BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Infantino slams FIFA ‘fake news’ INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 Opec raises ’17 estimate ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-12 and defends for supply growth from 20,920.94 10,110.84 47.78 INTERNATIONAL 4-12 CLASSIFIED 7 -22.17 +119.17 +0.45 ISLAM 13 SPORT 1-8 rival producers by 64% record -0.11% +1.19% +0.95% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10451 May 12, 2017 Sha’baan 16, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Minister visits defence industry exhibition White House fumes after In brief Moscow makes photos public

QATAR | Offi cial AFP Washington FM attends London meeting on Somalia onald Trump’s administration Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed was left red-faced yesterday bin Abdulrahman al-Thani yesterday Dafter Moscow surprised them participated in the international by releasing pictures of a closed-door conference in support of Somalia held meeting between the US president and in London. The conference discussed Russia’s top diplomat. means of supporting stability in The images – issued by the Russian Somalia and ensuring the realisation state news agency TASS, and subse- of the security and prosperity plan quently published by much of the glo- 2020, through enhancing security bal media – showed a grinning Trump and confronting the phenomenon shaking hands with Sergei Lavrov and of terrorism and economic the Russian ambassador in Washing- challenges. Representatives of ton, Sergei Kislyak, during an Oval Of- Somali government, Norway, fi ce meeting. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United That Wednesday meeting was al- Kingdom and the United States, ready being seen as a major diplomatic as well as representatives of a coup for the Kremlin, a red carpet wel- number of regional and international come just months after being hit with organisations, are participating in the US sanctions for meddling in the 2016 conference. presidential election. HE the Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khaled bin Mohamed al-Attiyah visits the International Defence Industry Exhibition (IDEF) in Istanbul yesterday. The minister Veteran diplomats questioned why QATAR | Weather was briefed on the latest innovations in military and defence technology showcased by specialised companies. Page 2 Trump agreed to host the diplomats – a rare honour for non-heads of state, Chance of light rain much less for those at the centre of today and tomorrow major US political scandal. There is a chance of light rain in the US administrations often treat Oval country today and tomorrow along Offi ce meetings as a type of currency, with the formation of thunderclouds dangling the prospect of a high-profi le in some places at times, the Qatar sit-down to gain leverage or conces- Met department has said. In a sions in negotiations. report yesterday, the department But the emergence of photos com- said hot weather would continue Three major road pounded the perception that Russia to prevail around the country with had won a diplomatic victory and that slight dust during the day. Winds the Trump White House was outma- during this period would mostly be noeuvred. northwesterly-northeasterly inshore, “Congrats Kollegi (colleagues) at blowing at a speed of 5-15 knots and getting these photos! Huge coup,” said reaching 18 knots occasionally by former US ambassador to Moscow midday. Meanwhile, today’s detailed projects underway Michael McFaul. forecast says it will be hazy in some Publicly, the White House put on a places in the early hours of the day, t least three major road projects brave face. followed by a hot day with slight on the western and south- Trump “should be meeting with the dust and scattered clouds. There is Awestern side of Qatar are in foreign minister,” said White House a possibility of light rain at times. advanced stages of development, Ash- spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sand- The maximum temperature today is ghal, the Public Works Authority, has ers, lambasting critics. expected to be 41C in Doha and Al said. “For them to try to attack him for Khor, followed by 40C in Wakrah and They are Rawdat Rashed road doing his job, maybe they should spend Mesaieed. Yesterday, a maximum of (Phase 3), the New Industrial Area a little more time doing their jobs and 43C was recorded in Al Rayyan, while interchange on the Orbital Highway we wouldn’t have all the problems that in Doha it was 42C. and roads and infrastructure develop- we do.” ments in Bani Hajer North, according Privately though White House offi - REGION | Construction to reports in Ashghal in-house maga- cials seethed at what they described as zine’s April issue. a breach of trust. World’s tallest building Rawdat Rashed road is regarded as Offi cials said that Vladimir Putin had delayed : Alwaleed an important step towards fulfi lling a requested the meeting, a quid-pro-quo The completion date for the world’s safe and eff ective road that links Salwa for his recent face-to-face with Secre- tallest tower has been pushed Road with Dukhan Expressway. tary of State Rex Tillerson in Moscow. back to 2019, Saudi billionaire The Phase 3 of the Rawdat Rashed The White House was told an of- Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said Road Development project consists of fi cial Russian photographer would be yesterday, almost six years after a 14km road with three lanes on either present, implying the images would be launching the record-breaking side. for the historical record and not neces- project. Jeddah Tower is to rise Ashghal offi cials hope the third The New Industrial Area interchange is one of the major links of the East West Corridor project. sarily made public. more than a kilometre, placing it phase of project would be completed “Our offi cial photographer and their above Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. “The by the last quarter of this year. rection to connect the new road with change is one of the major links of the tunnels is already over. Through the offi cial photographer were present, project was delayed... but it’ll open About 40% of the Phase 3 is com- Al Sheehaniya. East West Corridor project, the work works in Bani Hajer area the authori- that’s it,” said one aide shortly after the (in) 2019,” Prince Alwaleed told AFP pleted now. The road extends north The fi rst two phases of the Rawdat of which is progressing fast. ties aim to completely revamp the in- meeting. during a visit to the site beside the from end of Phase 2 (the work of Rashed project which were completed According to Ashghal authorities, frastructure and rehabilitate the entire But when the images were published Red Sea. Alwaleed chairs Kingdom which is already completed) at the new consisted of a little more than 20km nearly 70% of the interchange is com- area’s road networks. across the world via state media, the Holding Co whose aff iliated Jeddah roundabout north of Rawdat Rashed with three lanes on either side. plete. The traffi c movement through the Works are taking place in about 21km White House raged that Moscow had Economic Company is developing village to Lebsayyer interchange on The project, which is located per- interchange would be started on its ex- of the local roads, it is reported. The ex- misled them. the spire-topped landmark. the Dukhan highway. This is besides pendicular to Salwa road towards the pected completion by the end of this year. pected commissioning of the project is Two offi cials admitted they were not Alwaleed first announced plans for the construction of a 2.8km dual road north, is approximately 33km. More than 70% of the works in Bani in the last quarter of this year. The area told that the images would be made the tower in August 2011, saying it heading east with two lanes in each di- The New Industrial Area road inter- Hajer North, including bridges and has more than 550 residences. public. would take 36 months to build after the start of construction.

AFRICA | Violence Ramadan market opens Fift h UN peacekeeper Southern Yemen leaders found dead in C Africa The UN said yesterday another peacekeeper has been found dead seek split from north in the Central African Republic, bringing to five the toll from an Reuters Yemen’s modest oil deposits, the back- attack this week, the deadliest Aden bone of its economy. so far against the mission in The announcement raises the pros- the unstable, violence-plagued pect of more division in an already nation. Suspected anti-Balaka enior tribal, military and po- complex confl ict in the impoverished Christian militias attacked the UN litical leaders have formed a new Arabian Peninsular country, where convoy of the MINUSCA force on Scouncil seeking the secession of Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition Monday in the southeast of the southern Yemen, the former governor against Houthi fi ghters. country near the border with the of the area’s main city Aden said yes- Thousands of Saudi-led air strikes have Democratic Republic of Congo. terday, threatening to bring more tur- backed both southern fi ghters and the “The Moroccan peacekeeper moil to a two-year-old civil war. forces of Yemen’s internationally-recog- who had been reported missing Aidaroos al-Zubaidi made his an- nised government against the Houthis. has now been found dead,” UN nouncement in a televised address in But the southerners and the government spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. front of the fl ag of the former nation of of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi A Cambodian soldier serving in South Yemen, whose forces were de- have been caught up in their own power the MINUSCA mission was killed feated by the north in 1994 and brought struggle – undermining Saudi eff orts to during an exchange of gunfire into a reunifi ed country. co-ordinate the campaign. and ten other peacekeepers were Zubaidi said a “national politi- Many southerners feel that offi cials wounded. The bodies of three other cal leadership” under his presidency in the north have exploited their re- Cambodian peacekeepers were would administer and represent the sources and cut them off from jobs and found on Tuesday. Children check out garments at Katara Meerat Ramadan market which opened yesterday. Page 2 south – a region which holds much of infl uence.

Gulf Times Friday, May 12, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

JUSTICE INTERCEPTED UNDER THREAT OUTBREAK SECURITY Palestinian charged for Libya stops almost 500 Tunisia tightens security UN body confirms 58 Iraq forces launch anti-IS murder of British student migrants after sea duel for synagogue pilgrimage cholera cases in Yemen push in western desert

Israeli authorities yesterday charged a Palestinian Libya’s coastguard on Wednesday intercepted a Tunisian authorities yesterday deployed security The United Nations yesterday confirmed 58 Iraqi forces have launched a broad operation to with murder over the fatal stabbing of a young wooden boat packed with almost 500 migrants forces around a synagogue on a resort island, cases of cholera and 47 cholera-associated root out fighters from the Islamic State group who British woman on a Jerusalem tramway last after duelling with a German rescue ship and one day before an annual pilgrimage to the deaths across war-torn Yemen in the past two have been harassing security forces in remote month, the justice ministry said. Jamil Tamimi, 57, coming under fire from traff ickers, the navy site was set to begin. More than 3,000 people weeks, the second such outbreak in a year. The border areas, off icers said yesterday. The army from Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, was charged said yesterday. The migrants, who were bound are expected to make the pilgrimage to Ghriba UN Off ice for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian launched their sweep at dawn in desert areas of with premeditated murder, the ministry said in a for Italy, were picked up off the western city of Synagogue on Djerba island in the south-east Aff airs (OCHA) said laboratory testing had Anbar province where the militants have hideouts statement. The ministry said Tamimi had entered Sabratha, said navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem. part of Tunisia, Ghriba Association head Perez confirmed the highly contagious infection in “The security forces are advancing from an area the tramway with the intention of committing a The German non-governmental organisation Trabelsi told DPA. The pilgrimage, which runs 10 governorates across Yemen, where less called ‘Kilometre 160’, west of Ramadi, towards murder and stabbed 20-year-old Hannah Bladon “Sea-Watch tried to disrupt the coastguard through May 14, comes as the region struggles than half of the country’s medical facilities are Nukhaib,” said the army lieutenant colonel seven times. It said he chose her as a victim operation...inside Libyan waters and wanted with an Islamist insurgency. In 2015, the North functional two years into a deadly war between stationed in Rutba, an outpost that is the last town because she seemed incapable of defending to take the migrants, on the pretext that Libya African country saw a string of attacks that hit government forces and Houthi insurgents. on the road to Jordan. Major General Mahmud al- herself. The April 14 attack took place on a tram wasn’t safe,” Qassem told AFP. He also said the the tourism industry — a main source of income Another 2,301 suspected cases were identified in Falahi, the head of Anbar Operations Command, close to the Old City, where thousands of Christians coastguard had come under fire from people for Tunisia. Most of the attacks were claimed by governorates including Sanaa, where more than said the goal of the operation is to flush out IS from around the world were marking Good Friday. traff ickers, without reporting any casualties. the Islamic State extremist militia. 30% of the cases were diagnosed. fighters in the desert and secure Rutba.

Clashes erupt as US-backed fi ghters hunt for Palestinians back hunger strikers

AFP IS holdouts in Syria’s Tabqa Ramallah

AFP lashes erupted yesterday in the occupied West Tabqa, Syria Bank between Israeli soldiers and hundreds Cof Palestinians protesting in support of hun- ger strikers in Israeli jails, leaving at least two people S-backed fi ghters yesterday wounded. hunted for militant hold- The two Palestinians were hit by rubber bullets and Uouts in Syria’s Tabqa after evacuated on stretchers with bloodied legs, an AFP overrunning the city and nearby journalist reported. dam in a step forward for their Youths wearing hoods or masks threw stones at Is- advance on Islamic State group raeli soldiers, who responded with rubber bullets and stronghold of Raqa. water canon containing foul-smelling liquid. The Syrian Democratic Forces The clashes broke out at a checkpoint at the entrance scored one of their biggest victories to Ramallah and near the Israeli settlement of Beit El, against IS militants as controversy the site of regular demonstrations against the occupa- intensifi ed over a US decision to arm tion. the alliance’s Kurdish component. The protest was called in support of hundreds of The SDF was conducting clear- Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails ance operations after seizing Tabqa since April 17. and the nearby dam on Wednesday, “We are entering an extremely critical period” for said the Syrian Observatory for the hunger strikers, Qadura Fares, head of the Palestin- Human Rights. ian Prisoners Club, said earlier at a rally in Ramallah. “The SDF were able to deploy “A large number of prisoners can no longer move onto the dam itself during the from their bed or take care of their basic needs.” night,” the Observatory’s Rami Ab- The Red Cross yesterday visited the leader of the del Rahman said. hunger strike, Marwan Barghouti, for the fi rst time “But civilians are still unable to since it began. enter some parts of Tabqa because An ICRC spokesman was unable to provide an up- of explosives” left by IS. date on his health “in accordance with the principles of The US military command in the medical confi dentiality”. Middle East, Centcom, confi rmed The ICRC had been allowed access to other prisoners the “liberation” of Tabqa. on hunger strike, but Israel had been restricting access “The SDF’s increased pressure to Barghouti. on ISIS from each fl ank allowed it Hunger strikers have issued a list of demands in- to...clear the fi nal neighbourhoods cluding better medical services, family visits and more of the city and isolate Tabqa dam,” dignifi ed detention conditions. said Centcom, referring to IS. Israel says conditions meet all international stand- The Arab-Kurdish alliance ac- ards. cepted IS’s surrender to protect ci- Barghouti, a senior member of Palestinian President vilians and the dam, it said, adding Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party and a highly popular “the coalition tracked fl eeing fi ght- fi gure among Palestinians, is serving fi ve life sentences ers and targeted those that could be over his role in the second Palestinian intifada, or up- safely hit”. rising. Situated on the Euphrates River Earlier this week, Israel produced footage they said about 55km upstream from Raqa, showed him secretly breaking his fast in his cell. Tabqa is a key waypost in the op- His wife Fadwa rejected the footage as fake, saying it eration to capture the militants’ de was “intended to break the morale of prisoners”. facto Syrian capital. Operation Wrath of the Euphra- tes has seen the SDF capture large swathes of territory north of Raqa Members of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) flash victory signs as they stand on a building in the town of Al Karamah, 26km from the and at their closest point its fi ght- Islamic State bastion of Raqa. ers are just 8km from the city. It is now working to tighten the comrades as they celebrated at the ish fi ghters in a break with its previ- ons that are being provided to our it was not immediately clear if they noose before a fi nal assault. dam overlooking Lake Assad, a ous policy of arming only the SDF’s partner force, we intend to account discussed the arming of the YPG. The battle for Tabqa was marked large reservoir created by the facil- Arab fi ghters. for them, and to ensure that they The issue is set to dominate talks by fears that fi ghting could damage ity in the 1970s. The move has infuriated Nato are pointed at ISIS,” he added. between Turkish President Recep the nearby dam — Syria’s largest — The SDF is dominated by the ally Ankara. But Washington’s reassurances Tayyip Erdogan and his American with the potential for catastrophic Kurdish People’s Protection Units The US-led coalition said a fi rst failed to assuage Ankara, which re- counterpart Donald Trump next fl ooding. (YPG), seen by the US as an indis- consignment of weapons was al- gards the YPG as the Syrian arm of week, the fi rst meeting between the Technicians fl ed the dam as pensable ally in the fi ght against IS ready in place for delivery and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), two heads of state. fi ghting intensifi ed in recent days, but considered a “terrorist group” could be dispatched to the Kurds which has waged a deadly insurgen- “I hope very much that this mis- a source who works closely with by Turkey. “very quickly”. cy inside Turkey since 1984. take will be reversed immediately,” them told AFP. YPG video footage yesterday The arms include heavy machine “YPG and PKK are both terror Erdogan said. A repair team was on standby showed half a dozen fi ghters and guns to be used against IS truck groups, there is no diff erence at all In fi ghting elsewhere yesterday, yesterday, awaiting permission youths dancing in Tabqa, and chil- bombs, mortars, small arms and between them. They only have dif- government forces gained ground from the SDF, which was still clear- dren calling out excitedly: “The ammunition, as well as armoured ferent names,” said Turkish Foreign in the capital’s Qabun district, as ing mines, to enter and assess any dam has been liberated”. vehicles and equipment to detect Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. the regime presses eff orts to push Palestinian protesters throws stones towards Israeli damage to the structure. Washington has stepped up its landmines, said coalition spokes- Pentagon chief Jim Mattis yes- insurgents into an evacuation deal security forces during clashes near the Jewish An AFP correspondent saw SDF support for the YPG in recent days, man Colonel John Dorrian. terday met Turkish Prime Minister and to clear Damascus of armed settlement of Beit El, north of the West Bank city of fi ghters distributing sweets to their announcing it would arm the Kurd- “Every single one of these weap- Binali Yildirim in London, although groups, the Observatory said. Ramallah. Hamas commander’s killer arrested in Gaza City

