 5, (RTRS): The financial empire of missing Chinese-born tycoon Xiao Jianhua has put billions of dollars of investments up for sale, including stakes in a life insurer, a trust and banking assets, three people involved in the process told Reuters. A billionaire with links to China’s Communist Party elite, Xiao vanished earlier this year. He was last seen in the early hours of Jan 27, leaving the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong in a wheelchair with his head covered, accompanied by several people described in media reports as mainland Chinese agents. Xiao’s whereabouts are not known but his dramatic disappearance sparked widespread speculation he had been caught up in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on corruption. Chinese authorities have not commented on Xiao’s disappearance, and his family could not be reached for comment. Two of the sources with knowledge of the process said that now Chinese authorities are pressing Tomorrow Holdings, Xiao’s conglomerate, to pare back its sprawling asset portfolio, which includes stakes in more than 30 domestic financial institutions.

Risky The sale is part of Beijing’s broader efforts to rein in risky practices by financial services firms, the sources said. None of the three sources could be named as the sale plans are not public. The same two sources said Tomorrow had set up an internal team to handle the sale, which will include stakes in Huaxia Life Insurance, New China Trust Co, Bank of Weifang and Baoshang Bank. The stakes are substantial, though the specific percentage levels have not been disclosed and it is unclear if Tomorrow controls all of the companies directly. No external advisers have been mandated, the sources said, and they also did not give any indication of expected prices for individual assets. “The process is at an early stage and informal feelers are being sent to some large insurers as well as private equity companies,” said a fourth person with knowledge of the plans. According to one source with direct knowledge of the situation, Xiao’s wife Zhou Hongwen, who co-founded Tomorrow with him in 1999, is running the business in his absence, but it was unclear how much she was involved in the

decision to put the assets up for sale and whether she is closely involved in the process. Tomorrow and the four subsidiaries did not return phone calls, emails and messages seeking comment. China’s insurance and banking regulators did not respond to requests for comment. The State Council’s information office also did not respond to a request for comment. Beijing has cracked down on other groups that, like Tomorrow, have used cash from insurance products to invest aggressively in riskier deals in areas such as property and soccer.

Index name Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Composite Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Kuwait Only Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Active Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Banking Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Investment Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Insurance Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Real Estate Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Industrial Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Services Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Food Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Islamic Sector Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Non Kuwaiti Sector Kuwait Stock Exchange Index - Price S&P 500 DJ Islamic Index.

Bloomberg ticker AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC AMIC KWSEIDX SPX DJIM

Today’s value as of July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 5, 2017 July 4, 2017 July 4, 2017

Today’s closing value 171.13 163.67 81.12 253.48 48.54 20.88 47.87 141.36 222.22 349.74 129.36 470.88 6,670.93 2,429.01 3,260.80

Prev closing value 172.05 164.46 80.64 253.43 48.77 20.59 47.89 141.74 225.43 349.83 129.22 477.85 6,638.77 2,429.01 3,261.73

% change -0.53% -0.48% 0.60% 0.02% -0.47% 1.38% -0.04% -0.27% -1.42% -0.03% 0.10% -1.46% 0.48% 0.00% -0.03%

1-week change -1.99% -2.32% -3.53% -1.71% -5.68% -9.53% -2.49% -1.55% -3.06% -2.09% -1.55% 3.76% -1.36% -0.38% -1.11%

YTD change 2.55% 2.42% 2.21% -4.75% 3.33% 32.41% -1.80% 16.63% 12.56% -8.00% 0.27% 6.21% 16.05% 8.49% 12.19%

12-month change 14.51% 12.74% 18.43% 7.62% 2.04% 30.84% 6.06% 22.22% 25.59% -4.43% 15.77% 65.65% 23.77% 15.50% 14.54%

24-month change -3.23% -4.90% -11.38% -18.59% -21.11% -23.95% -11.97% 2.87% 16.58% -14.17% -9.01% 59.23% 7.76% 16.96% 11.58%

Emerging stocks bounce, currencies under pressure ahead of Fed minutes MSCI market index gains 0.3 percent LONDON, July 5, (Agencies): Emerging market stocks bounced on Wednesday after their biggest fall in nearly three weeks but currencies came under pressure ahead of Federal Reserve minutes while investors awaited the latest development on the Qatar crisis. MSCI’s emerging market index gained 0.3 percent, lifted by gains in Asia where bourses recovered from losses sustained in the previous session as North Korea’s latest missile test heightened the tensions on the Korean peninsula. Stocks in mainland China and Hong Kong rose as much as 1 percent, while

bourses in South Korea and South Africa picked up around 0.5 percent. However, the picture looked different in the Gulf where stock markets came under pressure ahead of a meeting later in the day in Cairo of the four Arab states that are boycotting it. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain were due to meet to decide whether to continue sanctions they imposed on Qatar on accusations it was aiding terrorism and courting regional rival Iran. Doha denies the charges and has submitted to mediator Kuwait replies to 13 demands that the gathering will consider. Qatar’s stock market index stayed near January 2016 lows while Riyadh’s bourse fell 0.4 percent, extending the previous day’s sharp fall. “All eyes on the increasingly complex GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) back-

Detained Last month, authorities detained Wu Xiaohui, chairman of Anbang Insurance Group, one of China’s flashiest overseas dealmakers and owner of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. Anbang has said its chairman is temporarily unable to fulfill his duties and has not commented further. Even a partial dismantling of Tomorrow’s business empire, though, would take the aggressive government behavior a step further than previous warnings or punishments, and raise concerns for other tycoons and their companies. Xiao, who is in his mid-40s and has close ties with some of China’s senior leaders and their families, was ranked 32nd on the 2016 Hurun China rich list, China’s equivalent of the Forbes list, with a net worth of $6 billion. His assets range from financial services to sugar and cement. Xiao, who began his career selling imported computers, had lived for years in serviced apartments in Hong Kong. Tomorrow’s Huaxia Life grabbed headlines last year as China’s financial regulators cracked down on high-yield, short-term investment products like universal life insurance products, that are part insurance, part investment. Huaxia’s universal life insurance division recorded 138 billion yuan ($20.3 billion) in premium income last year — 75 percent of its total business, official data shows. In December, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission suspended the firm’s online insurance business and barred it from seeking approval for new products for three months. The regulator said the insurer had failed to fix problems concerning fake client information.

3-month change -5.04% -4.42% -19.33% -8.67% -16.39% -6.38% -10.21% -6.41% 5.72% -4.52% -8.05% -14.20% -5.10% 3.23% 4.78%

People use their mobile phones in front of an electronic stock indicator of a securities firm in Tokyo on July 5. Asian shares were muted Wednesday as the geopolitical fallout from North Korea’s long-range missile launch weighed on investor sentiment amid trading thinned by the US Independence Day holiday. (AP)

Troubled tech giant’s assets frozen SHANGHAI, July 5, (AFP): Assets linked to Chinese tech giant LeEco have been frozen in a dispute with a creditor, a unit of the troubled company has confirmed, highlighting its perilous financial state. Chinese financial magazine Caixin first reported Monday that a Shanghai court had ordered the freezing of 1.237 billion yuan ($182 million) in assets connected to LeEco, its subsidiaries, and billionaire founder Jia Yueting. The court ruling was in response to

legal action brought by China Merchants Bank over unpaid loans to a LeEco smartphone unit, Leview Mobile. LeEco was founded in 2004 by Jia to provide online video streaming but has since launched aggressive forays into self-driving cars, smartphones, filmmaking, and sports broadcasting rights that have plunged it into a cash crunch. In a statement late Tuesday to the Shenzhen stock exchange, Leshi Internet Information and Technology Corporation — a listed LeEco subsidiary

— said 519 million of its shares owned by Jia, which were used as collateral in the loans, had been frozen by the court. The statement did not refer to the apparently separate “assets” mentioned by Caixin. Adding to LeEco’s woes, debt collectors from 19 firms including some of its suppliers have gathered at the company’s Beijing headquarters for the past two days to demand money they claim they are owed, the National Business Daily reported Wednesday.

drop,” wrote Simon Quijano-Evans, emerging market strategist at Legal & General Investment Management in a note to clients. “Moody’s cut Qatar’s outlook to negative — if this escalates, we would see plenty more negative ratings action across the whole of GCC, with Oman and Bahrain still the weakest links from a macro/FX reserves point of view,” he added. Easing commodity prices and crude oil falling more than 1 percent due to another rise in OPEC supplies weighed on currencies. Russia’s rouble sustained some of the biggest losses, weakening 1 percent. South Africa’s rand and Turkey’s lira nearly matched those falls against a dollar struggling higher. Adding to investors’ woes were the minutes of the US Federal Reserve meeting, which will be scrutinised by investors for signs of more concern among policymakers about a downturn in inflation and activity in the United States. A shift towards more hawkish language by several major central banks has dominated the past week and left markets unsure of how much longer emergency stimulus in Europe will continue to support global asset prices. Meanwhile, Tokyo stocks rebounded to end Wednesday higher, though nervous investors continue to keep close track of soaring tensions in Asia after North Korea tested its first rocket capable of striking the United States. Washington confirmed Tuesday that Pyongyang’s latest rocket test was of an intercontinental ballistic missile, ratcheting up pressure in an already tense crisis on the peninsula. Worried traders flooded out of equities and into safe-haven assets in early trade but settled through the day and returned to buying, with a weakening yen boosting exporters. The dollar fetched 113.21 yen against the day’s low of 112.80 yen.

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Global Investment House

Money Market Funds

Watani KD Money Market Fund II NBK Capital Weekly June 20, 2017 KD 1.027 1.026 May 30, 2017 Watani USD Money Market Fund NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly June 20, 2017 USD 10.220 10.216 May 30, 2017 Watani KD Money Market Fund (Acc to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly June 20, 2017 KD 1.020 1.025 May 30, 2017 Watani USD Money Market Fund (Acc to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly June 20, 2017 USD 10.081 10.078 May 30, 2017 NBK Kuwait Equity Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly June 15, 2017 KD 0.626 0.637 May 25, 2017 Gulf Equity Investment Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly June 15, 2017 USD 10.970 11.056 May 25, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Index Funds Equity Funds

Gulf Bank

Kuwait Finance & Investment Co (KFIC)

Al Basha’er GCC Equity Fund Kwt. Fin. & Inv. Co. & Gulf Fin. House Monthly June 15, 2017 USD 6.945 6.973 April 30, 2017 Coast Fund Coast Investment & Dev. Co. Monthly May 5, 2017 KD 0.648 0.666 March 28, 2017 Sanaya Dow Jones Kuwait Index Fund Industrial & Financial Investment Co. Weekly Jan 26, 2017 KD 0.561 0.561 Dec 30, 2016 Markaz Capital Preservation Program 1 Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.912 0.917 Dec 31, 2016 Markaz Capital Preservation Program 2 Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.942 0.945 Dec 31, 2016 Markaz Gulf Real Estate Fund Bi-annual May 31, 2017 KD 1.413 1.007 April 30, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

KAMCO

Al Ahli Bank Al Ahli Gulf Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly May 31, 2017 KD 0.871 0.901 April 30, 2017 Al Ahli Kuwaiti Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly May 31, 2017 KD 0.806 0.802 April 30, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Burgan Bank Burgan Equity Fund Burgan Bank Monthly May 28, 2017 KD 1.758 1.772 April 23, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Boubyan Bank Boubyan KD Money Market Fund Boubyan Bank Weekly June 20, 2017 KD 1.064 1.063 June 6, 2017 Boubyan KD Money Market Fund II Boubyan Bank Weekly June 20, 2017 KD 1.010 1.009 June 6, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Boubyan Capital Investment Co.

Funds

Wafra International Investment Co. Wafra Equity Fund Wafra Co. Monthly June 30, 2017 KD 0.890 0.884 May 31, 2017 Wafra Bond Fund Wafra Co. Monthly June 30, 2017 KD 1.047 1.042 May 31, 2017 Masaref Investment Fund ISKAN Weekly June 30, 2017 KD 0.853 0.819 May 31, 2017 Fajir Islamic Fund Wafra Co. Monthly June 30, 2017 KD 0.669 0.663 May 31, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Shuaa Capital Co. Emirates Gateway Fund Shuaa Capital Weekly Feb 7, 2017 AED 15.110 15.070 Jan 31, 2017 The Arab Gateway Fund Shuaa Capital Weekly Feb 7, 2017 USD 28.160 29.040 Jan 31, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Tharwa Investment Co.

Al-Wataniya Fund NIC Monthly May 31, 2017 KD 0.599 0.604 April 30, 2017 Al-Darij Fund NIC Monthly May 31, 2017 KD 0.351 0.353 April 30, 2017 Mawarid Fund NIC Monthly May 31, 2017 KD 0.495 0.506 April 30, 2017 Zajil Fund NIC Monthly May 31, 2017 KD 0.748 0.752 April 30, 2017 Al Mada Investment Fund NIC Weekly May 31, 2017 USD 0.759 0.766 April 30, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) Mumtaz Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly June 22, 2017 KD 4.007 3.930 June 15, 2017 MIDAF Kuwait Financial Center Weekly June 22, 2017 KD 3.060 3.013 June 15, 2017 Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly June 22, 2017 KD 1.561 1.543 June 15, 2017 Markaz Arabian Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly Nov 10, 2016 KD 2.990 2.920 Nov 3, 2016 FORSA Financial Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly April 30, 2017 KD 0.938 0.954 March 31, 2017 Real Estate Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly April 30, 2017 KD 1.413 1.415 March 31, 2017 Markaz Fixed Income Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly June 22, 2017 USD 11.520 11.570 June 15, 2017 Mawazeen International Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 26, 2017 USD 9.050 9.140 March 19, 2017 Markaz MENA Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly June 15, 2017 USD 10.530 10.660 May 18, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kuwait & Middle East Financial & Inv. Co. Al Rou’yah Fund KMEFIC Monthly April 30, 2017 KD 1.371 1.386 March 31, 2017 Gulf Gate Fund KMEFIC Monthly Oct 31, 2016 KD 0.944 0.918 Sept 30, 2016 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Currency

KAMCO Investment Fund KAMCO Monthly April 30, 2017 KD 1.066 1.065 Jan 31, 2017 KAMCO GCC Opportunities Fund KAMCO Monthly July 31, 2016 USD 115.890 114.380 Feb 29, 2016 KAMCO MENA Plus Fixed Income Fund KAMCO March 31, 2017 USD 11.840 12.551 Jan 31, 2017 KAMCO Real Estate Yield Fund KAMCO April 30, 2017 USD 10.220 10.320 March 31, 2017 Kuwait Education Fund KAMCO Quartely Sept 30, 2016 KD 1.457 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kuwait Investment Co.

National Investment Co. (NIC)

Valued date

Al Wasm Fund KFIC Weekly June 7, 2017 KD 0.402 0.420 March 16, 2017 Al Basha’er GCC Equity Fund KFIC Monthly May 31, 2017 USD 6.940 7.073 Feb 28, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Al Aman Investment

Al Raed Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly June 30, 2017 KD 0.996 1.001 June 22, 2017 Kuwait Investment Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly June 29, 2017 KD 0.705 0.702 May 31, 2017 Al Hilal Fund Kuwait Investment Co Monthly June 26, 2017 KD 0.540 0.540 May 31, 2017 Al Atheer Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly June 30, 2017 KD 1.046 1.083 May 31, 2017 International Global Bond Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly June 28, 2017 USD 25.450 25.330 June 21, 2017 Diversified Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly June 28, 2017 USD 19.460 19.670 June 21, 2017 European Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly May 31, 2017 Euro 21.780 21.530 April 28, 2017 Pacific Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly June 28, 2017 USD 31.080 31.120 June 21, 2017 North American Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Tw. Monthly May 31, 2017 USD 18.340 18.370 April 28, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Valuation

GCC Large Cap Index Fund Global Weekly June 29, 2017 KD 1.147 1.167 June 22, 2017 Al-Mamoun Fund A Global Weekly June 29, 2017 KD 0.644 0.649 June 22, 2017 Al-Mamoun Fund B Global Weekly June 29, 2017 KD 0.644 0.649 June 22, 2017 GCC Large Cap Fund Global Bi-weekly June 27, 2017 USD 149.730 144.760 June 20, 2017 Global Saudi Equity Fund Global Bi-weekly June 27, 2017 SAR 225.210 209.380 June 20, 2017 Sectoral Funds EPADI Fund Global Weekly June 27, 2017 USD 104.590 103.190 June 20, 2017 Islamic Funds Global GCC Islamic Fund Global Weekly June 27, 2017 USD 101.100 98.210 June 20, 2017 Al-Durra Islamic Fund Global Monthly June 29, 2017 KD 1.191 1.200 June 22, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Boubyan USD Liquidity Fund Boubyan Capital Investment Co June 20, 2017 USD 10.223 10.210 June 6, 2017 Boubyan Multi-Asset Holding Fund Boubyan Bank April 30, 2017 USD 10.530 10.530 April 25, 2017 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Local Fund

Fund Manager

Al Aman Islamic Fund Al Aman Investment Weekly April 30, 2017 KD 0.341 0.342 Dec 31, 2016 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Tharwa Investment Fund Tharwa Investment Co Weekly June 30, 2017 KD 1.454 1.391 June 8, 2017 Tharwa Arab Investment Fund Tharwa Investment Co Bi-weekly July 31, 2016 USD 1.977 2.251 June 30, 2016 Tharwa World Fund Tharwa Investment Co Monthly March 31, 2016 USD 1.024 0.986 March 15, 2016 Tharwa Islamic Fund Tharwa Investment Co Monthly June 30, 2017 KD 0.594 0.586 June 8, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Bank Al-Bilad Al Seef Fund Bank Al-Bilad Daily June 4, 2017 KD 0.412 0.400 May 21, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Commercial International Bank CIB Money Market Fund (Osoul) CI Asset Management Weekly July 3, 2017 EGP 294.700 293.190 June 19, 2017 CIB II Equity (Isthethmar) CI Asset Management Weekly July 3, 2017 EGP 151.380 147.960 June 19, 2017 CIB and Faisal Islamic Al Aman CI Asset Management Weekly July 3, 2017 EGP 84.160 81.850 June 19, 2017 Hemaya CI Asset Management Weekly July 2, 2017 EGP 178.910 176.390 June 1, 2017 Thabat CI Asset Management Weekly July 3, 2017 EGP 175.330 123.760 June 19, 2017 Takamol CI Asset Management Weekly July 3, 2017 EGP 143.650 141.510 June 19, 2017 Misr El Mostakbel CI Asset Management Weekly July 2, 2017 EGP 25.320 25.080 June 18, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Noor Financial Investment Co. Noor Islamic Fund Noor Financial Investment Co Monthly Feb 29, 2016 KD 0.613 0.645 Dec 31, 2015 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Al Zumorroda Investment Co. Zumorroda GCC Fund Al Zumorroda Investment Co Monthly Jan 31, 2016 KD 0.481 0.543 Dec 31, 2015 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

KFH Capital Investment Co. Muthanna Islamic Index Fund (MUDX) KFH Capital Investment Company Daily Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.357 0.354 Jan 31, 2017 Muthanna GCC Islamic Banks Fund KFH Capital Investment Company Daily Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.683 0.673 Jan 31, 2017 Baitak GCC Fund KFH Capital Investment Company Weekly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.916 0.957 Jan 31, 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

CapCorp Investment Co. CapCorp Local Fund

CapCorp Investment Company

Weekly

June 30, 2017

KD

0.914

0.926

March 30, 2017

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

BUSINESS

35

Aramco, Hyundai Heavy to make engines, pumps National oil giant Saudi Aramco said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries to make engines and marine pumps in the kingdom. The manufacturing facility, which is expected to create over 650 jobs, will be at the site of a $5.2 billion shipyard which Aramco and partners

plan to build at Ras Al Khair on Saudi Arabia’s east coast, Aramco said in a statement on Wednesday. Also involved in the project is the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Co, founded in 2014 to help develop the Saudi economy beyond oil exports. Its shareholders are Aramco, top petrochemical producer Saudi Basic Industries, and the

Public Investment Fund, Riyadh’s main sovereign wealth fund. The companies hope to start operations at the new facility by the end of 2019. It would make 4-stroke engines under Hyundai’s HiMSEN brand, supporting their use in remote power plants as well as marine applications for very large and small vessels, Aramco said. (RTRS)

Kuwait price index ends higher in choppy session NBK gains 6 fils; Agility slips By John Mathews Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Kuwait stocks headed north on Wednesday extending its gains to second straight session. The price index climbed 32.16 pts in choppy trade to 6,670.93 points helped by fresh buying in select counters led by some of the banking shares. The KSX 15 gauge edged 1 pt higher to 909.8 points while weighted index was up 0.99 pt at 398.65 pts. The volume turnover meanwhile rose to a one-month high driven mostly by speculative trading. 54.45 million shares changed hands — a 19.8 percent rise from the day before. Among notable movers, National Bank of Kuwait climbed 6 fils to 694 fils on back of over 2 million shares and AlMutahed rose 5 fils to 390 fils. Independent Petroleum Group vaulted 66 fils and NAPESCO extended Tuesday’s strong gains with a 20 fils jump to KD 1.430. Zain rose 4 fils to 413 fils on back of 1.53 million shares and Ooredoo was up 18 fils at KD 1.100 recouping last session’s drop. Kuwait Telecommunications Co (VIVA) climbed 16 fils to 820 fils and Agility extended Tuesday’s losses with a 4 fils dip. Gulf Bank fell 3 fils to 238 fils and Warba Bank closed flat at 253 fils. The bank has posted a 296.3 percent jump in its profits to KD 1.3 million for the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period last year. Net operating profits spiked 229 percent to KD 3.75 million. The market opened on a choppy note and moved sideways in early trade. It slipped briefly into red to plumb the day’s lowest level of 6,634.59 pts before heading north . It fell sharply in final minutes before clawing back to peak at 6,672.18 pts and closed with modest gains. Top gainer of the day, Independent Petroleum Group soared 20 pct to 396 fils and Kuwait Naional Cinema Co jumped 19.9 pct to stand close behind. Contracting and Marine Services Co slumped 12.7 percent and Remal topped the volume with 9.9 million shares. Mirroring the day’s upswing the winners slightly outpaced the losers. 46 stocks advanced whereas 43

closed lower. Of the 2,473 counters active on Wednesday, 21 closed flat. 2,473 deals worth KD 10.3 million were transacted — a 5.3 pct rise in value from the day before. National Industries Group inched 1 fil up to 116 fils while Heavy Engineering Industries and Shipping Co climbed 16 fils to close at 216 fils. Metal and Recycling Co eased 1 fil and Educational Holding Group stood pat at 370 fils. Jazeera Airways gained 5 fils partly recouping Tuesday’s fall while Automated Systems Co gave up 1 fil to wind up at 184 fils. Boubyan Petrochemical Co shed 10 fils and Al Qurain Petrochemical Co clipped 1 fil. Humansoft Holding slipped 4 fils and ACICO Industries closed flat at 262 fils. The company’s first quarter profits rose by 0.78 pct to KD 3.88 mln as compared to KD 3.85 million in Q1 of 2016. Burgan Well Drilling Co scaled 14.3 fils to end at 86.3 fils and Kuwait Cable Vision Co held ground at 30 fils. OSOS rose 7 fils to 129 fils and KCPC paused at 165 fils. International Financial Advisors dropped 15 fils and Zimah Holding eased 0.4 fil.

