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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10584 September 22, 2017 Muharram 2, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals PM visits schools

In brief Qatar, US trade body QATAR | Offi cial Leaders exchange new Hijri year greetings His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday exchanged sign pact to cables of congratulations on the occasion of the new Hijri year with leaders of fraternal Arab and Muslim countries. His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani also exchanged similar cables with deputy leaders of fraternal Arab and Muslim boost ties countries. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah Minister of Economy and ing to do business or do business in bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also Commerce holds talks with the US, supporting entrepreneurs in exchanged cables of congratulations on HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday made an inspection tour of Executive Director of US-Qatari Qatar and the US, facilitating the ex- the occasion of the new Hijri year with several schools. During the tour, the Prime Minister was briefed about the facilities in the schools such as sports halls, laboratories Business Council and President of change of technical expertise, organis- heads of governments of fraternal Arab and classrooms and on how the teaching staff deal with students. The Prime Minister urged the teaching staff to exert more American Chamber of Commerce ing workshops between entrepreneurs and Muslim countries. eff orts and to use their experiences and energies in order to prepare and build a generation capable of keeping up with the times in both countries and providing the in various fields of education and creativity. QNA latest information on the regulatory QATAR | Aviation Doha environment for investment in addi- tion to helping the US-Qatari Business Mid-air emergency Council organise meetings, forums and for Indian fl ight E the Minister of Economy and sectoral events. Doha-bound passengers on an Air Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin According to the statement, the India Express flight from Mangaluru in HJassim bin Mohamed al-Thani Minister of Economy and Commerce south India endured anxious moments US group vows to defend Qatari discussed co-operation in the eco- affi rmed that the meeting aimed at en- yesterday after the captain declared nomic, trade and investment fi elds as hancing co-operation between Qatar mid-air emergency as the aircraft well as means to develop them, during and the United States in all fi elds, espe- developed engine failure and was a working lunch with Executive Direc- cially in trade and investment. forced to return. The aircraft carrying journalists on siege ‘terror list’ tor of the US-Qatari Business Council The signing of the letter of intent 173 passengers and six crew members Mohamed Barakat and the President of between the two sides is an important made an emergency landing at the American Chamber of Commerce. milestone in the economic and invest- Mangaluru International Airport about zNHRC chief praises supportive stance of PEN America The working lunch which was held ment co-operation between Qatar 45 minutes after getting airborne, on the sidelines of the 72nd session of and the US, the Minister said, adding Indian media outlets reported. “The QNA international eff orts to prevent their other channels and newspapers. the United Nations General Assembly that this initiative would contribute to Boeing 737-800 plane landed safely and New York recurrence in future. On Wednesday, al-Marri called on in New York was attended by members enhancing communication between there was no harm to any passenger or During the meeting, al-Marri pro- the Human Rights First to support the of the US-Qatari Business Council and the business sectors to establish joint crew,” Business Standard said, quoting vided a detailed list for the diff erent il- international eff orts of human rights members of the US Chamber of Com- projects and facilitate the necessary an Air India Express off icial. The flight is hairman of Qatar’s National legal practices and violations of human organisations, in order to exert more merce, the Ministry of Economy and procedures to create investment co- now rescheduled for today at 5.30am, Human Rights Committee rights committed by the siege coun- pressure on the siege countries to bring Commerce said in a statement yester- operation in line with the aspirations of the off icial said. Flight status update on C(NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al- tries, including violating the right to justice to the victims of the blockade. day adding that the meeting discussed leaders of both countries. Doha’s Hamad International Airport said Marri yesterday discussed with PEN freedom of opinion and expression and Al-Marri held a meeting with Direc- and exchanged views on issues of mu- US-Qatar Business Council Execu- the flight is now expected to land today America the issue of Qatari journalists, threats to Qatari journalists, residents tor of Human Rights Promotion Neil tual interest. tive Director Barakat expressed the de- at 7.05am. Page 2 media professionals and writers whose as well as journalists from citizens of Hicks in the framework of his current A visual presentation was also made sire of US companies to broaden their names have been mentioned on the list the blockading countries. visit to the United States to mobilise by the Ministry on investment oppor- presence in the Qatari market, pointing QATAR | Aerobatics of those accused of supporting terror- further international human rights tunities in Qatar, and incentives pro- out that this initiative was an oppor- ism, published by the siege countries. He referred to the siege support against human rights viola- vided by the State to investors. tunity to exchange information about Red Arrows set to Al-Marri discussed the topic with countries’ harassment of tions committed by the siege countries. Following the meeting, the Ministry the developments and trends in the two return on Sept 30 James Tager, senior manager of Free Ex- Qatari television channels He also presented Hicks with a de- of Economy and Commerce and the countries’ economies and to identify The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, pression programmes at PEN America. and newspapers and tailed report on the eff ects and reper- US-Qatari Business Council signed a investment opportunities in various Red Arrows, is set to return to Doha The organisation, which works to cussions of the unjust and inhuman letter of intent to promote and increase economic sectors. for a spectacular display from 4pm on advance literature, defend free expres- preventing them from siege on the Qatari people and citizens opportunities for co-operation in eco- The volume of trade between Qatar September 30, the British embassy in sion, and foster international literary the right to carry out their of the Gulf Co-operation Council states nomic, trade and investment fi elds. and the US in 2016 was QR19.2bn. Qatar has announced. The Red Arrows fellowship, expressed its willingness to professional duties for more than 100 days, which has re- The importance of signing the let- The US is the sixth largest trading had enthralled Doha residents with co-ordinate with NHRC to defend the sulted in depriving thousands of people ter of intent between the Ministry and partner of Qatar. their formations, loops and bends in accused and work to get the charges The NHRC chairman briefed PEN and families in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the the US-Qatari Business Council stems In 2016 the value of exports from November 2013, and the upcoming lifted and alleviate the moral impact America offi cial on documented vio- UAE and Bahrain of their basic human from activating the role of this coun- Qatar to the US was QR2.5bn, while display will be their second in Qatar. the charges have caused. lations of human rights that aff ected rights, primarily the right to movement, cil, increasing investments in Qatar Qatari imports from US reached nearly The Doha display is part of a tour Al-Marri praised the supportive stance 103 journalists and media personali- education, health, and family reunion. and the US, increasing the number of QR16.7bn ($4.6bn). being undertaken by the Red Arrows PEN America has taken and its eff orts to ties who were subjected to pressure and Dr al-Marri underlined that the the council’s members, providing as- The number of fully US-owned in the Middle East and other regions protect them from the consequences of harassment. NHRC is determined to continue its sistance to US companies wishing to companies operating in Qatar regis- and includes countries such as Kuwait, the siege Qatar is currently facing. He referred to the siege countries’ international eff orts until the siege is do business or actually doing business tered with the Ministry of Economy Oman and others. A tweet by UK’s He called on the organisation to fur- harassment of Qatari television chan- lifted completely, adding that the com- in Qatar and Qatari companies wish- and Commerce has reached 102. Royal Air Force said the Red Arrows ther support and continue its path with nels and newspapers and preventing mittee is continuing its judicial and le- are on a five-week tour supporting UK American and international media or- them from the right to carry out their gal moves against the siege countries in interests and work overseas. The Red ganisations to expose the violations professional duties inside the siege order to compensate the Qatari victims, Arrows have performed in more than against Qatari journalists, media pro- countries, in addition to the distor- and the citizens of the siege countries 50 countries since 1965. fessionals, citizens, as well as intensify tion campaigns against Al Jazeera and aff ected by the blockade.

Somalia rebukes states for anti-Qatar move z‘Only federal government has authority to speak on foreign aff airs’

Mogadishu Somalia’s open stance is important Erdogan’s visit to Somalia in 2011, has After sending its envoy back to Doha, Reuters for Qatar – Somalia’s airspace remains also signifi cant infl uence over the fed- an offi cial statement from Dakar said open for Qatar Airways. eral government in Mogadishu. Senegal is encouraging the continua- The provinces’ decision could be due “The cabinet reaffi rms the federal tion of the ongoing initiatives to reach omalia’s government rebuked its to the huge resources some Arab states government’s decision in June ... that a peaceful settlement of the crisis HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin three semi-autonomous regions have been pouring into the semi-au- Somalia is neutral about the confl ict of between Qatar and its neighbouring Mohamed al-Thani and Executive Director of the US-Qatari Business Council Syesterday for cutting ties with tonomous regions, an observer said. Gulf countries,” read a statement issued states. Mohamed Barakat shake hands after signing the letter of intent. Qatar, saying it was determined to stay “(The Arab states) are trying to give by the offi ce of Prime Minister Hassan There has been widespread resent- neutral in the Gulf nation’s dispute more energy and emphasise more their Ali Khaire. ment in Comoros after the country’s with other Arab states. relations with these regional govern- The statement called on “the confl ict president decided to sever ties with Autumnal equinox to occur at 11.02pm today The region of Galmudug issued a ments, trying to pressure them to go be solved brotherly, peacefully and dip- Qatar, without taking his countrymen statement on Wednesday saying it against the federal government,” said lomatically.” into confi dence. Comorian minister Day and night will be of approximately explained, adding that sunrise in Doha stood with the United Arab Emirates Nairobi-based Somalia expert Ahmed The eff orts of the Saudi-led bloc to Fahmi Said Ibrahim and two of his min- equal length today due to the will take place at 5.22am and sunset and Saudi Arabia in the regional row, Roble. isolate Qatar have miserably failed with isterial colleagues were dismissed from autumnal equinox, Qatar Calendar at 5.30pm. This year, the duration of following similar declarations last The choice by those regions to break hardly any country of substance joining their posts for their opposition to the House (QCH) has said. In Qatar, the summer was 93 days, while autumn month by the regions of Puntland and from the federal government and reject their boycott call. government’s decision to cut ties with phenomenon will occur at 11.02pm, will last for 90 days. The September Hirshabelle. Qatar, is unsurprising, Roble added. Senegal decided to send its ambassa- Qatar. Plans for public protests in capi- according to a statement issued equinox is the moment when the sun Somalia’s federal government re- Somalia has refused to take sides dor back to Doha in August, after being tal Moroni were crushed with brutal by QCH director Dr Mohamed al- appears to cross the celestial equator, sponded by saying only it had the au- though Saudi Arabia is its top export previously summoned for consultation force. Ansari and noted astronomer Dr heading southward. This equinox is thority to speak on foreign aff airs. partner, and the United Arab Emirates in June. “Nothing explains in a convincing Beshir Marzouk. “On this day, the taken to mark the end of summer and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and supplies the horn of Africa country The decision came after His High- way the president’s decision to cut length of the day and night will be the beginning of autumn (autumnal Egypt cut political and trade ties with with key imports from electronics to ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- relations with Qatar,” the former Co- approximately equal in Qatar. The day equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere, Qatar on June 5, accusing it of support- building materials. mad al-Thani held a telephone con- morian minister had told Gulf Times will be 12 hours and 8 minutes long while marking the end of winter and ing terrorism and Iran – charges that Turkey, which has poured in more versation with Senegalese President during his friendly visit to Doha in Au- while the duration of the night will be the start of spring (vernal equinox) in Doha denies. than $1bn in aid since President Tayyip Macky Sall. gust. 11 hours and 52 minutes,” Dr Marzouk the Southern Hemisphere. Gulf Times 2 Friday, September 22, 2017 QATAR

Public security chief meets Iran ambassador Official

Emir, Deputy Qatar reaffi rms Emir, PM greet Malta president His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Emir importance of Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday sent cables of congratulations to Malta nuke-free zone President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on the anniversary of her country’s independence day. (QNA) Emir, Deputy in Middle East Emir, PM greet Armenia president QNA accelerate the pace of Doha’s The director general of public security, Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi, yesterday met Iran’s Geneva development programmes and ambassador to Qatar, Mohamed Ali Sobhani. The meeting discussed a number of topics of common His Highness the Emir Sheikh educational progress. interest. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, The ambassador also praised His Highness the Deputy Emir he people of the Middle the central role of IAEA in con- Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- East are more concerned solidating international co-op- Thani and HE the Prime Minister Tthan others about the eration and its plans for promot- and Interior Minister Sheikh threat of nuclear weapons and ing the peaceful use of nuclear Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa feel the need to make progress power, nuke safety and security, al-Thani yesterday sent cables on nuclear disarmament. A basic and the safety of nuclear waste. Close call for passengers of congratulations to Armenia step in this direction is to create Nuclear safety and security President Serzh Sargsyan on a nuclear-free zone and compel was no longer an issue only for the anniversary of his country’s Israel to implement relevant in- countries that have nuclear on Mangaluru-Doha flight independence day. ternational resolutions and join power plants or those plan- the Non-Proliferation Treaty, ning such facilities but rather a Qatar-UK ties Qatar reaffi rmed before the an- matter of concern for the entire Doha-bound passengers on said the flight is now expected manager and in-charge discussed nual conference of the Interna- human society, and this called an Air India Express flight to land today at 7.05am. airport director, Mangaluru tional Atomic Energy Agency’s for enhancing international, from Mangaluru in south India “Flight, IX 821, departed from International Airport, who UK’s deputy national security (IAEA), currently underway in regional and local legal frame- endured anxious moments Mangaluru for Doha at 5.40pm. confirmed the incident said the adviser for intelligence and Vienna. Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, works, increasing transparency, yesterday after the captain However, when it was mid- flight landed without a hitch security, Paddy McGuinness, Qatar’s Ambassador to Aus- addresses the IAEA annual sharing information and build- declared mid-air emergency air, the pilot detected some and the entire airport apparatus yesterday met Qatar’s tria and permanent representa- conference. ing trust in these activities, the as the aircraft developed technical snag and decided was put on high alert following ambassador to the United tive to the United Nations and ambassador said. engine failure and was forced to take back the aircraft communication from the Kingdom, Yousef bin Ali al-Khater. international organisations in the ambassador said adding the He pointed to the growing to return. to Mangaluru,” the off icial captain that he was returning to The meeting discussed bilateral Vienna, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al- country is steadily progressing threat of cybersecurity crimes The aircraft carrying 173 explained. the airport as per procedure,” relations and ways of supporting Thani, made the remarks as he according to a long-term plan on the safety and security of nu- passengers and six crew Passengers were given the the daily said. and developing them, in addition addressed the conference. that was included in Qatar’s de- clear power plants and the need members made an emergency option of either boarding the According to the Times of to matters of common concern. The ambassador urged the velopment programme (Qatar to enhance IAEA eff orts to boost landing at the Mangaluru rescheduled flight, taking a India, a news website quoted (QNA) IAEA to overcome the obstacles National Vision 2030). cybersecurity. International Airport 45 full refund or deferring their passengers on board as hindering progress towards cre- Doha is also working on pre- The ambassador also con- minutes after getting airborne, journey to a later date. saying they heard a loud bang 112 complete ating a nuclear-free zone. The paring an environment for max- gratulated IAEA director general Indian media outlets reported. Those who have opted for following which passengers training course peaceful uses of nuclear power imising the benefi t from the Yukiya Amano on his re-elec- “The Boeing 737-800 plane today’s flight have been panicked. are major stimulators in achiev- diff erent peaceful implementa- tion, commending his profes- landed safely and there was provided hotel accommodation The passengers noted that The second batch of 112 ing development, bringing peo- tions, including the preparation sional, independent and wise no harm to any passenger or and other facilities, he said. the aircraft lost altitude participants in the skill ple together and building a safer of qualifi ed personnel, the am- management of the agency and crew,” Business Standard said, Sources in Air India Express following the engine failure development of senior and society, he added. bassador said. his consistent eff orts to boost quoting an Air India Express were all praise for the poise and experienced perceivable supervisory position holders’ Qatar pays special attention to He expressed gratitude for the agency’s role in using nuke off icial. shown by the captain in vibrations on its return journey programme graduated yesterday. developing its institutions that the co-operation and expertise power for peace, economic and The flight is now rescheduled handling the situation and till it landed. The programme is run by the are concerned with the peace- that IAEA had off ered Qatar in social development, employing for today at 5.30am, the off icial landing the aircraft safely, the A scene of passengers taking ministry of administrative ful implementations of nuclear terms of executing projects and the highest degrees of safety and added. Times of India newspaper selfies with the captain too did development, labour and social power, especially in the fi elds added the country was looking security at nuclear power plants, Flight status update on Doha’s reported. rounds on social media, the aff airs. The participants were of foodstuff , agriculture, hu- to expand and enhancing this and facing the threat of nuclear Hamad International Airport “Ravindran, group general daily added. from diff erent government man health and environment, co-operation in future so as to power proliferation. entities.

Peza offi cial to address Arab region ‘safe, secured against ISIS’ Special food security summit By Joey Aguilar global coalition composed of 73 ISIS’ ability to resource, plan, security forces conduct screen- exhibition Staff Reporter members, 69 countries and four and conduct external opera- ing operations at various sites, international organisations, to tions is at an all-time low and ensuring that people are not hilippine Economic Zone Black Leaf Consortium, having fi ght and defeat ISIS in Syria and “we will continue to pursue part of ISIS as they move to IDP by VCUarts Authority (Peza) director the largest investment plight are he Arab region is in a Iraq. them until they are completely (internally displaced people) Pgeneral Charito Plaza will mostly into retirement village much better place in ref- Colonel Dillon said military defeated.” camps. be coming to Doha for the third ecozone development, tourism, Terence to ISIS than where operations against the enemy He added that they will also According to Colonel Dil- Qatar opens time this year to address the construction, IT and ecozone it was three years ago, Colonel also successfully stopped the re- continue to work with their lon, the Coalition of 73 global Qatar Philippine Food Security services sectors, has a combined Ryan Dillon, spokesperson for cruitment and training of foreign partners especially in training partners are all tied in together, Summit (QPFSS) scheduled on investment pledge of around Combined Joint Task Force – fi ghters, who come to in Mosul and preparing the Iraqi Security sharing information to prevent irginia Commonwealth September 25, it was announced. $200,000,000. Operation Inherent Resolve, US and Raqqa with around 1,500 in Forces for wide-area security. the ability of ISIS fi ghters from University School of the The event, organised by the Qatar remains to be the opera- Central Command, Baghdad, numbers every month in the pre- “ISIS has been militarily continuing to travel throughout VArts in Qatar (VCUarts Management Solutions Con- tions hub of Peza in the ME and Iraq, has said. vious years. defeated, we can keep them the world. Qatar) has opened a special ex- sultancy, will gather Qatari food has been very active in promot- Speaking at a teleconference “That is almost nonexistent gone through the training, and To stop the fi nancing of ter- hibition dubbed as ‘20/20/20’ at importers and Philippine food ing Philippine investments in participated by Gulf Times on anymore and it goes to show through continued share of in- rorist activities, he said they also its gallery to mark its 20th anni- producers and exporters aimed the region. Wednesday, the US Army offi cial through so many diff erent ways, telligence and information,” destroyed many cash and wire versary in the country. at highlighting the agro-indus- Philippine Business Council stressed that the recapturing of how ISIS has just been devas- Colonel Dillon pointed out. transfer locations. Curated by VCUarts Qatar’s try sector’s huge potential to – Qatar president Greg Loayon, Raqqa in Syria and the clearing tated and no longer has the draw “There’s still a lot of hard “We have struck many of alumni Maryam Yousuf al-Ho- achieve food security. also a special adviser for the di- of Mosul in Iraq more than half- that they once did,” he added. fi ghting to do, but those ultimate these throughout Iraq and Syria, maid and Ahmad Oustwani, the Peza consultant and special rector general for ME and Cen- way have signifi cantly weakened Colonel Dillon said reports and future decisions after the through the middle Euphrates exhibition, which runs until Oc- adviser to the director general tral Europe, will also brief Plaza the enemy. that some 30 or more ISIS fi ght- military defeat of ISIS will be de- River valley, in Mayadin, in large tober 21, will showcase the work for Middle East (ME) and North- on the developments of hospital “As we talked about security ers in Raqqa, who were asked termined by governments and at bulk cash storage sites, we’ve of 20 designers from all pro- ern Europe Joseph Timothy co-operatives and some fi nan- in the region, these are locations why they surrendered, disclosed the diplomatic level,” he added. completely destroyed them with grammes, demonstrating how it Rivera said that Plaza will meet cial institutions who are also in- from where ISIS had planned, that the “caliphate’s promise to About containing ISIS fi ghters strikes,” the US Army offi cial prepares its alumni. owners of Qatari companies vesting in Philippine Economic had resourced, and had execut- them was completely false.” in Iraq and Syria, Colonel Dil- said. “Our alumni show refl ects the who are now in the process of Zones. ed attacks around the world, so “Living under ISIS and living lon explained that they normally “ISIS’ ability to fi nance, plan intellectual and creative ambi- site surveying and registration Plaza will meet new potential not just in Iraq and Syria, but in the ‘caliphate’ is not blissful. isolate these areas prior to con- and export their terror activities ance of two decades at VCUarts stages after signing investment Peza locators who are scheduled throughout Europe, in Iran, In fact, if you join ISIS, you ducting an off ensive, tightening from Iraq and Syria is very much Qatar and how our collective pledges to the Philippines during to sign new letters of intent for and elsewhere throughout the will be pursued and hunted the noose around these locations degraded, if not completely de- contributions to art and design President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s their investment pledges in the world,” Colonel Dillon noted. down by the Coalition, and you to prevent enemies from fl eeing. stroyed because of the pressure has had a major impact on our recent state visit to Qatar. fi elds of wellness, garments and The Combined Joined Task will be killed,” he said. He said some attempt to fl ee that is being put on by the Coali- students, Qatar and surrounding Companies such as the GBS- food processing. Force was formed by a US-led The US Army offi cial said by mixing in with the locals but tion,” he stressed. regions,” VCUarts Qatar dean Dr Akel I Kahera said. Kahera noted that the exhibi- tion is also an excellent way to discover the outstanding works of a new generation of art and design talent in Qatar. Ninth season of Stars of Science begins tomorrow Al-Homaid is an interdisci- plinary designer holding a BFA in graphic design and a Masters tars of Science, the number It’s a competition of brain over press offi ce, QF, said: “The ob- as does Professor Adbelhamid Ali will throw in a few surprises become the entrepreneurs, re- in Design Studies from VCUarts one Arabic reality TV show brawn, resilience over strength, jective of Stars of Science is to El-Zoheiry. The new addition, Dr of their own.” searchers, and scientists of the Qatar. She is currently an assist- Sdriving interest in science with only one candidate crowned bring about positive change. It Khalid M al-Ali promises to bring Stars of Science features 10 future. ant professor in the graphic de- and innovation among Arab the Arab world’s top innovator at serves as an accelerator for de- a laser sharp focus to the group. fast-paced episodes that chal- Since launching in 2008, Stars sign department. youth, returns tomorrow for a the end of a gruelling 10-week veloping new products that ben- Professor Mrad said: “Stars lenge all innovators to outperform of Science alumni have raised Oustwani, alumni relations ninth season, Qatar Foundation season. efi t the communities we live in. of Science has developed into their fellow competitors. Episodes $14,545,918 independently co-ordinator at VCUarts Qatar, (QF) announced yesterday. Success in Stars of Science Building innovation capabilities a powerful platform to super- are grouped into four rounds: through revenues, venture capi- holds a BFA in graphic design The QF science initiative goes does not come easy. Thousands in the Arab world is very much charge innovative ideas and casting, prototyping, customer tal, and research grants. They with an art history minor from to the limit to fi nd, mentor, and of hopefuls come out swinging needed. The TV show off ers a transform them into cutting- validation, and the fi nale. have established more than 19 the same university and current- enable the fi nest young innova- for a spot on the show, and the thought-provoking glimpse edge products. The show has The winner, determined by a businesses around the region ly completing a master of science tors in the Arab region today. extraordinary opportunity is not into amazing talents, pushing been instrumental in shedding combination of jury and public and have volunteered their time in student aff airs in higher edu- And an all-new jury line up and just sought by the geeky. boundaries to make that happen. light on the endless possibilities online voting, receives $300,000 to encourage and inspire tens of cation from the Colorado State special appearances by popular The show has seen them all “They are bold and brave, of science in everyday life. in funding for their groundbreak- thousands of Arab youth across University. alumni promises to keep viewers — the adventurers, the philoso- but we also see them struggle “The number of young Ar- ing idea, while fi nalists in second, the region. The exhibition identity de- on the edge of their seats. phers, and the money-makers. with setbacks and obstacles. abs fi ling for patents, starting third, and fourth places will be Stars of Science alumni have sign is created by VCUarts Qa- Stars of Science sees ambi- But they do have one thing in By encouraging young Arabs to businesses, and developing new awarded $150,000, $100,000, also been involved in workshops, tar alumnus Moza Khalifa al- tious candidates develop inno- common though: a passion for become science and technol- products after participating on and $50,000, respectively. talks, and community building Suwaidi (Bachelor of Fine Arts vations that will help improve problem-solving that’s larger ogy problem-solvers, we culti- the show is testimony to this. Stars of Science has a strong activities that include maker in Graphic Design, 2013), who is lives and benefi t communities. than life. vate a culture of innovation and They have set the bar high, so the track record of empowering pan- spaces, schools, and travelling also a graphic designer at the Of- While dreamers and doers Four fi nalists will survive progress.” new batch of innovators better Arab innovators and problem- fabrication laboratories. fi ce of Communications. will compete to make their mark elimination rounds for a share of Throughout the season, Stars roll up their sleeves. I’m plan- solvers, catapulting brilliant The show will be aired on dif- The exhibition will be open through science and innovation, a cash prize of $600,000, ranked of Science innovators must sat- ning to disturb their calm seas ideas into successful projects ferent TV channels across the to public free-of-charge from their adventure can last only if by jury and public online votes in isfy a three-member jury to and excite their spirit. No doubt and businesses. region. A full broadcast guide Saturday to Thursday (9am they impress the jury and con- the fi nal week of airing. avoid elimination. the magnifi cent professor Zo- The show equips innovators is available on www.starsof- to 5pm) and will feature a jazz vince their audiences. Khalifa al-Kubaisi, head of Professor Fouad Mrad returns, heiry and fi rst-time juror Dr al- with the knowledge and skills to science.com band. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD US-backed Archaeological treasure Syria force claims ‘victory

