BUSINESS | Page 1 QOC SPORT | Page 1 president honours Qatar INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-8, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 REGION 9, 10 BUSINESS 1–7, 12-16 Paralympic LATAM Airlines shows 22,085.34 9,373.49 49.10 ARAB WORLD 9, 10 CLASSIFIED 8-12 -33.08 +30.93 -0.29 INTERNATIONAL 11–21 SPORTS 1–8 strong support for Qatar team -0.15% +0.33% -0.59% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10540 August 9, 2017 Dhul-Qa’da 17, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir invited to Bolivia gas summit Bahrain, UAE In brief open new

QATAR | Meeting corridors for Qatar fl ights

AFP still be subject to further modifi cation Montreal if necessary, by mutual agreement,” FM, US offi cial in Philbin said. Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority has terror-funding talks His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received yesterday a written message from Bolivian President Evo ahrain and the United Arab Emir- announced that Qatar Airways and in- HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Morales Ayma, inviting him to attend the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit slated for November in the Bolivian ates (UAE) have agreed to open up ternational airlines will begin using the Mohamed bin Abdulrahman city of Santa Cruz. The message was handed over by Bolivia’s Minister of Justice Hector Arce Zaconeta, when the Emir met Bfl ight corridors for sanctions-hit new air routes for their fl ights, which al-Thani met yesterday with US him at his Emiri Diwan off ice. Qatar’s state-owned fl ag carrier Qatar were approved by the ICAO in Montreal Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Airways, the world aviation agency said last week. for Terrorist Financing Marshall yesterday. Qatar had asked the ICAO to approve Billingslea. During the meeting, they The Montreal-based International new routes after the blockading coun- discussed the eff orts of Qatar and the Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) tries banned Qatari Airways from their US in combating terrorism and the has been working with “various Mid- airspace as part of economic and diplo- means of enhancing co-operation dle Eastern states to ensure equitable matic boycott. between the two countries. The access to airspace for Qatar-registered The ICAO Executive Council held foreign minister referred to the aircraft” since sanctions were an- an extraordinary session, where it re- commitment of Qatar and the US Gulf crisis: US envoys nounced on June 5, ICAO spokesman viewed Qatar’s technical fi le on the to this issue, which is reflected in Anthony Philbin said. negative impacts caused by the siege the signing of a memorandum of “Some existing air route availability countries on aviation and air safety. understanding in the field of counter- has been assured, and some new tem- Following this emergency corridors terrorism on July 11. porary or contingency routes have also have been facilitated to the aircraft to trash 13 demands, been developed,” including through (from and to Qatar) based on Article QATAR | Charity Bahrain and UAE airspace, he told AFP. (54) of the Chicago Convention on In- Saudi Arabia leading a four-state ternational Civil Aviation of 1944. Zakat Fund provided bloc has suspended all ties with Doha Abdullah bin Nasser Turki al-Sub- QR11mn aid in July two months ago over accusations the aie, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Au- The Zakat Fund at the Ministry of country had ties to Islamist groups and thority, said one of the routes for Qatar Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic focus on 6 principles Saudi Arabia’s regional rival Iran. Airways is over international waters in Aff airs provided over QR11mn worth Qatar has denied the allegations, ar- the Gulf. of assistance to 2,073 needy families O Rex Tillerson deputes The alliance of Saudi Arabia, the Qatar’s Foreign Minister HE Sheikh guing that the sanctions aim to slash Al-Subaie noted that the approval of in the country last month. The Zakat Timothy Lenderking and United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani the country’s sovereignty. the new routes was a great success for Fund said that the aid comes within Egypt last month reinstated the list in Doha today. Sanctions imposed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, given its ability to convince the the framework of its permanent Anthony Zinni to support of 13 demands, which include shut- Kuwait’s Emir also dispatched his Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt included ICAO of the importance of compliance assistance provided on a monthly Kuwait’s mediation eff orts ting down Al Jazeera television, after foreign minister and another member a ban on Qatar using the bloc’s ports by the siege countries to the Chicago basis and intermittent assistance initially dropping them to focus on the of cabinet to the boycotting nations and airspace. The air traffi c restrictions Convention. which is provided for specific needs. wo US envoys shuttling between six principles. The move dealt a blow and Qatar this week. The ministers forced some of the fl ights from Qatar Al Jazeera reported that an an- Middle East capitals to resolve to mediation eff orts led by Kuwait and are delivering to the various heads of to take longer routes, for example, to nouncement made on the Federal INDIA | Politics Tthe Gulf crisis want to shift the the US. state a letter from the Emir address- Southeast Asia. Aviation Administration’s NOTAM (A focus away from the 13 conditions de- Tillerson presented his road map ing recent regional and international “The ICAO and the states involved Notice to Airmen) database said that Patel wins election manded by the Saudi-led alliance, ac- when he visited the region last month. developments as well as issues of com- are continuously monitoring related Qatar Airways fl ights have temporary to upper house cording to a Gulf offi cial with knowl- The proposals included laying the mon interest, state-run Kuwait News air route suitability and ATM (air traf- access to a new route over Bahrain from In a jolt to India’s Bharatiya Janata edge of the matter. grounds for direct negotiations based Agency reported. fi c management) measures, which may August 7 until November 9. Party (BJP), Congress candidate General Anthony Zinni, a retired on an accord that resolved a previous The crisis pits US allies against each Ahmed Patel has scraped through former head of US Central Command, dispute between the Gulf nations. other in a power struggle over regional to win a seat to India’s upper house and senior State Department offi cial The two US envoys met with Ku- infl uence. Saudi Arabia has strong ties (Rajya Sabha) in a bitterly contested Timothy Lenderking will promote a wait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled with the US and is a top customer for election. Patel is said to have solution based on a road map proposed al-Jarallah and other offi cials on Mon- American weapons. Qatar hosts the secured 44 votes. The other two by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as day. They’re due to travel to Saudi Ara- regional headquarters for US Central Qatar’s Haroun wins bronze successful candidates in the election well as six broad principles that include bia, the UAE , Bahrain and Egypt, be- Command, which includes the state- were BJP President Amit Shah and combating terrorism, the offi cial said. fore heading to Qatar, the offi cial said. of-the-art Al Udeid air base the Penta- federal minister Smriti Irani. Page 17 He spoke on condition of anonymity to According to Al Jazeera Arabic, the gon depends on to target Islamic State. at World Championships discuss confi dential deliberations. US emissaries are expected to meet — Bloomberg

Kuwait FM on Arab tour in new bid to solve crisis

DPA He visited the United Arab Emirates, Egyptian presidential spokesman Cairo Bahrain and Oman yesterday, accord- Alaa Youssef said the letter discusses ing to the offi cial KUNA news agency. Kuwait’s eff orts to deal with the crisis. During the visits, he delivered letters Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and uwaiti Foreign Minister Sabah from Emir Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al- Egypt severed diplomatic, trade and Khaled al-Sabah is making Sabah tackling “the latest developments on transportation ties with Qatar in June Krounds of the region in a bid to the regional and international levels, and and later put forward 13 demands as con- renew eff orts to resolve the ongoing issues of common interest,” KUNA said. ditions to end the blockade. Kuwait has Gulf crisis, paying visits to fi ve Arab On Monday, the top diplomat was in been mediating the crisis since, though nations in two days. Saudi Arabia and Egypt. no breakthrough has been reported.

Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun reacts after winning the bronze medal in the 400 metres at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London yesterday.

Agencies ships in Portland, USA. Qatari food fi rm eyes exports to Europe There was drama before the race, London however, as the IAAF barred in-form By Peter Alagos With new equipment coming from The company’s current production Botswanan Isaac Makwala from com- Business Reporter China, al-Kuwari said the company is capacity is 20,000 litres per shift or atar’s Abdalelah Haroun lived peting after he was diagnosed with an ready to supply at least 70% of schools 60,000 litres per day. The new lines up to his reputation as a young infectious disease and ordered to ob- around the country with a range of fl a- will further increase production capac- Qathlete of great promise by serve a 48-hour quarantine. nfazed by the economic block- voured juices in tetra packs next month. ity to 240,000 litres per day by the end winning the bronze medal in the 400 That did not stop Makwala trying to ade due to local market growth “We are the only company in Qatar of 2017, he pointed out. metres at the IAAF World Champion- get into the stadium before being re- Uand continuous government that produces diff erent juices in tetra Al-Kuwari also said the company ships in London yesterday. fused entry. support, a Qatari food processing com- packs…we are now the biggest factory is planning to set up a new factory for The 20-year-old former world jun- “The IAAF is very sorry that the hard pany, established in 2015, is now ex- in Qatar that produces dairy products, plastic cups to cope with increased de- ior champion clocked 44.48 seconds work and talent of Isaac Makwala won’t panding its operations and increasing juices, and other foodstuff ,” al-Kuwari mand from the local market. By next with a stunning late surge to fi nish be- be on display tonight but we have to think production capacity, said an offi cial, told Gulf Times in an interview. year, Gulf Food Production also plans hind gold medallist Wayde van Niekerk of the welfare of all athletes,” world athlet- who also bared plans to export Qatari Al-Kuwari said the company is cur- to open another factory for fresh and of South Africa (43.98 seconds) and ics’ governing body said in a statement. food products to European countries. rently producing 48 assorted food items. frozen bakery products. silver medallist Steve Gardiner of the Makwala, third-fastest in the year Mohamed Ali al-Kuwari, the Busi- He noted that plans are underway to add Citing the “high demand” for halal Bahamas (44.41 seconds). this season, was scratched from the race ness Development manager of Gulf Mohamed Ali al-Kuwari another 40 items by the end of 2017. food products in Europe, al-Kuwari “It was a great race with so many earlier yesterday having also been with- Food Production, said the company Only recently, he said the company said the company is planning to ex- stars but I was confi dent of success,” drawn from Monday’s 200m heats after recently signed agreements with LuLu the Armed Forces and the Qatar Police received new production lines from port to Germany and France. Haroun said. “To win a medal at the vomiting before he got on to the track. Hypermarket and Mega Mart, as well as College. Turkey, which will allow it to produce “We are ready to export our products World Championships for Qatar is a He insisted he wanted to run but Qatar Airways. Gulf Food Production is the owner of 15,000 cups of yoghurt per hour. Apart considering the company is already ISO dream come true,” he added. IAAF offi cials ruled him out and re- With the new agreements, al-Kuwari the Raw’a brand, and specialises in food from its fi ve existing lines, he said the 22000 certifi ed. After catering to the Two years ago, Haroun had won fused him entry to the stadium amid a said the company’s products will reach production, including a variety of dairy company is planning to install another Qatari market, we plan to start export- the gold medal at the Asian Champi- swathe of nanovirus and gastroenteri- more consumers in Qatar, including products and beverages, luxury pastry, fi ve lines to its production unit within ing our products to European countries onships in Wuhan, China, and a sil- tis cases that have aff ected about 30 passengers of Qatar Airways, as well as chocolate, and Italian gelato. the year. by next year,” he said. ver at the World Indoor Champion- athletes from a selection of countries. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 QATAR

Minister, UPU chief discuss siege fallout Arab rights official briefed on siege OFFICIAL

Minister approves SSC exam results

HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, yesterday approved the results of the second session of the Secondary School Certificate HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti met the Director examination for the academic General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Bishar Hussein in Doha yesterday. The meeting comes year 2016-2017. in response to the complaint submitted by Qatar to the UPU, concerning the violations of the The ratio of success in day constitution and conventions of the Union by the siege countries, which is the first of its kind in the schools was 72.89%, while in world and a dangerous precedent. The meeting discussed the violations of the Universal Postal The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Chairman Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri met the adult education it was 78.48%, Union (UPU) regulations, particularly Article 4 of the Union’s conventions, regarding the freedom Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee on Human Rights Dr Amjad Shammout in Doha and at the Religious Institute of transit of postal mail. It also clarified that postal mail is a human right and their delivery to their yesterday. The meeting dealt with the repercussions of the siege on human rights, the Preparatory and Secondary owners is a social right. The meeting also reviewed ways to develop and strengthen the humanitarian situation of the citizens of Qatar and its residents, both the nationals of Gulf Independent School For Boys co-operation in postal field between Qatar and the UPU. Co-operation Council states and other countries. was 100%. At Qatar Independent Technical Secondary School for boys, the success ratio was 52.17%, while Qatar Banking Studies and Business Administration Independent Secondary School for Boys saw a Qatar to host ICAO’s 5th Global success ratio of 75%. The Director of the Evaluation Institute of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dialogue only Aviation Training Symposium Khalid al-Harqan congratulated outstanding and successful students, and wished them QNA Science College and the ICAO pects and opportunities of new success in their undergraduate Doha Offi ce for Global Aviation Secu- partnerships, as well as to raise studies. rity Training (GAT). The part- awareness of the priorities for nership agreement was signed strengthening the key capabili- Public security way to resolve atar will host the 5th by the Director General of QAC, ties of aviation training in the Global Aviation Train- HE Sheikh Jabor bin Hamad al- near and long term. chief meets Qing Symposium on the Thani, and the Deputy Director Some 450 participants from Lebanese envoy advanced trainer programme of the Technical Co-operation all over the world expected to (Trainer) in the coming year, the Department of ICAO, and Direc- attend the symposium, includ- The Director General of Public fi rst of its kind organised by the tor of the WMO Offi ce for Glo- ing universities, specialised Security, Major General Saad International Civil Aviation Or- bal Aviation Security Training training centres and major in- bin Jassim al-Khulaifi, met the crisis: envoy ganisation (ICAO) in the Middle Meshesha Belayneh. ternational organisations work- ambassador of Lebanon to Qatar East and North Africa Aviation This symposium will be an ing in this sector such as the Hassan Najem in Doha yesterday. QNA Training Region. important opportunity for ICAO International Air Transport As- Talks during the meeting Chisinau zCrisis created by the Qatar’s hosting of the event member-states to meet with sociation and the International dealt with a number of topics Saudi-led bloc to impose is a part of a partnership con- training authorities and or- Airports Council and other of mutual interest to the two guardianship on Qatar cluded by the Qatar Aviation ganisations to explore the pros- stakeholders. countries. ialogue is the only way z Siege countries seeking to resolve the Gulf cri- to impose their concept of Dsis, Qatar’s ambassador foreign policy on Qatar to Moldova, Mohamed Ali al- zTruth is on our side, says Malkim, has stressed pointing envoy out that the crisis was sparked Mohamed Ali al-Malkim Asean weathered many challenges by the Saudi-led bloc to impose guardianship on Qatar. The ambassador said that measures to counter external In an interview with LP Maga- the issuance of laws in the four pressures, threats and blackmail zine, the ambassador said that countries that prevent expres- from the very fi rst days of the in the past fi ve decades: ACD Qatar did not enter the regional sion of sympathy with Qatar crisis and the siege imposed on confl ict by choice, but rather confi rms their desire to blur the the country. it was surprised and found it- truth they fear. “We have proved to the world, By Joey Aguilar self facing a plan hatched by the He added that despite the and above all to those who want Staff Reporter siege countries (Saudi Arabia, threats and warnings, Qatar, to defame our country with lies the United Arab Emirates, Bah- since the beginning of the cri- and perverse claims, that the rain and Egypt). sis, has maintained its stance truth is on our side,” he added. he Association of South The ambassador said that cut- that dialogue is the only way to On bilateral relations between East Asian Nations ting off diplomatic relations and resolve it, and therefore it wel- Qatar and Moldova, the ambas- T(Asean) has overcome slapping economic sanctions on comed the mediation by Kuwait. sador said that the diplomatic many political, economic and Qatar is aimed at imposition of Qatar also stressed the need relations, which began 20 years social challenges in the past 50 the four countries’ concept of to resolve the crisis within the ago, are constantly evolving, and years, forging itself “to the next foreign policy on Qatar, “which framework of the Gulf Co-oper- have culminated with the open- level of co-operation as a com- will put the State in a position ation Council (GCC). ing of the embassies of the two munity,” Thailand’s ambassa- that will endanger our inde- Al-Malkim pointed out that countries in Doha and Chisi- dor to Qatar Soonthorn Chai- pendence and sovereignty”, add- Qatar and its people, led by nau. He expressed the hope that yindeepum has said. ing that this cannot be accepted His Highness the Emir Sheikh signing agreements will increase “We have overcome a lot of by the Qatari leadership or the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, bilateral co-operation and raise challenges and we are getting people. have taken a number of eff ective the relations to a higher level. stronger,” said the envoy, who also chairs the Asean Commit- tee in Doha (ACD) – a group of seven Asean embassies in the country established in Novem- ber 2011 working in hand with ‘Siege won’t prevent Qatar from various stakeholders to enhance Asean ambassadors and Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs’ Chief of Protocol Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah co-operation in all fi elds. Fakhro cut the cake at the 50th founding anniversary celebration of Asean in Doha yesterday. Chaiyindeepum was speak- PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed ing on 50th founding anni- developing foreign relations’ versary celebration of the bloc fi nancial crisis a decade later. and investment, tourism and a route for an uninhibited fl ow yesterday at the Thai em- “Today, Asean is more re- health co-operation, among of goods, services, investment, QNA do not want Qatar to be an open bassy in Doha. He was joined silient, not only becoming others, through existing frame- skilled labour and a freer fl ow of Madrid and tolerant country,” he added. by ambassadors of Indonesia, stronger to meet with the new work. capital between all the member The ambassador noted that Malaysia, Singapore, Philip- challenges,” he stressed. “It is Politically, Chaiyindeepum countries. there are more than 150 diff er- pines, Vietnam and Brunei in also ready to contribute more said they successfully promoted The bloc also attracted more he unjust siege imposed ent nationalities living together the fl ag-raising rites and cer- to world peace and prosper- dialogue and co-operation for than $120bn of foreign direct by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, in Qatar, including 5,000 Span- emonial cake-cutting to mark ity.” peace and security in the region investment, according to Chai- TBahrain and Egypt will ish expatriates working in im- the event, which was graced by The envoy said the bloc also with the holding of the annual yindeepum. not prevent Qatar from develop- portant sectors such as infra- Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Af- cultivated close ties with all Asean Regional Forum. “At a time when it is go- ing its relations with the world, structure, education, sport and fairs’ Chief of Protocol Ibrahim members of the Gulf Co-oper- Economically, Asean played ing to enter the sixth decade, Qatar’s ambassador to Spain health. Yousif Abdullah Fakhro. ation Council (GCC), attaching an important role contributing Asean is now embarking upon Mohamed bin Jaham al-Kuwari Mohamed bin Jaham al-Kuwari The siege countries fabricat- Chaiyindeepum said Asean great importance in establish- to the growth and prosperity in the formation of the Regional has said. ed artifi cial accusations, which grew steadily and has become ing co-operation in various the region with the establish- Comprehensive Economic Co- In an interview with the Span- which has no real basis or justi- were not agreed by the United matured as a bloc in the past fi ve fi elds for the past 27 years since ment of the Asean Economic operation (RCEP), which will ish news website Hoy, the Qatari fi cation. States and Europe and many decades, weathering the arms its fi rst formal contact. Community (AEC). include 16 countries in the re- ambassador underlined that the The ambassador said that Arab countries, the ambassador confl ict in the region, Asian Asean sees a huge potential AEC off ers opportunities in gion,” he added. siege violates international laws the real reason behind the siege reiterated, noting that Qatar has fi nancial crisis in the 1990s, in its GCC relations, hoping to the form of a huge market of RCEP will cover more than and human rights, and that the is the intention to change Qa- 11 international universities, and outbreak of Severe Acute Respi- reinvigorate it for the mutual $2.6tn (combined GDP) and 45% of the world population United Nations has taken a clear tar’s internal and foreign policy. there are mosques and Christian ratory Syndrome at the turn of benefi t in many areas such as more than 622mn people. The with $21.3tn of combined GDP position against the blockade, “They want to control us. They churches. this century, and another global food and energy security, trade single market it provides maps and 40% of global trade. A chance to express love for Qatar through art

oha Festival City (DHFC) During those times, children with people, while at the same and expressions that will create a visitors will have the and adults alike are invited to time enhancing the mall-goers’ message on a larger scale, which Dchance to take part in take part in creating a mosaic for experience,” she noted. in turn represents and refl ects creating the country’s largest Qatar. Once completed, it will As QTA continuously works the pride in Qatar.” mosaic, alongside Qatari artists be displayed at Sheikh Faisal Bin with its partners, Shahbik said Al-Ali, who is an author Lina al-Ali and Radi al-Hajri, Qassim Al Thani Museum. they are always exploring new of children’s books and a over the coming days. “We are very pleased to be ways to create authentic Qatari full-time visual arts teacher, The collective work of art, providing a unique platform for experiences for the country’s shared the sentiment, say- dubbed ‘For the Love of Qatar’, artistic expression at QSF this visitors. ing: “I believe that art has the is an initiative of Qatar Summer year, especially with so many Al-Hajri is a multi-talented power to transform a com- Festival (QSF) and continues people seeking an avenue to ex- artist who likes to express him- mon mundane reality to a from August 10 to 15. QSF is or- press solidarity with Qatar and self through poetry, writing and surreal beautiful expression ganised by Qatar Tourism Au- its people,” QTA’s tourism events art. that speaks to people from all thority (QTA). and festivals director Mashal Commenting on his upcoming walks of life. The artists will be at DHFC Shahbik said. collaboration with QSF, he said: “‘For the Love of Qatar’ deliv- between noon and 3pm and “Bringing local artists to areas “This event relies on the partici- ers a simple yet powerful mes- again between 5pm and 8pm with high footfall gives them a pation of the public to complete sage for everyone living in this daily throughout the six days. unique opportunity to interact a mosaic of individual feelings country.” Radi al-Hajri Lina al-Ali Mashal Shahbik Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 3 QATAR HMC expert stresses the importance of breastfeeding Hamad Medical Corporation’s mobile blood donation unit. breastfeeding special- breastfed versus those who are ist from Hamad Medi- formula fed. Breastfed babies, Mowasalat Medical Centre Acal Corporation (HMC) when followed over time, tend stressed the importance of to have an intelligent quotient breastfeeding babies from birth. that is higher than formula-fed He was addressing a workshop babies and better performance achieves blood donation record recently organised at Al Wakra on other tests of cognitive and Hospital in recognition of World intellectual function.” Breastfeeding Week, held each According to him, women also dministrative staff and cupational health clinic, mainly The Medical Centre serves year from August 1 to 7. benefi t from breastfeeding as it employees of Mowasalat for pre-employment medical Mowasalat’s 7,000-strong In his presentation about the decreases the risk of excessive or A(Karwa), Qatar’s trans- and physical checkup, and an- workforce, as well as the employ- importance of breastfeeding, Dr prolonged postpartum bleeding, port company, recently achieved nual medical checkup. ees of other companies for pre- Mohamed Ilyas Khan, certifi ed and also lowers the risk of devel- a blood donation record, which In addition, Mowasalat has employment and annual medical lactation consultant, Obstetrics oping ovarian cancer and breast earned a certifi cate of apprecia- equipped the Medical Centre checkup. It operates from 7am to and Gynaecology Department at cancer. tion from Hamad Medical Cor- with a complete and integrated 9pm in two shifts with a capacity Al Khor Hospital, said, “A moth- Dr Khan advised lactating poration (HMC). building with additional fa- to service 150 patients per day. er’s milk is unique in helping a women to ensure that they drink The blood donation cam- cilities like consultation rooms, The Medical Commission baby achieve optimal growth enough fl uids to satisfy their paign, held within the company emergency room, isolation currently can accommodate 450 and development.” Dr Mohamed Ilyas Khan thirst. “Getting into the habit premises, is part of the CSR ac- unit, well-equipped pharmacy, screening tests per day, and all of According to Dr Khan, the of having a beverage when the tivities of Mowasalat’s Medical Mowasalat managing director and fi rst aid units. its facilities are approved and li- milk of diff erent mammals is ceived from their mother’s baby suckles at the breast is good Commission, held under the Khaled Nasser al-Hail. The building and all its facili- censed by the Ministry of Public not interchangeable. Cow’s milk,” he noted. practice. Forcing the drinking of supervision of the Ministry of ties comply with international Health and the Ministry of Mu- milk, even when altered into According to him, the Ameri- fl uids is not recommended, but Public Health, and in collabora- records achieved within five medical and health standards nicipality and Environment. commercially available infant can Academy of Paediatrics drinking water, juice, or other tion with HMC’s mobile blood hours from 4pm to 9pm. and all its equipment are im- The Medical Centre software formula, is not the optimal food strongly promotes breastfeed- beverages as desired is helpful. donation unit. The initiative came under the ported from the best companies uses the ‘CMS System’, which to support infant growth and ing babies but stresses that However, mothers do not need The new Mowasalat Medical directives of Mowasalat manag- in the world with consultation was exclusively developed and development. when direct breastfeeding is not to drink cow’s milk or consume Centre, which was inaugurated ing director Khaled Nasser al- and guidance of Ministry of designed for the Medical Com- “Human breast milk mini- possible, the next best choice is dairy products to produce hu- in May 2016, participated in the Hail and under the supervision Public Health. mission to ensure accurate and mises exposure to foreign pro- to feed babies with expressed man milk,” he stated. activities of the World Blood of Mowasalat Medical Centre Mowasalat said it is keen on reliable transmission of data. teins and provides virtually all breast milk. “A daily multivitamin or pre- Donor Day held on August 2. director Dr Emad Bahloul. providing the best technologi- The system helps not only to of the nutrients most infants Dr Khan added that breast natal vitamin will ensure suffi - Following this third field The Medical Commission cal systems to deliver advanced serve patients swiftly but it is require. Babies who receive milk produces cognitive ben- cient vitamins and minerals dur- campaign for 2017, a total of of Mowasalat is equipped with software that would be used at also integrated with connection formula are deprived of the efi ts for babies. “Studies on ing lactation. For most women, 66 blood units were donated a registration section, general the Medical Commission that between the Medical Centre’s many nutritional, immuno- premature and term infants an additional 300 to 500 calories by Mowasalat’s administra- practitioner clinic, ENT clinic, is seamlessly integrated and ac- diagnostic equipment and the logic, and growth-promoting have documented better cogni- in their diet will adequately sup- tive staff and employees, dental clinic, laboratory sec- cessible by Qatar’s Ministry of Ministry of Public Health and factors they would have re- tive outcomes in infants who are port lactation,” Dr Khan added. which is among the highest tion, radiology section and oc- Public Health. Ministry of Interior. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 QATAR Qatar Airways starts Sohar fl ights

he fi rst Qatar Airways non-stop fl ight from TDoha to Sohar touched down at Sohar Airport yesterday, Sarajevo service inaugurating the airline’s newest destination in the Middle East and its third in Oman. The carrier will operate three to begin in Oct weekly fl ights between Doha and Sohar, bringing the total capac- ity across Oman to 59 weekly atar Airways has an- fl ights. nounced that the historic Qatar Airways chief com- QBalkan city of Sarajevo mercial offi cer Ehab Amin, who will join its global network in travelled on board the inaugu- October as part of the airline’s ral fl ight, was greeted by Qa- expedited expansion plans. tar’s ambassador to Oman Ali The capital of Bosnia and bin Fahd al-Hajri, offi cials from Herzegovina is becoming the Oman Airports Management latest must-see destination for Company (OAMC), including leisure travellers, combining chief operations offi cer David its rich history with a modern The Sarajevo service will begin Wilson, general manager - Off icials mark the inauguration of the new Qatar Airways Doha-Sohar service. atmosphere to off er a unique on October 31, Qatar Airways Commercial Operations Sheikh cultural mix. Visitors can ex- has said. Samer Ahmed al-Nabhani, its traditional Omani culture and perience stunning views of the general manager - Operations beautiful beaches. As the largest city and surrounding mountains to connect to more than 150 des- Ali Zaid al-Balushi and gen- city in the governorate of North- from one of Sarajevo’s many tinations worldwide through our eral manager - Information & ern Al Batinah and the country’s viewing platforms, and visit fi ve-star hub, Hamad Interna- Communication Technology Dr main shipping hub, this vibrant Bascarsija, an Ottoman bazaar tional Airport.” Moaman Mohamed al-Busaidi, coastal city off ers a range of in the heart of the city boasting The service between Doha and government offi cials from tourist attractions and activi- of remarkable historical and cul- and Sarajevo will be operated the Al Batinah Governorate. ties, in particular water sports tural sights. four times a week by an Air- Qatar Airways Group chief such as diving, snorkelling and In a statement yesterday, Qa- bus A320, featuring 12 seats executive Akbar al-Baker said: kite boarding. Shoppers will not tar Airways said the announce- in Business Class and 132 in “We are delighted to add Sohar want to miss the city’s souq, ment of the new four-times- Economy. Besides enjoying the to our global route network. We which off ers traditional Omani a-week service, set to begin on award-winning in-flight serv- launched services to the Sul- handicrafts as well as leather October 31, is part of its expe- ice on board the Skytrax Airline tanate of Oman nearly 17 years goods, ceramics, perfumes, dited expansion into Eastern of the Year 2017, passengers ago, and ever since, we have herbs and honey. Europe. This follows the recent flying on board will have access added additional frequencies on OAMC CEO Sheikh Aiman launch of a four-times-a-week to Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ a yearly basis to accommodate bin Ahmed al-Hosni said: “We service to Skopje while daily in-flight entertainment system demand for increased capacity are delighted to welcome Qatar fl ights to Prague, Czech Repub- offering the latest blockbuster to this charming country, known Airways as a new strategic part- A traditional water salute greets Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight at Sohar Airport. lic, and Kiev, Ukraine are set to movies, TV box sets, music, for its traditional culture and the ner in Sohar, which plays a sig- begin later this month. games and more, the statement warmth of the Omani people. nifi cant role in Oman’s business 2000. In 2013, Salalah was added de Janeiro, Brazil; San Francisco, the world, Qatar’s national car- Qatar Airways Group chief notes. Now, passengers from Sohar will model, and is home to many suc- to the airline’s growing network US; and Santiago, Chile, to name rier also won a raft of other executive Akbar al-Baker said: Now in its 20th year of opera- have the opportunity to experi- cessful projects implemented by as the second destination in a few. major awards at the ceremony, “Launching fl ights to Sarajevo tions, Qatar Airways has a fl eet ence our award-winning service, the Omani government. Oman. The airline currently op- Qatar Airways has received a including Best Airline in the is a signifi cant step toward in- of 200 aircraft fl ying to business connecting them to a wide vari- “The new direct route between erates fi ve daily fl ights between number of accolades this year, Middle East, World’s Best Busi- creasing our presence in East- and leisure destinations across ety of popular summer holiday Doha and Sohar operated by Qa- Doha and Muscat, and three including Airline of the Year by ness Class and World’s Best First ern Europe, and will provide six continents. destinations.” tar Airways is a prestigious ad- daily return fl ights on the Doha- the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Class Airline Lounge. our passengers with a new and The Doha-Sarajevo flight The new route to Sohar will dition to the operations of Sohar Salalah route. Awards, which was held at the The Doha-Sohar fl ight sched- exciting route to and from this schedule is as follows: 4 times be served by an Airbus A320 Airport. We will ensure that all The 2017 Airline of the Year, as Paris Air Show. This is the fourth ule is as follows: Tuesday, Thurs- remarkable city. It is also tangi- a week - QR 293 departing aircraft, featuring 12 seats in passengers have a seamless and awarded by Skytrax, has a host time that Qatar Airways has day, Saturday - QR 1132 depart- ble proof of our ongoing com- Doha at 6.40am and arriving Business Class and 132 seats in convenient travel experience.” of new destinations planned for been given this global recogni- ing Doha at 1.35pm and arriving mitment to expand our global in Sarajevo at 10.40am, and Economy Class, the airline said Qatar Airways fi rst began the remainder of this year and tion as the world’s best airline. in Sohar at 4.10pm, and QR 1133 network. Adding Sarajevo to our QR 294 departing Sarajevo at in a statement. service to Oman by launching 2018, including Canberra, Aus- In addition to being voted Best departing Sohar at 5.10pm and global network will allow pas- 11.40am and arriving in Doha Sohar is a city known both for fl ights to the capital Muscat in tralia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Rio Airline by travellers from around arriving in Doha at 6pm. sengers in Bosnia-Herzegovina at 6.55pm.

