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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11233 July 3, 2019 Shawwal 30, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief

QATAR | Phone talk Amir wishes Tunisian New SICU ups president good health His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday a telephone conversation with post-operative Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, during which he enquired after the President’s health. The Amir congratulated President Essebsi on his recovery after he was taken ill and care standards wished him good health and wellness. By Joseph Varghese trained in specialist post-surgical care. Staff Reporter The SICU also cares for patients with Amir sends greetings life-threatening conditions as well as to Panama president severely ill patients requiring frequent His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim E Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Ku- monitoring and potential intervention bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday wari, Minister of Public Health or ventilation. The facility has 27 sin- a cable of congratulations to HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari opens the expanded Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Hyesterday inaugurated the ex- gle rooms with the best facilities in any Laurentino Cortizo on his swearing- panded Surgical Intensive Care Unit intensive care unit in the world. in as Panama’s president, wishing (SICU) at the Hamad General Hospital Dr al-Kuwari said: “HMC is on a him success in his duties. His (HGH), paving the way for world-class journey to improve and expand surgical, Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh post-operative care in Qatar. trauma, and emergency services and ca- Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani also HE Dr al-Kuwari also toured the fa- pacity in Qatar. The new surgical serv- sent a cable of congratulations to Reconsider Saudi G20, says UN expert cility and interacted with the staff to ices facility at Hamad General Hospital President Cortizo. Pages 4, 15 know the details of the services and has helped to meet the growing demand AFP month found “credible evidence” that Khashoggi will mean that it doesn’t care off ered at the centre. for high-quality surgical care in Qatar EUROPE | Summit Washington linked Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown happen or it’s moved elsewhere, or The inauguration of the expanded and ensure that we stay ahead of de- Prince Mohamed bin Salman to the something is being done to ensure SICU marks the completion of the sur- mand for these services. This most re- First woman nominated killing of Khashoggi, a dissident writ- that the political system in the US and gical services facility which was offi cial- cent expansion of our SICU has helped to lead EU Commission orld powers should re- er who published in The Washington in other countries does not become ly opened in 2016 by HE Sheikh Abdul- achieve this aim so we can continue to EU leaders nominated German consider holding the next Post. complicit of that international crime,” lah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, the provide the very best care for surgical Defence Minister Ursula von der WGroup of 20 summit in On a visit to Washington, Cal- Callamard said at the Brookings Insti- Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. patients for many years to come.” Leyen as European Commission Saudi Arabia without accountability lamard – who presented her report to tution. HGH is part of the Hamad Medical The expanded SICU will enable a President, as part of a package of top over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a the United Nations but does not speak She said it was crucial to recognise Corporation (HMC). greater number of patients to be cared jobs hammered out over three days UN expert who probed his death said for it – said that the next Group of 20 that a state carried out the killing of The state-of-the-art SICU off ers a for, including those undergoing emer- of negotiations. She will be the first yesterday. summit, scheduled for November 2020 Khashoggi, who was strangled and higher level of care than a standard ICU, gency and elective surgery. Since open- German in more than 50 years to Agnes Callamard, the UN special in Riyadh, off ered a chance to pressure dismembered shortly after he entered so patients who have had more complex ing in 2016, the capacity of the unit has hold the position. Von der Leyen will rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary Saudi Arabia. the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to han- surgeries can receive the highest stand- almost doubled with the number of replace Jean-Claude Juncker. Page 13 or arbitrary executions, in a report last “Political accountability for Mr dle wedding paperwork. ard of post-operative care from staff beds increasing from 15 to 27. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 QATAR

Qatar condemns attack in Mali

Qatar expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the armed attack on a village in central Mali, which led to deaths. In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of their motives and reasons. The statement expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of victims as well as the government and people of Mali. Gambian FM meets Qatar’s envoy

HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs and International Co-operation of The Gambia Mamadou Tangara met Qatar’s ambassador to The HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari visiting the SICU yesterday. The state-of-the-art SICU off ers a higher level of care than a standard ICU. Gambia, Faisal bin Fahad al-Mana, in Banjul. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and topics of common concern.

Qatar attends Arab League health meet

HMC offi cials laud opening Qatar presented its national strategy for health and environment in line with the Arab strategy on health and the environment during a joint meeting which started yesterday at the Arab League headquarters to follow up the implementation of new surgical facility of the Arab strategy on health and the environment for the By Joseph Varghese period 2017-2030. Qatar is Staff Reporter represented by the Director of the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Public Health ffi cials of Hamad Medical Cor- Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad poration (HMC) yesterday al-Thani. In a statement to Qatar Ostressed that the opening of the News Agency (QNA) on the newly expanded Surgical Intensive Care sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Unit (SICU) would help deliver the best Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani possible care to patients. said that during the meeting The state-of-the-art SICU off ers a he presented Qatar’s national higher level of care than a standard ICU, strategy. so patients who have had more complex surgeries can receive the highest stand- ard of post-operative care from staff Real estate trained in specialist post-surgical care. transaction The SICU also cares for patients with life-threatening conditions as well as The trading volume of severely ill patients requiring frequent registered real estates between monitoring and potential intervention June 23 and June 27 at the or ventilation. Ministry of Justice’s real estate “Our new SICU cares for some of registration department stood at our sickest and most vulnerable pa- Mohamed Hussein al-Kubaisi: More QR348,255,692. tients and the expanded SICU is a key patients will benefit from advanced The department’s weekly report component of our surgical service fa- post-operative care in a world-class said that the trading included cility at Hamad General Hospital. The healing environment. empty lands, residential units, offi cial opening of the expanded SICU residential buildings, residential means that more patients will benefi t SICU has been designed with our patients complexes, multipurpose from advanced post-operative care in a and their families in mind and will accom- buildings and multipurpose world-class healing environment,” said modate the growth of our surgical pro- empty lands. Mohamed Hussein al-Kubaisi, deputy grammes. It will also allow us to off er even Most of the trading took place in chief, managing director’s offi ce, HMC. better care to some of our sickest patients. One of the rooms in the SICU. Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Daayen, Al “Our population has grown signifi - Today’s offi cial opening demonstrates our Wakrah, Umm Salal, Al Khor, Al cantly in recent years, resulting in in- commitment to not only expanding our chief communications offi cer, Corporate jor step on our road to providing better be other new openings soon,” added Dr Thakhira and Al Shamal. creasing numbers of patients relying on capacity but also to providing high-qual- Communications Department. care, and there are other major projects Moustafa al-Khalil, senior consultant The trading volume of registered our specialised services, including our ity, world-class facilities and healthcare “The new facility will help provide to be completed soon as well. We have and head of the Crsnio-Maxillofacial real estates between June 16 to surgical services. This state-of-the-art to the people of Qatar,” said Ali al-Khater, the best care for patients. This is a ma- plans for more projects and there will Surgery Department, HMC. June 20 was QR278,565,712. HMC’s new SICU raises Education ministry announces post-operative care standards high school examination results From Page 1 comprehensive plan to increase tors. The new SICU has some of capacity and enhance the hos- the best facilities available in the The SICU features a direct link pital’s surgical capabilities to world,” said Dr Yousef Masla- QNA day that the percentage of those jects, indicating that the per- the examination of the second- to both the Hamad General Hos- ensure we are providing the most mani, medical director Hamad Doha who passed in day schools was centage obtained by students in ary certifi cate with 100%. pital Operating Theatre Suites advanced techniques available to General Hospital, 82.9% and 32.42% in adult edu- the second semester was better Al-Harqan added that a total and the new Surgical Specialty Qatar’s population. The surgical “Some of the rooms also have cation, 78.18% at the Religious than in the fi rst one, pointing out of 1,567 students will appear in Centre. It has four isolation services facility houses 20 state- special capabilities called posi- he Ministry of Education Institute Preparatory Secondary that there is a great convergence the second round of the exami- rooms, including three negative of-the-art surgical theatres, a tive and negative pressure man- and Higher Education School for Boys, 79.39% at Qa- in the success rates in some sub- nation. pressure rooms, and family wait- 19-bed Trauma Intensive Care agement. The positive pressure Tannounced yesterday the tar Secondary Technical School jects, and that the results overall Al-Harqan reviewed the se- ing rooms. Unit, and state-of-the-art real- pushes things out of the rooms results of the fi rst round of ex- for Boys, and 92.96% at Qatar are better than those in the pre- ries of tests controls and disci- Dr Abdulla al-Ansari, acting time imaging through CT, MRI, and prevents anything unwanted aminations of the general and Banking Studies and Business vious academic year. pline of students in exam halls, chief medical offi cer at HMC Brain Lab, and Artis Zeego imag- coming to the patient. These are specialised Secondary School Administration School. He said that a total of 5,859 as well as the accuracy of the said the completion of the SICU ing technology. It also features a for patients who are very sick and Certifi cate for the academic year Al-Harqan added that the re- students obtained 70% and process of correction and re- expansion marks the fi nal phase da Vinci Xi surgical robot used vulnerable. The other rooms can 2018/2019. sults, despite the remarks on the above marks, including 2,570 view papers to ensure the va- in the Hamad General Hospital for specialist and general surger- be used for other patients as the The results were endorsed diffi culty of some tests in some Qatari male and female students, lidity of the results. Operating Theatre Expansion ies,” said Dr al-Ansari. rooms can absorb all the bacteria by HE the Minister of Educa- subjects, is an improvement on pointing out that last year the He said that a total of 11,329 project, which began in 2013. “ Our vision is to provide safe into the fi lters. These are the two tion and Higher Education Dr previous years. This can be attrib- students who secured 70% and students - 5,788 male and 5541 “The expansion of Hamad care and compassion with top types of isolation practised in the Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali uted to the high level of achieve- above marks accounted 4,668. female - from government General Hospital’s surgical serv- class facilities and the best qual- new facility,” added Dr Masla- al-Hammadi and posted on of- ment of students, which in turn This year, the number of the schools appeared in the fi nal ices is part of an ambitious and ity with the best qualifi ed doc- mani. fi cial website of the Ministry of increased the success rate, in ad- students who obtained 90% and examination of secondary cer- Education and Higher Education dition to the eff orts of the Minis- above marks was 1,960. This in- tifi cate this year from June 10 to under the link https://nateeja. try and its departments. cluded 464 Qatari students. June 23. The exams were held at a edu.gov.qa He said that the distribution While Laila Yasser Ali Abdul total of 61 halls. Assistant undersecretary for of marks by allocating 40% for Wahab al-Mansi from Al Kaw- The second round of exami- Evaluation Aff airs at the Min- the fi rst semester and 60% for thar Secondary School for Girls, nations for the academic year QRCS launches last phase of istry of Education and Higher the second semester also helped and Roaa Bassam Ahmad Mo- 2018/2019 for all grades, from Education Khalid al-Harqan said to compensate for some students hamed Ali from Al Wakra Sec- grade 1- 12 will be held from July ISO accreditation project at a press conference yester- with defi ciencies in certain sub- ondary School for Girls topped 21- 29.