AFP Hamas has previously suggested dition of anonymity that the from Israeli jails in an exchange Gaza City Palestinian collaborators had suspect had “participated in the deal for kidnapped soldier Gilad worked with Israel on the assas- morning in a reconstruction of Shalit in 2011. sination. the crime”, after numerous secu- According to Hamas, he amas has arrested the “Punishment will be carried rity forces were seen in front of formed cells for their military suspected murderer of out against the murderer,” Hani- Faqha’s home earlier in the day. wing in the West Bank cities of Hone of its key military yah added. Immediately afterward, Ha- Tubas, also where he was born, commanders in Gaza, the Pal- Hamas recently executed three mas authorities closed the only and Jenin. estinian Islamist movement’s men it accused of collaboration passenger crossing into Is- It says he played an important leader said yesterday, while with Israel. rael, while exit by sea was also role in major assaults, including maintaining Israel was behind Faqha was shot dead on March banned, eff ectively sealing off a suicide attack in the Israeli set- the March assassination. 24 near his house in Gaza City. the enclave. tlement neighbourhood of Gilo The killing of Mazen Faqha in He had been in charge of form- Rights groups slammed the in east Jerusalem in 2002 that the heart of Hamas-controlled ing cells for the movement’s mil- closure as collective punishment killed 19 people. Gaza shocked the militant move- itary wing in the occupied West for Gaza’s 2mn residents, with They were part of a wave of su- ment and raised fears of a fresh Bank. those in need of medical treat- icide attacks that killed hundreds confl ict with Israel. Hamas, which has controlled ment among those prevented of Israelis during the second inti- “We announce that the killer the Gaza Strip since 2007, imme- from leaving. The restrictions fada, or uprising, between 2000 and criminal that carried out the diately blamed its arch-enemy were later lifted. and 2005. orders of the offi cers of the Zi- Israel, with which it has fought On April 5, Hamas off ered Is- Israel sentenced him to nine onist security services is in the three wars since 2008. raeli “collaborators” a week to life sentences plus 50 years, but hands of the (Hamas) security Israel never confi rmed or de- turn themselves in in exchange he was released in the 2011 deal services,” Ismail Haniyah told nied involvement in the killing. for clemency. for Shalit, an Israeli soldier Ha- journalists in Gaza City, referring Haniyah’s press conference A day later, it hanged three mas had detained for fi ve years. to Israel. was held outside Faqha’s house people they accused of being col- The Gaza Strip has been under “He has confessed to the in Gaza City and attended by his laborators in cases not related to an Israeli blockade for a decade, crime.” widow and Yahya Sinwar, Ha- Faqha’s death. while Egypt’s crossing with the No details were provided on mas’s Gaza chief. Faqha was one of more than enclave has also remained largely Ismail Haniyah (right) and other Hamas leaders give a press conference in Gaza City yesterday. the suspect’s identity, though A Hamas source said on con- 1,000 Palestinians released closed in recent years. Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 12, 2017 AFRICA Somalia security pact signed Reuters Guterres said the extra funding time to consider lifting the arms London was needed because more than embargo. 6mn Somalis – about half the “We shouldn’t be thinking of country’s population – were in doing it that way round. The pri- omalia’s government and need of assistance. ority has got to be … to help the its foreign backers have He said 275,000 children were Somali forces to get to a condi- Ssigned a security pact at risk of starvation. tion ... where they are able to take which they presented as a road The conference tackled a wide on Shebaab,” he said. map towards building a func- range of issues, from Somalia’s Somalia has been mired in tional national army capable of requests for debt relief to calls for chaos since 1991, when warlords taking on the fi ght against She- easier access to the international overthrew dictator Siad Barre baab militants. banking system, but British For- and turned against each other. The Al Qaeda-linked Islamist eign Secretary Boris Johnson said Analysts say the national army militant group has lost much of the security pact was the main is poorly equipped and under- the territory it once controlled achievement. funded, with troops sometimes in Somalia, including the capital The pact, a 17-page document going unpaid for months. Mogadishu, but its deadly attacks released at the end of the confer- Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May chairing the London Somalia Conference at Lancaster House. Partly as a result of that, a remain one of the main obstacles ence, follows a detailed agree- range of regional forces includ- to stability in the chaotic Horn of ment reached in April between tional community will be able to The AU force has clawed ess, called for a lifting of the arms defi nitely this war will continue ing clan militias, the Ethiopia- Africa country. Somalia’s fl edgling federal gov- come in with support,” Johnson back control of most of Soma- embargo on Somalia to give his for another 10 years,” he told a backed Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamea A London conference on So- ernment and its member states told reporters. lia’s main towns and cities since armed forces an advantage over news conference. militia, the US-supported Punt- malia also heard that the United on how to unify their disparate As things stand, an African the militants were driven out of Shebaab fi ghters. Mohamed said he was not ask- land forces and a regional force in Nations was increasing its appeal forces into a national army and Union (AU) force made up of Mogadishu in 2007, but it is over- “Shebaab has AK-47s and ing for that now, but rather when Jubaland have been reluctant to for the country by $900mn to a police force. soldiers from Kenya, Ethiopia, stretched and funding is a con- the Somali national forces has Somalia had achieved some of join a centralised force. total of $1.5bn to allow aid agen- “What the international com- Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti is stant challenge. the same equipment, the same the milestones set out in the se- The April agreement between cies to cope with a severe drought munity wants to do now is to doing most of the fi ghting against Somalia’s President Mohamed weapons, and that’s why this war curity pact. the federal government and that is causing a humanitarian back that security architecture, Shebaab insurgents, but it wants Abdullahi Mohamed, who took has been lingering for 10 years. He talked about a period of member states and yesterday’s crisis. and the stronger and more robust to start withdrawing from Soma- offi ce in February after a complex And if we don’t have more so- eight months or more. security pact are aimed at over- UN Secretary General Antonio it is ... then the more the interna- lia in 2018. Western-backed electoral proc- phisticated and better weaponry Johnson said now was not the coming these diffi culties. Police, protesters clash in S Africa for a fourth day

Reuters The government urged resi- government is faced with weak ployees, Lonmin said. services many blacks were de- Johannesburg dents to stop violence, intimida- economic growth. Production at two shafts had prived of under white-minority tion and looting while pushing The latest bout of protests stopped because of the protests, rule. their demands. kicked off in Ennerdale and near- it said. The struggling economy grew rotesters demanding better “The law will reign at the end by Eldorado Park townships on The ructions around Marikana by only 0.3% last year. housing clashed with po- of the day,” Police Minister Fikile Monday. are the latest fl are-up in the plat- Unemployment is at 26.5% Plice in Johannesburg town- Mbalula said on Eye Witness On Wednesday, residents of inum belt between poor commu- and many among the black ma- ships for the fourth straight day News service. a shantytown in Laudium, west nities and companies grappling jority population still lack run- yesterday, racheting up pressure “What does a protest for hous- of Pretoria, held demonstrations with depressed prices and rising ning water, electricity, roads and on South African President Jacob ing got to do with people closing demanding electricity be in- costs. schools long after apartheid’s Zuma’s government to deliver down shops and looting shops? stalled in their homes. Marikana has particular reso- demise. social services. It’s got nothing to do with that ... The area was tense but calm nance as it was the scene of the Zuma has come under pressure Police fi red tear gas to disperse its criminality,” the minister de- yesterday. killing of 34 miners at the hands after a cabinet reshuffl e saw re- crowds in Ennerdale township, manded. Protests also took place yes- of the police during a violent spected fi nance minister Pravin south of the economic capital, South Africa has been hit by terday around platinum producer wildcat strike in August 2012. Gordhan dismissed, triggering after residents blocked roads sporadic demonstrations in the Lonmin’s operations in Marika- The persistence of poverty and national protests last month call- with rocks and burnt tyres. past few years dubbed “service na, west of Johannesburg. joblessness 23 years after the end ing for him to resign after S&P Some schools and businesses delivery protests”, with residents Demonstrators demanding of apartheid is also stoking the Global Ratings and Fitch down- were closed because of the pro- demanding water, electricity, jobs disrupted output, damaged anger, often targeting local gov- graded the country’s credit rating tests. housing and jobs at a time the property and intimidated em- ernments tasked with providing to sub-investment. University students suspended over Nazi-inspired posters

Reuters Neo-Nazism” and were in breach proceedings are ongoing,” said versity was rocked by protests by Racial tensions have increased Cape Town of the university’s policies on Wim de Villiers, rector and vice- black students against teaching in South Africa in the past few harassment and discrimination. chancellor at the university, who in Afrikaans, a language widely months. The posters for an “Anglo-Af- has described the posters as “de- identifi ed with apartheid. In April, two white farm- hree South African stu- rikaner student” event appeared liberate mischief-making”. The campus is moving away ers were arrested on suspicion dents were suspended on Tuesday and were taken down Scores of mainly black stu- from its whites-only roots and its of murdering a black youth in a Tyesterday on suspicion of on Wednesday. dents and some academics held racial composition today better farming community in the North putting up Nazi-inspired posters Under the motto “Fight for a meeting yesterday to condemn refl ects the country’s mixed de- West province. at a university, at a time of grow- Stellenbosch” in English and the posters publicly, a member mographics. In November, two white men ing tension in race relations. Afrikaans, one series showed a of the apolitical Student Repre- Black, coloured and Asian stu- were in court to face charges of Stellenbosch University said blond brown-shirted man and sentative Council said. dents make up around one-third assault and kidnapping after a that the images, which copied another a young woman with “Racism is still very much of the university’s population video showed them forcing a Nazi youth movement post- long blond braids. alive, and the posters just showed compared to only a few non- wailing black man into a coffi n in A South African police off icer attempts to extinguish a fire after ers without their swastika fl ags, “I have decided to suspend us once again,” said council whites in 1990. Mpumalanga province. demonstrators burnt tyres to barricade a road, during a violent contained “highly off ensive ref- the three students suspected of spokesman Kamva Somdyala. It teaches in English and Afri- Their trial is set to start next protest yesterday demanding better housing in Finetown, Ennerdale, erences to Nazi propaganda and misconduct while disciplinary Two years ago, the same uni- kaans. month. South Africa. 24 Chibok girls to return to school: offi cials

Reuters in a deal brokered by the Interna- the Islamist militant group that has Three years ago, the abduction Abuja tional Committee of the Red Cross killed 15,000 people since 2009 in of the girls from their secondary and three others who escaped or an insurgency aimed at creating an school by Boko Haram sparked glo- were rescued. Islamic caliphate in the northeast. bal outrage and a celebrity-backed he 82 girls freed by Boko Har- “Government is preparing the Aisha Jummai Alhassan, the min- campaign #bringbackourgirls. am on Saturday after being girls to go back to school in Septem- ister of women aff airs, told report- For more than two years there was Theld captive for three years ber this year because they have lost ers yesterday that photographs of no sign of the girls. are still waiting to be reunited with so much academically,” said presi- the girls had been sent to families in But the discovery of one of them their families, while all the girls dency spokesman Garba Shehu. “It Chibok for identifi cation. with a baby last May raised hopes found last year will be heading back is not all the 103 so far released, but The minister said the government for their safety, with a further two to school in September, Nigerian of- 24 of them.” was careful about who was granted girls found in later months and a fi cials said. None of the girls released on Sat- access to the 24 girls who left cap- group of 21 released by the Islamist Twenty-four girls, who were urday were among those returning tivity last year. militants in October. among around 270 kidnapped by to school in September as they were They are in Abuja taking part in a Mediator and lawyer Zannah the Islamist militant group from still undergoing medical and psy- rehabilitation programme. Mustapha said some of the abduct- the town of Chibok in northeast Ni- chological treatment in the capital, “The parents of the #Chibokgirls ed girls refused to be freed with the geria in April 2014, are to return to Abuja, that should last two to three are free to visit them at any time. We 82 girls last weekend, fuelling fears school in September, the president’s weeks, the government’s Twitter will never prevent them from see- that they have been radicalised by spokesman said yesterday. feed stated. ing their daughters,” a government the militants, and may feel afraid, Those going back to school in- On Saturday, 82 girls were re- tweet quoted the women aff airs ashamed or even too powerful to re- clude the 21 girls freed last October leased in exchange for members of minister as saying. turn to their old lives.

Mugabe in Singapore for advanced eye treatment

Reuters He left for Singapore on Monday, down, avoids direct lighting,” Harare his second medical trip in about Charamba said. “It (the trip to Sin- two months. gapore) has to do with his eyes and The pictures and videos of Mu- often I have felt very, very pained. imbabwean President Robert gabe apparently nodding off have In fact, I feel like a failure when Mugabe is seeking advanced gone viral on social media and op- there is this reading that the presi- Ztreatment in Singapore for ponents have mocked him as unfi t dent is sleeping in conferences – eye problems caused by old age that for offi ce. no.” can make it look as if he has dozed But Mugabe’s spokesman, Last week at a World Economic off in public, his spokesman told a George Charamba, blamed the Forum Summit in South Africa, state-owned newspaper. president’s eyes, and told the Mugabe sat slumped in his chair, This file photo taken on January 13 The 93-year-old Mugabe is of- newspaper the Herald that local wringing his hands, as he told a shows Mugabe attending a state ten caught on camera appearing to opticians suggested he should seek panel discussion in a low murmur dinner. Mugabe, 93, is not asleep when be dozing at public events, and his treatment abroad. that his country was not a “fragile he closes his eyes for long periods in health in general is a hot topic be- “At 93, there is something that state”. public events but is resting his eyes fore next year’s presidential elec- happens to the eyes and the presi- Local private media reports say from bright lights, his spokesman said tion, which he is expected to con- dent cannot suff er bright lights. Mugabe has prostate cancer, which yesterday. test. If you look at his poise, he looks government offi cials deny. Gulf Times Friday, May 12, 2017 5 AMERICAS

Panel to study voter fraud, suppression Trump blasts Comey Reuters Dale Ho, director of the Washington American Civil Liberties Un- Reuters Right: Photographers focus ion (ACLU) voting project, said: Washington on acting FBI Director Andrew “Signing a piece of paper will not McCabe as he prepares to testify resident Donald Trump make Trump’s false statements before the Senate Intelligence has created a commission about voter fraud true.” resident Donald Trump Committee, in place of former Pto investigate voter fraud Some Republicans and Demo- blasted ousted FBI chief FBI Director James Comey, who and suppression, the White crats say Trump’s unsubstanti- PJames Comey as a “show- was fired by Trump on Tuesday. House said, a move that follows ated claims could undermine boat” and “grandstander” yes- Trump’s unsubstantiated claims voting rights eff orts and confi - terday even as the agency’s of massive voter fraud in the dence in the new president. acting leader contradicted the 2016 US election. The bipartisan commission president’s account that the FBI Trump signed an executive would not be limited to inves- had been in turmoil before he order creating the bipartisan tigating Trump’s election fraud fi red Comey. Presidential Advisory Commis- claims but look at issues that has In testimony before the Senate sion on Election Integrity, which been raised over many years. Intelligence Committee, acting would be chaired by Vice-Pres- “The commission will review Federal Bureau of Investigation ident Mike Pence, White House policies and practices that en- (FBI) director Andrew McCabe spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee hance or undermine the Ameri- promised to tell the panel of any Sanders told reporters. can people’s confi dence in the White House meddling into the The move provoked anger integrity of federal elections, and agency’s probe into possible among the top civil rights groups provide the president with a re- collusion between Russia and in the country who called it a port that identifi es system vul- Trump’s 2016 presidential cam- Trump: (Comey)’s a showboat. voter suppression tactic. nerabilities,” Huckabee Sanders paign. He’s a grandstander. The FBI has Trump, who took offi ce in Jan- said. McCabe testifi ed in place of been in turmoil. uary, has said there was wide- She said the report would be Comey, who Trump abruptly spread voter fraud in the Novem- complete by 2018. dismissed as FBI director on moil at the FBI under Comey. not typical practice to tell a per- tion, saying he could not com- agencies, including Director of ber election. Democrats have long accused Tuesday in an action that has “I can tell you also that Direc- son they are not a target of an in- ment on an ongoing investiga- National Intelligence Dan Coats The Republican won the White Republicans of trying to suppress roiled Washington. tor Comey enjoyed broad support vestigation. tion. and CIA chief Mike Pompeo, tes- House through victory in the turnout among minority and Democrats have accused the within the FBI and still does to At the daily White House In his letter dismissing Comey tifi ed to the senators yesterday Electoral College, which tallies low-income voters, sometimes Republican president of trying this day,” McCabe said. briefi ng, spokeswoman Sarah on Tuesday, Trump wrote: that they agreed with that fi nd- wins in states, but lost the popu- by erecting barriers like requir- to foil the FBI’s probe into Mos- “I can tell you that I hold Di- Huckabee Sanders was asked “While I greatly appreciate you ing. lar vote to Democratic rival Hil- ing identity cards for voting and cow’s actions and many have rector Comey in the absolute whether it was a confl ict of inter- informing me, on three separate Moscow has denied any such lary Clinton by some 3mn ballots. sometimes by intimidation. called for a special prosecutor to highest regard. I have the high- est for a president to ask the FBI occasions, that I am not under interference and the Trump ad- Trump said in January that he The new panel coincides with look into the matter. est respect for his considerable chief such a question. investigation, I nevertheless ministration denies allegations would seek an investigation into several US investigations into “He’s a showboat. He’s a abilities and his integrity,” Mc- She answered: “No, I don’t be- concur with the judgement of the of collusion with Russia. voter fraud in the election, even alleged Russian meddling in the grandstander. The FBI has been Cabe added. “And it has been the lieve it is.” Department of Justice that you The Trump administration has though the consensus among November election, including in turmoil,” Trump told NBC greatest privilege and honour of Trump’s contention that he are not able to eff ectively lead the said that Comey’s fi ring was un- state offi cials and election ex- selectively leaking hacked e- News in his fi rst interview since my professional life to work with was going to fi re Comey regard- Bureau.” related to the Russia investiga- perts is that it is rare in the Unit- mails and circulating false news fi ring Comey. him.” less of what Attorney General Jeff “It is my opinion and belief tion. ed States. reports. “I was going to fi re Comey. My Trump told NBC that he had Sessions and the No 2 Justice De- that the FBI will continue to pur- The administration said on decision,” Trump said. “I was go- previously asked Comey whether partment offi cial Rod Rosenstein sue this investigation vigorously Tuesday that Comey’s fi ring US Senate confi rms Trump trade representative ing to fi re regardless of recom- he was under investigation in recommended confl icts with and completely,” McCabe told arose from his handling of an mendation.” the Russia matter, speaking with earlier explanations from the the senators. election-year FBI probe into The US Senate has approved President Donald Trump’s nominee for US Trump told NBC News that Comey once over dinner and White House. He said there was no “crisis of Democratic presidential nomi- Trade Representative, a critical position ahead of renegotiations of the he never pressured Comey into twice by telephone. Spokesman Sean Spicer said confi dence within the leadership nee Hillary Clinton’s use of a North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) with Canada and Mexico. dropping the FBI probe, adding: “I said, ‘If it’s possible, would on Tuesday that Trump acted of the FBI.” private e-mail server during her Delays in Senate confirmation of veteran trade lawyer Robert Lighthizer “If Russia did anything, I want to you let me know, am I under in- based on the recommendation of US intelligence agencies con- time as secretary of state. more than 100 days after his nomination have set back Trump’s trade know that.” vestigation?’” Trump told NBC. Sessions and Rosenstein. cluded that Russian President The Senate intelligence com- agenda, including the start of talks about revamping one of the world’s Trump said there was no “col- “He said, ‘You are not under in- The Republican chairman of Vladimir Putin ordered an eff ort mittee’s top Democrat, Mark biggest trading blocs. lusion between me and my cam- vestigation’.” the Senate panel, Richard Burr, to disrupt the election that in- Warner, said in light of Comey’s But Lighthizer won support from both Republicans and Democrats in the paign and the Russians” but Comey has neither publicly asked McCabe whether he ever cluded hacking into Democratic fi ring, “it is important to restate Senate yesterday, with a 82-14 vote to confirm his nomination. added that “the Russians did not discussed conversations with heard Comey tell Trump the Party e-mails and leaking them, the critical importance of pro- The administration has had to wait for Lighthizer to be in place before aff ect the vote”. Trump nor has he publicly com- president was not the subject of with the aim of helping Republi- tecting the independence and triggering the formal process to begin renegotiating Nafta. McCabe’s testimony contra- mented on his dismissal. investigation. can Trump. integrity of federal law enforce- dicted Trump’s appraisal of tur- McCabe testifi ed that it was McCabe sidestepped the ques- Leaders of the US intelligence ment”. Lula calls corruption trial a ‘farce’

AFP William Bioneck, 30, who was in the Curitiba, Brazil crowd. A much smaller group of opponents also gathered, raising an infl atable car- razil’s leftist former president icature of Lula dressed in prison garb. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Brazil’s media portrayed the court Bthe corruption trial threatening session as a showdown between two of to end his storied career a “farce” dur- the most powerful men in Brazil. ing almost fi ve hours of testimony on Moro, 44, has become a national Wednesday. fi gure for his role leading the “Car Arguably the country’s most popu- Wash” probe, which revealed mas- lar and controversial politician, Lula is Lula: I want to be judged on proof. sive kickbacks to politicians in return accused of receiving a seaside apart- for infl ated contracts with state oil ment as a kickback from the OAS con- ritiba, video released later showed. company Petrobras, much of it during struction company. He said prosecutors were accusing Lula’s presidency. If found guilty, he could be barred him “based on allegations in the press”. Lula faces a total of fi ve corruption from running for offi ce and even jailed, As soon as he got out of court, Lula trials. destroying his hopes of coming back went to a campaign style rally with In Wednesday’s case, Lula is alleged to power in the 2018 presidential elec- several thousand supporters who had to have taken a bribe from OAS – one tions. bussed into Curitiba earlier. of the main Petrobras contractors – in The closed hearing put Lula, 71, “I thought after ... there would at the form of a seaside apartment at a face-to-face with Judge Sergio Moro, a least be a document that the apart- posh resort near Sao Paulo. hero to many Brazilians for his relent- ment was mine,” he told them. “I want But seated at a table with lawyers less pursuit of senators, millionaires to be judged on proof.” and prosecutors, Lula denied every- and other powerful fi gures in a graft Lula reiterated his plans to seek a thing. probe called “Car Wash”. third term next year. “I never asked for and I never re- Lula, whose 2003-2010 rule made “I am preparing to return as a can- ceived the apartment,” he said. him loved by the left and equally didate,” he said. “I want to show that Prosecutors have previously painted loathed on the right, would be by far the elite are not competent to fi x this Lula as a kingpin over the wider Petro- Moro’s biggest scalp. country but that the steel worker ... bras corruption scheme. However, the fi ery orator – who will manage.” However, in the video of the hearing grew up in severe poverty before be- The Lula faithful, many clad in Moro went out of his way to reassure coming a metal workers’ union leader, Workers’ Party red, responded deliri- Lula that he would “be treated with co-founder of the Workers’ Party and ously, cheering “Lula, warrior of the maximum respect, as any defendant, leftist icon – was defi ant. Brazilian people” and letting off fi re- but also equally considering the offi ce “I consider this trial illegitimate and works. that he had held previously”. the accusation a farce,” he told Moro at “He still has this incredible cha- He also stressed that Lula did not the hearing in the southern city of Cu- risma, this connection,” said lawyer face imminent arrest.