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 QATAR Qatari advocates investment in local agriculture

By Joey Aguilar established in 2011 with the aim Staff Reporter of helping Qatar achieve food security, operates a 120,000sq m (12 hectare) organic hydroponics Qatari farm owner has farm in Al Khor. urged compatriot entre- The system that Agrico is de- Apreneurs to invest in ag- veloping supports small inves- The organic hydroponics farm produces some six tonnes of fresh vegetables daily. riculture, particularly in hydro- tors who want to venture into or- ponics (the method of growing ganic hydroponics farming. The farm owner added that the country, al-Khalaf noted. tions in the world. ‘European’ is plants without soil, using min- Initially, the company has an they are also ready to help inves- To help achieve this goal, he good for Europe but not in Qatar,” eral nutrient solutions in a water infrastructure enough to support tors to market and distribute the said they developed a one-of- al-Khalaf pointed out. solvent), which he described as a 1mn sq m of land. products to various outlets. its-kind (Qatari-designed) sys- The company is also work- “a good and healthy” business. Al-Khalaf said part of their Another advantage in invest- tem, which can grow more veg- ing on a project to build similar Citing hydroponics as “the fu- support to investors include sup- ing in agriculture, he said, is that etables and fruits year-round, systems designed for backyard ture of agriculture”, Agrico man- plying healthy plants, building it was further boosted by the even during the summer season. farming. aging director Nasser Ahmed greenhouses with very high qual- ongoing economic blockade im- “It is a Qatari greenhouse and Al-Khalaf said he built a small al-Khalaf told Gulf Times that ity materials at a reasonable cost. posed by some Gulf Arab states. in terms of quality and cost, it is hydroponics greenhouse for a Qataris who want to invest or put “We operate for them, we The current situation served better and competitive than oth- resident, which is expected to up a business should take advan- teach them how to manage, how as a golden opportunity for local ers. It is a proof that we can build start producing after a month. tage of such an opportunity. to grow the plant without using farms to unlock their full poten- our own technology capable of “Previously he only planted for “I encourage them to invest in pesticides, how to use the organic tial and focus on further increas- producing vegetables and fruits four months or six months maxi- agriculture. It is not only a good fertilisers, and how to use the ir- ing their production. for 12 months non-stop, and all mum. Now, he will have enough business model but also some- rigation system,” he explained. The Qatar government and organic,” he said. vegetables and fruits for the rest thing spiritual,” he said. “We teach them for free all the Qatar Development Bank are also “This is an exactly ideal model of his life,” he said. “He will eat Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf at his organic hydroponics farm in Al Khor. Agrico, a private Qatari agri- steps that we have learned in a fully supporting the agriculture that you can have in agriculture his own produce all year long, PICTURES: Joey Aguilar cultural development company very costly way.” sector to achieve food security in production in the worst condi- which is very healthy.”

Ministry, dealership announce recall for BMW X1 2016 model

The Ministry of Economy and ongoing eff orts to protect consumers The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration and ensure that car dealers follow up Commerce has urged all customers to Plenty of with Alfardan Automobiles, dealer of on vehicles’ defects and repair them. report any violations to its Consumer BMW vehicles in Qatar, has announced The MEC said that it will co-ordinate Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud the recall of BMW X1 model of 2016 with the dealer to follow up on the Department through the following because of a recess on the inside of the maintenance and repair works and will channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: stock at instrument panel. communicate with customers to ensure [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, The MEC said the recall campaign that the necessary repairs are carried Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app comes within the framework of its out. for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar Central Market

By Ayman Adly Staff Reporter The wholesale section of the Central Market yesterday.

hough the blockade on Qatar Philippines were being sold for QR30 cherries, and many others. has entered its third month, the per carton of around 15kg; carrots from Those looking for small amounts TCentral Market has been receiv- Iran, Turkey and China were priced can drop in at the adjacent kilo market, ing more and more loads of a wide va- from below QR10 for a box or a sack; where all the fresh products are dis- riety of fresh products at the Vegeta- lettuce, mostly from Iran, were priced played fresh every day at competitive bles and Fruits markets on daily basis, from QR20-30 for a big box; tomatoes prices. it is learnt. in diff erent varieties and quantities For instance, the Jordanian toma- The supplies are arriving from Latin from Jordan, Algeria, Turkey, and Iran toes were priced around QR6 per kg, America, Africa, Europe, in particular were available for QR27 for a 10kg box; cucumber were QR6 per kg, eggplants Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Algeria, Tuni- cucumber, both local and imported, were QR5 per kg and bananas QR5 per sia, and Asia, including Australia and was available in big quantities with the kg. New Zealand. price starting from QR25 for a box of The prices change from day to day Yesterday, in particular, the supply around 6kg; and potatoes were priced due to the quantity of supply, which is of both local and imported products from QR7 a sack of around 5kg. mostly governed by the season of the far exceeded demand and the vendors Other products include all types year. were willing to further reduce prices to of fruits such as orange, plum, pear, Yet, it is very clear that the fl ow entice customers into buying more. apple, lemon, leafy vegetables, cau- of such goods has become more and A big box of white or black Turkish lifl ower, local dates of diff erent varie- more regular after the initial days of grapes of around 7kg was sold for a ties, sweet melons and watermelons the blockade as more trade routes have minimum of QR20; bananas from the for less than QR10 for a mid-size one, been introduced.

QRCS and QYH to mark Youth Day

he Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) and Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) are set to hold a public event on Au- Tgust 12 to mark the International Youth Day 2017, it was announced. QRCS is all set for the International Youth Day on August 12. The celebration, observed annually on August 12 based on a resolution of the United Nations’ General Assembly in December 1999, is themed is “Youth Building Peace” this year. The celebrations in Doha are supported by QYH, Al Ahli Sports Club, Soul Riders Qatar, and 0974, a youth group of Qatar University students. QRCS noted that a public seminar will be held to discuss the role of youth in building peace, which will be attended by guest speakers from QRCS, QYH, Qatar’s Ministry of Culture and Sports, National Human Rights Committee, Reach Out To Asia, Unesco, and foreign embassies and communities in Qatar. “This year’s celebrations involve events around the world to emphasise the role of young people in prevent- ing confl ict, enforcing social transformation and integra- tion, and promoting social justice and sustainable peace,” QRCS secretary general Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi said at a press conference yesterday. Also present were by QYH executive manager engineer Mohamed bin Mahdi al-Yami, Unesco representative for the Arab States of the Gulf and Yemen and Doha director Anna Paolini, and Soul Riders Qatar founder Khaled al- Hammadi. “Qatar is a great example of peace, co-existence, and social harmony in the world. This refl ects on its widely evident stability, security, and prosperity, thanks to the energy of its youth, the wisdom of its seniors, and the ef- forts of its prominent statesmen and institutions under the leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,” he added. QRCS organises many educational trainings and volun- teering courses for young women and men, according to al-Hammadi. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 7 QATAR Sidra researchers picked

A section of the exhibition showcases examples of carpets in addition to other mediums characteristic of local tribal designs, for US programme merged with outside influences coming from Iranian ateliers. wo Qatari researchers from Sidra programme representing Sidra as well as Medical and Research Center (Sid- Qatar’s research expertise. The selection Tra), Dr Rashid al-Ali, deputy chief of two worthy individuals highlights our Imperial Threads research offi cer and division chief, bio- commitment to supporting the develop- medical informatics and Ahmad al-Shaibi, ment of our employees, at all stages of graduate associate, have been selected their career journey at Sidra.” exhibition at MIA to attend a prestigious leadership pro- “This programme could not have come gramme by the US Department of State. at a better time. At Sidra, we have achieved They will participate in the Internation- notable research milestones leading to- extended to Jan al Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) wards personalised medicine and it is part on Regional Health Challenges: Research Ahmad al-Shaibi Dr Rashid al-Ali of our ongoing journey of learning and and Remedies taking place in the US. collaboration to learn from best practice he Museum of Islamic workshop, as well as artistic IVLP is the US Department of State’s ret Thatcher and Gordon Brown as well as week long programme will include site health programmes from counterparts Arts’ (MIA) latest ex- motifs developed under pa- premier professional exchange pro- international leaders such as Kim Dae Jung visits to hospitals, clinics, rural health fa- the world over. I am looking forward to Thibition, ‘Imperial trons such as Shah Tahmasp. gramme off ered annually to a handful of (S Korea), Nicolas Sarkozy (France) and cilities, laboratories and academic and re- the knowledge and ideas that will be ex- Threads: Motifs and Artisans The Safavids played a major select nominees worldwide. Anwar Sadat (Egypt) and luminaries such search institutions in the US. changed and to consider best practice ap- from Turkey, Iran and India’, role in the transfer of artistic The US embassy in Doha oversees the as Noble prize winner Dr Mohamed Yunus They will also examine media coverage plications at Sidra,” said Dr al-Ali. has been extended to run until practices by means of travel- IVLP locally and works with Qatari part- (Bangladesh). of disease and its infl uence on the public “Such an opportunity comes as a con- January 27, 2018 due to popular ling artists to the neighbour- ners to bring this unique professional ex- The programme is based on foster- and government. Key takeaways from the tinuation of Sidra’s push for my develop- demand. ing Ottoman and Mughal change opportunity to select leaders in a ing international co-operation in health programme will be to gain a better appre- ment, which began all the way back during Held under the patronage of courts. variety of fi elds. management programmes that prevent or ciation of cutting edge research, technol- my years at university as a student spon- Qatar Museums’ (QM) Chair- The second section intro- The IVLP programme was formally es- minimise loss of life to communicable and ogy, treatments, and potential solutions to sored by Sidra. To be among such a group person, HE Sheikha Al Mayas- duces visitors to the Ottoman tablished in 1952 and has a distinguished non-communicable illnesses. public health threats and challenges that of leaders and visionaries who attended sa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al- artistic production with works alumni of leaders, visionaries, innovators, It will also address specifi c public health can improve the lives of people in Qatar. this programme is a great honour, and I Thani, the exhibition shows a ranging from the 16th to 18th academics and emerging talent. challenges and needs of countries and Sidra chief learning offi cer, Dr Kholode look forward to bring back what I learn to new element of MIA’s extraor- centuries. Notable alumni include British prime communities in crisis. al-Obaidli said: “We are very proud to have make it benefi cial to my research, to Sidra, dinary permanent collection It showcases examples of ministers Theresa May, Tony Blair, Marga- The project activities during the three- Dr al-Ali and al-Shaibi attend the IVLP and to Qatar as a whole,” noted al-Shaibi. by highlighting the connection carpets in addition to other between three major dynasties mediums characteristic of lo- that marked the start of the cal tribal designs, merged with early modern period in Islamic outside infl uences coming art — the Ottoman, Safavid, from Iranian ateliers. and Mughal empires. The last section highlighting The Imperial Threads exhi- the Mughal Empire (1526-1858) bition focuses on the exchange off ers a look into the culmina- Ooredoo releases virtual reality ad of artistic and material cultures tion of artistic styles integrat- between three neighbouring ing Safavid, Ottoman and local oredoo released yes- Anyone with augmented Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, the fi rst virtual reality video empires, primarily from the traditions. terday a new virtual reality glasses can enjoy the director of PR and Corporate produced by a telecommuni- 15th to the 19th centuries. Of note are the detailed fl oral Oreality advertise- virtual reality experience, Communications at Ooredoo cations company in the region It also illustrates the cultural designs that represent a major ment, designed to showcase free of charge via Ooredoo’s Qatar, said: “Ooredoo is proud to promote speed and net- and artistic background of this part of the decorative reper- the clear investment Ooredoo YouTube page now. For cus- to have created its fi rst virtual work. Thanks to the adver- time by featuring artefacts in- toire, found particularly in car- has placed in its network and tomers without augmented reality video about our 4G Pro tisement, people from across cluding carpets, manuscripts, pets and jewellery. technology for Qatar. reality glasses, they can view it and soon 5G speeds. We believe the world will be able to ex- metalwork and ceramics. A range of educational pro- The advertisement, which as a 360-degree video on their in constantly investing in our plore Qatar and see some of The exhibition is broken grammes, workshops, activi- is now available on YouTube, smart device by turning on the services to off er a leading data the countries landmark build- down into three sections, each ties and events continue to be takes viewers on a 360-degree 360 feature in YouTube. experience, and we hope this ings and sites, Ooredoo said. one focusing on a specifi c em- organised alongside the ex- experience to see the interac- The state-of-the art adver- small snippet of what our net- For full details of Ooredoo’s pire. The Safavid Empire sec- hibition, which will inspire tivity of the Supernet when tisement will work on both work will soon be able to achieve services, customers can check tion (1501-1736) showcases engagement and provide en- using the Internet and more Android and iOS phones, will excite our customers.” the company’s social media works from the Safavid royal riching opportunities for the Screen grab of Ooredoo’s new virtual reality ad. across Qatar. Ooredoo said. The advertisement is also pages or visit Ooredoo.qa Kitabkhanah, or manuscripts people of Qatar. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 QATAR Domasco launches 2018 Honda City

oha Marketing Services Com- creates thoughtful interiors based on pany (Domasco), distributor of the ‘Man Maximum, Machine Mini- DHonda vehicles in Qatar, has mum’ philosophy. announced the launch of the “restyled With a new interior colour of black, and refi ned” 2018 Honda City. the 2018 City contains a grand cabin The Honda City has undergone space, extensive leg room, rear AC “total refi nement, making it more ducts and an ergonomically designed premium and sportier - which con- cockpit, the statement notes. forms to Honda’s New Design Direc- One of the new features is the rear tion”, Domasco has said in a press wide view camera, which gives a wide statement. view of the rear of the car every time With three grades, DX, LX and EX, one shifts to reverse. A donor gives blood in the donation the 2018 City echoes the same philos- All the three grades are powered drive at HMC. ophy of advanced sporty design, best with a 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC Petrol comfort and best fuel effi ciency in the engine, which delivers “outstand- category. ing fuel economy” and a maximum Faisal Sharif, managing director of power of 118hp@6,600rpm, fol- Domasco, said: “The Honda City has lowed by a maximum torque of Food checks always been a strong player in its seg- 145Nm@4,600rpm. ment and with the 2018 model, Honda This engine is mated to the new has raised the bar. The new City now generation CVT transmission with conducted comes with a host of new design ele- a fuel consumption of 20km per li- ments and safety features and off ers tre. greater driving dynamics, perform- The 2018 City’s Advanced Com- l Sheehaniya ance and effi ciency and is great value patibility Engineering (ACE) body Municipality’s for money. We are extremely pleased enhances self-protection while miti- AHealth Con- to launch the new 2018 Honda City gating damage to other vehicles in the trol Section conduct- and encourage all our customers to event of a collision hereby enhancing ed 480 inspection contact our showroom and book a test occupant protection. tours in July at food drive.” Other safety features include Anti- establishments to The 2018 City boasts of a complete- Lock Brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist, ensure that the food Pest control ly restyled front fascia with the new Emergency Brake Assist and Electron- products on display by Al Khor and honeycomb grille giving it a bold and ic Brake Force Distribution. were fi t for human Al Thakhira aggressive look. The new 2018 Honda City comes consumption. Municipality. The new LED Day Time Running The ‘refined and restyled’ 2018 Honda City. with three years/100,000km warranty Three food samples Lights, standard in all grades, add lux- as standard. were taken during the campaign and ury and class. enhance visibility, cutting through changes, the rear bumper has been the new ‘Diamond Cut’-styled alloy Prices start at QR58,999 for the DX sent to the central laboratory for exami- Front Fog Lights (only in the EX dusty weather conditions or heavy fog. given a premium feel. wheels.. model, QR61,999 for the LX model nation. While two of these samples were grade) with their wide and low beam In addition to the front exterior Another exterior feature change is The craftsmanship in the 2018 City and QR65,999 for the EX. proven to be of good quality, and the third was found unfi t for consumption. In addition, 65 warnings were issued to diff erent outlets asking them to take the necessary steps to abide by food health and safety regulations. Air handling unit maker Nehmeh proud of ‘Made in Qatar’ tag Meanwhile, the second Local Dates Festival saw sales of 9.5 tonnes and re- ceived around 3,500 visitors on Monday, ehmeh, a pioneering company the region, was also the fi rst in using humidifying and/or dehumidifying. “All our products have now become the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- since its establishment in 1955 latest technologies for industrial serv- Nehmeh, the fi rst and only proudly ‘Made in Qatar’. We manufac- ronment (MME) said in a statement yes- Nand recognised for many fi rsts, ice solutions apart from being the fi rst manufacturer of AHUs in Qatar, ture most of the elements within our terday. The festival is being held by the is once again leading Qatar’s manufac- manufacturer of heat exchangers in has been certifi ed in ISO9001, AHUs and Fan Coil Units.” MME at Souq Waqif until August 12. turing landscape with their new range Qatar. ISO14001, and OHSAS18001 to en- This is a giant leap for the cool- Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality of air handling units (AHUs). An AHU is a central air sure its air conditioners are strictly ing industry in Qatar as for the first implemented 348 applications for pest Nehmeh has over 25 years’ experi- conditioning station that handles following the procedure in each stages time, to have a locally manufactured and rodent control throughout the mu- ence in manufacturing and over 60 Nehmeh is the leading Qatar’s the air supplied into buildings of production for high environmental AHU. nicipality in July. The municipality also years’ of operational experience. It is manufacturing landscape with their through ceiling vents connected by standards, and manufacturing proc- “We will be naturally serving our conducted a blood donation campaign the fi rst importer of many aftermarket new range of air handling units. ductwork which is in turn connected esses among other pending accredita- home base in Qatar but we are already in co-ordination with Hamad hospital. products such as automotive batteries, to the AHU. tion. in talks for distributors in the region as Employees as well as people living in ar- paints and equipment. fi rst and largest showrooms for wood- Air quality is treated through fi lter- “We value the words ‘Made in Qa- exports are natural growth area for us,” eas under the municipality were invited The company, which opened the working and automotive solutions in ing elements, cooling and/or heating, tar’ said Simon A Nehme, CBDO. Nehme added. to take part in the campaign. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD Amnesty over, ‘illegal expats’ await Saudi crackdown

By Katie Paul, Reuters economic impact of expulsions. Riyadh But with greater pressure in the past dec- ade to create jobs for Saudis, for whom the unemployment rate is 12.7%, the govern- or four months, texts from the govern- ment has committed to clearing out the ex- ment pinged into every mobile phone cess workforce. Fin Saudi Arabia ordering “illegal expa- Akram quit his job last October, after a triates” to leave the kingdom before the end slowdown in construction prompted the Palestinian journalists hold banners reading in Arabic ‘Being a journalist is not a crime’ and ‘No to closing Al Jazeera channel’ during a sit-in in Gaza City of an amnesty that expired in late July. Saudi Binladin Group to stop paying its sub- yesterday in solidarity with the Al Jazeera satellite news broadcaster. The campaign, “a nation without viola- contractors and tens of thousands of foreign tors,” warned of fi nes, jail time and deporta- employees. tion for anyone caught without valid identity But he said the company never processed documents after the grace period, in a re- his payments or his visa papers, and retained newed push to reduce the kingdom’s abun- his passport, leaving him and the other 300 Amnesty: Israel’s ban on Al Jazeera a ‘brazen attack’ dant black market in labour. men at his camp without valid identity doc- Saudi authorities estimate more than uments. 600,000 people took the amnesty, which The company did not immediately re- Al Jazeera The sharp criticism came a day Amnesty said Israel “joins a host Jazeera’s closure. Amnesty’s criticism allowed any foreigner in breach of residency spond to requests for comment. Doha after Ayoub Kara, Israel’s commu- of other countries in the region, in- follows condemnation by the Com- laws in the world’s top oil exporter to leave The kingdom off ered a fi rst grace period nications minister, proposed clos- cluding Saudi Arabia, which have mittee to Protect Journalists and the without penalty. back in 2013, after introducing a quota sys- ing Al Jazeera’s offi ce in Jerusalem, demanded the channel’s closure in Association for Civil Rights in Israel. But millions of others have remained, ei- tem for hiring Saudis in the private sector. srael’s decision to shut down Al revoking press credentials of the the wake of a dispute between Gulf “Censoring Al Jazeera or closing ther determined to stay or unable to avail At least 800,000 people were deported in Jazeera’s operations in Jerusalem network’s Arabic and English jour- countries and Qatar”. its offi ces will not bring stability to themselves of the off er. the crackdown that followed, according to Isends a “chilling message that nalists there and shutting down Al Amnesty called on Israel to “halt the region, but it would put Israel Now they are awaiting a pledged crack- fi gures compiled from local media. Israeli authorities will not tolerate Jazeera’s cable and satellite trans- any attempt to silence critical media”. fi rmly in the camp of some of the re- down against what Riyadh calls the “reckless In some cases that campaign turned vio- critical coverage”, Amnesty Interna- missions. “All journalists should be free to gion’s worst enemies of press free- people” who defi ed the order to leave. lent, with unrest in urban areas and deten- tional has said. “Al Jazeera denounces this de- carry out their work without facing dom,” CPJ’s Middle East and North “We don’t know what will happen to us,” tion centres. “This is a brazen attack on media cision made by a state that claims harassment or intimidation,” the Africa programme co-ordinator, said Atif Alam, 28, an Indian worker at a Pressure for economic reform has only freedom in Israel and the Occupied to be ‘the only democratic state in rights group said, adding that Isra- Sherif Mansour, said in a statement. desolate labour camp in eastern Riyadh who grown after the oil price halved since 2014. Palestinian Territories,” Magdalena the Middle East’,” the network said el’s move was a “repressive clamp- Following the Israeli minister’s fears a police raid. Authorities appear to have run a more or- Mughrabi, Amnesty’s deputy Mid- in a statement, adding that Kara’s down on freedom of expression”. announcement on Sunday, it re- He rarely leaves the camp, wary of be- ganised amnesty this time, although they dle East and North Africa director, reasons used to justify such a move Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin mains unclear what the next steps ing seized at police checkpoints on roads did not respond to Reuters requests for com- said in a statement late on Monday. were “odd and biased”. Netanyahu has repeatedly called for Al will entail. throughout Riyadh. ment on the planned clampdown. Aurangzeb Akram, 43, a Pakistani worker Workers in Riyadh report individual ar- at the camp, rejects the idea that he is “ille- rests, but no mass raids or expulsions so far. gal” or “reckless”. Still, thousands of workers slipped “I am legal. I came here (for the) Binladin through the amnesty’s cracks. company,” he said, holding up an expired They were refused exits, many of them ap- Yemen blood bank ‘iqama’ (employer-sponsored residency parent victims of slow-moving bureaucracy, card). complex legal problems, or both. Some 12mn of the 32mn people living in Wilma, 43, a Filipina beautician who gave may shut over Saudi Arabia are foreigners, according to only her fi rst name, applied for the amnesty offi cial fi gures, most of them low-skilled and was rejected because of an unresolved workers from Asia and Africa working in the wage dispute case against her former em- shortage of funds construction and service sectors. ployer. But several million others live here outside She won the case two years ago, but never the law, running unregistered businesses received her passport or missing six months Reuters or accepting informal work with compa- of wages. Sanaa nies skirting requirements to hire Saudis on In the interim, her residency expired. higher pay. She found a job off the books in another Authorities have not released population salon last year, which helped pay for the bed emen’s national blood bank may be forced to close estimates for “violators”, but before the start she rents in an apartment with other workers due to a lack of money after an international medi- of the amnesty, a member of the advisory from the Philippines in central Riyadh. Ycal charity decided to end two years of support, the Shura Council called for the deportation of But she quit as the grace period ended, director of the blood bank said. 5mn people, according to Al-Hayat news- wary of being caught working without valid But the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said it paper. identity documents. was trying to help by sending further supplies. Some entered the country illegally, risking “The premise of this amnesty is that the Patients suff ering diseases including thalassaemia, can- a dangerous journey through Somalia and irregular status of the worker is his or her cer and kidney failures, as well as victims of a two-year Yemen, while others overstayed work visas, own fault,” said Vani Saraswathi of Migrant civil war in which more than 10,000 people have been ran into labour disputes with their employ- Rights, a Gulf-based advocacy organisation. killed, would be aff ected if the bank closed, offi cials said. ers or came to perform the Haj pilgrimage “In reality most workers have no power More than 3mn people have been displaced in Yemen’s and never went home. over their visa status. There is likely to be a confl ict and much of the country’s infrastructure including Saudi authorities tolerated labour irregu- crackdown, but for most workers it’s a risk its health system has been destroyed. larities for decades, due to the expense and worth taking.” “If the centre stops, a catastrophe will hit the whole country,” said Munir al-Zubaidi, a spokesman for the bank said. The country of 27mn is also facing a cholera epidemic that has aff ected some 600,000 people and killed nearly 2,000. The National Blood Transfusion Centre director, Dr Ad- nan al-Hakimi, said the crisis emerged after French medi- cal charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) informed the bank it was suspending its aid after more than two years of work. “The centre suff ers from a complete shortage of sup- plies, including medical solutions, blood bags and medical needs,” Hakimi said. “We have issued an appeal to all civil society groups, businessmen and anyone interested in charity work to save the lives of those who are ill, injured or wounded so the centre would not stop,” he added. An MSF spokeswoman said the charity had handed over its support for the blood bank to the WHO. MSF has been doing extensive work in Yemen since the war began in March 2015, operating hospitals and clinics and providing medical supplies to various state-run facili- ties. In a report in January, MSF said it had provided regular blood testing kits to the blood bank since September 2015. The WHO confi rmed the bank was at risk of closing. “WHO is looking into ways to support the National Blood Transfusion Centre,” said Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesman. “Supplies were ordered but have not reached Yemen as of now,” he added without elaborating.

