to Turkish touristic spots

40 Pages·2016·6.32 MB·English

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SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016 RAJAB 3,1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net
Inside MoCI’s Cameron admits ‘Man in hat’ at Aguero, Nasri
customer mishandling Brussels airport give Man City
4 10 10 20
protection offshore bombing win over
department revelations identified West Brom
US warns of ‘threats’ to
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Turkish touristic spots Min 20º
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68 Max 37º
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01:57 & 13:29
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G Police detonate bag in Istanbul’s Taksim Square Low Tide
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ISTANBUL:The US embassy in Turkey yesterday warned
Police bust fake medicine ring
of “credible threats” to tourist areas in Istanbul and the
resort city of Antalya, intensifying fears in a country hit
by four suicide bombings this year. The fresh alert
comes a day after Israel reissued a warning to its citizens
By Hanan Al-Saadoun
to avoid Turkey or “leave as soon as possible”, citing an
imminent risk of an attack. The US alert comes three
KUWAIT: Capital financial crime detectives arrested
weeks after a suicide bomber struck a popular shopping
two Egyptians with half a million counterfeit medical
street in the heart of Istanbul - killing four people and
pills that they sold for less than a quarter of the actu-
injuring dozens - in an attack which authorities blamed
al price, claiming they were genuine. An expert from
the health ministry said that the medicines were fake on the Islamic State group.
and that genuine drugs were only given on doctors’ “The US Mission in Turkey would like to inform US cit-
prescriptions, because abusing them may cause izens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in
death. After consulting medicine agents in Kuwait, particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and
he reiterated that they were counterfeit. Antalya,” read an emergency travel warning published
Interrogating the suspects, they said they bought on the US embassy’s official website.
them from a Bangladeshi, who was arrested, who Turkish police later carried out a controlled explosion
said that he got the medicines from an Indian of a bag left in Istanbul’s popular Taksim square yester-
woman, who led police to a group of peddlers stor- day, a witness at the scene said. Police cordoned off
ing the medicines in a warehouse in Souq Taksim, a square lined with hotels and restaurants fre-
Mubarakiya, which was raided and the medicines quented by tourists, while a member of the police
confiscated. A case was filed and the suspects were bomb squad was seen opening what appeared to be a
referred to relevant authorities. bag, the witness said. The bomb squad later detonated
Counterfeit or knockoff drugs are medicines that it in a controlled explosion, causing a loud boom to
do not match the description on the label of the con- echo across the square, the witness said.
tainers that hold them. They may be contaminated,
A police officer at the scene later confirmed it was a
or may contain the wrong active ingredients, the cor-
bag, but no further information about the incident was
rect active ingredient in the wrong amounts, or no
immediately available. Before the explosion, two
active ingredients at all. Counterfeits may also be
Reuters reporters in central Istanbul saw an extremely
out-of-date drugs that have been repackaged with
heavy police presence, with security tight, ahead of an
new expiration dates. Drugs can also be considered
Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit this com-
counterfeit if they contain the right ingredients in the
ing week. Roads were sealed off near some major hotels
right amounts, but they are not made by the manu-
and police units were deployed outside foreign con-
facturer described on the label. All kinds of drugs can
sulates in Istanbul, including the German and Italian
be counterfeited, including prescription and non-
prescription medicines. KUWAIT: Security officials inspect counterfeit medicines seized yesterday. missions.
Continued on Page 13
Saudi king, Azhar imam urge unity
CAIRO: Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz peaceful coexistence”, said the state-
Ex-US House Al Saud and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar ment, adding that “Saudi Arabia and Al-
Ahmad Al-Tayeb called yesterday for uni- Azhar would remain steadfast partners
ty among all Muslims against growing against terrorism.”
speaker Hastert
challenges in the Islamic world. This call Al-Tayeb expressed his profound appre-
came after a first-time visit of its kind for ciation for the laudable role Saudi Arabia
abused 5 boys
a Saudi monarch to the Al-Azhar institu- continually plays vis-a-vis issues dear to
tion, where the king and the grand imam the minds and hearts of the Muslim world,
discussed, among other things, means of a role that upholds the fundamentals of
WASHINGTON: Stunning new details have
combating extremism and terrorism, said promoting peace and shared coexistence.
emerged of ex-House speaker Dennis Hastert’s
a statement issued by the Al-Azhar. On his part, the Saudi monarch praised the
alleged molestation of boys as young as 14, a pre-
Both dignitaries emphasized the need Al-Azhar institution for promoting toler-
cipitous fall from grace for a man once second in
for both Saudi Arabia and Al-Azhar to ance and discrediting extremism and ter-
line to the US presidency. The 74-year-old
guard the core values of Islam, while rorism. The Saudi guest toured the institu-
Republican lobbyist, once among America’s most
rejecting religious extremism. They tion’s facilities and expressed admiration
esteemed political figures,
stressed the imperative “to disseminate for them. He is currently on a five-day visit
MANAMA: US Navy sailors drive a boat during the International Mine agreed to pay $3.5 million
the culture of peace, tolerance, and to Egypt. — KUNA
Countermeasure Exercise (IMCMEX) organized by the US Navy at US Navy Fifth to one of his youngest vic-
Fleet base in the Bahraini capital yesterday. — AFP tims, federal prosecutors
said in a court filing detail-
Obama urged to help
ing for the first time abuse
allegations by five former
free activists in Gulf high school wrestlers he
coached. He pleaded
guilty in October to illegal-
ly structuring bank with-
US leads maritime exercises Dennis Hastert drawals over 4.5 years that
prosecutors identified as hush money.
Hastert told government agents he was being
DUBAI/ABU DHABI: Eleven non-govern- The summit will follow one with Gulf
extorted by someone falsely accusing him of
mental organizations have called on US allies in Camp David in May last year,
abuse, but recorded conversations between him
President Barack Obama to help free which Saudi King Salman did not attend
and the person identified in Friday’s filing as
human rights defenders in Gulf monar- amid angst over Washington’s efforts at
“Individual A” cast doubt over his claim.
chies, ahead of a summit with their lead- the time to reach a nuclear deal with the
Prosecutors suggested Hastert be handed a six-
ers later this month. In an open letter kingdom’s rival Iran. Visiting Bahrain on
month sentence at an April 27 hearing, taking note
published yesterday by the Gulf Center Thursday, US Secretary of State John
of his ill health - he suffered a stroke after pleading
for Human Rights (GCHR), signatories Kerry told authorities in the Sunni-ruled
guilty - but stressing that he could continue to
urged Obama “to press for the release of kingdom accused of discriminating
receive medical care and medication while in
all detained human rights defenders against the country’s Shiite majority that
across the Gulf region who are impris- respect for human rights was “essential”. prison. CAIRO: Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb (left) and Saudi King Salman
oned solely due to their peaceful and The GCC includes the monarchies of Continued on Page 13 bin Abdulaziz (center) visit the mosque at Al-Azhar headquarters yesterday. — AFP
legitimate human rights work”. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,
“Instead of working with human Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
Anglican leader son of Churchill secretary
rights defenders to combat extremism Meanwhile, the US Navy is leading a
and build tolerant societies, authorities 30-nation maritime exercise across
in the GCC countries have jailed dozens Middle Eastern waters which it says will
LONDON: The leader of the through the Church of England. 1977. But The Daily Telegraph
of them, in some cases for life, simply for help protect international trade routes
world’s Anglicans, the Archbishop “This revelation has, of course, newspaper revealed yesterday it
exercising their right and duty to pro- against possible threats, including from
of Canterbury Justin Welby, been a surprise, but in my life and had pieced together evidence
mote and protect human rights via free- Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. The exercise,
revealed his shock yesterday at in our marriage Caroline and I suggesting that Montague
doms of expression, association and which is partly being held in the Arabian
discovering he is the illegitimate have had far worse,” said the arch- Browne was actually his father.
peaceful assembly,” it said. Gulf, comes as tensions run high
The letter’s signatories - including between Gulf Arab countries and Iran son of Winston Churchill’s last pri- bishop, whose first child Johanna The broadsheet then discussed its
Reporters Without Borders, Human over its role in the region, including its vate secretary. Welby, the spiritual died in a car crash in 1983, aged findings with Welby, who decided
Rights First and Front Line Defenders - support for President Bashar Al-Assad in head of the Church of England seven months. “I know that I find to take a DNA test to disprove the
reminded Obama of his “promises made Syria’s civil war, for the Houthis in the and of the wider global Anglican Justin Welby who I am in Jesus Christ, not in claim. A comparison between a
in 2011 to support popular movements Yemen conflict and for Hezbollah in Communion of 85 million covered that my biological father genetics, and my identity in him swab from his mouth and hair
for reform across the region”. Obama is to Lebanon. The International Mine Christians, said the news had is not Gavin Welby but, in fact, the never changes.” samples from Montague Browne,
attend a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) come as a “complete surprise”. But late Sir Anthony Montague Welby had always thought that who worked for Churchill
summit in Riyadh on April 21, which is to started on Monday with a symposium in the 60-year-old cleric insisted he Browne. This comes as a complete his father was Gavin Welby, a between 1952 and 1965, showed
focus of the fight against jihadist groups Bahrain where the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is was not disturbed by it. surprise,” Welby said in a highly whisky salesman and son of a a 99.9779 percent probability that
and regional conflicts according to the based, in part as a bulwark against Iran. “In the last month I have dis- unusual statement issued Jewish immigrant, who died in they were father and son. — AFP
White House. Continued on Page 13
SUNDAY, APRIL10, 2016
LO C A L
Egypt, Kuwait discuss promoting
Local spotlight
parliamentary cooperation A rich trip
to Oman
CAIRO: Means of promoting bilateral coop- Arab countries, Zamanan told reporters
eration were the focus of the meeting on on the sidelines of a ceremony to inaugu-
Saturday between visiting Kuwaiti National rate two Kuwaiti-built mosques in Al-
Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and Beheira Governorate. He added that
Egypt’s Speaker of House of Representatives Kuwaiti charitable projects in Egypt is a By Muna Al-Fuzai
Ali Abdulal. The meeting was held on the clear evidence of the strong relations
sidelines of the 23rd conference of the Arab between the two nations.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU). The two Governor of Al-Beheira Mohammad Ali
sides also dealt with key dossiers on the con- Sultan welcomed the Kuwaiti diplomat and
ference’s agenda. dignitaries attending the ceremony. He
Ghanem stressed the important role of expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s government
[email protected]
Egyptian parliament at Arab, regional and and non-government institutions for their
international levels, inviting Abdel Aal to vis- support to development in Egypt. He lauded
I
it Kuwait. Meanwhile, Abdulal underlined the Ambassador’s efforts to strengthen rela- went on a short visit to Oman last week for the first
the momentous role of Kuwaiti parliament, tions between the two sisterly countries. The time, and despite the trip being brief, I was able to
lauding Ghanem’s role in supporting policies ceremony was also attended by Egyptian learn a lot about a country that is worthy of greetings
of integration and closeness among Arab Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and commending. I came back from the trip with the
countries. The meeting was attended by MPs Mohammad Mokhtar Jomaa, Deputy idea that Oman today is a unique Arabic model and a
CAIRO: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets with Egypt’s
Faisal Al-Shaya, Auda Al-Ruwaie, Humoud Al- Director General of Kuwait’s Zakat House very civilized, intellectual and beautiful place strongly
Speaker of House of Representatives Ali Abdulal. —KUNA
Hamadan, Dr Khalil Abul and Kamal Al- Mohammad Falah Al-Otaibi, Director moving towards development and the future. If we had
Awadhi. country’s eagerness to effectively partake backing and partaking in development General of Kuwait’s Charitable Projects to choose an example for us, we should look at Oman
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Ambassador to in development projects in Egypt. Kuwaiti projects in Egypt out of deep belief of the Bureau Ismail Al-Kandari and several senior and its history to know how to build a nation and learn
Egypt Salem Al-Zamanan underlined his public and private institutions are keen on importance of solidarity between the two Egyptian officials. —KUNA more about respecting expat and citizen rights.