Trudeau blames Quebec floods on climate change Bahamas elects a new PM Expect more floods, wildfires and other natural disasters than ever AFP for a smooth transition,” he said. before, Canadian Prime Minister Nassau, Bahamas Christie, who was fi nishing his sec- Justin Trudeau warned yesterday ond non-consecutive term as prime as he toured flood-ravaged minister, was dogged by scandals and Quebec province, citing climate he Bahamas voted in a new lead- double-digit unemployment. change as the reason. er on Wednesday, with Hubert The long-delayed opening of a “The frequency of extreme TMinnis, who campaigned on a $4.2bn mega-resort called Baha Mar, weather events is increasing,” platform of change, beating scandal- and last month’s spectacular fail- Trudeau told reporters on the tainted incumbent Perry Christie in ure of the Fyre music festival – which ground after the helicopter tour. general elections on the island archi- stranded partygoers who paid as much “And that’s related to climate pelago. as $100,000 to attend – were factors in change. So we’re going to have “My fellow Bahamians, the people the vote. to understand that bracing for have spoken,” Minnis, a doctor, said in Minnis campaigned on a platform a hundred-year storm is maybe a victory rally before thousands of sup- of change, seeking to implement term going to happen every 10 years porters. “We have been given a man- limits on the prime minister and pro- now or every few years.” date for change.” mote “Bahamian ownership in the Over the past three weeks, a large Christie, leader of Progressive Lib- economy”, according to his website. swath of land from the capital eral Party, conceded defeat in a state- “I support the FNM 100%, because Ottawa downriver to Montreal ment in which he said he had made a I feel Christie was not doing a good job and beyond have been flooded congratulatory telephone call to Minnis in the fi ve years we gave him,” Nassau as a combination of torrential wishing the leader of the Free National resident Jmeail Dames said of the prime rains and the spring runoff from Movement success. minister’s current term. melting snow caused rivers to “I understand as perhaps few others “Dr Minnis has endured trial after overflow their banks. the challenges that await Dr Minnis, trial and came out victorious. He has a Nearly 3,000 residents have been and I wish him only success on behalf task ahead of him,” said FMN supporter evacuated. of our nation. He has my full support Travis Edgecombe, 28. Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 12, 2017 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

ACCIDENT DETAINED CORRUPTION BANNED ON THE DOLE Australian soldier dies in Dozens on hunger strike at China lets off 3 of most Japan football club fined Unemployed face drug test military exercise Japan immigration centre wanted graft suspects over Nazi symbol banner in welfare clampdown

The Australian military was in shock yesterday Dozens of detainees at a Japanese immigration Three people on China’s list of 100 most wanted Japan’s professional football J-League yesterday Australia will drug test the newly-unemployed after a young soldier died while taking part in a centre were on hunger strike yesterday in protest graft suspects overseas were not prosecuted when slapped Gamba Osaka with a 2mn yen ($17,500) as part of a crackdown on people who blow training exercise, the second such death within against prolonged and multiple detentions, drawing they finally returned to China, the government has fine after a group of supporters waved a banner their benefits on getting high, with data from a week. “It is with great sadness I acknowledge fresh attention to the policy towards immigration. said in an update on the cases of 40 people on with a logo resembling a Nazi symbol during sewage used to identify which hot spots to the death of an Australian Army soldier,” Some of the hunger strikers were asylum seekers the list it has had returned. China has pursued an a match in April. The banner was displayed at target, officials said yesterday. Up to 5,000 Defence Minister Marise Payne said yesterday. and others had lived in Japan for decades as overseas search, dubbed Operation Fox Hunt, for Gamba’s first division game away to local rivals jobless will have to take the test to quality for The incident took place during a routine live fire migrant workers, said Mitsuru Miyasako, head corrupt off icials and business executives who have Cerezo Osaka on April 16. The group has been allowances as part of a trial to address welfare- exercise at Mount Bundey Training Area in the of the Provisional Release Association in Japan. fled abroad with their assets, part of President banned from games indefinitely, the club said. fuelled substance abuse. Benefit recipients Northern Territory on Wednesday afternoon. More than 20 detainees launched their hunger Xi Jinping’s war on deep-seated corruption. An The J-League said it decided to punish Gamba who do not pass will have their handouts Jason Challis, in his 20s, suff ered severe head strike at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau update released by the graft-busting Central Osaka because of the club’s lack of surveillance put on a cashless debit card which they can injuries and was airlifted to hospital where he on Tuesday, with more than a dozen joining them Commission for Discipline Inspection said 15 of the and awareness. “We had some degree of risk only use to buy essentials such as food and died. “It is a deep shock to the organization and yesterday, one of the protesters and an activist 40 returnees had already been sentenced to terms management measures in place but the fact is housing. Those who fail more than once will be felt by the broader Army family,” the told Reuters. Protests and hunger strikes are rare of up to life in prison. However, three people were the incident still occurred,” J-League chairman will be referred to medical professionals for Defence Department said in a statement. in Japan, which prizes social stability. let off after returning to China. Mitsuru Murai said. assessment and treatment.

Pollution war S Korea for ‘parallel’ talks, takes heavy toll on China sanctions to rein in North truck drivers Reuters Reuters Tianjin, China Seoul n a recent visit to the area around outh Korea’s new president Tianjin Port Co Ltd, there were more yesterday launched interna- Othan one hundred empty trucks Stional eff orts to defuse tension parked at the coal storage centre run by over North Korea’s weapons develop- Ningdong Logistic Co Once one of the busi- ment, urging both dialogue and sanc- est places close to Tianjin’s sprawling port, tions while also aiming to ease Chi- the storage facility was now silent as activ- nese anger about a US anti-missile ity had ground to a halt after the port opera- system. tor last month announced a ban on trucking Moon Jae-in, a liberal former hu- in coal or storing it there. man rights lawyer, was sworn in The announcement was sooner than ex- on Wednesday and said in his fi rst pected. speech as president he would imme- It is a sign that Beijing’s years-long war diately address security tensions that on pollution is disrupting the logistics of have raised fears of war on the Korean the market for coal — one of China’s crucial peninsula. commodities — as well as the lives of what Moon fi rst spoke to Chinese Presi- trucking industry insiders estimate are dent Xi Jinping and later to Japanese 60,000 drivers who carry coal to and from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with how the port. to respond to North Korea’s rapidly The central government has said it may developing nuclear and ballistic mis- extend the measure to ports in heavily in- sile programmes, in violation of UN dustrialised Hebei province by September Security Council resolutions, domi- as it tries to combat choking pollution that nating talks. often blankets the north of the country, in- “The resolution of the North Ko- cluding nearby Beijing. rean nuclear issue must be compre- “I was sending coal from Inner Mongolia hensive and sequential, with pressure to the port and carrying imported iron ore and sanctions used in parallel with from the port to other places. The govern- negotiations,” Moon’s spokesman, ment has completely cut my livelihood,” said Yoon Young-chan, quoted Moon as Wang Fangyuan, who was based in Tianjin telling Xi. but has left with a fl eet of 40 trucks and their “Sanctions against North Korea are drivers to ply the trade in Erdos, 1,200km to also a means to bring the North to the the northwest in Inner Mongolia. negotiating table aimed at eliminat- “I have been working in this tough busi- ing its nuclear weapons,” Yoon told a South Korean President Moon Jae-in talks with senior secretaries as they walk outside the Presidential Blue House in Seoul. ness for more than six years. What they have briefi ng, adding that Xi indicated his done is just adding more diffi culty to our agreement. “Threats from North Korea’s nu- Moon told Abe to “look straight ahead with in defi ance of US pressure standing,” Yoon told a briefi ng. harsh life,” he said by phone. Moon has taken a more concilia- clear and missile development have at history” and not make the past and UN sanctions. South Korea and the United States Until now, Beijing’s eff orts to cut overca- tory line with North Korea than his entered a new stage,” Japan’s Abe told “a barrier”, though he raised South The deployment of THAAD was began deploying the THAAD system pacity and pollution had little impact on the conservative predecessors and advo- Moon in their telephone call, accord- Korea’s dissatisfaction with a 2015 agreed last year by South Korea’s in March and it has since become op- output of the country’s favourite fuel. cates engagement. ing to Japanese deputy chief cabinet agreement meant to put to rest a dis- previous administration after North erational. Outdated, ineffi cient mines were shut, He has said he would be prepared secretary Koichi Hagiuda. pute over Japanese compensation for Korea conducted a long-range rocket Xi told Moon South Korea and only to be replaced with production from to go to Pyongyang “if the conditions “How to respond to North Korea... South Korean women forced to work launch that put an object into space. China should respect each other’s leaner, cleaner ones. are right”. is an urgent issue. I would like to in Japanese brothels before and dur- Moon came to power with a prom- concerns, set aside diff erences, seek The ban has helped knock about 20% off Regional experts have believed for closely cooperate with the president ing World War II, Korea’s presidential ise to review the system and he told Xi common ground and handle disputes Tianjin Port’s shares but had its desired ef- months that North Korea is prepar- to achieve the denuclearisation of offi ce said. that North Korea must cease making appropriately, China’s foreign minis- fect on air quality, at least locally. ing for its sixth nuclear test and was North Korea,” Abe told Moon. While South Korea, China and Japan provocations before tension over the try said in a statement. “The air is so much cleaner now,” said working to develop a nuclear-tipped But Abe also said “dialogue for all share worry about North Korea, ties deployment could be resolved, offi - As well as clouding eff orts to rein in Wang Di, 29, who lost his job driving a coal missile capable of reaching the Unit- dialogue’s sake would be meaning- between South Korea and China have cials said. North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, the truck and lives next to what had until recent ed States, presenting US President less” and he called on North Korea to been strained by South Korea’s deci- In the fi rst direct contact between THAAD deployment has also led to weeks been a main trucking route near the Donald Trump with perhaps his most demonstrate “sincere and concrete sion to install a US anti-missile system the South Korean and Chinese lead- recriminations from Beijing against port. pressing security issue. action”, Hagiuda said, adding that in defence against the North. ers, Xi explained China’s position, South Korean companies. “It used to be very dirty. We couldn’t even Trump told Reuters in an interview Moon shared Abe’s views. China says the Terminal High Al- Yoon, the South Korean presidential Moon explained the diffi culties keep the windows open for more than fi ve last month major confl ict with North Japan has been concerned that titude Area Defense (THAAD) un- spokesman said, without elaborating. faced by South Korean companies minutes. Otherwise, my face would be cov- Korea was possible though he would Moon will take a tough line on feuds dermines its security as its powerful “President Moon said he under- that were doing business in China ered in coal dust.” prefer a diplomatic outcome. stemming from the bitter legacy of its radar can probe deep into its territory. stands China’s interest in the THAAD and asked for Xi’s “special attention” A key coal hub, Tianjin Port last year han- North Korea says it needs its weap- 1910-1945 colonisation of the Korean China says the system does lit- deployment and its concerns, and to ease those concerns, Yoon said. dled about 110mn tonnes of coal arriving by ons to defend itself against the United peninsula and could fray ties at a time tle to curb the threat posed by North said he hopes the two countries can China has also denied it is doing truck and rail. States which it says has pushed the when cooperation on North Korea is Korea’s nuclear and missile pro- swiftly get on with communication to anything to retaliate against South The port has said it is taking measures to region to the brink of nuclear war. vital. grammes, which it has been pressing further improve each other’s under- Korean businesses. increase rail freight to help off set the loss of trucked coal. “The ban is aimed at reducing pollution from trucking coal, but they can use rail- ways instead,” said an analyst at Lianxun Securities who asked that his name not be used. China tests ‘Lunar Palace’ as it eyes moon mission Total coal stocks at the port dropped to 1.9mn tonnes on May 8, from 2.82mn tonnes on April 21, according to data pro- AFP cles, a common room, a bathroom, a vided by consultancy China Sublime Infor- Beijing waste-treatment room and a room for mation Group. raising animals. “The ban has sharply weakened Tianjin “I will be in charge of the treatment port’s role as a leading trade port in China,” hinese students will live in a lab- of solid waste, urine, shredding straw, said Zhang Min, a coal analyst with Sub- oratory simulating a lunar-like threshing wheat, processing food and lime, putting it at a disadvantage to other Cenvironment for up to 200 days other work,” one of the student vol- ports such as Tangshan and Caofeidian. as Beijing prepares for its long-term goal unteers told CCTV, adding that other It has also created traffi c jams at nearby of putting humans on the moon. team members would have tasks re- Huanghua port in Hebei province, and Four postgraduate students from lated to crop growing, health moni- threatens to increase the cost of moving the capital’s astronautics research toring, and supply inventory. coal as traders shift to rail, which is more university Beihang entered the 160sq A successful 105-day trial was con- expensive. m cabin — dubbed the “Yuegong-1”, ducted in 2014. Inside the port’s own coal storage area, or “Lunar Palace” — on Wednesday, The Lunar Palace is the world’s around 600,000 tonnes of coking coal is the offi cial Xinhua news agency re- third bioregenerative life-support covered in green plastic webbing since the ported yesterday. base, and the fi rst developed in China. start of May to reduce dust. The volunteers will live in the It is the only such facility to involve Sprinklers are used to keep the dust sealed lab to simulate a long-term, animals and microorganisms as well down. self-contained space mission with no as plants and humans, its chief de- At a parking lot outside the port, driver input from the outside world, Xinhua signer Liu Hong told CCTV, calling it Zhao Haidong is looking to sell his treasured said. “the fi rst of its kind.” Dongfeng Motor Hercules for just 40,000 Human waste will be treated with China is pouring billions into its yuan ($5,793) to 50,000 yuan ($7,240) after a bio-fermentation process, and military-run space programme and waiting around the port area for more than experimental crops and vegetables working to catch up with the United two weeks without work. grown with the help of food and waste States and Europe, with hopes to have Six years ago, Zhao paid 160,000 yuan for byproducts. a crewed outpost by 2022. the vehicle, and since then had been trucking The cabin represents the “world’s Beijing sees the programme as the black stuff the short distance from a bulk most advanced closed-loop life-sup- symbolising the country’s progress commodities centre in Tianjin to the port. port technology so far”, state broad- and a marker of its rising global stat- A migrant from northeast China with two caster CCTV said. ure, but so far China has largely repli- children in school in Tianjin, Zhao won’t China does not expect to land its cated activities that the US and Soviet consider moving to Huanghua port. fi rst astronauts on the moon for at Volunteer students work at the ‘Lunar Palace 365’ project lab in Beijing. Union pioneered decades ago. “Drivers at the nearby port are underpaid least another decade, but the project Last month, China’s fi rst cargo and overworked because of a large group of seeks to help the country prepare lu- Two men and two women entered lieved by another group of four, who The “Lunar Palace” has two plant spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, successfully drivers fl ooding into that port. I can only nar explorers for longer stays on the the lab on Wednesday for an initial will stay 200 days, before returning cultivation modules and a living cab- completed docking with an orbiting earn less than half of my current rate if I surface. stay of 60 days. They will then be re- for an additional 105. in: 42sq m containing four bed cubi- space lab. move.” Gulf Times Friday, May 12, 2017 7 BRITAIN Three theme parks close down water rides after girl’s death

Guardian News and Media was at the park in Staff ordshire was concluded and the “full built Congo River Rapids at Al- which was fi ned £5mn in 2015 for the incident become available.” But Vikki Treacy, a mother-of- London as part of a school trip when she facts” were established. ton Towers and Rumba Rapids at the crash on its Smiler rollercoast- One report suggested Evha had four, said her son Patrick fell off fell over the side of her raft on the Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Thorpe Park. er, said: “We are aware of the trag- stood up during the Splash Can- the same ride in 2013 when he was Splash Canyon ride on Tuesday. Legoland have closed their own Merlin Entertainments, which ic events at Drayton Manor and yon ride and hit her head as she fell 10 and was pulled from the rapids ater rides at a number Drayton Manor remained similar attractions while police owns a number of theme parks in- our thoughts are with the family into the choppy water. by a member of the public. of theme parks across closed for the second day yester- and the Health and Safety Execu- cluding Alton Towers and Thorpe and all of those aff ected. Drayton Manor’s company Treacy told BBC Radio 5 Live: WBritain have been day while investigators contin- tive investigate Evha’s death. Park, said it had decided to shut “Safety is our number one pri- director George Bryan, whose “I just don’t think anything has shut down indefi nitely after an ued their investigation. Evha’s The Splash Canyon ride opened down the rides as a precautionary ority. We have full confi dence in grandfather opened the park in been done since Patrick fell in. If 11-year-old girl died when she fell family said they have been “torn in 1993 and features up to 21 boats measure. It said it would also close the safety of all the rides we oper- 1949, said on Tuesday that spe- it’s that important not to stand from a rapid ride at Drayton Man- apart” by the tragedy and re- each with a capacity of six people. Legoland Windsor’s Viking River ate, but as a precautionary meas- cially trained staff were on the then lap belts should be installed. or theme park. quested that the ride be sus- It was made by Swiss business Rapid splash ride. ure, rapid rides at relevant parks scene “immediately” after the It was an accident waiting to hap- Evha Jannath, from Leicester, pended until the investigation Intamin, who also designed and A spokesman for the company, will be closed until more details of alarm was raised. pen.”