Employees register bags of blood at a blood transfusion centre in Sanaa. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD

AMBUSH HIT ON THE HEAD ALLOWED IN BLOATED ECONOMY CLASS OF 2017 Two cops killed in attack Morocco protester in coma Israel to permit Jerusalem Egypt tightens eligibility north of Cairo — report succumbs to his injuries Palestinians to visit Gaza for food subsidy cards

Two Egyptian policemen were killed and one A protester in a coma after being struck Israel will allow Palestinian business executives from Egypt yesterday tightened rules for obtaining wounded when a group of wanted criminals on the head last month in clashes between Jerusalem to visit the Gaza Strip for the first time in food subsidy cards, capping the number of new opened fire yesterday on security forces in a village demonstrators and security forces in northern years, a defence ministry body said yesterday. COGAT, claimants per family and setting income limits as it north of Cairo, state newspaper Al Ahram reported. Morocco died of his injuries yesterday, off icials the Israeli agency that oversees civilian aff airs in the works to reform its bloated economy. Egypt agreed The paper gave no details of what the men were said. The neglected northern Rif region of occupied Palestinian territories, said it would allow a $12bn three-year loan with the International accused of, but attacks on security forces have Morocco has been shaken by weeks of protests in small numbers of businesspeople from annexed Monetary Fund in November, in exchange for become common in Egypt since the army led by and violence with demonstrators demanding east Jerusalem looking to invest in the coastal a programme including subsidy cuts and tax Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted Muslim Brotherhood jobs, development and an end to corruption. territory. Israel controls most access into and out of hikes. The new subsidy rules do not apply to the president Mohamed Mursi in 2013 following mass On July 20, Imad Atabi was hit in the head in the Gaza Strip and has imposed a blockade on the country’s existing 20.8mn holders of cards that protests against his rule. Sisi was elected president clashes in the main Rif city of Al-Hoceima, and Palestinian enclave for a decade. But in an Arabic- now help meet the staple food needs of some in 2014. Authorities in the Nile Delta province of taken to a military hospital in Rabat after falling language Facebook post late Monday, COGAT said it 68.8mn at an estimated cost to the government of El-Menoufia stepped up security after the attack into a coma. The Al-Hoceima prosecutor said an would allow in “businessmen and others who want to 85bn Egyptian pounds ($4.79bn) this year. They are Members of the Libyan Presidential Guard and the wounded were transferred to hospital, Al investigation was still under way to determine improve and strengthen the economy, infrastructure instead targeting new cardholders among a rapidly take part in a graduation ceremony in Tripoli Ahram said, citing a security source. the circumstances that led to his death. and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip”. growing population that stands at around 93.5mn. yesterday.

Rouhani names all-male team

AFP Tehran

ranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday put forward a new cabinet line-up that was Iimmediately criticised by reformists for its lack of women or young people. The ministerial line-up, which must still be approved by parliament, also lacked minorities and actually increased the average age com- pared to Rouhani’s fi rst term. “The lack of women ministers shows we are treading water,” Shahindokht Mowlaverdi, Rouhani’s outgoing vice president for women’s aff airs, told the Etamad daily after news of the line-up was leaked. Many on social media said Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who whipped up reformist support to secure re-election in May, was failing to keep his campaign promises of greater diversity. “The people’s message in the last two elec- tions has had little refl ection in the proposed cabinet,” tweeted Mohamed Karroubi, son of jailed opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi. “How can you speak of equality of the entire nation and ignore women and religious minorities?” The head of the reformist camp in parlia- Displaced women and children who fled from the Islamic State group’s stronghold of Raqa arrive in the village of Hawi al-Hawa, less than 2km west of the city. ment, Mohamed Reza Aref, also voiced his dis- appointment. “We expected at least one wom- an to be nominated,” he said. Aref noted, according to Iranian media, most of the members of the delegation that accom- panied EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogh- erini to Iran on Saturday for Rouhani’s inaugu- ration in parliament were women — saying this was very meaningful. First vice-president Eshagh Jahanguiri ech- Syrian rebels brace for oed him in a tweet saying: “We should increase the number of women, minorities and youths in positions of responsibility.” There were few major changes in the cabinet, with the key fi gures in Iran’s eff orts to rebuild ties with the West — Foreign Minister Moham- ed Javad Zarif and Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh — retaining their positions. assault on last enclave The one surprise was the appointment of Mohamed Javad Azari Jahromi, a 35-year-old Reuters mascus and the adjoining Eastern “We expect there will be attempts that at least fi ve buildings had col- However, there was little move- engineer and by far the youngest addition, who Beirut Ghouta region of towns and farms, to assault in a few hours because an lapsed under the shelling in two days. ment between Eastern Ghouta towns is set to become telecommunications minister. east of the capital — designated as assault usually starts with a sweep- Many locals have left the area over because of fi ghting over territory be- But even with his appointment, which puts an a de-escalation zone two weeks ago ing bombardment,” a spokesman for recent weeks because of the bom- tween rival rebel groups who control opponent of censorship at the heart of govern- yrian rebels were preparing for — has been under opposition control the rebel group said. bardment and, even if the army as- that area. ment, the average age of the cabinet remains at 58. an imminent ground assault for much of the six-year confl ict. Rebels and other witnesses said saults, they will still be able to do so, The spokesman for Failaq al-Rah- Rouhani did replace the defence minister, Sby the army on the last en- The Failaq al-Rahman rebel group shelling and air strikes increased on the resident said. man, one of the largest rebel groups Major General Hossein Dehghan, with his dep- clave they hold in Damascus after air expected the army to attack the en- Monday and the bombardment was “This isn’t Aleppo, where people in that part of Syria, said 400 fi ghters uty, General Amir Hatami — the fi rst time in strikes and shelling increased yester- clave at two positions it holds: Tay- at its heaviest in a two-month Syrian were surrounded. Ghouta is a bigger had defected to its ranks in the past more than two decades that the post has been day, an insurgent spokesman said. ba, northeast of Jobar, and Ain Ter- army campaign. People had retreated space and the towns are more open to week from Ahrar al-Sham, one of the fi lled by someone from the regular army rather Jobar district in northeast Da- ma, southeast of it. to shelters, one resident said, noting each other. No town is surrounded.” other main insurgent groups. than the elite Revolutionary Guards.

Israeli manslaughter soldier to be jailed today

n Israeli soldier who shot dead a prone Palestinian attacker will begin an 18-month prison sentence Atoday, a military court ruled, after his request for a postponement was rejected. Elor Azaria’s appeal for a postponement “was rejected and he must report to the prison to serve his sentence”, a military court ruling seen by AFP said. Azaria had request- ed that the sentence be postponed until Chief of Staff Gen- eral Gadi Eisenkot examined a request that his sentence be reduced or changed to community service. Azaria is expected to begin his sentence in the Tzrifi n prison in central Israel today morning. On July 30, a mili- tary court rejected Azaria’s appeal against his conviction for manslaughter and upheld the prison term. The March 2016 shooting in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron was caught on video by a rights group and spread widely online. It showed Abdul Fatah al-Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestin- ian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Azaria then shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explo- sive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected.

Morocco opposition leader quits

Morocco’s opposition resources into a campaign chief has resigned to criticising the government’s take responsibility for economic record. A PAM the troubles facing his statement released late Authenticity and Modernity Monday said El Omari Party (PAM), including last “assumes the political year’s election defeat, the responsibility” of the party’s party said. Ilyas El Omari’s decline, particularly after party was beaten by the the election. El Omari is also ruling Islamists in Morocco’s president of the regional legislative polls in October, council for the restive north but more than doubled its and media reports said his number of seats in the new resignation was partly linked parliament. to unrest in the neglected The PAM, formed in 2008 Rif region, which has been by a close adviser to the shaken by weeks of protests king, had poured enormous and violence this year. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 11 AFRICA Kenyatta takes early

Zuma celebrates with his supporters after surviving the no-confidence motion in parliament. lead in peaceful vote Reuters Voting was mostly smooth and Nairobi turnout was high, the election commission said, despite some Zuma survives isolated incidents and delays. enya’s president took an The police said there were no early lead as results from major problems. Kyesterday’s national elec- In addition to a new president, ninth motion of tions trickled in, the culmination Kenyans are electing lawmak- of a hard-fought contest between ers and local representatives, the the East African nation’s fore- result of a 2010 constitution that most political dynasties. devolved power and money to the no confi dence Shrouded in fears of violence, counties, reducing the “winner the vote pitted President Uhuru takes all” nature of the presiden- Kenyatta, a wealthy 55-year-old tial race. Reuters decision the opposition hoped businessman and the son of Ken- As he voted, Kenyatta said he Cape Town would embolden ANC mem- ya’s founding president, against would be willing to step down if bers who are unhappy with Raila Odinga, 72, a former politi- he lost and called on Odinga to do Zuma to vote against him. cal prisoner and son of Kenya’s the same. outh Africa’s President Zuma has upset investors, in fi rst vice-president. “In the event that they lose, Jacob Zuma survived a particular by removing fi nance Kenyatta had nearly 58% of the let us accept the will of the peo- Sno-confi dence motion minister Pravin Gordhan in vote after 5,455 of 40,883 poll- ple. I am willing myself to ac- against him in parliament yes- March. ing stations had reported results, cept the will of the people, so let terday by garnering 198 votes The country’s credit rating the electoral commission website them too,” he said as he voted at to the opposition’s 177 votes was downgraded to junk by two said at 1700 GMT. the Mutomo Primary School in as African National Congress of the top three rating agencies, Opinion polls released a week Gatundu, some 30km (20 miles) (ANC) lawmakers rallied to his unemployment is at a 14-year ago put them neck-and-neck. north of the capital. support. high of 27.7% and the economy Campaigning was marked by Hundreds of people had wait- There were nine abstentions is back in recession. fi ery rhetoric but public speeches ed in line since 2am, wrapped in in the secret ballot. Newspaper headlines re- were largely free of the ethnic jackets and blankets against the ANC lawmakers erupted into fl ected the high stakes at play. hatred that has married previous cold and drizzle. singing and dancing in parlia- “JZ’s moment of truth” read contests as the two men faced off The winner needs one vote ment even before the speaker The Star, while The Sowetan for a second time. more than 50%, and at least a of the house announced the declared: “High Noon for The electoral commission Voting off icials count ballots last night at the Victoria primary school polling station in Kisumu. quarter of the vote in 24 of Ken- result of the vote in favour of Zuma”. urged voters to wait calmly for ya’s 47 counties. the 75-year-old Zuma who has If the motion had been suc- results. Kenyatta is a Kikuyu, an ethnic abruptly stopped and the incum- During the 2013 polls, Odinga First results began to come been dogged by allegations of cessful, Zuma – whose term is “During this critical phase, we group that has supplied three of bent president declared the win- again alleged fraud, but quelled in by the evening but a very corruption during his eight due to run until 2019 – would urge all Kenyans to exercise re- Kenya’s four presidents since in- ner, triggering an outcry from unrest by taking his complaints close race means that it might years in offi ce. be removed as president but straint as we await offi cial results dependence from Britain in 1963. Odinga’s camp. to the courts. take three days before a winner “The motion of no-con- would remain as ANC leader from the polling stations and in- Any glitches – innocent or The ethnic violence that fol- This time, the government de- emerges. fi dence is ... negative,” Bale- until December, when he is due deed as they start trickling in,” it otherwise – in the high-tech lowed killed 1,200 people and ployed more than 150,000 secu- Offi cially, election authorities ka Mbete, speaker of the to step down and a new leader said. electronic voting and tallying displaced 600,000. rity personnel, including wildlife have up to a week to declare the 400-member parliament, said. elected in his place. Odinga comes from the Luo system could be grounds for the International Criminal Court rangers, to protect 41,000 polling outcome. The rand fell by 1% on the Should he be forced to quit, people in western Kenya, an area loser to allege fraud, as Odinga cases against Kenyatta and his stations. There is little to separate the announcement of the out- the speaker would take over that has long felt neglected by did in 2007 and in 2013. now-deputy, William Ruto, for Thousands of people had re- two candidates in terms of eco- come. and the National Assembly the government and resentful of Given his age, this is probably helping direct that violence col- turned to their ethnic heartlands nomic policy although the US- Zuma, who has held power would be expected to elect a their perceived exclusion from his last crack at the top job. lapsed as witnesses died or dis- before the vote, fearful of a repeat educated Kenyatta is seen as in Africa’s most industrial- new president within 30 days. political power. A decade ago, vote tallying was appeared. of 2007’s violence. more pro-business. ised economy since 2009 but As the largest party in par- whose time in offi ce has been liament, the ANC would be ex- marked by allegations of sleaze pected to select the new presi- and infl uence-peddling, has dent and government. First batch of new UN troops now survived nine no-con- The ANC – once all-pow- arrive in South Sudan fi dence votes thanks to loyal erful as heir of South Africa’s backing from lawmakers in his anti-apartheid struggle – has The head of South Sudan’s UN mission has ANC. lost popularity under Zuma, announced the long-awaited arrival of troops from Had he lost, he and his entire underscored by its worst elec- a regional force. cabinet would have had to step toral showing in over two dec- David Shearer, head of the UN mission UNMISS, down. ades of power in local elections told a press conference that about 150 troops Mbete had earlier ruled that last year. from Rwanda arrived at the weekend. A team of the vote should – unlike other Thousands of people took Nepalese soldiers and an engineering company no-confi dence votes Zuma part in protest marches in April from Bangladesh who will join east African troops faced – be by secret ballot, a calling for Zuma to step down. for technical support have also arrived. Congo opposition mounts 2-day ‘dead city’ protest against Kabila

AFP Kinshasa

pposition campaigners launched a two-day general Ostrike yesterday to pressure Congo President Joseph Kabila to set an election date – a day after 12 people were shot dead in an anti-government rampage in the capital. The “dead city” action in Kinshasa, organised well before Monday’s kill- ings, was to turn up the heat on Kabila, who is still in power despite his man- date expiring last year. Business activity was noticeably A woman crosses an empty boulevard in Kinshasa sporting a placard of slower in the morning after the oppo- President Kabila during the ‘dead city’ action. sition had called on residents to stay home. A few dozen youths using rocks tried Ahead of this week’s protests, Prime Two-thirds of shops and banks to barricade some streets. Minister Bruno Tshibala insisted on were closed, AFP journalists report- Police say Monday’s killings came Saturday that the country was “on ed, as soldiers and police were out in as the anti-Kabila Bundu Dia Mayala course” for elections. strength to monitor the situation. group went on a rampage, attacking But he failed to give the opposition “Everything is closed. The city is the security forces in several neigh- the detailed timeline they have been paralysed,” a city resident, Kiki Ka- bourhoods around Kinshasa. demanding for months. lombo, told AFP. Members of the group, sporting One of the main obstacles to organ- “It’s to make Corneille Nangaa put red bandanas, had sprung their attack ising polls was the continuing violence out a calendar for the elections,” he while chanting “prayers and slogans in the central, diamond-rich region of added, referring to the head of the hostile to legally established institu- Kasai where a rebellion has been go- Independent National Electoral Com- tions”, said police spokesman Pierrot ing on for a year now, according to the mission (CENI). Rombaut Mwanamputu on Monday. electoral commission chief. Nangaa has already stated that they The victims were hit by stray bul- Both the government and rebels cannot organise a presidential poll as lets, he added. have been accused of carrying out anticipated by year’s end. But while many citizens of Kinshasa atrocities in Kasai and the interna- The government meanwhile has backed yesterday’s strike, not every- tional community has repeatedly ex- written to mobile phone operators, one was happy. pressed concern at the government’s calling on them to limit the “abusive” “The ‘dead city’ policy has never handling of dissent. use of social media, in what appeared come up with the hoped-for results,” Only last week, the UN’s peace- to be a bid to stop photos being posted said Alexander, owner of a fi sh store. keeping mission in the Congo known of the protests. “My business is shut. I’ve lost clients. as MONUSCO voiced alarm at “arbi- At Lubumbashi, a regional capital The economy is on its knees.” trary arrests” during a protest against in the southeast of the Democratic In his eyes, a strongman was needed Kabila. Republic of the Congo, the main fi sh to force out Kabila, who came to power And just a few days later a UN report market was closed after youths clashed in 2001 after the assassination of his detailed more than 250 “extrajudi- with the security forces. father, Laurent Kabila. cial or targeted killings” of civilians in Elsewhere in the city, however, it The political instability in the vast Kasai earlier this year, with dozens of was business as usual. country of 70mn in the heart of Africa children among the victims. And in Goma, the capital of North has raised concerns in the internation- Detailing cases of people being Kivu province in the country’s restive al community, and a top UN offi cial in burned alive or mutilated, the report east, riot police were posted at all main Kinshasa met with the government on blamed government troops as well junctions in the city, an AFP corre- Monday to discuss ways to move rap- as militia groups on both sides of the spondent said. idly toward elections. confl ict. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 AMERICAS Hackers Hudson commerce demand millions from HBO

AFP a fi gure of half the group’s Washington annual budget of $12mn to $15mn. It went on to say, “HBO ackers claiming to spends 12mn for Market Re- have breached HBO search and 5mn for GOT7 ad- Hwere demanding mil- vertisements. lions of dollars in ransom So consider us another payments from the television budget for your advertise- group, while threatening to ments!” release more fi les from what The message comes a week is claimed to be a massive data after a leak of one script of breach. Game of Thrones and content A video circulating online from other productions. directs a message to HBO chief The letter said HBO was Richard Plepler claiming that the 17th target for the hacking the group “obtained valuable group and that “only 3 of our information” in an attack that past targets refused to pay and yielded a whopping 1.5 tera- were punished very badly and bytes of data. 2 of them collapsed entirely”. The message was authored HBO said in a statement by someone identifi ed only as that it believed that further Tugboats transport a 4,000 tonne, 125ft-tall heating structure constructed for a new power plant on a 400ft-long barge south on the Hudson River past New York City, US, “Mr Smith.” leaks might emerge from the as it passes beneath the George Washington Bridge as seen from Fort Lee, New Jersey. The website Databreaches. breach and that “the forensic net reported that 10 fi les were review is ongoing”. leaked Monday as part of the “While it has been reported demand including what may that a number of emails have be another script of the pop- been made public, the review ular fantasy series Game of to date has not given us a rea- Thrones. son to believe that our e-mail The video revealed a let- system as a whole has been ter stating the hackers ob- compromised,” the statement tained “highly confi dential” from the Time Warner unit documents and data including said. Google fi ring fans the scripts, contracts and person- “We continue to work nel fi les. around the clock with outside “We want XXX dollars to cybersecurity fi rms and law stop leaking your data,” the enforcement to resolve the in- letter said, later alluding to cident.” fl ames of diversity row Google is being accused of The fresh controversy comes with Sili- Damore’s fi ring made him a hero to the ees are women. Roger Kay, who heads the overreacting and over the top political con Valley struggling in the face of accu- far right and those claiming political cor- tech consultancy Endpoint Technologies FDA to launch drive correctness sations of rampant sexual harassment and rectness has gone too far. Associates, said the Damore case is not discrimination aff ecting startups like Uber Breitbart published the fi rst of what it about free speech, and that Google has a AFP and venture capital fi rms investing in the said was a series of interviews with “rebels right to keep employees who support the against e-cigarette Washington sector. of Google” who claim the company is sti- company’s values. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, fl ing dissent. “They’re not putting him in jail, it’s not without commenting on Damore, said em- “Witch hunts are a well-known cultural a criminal indictment,” Kay said. “His use by the young he dismissal of a Google engineer ployees have a right to express themselves problem at Google,” one employee iden- speech (memo) was odious, and they’re over a memo defending the Silicon but that the memo appeared to “cross the tifi ed only as “Hal” said. “A lot of social absolutely allowed to fi re him for it if it TValley gender gap has fanned the line by advancing harmful gender stere- justice activists essentially spend all day promotes the greater good.” Reuters lieb said in a statement. fl ames of a simmering debate in the tech otypes in our workplace”. fi ghting the culture war, and get nothing Some analysts say there is no easy an- Washington Gottlieb is walking a sector over sexism, free expression and “To suggest a group of our colleagues done.” swer for tech fi rm which are seeking to tightrope between satisfy- political correctness. have traits that make them less biological- Damore’s 10-page memo, which was promote a diverse workforce while dealing ing the interests of public The “manifesto” published as an in- ly suited to that work is off ensive and not leaked on the website Gizmodo and later with competing factions. ot on the heels of its health advocates, who like ternal memo by James Damore, which OK,” Pichai said in his email to employees. on Motherboard, argued that Google has “Though there’s been plenty of outrage proposal to lower the idea of lowering nico- claimed “biological diff erences” were a But Damore’s fi ring fuelled a wave of silenced anyone seeking to diff er with offi - over the (Damore) post among Google em- Hnicotine levels in tine levels in cigarettes, and key factor in the low percentage of women criticism from those arguing Google was cial policy, leading to “an ideological echo ployees and others in the tech industry, cigarettes, the US Food and e-cigarette companies that in technology jobs sparked outcry from suppressing a dissenting viewpoint. chamber.” there are also signifi cant numbers who Drug Administration yes- have been lobbying for a those claiming it perpetuated stereotypes “Very sad about #JamesDamore being Currently some 69% of Google’s em- have welcomed it,” said Jan Dawson of terday announced plans for lighter regulatory hand. and discrimination. fi red by @Google for basically popularis- ployees are men, according to the compa- Jackdaw Research in a blog post. an education campaign to The FDA’s public health Then Damore was fi red — according to ing behavioural science. Scandalous and ny’s latest fi gures, a proportion that rises “Despite the broad offi cial push for di- discourage use of electronic campaign could go some media reports and his own e-mail to the immoral,” one Twitter user wrote. to 80 % when it comes to technology jobs. versity from tech companies, there’s still a cigarettes among youth. way to mitigate concerns far-right news website Breitbart — which “Google went from: ‘Don’t be evil’ to In 2016 at Facebook just 27% of senior ex- big chunk of the employee base that holds The plan follows the agen- among public health advo- sparked a new backlash from those claim- ‘Speak no evil about political correct- ecutives were women. such views and wishes they could air them cy’s proposal last month to cates that the agency’s ex- ing Google was stifl ing free speech. ness,’” another tweet said. At Apple, around 30% of total employ- more freely.” both lower nicotine in com- tension of the compliance bustible cigarettes and ex- dates will allow products tend by four years the date with fl avours that may ap- by which e-cigarette manu- peal to kids on the market facturers will be required to longer than they might oth- apply for authorisation to erwise have been. Canada sees rising tide of Haitian migrants from the US sell their products. More than 2mn middle- The extension means e- and high-school students cigarette makers can sell were current users of e- AFP road to check the identities of the consider their requests for asylum. week at the Lacolle crossing point, But he also appealed to those their products for four more cigarettes and other vaping Hemmingford, Canada new arrivals, who come on foot Montreal’s Olympic stadium has according to the head of the union seeking asylum to go through prop- years before having to apply devices in 2016 and half of hauling suitcases and packages. been turned into a shelter for more representing customs and immi- er immigration channels rather for permission to sell them. all middle and high school More than 100 people were than 1,000 people. gration workers, Jean-Pierre For- than cross the border illegally. Its new policy “aims to students who used a tobac- he fl ow of migrants, mostly processed Sunday morning, while On Sunday, the new arrivals tin. The wave of Haitians coming strike a careful balance be- co product of some sort used Haitians fearing expulsion 50 others waited patiently to regis- were cheered at the stadium by a Quebec’s immigration minister into the country stems from their tween the regulation of all two or more. Tfrom the United States, has ter with the Canadian border serv- group of two to three hundred sup- Kathleen Weil said this week that loss of “temporary protected sta- tobacco products, and the The education campaign surged in recent weeks on Canada’s ices. Most were Haitians but they porters who staged a welcome rally. asylum requests averaged 50 a day tus” in the United States, which opportunity to encourage will be part of the agency’s southern border, with requests for also included some Yemenis and A planned protest by those op- in the fi rst half of July, but “the pace was granted to 60,000 Haitians af- development of innovative The Real Cost campaign to asylum tripling since mid-July, of- Somalis. posed to the infl ux of migrants was has surpassed 150 requests”. ter the Caribbean nation was dev- tobacco products that may discourage cigarette use and fi cials say. Once registered, the migrants are cancelled by its organisers, Radio Prime Minister Justin Trudeau astated by a 2010 earthquake. be less dangerous than com- begin this fall. At the Lacolle crossing point on taken to a transit centre, and from Canada reported. on Friday promised that Canada The US special status has been bustible cigarettes”, FDA A full-scale campaign will the Quebec border, federal police there sent on to Montreal, where An estimated 450 to 700 mi- would step up its eff orts to handle extended for six months, but is due Commissioner Scott Gott- be launched in 2018. have erected a tent on a logging they are housed while authorities grants traverse the border each the surge. to expire at the end of the year.

CIA ‘torture’ psychologists to stand trial

AFP The government has headed off ACLU says was two weeks of “brutal Washington previous eff orts, citing what is said is a torture”. need to protect sensitive intelligence. “This is a historic day for our cli- The case targets psychologists ents and all who seek accountability wo psychologists who helped James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, who for torture,” said ACLU attorney Dror design the CIA’s post-9/11 were recruited by the CIA in 2002 to Ladin in a statement. Tdetainee interrogation pro- design and help conduct interroga- “The court’s ruling means that for gramme will stand trial in Septem- tions of war-on-terror suspects cap- the fi rst time, individuals responsible ber for promoting the use of torture tured in Afghanistan and elsewhere. for the brutal and unlawful CIA tor- methods like water-boarding, star- The two were paid $80mn for their ture programme will face meaningful vation and chaining prisoners in ex- work, which included helping inter- legal accountability for what they did. treme stress positions. rogate Khalid Sheikh Mohamed, the Our clients have waited a long time for Federal judges in Washington state mastermind of the September 11, 2001 justice.” late Monday ordered a lawsuit on be- attacks by Al Qaeda, and Abu Zubay- The court rejected the psychologists’ half of three former detainees — one dah, another top Qaeda offi cial. arguments that they were not responsi- of whom died in a CIA prison follow- The ACLU suit alleges that Jessen ble for all of the CIA’s interrogation ac- ing harsh interrogation — to go to a and Mitchell were responsible for, and tivities and had nothing to do with the jury trial, rejecting eff orts to force a profi ted fi nancially from, the illegal interrogations of two of the men. settlement and prevent a full hearing torture of Tanzanian Suleiman Abdul- They also claimed they were not of the case. lah Salim, Libyan Mohamed Ahmed responsible for specifi c decisions to The lawsuit, fi led by the American Ben Soud, and Afghan Gul Rahman. use so-called “enhanced interroga- Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the The fi rst two were later freed after tion techniques” in the specifi c cases ex-detainees, will be the fi rst involv- years of imprisonment, while Rahman of the three, but only broadly sup- ing the torture programme to go to died of hypothermia in a CIA prison plied the CIA with a list of methods to trial. cell in November 2002, after what the choose from. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 13 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

VANDALISM CALAMITY DEATH OUTCRY Dinosaurs beheaded Seven dead as quake strikes Japan actor who played Cambodian court upholds at Australian museum China’s Sichuan province original Godzilla dies jail term for rights activist

Three model raptors at Australia’s national dino- An earthquake measuring 6.5 in magnitude struck a Haruo Nakajima, the actor who played Japan’s Rights activists called yesterday for the release of saur museum have been beheaded by mystery remote and mountainous part of the southwestern iconic city-wrecking monster Godzilla in the origi- a prominent Cambodian land rights campaigner vandals who scaled a fence and removed the province of Sichuan yesterday, the US Geological nal 1954 movie, has died, film studio Toho said yes- after a court upheld her sentence in a case which parts using an angle grinder or hacksaw, police Survey said, killing seven people and trapping 100 terday. He was 88. Nakajima, who went on to ap- has become emblematic of the struggle by local said yesterday. Investigators are hunting for the tourists in a popular scenic spot. The quake hit a pear as the iconic creature a dozen times, died of communities against evictions. Nicknamed the attackers after the damage to the dinosaurs – sparsely populated area 200km west-northwest of pneumonia on Monday, said a spokesman for the “women of the lake”, Tep Vanny and her group which were in an outside display area – took the city of Guangyuan at a depth of 10km, the USGS studio that produced the Godzilla films. Originally of female activists from Phnom Penh’s Boeung place late Saturday at the museum in Canberra, said. It had earlier put the quake at magnitude 6.6 a stuntman, Nakajima at the age of 25 first took Kak lake area have for years waged a campaign Australian Capital Territory police said. “The and 32km deep. The Sichuan earthquake administra- on the role of the giant monster awakened by a only, atomic bomb attacks at the hands of the defending their homes from a luxury real estate damage sustained to the (three velociraptor) tion said the epicentre of the tremor was in Ngawa hydrogen bomb test to rise out of a roiling sea and United States in the closing days of World War II. project. The mother-of-two was sentenced in dinosaurs indicate that an angle grinder or prefecture, largely populated by ethnic Tibetans, swim to Japan where it crushes Tokyo. Godzilla, a The US also carried out a hydrogen bomb test at February to two-and-a-half years in prison after hacksaw was used to remove the heads from many of whom are nomadic herders. It was also walking, radiation-breathing analogy for nuclear Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific in 1954, exposing a she was convicted of assaulting security guards the body,” they said. “The off enders had climbed close to the Jiuzhaigou nature reserve, a tourist disaster resonated in Japan. Just nine years earlier Japanese boat to nuclear fallout, sickening the 23 while trying to deliver a petition to Prime Minister a four-foot fence to gain entry.” destination. the country had suff ered the world’s first, and still crew and eventually killing the captain. Hun Sen in 2013. China vows to enforce UN curbs on N Korea