Oman is located in West Asia. It has a strategic loca-
Arab Media Forum to tion and is the third largest country in terms of area in
the Arabian Peninsula. The most prominent characteris-
In my view tic of Oman is quietness, as it is characterized by politi-
honor distinctive youth cal and economic stability. It ranks 23rd in oil reserves in
Sheikha Fraiha, the world and 27th in gas reserves.
Oman ranks 64th among the largest economies of
mother of Kuwaitis
the world. It also ranks 59th in the list of the most
peaceful countries in the world, according to the Global
KUWAIT: Forthcoming Arab Media Forum media personnel. The youth are granted Peace Index. Indeed, this is natural, as Oman is a high-
(AMF) will be distinguished with youth special status during the activity; they will income country and this has its effects on the level of
participation and a chain of sessions tack- take part in the workshops and the semi- state services for the population in terms of ensuring
ling their role at various levels and abusive nars and a number of them will be hon- quality and sustainable human development.
cyber rhetoric. AMF’s Secretary General ored, Khamees said. I have read a lot of articles about the Sultanate of
By Abdullah Buwair Madi Al-Khamees said during a press con- Some 200 Kuwaiti and Arab school Oman and what caught my attention were some com-
ference yesterday that themes of the and academic-level students have been ments criticizing Oman’s policy of staying away from the
workshop, the 13th edition, had been invited to the broad workshop. The forum region’s conflicts, despite being part of the Gulf
selected on bases such as society’s needs, will honor distinguished journalists and Cooperation Council (GCC). I say well done to the sul-
taking into account the media role in vari- media figures, young Kuwaitis and Arabs tanate. In fact, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has
ous realms. Media figures and experts tak- who have played a distinctive role in established a base in international relations and diplo-
ing part in the AMF discussions panels, humanitarian and volunteering fields. macy rooted in security and stability.
[email protected]
seminars and workshops, will tackle It will cap with a cultural-poetry soire, Oman’s policy is that war is not the way to resolve
“trends of the public opinion and decision named ‘the night of Suad Al-Sabah,’ the disputes of whatever nature, and this was the route to a
U
nder the auspices of the chairwoman of the Kuwait Society for the makers, the Arab media crises, the media renowned Kuwaiti poet and composer. climate of internal and external stability by maintaining
Ideal Family, chairwoman of the Girls Sports Club and goodwill role in economic development, sports KUWAIT: Arab Media Forum’s Kuwaiti singer ‘Nawal’ will sing some of excellent relationships with everyone. Oman has no
ambassador Sheikha Fraiha Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; the moth- media issues, how to deal with online Secretary General Madi Al- Drd Suad’s poems, and the Lebanese need to make deals to purchase weapons out of fear of
er of Kuwaitis and Arabs, sister of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad and jibes, among other topics on the long Khamees speaks during the singer Majeda Al-Roumi will add to the the risk of internal or external threats. People are living
HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, the society recently celebrat- agenda,” Khamees said. press conference. —KUNA glee with her presence and signing. The quietly there and have nothing to worry about.
ed honoring the ideal mother and the ideal family for 2016. The 13th forum, scheduled on May 1-2 Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been Oman has a Shura Council - I am now more con-
Talking about Sheikh Fraiha Al-Ahmed is not an easy task because under patronage of His Highness the Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, will get started with a selected as the honorary guest of the vinced that Arabs do not need anything more than that.
we will never talk enough to do her justice. She has endless achieve- Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak meeting grouping young journalists and forum. —KUNA Here we are being burned because of conflicts of the so-
ments and remarkable presence on various occasions, namely national called National Assembly and its decisions and I no
ones. She was there on signing my book ‘The Humanitarian Leader’ (the longer believe that in our small countries we need more
Academician participates in
Arabic version) on Jan 19 last year, her presence on celebrating the first than a shura council. Look at Oman, where everyone
anniversary of naming His Highness the Amir as a ‘Humanitarian Leader’ lives happily without the need to intervene in what they
and Kuwait as a ‘humanity center’ by the UN. She also attended many unsafe computing conference do not understand or appreciate. Omanis have achieved
other patriotic occasions such as many opening ceremonies at the cul- a lot for their country and the world more than us.
tural village. She does this out of her feelings of nostalgia and love of Oman has made significant progress in building a
Kuwait’s heritage. She is also keen on holding various seminars to boost modern state through deliberate steps emphasizing
family awareness concerning many negative phenomena that can KUWAIT: Western-American Social perceptions about unsafe computing The importance of research comes Omani heritage in its relations with others and the basis
adversely affect the lives of our children. Science Association holds its 58th practices and threats of internet soft- due to the great technological devel- of this political legacy is the mutual respect and non-
Shiekha Fraiha is also known as the ‘Hope of the Disabled’, annual conference in the United ware and ways to address them. opment in light of the increasing use interference in the affairs of others, as well as not to
because she believes that real disability is that of the mind and States between April 12-17 with the of the internet to pay bills, download accept the intervention of a third party in their affairs.
thought. Therefore, she strictly refuses describing people with spe- participation of a large number of software and games and communi- This is the pivotal base of the foreign policy of Oman,
cial needs as ‘disabled’ or ‘handicapped’, because she believes they academics and researchers from the cate with others, bringing with it dis- which for a long period has been characterized as mod-
may have more vision, insights and determination than their United States and various countries advantages relating to the security of ern and rational, where it has maintained relationships
healthy peers. Accordingly, she always takes their side and visits around the world. the internet and the emergence of with everyone in the region and the West. We need to
them in and outside Kuwait where her missions abroad can hardly Kuwait University will be repre- viruses, spyware and other danger- recognize and respect that Oman succeeded in gather-
be void of a visit to people with special needs. sented in the conference, which is ous software. ing Iranian and American extremists at the same table in
Arab and foreign diplomats posted in Kuwait have called her the one of the important academic The research calls on internet Muscat in 2013.
‘ambassador of all ambassadors’ and an ‘international ambassador’ events, by Communications Professor users to learn about the latest tech- Omani citizens abroad have a very good reputation.
because of her keenness on boosting and cementing relations with vari- at Kuwait University Dr Anas Al- nological developments before They are well-known for being disciplined as students
ous countries through inviting them on various national and religious Rushaid, who will highlight on per- falling into danger as the research and tourists. Oman’s decision to stay away from sectari-
occasions to exchange views and get acquainted with other peoples’ tra- ceptions of Kuwaiti and UAE students aims to find out if internet users fear an conflicts is a sound decision, as everybody can see
ditions and customs and bridge the gaps between those peoples. “Each about unsafe computing practices the risks they face on the internet or how other countries are suffering from the conse-
citizen in Kuwait is an ambassador of his country,” she says. What I want and threats of internet software and that their habits in the use of com- quences of these policies that are based on division and
to say is that Sheikha Fraiha has always been very generous with time ways to solve them. puters have changed because of dissent among society members, which inevitably will
and effort, and is keen on taking part in various occasions. She never dis- The research was conducted on those risks and the steps they have lead to collisions and corruption.
university students in Kuwait and the Communications Professor at Kuwait taken to maintain a safe environ- My trip to the Sultanate of Oman was short but rich.
appoints anybody. May Almighty Allah protect the shiekha of all sheikhs.
United Arab Emirates to find out their University Dr Anas Al-Rushaid ment. —KUNA
SUNDAY, APRIL10, 2016
LO C A L
In my view
Stations
By Talal Al-Ghannam
[email protected]
G
ood morning dear brothers and sisters, and I
wish all a blessed week to come. In this article, I
would like to change the style of my writing a bit
to make it more fun to read, and would like to narrate
experiences I had encountered personally with some of
what I call ‘Stations’.
The Taxi Station: One time I thought of taking a taxi
for a short ride. I wanted to see for myself how those
helpless taxi drivers are humiliated and put down by
some irresponsible, conceited, arrogant young officers KUWAIT: Raul Dado oversees the OAV at the Philippines embassy yesterday. (Left) Filipinos in Kuwait on queues to cast vote during the start of a month-long OAV.
who have just graduated from the police academy and —Photos by Ben Garcia
want to show off their mad skill on taxi drivers. I picked
Filipinos in Kuwait start
up a taxi from Eqaila area heading to Mubarak Al-
Kabeer, which is a few blocks away. As soon as I entered
the car and it drove a mile away, a police car flashed the
light and started the siren as if there was an invasion.