Closing Mezzan Holding dialed up1 fil before closing at 912 fils and Al Rai Media Group took in 2 fils. The company has posted 66.7 percent drop in profits in the first quarter of 2017 to KD 449,760. The net operating profit dipped 64.9 percent to KD 495,540. In the banking sector, Ahli United Bank rose 5 fils to 395 fils and Kuwait International Bank was up 3 fils at 248 fils. Al Ahli Bank was not traded during the session. Commercial Bank was unchanged at 306 fils and Boubyan Bank stood pat at 405 fils. Kuwait Finance House gave up 2 fils after trading 1.9 million shares and Burgan Bank paused at 334 fils. International Financial Advisors eased 0.5 fil to 32.5 fils after trading over 2 million shares whereas National Investment Co edged 0.7 fil into green. Coast Investment Co added 1.4 fils while Securities House Co took in 0.4 fil. Amwal Investment Co stagnated at 45 fils KIPCO rose 1 fil to 335 fils and Kuwait Financial Centre ( Markaz) was flat at 107 fils. Alaman crept 0.5 fil up and Aayan clipped 0.7 fil to settle at 38.3 fils. Bayan Investment Co closed 0.4 fils in green and

Al Deera Holding tripped 0.8 fil to end at 31 fils. KFIC climbed 5 fils to 40 fils and Sokouk Holding was up 1.5 fils at 47 fils. Ektittab Holding fell 1.4 fils to 35.1 fils while Noor Financial Investment Co and First Takaful Investment Co added 1.5 fils each. Salhiya Real Estate Co slipped 6 fils to 384 fils whereas Kuwait Real Estate stalled at 384 fils. United Real Estate Co inched 0.1 fil into green whereas Mabanee Co dialed up 2 fils to end at 752 fils. National Real Estate Co eased 1 fil and Mazaya Holding held ground at 111 fils. Remal extended previous session’s gains with a 12 fils rise to 77.7 pts. The market has been mixed so far during the week and has dipped 92 points in last four sessions. It had dropped 26 points during whole of June and is trading 16 pct higher year-to-date. KSE, with 188 listed companies, is the second largest bourse in the region. In the bourse related news, Kuwait Finance and Investment (KFIC) rebounded to post a net profit of KD 146,350 in the first three months of 2017, from KD 255,510 loss in first quarter of 2016. Operating income grew 76 percent year-on-year to reach KD 1.65 million. Aayan Real Estate has recorded a 164.7 percent jump in its profits to KD 536,890 for the first quarter of 2017 from same period in the year before. During 2016, the profit saw a 1.5 percent uptick to KD 2.75 million in 2016 from the previous year. Ooredoo Kuwait has posted 26.6 pct jump in profits during the first quarter of 2017 to KD 12.93 million from KD 10.21 million in same period last year. It had recorded a growth of 75 percent in profits to KD 46.67 million during 2016. Mowasat Healthcare has registered a a 40.2 percent increase in net profits in the first quarter of 2017, to reach KD 1.92 million as compared to KD 1.37 million in the year before period. Al Ahleia Insurance ‘s first quarter net profit dropped by 14.5 percent in the first to KD 2.88 million from KD 3.37 million in Q1 of 2016. Operational income dipped 39.6 pct to KD 1.58 million National Ranges Company’s (Mayadeen) losses shrank by 18.2 pct in the first quarter of 2017 to KD 642,620 from about KD 785,610 in same period of 2016.

Mideast Stocks Saudi bourse extends slide

Qatar edges up before Cairo meeting DUBAI, July 5, (RTRS): Qatar’s stock index edged up on Wednesday as foreign ministers of four Arab states prepared to meet to consider sanctions against Doha. A deadline for Qatar to comply with a list of demands made by the states expired overnight. Doha has submitted replies to mediator Kuwait that have not been disclosed. Doha has shown no sign of acquiescing to major demands, which raises the possibility of the four states imposing more sanctions. But it is not clear that any fresh steps — such as the withdrawal of deposits from Qatar’s banking system — would be crippling, given Doha’s large financial resources. Qatar’s index added 0.4 percent as 10 traded shares rose, including ones favoured by foreign funds such as Islamic lender Masraf Al Rayan, which added 1.0 percent. Foreign funds were net buyers of Qatari stocks by a very narrow margin, bourse data showed; local funds were also net buyers, while Gulf funds were sellers. Twenty-seven stocks declined. Saudi Arabia’s index fell a further 0.5 percent, taking its losses over the last two sessions to 3.0 percent. Second-quarter earnings announcements are due to start around mid-July, and Alrajhi Capital predicted in a note that consumer-related sectors would

do well because of the reinstatement of civil servants’ allowances and the month of Ramadan, which traditionally sees strong consumer spending. Mobile phone and computer retailer United Electronics added 3.0 percent. Earnings momentum for the broader market, however, is expected to be weak, according to a note by EFG Hermes. “Upside is limited for most of our coverage,” it said, adding that it preferred banks over petrochemicals, and secular growth stories such as the insurance and supermarket industries. In Dubai, builder Arabtec fell 1.2 percent on profit-taking to 3.19 dirhams. Earlier in the day it hit a high of 3.37 dirhams after announcing its subsidiary Target Engineering had been awarded four projects worth 289 million dirhams ($79 million). Fifteen other shares fell and 11 advanced as the Dubai index closed near flat. The banking sector helped take Abu Dhabi’s index 0.5 percent higher with bellwether First Abu Dhabi Bank adding 1.0 percent. In Cairo the blue-chip index closed near flat. The most heavily traded stock of the day was private equity firm Qalaa Holding, which jumped 6.9 percent. Earlier this week its mining subsidiary ASEC Co for Mining report-

ed that first-quarter net profit jumped to 232.4 million Egyptian pounds ($13.0 million) from a year-earlier loss 8.9 million pounds. ASEC shares jumped 21 percent in the past two days but fell back 5.2 percent on Wednesday. The broader EGX100 index added 0.7 percent.

Saudi Arabia ■ The index lost 0.5 percent to 7,266 points.

Dubai ■ The index added 0.1 percent to 3,417 points.

Abu Dhabi ■ The index rose 0.5 percent to 4,414 points.

Qatar ■ The index increased 0.4 percent to 8,929 points.

Egypt ■ The index edged up 0.1 percent to 13,335 points.

Kuwait ■ The index added 0.5 percent to 6,671 points.

Bahrain ■ The index fell 0.4 percent to 1,312 points.

Oman ■ The index rose 0.3 percent to 5,113 points.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

BUSINESS

36

Ukraine scrambles to contain new cyber threat after NotPetya attack The Ukrainian software firm used as part of last week’s global cyber attack warned on Wednesday that all computers sharing a network with its infected accounting software had been compromised by hackers. The attack used a virus, dubbed “NotPetya” by some experts, to take down thousands of computers in dozens of countries, disrupting shipping and businesses. A video released by Ukrain-

the

ian police showed masked men in combat fatigues and armed with assault rifles raiding the offices of software developer Intellect Service late on Tuesday, after cyber security researchers said they had found a “backdoor” written into some of the updates issued by its M.E. Doc accounting software. M.E. Doc is used by 80 percent of Ukrainian companies and installed on around 1 million computers in the country. Interior

Minister Arsen Avakov said police had blocked a second cyber attack from servers hosting the software. Intellect Service previously denied its servers had been compromised, but when asked on Wednesday whether a backdoor had been inserted, Chief Executive Olesya Bilousova said: “Yes there was. And the fact is that this backdoor needs to be closed.” Any computer on the same net-

work as machines using M.E. Doc was now vulnerable to another attack, she said. “As of today, every computer which is on the same local network as our product is a threat. We need to pay the most attention to those computers which weren’t affected (by last week’s attack),” she told reporters. “The virus is on them waiting for a signal. There are fingerprints on computers which didn’t even use

our product.” Cyber security experts said that while hackers have previously been known to insert viruses into software updates — thus tricking computers and system administrators into installing the malware on their own systems — the attack on Ukraine is the largest and most disruptive such assault to date. “We are in a new phase of cyber security and the way that sophisticated actors behave,” said

Leo Taddeo, a former FBI cyber investigator and executive with cyber-security firm Cyxtera Technologies. “I can’t think of a supply chain attack that has been this thorough.” Investigators are still trying to establish who was behind last week’s attack, which hit a month after the Wannacry ransomware virus crippled computers at hospitals, banks and business around the world. (RTRS)

bottomline US markets mixed after holiday;

LONDON: Lloyds Banking Group has reshuffled its senior management team, it said on Wednesday, as Britain’s biggest mortgage lender prepares for the next phase of its transformation into a leaner, low-risk bank. The changes include naming Juan Colombas to the new role of chief operating officer, giving Chief Financial Officer George Culmer oversight of the legal and strategy teams, and naming Zaka Mian as group director for transformation. Chief Executive Antonio HortaOsorio said the changes will help the bank pursue a strategy of being a simplified, low-risk lender focused on the UK. “The changes we are announcing today are fundamental to prepare the Group for the next phase of its transformation under our upcoming strategic plan for the period 2018 — 2020,” Horta-Osorio said in the announcement. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑ PARIS: Michelin, the tyre giant and owner of the Michelin gourmet restaurant guide, has bought a 40 percent stake in the Robert Parker Wine Advocate — the fine wine guide of influential critic Robert Parker. Parker is considered by many within the industry as the world’s most powerful wine critic, and Michelin said in a statement that the acquisition would enrich the restaurant guide part of its business. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Parker, who has had an unprecedented impact on the world of wine through his 100-point scoring system that can make or break wineries, founded the Robert Parker Wine Advocate in 1978. His publication produces nearly 40,000 reviews annually. The Robert Parker Wine Advocate and Michelin have already been working together since 2016 in Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau on upmarket wine and dining events. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑ BERLIN: Airbus said Wednesday it had won a major order from China of 140 planes for $22.8 billion, during a visit by President Xi Jinping to Berlin. The European aircraft maker said it had sealed the agreement with China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS), which chief executive Tom Enders called “one of the biggest contracts signed in a long time by Airbus”. The deal covers 100 A320 singleaisle jets and 40 A350 wide-body aircraft. “This underscores the strong demand by Chinese airlines in all segments, from domestic and low-cost to the regional and international long-haul market,” Airbus said in a statement. The company said a market analysis forecast a doubling of demand worldwide for planes with more than 100 seats to 40,000 aircraft in the next 20 years, fuelled largely by demand from developing markets such as China.(AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑ STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s minority government said on Wednesday it was looking at several ways to limit private companies’ profits in the tax-funded welfare sector but might not choose the profit cap solution recently proposed by a commission. Sweden’s centre-left government is trying to come good on a promise to limit the profits that private companies can make for providing welfare services paid for by taxpayers.

Public Administration Minister Ardalan Shekarabi denied media reports that negotiations with the Left Party had collapsed and said the government is still trying to ensure that taxpayers’ money was used in the way “they are intended”. (RTRS) ❑ ❑ ❑

THE HAGUE: Chinese tourists can now use the popular WeChat messaging app while soaking up the sights in Europe this summer thanks to Dutch telecoms provider KPN. KPN said Thursday it has teamed up with Chinese technology giant Tencent as well as internet video operator Sunway Culture Media “to launch the WeChat Go SIM card for Chinese tourists travelling to Europe.” WeChat, known as Weixin in China, was launched in 2011 and is the world’s most popular messaging service. Tencent said in May that the app had reached 938 million monthly active users for the quarter, a year-onyear growth of 23 percent. “Besides voice and 4G data services, the WeChat Go SIM card proposition also offers additional features such as travel information, Chinese video content, top ups and social media” in any EU country, KPN said. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑ BRUSSELS: The EU’s competition authority on Wednesday approved the blockbuster takeover of Germany’s Opel by France’s Peugeot PSA that will create Europe’s second-largest carmaker after Volkswagen. PSA — which also owns Citroen and DS — agreed in early March to pay some 1.3 billion euros ($1.46 billion) for Opel, a storied German firm owned by US auto giant General Motors for decades, as well its British subsidiary Vauxhall. “The European Commission has unconditionally approved the acquisition of Opel by Peugeot, under the EU Merger Regulation,” the Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said in a statement. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑ STRASBOURG: The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved Wednesday a first-ever cooperation deal between the EU and Cuba, despite lingering concerns about human rights violations in the communist-ruled country. Lawmakers in the eastern French city of Strasbourg approved the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, signed in December 2016, which is widely seen as a European riposte to US President Donald Trump’s hardline stance against Havana. “Europe has a great opportunity to demonstrate to the United States, which intends to withdraw, that it is possible to maintain the highest level of expectations on Cuba” and normalise relations with Havana, said MEP Elena Valenciano, the rapporteur of the agreement. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of Congo is in talks with Russian state-owned bank VTB over potential investments worth as much as $1 billion, Congolese officials said, though VTB said there had been no discussions about bilateral lending. Africa’s top copper producer has been hit hard by low commodity prices in recent years. It has only enough foreign currency reserves to cover about three weeks of imports and its franc currency has lost half its value in the past year. (RTRS)

dollar gains before Fed minutes Oil prices fall on output worries NEW YORK, July 5, (Agencies): Oil prices retreated on Wednesday after their longest rally in more than five years while the dollar rose and Treasury yields were near recent peaks ahead of the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s last meeting. Falling oil prices put pressure on the energy sector, which was the biggest drag on Wall Street’s S&P 500 as it moved between positive and negative territory. Trading was likely affected by lighter participation the day after the US July 4 Independence Day holiday and ahead of the Fed minutes and the US jobs report due on Friday, said Randy Frederick, vice president of trading and derivatives for Charles Schwab in Austin, Texas. “There’s not a whole lot driving the market, which is why we’ve seen it go both directions,” he said. At 11:53 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 13.03 points, or 0.06 percent, to 21,466.24, the S&P 500 had gained 1.03 points, or 0.04 percent, to 2,430.04 and the Nasdaq Composite had added 25.86 points, or 0.42 percent, to 6,135.92. Some stock investors were holding back ahead of the Fed minutes, which could provide insight on the central bank’s plans for interest rate hikes or possible US balance sheet reduction. The dollar edged higher against a basket of currencies and was last up 0.16 percent as currency traders awaited clues on the Fed’s plan to reduce its balance sheet. US WTI crude futures were down 3.5 percent at $45.41 a barrel after climbing for eight straight sessions to Monday as higher OPEC exports and a stronger dollar turned sentiment more bearish. Benchmark Brent crude futures were down almost 3 percent, at $48.15 a barrel. MSCI’s broadest index of AsiaPacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent, erasing some of Tuesday’s losses, when North Korea fired a missile into Japanese waters. MSCI’s all world share index, however, was flat on the day.

US A fall in oil prices took a toll on energy stocks, capping gains on the S&P 500 and the Dow, while a rise in shares of chipmakers lifted the Nasdaq. Crude prices fell 3 percent, ending their longest bull-run in more than five years, hurt by rising OPEC exports and a stronger dollar. Shares of Exxon and Chevron were down more than 1 percent, weighing the most on the two major indexes. The Federal Reserve is due to release minutes of its last meeting in less

than an hour. Investors will look for more clues on the next rate hike and details on the central bank’s plan to cut its crisis-era bond portfolio. A recent set of tepid economic data and an inflation rate below the central bank’s 2 percent target may have a bearing on the Fed’s rate hike plans. At 13:06 p.m. ET (1706 GMT), the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 5.51 points, or 0.03 percent, at 21,473.76. The S&P 500 was up 2.92 points, or 0.12 percent, at 2,431.93 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 36.82 points, or 0.6 percent, at 6,146.88. The tech sector’s 1.02 percent rise led the S&P gainers, with AMD, Micron and Nvidia boosting the sector. Tech stocks have been volatile in the past few weeks on concerns over the sector’s valuation, after powering the S&P’s record run this year. “In a world of muted growth, tech stocks can still be attractive for delivering attractive rates of earnings growth ... However, because of the positioning around tech, there is to be expected a period of consolidation,” Daher said. O’Reilly Automotive slumped as much as 21.1 percent to a near threeyear low after its second-quarter samestore sales widely missed its own estimates. The stock dragged down other autoparts retailers, with Autozone and Advance Auto Parts falling 9.4 percent and 14 percent. Declining issues outnumbered advancers on the NYSE by 1,918 to 926. On the Nasdaq, 1,677 issues fell and 1,133 advanced.

Europe European shares rose on Wednesday at the end of a volatile session with gains among consumer stocks, led by Adidas on optimism over its upcoming earnings. A renewed slide in oil prices kept a lid on the increase, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index ending up 0.2 percent while the euro zone blue chip index closed flat. The top gainer on the STOXX was CHR Hansen after the food ingredients maker beat third-quarter profit forecasts and raised its revenue growth guidance. Adidas was the second biggest, up 4.9 percent as brokers sounded upbeat ahead of the sporting goods group’s earnings release next month. While DZ Bank added the stock to its long list expecting strong numbers in Western Europe and China, HSBC said Adidas was likely to increase its outlook, upgrading it to “buy”. “We believe the sales growth story and associated margin expansion plan make this stock a very visible compounder,” HSBC analysts said in a note. In London, housebuilder Persimmon jumped 2.4 percent after it reported a 7 percent rise in first-half sales. Oil prices retreated 3 percent, ending their longest bull run in more than five years as rising OPEC exports and a

stronger dollar turned sentiment more bearish. That hurt energy stocks, the biggest sectoral faller in Europe this year, which fell 1.4 percent, wiping most points off the STOXX index. Miners, which also find support when oil prices rise, ended up 0.2 percent, paring earlier gains that were helped by a Credit Suisse sector upgrade to “overweight”. Top faller in Europe was Worldpay, down 8.8 percent after US credit card processor Vantiv agreed to buy the British payment company for 7.7 billion pounds. In the previous session the stock soared nearly 30 percent after news of rival approaches from Vantiv and JPMorgan, which said on Wednesday it did not plan to make a counter bid. Interest rate-sensitive utilities were another weak spot, down 0.7 percent. A rise in interest rates has been a focus for markets since central banks hinted at a possible tightening in monetary policy, with higher bond yields making high dividend-paying stocks like utilities less attractive. Asia Asian markets rebounded to sit mostly higher on Wednesday as early nervousness over North Korea’s latest sabre-rattling gave way to bargainbuying following the previous day’s steep losses. Traders ran for the sidelines in the morning after Washington confirmed that Pyongyang had for the first time tested a missile capable of reaching the United States, ratcheting up pressure on the already tense Korean peninsula. But in the afternoon the selling and rush for safe-haven assets such as the Japanese yen reversed. By the close Tokyo was up 0.3 percent, while Seoul also added 0.3 percent and Singapore jumped 0.8 percent. Hong Kong gained 0.5 percent in late trade after diving 1.5 percent Tuesday, and Shanghai ended 0.8 percent up. However Sydney finished 0.4 percent off while Wellington and Jakarta also edged down. Traders were given few leads with European markets slightly down and Wall Street closed for the July 4 holiday. Tech firms saw some much needed buying after suffering a recent sell-off as global central banks consider tightening monetary policy. The sector has been a huge beneficiary of the years of cheap borrowing from lenders, sending their stock prices soaring, but the prospect of an end to such largesse has led to profit-taking. Hong Kong-listed Tencent edged up from Tuesday’s fall of more than four percent, while AAC Technologies also bounced and Sony jumped 0.8 percent in Tokyo. ■ Key figures around 0820 GMT Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.3 percent at 20,081.63 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.5 percent at 25,521.97 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.8 percent at 3,207.13 (close)

Dollar/yen: UP at 113.27 yen from 113.18 yen

Oil Oil prices fell more than 2 percent on Wednesday, ending their longest bull-run in more than five years, as climbing OPEC exports and a stronger dollar turned sentiment more bearish. Benchmark Brent crude futures were down $1.14, or 1.3 percent, at $48.47 a barrel by 1402 GMT. Prices had climbed for eight straight sessions to Monday. US WTI crude futures were down $1.35, or 2.8 percent, at $45.72 a barrel. “The air is getting thin for oil prices. The price increase just ran out of steam, which is not very surprising, given the newsflow of rising OPEC supplies,” said Carsten Fritsch, senior commodity analyst at Commerzbank. Another analyst said the strong dollar provided less incentive to invest in greenback-denominated commodities such as crude oil. Oil exports by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries climbed for a second month in June, Thomson Reuters Oil Research data showed. OPEC exported 25.92 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, up 450,000 bpd from May and 1.9 million bpd more than a year earlier. The rise in exports comes despite OPEC’s vow to rein in production until March 2018 and follows hot on the heels of Reuters’ monthly OPEC production survey which found output jumped to a 2017 high last month as OPEC members Nigeria and Libya continued to pump more. Nigeria and Libya are both exempt from the output pact. The head of the International Energy Agency told Reuters that rising output from key oil producers could hamper expectations that the oil market would rebalance in the second half of the year.