Reuters it will mainly be China paying the The latest UN resolution bans North Korean exports of coal, talks process, a stalled dialogue Beijing price for implementing the reso- iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood. It also prohibits mechanism with North Korea lution,” the statement cited Wang countries from increasing the numbers of North Korean that also includes Russia and Ja- as saying. labourers currently working abroad, bans new joint pan, should be restarted. hina will pay the big- “But in order to protect the ventures with North Korea and any new investment in China appreciated comments gest price from the new international non-proliferation current joint ventures earlier this month by US Secre- CUN sanctions against system and regional peace and tary of State Rex Tillerson that North Korea because of its close stability, China will, as before, “What this is going to do is speaking of its leader, Kim Jong- the United States was not seeking economic relationship with the fully and strictly properly imple- send a very strong message and un, said “he has to decide if he to topple the North Korean gov- country, but will always enforce ment the entire contents of the a united message,” US ambas- strikes the United States, is that ernment and would like dialogue the resolutions, Chinese Foreign relevant resolution.” sador to the United Nations something he can win?” with Pyongyang at some point, Minister Wang Yi said. China, North Korea’s lone Nikki Haley told NBC’s ‘Today’ North Korea has made no se- Wang added. The UN Security Council major ally, has repeatedly said programme in an interview yes- cret of its plans to develop a The United States did not seek unanimously imposed new sanc- it is committed to enforcing in- terday, adding that Washington nuclear-tipped missile capable regime change, the collapse of tions on North Korea on Saturday creasingly tough UN resolutions would be watching to see the of striking the United States and the regime, an accelerated re- A new stamp issued by North Korea in commemoration of successful over its continued missile tests on North Korea, though it has sanctions are enforced. has ignored international calls to unifi cation of the peninsula or test launch of the “Hwasong-14” intercontinental ballistic missile. that could slash the reclusive also said what it terms “normal” US President Donald Trump halt its nuclear and missile pro- an excuse to send the US mili- country’s $3bn annual export trade and ordinary North Kore- praised other nations for ad- grammes. North Korea says its tary into North Korea, Tiller- its missile test launches. Still, ICBMs last month suggested revenue by a third. ans should not be aff ected. dressing North Korea’s missile intercontinental ballistic mis- son said. Wang said Tillerson’s he maintained the pressure on the reclusive North was making Speaking at a regional security The latest UN resolution bans programme. “After many years siles (ICBMs) are a legitimate “Four Nos” promise was a posi- North Korea, pressing Thailand technical progress, Japan’s annu- forum in Manila, Wang said the North Korean exports of coal, of failure, countries are coming means of defence against per- tive signal. yesterday for more action against al Defence White Paper warned. new resolution showed China iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and together to fi nally address the ceived US hostility. It has long China “hopes North Korea can Pyongyang. North Korea said “Since last year, when it forcibly and the international communi- seafood. It also prohibits coun- dangers posed by North Korea. accused the United States and echo this signal from the United the sanctions infringed its sov- implemented two nuclear tests ty’s opposition to North Korea’s tries from increasing the num- We must be tough & decisive!,” South Korea of escalating ten- States,” Wang added. Speaking ereignty and it was ready to give and more than 20 ballistic mis- continued missile tests, the for- bers of North Korean labourers Trump wrote in a post on Twit- sions by conducting military at the same forum on Monday, Washington a “severe lesson” sile launches, the security threats eign ministry said in a statement currently working abroad, bans ter. drills. Tillerson held a door open for with its strategic nuclear force in have entered a new stage,” the yesterday. new joint ventures with North Haley said Trump was keep- Wang said that apart from the dialogue with North Korea say- response to any US military ac- Japanese Defence Ministry said “Owing to China’s traditional Korea and any new investment in ing “all options on the table” for new sanctions, the resolution ing Washington was willing to tion. in the 563-page document re- economic ties with North Korea, current joint ventures. dealing with North Korea and also made clear that the six-party talk to Pyongyang if it halted The successful testing of two leased yesterday.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Hoff man of the New South Wales Police speaks to the media at a conference in Sydney. Thousands of fi rearms handed over in Australia amnesty off er

AFP volver, state police said. In total, some is the fi rst since the 1996 Port Arthur Sydney 1,700 rifl es, 460 shotguns and nearly mass shooting that claimed 35 lives. 200 handguns were surrendered to More than 600,000 weapons were de- police and dealers, while thousands of stroyed in the aftermath of that attack, ore than 6,000 guns have others were handed in for registration. during a gun buy-back in which com- been surrendered in Aus- “We’ve also received more than 110 pensation was off ered. Mtralia’s most populous state in prohibited weapons including samurai Then-prime minister John Howard just one month, police said yesterday, swords, knives, and other edged weap- also enacted tougher gun laws, includ- after fears of terrorism and an infl ux of ons,” Detective Chief Inspector Wayne ing bans on certain weapons such as illegal fi rearms sparked a national am- Hoff man said. rapid-fi re rifl es and shotguns, a mini- nesty. No offi cial fi gures have been an- mum ownership age and licences. The government said in June it be- nounced yet for other states and ter- All guns in Australia must be reg- lieved there were as many as 260,000 ritories. The amnesty runs from July 1 istered, but many arrive illegally from illicit weapons on the streets, and with until September 30, allowing people to overseas through organised syndicates. the threat of extremist attacks and a hand in unregistered or unwanted fi re- Australian offi cials have grown in- spate of gangland shootings, it wanted arms with no questions asked. Outside creasingly concerned over the threat of to minimise the danger. that period people face fi nes of up to extremist attacks and have prevented Among the weapons handed over in A$280,000 (US$222,000) or 14 years’ 13 on home soil since September 2014. New South Wales were four SKS as- jail. Several terror attacks have taken place sault rifl es, a 9mm homemade sub- Gun control measures continue to in Australia in recent years, including machine gun, a Colt AR-15 rifl e, M1 have strong public support in Aus- a Sydney cafe siege in 2014 which saw carbine and a .44 calibre magnum re- tralia. The national fi rearms amnesty two hostages killed.

Mass deportation of Chinese from Fiji in fraud crackdown

Fiji has deported 77 Chinese nationals ingly exploited technological advances joint statement. The accused were flown accused of running a phone and online to operate from abroad in a bid to to Changchun in northeast China’s Jilin scam targeting victims in mainland evade authorities. The Fiji-based ring Province. China’s off icial Xinhua news China, the latest in a series of overseas is suspected of involvement in more agency said the scam came to light after crackdowns orchestrated by Beijing. than 50 telecom and online fraud cases, one of the victims was swindled out The mass arrest and expulsion was part and cost victims in China more than of 1.3mn yuan and committed suicide, of a month-long operation involving 6mn yuan (US$892,000), Fijian police triggering a large-scale investigation. both Fijian and Chinese law enforce- said yesterday, without giving precise The probe exposed an illegal online ment agencies, and echoes similar joint details of the scams. “These 77 Chinese gambling and lottery gang involving operations carried out in Indonesia and nationals have been sent back to China more than 200 suspects based in China, Cambodia last week. Cyber criminals from Fiji on August 4, 2017,” the Fiji police Indonesia and Fiji who had illegally taken targeting victims in China have increas- and Chinese embassy in Suva said in a nearly 100mn yuan. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 BRITAIN/IRELAND

CYBERSKILLS ACCIDENT OFF TRACK KNIFE ATTACK SMOOTH DRIVE Kids glued to phones could Police search jogger who Waterloo points failure and Man dies after Plymouth save UK, ex-spy chief says knocked woman onto road planned work cause delays railway station stabbing

Parents who think they are being responsible by British police yesterday appealed for help in A points failure outside Britain’s busiest railway A man has died after being stabbed on the limiting their children’s time online should think tracing a jogger who appeared to push a woman station has delayed services already disrupted concourse at Plymouth railway station. The again: they could be putting their kids and Britain’s into the path of an oncoming bus on a busy by a huge improvement programme. South West victim, a man in his 40s, who is believed to security at a disadvantage, according to a former west London street. Closed circuit TV footage Trains services to and from London Waterloo have known his attacker, was taken to Derriford British spy chief. “If you appear to be spending your showed the male runner jog past one man on were delayed by up to 45 minutes yesterday hospital in Plymouth for treatment yesterday holiday unsuccessfully attempting to separate Putney Bridge on May 5 before knocking into the after the points failure. There had already been morning but died. A 29-year-old man, who your children from Wi-Fi or their digital devices, do 33-year-old victim. As she tumbled to the ground, chaotic scenes at the station on Monday evening. was treated in hospital for a hand injury, has not despair,” Robert Hannigan, a former director of her head and upper body fell into the path of an Ten platforms – half the station – have been been arrested on suspicion of murder. Part of the Government Communications Headquarters, oncoming bus which managed to swerve out of closed since the weekend as part of an £800mn the station remained cordoned off yesterday wrote in The Telegraph. “Your poor parenting may her way. The jogger ran on but returned heading Network Rail rebuilding programme. The points afternoon. DCI Paul Langley, of the British be helping them and saving the country. We need in the other direction about 15 minutes later, failure aff ected five platforms yesterday morning. Transport Police (BTP), said: “At this time, it is A black London taxi cab drives beneath a young people to explore this digital world just as the Metropolitan Police said. The man did not SWT said in a message to passengers: “To ease believed the two men knew each other and had Union flag flying over stalls at Portobello they explore the physical world,” he said, adding acknowledge the victim when she tried to speak congestion and to return the service to normal, an argument at the station, which resulted in one Road Market in the Notting Hill district of Britain is “desperately short” of cyber skills. to him and instead kept on running. some short-notice alterations will be necessary. of the men assaulting the other.” west London.

Sea trials Mail rail line opens

Reuters London

eep below London’s bus- tling streets, a piece of Donce-vital communica- tions technology will soon be roaring back into life after years of disuse — a train. The train operates on the “mail rail” line — a 10.2km un- derground train track that once transported letters and parcels 70ft below ground to and from sorting offi ces on the east and west sides of the city 22 hours each day. The line, construction of which began in 1915, ceased op- erations in 2003. It will be opened to the public next month as a tourist attrac- tion, part of the new Postal Mu- seum in the city’s Clerkenwell district. “Mail rail originally came about because mail was being delayed in London due to con- gestion in the streets above us,” Adrian Steel, director of the Postal Museum and mail rail told Reuters. Visitors can now ride a section of the old track in specially built trains, and explore an engineering depot turned exhibition space. “One of the biggest jobs we’ve had is fi nding a way of taking people through these narrow A Ministry of Defence handout photo released yesterday of Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (second right) during her sea trials off the coast of Scotland, alongside (from left) HMS Iron Duke, tunnels that were never meant for HMNOWS Helge Ingstad, USS Donald Cook, USS Philippine Sea, USS George H W Bush and HMS Westminster, who are all taking part in Exercise Saxon Warrior. people to pass through in a way that’s not completely uncomfort- able or dangerous,” Steel said. Apart from their role in deliv- ering mail, the tunnels played a useful role during the World War I and World War II. Construc- tion of the line was halted when war broke out and the space was instead used to store valuable ar- tefacts, and was relied on heavily Govt must provide legal to avoid mail disruption during the blitz of World War II. Mail rail at London’s Postal Museum opens to visitors on September 4. clarity on Brexit: top judge Pipe bomb plotter found guilty Reuters Recruiters blame Brexit as staff shortage worsens London A shortage of staff for British employers “Employers are not just struggling to matched a roughly two-year high in fell by 0.7 % in the three months to May man who tried to smuggle worsened in July, hurt by the departure of hire the brightest and best, but also peo- May and pushed up starting salaries for compared with a year earlier, its sharpest a pipe bomb onto a fl ight ritain’s most senior judge has said European Union workers after last year’s ple to fill roles such as chefs, drivers and permanent staff at the sharpest pace in drop since mid-2014. Afrom Britain’s Manches- the government needs to spell out Brexit vote, a group representing recruit- warehouse workers.” 20 months. James McGroy, executive director of ter Airport was found guilty yes- Bhow British courts should inter- ment agencies said yesterday. London in particular was feeling the Hourly pay for short-term staff also Open Britain, a group which lobbied for terday of possessing explosives pret rulings from the European Court of The Recruitment and Employment strain, with hiring growing at a slower increased. However, previous increases in Britain to stay in the EU and now wants a with intent to harm. Justice after Brexit. Confederation (REC) said the availability pace than anywhere else in Britain. pay as measured by REC have not translated close relationship with the bloc, said the Nadeem Mohamed, 43, was Currently Britain must abide by ECJ of staff overall suff ered its biggest fall last “Financial services, a crucial part of into big rises in broader measures of wage government needed to make clear that EU trying to board a Ryanair fl ight judgements but Prime Minister Theresa month in a year and a half. the London labour market, are not hiring growth, something the Bank of England is citizens were still welcome. to Italy on January 30, when se- May’s government has said that Britain “The parts of the economy most reliant in their usual quantity as the uncertainty watching closely as it considers when to “They should start by dropping their curity offi cials discovered the will leave its jurisdiction after Brexit. on European workers are under even more caused by Brexit makes them hesitant,” raise interest rates from record lows. damaging and unachievable target of explosive device hidden in his Britain has begun the long and com- pressure as many EU workers return home,” Green said. According to off icial data, pay including cutting net migration to the tens of thou- carry-on luggage. plicated process of disentangling UK REC chief executive Kevin Green said. The increase in demand for staff bonuses, when adjusted for inflation, sands,” he said. “Nadeem Mohamed’s motive legislation from more than 40 years of for attempting to take this device EU lawmaking, however the govern- onto a plane remains unknown. ment has said the British courts might in an interview aired yesterday. “If it such as whether the 3mn EU nationals “The legislation for withdrawing us A government spokeswoman said However it is clear that the con- still take note of ECJ rulings after the doesn’t express clearly what the judges living in Britain should be able to seek re- from the EU...leaves very unclear what ministers had been clear that the direct sequences, had he been success- country has left the bloc. should do about decisions of the Euro- course to the European court after Brexit. the relationship subsequently between jurisdiction of the ECJ must come to an ful, could have been disastrous,” “If the United Kingdom parliament pean Court of Justice, then the judges Brexit supporters say the ECJ should European Court of Justice decisions end. Sue Hemming for the Crown says we should take into account deci- will simply have to do their best. But to have no say at all over British matters and and jurisprudence and our own courts “However, we want to provide maxi- Prosecution Service said. sions of the ECJ then we will do so, if it blame the judges for, as it were, making that the vote to leave the EU was partly should be,” he told BBC radio. mum certainty so the Repeal Bill will He was found guilty of pos- says we shouldn’t then we won’t, and the law when parliament has failed to do about restoring legislative sovereignty. “We’re incorporating large amounts ensure that for future cases, UK courts sessing explosives with intent basically we will do what the statute so would be unfair.” However, former British Attorney of European law into our own law to continue to interpret EU-derived law to endanger life at Manchester says,” David Neuberger, president of Deciding the scope of ECJ is set to be one General Dominic Grieve, a vocal Brexit ensure continuity but how is that to be using the ECJ’s case law, as it exists on Crown Court and will be sen- the UK’s Supreme Court, told the BBC of the main sticking points in divorce talks, opponent, said Neuberger was right. interpreted thereafter?” the day we leave the EU,” she said. tenced on August 23.

Belfast building set alight by nationalist youth

Guardian News and Media the republican New Lodge dis- bonfi res as a means to com- Street close to the edge of the Belfast trict in the north of the city. memorate internment. However, Market area. The disorder in the Divis area dissident republicans opposed to The Police Service of Northern followed rioting in the Market the peace process have revived Ireland condemned the trou- former credit union building district of central Belfast earlier the August 9 bonfi re tradition. ble, blaming a “small group of in west Belfast was set alight on Monday when police offi cers Last week, Belfast city coun- youths” for the violence. Aduring rioting late on Mon- were pelted with petrol bombs, cil backed a Sinn Féin proposal Speaking after visiting the Di- day linked to the seizure of bonfi re stones and other missiles. to allow council offi cials to seize vis area, SDLP councillor Tim material by the city council. Up to 20 cars were vandalised, material from illegal bonfi res. Attwood also condemned the ac- Nationalist youths torched the with at least two vehicles set on Contractors took away wood tions and called for the communi- building in the Divis area of the fi re during the disorder which and other materials for the lo- ty to unite against the behaviour. city on Monday in disturbances lasted several hours. cal bonfi re in the early hours of “It is outrageous that the old linked to the bonfi re dispute. Bonfi res are lit in some na- Monday. Several hours later cars credit union building has been Masked youths also tried to hi- tionalist and republican areas of and other vehicles parked close torched in Divis,” said Atwood. jack a number of buses travelling Northern Ireland on August 9 to to Belfast’s central station were “I utterly condemn these ac- along the Falls Road, according to mark the introduction of intern- vandalised or set alight. tions. There is no place for these local witnesses. ment in 1971. Masked youths later threw mindless thugs in Belfast. They There were also reports that Republicans aligned to Sinn petrol bombs and other missiles are intent on destroying our the violence has also spread to Féin have long ago phased out at police land rovers in Friendly community. The former credit union building in the Divis area of the Lower Falls, west Belfast. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 15 EUROPE Belgium fi nds eggs with a dangerous

level of insecticide Hens are pictured at a poultry farm in Wortel near Antwerp, Belgium. Dutch egg probe widens to ed as well,” Tjitte Mastenbroek, The wholesaler has “co-op- On Monday Belgium’s top ag- of companies in contaminat- erupted last week when up to 180 Other European countries in- chicken meat tests spokesman for food security erated fully, and stopped sales” ricultural offi cial ordered the ing Dutch poultry farms with Dutch farms were shuttered due cluding Austria, Bulgaria, Po- agency NVWA, said. and also helped the city’s envi- country’s food safety agency to fi pronil. to the presence of fi pronil dis- land, Portugal and Romania said AFP/DPA The probe focuses on “a few ronment department to contact report within a day why it failed Meanwhile, the French gov- covered in some of the eggs. so far no contaminated eggs were The Hague dozen” farms that produce both restaurants and to notify neighbouring coun- ernment said on Monday that It is believed the toxic sub- found. eggs and chicken meat, NVWA get them to destroy eggs that tries until July 20 despite know- “thirteen batches of contaminat- stance was introduced to poultry Yesterday environmental said. have not been used, said depart- ing about fi pronil contamination ed eggs from the Netherlands” farms by a Dutch business named group Greenpeace called for elgian investigators have Meanwhile, the Dutch Safety ment head Bernadett Weber. since June. were delivered in July to food Chickfriend brought in to treat massive reforms in the food reported that they have Board, the country’s agency The Swedish National Food Yesterday Belgian investi- processing companies located in red lice, a parasite in chickens. supply system to become safer, Bfound eggs with dangerous looking into civilian safety is- Agency said it considered pos- gators reported that they have central-western France. Dutch and Belgian media re- healthier and more transparent levels of the insecticide fi pronil, sues, announced that it was sible health risks were small for found eggs with dangerous levels Mastenbroek said so far her ports that the substance contain- and to do away with so-called the country’s national food safe- opening its own probe into why Swedish consumers, partly as of fi pronil, the country’s national agency’s “highest priority” has ing the insecticide was supplied “factory farming”. ty authority FASNK said. fi pronil was not detected earlier 95% of eggs consumed in Sweden food safety authority FASNK been the detection of contami- to Chickfriend – a small com- “Factory farming has been at And in a new twist in Europe’s in eggs as well as “the role in this are from domestic farmers. said. nated eggs. pany operating out of the Dutch the centre of a number of scan- tainted egg scandal, Dutch au- of the poultry sector and Dutch Meanwhile hard-hit Germany The analysis in Belgium, the “But now we also have the time poultry heartland in the central dals, from Mad cow (disease) to thorities announced yesterday government”. has called on Belgian and Dutch fi rst country to report a possi- to look at meat as a precautionary town of Barneveld – by a Belgian bird fl u, from swine fl u to horse- that they had started testing “The way consumers have authorities to quickly shed light ble mass contamination, found measure,” she said. fi rm have not been confi rmed. meat,” said Davin Hutchins, chicken meat coming from af- been informed about the risks of on what it termed a “criminal 0.92mg per kg (mg/kg) of the Most farms exclusively pro- Currently Dutch authori- Greenpeace senior food cam- fected poultry farms to deter- fi pronil are also being investigat- network” involved in the con- substance, which exceeds the duce one or the other, said Eric ties have closed down 138 poul- paigner. mine whether it was also con- ed,” the Hague-based OVV said tamination of eggs with fi pronil. EU-mandated health safety level Hubers at LTO, a Dutch farming try farms – about one-fi fth of “These are symptoms of a sys- taminated. in a statement. “When one sees a criminal en- of 0.72mg/kg. organisation. those across the country – and tem trying to cut costs at every Scientists are looking for Millions of chickens now face ergy that’s almost organised as a On Monday, FASNK said that If the meat tests are negative warned that eggs from another corner to maximise profi ts at the the presence of the insecticide being culled in the Netherlands network it’s unacceptable,” said the highest level of fi pronil meas- for fi pronil, producers will be 59 farms contained enough levels expense of public health and the fi pronil, a substance potentially as the scandal widens across Eu- German Agriculture Minister ured in Belgium had been 0.096 cleared to resume sales, Masten- of fi pronil that they should not be environment,” he said. dangerous to humans, after su- rope. Christian Schmidt. mg/kg. broek said. eaten by children. Fipronil is a common ingredi- permarkets in Germany, the A probe by authorities in He again criticised Belgian The food safety body was de- LTO said the probability of Belgium has blocked produc- ent in veterinary products for Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden the Swedish city of Gothen- and Dutch authorities’ tardy re- ciding on what measures to take chicken meat found to be infect- tion from 51 farms – one-quar- getting rid of fl eas, lice and ticks and Switzerland pulled millions burg showed that one whole- sponse to the crisis. in light of the new fi gures. ed was small. ter of those nationwide – with in animals. of eggs from the shelves. sale dealer in Gothenburg had “It’s not in the spirit of the ear- Mastenbroek told AFP that a However, if fi pronil was de- fi pronil found at 21 farms, al- It can cause damage to the “We are testing chicken meat imported tainted eggs from the ly warning system to be aware in criminal probe by the NVWA un- tected “farming will be com- though levels were ten times liver, thyroid glands and kidneys, in the poultry farms where eggs Netherlands, and distributed June but only to inform us by the der Dutch prosecution authori- pletely suspended”, Dutch agency below the maximum EU limit, if consumed in large quantities, were infected to determine about 11,000 eggs in the past two end of July,” Germany’s Schmidt ties and assisted by Belgium is NVWA’s Mastenbroek said. the country’s food and safety au- though this has only been tested whether the meat is contaminat- weeks. said. continuing, looking at the role The contaminated egg scandal thority AFSCA said. on rats. Macron to backpedal on French farmer given suspended prison term for aiding migrants creating First Lady status Reuters Nice, France

AFP nalicis from the far-left France Paris Unbowed party said sarcasti- French farmer who helped cally during a debate in late July. hundreds of illegal Afri- He criticised the idea of ac- Acan migrants was handed rench President Em- cording resources to Brigitte a four-month suspended jail manuel Macron is pre- Macron “even though she has sentence yesterday, but he said Fparing to backpedal on never been elected”. he would challenge the “over the the issue of creating an offi cial Macron had always made top” ruling because he was doing First Lady position for his wife clear that Brigitte would not be a job that the state should be do- in the face of attacks from left- paid in the proposed role as First ing. wing opponents and a petition Lady, arguing that creating the Cedric Herrou, an olive farmer against the move, offi cials and position would make it more who says he aided and lodged reports said. transparent. as many as 3,000 migrants who The newly elected 39-year- “Paid by the Republic, no. crossed from Italy, was sen- old president had promised in Having a role, a real status, a tenced by an appeals court in March on the campaign trail real capacity to act, yes,” Ma- the town of Aix-en-Provence in Herrou speaking to reporters outside the courthouse in to create “a real status” for his cron said in March when asked southern France. Aix-en-Provence. wife Brigitte, who is his former Macron and his wife Brigitte. about his vision for the future “They’re trying to silence me, schoolteacher. position. it is over the top,” Herrou, whose from the Italian frontier to his border into France. The issue has become a new role costs,” Aurore Berge, a sen- cost €400,000 ($470,000) in Brigitte would “have the role activism has made him a house- home in the Roya Valley in 2016 The area is often described in political headache for Macron ior lawmaker from Macron’s 2013, according to public fi g- that she’s always had. That’s to hold name with many friends and housing them in a makeshift the media as a “mini-Calais”, a after an online petition against Republic on the Move party, told ures. say that she is at my side because and many detractors, told Reu- campsite at a disused railway smaller hotspot alongside the creating the role garnered Europe 1 radio yesterday. The focus on the First Lady it balances me. We’ve always ters of the ruling. “I am being premises. notorious Calais port city on the around 285,000 signatures and The new status would have proposition comes at a bad time worked like that”, he added. told what I should not do but not He also risks a second trial in northern coast of France, where an opinion poll showed a major- seen France copy the American for Macron as opinion polls “She will have a role, she what I should do.” a separate case where he is be- many migrants head in the hope ity of French people were also tradition of a prominent public show his popularity slipping won’t be hidden because she’s He said he would take the case ing pursued by state prosecutors of making a short sea-crossing to opposed. role for the First Lady. badly only three months after part of my life,” he said. to the Supreme Court to try to who suspect him of helping mi- Britain. The presidency will clarify Neither country has ever had the young centrist clinched a Brigitte Macron, who at 64 is get the legal action against him grants enter France illegally from Bulldozers razed an illegal Brigitte Macron’s position later a female head of state. sensational victory in May. 25 years older than her husband, annulled. Italy. campsite known as “The Jungle” this month or in early Septem- The wife of the French presi- One survey published last married her former pupil after He also denounced what he That aff air follows his arrest in Calais last November and dis- ber, a member of her entourage dent has historically always week showed just 36% of re- they fell in love while writing a called the state’s failure to live up with 150 migrants at a train sta- patched thousands of migrants said yesterday, adding that there played a public role at offi cial spondents held a positive view play together at school in their to a humanitarian duty towards tion in the Riviera city of Cannes, to towns and villages across the were would be no change to the functions, welcoming heads of of him. home town of Amiens, northern thousands of people fl eeing war not far from the Italian border. country pending processing of constitution to create a First state or other VIPs at meetings As well as pushing through France. and strife. He was also handed a sus- asylum requests. Lady position. or dinners. cuts to public spending, parlia- Reports say she is preparing Record arrivals of migrants pended €3,000 ($3,543.90) fi ne But that spot has seen several Government spokesman She has a small security and ment is also preparing to vote to take an active role support- from the Middle East and Africa in February. hundred new arrivals over the Christophe Castaner said in a secretarial staff paid for by the for a new ethics law this week ing mental health and disabled remain a major concern across Migrants who successfully past few months. tweet: “Brigitte Macron plays presidential budget, but she which will prevent MPs from charities. Europe, where political leaders cross the Mediterranean sea A court recently ordered the a role, has responsibilities. We has no formal job title – like the employing their partners or The petition against her be- are under pressure to reconcile from places such as Libya to the French local and national au- want transparency and a frame- partners of the British prime family members as assistants coming First Lady was posted humanitarian imperatives with southern tip of Italy – thousands thorities to provide migrants work for the means at her dis- minister or German chancellor. after a series of scandals. on the website change.org by a voter worries about jobs and se- have died trying to do so in re- there with access to water after posal.” The staff of Valerie Trier- “But I see that sometimes one “painter-activist” Thierry Paul curity. cent months – often go north to legal action by charities who ac- “The idea is for the French weiler, the former partner of can create a role for one’s part- Valette and had 278,000 signa- Herrou ended up in court after a place called Ventimiglia, from cused the state of turning its back people to know how much this ex-president Francois Hollande, ner,” opposition MP Ugo Ber- tures at midday yesterday. ferrying hundreds of migrants where they try to slip across the on a humanitarian crisis.