QNA framework of the responsibility He pointed out that the launch Doha placed on them, and in view of the of the last phase of the quality importance it attaches to the Qa- management system accredita- DI magazine highlights Qatar’s resolve in the face of siege tari humanitarian action system, tion aims to obtain the ISO certi- which seeks to adopt and imple- fi cation under the supervision of atar Red Crescent Soci- ment the best quality standards the QRCS Strategic Management he Diplomatic Institute His Highness the Amir Sheikh ministers, parliamentarians, The new issue touches on Qa- ety (QRCS) has launched in order to enhance the work effi - Offi ce, where regulatory and (DI) of the Ministry of Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani over ambassadors and offi cials of in- tar’s economic diplomacy and its Qthe latest phase of the ciency, improve human resources legal requirements and opera- TForeign Aff airs released the past two years. ternational organisations and dynamics, besides tackling the ISO Quality Management Sys- and raise the level of satisfaction tional risks are being fi nalised in issue No 42 of its quarterly AL- It also reviews the tours of conferences, in addition to the retreat of the strategic infl uence tem Accreditation project as an and loyalty of benefi ciaries and various areas and placed within Diplomacy magazine, which HE the Deputy Prime Minister interviews with a number of in- of the Gulf in light of the crisis important part of its long-term partners, which is consistent with an internationally recognised highlighted the Gulf crisis in and Minister of Foreign Aff airs ternational media. and the impact of it on the abil- work strategy to enhance its po- Qatar National Vision 2030. standard framework. its second year, and Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- The magazine includes sev- ity of the GCC countries to face sition locally, regionally and in- QRCS Secretary-General Ali He noted that the launch of this achievements and steadfastness rahman al-Thani, and his visits eral reports, articles and inter- challenges. ternationally. bin Hassan al-Hammadi, said in project coincides with the chal- in the battle for sovereignty and to a number of regional and glo- views that highlighted Qatar’s The issue also addresses the QRCS, in a statement yesterday, his speech that QRCS was able lenges facing the humanitarian independence. bal decision-making capitals, achievements in various fi elds, negative eff ects of the Gulf cri- referred to the eff orts of its offi - to fulfi l many of the standard re- sector around the world in general The new issue of the maga- and his meetings with heads of despite the unjust blockade im- sis at both regional and interna- cials and its various sectors in the quirements within this project. and in the region in particular. zine reviews the speeches of state and government, foreign posed on it. tional levels. - QNA Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 3 QATAR

Contractors agree to ‘Accident-free Summer’ reimburse recruitment campaign launched fees to he General Directorate of Earlier, announcing the workers Traffi c under the Ministry campaign at a press confer- Tof Interior (MoI) launched ence last week, Col Mohamed ome 160 contractors en- the ‘Accident-free Summer’ Radhi al-Hajri, director, Traf- gaged on 2022 FIFA World campaign on Monday in or- fi c Awareness Department, SCup projects have agreed to der to raise awareness of traffi c said the initiative this year reimburse $25mn in recruitment rules and safe driving practices would focus on fi eld aware- fees to more than 37,000 work- among motorists while reducing ness. Accordingly, awareness ers over the next three years, the traffi c violations. programmes and inspection Supreme Committee for Delivery The MoI tweeted yesterday campaigns will be carried out. & Legacy said yesterday in a post that the campaign began from The main goal of the campaign on its @roadto2022 Twitter page. the Qatifi yah area, highlight- is to educate the public on the Earlier, the SC had stressed ing the risks of using a mobile rules of traffi c safety and safe that the successful reimburse- phone while driving as well driving, with a focus on mo- ment of recruitment fees was one as carrying out inspections torists, especially youths, in of its landmark achievements in to ensure motorists’ compli- the city of Doha and external the area of workers’ welfare, as ance with the traffi c rules and areas, he noted. a number contractors and sub- regulations. The campaign will focus on contractors had agreed to pay On the fi rst day of the cam- raising awareness of various back recruitment and relocation paign, awareness-raising tips types of violations, includ- costs to their workers. were given to a number of mo- ing driving without a valid It was also mentioned back torists on traffi c safety and the licence, passing through the then that “more than 31,800 SC risks posed by improper habits right side, using the mobile and non-SC workers would col- during driving, especially us- phone while driving, parking lectively receive over QR80mn as ing a mobile phone, were also in slots reserved for people reimbursements over the next 36 highlighted. with special needs and ob- months”. This year, the ‘Accident-free structing traffi c by stopping This was highlighted in the Summer’ drive focuses on direct in the yellow box. SC’s fourth Annual Workers’ awareness through the deploy- The campaign will involve Welfare Progress Report, for the ment of traffi c patrols and is the distribution of awareness period February 2018-January being implemented in co-oper- publications, such as bro- 2019, which outlined a number ation with the Public Relations chures and leafl ets, as well as of key milestones, challenges Department of the MoI, accord- off ering guidance to motorists and priorities of the SC “as part ing to another tweet. on diff erent roads and com- of its continued commitment” to The campaign, aimed at curb- mercial streets and in markets. its workforce. ing traffi c violations and road This will be done within Doha The reimbursement of recruit- accidents, will continue until and places beyond it, including ment fees is a fi rst-ever initiative August 1. Dukhan. An off icial carrying out checks during the campaign. undertaken in the country. Youth from QF programmes take part in FIFA Women’s World Cup

total of six young mem- game’s group of FIFA fl ag bearers bers of Qatar Founda- will include three representatives Ation’s (QF) sport and from the Qatar youth delegation, community programmes are who will then watch the match Sheikh Hamad Abdulla al-Thani and Faleh bin Mohamed al-Naemi participating in the ‘FIFA Flag from the Stade de Lyon stands. signing the agreement yesterday. Bearers’ programme for the two The trip is the fi rst step in semi-fi nals of the FIFA Wom- what is intended to be a close en’s World Cup France 2019. and ongoing relationship be- The Wanda Group, an of- tween QF and Wanda Group fi cial global partner of world over the next three-and-a-half Vodafone, Qatar Post football’s governing body FIFA, years, as Qatar prepares to host has off ered the opportunity the 2022 FIFA World Cup. for the youth as Wanda Group “We are very happy to take enter into partnership has rights to FIFA’s Youth Pro- the fi rst steps in our collabora- gramme at every tournament, tion with Qatar Foundation,” odafone Qatar and Qatar Sheikh Hamad said: “We’re selecting children to become said Hengming Yang, president Post have entered into a proud to partner with the nation- FIFA Flag Bearers in the pre- of the Wanda Sports Group. Vstrategic partnership that ally trusted provider, Qatar Post, match ceremonies. “As a partner of FIFA until sees “two innovative companies to enhance our customer services. This will see the youth stand 2030, Wanda is committed to joining forces to deliver superior Putting our customers fi rst is at alongside some of the top using our sponsorship rights customer service.” the forefront of everything we do. names in women’s football – to inspire the next generation The agreement demonstrates “Whether in-store, online or and in front of a global TV au- of young footballers in China the organisations’ shared goal via our digital channels that are dience of millions – ahead of and all over the world. We’re of delivering impact through in- used today by more than 600,000 kick-off in both games. looking forward to hosting the novation and logistics services, people each week, we are focused The six high school students Qatari children in France and according to a press statement. on ensuring that every customer from Qatar, together with their working more closely together Under the agreement, Qatar touch-point and every product chaperones, were invited to with Qatar Foundation in the Post, “through its extensive na- delivers a seamless, effi cient and participate by Wanda Group years leading up to the 2022 tionwide network, will manage a smooth experience.” in recognition of the values FIFA World Cup Qatar.” substantial portion of Vodafone Al-Naemi added, “This part- that the Chinese conglomer- “Sport has the capacity not Qatar’s advanced logistics op- nership falls under the umbrella ate and QF share in the sphere just to excite, but to inspire, erations, resulting in signifi cant of eff orts we are pouring into lo- of youth engagement and em- Snapshots of youth from QF programmes participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. unify, transform horizons, enhancements to the consumer cal institutions and companies, powerment, fostering cultural and bring together people of experience”, the statement notes. supporting their integrated post- exchange, and harnessing the all members of QF’s community years who are on the autism have been touring Lyon and all ages, cultures, and back- Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh al services into growing, evolving power of sport to inspire a new programmes; Farah Mohamed spectrum, while elevating so- participating in a special QF- grounds, which is why its im- Hamad Abdulla al-Thani and and maximising the effi ciency of generation. and Nihad Rizal, members of cietal awareness of autism; and hosted engagement activity in pact stretches far beyond the Qatar Post chairman and man- their operations, as they contrib- The youth from Qatar who QF’s Ability-Friendly Sports Shameem Taha, who is part of the French city, where they have sporting arena,”added Moham- aging director Faleh bin Moham- ute to Qatar’s sustainable devel- have taken the trip to France are Programme, which off ers QF’s football programme. had the chance to meet and share ed Fakhroo, executive director ed al-Naemi signed the agree- opment, economic growth and Fatima al-Naimi, Haya al-Nai- swimming and football classes Ahead of the semi-fi nals, stories with young members for Outreach and Institutional ment yesterday at the Qatar Post diversifi cation ambitions, and mi and Alya al-Naimi, who are for children as young as three played yesterday and today, they of the local community. Each Advancement, QF. headquarters. National Vision 2030.

60 abandoned vehicles removed from Old Airport area

Before After Before After

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s (MME) Mechanical Equipment Department has completed the shifting of all abandoned vehicles that had been removed so far from the Old Airport Area, as part of an ongoing campaign, to the Al Mashaf yard. The campaign to remove abandoned vehicles from across Doha city has so far seen the removal 60 such vehicles from the Old Airport Area over the past few days, the MME has said in a statement. The drive will continue today to remove some 50 more abandoned vehicles from the western part of the area and move them to Al Mashaf. Doha Municipality is conducting the campaign in co-operation with the Mechanical Equipment Department and the Committee for Removing Abandoned Vehicles, with the help of equipment from the said MME department, Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) and Traff ic Department. The pictures highlight the areas from where abandoned vehicles have been removed, before and after the drive. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 QATAR

Qatar participates in inauguration ceremony of Panamanian president Qatar condemns crimes committed by Syrian regime

QNA Geneva Abdullah al-Nuaimi said bombardment, the deliberate in Idlib and engaging seriously in Geneva that despite the many warnings targeting of facilities, medical the political process in accordance given by countries and inter- personnel, schools, civil defence with the relevant UN resolutions. national organisations on the centres and refugee camps, to He also welcomed the issu- atar condemned the disastrous and tragic conse- spread terror and destruction ance of Security Council reso- bombing, arbitrary ar- quences that will result from the and to force civilians to fl ee and lution 2474 concerning miss- Qrests and harassment military escalation carried out infl ict maximum harm on them. ing persons as a result of armed carried out by the Syrian regime, by the Syrian regime and its al- Al-Nuaimi added that Qatar confl ict, submitted by the State stressing the importance of pro- lies in northwestern Syria since condemns the bombing and ar- of Kuwait, calling on the in- viding protection to Syrian civil- last April, especially in the Idlib bitrary arrests and harassment ternational community to ex- ians and holding accountable all Governorate which is home to carried out by the Syrian author- ert the necessary pressure and those responsible for the viola- more than 3mn people, a great ities in areas where reconcilia- procedures to clarify the fate of tions and crimes committed in indiff erence and disregard by the tion and settlement operations detainees and missing persons the country. Syrian forces is being witnessed, had taken place. in Syria and to hold accountable Addressing the 41st session and they have fl agrantly violated He added that after many years all those responsible for viola- HE the Minister of State, Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari, represented Qatar at the inauguration of the Human Rights Council all the basic principles of inter- of living under siege, the residents tions and crimes committed in ceremony of Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo, in the presence of representatives from all which discussed item No 4 under national human rights law and of these areas face a blatant dis- the country. over the world. HE al-Kuwari conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin the title “Interactive dialogue international humanitarian law. regard for the rule of law and the He thanked the Commission Hamad al-Thani to President Cortizo and wished him success and the relations between Qatar and with the Independent Interna- He added that Qatar strongly arbitrary use of State power and of Inquiry, expressing Qatar’s Panama further development. For his part, Panamanian president conveyed to Dr al-Kuwari, his tional Commission of Inquiry condemns the violation of the denial of many basic rights. condemnation of the continued greetings to the Amir. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Panama, on the Syrian Arab Republic,” de-escalation, the Sochi agree- He stressed the importance of refusal of the Syrian authorities Saad bin Mubarak al-Nuaimi. the Deputy Permanent Repre- ment on Idlib, the return of providing protection to Syrian ci- to allow the commission’s entry sentative of Qatar to the UN in Syrian forces to indiscriminate vilians, establishing the ceasefi re to Syria.