Archaeological experts and workers remove the cover around a colossus of King Tuthmosis III upon its arrival near’ in Raqa at the restoration laboratory on the outskirts of Cairo on Wednesday. AFP UN sets up probe of IS atrocities in Iraq Raqa The UN Security Council yesterday unani- Clooney told a UN event in March. mously decided to set up an investigation “Mass graves lie unprotected and yrian fi ghters backed by US special team to collect evidence on the mas- unexhumed. Witnesses are fleeing and forces battled yesterday to clear sacres of Iraq’s Yazidi minority and other not one ISIS militant has faced trial for Khamenei condemns Trump’s Sthe last remaining Islamic State atrocities committed by the Islamic State international crimes anywhere in the militants holed up in their crumbling group in Iraq. world,” she said. stronghold of Raqa. Britain presented the resolution to help Under the measure, UN Secretary- “Victory is near” and would be de- bring perpetrators of IS war crimes to General Antonio Guterres will within 60 ‘gangster and cowboy’ speech clared in coming weeks, a spokeswoman justice — a cause championed by interna- days present to the council details on the for the operation to capture Raqa told tional human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. mandate of the investigative panel that AFP in the city where US-led air strikes After months of pressure, Iraq in will work with their Iraqi counterparts. AFP having such a president,” Khamenei tail most of its atomic programme in sent clouds of grey smoke into the air. August agreed to the investigation which The investigators will gather evidence Tehran said. return for lifting of some economic Across the border in Iraq, security will “support domestic eff orts to hold” on “war crimes, crimes against humanity The Assembly of Experts is a body sanctions. forces were attacking all remaining ter- IS militants accountable by “collecting, or genocide” for use in Iraqi courts, ac- of elected clerics that oversees the But Tehran complains that the ritory held by the extremists, who are preserving and storing evidence” in Iraq, cording to the resolution. ran’s supreme leader yesterday functions of the supreme leader and shadow of existing US sanctions fi ghting to prevent the all-out collapse of the resolution said. IS fighters have been on the run in lashed out against US President has constitutional powers to select have deprived it from the economic their self-proclaimed “caliphate”. The United Nations has described the Iraq since the recapture of Mosul, Iraq’s IDonald Trump describing the and even dismiss the leader. benefi ts it hoped to achieve from the Most of Raqa, long a byword for the massacres of the Yazidis as genocide second city in July, which had been under speech he delivered at the UN this Trump delivered a scathing ver- deal. militants’ most gruesome atrocities, is and Clooney has made two high-profile IS rule since 2014. week as full of “gangster and cow- bal attack against Iran in his maiden The UN atomic watchdog has now in the hands of the US-backed Syr- appearances before the world body to Tens of thousands of Yazidis fled the boy” rhetoric. speech to the UN General Assembly confi rmed Tehran’s compliance to ian Democratic Forces, supported by demand action. August 2014 massacre in Sinjar, and UN “The reason behind the foolish, on Tuesday. the deal but the US administration waves of heavy air strikes by a military The Lebanese-British lawyer represents rights investigations have documented very ugly, insolent and disorderly The US president referred to the says the “technical” adherence is coalition led by Washington. Yazidi women who were taken hostage horrific accounts of abuse suff ered by speech with cowboy and gangster Islamic republic as a “murderous not enough as long as Iran tests bal- “We control 80% of Raqa and the other and used as sex slaves by IS as it swept women and girls. wording...is their anger (and) des- regime” and a “depleted rogue state listic missiles and exerts infl uence in 20% is in the fi ring line of our forces,” said into Iraq’s Sinjar region in August 2014. Around 3,000 women are believed to peration,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei whose chief exports are violence, the region. Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, spokeswoman for “Why is it that nothing has been done?” remain in IS captivity. said in reference to Trump and the bloodshed and chaos”. Trump said on Wednesday he has the ‘Wrath of the Euphrates’ operation. US administration. He also called the nuclear deal reached a decision on whether to “We’re in the fi nal stage and will de- In remarks to a top clerical body, between Iran and six world powers, recertify Iran’s compliance with the liver victory to our people in Raqa within IS seized Raqa in early 2014, making it “Daesh is losing ground and failing the Assembly of Experts, carried by including the United States, an “em- deal to curb its nuclear programme, weeks,” she told AFP. their de facto Syria capital. in every battle. Soon ISIS will have no his website, Khamenei described barrassment” for Washington. but did not reveal his intentions. She said the Kurdish-Arab alliance They are thought to have used the city sanctuary in Iraq,” said coalition spokes- Trump and the US administration as Tensions between Tehran and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was still fi ghting the militants around to plan attacks abroad. man Colonel Ryan Dillon using another “having no brains”. Washington have increased under also on Wednesday denounced at grain silos in the north of the city and the Across the border in Iraq, security acronym for IS. “The US president’s remarks are Trump’s administration. the UN “rogue newcomer” Trump’s Raqa sports stadium, where IS fi ghters forces backed by paramilitary units Humanitarian organisations ex- not a source of pride for the Ameri- In 2015, Iran reached an agree- “ignorant, absurd and hateful rheto- are believed to be storing weaponry. launched a dawn assault on a besieged pressed concern for the fate of civilians can nation and the elite of that ment with Britain, China, France, ric fi lled with ridiculously baseless “But victory is near,” she said. IS-held pocket around the northern caught up in the off ensive. country should feel ashamed of... Germany, Russia and the US to cur- allegations” against Iran. SDF spokesman Talal Sello said the town of Hawija, just days after attacking “The 85,000 civilians still in and militia was battling militants in “20% of the militants’ only other foothold in the around Hawija, including around 40,000 the city”. country. children, now face a terrifying time as Palestinian contortionist seeks to fl ip record books “That sector is not under the control The territory still held by IS has been they worry about getting caught up in of Daesh...our forces are present there,” dwindling fast since its defeat in Iraq’s the fi ghting or being hit by an air strike,” As 12-year-old Palestinian Yousef al- The move involves rolling forward “Guinness are understanding of he told AFP. second city Mosul in July, with strong- said International Rescue Committee Bahtini distorts his body into almost onto your stomach before flicking the circumstances in the Gaza Strip In the city, an AFP correspondent yes- hold after stronghold coming under as- acting country director Jason Kajer. impossible shapes, he dreams of your bent legs up behind you into and therefore have not specified a terday heard US-led coalition warplanes sault on both sides of the border with “For those who decide to fl ee, there is a entering the Guinness World Records. a crab position, then rolling back particular date for our participation,” carrying out air strikes around the silos. Syria. signifi cant risk of being targeted by ISIS That dream could come true in the through and dropping onto your chest Yousef’s brother Mohamed, who is The sound of gunfi re from running After the defeat of IS in Mosul and the snipers or killed by a mine.” coming weeks, provided Jordan and again. also his trainer, told AFP. battles could also be heard as an AFP recapture of adjacent areas, Hawija and The UN estimates up to 15,000 civilians Israel grant him permits to travel for a The current record, set in 2013 by He added they wanted to get journalist travelled across parts of the neighbouring towns form the last en- may remain trapped in Syria’s Raqa, facing time trial. Britain’s Leilani Franco, is 20m in 17 his name into the Guinness World city. clave still held by IS in Iraq apart from “incredibly diffi cult conditions” including Bahtini lives in Gaza, the Palestinian seconds. Records to “raise the name of Pales- The Britain-based Syrian Observatory a section of the Euphrates Valley down- food, water and medical shortages. enclave of two million people sealed Bahtini’s family say he has done it in tine high”. for Human Rights monitor said the SDF stream from the border with Syria. IS also holds pockets of territory in off by Israel and Egypt. 14, and sent the evidence to Guinness If successful, Bahtini would be the and US special forces were engaged in a “Greetings to all of our forces, who are Syria’s eastern province of Deir Ezzor, But using YouTube videos and with to prove it. second Gazan contortionist to enter “mopping up operation.” waging several battles of liberation at the where the extremists are facing a sepa- his family’s help, he has taught himself The company wrote to the family in the Guinness records book in a year. But the operation was being slowed same time and who are winning victory rate off ensive by Russian-backed gov- to bend in seemingly impossible ways. July to say he had been accepted for In February, 13-year-old Mohamed down by large numbers of mines planted after victory and this will be another, ernment troops and the SDF. And now his family believe Guin- a time trial. al-Sheikh broke the record for the by the militants in the city, where they with the help of God,” Iraqi Prime Min- In Syria they are also present in east- ness should recognise him. They don’t, however, have an of- most full body revolutions maintain- have been under siege for three months, ister Haider al-Abadi said. ern parts of the central provinces of “This talent was discovered by my fice in Gaza so Bahtini must travel to ing a chest stand in one minute. it said. An AFP correspondent heard heavy Homs and Hama and have come under brother and I’ve improved it. I will Jordan for an off icial test. The move involves lying on the Exact estimates of the percentage of shelling around the IS-held town of attack by Russian-backed government participate in the Guinness Book of The family are waiting for a chest, bending the back to put the the city held by the SDF vary, with the Sharqat where Iraqi forces have been forces there too. Records with a forward movement of Jordanian permit, after which they feet in front of the head then rotating Observatory putting it at 90%, but the massing in recent days. In Iraq, government forces are also 20m in 14 seconds, and it’s name is will apply for permission to transit the hips to run the feet in laps around US-led coalition saying that 70% had The US-led coalition fi ghting IS hailed pursuing IS in the western desert near ‘The Roll’,” said Bahtini. through Israel. the body. been “cleared.” the new off ensive. the border with Syria.

Pilgrims bring boom times for Iraqi gem traders UN in new push for Libya peace AFP Some clients bring in their foreign-manu- Najaf factured rings for the stones to be recut in Na- jaf’s workshops. AFP Imported rings are sold by the armful, at a United Nations very time Mohamed al-Ghoraifi visits little over $10 apiece, during major religious Najaf he returns with another precious holidays. Estone on his fi nger. Customers and window shoppers pack the he United Nations has launched a new push to Like for many pilgrims visiting the Iraqi alleyways of the market, a maze of shops built bring stability to Libya, which has been rav- holy city, buying a gemstone ring is part and in the yellow stone of the Karbala region and Taged by chaos since the 2011 ouster of long- parcel of the experience. with the names printed in blue mosaic. time leader Muammar Gaddafi . Ghoraifi , sporting two weighty rings on the The market with its Islamic-inspired archi- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and a new right hand and a third on the left on his latest tecture plays host in the off -season mostly to UN envoy on Libya, Ghassan Salame, met on Wednes- visit, said they formed only a modest part of Najaf’s religious scholars and their students, day on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly with his collection. both local and non-Iraqi, who are estimated countries involved with the country’s troubles. The collection may have cost him a small to number 25,000. “It is my deep belief that circumstances are now fortune, but “the stones have enormous val- For pilgrims, the purchase of a Najaf ring is created in a way that allow for a solution to be pos- ue, whatever the cost”, said the 60-year-old seen by many as the fi nal rite. sible,” Guterres told the meeting. pilgrim from Bahrain, wearing a white robe As Sheikh Jassem al-Mandalawi, 42, ex- “I don’t think we can miss this opportunity. I want and bedouin scarf. plained to AFP, certain rocks bring “pardon, to ask all of you to commit very strongly to a com- Ghoraifi ’s passion for gemstone rings from such as onyx from Yemen, while emerald is a mon eff ort to make sure that we do everything we Najaf, set with agate stones, rubies or tur- portent of success”. can to help our Libyan friends to come together and quoise, is shared by most of the pilgrims, pri- A ring with a red agate stone or a sapphire to fi nd a future of peace, democracy, freedom and marily from Iran, who visit the city to pray at can sell for 100,000 dinars or more, he said. prosperity,” he said. Imam Ali’s shrine. The “must-have” item is the Najaf quartz, a The initiative aims to set up a roadmap that starts Customers come from “Saudi Arabia, Iran, Women browse for rings at a stall in the main market of Najaf. stone that looks like glass but is solid as rock, with amending a December 2015 deal that set up an Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Lebanon...” and which is found in the desert that encircles interim government of national accord. said shopkeeper Fayez Abu Ghoneim. the religious calendar controls the life of gem- ing fl ooded with cheap imports from Turkey, the city, explained Mohamed al-Shamarati, Despite the agreement, Libya remains divided. In a city where several family businesses are stone traders like Abu Ghoneim. China, Thailand and Iran. 30, a trader in precious stones. The meeting involved French President Em- renowned for the size and cut of their gem- Major religious ceremonies for which mil- “Now I’ve turned into a ring salesman He said young single women bought his manuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa stones, pilgrims amble into Abu Ghoneim’s lions pour into Najaf are boom times, espe- whereas I used to be a jeweller,” said Mussa. rings to help them fi nd a husband. May — whose predecessors led the Western inter- shop right after visiting the mausoleum of the cially as prices shoot up with the increase in As for Ali Anwar, he is proud to carry on the For Abu Abbas, a 40-year-old from a re- vention to help oust Gaddafi . son-in-law of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). demand, sending the most prized rings into artisanal tradition of Najaf, which comes at a mote area outside Najaf, a ring engraved It also brought in Egyptian President Abdel Fattah “Many of them buy a ring or a rosary as a the thousands of dollars price bracket. price. “Turkish or Thai jewellery is sold by the with a verse from the Qur’an or one of the 99 al-Sisi, who supports strongman Khalifa Haftar’s ri- souvenir of their pilgrimage for family or But not all pilgrims are ready to fork out gram, whereas a Najaf ring is sold individu- names of Allah can also protect the wearer. “I val Libyan National Army in the country’s east. friends back home,” said Abu Ghoneim. large sums. ally, for between 40,000 and 50,000 dinars,” often travel through desert areas and could be Fayez al-Sarraj, the embattled head of the unity gov- In Najaf’s main market, strategically locat- Issa Mussa, a trader in his 70s, said busi- or about $35 to $40, not including the price of attacked with guns at any time,” he said, as he ernment, said that the UN meeting agreed on the need ed facing the golden gate of the mausoleum, ness had declined because the market was be- the stone, he said. scoured the shops for the right stone. for a government with authority over all of Libya. Gulf Times 4 Friday, September 22, 2017 AFRICA Uganda postpones bill to Kenya election extend Museveni’s rule

Reuters Kampala re-run delayed gandan authorities postponed a bill to extend leader Yoweri UMuseveni’s rule after protest- ers took to the streets against it yes- terday, confronting police who fi red teargas. Parliament speaker Jacob Oulan- yah told lawmakers during a raucous to October 26 session that the legislation due to be introduced yesterday afternoon was Reuters throw our country into judicial chaos.” “bringing tension” and would come Nairobi He said that lower courts could fol- back on another, unspecifi ed date. low the precedent and overturn the Activists, campaign groups, reli- will of voters in other electoral con- gious leaders and even some members enya’s President Uhuru Keny- tests, like local or legislative seats, of Museveni’s own ruling party have atta said yesterday that the adding he had asked parliament to objected to the proposed change to the Kcountry’s Supreme Court address the issues raised by the judge- constitution, saying that it is undemo- staged a “coup” against the will of ment. cratic. Students of Makerere University are detained by police off icers during a protest the people when it annulled his win in Yesterday the cabinet approved Groups of students at Makerere, a in Kampala against the move to scrap the presidential age limit. last month’s presidential election, his Kenyatta: A coup in Kenya has just 10bn shillings ($97mn) to fund the re- public university in the capital Kam- toughest rhetoric yet in the wake of the been done by the four people in the peat election. pala, rallied to start marching toward years of his rule for restoring stabil- member – was detained early yester- August 8 vote. Supreme Court. Odinga has said he will not take part parliament before police dispersed ity after years of turmoil, and became day, though Kasingye said he was una- His remarks came on the same day in the repeat vote unless a list of de- them with teargas. a key Western ally who sent Ugandan ware of the reports. that the election board announced the an incumbent African president. mands, including fi ring of some senior Protesters regrouped through the troops to fi ght religious militants in Museveni’s bid has also met in- repeat election had been delayed until Kenya, a Western ally, has East Af- staff at the election board, are met. morning, throwing stones back at po- Somalia. creasing denunciation from some October 26. rica’s richest economy and is a hub for The court said it had found no evi- lice. But accusations of rampant rights members of the ruling National Re- The president’s criticism comes as diplomacy, security and trade in a re- dence of individual culpability by the “We are not going to allow anybody violations, entrenched graft and dys- sistance Movement (NRM) Party, ex- Kenya’s political temperature is heat- gion often battered by confl ict. staff of the board. to hold protest marches. The teargas functional public services have since posing cracks. ing up, reviving fears of political vio- Any sign of political instability The country must hold the election was to deter that,” police spokesman fueled opposition to his rule. The NRM counts about three-thirds lence. sends ripples through the region. by the end of October to avert a con- Asan Kasingye said. Police have also raided the premises of all parliament members. Clashes killed around 1,200 people The election board had said last stitutional crisis. Museveni, aged 73, has already been of at least two pro-democracy organi- “Ultimately ... Museveni has ample following a disputed 2007 presidential month that Kenyatta won the August The court’s detailed judgment given in power for more than three decades. sations in Kampala, including that of patronage at his disposal and, when vote. 8 vote by 1.4mn more votes than his on Wednesday hinged on the failure of The change to the constitution the local unit of Johannesburg-based push comes to shove, few lawmakers “A coup in Kenya has just been done chief rival, veteran opposition leader the election board to check electronic would have removed a rule ban- ActionAid International. will be prepared to risk political ex- by the four people in the Supreme Raila Odinga, who contested the result tallies, which are vulnerable to typos, ning anyone older than 75 running Security personnel blockaded staff ile by not backing the president,” said Court,” Kenyatta said in a televised in court. against paper forms intended as a fail- for president that currently bars him inside their offi ces late on Wednesday Charlotte King, a Uganda analyst at meeting with supporters, delivered Four judges and two dissenting safe backup before announcing results. from running for re-election at polls and conducted searches, staff mem- the Economist Intelligence Unit. mostly in Kiswahili. “(The court is judges gave a detailed case for void- Judges did not say they found evi- in 2021. bers of the organisations told Reuters. The US embassy in Kampala con- saying) ‘numbers don’t matter, it is ing the election – or upholding it – in dence of rigging. The move to amend legislation mir- “There was intelligence that we got demned the raids on pro-democracy processes that matter’.” a marathon 12-hour court session on Kenyatta said he would respect the rors similar tactics used in Rwanda, that they received funding for people groups. Immediately following the court’s Wednesday. court’s decision but said it subverted Burundi and the Democratic Republic who are planning to cause chaos and “The United States is deeply con- surprise September 1 ruling to annul Kenyatta said in a televised news the will of the people. of the Congo to extend limits, a trend violence,” police spokesman Kasingye cerned that recent arrests and raids the vote, Kenyatta had called for calm conference that the court had failed “We have reversed everything in that has alarmed democracy watch- said. stifl e the Ugandan people’s right to and respect for the ruling. to adequately examine evidence that this country by the decision of a few dogs. Local media said Kampala’s mayor free expression and tarnish Uganda’s But he later started to criticise the would have buttressed his win. people. I don’t know how history will Museveni won plaudits in the early Erias Lukwago – an opposition party global image,” it said in a statement. court. “The Supreme Court owes Kenyans judge these gentlemen,” he said. “The The decision to nullify the race on an explanation how such a monstrous citizen has been told he does not have a procedural grounds was the fi rst time a injustice took place,” he said. “It (the voice ... if that is not dictatorship, then judicial body cancelled the election of ruling) also now has the potential to I don’t know what to say.” Zuma’s ex-wife named MP

AFP ANC’s women and youth leagues, Johannesburg and enjoys support from the powerful KwaZulu-Natal province, which is also Zuma’s stronghold. n ex-wife of South African Since she left the AU early this year, Dlamini-Zuma: I return determined to President Jacob Zuma has been she has been campaigning across the contribute to implementing decisions Are-appointed a lawmaker in country, and nominations for the party of (the ANC). parliament, in what is being seen as leadership posts are expected to be an- her latest step to secure the country’s nounced this month. based in Durban, said that by pro- presidency in two years’ time. Dlamini-Zuma replaced Pule Mabe moting Dlamini-Zuma to parliament, The National Assembly confi rmed in who resigned from parliament earlier Zuma is probably preparing the way a statement that Nkosazana Dlamini- this month, meaning that the ANC had for her to ascend to the ANC presi- Zuma, a former African Union (AU) to top up its allocation of MPs. dency. chief, was sworn in as a member of Opposition leaders and analysts If the ANC decides to recall Zuma parliament for the governing ANC. say they believe her deployment to he “can quit the (national) presidency She posted on Twitter that “fi ve parliament is aimed at strategically and hand over to her the presidency of years ago I left parliament with mixed positioning her to take over the ANC the country”, Dube said. “They are try- feelings today I return as directed by leadership. ing to have a smooth handover.” (the ANC) as a servant of the SA (South “Dlamini-Zuma’s elevation to MP At the same time, Zuma is backing African) people”. and likely cabinet minister seems to be his ex-wife for his own survival, say “I return determined to contrib- a carefully orchestrated move to but- some. ute to implementing decisions of (the tress her presidential campaign,” the “There is possibly no other candi- ANC) particularly as it relates to radi- main opposition Democratic Alliance date who can potentially protect him,” cally improving our people’s lives,” she said. “It amounts to nothing less than said Dirk Kotze, a political analyst at wrote. state resources being used to support a the University of South Africa. Dlamini-Zuma, 68, is considered a candidate for the ANC presidency.” Dlamini-Zuma last month rejected leading candidate to replace Zuma as Zuma is widely seen as favouring criticism that her bid to succeed Zuma head of the African National Congress Dlamini-Zuma, with whom he has was a strategy to protect the embattled (ANC) at a party conference in Decem- four children, ahead of Deputy Presi- leader from criminal prosecution once ber, although she has not publically dent Cyril Ramaphosa, which would he leaves offi ce, telling AFP that she declared her candidacy in the leader- set up a showdown that could split the found such allegations “off ensive”. ship battle. ANC. Zuma completes his fi nal term in But she has been endorsed by the Xolani Dube of Xubera, a think-tank power in 2019.

