Gulf Daily News Tuesday, 22nd July 2014
unsafe for ordinary people
body. It’s a civilian.” “Were there many people?” asks his superior, nicknamed “Greek”. “A
****load,” replies Demon. “The debris rained
right into the yards.”
“Any weapons there?” asks Greek. “None
at all. Civilian things. Medical stuff, towels,
toilet paper,” says Demon. “Any documents?”
asks Greek. And Demon, finally realising what
must have happened, replies: “Yes. From an
Indonesian student. From Thompson University.” And he curses again.
It’s probably not Thompson University,
which is an entirely online institution in the
US. It’s almost certainly Thompson Rivers
University, in Kamloops, British Columbia,
Canada, which has a student exchange agree-
ment with the International Islamic Education
Council (IIEC) in Indonesia.
And there’s no way, without access to the
crash site and with only a few hours to do the
job, that the Ukrainian intelligence service
could have come up with that kind of detail
to put into a fake recording. It’s genuine. The
rebels did it.
Russia didn’t want the Cossacks at Chernunkhino to shoot down a civilian airliner, but
it has been giving the rebels heavy weapons
while strenuously denying it. It has been
caught red-handed, and hundreds have died.
This is indeed a game-changer – but in which
direction?
One option would be for Moscow to admit
it, apologise whole-heartedly, and abandon
its clients in eastern Ukraine. That is unlikely
to happen. As President Vladimir Putin said
on Thursday, “This tragedy would not have
occurred if there
were peace in
that country, or
in any case, if
hostilities had
not resumed
in southeast
Ukraine. And
certainly, the
government
over whose territory it occurred is responsible
for this terrible tragedy.”
In other words, yeah, we gave the rebels the
weapons, and they used them to shoot down
the airliner, but the whole thing wouldn’t
have happened if the Ukrainian government
had just given in to the rebels. So it’s really
Kiev’s fault, not ours.
The signs are clear: Russia is going to
brazen it out, and go on supplying the
separatist rebels with weapons. The Western
Europeans have been trying to look the other
way (although the US did impose some extra
sanctions this week), but they can’t look away
after this. Western sanctions against Russia
are going to go up quickly and steeply now.
It’s already ugly, and it’s going to get even
uglier.
GD
Eye on the ball
T
HIS refers to both Football Lover and
Rajendra K Aneja’s letters.
We all have to look at things with an
objective eye when it comes to judging what
happened during the World Cup, even if our
teams painfully lost the grand prize. Accusing
fans and supporters who voice their opinion
will never solve the problems that are deeply
rooted within the governing bodies, the managerial teams, the coaching committees, and
the players involved.
Colombia won the FIFA Fair Play award for
maintaining the cleanest disciplinary record
throughout the tournament (according to
statistics). James Rodriguez won the Golden
Boot award for achieving all the feats that I
pointed out in my letter two days ago, which
brings Los Cafeteros to second place after
Germany in terms of awards won.
All players and teams must be proud in
order to maintain a high level of morale
and a winning mentality. “Muscle” however,
the word that our Lover used, very much
describes a core element of contact sports
anyway!
On the other
hand, Neymar
was seen strolling about the
pitch just three
days after the
assumed “career
ending” injury.
Does it prove
that the nickname he earned globally as
being a “Dolphin” was well-deserved?
I still fail to understand why the Brazilian
defence was so easy to penetrate even in the
presence of their captain? On their own home
ground ... even surrounded by their supporters ... But come to think of it, the referee was
quite strict that day ... So, maybe he was the
reason?
Adel Khunji
Even more amazing!
T
HIS is in response to Mustafa Shafiq’s
letter “Just Fancy That” (GDN, July 18).
Mustafa’s amazing facts about the seventh
letter of the alphabet (G) and Germany’s win
of the cup.
The name Germany contained 7 letters,
being group 7, having won seven points and
scoring 7 goals against Brazil and being in the
7th month of the year.
This was Germany’s only fourth win of the
World Cup. I wonder why Mr Shafiq did not
add this to his amazing facts.
NY
Free the oppressed?
A need for excitement may encourage restlessness, particularly if day-to-day routines are tending to leave you feeling
unfulfilled. A Mars Uranus link could set you thinking about
how you can add sparkle to a romance or creative collaboration as a way to spice up your connection. Look to find
ways to create diversions, Leo.
You may be in a soulful mood, feeling at peace with yourself and the world. However, you might find yourself challenged by someone who seems moody compared to your
laid back approach. Today’s Mercury Pluto link could spotlight differences of opinion in a relationship, yet also help
you find the middle ground where possible.