Qatar, Germany to host Qatar’s humanitarian eff orts win UN praise intra-Afghan conference QNA Qatar believed that the eff orts of all Geneva countries and actors should be united through the best available platform for QNA their country. The intra-Afghan this issue, which is the multilateral hu- Doha dialogue can help clarify the op- he Permanent Mission of Qatar manitarian system, he added. tions and opportunities that this in Geneva has opened the induc- Al-Nuaimi noted that Qatar’s for- direct consensus entails.” Ttion course on the International eign assistance for the period from 2013 atar and Germany will The statement underlined Humanitarian System organised by Qa- to 2017 amounted to QR23bn ($6.3bn) hold and intra-Afghan that Qatar and Germany sent tar and the United Nations Offi ce for the and included more than 140 countries Qconference in Doha on invitations to the Afghan parties Co-ordination of Humanitarian Aff airs in partnership with the United Nations July 7-8, as part of the eff orts to which would participate in their (OCHA) in Geneva. The course which and many international and regional or- support the peace process in Af- personal capacity only and on an started on July 1 is on till the 5th. ganisations, thus becoming the seventh ghanistan. equal footing. In his opening address, Assistant Sec- major donor to OCHA. He also noted that A joint German-Qatari press The statement expressed the retary-General for Humanitarian Part- Qatar will chair the OCHA Donor Sup- release stated that “Afghanistan hope of Qatar and Germany that nerships with the Middle East and Cen- Qatar has expressed its continued support for the multilateral humanitarian eff orts. port Group next year. is at an important crossroad to this conference will contribute tral Asia Rashid Khalikov referred to the Participants in the course expressed seize the opportunity to achieve to building confi dence between enormous challenges posed by the hu- and provide this programme without the gen- For his part, Deputy Permanent Rep- thanks and appreciation to Qatar for its peace, so direct agreement be- the main parties representing manitarian landscape to the multilateral erous support of Qatar, adding that the coun- resentative of Qatar to the UN in Geneva support and funding for this important tween the Afghan parties is one the great majority of the people humanitarian system and said that there try’s generosity and continued humanitarian Abdullah al-Nuaimi said that the world session in promoting international hu- of the most important elements and society of Afghanistan, in are indications that more than 14mn response is commendable.Qatar, through this is facing the worst humanitarian crisis, manitarian action. They also thanked the of any process leading to this ob- order to support peace and sta- people need assistance, and that the total programme, once again expressed its contin- which makes it impossible for one organ- United Nations Offi ce for the Co-ordina- jective. Only Afghans are capa- bility in Afghanistan and the re- needs of the community exceeds $25bn. ued support for the multilateral humanitar- isation or one country to respond to the tion of Humanitarian Aff airs (OCHA) for ble of determining the future of gion in general. He stressed that OCHA could not develop ian system, Khalikov said. magnitude of these crises. its organisational and logistical eff orts. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 5 QATAR 23 students graduate at QFBA-NU n a ceremony held under the graduating students obtained patronage of HE the Minis- their BA (Hons) degrees in Inter- Iter of Education and Higher national Banking and Finance. Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Opening the ceremony, Dr Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, the Qa- Khalid Mohamed al-Horr, CEO tar Finance and Business Acad- of QFBA, said: “Since the very emy (QFBA) and Northumbria start, we had a fi rm belief and University (NU) crowned a year trust in that this strong part- of their successful academic nership would reverberate with partnership with the gradu- a profound, positive impact on ation of the fi rst BA (Hons) Qatar’s academic landscape in International Banking and and usher in a golden era for Finance cohort. the youth who want to pursue a Joining the occasion was HE career in fi nance.” Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al- This fi rst academic year of Thani, Deputy Governor, Qatar the programme saw the regis- Central Bank. tration of 64 students. Out of The QFBA-Northumbria (QF- the total number of students BA-NU) University partnership, admitted into the programme’s signed in June 2018, off ers bach- courses – representing 15 na- elor’s degrees for high school tionalities – 60% were Qatari graduates pursuing fi nance and nationals. fi nance-related majors, as well Professor Peter Francis, deputy as professionals already hold- vice-chancellor of Northumbria ing diplomas in the banking University, added: “As graduates HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi with other dignitaries and the graduates. and fi nancial fi elds and top- in International Banking and Fi- ping up new or higher academic nance, I have no doubt that this proud of what has been accom- Qatar recently opened admission and approval of Qatar’s Ministry expansion of the university’s School, Northumbria University, accreditation in their career cohort, and those that follow, plished so far with QFBA and look applications for degree majors in of Education and Higher Educa- facilities to a new campus in the clinic’s academic curricu- development tracks. will be instrumental in Qatar’s forward to deepening our collabo- Accounting, Finance and Invest- tion, a press statement noted. Msheireb and the launch of the lum will off er students access to During the ceremony, the development as an international ration further in the future.” ments, and International Banking Moreover, its strategic part- QFBA NU Business Clinic. Lo- fi rsthand experience with real programme’s fi rst cohort of 23 fi nancial hub. I am also extremely The Northumbria University in and Finance, with the blessing nership with QFBA will see the cated at the Newcastle Business business environments. Robust expansion in usage of treated wastewater

By Santhosh V Perumal letin for May 2019, the Plan- wastewater usage for farm sec- spaces was 6.34mn cubic me- that the utilities sector was up- tion) registered more than showed that Qatar’s total popu- Business Reporter ning and Statistics Author- tor registered a healthy 12% tres, which accounted for about beat with summer peaking, as 54% growth year-on-year to lation has increased from 2.73mn ity (PSA) said the country and 15% growth year-on-year 28% of the total treated waste- electricity consumption re- 298.2KWh and on a monthly ba- during May 2018 to 2.74mn at receives 22.89mn cubic me- and month-on-month during water in May 2019. Such usage ported a 32% surge to 4,209.8 sis, the surplus had seen a 14% the end of May 2019, showing an atar has witnessed a tres of treated wastewater, May 2019. had seen a 16% and less than 1% Gigawatt hours (GWh) during jump. annual increase of 0.3%. robust year-on-year representing 10% and 5% The treated wastewater reused rise on monthly and yearly basis May this year. The electricity The water consumption reg- The total number of building Qdouble-digit expansion yearly and monthly growth in deep injection into aquifers respectively. consumption saw a 27% expan- istered 11% jump to 55.51bn cu- permits issued was 659 during in the usage of treated waste- respectively. stood at 6.91mn cubic metres, The treated wastewa- sion year-on-year during the bic metres during May 2019. May 2019, which however record- water for agriculture and deep Qatar’s most modern mem- which was more than 30% of ter discharged into lagoons review period. On a year-on-year basis, the ed a monthly decrease of 11%. injection into aquifers; indi- brane ultrafi ltration system the total treated wastewater. The stood at 1.45mn cubic metres, The report found that gross water consumption witnessed In the banking sector, total cating Doha’s concern towards helps recycling of treated waste- usage of treated wastewater for which was more than 6% of electricity generation stood 38% surge. broad money supply recorded environment and its pragmatic water. injection into aquifers record- the total treated wastewater at 4,508GWh, which repre- During the review period, pro- about QR555bn during May initiatives towards manage- The bulk of the treated waste- ed 29% expansion on a yearly in May this year. It had regis- sented 31% and 29% growth duction of water amounted to this year, which represented an ment and protection of water re- water is used for agriculture, basis; even as it fell 2% on a tered a 25% and 34% plunge on monthly and yearly basis 57.18bn, which represented 11% annual decline of 4.5%. Cash sources, according to the offi cial amounting to 8.05mn cubic me- monthly basis. on yearly and monthly basis respectively. and 37% expansion on monthly equivalents, including com- estimates. tres or more than 35% of the total The amount of treated waste- respectively. The electricity surplus (gross and yearly basis respectively. mercial bank deposits, stood at In its latest monthly bul- treated wastewater. The treated water in irrigation of green The PSA estimates showed production minus consump- The demographic statistics QR806bn. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 QATAR Save the Dream, IOTC promote inter-cultural dialogue

ighlighting the power of by Save the Dream and IOTC in João Paulo Almeida, NOC dinator, School Sports Portugal, sport in breaking down collaboration with the United director-general, added: “The said: “School sports play a key Hbarriers and creating Nations Alliance of Civilisations word ‘success’ only comes be- role for grassroots sport, sport inter-cultural dialogue, global (UNAOC), which was a tribute fore ‘work’ in the dictionaries. for all and for the dissemina- foundation Save the Dream and to the 30th anniversary of the Sport, as stated in the Olympic tion of humanitarian and social the International Olympic Truce fall of the Berlin Wall and took Charter, off ers the best examples values. Sports School is a key Centre (IOTC) hosted the ‘When place during the International of surpassing, of eff ort, of sacri- factor to promote the values and Sport Breaks Down Walls – Ex- Day on Sport for Development fi ce or resilience and expresses, principles associated with ac- panding the Movement’ forum and Peace. in general, the human environ- tive citizenship and the overall during the ‘2019 World Con- An initiative of the Doha- ment from which it derives.” social dimension, favouring so- ference of Ministers Responsi- based International Centre for Vanessa Arelle, social entre- cial integration to fi ght against ble for Youth (Lisbon + 21) and Sport Security, Save the Dream preneur and cultural strategist, discrimination and intoler- Youth Forum’. is a global non-profi t Move- pointed out: “The work of each ance.” The World Conference was ment of organisations, people institution and association is Massimiliano Montanari, opened by the President of Por- and athletes who believe in the vital for building bridges and executive director at Save the tugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, power of sport to build more fair demolishing walls in the eff ort Dream, said: “Sport is a univer- and attended by María Fern- and inclusive societies. to support youth around the sal language. It breaks down the anda Espinosa, president of the The forum brought together world. After our side event at the walls of social diff erences and United Nations General Assem- international sport champions, Attendees of the forum. 2019 World Conference of Min- build bridges across nations. bly; Jayathma Wickramanay- Olympians and other high-pro- isters Responsible for Youth and Sport champions are instru- ake, United Nations secretary- fi le speakers for an open discus- “To begin with, we must respect Nuno Delgado, Judo Olympic Rocio Cervera, deputy execu- Youth Forum, in the company of mental in delivering the mes- general’s envoy on Youth; Hugo sion to share and develop ideas others in order to claim respect to medallist, said: “People are more tive director of the North-South such representative leaders, I am sage of unity, intercultural dia- Carvalho, president of the Por- on the use of sport to promote ourselves. We must be honest in important than medals. We ath- Centre of the Council of Europe, more convinced than ever that logue and peace to the younger tuguese National Youth Council; inter-cultural dialogue, peace what we do and use our visibil- letes are creative agents; agents noted: “Sport transcends geog- such eff orts are fundamental for generations. We are proud to be Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, Min- and reconciliation. ity and fame to communicate the of change and therefore are part raphies and breaks development social and economic develop- here today in Lisbon at the ‘2019 ister of Education of Portugal; Paulo Sousa, football man- values of sport in a positive way. of culture. Sport is a cultural ex- barriers. Sport empowers global ment. And, with and open mind World Conference of Ministers and other dignitaries. ager and former national Portu- It’s the energy of passion that pression. With eff ort, sacrifi ce, citizens and contributes to in- and view towards including in- Responsible for Youth (Lisbon + The event was built on the on guese team player, winner of the drives us to accomplish whatever training and team work we can tercultural dialogue. We must novative technology, the impact 21) and Youth Forum, continu- the outcomes of the Berlin Inter- Champions League with Juven- goal. ‘Passion, respect and hon- reach whatever medals we set to stand together for gender equal- can only grow”. ing the movement we started in national Youth Forum initiated tus and Borussia Dortmund, said: esty’ is the way to use sport.” win in our lives.” ity in full access to sport.” Rui Carvalho, national co-or- Berlin.” Local livestock suppliers ready for Eid al-Adha peak demand

ocal owners of livestock have expressed their readi- ness to cater to the demand for sheep and goats dur- Ling the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival. They told local Arabic daily Arrayah that the demand for local sheep is expected to be high as many consumers prefer livestock from Qatari farms over imported varieties. Sheep owners appreciated the initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Widam Food Company to encourage local producers and subsidise the prices of local sheep. They noted that the initiative supported livestock own- ers and helped them a lot. At the same time, they also wondered if the initiative would be extended to include livestock owners who do not have registered farms, as such individuals often have to go the central market or advertise their products online to sell their sheep. The main diffi culties facing livestock owners in increas- ing their production include the high cost of green fodder for livestock and the steep prices of good breeds of sheep, some of them said. A citizen said a good number of farm owners who raise only camels would like to raise sheep as well and take part in eff orts aimed at increasing local meat production. However, the high cost of keeping sheep often makes them drop the idea. He stressed that there is a need to subsidise the price of green fodder, which is much needed to ensure the proper growth of the animals. Another owner pointed out that local sheep are consid- ered among the best and are also highly preferred by cus- tomers. He, however, said the availability of drinking water could be a problem at times for herd-raisers in Umm Bab, sug- gesting that the entities concerned should provide ad- equate water tanks there to help the owners increase their production. Another livestock owner said the majority of Arabic sheep available in the local market is bred locally. He also expected that the sheep bred by his farm would be available for sale within the coming weeks.