Anti-Zuma lawmaker quits ‘corrupt’ ANC Guptas’ Oakbay

African National Congress (ANC) MP Her comments earned her death threats loses bid against Makhosi Khoza, a strident critic of and a provincial party disciplinary bank’s move President Jacob Zuma, quit South hearing, but Khoza said she was not Africa’s ruling party yesterday, labelling prepared to sit around and wait for its Investment holding firm Oakbay, Nelson Mandela’s 105-year-old liberation verdict, saying that the decision to go owned by the Gupta family that movement “alien and corrupt”. after her, and not Zuma, was the final has faced allegations of using The 47-year-old Zulu linguistics expert, straw. ties with South Africa’s president an ANC supporter since the age of “Why haven’t we charged Zuma? Why to wield undue influence, lost 12, denounced Zuma in July as a are we charging Makhosi Khoza? We a court bid yesterday to stop “dishonourable and disgraceful leader” are making a mockery of the rule of law. Bank of Baroda from closing its due to scandals he has attracted during We are making a mockery of the ANC accounts. his eight years in power. constitution,” Khoza said. The ruling could allow the South African unit of Bank of Baroda to join several other firms that #Nambia trending aft er Trump error have distanced themselves from a scandal involving business “Where’s Nambia” was the question puzzled Namibians were asking yesterday friends of President Jacob Zuma. after hearing the news that US President Donald Trump had scrambled the The Gupta family is accused by a southern African country’s name. public anti-corruption watchdog There was much mirth on social media in Namibia and internationally as users and senior members of the ruling took to Twitter to make fun of Trump’s faux pas at a lunch with African leaders in African National Congress party New York on Wednesday. of using friendship with Zuma to “Nambia’s health system is increasingly self-suff icient,” he told the luncheon, exert undue influence and win though it was unclear whether he meant Gambia, Zambia, or Namibia. business. With #Nambia trending, one Namibian Twitter user quipped that Trump had The judgment leaves Oakbay, created a whole new nation. which has interests in mining, “A country in global south created in September 2017 through the ‘divine’ act of hotels, computers and speech ... and Trump said ‘Let there be #Nambia’,” Jerry Elago wrote. engineering and employs some Then, in a follow-up tweet, referencing another instance of Trumpian misspeak: 7,500 people, with less than two “I’m actually off ended by this ... this is unacceptable. This is not #Covfefe, at all.” weeks to find an alternative bank Sanjay Korteweg, a South Asian expatriate living in Namibia, said he simply felt account. lost. Between December 2015 and “Did I make a terrible mistake by moving to #Namibia when all along I should have April last year, all four major been in #Nambia?,” he wrote on Twitter. South African banks – Standard Even the youth wing of the ruling party Swapo got in on the fun, using the US Bank, Nedbank, Barclays Africa leader’s mistake as a way to promote tourism to the former German colony. and FirstRand – terminated “#Namibia is way cooler than #Nambia. Book your flights with @airnamibia1 and the accounts of companies find out just how cool. #VisitNamibia” they tweeted. controlled by the Guptas, citing reputational risk. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 5 AMERICAS Republicans ‘close’ on healthcare’s last chance: Pence

Reuters Pence, in an interview on Fox they hold a 52-48 majority. With no Democratic support erage and strip coverage from that their alternative would em- to do that with a bipartisan bill. Washington News, said that Republicans were Majority Leader Mitch Mc- for the bill, Republicans remain a vulnerable patients. power states. This is the fi rst step.” close to dismantling the 2010 Connell intends to bring the plan handful of votes short. Health insurers, hospitals, They pointed to current prob- Republican Senator Ron John- healthcare law passed by former to the Senate fl oor for a vote next Senator Rand Paul opposes it healthcare industry groups and lems with Obamacare. son was asked on MSNBC if peo- S Vice-President Mike Democratic president Barack week. and at least fi ve others are un- consumer advocates have also Although Democrats have said ple would lose coverage or face Pence has urged fellow Obama. President Donald Trump, who decided: Susan Collins, Lisa come out against it, instead urg- they want to fi x the current law, rising premiums under the plan. URepublicans to get be- “This may well be our last best has no major legislative wins Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, John ing a bipartisan fi x to the current a number of Republican senators “There are no guarantees,” he hind the GOP (Grand Old Party)’s chance to stop and turn around,” since taking offi ce in January McCain, and Jerry Moran. law. said the Graham-Cassidy plan is said. “last best chance” to repeal and he said. and is eager to make good on a A number of governors – both Several Republicans defended the only option now. In July, a Senate vote on a re- replace Obamacare as congres- Republicans need 50 votes to campaign promise, supports the Republicans and Democrats – the measure yesterday, say- “This doesn’t fi x everything peal-and-replace bill ended in a sional leaders scrambled to se- pass their latest healthcare over- measure, which was introduced oppose the plan, saying that it ing that they must make good with Obamacare,” Republican stinging 49-51 defeat for Repub- cure enough support ahead of a haul plan before a September 30 by Senators Lindsey Graham and would curb needed funds, im- on their years-long campaign Senator Jeff Flake told MSNBC. licans as Collins, McCain, and planned vote next week. deadline in the Senate, where Bill Cassidy. pose an unknown system of cov- promise to undo Obamacare and “It can’t. We’re going to have Murkowski voted against it.

Deadly Maria heads Hope fading for Mexico north

Reuters San Juan earthquake survivors AFP More than 50 people have been rescued from eadly Hurricane Maria Mexico City collapsed buildings in the capital, he said. fl ooded parts of the Do- US President Donald Trump called Pena Ni- Dminican Republic yes- eto and off ered assistance and teams which were terday and continued to dump exico waited with bated breath yesterday quickly being deployed, the White House said. heavy rain on the US territory for signs of life in the rubble of a col- Rescue teams have fl own in from Israel, El Sal- of Puerto Rico after destroy- Mlapsed school as a search for survivors of vador and Panama and more were expected from ing buildings and knocking out a devastating earthquake entered a third day. Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia and Spain. power to the entire island. The country’s civil protection organisation put The earthquake hit on the anniversary of a huge The second major hurricane to the death toll following Tuesday’s 7.1 magnitude quake in 1985 that killed more than 10,000 people, rage through the Caribbean this quake at 233 people, but that toll was expected to the disaster-prone country’s deadliest ever. month, Maria has killed a total of rise. Tuesday’s temblor struck just two hours after 17 people and devastated several As rescue workers scrabbled to remove tonnes Mexico held a national earthquake drill, as it does small islands, including St Croix of rubble at dozens of collapsed buildings in the every September 19 to remember the 1985 disaster. in the US Virgin Islands and capital and across several central states, most of A system of quake sensors was set up in 1993 Dominica. the country’s attention focused on a school in the along the Pacifi c coast, where tremors are more Maria was carrying sustained south of Mexico City. common. winds of up to 115mph (185kph) There, somewhere in the mountain of debris People in Mexico City were not warned by it on as it moved away from the Do- that was once a wing of the Enrique Rebsamen Tuesday because the epicentre was only 120km minican Republic on a track that school, at least one little girl was still alive, offi - (75 miles) outside the capital and thus outside the would take it near the Turks and cials said. main area of sensor coverage, said Carlos Valdes of Caicos Islands and the south- “We know that there is a child alive inside. What the National Centre for Disaster Prevention. eastern Bahamas last night and we do not know is how to reach her ... without Adding to the national sense of vulnerability, the today, the US National Hur- risking a collapse and putting rescuers in danger,” earthquake struck just 12 days after another quake Support beams are seen placed on a crumbling wall of a room during the search for students at the ricane Centre (NHC) said in an rescue co-ordinator Jose Luis Vergara told Televisa that killed nearly 100 people in southern Mexico. Enrique Rebsamen school in Mexico City. 11am ET (1500 GMT) advisory. about a young girl whose fate is being closely fol- The hurricane was ranked a lowed by the country. Category 4 storm, near the top A slightly-built civilian volunteer was able to of the fi ve-step Saffi r-Simpson squeeze into a narrow passage through the rubble scale, with winds of up to 155mph to pass oxygen and water through a tube. (250kph), when it made landfall The military said the girl had spoken, managing on Puerto Rico on Wednesday to say “I’m very tired”. as the strongest storm to hit the Many children are still missing at the school island in nearly 90 years. where 21 children – aged between seven and 13 Offi cials in Puerto Rico, home years – and fi ve adults were crushed to death. to 3.4mn people, were still as- In the fi rst hours after the quake, 11 children and sessing the extent of the damage. at least one teacher were rescued. US President Donald Trump But time is running out. told reporters the storm “totally Experts say the average survival time in such obliterated” the island. conditions and depending on injuries is 72 hours. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo “The armed forces have made the decision ... Rossello said there was one death to continue the search until, hopefully, it ends in reported so far, a man struck by a success,” Education Minister Aurelio Nuno said. piece of lumber hurled by high The body of a 58-year-old woman was pulled winds. from the rubble overnight. “It’s nothing short of a ma- The Civil Protection organisation put the over- jor disaster,” he said in a CNN all death toll at 233 – 102 in Mexico City, 69 in interview, adding it might take Morelos state, 43 in Puebla, 13 in Mexico state, fi ve months for the island’s electric- in Guerrero, and one in Oaxaca. ity to be completely restored. In Puebla, a picturesque colonial city near the Maria was about 120 miles quake’s epicentre, several churches were damaged (193km) north of Punta Cana, on and one collapsed, killing 11 people attending a the east coast of the Dominican baptism, offi cials said. Republic yesterday, the NHC Residents of San Gregorio in Xochimilco barrio said. in Mexico City’s far south were angry at the lack of Punta Cana, a popular tourist material aid and volunteers. area, was hit with wind gusts of “I need volunteers! Yesterday everything ar- 58mph (93kph) and Maria was rived and now there is nobody. They come, they forecast to bring storm surges, do some disaster tourism, and they leave,” one when hurricanes push ocean volunteer who gave his name as Morales told AFP. water dangerously over normal San Gregoria was badly hit by the quake with levels, of up to 6’ (1.83m) in the many collapsed buildings and others in a state of Dominican Republic, it said. near-collapse. Some 1,255 homes in the Do- There were stories of hope emerging in ruined minican Republic were damaged buildings across the city, where more than 10,000 by the storm, the country’s Cen- people lost their lives in a devastating earthquake tre for Emergency Operations in 1985. said in a statement. In the north, a man who had been trapped for 26 The northeastern coastal town hours and a 90-year-old woman were taken alive of Miches was among badly af- from the rubble. fected places, with hundreds of Rescue teams were helped by thousands of ordi- houses damaged and downed nary civilians who dug through the rubble along- trees blocking access roads, the side them. newspaper Diario Libre said. Other Mexicans took to the streets with food All schools and public busi- and water for victims and emergency workers. nesses were closed and govern- President Enrique Pena Nieto toured the hard- ment offi cials ordered people to est-hit areas and declared three days of national remain indoors. mourning. Maria, which could strength- “The priority remains saving lives,” he said in a en somewhat over the coming broadcast to a grieving nation, insisting there was day or so, was forecast to move still hope of fi nding survivors. north in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend, the NHC said. It was a rare Category 5 storm when it struck Dominica on Trudeau promises better Monday night, damaging about aboriginal relations 95% of the roofs on the island of 73,000 people, one of the poor- Admitting that Canada has failed its indigenous est in the Caribbean, the UN people, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Offi ce for the Co-ordination of United Nations yesterday that his government Humanitarian Aff airs said. would do better to improve the lives of aboriginal At least 14 people died on the Canadians and achieve reconciliation. island, CNN quoted Charles Trudeau used his second-ever speech to the UN Jong, a spokesman for Dominica General Assembly to frankly acknowledge the dark prime minister’s offi ce, as say- history of Canada’s colonisation and promise to do ing. more to help the nation’s 1.4mn indigenous people. Two people were killed in the “We have been working hard, in partnership with French territory of Guadeloupe. other orders of government, and with indigenous The US and British Virgin Is- leaders in Canada, to correct past injustices and lands were also hit this month by bring about a better quality of life for Indigenous Hurricane Irma. Peoples in Canada,” Trudeau said. It left a trail of destruction in In August he reshuff led his cabinet to put more several Caribbean islands and emphasis on helping aboriginal people, splitting the Florida, killing at least 84 peo- federal indigenous and northern aff airs ministry in ple. two. Gulf Times 6 Friday, September 22, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Man sets himself on fire outside NZ parliament New Zealand jet fuel shortage subsiding A man who set himself on fire outside New Zealand’s parliament Reuters after the single privately owned Travel restrictions for gov- rushes to alleviate the shortage paired, which will take place ernment of Prime Minister Bill was in a critical condition yesterday, Wellington pipeline that carries jet fuel ernment offi cials have been in the run-up to tomorrow’s na- by September 26, McNaught English for not having taken police said, just two days before from a refi nery to the city’s air- lifted, said Ministry of Business, tional election. said. measures to avoid the kind of the country’s general election. Fire port was damaged. Innovation and Employment The ship will transport up to The ordeal has become a infrastructure failure that led and ambulance off icers rushed ew Zealand was to par- National carrier Air New Zea- Spokeswoman Carolyn Tremain 4.8mn litres of diesel — equiva- headache for the ruling Na- to the disruptive fuel shortage. to the man, who journalists at the tially ease fuel rationing land said it expected fl ights to in a statement. New Zealand’s lent to 150 tankers — to en- tional Party which is battling it Overnight, Australia’s Qantas Wellington building said was a lone Nlast night, a spokesman run as usual today, with no can- government and oil industry able the oil industry to focus on out with the newly invigorated Airways operated two fl ights protester. Radio New Zealand said for the country’s oil industry cellations for the fi rst time since have taken a series of measures providing jet fuel to Auckland Labour Party to form the next from Australia, nicknamed witnesses reported seeing the man said, a sign that the fi ve-day Sunday. to try to contain the crisis, from airport, Energy and Resources government. The latest poll “fuel mules”, carrying fuel to top holding a placard relating to the long fuel shortage that has Airline fuel allocations will fuel rationing to calling on the Minister Judith Collins said showed the National Party held up Jetstar and Qantas aircraft in family court. caused air travel disruptions is rise to 50%, from 30%, at mid- military to help truck in sup- yesterday. “The government a near nine-point lead over La- Auckland, the airline said. One unnamed bystander told the subsiding. night (yesterday), said Andrew plies of fuel, and have set up an will continue to do everything it bour, but polls have been vola- One was a scheduled A330 radio station he saw the incident More than 120 fl ights have McNaught, manager for Mobil industry-government group to can to support industry eff orts tile and at times have shown passenger service that carried from the nearby Backbencher hotel. been cancelled this week in New Zealand Ltd and a spokes- handle the fallout. to address the disruption,” Col- Labour with a comfortable win- an extra 10,000kg of fuel, while “Everyone was looking out the New Zealand’s largest city, man for the customers of the A New Zealand navy ves- lins said in statement. ning margin. the other was a special 747 fl ight windows then people started rushing Auckland, disrupting thou- country’s only oil refi nery op- sel will ferry diesel fuel around The measures are simply a Labour Party leader Jacinda with 65,000kg of fuel aboard, it out of the Backbencher with buckets sands of travellers each day, erator Refi ning NZ. the country as the government stopgap until the pipe is re- Ardern has criticised the gov- said. of water and stuff like that,” he said.

North Korea says US eyes new sanctions sanctions threaten survival of children

Reuters ing for sanctions to be lifted. as S Korea fears war Geneva The UN Security Council has unanimously imposed nine AFP an end to its nuclear and missile rounds of sanctions on North United Nations programmes. orth Korea told a UN rights Korea since 2006, the latest ear- The US administration has panel that international lier this month capping fuel sup- refused to off er North Korea in- Nsanctions imposed on it plies to the isolated state. S President Donald centives to open negotiations over its nuclear and ballistic mis- Han said that North Ko- Trump yesterday said he and has ramped up threats of sile programmes would endanger rean leader Kim Jong-un – de- Uwill announce new sanc- military action to force leader the survival of North Korean chil- nounced by US President Donald tions against North Korea as Kim Jong-un – whom Trump dren. Han Tae Song, Pyongyang’s Trump as “Rocket Man” – “per- South Korea warned the United has dubbed “Rocket Man” – to ambassador to the United Nations sonally guides the construction Nations of the risk of acciden- change course. in Geneva, was speaking at a hear- in diff erent parts of the coun- tally igniting a war. After threat- Commenting on Trump’s ing of the United Nations Com- try of schoolchildren’s pal- ening to “totally destroy North fiery speech, French President mittee on the Rights of the Child aces, children’s hospitals, baby Korea” in his fi rst address to the Emmanuel Macron surmised late on Wednesday. homes, children’s homes, and General Assembly, Trump was that the “military threats can The panel of independent primary and secondary boarding to sit down with Japanese Prime serve a purpose from a tac- experts challenged North Ko- schools and works with devotion Minister Shinzo Abe and South tical point of view” to jolt rean offi cials over allegations of for the well-being of the young Korean leader Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang into changing forced child labour, sexual abuse generation.” discuss the way forward. course. “When you consider and traffi cking in North Korea, South Korea approved a plan “We will put more sanctions him and his father, it was only Pyongyang’s health and educa- yesterday to send $8mn worth on North Korea,” Trump said when such threats were made tion budget, and Internet access of aid to North Korea as China during a meeting on the margins that negotiations did happen,” for children. warned the crisis on the divided of the assembly, after aides pre- Macron told reporters. Han said North Korea, whose Korean peninsula was getting viewed an announcement later But German Chancellor An- population is 26mn, is a “peo- more serious by the day and the yesterday. The threat from North gela Merkel was in “clear disa- ple-centred socialist country... war of words between Pyongyang Korea’s nuclear and missile tests greement” with Trump, saying where protection and promo- and Washington continued. has dominated this year’s gath- in a radio interview that “any tion of the rights and welfare of The UN panel asked how North ering of world leaders, but divi- kind of military solution is com- the child are given top priority ... Korea’s “songbun” (caste system) sions remain over how to con- South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks to world leaders at the 72nd United Nations General pletely defi cient.” Opening this There is room for improvement.” that ranks citizens based on fami- front Pyongyang. Assembly at UN headquarters yesterday. year’s gathering, UN Secre- But Han said that new sanc- ly loyalty to the ruling dynasty af- After Trump’s fi ery speech, tary-General Antonio Guterres tions imposed by the United fected children’s access to educa- Moon struck a diff erent tone, siles — saying it needs to defend At a Security Council meet- China’s Foreign Minister warned that “fi ery talk can lead States and the UN Security tion, health and food. The North saying the crisis “needs to be itself against hostility from the ing later yesterday, US Secre- Wang Yi and his Russian coun- to fatal misunderstandings” that Council over North Korea’s nu- Korean delegation replied that managed stably so that tensions United States and its allies. tary of State Rex Tillerson was terpart Sergei Lavrov have called could ignite a nuclear war, and clear and ballistic missile tests this was an “imaginary concept” will not become overly intensi- Moon nonetheless voiced to push for strict enforcement for diplomatic talks and warned called for a political solution. were hampering the production invented by hostile forces. fi ed or accidental military clash- support for sanctions, calling for of a new raft of sanctions tar- that military action would be Guterres is due to meet on of nutritional goods for children Human Rights Watch has es will not destroy peace.” all nations to implement the lat- geting North Korea’s exports catastrophic. In his UN address Saturday with North Korean and provision of textbooks. called on the rights panel to press Moon said South Korea was est UN Security Council resolu- and its energy supplies. The on Wednesday, Japan’s Abe Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho on “The persistent and vicious North Korea’s delegation on cas- not seeking the collapse of its tion that bans North Korea’s tex- council last week adopted the backed the tough US stance, de- the sidelines of the assembly blockade and sanctions against es of child sexual abuse, which neighbour and was ready to help tile exports and end contracts for latest sanctions, a significant claring that the time for dialogue to send out feelers on possible the DPRK (Democratic People’s the New York-based group said if Pyongyang decides “to stand guest workers. The United States ratcheting-up of the punitive with North Korea was over and diplomatic talks. Ri, who takes Republic of Korea) are not only it had documented. “The (North on the right side of history” and has separately imposed unilat- measures aimed at cutting off that pressure must be brought the podium today, dismissed hampering the endeavours for Korean government) report halts its provocations. North eral sanctions, some of which revenue used by Pyongyang to bear. Washington and its allies Trump’s threats to destroy his the protection and promotion was silent on the issue of sexual Korea in recent weeks detonated target fi rms from China which is to develop its military pro- hope the tough economic sanc- country as “a dog’s bark” and of the rights of the child but abuse so the delegation was its sixth nuclear bomb and has the primary economic partner of grammes. But their impact tions will sway Pyongyang to said they would have zero im- also seriously threatening their asked to provide data,” read a UN test-fi red intercontinental mis- North Korea. hinges mostly on China. come to the table and negotiate pact. right to survival,” he said, call- summary of the hearing.

Understands disquiet about presidential election: Singapore deputy PM

Singapore’s Deputy excerpts distributed by his People’s Action Party since Party, the party that has led Prime Minister Tharman off ice. independence in 1965. Singapore since 1959. Myanmar protesters block Shanmugaratnam has said he Shanmugaratnam, who is also Aiming to strengthen a sense Shanmugaratnam, who is from the understands people’s concerns the co-ordinating minister of inclusivity, Singapore had ethnic Indian minority, said most about this month’s uncontested for economic and social decreed the presidency, a Singaporeans, including himself, presidential election, which policies, is the first member largely ceremonial six-year post, would have preferred a contest. aid shipments to Rohingya was reserved for members of of the cabinet to comment would be reserved for Malays He added: “But the aspiration for the minority Malay community. on the disquiet. Hundreds of this time. About three-quarters race not to count is something “It is encouraging that people Singaporeans held a silent of the country’s people are that needs working towards. It Agencies involved in the attempt to stop “All emergency support done feel about this, and they want protest on Saturday against the ethnic Chinese. Halimah Yacob, cannot just be a pledge, it cannot Sittwe, Myanmar Red Cross workers loading a boat by the organisation and in the race to matter less in the election, in which applications a former speaker of parliament, be just an incantation.” with relief supplies bound for movement is done in a neu- future,” Shanmugaratnam said from four candidates were was elected unopposed as the He said, like Yacob, he looked the north of the Rakhine State tral and impartial manner,” the during a forum at the Nanyang rejected. Political protests are country’s first woman president. forward to the time when uddhist protesters in My- where insurgent attacks on Au- spokeswoman, Maria Cecilia Technological University on rare in the wealthy city-state, She had formerly been a there was no need for reserved anmar threw petrol bombs gust 25 sparked a sweeping mili- Goin, citing what the workers Wednesday, according to which has been ruled by the member of the People’s Action elections. Bto try to block a shipment tary backlash. The boat was be- had told the crowd before au- of aid to Muslims in Rakhine ing loaded with about 50 tonnes thorities intervened. state, where the United Nations of aid at a dock in the state capi- Tension between majority has accused the military of eth- tal of Sittwe, a government in- Buddhists and Rohingya, most nic cleansing, before police fi red formation offi ce said. of whom are denied citizenship, Smoke on the mountain in the air to disperse them. “People thought the aid was has simmered for decades in The incident late on Wednes- only for the Bengalis,” the sec- Rakhine, but it has exploded in day refl ected rising communal retary of the state government, violence several times over the animosity, and came as US Presi- Tin Maung Swe, told Reuters, past few years, as old enmities dent Donald Trump called for a using a term that Rohingya fi nd surfaced with the end of decades quick end to the violence that has off ensive. of harsh military rule. raised concern about Myanmar’s Protesters, some carrying Rights monitors and fl eeing transition from military rule. sticks and metal bars, threw pet- Rohingya say the army and Bud- Myanmar’s army chief, in rol bombs and about 200 police dhist vigilantes have mounted his major speech on his plans eventually dispersed them by a campaign aimed at driving for Rakhine State while on his shooting into the air, a witness out the Muslim population and fi rst visit there since the strife and the government information torching their villages. erupted, called for internally offi ce said. The crisis has drawn interna- displaced non-Muslims to go The witness said he saw some tional condemnation and raised home. But he made no made no injured people. Eight people questions about the commit- mention of the 422,000 Muslims were detained, the offi ce said. No ment of government leader Aung who fl ed to Bangladesh to escape aid workers were hurt, a spokes- San Suu Kyi to human rights, and his army’s sweeping counter- woman for the International about prospects for Myanmar’s insurgency operation. Committee of the Red Cross political and economic develop- Hundreds of protesters were (ICRC) said. ment.