OAV, hope for radical change
The taxi driver and myself had our seat belts fastened
and the driver was adherent to the traffic laws and regu-
lation in terms of the signal light and driving on the
specified lane with no single violation. The policeman
yelled through the microphone saying: Taxi pull over
“yalla yalla,” meaning ‘quickly’. The taxi driver pulled over By Ben Garcia who will uprightly elevate the country’s dignity to run the
as requested and remained in the car as per the law. The country in the best way possible, eliminate corruption,
policeman was not yet satisfied, and repeated shouting KUWAIT: A 30-day period given to Overseas Filipino refuel our economy and once and for all get rid of drugs
at the driver: “Come out of the car and approach the Workers (OFWs) to cast their vote for president, vice presi- and criminality in the country among others,” said Antonio
police car,” which he is not supposed to do as the law dent, senators and a party list representative under the Cadiz Barojabo.
says. I told the taxi driver no problem, break the law for Overseas Absentee Voting law kicked off yesterday at the About 10 million Filipinos work abroad - but only 1.3
their sake this time. So when the poor man walked out Philippine Embassy in Faiha. Hundreds of Filipinos million are registered as Overseas Absentee Voters (OAVs).
of the car, the policeman ran quickly to the taxi and said: thronged the embassy as early as 7 in the morning to cast In Kuwait, there are 200,000 Filipinos who are eligible to
“Are you deaf? Can’t you hear me yell at you to come to their votes, bringing with them hopes of radical change in vote, but only around 49,000 are registered and can vote in
me?” So, after that he was given a citation for obstruct- terms of governance and creation of laws that could this year’s election.
ing traffic and lack of cooperation with policemen. What improve the lives of Filipinos. The process started at 8:20
can we say? am and the first 100 voters were a group of supporters of a Straight path
The Bus Stop Station: Another experience also hap- well-known candidate from Mindanao. Another voter said he wanted a continuity of the
pened to me when I decided to take a bus ride again Philippine Consul General Raul Dado, who is overseeing ‘straight path’ governance being promoted by the current
after 38 years from the last time I had been in a bus to the Philippine embassy elections, explained the delay was administration. “Although he is not a perfect president, he
see for myself the misery of bus passengers. I for a pur- technical. “All vote counting machines must be set to zero is committed to ending the war in Mindanao through his
pose parked my car somewhere behind the bus stop before casting of votes, and we have to show to members BBL - I would rather support his advocacy by choosing
and decided to ride in the marvelously-decorated public of the media and other representatives all the machines set someone who will continue what he started if that person
bus. But before riding the bus, the biggest misery was in to zero,” Dado explained. “This is a good start in Kuwait, and wins,” said Maryam, a Muslim Filipina and a native of
the behavior and attitude of some maniac bus drivers I noticed the excitement on the faces of all Filipinos com- Mindanao.
who in many cases drive by you like a bullet without ing here early in the morning to cast their vote for their Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro
stopping at the bus stop, unless there they see a beauti- favorite candidate. This will continue every day until May 9,” Villa reminded the Filipino public that the canvassing of
ful woman standing there, that is. You would see a long Dado said. votes (on May 9) will be open to poll watchers and repre-
lineup of buses waiting if there were women. I had to sentatives of political parties at the embassy. “We want to
wait for at least 15 minutes until I found a less-crowded Five candidates show the transparency of the embassy on May 9, and we
one. As soon as I entered the bus and gave the driver a Five candidates are running for president - Jejomar will canvass the votes publicly. Our challenge in our post is
KD 5 note he frowned and yelled “Mafi khurdah” mean- Binay, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Rodrigo Duterte, Grace to be able to encourage at least 30-40 percent of the voters
ing no change. “It is not my fault you must make sure to Poe and Mar Roxas. The presidential election in the to vote. We want to ask the support of employers to allow
have enough cash with you for these circumstances,” I Philippines is slated for May 9, but overseas Filipinos are their Filipino workers, if they are registered, to come out
replied. I told him “keep the KD 5 with you till we reach given a month’s period to cast their votes at their missions and vote for their government officials,” the envoy said.
the destination and by then you should have enough abroad. In order to vote, Filipinos must be registered as OAVs at 2003 which provides for a system for citizens of the
cash.” Finally he accepted but really it was a misery. The One of the early voters interviewed by Kuwait Times their respective embassies or consular offices, proceedings Philippines residing or working outside the Philippines to
other thing is the bad odor inside the bus and the filthy said he voted for a president who would rightfully fight for which took place at the embassy a few years back. Voting vote in an election. The process is being implemented by
and torn seats. The bus must be cleaned after every the rights of every Filipino without considering his/her reli- will continue until May 9, 2016. The Overseas Absentee Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the help of the
journey and sprayed with perfumes regularly to satisfy gion, affiliation and status in life. “I voted for a president Voting Act is a law in the Philippines passed on Feb 13, Department of Foreign Affairs.
the passengers, many of whom would keep their noses
closed and breathe from their mouths till they reach
Fatwa department approves plan to turn
their destination. One last thing I had noticed that most
of the bus drivers never stop completely when picking
up or dropping off passengers as the bus would keep
electricity ministry into authority
moving, making the passenger feel as if he or she is
jumping from a cliff. But who cares?
The Auction Station: In Kuwait, this modern and rich
country, we have no decent car auction. Can you believe Parliament to debate grilling Tuesday
that? Yes, it is true. The auction is erected illegally after
Jahra area in an isolated dusty yard with no proper
entrances or exits. I doubt whether many of the auction-
eers there even have valid licenses to practice their jobs. By A Saleh said that the committee has a lot of
If the car is actually worth KD 1,000, you would be lucky remarks about violations to be raised dur-
if you can sell if for KD 500. So many want to take advan- KUWAIT: The Fatwa and Legislation ing the meeting.
tage and try to make fault with the car so that you Department has approved restructuring
would sell it very cheaply. I always ask myself this ques- the Ministry of Electricity and Water and Construction materials
tion, where are the big companies which seek to invest turning it into an authority instead of a Responding to remarks made about the
in establishing a most sophisticated car auction here in ministry, well-informed sources said. The northwest Sulaibikhat residential project,
Kuwait? I am sure that the government would not hesi- issue will soon referred be to the Cabinet the Public Authority for Housing Welfare
tate to give the land on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) to be studied by the ministerial economic (PAHW) stressed that it selects the best
system for a reputable company to build a nice auction committee, before it can be discussed in construction materials in building its proj-
with all facilities including traffic department, insurance, the National Assembly in the next parlia- ects and that all electricity fittings matched
cafes, mobile shops, security, etc. You might as well sell mentary term, the sources added. standard specifications as per contracts
your car through a ‘car for sale’ application. Turning the ministry into an authority is signed with the contractors. The authority
Till the next article insha Allah considered the first step before privatiz- also stressed that all water pipes had been
ing its facilities including power plants thoroughly checked under high pressure
and water desalination units, and servic- pumped water.
19,143 follow-up cards
es such as supplying energy and collect-
ing fees. Traffic fines
for illegal residents
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain
Grilling motion have started banning Gulf Cooperation
KUWAIT: The Central Apparatus for Illegal Residents Meanwhile, the sources said that the Council (GCC) travelers from leaving their
announced yesterday the issuance of 19,143 new follow-up government intends to discuss the borders without paying fines for traffic vio-
cards for illegal residents during the first three months of grilling motion filed against Minister of lations they commit in any member state.
2016. Director of Card Management in the apparatus Tariq Commerce and Industry Yousef Al-Ali by the new electricity consumption tariffs cuss the Public Authority for Agricultural Informed sources said that the ban is
Mohammed Al-Buaijan said that the card is dispensed with- MPs Ahmed Al-Qudhaibi and Mubarak Al- proposed by the government, the sources Affairs and Fish Resources’ (PAAAFR) imposed automatically, making the pay-
in a few days from the date of submitting the application. Harees on Tuesday in the minister’s pres- explained. budget for 2016-2017 in the presence of ment obligatory in order to leave. The ban
He added that the apparatus issued in the same period ence and without asking for a postpone- representatives from the finance ministry, also includes visiting expatriates who will
640 ‘To Whom It May Concern’ certificates for the various ment. This is a tactical maneuver by the PAAAFR’s budget the State Audit Bureau, Civil Service have a special number attached to their
state institutions, stressing keenness of the apparatus in government to buy more time to con- The parliament’s budgets and final Commission (CSC) and the auditors’ appa- passports on entry and linked to any traffic
speeding up issuance of these certificates and deliver them vince MPs to change their minds about statement committee is scheduled to dis- ratus. In this regard, informed sources violations they commit, the sources added.
to the applicant by hand in the following day.
He pointed out that the cards administration conducted Fire burns 1,000
586 criminal imprints during the same period through the
automated fingerprinting system, explaining that the appli-
sq m basement
cation of this system helped save time and effort on the
central apparatus. —KUNA
934 real estate loans By Hanan Al-Saadoun
offered in March KUWAIT: A fire broke out in a 1,000 square meter base-
ment of a Sabah Al-Nasser house Friday night, said
security sources, noting that firemen from Jleeb,
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Credit Bank (KCB) offered 934 real
Ardhiya, Sabhan, Salmiya and the Kuwait City rushed to
estate loans in March, worth KD 27.3 million, it said yester-
the scene after the fire was reported. The source added
day. Portfolio loans last month hit 31 worth KD 307,000,
that the basement was full of furniture, lumber and oth-
the KCB added in a statistical report. Up to 37 loans were
er inflammable materials. The house had to be evacuat-
presented to build on private plots of land, worth KD 2.2
ed to fight the fire. Except for three thermal stress cases,
million. Similar government loans were 148, worth KD3.4
no casualties were reported.
million.
According to the report, the KCB provided 38 loans
Smoke inhalation
worth 2.5 million to buy houses, and 11 ones for building
Residents of a Khaitan building yesterday escaped
home, worth KD 296,000. People with special needs were
death when a fire broke out in a third floor apart-
offered 396 loans amounting to 3.4 million. Referring to
ment, said security sources, noting that firemen
the portfolio loans, total property expansion loans stood
rushed to the scene and controlled the fire. Five peo- KUWAIT: Smoke comes out of the basement of a
at 24, worth KD 237,000 while a total of seven renovation Smoke coming out of an apartment in Khaitan
ple suffered from smoke inhalation and were treated Sabah Al-Nasser house where a fire was reported
loans amounted to KD 62,000. —KUNA yesterday.
onsite by paramedics. Friday night.
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016
LO C A L
Photo
o f t h e d a y
KUWAIT: Patriotic slogans and signatures scripted on Kuwait’s flag. — KUNA
Special Report
Inside the commerce ministry’s customer
protection, supervision departments
Consumer is our priority: Assistant Undersecretary
By Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: As part of its responsibilities, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is in charge of consumer protection and
inspection of various commercial activities. Kuwait Times spoke to Eid Al-Rasheedi, Assistant Undersecretary for
Supervision and Consumer Protection at the ministry, to shed light on some issues related to consumers.
Work organization laws and regulations and the way of dealing with 6,606 in the same period,” he pointed out.