Memorial to Jewish children ruined

A memorial to Jewish children deported during World War II in eastern France has been vandalised, a local Jewish charity said, NGO says boat drifting after Italy and Malta refuse access leading to condemnation from the French government. “We are horrified but we won’t give up. We’ll rebuild it,” said Jean Levy, the head of a charity committed to preserving the memory Reuters Azzurro, run by Barcelona-based European states have squab- Most Mediterranean boat mi- tween Tripoli and Zuwara. of the 44 Jewish children deported from Izieu in eastern France in Rome Proactiva Open Arms, was not bled over how to deal with the grants are sub-Saharan Africans In an audio recording sent to 1944. allowed to dock in Lampedusa. fl ow of more than 600,000 mi- and Bangladeshis who are res- Reuters, a man’s voice can be A plaque bearing the names of the victims, who were sent to Nazi- It is now in international wa- grants to Italy since 2014. cued from rubber dinghies 12 heard saying: “There is informa- run death camps, has been desecrated and smashed, Levy said. Spanish aid group operat- ters. Italy says the European Union miles north of Libya, but Proac- tion that you are dealing with ing in the Mediterranean The Italian coastguard could has not given enough help and tiva said the three rescued on smugglers. Do not come back Asaid yesterday that one of not be reached for comment. migration looks set to be an is- Sunday were Libyan. close to our waters. Next time Earthquake hist southwest Turkey its boats had been barred by Italy “Golfo Azzurro rescued three sue in national elections due next Golfo Azzurro mission chief you will be targeted.” and Malta from disembarking people 100 miles from the Libyan year. Albert Mayordomo said in a vid- The spokeswoman said the An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 shook southwestern Turkey migrants rescued two days ago. coast in an (Italian) coastguard Malta said it could not al- eo that they were instructed by Libyan coastguard had fi red shots near the Aegean coastal town of Bodrum on Tuesday, the US Humanitarian groups have operation 48 hours ago and we low the migrants on board the Italy’s coastguard to look for the into the air in the direction of the Geological Survey (USGS) said. played a growing role in rescuing are still without authorisation Golfo Azzuro to disembark be- boat, which they found after 17 NGO boat. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured. migrants who pay criminal gangs to disembark,” Proactiva said on cause they should be taken to hours. A Libyan coastguard spokes- The quake struck some 15km southeast of Bodrum, the USGS said. for passage from Libya, prompt- Twitter. Lampedusa, the nearest port to Proactiva said a second boat it man said one of its patrol ves- Bodrum is a popular resort for both Turks and foreigners on ing accusations in Italy that they The Italian interior ministry where the rescue took place. operates received a threatening sels had fi red two shots into the holidays during the summer months. are facilitating people smuggling has proposed a code of conduct “Malta’s decision is in line radio call from the Libyan coast- air after fi nding the Spanish boat The earthquake is the latest to rock the Aegean region this summer. and encouraging migration. which Proactiva signed in Rome with international law,” Malta’s guard on Monday morning while exactly 12 miles from the Libyan Last month, a powerful quake killed two people on the Greek The groups deny this. yesterday, although some groups Deputy Prime Minister Chris patrolling international waters 13 coast, an area he said was for Lib- holiday island of Kos. It was not clear why the Golfo refused to endorse it. Fearne told reporters. miles from the Libyan coast be- ya to patrol. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 INDIA

INVESTIGATION JUDICIARY MONEY LAUNDERINNG STATISTICS AVIATION Malayalam actor Dileep’s SC refuses to make yoga Court to hear ED plea 149 jails overcrowded Air India to save Rs100mn judicial remand extended compulsory in schools for questioning Indrani by over 200%, says govt by serving only veg meals

A Kerala court yesterday extended the judicial The Supreme Court yesterday said yoga cannot A New Delhi court will hear August 16 an Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said National carrier Air India will be saving around remand of Malayalam superstar Dileep till August be imposed on anyone. A bench headed by appeal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to yesterday that 149 of the total 1,401 jails in Rs80-100mn annually through its decision 22. Dileep was arrested for his alleged role in the Justice Madan B Lokur said courts can’t decide question former media baron Indrani Mukerjea the country had an overcrowding rate of to discontinue non-vegetarian meals in the abduction and molestation of a popular actress what is to be taught in schools and that the in a money laundering case allegedly involving more than 200% as on December 2015. “In economy class on domestic flights, parliament in February. This is the third time Dileep’s custody government can take a decision on the issue. Karti Chidambaram, son of former federal the Model Prison Manual 2016, the minimum was told yesterday. “Non-vegetarian meal has has been extended. He is likely to move a fresh bail The court dismissed pleas seeking direction to finance minister P Chidambaram. Mukerjea is accommodation space per prisoner in sleeping been discontinued only in the economy class application soon. The actor is lodged in the Aluva make yoga compulsory in schools for students jailed in Mumbai in connection with the murder barracks suggested is 3.71sq m and 8.92sq m of domestic sector flights of Air India. This sub-jail. His bail plea was rejected by the Kerala High from classes 1 to 8. The court order came on of her daughter Sheena Bora. On May 19, the of ground area in cells. No central statistics was started to save costs, reduce wastage, Court on July 24. Dileep was arrested on July 10 after two petitions filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, ED lodged a complaint against Karti alleging are available on the actual space available to a improve service and also to avoid any chances police found evidence against him as the abduction’s a lawyer, and Delhi BJP spokesperson and that he had received Rs30mn from INX Media, prison inmate in diff erent jails,” Ahir said in the of mix-up of meals,” Minister of State for Civil key conspirator. The actress was abducted and advocate J C Seth seeking introduction of now 9X Media, for helping it in the clearance Lok Sabha. “Prisons is a state subject. However, Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Rajya Sabha. molested while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi yoga in schools and making mandatory yoga of a Foreign Investment Promotion Board a central scheme for modernisation of prisons, Various measures like change in menu, meal on February 17. The police had earlier arrested the classes for school students across the country. (FIPB) proposal when his father was the finance with a financial outlay of Rs1,800 crores, was schedules, rationalisation of dry stores and prime accused, Pulsar Suni, and his accomplices Upadhyay wanted the government to “provide minister. At the time INX Media was run by launched in 2002. Under this scheme, 125 new ancillary items as per current trends have a week after the incident but a conspiracy angle standard textbooks on yoga and health Peter and Indrani Mukherjea, both accused in jails were constructed and 1,579 barracks were been taken for cost cutting which will save Air cropped up much later that led to Dileep’s arrest. education for students of Class 1 to 8”. Sheena Bora murder case. added to existing prisons,” the minister said. India around Rs200mn annually, he added. ‘Honour killings’ hotline launched to protect mixed caste couples

Reuters – not only among rural popula- Chennai tions, but even for well-off urban families. The Madurai police initiative olice in Tamil Nadu have follows a Madras High Court or- launched a hotline to pre- der last year that called for spe- Pvent “honour killings”, the cialist police units to be set up to fi rst initiative of its kind in the deal with complaints from “cou- country aimed at protecting cou- ples expressing fear of physi- ples from diff erent castes or reli- cal annihilation” by parents, gions who fear family retribution. relatives and khap panchayats The toll-free number is linked – community groups made up of to an immediate response team powerful men who set the rules who will take action in cases in villages. where couples feel threatened by The court recommended that Social activists stage a demonstration after police forcibly removed Narmada Bachao Andolan campaigners in Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh, in New Delhi yesterday. their families, police said. temporary shelter be provided “It will operate 24/7 and we by the state to couples who felt have come up with standard pro- at risk, and counselling off ered cedures that will be used in every to family members opposing the case,” said Mahesh Kumar Ag- marriage. garwal, police commissioner of It made the order after hear- Madurai. ing the case of a man who fell in “The couple will be provided love with and married a girl from Dam protesters fear more protection.” a higher caste in 2014. Nearly 400 people – mostly Both had been hounded and the women – have died in honour girl was later killed. killings in India since 2014, ac- There were 47 reported cases of cording to government data. honour killings between 2010 and The killings are usually carried 2015 in Tamil Nadu, according to violence after police action out by family members who be- court papers. lieve the relationship has brought “This (helpline) is a positive Agencies Andolan (Save Narmada Move- lice action and said the agitation 2006, about two decades after to complete the resettlement “shame” on their community. development,” said K Samuelraj, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh ment), and about a dozen others and fast would continue. construction began. sites by July 31, and pay Rs6mn But activists say the crime is an activist from a group cam- who had been on a hunger strike State offi cials said they took The project has been mired ($94,000) to each of the 681 under-reported and many kill- paigning against honour killings for more than a week. Patkar and other protesters to in controversy since it was families who did not receive any ings are covered up and made to in the state. undreds of protesters “The state is increasingly vio- hospitals because they were conceived in the 1960s, with compensation. look like suicides by hanging or “But such toll-free numbers demanding better reset- lent in its dealings with us, and concerned about their declin- protracted battles over water Campaigners subsequent- consuming poison. have to be set up across the state. Htlement options for vil- we have to brace ourselves for ing health, but Patkar suggested sharing, evictions and compen- ly fi led a petition with a state Despite India’s growing cos- We are pushing for the setting up lagers displaced by a dam in the more violence as we continue there were other motives behind sation. court, saying the sites lacked mopolitanism, the intermingling of special units in every district to Madhya Pradesh are bracing for the protest,” said Madhuresh his removal. The NBA has said the dam basic amenities such as water, of diff erent castes or religions re- ensure couples are safe. more violence a day after several Kumar, an NBA campaigner. “If I am hospitalised as per displaced 320,000 people – electricity and sewage lines. mains a taboo in Indian marriages Many still live in fear.” campaigners were forcibly re- “There are police at the pro- CM (Chief Minister), not arrest- many of them poor tribal farm- They also appealed to the moved by police. test site and in the villages, ed then why my colleagues are ers who were not resettled on Supreme Court to extend the Activists in Dhar district in where villagers are being force- not allowed to visit me,” Patkar agricultural land – and disrupt- deadline, but this was rejected Axis Bank cuts savings account interest Madhya Pradesh say 40,000 fully evicted,” he said. said in a tweet yesterday. ed the lives of tens of thousands yesterday. families uprooted by the Sardar “Police broke the stage and The Sardar Sarovar dam is the more. About 65mn people were dis- Axis Bank yesterday announced lakh,” it said. The bank will continue Sarovar dam need more time chairs before taking Patkar into centrepiece of the multi-billion Thousands have still not been placed in India by dams, high- a 50 basis points (bps) reduction to off er 4% interest per annum on than a court mandated July 31 their custody. It is shameful that dollar Narmada Valley develop- compensated, it said. ways, mines, power plants and in the rates of savings accounts savings account balance of Rs5mn deadline to leave their homes, as they never chose to hold dia- ment project to provide water Nearly 200 villages are ex- airports between 1950 and 2005, for deposits below Rs5mn. “The and above, it said. On July 31, the the state’s resettlement sites are logue with us in last 12 days but and power to millions in India’s pected to be submerged from a according to the Geneva-based bank has revised the interest rate State Bank of India announced a inadequate. used force to stop our non-vio- west through a series of dams, planned increase in the height of Internal Displacement Monitor- downward on savings account 50 bps cut in the interest rates but Late on Monday, police took lent protest. Many have suff ered reservoirs and canals spanning the dam. ing Centre. balance by 50 bps to 3.50% per for savings accounts with deposits away Medha Patkar, founder of physical injury,” he said. three states. In February, the Supreme Less than a fi fth have been re- annum on balance of up to Rs50 below Rs10mn. rights group Narmada Bachao The NBA condemned the po- The dam was completed in Court asked Madhya Pradesh settled. It’s time for Modi to walk the talk hile the mainstream The BJP-led National Demo- ance evaluation, independent of he could well become the great- Jaitley to Thiruvananthapuram to news media was en- cratic Alliance (NDA) with 77 nepotism and friendship, must est prime minister India has seen. meet with the bereaved family. Wgrossed in the resort members on its side is still short of be made the guiding spirit for all And if he doesn’t… While the Marxists refuted politics of Gujarat’s Congress a simple majority that is required Delhi Diary government jobs be they in offi ces any link with the murderers and legislators and the subsequent to pass most laws. The United or factories or airlines. The salary Congress missing Vijayan asserted that the guilty income tax raids on Karnataka’s Progressive Alliance (UPA), of By A K B Krishnan at the end of the month should be will face befi tting punishment, Minister for Power D K Shivaku- which the Congress is the major earned for executing the desired a chance in Kerala there is indeed doubt in the ruling mar, the Bharatiya Janata Party component, has 84 seats. Gulf Times Correspondent work and not as a right for holding party’s mind that things are be- (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra But that is soon going to be the job. And those who perform Even in Kerala, small as it is, Kan- ginning to go out of hand. There Modi glided past the Congress short-lived with the change of well should be incentivised to nur is considered back of beyond. is even talk of the likelihood of Party to become the largest party government in Bihar. Nitish Ku- “non-party man”. Nevertheless, The move to sell off loss-mak- create an atmosphere of friendly The 450-plus km journey from President’s Rule in the state. in the Rajya Sabha. mar’s Janata Dal-United (JD-U) having one of its own at the top ing Air India is a step in the right competition. capital Thiruvananthapuram to Vijayan has embarked on a When Sampathiya Uikey took has 10 members in the Rajya Sab- will not hurt the BJP. direction although it remains to If labour reforms are important, Kannur on the state’s narrow, damage-control exercise and as her oath of affi rmation last week, ha. Although senior leader Sharad The economy may not be what be seen what the fi nal outcome those in the judiciary and police crowded highways is an arduous a fi rst step has taken out full page she made history for the BJP by Yadav is ambivalent as to whom Modi had wished for three years will be on that front. There are are far more crucial. The bedrock one and with every kilometre the advertisements in most national edging the Congress off its perch he would support, the majority of into his reign what with indus- several other businesses that the of every stable and happy society signifi cance of the far-fl ung dis- newspapers extolling the virtues in the 245-member upper house JD-U members will vote with the trial production at its lowest in government has no business to be is the dispensation of justice and trict decreases. So when political of the state and his administra- of parliament. The BJP now has BJP now that the two parties are four years and unemployment in, almost all of them vestiges of by extension the implementation murders took place almost on a tion. How far such public postur- 58 members to the Congress’ 57. partners in Patna. fi gures showing no sign of leav- Soviet-era socialism. of judicial orders by the police as weekly basis in Kannur, most of it ing will wash remains to be seen. Uikey was elected unopposed in That should take the NDA well ing the red zone. But the monsoon But disinvestment or sell-off of and where necessary. India’s de- was good enough just for a one- But while the Left-Right face- a by-election for the Rajya Sabha past the UPA but a simple major- has been benign in most parts for government property has to nec- mocracy may be only 70 years old, day headline and for the political off continues despite half-heart- seat held by federal minister Anil ity will still elude Modi. But the the second consecutive year and essarily address the labour issue. but its judicial system moves as if parties a one-day general strike. ed attempts at reconciliation, the Madhav Dave, who died in May Prime Minister Modi can take infl ation on various parameters Labour reforms are a diffi cult area it’s 700 years old. Judges even in That changed dramatically late Congress Party is strangely rele- this year. comfort from the thought that he has been under good control for a because simply imitating the cap- the higher courts have been found last month when Thiruvanan- gated to the role of a mute specta- The Congress could have re- has friends in Tamil Nadu’s AI- fair bit of time now, a fact that was italist West will not suit the In- to be illogical and uninformed, thapuram itself witnessed the tor. And therein lies its folly. tained the lead had it had enough ADMK (13 members) and Odisha’s borne out by the Reserve Bank of dian setting. The planners have to not to speak of those with unsta- murder of a BJP-RSS activist al- If the Congress had taken to support in West Bengal from where Biju Janata Dal (8), besides the India (RBI) reducing interest rates come up with fresh ideas to make ble minds. legedly at the hands of goons with peace-making, calling press con- it is set to lose one seat to Mamata Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) by 25 basis points last week. sure that even as the government All these have to change. Ac- allegiance to the ruling Commu- ferences and addressing rallies, Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress which, with its three members, is Experts feel that the economy gives away control of projects and tually they should have changed nist (Marxist) party. If the murder the people of Kerala, fed up with in the current round of biennial slowly moving closer to the BJP. is not going to turn around even businesses, safeguarding em- yesterday. Modi’s new stature of Rajesh Edavakode shook the the cycle of violence, would have elections. Finance Minister Arun That should put him within strik- if the RBI were to have cut the ployee interest will have to be ac- as the master of all he surveys state, it made national headlines greatly appreciated such eff orts. Jaitley, who is also Leader of the ing distance of the magic number rate by 50 points. For that to hap- corded prime importance. puts him in a unique position to for two consecutive days, forced Going one step further it could House in the Rajya Sabha, said the which, hopefully, will fi nally be pen the investment climate has to For long government-run en- get things done at double quick Governor Palanisamy Sathasi- have unilaterally declared that BJP becoming the Number 1 party met by April next year when Uttar turn favourable. Much needs to be terprises have been the breed- time. The handicap in the Rajya vam to summon Chief Minister henceforth it would not resort to is a “natural consequence of our Pradesh sends its 10 new mem- done towards this end. Both de- ing ground for ennui thanks to Sabha was a major hurdle. That Pinarayi Vijayan and police chief general strikes that disrupt peo- support base increasing”. bers. monetisation and the goods and the safety and security that these is not the case anymore. Indians Lokanath Behara to explain the ple’s lives. That sort of gestures “We are in power in most states Venkaiah Naidu will be the services tax (GST) have been re- jobs provided. But that’s changing have shown that they are willing situation, pushed federal Home would have endeared the Con- (18 at last count) and since the Ra- new Chairman of the Rajya Sabha ceived well by industry and peo- slowly. Even senior bureaucrats to sacrifi ce a lot for the greater Minister Rajnath Singh to warn gress to people of the state. And jya Sabha is a council of the states, later this week. Although a dyed- ple in general and that is a good have been asked to pack up and go common good. It is for Modi to Vijayan that political violence was that’s how you win confi dence the strength of the BJP has to be in-the-wool BJP-RSS member, sign for still more game-changing home after their performance re- harness that sentiment to take the unacceptable and even sent Fi- and votes. But who will tell the refl ected,” he said. Naidu has already pledged to be a reforms. views turned negative. Perform- country forward. If he succeeds nance and Defence Minister Arun Congress? Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 17 INDIA Mumbai braces for mammoth Maratha silent march

IANS Senior Congress leader Naray- terday from all over Maharashtra There will massive traffi c di- Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, monsoon session of Maharash- Ittehad in Pakistan’s Balochistan Mumbai an Rane told reporters that the to take part in the procession, versions, important roads either FM radios and other sources to tra legislature, proving a major region which issued a statement procession, starting at 11am from 58th in the series of processions closed or made one-way and provide updates on traffi c to the challenge to the ruling Bharatiya yesterday, besides Mumbai’ Byculla, will be peaceful and or- being held in diff erent parts of arterial roads opened to ensure millions of offi ce-goers who may Janata Party-Shiv Sena allliance. ‘dabbawalas’ and Left parties. he Maharashtra govern- derly, silent, have no political the state since August 9, 2016. smooth passage for the partici- be aff ected in the morning and The organisers have urged the Besides the major demands for ment, police, municipal speeches and will end at Azad They have been reaching the pants, Deputy Commissioner of evening peak hours. participants to follow the code of reservations in education and em- Tcorporation and other Maidan in south Mumbai by 5pm. state capital by trains, private ve- Police Rashmi Karandkiar said. Education Minister Vin- conduct - silent march, no sloga- ployment, the Marathas are de- agencies are all set for a mam- “After the procession, a dele- hicles, trucks, tempos and even This is expected to result in a od Tawde announced that all neering or speeches, no banners manding minimum support prices moth Maratha ‘mook’ (silent) gation will call on Chief Minister two-wheelers, while waving Mar- chaotic situation on the roads schools in south Mumbai would or placards except the offi cial for farm produce, and amendment procession today, offi cials said. Devendra Fadnavis and submit a atha fl ags and sporting bright or- and put pressure on the overbur- remain shut today to ensure stu- logo of the umbrella organisa- to the Scheduled Castes and While the authorities antici- memorandum of our demands. ange turbans. The Mumbai police dened suburban train network, dents are not inconvenienced tion, Maratha Kranti Morcha, to Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of pate participation of between The main issue is reservations have geared up with over 7,000 and the organisers have started during the procession. maintain strict cleanliness and Atrocities) Act which they claim 500,000 and 800,000 Marathas for the Maratha community in personnel, including commandos, appealing to people not to step The procession, termed as refrain from inconveniencing is being misused against the com- from across the state, the organ- jobs and education,” he said. armed police and plainclothes of- out except for emergencies. Storm of Marathas from all the general public. munity, especially in the wake of isers are optimistic the fi gure The Marathas started troop- fi cers assigned for providing secu- The police plan to make big over the state by the organisers, The procession has got sup- the Kopardi (Ahmednagar) gang- could be more than 3mn. ing into Mumbai since early yes- rity during the procession. use of the social media like strategically comes during the port from the Maratha Qaumi rape incident of August 2016. Women post their selfi es at midnight after stalking case

Agencies fault? Can the men not control New Delhi their urges at night? Why am I being questioned? I am the one who was under attack... but they undreds of women in are not questioned,” the woman India have taken to so- said. Hcial media to post selfi es She added that there was of themselves out at midnight evidence to support her ver- with the hashtag #AintNoCin- sion of the incident, and de- derella after a senior politician nied rumours that she had met questioned why a woman, who with a car accident and also had was reportedly stalked, was out stopped at a petrol station. Textiles Minister Smriti Irani flashes a victory sign after casting her vote during the Rajya Sabha election in Gandhinagar yesterday. at night. Kundu said she didn’t stop at The 29-year-old ,” Varnika the petrol station and didn’t hit Kundu from Chandigarh said she anybody’s car but rather her car was followed and almost kid- was chased relentlessly. “If there napped by two men who pursued has been a collision, wouldn’t her car as she drove home in the there be evidence?” she asked. early hours of Saturday. Twitter was fl ooded with Kundu said one of the men, women posting pictures of Vikas Barala, is the son of Hary- themselves outside their homes ana BJP president chief Subhash at night, mocking Bhatti and Congress, BJP take Barala. condemning his remarks which But while police arrested Vi- they said were shaming victims kas and his friend Ashish Kumar, instead of supporting them. registered a complaint against “If I’m out at 12 am, it DOES them and released them on NOT mean I’m to be raped, mo- bail, the BJP’s vice president in lested, chased. My dignity is my Haryana has blamed the victim right 24X7. #AintNoCinderella,” for being out late - triggering a tweeted Sharmistha Mukherjee, Gujarat battle to EC backlash on Twitter. a politician from the opposition “The girl should not have gone Congress Party, with a picture of IANS federal minister Smriti Irani counting process under way no objection in the morning and tions sent by the Election Com- out at 12 in the night. Why was her in the dark. Gandhinagar/New Delhi are the other two candidates in in accordance with what they did not ask for keeping aside mission in the past. There is a she driving so late in the night?” “Dear regressive India, I will the election whose victory is contended was the right proce- the two impugned votes or ask precedent of a ballot paper of a Ramveer Bhatti told a local tel- do as I please, night or day. Don’t certain, given the BJP numbers dure. them to be declared as tendered. Congress MLA being rejected evision station on Monday. ever think you have the right to high-pitch battle broke in the 176-member Gujarat as- Both parties’ delegations met “We repeatedly told the Elec- on June 11, 2016 in Haryana Kundu slammed Bhatti for his stop me #AintNoCinderella,” out between the Bharati- sembly. The fi ght is over the the Election Commission thrice tion Commission not to order because it was seen by persons sexist remarks. wrote another user with the Aya Janata Party and Con- third seat for which the BJP has in a space of three hours. an inquiry on Congress’ de- other than authorised,” he said. “It’s none of his business,” she twitter handle @queenpsays, gress last night over the Ra- fi elded Congress defector Bal- After a two-member Con- mand. We told them clearly that Chidambaram also cited a simi- told NDTV news channel. along with a picture of her in jya Sabha elections in Gujarat wantsinh Rajput. gress low-profi le delegation once the ballots are cast and the lar case in Rajasthan in 2000. “It is my business and my jeans in a red top. where Sonia Gandhi’s political Patel needs 45 votes to win met the Commission, a battery box is closed you (Congress) can In Gujarat, Chidambaram family’s what I do and where I The incident over the week- aide Ahmed Patel was facing a the election. He appears to have of senior ministers headed by go to courts and move an elec- said, there is ample evidence to go. If it wasn’t for men like these, end hit the headlines on Sunday tough contest against all-out got 42 of the 44 Congress MLAs Arun Jaitley met the poll panel tion petition,” Prasad said. show that the two votes were I wouldn’t be unsafe going out after Kundu, who is a profes- eff orts by the saff ron party to who were taken to Bengaluru and accused the Congress of This was followed by a high- seen by two or three persons whether it was 12am or 2am or sional radio disc jockey, and the stymie his attempts at seeking a and the votes of an MLA each trying to stall the process be- powered Congress delegation other than those authorised ob- 4am,” she said. daughter of a senior IAS offi cer, fi fth term. of the NCP and JD-U. Patel’s cause it was staring at defeat. led by Ghulam Nabi Azad, call- viously because the votes were “If it happens at night, it’s my posted an account of her ordeal High drama marked the fate rests on the votes of two The BJP delegation told the ing on the Commission to reject in BJP’s favour. on her Facebook page. day-long developments during Congress MLAs who defi ed the commission that under Article the votes of the two party MLAs, “The Election Commission “I was in a full-blown panic polling in Gandhinagar where party and also showed it to the 324 of the Constitution no au- who had showed their ballots to cannot follow any precedent attack by now because they two Congress MLAs defi ed and other three candidates in viola- thority can interfere with the BJP leaders on the precedent set other than those set in 2016. would keep trying to corner me, voted for the BJP along with tion of election rules. election process once the voting by it in Haryana and Rajasthan. Our information is that the Re- and I’d somehow manoeuvre my cross-voting by a Nationalist This started a battle with the is completed and the ballots are Briefi ng the media, former fi - turning Offi cer is rightly await- way out and keep moving,” she Congress Party legislator that Congress approaching the Re- put inside the box. nance minister P Chidambaram ing the Election Commission’s wrote, describing how the men could threaten Patel’s chances. turning Offi cer for cancellation Briefi ng media after the said there was video evidence instructions. The only consti- pursued her, blocked her vehicle The fate of the vote of a Janata of the two votes that resulted meeting, Law Minister Ravi of the ballot papers of the two tutional authority in this mat- and tried to open her car door. Dal-United MLA was unclear in deferring of counting that Shankar Prasad and Power Min- Congress MLAs being shown ter is the Election Commission “My hands shaking, my back with his party general secretary should have started at 5pm. ister Piyush Goyal said if any to persons other than those au- which has the right of conduct spasming from fear, half in tears, claiming it went to the BJP while The battle shifted to the Elec- party has any complaint only an thorised to see it. and superintendence of the half bewildered, because I didn’t the lawmaker said he had voted tion Commission in New Delhi election petition in courts is the “This is violation of the con- elections under the Constitu- Varnika Kundu: ‘Can the men know if I’d make it home to- for Patel. where both parties deputed course left for the aggrieved. duct of election rules read with tion. The Returning Offi cer is not control their urges at night?’ night.” BJP president Amit Shah and their top legal eagles to get the Prasad said the Congress had election circulars and instruc- only an offi cer.” Odisha to give property Partition museum Police fi re couple for rights to slum dwellers faking Everest climb Agencies en false information to media, Pune cheated the Indian and Nepali Reuters “As far as is practicable, ef- living standards comparable to governments and morphed Bhubaneswar forts will be made to provide Europe. photos to show that they had these rights on an in situ basis,” Slum dwellers have long op- wo police offi cers who reached the top of Mount Everest he said, adding that the “his- posed eff orts to relocate them to falsely claimed to have - which, in fact, they had not.” he eastern state of Odi- toric” decision will help remove distant suburbs which limit their Treached the summit of “We are not pressing any sha will give land rights residents’ constant fear of evic- access to jobs and amenities. Mount Everest last year have charges against them since we Tto slum dwellers in small tion and harassment. Instead, they favour develop- been sacked, authorities said have already given very seri- towns and property rights to About 65mn people live in ment with upgrading of facilities yesterday. ous punishment in the matter,” those living in city settlements India’s slums, according to 2011 and secure tenancy. Nepal’s government last year he added. Nepal’s tourism de- in a “historic” step offi cials said census data, which activists say While Odisha and other states imposed a 10-year mountain- partment initially awarded the would benefi t tens of thousands is a low estimate. have programmes to give land to eering ban on Dinesh Rathod Rathods a certifi cate after they in one of the poorest states. That number is rising quickly the landless poor in rural areas, and his wife Tarakeshwari, after said they had reached the top of The state cabinet has ap- as tens of thousands of migrants a similar eff ort has not been un- fi nding they had doctored pho- the world’s highest mountain on proved two ordinances to assign leave their villages to seek better dertaken in cities before, said G tos to support their claim. May 23, 2016. They investigated land and property rights to about prospects in urban areas. Mathi Vathanan, commis- Now the police force in Pune after fellow climbers cast doubt 200,000 slum dwelling house- Many end up in overcrowded sioner at the department of where the couple worked has on the claim and said photos holds that will enable redevel- slums, lacking even basic fa- housing and urban development. dismissed them after conduct- purporting to show the couple opment, Chief Minister Naveen cilities and with no claim on the In small towns, slum dwellers ing its own investigation. at the summit were doctored. Patnaik said yesterday. land or the property. will get rights over up to 600sq ft “We dismissed them from Soon after the climb, com- “The urban poor in slums will Evictions from slums and the of land, while in the cities, they service on Saturday after the mentators had pointed out that get land rights for residential use demolition of settlements have will get rights over up to 450sq completion of an internal de- the duo were wearing diff erent that are heritable, mortgageable risen as cities expand and are ft, he said. The initiative “will partmental inquiry,” Pune’s boots in the alleged summit pic- and non-transferable,” he told spruced up under programmes improve the living conditions Students look at photographs taken during the time of India- Additional Commissioner of tures than at other points in the reporters in state capital Bhu- such as the Smart Cities plan of the urban poor”, he told the Pakistan Partition at the Partition Museum in Amritsar. Police Sahebrao Patil said. ascent, where changing foot- baneswar. that aims to create centres with Thomson Reuters Foundation. “We found that they had giv- wear is practically impossible. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

Judge suspends UN slams Venezuela on homicide cases in use of ‘excessive force’ 2015 mine AFP disaster Caracas