File picture of a livestock market, used for representative purpose only

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and CLS-Class models recalled

he Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co-operation with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, Tdealer of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, has announced — as a service measure — the recall of C-Class and CLS-Class models of 2018 due to the charge air pressure and tempera- ture sensor not conforming to manufacturer specifi ca- tions. The recall campaign comes within the framework of the MoCI’s continuous eff orts to protect consumers and en- sure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and re- pairs. The ministry will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The MoCI has urged all customers to report violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, which processes complaints, inquiries and suggestions through the call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ moci.gov.qa, Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MO- CIQATAR, and the ministry’s mobile app for Android and iOS: MOCIQATAR Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 7 QATAR Doha Youth Innovation Award details announced

QNA creative youth to highlight innova- seeks to attract the largest number ognise the top three films which, will be awarded QR30,000, while Islamic values, youth and success third prize winner will receive Doha tive eff orts and unleash creative of Muslim youth, seeking to diversify according to the evaluation of the the second will get QR20,000 and stories and the Islamic heritage. QR20,000. skills; and encouraging young the activities of the Doha QIC Youth judging committees, highlight the the third will get QR10,000. Winners of the first seven posi- Qatar received the key to Muslims to aspire to a culture of Capital 2019 to suit the diversity of importance of youth and their role Meanwhile, in the handwriting tions in each of the three axes will hosting Doha as Capital of Islamic The Ministry of Culture and Sports competition and excellence. the interests of young people in all and impact in the Islamic societies. competition, which includes Arabic be awarded QR50,000, the second Youth for 2019, during the closing has announced the details of the Winners of the first three posi- Islamic countries and societies. The visual arts award is or- Handwriting (The literary painting) QR40,000, the third QR30,000 ceremony of Al-Quds OIC Youth ‘Doha Youth Innovation Award’, tions in each category of the Doha The idea of the award includes ganised in co-operation with the and Classical Handwriting, the first and the fourth QR20,000, while Capital 2018 in Ankara on March 11. which seeks to recognise the Youth Innovation Award will be areas of interest of young people Visual Arts Centre of the Ministry winner in both categories will get the fifth to the seventh will get The forum is held under the creative talents of all young people crowned at the closing ceremony of everywhere, which are photogra- of Culture and Sports. QR20,000, the second QR15,000 QR10,000 each. motto “Youth is the power of the from the Islamic world. the Doha QIC Youth Capital in Janu- phy, visual arts and short films. Director of the Visual Arts Center, and the third QR10,000. For the short films category, nation”, which is the theme of the The award, announced in ary 2020, in order to value youth Al-Kubaisi said that the important artist Salman al-Malik, told QNA that As for the standards for par- held in partnership with Doha Film activities. co-operation with the Islamic Co- skills and creativity in the various conditions for participation are that the visual arts award off ers Muslim ticipation in the visual arts award, Institute, registration on website It is organised under the super- operation Youth Forum (ICYF), and artistic and creative fields of the the participant of both genders must youth an opportunity to express the competition is specialised in started on June 16 and will remain vision and organising of the Qatar in partnership with the Visual Arts young participating delegates. be between 18 and 30 years of age, themselves in an artistic way on vari- professional artistic works that open until November 1, 2019. Center for Cultural and Heritage Centre, Doha Film Institute and the The Ministry of Culture and and that the work presented must ous issues and challenges. embody the theme of the award, The theme is “The Nation By its Events, which is keen to provide Youth Hobbies Centre, honours Sports and the ICYF of the Or- be original in the idea and imple- Registration for participation which is about the youth. Youth”, highlighting the importance all the necessary resources for the outstanding works in visual arts, ganisation of Islamic Co-operation mentation, and that the participation opened on June 16 and runs until The photography competition of youth and their role in the com- success of all the activities of Doha photography and short films. (OIC) have invited youth from must be by youth belonging to September 16 via the website. will be held in co-operation with munities and the Islamic nation. OIC Youth Capital 2019, in order to The award, which is part of Muslim countries to register to par- members of the OIC or representa- Al-Malik explained that the the Youth Hobbies Centre. Regis- A jury committee will be formed strengthen the bonds of friend- Doha QIC Youth Capital 2019, aims ticipate in the Doha Youth Innova- tives of Muslim communities. visual arts award includes painting tration opened on July 1 and is on to choose the best five films to be ship and respect that links State of at developing the spirit of innova- tion Award in the three categories The visual arts award focuses on and handwriting, and winners of till October 31. screened during the closing cer- Qatar to the countries of the world, tion and creativity among young via www.dohaiyc.qa the areas of painting and handwrit- the first three position in the two Head of Photography Depart- emony of Doha, Capital of Islamic especially the countries of the people in various scientific, literary In remarks to Qatar News Agency ing, while the photography award fields will be crowned during the ment at the Centre, Abdulaziz al- Youth events, where only 3 films Islamic world. and artistic fields and moving away (QNA), Director of Youth Aff airs has three axes: Islamic values, closing ceremony. Kubaisi said that the competition is will be awarded. Complete terms and conditions from stalemate and calcification in Department at the Ministry of youth and success stories, and the In the painting competition, open for Muslim youth to express The first prize winner will and other regulations on the con- thinking and planning; providing Culture and Sports Hussein Rashid Islamic heritage. which includes contemporary arts the motto ‘Youth is the power of QR30,000, second prize win- test are available online at www. an appropriate environment for al-Kubaisi said that the ministry The short film award will rec- and realistic arts, the first winner the nation’ through three axis — ner will receive QR25,000 and dohaiyc.qa

Some of the images captured as part of the initiative. QNTC, Huawei in partnership to showcase iconic Qatar landmarks z Series of Qatar through their online chan- to showcase Qatar through vir- breathtaking images nels such as Huawei APP, social tual imagery and deepen un- media and other video platforms, derstanding of Qatar as a desti- of Qatar captured by giving images of Qatar signifi - nation that welcomes Chinese Huawei’s P30 and cant exposure to Chinese con- visitors.” P30 Pro available on sumers, the statement notes. QNTC opened representative At the same time, Huawei is offi ces in Beijing, Guangzhou, phone’s wallpaper opening a Qatar-themed store in Shanghai and Chengdu in 2017, z Qatar-themed Shanghai for two weeks to trans- which carry out marketing and store gives Huawei late the online marketing cam- outreach programmes tailored to paign into a live experience for the Chinese market. customers taste of Huawei customers. This, combined with Qatar destination The store decorated in Qa- Airways fl ights from six cities in tari style off ers traditional Ara- mainland China, as well as visa- atar National Tourism bic coff ee and dates, a display of free entry for Chinese citizens Council (QNTC) has the desert rose found in Qatar visiting Qatar, has helped make Qpartnered with Chinese and other artistic displays of the Qatar an increasingly attractive technology giant Huawei in a country’s culture. travel destination for Chinese deal that will help attract more Videos taken in Qatar by tourists, the statement adds. visitors from the world’s fastest- the Huawei P30 Pro, as well as As a result, 2018 saw Chinese growing visitor source market. QNTC’s campaign video, ‘Qa- tourist arrivals to Qatar increase The partnership saw a Huawei tar…Qurated For You’, can be by 38% over the previous year. camera crew visit Qatar to cap- watched on screens in the store. The Huawei P30 line-up is ture iconic and historic attrac- Rashed al-Qurese, chief mar- now offi cial as the Chinese tech tions around the country using keting offi cer at QNTC, said: giant unveiled its two fl agships the Huawei P30 Pro. The breath- “The collaboration between for the fi rst half of the year. taking images can now be used QNTC and Huawei helps us gain With the Huawei P30 and as wallpaper on Huawei phones, further reach within the Chinese Huawei P30 Pro, the company is QNTC has said in a statement. market. We’re excited to lever- planning on “rewriting the rules Huawei will also promote vid- age the company’s expertise in of photography”. eos taken by Huawei P30 Pro in Chinese consumer engagement,

Bose brings Frames collections to discerning patrons in Qatar

ose, the international au- and Mirrored Rose Gold for Rondo. compatible — the fi rst commer- dio brand represented by All versions complement cial product embedded with the BFifty One East in Qatar, Frames’ modern and minimal ac- Bose audio augmented reality has announced the availability of cents, including the gold-plated platform. Bose Frames — the “revolution- steel hinges and charging pins. “Unlike other augmented re- ary new wearable lenses” that Also, they all off er the same ality glasses and platforms, Bose combine the protection and ap- protection, scratch and shat- AR doesn’t change what you pearance of premium sunglasses, ter resistance as the product’s see, integrate an obtrusive cam- functionality and performance standard lenses. era lens, or require your phone’s of wireless headphones and the Bose Frames function like truly camera to superimpose objects in world’s fi rst audio augmented wireless headphones — with en- your sightline. Instead, it knows reality platform frames — along Rondo ... round and smaller gineering that crushes the limi- where you are and what you’re with the Bose Frames Lens Col- tations of size-to-performance facing using a 9-axis head mo- lection, a set of gradient and mir- “Frames look like the world’s ment issued by Fifty One East. for personal listening. tion sensor and the GPS from rored lenses that can be easily most iconic eyewear — but fea- Bose Frames come in two de- For touch and voice con- your iOS or Android device — switched to customise their style, ture the tiniest, thinnest, most signs — Alto, which is square and trol, an ultra-small microphone and automatically adds a layer change colours and reduce glare. lightweight Bose system ever. angled; and Rondo, round and and multi-function button are of audio through Bose AR apps, Bose Frames and accessories With a proprietary open-ear de- smaller. Both block up to 99% of embedded on the right tem- connecting that place and time are now available at the Bose store sign, they take micro-acoustics, UVA/UVB rays, weigh 45gm and ple for power and pairing, Siri to endless possibilities for travel, — Lagoona Mall, Fnac- Lagoona voice control and personal audio come with uniformly tinted lens- and Google Assistant, calls and learning, entertainment, gaming Mall and Doha Festival City, Mod- to an entirely new level, so users es — which can be easily popped commands, or to pause and skip and more,” the statement adds. ern Home – Al Maha Center, iS- can stream music and informa- out and replaced with the fi rst songs. Bose AR apps can be found in pace – Lagoona Mall and Al Maha tion, take and make calls, and Frames’ accessories. The Bose Connect app provides the Bose Connect app and the Center, Virgin Megastore – Land- access virtual assistants from There’s a Blue Gradient, non- additional control now, and soft- iOS App Store. mark, Villaggio, Doha Festival — while keeping playlists, enter- polarised lens for both styles and ware updates for new experiences Bose Frames use a lithium bat- City, Mall of Qatar and other ma- tainment and conversations pri- diff erent polarised options for in the future — like Bose AR. tery that connects to an included jor retailers across Doha. vate,” according to a press state- each — Mirrored Silver for Alto Bose Frames are Bose AR- pogo-pin cable for charging. A model showcases the Alto, square and angled. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 QATAR

Qatar Charity receives QR250,000 from LuLu Hypermarket Qatar

atar Charity (QC) has Gift of Giving’ campaign for ket Qatar for its contribution, port for its ‘Ramadan, the Gift ‘Shop & Donate’” campaign customers to donate riyal and announced that it has this year, according to a press acknowledging its effort dur- of Giving’ campaign, noting it managed to successfully raise dirham fractions when paying Qreceived a donation of statement. Qatar Charity re- ing Ramadan in collecting do- was a “sincere demonstration QR250,000. purchase bills at various LuLu QR250,000 from LuLu Hyper- ceived a cheque of QR250,000 nations through its ‘Shop & of how to promote humanitar- Further, he stressed that Hypermarket outlets, in order market Qatar. from Shaijan M O, regional Donate’ campaign. ian activism, which positively LuLu Hypermarket would con- to support charitable projects This comes as a contribu- director of LuLu Hypermar- Qatar Charity also hoped reflects the company’s suc- tinue its support for charitable within and outside Qatar. tion to QC’s projects through ket Qatar, in the presence of that other companies would cess in various fields”. projects and carry on promot- The second agreement the ‘Shop & Donate’ drive Shanavas PM, regional man- follow the example of LuLu “In co-operation with Qa- ing humanitarian work along promotes QC’s Khair Cards launched by LuLu Hyper- ager of LuLu Hypermarket, Hypermarket in doing good tar Charity, LuLu is looking with Qatar Charity. through LuLu outlets to pro- market Qatar during the holy and other officials from LuLu and supporting charity forward to playing an im- QC had previously signed mote charity among shoppers, month of Ramadan. The do- and QC. projects within and outside portant role on the social re- a number of co-operation while the third agreement in- nation comes in support of On receiving the donation, Qatar. sponsibility programme,” said agreements with LuLu Hyper- volves a co-operation for the Qatar Charity’s ‘Ramadan, the QC thanked LuLu Hypermar- QC appreciated LuLu’s sup- Shaijan M O, adding that the market Qatar. The first allows ‘Shop & Donate’ campaign.