Beaches in Thailand’s Phuket closed due to monsoon season

All beaches in Thailand’s languages, according to Phuket meteorological department southern resort city of Phuket Lifeguard Service. yesterday forecast heavy have been closed until further Phuket, 840km south of rainfalls to continue until notice due to heavy rainfall, Bangkok, is an island on the Tuesday. All boats have been strong winds and high tidal Andaman coast popular among warned against leaving shores waves, off icials said yesterday. expatriates and tourists. The as tides in the Andaman sea Swimming has been banned Phuket International Airport are as high as 2-3m. Many parts A general view shows Mount Agung from Karangasem on the Indonesian resort island of Bali yesterday. Authorities have raised alert since early yesterday at 10 welcomed over 7.5mn people of Phuket have been flooded, levels for a volcano on the Indonesian resort island of Bali after hundreds of small tremors stoked fears it could erupt for the first beaches, with red flags barring last year. Thailand is currently but no casualties have been time in more than 50 years. people from swimming in five in the monsoon season. The reported so far. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 7 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Teenager Greenpeace protest arrested in May ‘looking Tube blast probe for two-year London Evening Standard London

teenage boy was arrested early yesterday in south ALondon by detectives in- transition vestigating the Parsons Green ter- ror attack. The 17-year-old was held after offi cers in riot gear swooped on what neighbours described as a hostel for migrants in Thornton Heath. deal with EU’ The arrest brings the total number of people held over the Agencies Johnson, who last week laid out his The Financial Times reported Tube bombing last Friday to six. London own vision for life outside the EU. that she would off er to meet Brit- Police stormed into the end-of- In making the case for a clean ain’s contributions until the end terrace fi ve-bedroom house in St break with the bloc, he was ac- of the EU’s current budget period Paul’s Road shortly after midnight. rime Minister Theresa May cused of trying to tie the hands in 2020 — after Britain leaves the Neighbour Ola Anderson, a will say she wants a two- of May, whose hold on power re- bloc in March 2019. London Underground driver, Pyear transition deal after mains fragile since losing her par- Nick Timothy, one of May’s said: “It was so shocking, there leaving the European Union in liamentary majority in the June closest advisers before he quit in were really loud bangs. I looked March 2019 in a speech in Flor- election. June, said she needed to off er a out and there were loads of po- ence today, the BBC’s political edi- The prime minister fl ew home “serious plan to cut through the lice. My husband went out to see tor said. on Wednesday with Johnson from complexity”. In an article in the what was happening and an of- May, who is weakened after los- New York, where they had attend- Daily Telegraph, he warned that fi cer said, ‘We are acting on in- ing her party’s majority in a June ed the UN General Assembly, be- warring ministers must “stop their telligence but there’s nothing to election, will speak directly to EU fore chairing the Cabinet meeting games now, because the stakes for worry about.’” leaders at the speech in Italy, and in Downing Street yesterday. Britain’s future are too high”. She said offi cers were searching set out her vision for future ties Six months after May began the May’s speech will be watched garages behind their home. with the EU. two-year countdown to Britain’s closely in Brussels, where offi cials Pamela Emanuel, 55, a builder Her top ministers all agree on withdrawal, EU leaders are still are also hoping for progress on the who had worked on the house for the need for a transition phase af- waiting for details on what she rights of European citizens in Brit- the previous owner, said the occu- ter Britain leaves the bloc to avoid wants from the divorce. ain, and the fraught question of pants were migrants from Iraq and a “cliff edge” for businesses, but Johnson’s move only highlight- the Irish border. Afghanistan and had been there up there have been diff erences over ed the lack of clarity. He subse- In New York this week, the to six months. how long that period should last. quently denied rumours he might prime minister met French Presi- She said: “There have been “Hearing speech will say there resign, and insisted the Cabinet dent Emmanuel Macron, Dutch problems with drugs before but will be transition of up to two was as unifi ed as a “nest of singing premier Mark Rutte and Ital- it was the previous group. This is years...won’t be off -shelf model,” birds”. ian Prime Minister Paolo Gen- actually the quietest it’s ever been. Laura Kuenssberg said on Twitter A fourth round of talks with tiloni, who will not attend today’s The group there now are pleasant after May ended a lengthy meeting the European Commission is due speech. She will also host Europe- enough and they say hello in the of her top ministers yesterday. to start next week, and London an Council president Donald Tusk morning. May is hoping her speech will is keen to make progress so the for talks in London on Tuesday. “The oldest is around 24. They break the deadlock in negotiations negotiations can move onto the Speaking to the media at the stand outside chatting and drink- with the European Union, before question of trade. UN, May highlighted the role ing at night. A Greenpeace volunteer hangs a banner from a lighting tower after activists entered a talks resume next week. Brussels is hoping May will played by EU leaders in the Brexit “There is no manager, it is vehicle park in a protest against Volkswagen diesel vehicles at the port of Sheerness, Britain, But the run-up to the event has break the logjam with an off er on talks, even if the negotiations are owned by a company that lets out yesterday. been dominated by an interven- Britain’s fi nancial settlement, one being conducted by the commis- rooms to migrants.” tion by Foreign Secretary Boris of the most contentious issues. sion, the bloc’s executive arm.

Bid to reunite lost teddies with owners Hundreds of children separated Khan to speak at from their beloved teddy bears are being given the chance to be reunited under an initiative Labour conference launched by Glasgow Airport yesterday. The Scottish airport published a video line-up of Guardian News and decided time should be its lost teddie collection and Media preserved for ordinary invited children to identify and London members to speak. That reclaim their soft toys. schedule was endorsed “Lost teddies at Glasgow Bear- this week by Labour’s port,” read the appeal. “Glasgow adiq Khan has fi nal- ruling national executive Airport is asking the public to ly secured a speak- committee, which also paws for a moment and help Sing slot at Labour blocked Andy Burnham, it reunite lost cuddly toys with conference next week the mayor of Greater their owners.” The airport said after a party commit- Manchester, from the they recovered hundreds of tee overruled a previous programme. soft toys, from “two-foot high decision that he would Yesterday, the CAC blue monsters to tiny cuddlies.” be blocked from the pro- approved a programme To make sure more don’t go gramme. ensuring Khan a speaking astray, the airport said it was The London mayor will slot, along with a repre- introducing a “Teddy Tag”, now have to start writ- sentative of local gov- given to any child travelling ing a last-minute speech ernment. A source with from the airport with a soft toy. after the conference ar- knowledge of the meet- “We’re just softies really, and rangements committee ing said some committee we’re doing everything we can (CAC) managed to secure members had success- to make sure more bears don’t him a slot. fully argued that that La- get mislaid,” it explained. “We Khan had been initial- bour conference should can’t bear for any more teddies ly denied an opportunity hear from politicians who to go missing.” to address the fl oor af- are running administra- ter the party leadership tions. Ryanair scrambles to please pilots, investors

Reuters year in addition to an off er of a 12,000 euro bo- Dublin nus for those who work an extra 10 days before the end of the year. “One of the issues we have to deal with is yanair boss Michael O’Leary yesterday that we may have got pilot pay a little on the scrambled to placate pilots and reassure low side,” O’Leary said. Rinvestors as the airline’s annual general But he also said he was considering forcing meeting was dominated by the cancellation of pilots to change their holiday plans and warned 2,000 fl ights in a “cock-up” that exposed ma- that any pilot who failed to show up for work as jor staffi ng issues. a form of industrial action would be frozen out The often outspoken CEO told investors that of pay talks and denied promotion. no more fl ights would be cancelled because of The Irish airline, Europe’s largest by pas- rostering issues and that the company’s profi t senger numbers, faced a wave of anger from margin would not be aff ected by the problems customers after its announcement on Friday of that sparked customer outrage and a wave of plans to cancel between 40 and 50 fl ights a day negative media coverage across Europe. until the end of October. O’Leary told shareholders he took personal O’Leary said the decision was taken to can- responsibility for the staffi ng issues and the cel what amounted to 2% of the airline’s total way the company broke the news to customers, fl ights to avoid a sharp increase in delays be- adding that Ryanair’s pilot pay levels may have cause of a lack of reserve pilots. been too modest in the past. The rate of Ryanair’s on-time fl ights has However, he also used the meeting to outline since increased from 65% to 91%, he said. “It a stick-and-carrot approach to dealing with was the right operational decision, but we pilots after some prepared a letter demanding handled it badly... we upset and worried 80mn new contracts. passengers,” O’Leary added. “Will there be squabbles with pilots? There Passengers on cancelled fl ights have com- may be. They have been happening for about plained that notice was far too short and that 30 years,” he said. it was diffi cult to claim compensation. Others Captains at four under-pressure bases have said they would not book a Ryanair fl ight while been off ered an extra 10,000 euros ($11,914) a services were threatened with cancellation. Gulf Times 8 Friday, September 22, 2017 EUROPE World’s richest woman dies at 94

Reuters the relationship it has with key Agon was appointed chairman cialists came to power in France. with a ruling in 2011 that she Paris shareholder Nestle, the Swiss and chief executive of L’Oreal in Activist hedge fund Third was incapable of looking after food company. 2011. Point recently urged Nestle to sell her fortune because she suff ered Bettencourt and her children Nestle, which owns a little over down its stake. from dementia and had been ex- rench businesswoman and owned 33% of the company. 23% of L’Oreal, had an agreement Yesterday a Nestle spokes- ploited. billionaire Liliane Betten- Her daughter Françoise Bet- with the founding family stipu- woman did not comment on the The case, which dogged the Fcourt, whose family found- tencourt-Meyers said in a state- lating that the two parties could company’s stake, only saying: heiress for years, centred on ed L’Oreal and still owns the larg- ment that the family remained not increase their stakes in the “It’s time to send our sincere Francois-Marie Banier, a celeb- est stake in the cosmetics giant, committed to L’Oreal and its cosmetics group during Liliane condolences to Madame Betten- rity photographer who befriend- has died aged 94, her daughter management team. Bettencourt’s lifetime and for at court’s family.” ed Bettencourt in the 1980s and said yesterday. “My mother left peacefully,” least six months after her death. Bettencourt’s net worth was received lavish gifts from her, Bettencourt, listed by Forbes as Bettencourt-Meyers said, add- The Swiss company has been a estimated at $39.5bn earlier including life insurance policies This file photo taken on October 12, 2011 shows Bettencourt arriving the world’s richest woman, was ing that she had died during major investor since 1974, when this year by Forbes, making her worth $400mn. by car at the Institut de France in Paris. the heiress to the beauty and cos- Wednesday night at her home Bettencourt entrusted nearly half the world’s richest woman and Another strand of the sprawl- metics company that her father in Paris. “I would like to reiter- of her own stake in the fi rm to among the 20 wealthiest people ing case involved allegations of Sarkozy was eventually cleared labelling bottles of shampoo. founded a century ago as a maker ate, on behalf of our family, our Nestle in exchange for a 3% hold- in the world. illegal payments by Bettencourt in the case. She married French politi- of hair dye. entire commitment and loyalty ing in the Swiss company. She had been under the guard- to members of the French gov- Paris-born Bettencourt joined cian Andre Bettencourt in 1950 Her death opens a new phase to L’Oreal and to renew my con- Bettencourt took the move ianship of family members since ernment associated with former her father Eugene Schueller’s and inherited the family fortune for L’Oreal, France’s fourth- fi dence in its president Jean-Paul because of the fear that L’Oreal a court fi ght – known as the president Nicolas Sarkozy in company as an apprentice at the when her father passed away in largest listed company, altering Agon and his teams worldwide.” might be nationalised if the So- “Bettencourt aff air” – ended 2010. age of 15, mixing cosmetics and 1957.

Catalans protest in Barcelona as Protests against independence vote dealt a blow AFP Oriol Junqueras, the region’s In a televised statement on Barcelona vice-president whose deputy Wednesday evening, Prime Min- was among those held, told ister Mariano Rajoy called on Catalonia’s TV3 television that Catalonia’s separatist leaders to atalonia’s vice-president the operation meant “the rules of “stop this escalation of radical- admitted yesterday that the game have been changed”. ism and disobedience once and Cplans to hold an outlawed “The circumstances today are for all”. French reform independence referendum had diff erent because a signifi cant “There is still time to avoid been dealt a major blow by a part of our team, half of the eco- bigger problems,” he said. crackdown the previous day, as nomics team, has been arrested,” And Inigo Mendez de Vigo, a people gathered in Barcelona for he said. “That (the referendum) spokesman for the Spanish gov- a second day of protests. cannot be held in the circum- ernment, downplayed the im- Thousands took to the streets stances that we wanted is obvi- portance of the protests. of the Mediterranean seaside city ous.” “There are more people who on Wednesday after police de- Catalan government spokes- don’t protest than who do,” he losing steam tained key members of the team man Jordi Turull was more opti- said during an interview with allegedly organising the vote mistic, telling Catalan radio there Onda Cero radio. Reuters “He wants to rally behind him slated for October 1 in a region was “a solution to all problems”. Polls show that Catalans are Paris infl uential people, rich people, deeply divided over independ- But the road ahead is compli- sharply divided on whether they those that have and consider the ence. cated. want independence or not, with rest of us to be a confused mass Authorities seized nearly Police have seized over 45,000 the latest survey commissioned ar-left trade unionists of savages,” Jean-Luc Melen- 10mn ballots destined for the notifi cations destined for Cata- by the regional government in marched through cities chon, leader of the “France Un- vote, seriously damaging separa- lans selected to staff polling sta- July showing 49.4% against and Facross France yesterday in bowed” party, said before join- tist plans for a referendum with tions, threatened to arrest may- 41.1% in favour. a second day of protest against ing the protest in Paris. a semblance of legitimacy, even ors who facilitate the vote if they However, Madrid’s repeated President Emmanuel Macron’s The ability of the unions to if it was never going to be recog- do not comply with a criminal insistence on the illegal nature overhaul of a labour code long shut down swathes of the econ- nised by Madrid or abroad as it probe and tightened control over of the independence drive has cherished by workers, although omy and force ministers to re- violates the constitution. the region’s fi nances. generated much resentment in their numbers were lower than a spond is not what it was. After a day-long protest that The confi scation of millions of a region where separatists were week earlier. Strikes have become less fre- lasted well into the night, several ballot papers on Wednesday de- once far fewer, with critics in In Paris, protesters lit fl ares quent, less disruptive and less thousand independence sup- livered an added blow to referen- both camps saying that the cen- and carried banners reading successful. porters gathered again yesterday dum plans. tral government has not made “Withdraw All Decrees”, a call Companies in France lost 81 in front of the high court in what “Madrid’s legal response to the any attempt to win over hearts for Macron to drop the meas- days to strikes per 1,000 work- infl uential separatist organisa- Catalan challenge looks increas- and minds. ures, which will give companies ers in 2014, compared with more tions said would be a “permanent ingly likely to stop the organisa- This has led to a perception more power to set working con- than 300 days in the late 1990s mobilisation” until the offi cials tion of the self-determination that the central government ditions. and over a thousand days in the are freed. vote, or at least devoid it of any doesn’t care, exacerbated by the The protests challenge the late 1980s. A spokesman for Spain’s in- legitimacy,” wrote Antonio Bar- recent economic crisis and the president’s ability to push While the fi ght against la- terior ministry said three of the roso, deputy director of research fact that Catalonia pays more in through reforms that are being bour reform may be lost, un- 14 detained had already been re- at advisory fi rm Teneo Intelli- taxes than it receives in invest- closely watched in European ions plan more protests against leased. gence. ments and transfers from Ma- capitals – Berlin in particular. A demonstrator holds a placard with a portrait of Macron and the the 39-year-old leader’s reform drid. But they are also a test of un- words ‘Social regression by Macron, No’ during a demonstration in drive. Referendum organisers fi ned up to €12,000 a day “I had always considered my- ion strength at a time their in- Nice against labour reforms. Truck drivers will strike on self Catalan and Spanish,” David fl uence appears on the decline. Monday before a rally by pen- Spain’s Constitutional Court said yesterday that it had decided to fine 24 Barnet, a 36-year-old fi refi ghter, The head of the CGT union Macron, who was elected in May bow to street pressure. sioners on September 28. Catalan off icials involved in plans for an outlawed independence referen- said at the Barcelona protest yes- spearheading the street pro- pledging reforms to reboot the The centrist government is Civil servants will take to the dum up to €12,000 ($14,300) a day. terday. “But when you see that tests said that public anger was economy and cut unemploy- due to enact the labour reforms streets on October 10. In a statement, the court said it imposed the top daily fine on Josep Maria day after day they ask and ask mounting and warned workers ment, but refused to join the today before embarking on oth- Melenchon will lead his par- Jove, the right-hand man of Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras, who is some more, and don’t give any- the “corporate bosses” would CGT protests. er, potentially more explosive ty’s own protest on September one of those in charge of electoral matters in the region. thing in return ... you get angry.” triumph if trade unions failed to Some 132,000 people took changes. 23. Jove was one of 14 arrested on Wednesday in a police operation targeting While divided, a large majority pull together. part in protests across France Those include a revamping of Macron, whose popularity preparations for a referendum slated for October 1 that has been banned of Catalans would like to vote in “When the union movement yesterday, the interior ministry France’s employment insurance has fallen sharply since the elec- by Madrid and the courts. a legitimate referendum to settle and workers are divided, it is estimated, down from 223,000 and pension systems. tion, says that he has a mandate Another off icial was fined €6,000 a day, the court said. the matter, polls show. generally speaking the corpo- at similar rallies last week. Macron angered workers and to re-shape the economy. Both will keep receiving the fines until they can prove that they have Barroso predicted that Ma- rate bosses who win,” CGT chief Police said the number of leftist opponents when he re- “The next weeks will be criti- “completely paralysed any act considered as not fulfilling a suspension of drid’s action would likely “lead Philippe Martinez said. protesters in Paris was a third cently said that he would not cal to determine how much po- the referendum” as previously dictated by the court. to a sustained period of mobi- The moderate CFDT union, lower, at about 16,000 protest- cede ground to “slackers”. litical capital Macron will lose The seven members of an electoral board set up for the vote were also lisation against Rajoy’s govern- France’s biggest, and the leftist ers, though the CGT put the Rivals were swift to paint the during the protests,” said Lon- handed a €12,000 daily fine and 15 people who are part of local boards ment in the streets in Catalonia, Force Ouvriere (FO) have ex- turnout at 55,000. president as a champion of the don-based think-tank Euroin- were given €6,000 penalties. including a day of signifi cant pressed disappointment with Macron says that he will not wealthy and big business. telligence. demonstrations on October 1”.

Threats sent by mail to Merkel’s home

Anonymous threatening letters in Arabic containing white powder and razor blades have been sent to German Chancellor Angela Le Pen forces out aide behind far-right rebrand Merkel’s home and other politicians before Sunday’s election, police said. First analysis of the substance suggested it was harmless soda AFP The 49-year-old trained law- say, Marine Le Pen’s line,” the powder, police said yesterday. Paris yer fl oundered in the fi nal elec- analyst said. “Now that he’s not The text contained spelling errors, raising doubt whether it was tion debate with Macron in May, there, she will have to defend sent by religious extremists or far-right activists trying to stoke fear, going on to win 33.9% of the herself and take the heat if nec- said one of the recipients, Greens party lawmaker Hans-Christian rench far-right leader Ma- vote in an election seen as a bell- essary.” Stroebele. rine Le Pen’s right-hand wether of support for populists Philippot had already begun Berlin police told AFP that five letters – one addressed to Merkel’s Fman stormed out of the in Europe. charting his own path by creat- husband Joachim Sauer – were received on Wednesday and party yesterday as tensions over The party also fared badly in ing his own Patriots association yesterday. the National Front (FN)’s elec- June parliamentary elections, in May. The others were sent to the head of Merkel’s CSU Bavarian sister tion defeats this year burst into taking just eight seats out of 577. Accusing him of a confl ict of party, Horst Seehofer, the far-left Die Linke MP Gregor Gysi, and the open. The media-savvy Philippot, a interest, Le Pen on Wednesday the Greens’ top candidate Katrin Goering-Eckardt, said public Florian Philippot, architect former senior civil servant who stripped him of his responsibility broadcaster NDR and WDR. of the National Front’s pledge was outed as gay by a gossip for party strategy and commu- The typed letters warned that the content was “deadly”, mentioned to quit the euro and detoxify its magazine, had been on a colli- nication, leaving him without a the ultra-orthodox Muslim Salafist community and were signed brand, announced his departure sion course with Le Pen since the specifi c brief. “Allahu Akbar”, said the report. after Le Pen bowed to pressure to polls. His departure is expected to A government spokesman said that “we do not comment of push him towards the exit. His rivals blamed him for con- accelerate the battle for ideologi- security matters”. “Listen, I don’t like being cocting a proposal to scrap the cal control of the FN. Police said that the domestic security agency BfV was investigating. ridiculed, I’ve never liked hav- euro and bring back the franc, Economist Philippe Murer, ing nothing to do, so sure, I’m despite polls showing French another Le Pen adviser, walked quitting the National Front,” the voters running scared from the out after Philippot yesterday, Turkey court orders 14 lawyers’ arrest 35-year-old, one of two party This picture taken on February 5 shows Philippot and Le Pen. plan. complaining that hardliners were vice-presidents since 2012, told FN hardliners have seized on now calling the shots. An Istanbul court has put 14 lawyers under arrest on suspicion of France 2 television. terrible backward slide”. party’s beginnings under her fa- Le Pen’s defeat to try to refocus “The FN will talk mostly about being members of an “armed terrorist organisation”, the state-run Like other big parties, the Na- “I saw how things were de- ther, Jean-Marie Le Pen, “made the party on its stock themes of mass immigration, a real problem Anadolu news agency reported yesterday. tional Front (FN) was thrust into veloping negatively these past absolutely no sense”. immigration and security – is- for France, but it will not propose The 14 were among 16 detained last week over alleged links to the soul-searching after May’s bat- weeks, that maybe I wouldn’t Her partner Louis Aliot, an MP sues that took a back seat to Eu- a real programme to defend the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party (DHKP-C), Anadolu said. tle for the presidency and June’s have a place in the project,” he from southwest France, called rope and Islam while Philippot middle and lower classes,” he Two of the lawyers were released under judicial control. parliamentary elections brought said. Philippot “vain and arrogant” on had Le Pen’s ear. wrote on Twitter. Turkey lists the DHKP-C as a terrorist group. centrist newcomer Emmanuel Le Pen, who has attempted to Twitter. But Joel Gombin, political Emmanuel Macron’s rapid rise The government-critical Cumhuriyet daily reported separately Macron and his Republic On the bridge the divide between anti- Le Pen also sought to stamp analyst at the Observatory of to power upended France’s po- yesterday that all 16 had worked for the law off ice that handled the Move (LREM) to power. immigration hardliners and left- out speculation about her future Political Radicalism, said that in litical landscape, leaving tradi- cases of two hunger-striking teachers. Philippot said that the debate ist nationalists, said she was “not since her second failed presiden- Philippot Le Pen had lost “a great tional parties in disarray. Nuriye Gulmen and Semih Ozakca began a hunger strike in Ankara within the National Front about overjoyed about Florian leaving” tial bid. lightning rod”. The Socialist Party and the in March to protest the loss of their jobs after Turkey sacked a raft shifting away from his focus on but assured: “The Front will get “I am the strongest and best “Florian Philippot had the centre-right Republicans – both of public-sector workers following a failed coup in July 2016. economic nationalism back to its over it, no problem.” placed” to represent the party in great advantage of attracting of which lost voters and politi- Both teachers were formally arrested in May on suspicion of being traditional priorities of immigra- She said his accusations of a the next presidential election in criticism from all those unhappy cians to Macron – are also strug- “members of an armed terrorist organisation”. tion and French identity were “a return to the extremism of the 2022, she insisted. with the party line – which is to gling to regroup. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 9 INDIA