A feeling of being in the zone suggests you could find yourself in the right place at the right time effortlessly. Try not to
get in your own way by over thinking your next move, as
you’ll do better by going with the flow. Social opportunities look very promising too, providing a chance to connect
with those who could be of mutual benefit.
There may seem to be plenty of people willing to test your
patience. Relationships with certain individuals may prove
difficult so things might not pan out as you would like. As a
result, you could feel like going off on your own and escaping the heat. A tranquil walk can do a lot to cool things and
change your perspective, Scorpio.
Today’s line-up may intensify a desire for a love adventure.
Mars in connection with Uranus could whisper, “go ahead”,
especially if you’re tempted to push for a date on the
strength of spontaneous feelings. But will you still feel the
same tomorrow? There’s a chance though that you might
be seeing what you want to see, Archer.
As Uranus rewinds in your domestic sector from today,
life at home may seem more prone to disruption over the
weeks’ ahead. Make allowances for the unexpected - welcome it even, as by doing so you’ll find that security is not so
much about having a base, but feeling at ease with yourself
no matter what’s going on around you.
You can feel particularly inspired today, so let any ideas
circulate and see what happens, especially as you could
benefit from sharing. Yet with Mars and Uranus tense, there
could be an issue with someone who might not see things
the way you do. Yet, if you can thrash out a compromise it
may prove a better outcome for you both.
As the Sun drives into Leo today, it will add extra pizzazz to
your work and lifestyle sector, encouraging you to showcase any skills and abilities to the max, as you can benefit
greatly by doing so. Along with this, an infusion of vital energy might put you in the mood to work out on a regular
basis, and keep you in tiptop condition in the process.
NEARLY fell off my chair from laughter
Iistration”
at Ruffled in Riffa’s letter “Poor Admin(GDN, July 15). Ruffled wrote:
“Again, our (US) attempts might have been
misguided in effort or detail but never in
our goal of trying to free oppressed people
from tyrants’ grips. No other country on
earth comes close to expending more of
their own treasure or their own citizens’
lives in that pursuit of bettering others’
existence on Earth.”
Are you real Ruffled? Haven’t you heard
about the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the genocides of
hundreds of thousands civilians who were
murdered by your country? The US is the
only country in the world that has ever
used nuclear weapons against civilians. Did
they teach you in history lessons about the
Vietnam War and the massacres conducted
by you people?
Have you heard about the hundreds of
thousands of civilians your countrymen
murdered in Iraq and Afghanistan including women and children in the last 10
years? I am sure you have heard about the
state of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of
five million Palestinians from their homes.
As I type this letter, your Israeli allies are
pounding Gaza with all its military might;
thanks to US supplied weaponry of the
latest technology and lethality.
Your confidence around money may well perk up as the
Sun moves into Leo and your personal financial sector.
Along with Jupiter, its influence encourages you to have
faith in your abilities, especially if you’re looking for ways to
enhance your income. Later, why not give in to a desire for
relaxation if you’ve had a long, hard day.
While homely pursuits might encourage moments of relaxation and the chance to recharge, chances are you’ll soon
be thrust into more adventurous activities as the Sun joins
Jupiter in Leo. Yet, as Mercury and Pluto clash, it may not
all be plain sailing. Why? Well, hidden resentments about a
situation could be bursting to come out.
As Uranus starts a rewind in your spiritual sector, you may
be motivated to help out others who could benefit from
your advice, not just today but in the months ahead. This
kind of activity could even become a part-time vocation
that you’ll find enjoyable. An upbeat focus on domestic
matters encourages more fun get-togethers too.
n Palestinians mourn above bodies of two children, who were killed along with seven members
of the Siam family, after an Israeli air strike hit their house yesterday. Truce bid – Page 15
The US has spared no effort and passed
no opportunity to suppress the Palestinian nation. The Americans have been the
champions of Israeli war crimes against
Palestinians for the last 60 years, defending them in the Security Council. Your
assertion about the US attempting to
free oppressed people from tyrants’ grips
and bettering others’ existence on Earth
shows lack of knowledge of your country’s
history and foreign affairs. Please sit down
with any of the five million Palestinians in
UNRWA refugee camps and try to explain
your country’s effort to free the people
of Palestine; the myth of your country’s
greatness as freedom champions will
explode in an instant.
Nizam Yagoub
Today’s potent alignment adds emphasis to the depth of
feeling concerning a situation or even a key relationship.
But be careful, as a link between Mercury Pluto may get you
riled, causing you to feel resentful or in the mood to argue.
It might take a flash of insight to help you realize what’s at
stake and what you can do about it.
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