Gold Gold was pushed to its lowest in eight weeks on Wednesday by a strengthening dollar and high US bond yields, ahead of Federal Reserve minutes at 1800 GMT that will shed light on the pace of US interest rate rises. A missile launch by North Korea prompted only a brief rally for gold, seen as a safe haven in times of uncertainty. A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for holders of other currencies and higher bond yields raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. Interest rate rises meanwhile lead to higher bond yields and tend to boost the dollar. Spot gold was down 0.3 percent at $1,219.91 an ounce at 1359 GMT after earlier touching $1,217.14, the lowest since May 10. US gold futures for August delivery were 0.1 percent up from Monday’s close at $1,220.10 an ounce. US markets were closed on Tuesday.

exchange rates – July 5 US dollar Buy Sell Sell Muzaini Sell Dollarco Commercial Bank Buy Sell Buy Gulf Bank Sell Buy NBK Sell Buy Burgan Bank Sell Buy ABK Sell Buy KFH Sell Sell KBE

Cash .300000 .304420 .302650 .304400 .301000 .305550 .302450 .304550 — — — — .300100 .306200 .300990 .306520 —

Buy Sell Sell Muzaini Sell Dollarco Commercial Bank Buy Sell Buy Gulf Bank Sell Buy NBK Sell Buy Burgan Bank Sell Buy ABK Sell Buy KFH Sell Sell KBE

Cash .041735 .043735 — — — — .004554 .004613 — — — — — — — — —

BEC

Draft .301750 .304100 .303850 .304400 .301700 .305300 .302450 .304550 .303250 .305600 .301700 .305800 .302600 .304700 .301700 .304800 .304300

Transfer .301750 .304100 .303850 .304400 .301700 .305300 .302450 .304550 .303250 .305600 .301700 .305800 .302600 .304700 .301700 .304800 .304300

Danish krone BEC

Draft .417347 .467347 — — .045511 .046053 .004554 .004613 .045070 .045910 .447841 .472469 .045090 .047290 .045227 .046253 —

Transfer .417347 .467347 — — .045511 .046053 .004554 .004613 .045070 .045910 .447841 .472469 .045090 .047290 .045227 .046253 —

Cyprus pound BEC Muzaini Dollarco Gulf Bank ABK KFH KBE

Buy Sell Sell Sell Buy Sell Buy Sell Buy Sell Sell

Cash Draft Transfer — — — — — — — — — .695000 .168730 .168730 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

travellers cheques BEC Commercial Bank Gulf Bank Al-Ahli Bank

Sterling pound Cash .385795 .395785 — .391610 .391000 .400000 .038938 .039726 — — — — .387730 .398060 .371121 .407120 —

Draft .384795 .394395 .396520 .391610 .390988 .395654 .038938 .039726 .390500 .401380 .379577 .400426 .391210 .395780 .376522 .398739 .380900

Transfer .384795 .394395 .396520 .391610 .390988 .395654 .038938 .039726 .390500 .401380 .379577 .400426 .391210 .395780 .376522 .398739 .380900

Euro Cash .339571 .348571 — .342150 .342000 .351000 .034179 .034878 — — — — .340310 .349830 .323775 .357341 —

Indian rupee Cash .004275 .004963 — .004760 .000400 .006500 — .000480 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .046612 .047372 .004730 .004737 — .004759 — .000480 .004690 .004731 .046091 .048907 .045090 .047290 .004632 .004790 .004694 Draft .011636 .012635 .001222 — — — — — .001196 .000123 .001550

US dollar .3041000 .3053000 .3045500 .3047000

Japanese yen Transfer .339571 .348871 .348360 .342150 .342746 .346836 .034179 .034878 .333780 .343620 .331617 .349851 .343370 .347830 .329064 .347716 .332100

Pakistani rupee

Transfer .046612 .047372 .004730 .004737 — .004759 — .000480 .004690 .004731 .046091 .048907 .045090 .047290 .004632 .004790 .004694

Cash .002714 .003004 — .003050 — — — .000294 — — — — — — — — —

Yemeni riyal Cash .000989 .001069 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .339571 .348871 .348360 .342150 .342746 .346836 .034179 .034878 .333780 .343620 .331617 .349851 .343370 .347830 .329064 .347716 .332100

Draft .028670 .028990 .002898 .002916 — .002921 — .000294 — .002950 .028267 .030008 — .004668 .002858 .002931 .004694

Transfer .028670 .028990 .002898 .002916 — .002921 — .000294 — .002950 .028267 .030008 — .004668 .002858 .002931 .004694

Thai baht

Transfer .011636 .012635 .001222 — — — — — .001196 .000123 .001550

Cash .008585 .009135 — .009000 — — — — — — —

Sterling .3943958 .3956540 .3972600 .3957800

Draft .008507 .008922 .008991 .009820 — — – — .008762 .009122 —

Transfer .008507 .008922 .008991 .009820 — — — – .008762 .009122 —

Euro .3488714 .3468360 .3487800 .3478300

Cash .002679 .002850 — .002745 — — .000274 .000278 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .026790 .028590 .002763 .002745 .002748 .002774 .000274 .000278 .002708 .002788 .002693 .002841 .027446 .027784 .002681 .002835 —

Transfer .026790 .028590 .002763 .002745 .002748 .002774 .000274 .000278 .002708 .002788 .002693 .002841 .027446 .027784 .002681 .002835 —

Sri Lanka rupee Cash .001608 .002188 — .002270 .002000 .003500 — .000202 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .019479 .019890 .001986 .002014 — .002003 — .000202 .001940 .002020 .019415 .020540 — .002119 .001970 .002011 .001984

Transfer .019479 .019890 .001986 .002014 — .002003 — .000202 .001940 .002020 .019415 .020540 — .002119 .001970 .002011 .001984

Swiss franc Cash .307100 .318100 — .313810 .311000 .320000 .031080 .031717 — — — — — — — — —

Transfer .308099 .315099 .315780 .313810 .311974 .315692 .031080 .031717 .306020 .315870 .306276 .323139 .312100 .316410 .305671 .321881 —

Bangladesh taka Cash .003385 .003959 — .004000 — — — .000382 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .037303 .037743 .003763 .003819 — .003794 — .000382 — — .036660 .038947 — — .003691 .003824 .003778

Transfer .037303 .037743 .003763 .003819 — .003794 — .000382 — — .036660 .038947 — — .003691 .003824 .003778

Korean won

South African rand Cash Draft Transfer .017675 — — .026175 — — — — — — — — — — — .002415 .002415 .002415 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Draft .308099 .315099 .315780 .313810 .311974 .315692 .031080 .031717 .306020 .315870 .306276 .323139 .312100 .316410 .305671 .321881 —

Cash .000261 .000276 — — — — — — — — —

local gold BEC Muzaini Exchange

Draft — — — — — — — — — — —

Transfer — — — — — — — — — — —

Gold 999 kg — 12,318.730

Canadian dollar Cash .223388 .232388 — .226990 .227000 .234000 .022772 .023236 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .221387 .231387 .230900 .226990 .228336 .231057 .022772 .023236 .218030 .045910 .224697 .237036 .228690 .231330 .224041 .233338 —

Transfer .221387 .231387 .230900 .226990 .228336 .231057 .022772 .023236 .218030 .045910 .224697 .237036 .228690 .231330 .224041 .233338 —

Philippine peso Cash .006030 .006330 — .006350 .005000 .007900 — .000623 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .056860 .061530 .006146 .006158 — .006195 — .000623 .005930 .006110 .059870 .063517 — .006648 .006001 .006251 .006060

Transfer .056860 .061530 .006146 .006158 — .006195 — .000623 .005930 .006110 .059870 .063517 .006648 .006001 .006251 .006060

Swedish krona Cash .030710 .031810 — — — — .003478 .003518 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .004991 .007191 .002169 .002425 — — — — — — —

Gold 999 10 tola — 1,456.525

Transfer .004991 .007191 .002169 .002425 — — — — — — —

Transfer .307117 .357117 — — .034729 .035143 .003478 .003518 .034390 .034980 .341938 .360703 .034490 .035840 .034572 .035267 —

Australian dollar Cash .221302 .233302 — — .227000 .236000 .022824 .023124 — — — — — — — — —

Syrian pound Cash .001290 .001510 — .000750 — — — — — — —

Draft .307117 .357117 — — .034729 .035143 .003478 .003518 .034390 .034980 .341938 .360703 .034490 .035840 .034572 .035267 —

Draft .219301 .232301 — — .227527 .230238 .022824 .023124 .222040 .230730 .225160 .237591 .228470 .231670 .221648 .236245 —

Transfer .219301 .232301 — — .227527 .230238 .022824 .023124 .222040 .230730 .225160 .237591 .228470 .231670 .221648 .236245 —

Iranian Riyal Cash .000084 .000085 — — — — — — — — —

Gold ounce — 393.605

Draft — — — — — — — — — — —

Transfer — — — — — — — — — — —

Gold gm 22k — 11.810

Saudi riyal Cash .080047 .081347 — .081227 .079000 .083000 .008058 .008168 — — — — .079290 .082010 .080146 .081914 —

Draft .805467 .811867 .081147 .081227 .080577 .081537 .008058 .008168 .080720 .081430 .079149 .083686 .080000 .081530 .080373 .081422

Transfer .805467 .811867 .081147 .081227 .080577 .081537 .008058 .008168 .080720 .081430 .079149 .083686 .080000 .081530 .080373 .081422

Hong Kong dollar Cash .037117 .039867 — — — — .003860 .003938 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .036434 .039534 .038994 — .038736 .039198 .003860 .003938 — — — — .038760 .039210 — — —

Transfer .036434 .039534 .038994 — .038736 .039198 .003860 .003938 — — — — .038760 .039210 — — —

Lebanese pound Cash .000156 .000258 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .001863 .002063 .002026 — — — — — .000197 .000206 —

Gold gm 21k — 10.790

Transfer .001863 .002063 .002026 — — — — — .000197 .000206 —

UAE dirham Cash .081411 .083111 — .082931 .082203 .083029 .008223 .008325 — — — — .082203 .083029 .081840 .083646 —

Draft .813661 .828821 .082850 .082931 .082271 .083252 .008223 .008325 .082440 .083120 .809162 .853504 .081950 .083320 .082074 .083142 .082810

Transfer .813661 .828821 .082850 .082931 .082271 .083252 .008223 .008325 .082440 .083120 .809162 .853504 .081950 .083320 .082074 .083142 .082810

Singapore dollar Cash .214630 .224630 — — — — .021885 .022133 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .215629 .221629 .221080 — .218486 .221089 .021885 .022133 .217140 .219840 .215322 .227191 .219040 .221570 .216846 .222348 —

Transfer .215629 .221629 .221080 — .218486 .221089 .021885 .022133 .217140 .219840 .215322 .227191 .219040 .221570 .216846 .222348 —

Malaysian ringgit Cash .067137 .073137 — .069800 — — — — — — —

Gold gm 18k — 9.250

Draft .661723 .731723 .068879 .069775 — — — — .070132 .072246 —

Transfer .661723 .731723 .068879 .069775 — — — — .070132 .072246 —

100 gm 999 — —

Bahraini dinar Cash .799606 .808106 — .808820 .800883 .808932 .079875 .081019 — — — — — — .794041 .816698 —

Draft .799106 .807606 .808020 .808820 .802135 .811693 .079875 .081019 .080297 .080993 .786925 .832026 .795990 .811090 .799603 .808886 .806500

Transfer .799106 .807606 .808020 .808820 .802135 .811693 .079875 .081019 .080297 .080993 .786925 .832026 .795990 .811090 .799603 .808886 .806500

Jordanian dinar Cash .423764 .432764 — .433500 .420000 .436000 — .043282 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .423349 .430849 .428910 .431140 — .431688 — .043282 .042546 .043286 .418061 .442094 .426230 .433470 .424364 .430295 —

Transfer .423349 .430849 .428910 .431140 — .431688 — .043282 .042546 .043286 .418061 .442094 .426230 .433470 .424364 .430295 —

Indonesian rupiah Cash .000018 .000024 — — — .000020 — — — — —

Draft .000176 .000246 — — — .000020 — — — — .002395

10 gm 999 — 130.010

Transfer .000176 .000246 — — — .000020 — — — — .002395

Omani riyal Cash .783839 .780519 — — .785133 .793024 .078492 .079573 — — — — — — .766260 .793146 —

Draft .778339 .789339 .790281 — .785594 .794955 .078492 .079573 .786500 .793090 .771094 .815244 .782410 .795280 .783517 .792387 —

Transfer .778339 .789339 .790281 — .785594 .794955 .078492 .079573 .786500 .793090 .771094 .815244 .782410 .795280 .783517 .792387 —

Egyptian pound Cash .013995 .019903 .019700 .020000 .012000 .020000 — .001714 — — — — — — — — —

Draft .016303 .017142 .016737 .017031 — .017419 — .001714 .016610 .017780 .015754 .017985 — .018190 .001654 .016834 .016990

Transfer .016303 .017142 .016737 .017031 — .017419 — .001714 .016610 .017780 .015754 .017985 — .018190 .001654 .016834 .016990

New Zealand dollar Cash .213285 .222785 — — .021752 .022204 — — — — —

Draft .211284 .222284 — — .021752 .022204 .218390 .222010 — — —

Transfer .211284 .222284 — — .021752 .022204 .218390 .222010 — — —

All rates in KD per unit of foreign currency

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

finger tips

Emergency 112

37

Fire Brigade 100, 105 … Traffic violation inquiry 198 … Consumer protection hotline 24820281/25720252 Labour complaints hotline 24344954 – Fax: 24347562 – The Scientific Center 1848888 Awqaf & Islamic Affairs 22480000 Commerce & Industry 22480000 Communications 24819033 Defense 24848300 Education 24817702 Health 24877422 Higher Education 22401300 Electricity & Water 25371000 Finance 22480000 Foreign Affairs 22425141 Housing 25301000 Information 22415301 Justice, Legal & Admin. Affairs 22480000 Energy 22415201 Planning 22428200 Social Affairs & Labour 22480000 Public Works 25385520 IMMIGRATION OFFICES Farwaniya 24341770 Shuwaikh 24839380, 24839607 Hawalli 25712637/25712635 Jahra 24555600 Ahmadi 23986761 Mubarak Al-Kabeer 25415071 MEDICAL SERVICES Central .......... 4722000 Ambulance Central Adan 23940600/23941455 Amiri Hospital 22422366 Da’iya 22510854 Fahaheel 23919098 Farwaniya 24883000 Farwaniya 24725149 Jahra 24570583 Mubarak Al Kabir 25311437 Sabah 24815000 Salmiya 25739011 Shuaiba 23261927 Public Hospitals Adan 23940600 Allergy 24849252 Amiri 22450005 Amiri Casualty 22450005 Blood Bank 25336538 Burns Centre 24840300 Cancer Control Centre 24849100 Chest Diseases 24838990/24849400 Drug Control 24837245 Farwaniya 24883000/24888000 Ibn Sina 24840300 Infectious Diseases 24870351 Islamic Medicine Centre 24849000 Jahra 24575300 Kidney Centre 24840027 Maternity 24848067 Military 24729911 Mubarak Al Kabir 25312700/ 9 Opthalmology 24840300 Psychiatric Centre 24843900 Quarantine 24873272 Razi 24846000 Sabah 24812000/5000 Sulabikhat Orthopedic 24874240 Transplant Centre 24840300 Private Hospitals Ahmadi 23985174 Dar Al Shifa 22423151 Hadi 25312555 Mowasat 25711533 Rashed 25624000 Salam 22533177/3254 Hadi Private Clinics International Clinic 25745111 Kuwait Clinic 25739277 Maidan 22450001 Soor Center 22901677 DOCTORS & DENTISTS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE Andrology, Male Infertility and Impotence Specialist Abdullatif A. Al Salim 25334438 Dentists & Oral Surgeons Ahmed Al Balool 22622211 Badri K. Al Rayes 25742557 Duha Al Shaqan 22644614 Ebraheem Behbehani 25730000 Farida Al Herz 22573883 Maria Blanaru 25730000 Najat Essa-Bahman 22624595 Najeeb Kassim 25739277 Salwa A. Abdulsalam 25730000 Kuwait Medical Center 25759044/5 Endrocrinologists Latifa Al Dowaisan 25728004 Kamal Abdulaziz Al Shome 25329924 Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons Hossam Eldin Abdulfattah 25745056 Abdulmohsen Mousa Jafar 25655535 Dermatologist & Venereologists Fahad I. Al Othman 22665166 Taibah M. Almonayes 25737477 Dr. Mohamed Bo Hamra 22665166 Gastroenterologist Mohamed A. Al Shimali 5322030/2639955 Eurologist Fawzi Taher Abul 25650064 Ali Yousef Mehdi 25333501 General Practitioner Dina Al Rifai 25333501/25333502 Obstetricians & Gynecologists Samira Al Awadi 25738055 Ma’asouma Maksheed 25731275 Mohamed Gamal 25349077 Mai Al Snan 25321171 Psychological and Sociological Services Fahad Mubarak & Nisirine Aboul-Hosn 25659800 Al-Razi Counseling & Assessment Center 25711411, 97656522 Dr Kazem Abal, Ph.D., Clinical. 25737773 Dr Vincenza A. Tiberia, Ph.D., Licensed. 99816522 Dr Samira Al Dehrab, Ph.D. 66169099 Zainab Kahn, MA Clinical 25737773 Soor Center 22901677/22901688 Dr Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 22901677 Dr Jeremy Alford 22901677 Dr Sabahat Shah 22901677 Dr Siddiqa M. Hussain 22901677 Susannah Schuilenberg, MA 22901677 Amal Al-Shatti, MSc 22901677 LizNoël Duncan, MSW 22901677 Zaina Al-Zabin, MSc 22901677 Bonnie Robertson, MSc 22901677 Kevin Carrico, MA 22901677 William Schuilenberg, MPCP 22901677 Ahmad Boustanji, BSc 22901677 Dr Kazem Abal, Al-Razi Center 25711411/25737773 Tiberia Psychology Center 22269330 Rheumatologist Dr Sukhbir Uppal, MD,FRCP (UK) 22232188/ 22232000 Ext 2189 MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE FOR TEST & COMPLAINTS Jabriya (Surra) 25310000 Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh 24310000 Old Jahra 24770000 New Jahra & Abdaly 24570000 Hawally 22610000 Ras Al-Salmiya 25710000 Al-Riqa 23940000 Salmiya 25610000 Shuwaikh 24810000 Sabah Al-Salem (Messila) 25510000 Sulaibiya 24670000 Sulaibikhat 24870000 South Sabahiya 23610000 Fintas 23900000 Zoor 23950000 Ahmadi 23980000 Ardiya 24880000 Fahaheel 23910000 Farwaniya 24710000 Kuwait City 22400000 Mishref 25380000 Manqaf 23710000 Nuzha 22510000 Umm Al Haiman & Wafra 23280000 Shuaiba 23260000 TRAFFIC HOTLINE 1884141 KAC BOOKINGS 171 AIRPORT 180 CIVIL ID 1889988 POLICE STATIONS Abu Halifa 23717656 Ahmadi 23980304 Ardiya 24881273 Bayan 25387762 Dahar 23830500 Dahiya 22560855 Dasma 22531917 Fahaheel 23912959 Faiha 22552693 Farwaniya 24711977 Ferdous 24890583 Fintas 23904388 Hawalli 22641116 Jabriya 25315855 Jahra Ind. Area 24575565/24587392 Jahra North 24552295 Jleeb Al Shouyoukh 24311234 Keifan 24832839 Kheitan 24722590 Mina Abdullah 23261144 Nugra 22616662 Omariya 24742160 Qadsiya 22574386

Qurain 25423772 Rabiah 24742160 Rawda 22560058 Riqqa 23941958 Rumaithiya 25624123 Sabah Al-Salem 25517229 Sabahiya 23615619 Salhiya (Kuwait City) 22427157 Salmi 24576576 Salmiya 25726950 Salwa 25626950 Shamiya 24845953 Sharq 22442466 Sulaiba Ind. Area 23261789 Shuwaikh 24813726/24844842 Sulaibekhat 24876555 Sulaibiya 24670672 Sulaibiya Ind. Area 24672728 Surra 25312220 Tayma’a 24571700 Wafra 23810412 Waha 24557902 Zour 23950160 CAR RENTALS Europcar 24842988 Al-Mulla 22421660 Avis 22465082 Budget 24810844 Al-Sayer 22441425 Rent a Honda 24838470 Hertz 24319326 Sanbouk 22446297 Autoleas 24846999 United Hospitality For Limousine 22407777 National 24343139 Internaitonal Car Rental Co . 22453827 Al-Zamel Auto Est. 24832626 FOREIGN EMBASSIES & CONSULATES Tel. Fax Afghanistan 25329461 25326274 Algeria 22519220 22519497 Argentina 25379211 25379212 Australia 22322422 22322430 Austria 22552532 22563052 Bahrain 25318530 25330882 Bangladesh 25316042/3 25316041 Belgium 25384582 25384583 Bhutan 22516640/50 22516550 Bosnia 25392637 25392106 Brazil 25328610 25328613 Bulgaria 25314458 25321453 Canada 22563025 22564167 China 25333340 25333341 Cuba 22549361 22549360 Cyprus 22433075 22402971 Czech 22529018 22529021 Denmark 25341005 25341007 Egypt 22519956 22563877 Ethiopia 25334291 25331179 Eritrea 25317426 25317429 Finland 25312890 25324198 France 22582020 22582055 Georgia 25352909 25354707 Germany 22520827 22520763 Greece 24817101 24817103 Hungary 25323901 25323904 India 22530600 22571192 Indonesia 24839927 24819250 Iran 22560694 22529868 Italy 25356011 25356030 Japan 25312870 25326168 Kenya 25353314 25353316 Korea 25339601 25312459 Lebanon 22562103 22572182 Libya 22575183 22575182 Malaysia 22550394/5/6 22550384 Mauritania 25312943 25327245 Morocco 25312980/1 25317423 Netherlands 25312650 25326334 Niger 25652943 25640478 Nigeria 25320794 25320834 Oman 22561956 22561963 Pakistan 25327651 25328013 Philippines 25329316/8 25329319 Poland 25311571 25311576 Qatar 22513606 22513604 Romania 24845079 24848929 Russia 22560427 22524969 Saudi Arabia 22400250 22420654 Senegal 22573477 22542044 Slovakia 25353893/5 25353894 Somalia 25394795 25394829 South Africa 25617988 25617917 Spain 25325829 25325826 Sri Lanka 25339140 25339154 Switzerland 25340172/5 25340176 Syria 25396560 25396509 Thailand 25317530 25317532 Tunisia 22526261 22528995 Turkey 22531785 22560653 United Arab Emirates 22528544 22526382 United Kingdom 22594320 2 Chancery 22594339 Commercial Section 22594368 Management Section 22594352 Visa Section 22594361 Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk Ukraine 25318507 USA 22591001 Venezuela 25324367 25324368 Vietnam 25311450 25351592 Yugoslavia 25327548 25327568 Zimbabwe 25621517 25621491 WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS Name & Website/Address Tel. No. Social Work Society of Kuwait 25375031 (Human Rights Organization) Fax: 5375032 E-mail: [email protected]; http://www,q8sws. com CHARGES FOR EXPATRIATES Visitors Residents C.T. Scan KD 95 KD 70 Angiogram KD 140 KD 90 I.V.P KD 55 KD 40 MCUG KD 55 KD 40 Asc Urothrogram KD 55 KD 40 Sinogram KD 40 KD 40 Sialogram KD 40 KD 40 H.S.C. KD 40 KD 40 Barium Enema KD 50 KD 35 Barium Meal KD 45 KD 30 O.C.G. KD 45 KD 30 Ultrasound KD 15 KD 10 Ultrasound destruct KD 130 KD 65 M.R.I. KD 245 KD 180 Bed in Public Ward: KD 2 per day Source: MPH LIBRARIES Name and address Tel. No. Kuwait National Public Library 22415181 Al-Mubarakia, Souk Al-Mubarakia Kuwait University Library 24816497 Khaldiya Heritage Manuscripts & Documents Center 25320900 Jabriya, Block 5, Street 3 British Council 22515512 Mansuriyah, Block 2, Street 2 Library of Gulf University 22645806 Hawalli, Musa Bin Naseer Street Al Ahmadi Public, Ahmadi 23987086 Al Dae’ah Public 22515686 Al Dae’ah, Block 4 Dahiyat Abdulla Al Salem Public 22548878 Block 3, beside Co-op Al Dasma Public (Women), Dasma 22530842 Al-Faiha’a Public 22540898 Al-Faiha’a, Block 5 Al Farwaneia Public 24720570 Al-Farwaniya, behind Police Station Al Fehaheel Public 23913810 Fahaheel, in front of Post Office Al Khaldia Public, Khaldia 24813331 Al Qadseia Public, Qadsia 22515298 Al Rumaitheia Public 25610399 Rumaitheia, Block 7 Al Shameia Public, Shameia 24818343 Al Sabaheia Public, Sabaheia 23619328 Hawally Public 22644738 Hawalli, Tunis St., beside Gulf Bank Kaifan Public, Kaifan, Block 1 24815724 Kheitan Public, Kheitan 24712691 Al-Babtain Central Library 22474010 Gulf Road, Next to Ministry of Planning MUSEUMS Name and address Tel. No. Bait Al-Bader Est. 22429158 Kuwait City, beside National Museum Kuwait House Museum 24846336 Shuwaikh, B17, Str 7, beside Public Theatre, Villa No. 32 Kuwait National Museum 22451195 Gulf Road Mohd Al-Shaybani Museum 25320901 Jabriya, Block 5, Street No. 3 Tareq Rajab Museum 25339063 Jabriya, Block 12, Street No. 5 Educational Science Museum 22421268 Merqab, Abdullah Al Mubarak Str. Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyah 22400992 In Kuwait National Museum, Gulf Str. KOC Display Centre, Ahmadi 23982393 Sadu House 22432395 In Kuwait National Museum, Gulf Str. Popular Traditional Museum 22429158 In Kuwait National Museum, Gulf Str. Bayt Al-Qurain 25430343 Al-Qurain, Block 4, Street 3, House 59