MILITANCY LEGAL CRIME CO-OPERATION ANGER Three dead as militants Dilip Kumar gets back Nine-year-old girl Tamil Nadu assures Kerala Students protest death attack minister’s cavalcade possession of Pali Hill plot assaulted in Panipat school of help in scam probe of Manipuri youth

Three civilians were killed and 30 others, The Supreme Court was informed that legendary Hundreds of parents yesterday protested at a Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami yesterday Hundreds of youth from the northeast yesterday including security personnel, injured when actor Dilip Kumar has been handed possession leading private school in Haryana’s Panipat city assured his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan staged a protest outside the Uttar Pradesh militants hurled a grenade at the cavalcade of of 2,412 square yard of his plot in Mumbai’s Pali after a nine-year-old girl student was allegedly of help in probing the Nirmal chit fund scam case Bhawan in New Delhi demanding a probe by Jammu and Kashmir minister Naeem Akhtar in Hill after developer Prajita was paid Rs200mn as assaulted by an unidentified man inside the where more than 20,000 investors were duped the state government into the mysterious death Tral town yesterday. A woman was among the ordered by the top court on August 30. The court school’s toilet. Police have registered a case against of Rs20bn. Vijayan had called on Palaniswami of a Manipuri youth whose body was allegedly three civilians killed, while the injured included had on August 30 ordered the star to deposit, an unidentified person following a complaint filed at his off ice in Chennai yesterday. A statement cremated by Noida police without informing the 21 civilians, seven CRPF troopers and two within four weeks of its order, a demand draft for by the father of the victim, who is a class IV student issued from Vijayan’s off ice said Palaniswami has family. The family members of Pravish Chanam, local policemen. The militants carried out the Rs200mn with its registry that would be paid to of the Millennium School in Panipat city. The assured him that all the necessary directions will 22, are demanding a thorough probe into his grenade attack near the main bus stand in Tral in developer Prajita. The amount was part payment alleged sexual assault took place on Wednesday. be given to the Tamil Nadu Police team probing the death. Chanam went missing on September 8 Pulwama district. Union Home Minister Rajnath to the firm with whom the actor had entered The matter came to light when the girl student was chit fund scam case. “Even though the chit fund from the India Exposition Mart in Greater Noida. Singh, governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister into an agreement to develop his prime Pali Hill found weeping in school by teachers. Her parents is based in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, a Though he remained untraced by friends and Mehbooba Mufti called up Roads and Buildings property a decade ago. The dispute arose later as were called after the child insisted. The victim huge number of its depositors are based in Kerala family, Noida police found his body and later Minister Naeem Akhtar asking about his welfare no construction was raised and the actor wanted told about her ordeal to her parents at home and hence there should be co-ordination between cremated it allegedly without informing the in the aftermath of the attack. back the plot whose possession was with the firm. after which a complaint was filed. the police department of the two states,” it said. family members. Probe begins Anger at fuel price hike after Asianet offi ce attacked in Alappuzha

By Ashraf Padanna creasingly getting attacked Thiruvananthapuram and intimidated across the country, and these two inci- dents are the latest in the se- erala Chief Minister ries,” he said. Pinarayi Vijayan has Though the Kerala chief Kordered an inquiry into minister’s offi ce in a one-line the attack on a media house statement said he “had or- which exposed land grabbing dered a thorough search and by a minister, after widespread fi nd the culprits” no arrests outrage. were made. Malayalam television chan- The state police chief nel Asianet News’ offi ce in Loknath Behera later said a Alappuzha was ransacked over- team led by an inspector gen- night yesterday even as its re- eral would carry out the inves- porter, T V Prasad, slept inside. tigation and they hoped to get The Congress party-led op- some leads from the surveil- Congress party activists and supporters hold party flags during a protest against the increase in fuel prices, in New Delhi yesterday. position termed the attack an lance camera footage. act of intimidation against the Asianet is an independent media. channel owned by Bharatiya The attack came barely a Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker day after the abduction and Rajiv Chandrasekhar. “Cost of killing of young television fearless journalism – violence journalist Santanu Bhowmick and attacks,” he tweeted. in Tripura, the only other “The chief minister is do- Communist-ruled state, while ing nothing to contain the he was covering an agitation. increasing attack on the inde- “I had gone to sleep around pendent media in the state,” Top Congress leader 2am after fi nishing some edit- said M M Hassan, president of ing work. As I had been work- the Congress party in Kerala. ing hard for the last couple of “I demand a free and fair days without proper rest, I was investigation to bring the at- in deep slumber,” Prasad said. tackers to justice since the re- “When I awoke the assail- porter who the attackers tar- ants had left after ransacking geted had been doing a series the offi ce and damaging a car of reports against a minister.” Rane, son quit party parked here,” he said. BJP state president Kum- Prasad had been running manam Rajasekharan termed IANS party activists and his political soon become “vacant” as many Congress legislators had voted Later, the then chief minis- a series of stories accusing the act as unpardonable. Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) experience. leaders, including 27 Shiv Sena for him as Congress legislature ter Prithviraj Chavan asked him Transport Minister Thomas Prasad said he had done Amid speculation that he is legislators, are “in touch” with party leader while only 32 opted to select any post, but deprived Chandy of building an enor- about 20 reports on the minis- likely to join the Bharatiya Ja- him, and are ready to quit their for Chavan, but Rane was denied him of the revenue ministry and mous lakeside resort on gov- ter’s “illegal dealings” and the he Maharashtra Congress nata Party, Rane said he would respective parties. the post on grounds that 48 leg- made him industry minister, he ernment land in the famed minister was getting away with received a strong jolt embark on a tour of Maharash- The 65-year old strongman islators had chosen Chavan. added. backwater town. the encroachment using his Twhen senior leader and tra from today before announc- from the Konkan declared that The Indian Journalists Un- money, power and infl uence. former chief minister Narayan ing the next course of action by he never hankered for any post, Resignation aft er Dawood links claim ‘intriguing’ ion (IJU) condemned the kill- “Everyone knows who’s T Rane and his son Nilesh, an Dussehra. but “posts came to me” and he ing of Bhowmick and the at- behind the attack,” said op- ex-MP, quit the party here yes- He also launched a scathing had no regrets of any kind. The Congress yesterday termed central working committee of tack on Asianet News. position leader Ramesh Chen- terday. attack on state Congress presi- Accusing the Congress of the resignation of senior leader the BJP accused Maharashtra IJU secretary-general G nithala. “I have sent my resignation dent Ashok Chavan whom he has “duping” him on several occa- and former Maharashtra Chief leader Narayan Rane of Prabhakaran urged the federal “The need of the hour is to letter to Congress president So- always accused of “destroying sions, Rane said senior Con- Minister Narayan T Rane as connections with the dreaded as well as the Tripura and Ker- order a high-level probe, and nia Gandhi. I was promised the the party” in Maharashtra. gressman Ahmed Patel had as- “intriguing”, remarking that terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. Many ala state governments to bring the perpetrators of this crime post of CM four times, but it was “I shall prove my strength to sured him that he would be made it has come a day after a BJP television debates happened the culprits to book and pre- should be exposed and action not honoured by the party,” Rane Chavan. I will show him whether the chief minister in six months, leader accused him of having on the issue. No statement was vent such attacks which have taken against them. This is a told a jampacked media confer- the people are with him or with but nothing happened for years. connections with absconding made on this by Rane or any of been on the rise of late. blatant attack on the freedom ence here in the afternoon. He me... Many more Congress lead- “Even Sonia Gandhi told me don Dawood Ibrahim. The party his associates,” said Congress “Despite India being the of the press.” also quit as member of legisla- ers shall follow suit. My son twice that we shall make you CM, demand that Union Home spokesperson Randeep Sing world’s largest democracy, it Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, sec- tive council. Nilesh and I have now become but it was never fulfi lled. When Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP Surjewala. “The incidents of ranks only 136th in the 2017 retary of the ruling Communist Rane claimed he was “used ‘Congress-free’ and have noth- Rahul Gandhi made me MLC president Amit Shah place in accusation of terrorist links World Press Freedom Index. Party of India (Marxist), said and exploited” by the Congress ing to do with the party,” de- without my asking, Chavan was in public domain any evidence one day and resignation the It does not augur well for a vi- the attacks were not acceptable, for 12 years since he joined in clared Rane. New Delhi till the last day oppos- they have in this regard. “On second day is intriguing,” he brant democracy,” he said. and strict action against perpe- July 2005, to secure the support He warned that the state ing my name,” Rane alleged. Wednesday, a member of the remarked. “Journalists are now in- trators should be taken. of his loyalist legislators and Congress and Shiv Sena will He revealed that in 2009, 40 Sonia urges Modi to help Yadav versus Yadav Dawood in ‘talks’ with govt, says Thackeray pass women’s quota bill the BJP will claim credit for IANS Mumbai this to win the next elections,” Thomson Reuters Foundation ment resistance from male sisted the bill have fewer seats in Thackeray claimed. New Delhi lawmakers and been sidelined, parliament now and do not com- Dawood is the architect of despite pledges by successive mand so much infl uence, so I am ugitive mafi a don Da- India’s biggest single terror governments over the last seven optimistic that we could see the bill wood Ibrahim Kaskar attack so far – the March 12, rime Minister Narendra years to enact the legislation. being passed soon,” said Ranjana Fwants to return to India 1993 Mumbai terror strikes Modi should take advan- In a letter addressed to Modi, Kumari, director of the Centre for and is negotiating a settlement which killed 257 and injured Ptage of his government’s Gandhi — who is the president Social Research. “The only thing with the BJP-led government hundreds others. majority in parliament and push of the Congress Party — said the that stands in the way are these pa- at the Centre, Maharashtra Starting out as a petty through long-pending legisla- bill had languished for too long. triarchal mindsets, and they are un- Navnirman Sena president Raj smuggler in the Mumbai tion giving women more power, “I am writing to request that fortunately still present.” Thackeray said here yesterday. docks in the 1970s, he quickly according to the country’s main you take advantage of your ma- India has legislation which re- Making the sensational climbed up in the underworld opposition leader, Sonia Gandhi. jority in the Lok Sabha to now serves at least a third of village claim, Thackeray said that and now ranks among the glo- In the world’s largest democ- get the Women’s Reservation council seats for women — and Dawood is now very sick and bally most wanted terrorists. racy, women hold only 12% of Bill passed by the lower house as this has given over 1mn women a crippled, and is very keen to Thackeray also criticised the seats in the lower and upper well,” wrote Gandhi in the letter, say in how their communities are return to India and breathe his BJP and Prime Minister Naren- houses of parliament combined, which was dated September 20. developed. last in his motherland. dra Modi on various grounds, compared to the global average “The Congress Party has and But a stronger voice for wom- “He is currently engaged in a including the recently launched of 23%, says the Inter-Parlia- will continue to support this en at the top of governance is ‘setting’ with the government, Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet mentary Union (IPU). legislation which will be a sig- also essential, say campaigners. and this could happen,” Thack- train project, the Swachh Bharat The Women’s Reservation Bill nifi cant step forward in the em- This would trickle down and eray said at a huge gathering to Mission and demonetisation. — which provides for one-third of powerment of women.” bring policies and laws which launch his offi cial Facebook Page. “Big promises were made – the seats in national and state as- With Modi’s right-wing would help ordinary women Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav returns However, Thackeray alleged this will be done and that will semblies to be reserved for women Bharatiya Janata Party and its fi ght abuse, discrimination and after attending a meeting in Lucknow yesterday. In a sign that that the ruling Bharatiya Jana- be done... But there were only — has the potential to become one coalition allies occupying 335 inequality. eff orts to get Mulayam Singh Yadav and son Akhilesh Yadav ta Party will exploit it politi- speeches and diversions – fi rst of the most empowering laws for out of 543 seats in lower house, The Inter-Parliamentary Un- to reconcile their diff erences ahead of a party conclave next cally by claiming that it man- yoga, then taking brooms for women in India, activists say. and the Congress Party with 45 ion (IPU) ranks India 147 out of month were headed south, the Samajwadi Party patriarch aged to bring the absconder cleaning up, now football... After years of lobbying, the seats, campaigners say there is 193 nations on female political yesterday sacked his son’s confidant Ramgopal Yadav as don to India. Except changing the col- bill was passed by the upper no reason to stop the passage of representation, lower than na- secretary of the Lohia Trust, replacing him with his own, “I want to tell you this in ad- our of currency notes, there house in 2010. the legislation. tions such as Chad, Pakistan, Shivpal Yadav. vance. It is that man (Dawood) is no change in the country,” But it has since faced vehe- “The male legislators who re- Eritrea and Bangladesh. who is keen to return... But, Thackeray declared. Gulf Times 10 Friday, September 22, 2017 PAKISTAN

Polish climbers Pakistan army pushed political hope to make historic winter role for militant-linked groups conquest of K2

By Asif Shahzad, Reuters “We stand by our reporting.” Reuters Lahore Saeed’s religious charity launched Warsaw the Milli Muslim League party within two weeks of the court ousting Sharif he backing of a candidate over corruption allegations. olish climbers hope to pull off one of in a by-election last week- Yaqoob Sheikh, the Lahore candi- the last big feats of mountaineering Tend in Pakistan by a political date for Milli Muslim League, stood Pin coming months by scaling K2, the party controlled by an Islamist with as an independent after the Electoral world’s second highest peak and the only of a $10mn US bounty on his head was Commission said the party was not the 14 exceeding 8,000m yet to be conquered in line with a plan put forward by the yet legally registered. in wintertime. military last year to mainstream mili- But Saeed’s lieutenants, JUD work- If successful, their ascent will also mark the tant groups, according to sources fa- ers and MML offi cials ran his cam- culmination of an era for the Poles, who pio- miliar with the proposal. paign and portraits of Saeed adorn neered winter climbing on the world’s highest The Milli Muslim League party every poster promoting Sheikh, who mountains in the 1980s. loyal to Hafi z Saeed — who the Unit- came in fourth place on Sunday with Krzysztof Wielicki, a small and wiry ed States and India accuse of master- Sharif’s wife taking the seat as ex- 67-year-old who will run the 10-person ex- minding the 2008 Mumbai attacks pected. pedition from its base camp, was the fi rst to that killed 166 people — won 5% of Analyst Khaled Ahmed, who has scale the world’s highest peak, Mount Ever- the votes in the contest for the seat researched Saeed’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa est, in the winter, nearly four decades ago. vacated when prime minister Nawaz charity and its connections to the It took him four attempts to climb K2 in the Sharif was removed from offi ce by the military, says the new political party summer, each time with months of prepara- Supreme Court in July. is clearly an attempt by the generals tion. But the foray into politics by to pursue an alternative to disman- “K2 has taken 12-14 months of my life,” Saeed’s Islamist charity appears to tling its militant proxies. Wielicki told Reuters in his home in southern be following a blueprint that Sharif “One thing is the army wants these Poland. himself rejected when the military guys to survive,” Ahmed said. “Actually, it gave me those months because proposed it in 2016, according to “The other thing is that they want it is a wonderful thing to be near K2, to look at three government offi cials and a re- to also balance the politicians who it. It makes you happy.” tired former general briefed on the are more and more inclined to nor- First scaled by Italians in 1954, K2 is in discussions. malise relations with India.” the Karakorum mountains along the border None of the sources interviewed Saeed has been under house arrest between China and Pakistan and is notori- for this article could say for sure if the A Pakistani spectator carries a placard denouncing terrorism during a T20 cricket match between Pakistan XI and UK since January at his house in the east- ous for high winds, especially steep and MML’s founding was the direct result Media XI at the Younis Khan Cricket Stadium in Miranshah, the former stronghold of Al Qaeda and Taliban militants, in ern city of Lahore. icy slopes and high fatality rates among of the military’s plan, which was not North Waziristan near the Afghan border. In recent weeks several senior fi g- climbers. discussed in meetings after Sharif ures from the ruling PML-N party In winter months, scant snowfall means put it on ice last year. proposals for “mainstreaming” jad Shuaib, adding that such groups another alleged militant about the have publicly implied that elements the summit approach can turn into bare ice. The MML denies its political am- some militant groups in a meeting should be “helped out to create a plan, and they were receptive. of the military — which has run Pa- The Polish climbers — only the fourth team bitions were engineered by the mili- last year. political structure” to come into the Shuaib later said his comments kistan for almost half its modern his- to ever tackle K2 in winter — will spend two- tary. They said that Sharif had opposed mainstream. in the interview were taken out of tory and previously ousted Sharif in a three months painstakingly laying out camps The offi cial army spokesman did the “mainstreaming” plan, which The plan — which Shuaib told Reu- context and were part of a broader 1999 coup — had a hand in the court and ropes along the climb route, and storing not comment after queries were sent senior military fi gures and some ana- ters was shared with him by the then- discussion about deradicalisation ouster of Sharif, a charge both the supplies of food and fuel. to his offi ce about the mainstreaming lysts see as a way of steering ultra- head of the ISI — said those who were strategies. army and the court reject. They will wait for a window of good weath- plan and what happened to it. religious groups away from violent willing “should be encouraged to Writing in a local newspaper on A representative of the PML-N, er, maybe only a day long, to set out for the Three government offi cials and militancy. come into the mainstream politics of Wednesday, he said the report “ma- which last month replaced him as summit. close Sharif confi dants with knowl- “We have to separate those ele- the country”. liciously attributed some statements prime minister with close ally Shahid “The winds need to be below 50kph, edge of the discussions said the ments who are peaceful from the ele- He added that in his capacity as a to me totally out of context, just to Khaqi Abbasi, said the party was “not though even that is strong,” said Janusz military’s powerful Inter-Services ments who are picking up weapons,” retired senior military offi cer he un- suit its own narrative”. aware” of any mainstreaming plan Majer, 70, a veteran Himalayas climber Intelligence agency (ISI) presented said retired Lieutenant General Am- offi cially spoke to Hafi z Saaed and A spokesperson for Reuters said: being brought to the table. who is organising the government-funded expedition. Only the fi fth person to climb all of the world’s 14 highest mountains, Wielicki says the era of big Himalayan conquests is com- Global reach ing to an end. Economic growth With most peaks already conquered, only the most daring and dangerous approach routes are left to be explored. beats infl ation “We were privileged, so much was to be achieved in the mountains,” he said of his ear- Internews on agricultural and SME lier climbing days. Karachi fi nancing for higher eco- “People have to weigh safety versus success nomic growth. now. Is it worth it to sacrifi ce your life to cross The central bank dis- serac that crumbles every third day?” he said. akistan’s economy bursed Rs700bn in agricul- Serac is a column or block of glacial ice. has started growing tural loans last fi scal year. “We are moving now from risk to reckless- Pin real terms as gross The SBP has set a tar- ness,” he warned. domestic product (GDP) get for this year at Rs1tn to High-altitude climbing gained popularity grew more than infl ation support agriculture, which in Poland in the 1980s, when a government numbers last year, State is one of the largest sectors crackdown on popular unrest ahead of the Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Gov- of the economy. collapse of Communism left many searching ernor Tariq Bajwa has said. The agricultural sector for fulfi lment in professional life. Addressing the second Pa- “contributes some 27% to “The Poles went to the Himalayas a bit later kistan Banking Awards 2017 the GDP growth, however, than other climbers, so we missed the fi rst as- ceremony, he said, “Previ- bank’s lending to this sec- cents on top mountains,” said Majer, explain- ously, economic growth was tor is about 4.5%,” he said. ing why Poles pioneered the relatively unex- lower than infl ation, howev- The governor said the fi - plored skill of winter climbing at the time. er, now the growth is higher nancial sector, particularly “When people asked us why so many than infl ation.” the banking sector, played a high-altitude climbers came from Poland, The event was jointly or- pivotal role in determining the which has few mountains, we said we are ganised by the Institute of overall economic growth and used to having little oxygen. We come Bankers Pakistan and AF development of the nation. from polluted coal-mining regions,” he Ferguson. The awards were “Banking industry is quipped. given to banks in eight cate- playing an instrumental gories, said a press statement. role when it comes to inclu- The SBP governor said sion — approximately 800 that after a long hiatus the new branches are opened country’s economy was every year in urban and ru- on the right path, adding ral areas; products like SMS Protection for last year Pakistan achieved banking, mobile banking, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron in New York, during the 72nd UN General 5.3% growth and this year internet banking are play- Assembly, on Wednesday. the growth would be 6%. ing a critical role to make plant breeders’ He urged banks to focus inclusion possible.” rights: govt

Internews Campus bikes liberate Pakistan’s female students Islamabad he Ministry of National Food Security By Zofeen T Ebrahim, Reuters women are conspicuously absent Syeda Farvah Sameen, an MBA and Research (MNFSR) of Pakistan is Islamabad in public spaces, and the sight of a student, said she fi nds biking “liber- Tin the process of establishing the Plant woman on a bike is a rarity, more ating”. Breeders’ Rights Registry at the National Ag- than half of CYKIQ’s customers are The ability to move around quickly ricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islama- or Senam Khan, one of the women. “just by the swiping of a card” has bad with a view to encourage the develop- founders of a bike sharing Hitching rides in cars is common made her life on campus easier. ment of new plant varieties and protect the Fscheme on a Pakistani univer- for male students, but, according “I don’t mind cycling from one end rights of the breeders. sity campus, the start-up has had to another CYKIQ co-founder, Ans of the campus to the other or having The establishment of a viable seed industry unexpected — and welcome — con- Shahzad, “females are hesitant to sit a friendly race with a fellow CYKIQ- being essential to the food security in Paki- sequences. in cars and or jump on motorbikes er!” she said, laughing. stan to ensure the availability of high qual- The aim of the fi ve young entre- with their male counterparts”. Bicycles are rented out for Rs500 ity seeds and planting materials to the farm- preneurs who conceived the shar- Female students at NUST have ($4.70) a month, Rs250 ($2.30) a ers has been ensured by the Plant Breeders’ ing scheme, named CYKIQ, was to embraced the scheme, launched ear- week or a daily rate of Rs80 (75 cents). Rights Act of 2016 which has come into force. solve the problem of covering long lier this year, in which bikes can be The programme aims to reach The functions of the registry will be to fa- distances on the National University booked and returned through a mo- 10,000 students with 300 cycles. cilitate protection of new plant varieties, is- of Sciences and Technology (NUST) bile app. “If the shared model isn’t used sue certifi cates, ensure maintenance of the campus in the capital Islamabad. “CYKIQ is a saviour for me in this then there would have to be thou- register of protected plant varieties and to But as well as convenience for stu- scorching heat; it’s reasonable, easy sands of cycles to cater for all the promote the development of new varieties dents, CYKIQ has helped campus so- and fun,” said 21-year old Umme customers,” Shahzad said. of plants and protect farmers and breeders’ ciety “accept that women are equal Hani, also an industrial design stu- And a CYKIQ customers “never rights. to men and their modes of trans- dent and living in NUST’s hostel. A group of students riding bikes at the soft launch of CYKIQ at NUST campus, has to worry about fl at tires or loose The record of protected plant varieties will port should also be the same,” said There are 50 imported bikes strewn Islamabad in May. brakes”, he added. be kept and maintained by the Registry for 21-year-old Khan, in the fi nal year of across 10 locations where cycles can CYKIQ is expanding to other Registration of all protected plant varieties in her industrial design degree at NUST. be parked for easy access without the whelming, especially from women, working all days and nights to fi ne university campuses, and in the Pakistan. CYKIQ “provided all of us a sim- need for elaborate docking stations — that by mid October, 250 more bikes tune it to perfection,” he said. longer term it aims to emulate For the purpose of storing the plant genetic ple solution to our most dire problem covering an area of nearly 1,000 acres will be added. It is the fi rst such venture at a Pa- bike-sharing schemes in cit- material submitted by breeders for processing — long walking distances and short of campus — including the hostel, “Uber for bicycles,” is how Shahzad, kistani college, although at least ies such as London and Paris that the case of protection of a plant variety, live attendances,” she told the Thomson canteen, classrooms and administra- a 23-year-old engineer and one of the 33 universities in the United States allow users to travel smoothly samples of the seed and propagating material Reuters Foundation. tion block. fi ve founders, described the scheme. have some kind of bike sharing pro- around the city and reduce conges- shall be deposited with the NARC’s Plant Ge- In a conservative nation where The response has been so over- “It took us nearly three years of gramme. tion and pollution. netic Resources Institute. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES

Protesters burn a cube eff igy with a face of President Duterte during a National Day of Protest outside the presidential Thousands of anti-Duterte protesters gather at a park in Manila to commemorate the 45th declaration of martial law on palace in metro Manila, Philippines. September 21, 1972 by then president Ferdinand Marcos. Thousands rally for and against Duterte AFP “Our country is turning into Since he assumed offi ce 15 leader ever and has repeatedly leaders of the Catholic Church, Manila a graveyard. People are getting months ago police have reported threatened to impose martial the Asian country’s dominant killed everyday and we bury the killing more than 3,800 people law as a solution to the Philip- religion, signalling rising op- dead everyday, just like in the in anti-drug operations. pines’ woes. position to Duterte. Many of the An activist holds a Duterte mask during a protest. housands of Philippine time of Marcos,” anti-Duterte The crackdown has triggered Police said thousands of anti- personalities and institutions President Rodrigo Du- protest leader Pedro Gonzales wider violence with thousands Duterte protesters later gathered in this camp are also identifi ed dren,” Robredo said in a speech. A pro-Duterte rally attended Tterte’s critics and sup- told AFP. of other people being murdered outside Malacanang presidential with the bloodless “People Pow- “The good part of this is there by 16,000 people was held in porters held rival rallies yester- But supporters of Duterte in unexplained circumstances palace before moving to a Manila er” revolution that ended Mar- are so many people concerned, front of a Catholic church just day, taking emotional national also turned up in large numbers, that rights groups partly at- park for their fi nal rally, which cos’ 20-year rule in 1986. from diff erent ages,” Aquino told over a kilometre away, while debates over his deadly drug war refl ecting his popularity with tribute to vigilante death was attended by some 8,000 Vice President Leni Robredo reporters. about 3,000 supporters of the and martial-law threats to the many Filipinos who see him as squads. people. and Duterte’s predecessor, Be- Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president also gathered near the streets. a charismatic, anti-establish- Waving banners that said “No The anti-Duterte crowd out- nigno Aquino, both critics of president of the Catholic Bishops presidential palace, police said. Police in battle gear kept or- ment politician who is their best to Martial Law” and “Stop the side the palace burned a “Rody’s the incumbent leader, attended Conference of the Philippines, They were entertained by local der as at least 8,000 protesters chance to quell crime and cor- Killings”, Gonzales and about Cube” -- a wooden block mod- a separate mass for the drug war denounced the drug killings at fi lm and television stars gyrating held a series of rallies across Ma- ruption. 300 other protesters burnt a eled on the Rubik’s Cube puz- dead yesterday. “Around us, the another mass yesterday, saying to raunchy songs on a stage dom- nila, using the 45th anniversary Duterte vowed in last year’s poster that said “Fascist” over zle bearing the faces of Marcos, culture of violence is on the rise. Catholics must “do more” than inated by a large image of Du- of late dictator Ferdinand Mar- election campaign to eradicate pictures of Duterte and Marcos Duterte, and Nazi leader Adolf The victims of this culture of lighting candles for the dead and terte and the words “Let Change cos imposing martial law to warn illegal drugs in society by killing outside the Philippine military Hitler. violence are not only those who helping orphans. Continue”, referencing his elec- that Duterte was equally violent up to 100,000 traffi ckers and ad- headquarters. Duterte consid- The protesters were backed oppose the government, but “Stand up. To keep quiet in the tion campaign slogan “Change is and authoritarian. dicts. ers Marcos the country’s “best” by the political opposition and everyone else, including chil- face of evil is a sin,” he said. Coming”. Duterte says son will be killed if involved in drugs

AFP President Duterte did not you, if it is true’,” he said. people in anti-drug operations Some opposition lawmakers Manila refer to the allegations specifi - Duterte, 72, won the presi- while thousands of others have and other Duterte critics allege cally but reiterated his statement dential elections on a brutal law- been murdered in unexplained he and his family have long been from last year’s election cam- and-order platform in which circumstances. Duterte has involved in corrupt activities hilippine President Rodri- paign that none of his children he promised an unprecedented as president said he would be dating back to the president’s go Duterte has said he will were involved in drugs, but they campaign to eradicate illegal “happy to slaughter” 3mn drug two-decade reign as mayor of Phave his son killed if drug would face the harshest punish- drugs in society by killing up to addicts, and described children the southern city of Davao. traffi cking allegations against ment if they were. 100,000 traffi ckers and addicts. shot dead in the drug war as Duterte denies all allegations the younger politician are true, “I said before my order was: “collateral damage”. of corruption, and insists he is and that the police who carry ‘If I have children who are Duterte’s aides have But he has also repeatedly in- an anti-graft crusader who lives out the hit will be protected from into drugs, kill them so peo- cautioned journalists not sisted he has never instructed a humble lifestyle. prosecution. ple will not have anything to to believe everything the police to do anything illegal, and In this month’s senate hear- Paolo Duterte, 42, this month say’,” Duterte said in a speech on president says, sometimes that they must only kill in self- ing, the opposition lawmaker appeared before a Senate inquiry Wednesday night before govern- describing his comments defence. said Paolo Duterte, who is vice to deny accusations made by an ment workers at the presidential as “merely rhetoric” or Duterte’s aides have cautioned mayor of Davao, and the presi- opposition lawmaker he was a palace in Manila. “hyperbole” journalists not to believe every- dent’s son-in-law were involved member of a Chinese triad who “So I told Pulong (Paolo’s thing the president says, some- in a criminal syndicate called the helped smuggle in a huge ship- nickname): ‘My order is to kill Since he assumed offi ce in the times describing his comments “Davao Group”. ment of crystal methampheta- you if you are caught. And I middle of last year, police have as “merely rhetoric” or “hyper- The pair denied any wrongdo- Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, son of Philippine President mine from China. will protect the police who kill reported killing more than 3,800 bole”. ing. Rodrigo Duterte, taking an oath as he attends a Senate hearing in Manila.

Seven Filipino militant suspects Lawmakers do rights backflip after outcry held in Malaysia Philippine President Rodrigo abuses involving civil and More Filipinos still favour Duterte’s congressional political rights, including Malaysian police have detained allies have restored the those allegedly committed seven Filipinos suspected of budget of the nation’s by (communists), Abu involvement with the Abu Sayyaf human rights commission Sayyaf (militants) and other militant group, an off icial said following an outcry over private armed groups,” US over China: US survey yesterday, in the latest arrest of their vote last week to slash House Majority Leader extremist suspects. The seven its annual funding to just Rodolfo Farinas said in a men, aged between 22 and 38, $20. text message to AFP on By Catherine S Valente The survey also found that seven were working as private security The initial move to cut the Thursday. Manila Times in 10 Filipinos thought the Is- guards in and around the capital Commission on Human The commission is one lamic State (IS) terrorist group Kuala Lumpur, said national police Rights’s budget was in of several independent posed a major threat in the Phil- chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun. response to its criticism of government bodies set up by ajority of Filipinos ippines. One had fought Filipino troops Duterte’s controversial war the Philippine constitution still favour the United “While IS is named as the top and was previously involved on drugs, which has claimed to check the power of MStates over China, but threat in the Philippines, many in abductions in the southern thousands of lives, with government, including police the gap is narrowing amid Presi- in the country also see climate Philippines. Police did not give the president also verbally and military forces. dent Rodrigo Duterte’s push to change (65%) and cyber-attacks details about the other suspects. targeting its chairman with The body has been improve Manila’s ties with Bei- While President Trump is popular, Filipinos also share positive views of (64%) as major security con- The arrests last week bring to abuse. investigating some of the jing, according to an American China and its leader, President Xi Jinping. And overall, the perception cerns for their country,” the sur- 41 the number of foreigners Opposition lawmakers and deaths of the more than think-tank. gap between the US and China in the Philippines is narrowing. vey said. suspected of being “terrorist other critics of the drug war 3,800 people reported Seventy-eight percent of Fili- Nearly half or 47% of Filipinos fighters” who have been detained condemned the vote in the killed by police and other pinos surveyed by the Pew Re- Poushter and Caldwell Bishop. Philippines from February 26 to name China’s power and infl u- in Malaysia this year, he said. House of Representatives, drug enforcement agencies search Center had a favourable The favourable opinion of May 8, 2017. ence as a major threat, almost Fears have been growing in saying it was part of a in the drug war, as well as view of the US, compared with China among Filipinos changed The Philippines is among double the share of people in the Malaysia that militants are ramping campaign by Duterte and his thousands of unexplained 55% for China. little since 2015 but is up 17 countries that view President Philippines who name the US as up their activities, inspired by the allies to silence dissent and murders. The commission’s Positive feelings toward the US points since 2014, when most Doland Trump most favourably, a major threat (25%). Islamic State militant group and impose authoritarian rule. chief, Jose Luis Gascon, are down 14 percentage points Filipinos were concerned that but confi dence in Trump now is Pew found that Duterte and a conflict in the Philippine city of House leaders said confirmed to AFP yesterday since 2015, when Barack Obama territorial disputes with Beijing lower than in President Barack his policies remained widely Marawi between followers of the Wednesday night’s decision he had met house leaders the was the US president, coincid- could lead to a military confl ict. Obama in 2015. popular despite international IS and authorities. “The police will to restore the commission’s previous day to discuss the ing with the global decline in US “Filipinos also share positive “Currently, 69% have confi - concerns over his administra- continue to launch operations to funding to 623mn pesos proposed budget cut. favourability at the beginning of views of China and its leader, dence in Trump to do the right tion’s war on drugs and alleged detect and catch foreign terrorist ($12.2mn) was because they But he did not confirm the Donald Trump era. President Xi Jinping. And over- thing in world aff airs, compared human rights violations. elements that infiltrate Malaysia,” had extracted an agreement Farinas’s version of the “While Trump’s fi rst months all, the perception gap between with 94% who expressed such The survey found that 86% of Mohamad Fuzi said in a statement. from the commission to look outcome, and emphasised in offi ce have had a major im- the US and China in the Philip- confi dence in Obama in 2015,” Filipinos had a favourable view The men caught in the latest at issues other than the drug that the commission would pact on worldwide perceptions pines is narrowing,” the Wash- the report said. of Duterte, 78% supported his arrests had entered Malaysia via war. require even more money if of the US, people in the Philip- ington think-tank said. Still, Filipinos support US handling of the illegal-drugs Sabah state on Borneo island in “The CHR specifically it was to begin investigating pines still like the US and have The Pew Research Center, military presence in the region issue and 62% said the govern- September 2015 before heading agreed to look at ALL alleged abuses by groups confi dence in its leaders,” said a non-partisan organisation, and believe the US will defend ment was making progress in its to the capital city using fake FORMS of human rights outside of government. the Pew report written by Jacob polled 1,000 Filipinos in the them in a confl ict with China. anti-narcotics campaign. documents, the police chief said. Gulf Times 12 Friday, September 22, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Nepal pushes more China Rohingyas treated for bullet, border points

IANS Kathmandu machete, landmine wounds epal is pushing for opening nine more bor- AFP Nder points with China, Cox’s Bazar beyond the four that the two neighbours have agreed upon, a media report said. angladesh said yesterday it had Both sides held a meeting here treated more than 2,350 Rohingya on opening more border points, Brefugees for serious injuries sus- but it ended inconclusively, the tained during ethnic violence in My- Kathmandu Post reported yes- anmar, including bullet and machete terday. wounds and trauma from landmines. Delegations from Nepal and About 422,000 refugees from the China discussed a proposal to stateless Muslim minority have fl ed open up 13 border points to ease Myanmar’s westernmost Rakhine State the connectivity between the since August 25, overwhelming camps two countries. along the border ill-prepared for an in- “We could not reach any fl ux of desperate civilians. Aid eff orts agreement with China,” a senior are being stepped up, with the US an- Nepali offi cial said, requesting nouncing $32mn in assistance. anonymity. “The UNHCR has assured food, Though the Chinese side had healthcare services and shelter facilities indicated they were positive on for the Rohingya refugees, and the WFP opening three border points in (World Food Programme) assured food east Nepal, they “backtracked for 400,000 Rohingya over the next four on it during the meeting, making months,” Bangladesh’s relief and disas- it impossible to reach any agree- ter management minister Mofazzal Hos- ment”, an offi cial told the Post. sain Chowdhury Maya said yesterday. During the meeting, the Local authorities and aid agencies in Nepali side proposed opening Cox’s Bazar district have been struggling up nine more border points with to provide food, shelter and medical treat- China, beyond the four points ment for the Rohingya, who recounted tales the two sides have already inked of torture and rape by Myanmar troops and an agreement for. Buddhist militias as they escaped. Earlier, Nepal and China had Bangladesh authorities said nearly agreed to open border points 14,000 refugees had been treated in hos- at Yari, Kerung, Olangchun- pital and mobile medical clinics for ill- gola and Tatopani. The Tatopani ness and injury, including 2,364 people crossing has been closed since for wounds consistent with violence. the 2015 earthquake. “These include injuries from bullets, Nepal has also tabled a pro- mines or sharp weapons such as knives,” posal on opening the border Enayet Hussain, a senior health depart- at nine more points, including ment offi cial, told AFP. A woman reacts as Rohingya refugees wait to receive aid in Cox’s Bazar. Hilsa, Korola, Dolpa, Darchula, Bangladeshi offi cials believe anti- Taklakot, Olangchungola and personnel mines have been planted by drinking water in the camps. was no sign of any army construction 9 dead as aid truck crashes Kimathanka. Myanmar security forces to prevent Nearly 200 Rohingya women have work underway near the proposed site. The Road and Transpiration Rohingya from trying to return to their given birth since arriving, while an es- “They’ve been here for two days, but A truck carrying relief supplies for United Nations has described as ethnic Agreement reached between the villages, and several deaths from these timated 20,000 others were believed to they’re not here to help us. They are just Rohingya Muslim refugees yesterday cleansing. two countries in 1994 allows the banned weapons have been reported. be pregnant. Hussain said nearly 34,200 doing their own thing,” said Gul Bahar, skidded off a hilly road in Bangladesh “Six died on the spot while three died two to reach an understanding Hussain said local hospitals and children had been vaccinated against 50, gesturing to nearby soldiers under- and plunged into a paddy field, killing on the way to hospital,” AKM Jahangir, a on the matter. medical clinics were “overstretched” rubella and another 18,410 for polio. neath a plastic tarpaulin. nine people and injuring 10, police and senior off icial with the Red Crescent relief The agreement facilitates but health authorities were “prepared to Bangladesh has deployed the army “We’ve been here 4 or 5 days. We had aid workers said. group, told Reuters. opening up border points, face the crisis” described by aid agen- to restore order and fast-track the con- to run for our lives from Myanmar. We The accident happened in a district Some of the injured were in critical movement of people and in some cies as a humanitarian catastrophe. struction of shelters for thousands of suff ered a lot, here at least we are safe.” near the Myanmar border where refu- condition, he added. special cases, Nepal can use the Thousands of refugees had been refugees still living in the open exposed Bangladesh’s army chief General gees have been arriving since late last The dead and injured were labourers, Chinese highways for trade in treated in hospital for respiratory ill- to monsoon rain. ABM Shafi ul Huq yesterday visited a month to escape a Myanmar military travelling in the truck to help distribute certain parts that are not linked nesses and diarrhoea, a serious threat But despite promises to build shelter registration booth at the main refugee off ensive against insurgents that the the aid supplies. with road connectivity from the due to the lack of sanitation and clean for 400,000 people within 10 days, there camp of Kutupalong. Nepali side. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Constitutional Transportation Saroj Pradhan led the Nepali team in the meeting. Musical start Assembly focus Last month, China agreed to set on aspirations recognise the newly opened bor- der trading route of Rasuwagadi- of all Sri Lankans Kerung as an international check- point between Nepal and China. he Constitutional Assem- This came after intense eff orts bly and the steering com- from the Nepali side. Tmittee should focus on the The Rasuwagadi-Kerung bor- aspirations of all people when it der crossing, which connects comes to compiling a new Con- Nepal to China’s autonomous stitution instead of taking into region of Tibet, had begun op- account the ideologies of a few, erations in December 2014. It is joint opposition parliamen- the second largest border point tary group leader Dinesh Guna- for trade after Tatopani. wardene said yesterday. In mid-August, Nepal had ap- “NGOs do not represent the pealed to China for immediate people. The steering committee resumption of the Araniko High- therefore should focus on the way — the main road that links citizens of the country and con- Nepal with Tibet and China, sider their ideas as well,” Guna- during the visit of Chinese Vice wardene said while highlighting Premier Wang Yang to Nepal. that the constitutional steer- Beijing had agreed in principle ing committee interim report to upgrade the trade highway. only highlighted ideas of a small The Araniko Highway was hit group. badly in the 2015 earthquake and He questioned why there was subsequent landslides, leading no consistency with regard to the to China closing down the route. sovereignty of the nation in the In March this year, China hand- interim report. ed over the Araniko Highway to The MP said the Sinhala, Nepal after completing repairs. Tamil and English copies of the The road is of crucial impor- report were not consistent as it tance to Nepal as it carries a large gave diff erent interpretation on amount of goods from China. the sovereignty of the nation. The 114km highway was re- Further, Gunawardene said paired with Chinese grant as- the joint opposition would not sistance of Rs 760mn. allow anyone to change the sta- tus guaranteed for Buddhism in Nepalese Army personnel play traditional music to mark Ghatasthapana, the first day of the Dashain festival, in Kathmandu. the present Constitution. Cour- Colombo woos tesy: Daily Mirror foreign investment

ri Lanka will reform regu- lations to attract more in- Svestment to tackle grow- ing debt and target economic Rohingya to be registered in two months: minister growth, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said. Both 2018 and 2019 would be By Mizan Rahman booths would be operating to speed up places daily, he said adding, “The gov- additional shelters for the Rohingyas Replying to a question, the minis- crucial years for Sri Lanka be- Dhaka the biometric registration process. ernment has allocated 2,000 acres of began at Kutupalang of Cox’s Bazar dis- ter said till now his ministry gave 500 cause of high debt repayments, “All the Rohingya refugees, now in land for the Rohingya refugees’ reha- trict. tonnes of rice and three million taka Xinhua news agency quoted Bangladesh after they had fl ed from bilitation temporarily.” The armed forces have been tasked to for the Rohingyas and Disaster Man- Wickremesinghe as saying angladesh needs two months for their homes in the Rakhine state of My- The minister said Bangladesh has so build the shelter centres with assistance agement Department’s Mobile Water here. bringing all Rohingya refugees, anmar, would be brought under bio- far received 250 tonnes of rice and 20 from the UN organizations and inter- Treatment Plant supplies 64,000 litres “We are on the right track. We Bfl eeing from their homes in My- metric registration,” he said. tonnes of wheat fl our while warehouses national aid agencies as surges of the of pure water every day. have strengthened the external anmar in the face of ethnic cleansing, Maya said Myanmar must take back were constructed at 14 places for stock- displaced Myanmar nationals continue As many as 36 medical teams are also situation of our country to better under the biometric registrations while their citizens by accepting the six-point ing the relief goods. to hit the southeastern district and ad- working in the Rohingya camps. face global market vulnerability. 5,575 registrations have already been charter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi- “The UNHCR has assured of provid- jacent areas. Regarding the Army’s participation We are creating a series of meas- completed. na, adding, “Bangladesh is sheltering ing food, healthcare services and shel- The Department of Public Health and in the relief work, he said Bangladesh ures to attract non-debt creating “So far, 4,24,000 Rohingya refugees the Rohingya refugees on humanitarian ter facilities for the Rohingya refugees, Engineering (DPHE) installed 100 tube- Army always stands beside the victims infl ows, particularly for exports have entered the country from August grounds.” while the WFP assured of providing wells and 500 toilets around the camp of natural disasters. Here also, he said, and Foreign Direct Investment,” 25 and to September 20 and 5,575 refu- Highlighting the steps taken by the food for 400,000 Rohingyas over the areas. the army is working in relief and other he told a capital market forum. gees have been brought under registra- government for the Rohingya refugees, next four months,” he said. Moreover, the DPHE also distributed rehabilitation works. The government is planning tion,” Disaster Management and Relief he said 14,000 shelters are being con- The disaster management and relief 14,000 units of clean drinking water to In order to co-ordinate the overall to introduce new regulations to Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury structed for 4,24,000 Rohingyas and 13 ministry is coordinating all the rehabilita- the Rohingya refugees, Maya said. relief work, the Ministry of Public Ad- improve macroeconomic man- Maya said at a press conference in Dha- places have been selected to distribute tion works with the help of UNHCR, IOM, Disaster management and relief sec- ministration appointed 21 offi cers. agement, deal with debt and re- ka yesterday. relief materials and foods. WFP and ACF (Action Contre la Faim). retary Mohammed Shah Kamal was Maya also urged Myanmar to take duce red tape for improved for- He said some 30 new registration Foods is being delivered from eight Maya said construction of 14,000 present at the press conference. back their citizens quickly. eign investment. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH The sacred month of Muharram