Ooredoo’s enhanced Qatar Airways launches cloud cybersecurity services in partnership new service to Mogadishu with Akamai atar Airways fl ight QR 1459,operated by an oredoo has announced Our cutting-edge secure QAirbus A320 aircraft, that it is now off ering cloud services are driving Qa- marked the fi rst fl ight from Doha Oenhanced cloud-based tar’s digital transformation to Mogadishu and landed at corporate ICT cybersecurity and economic development.” Aden Adde International Airport services to its corporate cus- With Qatar set to host the on Monday, inaugurating the tomers after achieving Silver world’s top football tourna- airline’s fi rst gateway to Somalia. Partner status with Akamai, ment in 2022, cloud-based On board the inaugural flight the world’s largest secured delivery and cybersecurity to Mogadishu was Somali am- cloud delivery platform. services are expected to ex- bassador to Qatar Abdul Ra- By using Akamai’s Intelligent perience a surge in demand zak Farah Ali as well as Qatar Platform, Ooredoo is providing in Qatar in the next few years. Airways senior vice-president business customers, particularly These services will be vital to (Middle East, Africa and Paki- in the media, banking and e- the diversification of Qatar’s stan) Ehab Amin. commerce markets, with a faster economy under country’s VIPs present to greet the delivery of secure, cloud-based Qatar National Vision 2030 flight included Qatar’s am- solutions, including content development goals. bassador to Somalia, Hassan delivery, applications, websites Gaining Akamai Silver bin Hamza Hashem; Somalia’s and security services, the com- Partner status is the latest Minister of Foreign Affairs and pany has said in a statement. in a series of strategic part- International Co-operation, Ooredoo can offer high- nerships for Ooredoo, as the Ahmed Issa Awad; Somalia’s end cybersecurity services, company works to modern- Minister of Air Transport and including Web Application ise and simplify its corporate Aviation, Mohamed Abdul- Firewall, bot management, customers’ IT infrastructure lahi Salad; and a large number client reputation, identity and enable new solutions to of other high-ranking Somali management and malware support their digital trans- government officials. protection, the statement formation. The award-winning airline Dignitaries mark the occasion. noted. Ooredoo COO Yousuf Business customers can will operate the new service Abdulla al-Kubaisi said, “By leverage the Ooredoo Advan- as a tagged flight to its exist- Flights from Mogadishu will Class experience, Qsuite. attaining Silver Partner sta- tage, making Ooredoo ‘Best ing operations to Djibouti. The land in Doha at midnight, “of- Qatar Airways is the only air- tus in the Akamai NetAlliance for Business’, thanks to its three weekly flights will stop fering seamless connectivity to line to have been awarded the Partner Programme, Ooredoo breadth and depth of talent, over in Djibouti before com- key markets in China and Eu- coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of the is positioned as the premier best fixed and mobile net- mencing the final leg of the rope”, all of which are sched- Year’ title, which is recognised provider of enhanced cloud- works, broadest portfolio of journey to Doha, the airline has uled for early morning depar- as the pinnacle of excellence in based cybersecurity services, ICT services and solutions, said in a statement. tures. the airline industry, five times. especially for media, banking and trusted partner for 60 Qatar Airways Group chief Qatar Airways operates to The flight schedule is as fol- and e-commerce industries. years. executive HE Akbar al-Baker more than 160 business and lows (Sunday, Monday, Thurs- said, “This is an exciting time leisure destinations on board a day): for both Qatar Airways and the modern fleet of more than 250 zDoha-Djibouti: QR 1459 people of Somalia, who are now aircraft. departing Doha at 7.05am and able to seamlessly travel to key Qatar Airways was named arriving in Djibouti at 11.55am; business and leisure destina- ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the and Djibouti-Mogadishu: tions across Asia and Europe, 2019 World Airline Awards, QR 1459 departing Djibouti with a connection time of just managed by international air at 12.55pm and arriving in under two hours. We are de- transport rating organisation Mogadishu at 2.55pm. lighted to launch our new serv- Skytrax. zMogadishu-Djibouti: QR ices from Mogadishu, and look It also won awards for the 1460 departing Mogadishu at forward to welcoming all pas- Qatar Airways flight QR 1459 at Aden Adde International Airport. ‘Best Airline in the Mid- 3:55pm and arriving in Djibouti sengers on board, where they dle East’, ‘World’s Best Busi- at 6.05pm; and Djibouti-Doha: can experience the airline’s The new route will be oper- Economy Class seats, with a ness Class’ and ‘Best Business QR 1460 departing Djibouti at award-winning product and ated by an Airbus A320, with flight time from Doha of nearly Class Seat’, in recognition of 7.05pm and arriving in Doha service.” 12 Business Class seats and 132 eight hours. its ground-breaking Business at12.05am (+1).

Malabar Gold’s raffle draw winners picked Ali Bin Ali Holding collaborates Malabar Gold & Diamonds has announced the first raff le draw winners of the ‘Sparkling Summer - Win up to 100 grams of Gold & with Albina Snacks Sweden up to 100% Cash Back’ campaign in Qatar in the presence of Saad al -Sulaiti, an off icial from the Ministry li Bin Ali Holding has an- encourage local production and This new venture is of Commerce and Industry, Raju nounced that it has en- participation in the nation’s en- part of Ali Bin Ali T Johny, deputy branch head, Atered into a collaboration deavour towards self-suffi cien- Holding’s “efforts to and other management team with Albina Snacks Sweden to cy”, it has said in a statement. encourage members of Malabar Gold & produce and distribute nuts in Besides supplying local pro- local production Diamonds. The winners are Vijay Qatar. duce to the Qatar market, the and participation in Chougale (coupon No 56681), P K The collaboration agreement Group said it hopes to expand the the nation’s endeavour Abdu Rahiman (coupon No 44931), was formally signed on June 16 business and also export the high- towards self-sufficiency” Nuruddin (coupon No 46850), between the Vice-Chairman & quality nuts to diff erent parts of Maimoona (coupon No 15880) and EVP of Ali Bin Ali Holding, Na- the world. Albina Snacks, with its ways to best match the needs of Sahla (coupon No 42850). “Hearty beel Ali bin Ali, and the chairman own roastery in Sweden, is among customers, using high-quality congratulations to all the winners & CEO of Albina Snacks Sweden, the largest and most respected ingredients, interesting mixes and who have won 100gm of gold each,” Abdulla Khalid al-Kubaisi. suppliers within the ethnic food seasonings as well as attractive the jeweller said in a statement. This new venture is part of segment in Scandinavia. They packaging solutions, the state- Ali Bin Ali Holding’s “eff orts to are known for their innovative ment added.

QIB’s Visa summer campaign unveiled

atar Islamic Bank (QIB) draw. QIB will grant QR5,000 enjoy the security, convenience has launched the 2019 each for 92 winners, while two and reliability of their Visa Qsummer campaign for Grand Prize winners will get a cards, but cardholders will also Visa cardholders, which enti- brand-new Lexus LX570 if they now have the opportunity to be tles more rewards. spend a total of QR15,000 dur- rewarded for using their Visa The campaign under the ing the campaign period. cards at home and abroad, said theme “Your summer shop- “Summer is the time for Visa’s country manager for Qa- ping…can get you a new many people to travel and ex- tar, Dr Sudheer Nair. ride” will see daily winners of plore the world...Within this The draws will be conducted QR5,000 and two grand win- context, QIB is celebrating the in the presence of representa- ners of Lexus LX 570. summer season and reward- tives from Ministry of Com- The campaign, which con- ing our customers for doing merce and Industry at QIB’s cludes on September 30, gives what they love – discovering premises. The bank’s Visa debit QIB Visa credit and debit card- the world and making memo- and credit cards give customers holders a chance to win priz- their Visa debit internationally ries with family and friends,” the ease and security of cash- es with every transaction of or their credit cards on local according to D Anand, gen- less shopping plus discounts at QR500 – excluding ATM trans- and international purchases of eral manager of QIB’s Personal a large number of international actions. QR500 per transaction will get Banking Group. restaurants, hotels and car QIB’s customers who use the chance to enter the daily Not only can the cardholders rental agencies. Nabeel Ali bin Ali with Abdulla Khalid al-Kubaisi. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Sudan’s military leaders sign $6mn deal with shady lobbyist zAmnesty and HRW decry contract, in June turned their guns on the leaders and Russian offi cials to Agents Registration Act, which that has imprisoned and killed people, killing more than 100 ci- bolster international ties and se- requires fi rms that lobby the US protesters after seizing power in call for investigation vilians in a night-time raid on a cure government funding. government on behalf of foreign Sudan. pro-democracy sit-in. In addition, the contract lists organisations to disclose this re- The human-rights group, in a Canadian lobbying fi rm known as Hemedti, the deputy Hemedti controls the Rapid other commitments such as se- lationship. letter to two cabinet ministers, has signed a $6mn deal leader of Sudan’s military council. Support Forces (RSF), a powerful curing US investment to develop Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on the federal govern- Ato clean up the image of Montreal-based Dickens & paramilitary group connected to oil project in Sudan, as well as say the RSF was responsible for ment to “investigate this con- feared Sudanese military leader Madsen Inc. will use the mil- the Janjaweed militia, known for the integration of Sudan and the attack on a Khartoum sit-in tract closely” to fi nd out whether Hemedti and grant his provi- lions to ensure Sudan’s military committing gruesome atrocities South Sudan into a “Sudanese on June 3, which saw over 100 it violates Canadian arms-con- sional military council diplo- council attains “recognition against rebels in Darfur. Union modeled after the Euro- peaceful protesters killed, many trol regulations or contributes to matic recognition and interna- as the legitimate transitionary Sudanese military leader In the contract, the lobbyists pean Union”. of whom were thrown into the human-rights abuses in Sudan. tional funding, according to the leadership of the Republic of the Hemedti. also pledged to source equip- The contract also promises River Nile. Meanwhile, Sudanese protest contract document published by Sudan,” by securing high-level ment and funding for the coun- push the interests of the Suda- HRW added that the RSF “is leaders have called for a one-day the US. meetings and funding from the Forces loyal to the military cil’s security forces, in part nese transitional military coun- more powerful than ever before” nationwide “civil disobedience” The director of the fi rm, Ari US, Russia and others, the docu- council are thought to be behind through a deal exchanging fund- cil in Russia, Saudi Arabia, the having been promoted by the campaign on July 14, in an an- Ben-Menashe, is a former Israeli ment reveals. the massacre of over 128 peace- ing for military help to renegade UN, the African Union and “any military leaders who took power nouncement on Monday a day intelligence operative whose The fi rm will also seek favour- ful pro-democracy protesters General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan other mutually agreed upon in an April coup. The militias after they organised mass pro- fi rm has previously lobbied on able media coverage of the mili- as part of a crackdown on the National Army (LNA), cur- country or countries,” according are now deployed in large num- tests against the ruling generals behalf of former Zimbabwean tary council, in Sudan and inter- movement last month. rently waging a brutal campaign to the fi lings. In Russia, the com- bers in the capital and across the that rocked the country. dictator Robert Mugabe, and nationally. General Hamdan and his fel- against the UN approved gov- pany aims to arrange “private country, using violence and in- The move, which aims to in- Libyan warlord Gen Khalifa “We shall [...] attempt to cor- low military offi cers seized ernment in Tripoli and to seize meetings . . . with senior Rus- timidation against protesters. crease pressure on the ruling Haftar, The New Arab web portal rect unfavorable international power in April, toppling Omar the Libyan capital. sian and other political fi gures” Amnesty International said it generals to hand power to a ci- has reported. media coverage and current mis- al-Bashir, following months By agreement, the fi rm will and to secure aid shipments of is “deeply disturbing” that a Ca- vilian administration, will be The contract was signed by conceptions concerning the Su- of government protests. After also seek meetings for the mili- wheat, diesel and animal feed. nadian lobbying fi rm has signed preceded by mass protests on Ben-Menashe and General Mo- dan and its government,” reads promising to hand over power to tary council with US President The lobbying contract was a $6-mn contract to promote the July 13, the Alliance for Freedom hamed Hamdan Dagalo, also the contract. civilian rulers, the generals have Donald Trump, Middle Eastern published under the US Foreign interests of the military regime and Change said in a statement. Ethiopia, AU mediators call for Sudan talks