AFP he United Nations has Rio de Janeiro slammed Venezuela’s Tuse of “excessive force” against protesters, amid wors- judge has suspended ening tensions and fresh moves homicide cases against against the opposition. A22 people in the Samar- The country’s Supreme Court co mine disaster that killed 19 sentenced a prominent opposi- and devastated a river valley in tion mayor in the middle of the southeastern Brazil in 2015. night to 15 months in prison and The decision signed July 4 but stripped him of his right to hold only made public on Monday political offi ce. cites worries over illegal evi- Ramon Muchacho, the mayor dence gathering raised by law- of the upscale Caracas munici- yers for former Samarco chief pality of Chacao, was one of a Rodriguez speaking at a Constituent Assembly session. executive Ricardo Vescovi and group of opposition mayors who former operations chief Kleber had been threatened with arrest Football legend Maradona defends Maduro Terra. for failing to prevent street pro- They claim that police and tests in their jurisdictions. With Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro facing criticism from around prosecutors based evidence on In a statement after the rul- Latin America and the world amid a deepening political crisis, Argentine communications that were in- ing, Muchacho said he had been soccer legend Diego Maradona said he was willing to fight for the embat- tercepted outside of the court- convicted for guaranteeing the tled leftist regime. authorised dates for wiretaps. right to peaceful protest and “We are chavistas until death,” Maradona wrote on his off icial Facebook The ruling by Judge Jaques de for “fi ghting for change in Ven- Pro-government activists rally on Caracas to express their support to the Constituent Assembly. page on Monday night, using a term to refer to supporters of late former Queiroz Ferreira said the con- ezuela”. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. “When Maduro orders, I am dressed cerns “raise two serious ques- Meanwhile, a powerful new Switzerland described “wide- tests, accompanied by violent of Venezuela’s attorney gen- as a soldier for a free Venezuela, to fight against the imperialism and tions that could aff ect the an- assembly of Maduro loyalists spread and systematic use of clashes with security forces, eral, Luisa Ortega, an outspoken those who want to take our flags, which is the most sacred thing we nulment of the procedure from was to convene today in the same excessive force and arbitrary de- have left nearly 130 people dead. critic of Maduro’s after breaking have.” the start”. building as the opposition-con- tentions against demonstrators Major Latin American nations ranks with him. “Long live the revolution!!!” he wrote in a post in English, Spanish and In the ruling, seen by AFP, the trolled legislature, amid calls for in Venezuela”. have rejected the legitimacy of The July 30 election of the Italian. judge cited the inadmissibility protests. It highlighted witness ac- the Constituent Assembly. Constituent Assembly was The former soccer star’s expression of support came just days after of “illegally obtained evidence” Late on Monday, the head of counts of police and soldiers us- South American nations have marred by street violence in regional trade bloc Mercosur suspended Venezuela indefinitely, accusing and ordered the criminal cases the new assembly, former for- ing “disproportionate force to also indefi nitely suspended Ven- which 10 people died, and Maduro of human rights violations and urging him to dismantle a newly suspended until a decision is eign minister Delcy Rodriguez, instil fear, crush dissent, and to ezuela from the Mercosur trad- charges of fraud brought by the created pro-government constituent assembly. reached on the claims. led soldiers and others in in- prevent demonstrators from as- ing bloc for breaking “demo- British-based company that Maduro has lost allies around the region as several governments, includ- In November last year, de vading the chamber where the sembling, rallying and reaching cratic order”. supplied the polling technology. ing Argentina and Brazil, have shifted to the right in recent years. Queiroz Ferreira had given the opposition-controlled National public institutions to present Foreign ministers of at least 14 According to the government, Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986, is well- green light to homicide and en- Assembly meets, sharpening petitions”. Latin American and Caribbean two rebels were killed and eight known for supporting leftist politicians in Latin America and was a friend vironmental criminal indict- tensions between the two rival Recent demonstrations in nations and Canada were meet- captured in Sunday’s raid in Va- of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, whose face is tattooed on his leg. ments against the 22 defendants bodies. Venezuela have stemmed from ing in Peru to evaluate further lencia, the country’s third larg- His post prompted a critical response from Venezuelan opposition and four mining companies. The developments followed anger over the installation of an measures. est city. leader Henrique Capriles. They are accused of respon- a raid on an army base over the all-powerful Constituent As- Peru has urged that Maduro’s But the rest of the raiding par- “If Maradona wants to come, I will personally go pick him up at the sibility in the November 5, 2015 weekend apparently led by two sembly that many see as a power government be condemned for ty – some 20 armed men in uni- airport and show him around so he can see the situation in Venezuela,” collapse of an iron ore tailings renegade offi cers, one on active grab by the unpopular Maduro. carrying out “a new form of forms – remained at large. Capriles told an Argentine radio station yesterday. “The so-called revolu- dam in the Minas Gerais region duty and the other who had been The dire economic situation coup d’etat” through the ap- Defence Minister General tion is indefensible.” run by Samarco, which is jointly cashiered three years earlier. also has stirred deep bitterness pointment of the “unconstitu- Vladimir Padrino assured that Venezuela is suff ering the worst crisis of its recent history, with three- owned by Australian mining gi- The military is still searching as people struggle with skyrock- tional” Constituent Assembly, morale in the military is “very digit inflation and a shortage of food and medicine. ant BHP and Brazilian giant Vale. for rebels who fl ed with weapons eting infl ation and shortages of diplomatic sources said. high”. Twenty-one people, includ- stolen from the base’s armoury. food and medicine. It also wants the group to Nevertheless, the incident ing senior executives, faced The UN rights offi ce based in Four months of street pro- condemn the assembly’s fi ring heightened fears that Venezue- dle ranks of the police and sol- grows,” the analyst said. charges of “qualifi ed homicide” la’s crisis could tip into some diers, even though military On Monday, hackers hijacked and environmental crimes. form of armed confl ict. commanders remain allied to the home pages of several gov- An engineer was charged with Analysts said discord could be the government,” said Diego ernment bodies and private having falsely certifi ed the dam seen in the lower ranks of the se- Moya-Ocampos, of IHS Markit companies in support of the as stable prior to its collapse. curity forces. Country Risk in London. rebel raid, posting excerpts from De Queiroz Ferreira was tasked “There are indications of “You can expect new inci- Charlie Chaplin’s movie The with deciding whether to bring growing discontent in the mid- dents to occur as this unease Great Dictator. the defendants to a jury trial. Despite the unrest, Maduro The Samarco dam burst was and the Constituent Assembly branded Brazil’s worst environ- were forging on with their poli- mental disaster, drawing com- cies, brushing aside any domes- parisons with the 2010 Deep- tic or foreign criticism. water Horizon oil rig explosion Maduro accuses the opposi- which killed 11 workers and trig- tion of waging an “economic gered a devastating spill in the war” against him, with support Gulf of Mexico. from the United States. Prosecutors denounced the His room for manoeuvre has mining companies for reckless been limited by low global oil policies “to boost profi ts and prices and falling energy ex- dividends”. ports, which once underwrote Samarco says that the acci- generous social programmes for dent was impossible to foresee, the poor. and that it is compensating vic- Maduro has promised the new tims’ families and helping to re- assembly, whose primary task is store environmental damage. to rewrite the constitution, will The mining companies have restore peace and prosperity to agreed to pay billions of dollars the country. in compensation. Instead its fi rst order of busi- In May 2016, prosecutors fi led ness has been to clamp down on a civil lawsuit against Vale, BHP dissent, fi ring the attorney gen- and Samarco seeking 155bn reais Foreign ministers of Latin American and Caribbean nations and Canada meet in Lima to evaluate Demonstrators block a street at a rally in Caracas against eral and creating a “truth com- ($49bn). further measures against Venezuela. Venezuela’s President Maduro’s government. mission” to prosecute opposi- In July this year, Vale said that tion leaders. lawsuit had been suspended. Mexico Offi cial demanded bribes for braces release of bodies: prosecutor for more AFP Judge gets jail for driving confi scated Porsche Rio de Janeiro Tropical A federal court has sentenced a Brazilian judge to eight years in prison for driving confiscated luxury vehicles, local media reported. razil’s corruption saga hit Judge Flavio Roberto de Souza, who was presiding over criminal proceed- Storm a macabre new low yes- ings against former billionaire Eike Batista, was removed from off ice in Bterday with allegations 2015 after he was caught driving Batista’s Porsche Cayenne in Rio. that a Rio city councillor forced The judge also kept another luxury car confiscated from Batista in his Franklin grieving relatives to pay bribes to garage, as well as a piano and several Rolex watches. A local is seen in Tulum beach in Quintana Roo, Mexico, before the arrival of Tropical Storm Franklin. claim bodies of loved ones. They were seized by a court from Batista, once Brazil’s richest man, be- The councillor, Gilberto de cause of his high debts, the O Globo news portal reported. AFP US National Hurricane Centre until the center moves back over opened yesterday morning after Oliveira Lima, and two other of- Mexico City (NHC). water, and strengthening is ex- closing overnight. fi cials are accused of forming a It was set to fi nish crossing pected thereafter until landfall Schools remained closed “mafi a” at Rio de Janeiro’s medi- ties, which is against the law, the staggers through the biggest cor- the peninsula later and enter occurs in mainland Mexico,” it statewide, however. cal investigation centre, where statement said. ruption scandal in its history. ropical Storm Franklin the Gulf of Mexico, where it said. A red alert remained in place autopsies are performed, the “To boost profi ts, the hospitals In an operation dubbed “Car swept Mexico’s Yuca- could strengthen – possibly into Mexican authorities had pre- for the south and centre of the state prosecutors’ offi ce said. sent the (medical centre) bod- Wash”, federal prosecutors have Ttan Peninsula yesterday, a hurricane – before crashing ventively evacuated some 300 state. “The scheme lasted at least ies of people who had had natu- uncovered an embezzlement and dumping heavy rain on its pris- back into the Mexican coastline. residents of small fi shing vil- Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is from 2014 to now,” the prosecu- ral – not violent or suspicious bribery scheme running through tine beaches but doing rela- The storm’s second land- lages in the storm’s path. at high risk for devastating hur- tors said. – deaths and therefore did not the highest echelons of politics tively little damage – though the fall is expected tonight or early “Fortunately we have not ricane damage. De Oliveira Lima is accused of require being sent there. In this and big business. country was braced for a second tomorrow, to the north of the received reports of any prob- In 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit working with four hospitals to way, turnover was always high.” President Michel Temer him- round. major port city of Veracruz, ac- lems or accidents related to the the Riviera Maya – the stretch of transfer bodies to the investiga- Finally, “relatives of the de- self is accused of agreeing to take Franklin made landfall early cording to forecasts. storm,” the governor of Quin- picturesque beaches and resorts tive centre even when there was ceased were made to pay bribes millions of dollars in bribes from yesterday some 350km (215 The storm currently has max- tana Roo state, Carlos Joaquin, south of Cancun – as a Category no need for autopsies. to recover the bodies”, a spokes- a meatpacking company. miles) south of the beach resort imum sustained winds of 75kph, told Mexican radio network For- Four storm and pummelled the Five funeral homes would then man for the prosecutors’ offi ce Last week the scandal-plagued of Cancun, and was advancing according to the Miami-based mula. area for 48 hours. pay bribes to the three offi cials told AFP. lower house of Congress voted to the northwest at 20 kilome- NHC in its 1500 GMT bulletin. The international airport in It killed eight people and did in exchange for being able to do The alleged funeral home overwhelmingly to nix prosecu- tres per hour, according to the “Some weakening is likely Chetumal, the state capital, re- $10bn in damage. their work at the coroner’s facili- scheme was announced as Brazil tors’ demand for a trial. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 19 PAKISTAN

ASTRONOMY CRACKDOWN CULTURE HERITAGE Partial lunar eclipse Police kill militants in Raksha Bandhan festival Pakistan’s ‘Freedom Train’ witnessed across Pakistan Lahore after bomb blast celebrated near Islamabad to be launched on Aug 12

A partial lunar eclipse was visible in many parts Pakistani security forces killed four Taliban Hundreds of Hindus and Sikhs observed the Azadi (freedom) train preparations are underway of Pakistan on Monday evening, however, the militants in the eastern city of Lahore hours after festival of Raksha Bandhan, commonly known as at Rawalpindi Carriage Factory of Pakistan, residents of Karachi were unable to see anything a truck bomb killed one person and wounded 22, ‘rakhi’, yesterday at the Gurdwara Punja Sahib in where more than 100 labourers are working to due to an overcast weather. The partial eclipse authorities said yesterday. Attacks in Pakistan’s Hassanabdal near Pakistani capital of Islamabad. finalise models of diff erent cultural heritages of the moon, which started with a penumbral second-largest city have decreased over the Women tie ‘rakhi’ on the wrists of their brothers of Pakistan. Azadi Train will be inaugurated on eclipse at 8.50pm, developed into partial eclipse at past couple of years but militant groups are and pray for their safety while the brothers August 12 for celebrating 70th anniversary of 10.23pm. It reached its highest point at 11.20pm and still active there, including a suicide bombing promise to protect their sisters forever and also Pakistan independence. It will start its journey ended at 12.18am yesterday while the penumbral last month that killed 25 people. A spokesman give them presents. Those observing the festival from Margalla Railway Station. It will portray eclipse ended at 1.51am yesterday. According for the Punjab Counter Terrorism Department dress up for the occasion. “When a woman ties genesis of Pakistan, our past and bright future to Abdul Rashid, the director of the Climate (CTD) said the department was following up a thread around a man’s wrist, he will not forget besides highlighting cultural diversity of the Data Processing Centre of the Meteorological information that militants from the Tehreek- the meaning of the bond established the next provinces and diff erent regions of the country. This photograph shows a full moon before the Department, they were expecting to see the partial e-Taliban (TTP), also known as the Pakistani day. He will look out for that woman for the rest PNCA will arrange 36 folk artists ie singers and peak of the penumbral eclipse as seen from lunar eclipse yesterday but were unable to do so Taliban, were planning an attack on Lahore of his life. This is a serious responsibility,” said musicians including puppeteers to accompany Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad late August 7. because of the weather. police. Neha Kumari, who was observing the ritual. the Azadi Train 2017. Lahore all set Power ranger to welcome Nawaz Sharif

Internews number of party workers, will Lahore welcome the former PM. MPA Ghazali Saleem Butt and PML-N Labour Wing represent- ugust is a time of year atives will welcome him at Ravi when posters of Quaid- Toll Plaza. Ae-Azam and Allama Iqbal At the same time, National dominate various areas of the Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz city, especially the historic Mall Saddiq and representatives of Road, as Independence Day of the PML-N professional and Pakistan falls in the same month. lawyers’ forums would welcome This year, however, it is a dif- Nawaz at Azadi Chowk. ferent story as the ruling PML-N MNA Shaikh Rohale Asghar, is preparing to welcome ousted MPA Waheed Gull and party prime minister Nawaz Sharif workers will greet him near Tim- back to his hometown. Nawaz Sharif ber Market. The entire leadership of the Federal Commerce Minister party has been ordered to make gathering for which the party Pervaiz Malik and Chaudhry Nawaz’s return to the city, after had already made arrangements. Shahbaz will give a reception A worker of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) climbs up a high-voltage pylon in Peshawar, Pakistan. disqualifi cation, a roaring success. “Though PML-N supporters at Niazi Chowk, Khawaja Saad Provincial minister Bilal Ya- have displayed some banners ex- Rafi q at Qila Lakshman Singh, sin said PML-N had made all pressing their love for their lead- Kamran Michael at Lady Wil- arrangements to welcome its er, the party has held back and is lington Hospital and Sohail leader. waiting for a go-ahead from the Shoukat Butt will greet the He said Sharif’s cavalcade senior leadership. Once Sharif PML-N leader at Texali Gate. would leave Islamabad for La- leaves Islamabad, the city will On the other hand, many peo- Drive launched to bring ‘big’ retailers in tax net hore today (August 9). He would be decorated like a bride to wel- ple, especially those who sup- travel on Grand Trunk Road and come him,” Yasin maintained. port Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf is expected to reach Lahore by According to the preliminary (PTI), believe Nawaz has been Internews “We are also gathering similar electricity bill of Rs600, 000 for huge amount in those cases during Thursday as party workers and programme, local MNAs and disqualifi ed over corruption Karachi information from importers of the past one year; and unit en- the last fi scal year. supporters had arranged recep- MPAs of the ruling party would charges. fi nished products.” gaged in bulk import and supply In some cases, the outlets had tions in his honour at various establish reception camps on the “The ruling party has no right Government, in the budget of consumer goods on whole- contested the tax offi ce on le- locations. route of Sharif’s cavalcade. to display huge portraits of an ederal Board of Revenue for the fi scal year of 2017/18, sale basis to retailers as well as gal ground that they were only He would enter the city from The fi rst camp will be estab- ousted prime minister, espe- (FBR) has launched a drive amended Sales Tax Act 1990, on retail basis to consumers. service providers. Shahdara and reach Data Sahib lished at Shahdara Morr, where cially during August, the month Fto bring ‘big’ retailers into redefi ning tier-1 or big retailers, Under a statutory regulatory Government, in the budget to off er prayers. MNA Mohamed Riaz Malik and of the creation of Pakistan,” as- the sales tax net in continuation in order to net them. order (SRO 1125(I)/2011), retailers 2017/18, also altered the defi nition At Data Darbar Chowk, Sharif provincial minister Khawaja serted PTI Central Punjab Presi- of its last year’s crackdown on Now, they are required to pay supplying fi nished goods to fi ve of liaison offi ce and a unit working would address a large public Imran Nazir, along with a large dent Abdul Aleem Khan. distribution channels to catch tax sales tax of 17% under the val- export-oriented sectors are to pay in Pakistan on behalf of an interna- evasion, offi cials said yesterday. ue-added mode. sales tax at reduced or nil rates. tional entity would be treated as a An offi cial at Regional Tax Before the amendment, sales Such retailers have also been permanent establishment of for- Offi ce (RTO) — III Karachi said tax collected from retailers given an option to pay 2% turn- eign company and will be liable to the drive has been launched in through electricity bills was over tax, including on exempted normal tax regime. the wake of mushroom growth considered as fi nal discharge of supplies, without any input tax FBR’s tax collection grew of retail outlets across the city. sales tax liability. adjustment. 20% to Rs200bn in July over the Hafi z Abdul Karim made “The tax offi ce is gathering The sales tax law defi nes tier- The tax offi cial said the RTO same month a year earlier. information about the goods 1 retailer as one who operates: would conduct periodical au- Government set the tax col- supplied to retail outlets on the a unit of a national or inter- dits and physical stock taking of lection target at Rs4,013bn basis of invoices issued by dis- national chain of stores; in an big retailers. for the current fi scal year of tributors, manufacturers and air-conditioned shopping mall, RTO — III Karachi detected sales 2017/18. communication minister wholesalers,” the offi cial said plaza or centre, excluding ki- tax evasion by the retail outlets of Last year, the tax collection on condition of anonymity. osk; an outlet with a cumulative international brands and recovered amounted to Rs3, 360-3,362bn.

Internews oath on August 4. Over the past four years, Islamabad Previously, this portfolio was Sharif re-started various major retained by former prime min- projects which were shelved by ister Nawaz Sharif. Meanwhile, previous governments, an offi - afi z Abdul Karim took the post of the state minister for cial said. Pakistan seeks a nukes-free world: Foreign Offi ce charge as the federal communication had been lying The offi cial said that these Hminister for communi- vacant since May last year when projects included schemes such cation and Mohamed Junaid An- Abdul Hakeem Baloch resigned as the Lowari Tunnel, Lyari Ex- Internews is committed to the goal of interests of all stakeholders fail tional law in any manner. waar Chaudhry as the minister from this position. pressway. Islamabad nukes-free world via a univer- to achieve their objectives. He reaffi rmed Pakistan’s be- of state yesterday. Baloch had maintained when Few new projects such as the sal, non-discriminatory and Pakistan, he added, like all lief in a cooperative and con- This important ministry, he resigned that he had been Faisalabad-Multan Motorway comprehensive convention on the other nuclear armed with sensus-based process which which looks after road projects serving as ‘dummy state minis- (M-4) had also been initiated by akistan reiterated yes- nuclear weapons, according to nuclear arsenal did not take will translate to equal and un- especially those falling under the ter’ for the past two years and it the former Prime Minister, he terday its resolve for Radio Pakistan. part in its negotiations and diminished, if not enhanced China-Pakistan Economic Cor- was impossible for him to con- said. Pnuclear disarmament to He said the Treaty on Prohi- cannot become a party to this security for all states to achieve ridor (CPEC), had been vacant tinue without any authority. Currently the National High- promote peace, security, and bition of Nuclear Weapons did treaty. the objective. for the past four year. Baloch belongs to the Pakistan way Authority (NHA), which stability at regional and global not fulfi l the essential condi- Zakaria said that the country The spokesperson added that Karim and Chaudhry are new Muslim League-Nawaz (PML- functions under Ministry of levels. tions, both in terms of process underscores that the treaty in the Geneva-based conference additions in the new federal cab- N) and the party’s only candidate Communication, is looking after Foreign Office spokes- and substance. question neither forms a part on disarmament remains the inet, led by Prime Minister Sha- who secured a National Assem- all road projects, including mo- person Nafees Zakaria in a The spokesperson noted that of, nor contributes to the devel- most ideal forum to conclude hid Khaqan Abbasi, which took bly seat from Sindh. torways and highways. statement said the country treaties that do not consider the opment of customary interna- such a convention. Harassment committee: too many untrained members

Internews impartial decisions should be to investigate the matter. rector of Mehergarh, said that Code Section 509 or other par- The activists said that such Against Women at Workplace Islamabad part of the special committee. It was also reported that the under the law there should be at liamentary rules. committees could not be formed Ombudsman, the Women’s Par- They oppose the criteria committee would be a perma- least three members, including a Interestingly, Pakistan People’s in political parties, assemblies, liamentary Caucus or the Speak- whereby any political party rep- nent feature of the National As- woman, in an anti-harassment Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Senate and courts even after ef- er and Privilege Committee of nti-harassment cam- resentative can make it to such sembly which would also take up committee. Zardari had demanded that the forts of seven years. Parliament. paigners believe that an important committee. other matters similar in nature. case be heard under harassment “Parliament and judiciary The commission stressed that Athe special committee Last week, National Assem- But activists campaigning for “Parliament and judiciary act 2010 enacted by his party. think they are above the law,” complaints made by women re- formed by the National Assem- bly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had ap- harassment-free workplace be- think they are above the Under the anti-harassment said Maliha, adding that she garding sexual harassment must bly to probe MNA Ayesha Gu- proved the formation of a special lieve that the number of mem- law” law, it’s mandatory for all public hoped that Gulalai’s case would be taken seriously and investigat- lalai’s harassment allegations committee of the Lower House bers in the committee is too high and private institutions to have pave the way for compliance of ed with due decorum and process. against Pakistan Tehreek-e-In- to investigate Gulalai’s allega- which could easily mess things In big organisations like inquiry committees to deal with law and such committees would More maturity and serious- saf (PTI) chief Imran Khan is not tions that female members of up. NADRA, there had been fi ve and issues of harassment. be constituted in courts, parlia- ness was required in dealing with constituted according to the law the PTI face constant harass- They also think that the House seven-member committees, but Many organisations in the ment and political parties for all complaints of sexual harass- and will mess things up. ment from within the party, and members are not trained to han- 20 members were out of propor- educational, banking and indus- impartial inquiries. ment, it said. The campaigners are of the of receiving lewd text messages dle such sensitive issues that are tion and would be problematic, trial sectors as well as ministries The National Commission on The commission strongly view that legislators with good from the PTI chief. considered a taboo in society, she added. have formed inquiry committees Status of Women (NCSW) also condemned the attempts to triv- moral character who are princi- The Lower House had pro- and even parliamentarians try She said it was unclear wheth- in compliance with the law, but said in a statement that ide- ialise or dismiss Gulalai’s com- pled, trustworthy, gender-sen- posed a 20-member special to hide such issues instead of re- er the committee would work parliament that has enacted the ally such complaints must be plaint by political party workers, sitive and capable of handling committee with 13 government porting them. under Harassment of Women at law and the judiciary do not have taken to the relevant forum, in television anchors and so-called pressure and sticking to their and seven opposition members Maliha Husain, executive di- Workplace act, Pakistan Penal such committees. this case the Sexual Harassment analysts. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 PHILIPPINES Wife spills Closing ceremony beans on P1bn in ‘dirty cash’