uslims must fear Allah Moosa? When his Lord called him in said of fasting on ‘Aashoorah that “It is and take lessons from the Valley of Tuwaa. ‘Go to Pharaoh, an expiation (of sins) for the previous what Allah has told us in verily he has transgressed all bounds year.”(5) Mthe Qur’an regarding the (in crimes, sins, polytheism and disbe- According to many authentic Prophets and Messengers of Allah and lief). And say to hi, ‘Would you purify ahadith, fasting on ‘Aashoorah was the previous nations. yourself (from the sin of disbelief and obligatory, but later made voluntary Allah said (which means): by becoming a believer). And that I when the obligation of fasting the “Indeed in their stories, there is a guide you to your Lord, so you should month of Ramadan was revealed in the lesson for men of understanding. It fear him?’ Then (Moosa) showed him Qur’an.(6) (the Qur’an) is not a forged statement, the great signs (miracles). But (Phar- The Prophet fasted on the day of but a confi rmation of Allah’s existing aoh) belied and disobeyed; then he ‘Aashoora and commanded that people books (the Torah, the Injeel, and other turned his back, striving hard against should fast on that day. The sahaabah Scriptures of Allah), a detailed expla- (Allah). Then he gathered his people (his companions) said, “Messenger nation of everything, and a guide and and cried aloud, saying, ‘I am you lord, of Allah, it is a day which the Jews a mercy for the people who believe.” most high.’’’(An-Naazi’aat 79: 15-24) and Christians hold in high esteem.” (Yusuf 12: 111) Pharaoh claimed that the signs Thereupon the Messenger of Allah And among the stories that Allah has Moosa brought were only magic and said, ‘“When the next year comes, narrated to us in His Book is what hap- that he had magic that would overtake inshaa ‘Allah, we would fast on the pened in Allah’s month,(1) the sacred the magic of Moosa. So Pharaoh gath- 9th (i.e. the ninth as well as the 10th month of Muharram,(2) and that is the ered magicians from his kingdom and in order to diff er from the disbeliev- story of Prophet Moosa, and Pharaoh they presented their magic, and Moosa ers).” But the Messenger of Allah died the tyrant of Egypt, in the Qur’an, Al- presented what he had from the signs, before the advent of the next year.(7) lah tells us this story, which means, which Allah had given him. Therefore we should fast that day and “We recite to you some of the news Allah said (which means): one day before it (the 9th), following of Moosa and Pharaoh in truth, for “Thus truth was confi rmed, and all the Prophet’s Sunnah and looking for a people who believe (i.e. those who that they did was made of no eff ect. the reward from Allah.(8) believe (ie those who believe in this So they were defeated there and then, We also benefi t from the story of Qur’an and in the Oneness of Al- and were returned disgraced. And the Moosa by learning that the Sunnah lah). Verily, Pharaoh exalted himself sorcerers fell down prostrate. They of the Prophets is to thank and praise in the land and made its people sects, said, ‘We believe in the Lord of the Allah in times of peace and when they weakening (oppressing) a group (Bani ‘Aalameen (i.e. all that exists), the Lord gain victory over their enemies. Moosa Israa’eel) among them, killing their of Moosa and Haaroon (Aaron).’” (Al- fasted on the 10th, the day on which sons and letting their females live. A’araf 7: 118-122) Allah made his followers victorious Verily, he was of the mufsidoon (those At that time Pharaoh decided to over Pharaoh; and this is another sign who commit great sins and crimes, op- try a diff erent plan - fear, force and that the truth will always defeat false- pressors and tyrants). And We wished retaliation. Allah told Moosa to get hood. to do a favour for those who were weak every believer out of Egypt and direct The Prophet fasted on this day (and oppressed) in the land, and to them to where Allah would tell him. thanking Allah for the victory of the make them rulers and to make them Pharaoh gathered his army and forces, people of the truth over the people of the inheritors, and rulers and to make which were around one million soldiers falsehood. The victory in that time them the inheritors, and to establish according to the seerah, and he chased was for Moosa, but the Sunnah of them in the land, and We let Pharaoh Moosa and his people, hoping to the prophets is one. This is the jihaad and Haamaan (a minister of Pharaoh) destroy them completely. Moosa ended against the disbelievers - to make the and their hosts receive from them that up at the sea with Pharaoh and his word of Allah the highest on earth. which they feared.” (Al-Qasas 28:3-6) army behind him. The believers were Victory always comes from Allah and Pharaoh dominated the nation of afraid because the sea was in front of victory is a ni’mah (bounty) from Allah Israa’eel and enslaved them, killing them and the enemy was behind them. for which we must thank Allah by be- their newborn sons but letting their Allah says (which means): ing obedient to Him. females live. The reason he commit- “And when the two hosts saw each Pharaoh said to his people, ist, disbeliever in the oneness of Allah accordance with the Sunnah of the Some people nowadays create bid’ah ted this criminal act was the fear of the other, the people of Moosa, said, ‘We “I guide you only to the path of right and in His messengers) then surely, for Prophet).” (An-Nahl 16: 128) (innovation in the deen), and devi- truth coming out from one of those are sure to be overtaken. (Moosa) said, policy!” (Ghaafi r 40:29) him is Hell, therein he will neither die As Muslims, we should always fear ant slogans and hold demonstrations. newborn males. The nation of Israa’eel ‘Nay, verily! With me is my Lord and But he was a liar. From this story we nor live. Allah and consider these lessons and Islam has forbidden this. used to know, according to what came He will guide me!’” (Ash-Shu’araa 26: also see that whoever knows the truth But whoever comes to Him (Allah) not follow the ways of those who were to them from Prophet Ibraheem, that 61-62) and truly believes in it will not lose, as a believer (in the oneness of Allah) disobedient to Allah; but rather to obey NOTES: someone from his lineage would de- Whoever is close to Allah, Allah will regardless of what he or she endures of and has done righteous deeds, for such the Prophet and follow his guidance as 1 The Prophet said, “The most stroy the king of Egypt. These glad tid- never let him down or leave him on his torment, torture or even death. An ex- are the high ranks (in the Hereafter).” Allah told us, which means, excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah’s ings were famous among the nation of own. Allah ordered Moosa to strike the ample is of the magicians. When they (Taaha 20:71-75) “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah month, Muharram, and the most excel- Israa’eel; and the news of it was made sea with his staff . Moosa did so and the knew the truth, they believed in Allah We also derived from this story the (Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa lent prayer after what is prescribed known to Pharaoh. Pharaoh ordered his sea opened up for them to cross: and in the message of Moosa. lesson that falsehood, regardless of sallam) you have a good example to is praying during the night.” (Saheeh soldiers to kill all newborn boys of the Allah says (which means): Allah says (which means): how big or the number of its adher- follow for him who hopes in (the meet- Muslim, Volume 2 page 569 no.2611 ) nation of Israa’eel; on order to secure “And indeed We inspired Moosa “So the magicians fell down pros- ents, will be defeated by the truth and ing with) Allah and the Last Day and 2 The sacred months are four: Dhul- himself from destruction. (saying): ‘Travel by night with ‘Ibaadi trate. They said, ‘We believe in the the people of the truth are patient remembers Allah much.” (Al-Ahzaab Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and However, all of the precautions that (My slaves) and strike a dry path for Lord of Haaroon and Moosa.’” (Taaha with whatever they are facing. This 33: 21) Rajab. See Qur’an, At-Tawbah 9: 36-37. he made were not enough to protect them in the sea, fearing neither to be 20:70). is an example of an arrogant tyrant This great event - the victory Allah Waging war, killing and plunder are him from what Allah wanted, which overtaken (by Pharaoh) nor being afraid Pharaoh threatened to crucify them, with power, an army and a kingdom gave Moosa and the believers over prohibited during these months. It is was for this newborn boy to be raised in (of drowning).” (Taaha 20: 77) but they were strong in their belief which he ruled, who pursued a few Pharaoh and his army - occurred on prohibited to intentionally violate the the house of Pharaoh. The will of Allah Moosa walked across the path that and refused to return to disbelief after who had no munitions or other means the 10th of the sacred month of Mu- sanctity of one of the months and then cannot be stopped by any precautions opened in the sea and the last of his believing. (of defence), but Allah was with them harram and the day is called Yaumul make up for it, as the pre-Islamic Arabs and His ability conquers anything. So people left the sea and every soldier of Allah said (which means): “Phar- and they had the force of Imaan in Aashoorah (the day of ‘Aashoorah). It used to do in order to give themselves Allah chose for the Prophet Moosa to Pharaoh’s army was inside the path. aoh said, ‘Believe you in him (Moosa) their hearts. Allah gave them His vic- is a day that has great merit. Prophet a military edge. However, if you are be born safely, to be saved from being At this time Allah ordered the sea to before I give you permission? Verily! tory, His guidance, His help; and in a Moosa fasted on that day, and ordered attacked during one of these months, killed, and also to be raised in Phar- collapse upon them, drowning Pharaoh He is your chief who taught you magic. single moment the forces of falsehood the people to fast that day. it is permitted, as mentioned in the aoh’s own home under the protection and his army. So surely I will cut off your hands and were destroyed. Pharaoh’s forces were Ibn ‘Abbass reported that when the ayah 2:194 to attack them as you were of Allah until he was an adult. That was the victory of the truth feet on opposite sides, and I will surely destroyed in the sea and as Allah said Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi attacked. Later Moosa accidentally killed a over falsehood. The promise of Allah crucify you on the trunks of palm- (which means): wa sallam) arrived in Madinah, he 3. by revelation person from Pharaoh’s people. Moosa was true - He made the people of trees, and you shall; know which of “We fl ing (send down ) the truth found the Jews fasting on the day of 4 Saheeh Muslim, Volume 2 page 551 was afraid that he would be captured Moosa victorious over Pharaoh and his us, (I, Pharaoh) or the Lord of Moosa against the falsehood, so it (truth) Aashoorah. The Messenger of Allah no. 2520 and be killed for this, so he fl ed to the army. From this story we see how the (Allah) can give the severe and more destroys it, and behold, it (falsehood) is asked them, “What is the signifi cance 5 Saheeh Muslim land of Madyan and abided there for truth is victorious, regardless of the lasting torment.’ vanished.” (Al-Anbiyaa 21: 18) of this day that you fast on?” They 6 Saheeh Muslim, Volume 2 page 548 some time. He married there and then size or seeming power of falsehood. They said, ‘We prefer you not over We also learn that Allah tests the said, “It is the day of great signifi - no. 2499 returned to Egypt. On the way back Falsehood has its own limited time, the clear signs that have come to us, prophets and the believers, and the cance when Allah delivered Moosa 7 Saheeh Muslim, Volume 2 page 552 Allah talked to him (by wahy)(3) revela- but the truth is always victorious. This and to Him (Allah) who created us. So tests are sometimes very diffi cult, but and his people and drowned Pharaoh no. 2528 tion and told him he was a prophet and story should enrich the hearts of the decree whatever you desire to decree, in the end, victory is for the prophets and his people. Moosa observed fast 8 We may only single out this day the Messenger to Pharaoh. Allah told believers and make them steadfast in for you can only decree (regarding) this and the believers. Allah is with the out of gratitude, and we also observe as a day of fasting and not a day of him many signs by which he will be the face of their enemies, regardless of life of the world.’ prophets and the believers in victory it.” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah celebration. Abu Moosa reported that known as the prophet of Allah and they size or seeming power of their enemies. ‘Verily! We have believed in our and guidance. said, “We have more right and we have the people of Khaybar (most of them would show that he was a true prophet. The believer should also benefi t from Lord, that He may forgive us our faults, Allah says (which means): a closer connection (awlaa) to Moosa were Jews) observed fast on the day of Moosa went to Pharaoh and showed this story by understanding that the and the magic to which you did compel “Truly, Allah is with those who fear than you have.” So Allah’s Messenger ‘Aashoorah and they treated it as “Eid him the signs of Allah but Pharaoh was people of falsehood claim that they are us. And Allah is better (as regards in him, keep their duty unto Him, and fasted (on the day of ‘Aashoorah ) and and gave their women ornaments and arrogant and stubborn. on the right path and are calling people comparison to your punishment).’ those who are Muhsinoon (doers of gave orders that it should be observed. beautiful dresses to wear. The Mes- Allah says (which means): to the truth. In fact, the opposite is Verily! Whoever comes to his Lord good, those who perform good deeds (4) senger of Allah said, “You (only) fast on “Has there come to you the story of true-they rely on lies and deception. as a mujrim (criminal, sinner, polythe- solely for the sake of Allah and in According to Muslim, the Prophet this day.” (Saheeh Muslim) The meaning of the dual testimony of faith

raise be to Allah, Lord of the Allah the Exalted says: We did not testimony. will certainly make known those who no acceptance at all. said about himself None of you truly Worlds. Peace and blessing send a Messenger before you without 1. Knowledge which negates are liars. [Al-Ankabut - 29:2,3]. It believes until I am more beloved to of Allah be upon our Prophet revealing to him: ‘There is no God Ignorance. Allah states: So know [O is very simple for one to feign belief The Second Half of the Testimo- him than his parents [lit. father], his PMuhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi worthy of being worshipped except I, Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa but it is Allah who indeed knows the ny: Muhammadan Rasoolullah children [lit. son] and all of mankind. wa sallam), and on his household and therefore worship Me’ [Al-Anbiyaa - sallam), Peace be upon him] that La inner truthfulness of all who claim to This is the declaration that “Mu- [Al-Bukhari] all of his Companions. 21:25] ilaaha Illa-Allah. (There is no God but believe in Him. hammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) How many times have you heard or Allah). [Q 47:19]. The more a believer 5. Love and devotion which negates is the Messenger of Allah”. This second A Sobering Thought even said the following words? Ash- The Testimony Comprises Two knows about Allah and His Deen the disdain of Allah’s religion. And to part of the testimony of faith is no less Allah states: O Prophet, We have hadu allaa ilaaha illallah wa ashadu Pillars: Denial and Affi rmation less likely is he to fall prey to the traps mankind are some who take some (as- important than the fi rst. In fact. It is sent you as a witness and a bringer of anna Muhammadar Rasoolullah. [I 1. The fi rst half of this fi rst part Laa of Satan and more likely to benefi t sociates for worship) besides Allah as impossible for one to be a true believer glad tidings and a Warner. And as one bear witness that there is no deity ilaaha – There is no Ilaah (deity) – himself and others. rivals; they love them as they love Al- in the fi rst part without also believing who invites to Allah (i.e, to worship except Allah and I bear witness that denies everyone and everything other 2. Certainty which negates Doubt. lah. But those who believe love Allah in the second. It necessitates belief in Him Alone) by His Leave and as a Lamp Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah]. than Allah, the Exalted, the attribute Only those are the believers who have more (than anything else). [Al-Baqa- the following: spreading Light (through your instruc- Yes indeed, it is the two-part testimo- of divinity. This is known as nafy believed in Allah and His Messenger rah - 2:165]. Loving Allah necessitates 1. Total submission to Muham- tions). [Al-Ahzaab - 33:45, 46] ny or declaration of faith by which the (negation) in Arabic. (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), and that the believer put full trust in him mad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) In an age when there is actually con- one who utters it enters into the fold 2. The second half of this declara- afterward doubt not but strive with and loves all that he learns of what in whatever he ordered. Allah states: troversy over whether or not a Muslim of Islam. More importantly however, is tion illallah (except Allah) affi rms and their wealth and their lives in the Allah has commanded and forbidden. But no, by your Lord, they can have must actually obey Muhammad (sallal- whether you as a listener or as the one restricts divinity to Allah alone. That Cause of Allah. They are the truthful. Therefore the true believer loves each no faith, until they make you judge in laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and adhere to who has made this declaration have is, the slave must believe that Allah [Al-Hujuraat - 49:15]. The declara- and every aspect of Islam and he loves all disputes between them, and fi nd in his way, no true Muslim should remain really considered the meaning of this is the only true God, and therefore tion should be made with the fullest those others who likewise do so. themselves no resistance against your ignorant of the great meanings con- great declaration and its implications must not dedicate any act of worship conviction and confi dence that Allah 6. Submission which negates decisions and accept them with full tained within the two-part testimony for the one who utters it? to other than Allah. This is known in is One and Alone and Islam is indeed Disobedience. And turn in repentance submission. [Q4:65] and He who obeys by which one joins this great Deen of Importance of Understanding Arabic as ithbaat (affi rmation). the true religion. to your Lord and submit to Him in the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah Islam. It may well be true as is said by the Testimony 3. Sincerity and purity of intent Islam. [Az-Zumar 39:54]. To willfully [Q4:80] some “There are many who have been This testimony of faith is the foun- Conditions of the First Half of which negates Shirk. Surely the reli- disobey when Allah’s commands have 2 . Avoiding what he (sallallaahu Muslims for all of their lives who are dation upon which Islam is based. the Declaration gion (i.e. worship and obedience) is been made clear is to belie the decla- ‘alaihi wa sallam) forbade. And what- really in need of taking the Shahaa- The concept of life, the universe and Confessing the testimony of faith for Allah only. [Az-Zumar - 39:3]. No ration of faith. soever the Messenger (Muhammad datain all over again.” The Prophet man is diff used from it, and upon it is must be coupled with fulfi lling its deed will be accepted if it is not done 7. Acceptance which negates Rejec- (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), gives Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- based the message of all Messengers seven conditions. Every door has a key with pure intent and aim to please tion or Denial. Truly when it was said you, take it and whatsoever he forbids lam) is the one who brought us Islam (‘alaihimus salaam) beginning with that unlocks it. These conditions may Allah. to them: ‘There is no God except Al- you, abstain (from it). [Al-Hashr 59:7]. in its fi nal form and exemplifi ed it in Noah (‘alaihi salaam) and ending with be analogised with the teeth of that 4. Truthfulness which negates lah’, they puffed themselves up with 3. Believing in all those matters he his speech and character. Though him Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa key in order that it function properly. Hypocrisy. Do people think that they pride (i.e. denied it). And (they) said : informed us about. The Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) Allah has sallam), peace be upon them all. The Though one may have indeed entered will be left alone because they say ‘Are we going to abandon our gods for believes in what has been revealed to spread His light all over this earth and fi rst half of the testimony constitutes Islam upon uttering the words it ‘We believe’ and will not be tested? the sake of a mad poet? [As-Saffaat him form his Lord and so do the believ- surely in such a dark place as the world what is also known as al-kalima, which can also be said that complete faith And we indeed tested those who were 37:35-36]. There can be nothing but ers [Q 2:285] can at times be, there is nothing more literally means ‘the word’ Laa ilaaha cannot be attained unless he fully before them. And Allah will certainly full acceptance of the truth of the 4. Loving the Messenger (sallallaahu needed than a beacon to show us the illallah. understands the implications of his make known those who are true and declaration. Partial acceptance is like ‘alaihi wa sallam). The Prophet has way . Gulf Times 14 Friday, September 22, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Subsidies still drive Production Editor: Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] electric car markets Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Norway has the most complicates eff orts in nations like authorities’ discretion. electric cars on the road. Fax 44350474 Britain and France to phase out It is also reviewing tax breaks for the Britain and France, the only two electric cars per capita combustion engines in favour of most expensive luxury electric cars. countries to announce deadlines for thanks to the most battery-powered vehicles, which are So far the reversals have had no phasing out combustion engines, also far costlier, have limited ranges and apparent impact on sales. off er generous subsidies to electric car generous handouts often have long charging times. “I’m not too worried,” said buyers. It means the technology will have Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian Buyers in Britain get a grant of up By Alister Doyle/ Reuters to become signifi cantly cheaper if Electric Vehicle Association, because to 35% of the purchase price, while GULF TIMES those governments are to meet pledges other benefi ts such as an exemption in France someone selling a diesel car Judaberg, Norway to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars from value-added tax are staying in and buying electric receives thousands from 2040 without having to hand out place. of euros in benefi ts. he Norwegian island of crippling levels of subsidies to millions There are, however, examples Norway’s Environment Minister Finnoey has the highest of buyers. elsewhere in the world of the Vidar Helgesen, part of a minority Macron limbers density of electric cars in the A tale of two contrasting Norwegian consequences of withdrawing electric right-wing government that won Tworld. municipalities – Finnoey and car benefi ts. re-election on September 11, The reason? They are exempt from neighbouring Hjelmeland on the Sales of Nissan Leafs in the US state acknowledged that the country’s the $6,000-a-year toll charges for the mainland – starkly illustrates the of Georgia, for instance, plunged after subsidies model was expensive. up for tricky tunnel to the mainland. power of fi nancial incentives on authorities revoked a $5,000 tax break But he predicted advances in the There has been a surge in sales consumer behaviour. in 2015. technology would mean electric cars of fully electric cars like Teslas and A Finnoey resident driving to work Electric car imports to Denmark fell would be competitive in price with Nissan Leafs since the tunnel opened in nearby oil hub Stavanger with an sharply last year, bucking a European combustion engine cars in the early dance with Merkel in 2009 and they now account for one electric car can save 40,000-50,000 trend, after Copenhagen cut subsidies. 2020s. in fi ve cars on Finnoey, compared with crowns ($5,500-$6,500) a year in Sales of Teslas fell to 176 from 2,738 His sentiments are echoed in less than 1 in 100 globally. tunnel tolls compared with drivers of the year before. Finnoey by Mayor Henrik Halleland French President Emmanuel Macron likes to describe Twenty-nine percent of all new car fossil-fuelled cars. In Norway, a Tesla Model S electric who thinks battery-powered car sales France and Germany as two tango dancers who are registrations in Norway were fully Hjelmeland, by contrast, bucks the sedan costs 636,000 crowns pre-tax, could ultimately survive without large enthusiastic partners but wary about embracing. electric or plug-in hybrids last year, Norwegian trend by off ering no local almost double the 320,000 crowns fi nancial incentives. This weekend, he will discover who will be his partner in according to the International Energy perks at all for battery-powered cars. pre-tax cost of an Audi A7 gasoline The island’s tunnel toll charges for Berlin for what he hopes will be an ambitious – and French- Agency, far ahead of the Netherlands Almost one in 10 people on Finnoey car, the Norwegian Electric Vehicle combustion engines go towards paying led – dance routine. in second on 6.4% and Sweden in have electrics cars, compared with Association says. the 550mn crown cost of building the The German election on Sunday is widely forecast to result third on 3.4. fewer than one in 100 in Hjelmeland, But the Audi ends up costing more tunnel. in Chancellor Angela Merkel extending her 12 years in offi ce, China had almost 1.5% and the which is much bigger and has a similar when sold – 697,000 crowns – after Once the debt is paid, the tunnel United States less than one. population, according to a previously an array of taxes led by sales tax will be free for all. which would confi rm her and Macron as the EU’s uncontested State subsidies support sales of unpublished ranking of all regions (140,000 crowns), carbon dioxide tax “Electric cars are getting so good power couple. electric cars around the world, and from state-run Statistics Norway that (125,000 crowns) and a special tax that people will buy them anyway,” Macron has been using his tango metaphor – a variation on Norway has the most electric cars per was provided to Reuters. on the weight of the vehicle (110,000 said Halleland. the usual description of the Franco-German “motor” which capita thanks to the most generous “It’s all about the economics, not crowns). Still, he now wants electric car drives progress in the EU – since he worked as a senior adviser handouts. about ideology,” Wictor Juul, head of By contrast, a Tesla buyer is charged owners to pay 50% of the rate paid by to ex-president Francois Hollande. It off ers nationwide tax breaks administration for the Hjelmeland only a small fee for end-of-life diesel and gasoline cars. “If we want to dance the tango, we (in France) have to take for users of electric cars than can be municipality, said of the contrasting scrapping and pays 638,000 crowns And he’s not planning to buy electric the fi rst step, given everything that’s happened over the last 15 worth tens of thousands of dollars, ownership rates. in total. himself, saying he has to keep his years,” Macron told an audience in Paris in March. plus various local incentives like Norway is among the world’s richest It’s little wonder that Tesla CEO combustion engine Mazda to pay the In Macron’s eyes, France has to win back the respect of exemptions from road tolls and countries because of its oil and gas Elon Musk tweeted in June: “I love tolls and do his bit to pay off the tunnel. German policymakers by carrying out long-delayed economic parking fees. exports – yet even there electric car Norway, which is the world leader Electric car owners are unapologetic reforms: reducing public spending and making business- “Economic incentives work, incentives are being curbed because in EV (electric vehicle) adoption!” though. especially if they are very, very, very of the strain on public fi nances and His company has invested heavily in “It’s all about political choices,” said friendly changes to labour law, among others – reforms that strong as in Finnoey,” said former a faster-than-expected adoption of Norway, for instance with fast charger Arne Nordboe, a teacher and part- Germany painfully began to enact in 2002. Norwegian central bank governor battery-powered cars. networks. time stand-up comedian who drives a In return, with France’s credibility restored, he would be Svein Gjedrem, who grew up on the For example, it has just scrapped The Norwegian fi nance ministry Nissan Leaf. able to bank on German co-operation for his hugely ambitious western island chain of 3,250 people nationwide directives that parking, says basic tax breaks totalled about a “I think it would be reasonable agenda to “overhaul” Europe, including major institutional which is famous for its fi sh farms and transport by state-owned ferries and cumulative 12bn crowns by the end of when electric cars get cheaper and changes to the 19-member eurozone. tomatoes. road tolls should be free for electric 2016. cheaper and more useful, then I can Since his election, Macron has gone out of his way to build A reliance on state handouts vehicles, instead leaving it to local There are now about 140,000 fully pay more.” ties with Merkel, visiting Berlin on his fi rst foreign trip and naming a German-speaking prime minister. The two leaders speak regularly, and the German cabinet held a warm joint meeting with their French counterparts in Paris in July. But the hard work – and the contentious issues – have yet to be addressed and after several months of sizing each other up, the “Merk-ron” duo will soon begin talking in earnest if she is re-elected on Sunday. The fi rst stage of Macron’s tango routine is essential: Merkel has worked with four French presidents during her time in offi ce and is waiting to see if Macron will fi nally deliver on domestic Since his reforms. He appears determined, election, Macron fast-tracking the labour law changes and raising has gone out of hopes that France will his way to build reduce its public defi cit next year to below 3% for ties with Merkel the fi rst time in 10 years. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has spoken about breaking France’s “addiction to debt” – music to the ears of Merkel and her conservative allies. Yet Macron’s vision for a reformed European Union looks likely to run into diffi culties – with German co-operation over key parts of his vision far from assured. His style – fl amboyant, ambitious and never shy about presenting his vision for the future – has also antagonised some people close to the naturally cautious chancellor, who has grown used to being Europe’s most powerful politician. Merkel has so far tentatively backed her French partner’s idea of creating a new fi nance minister position for the Arne Nordboe recharges his Nissan Leaf electric car in Finnoey, Norway. eurozone, though the scope and responsibilities of the position are yet to be defi ned. She has also backed the idea of giving the eurozone its own – fairly small – budget to help economically weaker members, but Macron wants it to be large and is counting on major German investment. Trump bides time picking next Fed chief Macron’s idea of the eurozone being able to borrow money collectively is also acutely sensitive in Germany, while his By Frank Fuhrig/ DPA put in place after the 2008 fi nancial event between the head of state and Goldman Sachs early in his career. proposal for a eurozone parliament has few takers at present. Washington crisis, saying in August that the bank chief. During one of his debates last year Much will depend on the results on Sunday and the “substantial progress” has been “I will say that I have not had with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, composition of the ruling German coalition, which will made in the nearly 10 years since on a further meeting with President Trump declared that the US economy emerge via negotiations between the diff erent parties. ederal Reserve Chairwoman reducing unemployment, keeping Trump,” Yellen told reporters. was “in a big fat, ugly bubble” with a The continuation of the current right-left coalition of Janet Yellen and US President infl ation in check and lowering Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin crash looming if the Fed hiked interest Merkel’s conservative CDU/CSU and the left-leaning Social Donald Trump were born fi nancial stability risks. said last week that Yellen was one rates. Democratic Party (SPD) would be welcomed in Paris, while an Fweeks apart in the summer of “The events of the crisis demanded of “a lot of good people” under At other times during the campaign, alliance with the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP) 1946, in adjoining boroughs of New action, needed reforms were consideration to lead the Fed. Trump suggested that the current York City. implemented, and these reforms have “I’m working closely with the low-interest rate environment was could spell problems. The Queens-born Trump and the made the system safer,” Yellen said. president on the issue. He hasn’t made an “asset” that would allow the “If she allies with the liberals, I’m dead,” Le Monde Brooklyn-born Yellen have once again Her four-year term at the helm any decisions, and (reappointment) government to borrow at historically newspaper recently quoted Macron as telling a visitor to the been neighbours since January 20, of the board of governors, however, is one of the things he’s still cheap rates for massive infrastructure Elysee Palace. when Trump moved into the White expires in 2018, and Trump has been considering,” Mnuchin told fi nance spending. House, a few hundred metres from mum about his plans. news broadcaster CNBC. Higher interest rates would “totally Federal Reserve headquarters. Yellen likewise has refused to talk Yellen was “obviously quite destroy the balance sheet” of the To Advertise During his campaign, Trump about her future beyond February talented, and she’s being considered,” federal government, said Trump, a real accused the central bank – and Yellen 3, when she is due to step down Mnuchin said. estate tycoon whose own profl igate [email protected] personally – of “doing political as chairwoman – unless she is “But there’s a lot of great people borrowing was made cheaper by the Display things” by inappropriately keeping renominated and confi rmed by the US that we’ve been meeting with and Fed’s lax monetary policy. Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 interest rates low to spur the economy Senate. considering as well.” Yellen has been on the Fed’s board for then-president Barack Obama but “I have said that I intend to serve out Mnuchin declined to say whether of governors since 2010, becoming Classified creating a risky investment bubble in my term as chair, and that I’m really Gary Cohn, director of Trump’s newly chairwoman in 2014. Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 the stock market. not going to comment on my intentions established White House economics Under law, Fed governors are Despite the criticism, Yellen, the beyond that,” Yellen said on Wednesday, body, the National Economic Council, appointed to staggered 14-year Subscription fi rst woman to lead the Fed, made after the Fed announced a major step to was under consideration. terms, and the chair serves a four- [email protected] clear after Trump won the 2016 reverse extraordinary monetary policies Cohn was chief operating offi cer of year term that is not concurrent with election that she would remain in her implemented to spur the economy after Wall Street investment bank Goldman presidential administrations. post and defend the central bank’s the fi nancial crisis. Sachs for more than a decade until he Even if Trump names a new Fed 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved independence. Yellen met with Trump early this joined the Trump administration. chief, Yellen can remain on the board She also has defended regulations year at the White House, a standard Mnuchin was a 17-year veteran of of governors until January 31, 2024. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 15 COMMENT The spy who came in from the North