May and Historic treaty anniversary Corbyn urged to Manifesto commit to Crossrail 2 leak triggers

London Evening Standard London

major business group yes- terday called on Theresa AMay and Jeremy Corbyn to internal fi ght commit fi rmly to Crossrail 2 amid fears they have cooled towards the vital London infrastructure plan. In its general election mani- festo, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the north-south link was vital to the in Labour capital’s future as a “mega-city”. It called for parliamentary time London Evening Standard circle had deliberately leaked the tion, public sector pay, police, for a Bill to designate the £27bn London manifesto themselves. tuition fees, pensions and other scheme “of national importance” One theory being pushed was areas. This could easily double and to start development works. that the Corbynites acted to once expenditure on infrastruc- However, questions over La- eremy Corbyn’s leadership pre-empt a major meeting yes- ture is included. bour’s commitment resurfaced was pitched into a Labour terday afternoon with trade un- IEA chief economist Julian Jes- yesterday morning after a close Jcivil war after the leaking of ions, shadow cabinet members sop said it would be the biggest ally of Corbyn said the major in- his manifesto, dubbed by experts and party representatives where planned increase in spending vestment should be shifted to the the “most expensive suicide note some of the bold plans could be in peacetime. He also identifi ed north of England. in history”. watered down. £30bn of tax increases includ- Steve Rotheram, the Labour In an extraordinary day of re- A party source said: “They’re ing from raising income tax on leader’s former Commons aide, criminations, allies of the La- showing the membership what higher earners, corporation tax, who was elected mayor of Liver- bour leader blamed offi cials in Corbyn could do if only the rest capital gains tax, inheritance tax pool, said: “Down south of course the party’s own headquarters for of the party was behind him. and the bank levy. they’ve got Crossrail, they’re go- a leak they described as “mali- Then when a watered-down ver- However, he believes Labour ing for Crossrail 2. I think they cious”. sion comes out of the NEC proc- may struggle to raise such sums should forget about Crossrail 2 Senior colleagues of Corbyn ess, they’ll say the Blairites in if the economy slows down un- and they should be concentrating described the moment when his Labour headquarters sabotaged der the sweeping reforms given on Crossrail for the North.” offi ce was informed that the en- it.” the negative impact that many of His comments echoed those tire contents of their secret elec- A candidate said: “This is ab- them risk having on investment of Corbyn, who said last year tion off er to the British people solute madness. It wasn’t even and jobs. that Crossrail 2 should not be ap- had been handed to two news- due to be released to MPs on the Mark Littlewood, director proved until northern cities get papers. Clause 5 committee until yester- general of the Institute of Eco- better links. The northern rival, One said: “There was absolute day morning, so it had to come nomic Affairs, said: “Millions dubbed HS3, is a proposed coast- consternation. People were as- straight from source.” of voters may well see this as to-coast high speed rail link from tonished and baffl ed that it could But a shadow minister loyal to the most expensive suicide note Liverpool to Hull. have happened.” Corbyn told the Evening Stand- in history — even if many in Concerns about the Cabi- They described how Seumas ard that the leak appeared to have Corbyn’s inner circle are more net’s commitment to Crossrail Milne, Corbyn’s media ad- happened just after the draft focused on a Labour revolu- 2 — which could unlock an esti- viser, was called out of a policy manifesto was sent from the tion” mated 200,000 new homes and meeting at around 7.30pm to be leader’s offi ces to be printed by Professor Tony Travers, of 200,000 new jobs — have been given the news. He returned to an in-house team. the government department at raised by MPs on both sides of the tell the gathering: “Can we stop Neither side was suggesting the London School of Econom- Commons. the conversation for a moment? the leak was accidental. But it ics, said: “Inevitably people Borough leaders and mayor The manifesto has been leaked.” was reported that a Corbyn aide will speak about longest suicide Sadiq Khan are also alarmed The leaked 43-page draft re- had left a copy of the document notes. This may be judged also to at the relative silence of Con- vealed plans for the most Left- on his desk in an open plan offi ce be the most expensive one. servative ministers in the past 10 wing manifesto since Michael where other offi cials might have “The apparent cost of the total months. Foot’s in 1983, with plans for seen it. of all the commitments would The All-Party Parliamentary nationalisation of railways, the In a fl ash analysis of the leaked place an implausible burden on a Group of London MPs recently Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge visits a cycle themed festival at Place Clairefontaine Royal Mail and some energy gi- document, the Institute of Eco- very small group of taxpayers — sought a private meeting with during events to mark the off icial commemoration of 1867 Treaty of London, in ants. nomic Aff airs identifi ed up to many of whom are the best able Transport Secretary Chris Gray- Luxembourg, yesterday. However, counter-briefi ngs £40bn a year of extra spending to move their job or avoid at least ling to ask for reassurances. alleged that Corbyn’s own inner on the NHS, social care, educa- part of the burden.” Flower show tickets BBC cameraman’s foot run over by Corbyn car

off ered for £1,300 a pair Agencies of professional standards, which London is responsible for the conduct of offi cers. London Evening Standard Horticultural chiefs admit- There will also be a “secret The spokesman said: “Offi c- London ted they had been forced to garden” hidden behind a 10ft- cotland Yard is facing an ers from the Met’s royalty and rethink this year’s show — the high hornbeam hedge that can investigation after a BBC specialist protection unit were fi rst since the Brexit vote — be- only be viewed from a raised Scamera operator’s foot was carrying out operational work ickets to the Chelsea cause of the slump in sponsor- position at the back. run over by one of its cars carry- in Savoy Place WC2R when it is Flower Show are being ship. Nick Mattingly, director But perhaps the biggest in- ing Jeremy Corbyn to a meeting believed a member of public was Toff ered online for up to of shows at the Royal Horticul- novation is a major collabora- to agree Labour’s general elec- injured by one of the vehicles. £1,300 a pair after the world’s tural Society, which runs the tion with Radio Two to mark tion manifesto. “London ambulance service premier gardening event sold Chelsea Flower Show, said: the station’s 50th anniversary, Offi cers from the Metropoli- attended and took the injured out almost two weeks ahead of “Growers, designers, landscap- which will see Mary Berry and tan police’s royalty and specialist man to a south London hospi- opening. ers and all exhibitors are really Chris Evans helping to create protection unit were driving the tal with non-life-threatening or The last of the 165,000 tick- pulling out the stops and push- a fruit and vegetable garden party leader to the meeting, which life-changing injuries. As is rou- ets were snapped up yesterday ing boundaries. In challenging with 50 different types of pro- is the subject of intense media in- tine, the MPS will refer the inci- despite gloomy headlines about duce. terest after a draft of the manifesto dent to the directorate of profes- a sharp fall in the number of “We would strongly urge Mattingly added: “Selling was leaked, when his vehicle was sional standards.” show gardens — which can cost people not to buy from out now demonstrates the ap- mobbed by journalists. The camera operator was hurt up to £400,000 to create — due touts and websites, which petite for the new content and In the melee, the BBC camera as the car drove in through a side to fl agging corporate funding. sell tickets illegally and the innovations at Chelsea this operator Giles Wooltorton’s left entrance to the building in Savoy The tickets have sold far fast- at extortionately high year. It’s going to feel like a very foot was run over by the front left Place while much of the media er than in any of the past three prices, as you’ll probably fresh, pioneering and exciting wheel of Corbyn’s vehicle. Wool- was waiting on the street at the years. Last year there were still be refused entry” RHS Chelsea Flower Show. torton was taken away by ambu- front. some left for the opening day. “We would strongly urge lance with a swollen and bruised The BBC’s political editor, Gardeners desperate to get times we’ve grasped the oppor- people not to buy from touts foot. Laura Kuenssberg, tended to through the gates could pay as tunities that have arisen and are and websites, which sell tickets Offi cers were speaking to Wooltorton immediately after much as £550 for an all-day delighted with the line-up.” illegally and at extortionately journalists who witnessed the the incident and he was then entry ticket, the price being de- New features this year in- high prices, as you’ll probably incident at the Institution of treated by paramedics. manded by the GetmeIn! web- clude a fi rst appearance for ur- be refused entry.” Engineering and Technology in He was taken to hospital while site. For a pair, the total would ban street art at the Greening There will be 28 gardens and central London. around 80 Labour fi gures met to come to £1,297.96, including a Grey Britain garden designed to more than 100 plant displays in A Met police spokesman said agree the fi nal manifesto. £197.96 processing fee, com- showcase how bleak inner city the Great Pavilion during the BBC cameraman Giles Wooltorton is wheeled into an ambulance the incident, which happened at A senior Labour source said pared with a face value of £100 environments can be softened show, which runs from May 23 after his foot was injured by a car carrying opposition leader Jeremy around 11.20am yesterday, had the party was “looking into” the each. by plants. to 27. Corbyn in central London yesterday. been referred to the directorate incident.

Gulf Times Friday, May 12, 2017 9 INDIA

LEGAL CRIME ACCIDENT PEOPLE VIOLENCE Suspension of jail sentence Youth’s head severed, 41 injured after bus Sonia to stay in hospital Six terrorists ‘involved against judge sought thrown into police station driver has epileptic fit for a few more days in killing lieutenant Fayaz’

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court In a gruesome incident, a youth was At least 40 persons were injured in Uttarakhand Congress president Sonia Gandhi, hospitalised A day after Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz was found yesterday seeking suspension of the six-month beheaded in Puducherry and his head flung yesterday when a bus rammed into a tree after on Sunday for food poisoning, is stable but murdered, army sources have said six terrorists sentence awarded to Calcutta High Court judge C into a police station complex in Tamil Nadu, the driver had an epileptic fit, police said. The will have to stay in the hospital for some days were involved in the killing of the 22-year-old S Karnan for contempt of court. Chief Justice J S police said yesterday. The severed head was incident took place at Bhagwanpur in Roorkie. more, the Ganga Ram Hospital said yesterday. Kashmiri off icer. While no terrorist group has yet Khehar said the court would consider the petition brought in a two wheeler and thrown into People from nearby villages rescued those trapped “The health condition of Sonia Gandhi ... claimed responsibility for the killing, an army after Karnan’s counsel Mathew Nadumpara the Reddichavadi police station in Cuddalore inside the mangled bus. The bus was on its way is stable. She is progressing well and may off icer said that it was possible the terrorists mentioned about the petition before the district on Wednesday night, a policeman from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh to Haridwar in be discharged in a day or two,” D S Rana, initially did not intend to kill the off icer and did constitution bench at the close of the proceedings said. The murder happened near the vicinity Uttarakhand. The bus driver, Raj Kumar, suddenly chairman of Ganga Ram Hospital, said in a so after a scuff le. “Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz was yesterday. On being asked about Karnan’s of the Bahour lake. The Reddichavadi police had a fit and could not control the vehicle. To statement. The 69-year-old Congress chief has known as a hero not just in his village but also whereabouts, Nedumpara disclosed that the judge station is around 5kms from the Puducherry avoid a major accident, he rammed the bus into been unwell for some time. She was admitted in the army. He was a brave off icer, it is possible was “in Chennai”. Justice Karnan whereabouts border. The police have identified the victim as a roadside tree on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. to the hospital on August 3 last year after she that he got into a scuff le with the militants,” an remain a mystery. He was reported to have left the Suventhan, 19. His body was found in the lake. Police off icer Bhagwan Meher said 22 of the injured suffered fever, dehydration and had a shoulder army off icer who did not want to be named, State Guest House in Chennai for Srikalahasti town Police probing the incident have arrested three were being treated at a government hospital while injury during a road show in Varanasi. She said. Around six terrorists are believed to be in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. people in connection with the murder. some others were admitted in private clinics. underwent surgery on her left shoulder. involved in the act, sources said. Uttar Pradesh 22 dead as marriage hall wall collapses declines to try CM Adityanath in ’07 riot case

IANS they will move court again to chal- Lucknow lenge the government stand. They petitioners scoff ed at the latest development by saying he Uttar Pradesh govern- that it was ridiculous that the ment yesterday told the man in-charge of the home de- TAllahabad High Court partment, Yogi Adityanath, has (HC) that Chief Minister Yogi given himself a clean chit. Adityanath cannot be pros- Parwaz’s counsel sought time to ecuted in a riots case involving a fi le an application to challenge the 2007 hate speech. refusal of sanction for prosecu- Yogi was then a Lok Sabha tion. The bench comprising jus- member from Gorakhpur con- tice Ramesh Sinha and justice UC stituency. Chief secretary Rahul Srivastava granted 10 days’ time. Bhatnagar, who was summoned As per law, the sanction for by the high court, told the court prosecution under Section 153A that earlier this month the state’s of the Indian Penal Code (in- Bystanders survey the accident site after 22 people were killed and 30 others injured when a marriage hall wall collapsed in Bhartapur district, Rajasthan. “The wedding home department had refused to citing communal violence) is hall wall collapsed and people were trapped,” police said. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said the wall collapsed due to a thunderstorm that lashed several parts of the state grant permission for the chief granted by the state government. on Wednesday night. minister’s trial. Earlier, while felicitating the The top bureaucrat was sum- kin of freedom fi ghters and mar- moned by the court to explain tyrs at a gathering in Meerut on why the fi ve people, including the eve of Shahid Divas — mark- Adityanath, were not being pros- ing the 1857 War of Independ- ecuted in a case of riots in Gora- ence - Adityanath claimed his khpur in 2007. The court had also government would never try to asked Bhatnagar to come armed appease any particular com- with all relevant documents with munity and instead, ensure the regards to the matter. development of all people re- Explaining the stand of the gardless of their caste and creed. Will prove EVMs can be state government, the chief sec- Adityanath also praised Prime retary apprised the court that a Minister Narendra Modi. “There forensic test of the CD of Yogi is no place for caste and com- Adityanath’s alleged hate speech munal considerations under his of January 27, 2007, showed it (Modi’s) governance and UP will was tampered with. follow him,” he said. The case was fi led in 2008 by “In 2014, Narendra Modi be- rigged, insists lawmaker local journalist Pervez Parwaz and came the prime minister of the social activist Asad Hayat, who is country and now, he has become IANS ic Voting Machines (EVMs). booths could be cross-exam- its code and changing its moth- “This raised our doubts also witness to Yogi’s speech. a popular leader not just in India New Delhi “We will demonstrate and ined by a judicial magistrate in erboard. about EVM tampering,” he They had earlier told the court but across the world because of prove before the panel how an in-camera proceeding and “The EC used to say that an said, adding it was surprising they were worried that with Yogi his policies… Now, the time has EVMs can be tampered with the asked which party did he or she EVM is a stand-alone machine to know that the BJP was win- Adityanath now chief minister, come to make India the super- day before the all-party help of its ROM (read only mem- vote for. and not connected to any net- ning almost all elections after “the person against whom sanc- power and the path for it (be- meeting called by the ory),” Bharadwaj told the media. “We can fi nd by reading the work so it can’t be tampered, but the November demonetisation tion for prosecution has been coming superpower) goes from AElection Commission, He said the AAP would urge ROM of that EVM where the we tampered with a replica of though no one was happy in granted by the state government Uttar Pradesh,” he added. the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) the Election Commission in an voter’s vote went and if his or EVM in Delhi Assembly on Tues- the country with the move of has himself become the head of Elaborating on the “achieve- yesterday threw a fresh chal- all-party meeting today to form her statement is corroborated day by a secret code,” he said. recalling Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 the state.” ments” of his government, lenge before the poll panel and a panel. by the EVM then no rigging The AAP leader said their currency notes. The Uttar Pradesh chief min- Adityanath said: “Anti-Romeo said that given a chance it could Bharadwaj said he could fi g- has taken place. If not, then it doubts about the EVM gained “If the Election Commission ister also has charge of the home squads have been set up to safe- prove how voting machines ure out from an EVM ROM proves our point (that voting ground when during municipal wants, we can fi nd the truth be- portfolio. guard women and girls while used in the assembly polls were which party a particular voter machines were being tampered polls in Maharashtra a candi- hind EVM tampering. The AAP The probe into the allegations slaughterhouses that were not pre-programmed to favour a had polled for and the sequence with),” Bharadwaj said. date claimed that he did not will do whatever it takes to save was completed in 2015 but despite following guidelines of the SC particular party. in which votes were cast. The AAP’s new challenge even get his own vote that he democracy. If the truth behind a government headed by the Sa- and the NGT have been closed AAP lawmaker Saurabh Bharadwaj explained that came two days after Bharad- had polled for himself. the doubts cast over the cred- majwadi Party, no sanction was down.” People indulging in eve- Bharadwaj urged the Election the proposed panel can ran- waj, an IT engineer, on Tues- He also recalled how a demo ibility of EVMs isn’t revealed granted for Yogi’s prosecution and teasing will not be spared and Commission to form a panel domly pick five booths where day demonstrated in the Delhi in Bhind in Madhya Pradesh then the country will slip into the matter remained in limbo. there would be no discrimina- of representatives of all politi- they suspect rigging had taken Assembly by using a lookalike “proved” votes were going to dictatorship which is very dan- After the statement by the chief tion in terms of the action taken, cal parties and experts from the place. machine how EVMs could be the BJP irrespective of any EVM gerous for any democratic re- secretary, the petitioners said that he added. poll panel to examine Electron- One voter from each of those manipulated by tampering with button pressed. public,” the AAP leader said. Maharashtra gas stations Jaitley attacked SBI clarifi es on cash to stay shut on Sundays withdrawal charges IANS free withdrawals in a month Mumbai/Thiruvananthapuram from ATMs. IANS Additionally, there are areas a similar working schedule in- Normal savings bank ac- Mumbai of concern like a certain amount clude Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil counts holders will continue of minimum salary to be paid to Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra enying reports that to get eight free ATM transac- the staff ers at each petrol pump, Pradesh, Telangana and Haryana all withdrawals from tions (fi ve from SBI ATMs plus round 4,500 petrol and which has become unaff ordable which had announced a similar DState Bank of India three from other bank ATMs) CNG pumps in Mahar- due to the low operating mar- move on April 18. (SBI) ATMs will be charge- in metros and 10 free transac- Aashtra have decided to gins, he added. All over India, there around able from June 1, the largest tions in non-metros (fi ve from observe ‘holiday’ on Sundays, The FAMPEDA decision will nearly 55,000 petrol bunks with public lender yesterday clar- SBI ATMs plus fi ve from other beginning May 14, and work on directly aff ect the livelihood of a majority operational between ified that the charge of Rs25 bank ATMs). single day shifts, 9am-6pm, around 100,000 staff ers at pet- 6am-10pm, and the rest working is only for withdrawals from Earlier in the day, Kerala Fi- from Monday - ignoring criti- rol pumps in the state who work round-the-clock. Lodh added State Bank Buddy through nance Minister Thomas Issac cism of the move by the petro- mostly in two or three shifts de- the minimum salary require- ATMs. told the media that the only leum ministry. pending on the location. ment for petrol pumps staff ers “Rs25 per transaction charge reason he could see for this The move will hit 225 petrol A weekly holiday plus working “had become unaff ordable due is applicable only for mobile “mad” new rule was that the pumps in Mumbai alone, the in a single shift on other days will to the low operating margins”. wallet app SBI Buddy using SBI was faced with mounting Federation of All Maharashtra help the petrol pumps drastically Earlier, some dealers had at- ATM. This is applicable only non-performing assets (NPAs) Petrol Dealers Association (FAM- reduce their running expenditure, tributed the move towards sav- for State Bank Buddy custom- to the tune of Rs 1.67 lakh crore. PEDA) president Uday Lodh said. he pointed out. A beginning was ing fuel and foreign exchange for ers,” the bank said in a state- “This is height of madness The move is being imple- made on Wednesday with pet- the country, in response to an ment. and irresponsibility. It would mented to support its various rol pumps refusing to buy fresh appeal by Prime Minister Naren- The clarifi cation comes af- be interesting to fi nd out the demands with the Oil Marketing stocks from OMCs, with nearly dra Modi. The Sunday-holiday ter the SBI in a notifi cation list of NPAs of the SBI... One Companies (OMCs), including 85% response by the dealers. move could entail savings of indicated that all ATM with- wouldn’t be surprised if the a hike in dealer margins which However, there are apprehen- around 20% fuel consumed in drawals will be charged a fee of majority (of defaulters) are were not revised since 2011, and sions that a weekly holiday cou- the country, they said. Rs25, which was later replaced found to be corporates.” other long-pending issues. pled with single-shift operations On April 20, the petroleum with the corrected notifi ca- “Just take a look at their “We are currently operating on could lead to long queues at all ministry said it “neither endors- tion. (SBI) profi ts, it has dramati- extremely low margins, selling times of the day at petrol pumps es nor approves” of the move by Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav addresses a The bank said that the cally come down. The charges high-tech unleaded petrol/diesel in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, small section of dealers to keep press conference in Agra yesterday. Mulayam Singh called number of free withdraw- have been levied to bring down products in which the evapora- Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, etc. their petrol pumps closed on Defence Minister Arun Jaitley “weak and coward” and said it als from ATMs remained un- their losses. This is something tion rate is very high, resulting in Besides Maharashtra, the Sundays. It said the move would is for this reason that the defence personnel are being killed changed. that even private sector banks huge losses, besides several other other states where petrol pumps lead to inconvenience to general on the Line of Control and elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir. Jan-Dhan account holders would not dare think of doing,” major issues,” Lodh said. are also planning to implement public. with the SBI can avail of four said Issac. Gulf Times 10 Friday, May 12, 2017 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