THEATERS Name and address Tel. No. Abdulaziz Hussein Cultural Center 1804500 Mishref, beside Co-op Al Dasma Theater 22521059 Al Dasma, Al-Qahera Street, Block 4 Al-Shameia Theater 24845737 Shamiya, in front of Shamiya Union Co-op Al-Tahreer Theater, Kaifan, Block 1 24813376 Kuwait Public Theater 24816222 South Shuwaikh, Bl 7, Str 71, House 43 Kuwait Elizabethans (Eng. lang.) 25631725 Salwa Kuwait Players (Eng. lang.) 25625316 Rumaithiya The Little Theater (Eng. lang.) 23982680 Ahmadi Sha’ab Theater 25613777 Sha’ab Leisure Park ext. 228 Kuwait Theater 25720983 Salmiya, Block 5, Street No. 3 THE BEST RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS JAPANESE CUISINE Name and address Tel. No. Bonsai Japanese Restaurant 22510999 Le Méridien Kuwait Hotel, Gulf Rd. Kei 22422650 J. W. Marriott Kei 22244630 Marina Crescent Edo 22659590 Shaab, Block 8, Str. 80, Villa 5 Kamikaze 1824060 The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa Maki 25733561 Salmiya, Plajat Str. Sushi Club 25712144 Salmiya, Plajat Str., Al Saraf Complex Wasabi 22494000 Kuwait City, Al Mashoora Tower Hashi 22996414/5 Kuwait City, Salhiya Plaza THAI CUISINE Blue Elephant – Royal Thai Cuisine 23716113 Hilton Kuwait Resort Thai Chi 22253120/1 Al-Bedaa, next to Regency Hotel PIZZA RESTAURANTS Domino’s Pizza 1800800 Sbarq 25743180 Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak Str., opp. Al Fanar Complex Prego 25737500 Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak Str., opp. Al Rabea Bldg. Pizza Express 23719866 Mangaf, Hilton Resort Villa Pizza 25715452 Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak Str. Peppe’s Pizza 25744442 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Str., Beside Holiday Inn Hotel. The Pizza Company 1800400 Salmiya, Souk Salmiya Pizza Inn 24924400 Salmiya, Al-Rai, Fintas GREEK CUISINE Zorba’s Green Taverna 25715124 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Street MEXICAN CUISINE Chi-Chi’s 25625811 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Str., Sultan Center Restaurant Castello 1806666 Fintas, Restaurants Str. Burrito 22552233 Bneid Al Qar, 2nd Road, Behind Al-Salam Hospital SPANISH CUISINE Viva Espanole 25755668 Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak Str., Al Thuraya Complex, Mezzanine INDIAN CUISINE Caesars 22411711 Kuwait City, behind Sheraton Hotel Mughal Mahal 22425131/2 Sharq, opp. Khaleejia Bldg. Dawat 22411685 Bneid Al Gar, beside Al Kazmi Tower Asha’s 2244502/3 Marina Mall, Crescent Side Rangoli 25673000 Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait Winner’s 25739954 Salmiya, Hamad Al-Mubarak, Al-Tahreer Complex TAAL 22253142/3 Al-Bidaa, Gulf Road ITALIAN CUISINE Johnny Carino’s Kitchen 22663050 Sha’ab, Arabian Gulf Street Nino 22541900 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street Pizza Express 22560273 Al-Bedaa, next to Regency Hotel Piano Piano 22533993 Mansuriyah, Mansuriyah Co-op Society Loranzo 22400747 Kuwait City, Beside Sheraton Hotel Ciro’s Pomodoro 22424004 Kuwait City, Al-Watiah, Behbehani House La Piazza 22426639 Kuwait City, Al-Watiah, Behbehani House Biella 22244662 Marina Mall – Crescent Side Spago 1808060 Sharq, Arabian Gulf, at Opp. Souk Sharq Tosca 1824060 The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa SEA FOOD Danah 25756284 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf St., Opp. Sheikha Complex Al-Marsa 22510999 Le Meridien Hotel, Bneid Al-Gar Totally Fish 22244960 Marina Mall – Crescent Side Al Boom 25673000 Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait INTERNATIONAL CUISINE Olas Restaurant 1830083 Costa Del Sol Hotel The Jungle 25750647 Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak St., Landmark Store Fresh 25625838 Salmiya, Al-Khalid Complex Lamarine 22426672 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Souk Sharq Bait 7 22450724 Kuwait City, Al-Watiah, Behbehani House Sultan Center Jean’s 25625811 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Street Jeans’ Grill 22409846 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Souk Sharq Bredz 22407707 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Souk Sharq Square 22437681 Kuwait City, Al-Watiah, Behbehani House Ritz 25755668

Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak St., Al-Thuraya Complex Teatro 23725500 Hilton Kuwait Resort Ext 7309 Jamaica Blue 25747686 Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak St., Marina Mall Water Lemon 22244797 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Marina Mall Richoux 22244815 Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak St., Marina Mall Bays 24610033 Movenpick Hotel Lebresserie 22455550 J.W. Marriott Avenue Restaurant 1844444 Kempinski Julai’a Resort, King Fahad Highway, Road 245 Sea Shell 1844444 Kempinski Julai’a Resort, King Fahad Highway, Road 245 Teatro 23725500 Hilton Kuwait Resort Ext 7309 Astra Lounge 22629779 Shaab, Behind Abha Complex La Marina 22426672 Sharq, Arabian Gulf St., Souk Sharq Al Bustan 25673000 Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait Flavors Restaurant 25455555 Al Aqeelah Beach – Seashore 209 CASUAL CUISINE Hard Rock Cafe 25710004/5 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Street, Opp. Sultan Center Chili’s 22452200 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Beside Kuwait Towers Johnny Rockets 25754040 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St. Fuddruckers 22407103 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Beside Kuwait Towers TGI Fridays 22544300 Bneid Al-Gar, Arabian Gulf Street Applebee’s 22407536 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Beside Kuwait Towers Buffalo’s Café 25728989 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Road, opp. Scientific Center Ruby Tuesday 24444454 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Beside Aqua Park Subway 25748974 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St. Opp Land Mark Burger Boutique 22997775 Sharq, Al-Raya Complex, 2nd Floor The Burger Hub 22464818 Kuwait City, Arabian Gulf St., Opp Al-Seif Palace Chit Chat Restaurant & Cafe 25455555 Al Aqeelah Beach – Seashore 209 STEAK HOUSE The Gaucho Grill 25667370 The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa Terrace Grill 22455550 J.W. Marriott Le Entrecote 25729600 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Al-Fanar Mall Ponderosa 23983113 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Beside Marina Mall Cascade Restaurant Steaks & Grills 1831831 Le Méridien Tower Kuwait ARABIAN CUISINE Berdawni Palace 25661117 Salmiya, Al-Khalid Complex Al-Saraya Palace 25711101 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Street Mais Al Ghanim 22460456 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, Opp. Kuwait Towers Villa Fayrouz 22652030 Sha’ab, Bl 8, St., 80, Bld 1 Al-Bustan 25652589 Sha’ab, Arabian Gulf Street Classical Cafe & Restaurant 25740077 Salmiya, beside Marina Mall Yaldez Palace 22455212 Kuwait City, Al-Shohada St., Beside Marriott Hotel Palm Palace 25715283 Salmiya, Hamad Al-Mubarak St. Veranda Cafe & Restaurant 25727120 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Road, Behind Showbiz Burj Al-Hamam 22529095 Arabian Gulf Street Kababji 22550964 Al-Adeiliya, Beside Kazma Sport Club Zaatar W Zeit 22244944 Marina Mall – Crescent Side Sarai 22253180/1 Al-Bedaa, next to Regency Hotel Awtar 22244815 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Beside Marina Mall Al-Safadi 25753555 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Beside Marina Mall Fircej Suweileh 25755991 Salmiya, Beside Marina Mall Al Roshinah Restaurant 25455555 Al Aqeelah Beach – Seashore 209 FRENCH CUISINE Le Notre 1805050 Paul 22244588 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Marina Mall Dalloyau Paris 25712541 Salmiya, Al-Fanar Complex PQ (Le Pain Quotidien) 25633684 The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa PQ (Le Pain Quotidien) 22244941/2 Marina Mall, Crescent side Cafés Starbucks Coffee 22409755 Sharq, Souk Sharq,Arabian Gulf Street Costa Coffee 25728199 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Galleria 2000 Second Cup 25731671 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Marina Mall Song Bird Cafe 23725500 Hilton Kuwait Resort Ext 7314 Casper & Gambini’s 22430054/6 Kuwait City, Al-Watiah, Old Arabic Houses Diva’s Restaurant & Cafe 25723083/4 Salmiya, Blajat Street Cafe Rio 25732226 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Al-Fanar Complex Numi Tea House 25725870 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St.

METROPOLITAN AREA BUS ROUTES Bus No. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 29 31 32 34 36 38 39 40 41 51 59* 66

Origin Orthopaedic Orthopaedic Kheitan* Messila Salmiyah* Kheitan* Salmiyah Orthopaedic Al-Jleeb Al-Jleeb* Al-Jleeb Kheitan Salmiyah Jahra Gate Sulaibiya Al Jleeb Kheitan Jabriya Salmiyah Al-Jleeb Messilah Kheitan Fahaheel Kheitan Al Jleeb* Al-Jleeb* Al-Jleeb

Destination Sharq Sharq Mirgab Mirgab Mirgab Jahra Gate Sharq Mirgab Sharq Mirgab Sharq Mirgab Mirgab Jabriya Sharqq Mirgab Sharq Sharq Sharq Salmiyah Jahra Gate Sharq Sharq UN Mirgab Mirgab Salmiya

99

Al-Jleeb

Civil ID

101 102 103 105 139 501 502 506 507 602 999

Fahaheel Fahaheel Jahra Fahaheel Jahra Gate Airport Fahaheel Al-Jleeb Al-Jleeb Fahaheel Jahra

Mirgab Mirgab Mirgab Al-Jleeb Fahaheel Mirgab Mirgab Jahra Gate Sharq Fahaheel Fahaheel

Via Shuwaikh 4th Ring Rd Airport Rd Ras Salmiyah 4th Ring Rd 4th Ring Rd Hawalli Shuwaikh Kheitan Farwaniyah 3rd Ring Rd King Faisal Rd Hawalli Hawalli Andalus Shuwaikh Shamiyah Nuzha Farwaniyah Farwaniyah Bayan Shuwaikh Suwaikh Al Rai 6th Ring Rd Al Hasawi Farwaniya & Hawally Shuwaikh & Farwaniya Sabah Salem 3rd Ring Rd Jahra Rd Shuwaikh UN Jahra Rd Fahaheel Rd Hawalli Shuwaikh Ahmadi Hawally

(beside Layla Gallery) Lazord 22420837 Kuwait City, Salhiya Complex Jamaicablue 25747686 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Fanar Complex Jamaicablue 22412114 Sharq, Souk Sharq Milano Plaza 25727172 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Plaza Complex Chateau Cafe 22426802 Sharq, Souk Sharq, front of Sultan Center Zahra Cafe 25717064 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Zahra Complex Chocolate Bar 22244880 Marina Mall – Crescent Side Lina’s Cafe 22244966 Marina Mall – Crescent Side Cafe Blanc 22244644 Marina Mall – Crescent Side Shay W Nanaa 22452055 Sharq, Arabian Gulf St., in front of Seif Palace Columbus Cafe 25720186 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Al-Fanar Complex Danish Cafe 1805544 Kuwait City, Sour St., beside NBK Tea Lounge 24610033 Movenpick Hotel The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 25714174 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., beside Al-Fanar Complex Astra Lounge 22629779 Shaab, Arabian Gulf St., Abha Complex Hangout Lounge 25755588 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Galleria 2000 Café Supreme 25758858 Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St., Al Bustan Mall Arabic Cafés Latino Cafe 25652770 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Road, beside Sultan Centre Rest. Puerto Banus Cafe & Restaurant 22456650 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, beside Souq Sharq Port Cafe 22456651 Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street, beside Souk Sharq Classical Cafe & Restaurant 25740055 Salmiya, beside Marina Mall Balbak Cafe & Restaurant 25750588 Salmiya, beside Marina Mall Veranda Cafe & Restaurant 25727120 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Road, behind Showbiz HOME DELIVERY Burger King 1844466 Domino’s Pizza 1800800 Hardee’s 1888333 KFC 1888666 Kebabjee 1861616 Little Ceasars Pizza 1888855 Piza Hut 1815050 Shrimpy 1802662 Chicken Tikka 1822833 Turkish Grill 25654402 Zaatar W Zeit 1800333 Hotels in Kuwait Name & Website/Address Tel. No. Hilton Kuwait Resort 22256222 Fax: 2256292 www.hilton.com Kempinski Julai’a Hotel & Resort 1844444 www.kempinski-kuwait.com Sheraton Hotel 1835555 www.luxurycollection.com Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait 25673000 Fax: 25750155 [email protected] www.radissonblu.com/hotel-kuwait JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City 22455550 www.marriott.com Costa Del Sol Hotel 1830083 Fax: 22662972 www.costadelsolhotels.net Crowne Plaza 24742000 wwwkuwait.crowneplaza.com Sakura, Layla Gallery 25744447 Noukhaza, Abu Halifa 23733377 Sakura, Abu Halifa 23733388 Ruby Tuesday, Abu Halifa 23734440 Ruby Tuesday, Sharq 22444454 Ruby Tuesday, Salmiya 25711171 Peppes Pizza, Hawally 22665550 Peppes Pizza, Salmiya 25744442 The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa – Kuwait 1824060 wwwthepalms.com.kw Kuwait Palace Hotel 22571030 Swiss Inn Plaza Hotel Kuwait 22436686 www.swissinkuwait.com Four Points Sheraton Kuwait 22242205 Courtyard by Marriott Hotel 22997000 Safir Heritage Village, Failaka 1881118 Safir International Hotel Kuwait 22530000 www.safirhotels.com Marina Hotel Kuwait 22230030 Fax: 22244972 www.marinahotel.com Mövenpick Hotel Kuwait 24610033 www.moevenpick-kuwait.com Ramada Kuwait Hotel 1821111 Holiday Inn Down Town 1841000 www.holidayinn.com Holiday Inn Salmiya 1847777 www.holidayinn.com Tang Chao, Ayman Zaman, L’a Roma Café Le Meridien Tower Kuwait 1831831 Fahed Al Salem Street, Kuwait City www.towerkuwait.lemeridien.com Oasis Hotel 22465489 www.OASIS.com.kw Imperial Hotel 22528766 Spring Continental Hotel 25742620 New Park Hotel 25634760 www.newpark-hotel.com Safir Airport Hotel 24722670 www.safirhotels.com Le Meridien Kuwait Hotel 22510999 Arabian Gulf Rd., Bneid Al Gar www.kuwaithotels.lemeridien.com Royal Suite 22530700 Bneid Al-Gar, Gulf Str., Sea Side Ritz Sharq Boutique 22499911 Sharq, Al-Shuhadaa Str. Mövenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait 22253100 Fax 22253101 Website: www.moevenpick-albidaa-kuwait. com Safir Hotel & Residences 25455555 www.safirhotels.com Suites Refad Palace Suite Hotel 23908630 Al-Fentas, Fahaheel Highway, Exit No. 209 Ritz Salmiya Boutique 25711001 Salmiya, Qatar St. Corniche Suites 25740006 Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Road Kuwait Continental 22527300 wwwkcontl.net Carlton Tower 22452740 Second Home 22532100 Bneid Al Gar, Behind Safir Int’l Hotel Apartments Mirage Hotel Apartment 25750001 Salmiya Bahrain Str. Royal Residence 25710057 Salmiya Bahrain Str. Safari House 22443136 Merqab, beside Merqab Post Office Farah Motel 22442104 Hala Motel 22560927 Bneid Al Gar, behind Safir Int’l Motel Maha House 22523211 Bneid Al Gar, behind Safir Int’l Safir Hotel & Residences 25455555 www.safirhotels.com Country Code Time-GMT Afghanistan 93 +4-1/2 Algeria 213 GMT American Samoa 684 –11 Angola 244 +1 Antigua 1268 –4 Argentina 54 –3 Australia 61 +10 Austria 43 +1 Bahamas 1242 –5 Bahrain 973 +3 Bangladesh 880 +6 Barbados 246 –4 Belgium 32 +1 Belize 1501 –6 Benin 229 +1 Bermuda 1441 –4 Bhutan 975 +5-1/2 Bolivia 591 –4 Botswana 267 +2 Brazil: – (Eastern & Coastal) 55 –3 Brunei 673 +8 Bulgaria 359 +2 Burma 95 +6-1/2

Burundi 257 +2 Cameroon 237 +1 Canada+ 1 –5 Cent. African Rep 236 +1 Cape Verde 238 –1 Cayman Islands 1345 –5 Chad 235 +1 Chile 56 –4 China 86 +8 Colombia 57 –5 Comoros 269 +3 Congo 242 +1 Cook Islands 682 –10-1/2 Costa Rica 506 –6 Croatia 385 – Cuba 53 –5 Cyprus 357 +2 Czech Republic 420 +1 Dahomey 229 – Denmark 45 +1 Diego Garcia – +5 Djibouti 253 +3 Dominican Republic 1809 –4 EIRE (Irish Rep) 353 GMT Ecuador 593 –5 Egypt 20 +2 El Salvador 503 –6 Ethiopia 251 +3 Falkland Islands 500 –4 Fiji 679 +12 Finland 358 +2 France 33 +1 French Polynesia 689 – Gabon Republic 241 +1 Gambia 220 GMT Germany 49 +1 Ghana 233 GMT Gibraltar 350 +1 Gilbert Islands 686 – Greece 30 +2 Greenland 299 –2 Grenada 1473 –4 Guatemala 502 –6 Guinea 224 GMT Guinea-Bissau 245 GMT Guyana 592 –3 Haiti 1509 –5 Honduras 504 +6 Hong Kong 852 +8 Hungary 36 +1 Iceland 354 GMT India 91 +5-1/2 Indonesia 62 +7 Iran 98 +3-1/2 Iraq 964 +3 Ireland 353 GMT Italy 390 +1 Ivory Coast 225 GMT Jamaica 1876 –5 Japan 81 +9 Jordan 962 +2 Kazakhstan 7 – Kenya 254 +3 Kiribati 686 +12 Kuwait 965 +3 Laos 856 +7 Latvia 371 +2 Lebanon 961 +2 Leeward Islands 1 – Lesotho 266 +2 Liberia 231 GMT Libya 218 +2 Lithuania 370 +2 Luxembourg 352 +1 Macau 853 +8 Madagascar 261 +3 Malawi 265 +2 Malaysia 60 +7-1/2 Mali 223 GMT Malta 356 +1 Martinique 596 –4 Mauritania 222 GMT Mauritius 230 +4 Mexico 52 –6 Monaco 377 +1 Mongolia 976 +8 Montserrat 1664 –4 Morocco 212 GMT Mozambique 258 +2 Myanmar 951 +6-1/2 Namibia 264 +2 Nepal 977 +5-1/2 Netherlands 31 +1 New Caledonia 687 +11 New Herbrides 678 +12 New Zealand 64 +12 Nicaragua 505 –6 Niger 227 +1 Nigeria 234 +1 Norway 47 +1 North Korea 850 – Oman 968 +4 Pakistan 92 +5 Palestinian Territories 970 – Panama 507 –5 Paraguay 595 –4 Peru 51 –5 Philippines 63 +8 Poland 48 +1 Portugal 351 GMT Puerto Rico 1787 –4 Qatar 974 +3 Reunion 262 +4 Romania 40 +2 Russia 7 +3 Rwanda 250 +2 Sao Tome 239 GMT Saudi Arabia 966 +3 Senegal 221 GMT Seychelles 248 +4 Sierra Leone 232 +GMT Singapore 65 +7-1/2 Solomon Islands 677 +11 Somalia 252 +3 Slovakia 421 +1 South Africa 27 +2 South Korea 82 +9 Spain 34 +1 Sri Lanka 94 +5-1/2 Sudan 249 +2 Sweden 46 +1 Switzerland 41 +1 Syria 963 +2 Taiwan 886 +8 Thailand 66 +7 Turkey 90 +2 United Arab Emirates 971 +4 United Kingdom 44 GMT United States 1 –5 Vatican City 39 – Venezuela 58 –4 Yemen 967 +3 Zaire (DRC) 243 +1 Zambia 260 +2 Zimbabwe 263 +2 CONVERSION FACTORS Length To convert Multiply by Inches to centimeters 2.540 Feet to meters 0.3048 Yards to meters 0.9144 Miles to kilometers 1.6093 Centimeters to inches 0.3937 Meters to feet 3.2808 Meters to yards 1.0936 Kilometers to miles 0.6214 Area To convert Multiply by Sq. inches to sq. cms. 6.4516 Sq. feet to sq. meters 0.0929 Sq. yards to sq. meters 0.8361 Sq. miles to sq. kilometers 2.590 Acres to hectares 0.4047 Sq. cms to sq. inches 0.1550 Sq. meters to sq. feet 10.76 Sq. meters to sq. yards 1.196 Sq. kilometers to sq. miles 0.3861 Hectares to acres 2.471 Volume To convert Multiply by Cu. inches to cu. cms 16.39 Cu. feet to cu. meters 0.02832 Cu. yards to cu. meters 0.7646 Cu. inches to liters 0.01639 Gallons to liters 4.5460 Cu. cms to cu. inches 0.06102 Cu. meters to cu. yards 1.308 Cu. meters to cu. feet 35.31 Liters to cu. inches 61.024 Liters to gallons 0.21997 Weight To convert Multiply by Grains to grams 0.0648 Ounces to grams 28.35 Pounds to grams 453.59 Pounds to kilograms 0.45359 Long tons to Kilograms 1016.05 Grams to grains 15.43 Grams to ounces 0.03527 Grams to pounds 0.0022046 Kilograms to pounds 2.20462 Kilograms to long tons 0.0009842

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

LEISURE

38

Sherman’s Lagoon — By J.P. Toomey

N E W

Y O R K

T I M E S

CROSSWORD

Mutts — By Patrick McDonnell

Hagar The Horrible — By Chris Browne

Beetle Bailey — By Mort Walker

Scratch pad

odds ’n’ ends PARIS: Maligned as a bee-killer

Garfield — By Jim Davis ONLY ON THURSDAYS

Baby Blues — By Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott

Conceptis Sudoku

Challenger

A bumblebee collects the nectar of lavender blossoming during sunny summer weather in Cologne, western Germany on July 5. (AFP)

RED HOOK, New York: Maybe

The grid must be so completed that every row, column and 3x3 box has every digit from 1 to 9 inclusive

contract bridge

DIRECTIONS: Fill each square with a number, one through nine. ■ Horizontal squares should add to totals on right. ■ Vertical squares should add to totals on bottom. ■ Diagonal squares through center should add to total in upper and lower right.

By Steve Becker

Yesterday’s solution

THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE SOLUTION.

Answer to yesterday’s puzzle

and possibly cancer-causing, a common herbicide has turned out to be a boon for tadpoles making them more toxic to predators, researchers said Wednesday. Common toad larvae exposed to glyphosate, used in the well-known herbicide Roundup, contained higher doses of bufadienolides — life-saving natural chemicals found in some plants and animals. Bufadienolides taste bad to put off potential tadpole diners, and can kill in large quantities. “That environmental pollution can induce changes in bufadienolide production is relevant not only for toads but also for their predators,” said study co-author Veronika Bokony of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. While some toad species are declining, she pointed out, others such as the Australian cane toad are invading new areas and disturbing established ecosystems. “Thus, if some pesticides make toads more poisonous, this might alter predatory-prey dynamics and the structure of natural communities in freshwater habitats,” Bokony told AFP. Toads with more bufadienolides in their bodies are more toxic. Large Australian predators like crocodiles, for example, die from eating cane toads which are a large species and therefore contain more toxins. For the experiment, Bokony and a team raised common toad larvae in water polluted with a glyphosate-based herbicide, and noted that the amount of bufadienolides in their tiny bodies were elevated. (AFP) ❑ ❑ ❑

Today’s Challenge Time 9 Minutes 8 Seconds Your Working Time __ Minutes __ Seconds

Word by Word

Workman

Saane’i

A bad workman quarrels his tools. Al sanei al mohmel yatashajar mai adwateh.