AFP lapsed in May over the make-up doctors close to the umbrella Khartoum of the governing body and who protest movement, the Alliance should lead it — a civilian or a for Freedom and Change. soldier. The health ministry says 78 frican Union and Ethio- The mediators have come up people have died nationwide pian mediators yester- with a compromise to resolve the during the same period. Aday invited Sudan’s rul- crisis that has rocked Sudan for On Sunday, in what was the ing generals and protest leaders months, following the military first mass protest against the to resume talks, as they seek a ouster of longtime leader Omar generals since the raid, tens of breakthrough on creating a new al-Bashir in April on the back of thousands of demonstrators governing body for the country. widespread protests against his took to the streets demanding The call to attend talks rule. civilian rule. planned for today comes as ten- “The document has been pre- And on Monday protest lead- sion remains high between the sented to the two parties and ers announced plans for a new two sides after a deadly crack- they considered it as a good base mass protest across the coun- down on June 3 on a protest camp for negotiations,” Lebatt said. try on July 13, to be followed a that killed dozens and wounded But Ethiopian envoy Dirir day later by a nationwide civil hundreds in Khartoum. cautioned that there remained disobedience campaign. Algerian demonstrators shout slogans as they take part in a protest in Algiers, yesterday. “We have invited the two par- “one point where opinions are The civil disobedience cam- ties for a meeting tomorrow, and confl icting and that is the sov- paign, if observed, would be we have fi xed for them a time ereign council,” referring to the the second such agitation since and place,” said African Union planned governing body. the June 3 raid. envoy Mohamed El Hacen Leb- The blueprint drafted by the The first, held between June att at a joint press conference mediators calls for a civilian- 9 and 11, paralysed the country, Algeria parliament chief resigns with his Ethiopian counterpart majority governing body. hitting an already dilapidated Mahmoud Dirir. Protest leaders have exerted economy hard. He did not reveal the time and pressure on the generals since Protest leaders have been Reuters Bouchareb bowed out three with no new date set for the to resign on April 2 after two venue for the talks. the June 3 raid — carried out by supported by Western nations Dubai months after longtime Presi- vote. decades in power, but pub- “It is not appropriate for po- men in military fatigues — on in their call for civilian rule, dent Abdelaziz Bouteflika re- “Bouchareb has resigned as lic pressure has continued for litical and security reasons to the protest camp outside army while the generals appear to signed under pressure from the boss of parliament, he will the departure and prosecution disclose the time and venue... headquarters in Khartoum. have backing of Arab allies like lgerian parliament pres- sustained protests seeking be replaced by a caretaker be- of senior figures around him. but this invitation has been sent The ruling military council Saudi Arabia, the United Arab ident Moad Bouchareb root-and-branch reform and fore a new one is named,” the Bouchareb is a former head of to both parties,” Lebatt said. insists it did not order the vio- Emirates and Egypt, experts Aquit yesterday, Ennahar an end to systemic corruption parliamentary source said. the National Liberation Front It was still unclear whether lent dispersal of the sit-in. say. TV and a parliamentary source and cronyism. The source said Terbech (FLN) party, which has ruled the two groups had agreed to At least 136 people have been The UAE yesterday called on said, after prolonged demands Authorities have postponed Abderazak, a member of par- Algeria since independence talk. killed across the country since Sudan’s army and protesters to for his removal by protesters a presidential election previ- liament, would take over the from France in 1962. Boucha- Negotiations between the the raid, including more than continue dialogue and avoid who saw him as a pillar of the ously planned for July 4 be- job temporarily. Protesters reb was replaced as FLN leader generals and protest leaders col- 100 on June 3, according to violence. ruling elite. cause of a lack of candidates, and the army drove Bouteflika in May.

UNREST Police rescue Buhari’s in-law At least 45 killed in Nine wounded in Houthi Iran urged from kidnappers Police in the northern Nigerian Nigeria fuel tanker blast rebel attack on Saudi airport to reverse city of Kano said yesterday they had rescued an in-law of uranium President Muhamadu Buhari AFP and the pregnant woman, were AFP from kidnappers, freeing him Ahumbe instantly burnt to death,” Baba Riyadh after an overnight gunfight with said. Police and emergency decision his abductors. services crews were working to Special police operatives on t least 45 people were clear the tanker’s charred hulk Yemeni rebel attack Monday evening stormed a killed and more than 100 from the road, an AFP reporter on a civilian airport in AFP hideout on the outskirts of Kano, Ainjured in central Niger- at the scene witnessed.At least Asouthern Saudi Arabia Brussels where Musa Umar had been ia when a petrol tanker crashed one building was gutted in the wounded nine civilians yes- held since he was captured on and then exploded as people explosion. Locals spoke of their terday, a Riyadh-led coalition May 2. After hours of gunfire, gathered fuel, emergency serv- shock. “I lost a brother and said, the latest in a series of he diplomatic chiefs of Umar was “rescued unhurt, ar- ices said yesterday. two others are seriously burnt strikes on the site. the EU, France, Germany rests were made and arms and The truck overturned near and in the hospital. They were “The terrorist attack on Tand Britain said yester- ammunitions recovered”, Kano shops while travelling through trapped in the fi re when the Abha airport...led to the inju- Cars are parked outside the Abha airport in the southern Saudi day they were “extremely con- police spokesman Haruna Abdul- the village of Ahumbe in Benue truck exploded for a second ry of nine civilians, including Arabian popular mountain resort, yesterday. cerned” and urged Iran to reverse lahi said. Umar, who is married to state on Monday. Local residents time,” resident Ade Derfer said. eight Saudi citizens and one its decision to breach a limit on Buhari’s niece, was seized in May rushed to the scene and collected At the Bishop Murray hospi- carrying an Indian passport,” operation targeting warplanes persistent coalition bombing enriched uranium reserves un- by four gunmen and forced into leaking gasoline for over an hour tal in the state capital Makurdi, the military coalition said in a at Abha international airport” since March 2015 which has der a 2015 nuclear deal. a car outside his house in Daura, before the fuel caught fi re, caus- patients with serious burns statement carried by the offi - with drones, according to their exacted a heavy civilian death “We urge Iran to reverse this step the president’s hometown. ing a blast that tore through the were recovering. cial Saudi Press Agency. Al-Masira television channel. toll — have stepped up missile and to refrain from further measures A police officer familiar with the surrounding area.“We have re- Survivor Ochuole Imaje said Earlier, the Houthi rebels The rebels in neighbour- and drone attacks across the that undermine the nuclear deal,” rescue operation said the kid- covered 45 corpses of the dead she had been on the ill-fated said they “launched a wide ing Yemen — who have faced border in recent weeks. said the joint statement signed nappers had demanded $11mn while 101 others sustained serious bus. “We warned our driver to by EU diplomatic chief Federica (9.73mn-euro) ransom during fi re burns,” Benue state Federal park but he went ahead and in Mogherini and the three countries’ phone negotiations monitored Road Safety Commission Sector a bid to pass the spilling fuel foreign ministers — France’s Jean- by security operatives. Commander Aliyu Baba said. an explosion occurred and we US senator says Libya shipments could end UAE arms sales Yves Le Drian, Germany’s Heiko Eleven members of the gang “From the look of things were trapped in the fi re and Maas and Britain’s Jeremy Hunt. were arrested and one was killed and considering their condi- fought for our lives,” she said. A Democratic senator warned yesterday that “serious violation” of US law and “almost certainly” Tehran said on Monday that in the shootout,said the source tion, many of them might not “I managed to escape but many the United States could cut off arms sales to the break the UN arms embargo on Libya. The New it had made good on its warning who asked not to be named. survive.” Baba said a pregnant others died. I cannot tell how I United Arab Emirates over a report that the US York Times reported on Friday that forces loyal that it would breach the limit in The Gangan Ruwa neighbour- woman and at least two chil- got here to the hospital.” ally shipped US missiles to Libyan rebels. to Libya’s unity government had discovered response to Washington aban- hood in the city was cordoned dren were among the dead and Earlier, a spokesman for the In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, four missiles at a base used by men under the doning the nuclear deal last year off by police as they “intensified two fi refi ghters sustained se- local council said over 64 peo- Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the command of Khalifa Haftar, who has waged a and hitting Iran’s crucial oil ex- efforts to arrest fleeing suspects”, rious burns.He said the blaze ple were killed in the incident. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, demanded months-long off ensive to take Tripoli. ports and fi nancial transactions spokesman Abdullahi said. was sparked when a bus laden The police has not given an an investigation and asked for explanations by The newspaper said that markings on the with biting sanctions. Kidnapping for ransom is wide- with passengers drove past offi cial toll. Petrol tanker and July 15 on arms agreements with the United Arab US-made missiles indicated they had been sold Iran, which has sought to pres- spread in the oil-rich southern the scene and its exhaust pipe pipeline blasts are common Emirates. “You are surely aware that if these al- to the United Arab Emirates in 2008. The State sure the remaining parties to save delta region, where criminal scraped along the ground, in Nigeria, where despite the legations prove true you may be obligated by law Department earlier said that it took allegations of the deal, announced on May 8 that gangs seize expatriate oil work- causing sparks to fl y. “Sixteen country’s multi-billion-dollar to terminate all arms sales to the UAE,” Menendez misuse of US weapons seriously and was seeking it would no longer respect the lim- ers and wealthy Nigerians in of the passengers in the vehi- oil and gas industry, most peo- said. He warned that the transfer would be a answers. it set on its enriched uranium and exchange for large payments. cle, including the two children ple live in poverty. heavy water stockpiles. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 AMERICAS

VISIT TRAVEL CRITICISM DISCLOSURE PROPOSAL Pence abruptly cancels Democrat Ocasio-Cortez Biden’s son ‘held at Trump plans tanks, flyovers trip to New Hampshire slams Border Patrol gunpoint during crack buy’ at Fourth of July festivities

US Vice President Mike Pence abruptly Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says the Border Hunter Biden, the son of former US vice President Donald Trump said he plans to cancelled a planned trip to New Hampshire Patrol has gone “rogue.” Escalating a feud with president Joe Biden, admitted to being held display battle tanks on Washington’s National yesterday after being called back to the the immigration control agency, the New York at gunpoint while trying to buy crack cocaine, Mall as part of a pumped-up Fourth of July White House for an unspecified reason, White Democrat blasted off icers for treating members according to an article in The New Yorker. Joe celebration that will also feature flyovers House officials said. Pence’s chief of staff, of Congress in what she called an “openly Biden, the current frontrunner for the 2020 by fighter jets and other displays of military Marc Short, said there was no emergency disrespectful” manner during their tour of an Democratic presidential nomination, has prowess. The military hardware is just one new after news reports that the vice president’s overcrowded border detention centre. The repeatedly faced family tragedy during his element in a US Independence Day pageant plane was called back for an “emergency.” outspoken critic of President Trump’s immigration decades in public off ice. After approaching a that will depart significantly from the non- “The vice president was called back to the crackdown also slammed fellow Democrats for homeless man in downtown Los Angeles in partisan, broadly patriotic programmes that Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets White House but there’s no cause for alarm caving to Republicans on a border emergency 2016, “Hunter said that the man took him to typically draw hundreds of thousands of people with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and we’ll reschedule the trip soon,” Short said. appropriations bill. The $4.5bn measure that a nearby homeless encampment, where, in a to the monuments in downtown Washington. during a bilateral meeting of the Ukraine Short said Pence’s plane never actually left passed eliminated proposed requirements that narrow passageway between tents, someone While past presidents have traditionally kept a Reform Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Washington. The White House would not say Border Patrol meets minimum standards and put a gun to his head before realising that he low profile on July 4, Trump plans to deliver a yesterday. what issue arose to keep Pence in place. oversight for conditions in detention centres. was a buyer,” the article says. speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Former USC ‘Close the Camps’ protests gynaecologist pleads not guilty to sexual assault