Manila Times sions” from the Divina Law Quezon City Offi ce. According to Patricia, the law fi rm of Nilo Divina, law he Department of Jus- dean of the University of San- tice (DOJ) ordered the to Tomas, has been handling, TNational Bureau of In- among others, government vestigation (NBI) on Monday clients like the United Coconut to probe the allegations of the Planters Bank, which Bautista wife of Commission on Elec- dealt with when he was chair- tions (Comelec) Chairman man of the Presidential Com- Juan Andres Bautista that he mission on Good Government has amassed nearly P1bn in ill- prior to becoming Comelec gotten wealth. chief. Malacanang backed the She claimed she executed call for a probe, while a sena- the affi davit to protect her tor has asked the Senate Blue family and to make a distinc- Ribbon Committee to launch tion between the “clean” and a legislative inquiry amid “dirty” money in their conjugal Filipina dancers perform during the closing ceremony of the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, Philippines. claims Bautista’s alleged il- assets. licit activities could put into She pointed out that her question all elections he had name appears on some of supervised. Bautista’s documents and that Justice Secretary Vitaliano she might be dragged into cases Aguirre 2nd told the NBI to be- involving the ill-gotten assets gin a case buildup and investi- of her husband. gate the claims made by Patri- The Comelec chairman, cia Paz Bautista in an affi davit she also alleged, had stopped she executed before the bureau fi nancial support to her and on August 1. their children. Patricia Paz has Aguirre said he wanted to fi led a case of violence against Duterte takes swipe know if Bautista violated the women and children before Anti-Money Laundering Act the Offi ce of the Prosecutor of and related laws. Taguig City. Bautista’s estranged wife al- Senate probe Speaking to leged that he had close to P1bn reporters on Monday, Palace in unexplained wealth stashed spokesman Ernesto Abella said away in several bank accounts, the allegations of Bautista’s which the poll chief denied on wife, Patricia Paz, must be in- at US on free trade Monday. In a 10-page affi davit, vestigated as he reiterated that Patricia, 47, said her husband President Rodrigo Duterte President Duterte gave his backing to a was a dream, is no longer there,” he said. The Association of South East Asian agreed must be stuck to. had several passbooks from would not tolerate corruption Chinese plan Before Trump’s withdrawal, TPP would Nations (Asean) and China hailed the “If China is saying now that we’re go- the Luzon Development Bank in the government. “The whole have covered 40% of the global economy. adoption on Sunday of a negotiating ing for ‘binding’, will we stop talking to (LDB) and HSBC. matter has to be fully investi- AFP It went further than most existing free framework for the code of conduct as them?” Cayetano asked. Indicated in the affi davit gated. At this stage that’s all we Manila trade pacts, with labour laws, environ- progress towards preventing disputes. “The problem with legally binding is... were: can say,” Abella said in a news mental protections and intellectual prop- Cayetano cited the framework as an ex- what are the penalties, what are the mech- z deposits at the LDB conference. erty rights touted by backers as a new gold ample of how parties that were historically anisms for adjudication, what tribunal, branch in Fort Bonifacio, Senate Majority Leader hilippine President Rodrigo Duterte standard for global trade. at odds were co-operating, but his com- what court and who will enforce?. Taguig City, amounting to Vincente Sotto 3rd asked the yesterday took a swipe at the Trump The deal, which excluded China, was ments indicate that China had initially set “I think some countries are just being P227,701,053; LDB Makati Senate Committee on the Ac- Padministration’s retreat from a ma- also seen as a way to counter Beijing’s re- out to create a code that had no legal binds. practical.” branch, P101,519,909; countability of Public Offi cers jor free trade deal, joining Asian nations at gional economic dominance. “Everyone is more open to negotia- Australia yesterday announced a four- z dollar and peso accounts and Investigations (Blue Rib- a forum this week in criticising rising pro- In response to TPP, Beijing has been tions,” Cayetano told a news conference. year aid package worth 20mn Australian at Rizal Commercial Bank- bon) to look into the alleged tectionism. pushing RCEP, a more modest deal that “At fi rst, words about being non-legally dollars ($15.86mn) for the southern Phil- ing Corp(RCBC) amounting misdeclaration committed by Until recently China and the United prescribes lower and more limited regula- binding, China dropped, just said ‘OK, ap- ippine city of Marawi, where troops are to $12,778.30 and P257,931.60, Bautista in his SALN. Mis- States were both pushing sweeping free tory standards. prove the framework and go to the COC’.” battling Islamist militants for more than respectively; and declaration in the SALN is a trade deals that excluded each other. The pact would group China with the 10 Critics say Beijing’s end game is to ei- two months. z Hong Kong dollar de- violation of Republic Act 6713 But shortly after taking offi ce in Janu- Asean members plus India, Japan, South ther negotiate what amounts to a gentle- Autralian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop posits at HSBC in Hong Kong or the Code of Conduct and ary, US President Donald Trump withdrew Korea, Australia and New Zealand. man’s agreement, or stall and buy time to said the assistance aims to ease civilian amounting to HK$948,358.97. Ethical Standards for Public from the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership (TPP) Throughout the security forum of re- expand its defence capability on its man- suff ering and contribute to the recovery Bautista declared a net Offi cials and Employees. which he described as a “job killer”. gional foreign ministers that ended yes- made islands. and long-term peace and stability in Ma- worth of P176.3mn as of De- “There is a need to deter- The move delivered a hammer blow to terday, multiple countries voiced specifi c Asean has long wanted to sign China up rawi City, 800km south of Manila. cember 31, 2016 in his state- mine if the present law is ad- the 11 other nations who spent seven years concerns about rising protectionism, in- to a set of laws to prevent disputes over “The siege has brought enormous dis- ment of assets, liabilities and equate enough to ensure com- negotiating what was billed as the world’s cluding Japan, South Korea, China and the energy reserves, fi shing, and land recla- tress to the population of Marawi,” she net worth (SALN). He had total pliance by all public offi cials largest trade deal. 10-member Asean bloc. mation, and avoid military confl icts in the said in a statement.”Australia’s support assets of P241.8mn, composed with provisions on the required During a speech celebrating the 50th “Anti-globalisation sentiments and South China Sea, where Taiwan, Vietnam, will help meet the urgent needs of these of P158.5mn worth of real submission of SALN,” Sotto anniversary of the Association of South- protectionist threats, to just name a few, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Chi- displaced people including through child properties and P83.3mn worth said in his proposed Senate east Asian Nations (Asean) in Manila, Du- are gaining force in many parts of the na have competing claims. protection and counselling services.” of personal properties. Resolution 456. terte gave his backing to a planned trade world, fuelling global economic and po- Asean and China say the framework is The aid package would also “fund small- Bautista’s liabilities reached In 2012, the late Chief Justice pact backed by China known as the Re- litical uncertainty,” South Korean Foreign only a guide for how the code will be es- scale infrastructure projects for commu- P65.5mn. Renato Corona was impeached gional Comprehensive Economic Partner- Minister Kang Kyung-Wha said during a tablished, but critics say the failure to out- nities around Marawi including provision Bautista has 14 properties, of and removed from offi ce for al- ship. meeting with her Japanese and Chinese line as an initial objective the need to make of clean drinking water and repair of local which two were not declared, legedly misdeclaring his SALN. “Asean has a bigger stake than any part counterparts on Sunday. it legally binding and enforceable creates roads,” Bishop added. including a property in San Duterte on Monday said of the world in standing up against pro- China pushed for a maritime code of doubts about how eff ective the pact can The confl ict in Marawi City has left 730 Francisco, California, Patricia he won’t personally lead the tectionism and securing the rules of the conduct with Southeast Asian countries be. people dead so far, including 122 govern- claimed. She also said Bautis- charge against Bautista, say- game in the international trade,” he told that would not be legally binding, the Phil- Australia, Japan and the United States ment troops and 523 militants. ta had foreign investments in ing he was “not into the habit delegates. ippine foreign minister said yesterday. on Monday urged Asean and China to en- The terrorists have also executed 45 Bauman Enterprises Ltd in the of prosecuting people from the RCEP, he said, “will provide further im- Alan Peter Cayetano said some coun- sure the code is “legally binding, mean- civilians, while 40 displaced residents British Virgin Islands, Mantica other side of the fence”. petus to our eff orts”, adding he hoped ne- tries wanted the South China Sea code to ingful, eff ective, and consistent with in- have died from illness since they fl ed their Intl Ltd in Brunei, and Mega He also said he won’t inter- gotiations on the Beijing-led deal “should be legally binding, and China preferred ternational law”. homes. The militants, who are allied with Achieve Inc in Anguilla. fere with any impeachment conclude swiftly”. only “binding”. He said all parties realised China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the Islamic State terrorist group, are be- Moreover, the Comelec chief complaint that could be fi led He then added a jab over TPP’s collapse. it was better to drop all mention of it from Sunday said it was too soon to discuss lieved to be holding 300 hostages in the has been receiving “commis- against the Comelec chief. “(I’m) reminded that the Transpacifi c, it the framework and move forward. components of the code, but whatever is fi ghting zone. Who got what: Broker details CATS Motors comes under fi re over taxes payola division at Customs Manila Times crepancy between the market prices Makati and the actual dealer’s suggested re- tail prices of the vehicles sold by the Manila Times and Investigation Services district col- gation. I am probably a rebel but I’m not tion (NBI). Farinas grilled Catherine above taxpayer and in accordance Quezon City lector, P500 for the commander of the a thief,” Maestrecampo fumed. He said Nolasco of the NBI, who admitted that ax offi cials during the previous with the provisions of Section 248 Enforcement and Security Service Dis- he does not know Taguba. the NBI did not arrest Tan because cus- administration discovered dis- (B) of the National Internal Revenue trict, P500 for the Enforcement and Maronilla admitted having met toms offi cials informed them that Tan Tcrepancies between the market Code of 1997 as amended, a prima ustoms broker Mark Taguba has Security Service port collector, P1,000 Taguba but denied receiving bribes was an informant. and retail prices of vehicles sold by facie evidence of tax fraud exists in the identifi ed 11 Customs offi cials for the xray personnel, P200 for the from him. He added that he did not au- “He is the owner of the warehouse luxury car importer CATS Motors Inc instant case,” the BIR memorandum Cwho allegedly received bribe Peer Inspection Division, P500 for the thorise anyone to accept anything for where the P6.4bn of drugs was found. (presently Auto Nation Group Inc). stated. Last year, the Customs bureau money from him. Formal Entry Division, P10,000 for the the District Collector offi ce. So what if he is an informant? He is The Bureau of Internal Revenue also reported discrepancies in pay- At the resumption of the congres- Import Assessment Service and P7,500 Maestrecampo was one of 20 former a suspect. You should have arrested (BIR) Legal and Inspection Group, in a ments made by Auto Nation, claiming sional probe on the entry of P6.4bn for the Section service. Magdalo soldiers hired by Customs him,” Fariñas said. memorandum dated January 20, 2013, the company owed the government worth of illegal drugs into the coun- Taguba said about 10,000 shipments Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon last year. “The raid was conducted on May noted sizeable variances based on pre- P233.6bn in duties and taxes for 2015. try, Taguba claimed that the P26,000 passed through the Bureau of Customs Faeldon and Maestrecampo took 26, and yet no charges have been fi led liminary investigations and data sub- CATS Motors Inc, a wholly-owned bribe for the release of one container every day. control of the Oakwood hotel in Makati against him until now,” he added. mitted by an informer. subsidiary of CATS Automobile Corp were divided among Customs Intelli- “The money is for fast tracking the City in 2003 in a mutiny against the Meanwhile Milo Mastrecampo, chief The fi nding didn’t prosper and The (CAC), was incorporated with the Se- gence chief Neil Estrella, director Milo documents needed for the shipment Arroyo administration. of the BOC Internal Aff airs Division Manila Times has so far been unable to curities and Exchange Commission Maestrecampo of the Import and As- [clearance],” he said in Filipino. During the inquiry, it was also learned (IAS), submitted his resignation to Ma- secure a comment from the bureau’s on May 16, 1996 and it started com- sessment Service, Deputy Commis- Those accused by Taguba vehement- that Richard Tan, the owner of the ware- lacanang yesterday after Taguba named current leadership or representatives mercial operations thereafter. The sioner Teddy Raval and District Collec- ly denied receiving bribes. “I have not house where the P6.4bn worth of smug- him as among the offi cials who received of Auto Nation. company is involved in the trading of tor Vincent Philip Maronilla and others met Mr Taguba prior to this meeting. I gled shabu was seized, was missing. weekly “grease money” in exchange for The discrepancies between the sug- all types of Mercedes Benz, Chrysler, under the aliases Jason, Maita from the have not talked by phone or in person to “We invited Mr Tan to come here speedy facilitation of his shipments. gested retail price and the company’s Dodge, Jeep vehicles, including parts formal entry division of the bureau, Mr Taguba,” Raval said. today, but unfortunately he cannot be Using a dummy, Taguba said he bro- market price ranged from a low of 43% and accessories. Jojo, Jake, Sandra, and Alfred. Taguba claimed that he dealt with a located,” Representative Ace Barbers, kered the P6.4bn shipment of “shabu” to a high of 75% based on documents CATS Motors, Inc was appointed by Taguba told lawmakers that P2,000 is certain Gerry from Raval’s offi ce. “I’m chairman of the House Committee on (methamphetamine hydrochloride) obtained by The Times. Daimler Chrysler South East Asia as allotted for the Intelligence Group unit, not receiving money from anybody; I am Dangerous Drugs, said. that passed through the green lane or For instance, a Mercedes-Benz CLS general distributor of Chrysler, Jeep P3,000 for the port collector, P500 for content with my salary. When I go back This prompted House Majority without inspection. 63 with a market price of P19.8mn was and Dodge motor vehicles since No- the Intelligence and Investigation Serv- to the Customs I will step down from my Leader Rodolfo Fariñas to train his guns Maestrocampo announced his resig- declared as sold for only P4.9mn. vember 1, 2004 and of Mercedes Benz ices director, P500 for the Intelligence post. I will subject myself to any investi- on the National Bureau of Investiga- nation at 4.30pm yesterday. “Owing to the magnitude of dis- vehicles since January 1, 2005. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

14 extremists jailed Cow festival over 2005 blasts

AFP Muslim-majority but offi cial- Dhaka ly secular country. It later bombed a series of cultural and political ven- Bangladeshi court yes- ues, including courts, killing terday jailed 14 Islam- around 30 people including Aist extremists for their several judges. roles in a deadly series of co- That led to a massive crack- ordinated bomb attacks in down by the security forces in 2005. which JMB leaders were ar- At least two people were rested. killed and hundreds wounded Many have since been tried in the blasts orchestrated by and executed for their crimes. the Jamayetul Mujahideen The Bangladesh govern- Bangladesh (JMB), an out- ment blames the JMB for a se- lawed Islamist group also ries of attacks in recent years blamed by authorities for last on foreigners, atheist blog- year’s deadly attack on a Dha- gers, rights activists and reli- ka cafe. gious minorities. The court in the central In the deadliest of these at- district of Tangail sentenced tacks, fi ve gunmen stormed all 14 accused to 20 years in an upscale Dhaka cafe in July jail, although only 10 were 2016, killing 22 people includ- present, court inspector An- ing 18 foreigners. warul Islam told AFP. The Islamic State group The other four are still on claimed responsibility for the the run. attack, but police and the gov- The JMB set off over 400 ernment blamed JMB for the bombs across the country in carnage, discounting sugges- 2005 to press for the intro- tions that IS had a foothold in duction of Sharia law in the Bangladesh.

Dhaka to build homes for martyrs’ families Nepali youths dressed in traditional cow costumes take part in a procession during the Gai Jatra festival in Kathmandu. The annual Gai Jatra festival, which dates back to the 17th century, pays respects to those who have died in the past year, with their families staging colourful processions through town centres. These are traditionally led by a cow or by young men dressed in white with headgear depicting a cow. By Mizan Rahman the Liberation War in 1971. Dhaka He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman provided fi nancial as- angladesh will build sistance to these families after houses for 30 families of the Liberation War. B1971 liberation war mar- Bangabandhu’s daughter tyrs at the ‘village of widows’ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sohagpur under Nalitabari has given directives to reha- sub-district in Sherpur district bilitate all people in the ‘village that was ravaged during the of widows’ in diff erent phases, Hasina recalls mother’s war in 1971. he added. “We will build houses for Mozammel Haque said the members of 30 martyrs’ fami- government has been building lies and widows. Construction 2,971 houses across the country work will begin soon,” Libera- for landless and insolvent free- tion War Aff airs Minister AKM dom fi ghters under a project to Mozammel Haque told news- raise the standard of living of role in Mujib’s career men in Dhaka yesterday. the valiant sons of the soil. During the Liberation War, “Of the houses, war heroines By Mizan Rahman historic address at Suhrawardy for women who were abused Pakistani occupation forces will get 71 houses. As part of Dhaka Udyan in 1971. during the liberation war while and their local collaborators this initiative, 30 houses will She said Bangabandhu used Bangabandhu was rebuilding carried out a massacre that be built at the Sohagpur village to learn about the party through the war-ravaged country after widowed many in the small of widows,” he added. rime Minister Sheikh his wife when she met him in jail the country’s independence. village. At present the village has 185 Hasina yesterday said during the occupation. Bangamata will remain in the That is why the place came to war heroines while process is PBangamata (Mother of The prime minister said her heart of the nation and will be be known as the ‘village of wid- underway to give recognition Bengal) Sheikh Fazilatunnesa mother sent her with a message ever remembered for her sacri- ows’. The minister said the gov- of war heroines to 15 others. was the source of encourage- to Bangabandhu to reject the a fi ce, patriotism and love of the ernment will rehabilitate and Mozammel Haque said the ment, power and courage for parole proposal in the Agartala people, she added. State Min- honour the families of those widows of Sohagpur village Father of the Nation Banga- Conspiracy case. Bangabandhu ister for Women and Children who were killed by the Paki- who are yet to get certifi cates bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rah- rejected the parole proposal. Aff airs Meher Afroz Chumki stani occupation forces during for war heroines, can apply. man in his eff orts to uplift the Later, the Pakistan govern- presided over the function people of this country. ment was forced to release organised by the ministry of “My mother always encour- Bangabandhu unconditionally. women and children aff airs. 12 sentenced to death for killing youth aged him (Bangabandhu) to en- She mentioned that the Fa- Chairman of the Parlia- ter politics for the people of this ther of the Nation was fre- mentary Standing Committee A court in Tangail district town yesterday sentenced 12 people country...she never held him quently imprisoned on political on Women and Children Af- to death for killing a college boy of Bhuapur sub-district in 2014. back...she never cared about grounds, but during that time, fairs Ministry Rebeka Momen, Among the 12 convicts, four are absconding. her own interests...she never she played an important role chairperson of National Women The convicts are Mozid, Abdul Mazid, Saidul, Maznu, Momin, Nizam, thought about herself,” she said. in administering the Awami Organisation Momtaz Begum Abu Bakar, Hanu, Nurul Islam, Babu, Siraj and Wahab. Among them The prime minister was ad- League. and secretary of the ministry Mozid, Abdul Mazid Hanu and Nurul Islam are on the run. dressing a function marking the The prime minister recalled Nasima Begum spoke, on the According to the prosecution, there was a previous enmity 87th birth anniversary of Ban- that during the liberation war occasion. following a land dispute. The 12 convicts entered the house of Lal gamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa at in 1971, A documentary on the life Miah in Bhuapur sub-district on the morning of April 13, 2014 and Osmani Memorial Hall. Bangamata had faced the sit- and works of Bangamata was hacked his college- going son Rabiul Islam Rajan, 24, with sharp She said Bangamata stayed in uation with patience, courage screened on the occasion. weapons. the background and he became and wisdom while her husband On this day in 1930, she was Seriously injured, Rajan was immediately rushed to the Bhuapur a great leader because she was remained imprisoned in Paki- born into a Muslim family at Upazila Health Complex. Later he succumbed to injuries on the way beside him. stan. Tungipara village of the then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. While talking about the in- Bangabandhu wrote in details Gopalganj sub-division in The next day, Rajan’s mother Shahida Begum filed a murder case fl uence of Bangabandhu’s wife Hasina at a memorial meeting for her slain mother in Dhaka. about his better half in his Un- Faridpur district. She was as- with Bhuapur Police Station accusing 18 people of involvement. in his political life, Hasina, the fi nished Memoir. sassinated along with Banga- Police pressed charges against the 12. Tangail eldest child of Bangabandhu’s Bangabandhu take various im- She mentioned that he took She also said Bangamata, es- bandhu and most of her family Special Judge Wahiduzzaman handed down the verdict. family, said Bangamata helped portant political decisions. her advise before delivering the tablished rehabilitation centres members on August 15, 1975. Nepal immigration ‘collude Conference on countering terror with traffi ckers of women’

AFP “The rest travel via diff erent cities in escaped from abusive homes in Saudi Kathmandu India, Sri Lanka, China and various Af- Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United rican countries,” the report said. Arab Emirates. Many had suff ered phys- The women are lured to Gulf countries ical, mental and sexual violence, the re- mmigration offi cials at Nepal’s in- on promises of well-paid jobs in depart- port said. ternational airport are colluding ment stores or hotels. “Some women who have escaped and Iwith traffi ckers to illegally send Instead, they are sent to work in pri- reached an embassy offi ce have made Nepali women to the Gulf where they vate homes where their passports are reports about the human traffi ckers, but are often exploited and abused, said a usually confi scated. Foreign Aff airs Ministry has failed to re- parliamentary report released yesterday. Rights activists in Nepal have long quest the Home Ministry to take action The parliamentary committee tasked demanded the government do more to against the culprits,” it added. with international relations and labour protect the 4mn Nepalis who work over- The number of migrants leaving Nepal rights said the government had failed seas — mostly in the Gulf and Malaysia. for work has surged in recent years with to protect Nepalis working overseas and With remittances from migrant work- nearly half a million leaving in 2015, up turned a blind eye to allegations of traf- ers accounting for nearly a third of Ne- from 200,000 in 2008, according to the fi cking. pal’s GDP according to government fi g- latest available government fi gures. More than 60% of Nepali domestic ures, activists suspect the authorities are The vast majority are men working in workers who end up illegally in the Gulf reluctant to put pressure on host nations. construction, but around 20,000 wom- travelled through the main airport in the “The government has been closing its en leave each year. Nepal has previously capital Kathmandu, the report said. eyes to the problem of human traffi ck- attempted to ban women from working “(They) travel on tourist visas via ing,” Mohna Ansari, spokeswoman for as maids in private homes in the Gulf Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe looks on during the opening of the regional Tribhuvan International Airport in di- the Nepal’s Human Rights Commission, over allegations that they are often over- conference on countering terrorism and transnational crime in South and Southeast Asia, in rect collusion with immigration offi - told AFP. worked for low wages and treated poor- Colombo. The three-day Interpol conference hosted by Sri Lanka aims to discuss enforcement cials, airline company staff , security of- Lawmakers on the parliamentary ly, but enforcement has been patchy. and co-operation among countries in the region. fi cials and the traffi ckers.” committee met with women who had Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Why Al Jazeera’s enemies Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar are fearing its revolution [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), The blockade of Qatar 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) will not be able to silence Fax 44350474 ‘revolutionary’ Al Jazeera GULF TIMES By Maryam al-Khater l Jazeera marked the Arabs’ entry to the global media race, ending the unipolar Amonopoly of the fl ow Beijing leaning on of information, and overturning the region’s media norms, vexing autocratic regimes. Will Al Jazeera reshape global politics? Singapore over The question is not addressed to Al Jazeera raised bold issues that Arab governments had not seen questioned before. the countries blockading Qatar, which have attacked the media network for world. He wrote about the new media in its coverage of the Arab vision of a Gulf leader, the then Emir “incitement” and made its shuttering media, which then included satellite uprisings, beating even Western of Qatar, who was ahead of his time. S China Sea row one of their 13 ex-demands. channels, in the fi rst edition of his media. The countries of the blockade are The question, which may be above book in 2008. After the Arab Spring, Al Jazeera in fact not ready to understand the the intellectual capacity of these He studied the infl uence of Al even launched a direct interactive signifi cance of Al Jazeera, not out of China is worried it could face fresh criticism over its countries’ planners, was raised by Jazeera in areas far from the Middle platform to erase Arab digital illiteracy, jealousy but out of fear. actions in the South China Sea when Singapore becomes Professor Philip Seib in his book The East, predicting that it would as Janko Roettgers wrote in March The relationship between their chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next Al Jazeera Eff ect. precipitate certain events that 2012. citizens and states is fragile, unlike year, and is putting pressure on the city-state to make sure The eff ect of the media in political deserved special attention. The platform aimed to teach viewers the relatively solid social and political mobilisation is an important subject At the peak of the Arab Spring, from Turkey to Bosnia and elsewhere relationship between the rulers and that doesn’t happen, according to people familiar with the in interdisciplinary media studies, Jewish leaders meeting at Tel Aviv how to use Twitter and Facebook, the ruled in Qatar. situation. political sciences and sociology. Here, University in April 2011 called for “to raise a new generation of citizen Having had 20 years to complain, They say that Chinese representatives have told Singapore mobilisation is not synonymous the launch of “a Jewish Al Jazeera”. journalists”. however, the timing of their attack counterparts in private meetings over recent months that with revolution, as much as it means International Studies professors Experts characterise the media as on Al Jazeera is intriguing. To be sure, they don’t want trouble for Beijing when Singapore takes political-democratic awareness and Raanan Rein and Yossi Shain spoke the Fourth Estate, alongside the three the engineered false outrage has been enlightenment. of the power of Al Jazeera, not only branches of traditional power. But designed to subjugate the peoples of over the annual leadership of the 10-nation group in 2018. The media is the other side of that because it shaped to a large extent some, in their campaign against Al the blockading countries themselves Diplomats say they believe that Beijing has used its coin, in the theories discussed by the coverage of Middle East protests, Jazeera, want their peoples to be little by distracting them with external infl uence over countries who have chaired Asean in the experts before the age of Al Jazeera, but also for playing a central role in more than slaves to their regimes. crises. past to dilute the group’s stand on the South China Sea row, and perhaps this explains Seib’s book’s opposing US and Israeli policies, as In his article Media and the Arab In one kingdom to the north of potentially one of the most volatile disputes in Asia. subtitle: How the New Global Media they argued. Uprisings of 2011, Simon Cottle wrote Qatar, this was exploited to stage a Are Reshaping World Politics. Al Jazeera was a challenge to all that mainstream media, which to him major political reshuffl e with dubious The current chairman is the Philippines, which hosted the To the author, Al Jazeera marks sides. It rivalled Western media by includes Al Jazeera, can adopt a more constitutional grounds. In another group’s foreign ministers last weekend. the Arabs’ entry to the global media breaking its monopoly on information, independent and critically informed neighbouring country, an organised Asean failed to issue its customary statement on Saturday race, ending the unipolar monopoly and was boogeyman for Middle news stance even when political elites crackdown on media and activists was because of what diplomats said was disagreement about of the fl ow of information. Previously, Eastern regimes, a proof of its exhibit a relatively united front in already taking place. whether to make oblique references to China’s rapid Western media controlled what Arab professionalism, by raising bold issues terms of their expressed views. They fear Al Jazeera because they viewers saw about their own region that Arab governments had not seen This defi es the subservience some fear the soft power it represents, expansion of its defence capabilities on artifi cial islands and issues. questioned before. Some regimes in the counter-revolutionary camp but they forgot the contraptions of in disputed waters. The statement was fi nally issued on Seib said networks such as Al called this “incitement”. want their peoples to remain forever the digital age in the hands of their Sunday. Jazeera were a new breed of players Today, the countries blockading in, with news that is either fake, citizens. They fear their citizens and A Beijing-based Asian diplomat familiar with the situation infl uencing global politics, even before Qatar say “enough is enough”, in obscure, or controlled, simply praising their voices. For this reason, they have said there are concerns that Singapore could use the the uprisings of the Arab Spring. reference to Al Jazeera, which was the country’s rulers and covering their blocked the media network from their This must have vexed those in the established in 1996. But the 20 years meetings. subjects, even banning tourists from Asean chairman position to try to “internationalise” the blockading countries who seem to of Al Jazeera – that these countries see Alan Fisher, a veteran broadcast watching the channel in their hotels. South China Sea issue, when China wants it limited to the have a primitive understanding of the as having lasted “too long” – are seen journalist, in his book Mirage in the Meanwhile, these countries have countries directly involved. culture of media. by others as “not enough”, that the Desert? Reporting the ‘Arab Spring’, turned social media from a tool in Singapore is not a claimant to any disputed part of the Seeking to rival Al Jazeera, they have network is still in its prime. noted something else, namely, the the hands of their citizens, to a rope South China Sea but is home to the biggest port in Southeast established several copycats since Some Arab self-styled experts and threat that Arab governments could wrapped around their necks, banning the turn of the millennium. But when so-called politicians have forgotten turn their weapons against their sympathy with Qatar and its people. Asia, and has made clear its open economy depends on their bids failed, and their creations how the late leader of Venezuela peoples. But despite all their attempts to close continued free navigation in the area. became little more than mouthpieces established teleSUR in the image of Al In this context, he stressed the role off this sphere, the violations and China claims almost the entire sea, which includes one of and lie-machines, they switched Jazeera, “to counter the dictatorship of the new media and Al Jazeera in abuses in their countries remain global the world’s most busy trade tactics and decided to wage war on Al of global media networks”. As the discrediting conspiratorial thinking, trending topics that they will never be routes and sits stop valuable Jazeera. network’s director said, its purpose proving how “the days have gone of able to suppress. China is The eff ect of the media is was to “see ourselves with our own governments believing that by closing In the end, Al Jazeera’s triumphs oil and gas reserves. corroborated by writers from the eyes, and fi nd our own solutions to our off transmitters or taking over radio will enter history as an Arab victory. Singapore’s Taiwan and four Asean countries that saw revolutions. Safwat problems”. and TV stations, of blocking mobile It is the right of Arab millennials to be states – the Philippines, al-Alam, an Egyptian writer, wrote In many ways, this is a rebuttal phone signals or satellite TV signals, proud to have been born in the age of largest trading Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia on The Role of Media in Democratic to the accusation that Al Jazeera or shutting down the Internet they Al Jazeera’s revolution. Those who are – have overlapping claims. Transition – Egypt As A Model represents a “conspiracy”, in the era of will somehow win the propaganda vexed by Qatar and proceeded to lay partner (2013): “Media refl ect the nature of the digital revolution that constituted battle”. siege to it and Al Jazeera, must instead The United States says the relationship between state and the second wave of the new media “The engineered outrage has been address their fears, the injustices it does not have a position society, in accordance with a regime’s revolution. That give every citizen designed to subjugate the peoples of they have visited on their peoples and on the South China Sea dispute but will assert freedom of philosophy and the degrees of dozens of channels, not just one state the blockading countries themselves strengthen the relationship between navigation rights in the waterway. freedom made available” – especially outlet, at the push of a button. by distracting them with external their states and their societies. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Singaporean in relation to new media and its The Al Jazeera that angers them crises.” counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan during a meeting in Manila democratisation eff ect. was also part of the digital revolution. Some Arabs have failed to zMaryam al-Khater is a Qatari writer For his part, Seib focused on the It was one of the fi rst to exploit the understand Al Jazeera’s revolutionary and media personality. Follow her on on Sunday that ties had come back on track of late. power of the media in shaping the overlap among the platforms of new experience, the refl ection of the Twitter: @medad_alqalam “Relations between China and Singapore have experienced ups and downs. But close exchanges between the two countries’ leaders recently have enhanced mutual trust, which is essential to healthy bilateral relations between China and Singapore,” Wang said, according to China’s foreign ministry. US-EU diff erences over Russia Balakrishnan said the tone of his meeting with Wang was positive, Singapore media reported. The worry for China is that Singapore has long-standing By Oliver Bilger a statement. “’America First’ cannot into transatlantic relations. In routes but has failed so far. Germany The Philadelphia Inquirer mean that Europe’s interests come fact, the German criticism echoes has been putting its own economic defence relationships with the United States and its allies, last.” statements by the Russian leader interests fi rst. For example, part of the although the city-state says it is equally friendly with Beijing. Criticism in Germany has focused about the United States’ promotion controversy surrounding Nord Stream China is Singapore’s largest trading partner, and Singapore he United States and the on the sanctions’ potential impact on of its own exports. was that it bypassed other countries. has been China’s largest foreign investor. European Union used to walk Nord Stream 2, a gas pipeline from Politicians and businesspeople, if It was Gerhard Schroeder who put The United States and Singapore announced an in lockstep when it came Russia to Germany through the Baltic associated with Russia, like to pretend Nord Stream on track while he was to sanctions on Russia. No Sea. The almost $11bn project was this is all just about business. It’s not. chancellor of Germany – and this enhanced defence relationship in late 2015, which included T longer. expected to be operational by 2019. The EU may actually be more led to his very well-paid position deployments of long range P-8 surveillance planes out The allied eff orts begun during the Business interests from Germany, concerned about markets and basic as chairman of Nord Stream’s of Singapore – aircraft which frequently track Chinese Obama administration were meant Austria, France, the Netherlands and questions about who controls the shareholders committee after he left submarines. to push a resolution of the Ukrainian Britain all have a stake in this eff ort, energy supply. For the Kremlin, offi ce. He is also chairman of the board Singapore also has some ties with Taiwan, which Beijing crisis after Russia’s annexation of and new sanctions seem to put its energy equals power. Nord Stream is of Nord Stream 2. This association Crimea and its rather obvious but future in doubt. a subsidiary of Gazprom, the Russian taints members of Schroeder’s old regards as a breakaway province. unacknowledged eff orts to destabilise The German Foreign Minister, energy conglomerate. Moscow has a party, the German Social Democrats, Tensions between the two countries burst into the open the eastern parts of Ukraine. Sigmar Gabriel, has gone so far long and ruthless tradition of using such as Gabriel and Zypries, with a last November when Hong Kong port authorities impounded However, the latest round of punitive as to criticise the sanctions as an energy policies to enforce political whiff of scandal. nine Singaporean armoured military vehicles being shipped measures, passed overwhelmingly opportunity for US energy companies interests. The people of Ukraine and Clearly, and understandably, the home from training grounds in Taiwan. by Congress last month and signed, to boost their earnings by barring Belarus have experience with this. EU doesn’t like US interference albeit reluctantly, by President Europeans from doing business with Accordingly, some members of the in its domestic politics, nor does Hong Kong released the vehicles earlier this year amid Donald Trump, exposed serious their Russian rivals and also exporting EU, especially those in the eastern it like being dragged into a trade rare open debates in both Singapore and China about a disagreements among the Western more liquefi ed natural gas from the part who have distinct and painful war between the United States and deteriorating relationship. allies. United States to Europe. memories of dealing with Moscow Russia. And perhaps the United States The measures, fuelled in part “Sanction policies are neither during Soviet times, do not want to be can do a better job in the future of by a desire to punish Russia for its a suitable nor an appropriate dependent on Russia for their energy co-ordination on sanctions. But interference in the 2016 US elections, instrument for promoting national needs. Currently, Russia supplies the potential bright side of this spat To Advertise order new sanctions on companies export interests and the domestic about a third of gas imports to the among allies is the realisation that the involved in Russian-fi nanced off shore energy sector,” Gabriel said in a EU, with some countries getting 100 EU must work harder on its energy [email protected] oil projects and oil and gas pipeline statement. “Our stance remains that percent of this vital resource from the security, including a diversifi ed supply Display construction. Though Russia is the we will not accept any extraterritorial Russians. system. All EU member-states should Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 intended target, European nations and use whatsoever of these US sanctions From this perspective, US sanctions join in developing an advanced and businesses could suff er as well. against European companies.” aff ecting European companies might stable energy policy – even if it takes a Classified That’s why senior European Brigitte Zypries, who followed have a positive side. little nudge from outside to get the ball Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 politicians, particularly in Germany, Gabriel as economy minister, urged As tensions continue to rise rolling. – Tribune News Service have criticised the new sanctions “countermeasures” against the United between Russia and the West, the need Subscription heavily, fearing what they could mean States for the sanctions. “We consider for a diversifi ed energy portfolio grows zOliver Bilger is a writer for Berlin’s [email protected] for the local energy industry. this to be a violation of international more obvious, not only for energy Der Tagesspiegel newspaper who “The US bill could have unintended law,” she said. security, but also to fuel stronger is working with The Philadelphia unilateral eff ects that impact the EU’s Such comments will easily please competition among the energy giants. Inquirer as part of the Arthur F. Burns 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved energy security interests,” EU chief Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brussels, home base for the EU, Fellowship Program. Readers may send executive Jean-Claude Juncker said in who is always up for driving a wedge wants to diversify energy supplies and him e-mail at [email protected] Gulf Times Wednesday, August 9, 2017 23 COMMENT Autonomous cars’ race narrows