CONTROVERSY OFFENSIVE PUNISHMENT CRIME EDUCATION Pakistani moves court to Afghan forces wrest control Pakistan executes four Man arrested for killing China to off er scholarships meet Indian wife privately of north-eastern district Taliban terrorists Pakistani Islamist leader for Pakistani students

Pakistani man Tahir Ali, who allegedly forced Afghan security forces have retaken one of Four terrorists belonging to the banned A man was arrested before he could board a The Chinese government will off er scholarships Indian national Uzma to marry him, filed a three districts recently overrun by the Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were executed in plane to Qatar in Islamabad yesterday for killing to Pakistani students every year in the subject petition in the Islamabad High Court yesterday the Afghan Defence Ministry said in a statement Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa yesterday, the leader of a Pakistani Islamist group in 2003. of cultural studies at master’s level. This to meet his Indian wife privately. Uzma on May yesterday. Afghan security forces recaptured officials said. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested information was revealed by Chinese embassy’s 8 alleged that she was forced to marry Ali at Zebak district in northern Badkahshan province This was the second consecutive day when Sibtain Kazmi on charges of murdering Maulana cultural counsellor, You Yi, during a meeting with gunpoint, adding that she was unaware that after launching a clearing operation, Dawlat militants belonging to the group were Azam Tariq, a former chief of the Millat-i-Islamia Pakistan’s National History and Literary Heritage the latter was already married and a father of Waziri, a spokesman for the Defence Ministry hanged. that is now known as the outlawed Ahle Sunnat (NHLH) Secretary Aamir Hasan yesterday. The four children. The claims were denied by Tahir. said. The district fell to the Taliban on the same The militants were tried by military courts Wal Jamaat. Kazmi, whose name was on the Exit meeting was also attended by NHLH Division The Interior Ministry Secretary, the Secretary of day the insurgents announced the launch of and convicted for their involvement in acts of Control List, was apprehended by FIA off icials Joint Secretary Syed Junaid Ikhlaq, Deputy Foreign Ministry, the Indian High Commission, their spring off ensive, April 28. While confirming terrorism, including an attack on Saidu Sharif at Islamabad airport while attempting to flee Secretary Nazir Ahmad and other off icials of and Uzma were all party to the application filed the retake, Ahmad Javid Javid, a Badakhshan airport, killing innocent civilians, attacks on to Manchester via Doha, the Dawn reported the division. Speaking on the occasion, Cultural in court by Ali. “Uzma made false allegations provincial council member said the Afghan air law enforcement agencies and armed forces, yesterday. Tariq was gunned down in Islamabad Counsellor You Yi said the Chinese government against me under pressure,” Ali was quoted by force helped supply troops and local uprising a statement issued by Inter-Services Public in October 2003 by three assailants who sprayed had given formal approval for providing extra Geo News. forces and strike Taliban positions. Relations said. bullets at his car with AK-47 assault rifles. ordinary scholarships to Pakistani students. Sharif, Modi Hot favourite may meet in Kazakhstan

Agencies ders with its immediate neigh- in the near future. Islamabad bours. Sajjan Jindal, who is known “There have been overt and for being close to Prime Min- covert talks with all the coun- ister Narendra Modi, also has a rime Ministers Nawaz tries (Iran, Afghanistan and In- friendly relationship with Shar- Sharif of Pakistan and dia),” an offi cial was quoted as if. Some seasoned analysts said PNarendra Modi of India saying. that Jindal’s visit could be part might meet in Kazakhstan, a “Nobody can aff ord confron- of some backchannel contact to top Pakistani official has said, tation, so we are trying to resolve improve relations between the amid reports of back channel the misunderstandings through two countries. contacts. talks,” the offi cial said. Informed sources point out Sartaj Aziz, the Adviser to He said that while there had that it’s not possible for Jindal Sharif, said that a meeting be- been open talks with Iran and to visit Pakistan without prior tween the two leaders cannot Afghanistan, “back-channels knowledge of the country’s ci- be ruled out on the sidelines of were being used in India’s vilian and military intelligence the Shanghai Co-operation Or- case”. The unnamed official services. ganisation (SCO) Summit next added that if Modi and Sharif Former foreign minister A chef cooks traditional Afghan Qabili Pulao in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Kabuli Pulao or Afghani Pulao is a savoury Central month in Kazakhstan. do meet on the sidelines of the Khurshid Kasuri described the Asian dish that has many variations. This is a healthy and hearty dish that works just as well in the summers as in winters. The But it was too early to speak SCO Summit, “it will be posi- controversy stirred up by the combination of textures, colours and nutritional value make this a popular dish that can be had as a complete meal (Inset). about such a meeting, the Na- tive to concentrate on the talks visit as unfortunate, saying tion newspaper quoted him as process”. that just because it was part of saying on Wednesday.” An unannounced meeting some backchannel diplomacy, it Pakistan could consider the between Prime Minister Na- should not be rejected outright. meeting if interest was shown waz Sharif and a visiting Indian In fact, he said, some of the best from the other side.” business tycoon at the hill re- results were achieved as a result Aziz said the SCO Summit was sort town of Murree last month of backchannel contacts. Overseas remittances drop 2.79% in 10 months important as Pakistan would be- triggered intense speculation On the other hand, some come a permanent member of in Pakistan with several politi- opposition politicians were the organisation. cians and analysts suggesting angry over the government’s Internews staggering $6.130bn level in the while remittances from United taking toll on the remittance The report said there was it could be the precursor to a decision to keep Jindal’s visit Karachi nine months of FY17. Arab Emirates also fell 2.29% to fl ows to the South Asia region widespread speculation about possible meeting between the as well the PM’s meeting with “It’s truly a matter of con- stand at $3.468bn. including Pakistan. a possible Sharif-Modi meeting Pakistani and Indian premiers him secret. cern that the country’s current Analysts see the growth of after the Pakistani Prime Min- he remittances sent account defi cit was running at “Concern that the remittances to remain sub- ister recently met Indian busi- Islamabad summons Indian diplomat home by overseas Paki- 2.6% of gross domestic product country’s current account dued close to last year’s level of ness tycoon Sajjan Jindal, who Tstani workers declined in July-March FY17,” an analyst defi cit was running at $19.9bn. “reportedly conveyed a message Pakistan summoned India’s of Kashmir, according to a 2.79% to $15.596bn in the fi rst said. 2.6% of gross domestic However, the government has of the Indian premier to the Pa- deputy high commissioner statement from the foreign 10 months of the current fi scal According to another expert, product in July-March set $20.2bn remittances target kistani leader”. yesterday to condemn what it ministry. “The deliberate year as compared to $16.044bn one of the main reasons for this FY17” for the FY17. Aziz said Pakistan was re- called “unprovoked” firing over targeting of civilians is indeed during the same period of the slowdown is a sharp fall in the The central bank expects viewing India’s plea against the disputed Kashmir frontier condemnable and contrary to last year, the State Bank of Pa- number of new migrant workers “The depreciation of pound infl ows to reach $19.5-20.5bn alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan that violated a 2003 ceasefire human dignity and international kistan reported yesterday. travelling to Gulf Co-operation sterling against the US dol- during the current fi scal year. Jadhav’s death sentence and and killed one civilian, the human rights and humanitarian Analysts say a persistent Council (GCC), where fiscal lar along with tough regula- Despite, some downside risks also the jurisdiction of the In- foreign ministry said. laws,” the statement read. slowdown in the remittance pressures are mounting due to tory controls in the US on to the overall remittances out- ternational Court of Justice in Deputy High Commissioner JP Indian off icials in New Delhi fl ows does not augur well for the low oil prices, widening fiscal money transfers also dented the look, the SBP’s sees the recent the case. Singh met Pakistani off icials to could not immediately be underlying balance of payments deficits, rising population etc. remittances,” an industry offi - decision of Kuwait government The Nation quoted unnamed discuss the firing on Wednesday reached for comment. position, whereas dwindling The fi gures published by the cial said. to lift restrictions on issuing senior Pakistani Foreign Offi ce and yesterday, which also India and Pakistan have faced exports, weakening remissions, SBP showed that infl ow of re- Another analyst added that visas to Pakistani nationals as offi cials as saying that diplo- wounded two others on the off for decades across the Line and lower-than-anticipated mittances from Saudi Arabia the phenomenon of “new nor- “encouraging and positive” for matic eff orts had been launched Pakistani-administered side of Control. external infl ows blew up the to Pakistan decreased 6.62% mal of slow growth” in low and increasing remittance infl ows to defuse tensions along the bor- current account defi cit to a to $4.517bn in July-April FY17, middle income countries is also down the line. Afghan forces face challenge of absorbing former rebels

Peace deal sees thousands place where service members ed and said President Ashraf of fighters join government turned on their colleagues. Ghani’s government was not forces; Vetting process to Defence ministry spokesman working, has already made it weed out security threats; Dawlat Waziri said there would plain since his return to Kabul Questions over bringing be no problem integrating Hizb- last week that he would not sim- former enemies into national i-Islami members, provided ply blend in quietly. army they met selection criteria. In public remarks, he called “Joining the national army is the Taliban his “brothers” and Reuters voluntary and anyone eligible urged a peace agreement with Kabul who meets certain criteria can them that would get foreign join to serve, and that includes forces, which train the Afghan Hizb-i-Islami members,” he army, out of Afghanistan. ulbuddin Hekmatyar’s said. Karim Amin went further Hizb-i-Islami party is However, the process, involv- this week, saying in a televi- Gpreparing to place thou- ing formal lists of fi ghters to be sion interview that all combat- sands of fi ghters in Afghanistan’s included in the army and police ant deaths in the war, including security forces, in one of the most goes beyond personal decisions Taliban, should be referred to as complex parts of last year’s peace to enlist. “shaheed” or “martyred”, a term deal between the Western-backed That raises questions over currently used by the govern- government and the former insur- how to integrate members of a ment only for its own forces and gent warlord. militia, which refuses to disarm civilians. Hizb-i-Islami has drawn up a and retains strong personal loy- While the Kabul government list of 3,500 members of its mi- alty to its leader, into a Nato- and its Western partners agree litia for vetting and has handed trained force intended to repre- that only talks with the Taliban over some 80 names, mostly sent the nation as a whole. will end fi ghting, Hekmatyar’s senior offi cers, to a special com- “They can be enrolled in the sympathetic stance risks com- mission set up to oversee the in- army, but the concern is that plicating his militia’s integration tegration, said Karim Amin, one these guys will always be Hek- into forces that lost 6,785 killed of Hekmatyar’s closest aides. matyar’s forces,” said one senior last year fi ghting militants. The move was agreed under offi cial, who spoke on condition The Hizb-i-Islami militia’s the terms of the peace deal which of anonymity because of the refusal to disarm suggested brought in Hekmatyar, notori- sensitivity of the issue. continued mutual suspicion be- ous for his forces’ indiscriminate The issue illustrates wider tween former insurgents and the bombardment of Kabul during Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Afghan warlord and ex-prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Afghan challenges facing the govern- government. the 1990s civil war, after years of former Mujahideen leader and hardline Islamist, Abdul Rasul Sayaf and Afghanistan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah walk to attend a ment, as it seeks to implement “No one can guarantee that armed opposition. special ceremony at The Presidential Palace in Kabul on May 4, 2017. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who returned to Kabul on May 4 after more than an agreement with former in- if a commander puts down his While Hizb-i-Islami played 20 years, is one of Afghanistan’s most notorious warlords. surgents that it hopes will pave weapon he would survive,” said little part in combat in recent the way for a broader peace deal Hizb-i-Islami spokesman Qar- years and ceased all operations offi cial in charge of overseeing handed over were main- onto the inactive list. weed out fi ghters who could pose with the Taliban, Afghanistan’s eem ur Rahman. “They can’t put since the accord, thousands of implementation of the agree- ly older commanders who However, younger fi ghters an internal threat; in the fi rst two dominant insurgent group. down their weapons, but they its fi ghters have not been dis- ment. might be put on the payroll present a bigger problem. months of 2017, at least a dozen Hekmatyar, who has called for won’t fi ght against the govern- armed, said Ahmad Farzan, the Officials said the 80 names but who would probably go Strict vetting is intended to so-called “insider attacks” took the constitution to be amend- ment.” Gulf Times Friday, May 12, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES Proposal on death penalty is ‘still alive’

Manila Times pending before the Senate Makati Committee on Justice and Hu- man Rights headed by Senator Richard Gordon. he proposed reimposi- Escudero said that there was tion of the death penalty a proposal to limit the impo- Tis still very much alive in sition of the death penalty to the Senate, contrary to earlier high-level drug traffi cking and claims of some senators in the there is a big possibility that minority bloc that it is already the move could convince more dead, Senator Francis Escudero senators into supporting the said on Thursday. proposal. Escudero, who opposes the “What is clear is that the planned restoration of capital version of the House of Repre- punishment, added that he was sentatives which involves fi ring able to get the respective posi- squad and hanging won’t have tions of senators on the matter a chance of passing in the Sen- two months ago and they are ate,” he added. diff erent from a statement ear- Senator Richard Gordon, in lier made by Senate Minority a separate interview, said the Leader Franklin Drilon. fate of the death penalty is still Drilon recently said in a news too close to call, adding that his forum that the bill seeking to position against it would not Philippine soldiers patrolling along a village near a highway in Maguindanao province, on the southern island of Mindanao. restore the death penalty in the change. country was already dead in the Gordon reiterated that in- Senate with at least 13 senators stead of imposing capital likely to reject it. punishment, the government “I don’t believe that the should work on improving the death penalty is dead in the prison system and adopting a Senate and I hope he [Drilon] stricter policy on life imprison- will not assume that and be ment. complacent,” Escudero said, “We have to really make sure Assault on extremists as he maintained his position that when we do impose life against capital punishment. imprisonment, it should really According to him, there is a be in prison, where prisoners chance that the death penalty are seen undergoing hard la- will gain the Senate’s nod. bour and far from their fami- Five death penalty bills are lies,” he said. sends 24,000 fl eeing Airstrikes and artillery have mation that they were there in of the Middle East. Encinas said the military and Abu Sayyaf ban- present in the area. Now, with been used against the rebels the location hit by airstrikes,” he Bungos had been trying to forge dits in Bohol’s Inabanga town. additional information, once in Mindanao told AFP. closer links with IS so he could “There are earlier reports verifi ed, we will make the nec- He said however that no bodies get more overseas assistance. about that…what we did is we essary announcement and nec- Three ‘pushers’ AFP had been recovered and that the While the Philippines is largely heightened our alert. We formed essary security measures if and Manila death toll could not be verifi ed. Catholic, the southern third is inter-agency task groups be- when these information are vali- Seven soldiers have been home to a sizeable Muslim mi- cause of that,” del Rosario told dated already,” the police spokes- killed by soldiers slightly wounded in the fi ghting, nority and extremist groups and reporters in Filipino. man said. ore than 24,000 people he added. guerrillas like the BIFF who are The “security posture” in the President Rodrigo Duterte fl ed their homes as the “We used all available air as- fi ghting for a separate Islamic area was intensifi ed after four himself allayed fears of kid- Manila Times fiscated after the 5.30am gun- MPhilippine military used sets and artillery assets and ar- state. anti-terrorism meetings with napping in Palawan. “We have Maguindanao battle in Sitio Langat, Baran- airstrikes and artillery against mour,” the captain said, declining Authorities have ordered offi cials of the resort island of spruced up the place both physi- gay Kabuling. Muslim extremists who have to give details. tighter security measures amid Coron in Palawan, police and cally and with the strength of the Cabunoc said elements of pledged allegiance to the Islamic Six Indonesians from the Is- warnings of terrorist activity in the Philippine Coast Guard, he security forces,” Duterte told re- hree suspected drug 33rd IB and Datu Paglas police State, authorities said yesterday. lamic State group who were Palawan issued by the United added. porters before leaving for Cam- traders were killed in went to serve search warrants Almost a week of attacks on training the BIFF in bomb-mak- States (US) and the United King- The AFP has also engaged with bodia. Tan encounter yester- against Pendaliday and his members of the Bangsamoro Is- ing were part of the remnants of dom (UK), even as the alerts were Muslim leaders, businessmen, “My order to the security forc- day morning with government men but were met by a volley of lamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the group that is being surround- downplayed by the Armed Forces security agencies and resort es is stalk, shoot them on site. troops in Pandag, Maguindan- gunfi re forcing them to shoot the strife-torn southern island ed by the army, he added. of the Philippines (AFP) and the owners in Palawan. Patayin ninyo [Kill them]. Do ao, which is a known lair of back. of Mindanao has displaced resi- “Our assessment is they have Philippine National Police (PNP). “We are having conversations not waste your bullet [then] we Muslim rebels and lawless ele- The fi refi ght lasted about an dents of six towns, said Jofelle less space to move while we are The US and UK embassies with all concerned persons, offi - take care of them [in the] hospi- ments. hour, Cabunoc added. Delicana, spokeswoman for the conducting our airstrikes be- posted a travel advisory on their cials and agencies for joint eff orts tal. Expend your bullet to fi nish Target in the police-led op- The armed men fl ed toward civil defence offi ce. cause all our available troops respective websites Tuesday so that the terrorists will not be the problem because it is really a eration, backed by the Army, the Liguasan marshland, in- About 24,300 villagers were have been deployed,” Encinas night, urging their citizens to re- able to enter the island,” del Ro- problem. It is a problem of secu- was a group of 15 people led cluding Pendaliday, while bod- forced to take refuge in schools, said. frain from visiting Palawan amid sario said. rity, law and order,” he added. by Abdulatip Pendaliday alias ies of three armed men were makeshift tents or with relatives The group of almost 100 BIFF the presence of terrorist groups. PNP spokesman Chief Super- Telcos suspend services in Grasscutter, a former member later found in the encounter after the military launched their were targeted after they were in- The embassies cited “credible intendent Dionardo Carlos said Quiapo, surrounding areas Amid of the Moro Islamic Liberation site. assault on May 5, she told AFP. volved in the planting of make- sources”. the PNP would be undertak- the terror warnings, telecommu- Front (MILF) who surrendered The three were identifi ed as Local army spokesman Cap- shift bombs and a number of Lt Gen Raul del Rosario, chief ing “stricter security measures” nication companies Globe Tel- in July 2016. Samir Pendaliday, Nasrudin tain Arvin Encinas said that re- murders in recent months. of the AFP Western Command, while verifying information on ecom and Smart Communica- Lt Col Harold Cabunoc, Saligan and Rakim Pendali- ports from civilians and intel- The BIFF split from main Mus- said that based on intelligence supposed terrorist activity. tions shut down services at 3pm commander of the Army’s day, all of Lipao village in Datu ligence sources indicate that as lim rebel group the Moro Islamic information, the threat was “not “At the end of the day, people on Wednesday to comply with a 33rd Infantry Battalion, said Paglas. many as 31 BIFF guerrillas have Liberation Front (MILF) in 2008 that big,” adding that the US and [in Palawan] are still living nor- directive from the National Tel- 34 grams of shabu worth Cabunoc said Pendaliday been killed including the group’s after the MILF opened a peace UK were only being protective of mal lives,” he told a news confer- ecommunications Commission. P170,000 and high-calibre and his group continued their leader, Commander Ismael Abu- process with the government. their citizens. ence. In separate public advisories, firearms, including three illegal drug trade activities bakar, also known as “Bungos”, as Since then, its leaders have In April, a number of countries He advised the public to be Globe and Smart pleaded for pa- M-16 rifles, three M203 gre- in the towns of Pandag, Datu well as two of his aides. been seen in videos pledging al- issued travel warnings covering vigilant even outside Palawan. tience and understanding, saying nade launchers and M79 Paglas and nearby areas after “We believe they are among legiance to the IS movement that Bohol and Cebu, which were fol- “Enjoy the summer…we make the situation was a matter of na- grenade launcher were con- his surrender. the dead considering our infor- has taken control of vast swathes lowed by deadly clashes between sure that there are policemen tional security.