Numbers thousand five hundred 7599 Seven ninety nine Sabat alaf wa khamso maah wa tesah wa tesoun

Tomorrow: Hindsight Versus Foresight

it will take a village to fight Lyme disease. Or a bunch of them. With a bumper crop of blacklegged ticks possible this season, researchers in a Lyme disease-plagued part of New York’s Hudson Valley are tackling tick problems across entire neighborhoods with fungal sprays and bait boxes. The $8.8 million, five-year project aims to find out if treating 24 neighborhoods in Dutchess County for ticks, also known as deer ticks, can significantly reduce cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. “We want to do a better job and actually remove the threat from the neighborhoods, from the places where people are actually exposed to infected ticks,” said Richard Ostfeld, a disease ecologist with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, about 70 miles (110 kms) north of New York City. Dutchess County is a patchwork of forests, rolling farmland and thick residential developments that has long been a hotbed of Lyme disease. Tick checks are a common end-ofday routine here, as are inspections for the red, target-shaped rashes associated with tick bites. (AP)

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

SPORTS

39

Indonesia’s sepak takraw team battle for dominance

Indonesia turns to police boot camp for sporting glory JAMBI, Indonesia, July 5, (AFP): A police boot camp complete with shooting lessons may not seem like a natural training ground for sportsmanship, but Indonesia’s sepak takraw team is hoping that military-style discipline will help them achieve sporting glory. The peculiar sport, which combines elements of football and volleyball, is native to Southeast Asia but the region’s biggest country has long lagged behind its smaller neighbours in the battle for dominance. Now the country’s top players have taken the unusual step of “embedding” with an elite police unit on Sumatra island, where a crack team of officers are helping the 15 male and female athletes get into shape by overseeing exercise sessions. The players are training with the Mobile Brigade, the police’s special operations unit which is involved in counter-terrorism and riot control. While the officers can offer little in the way of sepak takraw expertise, the team can pick up skills such as firing weapons, which the experts in

the game believe helps to focus the players’ minds. The centuries-old sport was originally played with a grapefruit-sized ball fashioned from straps of rattan with 12 holes. It was traditionally played with two teams of three facing each other on a court about the same size as a badminton court, with a raised net. Players kick and head the ball over the net, but aren’t allowed to touch it with their hands or arms. Nowadays a synthetic fibre ball has replaced the old type — although they still have the trademark multiple holes — and the sport has developed a range of categories with different sizes of teams. These range from teams of just two players to teams of up to four. There will be several different categories at the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, and Indonesia will compete in three. But the country faces an uphill struggle. In recent years Thailand — where sepak takraw has a bigger following

This photo taken on May 22, 2017 shows a member of Indonesia’s national sepak takraw team performing an overhead kick to fire a ball over the net during a training session at an elite police force base in Jambi. (AFP

than in Indonesia — has dominated the sport at regional tournaments, while Myanmar has also been gaining ground after investing money in training and development. Rahman says the government

needs to do more to support sepak takraw by increasing funding for equipment, uniforms, and venues. He believes they should pay more to coaches to help groom future stars. He warns the country has fallen

behind because their players are not as well prepared physically and mentally as their rivals, and hopes the police training will make a difference. Rahman chose Jambi, his hometown, as the location as it is quiet and has few distractions. But the arrangement involves significant personal sacrifice for the players, who are forced to live a hermit-like existence for the five months they are at the base. They are not allowed to leave the compound — which is closed to members of the public — at all on weekdays and are only allowed out at weekends accompanied by officers. Still, the players think it’s worth it. After the Southeast Asian Games, the players face an even bigger challenge at the Asian Games in 2018. They will be playing on home turf, driving up pressure to put on a good performance. For now though, the officers hoping to get them to the winners podium are simply happy to have played their part, regardless of the eventual outcome.

Bridge Results Results of the Bi-weekly Bridge Tournament played on Wednesday evening May 17, 2017. 1. Bader Al Refaee - Syed Imran; 2. Abdul Aziz Dashti Ahmed Alruaweh; 3. Ebrrahim Al-Qattan - Nabeel M. AlHussaini; 4. Mohammed Merchant - Samuel Jacobs; 5. Numan AlTurki - Sood al Tatan; 6. Siobhan doran - Shahla Mohamed. We conduct duplicate Bridge tournament every Sunday and Wednesday at 19:30 hours at the Graduates Club, next to Kuwait Engineering society. Interested Bridge pairs or individual players please contact Mr. Mohammed Merchant. Tel # 24815622 / 24841158 / 99612287.

We are very proud and honoured that we can help our national athletes,” said Yuri Karsono, the Jambi unit’s deputy chief.

Cooper has no regrets despite Wolves’ woes Acton faces minimum 8-game ban MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, July 5, (AFP): Mike Cooper insists he has no regrets about returning to Warrington Wolves despite their struggles this season as they look set to miss out on the Super 8s. Currently tenth in the table, Warrington have to beat Leigh on Friday to have any hope of reaching the top eight, but even then, a Huddersfield win over Widnes would end their chances of winning Super League. Lions winger Elliot Daly attempts to break a tackle during the second rugby Test between the British and Irish Lions and the All Blacks in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 1. (AP)

Brumbies, Stormers aim for some credibility

Relaxation over, Lions focus on 3rd Test WELLINGTON, July 5, (AP): After three days spent relaxing in the South Island resort of Queenstown, the British and Irish Lions have resumed in earnest their preparation for Saturday’s third and deciding rugby Test against New Zealand. The Lions’ decision to travel to Queenstown after winning last weekend’s second Test and leveling the three-Test series was thought to be surprising by some commentators who thought the tourists should have traveled straight to Auckland to begin their third Test build-up. But the Lions say their time in Queenstown, where they jet-boated and bungy-jumped, were important in allowing players to recharge their batteries before the challenge of Saturday’s decider. Assistant coach Neil Jenkins said

RUGBY Wednesday the break the Lions players had enjoyed in Queenstown was important at the end of a long tour and near the end of a much longer season. Jenkins was adamant the Lions’ decision to relax at the start of Test week was not an indication they under-estimated the task ahead of them or took it lightly. The Lions’ win over the All Blacks last weekend was their first in a Test in New Zealand since 1993 and they now have the chance to win a series against the All Blacks for the first time in 46 years. He said the All Blacks have been stung by their 24-21 second-Test loss and would be formidable on Saturday as they try to stave off a series defeat and their first loss at Auckland’s Eden Park since 1994. Hooker Jamie George, who has been in outstanding form throughout the Test series, said the Lions players are “fully aware of what’s at stake.” George said the Lions would have to sharply improve their discipline in the third Test after conceding 10 kickable penalties in the second, of which seven were converted by All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett. Meanwhile, two first-place teams with a lack of commensurate credentials have a chance to gain some confidence this weekend ahead of the Super Rugby playoffs, a round they wouldn’t likely have reached if qualifying was based purely on win-loss records. The ACT Brumbies, who have clinched the woeful Australian conference despite having only six wins from in 13 matches, play the Queensland Reds in one of five matches on the penultimate weekend of the regular season. The Brumbies could see the return of co-captain Christian Leali’ifano, who was diagnosed with leukemia less than a year ago. He missed selection in the starting XV but could be included in the reserves for Friday’s game in Brisbane. The Cape Town-based Stormers have clinched the weak South African 1 conference title after eight wins from 13 matches. On Saturday they’ll play the Tokyo-based Sunwolves, who are coming off a record 94-7 loss to the Lions.

‘I’m built for speed, not for going slow’

Cooper spent seven years with Warrington from 2006 to 2013, helping them win the Challenge Cup on three occasions, before heading to Super League to play for St George Illawarra Dragons. The 28-year-old returned this season to a Wolves side who had been challenging for the title on a regular basis, but as an underwhelming cam-

RUGBY

After accident, Olympian Nieto wants to walk for his wedding LOS ANGELES, July 5, (AP): On good days, American high jumper Jamie Nieto can shuffle 130 steps without a cane or walker. It’s an important distance — about the length from the altar to the church door. His vow: Make it all the way, under his own power, when he’s married on July 22. The two-time Olympian is recovering from a spinal cord injury he suffered on a misjudged backflip in April 2016. The accident initially left him with no feeling in his hands and feet. Walking? Doctors couldn’t predict if he would take more than a few steps — or any at all. “People keep saying my recovery is really fast,” said the 40-year-old Nieto, who lives in Los Angeles. “I feel like it’s not fast enough. I want to be better tomorrow. I’m built for speed, not for going slow. But I’m

working on being the best walker I can be.” Nieto proposed to Jamaican hurdler Shevon Stoddart while in a wheelchair, six months after The Backflip. It used to be his signature move after big events. On April 23, 2016 , the maneuver went seriously wrong for the high jumper who once cleared 7 feet, 8 inches to finish fourth at the 2004 Olympics. He was coaching some jumpers when he showed them his backflip expertise. His first attempt was a little off, and he asked for another try. This time, he pushed off with one foot on the artificial turf and it slipped, forcing him straight back instead of into a somersault. The full weight of his body crashed on his neck. “I couldn’t really feel anything. I was stuck there. I was like, ‘Oh shoot, I hurt myself pretty bad,’” recalled Nieto . “I had the athletes call 911.” He was flown to a nearby hospital in Los Angeles and had surgery to fuse a disc in his neck. When

ATHLETICS

Two-time Olympic high jumper Jamie Nieto (right), and his fiancee Shevon Stoddart, a Jamaican hurdler, smile as they look at their wedding rings at a jewelry store ahead of their July wedding on June 8, 2017, in Torrance, Calif. (AP)

he awoke, he could only shrug his shoulders and flex his quadriceps muscles. His hands and feet? “Nothing,” Nieto said. “But I knew I was going to make a full recovery. There was never a doubt.” The high jumper who finished sixth at the 2012 London Games spent 12 days in intensive care, two months at an inpatient rehab facility and finally returned home around this time a year ago. At first, routine tasks were a struggle: Rolling up to get out of bed, brushing his teeth, getting dressed.

paign nears its end, Cooper insists it was the right decision to head home. He said: “It has been tough. Not coming back to the club, it has been great coming back to Warrington, but it is hard being in this position. “Then again, this is sport and you have to take it as it comes. We have had a lot of bad luck along the way. I am positive there will be plenty of good days. We will win things again, just the way we did. “It has been difficult but that is sport — it is very hard to stay at the top of the tree for as long as the club has. Okay, we have not won the Grand Final but you are talking about a team that has been in the top four for a number of years now. “This happens to a lot of top sides. We have had a hell of a lot of injuries and we have struggled to keep combinations going.” They take on a Leigh side who are set to be without Jamie Acton, who faces a disciplinary hearing for a Grade F offence for “other contrary behaviour” after he appeared to grab Greg Bird and push him to the floor when he was injured last week in defeat to Catalans. If found guilty, Acton faces a minimum eight-game ban, and the club have asked for a delay to his disciplinary hearing to prepare a defence. Meanwhile St Helens, who face Hull FC on Friday, will be without Matty Smith for an extended period after he underwent surgery on his eye. Head coach Justin Holbrook said: “Unfortunately it is not great with Matty. He needed surgery on Friday on account of his eyelid being very badly damaged. “We were hoping that would be it but he’s had to go in today for a second lot of surgery. Fingers crossed he will be fine. “As for when he will return to play is just too early to tell.”

Pacquiao backs call for review of Horn decision MANILA, July 5, (RTRS): Manny Pacquiao has backed a call asking the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) to review the controversial points decision that saw Australia’s Jeff Horn capture the Filipino great’s welterweight world title in Brisbane on Sunday. Horn improved his unbeaten record to 17-0-1 after the judges scored the bout 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113

BOXING in the 29-year-old’s favour but many observers questioned the outcome, saying the officials had made a “hometown decision”. While Horn dismissed criticism of his win, the regulatory body of professional sport in the Philippines, the

Games and Amusement Board (GAB), requested a “thorough review” of the fight on Monday and Pacquiao has backed their demand. “WBO should take appropriate action on the letter sent by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) so as not to erode the people’s interest in boxing,” eightdivision world champion Pacquiao said in a statement on Wednesday. Pacquiao “On my part, I had already accepted the decision but as a leader and, at the same time,

fighter, I have the moral obligation to uphold sportsmanship, truth and fairness in the eyes of the public.” “I love boxing and I don’t wanna see it dying because of (an) unfair decision and officiating.” On Tuesday, the WBO said that the decision could not be reversed and highlighted the rematch clause in both fighters’ contracts. “The discretion of a referee or judge cannot be reversed, except in a case of fraud or violation of laws which is not the case in Pac vs Horn,” the organisation said on their Twitter account. “The contract for Pac vs Horn provides a rematch clause, which the WBO is in accordance if the promoters decide to move forward.”

In this May 6, 2017 file photo, Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) defends in the second half during Game 3 of the NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Salt Lake City. (AP)

Bosh parts ways with Heat

Porter has Nets offer sheet, Wiz can match NEW YORK, July 5, (Agencies): Following his best NBA season, Otto Porter Jr. has a big offer to join the Brooklyn Nets. It appears he’ll be staying right where he is in Washington. Porter has agreed to sign an offer sheet with the Nets, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The Wizards plan to match the offer and keep Porter, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because contracts can’t be signed until Thursday. The Vertical first reported that Porter had agreed to sign a fouryear, $106 million offer sheet with the Nets. Under NBA rules, the Wizards would then have two days to match the offer since Porter is a restricted free agent. Porter finished fourth in voting for Most Improved Player last season after averaging 13.4 points and shooting 43.4 percent from 3-point range, fourthbest in the league. The No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft Porter from Georgetown was one of the keys to a Washington team that reached the second round of the playoffs. The Nets tried the restricted offer route twice last summer and fell short both times. Portland matched the Nets’ offer to Allen Crabbe and Miami did the same with Tyler Johnson. ❑

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The Miami Heat officially waived forward Chris Bosh on Tuesday, the same day the NBA club announced that they would eventually retire his jersey. The 11-time all-star missed the 2016-17 season after he failed a preseason physical due to a blood clot issue. The decision to waive Bosh was a formality after the two sides agreed to resolution on his contract six weeks ago. Under terms of the agreement, the Heat will pay the 33-year-old Bosh $52 million over the next two years. Bosh’s salary will not count against the team’s salary cap, meaning they will be able use that

money to sign players. The six-foot-11 Bosh was an all-star in each of his six seasons with the Heat, helping Miami advance to four straight NBA finals and win back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. In 13 NBA seasons, seven with the Toronto Raptors, Bosh has averaged 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 893 career NBA games. ❑

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Free agent Gordon Hayward has agreed to join the Boston Celtics in a move which will reunite him with his former US college coach Brad Stevens, The Players’ Tribune reported on Tuesday. The allstar swingman Hayward addressed his decision to move from the Utah Jazz to the Celtics in an article he wrote for the website which was titled “Thank You Utah”. Hayward spurned his now former NBA team as well as the Miami Heat to commit to the Celtics and Stevens, who coached him at

BASKETBALL Butler University. Hayward averaged 21.9 points per game last season and played in his first all-star game. Hayward said he felt a need to address speculation that he was in fact making a switch to Boston. This the second year in a row the Celtics have landed a big-time free agent. Last year they signed Al Horford. ❑

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The Sacramento Kings agreed to free-agent deals with point guard George Hill and power forward Zach Randolph, according to published reports. Hill agreed to a three-year, $57 million deal, according to The Vertical. Randolph reached agreement on a two-year, $24 million pact, according to ESPN. ❑

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The Los Angeles Clippers are attempting to secure a sign-andtrade agreement with free-agent forward Danilo Gallinari on a three-year, $65 million deal, ESPN reported. With salary-cap space an issue, the Clippers are aiming to acquire Gallinari through a three-way trade involving the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks, according to the report.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

SPORTS

40

LA, Paris delighted with Oly panel report verdict

2024 – a ‘tale of two great Olympic cities’, says IOC LAUSANNE, July 5, (AFP): The IOC lavished praise Wednesday on Los Angeles and Paris in an evaluation of the two cities’ bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. “Members of the Evaluation Commission have used the terms ‘forwardlooking’, ‘innovative’, ‘vibrant’ and ‘cool’ to describe the Los Angeles candidature, and ‘historical’, ‘cultural’, ‘iconic’ and ‘amazing backdrops’ for that of Paris,” said Patrick Baumann, chair of the 2024 Evaluation Commission and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “However, whatever the description, it truly is a tale of two great Olympic cities. The two projects are different in nature, but each city presents a proposal which is genuinely authentic and reflects the best of what each has to offer.” The two bid cities were left beaming at the complimentary report. LA 2024 chairman Casey Wasserman said: “We are delighted that our efforts have resonated so clearly with the IOC Evaluation Commission.” Tony Estanguet, co-chair of Paris 2024, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the IOC’s report highlights that Paris would be an excellent host of the 2024 Games and is ready to deliver a wonderful celebration of Olympic sport with real and meaning-

ful legacy.” The IOC report noted that in line with the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, both Los Angeles and Paris are planning to use a record number of existing and temporary venues, a first in Olympic history. “Such proposals will lead to significant cost reductions in organising the

Rio Olympics look to IOC for help with $40 million debt

In this Aug 16, 2016 file photo, Kelly Tan (left), and Michelle Koh, both of Malaysia, pose for a photo with the Rio 2016 logo on the 16th hole during a practice round for the women’s golf event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP)

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 5, (AP): Almost a year after the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Brazilian organizers are asking for help from the International Olympic Committee to satisfy creditors who are still owed about 130 million reals ($40 million). A spokesman for the Rio organizing committee says officials will meet next week at IOC offices in Switzerland. Rio spokesman Mario Andrada says the IOC “might help us in the dialogue to get the government to pay.” However, the IOC was cautious

in a statement on Wednesday to The Associated Press, saying it needs “reliable and understandable information from those in charge, something which regrettably at the present time we do not have.” Contractually, host cities and countries are obligated to pay Olympic debts. The Rio Olympics were battered by organizational problems and variable attendances, while the country faced a series of corruption scandals and the worst recession in decades.

Los Angeles and Paris have presented the best of their cities. And their best is as good as it can possibly get for the Olympic Games.” IOC bosses have already recommended that hosting rights for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics be awarded together, virtually assuring that the two rival bidders will both get the Games. Thomas Bach the IOC president

dation is approved at the July session in Lausanne, the body’s main meeting in Lima will then choose the host city for not only 2024 but also 2028. “With both Los Angeles and Paris, the Olympic Games are in very good hands,” Baumann said in Wednesday’s report. “The Evaluation Commission firmly believes that both Los Angeles and

Paris are more than capable of hosting outstanding Olympic and Paralympic Games. “Their candidatures have put the Olympic Movement in a win-win situation with very little to separate the two projects. In other words, we have two projects which are great for the respective cities and two cities which are great for the Olympic Games.”

OLYMPICS Olympic Games and make them more sustainable,” it said. The commission’s report will be the key reference document for IOC members in the lead-up to the 2024 Candidate City Briefing on July 1112 in Lausanne, with the final vote scheduled to take place during the 131st IOC session in Lima on September 13. “Los Angeles is one of the most entertaining sports and leisure destinations on the planet; Paris has a history second to none,” said Baumann. “On any given day, people around the globe enjoy Hollywood offerings of great storytelling and showcasing technology, while at the same time they dream of visiting Paris, one of the world’s most dazzling tourist destinations. “With the support, enthusiasm and passion of their citizens and athletes,

said the proposal had been “unanimously” endorsed by the executive, adding the IOC had a “golden opportunity” with two “great cities” competing for 2024 and did not want to turn either away. Interest in hosting Olympics has faded, with cities increasingly reluctant to take on the vast expense. Assuming the dual award recommen-

England look to ‘positive’ Root against South Africa Jennings set to open alongside Cook vs country of birth LONDON, July 5, (AFP): A new England era will start when Joe Root captains the Test side against South Africa at Lord’s on Thursday.

‘Interest dwindling’

Raja wants Test window

Root was appointed in February after Alastair Cook, still in the team purely as an opening batsman, stood down but this week’s match will be England’s first Test since the change of skipper. England will hope the captaincy drives the 26-year-old Yorkshireman on to even greater heights as it has done for two fellow star batsmen — Australia’s Steve Smith and India’s Virat Kohli. Root South Africa ended the Test captaincy of several England skippers in Nasser Hussain, Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss. A similar fate, however, is unlikely to befall Root, whatever the outcome of a four-match series, ahead of this year’s Ashes campaign in Australia. The immediate task for Root is to return England to winning ways in Tests after eight defeats in a 2016 that ended with a 4-0 series loss in India. Root’s county colleague Gary Ballance has forced his way back into the side after piling on the runs for Yorkshire even though his last six Test in-

CRICKET nings have yielded just 49 runs in total. Meanwhile Keaton Jennings, who attended the same Johannesburg school as South Africa wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock, is set to open alongside Cook — who has been scoring heavily for Essex this season — against the country of his birth. With veteran new ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad fit to lead an attack featuring Durham quick Mark Wood, England must decide whether to hand a debut to another paceman in Toby Roland-Jones, who would be playing on his Middlesex home ground, or give Liam Dawson a first Test on home soil following the Hampshire left-arm spinner’s promising start in Chennai in December. South Africa boast a remarkable record of having lost only one away Test series in 10 years. They have been without AB de Villiers in Test cricket for more than 12 months and the talented batsman will miss the whole of this series as he considers his international future. South Africa too will have a new captain in Dean Elgar but regular skipper Faf du Plessis is expected back for the second Test at Nottingham following the birth of his first child. The Proteas had a difficult start to this tour, losing to England in both one-day and Twenty20 series either side of a first-round exit at the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile Domingo, who has confirmed he will re-apply for his job as required by South Africa officials, had to return home briefly after his mother was involved in a traffic accident. But despite the absence of injured fast bowler Dale Steyn, South Africa 2-0 winners in England five years ago — boast an impressive pace attack. Morne Morkel is renowned for how well he bowls to left-handers (England will have several in their top order) and Vernon Philander is a proven performer in English conditions while Kagiso Rababa is a rising star. South Africa are set to give a debut

In this file photo, England’s Dawid Malan watches the ball during the T20 match against South Africa at the SSE Swalec Stadium in Cardiff on June 25. (AP)

Brink of badminton revolution

India needs strong roots to match China, says coach MUMBAI, July 5, (RTRS): India stands on the brink of a badminton revolution but the sport’s foundations need to be strengthened if the country hopes to emulate mighty neighbours China, national coach Pullela Gopichand has told Reuters. China has been the dominant force in badminton for decades but after sweeping all five titles at the 2012 London Olympics, last year’s Rio Games proved far less productive for the Asian super power as other nations sought to take advantage. They bagged the men’s singles and doubles titles but only added a solitary bronze to that tally as India’s Pusarla Sindhu took silver in the women’s singles, losing out to Spain’s Carolina Marin in one of three finals without Chinese players. Sindhu’s silver followed Saina Nehwal’s bronze in London for successstarved India, but Kidambi Srikanth’s three consecutive Super Series finals appearances has given badminton a shot in the arm in the world’s secondmost populous country. Srikanth lost to compatriot B. Sai Praneeth in the final in Singapore before going on to win in Indonesia and Australia, where he beat Chinese

Olympic and world champion Chen Long. In Indonesia, HS Prannoy also shone as he defeated three-times Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei and China’s Chen in consecutive rounds before losing in the semifinals. All three men’s players, Nehwal and Sindhu are products of the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, where the former All England champion credits a focus on fitness for the success and said many years of hard work was finally bearing fruit. India now boasts a larger pool of players poised to succeed at the highest level but Gopichand is not resting on his laurels, yearning for a more robust system and better coaching. Indonesian Mulyo Handoyo, best known for guiding countryman Taufik Hidayat to Olympic gold in 2004, has been added to India’s coaching staff, which Gopichand says has given him more time to focus on the needs of players individually. The stellar results have earned Gopichand the moniker of ‘Super Coach’, hardly surprising considering the amount of work he continues to put in at his academy.

to Heino Kuhn, the latest opener trying to fill the void left by retired former captain Graeme Smith. Top-order batting is set to be a key area, with Hashim Amla — who made South Africa’s record Test score of 311 not out at The Oval in 2012 — a central figure.