Carmakers look to spread remains a necessity in order to stay are faced with a dilemma, such as relevant as a carmaker. choosing between hitting a cyclist or investment burden “It is an enabling technology, not a accelerating beyond legal speeds to and risk; alliances with business case,” he said about BMW’s avoid an accident. decision to develop autonomous “It is important to consider whether suppliers represent vehicles. “But if the burden can be highly automated vehicles are required strategy shift shared on a platform, I have nothing to apply particular decision rules in against that.” instances of confl icts between safety, One of the most fi nancially mobility, and legality objectives,” the By Edward Taylor and Paul Lienert promising markets that autonomous guidance said. Frankfurt/Detroit technology will open up is driverless “Algorithms for resolving these on-demand taxis, which may one day confl ict situations should be come to replace regular cabs and parts developed transparently using input MW and Daimler, the world’s of public transport in large cities. from federal and state regulators, top luxury carmakers, have “Robotaxis” are expected to drive drivers and passengers.” announced alliances with the wider market for car sharing and European regulators too are Bsuppliers, talking up the ride-hailing, which was worth $53bn debating whether to standardise virtues of having a bigger pool of last year and could be worth $2tn by speeds and distances which engineers to develop a self-driving car. 2030, according to a McKinsey study autonomous cars need to adhere to But another motive behind these published earlier this year. while weaving in and out of traffi c or deals, executives and industry Ford and General Motors are joining lanes. experts told Reuters, is a concern that investing at least $2bn each to develop Pressure not to waste development robocars may not live up to the profi t self-driving vehicles for urban ride- costs is laying the groundwork for expectations that drove an initial sharing fl eets beginning in 2021, alliances and even mergers between investment rush. competing with incumbents and the various companies supplying Carmakers are increasingly looking start-ups. technology for autonomous cars, to forego outright ownership of future The emergence of alliances including makers of vehicles, autonomous driving systems in favour involving the likes of BMW and software, computer chips, radar, of spreading the investment burden Mercedes-Benz comes at a time when camera and laser sensors and high- and risk. “Eyes off ”, “mind off ” and ultimately driverless autonomy will likely take years to become reality. regulators are pushing for a creation defi nition maps. The trend represents a clear shift of standards for the new technology, BMW, Mercedes and Audi put aside in strategy from little more than There are sure to be losers. “Sitting at other companies, one San Francisco-based transport app which has the potential to improve their rivalry and teamed up to buy a year ago when most automakers “It’s impossible for me to rattles off the technological challenges operator Lyft and Alphabet Inc’s self- vehicle refl exes and cut accidents mapping fi rm HERE, for example, were pursuing standalone strategies believe there will be 50 successful and safety aspects, and you come to driving car unit Waymo pooled their by up to 90%, according to Boston in order to cut their dependence on focused on tackling the engineering autonomous vehicle software realise that many of us are swimming resources in May. Consulting Group. Google. challenge of developing a self-driving producers,” said John Hoff ecker, global in the same sludge,” Klaus Buettner, Partial autonomy is already a reality Industry experts say such What starts out as arms-length car, rather than on the business case. vice chairman of Michigan-based BMW’s vice president autonomous in higher-end cars that keep in lane standardisation could make it much agreements designed to capture “Although it is a substantial market, consulting fi rm AlixPartners. driving projects, told Reuters. and adjust their speed in motorway harder to develop a product which market share, much like code-sharing it may not be worth the scale of In July last year, BMW became “Everybody is investing billions. driving. stands out, calling into question the deals between airlines, may evolve investments currently being sunk into the fi rst major carmaker to abandon Our view was that it makes sense to Each of the next stages - “eyes off ”, wisdom of high-stakes, go-it-alone further into takeovers once the next it,” said a board member at one of the its solo development of self-driving club together to develop some core “mind off ” and ultimately driverless strategies. investment round is due, executives German carmakers, who declined to cars in favour of teaming up with systems as a platform.” autonomy - will likely take years to In September 2016, the US and advisers said. be identifi ed because the matter is chipmaker Intel and camera and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz has since become reality. Department of Transport and the “Will we see what is happening in confi dential. software manufacturer Mobileye to combined eff orts with supplier Bosch, Klaus Froehlich, BMW’s board National Highway Transportation aviation be adopted in automotive Dozens of companies - including build a platform for autonomous cars three months ago, while Japanese member responsible for development, Safety Administration released - where fi rst we see alliances, carmakers and tech fi rms like Google technology by 2021. carmaker Honda has said it is open to said the company was likely to lose guidance for heavily automated collaborations and consortiums, and Uber - are vying for a market which, The decision followed a trip by alliances in the area of autonomous money with its fi rst fully autonomous vehicles. and then we see full out market according to consulting fi rm Frost & senior executives to visit startups and cars. vehicles, just like it did with its fi rst- The regulator urged carmakers combinations?” asked Bill Curtin, head Sullivan, will only make up about 10 to suppliers to gauge BMW’s competitive Even deep-pocketed tech generation electric cars. to disclose how vehicle refl exes are of mergers and acquisitions at global law 15% of vehicles in Europe by 2030. position. companies are teaming up. But developing the technology programmed, particularly when cars fi rm Hogan Lovells. - Reuters Weather report Tracking the solar eclipse Three-day forecast TODAY High: 45 C By Frank Close from northwest Oregon through Idaho Minutes later, daylight returns in an swallowing up the intervening space. and across Wyoming, Nebraska and instant; more magic. Within half a minute the moon’s Low : 33 C Los Angeles Times Inshore: Hazy at places at first Missouri, then parts of fi ve more states I saw my fi rst partial eclipse as an shadow enveloped the landscape all becomes hot daytime and humid to South Carolina, potentially creating 8-year-old at school in Great Britain. around me. Utter silence descended. by night. hat is the most beautiful the largest-ever audience for a totality. My teacher told me I would have to It was as if a black cloak had been cast natural phenomenon There is a slow build-up to the wait 40 years to see a total eclipse in over everything. And then I watched THURSDAY you have ever seen? main event. It takes about an hour England. So on Aug 11, 1999, with my the moon’s shadow rush away High: 43 C WA brilliant rainbow for the moon to gradually cover the wife and elder daughter, I travelled eastwards, dissipating, and the birds Low: 32 C set against a distant storm, the sun. The bright disc shrinks to a sliver to the southwest tip of the country, and animals reawoke. Sunny shimmering aurora in an Arctic night, and twilight falls, giving the illusion to the path of totality. We carefully I had chanced upon a unique or a blood-red sky just after sunset, that the sun is disappearing. This placed ourselves on the centre line of eclipse experience, a darkness upon perhaps? Here’s what puts all those frightened the ancients, who feared the eclipse, but thick clouds hid the a darkness, that I have never again FRIDAY in the shade: the diamond-ring eff ect that the source of all life was about to sun from view. witnessed. Even concealed, the High: 44 C that heralds a total solar eclipse, an be extinguished. At 11am, with just minutes to go totality was magnifi cent. Low: 33 C explosion of light on the edge of the As the last of the sun vanishes, before my fi rst totality was supposed After the thrill of an eclipse you can’t Sunny moon’s inky circle, as it blots out the the temperature drops, and from the to arrive, the gloom wasn’t lifting. wait to do it again (I’ve now seen six total sun. west, a wall of darkness, the moon’s What I had waited most of my life to solar eclipses), but wait you must until When the moon is in direct line shadow, approaches. In an instant you see would unfold on the far side of a that exquisite alignment of sun, moon Fishermen’s forecast and Earth comes around once more. of sight of the sun, a “totality” are enveloped by gloom and the moon curtain, out of sight. All I could do was OFFSHORE DOHA completely and precisely blocks has appeared – in silhouette – as if to look to the west, from where the When it does, you must go to wherever Wind: SE-NE 03-12 KT our central star from view, casting a from nowhere, like a rabbit from the shadow would come, in the hope of the moon’s shadow will momentarily Waves: 1-3 Feet shadow on Earth’s surface about 100 conjurer’s hat. This is a truly weird some small break in the clouds. sweep across a small part of the globe. INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15/20 KT miles in diameter. As our planet spins phenomenon. There was none. Instead, in the Anyplace else and at best you’ll see a Waves: 1-2 Feet in its daily round, that shadow rushes The sounds of animals cease, and distance, blackness signalled what partial eclipse, or nothing at all. across land and sea at about 2,000 life seems in suspended animation as appeared to be a storm of gargantuan I say, if you can get to the totality, go Around the region miles an hour. If you are in its direct for a few minutes night comes to the intensity gathering just beyond the – whatever it takes. I am bringing my Weather Weather path, you’ll never forget it. dome of the sky directly overhead, horizon. Then I realised: This was children and grandchildren with me to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Total solar eclipses occur at regular and covers the land from one horizon not more bad weather, but a dramatic the North American show, so they can Abu Dhabi M Sunny 43/32 Sunny 43/31 intervals, but each time a mere 0.5% to the other. Look up, and you will see overture. have a lifetime’s memory. Cloudy or Baghdad Cloudy 49/33 Sunny 48/32 Dubai of Earth’s surface is totally obscured stars as if it were normal night, but The vision was terrible, apocalyptic. clear, it will be worth it. Sunny 41/31 Sunny 41/31 Kuwait City Sunny 48/33 Sunny 48/33 by the moon’s shadow. On August accompanied by a blackened moon Blackness swelled out sideways Manama Sunny 42/32 Sunny 45/33 21, for the fi rst time in a century, that surrounded by sun’s shimmering and saturated the distant sky in zFrank Close is a British particle Muscat Sunny 37/33 Sunny 37/32 0.5% will cross the whole of North white corona, like a black sunfl ower less time than it takes to articulate, physicist . His latest book is Eclipse: Riyadh M Sunny 46/30 M Sunny 46/31 America, more or less kittycorner possessed of delicate silver petals. like a tsunami rushing towards me, Journeys to the Dark Side of the Moon. Tehran Sunny 39/26 Sunny 38/26 Live issues Blood pressure fl uctuations linked to dementia

By Lisa Rapaport might cause changes in the brain’s reviewed medical records for the the fi ve-year follow-up period, the Reuters Health structure and function that contribute occurrence of stroke. authors note. to the development of dementia, Five years later, 134 participants had It’s also possible that fl uctuations Ohara said by e-mail. developed Alzheimer’s disease and in blood pressure could be a symptom eople whose blood pressure Consistently high blood pressure, 47 had developed what’s known as of cognitive decline in progress rather varies widely from day to day or hypertension, is a known risk factor vascular dementia, which results from than a risk factor for developing may be more likely to develop for dementia. Previous research has diminished blood fl ow to the brain and dementia in the future, Dr Costantino Pdementia than adults who also shown a link between cognitive is often related to the occurrence of Iadecola, director of the Feil Family have fairly steady blood pressure, a impairment and dementia and small strokes. Brain and Mind Research Institute at Japanese study suggests. diff erent blood pressure readings at People with the most variation in Weill Cornell Medicine in New York Researchers examined data from one the doctor’s offi ce. daily blood pressure readings at the writes in an accompanying editorial. Around the world month of daily home blood pressure Home monitoring might give a start of the study were more than Iadecola noted that, presently, Weather Weather readings for 1,674 older adults without more reliable snapshot of blood twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s doctors don’t know how to reduce today Max/min tomorrow Max/min dementia. During the next fi ve years, pressure than tests at the doctor’s disease and almost three times more variability in blood pressure. Athens Sunny 32/22 Sunny 33/22 compared to individuals with little to office because stress or anxiety likely to develop vascular dementia, “The key question to be answered is Beirut Sunny 28/26 P Cloudy 28/25 M Cloudy 32/26 no fl uctuation, people with the most about these exams sometimes researchers report in Circulation. whether interventions to control blood Bangkok 32/26 T Storms Berlin S Showers 19/11 M Cloudy 22/13 variations in blood pressure were leads patients to have higher blood Among participants with the most pressure variation, once available, Cairo Sunny 37/24 P Cloudy 36/24 more than twice as likely to develop pressure at the office than they do variability in blood pressure, higher would reduce dementia risk,” he said Cape Town P Cloudy 22/14 Sunny 18/12 dementia. at home, a so-called “white coat” systolic blood pressure (the top by e-mail. Colombo S T Storms 31/27 T Storms 30/27 “The present study demonstrated effect. number in a blood pressure reading) “In the meantime, the take- Dhaka T Storms 31/26 T Storms 31/26 Hong Kong T Storms 29/27 T Storms 28/27 that an increased day-to-day blood Participants in the current study in particular increased the risk of home message is that the health Istanbul M Sunny 27/21 Sunny 28/19 pressure variation (measured at home) were 71 years old on average. For vascular dementia but didn’t appear of the cardiovascular system is Jakarta S T Storms 32/24 P Cloudy 32/24 was signifi cantly associated with the one month, they typically measured to heighten the odds of Alzheimer’s of paramount importance to the Karachi Cloudy 33/29 S T Storms 32/29 development of all-cause dementia, their blood pressure three times each disease. Systolic pressure is the health of the brain,” Iadecola added. London P Cloudy 27/16 S T Storms 28/17 Manila T Storms T Storms 33/26 vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s morning before eating breakfast or pressure blood exerts against artery “Even if specifi c measures to target 32/26 Moscow S Showers 19/12 S Showers 18/09 disease, regardless of average home taking medication. About 43 percent walls when the heart beats. blood pressure variation may not be New Delhi P Cloudy 35/27 P Cloudy 34/27 blood pressure,” said lead study author of them took drugs to manage high One limitation of the study is that available at this time, maintaining New York M Sunny 27/19 Showers 24/21 Dr Tomoyuki Ohara, of the Graduate blood pressure. researchers lacked data on changes in general cardiovascular health through Paris M Sunny 31/18 P Cloudy 32/21 School of Medical Sciences at Kyushu Researchers reviewed data from blood pressure after the initial home lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, etc.) Sao Paulo M Sunny 21/09 Sunny 22/11 Seoul P Cloudy 32/22 S T Storms 32/23 University in Fukuoka City. blood pressure readings taken monitoring period and didn’t have and control of risk factors (diabetes, Singapore S T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 While the study didn’t assess why during that month, conducted information on any lifestyle changes hypertension, smoking, obesity, etc.) Sydney M Sunny 19/08 Sunny 17/06 this might be the case, it’s possible cognitive testing to uncover the or medications people may have used remain the most sensible approaches Tokyo Clear 31/23 Cloudy 30/22 that daily variation in blood pressure development of dementia, and to control blood pressure during to stave off dementia.” Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, August 9, 2017 QATAR ‘With Trump, UN won’t be important for four years’ Leaked e-mail lays bare UAE ambassador to the US Yousef al-Otaiba’s communication with fellow envoy Lana Nusseibeh

By Jack Moore the most important person!” ‘America First’ But the latest hack shows a ing one July 2015 e-mail in which Newsweek He replied, “No worries. The key US Middle East ally sug- Otaiba wrote that the country is UN won’t be very important for The United Nations has not gesting that the US will not take “losing the moral high ground the next 4 years,” alongside a been a priority for the Trump the lead on human rights at the fast.” This has remained the case he United Arab Emirates smiley face emoji. Nusseibeh re- administration. The president UN, where the US shares a Se- almost two years later. ambassador in Wash- sponded, also with a smiley face: wants to cut funding to the curity Council seat with Britain, Other e-mails, many from Tington told the country’s “So I can relax while you work body’s humanitarian and peace- France, China and Russia. public aff airs professionals United Nations ambassador over-hard?” keeping missions, something The UAE is one of the more working for Otaiba and the UAE that the global body “won’t The use of emojis suggests Amnesty International called liberal Gulf nations, where ex- government, show extensive at- be very important for the next the exchange were delivered in a a sign of the administration’s pats outnumber Emiratis, but tempts to shape the communi- four years”— an apparent refer- lighthearted manner. However, “general contempt for human migrant rights and social me- cations coming out of Abu Dhabi ence to the election of President Otaiba and Nusseibeh had not rights in the region and interna- dia censorship at home have and reporting on the civil war Donald Trump, according to a responded to a request for com- OUT IN THE OPEN: Yousef al-Otaiba, Donald Trump tionally.” caused concern for rights in Yemen. Despite international hacked January e-mail exchange ment at the time of publication. Deals with Bahrain, Saudi groups. Abroad, the UAE’s in- opinion not being on their side, released to Newsweek. Otaiba’s private views on leaked personal e-mails of dip- lobbied the Obama administra- Arabia and Egypt have led to volvement in the Saudi-led it appears the Trump team is. The exchange with Lana Nus- Trump have been widely report- lomats. The United Arab Emir- tion to allow it, instead of Qatar, criticism from rights groups that campaign in Yemen to beat back Washington considers the seibeh, the UAE’s ambassador to ed. Leaked e-mails published by ates is and remains an important to host an embassy for the Tali- Trump is sending a message to Iranian-supported Houthi battle against Al Qaeda in the the UN, will fuel rights groups’ Huff Post in June showed that interlocutor for the United Na- ban in Abu Dhabi. Middle Eastern allies accused of rebels has included accounts country to be a national security concerns that the president’s the ambassador had previously tions on a number of regional Doha, the capital of Qatar, was rights violations that if they do of civilian deaths caused in air- priority, evidenced by Trump’s “America First” doctrine is slammed Trump to offi cials and global issues.” chosen to host it, and the issue business with Washington, hu- strikes designed to prop up the fi rst foreign raid ordered in the eroding support for the United in the Obama administration A senior UN diplomat, speak- has been one of the main criti- man rights will become second- Sunni government in the civil country. He directed special Nations and allowing Middle last year. On November 9, the ing on condition of anonymity, cisms of the Gulf state by the UAE ary in concern. war that began in March 2015, forces to take out a senior AQAP East allies to forfeit accountabil- night of the presidential elec- said by phone: “It’s not the fi rst and its Sunni allies; both coun- Trump and his team have as well as allegations of torture leader in Yemen, an operation ity at the global level, at least in tion in which Trump defeated time that people have dismissed tries cut diplomatic and trans- said they believe tackling hu- at secret UAE-run prisons. The ultimately deemed a failure, as the short term. Democratic rival Hillary Clin- the UN as irrelevant. Yet we re- port ties to the country in early man rights issues privately has Emirati government denies the it led to the death of a US soldier In an e-mail dated January ton, Otaiba wrote to Rob Mal- main key and critical to global June, over alleged support of ex- greater success than public criti- reports. and at least 25 civilians, and did 19, Nusseibeh sends her analy- ley, Obama’s top Middle East multilateral diplomacy, as seen tremist groups. Qatar denies that cism, pointing to the release of The UAE says it is fi ght- not kill or capture the leader in sis of the Senate confi rmation adviser: “This isn’t funny. How/ this weekend with the Security it supports extremist groups and Egyptian-American aid worker ing extremism in the country, question. of US ambassador to the United why is this happening?? On what Council vote on North Korea.” says it hosts the Taliban and Pal- Aya Hijazi in April as evidence of and Trump’s Defense Secre- The Pentagon revealed on Nations Nikki Haley to a slew planet can trump be a presi- An anonymous hacker group estinian militant group Hamas this policy’s success. tary James Mattis has called Friday that a small number of of top Emirati government offi - dent??” calling itself Global Leaks sent only to promote dialogue. Where Trump may have the country “Little Sparta” for troops was on the ground in cials, including Foreign Minister Regarding the latest Otaiba the exchange to ‘Newsweek’ in an The crisis pits the UAE and stepped back on human rights, its contribution to tackling Al Yemen to help an operation to Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan e-mails, the State Department e-mail registered to a .ru domain, Qatar, two US allies, against he has stepped forward on coun- Qaeda’s most dangerous arm, Al oust AQAP militants from an and Anwar Gargash, UAE state said in a statement that it “does located in Russia. The group has each other, and puts Washing- terterrorism. He made Riyadh Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, area of central Yemen. They are minister for foreign aff airs. But not comment on allegedly leaked been leaking private e-mails of ton in the middle. US offi cials the fi rst stop of his premier in- or AQAP, in Yemen. working alongside UAE forces she did not include Yousef al- documents”. The offi ce of the Emirati government offi cials, es- say the root of the crisis—the al- ternational tour as president, The UAE has sought to portray in the operation in Shabwa Gov- Otaiba, the emirate’s envoy to spokesperson for the UN Sec- pecially Yousef al-Otaiba. leged hack of Qatar’s state news calling on a summit of Muslim the campaign as a necessary and ernorate. The US military is also Washington, and promptly for- retary General said in an e-mail On July 31, the hacker group agency—came from the UAE, leaders to step up their eff orts just operation, according to pri- conducting a drone-strike cam- warded it to him with the mes- statement: “We will not com- released e-mails from 2011 according to a ‘Washington Post’ against radical elements in the vate e-mails among Emirati offi - paign against AQAP militants in sage, “just realised forgot to copy ment on what appears to be showing that UAE offi cials had report, claims the UAE denies. region. cials seen by Newsweek, includ- the country. Canada opposition demands Presence of Turkish end to Saudi weapons sales troops in Qatar creates Images show Canadian-made arms used against civilians in Qatif ‘balance in the region’ ights groups and opposi- fence export policies which say sell weapons to Saudi Arabia,” Canadian jobs should depend on tion fi gures have called on Canadian military equipment Srdjan Vucetic, an associate pro- the export of equipment which Umut Uras/Al Jazeera it not to leave a power vacuum Qatar on the implementation of RCanada to suspend weap- cannot be sold to countries fessor at the Graduate School of is going to be used to perpetrate there. Turkey’s existence there troops’ deployment to the Turk- ons sales to Saudi Arabia, fol- where there is a risk it may be Public and International Aff airs atrocious abuses of citizens. prevents potential mistakes,” he ish military base. lowing the kingdom’s alleged used in human rights abuses. in Ottawa, told Al Jazeera. That cannot be the way that we urkey’s military presence continued. It also approved a December use of Canadian-made arms in a Saudi Arabia, which is often The Canadian wing of the US- build our economy,” Peggy Ma- in Qatar “creates a bal- Qatari and Turkish forces have 2015 agreement that allows the crackdown against Shia Muslim criticised by rights groups, is based General Dynamics com- son, president of the Rideau In- Tance in the region” that carried out joint exercises in a sign Turkish military to train Qatari civilians in an eastern province. now the second largest buyer of pany has a 10-year, $11bn contract stitute in Ottawa, told Al Jazeera. prevents potential clashes, Yasin of growing military ties between security forces. Saudi Arabia and Images on social media showed Canadian arms, behind the US. that guarantees thousands of According to Amnesty Inter- Aktay, a senior member of Tur- the two nations. The ‘Iron Shield’ its allies have called for the clo- armoured vehicles, which military “Very few countries have well-paid jobs in a city near To- national, at least 66 people have key’s ruling Justice and Develop- exercise was carried out by the sure of Turkey’s military base in experts say are almost certainly so-called democracy or human ronto which has lost much of its been executed in Saudi Arabia ment Party (AK Party), has told Qatari Emiri Land Forces in co- Qatar as part of their demands to Canadian-made, being used by rights criteria attached to their manufacturing base. Rights activ- since the start of 2017, includ- Al Jazeera. operation with the Turkish forces. resolve the GCC crisis. Turkish Saudi government forces in Qatif. arms exports and even if they do, ists and opposition parties have ing 26 over the past three weeks “Turkey is protecting its own The Qatari military said the President Recep Tayyip Erdog- If confi rmed, such sales could for example Sweden, that does called for the deal be cancelled. alone — more than one execu- interests through the base in exercise was aimed at exchang- an had said the demands were be in violation of Canada’s de- not mean they’re not going to “It is pernicious to argue that tion per day. Qatar, rather than taking sides ing information, training senior “against international law” and between the parties at odds. And military offi cials and improving rejected closing down the base. Ankara’s interests require sta- co-ordination between the two Ankara had off ered to form bility in the region. Therefore, forces to boost security. Also, a a military base in Saudi Arabia Turkey would be against an at- two-day joint maritime exercise but was denied by government tack on Saudi Arabia as much as (Rapid Response) was held be- sources, according to Saudi state Qatar,” Aktay said. tween Qatar Emiri Naval Forces media. Turkey plans to gradually “There would always be forces and its Turkish counterpart in increase the number of its forces to fi ll the vacuum when there are Qatar territorial waters. in Qatar to 3,000, according to unbalanced situations like (de- Turkey’s parliament had in the agreement between them, velopments in the Gulf region). June fast-tracked the approval and keep a brigade in the Gulf And Turkey’s interests require of an April 2016 agreement with country.

United in ‘Tamim Al Majd’

The honouring ceremony was held at Al Attiyah Hall, Al Sadd Sports Club. QFSW honours participants of ‘Tamim Al Majd’ mural event

he Qatar Foundation The participants were hon- tion, Al Dawri & Al Kass Sport spreading news of the event on for Social Work (QFSW) oured for their “outstanding channels, Al Sadd Sports Club, a wide scale locally, regionally Thas honoured all those eff orts to support the just cause ESL Agence Publics, Qatar and globally for the whole world who participated in organisa- of our nation in facing the cur- Football Association and Qatar to see the “vivid picture of the tion of the human mural event rent situation and to defend our Stars League, as well as QFSW’s cohesion between the leader- In a show of support and solidarity to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, at Al Sadd Sports Club. The beloved homeland, Qatar,” the affi liate centres. ship and he people of Qatar”, the Video Home & Electronic Centre and Jumbo Electronics’ management and employees signed event was held to express loy- statement noted. The ceremony Many media outlets that con- statement added. the ‘Tamim Al Majd’ mural, a symbol of perseverance and unity in the light of the siege against alty to His Highness the Emir was held at Al Attiyah Hall, Al tributed to the coverage of the The event, held in July, wit- Qatar. Present at the signing were the representatives of the board of directors Abdulaziz Ahmed Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Sadd Sports Club, where the event through television and ra- nessed a large turnout as partici- al-Khal and Omar Ahmed al-Khal along with C V Rappai, director and CEO, Video Home & Electronic Thani and was a “remarkable following organisations were dio stations, newspapers, maga- pants organised themselves in Centre and Jumbo Electronics. The ‘Tamim Al Majd’ mural is on display at the Jumbo Electronics success”, QFSW said in a press represented: Qatari Voice Ini- zines and social media were also the formation of the ‘Tamim Al showroom at Barwa Village for customers to leave a message as a sign of support. statement. tiative, Qatar Players Associa- honoured for their eff orts in Majd’ icon.