Dutertenomics goes global at summit

The Philippines laid out spending on infrastructure New environment minister an aggressive road map among the Asean nations, for countries seeking to according to the International 9 house members attain high middle income Monetary Fund, with Manila’s status at a meeting of the Ninoy Aquino International World Economic Forum Airport regularly ranking in Phnom Penh yesterday. among the worst in the world. join PDP-Laban ‘Dutertenomics’ — named for “The country is becoming President Rodrigo Duterte more peaceful and open for — will see an investment of business,” said Ernesto Pernia, Manila Times to show my support to the president…I $160bn in upgrading the secretary of socio-economic Quezon City want to help the president and this ad- country’s roadways, airports, planning, who emphasised that ministration to succeed,” Roman said. and cargo ports under the speediness of the programme Vargas echoed Roman. “We would like campaign slogan of “Build, alongside other cabinet ine members of the House of to be part of this historic journey in trans- Build, Build”. ministers at a presentation to Representatives were sworn in forming our country into a great one… It also aims to double the media. “The hallmark of NWednesday as members of the and the little way that we could do to re- infrastructure spending to 5% Dutertenomics is building fast Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng alise this noble objective is to support the and then up to 7.4% by 2022. and on schedule,” he said at Bayan (PDP-Laban). Five of the lawmak- legislative agenda of the president and The Philippines has historically the event, which is hosted by ers were from the Liberal Party — Bataan Speaker Alvarez,” he said. had some of the lowest public Asean. fi rst district Representative Geraldine Ro- LP president Francis Kiko Pangilinan man, North Cotabato second district Rep- lamented the “decimation” of the party resentative Nancy Catamco, Quezon City but wished those who joined the ruling Two policemen slain in ambush second district Representative Winston party well. Castelo, Quezon City fi fth district Repre- “The new party leadership took over six Two police off icers were killed on motorcycles, along Zigzag sentative Alfred Vargas and Lanao del Sur months ago, and we must admit that the in an ambush in Barangay Road in Barangay San Jose at fi rst district Representative Ansaruddin challenges are enormous — both internal San Jose, Antipolo City on about 8pm. The policemen, Adiong. and external to the organisation and the Wednesday night. both in civilian clothes when The others were Camiguin Representa- individual members,” Pangilinan said in a Police Off icer 2 Ernesto Turalba attacked, sustained several tive Xavier Jesus Romualdo of Lakas- statement. Jr, assigned to Baras Municipal gunshot wounds. The suspects CMD, Masbate third district Representa- Pangilinan said LP is being targeted by Police Station, died instantly, immediately fled after the tive Scott Davies-Lanete, Zamboanga del the administration as can be shown by the while PO 2 Roberto Reganit, incident. Investigators Sur fi rst district Representative Divina detention of one of their members, Sena- of the Rizal Police Provincial recovered several empty Grace Yu of the Nationalist People’s Coa- tor Leila de Lima. Off ice’s Drug Enforcement shells of a calibre 45 pistol lition and Sulu second district Represent- “After six months in the LP leadership, Unit in Taytay, Rizal died in a from the crime scene. A ative Munir Arbison of the Nacionalista we soldier on, taking on the challenges and hospital shortly. They were pursuit operation has been Party. holding on only to this: that we as a people reportedly on their way to ordered. Investigation is being Newly appointed Environment Minister Roy Cimatu with his predecessor Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the are what the rest of the world knows about report for duty and each conducted to determine the environmentalist Regina Lopez, during a turn over ceremony in Quezon PDP-Laban has “more or less 121 mem- us: generous and forgiving, welcoming riding a motorcycle when motive for the killing and City, Metro Manila. bers at the House. and loving, not prone to violence or ruth- attacked by the gunmen, also identity of the suspects. “I joined the PDP-Laban because I want lessness,” the LP president said. Gulf Times 12 Friday, May 12, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL 6 killed in raid on Bangladesh extremists

AFP Police raided the house in Ha- These include a major attack on Dhaka bashpur, Rajshahi district, following a Dhaka cafe last July in which 22 a tip-off that members of the out- people were killed, most of them Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon hosting Qatar’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Ahmed Mohamed lawed Jamayetul Mujahideen Bang- foreigners. al-Dehaimi, at the Secretariat in Dhaka. angladesh police yesterday ladesh (JMB) Islamist group were Police have since launched a na- raided a suspected Islamist holed up there, Chowdhury said. tionwide crackdown against ex- Bhideout in an operation that Police rescued a two month-old tremist outfi ts, arresting scores of left fi ve relatives and a fi re offi cer baby and a seven-year-old boy, and suspects. dead, offi cials said. believe one woman may still be in- They have killed more than 70 Police shot dead the fi ve people, side the house. people since the cafe attack, in- Bangladesh seeks Qatari help all from the same family, as they “The fi ring has stopped. But we cluding at least 11 in the past two emerged from a house in northwest have not entered the compound yet,” weeks. Bangladesh, senior police offi cer assistant superintendent of police Analysts say Islamist militants Sumit Chowdhury told AFP. Ekramul Haq told AFP, adding bomb pose a growing danger in Bangla- One of the fi ve stabbed the fi re of- disposal offi cers have been called to desh, where a long-running politi- in developing halal tourism fi cer, who died of his injuries, while the site. cal crisis has radicalised opponents two others hurled grenades at police. It was not clear whether the sons of the government. Two police were also injured. and daughter were adults, but police On Tuesday, three men stormed a By Mizan Rahman Ahmed Mohamed al-Dehaimi, called on between these two brotherly Muslim na- “We were surprised by the attack. said two young brothers, named Ashraf mosque with cleavers and attacked Dhaka him at the Secretariat in Dhaka. tions,” the minister said. Two of them threw grenades and and Al Amin, alias Hamza, were sus- a cleric from the Ahmadi minority Menon also sought Qatar’s investment The ambassador informed the minis- another attacked a fi re service of- pected to have been killed and that one community. The cleric was critically at the exclusive tourist zone at Sarang in ter that a high-level Qatar delegate will fi cer with a sharp rod. He later died was wearing a suicide vest. wounded. angladesh yesterday sought the southeastern Cox’s Bazar district adjoin- visit Bangladesh soon to explore new av- in hospital,” said Chowdhury. Bangladesh authorities have The Islamic State organisa- co-operation of Qatar to expand ing the Bay of Bengal sea. enues of co-operation between the two “Five extremists were killed in blamed the JMB for deadly attacks tion and an Al Qaeda branch have Breligious and halal tourism in “Qatar is a developed and modern countries. our shooting. They include a father, against religious minorities and claimed responsibilities for many of Bangladesh. Muslim country of the Middle East and The envoy requested the minister to his wife and their two sons and a foreigners in the Muslim-majority the assaults but the government has Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Bangladesh is also a tolerant Muslim send a formal proposal to the Qatar gov- daughter,” he said. country. rejected the claims. Rashed Khan Menon made the request country. We have still huge opportunities ernment for investment in the exclusive when Qatar’s ambassador to Bangladesh, to expand commerce and trade relations tourist zone in Cox’s Bazar.

Indian PM begins state visit to Sri Lanka Colombo rejects Election duty

IANS enlightenment and passing away of The golden-roofed Kandy temple Colombo the Buddha. houses Sri Lanka’s most important Chinese request The visit follows an invitation Buddhist relic — a tooth of Lord from Sri Lankan President Maithri- Buddha. rime Minister Narendra Modi pala Sirisena. In Pallekelle, Modi will unveil a for sub visit arrived here yesterday on a It is Modi’s second trip to Sri plaque commemorating the founda- Ptwo-day visit to Sri Lanka Lanka as Prime Minister after March tion laying of the Faculty of Kandyan where he will be the chief guest at 2015. Dance at the Sri Lankan Interna- Reuters the International Vesak Day celebra- This is the fi rst time that Sri Lan- tional Buddhist Academy that will Colombo tions. ka will be hosting the International be constructed with India’s grant “A legacy of cultural, religious Vesak Day. assistance. & linguistic synergy. PM @naren- The theme of the event is Bud- Modi will also open an India- ri Lanka has rejected China’s request to dramodi arrives in Colombo to at- dhist teachings for social justice and funded 150-bed multi-speciality dock one of its submarines in Colombo this tend #InternationalVesakDay,” sustainable world peace. hospital at Dickoya in the central hill Smonth, two senior government offi cials said Indian External Aff airs Ministry As part of the celebrations, Modi district which is home to Tamil tea yesterday. Sri Lanka last allowed a Chinese sub- spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. will participate in a lamp lighting plantation workers of Indian origin. marine to dock in the capital of Colombo in Octo- The prime minister was received ceremony at the Gangaramaya tem- Although no bilateral talks are ber 2014, a move that triggered fi erce opposition at the airport by his Sri Lankan ple in Colombo, one of the most im- scheduled, the visit is expected to from its northern neighbour India, which worries A police personnel guards a polling station for the upcoming counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe. portant temples in Sri Lanka. give renewed momentum in India- about growing Chinese activity in a country it has local election of municipalities and villages representatives in Modi will be the chief guest at the Modi will also pray at the Temple Sri Lanka ties. long viewed as part of its area of infl uence. Thimi, Bhaktapur, Nepal. UN-recognised 14th International of the Sacred Tooth Relic at Kandy in Last month, Prime Minister Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Vesak Day meant to mark the birth, central Sri Lanka. Wickremesinghe visited India. Sri Lanka yesterday for a two-day offi cial visit. A senior Sri Lankan government offi cial said China’s request to dock one of its submarines in Colombo this month had been rejected. He said Sri Lanka was “unlikely” to agree to China’s request to dock the submarine at any time, China to fund ‘friendship given India’s concerns. The offi cial asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. bridge’ in Bangladesh The second offi cial, at the defence ministry, also said China’s request to dock this month had been rejected but that a decision on a further docking By Mizan Rahman friendship bridges’ have so far had been postponed. Dhaka been constructed by Chinese “It might happen later,” the second offi cial told grants and the 8th ‘friendship Reuters, adding that China had requested approval bridge’ is under construction over to use the port around May 16 “sometime back”. hina will provide about Kocha River in southern Bangla- A source close to the Chinese embassy in Co- $83mn to Bangladesh for desh. lombo confi rmed that China had requested per- Cconstruction of the 9th China gives money for building mission for the submarine visit but was still await- ‘Bangladesh-China Friendship such ‘friendship bridges’ in Bang- ing a response. Bridge’ and other infrastructure ladesh as grants, not to be repaid. China has invested heavily in Sri Lanka in recent development projects. At the signing ceremony, the years, funding airports, roads, railways and ports, In this connection an agree- Chinese ambassador said China unsettling India, traditionally the closest econom- ment was signed between Bang- has been supporting Bangladesh ic partner of the island nation of 21mn people. ladesh and China in Dhaka for its infrastructure develop- More than 70% of the trans-shipment in Co- yesterday, offi cial sources at Eco- ment so that the country can bol- lombo port comes from India. nomic Relations Division (ERD) of ster its economic development Sri Lanka is fi nalising a plan to lease 80% of its the Finance Ministry said. goals. loss-making Hambantotata port to China for 99 ERD secretary Kazi Shofi qul “I hope that we can use this years, but the deal has been delayed because of op- Azam and Chinese ambassador money smartly and more effi - position from trade unions. Ma Mingqiang inked the agree- ciently so that more and more A 1987 accord between India and Sri Lanka provides ment on behalf of their respective people can benefi t from this ex- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe looks on as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives betel that their territories not be used for activities deemed sides. cellent relationship between leaves from two Sri Lankan children after arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo yesterday. prejudicial to each other’s unity, integrity and security. Seven ‘Bangladesh-China Bangladesh and China,” he said. Acclimatise in bed, climb Everest in half the time

By Paavan Mathema, AFP Everest has required at least two tempting to summit Everest this mountain,” said Ballinger, who ing oxygen levels so that the body tor Simon Lowe is a vocal critic won’t have the fl exibility to re- Kathmandu months on the mountain doing year after using pre-acclimatisa- took one client up Everest in 2013 adapts to thinner air. of the method, calling it “quack spond to Everest and its weather a series of acclimatisation ro- tion tents, each paying between using the system and another “I believe every climber has medicine”, and believes in the and will take risks putting every- tations to get used to the harsh $75,000 and $85,000, more than four in 2016. used technologies of the day to traditional mantra of climbing one in danger,” Lowe added. s other Everest hopefuls low-oxygen environment at the double the cheapest rates to scale In 2014, Entwistle had a rare the maximum they can, whether high and sleeping low. American climber Kent Stew- were trudging up to base top of the world. Everest the conventional way. nine-month break from work. for communication or training. “This (pre-acclimatisation) art, who has scaled the highest Acamp in April, Singapore- Now pre-acclimatisation, Proponents of pre-acclimati- He headed to Everest in early Today, hypoxic training is one of is the inverse of what we know peaks on six continents, intends based Brooks Entwistle was at which has been at the fringes sation say spending less time on April to begin acclimatising and those tools,” said Ballinger, who works,” Lowe said. to pre-acclimatise before his bid home, planning his daughter’s of the climbing world for sev- the mountain lowers the risk of planned to make a push for the is taking Entwistle and one other Lowe says that the method to complete the “Seven Sum- 13th birthday party and prepar- eral years, is gaining traction, frostbite, accidents and extreme summit in mid May. client up Everest from the north- only gets results because com- mits” with Everest next year. ing for his company’s annual dividing the community between weight loss commonly associated But his plans were disrupted by ern Tibet side this year. panies provide the climbers with Stewart suff ers extreme weight general meeting. those who see it as yet another with high-altitude mountain- an avalanche that killed 16 Sher- Ballinger requires climbers on much more supplemental oxygen loss during expeditions and But at night he would climb tool of modern mountaineering eering. pa guides and eff ectively shut the ‘rapid ascent’ packages to than on a conventional climb. found the tents to be a useful way into a hypoxic, or low oxygen, and purists who dismiss it as a “We’ve been doing this for a down the climbing season. have previously climbed at least That brings its own problems, to shorten his trips. tent meant to mimic the thin air gimmick. few years, now we’ve seen other “I don’t have time like that one of the 14 mountains in the requiring Sherpa guides to make “You eat and sleep at home and at high altitude. An increasing number of ex- companies off ering it as well... now. For me, it would be impos- world that are over 8,000m. repeated risky climbs to leave ad- are not exposed to the dangers of Now on Everest, Entwistle, a pedition organisers are off ering their clients are demanding it,” sible to go up Everest without Next year, Austrian company ditional oxygen bottles for the being on the mountain,” Stewart partner with Singapore’s Ever- “rapid ascent” packages that al- said US-based Adrian Ballinger this method,” Entwistle said. Furtenbach Adventure is taking climbers to collect during their said. stone Group, is hoping to summit low clients to pre-acclimatise in of Alpenglow Expeditions, who Hypoxic tents have long been it to the next level with a ‘Flash ascent, while also resulting in Ballinger agrees and says the the world’s highest peak in just 35 a tent at home before zipping up started experimenting with the used by athletes to build up lung Everest’ package that promises a more empty canisters left on the technique is here to stay. days — half the time of a conven- the world’s tallest peaks in just a tents in 2011. capacity as part of their training. summit in less than four weeks, mountainside. “I predict that in 10 years there tional climb. few weeks. “People are actually health- Nitrogen is pumped into the aided by hypoxic tents and in- “If you extend this to every- will be no 65-day expeditions For decades, the dream of Entwistle and climbers with at ier on the climb because they sealed tent to recreate a high- creased supplemental oxygen. body, it will be a disaster. They with supplemental oxygen up reaching the summit of Mount least two other operators are at- don’t spend so much time on the altitude environment by reduc- Veteran expedition opera- (pre-acclimatised climbers) Everest.” Gulf Times Friday, May 12, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Keep away Obsession with music from enmity