Now there are fears the 34-yearold may not be the player he was, with South Africa batting great Barry Richards saying last week: “One of the key parts of the series is Hashim Amla versus the fast bowlers and Hashim Amla versus himself.”

LONDON, July 5, (AFP): Former Pakistan batsman Ramiz Raja has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to set aside a two-month window solely for Test matches in a bid to preserve the longest form of the game. While crowds for Tests in countries such as England remain strong, Raja, a member of the influential MCC world cricket committee, fears interest in Asia is “dwindling” thanks partly to the rise of lucrative domestic Twenty20 competitions such as the Indian Premier League. “I feel that the ICC has a decent plan in the shape of the World Test Championship,” said Raja after a committee meeting at Lord’s on Tuesday. “There should be a window for that and everything else should stop for a period of two months so the best players are available to play Test cricket.” He added: “It’s got to get better. In Asia, for example, because of poor Test match scheduling, the interest is dwindling. “When you go back home you are never sure if you are going to have a one-Test series, a two-Test

CRICKET series or whether you are going to have a Test series at all.” Raja said national governing bodies such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board had to play their part as well. “You have to acknowledge and respect the status of Test match cricket and it has to come from the cricket boards, in Asia specifically. “For example, M. S. Dhoni retired from Test cricket yet got the A-grade contract from the BCCI, Shahid Afridi retired from Test cricket yet got the A-grade contract from PCB. “It is under a lot of stress in Asia but if we have a properly planned Test match championship, that’s the way out of this, otherwise we will be struggling to put aside as much money as is available for the T20 leagues,” Raja insisted. Meanwhile the committee, whose members also include such illustrious names as Ricky Ponting, Brendon McCullum, Sourav Ganguly and Kumar Sangakkara, has come down against reducing Tests Raja from five days to four days after it was suggested a shorter game might be more fan-friendly. “Last time we met, the committee was split, with some believing we should trial four-day Test matches,” said outgoing chairman Mike Brearley, the former England captain.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (front), Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, (second), and Williams driver Felipe Massa of Brazil steer their cars during the Formula One Grand Prix of Europe at the Baku circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on, June 25. (AP)

Red Bull to fancy chances

Title rivals Vettel, Hamilton face off again in Austria SPIELBERG, Austria, July 5, (RTRS): Sebastian Vettel celebrated his 30th birthday on Monday but it can be safely assumed that Lewis Hamilton will not be bringing any gifts to Austria this weekend. After the ‘road rage’ of Azerbaijan two weeks ago, the Formula One title rivals head to the bucolic surroundings of the scenic Red Bull Ring, and its backdrop of hills and forests, with controversy still simmering. Vettel, Ferrari’s championship leader, had risked a heavy penalty for his moment of madness in driving into Hamilton’s Mercedes behind the safety car in Baku but instead the German arrives in Austria with no further sanction and the matter officially closed. Vettel has had to accept full responsibility, and apologise to Hamilton, and will have to stay on best behaviour with a race ban looming if he collects any more penalty points on his liMcIlroy cence this weekend. But the incident, the sport’s major talking point post-Baku, is unlikely to die down immediately even if Mercedes say they have moved on. Hamilton, for one, has said nothing. But he has kept social media buzzing with news he had ‘liked’ a fan’s supportive post on Instagram that said the Paris decision had sent the message that “you can do whatever you want on track, smash into each other but if you

MOTOR RACING suck up and just apologise and you get away with it”. Hamilton is now 14 points behind Vettel after eight of 20 races, with a loose headrest costing the Briton victory in Azerbaijan. Vettel, despite a stop-and-go penalty, finished fourth and one place ahead of his rival. Austria, the birthplace of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, offers Hamilton the chance to take some of those lost points back. Mercedes have won every year since the race returned to the calendar in 2014 and Hamilton is the only driver on this season’s grid to have won in Austria -- doing so last year after a last lap collision with his now-retired team mate Nico Rosberg. “We have moved passed that moment now and it is a closed chapter.” Aside from the Mercedes-Ferrari battle, Red Bull will also fancy their chances in front of a home crowd after Australian Daniel Ricciardo won in Baku for his fourth successive podium finish. This time, Dutch teenager Max Verstappen will be hoping it is his turn. “Luck evens itself out. Daniel has had four podiums and a race win but I’m sure a big race is around the corner for Max,” team principal Christian Horner said after Baku.

Rose advises Rahm

Rory shuts off ‘social media’ PORTSTEWART, United Kingdom, July 5, (Agencies): Rory McIlroy has taken himself off social media and publicly revealed his distaste following the tweet clash with Australian-born golfer Steve Elkington. Elkington tweeted on June 17 that he felt McIlroy was disenchanted with golf and simply going through the motions while pocketing millions. He is “so bored playing golf ... without Tiger the threshold is prolly 4 majors with 100mill in bank”, Elkington tweeted. A Twitter spat then followed with McIlroy quickly responding to the 54-year old Houston-based Elkington: “@elkpga More like 200mil ... not bad for a ‘bored’ 28 year old ... plenty more where that came from.” And McIlroy attached to his tweet an image from his Wikipedia profile listing all his achievements. McIlroy fired back again ‘ques-

GOLF tioning’ Elkington’s academic background when the Australian began a second tweet with the word ‘New’, a misspelling for ‘Knew’, according to the Northern Ireland star. McIlroy had spoken about the controversy during the recent Travelers Championship in Connecticut but found himself drawn back to the matter ahead of the Irish Open at Portstewart starting Thursday. McIlroy has some 3.15 million followers on Twitter but since the clash with Elkington has posted just three tweets and one of those was to congratulate good friend Brook Koepka on winning at Erin Hills.

Also: SOUTHPORT: Ian Poulter earned his way back to Royal Birkdale and the footprints he left behind a decade ago at the British Open. Poulter shot rounds of 70-68 at Woburn Golf Club, his home club and one of five final qualifying sites Tuesday. He earned one of three spots available from each of the sites. “Job done today,” Poulter tweeted . Shiv Kapur of India shot a 65 in the second round and was the medalist at Woburn to return to the British Open for the first time since 2013. The third spot went to Toby Tree, who along with Poulter finished two shots behind Kapur.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

SPORTS

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Home Run Derby

Baseball fans enjoy homers, a bit of heckling in London park LONDON, July 5, (AP): A vivid piece of American sports culture was displayed in London’s Hyde Park as baseball came to town on July 4, the US Independence Day. The exhibition Tuesday featured several former major leaguers playing a Home Run Derby in one of London’s best-known open spaces. It’s part of Major League Baseball’s plan to showcase the game to build interest in Britain and Europe, where soccer is the overwhelmingly favorite sport. The move comes during the summer hiatus in England’s Premier League. Part of Hyde Park was transformed into a baseball field on a warm summer evening as fans entered the batting cage to try out their swings — one of the best hitters was a woman wearing a Red Sox uniform. There were a few English touches — Pimms’s with lemonade for sale at the bar — but Americana was in vogue, with some wearing outfits based on the stars and stripes to mark Independence Day. The event drew several thousand enthusiastic fans and provided a needed boost for British baseball teams, who rubbed shoulders with former

Dodgers Federico Celli hits the ball during an event in Hyde Park in London, on July 4. (AP)

major leaguers, including Carlos Pena and Cliff Floyd. “This event is a big start because if this goes well baseball’s popularity is only going to build and build,” said 20-year-old Josh Heues, who traveled 90 minutes to get here with several teammates from the Northamptonbased Centurions. The home run competitors were divided into Red Sox and Dodgers, each wearing uniforms from those major league clubs. Some fans in New York Yankees hats were politely heckled by Red Sox fans. Charlie Hill, the managing director of Major League Baseball for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, says it’s possible that some regular-season games will be played in London as soon as the 2019 season. “The teams are enthusiastic,” he said. “That is the target and it’s becoming the expectation.” If MLB league games are played in London in two years, baseball will still be way behind the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, which have played official games in Britain for decades. Hill said the exhibition was a Home Run Derby, similar to the one that precedes the league’s All-Star Game, an easy-to-understand demonstration of hitting prowess. One concern is that baseball’s somewhat arcane rules might make the game seem incomprehensible to Britons — much as Americans can be slow to grasp the finer points of cricket. “We don’t want to play games here from a cold start,” Hill said. The former major leaguers were joined by several prominent British cricket players who tried their hand at knocking baseballs out of the park. They showed impressive skill with a baseball bat. John Boyd, who heads Baseball Softball UK, said there’s already strong interest in the game. He says there’s an estimated 1.5 million baseball fans in Britain, partly because it’s become so much easier to watch live games.

Spangenberg, six pitchers lead Padres in 1-0 win over Indians Blue Jays rally past Yankees to end 5-game skid CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 5, (AP): Cory Spangenberg drove in the only run with a groundout, and six San Diego pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the Padres edged the Cleveland Indians 1-0 on Tuesday despite a record-setting outing by All-Star Corey Kluber. Cleveland manager Terry Francona missed the game after he was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic for tests. Francona was hospitalized twice last month after feeling lightheaded and having a rapid heart rate. He was fitted with a heart monitor last week and said at the time doctors had ruled out any serious health issues. Team president Chris Antonetti said Francona did not experience the previous symptoms again, and the tests were being done to help determine what’s causing the issue. Kluber (7-3) struck out 10 in eight innings — setting a franchise mark with five consecutive double-digit strikeout games. But the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner received little help from his offense or defense. Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 3 In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and struck out 11 to become the first 13-game winner in the majors this season, helping first-place Los Angeles beat Arizona in a matchup of the National League’s top two teams. Kershaw (13-2) ended up allowing two hits in seven shutout innings. He

MLB Scoreboard

WASHINGTON, July 5, (Agencies): Results from the MLB games on Tuesday. LA Dodgers 4 Arizona 3 Cincinnati 8 Colorado 1 Boston 11 Texas 4 Houston 16 Atlanta 4 San Diego 1 Cleveland 0 Kansas City 7 Seattle 3 Milwaukee 6 Baltimore 2 Oakland 7 Chic Sox 6 Pittsburgh 3 Philadelphia 0 Tampa Bay 6 Chicago Cubs 5 Miami 5 St Louis 2 Minnesota 5 LA Angels 4 Detroit 5 San Francisco 3 Toronto 4 NY Yankees 1 Washington 11 NY Mets 4 MLB Standings American League Eastern Division W L PCT GB Baltimore 12 4 .750 Boston 49 35 .583 NY Yankees 44 38 .537 4 Tampa Bay 44 41 .518 5-1/2 Baltimore 40 43 .482 8-1/2 Toronto 38 45 .458 10-1/2 Central Division W L PCT GB Cleveland 44 38 .537 Kansas City 43 40 .518 1-1/2 Minnesota 43 40 .518 1-1/2 Detroit 37 45 .451 7 Chic Sox 37 46 .446 7-1/2 Western Division W L PCT GB Houston 57 27 .679 LA Angels 43 45 .489 16 Seattle 41 44 .482 16-1/2 Texas 40 44 .476 17 Oakland 36 48 .429 21 National League Eastern Division W L PCT GB Washington 50 34 .595 Atlanta 40 42 .488 9 NY Mets 38 45 .458 11-1/2 Miami 37 45 .451 12 Philadelphia 28 54 .341 21 Central Division W L PCT GB Milwaukee 46 40 .535 Chicago Cubs 41 42 .494 3-1/2 St Louis 40 43 .482 4-1/2 Pittsburgh 38 46 .452 7 Cincinnati 36 47 .434 8-1/2 Western Division W L PCT GB LA Dodgers 56 29 .659 Arizona 52 32 .619 3-1/2 Colorado 49 37 .570 7-1/2 San Diego 35 48 .422 20 San Francisco 33 52 .388 23 MLB Linescores American League Toronto 004 000 000-4 9 0 New York 000 100 000-1 4 0 J. Happ, Leone (7), Beliveau (7), Tepera (8), Osuna (9) and Martin; Sabathia, Warren (3), Cessa (4), Shreve (8), Clippard (9) and G. Sanchez. W-J. Happ 3-5. L-Sabathia 7-3. Sv-Osuna (20). HRs-New York, Judge. Los Angeles 010 001 011-4 9 0 Minnesota 010 022 00x-5 11 1 J. Ramirez, Parker (6), Middleton (7), Morin (8) and Graterol, Maldonado; Gibson, Rogers (7), Kintzler (9) and Gimenez. W-Gibson 5-6. L-J. Ramirez 7-7. Sv-Kintzler (22). HRs-Los Angeles, Calhoun, Pujols. Minnesota, Buxton. Chicago 002 030 001-6 13 0 Oakland 002 220 001-7 8 0 Shields, Jennings (5), Beck (6), Holmberg (7), Kahnle (9) and Narvaez, K. Smith; Gossett, Coulombe (6), Madson (7), Doolittle (8), Casilla (9) and Maxwell. W-Casilla 2-3. L-Kahnle 0-3. HRs-Chicago, Abreu, Cabrera. Oakland, Joyce, Alonso 2, Barreto. Kansas City 100 320 001-7 7 1 Seattle 200 000 100-3 8 1 Duffy, Moylan (6), Minor (8), McCarthy (9) and S. Perez; F. Hernandez, Gallardo (7) and Ruiz. W-Duffy 5-4. L-F. Hernandez 3-3. HRs-Kansas City, Moustakas, Merrifield. Boston 020 231 120-11 19 0 Texas 000 000 031-4 10 2 Price, Boyer (7), Scott (9) and Vazquez; Darvish, N. Martinez (5), Barnette (9) and Chirinos. W-Price 4-2. L-Darvish 6-7. HRs-Boston, Benintendi 2, Bradley Jr Texas, DeShields, Napoli.

Interleague San Francisco 100 000 200-3 5 0 Detroit 010 200 20x-5 9 0 M. Cain, Kontos (7), Crick (8) and Hundley; Fulmer, J. Wilson (9) and Avila. W-Fulmer 8-6. L-M. Cain 3-8. Sv-J. Wilson (9). HRs-San Francisco, Pence, Crawford. Detroit, Martinez. Tampa Bay 001 500 000-6 9 1 Chicago 010 020 002-5 11 1 Archer, Boxberger (7), Hunter (8), Colome (9) and W. Ramos; Lester, Rondon (6), Duensing (7), Grimm (7) and Contreras. W-Archer 7-5. L-Lester 5-5. Sv-Colome (22). HRs-Tampa Bay, Beckham. Baltimore 000 000 101-2 8 0 Milwaukee 030 020 10x-6 8 1 Jimenez, T. Wilson (6), Castro (8) and C. Joseph; Nelson, Barnes (8), C. Torres (9) and Vogt. W-Nelson 7-4. L-Jimenez 3-4. HRs-Baltimore, Schoop. Milwaukee, Vogt, Thames 2, Shaw. San Diego 000 010 000-1 5 1 Cleveland 000 000 000-0 5 0 Cahill, J. Torres (5), Yates (6), Buchter (7), Hand (8), Maurer (9) and Hedges; Kluber, Allen (9) and Gomes. W-J. Torres 5-2. L-Kluber 7-3. Sv-Maurer (17). Houston 014 230 204-16 19 0 Atlanta 000 000 310-4 8 0 Peacock, Tolliver (7), Feliz (8), Hoyt (9) and McCann; Newcomb, Jackson (4), Brothers (6), Krol (8), Motte (9) and Flowers. W-Peacock 6-1. L-Newcomb 1-3. HRs-Houston, Altuve, Reddick, Springer. National League New York 100 100 002-4 11 1 Washington 002 043 02x-11 14 0 Lugo, Goeddel (6), Edgin (6), Ramirez (7), Bradford (8) and R. Rivera; Ross, Treinen (8), O. Perez (9) and Lobaton. W-Ross 5-3. L-Lugo 3-2. HRsNew York, Rivera, Bruce, Reyes. Miami 000 005 000-5 10 0 St Louis 000 020 000-2 7 1 Urena, Steckenrider (6), Barraclough (7), Phelps (8), A. Ramos (9) and Ellis; Lynn, Lyons (6), Brebbia (7), Rosenthal (8), Oh (9) and Molina. W-Urena 7-3. L-Lynn 6-6. Sv-A. Ramos (14). HRsMiami, Yelich. St Louis, Garcia. Pittsburgh 001 001 010-3 5 1 Philadelphia 000 000 000-0 6 0 Taillon, Hudson (6), Watson (7), Nicasio (7), Rivero (9) and Stewart; Leiter Jr, Garcia (6), Pinto (8) and Knapp. W-Taillon 5-2. L-Leiter Jr 1-1. Sv-Rivero (4). HRs-Pittsburgh, McCutchen 2. Cincinnati 121 001 030-8 10 0 Colorado 100 000 000-1 10 0 Bailey, W. Peralta (7), Lorenzen (8), Wojciechowski (9) and Barnhart; Freeland, Lyles (6), Ottavino (8), Dunn (9) and Wolters. W-Bailey 1-2. L-Freeland 8-7. HRs-Cincinnati, Schebler, Peraza, Gennett. Arizona 000 000 003-3 6 0 Los Angeles 102 000 01x-4 9 0 Corbin, Delgado (5), De La Rosa (8) and Iannetta; Kershaw, Avilan (8), P. Baez (8), Morrow (9), Jansen (9) and Grandal. W-Kershaw 13-2. L-Corbin 6-8. Sv-Jansen (19). HRs-Arizona, Descalso. Los Angeles, Turner. MLB Leaders American League BATTING: Judge, New York, .329; Ramirez, Cleveland, .327; Altuve, Houston, .326; Correa, Houston, .319; Dickerson, Tampa Bay, .318; Garcia, Chicago, .317; Bogaerts, Boston, .314; Hosmer, Kansas City, .313; Castro, New York, .313; Reddick, Houston, .309; 1 tied at .305. RUNS: Judge, New York, 73; Springer, Houston, 64; Dickerson, Tampa Bay, 60; Ramirez, Cleveland, 59; Betts, Boston, 58; Correa, Houston, 56; Gardner, New York, 56; Altuve, Houston, 53; Castro, New York, 52; Davis, Oakland, 52; 3 tied at 51. RBI: Judge, New York, 63; Cruz, Seattle, 61; Cano, Seattle, 60; Sano, Minnesota, 60; Abreu, Chicago, 58; Correa, Houston, 58; Davis, Oakland, 57; Morrison, Tampa Bay, 57; Souza Jr, Tampa Bay, 55; Upton, Detroit, 54; 3 tied at 53. HITS: Dickerson, Tampa Bay, 104; Altuve, Houston, 101; Ramirez, Cleveland, 101; Andrus, Texas, 99; Hosmer, Kansas City, 99; Abreu, Chicago, 97; Bogaerts, Boston, 95; Correa, Houston, 95; Cabrera, Chicago, 94; Judge, New York, 94; 2 tied at 93. DOUBLES: Betts, Boston, 28; Lowrie, Oakland, 26; Ramirez, Cleveland, 26; Altuve, Houston, 23; Lindor, Cleveland, 23; Schoop, Baltimore, 23; Abreu, Chicago, 22; 4 tied at 21.

TRIPLES: Castellanos, Detroit, 5; Ramirez, Cleveland, 5; Bogaerts, Boston, 4; Merrifield, Kansas City, 4; Sanchez, Chicago, 4; 6 tied at 3. HOME RUNS: Judge, New York, 28; Morrison, Tampa Bay, 24; Moustakas, Kansas City, 24; Springer, Houston, 24; Davis, Oakland, 23; Smoak, Toronto, 22; Gallo, Texas, 21; Sano, Minnesota, 20; Alonso, Oakland, 19; Healy, Oakland, 19; 7 tied at 17. STOLEN BASES: Maybin, Los Angeles, 24; Andrus, Texas, 20; Dyson, Seattle, 19; DeShields, Texas, 18; Altuve, Houston, 16; Betts, Boston, 15; Buxton, Minnesota, 15; Cain, Kansas City, 15; Simmons, Los Angeles, 13; Merrifield, Kansas City, 12; 1 tied at 11. PITCHING: Vargas, Kansas City, 12-3; Sale, Boston, 11-3; Santana, Minnesota, 10-5; Carrasco, Cleveland, 9-3; Keuchel, Houston, 9-0; Bundy, Baltimore, 8-7; Fulmer, Detroit, 8-6; Pineda, New York, 8-4; Pomeranz, Boston, 8-4; Stroman, Toronto, 8-5; 10 tied at 7. ERA: Vargas, Kansas City, 2.22; Sale, Boston, 2.61; McCullers, Houston, 2.69; Kluber, Cleveland, 2.85; Santana, Minnesota, 3.07; Darvish, Texas, 3.11; Fulmer, Detroit, 3.20; Stroman, Toronto, 3.42; Carrasco, Cleveland, 3.50; Severino, New York, 3.52; 1 tied at 3.62. STRIKEOUTS: Sale, Boston, 166; Archer, Tampa Bay, 139; Darvish, Texas, 115; Kluber, Cleveland, 115; Severino, New York, 114; Estrada, Toronto, 105; Carrasco, Cleveland, 103; McCullers, Houston, 103; Porcello, Boston, 102; Quintana, Chicago, 99; 1 tied at 98. National League BATTING: Murphy, Washington, .341; Posey, San Francisco, .333; Zimmerman, Washington, .330; Harper, Washington, .324; Goldschmidt, Arizona, .316; Peralta, Arizona, .316; Cozart, Cincinnati, .313; Ozuna, Miami, .313; Blackmon, Colorado, .312; Votto, Cincinnati, .312; 1 tied at .309. RUNS: Goldschmidt, Arizona, 71; Blackmon, Colorado, 67; Harper, Washington, 66; Votto, Cincinnati, 61; Seager, Los Angeles, 57; Murphy, Washington, 55; Thames, Milwaukee, 55; Yelich, Miami, 54; Turner, Washington, 53; 4 tied at 52. RBI: Goldschmidt, Arizona, 66; Lamb, Arizona, 65; Harper, Washington, 64; Arenado, Colorado, 63; Ozuna, Miami, 62; Zimmerman, Washington, 62; Reynolds, Colorado, 61; Shaw, Milwaukee, 61; Votto, Cincinnati, 61; Murphy, Washington, 60; 2 tied at 59. HITS: Blackmon, Colorado, 108; Inciarte, Atlanta, 107; Murphy, Washington, 105; Arenado, Colorado, 101; LeMahieu, Colorado, 101; Ozuna, Miami, 99; Harper, Washington, 94; 4 tied at 93. DOUBLES: Arenado, Colorado, 27; Herrera, Philadelphia, 26; Murphy, Washington, 26; Duvall, Cincinnati, 24; Owings, Arizona, 22; Zimmerman, Washington, 22; Drury, Arizona, 21; Kemp, Atlanta, 21; Seager, Los Angeles, 21; 3 tied at 20. TRIPLES: Blackmon, Colorado, 10; Arenado, Colorado, 5; Cozart, Cincinnati, 5; Hamilton, Cincinnati, 5; 8 tied at 4. HOME RUNS: Bellinger, Los Angeles, 24; Votto, Cincinnati, 24; Thames, Milwaukee, 23; Ozuna, Miami, 22; Bruce, New York, 21; Schebler, Cincinnati, 21; Stanton, Miami, 21; Harper, Washington, 20; 5 tied at 19. STOLEN BASES: Turner, Washington, 35; Hamilton, Cincinnati, 33; Gordon, Miami, 29; Nunez, San Francisco, 17; Broxton, Milwaukee, 15; Peraza, Cincinnati, 15; Villar, Milwaukee, 15; Goldschmidt, Arizona, 13; 3 tied at 11. PITCHING: Kershaw, Los Angeles, 12-2; Greinke, Arizona, 10-4; Scherzer, Washington, 10-5; Davies, Milwaukee, 9-4; Senzatela, Colorado, 9-3; Strasburg, Washington, 9-2; Wainwright, St Louis, 9-5; Wood, Los Angeles, 9-0; 5 tied at 8. ERA: Scherzer, Washington, 1.94; Kershaw, Los Angeles, 2.32; Gonzalez, Washington, 2.77; Anderson, Milwaukee, 2.89; Leake, St Louis, 2.97; Greinke, Arizona, 3.05; Ray, Arizona, 3.06; Martinez, St Louis, 3.15; Nelson, Milwaukee, 3.20; Nova, Pittsburgh, 3.24; 1 tied at 3.28. STRIKEOUTS: Scherzer, Washington, 163; Kershaw, Los Angeles, 135; Ray, Arizona, 128; Strasburg, Washington, 128; deGrom, New York, 125; Greinke, Arizona, 124; Martinez, St Louis, 124; Samardzija, San Francisco, 122; Nelson, Milwaukee, 112; Lester, Chicago, 110; 1 tied at 104.