Reuters stood silently behind a glass par- Los Angeles tition during the proceedings, wearing a padded blue garment commonly called a “suicide suit.” former University of Flier told reporters afterwards Southern California gy- that his client was “not suicidal Anaecologist accused by whatsoever” but was required hundreds of patients of molesta- by jail offi cials to wear the outfi t tion and other misconduct over “for his own protection.” the past three decades pleaded Upon his arrest last Wednes- not guilty to charges of sexually day, Tyndall complained of assaulting 16 students who were chest pains and was briefl y hos- under his care. pitalised, police said. George Tyndall, 72, was also Flier said his client was re- ordered to remain in custody turned to custody on Friday after in lieu of nearly $2.1mn bond, examinations and a battery of but Los Angeles Superior Court tests medically cleared him. judge Theresa Sullivan said she The .38-calibre handgun Tyn- Hundreds of people gather in front of a church in Manhattan’s East Village to protest against migrant detention facilities in New York City yesterday. Across the would review a defence request dall was carrying when arrested country tens of thousands of people gathered for “Close the Camps’ protests to voice their anger at the Trump administration’s treatment of migrants at the US to slash his bail at another hear- was meant for self-defence, his and Mexican border. ing set for today. attorney said, adding that Tyn- Defence lawyer Andrew Flier, dall “has had a lot of threats.” citing his client’s age and “seri- Authorities say more than 350 ous health concerns,” including women reported being subjected diabetes and a heart condition, to molestation, lewd comments denied in court that Tyndall was and other sexually inappropri- a fl ight risk or threat to the pub- ate behaviour by Tyndall dur- lic. ing medical exams by him at His medical licence has been USC, long one of America’s most suspended. prestigious private universities. House panel fi les lawsuit Tyndall was charged last week Many accusers said they re- with 29 felony counts in a scan- called sensing something un- dal that has already resulted in a professional or “creepy” about $215mn civil settlement in fed- Tyndall at the time, only to fully eral court. comprehend in retrospect — af- The 16 patients he is crimi- ter reading media accounts of seeking Trump tax returns nally charged with assaulting other complaints — that they were students who ranged in age had been victimised. from 17 to 29 and were allegedly Tyndall insists he is innocent Reuters pected to be a lengthy legal under a federal law that says ing corruption and roughshod “The Democrats’ partisan, violated by Tyndall at the down- and that he conducted his ex- Washington battle that is likely to end in the Treasury “shall furnish” such lawlessness. I have no doubt fl awed lawsuit continues their town Los Angeles university’s ams “by the book,” always with Supreme Court. records upon request. our lower courts will side with unprecedented and illegitimate campus health centre between a “chaperone” in the room and There was no offi cial com- The committee believes it is Congress,” Representative Bill pursuit to expose President 2009 and 2016. always wearing gloves, Flier told Democratic-led US ment from the Trump adminis- the fi rst time an administration Pascrell, a Ways and Means Trump’s private tax information,” Flier entered a not guilty plea reporters. House of Representa- tration, but Trump attorney Jay has denied such a request, the Democrat who has helped lead Representative Kevin Brady, the on Tyndall’s behalf during a “As soon as someone makes Atives panel yesterday Sekulow said: “We will respond lawsuit said. the campaign to obtain Trump’s top Republican on Neal’s com- 20-minute court hearing. an inappropriate comment, that fi led a long-awaited lawsuit in to this latest eff ort at presiden- “In refusing to comply with returns, wrote on Twitter. mittee, said in a statement. If convicted on all charges, does not connote” criminal be- federal court to demand Presi- tial harassment in court.” the statute, defendants have Democrats who wanted Neal Ways and Means is one of Tyndall faces a prison term of up haviour, the attorney said. “The dent Donald Trump’s individual Democrats want Trump’s mounted an extraordinary at- to move to court more quickly half a dozen panels in the lower to 53 years. character assassination is over- and business tax returns. tax records from 2013 to 2018, tack on the authority of Con- expressed relief at the fi ling. house that are conducting in- Allegations against Tyndall whelming in this case.” The House Ways and Means which legal experts have said gress to obtain information “This long-overdue legal action vestigations involving Trump and USC’s handling of the mat- Flier said he was seeking to Committee fi led the lawsuit could shed light on the presi- needed to conduct oversight of is needed to keep this bad presi- and his administration, from ter — he was not reported to the lower Tyndall’s bail to $500,000, against the US treasury de- dent’s business dealings. Such Treasury, the IRS, and the tax dent from setting a bad prec- his campaign’s contacts with state medical board for eight a bond sum he said the doctor partment and Internal Revenue a legal process, experts said, laws on behalf of the American edent,” Representative Lloyd Russians during the 2016 presi- months — generated a furore on could aff ord. Service after Treasury Secretary could unfold slowly and become people,” the lawsuit said. Doggett said in a statement. dential race to the sprawling campus that led the university’s A federal court earlier this Steven Mnuchin refused a legal an issue in the 2020 election. Neal said in a statement that the Congressional Republicans business interests he has not di- then-president, C L month granted preliminary ap- request for the records and de- Mnuchin refused to hand panel was now pursuing the mat- condemned the eff ort as a dan- vested since taking offi ce. Max Nikias, to resign last year. proval to a $215mn settlement in fi ed two congressional subpoe- over the returns after House ter in court because of the admin- gerous political fi shing expedi- The White House is refus- The grey-haired doctor en- a class-action civil suit fi led on nas seeking the returns. Ways and Means Committee istration’s “non-compliance.” tion by Democrats that could ing to co-operate with most of tered the courtroom with his behalf of Tyndall’s former pa- The fi ling sounded the start- chairman Richard Neal asked “The judiciary has been a bul- “weaponise” confi dential tax- them, setting up other expected hands shackled to his waist and tients. ing gun in what is widely ex- for the documents on April 3, wark against Trump’s steam- payer information. legal battles.

New citizens Deliberations in Navy Trump’s re-election campaign raises $105mn

SEAL’s trial resume Reuters “Our intention has always Washington been to win where the president won in 2016 and we think there Reuters Several fellow SEAL team orated career combat veteran, is an opportunity in other states San Diego members testifi ed that he fatally was arrested in 2018, more than S President Donald where the president was close,” stabbed the captured Iraqi pris- a year after returning from his Trump and the Republi- the offi cial said. oner in the neck with a custom- eighth overseas deployment in Ucan Party together raised But a veteran Republican military jury in San Di- made knife after the teenage Mosul, in northern Iraq. $105mn in the second quarter, strategist in Washington, speak- ego resumed delibera- fi ghter was brought to Gallagher’s In a surprise twist during the with Trump’s re-election cam- ing on condition of anonymity, Ations yesterday in the outpost for medical treatment. fi rst week of the trial at a military paign taking in $54mn of that said Trump needs to concentrate war crimes trial of a US Navy Gallagher also is charged with court at US naval base San Diego, a total, the president’s campaign most of his eff ort on repeating SEAL charged with murdering a attempted murder in the wound- Navy SEAL medic testifi ed that it said yesterday. victories in Michigan, Pennsyl- wounded Islamic State prisoner ing of two non-combatants — a was he, not Gallagher, who caused The Republican National vania, Wisconsin, Arizona and in his custody and shooting un- schoolgirl and an elderly man — the death of the gravely injured Committee brought in $51mn Florida. armed civilians during a 2017 shot from a sniper’s perch, as well prisoner by blocking his breathing from April to June, the campaign “That’s the whole campaign deployment in Iraq. as with obstruction of justice tube, calling it a mercy killing. said in a statement. for Trump,” the strategist said. The case against special op- and unlawfully posing for photos Two defence witnesses — an Together, the two entities have Trump made the unprec- erations chief Edward Gallagher, with the detainee’s corpse. Iraqi general and a US Marine $100mn in cash on hand, with edented decision to fi le for re- whose prosecution has drawn Gallagher, 39, a platoon leader, staff sergeant — testifi ed they $56mn for Trump’s campaign election on the day he took offi ce White House attention, went to has denied all charges, insisting never saw the Iraqi captive mis- and $44mn for the RNC, it said. in 2017, allowing his campaign to the seven-member jury of US Ma- that disgruntled subordinates treated by anyone while alive in The two groups said the uptick hire staff and keep organisation- rines and Navy personnel on Mon- with no prior battlefi eld experi- American custody. in donations would allow them to al eff orts in motion. day as the trial phase of his court- ence fabricated allegations against The senior prosecutor, navy double their digital investment Traditionally, presidents have martial entered its third week. him over grievances with his lead- commander Jeff rey Pietrzyk, to raise money and target do- waited until after their second A verdict requires agreement ership style and combat tactics. said in his closing arguments on nors online as they seek to secure year in offi ce to begin building a of at least fi ve of the seven jurors, US President Donald Trump Monday that Gallagher had im- Trump’s second four-year term. re-election campaign. all but one of whom have served intervened in Gallagher’s case plicated himself. A senior Trump campaign of- “The RNC’s record-breaking in combat. If Gallagher is con- months ago, ordering that he be He cited a photo that Gallagh- New US citizens stand for the Pledge of Allegiance during fi cial said the haul will allow the fundraising has allowed us to victed, the panel also will deter- moved from pretrial detention in er sent to a friend in May 2017 a naturalisation ceremony inside the National September campaign to consider organising identify troves of new support- mine the sentence. a military brig to confi nement at showing him posed with the 11 Memorial Museum in New York City yesterday. The a turnout operation in several ers online and continue invest- Gallagher could face life in a navy base. The presiding judge Iraqi detainee’s corpse, with the USCIS is marking the Independence Day holiday by states that Trump lost in 2016, ing in our unprecedented fi eld prison if found guilty of the most later released Gallagher from text message: “I got a cool story welcoming over 7,000 new citizens in 170 naturalisation including Nevada, New Mexico, program,” committee chair- serious charge against him, pre- custody altogether. for you when I get back. I got him ceremonies across the country from July 1 through July 5. New Hampshire, Minnesota and woman Ronna McDaniel said in meditated murder. The chief petty offi cer, a dec- with my hunting knife.” perhaps even Oregon. a separate statement. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Hong Kong grapples Lanka police chief arrested with protest aftermath over Easter AFP by massive protests over the past Hong Kong three weeks. The rallies – in- cluding a huge pro-democracy march on Monday – have been attacks failures ong Kong yesterday grap- largely peaceful while calling pled with the aftermath on the city’s Beijing-appointed AFP before a magistrate for their Hof a night of unprece- chief executive Carrie Lam to Colombo “criminal negligence” de Liv- dented anti-government protests resign. era said in a letter to the act- which saw parliament ransacked, But they have failed to win ing police chief Chandana as Beijing called for a crimi- concessions, with Lam refusing ri Lankan police arrested Wickramaratne. nal probe into the unparalleled to permanently shelve the ex- their top commander “Their negligence amounts challenge to its authority. tradition law or step down, and Sand a former defence to what is known under inter- The semi-autonomous fi - by Monday some hardline pro- chief yesterday over alleged national law to be grave crimes nancial hub has been thrown testers appeared to have reached failures to prevent the Easter against humanity,” he wrote. into crisis by weeks of demon- breaking point, and stormed the Sunday bombings that killed Another nine senior police strations over a bill that would legislature. 258 people, spokesman Ruwan offi cers have been named by allow extraditions to the Chi- Lam condemned “the extreme Gunasekera said. the attorney-general as sus- nese mainland, with the issue use of violence”, describing the The arrests came a day after pects who should be prosecut- becoming a lightning rod for vandalism as “heartbreaking the chief state prosecutor said ed for their role in the security resentment towards Beijing. and shocking”. the alleged negligence of the lapses. On Monday – the 22nd an- The legislature was closed two senior offi cials amounted Indian intelligence offi cials niversary of the city’s handover yesterday, as police collected to “grave crimes against hu- said they shared information to China – anger spilt over as evidence from the debris- manity”, and they should also about the targets of the Easter groups of mostly young, hard- strewn building, while workers face murder charges. Sunday attacks – gleaned from a line protesters, breached the swept surrounding areas littered Pujith Jayasundara is the jihadist in Indian custody – but legislative council. with shattered glass, broken most senior police offi cial to Sri Lankan authorities failed to They hung the city’s colonial- umbrellas and hard hats. be arrested in the 152-year take the threats seriously. era fl ag in the debating cham- Pro-democracy lawmaker history of the force, which was The fi rst Indian warning ber, scrawled messages such as Eddie Chu, who was stopped Police stand outside the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong yesterday, a day after protesters broke established by British colonial was given on April 4, more “Hong Kong is not China” on from entering his offi ce, said po- into the building. rulers in 1867. than two-and-a-half weeks walls, and defaced the city’s seal lice told him the building was “a Both Jayasundara and before the April 21 bombings, with spray-paint. crime scene”. Jeremy Hunt warned China of Chinese state media have dis- administration as justifi cation former defence secretary He- which were later claimed by Police charged into the build- Legislative council president “serious consequences” if it missed the protests as “mob for a crackdown”. masiri Fernando were under- the Islamic State Group. ing shortly after midnight to re- Andrew Leung, whose portrait breaches that bilateral handover violence”. The increasingly hardline tac- going treatment at two sepa- Local Muslim groups also take control. was among those defaced by agreement, but did not off er any “A zero-tolerance policy is the tics have divided Hong Kongers. rate hospitals when they were alerted both police and intel- The events pose an unprec- protesters, said major meet- details. only remedy for such destruc- Brokerage executive Chris taken into custody by plain- ligence units to a potential edented challenge to Chinese ings were now cancelled until Activist Joshua Wong, who tive behaviour”, the Global Times Cheung told AFP Monday’s clothed offi cers of the Crimi- threat posed by radical cleric leader Xi Jinping, and yesterday, October. was the face of the city’s 2014 daily wrote in an editorial. protest was “unwise and nal Investigations Depart- Zahran Hashim, who led the Beijing wasted no time in ask- “Our security systems, our pro-democracy demonstrations, Analysts said the chaotic unnecessary”. ment, Gunasekera said. suicide bombings. ing Hong Kong to investigate fi re services, our lifts... need to told reporters the protests were a scenes showing demonstra- “Violence can’t change the They will remain in hospi- Jayasundara and Fernando the “criminal responsibility of be tested before we can resume response to “the tyranny... (and) tors tearing down portraits and people’s attitude, only reason tal, but detectives will formal- have previously testifi ed be- violent off enders” for “serious any meetings”, the pro-Beijing imperial rule of Beijing and the spraying graffi ti signalled a will,” he said. ly report their arrest to a mag- fore a parliamentary inquiry, illegal actions”. politician said. Hong Kong government”. dangerous turn. But clean-up volunteer Blue istrate to decide what further where they accused President It also slammed Donald Under the terms of the 1997 Veteran pro-democracy law- “The gestures were meant to Wong said she was “angry with action should be taken. Maithripala Sirisena of failing Trump for interfering in the handover from British to Chi- maker Claudia Mo accused Lam of provoke the Chinese authori- the government for pushing the Attorney General Dappula de to follow established protocols city’s aff airs, after the US presi- nese rule, Hong Kong enjoys “trying to shift public opinion by ties”, said political analyst Joseph young generation to such a stage”. Livera, the chief state prosecu- in assessing threats to national dent said that protesters are rights and liberties unseen on focusing on our young off enders”. Cheng. “I won’t criticise or judge the tor, said Monday that the two security. “looking for democracy” but the mainland. But protesters ac- “Instead of trying to solve the “They are gestures of defi ance youngsters. Even though their men failed to act on advance They also alleged that “some governments don’t want cuse Beijing of reneging on that problems being raised they are rather than a genuine political actions are violent, their hearts warnings of the deadly Easter Sirisena – who is also minis- democracy” – an apparent deal with the help of unelected trying to solve the problem rais- action,” he said, warning they are gentle”, she said. Sunday attacks, which were ter of defence as well as law swipe at Beijing. leaders. ers and that is a very communist would likely “be seized upon by “They are fi ghting for a better blamed on a local jihadi group. and order – did not take the Hong Kong has been rocked British Foreign Secretary tactic”, she said. Beijing and by the Carrie Lam Hong Kong.” They should be brought threats seriously.