Khutbah by Shaykh Salaah al-Budair Dear Muslims! Music is the voice of Satan around the songs of corrupt and immoral music as if nothing had happened! We seek he Muslim has a mission in his life, and is with which he instigates human beings people, for music contains commendation refuge with Allah from having such dead required to be eff ective, active, tolerant and into perpetrating evil deeds and acts of of that which Allah detests, boasting about unfeeling hearts! social, mixing with other people and dealing ll praise is due to Allah. I testify that disobedience. It is therefore imperative perpetration of what He dislikes and forbids Dear Muslims! Clean yourselves and your with them with tolerance and in accordance ears from idle talk and stringed instruments T there is no deity worthy of worship upon every Muslim to shun him and keep and maybe even exceeding this with music with the worthy Islamic attitudes and behaviour. except Allah, He is One and has away from him. Allah says in this regard, which extols sacrilegious ideas. of Satan and replace them with the Gardens Allah Almighty Says (what means): “And hold no partner. I equally testify that “And befool them gradually those whom If you consider the havoc that songs and of Paradise that are to be found in Qur’anic fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. the A reading and Sunnah study circles, you will Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. May you can among them with your voice (i.e. instruments have wreaked on the lives of Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves, and peace and blessings be upon him, his house- songs, music, and any other call for Allah’s those musicians and their fans you will reap the everlasting fruits, have guidance remember Allah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies hold and companions. disobedience), make assaults on them with realise what a terrible impact it has. It leaves and fi nd a cure for all diseases of the heart, one to anther but He joined your hearts together, so “O You who believe. Keep your duty to your cavalry and infantry, share with them clear visible eff ects on their faces, their mind and soul. Be among those whom Allah that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Allah and fear Him and speak (Always) the wealth and children (by tempting them to speech and their conditions. describes thus: “And if they pass by some evil faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and truth.” (Al-Ahzaab: 70). earn money by illegal ways – usury, or by When Maalik ibn Anas was asked about play or evil talk, they pass it by with dignity.” He saved you from it…”[Qur’an 3:103] Brothers in faith! Muslims live, under committing illegal sexual intercourse), and what some men in his time regarded as (Al-Furqaan: 72). Wherever the Muslim is found, he becomes the shade of this great religion, a life full of make promises to them. But Satan promises permissible music, he answered, “It is only Fellow Muslims! Fear Allah and be a beacon of guidance, and a positive source of honour and grace. They fi nd that by virtue of them nothing but deceit.” (Al-Israa’: 64). the sinful people who do that here.” conscious of Him and obey Him.” O you correction and education, through both his words and this religion they taste the sweetness of faith, Fellow Muslims! Shun music and its Fellow Muslims! Listening to music is who believe! Fear Allah and be among the deeds. attain true peace of mind and gratifi cation in instruments for it leads to promiscuity. It is one of the greatest traps of Satan that he truthful.” (At Tawbah: 119) He has a good attitude towards others and treats their worship. also the trap of Satan by which he lures men sets to divert people’s attention from the Brothers in faith! Allah allows the beating them well. He is of good and noble character, friendly, The teachings of this religion adopt a fi rm to immoral acts. Zayd ibn al-Waleed said, Qur’an. Ash-Shaafi ee said, “I left behind in of tambourines in marriage ceremonies along humble, gentle of speech and tactful. He likes others stance against any form of evil teachings and “O Omayyads! Keep away from music for it Baghdad something that heretics introduced with songs that contain no description of and is liked by them. By doing so, he is following the whimsical desires of corrupt people in order reduces modesty, increases lust and destroys which they called Taghbeer with which they women or any other immoral message. That example of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to protect mankind from his own caprice man. It acts in the same way as alcohol and distract people from the Qur’an.” is in order to make the marriage publicised as Anas reported that he was: “The best of people in and lust and to put an end to his anxieties one who is under its infl uence acts like one Allahu Akbar! This saying of Ash-Shaafi ee and distinguish between lawful and unlawful his attitude towards others.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] and sorrows. Who is richer than he who who is drunk.” Umar ibn Abdul-Azeez wrote was about Taghbeer which is poetry which marriages. The Prophet said, “The diff erence When a quarrel intensifi es, when its roots go deeper, adheres to the religion of Allah, though he to his sons’ tutor: “Let your fi rst lesson for encourages an ascetic life, sung by one between the lawful and unlawful marriage its thorns become branches and branches increase is economically underprivileged, and who is them be the hatred of musical instruments while he strikes a rod against a dried skin is the beating of the tambourine and the in number, then the freshness of the fruits of faith is poorer than he who opposes the religion of that come from Satan and end with the or something like that, what then will one proclamation of the marriage.” adversely aff ected. Softness, sympathy, satisfaction Allah though he is fi nancially prosperous! wrath of Allah; for it reached me from say about a type of music that is parallel to In Sahih Al-Bukhari, Rubayyia bint and peace, which are encouraged by the Islamic Fellow Muslims! One thing that saddens trustworthy sources that attending a place intoxicants in its eff ect? Music is nothing Mu’awiyyah said – after her marriage had teachings, receive a setback. the zealous Muslim is to see his brothers in where music and its instruments are played more than lustful words that give not peace been consummated – “Some girls were Performance of worship loses its righteousness, faith seeking happiness through means other grows hypocrisy in the heart as water makes of mind nor calm the nerves. Glory be to beating a tambourine and praising those of while the self gets no benefi t from it. than Islam, thereby treating their disease plants grow.” He also wrote a letter to Umar Allah! How easily people get misled! their fathers who had been killed during the Many a time mutual quarrels perturb the persons with poison instead of medicine and deluding ibn al-Waleed part of which goes thus, “And Brothers in faith! The sense of hearing is Battle of Badr.” Ibn Hajar said, “In the sound who claim to be wise. When this happens, they themselves into believing that satiating your introduction of musical instruments a great trust and a huge favour from Allah. Hadiths there is permission for women to do take recourse to lowly and superfi cial things, and their lustful desires will cure them of their and fl utes is an innovation in Islam and I have He has commanded His slaves to preserve that exclusively. Men should not join with sometimes indulge in dangerous acts which only ailments. An example of this is the obsession decided to send to you those who will chop this sense and tells them that they will be them in that because of the general ruling increase diffi culties and bring troubles. When a man is of many people today with listening to music off that evil head of yours.” held responsible for it. Therefore, using that forbids men from imitating women.” displeased, his eyes become prejudiced and ignore the and musical instruments; they justify this Brothers in faith! Beware of things that this sense to listen to music and stringed It is therefore pitiful that some overstep camel and object to gnat. Such eyes do not appreciate unenviable habit of theirs with baseless lead to Allah’s wrath. Appearance of music instruments amounts to abuse of this favour. the bounds of this permission by hiring the beauty of the peacock, for they only see its ugly arguments and excuses. This evil deed is only and stringed instruments is a cause of Allah’s Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said, musicians and song stresses who sing feet and claws. If a slight defect is present, it turns the promoted by those who are already affl icted wrath and His chastisement. Abu Maalik “The fornication of the tongue is uttering immoral songs and play on their musical molehill into a mountain. And sometimes the internal with the blind following of their lustful desires al-Ash’aree narrated that the Messenger of immoral utterances, fornication of the hands instruments. These people who hire them rancor and jealousy aff ect them so badly that no and listening to shameless female singers. Allah said, “There will be a group of people is touching and fornication of the feet is spend a huge amount of money in doing so, hesitation is felt in inventing imaginary stories. Our Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi among my nation who will drink alcohol walking (unto what is forbidden). The heart thereby hurting themselves and disturbing Islam disapproves of all these manifestations of ill- wa sallam) told us about these people when he calling it by other names and upon their desires and wishes but it is the private parts and hurting their neighbours with the noise feeling and advises to abstain from them. It declares said, “There will be some people among my heads stringed instruments will be played that confi rms or denies them.” (Muslim). of that music. They also commit other their avoidance as the most virtuous form of worship. nation who will regard fornication, wearing and in their presence songstresses will sing, Fellow Muslims! Extolling music and atrocities like giving the women an avenue to The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: of silk (for men), drinking of intoxicants and Allah will cause the earth to swallow them stringed instruments and regarding imitate those shameless dances, causing the “Listen, may I tell you something more important stringed instruments as lawful.” (Al-Bukhari and He will turn them into monkeys and musicians as leaders of society means calling mixing of the two sexes, wasting time and than the fasting, the prayer and charity?” The people and others). pigs.” people unto error and driving them away neglecting prayers among other things. requested him to do so. He said: “To keep the mutual Fellow Muslims! It is a great error on ‘Imraan narrated that the Messenger from the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Brothers and sisters in Islam! Let us relationship on the right footing, because the defect in the part of anyone who claims to have of Allah said, “In this nation there will be Prophet. The Prophet said, “Whoever calls therefore shun this type of gathering. Al- the mutual relationship is a thing which shaves a thing knowledge and Eemaan to hold that humiliation, corruption and slander. The unto an error will have the sin equal to that Imaam al-Awzaa’ee said: “Do not attend a clean. I do not mean that it shaves the hair, but that it listening to music with its instruments is companions asked, “When will that happen of those who follow him without deducting marriage ceremony in which there is drum shaves (removes) the religion.” [At-Tirmithi] permissible, considering that it contains O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “When anything of their own sins.” (Muslim). beating and stringed instruments.” Many a time, Satan is not able to persuade wise every conceivable form of evil. songstresses and stringed instruments Brothers in Islam! It is quite disheartening Fellow Muslims! Repent and turn back men to worship idols, but since he is very keen on As a matter of fact, music is a satanic voice appear and when alcohol is consumed.” (At- to see a nation which is being persecuted, to Allah. Adhere to the manners of your misguiding and ruining men, he manages to succeed in that deeply penetrates the human heart and Tirmidhee). whose people are being killed, whose honour, religion, reform yourselves and hold fast unto driving them away from Allah, so much so that these stimulates in it destructive lustful desires, Brothers in Islam! Indeed the essence of lands, and sacred places are being desecrated the Book of your Lord and the Sunnah of your wise men become more indiff erent in respecting the wreaks havoc on mans’ body and soul and music, its causes, goals and eff ects all revolve and who yet still fi nd time to sing and play Prophet and you will prosper and succeed. rights of Allah than the idolaters themselves. The best fi lls his ears with obscenities. method adopted by the devil for this purpose is to sow Brothers in faith! Let us ask ourselves a the seeds of enmity in the hearts of the people. When question: How can a sane person plunge this enmity develops into a fi re and open hostilities his noble self into acts of such shameless result, he enjoys the scene. This fi re burns man’s immorality; acts that believing souls disdain present and future into ashes and totally destroys their and people of sound nature reject and abhor? relationship and virtues. Jaabir narrated that the Prophet said, “I did The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa not forbid you from weeping. I have only sallam ,said: “The Satan has been disappointed that forbidden you from making two foolish and he would not be worshipped in the Arabian Peninsula, horrible noises: a noise when playing and but he has not been disappointed from kindling the using the instrument of Satan and a noise fi re of fi ghting among the people.”[Muslim] when you are affl icted with a calamity and It means that when wickedness takes roots you beat your faces, tear your garments and in the hearts, when people start hating love and make a satanic wailing.” (Al-Haakim). brotherhood, and when these are destroyed, people Anas narrated that the Prophet said, “Two then revert to cruelty and enmity, and break all those sounds are accursed in this world and the relations and links which Allah has commanded to be hereafter: (the sound of) musical instruments kept; thus spreading corruption on this earth. in time of happiness and wailing during In order to remedy this disease, the most wonderful calamity.” (Al-Bazzaar). thing in a quarrel is to forget it as it had never Brothers in Islam! Music is prohibited and happened, because remembering it will never be a sort condemned by many Qur’anic verses. Allah of pleasure, while forgetting it will never be harmless, says, “And of mankind is he who purchases and a good word is stronger than swords and spears. idle talks (i.e. Music, singing etc.) to Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The origin of the mislead men from the path of Allah without enmity, evil and envy that occurs between people is knowledge and takes it (the path of Allah, or from the following of Al-Hawaa (the lowly desire). the verses of the Qur’an) by way of mockery. The one who opposes his desire relieves his heart, For such there will be humiliating torment (in body and limbs, putting himself to ease and thus the Hell-fi re).” (Luqmaan: 6). relieves others. Abu Bakr al-Warraak said: “When The Prophet said while commenting the desire prevails, the heart turns dark and when on this verse, “It is not permissible to sell it does so, the breast becomes straitened and when singing girls nor to buy them, nor to trade in that happens, the moral character deteriorates and them. Their price is Haraam. This verse was consequently people will hate him and he will hate revealed regarding that.” (At-Tabaraanee). them. Then think of the evil, enmity, neglect of rights, Abdullah ibn Mas’ood also commented etc. that arise from this mutual hatred.” on this verse when he said, “By Him beside Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ whom no deity is worthy of worship! That emainpage/ (verse refers to) music,” Rulings for mortgage

By Dr Saleh al-Fawzan is to preserve the wealth and protect it 6. Rahn is required from the benefi t derived from it becomes a rahn by imprisonment or other means until animal should be treated with respect, from loss. Allah also commanded us to mortgager only because the right is added to the original rahn that can also he repays his debt or the mortgage is and this is Allah’s right. Its owner has document debts in writing. He says, “O for someone else. But it is not required be sold to pay off the debt. sold to pay off the debt. the right of ownership. And the animal he linguistic meaning of the you who believe! When you contract a from the mortgagee (the lender) for he 11. All expenses incurred from The judge can also sell the mortgage is in the possession of the mortgagee, Arabic word ‘rahn’ is “set- debt for a fi xed period, write it down ... can cancel it at any time, because it is keeping the rahn is the liability of the in the debtor’s place, if the debtor but does not milk it, then the milk tlement”, and “permanence.” and if you are on a journey and cannot his right alone. mortgager, including storage, guarding refuses to do so. If there is money is wasted. Therefore justice, qiyas, TThe Islamic legal meaning fi nd a scribe, then let there be a rihaan 7. It is permissible to mortgage the mortgage, etc. left after selling the mortgage and and the welfare of the mortgager, for rahn is “a security of a debt by taken.” (2:282-283) one’s share from a partnership. This 12. If part of the mortage gets repayment of the debt, then the excess mortgagee and the animal require something with which the debt can This is a sign of Mercy from Allah is because the share can be sold at the destroyed, then the remainder is returned to the debtor. If there is a that the mortgagee benefi t from the be fulfi lled.” In other words, it means where He guides us to do good for time the debt is due and then it will becomes rahn for the entire debt. portion of the debt that is not covered animal in riding and milking it. This mortgaging an item with monetary ourselves. be fulfi lled. It is also permissible to 13. If the mortgager pays off some of by the value of the collateral, then it is compensated for by providing the value or collateral as security against 2. For rahn to be valid, its amount mortgage something sold for its value. the debt, the rahn remains as the entire remains as a liability of the mortgager expenses. By benefi ting from the a debt. and nature should be known. The For example, if one buys a car or a collateral and none of it can be released that must be paid. animal and paying for its expenses, all Rahn is permissible as indicated in mortgager should have the right to house for a deferred price, then one until the entire debt is paid. 15. It is permissible for the lender to rights will be fulfi lled.” the Book, the Sunnah and by Ijmaa’ dispose of the item, whether he is can mortgage it until he pays the price. 14. When the payment of the debt use the collateral (mortgaged item) in Some scholars said, “There are (consensus of scholars). Allah says, owner or has permission to dispose 8. Neither the mortgager nor the is due, the indebted party must repay some cases, such as riding or milking two types of mortgage. One requires “And if you are on a journey and cannot of it. mortgagee can use the mortgaged the debt, just as one must repay the animal if it was mortgaged, but provision and the other doesn’t. The fi nd a scribe, then let there be a rihaan 3. It is permissible to mortgage from (collateral) item without the a debt that does not have a rahn the lender should spend on it and feed fi rst type of mortgage is further divided (mortgage) taken.” (2:283) your money on behalf of someone permission of the other party. This is attached. Allah says, “Let then one it. This is based on the hadith, “The into two diff erent types. One is the When the Prophet, sallallaahu else’s debt. to protect both parties’ rights. If the who is entrusted discharge his trust mortgaged animal can be used for animal which is ridden and milked, ‘alaihi wa sallam, died, his armour was 4. The mortgaged item should be mortgager uses it, then he nullifi es (faithfully), and let him have taqwah riding, as long as it is fed and the milk and the second is the slave. The latter mortgaged. sellable so that the mortgage can be the right of the mortgagee in securing for Allah, his Lord.” (2:283) and “Let of the animal can be drunk according cannot be used for benefi t by the Scholars are in agreement that rahn paid off . the debt. On the other hand, if the him have taqwah for Allah, his Lord to what one spends on it. The one who mortgagee without the permission is permissible while travelling. The 5. The rahn can be conditioned in the mortgagee uses it, then he is actually and diminish not anything of what he rides the animal or drinks its milk of the owner. The second type of majority of scholars have held the contract or after the contract. Allah using something owned by others. owes.” (2:282) should provide the expenditures.” rahn that does not require provision opinion that it is also permissible in made the rahn in lieu of writing a debt, 9. Benefi ting from rahn is If the debtor refuses to pay, he will (Bukhari) includes a house, furniture, etc. The residence. The following points outline as He says, “And if you are on a journey permissible, but it should be agreed be accused of delay and the judge will Imam Ibn al-Qayim said: “This mortgagee cannot benefi t from this the rulings of mortgage: and cannot fi nd a scribe, then let there upon between both parties. then force him to pay. If he continues hadith, together with the principles of type without the permission of the 1. The wisdom behind rahn’s validity be a rihaan taken.” (2:283) 10. The growth of the rahn and the to refuse, then he should be disciplined Shari’ah indicate that the mortgaged mortgager.” Gulf Times 14 Friday, May 12, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Production Editor: Amjad Khan Theresa May playing