There are two important departments at the consumers and the public. Also, most inspectors Licensing these promotions is in favor of the
ministry - the customer protection and supervision have to pass a course in the English language,” consumers, who get a better chance to buy
departments. “All other departments support the Rasheedi noted. their needs at cheaper prices. “When a compa-
work of the sector. Regarding customer protection, Consumers can also call the hotline 135 that ny or store wants to hold a sale, they have to
there are inspectors who inspect stores to ensure receives complaints 24/7. “The call center receives submit their requests to the ministry. Through
they are following and respecting laws and regula- complaints, gives advice or forwards complaints to this procedure, the ministry can assess the
tions. These inspections are in all fields, including the centers according to the governorate in credibility of the store, as some stores may
foodstuff, construction products, services, price charge. The staff advise the caller of the correct hold fake sales without informing us. The
gouging, inspecting co-ops and supermarkets and procedure he has to follow in his complaint, and inspectors then check the original price and
all other stores and malls to serve the consumer, we can also take legal action in some cases,” he the discount if it is correct. We have found vio-
who is our priority,” Rasheedi told Kuwait Times. said. lations as some stores announced 80 percent
discounts on some items but the inspectors
KUWAIT: Eid Al-Rasheedi, Assistant Undersecretary for Supervision
could not find those items, so they were penal-
and Consumer Protection at the Ministry of Commerce and
• After concluding training courses, inspectors receive cer- ized as this is considered misinformation. Also,
Industry speaks to Kuwait Times.
another store manipulated prices when it
tificates and some get judicial powers. — Photo by Joseph Shagra
advertised the price of a product for KD 1, but
the inspector found it was being sold for KD Consumers can also complain against licensed
1.500 or KD 1.200,” Rasheedi said. vendors selling on social media. “Such a seller is
• Some stores announced 80 percent discounts on some “These cases led to setting regulations for sales. easier to reach as he is registered with the ministry
items but the inspectors could not find those items. In the past, any store could announce sales without and we can reach him faster. If he doesn’t show up
restrictions or permission of the ministry, so there after being summoned, we ask the police station to
wasn’t any control. This year, the ministry has set summon him,” he added.
stricter regulations for sales. These rules are in favor
• The ministry has set stricter regulations for sales. These rules
of consumers as we seek the best for them,” Complaint statistics
are in favor of consumers as we seek the best for them. explained Rasheedi. The number of complaints filed at the inspec-
tion sector was 2,820 in 2015. The hotline 135
Social media received 37,000 calls in 2015, which includes ask-
The ministry has also issued regulation number ing for information, complaints and filing cases.
• I would like to advise people not to buy from social media
27/2016 which includes all current and future The ministry also undertook deterrent actions that
and unknown sources. social media, where people are not allowed to included recalling 59 models of vehicles from
announce special offers without a license. agents during 2015, a total of 48,759 vehicles,” he
“Otherwise, the seller will be penalized. This noted.
applies to individuals. In case of cheating or mis- According to him, the procedure of complaining
Numerous commercial inspection centers are Sales leading, the affected consumer can submit a com- against a garage for instance starts with getting
spread all over Kuwait covering all governorates, The Consumer Protection Department is in plaint and we then take action in cooperation with the invoice and warranty and submitting it to the
and they work in two shifts - mornings and charge of giving approval for holding sales and the ministry of interior to find his location and consumer protection center, which transfers the
evenings. “There are also emergency teams work- their conditions. “During January 2016, the min- send him summons to attend the investigations,” vehicle to the technical checking department of
ing under our umbrella in Kout, Sideeq and Jahra, istry issued 213 licenses for free offers and other he stated. the ministry of interior, which issues a report. If this
who work during holidays and during periods promotions, which includes 183 free gifts, 26 “I would like to advise people not to buy from report shows there is a defect, the inspectors try to
when other centers are closed, such as between free prizes and four real estate offers. The min- social media and unknown sources, as people do solve the case amicably, and if this doesn’t work,
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. We are in charge of anything istry also issued 620 discount licenses including not know where the food was prepared or cooked. the case will be transferred to the commercial pros-
related to the consumer,” he added. 428 sales for companies, 52 special offers at We are now working closely with the municipality ecutor.
The inspectors are well-trained. “After conclud- supermarkets, 114 special offers at stores, 24 to eliminate this phenomenon. This also applies to “I advise people to buy food from licensed
ing training courses, inspectors receive certificates advertised sales and two for distributing vouch- other products which may turn out to be fake. The restaurants and not unknown sources for their own
and some get judicial powers. We have increased ers and coupons. The total number of discount small projects that are supported by the govern- safety. Also, for all items, I advise consumers to
the number of inspectors for better control and licenses for 2015 was 8,488, while the total num- ment are different, as these are licensed and legal,” keep receipts of their purchases. We are working
inspection. These courses teach the inspectors all ber of discount licenses for free offers were said Rasheedi. here to serve the consumers,” concluded Rasheedi.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016
FROM THE ARABIC PRESS
Crime
Al-Qabas
R e p o r t
Dashti as
an example
Woman arrested for offering
Income
illegal domestic help services
By Ahmad Al-Sarraf Spending
KUWAIT: A woman was arrested in South Surra for offer-
I
t is not possible to account for the number of politi- ing domestic help services illegally. A citizen had reported
cians who climbed the ladder of religion, or shrouded that he had given an Indian woman KD 250 to provide a
themselves with sectarianism, either to get rich or to nurse for his elderly mother, but she vanished, said securi-
achieve their goals and political aspirations, as the num- ty sources. The sources added that initial investigations
ber is too big. showed that the woman was well-known to South Surra
MP Abdulhameed Dashti began his political life by residents, and that she usually provided them with domes-
running for the National Assembly during the period tic labor and private nurses. The sources added that the
that followed liberation, but did not succeed over sever- woman was known to be greedy and that she usually over-
al rounds, and I wrote about him, his financial and charged her clients, especially if she learnt that the original
behavioral history, as well as his “degrees” in a number of housemaids had run away. Many complaints had been
columns, and my criticism of him and most of his behav- filed against the woman.
iors was more than harsh, and I do not believe that any-
one criticized him the way I did, to a point that his adver-
saries used what I wrote to get at him, and this did not Liquor possession
please me, because those are no less extreme and reli-
giously partisan than him. A A citizen was arrested in Salmiya with possession of 56
With the increase of religious strife here and in the l- bottles of homebrewed and imported liquor, said
J
region, and the increase in regional polarization, the a security sources. Case papers indicate that on stop-
r
man discovered like others have done before him that id ping the man to check his ID, he seemed very nervous,
a
exaggeration in sectarian extremism may be the easiest which called for searching his vehicle, where police-
means and most guaranteed way to reach people’s men found the liquor. A case was filed. Meanwhile, a
minds, especially those who are absent among them, to citizen and a Saudi national were arrested with 81 illic-
gain their votes. it pills, said security sources.
The formula was successful and hundreds reached
the green seat, and became, with all their failures in life,
Verbal insults
among the major politicians, controlling the way we live
and legislators of our laws. The flames of extremism Al-Qabas
increased, as the region is burning with sectarian wars, Two citizens, a man and a woman who live in the same
that prompted some religiously extreme politicians, who building in Sabah Al-Salem exchanged verbal insults in a
are much far from that in their private lives, to increase Bu Khalid, what is the message? fight over old unsettled scores, said security sources, not-
the severity of their polarization of this party or that, ing that they both raced to the police station to exchange
especially after they’ve seen in it an opportunity to accusations and file cases. Further investigations are in
increase their popularity and instill it in the public and progress.
By Qais Al-Usta
simple voters, for whom the slogans of sectarian oppres-
sion or being afraid of others find a place in their minds.
W
What I would like to say is that Dashti represents for e were, still and will continue to support major limits and lines Kuwait people have known for years. If Scorpion sting
me, with his previous life history, political activity, opin- efforts of the interior ministry towards more the minister wants to implement the law, he is wel-
ions and stands, all that I hate or do not want, and I was than one case, and we have expressed this come, but this strength in implementation should be An Egyptian man working near Salmi land border exit
the most critical of him over 20 years. I am not from his clearly through more than a column. This lauding applied to everyone who stole and embezzled, should was stung by a scorpion and had to be medevacked in
party, nor am I considered form his sect, but all what I included the interior minister be applied on everyone who a critical condition to Jahra Hospital for immediate
have here, in view of all this sectarian struggle, and this more than once, but the actions damaged the streets and treatment.
strange extremism and revengefulness towards his latest of the ministry towards some This strength in smashed our windshields with
stands, is to stand against all those who are calling for recent cases began raising sever- flying gravel, on those arrested
stripping his parliamentary membership, revoking his al question marks about the mes- implementation on state security charges and on Ex-husband charged
right of citizenship and calling him a traitor, not only sage the ministry wants to send all who embezzled billions and
because the man did not commit a crime that deserves to the Kuwaiti people, as publish- should be applied to manipulated tenders and con- A female citizen recently accused her ex-husband of steal-
such feelings of hatred and adversarial stands towards ing a picture of handcuffed per- tributed to hinder establish- ing her mobile phone to examine its contents. The woman
him, but also because those demanding his punishment sons over various media who are everyone who stole ments. informed Rumaithiya police that her ex-husband picked
are no less sectarian and extreme than him, so the charged with damaging public Bu Khalid, I tell you as a sin- up their daughter and after leaving, she discovered that
Assembly should not be dragged by such extreme calls! facilities or attacking some of the and embezzled cere and loving person, Kuwait is her mobile phone was missing. A case was filed and the
What we forget sometimes is that we are exposed state’s symbols by someone not what we saw last week. While man is being summoned for further investigations.
every day to what this MP has faced in the form of whose mental health is yet to be we insist on the law implementa-
hatred and punishment, so we should not made it a determined is something exag- tion principle, being strict on
precedent. gerated. some people to scare the rest should not be applied in Resisting arrest
— Translated by Kuwait Times We confirm here that we are against attacking state this country.
symbols, and we previously got into political battles in Was the message delivered? I hope so. A citizen in his twenties was arrested for refusing to
this regard, but the latest measures went beyond all — Translated by Kuwait Times show his ID to a police patrol, said security sources,
noting that on checking on him at the station, the
man turned out to be wanted for fraud. The man is
Municipality officials ‘manipulate’
also facing charges of resisting arrest and insulting
policemen.
construction violations
Landmine found
KUWAIT: At a time when Kuwait some municipality officials were cov-
A landmine leftover since the Iraqi invasion was found
Municipality Director Ahmad Al- ering up for so many such violations
along Salmi highway, said security sources, noting that a
Manfouhi opened fire at construc- where municipality officials are
special bomb squad rushed to the scene to handle the
tion violations and promised to take involved with real estate owners.
mine. — Al-Rai
violators to court, some senior “However, Manfouhi gave direct
municipality officials seem to have orders to list similar cases and refer
found a loophole that led the munic- them to prosecution,” the sources News
Kahled Al-Jarallah
ipality to lose considerable numbers concluded.