Activists are mounting a point and missed the rescue boat. treated at a clinic. I refused. Even if it He tried to swim the rest of the means losing an eye, I must adhere to campaign for Seo and 17 way, only for the current to sweep my beliefs.” other ageing ex-inmates him back to the bank, where he was “My political ideology is more overpowered and detained by South precious than my own life,” he said still loyal to Pyongyang to Korean marines. tersely. be allowed to go home “As a spy, you are supposed to kill After three decades in prison, Seo yourself by either swallowing a poison compromised in 1991 and promised to capsule or using weapons,” said Seo, abide by the South’s laws. By Park Chan-Kyong/AFP adding: “There wasn’t even enough Released on parole, he moved to the Gwangju, South Korea time to commit suicide”. southern city of Gwangju, close to his Seo says he was questioned harshly birthplace and siblings, but dreamed for months, beaten and deprived of of returning to his wife and sons in a ondemned to death twice, sleep and food, before a military court unifi ed Korea. former spy Seo Ok-Ryol sentenced him to death for espionage. Seo remains unyielding in his spent three decades in He was held in solitary confi nement, loyalty to the North, praising it as Cprison, most of it in solitary eating meagre meals of small rice balls “egalitarian” society where he could confi nement. and salted radish, and saw several graduate from its top Kim Il Sung Now aged 90, the only thing he North Korean spies and sympathisers University on state subsidies. wants to do before he dies is go home going to the gallows. In his cramped rented apartment, – to North Korea. In 1963, Seo’s death sentence was he echoes Pyongyang’s defence of Born in what is now South Korea, commuted on the grounds that he its nuclear and missile programmes where he still has relatives, then a was a novice spy who had failed in his as necessary to protect it from the soldier and spy for the North – where mission. United States, and dismisses President he left a wife and two children – Seo But he was again condemned to die Donald Trump as a “raving madman”. epitomises the enduring divisions of in 1973, for trying to convert another Gwangju is the heartland of South the peninsula, and the way Koreans inmate to communism. Korea’s political Left, and 25 activist have been buff eted by the forces of “My mother passed out in court groups have launched a petition asking history and politics. repeatedly when prosecutors authorities to let Seo – who was Seo is stooped and gaunt, walks demanded the death penalty and hospitalised for two months earlier with a cane, and has a truculent the judges handed down a death this year with heart trouble – and manner, but his mind remains clear. sentence,” he told AFP in his fi rst his fellow refuseniks be repatriated, “I’ve done nothing wrong but loved interview with international media. saying their pledges were forced. the fatherland,” he said – adding that His parents sold their house to A few years after Seo’s release, a for him, that encompasses both North fi nance his legal costs, and secured Korean woman living in Germany who and South. Former North Korean spy Seo Ok-Ryol walks outside his home in Gwangju. another commutation, but died while visited Pyongyang told him that his The South repatriated some 60 he was still in jail. wife and sons were still alive – but former long-term prisoners in 2000, Born on an island in southern saying goodbye to my wife,” he said. to government authorities that he died Attempts by the South’s military advised him not to try to contact them mostly soldiers, guerillas and spies, Korea, Seo became a communist Sent on a mission to the South to try during the war,’” the man told him, dictatorship to re-educate North for fear of undermining the men’s following a landmark inter-Korean while a student at Seoul’s elite Korea to recruit a senior government offi cial refusing the missive. Korean prisoners reached their peak career chances. summit. University and joined the North’s whose brother had defected North, he But he did not turn Seo in, even in the mid 1970s, when activists and Seo – who has not remarried – is But Seo was not eligible as he had forces during the Korean War, smuggled himself across the border though – then as now – unauthorised former inmates say resisters were defi ant and cold, but was lost for signed a pledge of loyalty to the South retreating with them as American-led by swimming the Yeomhwa river and contact with North Koreans was often beaten and waterboarded, words when asked what he would tell to secure his release from prison, United Nations troops advanced. managed to meet his parents and punishable by heavy jail terms. denied sleep or meals, or thrown into his wife if he saw her again. obtaining citizenship as a result. He joined the North’s ruling siblings. His mission a failure, Seo stayed dark and tiny “punishment cells”. “I would like to say – thank you for Now activists are mounting a Workers’ Party and was working as But he was cold-shouldered when in the South for a month, constantly But Seo remained fi rm, even as his staying alive,” he said, controlling his campaign for him and 17 other ageing a teacher in Pyongyang when he was he tried to give the offi cial a letter from on edge trying to hide his code book, left eye, which he later lost, became voice. ex-inmates still loyal to Pyongyang – assigned to an espionage training his brother. until a radio broadcast of a series of infl amed. “I’ve been missing you. I never the oldest is 94 – to be allowed to go school in 1961. “’As far as my brother is concerned, numbers secretly ordered him back. “They told me to convert, promising expected to be parted from you for so home. “I had to leave without so much as he is as good as dead for me. I reported But he arrived late at the pickup that they would then allow me to be long a time.” Tsipras promises doubters a ‘new’ Greece Weather report Three-day forecast enjoyed since 2015, when he was fi rst created a task force this month to free tax cuts. TODAY By Renee Maltezou/ Reuters High: 38 C Athens elected on promises to end austerity, up more projects tangled in red tape. A lot can go wrong as Tsipras tries to to push through reforms other than Some investors nevertheless still turn the political and economic tide. Low : 31 C Inshore: Hazy to misty at places at first those prescribed by the lenders and to doubt Tsipras can pull off an economic Time may be as much his enemy as becomes hot daytime with chance of reek Prime Minister Alexis schmooze with investors. turnaround. his friend. local rainy clouds and humid by nigh. Tsipras has found a precious Foreign direct investment hit a “There is an inconsistency in The bailout reviews could derail commodity he hopes can seven-year high in 2016, while Greek the message the prime minister is or drag on for months, leading to SATURDAY help him and the nation bonds and stocks have rallied 12 and delivering and the actions of the renewed crisis. High: 38 C G Low: 29 C turn a corner after years of crisis and 18% respectively so far this year. ministries,” George Burns, chief The second such review lasted half austerity – time. The IMF and the EU forecast the executive of Canadian miner Eldorado a year, and the delays hurt economic Sunny Since taking power in early 2015, he economy will grow by more than Gold Corp, one of Greece’s biggest activity. has spent most of his days and nights 2% both this year and next after the new foreign investors, told Reuters. For their part, the lenders worry in fi refi ghting mode, battling Greece’s depression wiped a quarter off Greek Eldorado threatened to halt further Greece may backtrack on agreed SUNDAY creditors to renegotiate the harsh GDP. investment unless a permit row over reforms, which would delay the High: 37 C terms of a series of bailout deals. For all his pre-election pledges to its mines in northern Greece was conclusion of the review. Low: 29 C Now, though, Tsipras and his scrap the bailout, Tsipras has ended up resolved this week. Labour reforms that parliament Sunny ministers have more time at last to imposing more belt-tightening. It postponed this after the passed during the summer lull were function like the government of a At least Greeks are starting to see government granted some licences, viewed by lenders as backtracking on normal country, pinning their hopes improvements in long neglected but scepticism runs deep among other promises. Fishermen’s forecast for recovery from a long depression infrastructure, largely funded by the investors. “The gap between Tsipras’s actions OFFSHORE DOHA on more investment and jobs, after EU. Tsipras would like to be remembered and his words, the shortcoming in his Wind: NE-E 03-10/15 KT negotiating a ceasefi re with the The government has opened two as the man who restored Greece’s actions, that’s what may trap him,” Waves: 1-3/4 Feet European Union and International motorways this year, including a link fi nances and ended international a person close to the lenders told INSHORE DOHA Wind: E-NE 05-15 KT Monetary Fund in June. to Patras, a major ferry port for trade supervision of the economy. Reuters, warning that Greece may not Waves: 1-2/3 Feet Despite scepticism among voters, with Italy and the rest of the EU. He wants the next creditors’ review manage to regain full market access investors and Greece’s lenders, Tsipras This completed a project that had completed as early as December and to and conclude the reviews. Around the region is trying hard to position himself as a been stalled for years and replaced one achieve “a clean bailout exit”, without After two years’ experience of Weather Weather post-crisis leader who can steer the of Greece’s most dangerous roads. a standby credit line that would come power, the government still struggles today Max/min tomorrow Max/min country out of the bailout programme The jobless rate has also dropped, in return for more reforms. to deal with some practical problems. Abu Dhabi Sunny 39/31 Sunny 38/31 next year in time for elections due in but is still the eurozone’s highest. Athens made its fi rst bond issue in It has been trying for 10 days to Baghdad Sunny 41/25 Sunny 40/23 Dubai Sunny 2019. Until June, when Athens struck three years in July and plans at least contain an oil spill from a tanker which Sunny 41/28 39/28 Kuwait City Sunny 39/28 Sunny 42/28 The 43-year-old leftist the deal with the lenders on reforms two more in the next seven months, polluted popular beaches near Athens, Manama Sunny 38/31 Sunny 38/31 acknowledged this week that the crisis and debt relief, the cabinet met aiming to fund itself by market angering residents. Muscat Sunny 34/28 M Sunny 35/27 was not over, but expressed optimism infrequently; debate was dominated borrowing in place of bailout money Tsipras has been on a charm Riyadh Sunny 41/25 Sunny 40/24 about the rest of his term. by the bailout talks and ministers with next year. off ensive, ranging from pep talks at Tehran Sunny 31/19 Sunny 32/19 “In a year from now we will have left portfolios not directly connected to His conservative predecessor had ministries to photo opportunities with the bailout behind and we will have them rarely got a word in edgeways, a similar exit strategy as long ago as investors and young entrepreneurs one more year, the most creative of one government offi cial said. 2014 and seemed on course to achieve and trips across the country. our term, to materialise our plan for a Since then ministers have found it. Still, the lenders remain cautious. ‘new’ Greece,” he said. time to work on bills including Instead Tsipras beat him and “We fully understand the Still, two fi nal rounds of education and health reforms. presided over the chaotic summer government’s desire for a clean exit,” negotiations remain before the current “It’s liberating,” one minister said. of 2015, when banks were closed for the European Central Bank’s mission bailout deal ends in August 2018. Many cabinet colleagues and weeks as the fi nancial system came chief in Greece, Francesco Drudi, Many Greeks, worn down by offi cials had spent much of the past close to collapse. said. austerity policies including pension two years holed up in bailout talks at Tsipras has much political ground But he told Proto Thema newspaper: cuts and tax increases dictated by the the Athens Hilton hotel. to recover. “This will require a lot of eff ort to creditors, have yet to be convinced. “You need to emerge from the Support for Syriza has crumbled convince markets, investors and Tsipras’s Syriza party is trailing in Hilton basement at some point.” from around 35% in 2015 to 16% depositors that the momentum for the opinion polls. The government has also stepped now, leaving it at least six percentage reform will not abate and that no Nevertheless, Tsipras has been up private meetings with potential points behind the conservative New reversal of actions taken during the using a calm that Greece has rarely investors, offi cials said, while Tsipras Democracy party, which has promised programme will occur.” Live issues Around the world Weather Weather Teenagers growing up more slowly today than they used to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 27/17 Sunny 27/17 Beirut M Sunny 28/23 P Cloudy 27/23 Bangkok T Storms 32/26 T Storms 31/26 IANS teenagers growing up more slowly of US teenagers in terms of gender, race/ The trend towards engaging in Berlin P Cloudy 18/07 S Showers 18/11 New York than they used to,” explained Jean ethnicity, socio-economic status and fewer adult activities cannot be Cairo Sunny 36/22 Sunny 32/21 Twenge, Professor of Psychology at geographic region. explained by time spent on homework Cape Town Cloudy 16/10 M Sunny 21/11 San Diego State University in the US In the surveys, teenagers were asked or extracurricular activities because Colombo S T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 I T Storms 33/27 ontrary to popular and lead author of the study. how they used their time, including time doing those activities decreased Dhaka 33/27 P Cloudy Hong Kong S T Storms 33/29 S T Storms 32/29 perception, today’s “In terms of adult activities, their engagement in one or more adult among 8th and 10th graders and was Istanbul S T Storms 22/17 Sunny 23/17 teenagers are actually 18-year-olds now look like 15-year- activities, allowing researchers to steady among 12th graders and college Jakarta P Cloudy 34/25 M Sunny 35/26 growing up more slowly than olds once did,” Twenge said. compare teens in the 2010s to teenagers students, the researchers said. Karachi P Cloudy 32/26 P Cloudy 32/26 C London M Sunny 18/12 Cloudy 19/11 their predecessors, with 18-year-olds The researchers examined how in the 2000s, 1990s, 1980s and 1970s. The decline may be linked to the Manila T Storms 32/26 T Storms 30/26 now behaving like 15-year-olds of often teenagers engaged in activities The study found that today’s time teenagers spend online, which Moscow Sunny 14/04 Sunny 16/05 yesteryears, suggests a new study. that adults do and that children do adolescents are less likely than their increased markedly, the authors noted. New Delhi Rain 27/23 Rain 28/23 The fi ndings published in the not, including dating, working for pay, predecessors to take part in activities “Our study suggests that teenagers New York P Cloudy 28/19 Sunny 29/21 journal Child Development suggest going out without parents and driving. typically undertaken by adults. today are taking longer to embrace Paris P Cloudy 19/07 M Cloudy 21/09 M Sunny M Sunny 32/17 that today’s teenagers are taking They analysed seven large surveys The researchers also examined how adult responsibilities (such as driving Sao Paulo 32/19 Seoul P Cloudy 26/17 M Sunny 27/15 longer to engage in adult activities of 8.3mn 13- to 19-year-olds between changes in family size, life expectancy, and working),” study co-author Singapore I T Storms 30/26 M Cloudy 30/26 such as working and driving. 1976 and 2016. education and the economy may Heejung Park, Assistant Professor of Sydney Sunny 28/14 Sunny 33/21 “The developmental trajectory The surveys were nationally have infl uenced the speed at which Psychology at Bryn Mawr College in Tokyo Cloudy 24/21 Cloudy 24/20 of adolescence has slowed, with representative, refl ecting the population teenagers take on adult activities. Pennsylvania, said. Gulf Times 16 Friday, September 22, 2017 QATAR Foreign Minister holds meetings in New York

HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani participated in a high-level event on Libya held on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting aimed to review the progress HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met with EU High Representative for Foreign Aff airs achieved, formulate a political commitment to a sustainable solution to the Libyan crisis and strengthen international and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. co-ordination to support Libyan institutions in the areas of security, humanitarian assistance and social and economic development.

HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani held a meeting with Prime Minister of Somalia Hassan Ali Khayre, on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. During the meeting, they HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met with President of the International Crisis discussed bilateral relations and means of boosting them as well as a number of issues of common concern. The FM Group Jean-Marie Guehenno on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. The meeting discussed briefed the Prime Minister of Somalia on the latest developments in Gulf crisis and all illegal measures taken against relations between the State of Qatar and the Group along with co-operation in settling disputes around the world. the State of Qatar.

Houthi leader blames Saudi-led coalition for suff ering of Yemenis

he leader of Yemen’s Houthi Americans,” Houthi said. “And today air strikes,” Masmari told Al Jazeera. group has marked with a defi ant they are stealing Yemen’s natural gas, The Saudi-led coalition launched its Tspeech the eve of the third anni- despite the suff ering of the Yemeni air campaign against the Iran-allied versary of the day his fi ghters stormed people. Shia Houthi fi ghters in March 2015, into the capital Sanaa, Al Jazeera re- “There are a lot of islands today and simultaneously enforced an air and ported yesterday. which have been handed over by the sea blockade of Yemen. “The Houthi Appearing on the Houthi-run Al foreign agents and traitors of this fi ghters control about 30-40 percent Masirah TV on Wednesday, Abdel- country to the Emiratis, and they of Yemen’s territories,” Masmari said. Malek al-Houthi criticised the Sau- made bases on them.” “They are still powerful on the ground.” di-led coalition opposing his fighters, Yesterday hundreds of thousands More than 10,000 civilians have been who control large expanses of territo- of Houthi supporters rallied in Sanaa. killed in the fi ghting. Masmari said that ry and took Sanaa on what they con- Speaking from Sanaa, Hakim al-Mas- while it is clear that relations between sider the “September 21 revolution”. mai, editor of the Yemen Post, said that the Houthi fi ghters and the allies on Houthi accused the US, Saudi Arabia despite the size of the crowd, the ab- one hand and the Saudi-led coalition and the UAE of seeking to divide Yem- sence of Houthi allies such as the party on the other are deadlocked, there is no en by working with local groups and the of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former presi- mediation taking place. internationally recognised government dent, was conspicuous. “The UN has stalled its efforts of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to seize “This is a very clear division in Sanaa and this is the result of casualties: control of territory controlled by his between the two allies at a time where more chaos and unfortunately more fi ghters. the Houthis are gathering to show their deaths of civilians here in Yemen,” “The Emiratis are the front for the strength after three years of Saudi-led he added.

Tens of thousands of supporters of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebel movement gathered in the capital Sanaa yesterday to mark the third anniversary of the rebel takeover. Houthi rebels captured Sanaa on September 21, 2014, seizing the government headquarters and military sites with the aid of forces loyal to ex-president Saleh — a former foe.

‘Qatar committed to fi ghting terrorism’

atar has reaffi rmed ment to fi ght extremist ide- its commitment ology, Qatar is already pro- Qto counter terror- viding free education to 7mn ism through many means, children around the world,” journalist Ashraf Siddiqui Siddiqui added. Haqeeqat told Qatar Urdu Radio’s live aims to engage and interact radio show Haqeeqat yes- with the large South Asian terday. expatriate community in A guest on the show for Qatar. A joint venture of the the second consecutive Gulf Times and Qatar Media day, he discussed some of Corporation Urdu Radio, it the issues addressed in the is broadcast from Sunday to speech of His Highness the Thursday on FM107. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Log on to Qatar Urdu Ra- mad al-Thani at the 72nd “His Highness the Emir munity bears witness to that dio on Facebook and ‘@Qa- Session of the UN General categorically stated that Qa- – and it is still fi ghting it and tarUrduRadio’ on Twitter Assembly in New York on tar has fought terrorism – the will continue to do that.” for feedback and comments Tuesday. whole international com- “As part of its commit- about the show.