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] ‘identity politics’ Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) By Abi Wilkinson who) the speaker considers to matter. and leave-supporting newspapers message is clear: these people aren’t Fax 44350474 London Take a step back, however, and it’s have ramped up the “us versus them” like you. They’re not part of the same clear that all mainstream political rhetoric, depending on how you look group. Any benefi ts they enjoy are at discourse is shaped by notions of at it. Those who accuse anti-racist your expense. Most of all, they look remember a conversation I had identity. Whatever he’d claim, the guy campaigners of engaging in divisive down on you. They’re contemptuous with a Young Conservative a who scoff ed at me outside the pub “identity politics” are among the least of your values. They’re contemptuous couple of years ago. I’d shown up didn’t actually have a problem with likely to object to aggressive anti- of British values. Ito the birthday party of someone identity politics per se – it was the European sentiment. Consistency Seen through this lens, May’s GULF TIMES I didn’t know that well, and ended focus on gender that he disliked. The isn’t the point. It’s about belonging to actions are far easier to understand. up chatting with one of their work Tories consistently appeal to identity a team, and challenging anything that Actual consequences seem to be colleagues after going outside to get in their campaigning, they just focus doesn’t directly benefi t your group. almost irrelevant to the decision- some air. I can’t remember how we on diff erent groups. The liberal left is often accused of making process. It doesn’t matter Palestinian local got on to the topic, but I mentioned This was true of the economically failing to understand the powerful how much evidence there is to that I sometimes wrote about gender liberal Cameroon Conservatives – connection many people feel to their suggest reintroducing grammar issues and his face turned to a smirk. who sought to divide the general home. That’s what the “somewheres” schools would have negative “Identity politics,” he scoff ed, clearly population into “strivers” and and “anywheres” framing is mainly outcomes, the policy exists primarily elections highlight believing that phrase more than “skivers” as an alternative to class about. It’s suggested that those of us as a cultural signifi er. It’s the sort of suffi cient to express his contempt. – but it’s particularly striking under who move easily for work or study thing good, patriotic British people I knew instantly what he was trying Theresa May. This era has gifted us a don’t understand what it is to be would like – so good, patriotic British Hamas-Fatah division to suggest. “Identity politics” is one of brand new dichotomy: “anywheres” rooted in the town you grew up in. people decide to like it. Polls might those funny terms that people rarely and “somewheres” – which is We’re “globalists” who can’t connect suggest that legalising fox hunting is Palestinians vote in municipal elections tomorrow, but use to describe their own beliefs and apparently key to understanding the with the sense of patriotism felt by unpopular, but it won’t damage the only in the West Bank and not the Gaza Strip, illustrating the priorities. Most commonly deployed EU referendum split. many people in Britain. More than Tories’ election chances. It simply persistent inability of rival movements Fatah and Hamas to by individuals on the political right, In truth, the Brexit vote was about that, we sneer at it. It’s not an entirely plays into that same narrative. it’s generally intended to imply that a lot of diff erent things at once. It’s no baseless accusation. Awareness of Specifi c policies are far less overcome deep divisions. a position is silly or trivial. Women, coincidence that parts of the country the horrors of empire and uncertainty important than demonstrating which The Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip – the people of colour and members of devastated by the loss of heavy about the line between patriotism team you’re on. Everything May does two territories that would in theory form an independent the LGBT community are accused of industry tended to swing leave. Nor and xenophobia make many of us feel is intended to signal to an in-group Palestinian state – have not participated in an election grievance hunting. Of going too far that the leafy, affl uent Home Counties wary of the very concept of national broad enough to give her a massive and demanding special treatment did the same. Economic issues aren’t pride. electoral majority: I’m on your side. together since 2006. rather than genuine equality – which irrelevant, but the causal relationship May knows this, and capitalising The British side, against the sneering Islamist movement Hamas has run Gaza while President critics often claim has already been is complex. And there are plenty of on that division has formed the liberals and Brussels bureaucrats. It’s Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah has controlled the West Bank, since a achieved. other factors at play. May has settled second part of her right-wing identity possible appeals to cultural identity near civil war erupted between the two sides a decade ago. Less frequently, you’ll hear the on a common thread that serves her politics play. You don’t need to look will become less persuasive as the phrase from individuals on the left, purposes much more eff ectively: as far as Brussels to fi nd someone material consequences of Brexit Their failure to reconcile is seen as a major obstacle to any but the intention is equally scathing. national identity. identifi ed as an enemy of the British start to hit, but right now it seems a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict. It’s argued that focus on cultural The Conservative general election people, there are plenty of us here at bulletproof strategy. Eff orts last year to hold joint local elections failed as the two aspects of identity is at the expense strategy is a straightforward appeal to home. Politicians and journalists who What sets Conservative identity parties failed to bridge their diff erences. of economic critique. Or even that patriotism. Their slogan is “strong, have publicly opposed Brexit. Gina politics apart from the left-wing uppity women, queers and non-white stable leadership in the national Miller and the high court judges who version is that it’s generally an appeal Tomorrow’s vote for some 300 municipal councils in the folk are dividing the working class. interest”. Everything is focused on ruled there must be a parliamentary to the dominant identity, which is West Bank, occupied by Israel for 50 years, has been seen as Used this way the term is basically Brexit and getting the best deal for vote. Migrant workers and refugees. why it’s so much more convenient for yet another sign that reconciliation may be a long way off . meaningless, though it provides an the UK. The EU makes a convenient Even overseas students who pay the acquisition and consolidation of Hamas swept Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 interesting insight into what (and enemy to unite against. Conservative extortionate fees to study here. The power. – Gurdian News & Media but the international community refused to deal with any government in which it participated until it renounced violence and recognised Israel and past peace agreements. The resulting deadlock led to mounting friction between Hamas and Fatah, culminating in Hamas’s seizure of Gaza in 2007. Abbas, whose term was meant to end in 2009 but who has remained in offi ce with no election held, has grown unpopular among Palestinians, but he remains their leader in the eyes of the world. He met US President Donald Trump in Washington on May 4 and is expected to do so again when Trump travels to the Middle East later this month. Eff orts last year Speculation has to hold joint intensifi ed over who will eventually replace the local elections 82-year-old, who has failed as the two not publicly designated a successor. parties failed In 2012, Hamas boycotted Palestinian to bridge their municipal elections, which diff erences also occurred only in the West Bank. The election tomorrow will involve 1.1mn voters. There will be 536 candidate lists with 4,400 candidates, the head of the electoral commission, Hisham Kheil, said. “Everything indicates that the vote should go well,” he said, while expressing hope that voters will show up at the polls. Turnout is a major question, however. A poll published by the respected Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research suggested only 42% of Palestinians wanted to vote. Some 22% said they do not believe the election will help reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. Forty-nine percent said Hamas was making a mistake in not participating, while 31% said it was not. As is usual, in some areas where family and traditional ties Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at the London Somalia Conference at Lancaster House in London yesterday. are strong, the village councils are agreed in advance and one list is formed, meaning the results are essentially known in advance. In cities, campaign posters adorn many walls, but the vote has seemed to generate limited interest from residents with Yemen war threatens millennia-old mummies other concerns. In the impoverished Gaza Strip, which has University, but “even our mummies Syria and Libya that had been stored The coalition has also imposed an seen three wars with Israel since 2008 and has been under AFP Sanaa are aff ected by the war.” in Geneva’s free ports – highly secured air and naval blockade on Houthi- an Israeli blockade for 10 years, UN offi cials have warned of “Mummies need a suitable, warehouses where valuables can be controlled Red Sea ports that are deteriorating humanitarian conditions. controlled environment and regular stashed tax-free with few questions crucial entry points for food and aid. emen’s war has claimed care, including sanitisation every six asked. The UN estimates 60% of Yemen’s In recent weeks, Abbas’s Palestinian Authority has thousands of lives and months,” he told AFP. Old Sanaa, inscribed on Unesco’s population is at risk of famine. sought to increase pressure on Hamas by cutting electricity pushed millions to the brink “Some of them have begun to decay World Heritage List since 1986, faces Yemeni archaeologists have payments and salaries for public workers. Yof famine. as we cannot secure electricity and the other dangers. appealed to both local authorities and In the West Bank, attention has been focused on a hunger Now the confl ict threatens to erase proper preservative chemicals, and Perched 2,300m up in Yemen’s international organisations to help a unique part of the country’s ancient we’re struggling to control the stench.” western mountains, it has been preserve Yemen’s mummies by easing strike by hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails history. “We’re concerned both for the continuously inhabited for over 2,500 the fl ow of supplies and personnel. that began April 17, with posters in support of them put up A collection of millennia-old conservation of the mummies and for years and is home to some of the “We can already see the mummies alongside election posters. mummies at Sanaa University the health of those handling them,” earliest Islamic architecture. suff ering the eff ects of a long period of Museum in the Yemeni capital could Jarallah said. With more than 100 mosques and not having been properly maintained,” face destruction as a result of the The mummies are among a host of 6,000 houses built before the 11th Sanaa University Museum restoration To Advertise fi ghting. priceless ancient remains threatened century, the old city is famed for its specialist Fahmi al-Ariqi told AFP. With electricity intermittent at by confl icts across the region. multi-storeyed homes of red basalt “We need supplies and experts in [email protected] best and the country’s ports under From Syria’s Palmyra to Libya’s rock, with arched windows decorated this sort of maintenance to work with Display blockade, experts are fi ghting to save Leptis Magna, millennia-old historical with white latticework. us to save the 12 mummies here at the Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 the 12 mummies in the face of heat, remains face looting and destruction But months after a Saudi-led university, as well as another dozen at humidity and a lack of preservative in various parts of the Middle East. coalition intervened against Iran- the National Museum in Sanaa.” Classified chemicals. The Islamic State group backed Houthi rebels in March 2015, But while those calls have gone Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 Some of the remains, from pagan systematically demolished pre- Unesco added the ancient city to its unanswered, Yemen’s archaeologists kingdoms that ruled the region around Islamic monuments in Syria and Iraq List of World Heritage in Danger. remain confi dent that their heritage Subscription 400 BC, still have teeth and strands after seizing swathes of both countries In June that year, a bombing in can be saved. [email protected] of hair. in 2014, looting and selling smaller the old city killed fi ve people and “Yemen is full of archaeological “These mummies are tangible pieces on the black market to fund destroyed a section including several sites and mummifi ed remains that are evidence of a nation’s history,” said their rule. houses and an Ottoman fort. still undiscovered,” said Jarallah. 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Abdulrahman Jarallah, head of the Swiss authorities last year seized No party has claimed responsibility “Our culture, our history, will never archaeology department at Sanaa cultural relics looted from Yemen, for the strike. disappear.” Gulf Times Friday, May 12, 2017 15 COMMENT A long way from Comey to Watergate

Trump, like Nixon, may unanimously ordered Nixon to Republicans to decide that enough is surrender the tapes. enough and follow Baker’s example. well be guilty of grave A few days after that, Nixon resigned The early responses have been impeachable off ences – rather than face certain impeachment mixed: although Republican Senators and removal from offi ce. Jeff Flake, John McCain, and Ben even graver off ences than By contrast, unless the stars realign, Sasse have expressed varying Nixon’s Trump’s fi ring of Comey may mark degrees of disappointment, normally the beginning of nothing, or at least of independent-minded Senators Susan nothing bad for the president. Collins and Lindsay Graham have By Sean Wilentz Trump, like Nixon, may well be backed Trump’s decision. Princeton guilty of grave impeachable off ences – There is always a chance, in such a even graver off ences than Nixon’s. volatile climate, that deals will be broken, Trump, like Nixon, may have witnesses will fl ip, and facts will emerge resident Donald Trump’s fi ring feared that unless he fi red the person that are every bit as incriminating as the of FBI Director James Comey is in charge of investigating him, evidence that felled Nixon. unprecedented, as is much of some terrible revelation would be International developments might Pwhat Trump has undertaken as forthcoming. also awaken some Republicans to the president. But, even if all this is so, Trump, magnitude of the Russian off ensive Despite similarities with President unlike Nixon, may very well get away on Western democracies, an off ensive Richard M Nixon’s infamous “Saturday with it. which, in the wake of the French Night Massacre” 44 years ago, during The two events diff er in many ways, elections, feels like an undeclared war. the Watergate scandal, the political including their timing. For the moment, though, there is no situations are utterly diff erent. By the time Nixon fi red Cox, the reason to see Trump’s fi ring of Comey In October 1973, Nixon, waiting until Watergate aff air had been building for as a re-run of Nixon’s “Saturday a weekend, ordered the dismissal of a far longer than the allegations about Night Massacre,” or any other event in newly appointed special prosecutor, Trump and Russia have, so nerves had A protester holds a placard in front of the White House during a protest demanding an independent investigation in the American political history. Archibald Cox, who had issued a been rubbed raw. Trump/Russia ties after the firing of FBI Director James Comey in Washington, DC. The president may be acting as if he subpoena demanding that Nixon hand The main diff erences, though, are has something terrible to hide, just as over secretly recorded – and, as would political. of Russian eff orts to throw the 2016 remain understaff ed and under- after another is parroting the White Nixon did, but that won’t be enough become clear, highly damning – White In Nixon’s time, there were solid election to Trump. motivated. House’s absurd claim that Trump fi red under the circumstances to cause the House tapes. adversarial Democratic majorities in Although there has been talk, Then there is the press. Comey because of the terrible things exposure of whatever it may be. Nixon’s defi ance was direct, and the both houses of Congress, and there even from some Republicans, about In 1973, dogged reporting by Carl the FBI director did to Clinton during Ironically, Trump, the self-declared result was disastrous. were also some Republicans, especially appointing a select committee or a Bernstein and Bob Woodward of the the campaign. outsider who lost the popular vote and Attorney General Elliot Richardson in the Senate, who put concerns about special prosecutor to look into the Washington Post kept the Watergate One almost expects the network’s squeaked into offi ce by winning the and Deputy Attorney General William the Constitution ahead of concerns for allegations about the Russians and the story alive, after most news outlets had biggest star, Sean Hannity, to start Electoral College, fi nds himself, for the Ruckelshaus resigned in protest their party. Trump campaign, the resistance has dropped it. leading on-air anti-Comey chants of moment, in some ways more protected rather than carry out the president’s The Senate appointed a special been extraordinary compared to 1973. Once their reporting gained traction, “Lock Him Up!” than the party man Nixon, who won order. select committee, headed by Democrat Based on the events of the last week, the rest of the press picked up the The eff ect on anyone who recalls the 1972 election by overwhelming A federal judge ruled the fi ring of Cox Sam Ervin and Republican Howard Republicans evidently would rather rail scandal and kept up the pressure on the Trump’s cheerleading for Comey last popular as well as electoral margins. illegal. Baker, which heard testimony and against insider leaks and, yes, Hillary Nixon White House. October – followed by the red-hatted It may be unsettling to acknowledge, Public opinion polls showed, for gathered offi cial evidence that led to Clinton’s e-mail server than inquire Today, Trump can count on the crowds’ ritualistic baying to jail but history is not repeating itself, no the fi rst time, a plurality of Americans the indictment of 40 administration into the White House’s insouciance fervent support of propaganda crooked Hillary – is psychedelic. matter how tragic or farcical things favouring Nixon’s impeachment. offi cials and the conviction of several about former National Security Adviser operations that Nixon could only have But fans of Fox News usually believe might appear. It was the beginning of the end. top White House aides, as well as to Michael Flynn’s alarming links to prayed for, including the unabashedly what the channel reports. Trump may yet fall, but a lot will Congressmen introduced Nixon’s resignation. Russia and Turkey. polemical Fox News and Breitbart And while Nixon had its future have to change. – Project Syndicate impeachment resolutions. Today’s Republican congressional Without a signifi cant shift, the News, as well as the countless bloggers Svengali, a young Roger Ailes, behind Nixon was forced to appoint a new majorities, however, have seemed congressional investigations will (and, for that matter, Russian- him, Fox News and the rest were still zSean Wilentz is Professor of History special prosecutor. singularly devoted to slowing and continue to remain confi ned to controlled cyberbots) pumping out two decades away. at Princeton University and the author, The drama thickened for another narrowing any serious inquiry into the standing House and Senate pro-Trump propaganda. It is possible, of course, that Trump’s most recently, of The Politicians and 10 months, until the Supreme Court the thoroughly substantiated reports committees, where they will likely As I write this, one Fox commentator fi ring of Comey will push some the Egalitarians. Weather report Lebanon faces legislative vacuum Three-day forecast TODAY High: 41 C “It is the fi rst time since even before by President Michel Aoun, wants a law were more worried about the law than Low : 31 C By Tom Perry and Laila Bassam Inshore: Hazy at places at first Taif that we are close to a (legislative) that redraws constituencies so that Sunnis and Shias – Lebanon’s dominant becomes Hot daytime with slight Beirut/Reuters dust and scattered clouds with a vacuum,” he said. more of the Christian seats are decided sects since the civil war. chance of light rain at times. However, the prospect of a return to exclusively by Christian voters. Nasrallah said to some Lebanese, it ebanon is on the brink of crisis civil war appears remote. Aoun said a new electoral law was was a matter of “life or death” and a SATURDAY again with its politicians at Lebanese leaders remain committed one of his priorities when he took offi ce deal must be reached. High: 38 C odds over an election law at the to containing sectarian tensions last October in a deal that ended a Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said if Low: 29 C Lheart of the nation’s sectarian exacerbated by six years of war in Syria. 2-1/2-year vacuum in the presidency there was no deal, the election should M Sunny system, threatening to leave the country The bigger risk is state paralysis and saw Sunni politician Saad al-Hariri be held under the existing law to avoid without a parliament for the fi rst time. as the government tries to revive an become prime minister. a vacuum. Parliament’s term expires on June 20 economy saddled by massive public Lebanon last held a parliamentary Lawmakers were so far unable to fi nd SUNDAY and without a compromise Lebanon debt and to cope with the strain of election in 2009. a way out of “a vicious circle”, he told High: 39 C faces what one minister has called the 1.5mn refugees from neighbouring Elections have been postponed twice Reuters. Low: 28 C most serious political crisis since the Syria. since then, with MPs opting to extend In their eff orts to strike a deal, M Sunny end of the 1975-90 civil war. Parliament’s 128 seats are split their own term rather than tackle politicians have broadened the talks to Some analysts believe the dangers of equally between Christians and fundamental disagreements over how include the possible establishment of a a parliamentary vacuum – including the Muslims under the terms of the the polls should be conducted. senate envisaged by the Taif deal. Fishermen’s forecast At the time of Taif, it was agreed risk this would topple the government Taif agreement, which diluted the Critics say the Christian FPM’s logic OFFSHORE DOHA – will force a compromise deal, though Christians’ power by reducing their is too sectarian: the existing system has that the head of the senate should be a Wind: SW-SE 03-12 KT there is no sign of one yet. seats in parliament and curbing the helped to forge political alliances that Druze. But that understanding has also Waves: 1-3 Feet A short extension of parliament’s powers of the Maronite president. cut across sectarian lines. become a point of contention. INSHORE DOHA Wind: SW-SE 5-15 KT term beyond June 20 now looks The agreement also strengthened the “Our position on the electoral law “We prefer that we stick to this Waves: 1-2 Feet inevitable to allow more time for a powers of the prime minister – a post is not sectarian, but we are trying to agreement, and we want our other deal, though a so-called “technical reserved for a Sunni Muslim. restore the greatest number of rights partners to understand us,” Jumblatt Around the region extension” of a few months will also The post of parliament speaker is to their owners,” Aoun said in a written said. Weather Weather require a political agreement. reserved for a Shia. statement from the presidency. “It’s better to agree on the leadership today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Leaders have ruled out a longer Lebanon’s once-dominant Maronite Proposals tabled by FPM leader of the senate – a package deal.” Abu Dhabi Sunny 38/29 P Cloudy 39/30 extension on concerns of a popular Christians are at the heart of the Gebran Bassil, the foreign minister Nabil Boumonsef, a commentator Baghdad Sunny 39/22 M Sunny 36/22 Dubai backlash that could cause unrest. dispute. and Aoun’s son-in-law, have been with an-Nahar newspaper, said he Sunny 37/28 Sunny 38/30 Kuwait City Sunny 41/29 Sunny 39/28 “This is the most dangerous crisis Maronite leaders say the law used to rejected by most other parties including believed the risk of failure would force a Manama Sunny 39/29 Sunny 38/28 the country has been through since the hold the last election gives Muslims too his allies in the powerful, armed Shia compromise. Muscat M Sunny 37/31 M Sunny 37/31 Taif agreement,” Finance Minister Ali much say over which Christian MPs get movement Hezbollah. “All the parties know the meaning Riyadh S T Storms 38/26 M Sunny 38/26 Hassan Khalil told Reuters, referring to elected. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan of this possibility, and fear of its Tehran M Cloudy 31/19 S Showers 27/18 the 1989 peace deal that ended the civil The main Christian party, the Free Nasrallah noted in a speech this month consequences will push them to a war. Patriotic Movement (FPM) founded that Lebanese Christians and Druze settlement at the last moment,” he said. Live issues Looking to cut back on salt?

By Andrew M. Seaman The participants were interviewed they added while they were eating. Reuters Health to determine everything they ate over Less than 1% of sodium came four days. They were also seen in from dietary supplements and water clinics, and gave researchers a plastic sources. eople need to do more than bag containing the same amount of salt Harnack said the results show most stop reaching for the salt they added when eating foods. sodium is coming from items bought shaker if they want to cut back The average amount of sodium in in stores – like potato chips – or foods Pon the amount of sodium in people’s daily diets was 3,501mg, on like hamburgers ordered at restaurants. Around the world their diets, according to a new study. average, researchers found. “They really need to be reading the Weather Weather Only a small fraction of sodium Some groups had more sodium in nutrition panels in grocery stores and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min in most people’s diets in the US their diets than others. For example, choose carefully at restaurants,” said Athens S Showers 28/18 P Cloudy 36/21 comes from salt added at the table, men ate more sodium overall than Harnack. Beirut Sunny 23/19 Sunny 27/21 S T Storms S T Storms 33/27 researchers found. The majority comes women. Black or Asian participants The results have implications Bangkok 31/26 Berlin M Sunny 22/12 S T Storms 20/11 from manufacturing processes and tended to add more salt to their food for patients, doctors and policy, Dr Cairo Sunny 34/18 Sunny 37/20 what’s added to foods during cooking reduce sodium in their diet,” Harnack than Hispanics. Also, people with Lawrence Appel and Kathryn Foti of Cape Town Sunny 19/09 Sunny 21/09 at restaurants. told Reuters Health. lower levels of education tended to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Colombo S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 “Only 11% is coming from home – The current recommendation is that consume more sodium than those with write in an editorial accompanying the Dhaka T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 33/26 Hong Kong P Cloudy 28/26 S T Storms 27/26 from salt shaker or cooking,” said lead people get less than 2,300 milligrams higher levels. new study. Istanbul M Sunny 24/16 Sunny 28/16 author Lisa Harnack, of the University (mg) of sodium per day, which is the For all groups, sodium added during People should focus on product Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 P Cloudy 33/25 of Minnesota School of Public Health amount in about 1 teaspoon of salt. the manufacturing process was the selection, they add, and doctors Karachi P Cloudy 33/28 P Cloudy 33/28 in Minneapolis. “The rest is coming The Institute of Medicine (IOM) leading source in the diet. should also emphasise this to London Showers 18/11 P Cloudy 18/11 Manila M Sunny M Sunny 38/27 from other sources.” in 2010 recommended reducing The researchers found that 71% patients. For policymakers, they say 37/27 Moscow S Showers 11/-1 M Cloudy 12/01 Harnack and colleagues write in the sodium in commercially packaged and of sodium in the participants’ diets the study reinforces the 2010 IOM New Delhi M Sunny 42/28 Sunny 43/29 journal Circulation that since 1980 the prepared foods, the researchers note. came from outside the home, through recommendation to reduce sodium in New York Cloudy 14/10 Rain 12/10 Dietary Guidelines for Americans put To determine the sources of salt restaurants or processed foods. products. Paris S T Storms 21/12 Showers 20/11 out by the government urged reducing in people’s diets, the researchers Another 14% occurred naturally in “Eff orts to reduce the sodium Sao Paulo P Cloudy 23/14 Sunny 27/19 Seoul Cloudy 22/11 Rain 25/10 sodium. Most Americans get too much. recruited 450 adults from Birmingham, food. content in our food supply have Singapore I T Storms 31/26 P Cloudy 32/26 “About a third of Americans have Alabama; Minneapolis, Minnesota; About 6% of sodium came from tremendous potential to lower (blood Sydney Cloudy 19/12 P Cloudy 21/12 high blood pressure and people who and Palo Alto, California between 2013 what people added during meal pressure) and prevent cardiovascular Tokyo Clear 29/17 Cloudy 20/16 have high blood pressure are told to and 2014. preparation, and 5% came from what disease,” Appel and Foti conclude.