Positive indicators on
of cases by manipulating court ver- In other news, Kuwait
i n b r i e f
dicts that order immediate removal Municipality has recently contacted
Yemeni talks: Jarallah
of violations. the health ministry to inquire about
Panel asked to ‘speed
In this regard, sources at the the time needed before the bones of
KUWAIT: Deputy Foreign Minister Kahled Al-Jarallah said municipality said that some officials dead people decayed into dust, up’ visa fees increase
that there are positive indicators about the Yemeni peace had been manipulating legal docu- source said. The inquiry was made to
negotiations due to be held in Kuwait on April 18 under the ments and delaying municipality replace old graveyards and cemeter- KUWAIT:The Ministry of Interior sent a letter to the
United Nations’ supervision. He added that the UN would work by responses they made to ies and use them as public facilities, National Assembly’s Interior and Defense Committee,
Ahmad Al-Manfouhi
supervise the agreements to be reached, while Kuwait some court inquiries claiming that the sources added. The sources also requesting that they speed up discussing and enforcing
would only host the negotiations. Jarallah also expressed demolition violating constructions only pay the fine of KD 400-500 noted that the municipality had con- the new fees for residency and visit visas as well as traffic
hopes that those positive indicators would lead for the best was impossible list the whole build- without removing the violation,” tacted The Ministry Of Awqaf and violation fines. A report last week had suggested that the
interests of Yemen, namely in terms of a seize fire agree- ing might collapse. “Accordingly, explained the sources. Islamic Affairs seeking fatwa about new visa fees, which would double under the proposed
ment that is due to take effect as of today. — Al-Jarida owners filed petitions to the court to Further, the sources said that the same issue. — Al-Rai, Al-Anbaa plans, could be adopted by June. The ministry says that
increasing the visa fees, which remained unchanged for 40
years since they were enforced, serves the country’s efforts
Burgan Bank sponsors in diversifying sources of income. — Al-Rai
students’ trip to USA Expats to own shares in co-ops?
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) is
studying the possibility of allowing expatriates to sub-
KUWAIT: Burgan Bank tomorrow’s successful and as the creative hub for movie scribe to cooperative societies’ funds (purchasing
announced its sponsorship of vibrant business, social, and and television production as shares), said Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the min-
the Mass communication stu- cultural environment. Through well as news and much more. istry’s subscription and elections department. This
dents of Kuwait University trip this sponsorship, the bank is With this hands-on experience, would allow expats to receive profits but not have the
to the USA - Hollywood, which displaying its commitment students will be able to cre- right to run or vote in boards’ elections. The ministry
will take place from May 17th - towards helping students in atively reflect this knowledge considers applying this system in areas with high expat
28th, 2016. Kuwait get valuable experi- on their own community and density such as Salmiya and Hawally. — Al-Rai
The 10-days program will ence in Media & entertainment local film-making industry as a
be focused on showcasing the industry in the city that serves whole.
different techniques of film- No military photos
making and production of
movies and shows in real life.
KUWAIT:The cabinet gave orders last Thursday to ban mil-
This will involve field visits and
itary, police and national guard personnel from posting
behind-the-scenes tours to the
their pictures in uniform on social media. All personnel are
world’s famous production, tel-
also banned from posting military-related news and pic-
evision, and film studios in the
tures of camps on all social network services. Those who
biggest channels and compa-
violate this condition would be subjected to legal account-
nies in the USA namely,
ability and dismissed from duty. — Al-Qabas
Paramount Pictures, Universal
Studios, Columbia Pictures
Studios, Warner Brothers
MPW budget
KFH patronizes Studios, The Paley Center for
Media, The National
KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
Broadcasting Company (NBC) ,
requested a total budget of KD 799,087 million, up
Photo talks forum and CBS Television Network.
from KD 780,313 million in the 2015/2016 budget.
The bank’s keenness to sup-
The next budget includes KD 550 million for projects
port the Mass communication
and maintenance, and KD 212,266 million for
students of Kuwait University
salaries. — Al-Jarida
KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House tures were given to attendees to in this educating trip stems
(KFH) patronized the ‘Photo talks’ broaden their knowledge of from its firm belief that educa-
forum as part of its social respon- photography. It is worth noting tion enriches the quality of life
sibility and efforts to hone the that KFH is keen on participating in our community and in youth Labor inspection
youth’s skills and support their in such events that meet the and to support the evolvement
initiatives. The forum that includ- youths’ aspirations and con- of creativity in all its forms and The Manpower Public Authority plans to establish units to
ed general lectures for experts in tribute to their success. ‘Photo shapes within young Kuwaiti inspect national labor in the private sector around Kuwait.
the photography field witnessed talks’ is regarded as the largest students. The department would cover units distributed in Kuwait’s
a huge turnout from photogra- annual photography forum in Burgan Bank highlighted governorates, and which unit would contain a section that
phers and participants who the region and the platform for that its role in sponsoring such oversees the process of inspecting on national labor. This
exchanged thoughts and ideas demonstrating photography suc- events is sprung from its belief would come as part of a comprehensive strategy through
with other participants. The lec- cess stories. that the current generation are which the authority plans to restructure its departments,
the major contributors to according to sources. — Al-Anbaa
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016
Abrini arrest highlights
IS frees most of 300 abducted cement workers Paris, Brussels
attacks links
Page 8 Page 10
Improved economic outlook boosts Obama approval
Making him well above Bush
WASHINGTON: As many people in the example. “Donald Trump will never been “I just feel that he’s out of touch with Aides have promised more policy of Obama’s handling of the economy.
United States hold their noses in the search able to do that. He would try to bully them.” what’s going on. I feel like he’s more con- announcements, particularly economic But that divide was a slight improve-
for the next president, they’re increasingly cerned with his legacy that making change,” initiatives, as several efforts long in the ment over the 44 percent approval in
warming to the president they already have. Comparing him to Bush said Angela Buckmaster, a 47-year-old works come to fruition. Also, he probably February. On other issues, views of
Buoyed by some good economic news and a Obama’s numbers remain modest Republican from Lansing, Michigan. Still, the will be a force in the campaign, working Obama are not as rosy. More in the sur-
surge of goodwill from his base of support- Compared with his predecessors, he’s well numbers may help explain some of Obama’s to fire up his core coalition of young, vey disapprove than approve of his han-
ers, President Barack Obama is seeing his above Republican George W. Bush, who had recent swagger and why it’s likely to contin- African-American and Hispanic voters, dling of world affairs, the threat from IS,
approval rating rise. That puts Obama, who about a 30 percent approval rating at this ue as he tries to rally his party behind its and backers in industrial states, where he immigration, and health care. But on
leaves office in January, in a position to point in his presidency, but below eventual 2016 nominee - Hillary Clinton or has continued to show strength. each measure, Obama has improved at
remain a force in the political debate at a Democrat Bill Clinton’s roughly 60 percent, Bernie Sanders. Obama has been quick to Eighty-one percent of those ques- least slightly since February.
point in his final term when some of his according to polls conducted by Gallup. take aim at the Republican candidates. This tioned in the poll say the economy is a The AP-GfK Poll of 1,076 adults was
predecessors faded into the background. Still, where each of those second-term pres- past week, he called front-runner Trump’s very or extremely important issue to conducted online March 31-April 4,
For the first time since 2013, half of those idents largely sat on the sidelines during latest immigration proposal “half-baked.” The them personally, compared with the 74 using a sample drawn from GfK’s proba-
questioned approve of the job Obama is the races to replace them, Obama is poised president seized the spotlight with a new percent who say that about health care bility-based KnowledgePanel, which is
doing in office, according to an Associated to stay in the game. rule and aggressive critique aimed at corpo- or the 69 percent about the threat designed to be representative of the US
Press-GfK poll. The survey found the appar- Approval ratings generally are tied to rate tax dodgers, risking riling Wall Street posed by the Islamic State group. population. The margin of sampling
ent uptick in approval extended across how people feel about the economy. Obama but capitalizing on the populism of the People were split 49 percent to 49 error for all respondents is plus or
issues, including foreign affairs, immigration has enjoyed and promoted a steady trickle moment. percent, in their approval or disapproval minus 3.3 percentage points.— AP
and, most notably the economy, where peo- of positive economic news. The survey He has put himself at the front and center
ple said they felt slightly better about their showed people were slightly more likely to of the fight over the Supreme Court, return-
own prospects and Obama’s stewardship. describe the economy as good and slightly ing on Thursday to the law school where he
Asked about their opinion of Obama more optimistic about their own financial once taught and portraying the Republican
more generally, those surveyed were more situations than they were in February. blockade of his nominee to replace conser-
likely to give him a positive rating than any Still, 54 percent characterize the economy vative Justice Antonin Scalia as a threat to
of the candidates for president, Republican as poor. While the poll found an increase in democracy. Obama also conducted his first
or Democrat. approval among Democrats and with peo- interview as president with “Fox News
Terry Trudeau, 66, said he preferred ple under 50, there is no evidence that Sunday,” a favorite show for conservatives.
Obama to “all of them” running for the White Republican opposition is thawing or that the
House. “One of the qualities I like is he’s president has become a less polarizing fig- Using his final days
been able to work with other countries and ure. Only about 1 in 10 Republicans The White House says Obama always
make deals,” Trudeau said, citing Obama’s expressed a positive opinion of Obama or planned to squeeze every last minute out of
climate change pacts with China as an the job he’s doing. his two terms, regardless of his popularity.
WASHINGTON D.C.: President Barack Obama reacts while playing tennis during the White House Easter Egg Roll at the White House. — AP
Mexico detains woman on
FBI’s ‘Most Wanted’ list
MEXICO CITY: Mexican officials said they murder, and a federal fugitive warrant was
have captured a woman on the FBI’s “Ten Most issued in October 2015. Officials said the
Wanted” list who US officials say ordered the alleged killers hired by Delgado are already in
murder of a romantic rival who had been dat- US custody. Even though Delgado didn’t pull
ing her former lover. the trigger, she “is still responsible for the mur-
Brenda Berenice Delgado Reynaga, 33, was der,” said Thomas Class, another FBI agent.
detained at a home in the northern city of Once notified of the US arrest request,
Torreon, in Coahuila state, Mexico’s attorney Mexican authorities said they searched for
general’s office said late Friday. Delgado, a Delgado “in places where her relatives and
Mexican citizen, was sought by US authorities friends could help” in northern Mexico and
for her role in the “murder-for-hire” of Kendra Mexico City. Delgado is only the ninth woman
Hatcher, a dentist in Dallas, Texas on to make it onto the Federal Bureau of
September 2, 2015. “Apparently she was jeal- Investigation’s list of infamous fugitives since
ous because the victim was dating her ex- its creation in 1950.
boyfriend,” said FBI Special Agent Jason She is being held in the Santa Martha
Ibrahim, according to the bureau’s “Most Acatitla prison in Mexico City while the extra-
Wanted” posting. dition request is being completed, the
TORREON: photo provided by the FBI shows
Delgado has been charged with capital Mexican statement added. — AFP
Brenda Delgado. —AP
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016
I N T E R N AT ION A L
Oman says US man detained in
rebel-held Yemeni capital freed
DUBAI: A US man held captive in Sanaa to the Omani capital, Muscat. In November, three Americans were
Yemen’s rebel-controlled capital has The short statement did not identify released and flown out of Yemen. In
been released after Omani negotiators the man released. Christy Watkins, a September, the Houthis released six
interceded on his behalf, authorities spokeswoman at the US Embassy in foreign hostages, including two
said, becoming the latest American Muscat, said American diplomats Americans, after negotiations conduct-
freed through the sultanate’s quiet would not comment beyond acknowl- ed by Omani officials. That came after
diplomacy. edging the Omani statement, citing pri- the release in June of American free-
In a statement posted online late vacy concerns. The sultanate of Oman lance journalist Casey Coombs.