Starting pitcher Trevor Cahill #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on July 4, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AFP)

lost his bid for a second career no-hitter on an infield single by Chris Owings with one out in the seventh. All-Star closer Kenley Jansen entered with two on in the ninth and gave up a three-run homer to Daniel Descalso. Jansen finished for his 18th save in as many chances. Kershaw has made 12 consecutive starts without a loss and is 9-0 with a 2.19 ERA since a 4-3 loss to San Francisco on May 1. The left-hander hasn’t allowed a run in his last three starts. Red Sox 11, Ranges 4 In Arlington, Texas, Andrew Benintendi went 5 for 5 with two homers, six RBIs and a terrific catch in left field, and David Price struck out nine over six scoreless innings as Boston beat Texas to stretch the longest winning streak in the majors to six games. The first Red Sox rookie with two five-hit games in a season, Benintendi had a three-run homer in the fifth that chased All-Star pitcher Yu Darvish (6-7), who matched career highs by allowing seven runs and 11 hits. Benintendi led off the eighth by going the opposite way for his 12th homer, with the ball hitting on top of the 14-foot wall down the left-field line. Jackie Bradley Jr. followed with his 11th home run. Price (4-2) threw 70 of 106 pitches for strikes in his eighth start since missing the season’s first seven weeks with an elbow strain. The lefty departed after his second walk started the seventh. Astros 16, Braves 4 In Atlanta, Jose Altuve homered and drove in four runs, Josh Reddick hit a grand slam and Houston pounded Atlanta. Showing why they’re the best team in baseball at 57-27, the Astros banged out 19 hits to tie a season high and led 12-0. But All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa left before the fifth inning with left thumb discomfort. He was hurt sliding headfirst into home as catcher Tyler Flowers tagged him to end the fourth inning. X-rays were negative and Correa is day to day. Yuli Gurriel doubled twice to drive in three runs, Brad Peacock (6-1) won his third straight start and George Springer went 4 for 5 with a homer, helping Houston improve to 30-9 on the road despite the return of Braves slugger Freddie Freeman from a broken left wrist. Houston has won 11 of 14 overall and 19 of 22 on the road. The Braves began the night one game shy of .500 after winning 11 of 15, but Sean Newcomb (1-3) struggled in his first career start against a potent major league lineup. Reds 8, Rockies 1 In Denver, Homer Bailey pitched six solid innings for his first win since last August, Billy Hamilton had a two-out, two-run single after missing a game with a bothersome back and Cincinnati beat Colorado. Jose Peraza, Scott Schebler and pinch-hitter Scooter Gennett added homers for the Reds, who have won three of their last 18 road games. The injury-plagued Bailey (1-2) scattered eight hits in the longest of his three starts this season. The righthander with two career no-hitters was on the disabled list until June 24 as he recovered from offseason surgery to remove bone spurs in his pitching elbow. Kyle Freeland (8-7) gave up five runs over 5-1/3 innings in his third straight loss. Blue Jays 4, Yankees 1 In New York, CC Sabathia was chased during a four-run third inning in his return from the disabled list, with Kendrys Morales hitting a tworun single that helped the Blue Jays stop a five-game losing streak. Aaron Judge dented a metal casement above a door behind the leftcenter field wall with his major leagueleading 28th home run, a drive that would have traveled 456 feet had it landed unimpeded, according to MLB’s Statcast. That was the only run off J.A. Happ (3-5), who allowed four hits in six innings. Roberto Osuna pitched a perfect

ninth for his 20th save. Sabathia (7-3) was charged with four runs, three hits and three walks in 2-2/3 innings. Rays 6, Cubs 5 In Chicago, Tim Beckham homered, and the Rays won their reunion with Joe Maddon. Beckham’s two-run drive highlighted a five-run fourth against Jon Lester (5-5). Alex Colome gave up two runs in the ninth, but the Rays won their first meeting against Maddon since he left to manage Chicago following the 2014 season. Colome threw 38 pitches in the ninth but came away with his 22nd save in 26 chances. Chris Archer (7-5) picked up his third win in four starts, giving up three runs and eight hits in six innings. The former Cubs prospect also had an RBI single for his first career hit. Lester allowed up six runs — tying a season high — and nine hits over five innings. Chicago lost for the fifth time in seven games. Nationals 11, Mets 4 In Washington, Daniel Murphy had four hits and five RBIs, helping NL East-leading Washington to its third straight victory. Murphy improved his career average to .405 against the Mets, his first and only former big league team. Bryce Harper had three hits and two

BASEBALL RBIs for the Nationals, and Joe Ross (5-3) allowed two runs over seven innings. Jay Bruce, Jose Reyes and Rene Rivera homered for New York. Seth Lugo (3-2) surrendered six runs and 10 hits in five innings. Pirates 3, Phillies 0 In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh righthander Jameson Taillon struck out a career-best nine in five innings, and Andrew McCutchen hit a pair of solo homers. Taillon (5-2) allowed four hits and four relievers finished off the sixhitter. The right-hander is 3-1 in five starts since returning from surgery for testicular cancer. McCutchen ripped his 15th homer to left in the sixth, one pitch after a high-and-tight fastball from Mark Leiter Jr (1-1) knocked him down. He connected off Ricardo Pinto in the eighth, sending a drive off the facing of the upper deck in left. A 22-minute rain delay held things up in the bottom of the eighth. Felipe Rivero pitched out of trouble in the ninth for his fourth save in four tries. Royals 7, Mariners 3 In Seattle, Whit Merrifield hit the first pitch of the game from Felix Hernandez for his seventh home run, helping Kansas City to its fifth win in six games. Mike Moustakas added his 24th homer for the Royals, and Salvador

Colorado Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds (front), fields a pickoff throw as Cincinnati Reds’ Billy Hamilton dives back into first base before getting tagged in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 4, in Denver. (AP)

Perez also drove in two runs. Danny Duffy (5-4) returned after spending a month on the disabled list and allowed two runs and five hits in 5-2/3 innings. Hernandez (3-3) was charged with six runs, five earned, and six hits in six innings. Atheltics 7, White Sox 6 In Oakland, California, Franklin Barreto homered in the ninth inning, Yonder Alonso went deep twice and Oakland snapped a season-high sixgame losing streak. Matt Joyce’s two-run homer and Alonso’s long balls in the fourth and fifth helped stake the A’s to a 6-5 lead, but Santiago Casilla (2-3) was unable to close it out in the ninth. That set the stage for Barreto’s late-inning theatrics. With one out, Barreto hit a towering fly ball off Tommy Kahnle (0-3) that just cleared the wall in left field and sent the A’s pouring out of the dugout for a sorely needed celebration. Brewers 6, Orioles 2 In Milwaukee, Eric Thames homered twice and Jimmy Nelson pitched seven strong innings, leading Milwaukee to the victory. Stephen Vogt and Travis Shaw also connected for the NL Central-leading Brewers. Nelson (7-4) allowed an unearned run and Thames six hits. Jonathan Schoop hit a solo homer for Baltimore in the ninth. Ubaldo Jimenez (3-4) gave up five runs and six hits over five innings. Tigers 5, Giants 3 In Detroit, Victor Martinez homered, Michael Fulmer pitched eight innings and Detroit snapped San Francisco’s six-game win streak. Justin Upton went 3 for 3 for the Tigers, including a tiebreaking two-run single with two out in the seventh. Upton’s big day helped make up for the loss of slugger Miguel Cabrera, who left after six innings due to left hip tightness. Fulmer (8-6) allowed two homers for the first time this season. Justin Wilson pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save. San Francisco right-hander Matt Cain (3-8) surrendered five runs and seven hits in 6-1/3 innings. He dropped to 0-7 in nine starts since beating the Dodgers on May 15. Marlins 5, Cardinals 2 In St Louis, Christian Yelich hit a three-run homer and Jose Urena struck out seven in five solid innings, helping Miami to the road win. JT Riddle added a two-run single for the Marlins, who had dropped five of six. Dee Gordon had three hits, and Giancarlo Stanton reached three times. Greg Garcia hit a two-run homer for St. Louis, which lost for just the second time in seven games. Lance Lynn (6-6) allowed four runs, two earned, and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. Urena (73) was charged with two runs and three hits. AJ Ramos got three outs for his 14th save in 15 opportunities. Twins 5, Angels 4 In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kyle Gibson got his first win in three weeks and Byron Buxton hit his fifth homer, leading Minnesota to the victory. Gibson (5-6) allowed two runs in 6-2/3 innings in his longest outing of the season. It was his first win since June 13 against Seattle. Minnesota went ahead to stay with two runs in the fifth. Robbie Grossman hit an RBI double off JC Ramirez (7-7) and scored on Joe Mauer’s single for a 3-1 lead. Los Angeles slugger Albert Pujols homered in the eighth, and the Angels closed to 5-4 when Andrelton Simmons scored on shortstop Ehire Adrianza’s throwing error in the ninth. But Brandon Kintzler got Martin Maldonado to bounce into a double play for his 22nd save.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

SPORTS

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European Soccer Transfer Roundup Pepe joins Besiktas after 10 yrs at Real

Arsenal sign Lacazette from Lyon for club record fee

Lyngby’s Jesper Christjansen (left), and Bangor City FC’s Steven Daniel Hewitt vie for the ball during their UEFA Europa League qualifying match on June 29, 2017 at Lyngby Stadium, near Copenhagen. (AFP)

Dallas sink United

Rangers crush to minnows PARIS, July 5, (Agencies): Rangers’ return to Europe after a six-year hiatus was short-lived as the Scottish side crashed to a humiliating 2-0 defeat in the Europa League first qualifying round Tuesday at Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn. Pedro Caixinha’s side had taken a 1-0 first-leg lead to Luxembourg but fell behind to second-half strikes from Emmanuel Francoise and Sebastien Thill. Part-timers Niederkorn, who had never won a European match before, advance 2-1 on aggregate to a second qualifying-round clash with either AEL Limassol of Cyprus or Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s. Daniel Candeias, Alfredo Morelos and Jordan Rossiter were handed their first starts of the new campaign by Ranger’s Portuguese manager Caixinha but failed to make an impact. A Kenny Miller closerange strike after seven minutes was Caixinha blocked by Sebastian Flauss, while James Tavernier’s header hit the bar. The hosts sensed their chance in the second half and as the visitors were slow clearing their lines from a corner Francoise arrived in front of David Bates to fire home the equaliser after 66 minutes. But worse was to come with 14 minutes to play. Rangers conceded a freekick and paid the price as Sebastien Thill’s set-piece bounced into the net. Substitute Josh Windass and Miller both struck the crossbar in the dying stages but there was to be no rescue act for Rangers. In Tuesday’s second match Hungary’s Videoton qualified 5-3 on aggregate after a 3-3 draw on the night at Malta’s Balzan. ❑ ❑ ❑ Roland Lamah netted twice as FC Dallas responded to conceding an early goal with a burst of four to set up a 4-2 win over D.C. United and move into a share of top spot in the MLS Western Conference. Ian Harkes opened the scoring for the visitors in the 30th minute with his first MLS goal but Dallas took a 2-1 halftime lead after Atiba Harris’ header from Victor Ulloa’s corner and Lamah tapped in. Two minutes after halftime, Maximiliano Urruti fired in a shot from an acute angle through the legs of goalkeeper Travis Worra to score his fourth goal in as many games. Lamah added another goal eight minutes later on a counter attack with Michael Barrios. Atlanta had a 4-2 win at home against the 10-man San Jose Earthquakes with Josef Martinez scoring twice. Clint Dempsey scored two goals and the Seattle Sounders beat Colo-

rado 3-1 to register their first win in a month. Elsewhere in the MLS, Real Salt Lake thrashed the Galaxy 6-2 in Carson, California and the Columbus Crew edged Minnesota 1-0 after Kekuta Manneh’s close-range shot in the 58th. ❑ ❑ ❑ Russia says it is far from reaching a deal with FIFA on TV broadcast rights for next year’s World Cup. With the tournament a year away, there is still no agreement in place to avoid the embarrassing situation of games not being shown in the host nation. FIFA usually signs deals several years before major events. Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko says FIFA wants $110 million from Russian TV channels, but they can only afford to pay $38-$40 million, in comments reported by Russian state news agencies.

SOCCER Mutko has previously accused FIFA of trying to force the Russian government to contribute. A TV deal for the Confederations Cup test event was only reached last month, six days before the opening game. No financial details were made public. ❑ ❑ ❑ Leicester City must look past ensuring their survival in the Premier League next season and set themselves higher goals, manager Craig Shakespeare has said. Leicester found themselves in a relegation scrap last season under former manager Claudio Ranieri before Shakespeare took over as interim manager in February and led the team to seven wins in their final 12 league matches to secure a 12th-placed finish. But the club also progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League only to be beaten by Spanish side Atletico Madrid. They failed to qualify for the competition next season. Shakespeare signed a three-year permanent contract in June and is looking to take the team to new heights. “Premier League survival is good, but I look at the squad and the players we’re trying to attract — I want to be better than that, and I think the players want to be better than that,” Shakespeare told the club’s website. (www. lcfc.com) “I think our aim is to try and be competitive in every match, whether we’re playing Chelsea as Premier League winners last season or a team that’s just come up. “There will be targets internally and privately and I think it’s important that the players know what’s required.” Shakespeare’s first game in charge as permanent manager will be a pre-season trip to Hong Kong where the team will face fellow league rivals West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League Asia Trophy on July 19.

LYON, July 5, (Agencies): Arsenal agreed a deal to sign France striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for a club-record fee that could rise to 60 million euros ($68m, £52.56m), the two clubs confirmed on Wednesday. The transfer fee is also a new record sale for the Ligue 1 outfit, worth an initial 53m euros, according to a statement on the Lyon website. The deal beats the 50m euros that Arsenal paid to bring Mesut Ozil to the Emirates from Real Madrid in 2013, while it sees Lyon break their highest sale for the second time in a month after seeing midfielder Corentin Tolisso move to Bayern Munich for 47.5m euros. Arsenal said the 26-year-old had signed a “long-term contract”. “We are very happy to have Alexandre join our group. He has shown over a number of years that he can score goals and that he is a very efficient finisher,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said in a statement. “As well, he has very interesting technical qualities and a strong character. “So he is a guy who is a great addition for us, and someone who will help us challenge at the top level this season.” He had been at Lyon since the age of 12, and scored 129 goals for the senior team, including 100 in Ligue 1. Lacazette, who has made 11 international appearances for France, last season became the first player to score 20 goals or more in three successive French top-flight seasons since Jean-Pierre Papin in 1992. “I am very pleased with the success of Alexandre, who, besides being one of Olympique Lyon’s best-ever strikers, is a charming player who I became very close to,” said Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas in his club’s statement. Lacazette will be hoping that the move to Arsenal can help boost his hopes of cementing a place in the France squad ahead of next year’s World Cup, having only played one international in the last two years. The north London club will be expecting Lacazette to add some muchneeded firepower up front, after a disappointing fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last term that saw them miss out on the Champions League for the first time in 19 years. He scored 37 goals in all competitions last season, including 28 in just 30 league games. Meanwhile, the signing puts the Arsenal future of Olivier Giroud in doubt. The former Montpellier front-man is currently above Lacazette in France coach Didier Deschamps’ pecking order, but he could now struggle to find a place in Wenger’s Gunners starting XI under pressure from his compatriot. Giroud has been linked with possible moves to both Everton and West Ham United. But Arsenal supporters will be delighted to see Wenger spending big, as they look to mount a serious challenge on a first league title since ‘the Invincibles’ lifted the Premier League trophy in 2004. ❑ ❑ ❑ Premier League club Huddersfield Town have signed forward Steve Mounie and midfielder Danny Williams, while Kasey Palmer has rejoined the side on a season-long loan from champions Chelsea. Benin international Mounie, 22, signed from French side Montpellier on a four-deal for an undisclosed fee after scoring 15 goals in 38 games last season. Free agent Williams, 28, left Reading at the end of last season after four

years with the Championship side. He played 45 matches last campaign as the Royals finished third but lost the play-off final to Huddersfield. Palmer, 20, scored five goals in 27 appearances for Huddersfield last campaign and re-joined the club on loan for the 2017-18 season after signing a four-year deal with Chelsea. Eight players have signed for manager David Wagner’s side as they prepare for their first season in the top tier for 45 years. ❑ ❑ ❑ Swansea City defender Kyle Naughton has signed a new threeyear contract that will keep him at the Premier League club until 2020. Naughton, 28, has made 71 appearances for the Welsh club since joining in 2015 and had a year left on his contract before signing a two-year extension. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United right back made 34 appearances for the Swans last season as the club escaped relegation with four wins in their last five league games. Swansea captain Leon Britton signed a contract extension in June, and the club added goalkeeper Erwin Mulder to their ranks while forward Tammy Abraham joined on a season-long loan from champions Chelsea. ❑ ❑ ❑ Portugal international Pepe has signed for Besiktas, the Turkish champions announced on Tuesday, bringing to an end 10 incident-pakced years with Spanish giants Real Madrid. The 34-year-old Brazilian-born defender joined Real from Porto in 2007 for 30 million euros ($34.05 million), winning the Liga title in his first campaign. His contract with Real expired last month and, according to reports in the Turkish media, he will sign a twoyear contract with Besiktas. He leaves Real after winning three La Liga titles, two King’s Cup trophies and following three Champions League triumphs, although he missed this year’s European Cup final victory against Juventus due to injury. Pepe gained infamy in his second campaign in Spain for kicking out at Getafe’s Javier Casquero after fouling him and punching Juan Albin in a game in April 2009, earning a 10game ban, and later said he had “lost control”. He was sent off four times for Real, including a red card for a lunge on

Barcelona’s Dani Alves in a Champions League semi-final first leg in 2011, but will be fondly remembered by the Madrid club’s fans for his spirited performances and consistent partnership with Sergio Ramos. ❑ ❑ ❑ French teenager Theo Hernandez became the first player to cross the divide between Atletico and Real Madrid in 17 years on Wednesday, as the clubs confirmed they had reached an agreement which local media reported to be worth around 30 million euros ($34 million). The left back’s brother Lucas plays for Atletico, and their father JeanFrancois also turned out for the club. The last player to transfer straight from Atletico to Real was Argentinean midfielder Santiago Solari in 2000. On that occasion, the former had been relegated from Spain’s top flight. But the latest deal will come as a bitter blow for manager Diego Simeone and Atletico, who last month saw their appeal against a transfer ban for the illegal signing of minors rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Atletico cannot register new players until January 2018. “The player, who was contracted until 2021, has rejected numerous offers of a new deal from Atletico and other European clubs, reiterating his desire to play for Real Madrid,” Atletico said in a statement. The France Under-20 international joined Atletico in 2008 aged 11 but never made a first team appearance for the side. He impressed on loan at Alaves last season, making 32 La Liga appearances for the Basques and scoring a stunning consolation in the 3-1 King’s Cup final defeat by Barcelona — ironically at Atletico’s old Vicente Calderon stadium in his only competitive appearance there. The deal is representative of a shift in transfer policy from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in favour of younger players, including Hernandez and Jesus Vallejo, with recent Euro Under-21 player of the tournament Dani Ceballos reported to be next on the agenda at the Bernabeu. ❑ ❑ ❑ Slovenia midfielder Josip Ilicic has made a permanent move to Atalanta from Serie A rivals Fiorentina, the Bergamo-based club said on Wednesday (www.atalanta.it). The 29-year-old, who has won 44 caps for Slovenia, joined the Florentine club in 2013 after a three-year

This file photo taken on April 8, 2017 shows Lyon’s French forward Alexandre Lacazette (center), kicks the ball during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Lorient (FCL) at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais Stadium in Decines-Charpieu near Lyon, central-eastern France. Arsenal agreed a deal to sign France striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for a reported club-record 60 million euros ($68m, £52.56m), the Premier League club confirmed on July 5. The transfer fee is also a new record sale for the Ligue 1 outfit, while Arsenal said the 26-year-old had signed a ‘long-term contract’. (AFP)

stint at Palermo, who were relegated from Serie A last season. Ilicic, who made 30 league appearances and scored five goals last season, will help Atalanta, who qualified for the Europa League after ending fourth in the standings, with their return to Europe for the first time in 26 years. ❑ ❑ ❑ Promoted Bundesliga team Freiburg secured Austria Under-21 captain Philipp Lienhart on loan from Real Madrid’s second team on Wednesday. Freiburg said it had the option to make the deal for the 20-year-old defender permanent at the end of next season. “Philipp is a young and developing central defender whose focused and clear way of playing was known to us from the Austrian national youth sides,” Freiburg sporting director Klemens Hartenbach said. Lienhart came through the ranks at Rapid Vienna before joining Real Madrid’s youth setup, initially on loan in 2014. The Spanish club made his move permanent a year later. Lienhart made his debut for the senior side as a 19-year-old in December 2015 but played primarily for the second team, Real Madrid Castilla. Also Wednesday, Hertha Berlin midfielder Alexander Baumjohann joined Brazilian side Coritiba. The 30-year-old’s wife is Brazilian. Hoffenheim defender Benedikt Gimber joined second-division Jahn Regensburg on loan for the upcoming season. The Germany Under-20 defender has a contract to 2020 with Hoffenheim. Augsburg signed Austrian midfielder Michael Gregoritsch and Venezuelan forward Sergio Cordova from Hamburger SV and Caracas FC, respectively, late on Tuesday. Also, Eintracht Frankfurt gave 18-year-old Cameroon forward Nelson Mandela Mbouhom a twoyear contract to reward his progression through the club’s youth sides. Mbouhom joined Frankfurt’s Under15s from Barcelona in 2013. ❑ ❑ ❑ Portuguese international left back Fabio Coentrao has been loaned to Sporting Lisbon for the 2017-2018 season although owners Real Madrid will continue to shoulder much of his salary, his new club said on Wednesday. The 29-year-old with 51 Portugal caps said on Instagram he was “very happy with the opportunity to play at such a huge club” alongside a photo of himself at the stadium with his partner and children. Sporting coach Jorge Jesus knows Coentrao from their time together at Benfica before the defender left for Madrid in 2011, where he won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues. On loan at Monaco in 2015-2016 he picked up an injury late in the season and missed Portugal’s European Championship victory in France. ❑ ❑ ❑ Iceland international midfielder Arnor Ingvi Traustason has joined AEK Athens from Rapid Vienna on a one-year loan, the Greek Super League club said Wednesday. AEK said they had an option to buy the 24-year-old player next year without disclosing financial details of the deal. Traustason has 15 appearances with the Iceland national team scoring five goals including the goal which gave his side a 2-1 victory over Austria in a Euro 2016 match sending Iceland into the last 16.