Friday, Oman’s Foreign Ministry said has played a part in several negotia- On Nov. 10, US officials announced
it helped coordinate “the release of tions for Americans held in Yemen, that detained American contractor
an American citizen in Yemen” on where a Saudi-led and US-backed coali- John Hamen, who worked for a compa-
behalf of the US and on the orders of tion has been at war with the Shiite ny managing UN facilities in Sanaa, had
Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said. It Houthi rebels for more than a year. died there, without giving a cause of
said it contacted authorities in Oman, which has long positioned itself death. Hamen and another American SANAA: Shiite tribesmen, known as Houthis, hold their weapons as
Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa, to as a mediator in the region, did not join had arrived in Yemen from Djibouti on they chant slogans during a tribal gathering showing support for the
free the man, who was flown from the Saudi coalition. a UN aircraft on Oct. 20. — AP Houthi movement. — AP
Al-Qaeda ambush’ kills
at least 20 Yemen soldiers
MARIB: Al-Qaeda militants killed at least Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi have
20 Yemeni soldiers yesterday when they launched operations against them in
ambushed their convoy in the south of the past few weeks.
the war-torn country, a military source
said. Al-Qaeda swiftly denied it was Doubts over ceasefire
behind the killings. “Armed members of Jihadist attacks on symbols of the
Al-Qaeda ambushed a group of young state have increased in southern Yemen,
soldiers travelling in three civilian vehi- in an apparent attempt to hamper the
cles in the province of Abyan, killing at government’s efforts to rebuild the army
least 20 of them,” said the source, who and security forces.
requested anonymity. In mid-February, a suicide bomb attack
The assailants ordered the soldiers to claimed by IS reportedly killed at least 14
get out of the vehicles and gunned them soldiers at a military camp in Aden, where
down early in the morning in the town of young recruits had been undergoing
Ahwar, the source told AFP. The soldiers training. Elsewhere on Saturday, loyalist
were young recruits who were being forces clashed with Shiite Huthi fighters
deployed as part of the internationally in Marib province for a second consecu-
recognised government’s efforts to tive day, according to military sources.
restore security to areas under its control. The clashes in the Sarwah region have
They had been travelling to a military so far killed 21 people, 13 of them loyal-
camp in Hadramawt, the neighbouring ists and eight rebel fighters, the sources
province whose capital has been held by said. The Saudi-led coalition carried out
Al-Qaeda since April last year. Al-Qaeda in two air strikes to stop the advance of
the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), also Huthis seeking to take back a military
known as Ansar al-Sharia, in an online base that pro-government forces had
statement denied it was involved in the recaptured in late 2015.
attack. “We in Ansar al-Sharia deny any The developments come before a UN-
connection to the murder incident that announced ceasefire that is due to take
took place on Saturday morning in the effect on Sunday night, ahead of peace
Ahwar area,” it said, blaming a local tribal talks that are scheduled to be held in
DAMASCUS: A cement factory where the brazen assault that resulted in the kidnapping of the 300 took place. — AP leader for the killings instead. Kuwait on April 18. One loyalist fighter,
IS frees most of 300 Yemen has been at war since Ahmed al-Shalafi, said he doubted the
September 2014, when Iran-backed Shiite rebels would respect the truce. “How will
Huthi rebels and their allies drove the they observe a ceasefire while they con-
government out of Sanaa and much of tinue to attack us,” he said, adding that
abducted cement workers the country’s north. The Huthis controlled the two sides had sent in reinforcements
Aden, the main city in southern Yemen, to the front line in Sarwah.
for months before government forces Meanwhile, in the region of Nahm,
backed by a Saudi-led military coalition northeast of Sanaa, clashes on Saturday
pushed them back in July. killed three loyalists and four rebel fight-
Possible Al-Qaeda involvement
Jihadists of AQAP and the Islamic ers, said another military source. The
State group have taken advantage of United Nations says the violence in
the chaos to strengthen their grip on Yemen has killed nearly 6,300 people
BEIRUT: The Islamic State group has released IS’s views children were shepherds who took their
southern Yemen. But after having long since March last year-half of them civil-
most of the 300 cement workers it abducted IS, a Sunni Muslim extremist group, con- sheep and goats to graze in Darb Hassan
ignored them, forces loyal to President ians. — AFP
near Damascus after questioning them to siders all Shiites to be heretics deserving on Friday. When they opened the door to a
find out who were Muslims and killing four death. Aamaq also released a video from house, the mine exploded, killing four
who were members of the minority Druze inside the cement plant, about 28 miles (45 children and wounding the rest. He added
sect, a Syrian opposition monitoring group kilometers) northeast of Damascus, showing that one is believed to have died of his
and a news agency linked to the extremists trucks and bulldozers in the sprawling facili- wounds later.
reported yesterday. ty. Some fighters could be seen inside.
The reports came two days after IS abduct- Government forces and insurgents mean- Al-Qaida involvement
ed the cement workers and contractors from while clashed near Handarat, just north of Also in Syria’s north, a senior official with
al-Badia Cement Company in Dumeir, just the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, al-Qaida’s local branch appeared in a video
northeast of the capital, after a surprise attack activists said. In the western part of Aleppo during which he denied reports by state
on government forces. The Britain-based province, troops backed by Lebanon’s media that he was killed in the northwestern
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said all Hezbollah fighters battled militants in Khan province of Idlib. The Observatory also
those abducted have been released except for Touman and al-Ais, where insurgents last reported that Sheikh Abdullah al-Mheisny
30 people who were guards at the cement fac- week killed more than two dozen Lebanese was not harmed. “I will remain a thorn in
tory. It said the fate of the 30 is unknown. militants and government forces, according your throat and my happiest day will be
The IS-affiliated Aamaq news agency said to activists and state media. when I get martyred,” al-Mheisny said in the
most of the 300 were released after question- Elsewhere in northern Syria, a mine left video. The militant was wounded by a
ing to determine their religion and whether behind by IS near the Kurdish town of Russian airstrike in December in Latakia
they support the government. It said four Kobani killed at least four children and province.
workers who belonged to the minority Druze wounded several others late Friday. The A Saudi citizen, al-Mheisny had been
sect were killed and 20 pro-government gun- Observatory said four children were killed fighting in northern Syria for months, serv-
men are still being held. The Druze, a 10th cen- and six wounded when the mine exploded in ing both as a senior religious and military
tury offshoot of Shiite Islam, made up about 5 the village of Darb Hassan. State news commander with the al-Qaida branch,
percent of Syria’s pre-war population of 23 mil- agency SANA said six children were killed. known as the Nusra Front. Several top Nusra
lion people. Lebanon and Israel also have large Kobani-based Kurdish official Idriss Front commanders have been recently killed SANAA: Yemeni pro-government forces, loyal to fugitive President
Druze communities. Naasan told The Associated Press that the in Syria by US airstrikes. — AP Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, gather at the military base of Nehm. — AFP
Egyptian, Saudi leaders hold
Rebels seize Syria
town from fighters extensive talks over bilateral ties
loyal to Islamic State
CAIRO: Egyptian President attended by senior officials from In a press statement, Egyptian between the two countries and
Abdelfatah Al-Sisi and visiting Saudi both countries to discuss future Presidency Spokesman Alaa Yusuf their shared destiny. During the vis-
BEIRUT: Rebels seized a town in “widened campaign against
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud prospects of the two Arab heavy- said that both leaders have under- it, President Al-Sisi expected that
southern Syria from groups loyal Daesh”, using an Arabic acronym
held Friday an extensive meeting weights. lined the uniqueness of relations King Salman’s visit would give impe-
to Islamic State just a day after for Islamic State. It was the sec-
tus to cooperation in various
fighters captured another town ond blow dealt by insurgents
domains, citing as evidence the
from the hard-line militants in a fighting against Islamic State or
separate insurgent assault in the Islamic State-linked fighters in as numerous cooperation the agree-
north, a rebel source and a moni- many days. ments signed between the two
toring group said. In a separate assault in the countries today.
The rebels had by late on north of the country near the He emphasized Egypt’s keenness
Friday taken control of Tasil in Turkish border on Thursday, rebel to consult with the Saudi Kingdom
Deraa province that is near the forces took over a town that had with regard to regional and interna-
Jordanian border and the Israeli- been the main stronghold of tional issues of common concern. In
occupied Golan Heights, the Islamic State in the northern this regard, both leaders agreed on
source and the British-based Aleppo countryside. A cessation cooperation to find peaceful solu-
Syrian Observatory for Human of hostilities agreement in Syria tions to the crises in Libya, Syria and
Rights said. that began on Feb. 27 has slowed Yemen.
They drove out fighters from fighting in some areas in western For his part, the Saudi King laud-
the Yarmouk Martyrs’ Brigade and Syria but has not halted the vio-
ed the Egyptian government’s
the Muthanna Movement, which lence. Islamic State and the al
efforts to achieve economic and
they said were groups loyal to Qaeda-linked Nusra Front are not
social development and to meet
Islamic State. “Our battle contin- included in the truce.
people aspirations. He reiterated the
ues against them, until we have The Syrian army and its
Kingdom’s full support to Egypt in
cleansed the area of them,” said allies, backed by Russian air
all domains. He signaled the steadily
Abu Ghiath al-Shami, a power, are separately fighting
progress in mutual cooperation.
spokesman for the Alwiyat Seif al- against Islamic State. Clashes
Following the talks, President Al-
Sham group that is part of a rebel between the government and
alliance in the south. non-jihadist rebels have contin- Sisi bestowed the Order of the Nile
He described the latest attacks ued in some areas during the medal, Egypt’s highest state honour,
against the hard line jihadists as a ceasefire. — Reuters on King Salman bin Abdulaziz of
CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah Al-Sisi, right, sits with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman surrounded by delega-
Saudi Arabia. — KUNA
tions from the two countries. — AP
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016
I N T E R N AT ION A L
Surrounded by positives, young
Somali chose Islamic State
Now faces up to 15 years in prison
MINNEAPOLIS:As a spoken word artist, Abdirizak
Mohamed Warsame liked to talk to other young
Somalis about following their dreams. In a video
posted online in 2011, the teenager stands at a
microphone and encourages teens to stay focused
on their goals in life.
“You guys are tomorrow. And all you have to
have, to get anywhere you want, is determination,”
said Warsame, who was active in a local arts group,
was a regular at a neighborhood center, and whose
mother and cousin were leading voices against radi-
MONTEVIDEO: Artificial flowers adorn the base of a statue of Yemanja, the African cal recruitment in Minneapolis’ large Somali com-
goddess of the seas, along a promenade. — AP munity. In recent years, about three dozen young
men from Somali neighborhoods in Minnesota have
Virgin Mary statue stirs up
tried to leave to join militant groups fighting in
Somalia and Syria, making the area one of the lead-
debate in secular Uruguay ing sources of US recruits for radical Islam. Local
leaders have launched a major effort to stop the
flow by building up positive influences on the thou-
MONTEVIDEO: The South American country of cities’ hills as revered icons and major tourist sands of young Somalis in the area. And in many
Uruguay has a long tradition of secularism, to attractions. ways, Warsame seemed to embody the key points:
the point that a popular president in the early Uruguay has such a strong anti-religious hopeful attitude, engaged in the community, with
1900s insisted on writing the word “God” with a ethos that Dec. 25 is officially designated as strong family support.
lowercase “g” whenever he wrote about his poli- “Family Day.” Sturla, the archbishop, noted dryly
cies in local newspapers. that while attending a conference in Spain last Cautionary tale
So when the Catholic Church recently pro- year, “someone introduced me by saying that in But Warsame’s case, rather than a positive exam-
posed erecting a statue of the Virgin Mary in a Uruguay Holy Week is called Tourism Week.” ple, has become a cautionary tale. Standing in jail-
park next to a popular promenade, a debate In the small nation sandwiched between issue clothing before a federal judge in Minneapolis
erupted over whether religious symbols in pub- Argentina and Brazil, 37 percent of the people earlier this year, the tall young man, who is now 21,
lic places violate the separation between report no religious affiliation, according to a hung his head as he admitted to secretly planning
church and state. 2014 survey by the Pew Research Center in with friends in 2014 to go to Syria to fight with the
Local authorities will decide on the petition, Washington. That includes atheists, agnostics Islamic State group. He now faces up to 15 years in
but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers nationwide and people with spiritual beliefs that are not prison. Despite everyone’s best efforts, “I was always
from weighing in. Even a secular state should part of an organized faith. Just 42 percent of listening to one side,” he said at a court hearing,
not go to “extreme abstinence” when it comes Uruguay’s 3.3 million identify as Catholic, a referring to radical messages he saw online. “I didn’t
to religion, wrote four lawmakers from different much lower percentage than any other Latin see the other side of it, that innocent people were
parties in the lower chamber of Parliament in American nation. Uruguay’s anticlericalism being killed.” It’s clear that by his teen years, “it was
an open letter endorsing the statue. dates back to the two terms in the early 1900s too late,” said Farhio Khalif, a leader of a community
MINNEAPOLIS: Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame visits with Minneapolis police Officer
of President Jose Batlle y Ordonez, who was task force that is working with the US attorney’s
The constitution ahead of his time in promoting social change, office on anti-recruitment strategies. “He was already Jeanine Brudenell, right, during an event for Somali youth at a community center. — AP
Uruguay’s constitution established religious from the eight-hour workday and maternity caught up.”
neutrality that should not be decided by “con- leave to separation of church and state. The effort must begin earlier, convincing young about three times the state average. who founded the Center For Somalia History
sumer taste,” responded Sen. Ope Pasquet, an children that “there is opportunity and there is hope A leading target of the effort is “Little Studies, saw Warsame as a typical inner-city
opponent of the statue. “I didn’t think there was Keeping up with traditions in this community,” Khalif said. Minnesota’s Somali Mogadishu,” where Warsame grew up. The neigh- teenager struggling with identity. “He was one of
going to be this kind of resistance,” In addition to writing God with a lowercase population, the US’s largest, numbers 41,000, borhood is marked by the massive 1970s-era con- those kids that could’ve gone either way,” Fletcher
Montevideo’s archbishop, Cardinal Daniel “g,” he ordered all crucifixes removed from pub- according to census estimates, though community crete towers looming at its center, and dotted with said. “To the gangs, to the radicalization, or to suc-
Sturla, told The Associated Press. “Our city must lic hospitals and abolished religious teachings advocates say it is much larger. They have been Somali restaurants, shops and cultural centers. ceed academically with the circle of Ka Joog kids
be among the few in Latin America and the in public schools. In keeping with that tradi- drawn here over the years by welcoming social pro- Warsame, who goes by Zak or A-Zak, came to who he is close to.”
whole Christian world that don’t have a public tion, Montevideo councilwoman Mariana grams. Since local recruits began leaving for the war the US with his family when he was 10 months old, Warsame had work and school opportunities
image of the Virgin.” Felartigas argued in an op-ed that public zones about 10 years ago, FBI officials here have the second of eight children. In his teens, Warsame after high school. He worked as a baggage handler
Although some Latin American countries, spaces should be kept free of religious sym- appeared on Somali radio and television programs found poetry as a way to express himself. He joined and for a deicing company at the airport and attend-
such as Mexico, share a strict anticlerical tradi- bols. “Public spaces are democratic domains to counter the radical messages luring them. Somali a group called Poet Nation and posted videos on ed community college. His mother, Deqa Hussen,
tion with Uruguay, the proposal wouldn’t have where people should feel free and equal,” she community groups have held regular meetings to YouTube. In one that features his old neighborhood, was vigilant about radical influences. At one point,
raised eyebrows in many of the region’s other wrote in late February in Montevideo.com after raise awareness about the recruitment threat. A Warsame, wearing a Minnesota Twins hat, raps concerned about some of his companions, she sent
capitals. About 40 percent of the world’s the statue was proposed. group called Ka Joog, which is Somali for “stay away,” about violence after a friend was shot. He says he him to live with his father in Chicago in 2014. Two
Catholics, or 425 million, are in Latin America, Supporters of erecting the Virgin Mary stat- sponsored activities that give kids a sense of belong- doesn’t preach violence, and gives “much love to months before her son’s December arrest, she lec-
and symbols of the faith are ubiquitous. ue in a public place note that the Uruguayan ing in America. the projects,” where gang-related shootings are a tured Somali parents at a town hall meeting: “I need
In Brazil, the Christ the Redeemer statue is capital has a statue for Yemanja, the African Last year, in the largest effort, organizers secured constant threat. you guys to wake up and to tell your child, ‘Who’s
the postcard image of Rio de Janeiro. Statues of goddess of the seas, which sits a few kilometers $850,000 for an ambitious package of projects, recruiting you?’ Ask what happened. .... We have to
the Virgin Mary in Bogota, Colombia, Quito, (miles) away from the same promenade where including a new job center in the Somali community The legal system stop the denial thing that we have, and we have to
Ecuador and Santiago, Chile, stand tall on the the statue of the virgin would go up. — AP where unemployment hovers around 19 percent, Bob Fletcher, a former Ramsey County sheriff talk to our kids and work with the FBI.” — AP
Ted Cruz looking to scoop
up more Colorado delegates
COLORADO SPRINGS: Republican
presidential candidate Ted Cruz has
locked up the support of 21 Colorado
delegates and may scoop up even
more.
Slates loyal to Cruz won every
assembly in the state’s seven congres-
sional districts, which began April 2
and culminated Friday with 12 dele-
gates selected. The Texas senator is
well-positioned to pad his total
Saturday, when 13 more delegates
were to be chosen at the party’s state
convention.
According to an Associated Press
count, front-runner Donald Trump has
743 delegates, Cruz has 532 and Ohio
Gov. John Kasich has 143. It takes
1,237 to clinch the nomination,
though there’s a real chance no candi-
date will reach that mark by the
national convention in Cleveland in
July.
Of Cruz’s Colorado delegates so far,
only 17 were formally pledged to him,
and in theory the other four could SCOTIA: Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, greets
change their vote in Cleveland. But supporters after speaking at a campaign event at Mekeel Christian
they were all included on the sena- Academy on Thursday. — AP
tor’s slates and are largely state party
officials who said they were barred pledges, Trump only this past week Cobb.
from signing a formal pledge for Cruz hired a Colorado state director. Cruz also appeals to activists who
but have promised to back him in bal- The Trump campaign said it wasn’t dominate party functions - a deeply
loting at the convention. The result worried and had always expected to conservative, religious group with a
shows how Cruz’s superior organiza- fare poorly in Colorado because its libertarian streak. “Coloradans, natu-
tion has helped him as he tries to assembly process is dominated by rally having that pioneer spirit, gravi-
catch up with Trump. While Cruz’s party insiders. “If we had a primary, tate toward someone like Cruz,” said
campaign spent months recruiting yes, we would have done very well state Rep. Justin Everett, one of Cruz’s
slates of delegates and securing here,” said Trump senior adviser Alan pledged delegates. — AP
Nude Trump painting
on show in London
LONDON: An unflattering painting audience, good or bad, about the social media following the filing of
depicting a nude Donald Trump significance we place on our physi- a Digital Millennium Copyright Act
went on show in London this week- cal selves,” said the 24-year-old notice, claiming that the content
end having being censored in the artist. infringed on their copyright. Gore
United States, where its creator “I drew Trump nude, I was evok- said that the painting’s appear-
claims to have received a thousand ing a reaction from people... so I ance in London showed that “the
death threats from his supporters. tried not to think about it until I UK has a real taste for art and
Los-Angeles based artist Illma spoke to a lawyer who suggested I enough experience to recognize
Gore’s “Make America Great Again”, go to the police about it and file a the idea behind it.” James Nicholls,
named after the Republican candi- report in case something happens,” director of the gallery, said the
date’s campaign slogan, went on she said of the death threats, which work was “contested and interest-
display at the Maddox gallery in the came after posting the painting ing.” “Some, he said, may be
exclusive Mayfair neighborhood on online. offended but others will see the
Friday, and is valued at £1 million The work, which imagines humor in the work of Gore. The
($1.4 million, 1.2 million euros). Trump with a small penis, has Maddox Gallery offers everyone
“Make America Great Again was been banned from public display the chance to see the original and
created to evoke a reaction from its in the US and was pulled from make his own opinion.” — AFP
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016
I N T E R N AT ION A L
10,000 turn out to mark east Ukraine rebellion anniversary
DONETSK: Around 10,000 people for Saturday’s celebration in
paraded through the centre of Donetsk, a 22-year-old named
Donetsk, the rebel “capital” in Vladislav, said the event signified
eastern Ukraine, to mark the sec- “that the people have chosen
ond anniversary of the proclama- their path. Together with Russia
tion of the “Donetsk People’s and separately from Ukraine.”