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

SPORTS

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Deal includes $340 mln termination clause

Messi commits to Barca until 2021

In this May 27, 2017 file photo, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal during the Copa del Rey final soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Barcelona said on July 5, Argentina forward Lionel Messi has agreed to extend his contract that will tie him to the Spanish club through June 30, 2021. (AP)

BARCELONA, July 5, (AFP): Lionel Messi has agreed to stay at FC Barcelona until 2021 in a deal that all but commits the star striker to ending his top-flight career at the Spanish giants. The megastar who joined Barcelona as a teenager 17 years ago will remain at the club until he is 34 under the new deal, the Catalan club announced Wednesday, ending months of speculation about the future of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. “The deal will be signed in the coming weeks, when Messi returns to the team for pre-season training,” the club said in a statement, as the 30-year-old enjoyed his honeymoon just days after he wed his childhood sweetheart in Argentina. Messi has hinted in the past that he would like to return in the future to Argentina to play for his very first club, CA Newell’s Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario, where he wed last week. But he has also said that his priority is to win more honours with Barca, the club he has called his home since he was 13.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has made keeping Messi at Barca a personal crusade. “We wanted to ensure that the best player in the history of football remains at the club,” he said. “He plays here and he should retire here.” No financial details of Messi’s new contact were disclosed, but Spain’s Marca sports daily reported on Tuesday that the deal included a 300-million-euro ($340-million) termination clause. Under his current contract, due to run out in June 2018, Messi earns around 20 million euros a year in salary, according to Spanish media — and this didn’t include millions of euros in revenues earned from ads and performance-linked bonuses. Messi joined FC Barcelona in 2000 when he was just 13 years old in the youth training centre. “He made his first team debut at just 16 years of age in a friendly against FC Porto, before making his debut the following season against

Espanyol at 17,” the club said in a statement. “Shortly after, he scored his first senior goal with a clever lob against Albacete at the Camp Nou.” The deal announcement is likely to reassure fans and members of FC Barcelona, which has had a disappointing season by the club’s own high standards.

SOCCER The club was eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter finals by Juventus, and came second behind arch-rivals Real Madrid in La Liga, though Barca did win the Copa del Rey. Messi’s contract extension consolidates the much-feared “MSN” striking trio which also includes Brazil’s Neymar and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez. Both have also renewed their contracts until 2021.

With 507 goals scored in 583 official matches, Messi is the club’s all-time leading scorer and the top scorer in La Ligua historyand. He is widely considered the world’s best player along with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, his Real Madrid rival. “He’s the best player I’ve ever seen on the pitch,” said Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona’s new coach, of Messi. Now 30, Messi could have been tempted by other horizons — having been courted by clubs like PSG and Manchester City — particularly as he was found guilty last year of tax fraud in Spain. But he has lived in Catalonia since his early teens, and currently resides in Barcelona with his now-wife Antonella Roccuzzo, their son Thiago, four, and Mateo, one — both of whom were born in Spain. And Messi himself said in May that his aim as a footballer was to “try and win the most titles possible” with FC Barcelona.

Froome takes yellow jersey Aru rules 5th stage PLANCHER-LESMINES, France, July 5, (AFP): Fabio Aru made a statement of intent on Wednesday and showed he is the heir apparent to 2014 Tour de France winner and Italian compatriot Vincenzo Nibali. Aru won the 160.5km fifth stage at La Planche des Belles Filles by 16 seconds from Ireland’s Dan Martin to move up to third overall. And it was on that very same climb in 2014 that Nibali had tasted victory before going on to dominate, and win, the Tour title. AS with Nibali three years ago, Aru also did so whilst wearing the Italian national champion’s jersey. “I’d never climbed it before but of course I saw that last climb on the internet when Chris (Froome) won in 2012 and Nibali in 2014, so that’s why I decided to attack with 3km to go,” said Aru. Back in 2014, Nibali had no peers as Froome, who now leads the Tour after finishing third, and Alberto Contador had both crashed out of the race. So Aru’s achievement was even more impressive as it was gleaned against all the best climbers in the world. But he didn’t want to get carried away, especially after his experience last year when he had a disastrous penultimate stage, dropping from sixth overall to 13th. “That penultimate stage last year was worse than being cut by a knife,” said Aru. “But I learnt a lot from it and promised myself I’d come back as soon as possible to the Tour because I love the Tour.” He attacked with 2.4km left of the stage that started in Vittel, and quickly opened up a winning gap. Time and again, Aru kicked on with great determination to consolidate his advantage, also riding into the polkadot king of the mountains jersey. First Froome 1.7km out and then Richie Porte in the final kilometre counter-attacked behind but it was Ireland’s Martin who took second place to move up to fourth overall at 25sec. Briton Froome rolled over the line in third at 20sec, just ahead of Porte, to take the race leader’s yellow jersey off his compatriot and team-mate Ge-

CYCLING raint Thomas, who drops to second, although at the same 12sec gap that he previously enjoyed. Aru, though, is now just 14sec back and Froome said he and his Sky teammates would not be able to take their eyes of the Sardinian again. “Fabio rode a great stage and attacked at just the right moment before the climb flattened out before the last kick,” said the 32-year-old Briton. “If anything, behind we gave him a little too much space. After I made my move, three or four guys followed me but no-one really wanted to pull on the flat part. “That allowed Fabio to open up a gap. “Going forward we cannot afford to allow Fabio that kind of a gap again. “He’d already shown in the Dauphine he was in great shape and that was confirmed today.” Nairo Quintana was the biggest loser of the day, coming in 14sec behind Froome, leaving him ninth overall at 54sec. But with the top 10 separated by a second over one minute, and all the contenders in there, the race is now truly on. An eight-man breakaway took off early in the stage and built up a maximum lead of three and a half minutes. But with Sky reluctant to chase them down, BMC decided to take over pace-setting duties, in the hope of setting up Porte for the stage win and the time bonus that would offer. With just over 13km left Philippe Gilbert, on his 35th birthday, attack his five remaining breakaway companions and only Jan Bakelants could respond. When they reached the foot of the climb, though, they had a lead of less than a minute over the peloton, now led by the Sky armada.

Results/Standings FRANCE, July 5, (RTRS): Results from Tour de France (Vittel — La Planche des Belles Filles, 160.5 kms) on Wednesday. 1. Fabio Aru (Italy/Astana) 3:44:06” 2. Daniel Martin (Ireland/Quick-Step) +16” 3. Chris Froome (Britain/Team Sky) +20” 4. Richie Porte (Australia/BMC Racing) 5. Romain Bardet (France/AG2R) +24” 6. Simon Yates (Britain/Orica) +26” 7. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia/Cannondale) 8. Alberto Contador (Spain/Trek) 9. Nairo Quintana (Colombia/Movistar) +34” 10. Geraint Thomas (Britain/Team Sky) +40” 11. Louis Meintjes (South Africa/UAE Team Emirates) 12. Rafal Majka (Poland/BORA) 13. Nicolas Roche (Ireland/BMC Racing)+1:05” 14. George Bennett (New Zealand/LottoNL)+1:07” 15. Mikel Landa (Spain/Team Sky) 16. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark/Astana) 17. Pierre Latour (France/AG2R) +1:10” 18. Serge Pauwels (Belgium/Dimension Data) 19. Guillaume Martin (France/Wanty) +1:13” 20. Damiano Caruso (Italy/BMC Racing) 21. Andrew Talansky (US/Cannondale) 22. Emanuel Buchmann (Germany/BORA) +1:17” 23. Mikel Nieve (Spain/Team Sky) 24. Sergio Henao (Colombia/Team Sky) +1:36” 25. Laurens ten Dam (Ntherlnds/Sunweb) +1:39” 26. Tiesj Benoot (Belgium/Lotto) +1:43” 27. Mathias Frank (Switzerland/AG2R) +1:47” 28. Tim Wellens (Belgium/Lotto) 29. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pola/Team Sky)+1:52” 30. Janez Brajkovic (Slovania/Bahrain) +1:54” Standings Stage 5 classification from Tour de France 1. Chris Froome (Britain/Team Sky) 18:38:59” 2. Geraint Thomas (Britain/Team Sky) +12” 3. Fabio Aru (Italy/Astana) +14” 4. Daniel Martin (Ireland/Quick-Step) +25” 5. Richie Porte (Australia/BMC Racing) +39” 6. Simon Yates (Britain/Orica) +43” 7. Romain Bardet (France/AG2R) +47” 8. Alberto Contador (Spain/Trek) +52” 9. Nairo Quintana (Colombia/Movistar) +54” 10. Rafal Majka (Poland/BORA) +1:01” 11. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia/Cannondale) 12. Pierre Latour (France/AG2R) +1:07” 13. Louis Meintjes (South Africa/UAE Team Emirates) +1:24” 14. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/BORA) +1:29” 15. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark/Astana) +1:33” 16. Mikel Landa (Spain/Team Sky) +1:47” 17. Tim Wellens (Belgium/Lotto) +1:51” 18. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol/Team Sky) +1:56” 19. Andrew Talansky (US/Cannondale) +1:57” 20. Serge Pauwels (Belg/Dimension Data)+2:00” 21. Nicolas Roche (Ireland/BMC Racing)+2:14” 22. Guillaume Martin (France/Wanty) +2:27” 23. Tiesj Benoot (Belgium/Lotto) +2:30” 24. Sergio Henao (Colombia/Team Sky) +2:32” 25. George Bennett (NZ/LottoNL) +2:34” 26. Damiano Caruso (Italy/BMC Racing)+2:35” 27. Mathias Frank (Switzerland/AG2R) +2:36” 28. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Rep/Orica)+2:41” 29. Mikel Nieve (Spain/Team Sky) +2:42” 30. Esteban Chaves (Colombia/Orica) +2:44”

They held on for almost 2km more but with 4km to ride, it was over and now all down to the overall contenders. Meanwhile, Mark Cavendish praised the Tour de France jury’s “courage” after it kicked world champion Peter Sagan out of the race for sending the Briton crashing to the ground in a chaotic sprint finale on Tuesday. Sagan appeared to elbow Cavendish off balance at the end of the fourth stage, and the Dimension Data rider sustained a broken shoulder blade in the crash that occurred at more than 60 kph. “It takes a lot of courage, a lot of balls, to eliminate the world champion from the Tour de France,” Cavendish, who was hoping to add to his 30 Tour stage wins, told reporters before the start of Wednesday’s fifth stage.

Great Britain’s Christopher Froome celebrates his overall leader yellow jersey on the podium at the end of the 160,5 km fifth stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, between Vittel and La Planche des Belles Filles. (AFP)

Evergrande fine captain for handshake snub

Stadium closed after refs hurt in attack SHANGHAI, July 5, (Agencies): A Chinese second-division club were ordered on Wednesday to play a home match behind closed doors after four match officials were attacked following a controversial draw. Police are investigating who beat up the referee and his assistants after the power was mysteriously cut on Saturday in their changing room at Baoding Rongda’s stadium, in a fresh low for Chinese football, which has invested huge sums in improving the sport and signing foreign players. Baoding Rongda, a club near Beijing, are at the bottom of China’s second tier and were infuriated when referee Huang Xiang added seven minutes of injury time at the end of a game that they were leading 2-1 against Wuhan Zall. Home players and fans were further riled when Huang awarded Wuhan a debatable penalty in stoppage time and the visitors converted the spot-kick to snatch a draw. The Chinese Football Association (CFA), which has issued a series of lengthy bans in recent weeks to star names including Shanghai SIPG’s Oscar in the top-tier Super League, said Baoding players and staff angrily confronted Huang afterwards on the pitch. The referee and his assistants had to be escorted off by security personnel as fans pelted them with debris, staterun newspaper The Beijing News said. “At around 10:30 pm on that night, the power in the referees’ dressing room was suddenly cut off,” the CFA said in a statement. “A dozen people rushed inside the referees’ room at around 11:10 pm and beat up the four officials. That resulted in injuries to the head, waist, leg and

er becomes the latest major name to hit disciplinary trouble in the Chinese Super League (CSL), with the Shanghai SIPG quartet of Oscar, Hulk, Wu Lei and manager Andre Villas-Boas all serving bans. Evergrande slapped Zheng with a 100,000 yuan ($15,000) fine and warned him about his future conduct for “failing to meet the high standards of team management requirements”. “All coaches and players are required to respect their opponent and referees during the match,” the statement added. Evergrande players shook hands with their opponents in the 4-3 loss at Tianjin but not with the referee or his

This file photo taken on Feb 28, 2017 shows Shanghai SIPG Brazilian forward Hulk kicking the ball during the AFC Asian Champions League group football match between China’s Shanghai SIPG and Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers in Shanghai. As the Chinese Super League (CSL) hits the halfway point of the season the weekend of July 1-2, 2017, the megabucks lavished on imported players has triggered unprecedented interest, but the headlines have been dominated by foreigners behaving badly. (AFP)

other parts.” Police are helping the CFA identify who the attackers were, why the power was cut and why there was not enough security to protect the officials. The CFA, who are investigating the performance of the officials, handed out a series of fines and punishments to Baoding, over what the association called a “malicious” incident. The club were ordered to play a game behind closed doors and its Dutch head coach Johannes Bonfrere was banned from the bench for two matches for berating the referee. In the chaotic aftermath of the match Baoding chairman Meng Yongli burst

into tears at a press conference, alleging his side had been cheated out of the win, and later said he was pulling the team out of League One. Meng soon after quit as chairman and Baoding subsequently apologised, saying the club had no intention of leaving the league. Meng has been handed a two-year nationwide stadium ban. Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande fined captain Zheng Zhi for failing to gather all his players to shake the hands of match officials after the dramatic weekend defeat at Tianjin Quanjian. The Chinese international midfield-

‘My conscience is clear’

Modric questioned over alleged false testimony

Italy’s Fabio Aru celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the end of the 160,5 km fifth stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, between Vittel and La Planche des Belles Filles. (AFP)

ZAGREB, July 5, (AFP): Croatian prosecutors on Wednesday questioned Real Madrid’s Luka Modric over his alleged false testimony at the trial of Dinamo Zagreb’s powerful former boss, Zdravko Mamic. “I came here to present my defence and tell the truth as every time so far,” Modric told reporters after the questioning in the eastern town of Osijek, where the trial is being held, the state-run HINA news agency reported. “My conscience is clear,” the 31-year-old Croatia captain said. “I’m certain that eventually it will be shown that I did not commit any criminal act.” In June the prosecutors opened a probe of Modric whom they suspect of giving false testimony during Mamic’s trial, which is punishable with up to five years in jail. Mamic is accused — along with his brother Zoran Mamic and two others — of abuse of power and graft that cost the former Croatian champions more than 15 million euros ($16.9 million), and the state 1.5 million euros.

Cash was allegedly embezzled through fictitious deals related to player transfers. Modric testified in mid-June over the details of his 2008 transfer from Dinamo to Tottenham Hotspur.From there he joined Real Madrid in 2012. The prosecutors alleged that, when questioned at the tribunal, Modric falsely said he had signed an annex to a contract with Dinamo over conditions for future transfers in July 2004. When questioned during investigations in 2015, Modric said the annex was signed after he joined Tottenham, according to the prosecutors. Another Croatian international, Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, is to appear as witness in September. The 28-year-old is expected to be questioned over his 2010 transfer from Dinamo to French side Lyon. The trial, which opened in April, has attracted huge interest from media and residents of Osijek where it is being held reportedly to avoid Mamic’s influence on judges in the capital Zagreb.

SOCCER assistants, media reports said. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Evergrande saw their lead over SIPG at the top of the CSL cut to a single point following the defeat on Sunday. As he won league titles as head coach of Real Madrid, Milan and Juventus, Fabio Capello never had to contemplate relegation. In his first foray to China, it has suddenly become a very real threat. Capello, winner of the UEFA Champions League in 1994 and who also led the national teams of England and Russia to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, was appointed as head coach of Jiangsu Suning in June. In three Chinese Super League games under one of the world’s most famous coaches, Jiangsu has collected just one point. More worrying still is that in those games, the Nanjing-based club failed to score. The latest setback was a 1-0 home loss to Shanghai SIPG, which was missing star players Oscar and Hulk through suspension. That loss left Jiangsu bottom of the 16-team league, three points adrift of safety. “Maybe this is the most testing situation that Capello has ever faced,”Gary White, who led Shanghai Shenxin clear of relegation from China’s League One in 2016, told The Associated Press. “He does not have a team full of world-class players to rely on. He must bring the big foreign stars and the Chinese players together and get them to play for each other. It is not about quality, it is about motivation.” The player stocks are still high at the club which finished runner-up in the 2016 season. Bolstered by more than $80 million spent on Brazilian internationals Alex Teixeira and Ramires, Jiangsu pushed Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Guangzhou Evergrande all the way for the title.

PRIME TIME

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 thursday — (all times are kuwait local) 07:30 atletico go vs santos/soccer …… bein sports 6 08:00 nishikori vs stakhovsky/tennis .bein sports 9 09:00 nadal vs young/tennis …….......bein sports 10 10:00 cilic vs mayer/tennis ……........… bein sports 8 12:00 maia vs halep/tennis ………........ bein sports 9 13:00 tour de france/cycling ……......… bein sports 7 13:30 murray vs brown/tennis ……….. bein sports 10 16:30 germany vs spain/soccer ……..… bein sports 6

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Murray ‘storms’ into Wimbledon 3rd round Azarenka victorious as Nishikori, Konta sweat LONDON, July 5, (AFP): Defending champion Andy Murray stormed into the Wimbledon third round with a ruthless 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Dustin Brown on Wednesday. Murray needed only 96 minutes to see off the dreadlocked German on Centre Court as he underlined his return to fitness following a nagging hip injury. Next up for world number one Murray is a clash with colourful Italian 28th seed Fabio Fognini. “He started very well, he was coming up with some great drop volleys and really going for the returns,” the British star said.

TENNIS “Once I got the break in the first set, I felt the momentum was with me. I started to see the shots he was going to play a little but quicker and that allowed me to get to some of the drop volleys and come up with some passing shots. “The last three games I didn’t serve particularly well. But the rest of the match I served well, I was getting a lot of free points there. “He wasn’t able to attack my second serve like he tries to do so that was positive. “Against guys that play a lot of drop shots and come forward you need to move well, and I did that.” Murray said his hip had not affected him at all during his two matches so far. “I feel good and hopefully it stays that way,” he said. New mum Victoria Azarenka continued her comeback bid for Wimbledon glory on Wednesday as Kei Ni-

France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reacts against Italy’s Simone Bolelli during their men’s singles second round match on the third day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5. (AFP)

shikori and Johanna Konta ground out victories to reach the third round. Former world number one Azarenka, playing her first Grand Slam tournament since giving birth to first child Leo in December, knocked out Russian 15th seed Elena Vesnina. The 2012 and 2013 Australian Open champion, in her fourth match back, won 6-3, 6-3, taking her record over the Russian to 8-0 without dropping a set. The Belarusian, 27, could become the first mother to win the Wimbledon singles since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980. “Travelling is a little stressful for me, travelling with a baby. I want to make sure that everything is okay. But overall, it’s just great. It’s really fun that I’m able to go home and spend time with my son,” she said.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns to Russia’s Elena Vesnina during their Women’s Singles Match on day three at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London on July 5. (AP)

Azarenka next faces British wildcard Heather Watson who also upset the form book. The world number 102 downed Latvian 18th seed Anastasija Sevastova in straight sets. British sixth seed Konta reached the Wimbledon third round for the first time with a marathon 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 10-8 win over Donna Vekic which left her opponent in tears. Konta and Watson’s victories made it the first time that two British women have reached the last 32 at their home Grand Slam since Jo Durie and Anne Hobbs in 1986. British men’s defending champion Murray was facing the unpredictable serve-volleyer Dustin Brown on Centre Court, with Nadal due afterwards in the 15,000-seater arena. Nishikori dug deep to keep his Wimbledon hopes alive as the Japanese ninth seed ground out a 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-1, 7-6 (8/6) win over Ukrainian qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky. Despite reaching at least the quarter-finals of the other three Grand Slams, Nishikori has never been beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon. He next faces Spanish 18th seed Roberto Bautista Agut who ousted German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk. France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 12th seed, made short work of Italian qualifier Simone Bolelli in the sizzling heat, winning in straight sets. Fans shielded their faces from the sun with towels, programmes and napkins as temperatures reached 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit). Tsonga was one of several players bothered by an invasion of flying ants. “That was strange... it was in my nose and in my ear,” he said. Gilles Muller won a gruelling fiveset encounter with Czech qualifier Lukas Rosol. The 16th seed from Luxembourg won the decider 9-7. US 24th seed Sam Querrey and Britain’s Aljaz Bedene also won their second round matches. Meanwhile seventh seed Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, was battling Germany’s Florian Mayer for a spot in the third round. Five-time champion Williams is trying to concentrate on tennis against the backdrop of the impending legal action she faces back home in the United States over a fatal car crash. The 37-year-old veteran, devastated by the incident, broke down in tears on Monday when talking about the crash. She was facing Chinese rising star Wang Qiang on Court One. Czech 22nd seed Barbora Strycova lost to Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who awaits Williams or Wang. Eighth seed Dominika Cibulkova and 27th seed Ana Konjuh of Croatia will face each other in round three after coming through their last 64 matches.

Britain’s Andy Murray returns against Germany’s Dustin Brown during their men’s singles second round match on the third day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championship at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5. (AFP)

Indonesia to lead SEA bid JAKARTA, July 5, (AFP): Indonesia is set to lead a consortium of South East Asian countries in an ambitious bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the country’s football association said Wednesday. Joko Driyono, the vicepresident of the Indonesia’s football association, PSSI, said the country had proposed to lead the South East Asian consortium at an Asian Football Federation (AFF) council meeting in Vietnam earlier this month. “It will be officially en-

SOCCER dorsed in the (AFF) council meeting in Bali in September,” Driyono told AFP. Driyono said the bid to host the most prestigious football event was “ambitious” but that the consortium, comprising countries from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), had 17 years to prepare. The deadline to register a bid is 2026. Due to geographical and infrastructure considerations, only two or three of the 10 ASEAN member countries would be in a position to host matches in the 2034 World Cup, Driyono added.

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