Republic”. The Donetsk People’s Republic
The participants marched was declared on April 7, 2014, the
through the main streets of the day after pro-Russian separatist
town, waving flags in the colors of fighters attacked the regional
the DNR rebel republic accompa- headquarters in Donetsk. On the
nied by a joyful fanfare of old same day the headquarters of the
Soviet Union anthems. The secret service in the neighboring
marchers, with uniformed men pro-Moscow region of Lugansk
bringing up the rear, finished up was occupied by rebels.
in the main square where a con- Fighting between the Ukraine
cert was organized. army and the rebels has lessened
Ties between Moscow and Kiev since a fragile truce was agreed
are in tatters over Crimea’s annex- last September. However vio-
ation and Russia’s support for the lence continues to flare up and
insurgency in eastern Ukraine. The land mines remain a constant
conflict has killed more than 9,000 Threat. Peace talks have been on
since April 2014 and left the hold for several months with Kiev
rebels in control of a region and Western nations accusing
roughly the size and population Russia of supporting the rebel-
DONETSK: People shout slogans yesterday as they mark the second anniversary of the proclamation of the so of Wales. lion militarily, a claim denied by
One of those who turned out Moscow. — AFP
called People’s Republic of Donetsk. — AFP
Abrini arrest highlights
Paris, Brussels attacks links
‘They criticize the Belgian police but Hats off!’
BRUSSELS: The arrest of Paris tion Abrini is the third, hat-wearing investigators were trying to deter-
attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini in suspect seen alongside two suicide mine if Osama K. was the man seen
raids linked to the Brussels airport bombers in security footage at with Khalid El Bakraoui moments
and metro bombings on Saturday Brussels airport. before the Maalbeek blast. The
highlighted the ties between His disappearance triggered a same man was also filmed at a
jihadists involved in Belgium and huge manhunt, with the federal Brussels’ shopping mall buying the
France’s worst terror outrages. prosecutor’s office confirming that bags used in the airport attacks.
Abrini’s arrest on Friday, along investigators were “verifying
with five other suspects, marks an whether Abrini can be positively A Swedish link?
important step in the investigations identified as... the so-called ‘man Swedish media said Osama K.
into the November 13 Paris attacks, with the hat’.” Belgian police on was Osama Krayem, 23, who grew
which killed 130, and the March 22 Thursday released a video showing up in the southern city of Malmo,
assault on Brussels which left 32 a man wearing a hat and light-col- and published photographs of him
dead. ored jacket who was seen with the holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle
In both, several of the suspects two suicide bombers in the depar- in front of an IS flag said to have
came from the largely-immigrant ture hall. been taken in Syria. VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis waves to faithful at the end of his special Jubilee
Molenbeek neighborhood of While they blew themselves up, Osama Krayem is the product of Audience at Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican yesterday. — AFP
Brussels, including Abdelhamid he fled and made his way on foot a “now classic cocktail of social mar-
Pope announces trips to
Abaaoud, said to have played a key back to central Brussels, appearing Paris attacks suspect ginalization, ideological radicaliza-
role in Paris, along with Salah calm and composed before disap- Mohamed Abrini. — AFP tion” and criminality, Magnus
Abdeslam who was arrested on pearing. Yesterday, La Libre daily Ranstorp, an expert on radical Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
March 18. Abdeslam himself took carried a cartoon showing a police- details on their identities. Local tel- Islamic movements at the Swedish
part in the Paris attacks but unlike man kicking a man holding a hat evision stations aired footage pur- National Defence College, told AFP.
his brother Brahim, who blew him- into a prison cell under the banner: portedly of Abrini’s arrest, showing Making another link between VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis will visit Nagorny Karabakh, an enclave within
self up, he escaped and fled back “They criticize the Belgian police a man pinned to the ground by sev- the Brussels and Paris attacks, the Armenia and Azerbaijan later this year, the Azerbaijan’s territory populated mainly by
Brussels, eluding a vast police drag- but ... Hats off!” The two airport eral armed plain-clothed police prosecutor’s spokesman said Vatican announced yesterday, amid ten- Christian ethnic Armenians, in an early
net for four months. The Belgian bombers have been identified as who then bundled him into an Abdeslam had hired the car used to sions in the region following a flare-up of 1990s war that claimed some 30,000 lives.
authorities have faced intense criti- Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim unmarked car. pick up Osama K. in Ulm in violence over the disputed Nagorny The visit could also heighten tensions
cism over their handling of the Laachraoui, believed to be the cell’s Abrini, a Belgian of Moroccan Germany and bring him to Belgium Karabakh region. with Turkey, which is already unhappy
attacks as it emerged many of the bomb maker. origin and the last known Paris sus- in early October. Abdeslam says he At the invitation of the Armenian with the pope’s use of the word “geno-
suspects were known to police for a Ibrahim’s brother Khalid blew pect still at large, was seen at a had no knowledge of the Brussels Apostolic Church patriarch Karekin II, the cide” to describe the massacre of
long time. himself up at Maalbeek metro sta- petrol station north of Paris two attacks, according to his lawyer, pope will travel to Armenia from June 24 Armenians by the Ottoman Empire-the
Critics say the government has tion not far from the European days before the attacks with Salah despite his links to Khalid El to 26. He will visit Georgia and Azerbaijan forerunner of the modern Turkish state —
not done enough to prevent radi- Union quarter in Brussels. Abdeslam who is now awaiting Bakraoui. He also knew Laachraoui, from September 30 to October 2, the a century ago.
calisation of Muslim youth in areas extradition to France. who drove to Hungary with Vatican said in a statement. Like Armenia, Georgia is a predomi-
such as Molenbeek, with Belgium Anderlecht arrest The prosecutor’s spokesman Abdeslam in September. This month has seen the worst out- nantly Orthodox Christian country with a
proportionately the biggest source Abrini was arrested in the identified two other suspects arrest- More links between the sus- break of violence between Armenia and small Roman Catholic minority, while
in the European Union of foreign Brussels neighbourhood of ed on Friday as Osama K., who went pects came to light after the arrest Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh since Azerbaijan is largely Muslim. Between the
fighters going to join IS in Syria. Anderlecht, the prosecutor’s by the alias of Naim Al Ahmed, and near Paris last month of Reda the 1990s, with more than 90 people two visits to the Caucasus region the
spokesman said on Friday. Two oth- Herve B.M. Three others, including Kriket, who police said was plan- killed in four days of heavy fighting fol- pope will visit Poland from July 27-31
‘The man in the hat’ ers were also picked up with him one whose arrest was confirmed ning an attack of “extreme vio- lowed by sporadic clashes. Armenia- where he will attend the World Youth Day
There has been intense specula- but there were no immediate Saturday, were unnamed. He said lence.” — AFP backed separatists seized control of celebrations in Krakow. — AFP
UK prime minister bungled
admission of offshore fund
LONDON: British Prime Minister of scores of political leaders,
David Cameron admitted yesterday celebrities and sports stars who
that he bungled his admission of have been linked to shell compa-
his investment in an offshore fund nies and investment trusts organ-
revealed in the mammoth data ized by the Panama City-based law
breach of a Panama law firm. firm Mossack Fonseca, which spe-
Cameron drew laughs and cializes in registering offshore com-
applause from a sympathetic audi- panies. Cameron has made the clo-
ence of Conservative Party activists sure of global tax loopholes a focal
as he opened his speech with a point of his government - and
mea culpa. “Well, it not been a rejected charges of hypocrisy on
great week,” he deadpanned. “I the issue.
could have handled this better. I “This government that I lead will
know there are lessons to learn, go on very clearly, very doggedly,
and I will learn them. And don’t very determinedly making sure
blame No. 10 Downing Street or that we crack down on tax evasion
nameless advisers. Blame me.” and aggressive tax avoidance,” he
It was Cameron’s first public said. Last weekend’s leak of 11.5
appearance since his admission million documents from four
Thursday night that he had owned decades of Mossack Fonseca files
shares in a Bahamas-based trust identified Cameron’s late father, Ian,
from 1997 to 2010. He had side- as a client.
PARIS: People gather on the Place de la Republique on Friday. — AP
stepped persistent questions on Cameron admitted in a Thursday
Dwindling French labor
the issue for four days with a string television interview that he owned
of obfuscating statements issued shares in his father’s Bahama trust
protest turns violent through aides. from 1997 to 2010, but sold that
Cameron faces mounting pres- stake for a 19,000 pound ($30,500)
sure from opposition lawmakers to profit along with all his other
reveal the full extent of his past unspecified shareholdings shortly
PARIS: Clashes broke out on Saturday interior ministry estimates. Some 12,000 investment in offshore invest- before becoming prime minister
between police and demonstrators in took part in Saturday’s demonstrations in ments, particularly those run by his that year. His father died shortly
Rennes, western France as thousands took the central city of Toulouse, according to late father, Ian, a millionaire stock- after he gained office.
to the streets for a sixth day of nationwide organisers, down from 100,000 they had broker who placed much off his In Saturday’s speech, Cameron
protests against a draft law that seeks to counted on March 31. Local police put the savings in trusts based in island tax reiterated plans to make public his
loosen some labor protections. latest attendance at 8,000. havens. Labor Party leader Jeremy recent tax returns to show that he
Riot police used tear gas to disperse Local media counted some 200 demon- Corbyn and others say they will paid all legally due taxes on that
youths throwing projectiles after protesters strations across France, including a march press Cameron on the issue when Bahamas-based investment. He has
numbering between 1,700 and 4,000 gath- in Paris kicking off from Place de la Parliament reconvenes Monday. declined to answer questions on
ered near Rennes city centre. Police said Republique, the home of a round-the-clock A few hundred left-wing pro- whether he made other offshore
three officers were injured in the con- Occupy Wall Street-style sit-in . testers banged drums and whistled investments.
frontation. Following modifications that Continued unrest over labor reforms is as they marched Saturday down to Labor lawmakers already have
have softened the labour bill, a broad- piling the pressure on France’s ruling Whitehall, the government center, demanded that Cameron publish
based protest movement has waned from Socialists, who have already been forced to past Cameron’s Downing Street res- details of all his investment hold-
its peak on March 31, when hundreds of retreat over security proposals that includ- idence. Many donned placards ings since he became Conservative
thousands of demonstrators were ed the revocation of citizenship for dual denouncing Cameron as a wealthy leader in 2005. Corbyn said he
mobilised across the country. nationals convicted of terrorism. Police elitist and one held aloft a pinata of would publish his own tax returns LONDON: Protesters gather outside the gates of Downing Street yes-
A subsequent day of action on April 5 have reported sporadic clashes in western a pink pig with Cameron’s face on “very soon, and there’ll be no sur- terday to call for the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron in
drew only 23,800 people, according to city of Rennes. — Agencies it. The British prime minister is one prises there.” —AP the wake of the Mossack Fonseca data leak. —AP