Indonesia to return 49 containers of Bangladesh Three held waste to Europe, US Dozens of shipping containers declares its full of waste will be returned to France and other developed countries, Indonesia said rivers ‘legal over Sydney yesterday, as Southeast Asian nations increasingly reject serving as dumping grounds for persons’ international trash. The 49 containers were loaded AFP ‘terror plots’ with a combination of garbage, Dhaka plastic waste and hazardous materials in violation of import Reuters of plotting the Sydney attack, rules, according to customs angladesh’s high court has Sydney which police said was in the off icials on Batam island. granted the country’s riv- early stages of planning. “We are co-ordinating with the Bers the rights and status of “We will say that they had a importer to immediately process “living entities” in a bid to save ustralian counter-terror number of targets, including po- their return,” customs off ice them from encroachment, a law- police said they arrested lice stations, defence establish- spokesman Sumarna, who goes yer said yesterday. Athree men in raids across ments, embassies and councils, by one name, said. The court on Monday published Sydney yesterday, foiling a plot courts and churches,” Australian The waste came from the United a landmark verdict on a 2016 peti- inspired by militant group Is- Federal Police Assistant Com- States, Australia, France, Germany tion fi led by a Dhaka-based rights lamic State for attacks targeting missioner Ian McCartney told and Hong Kong, he added. group, saying all of the country’s a range of public buildings and reporters in Sydney. Last month, Jakarta returned hundreds of rivers would now be embassies. “There are still those people New South Wales Police raid a home in Greenacre, Sydney yesterday. five containers of waste to the treated as legal persons, litigator Australia, a staunch US ally, within the community who wish United States, joining a chorus Manzil Murshid said. has been on heightened alert for to do us harm,” he said. “I want A third man, aged 30, is it once held in Syria and Iraq, au- ment, if convicted. The others of Southeast Asian nations that “We fi led the petition to save attacks by home-grown radi- to say they don’t represent the charged with welfare fraud. thorities say it remains a threat, face sentences as long as 10 years. are increasingly unhappy about our rivers from powerful en- cals since 2014 and authorities Islamic faith. Their actions are The police did not name those as an underground movement. The men knew each other on being used as dumping grounds croachers. The court has declared say they have thwarted 16 major criminal and they represent ha- charged, who are expected to ap- McCarthy said the man social media, police added. In for trash from Western countries. that all the rivers should now have plots since. tred and terror.” pear in court later in the day or charged with plotting had been addition to the Sydney plot, the China’s decision in 2018 to ban the same rights as legal persons or Two of the arrested men, aged Police made the arrests be- on Wednesday. tracked by Australian authorities 20-year-old planned to travel to imports of foreign plastic waste living entities,” he said. 20 and 23, are charged with be- cause they had compiled suf- The so-called Islamic State since mid-2018, when he drew Afghanistan to fi ght there for Is- threw global recycling into The verdict came just months ing members of Islamic State, fi cient evidence for charges, caliphate was established in 2014 their attention by travelling to lamic State, and the 23-year-old chaos, leaving developed nations after the country, much of it criss- a crime under Australian laws, McCarthy said, but off ered few and although it has been driven Lebanon. was prominent among extrem- struggling to find places to send crossed by thousands of streams, with the younger man accused details. in the past year from all territory He now faces life imprison- ists online globally. their waste. (AFC) tributaries and rivers, became the fourth nation after Colombia, In- dia and New Zealand to honour its waterways with such status. The court appointed the coun- try’s River Conservation Com- Moon hails Trump-Kim meeting Xi urged Trump to ease N Korea mission as the legal guardian of all waterways and directed other state agencies to fully assist them. AFP an unusually fast response. between Trump and Kim – the sanctions in ‘timely’ fashion Experts said the verdict would Seoul Moon – whose administra- fi rst meeting between a sit- save rivers from illegal encroach- tion had been excoriated by the ting US president and a North AFP day that Xi “pushed for the US over the North prior to trade ment in the densely populated North only last week and told it had Korean leader – in Singapore Beijing to show fl exibility and meet the talks with the US. country of 165mn people and outh Korean President “nothing to meddle in the dialogue” last year which produced only DPRK (North Korea) halfway, Trump became the fi rst US where land is precious as gold. Moon Jae-in yesterday – praised both men’s actions. a vaguely worded pledge about including the timely easing of president to step on North Ko- They said many of the country’s Shailed the third meet- “That extraordinary proposal denuclearisation. hinese President Xi Jin- sanctions against the DPRK and rean soil after he and Kim shook rivers are struggling to survive ing between Donald Trump and and bold response is the result of A second meeting in Vietnam ping urged US President fi nding a solution to each other’s hands during their impromptu thanks to illegal sand dredging and Kim Jong-un in the Demilita- an astounding imagination that in February collapsed after the CDonald Trump to “show concerns through dialogue”. meeting over the weekend. large-scale industrial pollution. rised Zone as the result of an goes beyond common sense,” pair failed to reach an agreement fl exibility” towards North Ko- China and North Korea have Wang said China welcomes “This verdict is very good news “astounding imagination” and Moon said. “This is unthinkable in over sanctions relief and what rea, including the “timely” worked to improve relations the meeting and said the situ- for us. We hope the commission thinking outside the box. the existing diplomatic grammar.” the North was willing to give in easing of sanctions, at the G20 in the past year after they de- ation on the peninsula now has can now work freely and save the All three held an impromptu The dramatic DMZ meeting return. summit last week, China’s for- teriorated as Beijing backed a a “rare opportunity for peace”. rivers from premature deaths,” encounter at the truce village of was full of symbolism, and while Contact between the two eign minister said yesterday. series of UN sanctions against “We hope that the political will said Sheikh Rokon, a spokesman Panmunjom on Sunday when it did not produce a formal com- sides has since been minimal Xi visited North Korea prior its Cold War-era ally over its of the leaders of the two countries for the Riverine People group. Trump became the fi rst sitting munique both sides said after- – with Pyongyang issuing fre- to meeting Trump at the G20 in nuclear activities. can be translated into substantive He said the high court would em- US president to set foot in North wards that they would continue quent criticisms of the US po- Japan on Saturday, and analysts But Beijing has sought to progress in dialogue and negotia- power the commission to take strict Korea and agreed with Kim to working-level talks to restart the sition – but the two leaders ex- had said the Chinese leader could keep Pyongyang within its tion as soon as possible,” he said. action against encroachers, polluters resume working-level talks, stalled nuclear negotiations. changed a series of letters before use the trip as leverage in his trade sphere of infl uence and Kim In Seoul, South Korean Presi- and illegal dredging companies. which had been deadlocked It was a “de-facto declaration Trump issued his off er to meet at war talks with the US leader. met Xi four times in China in dent Moon Jae-in hailed as the re- National River Conserva- since the collapse of their second of an end to hostile relations and the DMZ. Trump met North Korean the past four years. sult of “astounding imagination”. tion Commission of Bangla- summit in Hanoi in February. the beginning of a full-fl edged Analysts have been divided by leader Kim Jong-un the next A week before the G20 sum- It was a “de-facto declara- desh chairman Mujibur Rahman The gathering was pro- era of peace”, said Moon, who Sunday’s events, some saying day at the Demilitarised Zone mit in Osaka, Xi became the tion of an end to hostile rela- Howlader said the “unprec- posed by Trump via Twitter has long promoted engagement they spurred new momentum (DMZ) dividing North and fi rst Chinese leader to visit tions and the beginning of a edented order would help the a day earlier, off ering to meet with Pyongyang. into deadlocked nuclear talks, South Korea. North Korea in 14 years in a full-fl edged era of peace”, said vast ecology and biodiversity” of Kim at the border to “say hel- Moon was instrumental in while others described them as Chinese Foreign Minister trip analysts said was meant Moon, who has long promoted Bangladesh’s rich river system. lo”, with the North delivering brokering the landmark summit “reality show theatrics”. Wang Yi told reporters on Tues- to showcase China’s infl uence engagement with Pyongyang. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND Three in four MPs probably have poor mental health: study

Guardian News and Media Analysis of information given self is inherently stressful. MPs a strain on relationships and they cause of worry, were feeling less source of psychological upset for their mental health. London by 146 MPs who fi lled in a ques- are potentially at greater risk of don’t have a supportive family useful, were less capable of mak- MPs, as is abuse, harassment and Poulter said it was worrying tionnaire about their mental developing mental health prob- environment to go home to at the ing decisions and were feeling bullying, according to the fi nd- that 52% of MPs with a mental well-being showed that 62 (42%) lems because of the nature of their end of the day.” under constant strain” compared ings, which are published in the health problem said they would hree out of four MPs prob- had “less than optimal mental ill work and because they work in a Compared with four other with those in the four comparator journal BMJ Open. The “partisan, not discuss it with a party whip, ably or defi nitely suff er health” while another 49 (34%) high-stress environment where types of employees, including groups, the study says. and occasionally confrontational 48% would not talk about it with a Tfrom poor mental health, had “probable mental ill health”. there are many brickbats and not the total population, corporate Similarly, “a higher weighted and aggressive environment at fellow MP, and 55% did not know the fi rst study of psychological Just 35 (24%) had “no evidence of many bouquets,” said Poulter, managers, all managers and high- proportion of MPs could not Westminster” can also damage how to get mental health support well-being among parliamentar- probable mental ill health”. who was a health minister from earners, MPs have higher levels of overcome diffi culties, were less MPs’ well-being, Poulter added. at parliament. ians at Westminster has found. “These results paint a worrying 2012-15 in the coalition govern- feelings of worthlessness, unhap- able to enjoy normal day-to-day However, having a second job The parliamentary health and Members of the House of Com- picture of MPs’ mental health,” ment. piness and depression. For exam- activities, were less able to face up outside parliament does not in- well-being service was set up at mons are much more likely than said Dr Dan Poulter, the lead co- “There is also the long hours ple, 34% of MPs have a common to their problems, reported los- crease their stress levels, it ap- Westminster to help MPs and either the general population or author of the study, and himself – MPs can work up to 60-hour mental disorder, double the 17% ing confi dence in themselves or pears. The study is the fi rst time their staff with physical and men- people in other high-level jobs to a Conservative MP and practising weeks at Westminster and in among those in high-income feeling unhappy and depressed, that members of any of the UK’s tal health problems. But some be troubled by distress, depres- NHS psychiatrist. their constituencies – and the groups. and considered themselves to be a four parliaments or assemblies, reports suggest that it is not well sion and similar conditions, ac- “Being an MP can be quite a fact that, by spending most of the MPs “had lower levels of con- worthless person”. or any parliament internationally, used. Most MPs still do not know cording to the research. lonely occupation. The work it- week away from home, that puts centration, were losing sleep be- The whipping system is another have given detailed insights into it exists, the study found. Lineker BBC’s best paid star, but women narrow gap

Guardian News and Media conditions for the media indus- London try, the BBC also hired more than 1,000 new staff . In total, the cor- poration, including commercial ary Lineker has main- operations such as BBC Studios, tained his status as the grew employee numbers from GBBC’s highest earner as 21,431 to 22,401. the broadcaster’s leading male The increase in staff came de- sports presenters refused to take spite the BBC reporting a drop of pay cuts, although many of the almost £200mn in annual income corporation’s leading women from £5.06bn to £4.88bn. Income have enjoyed substantial wage from the licence fee dropped by increases. 3.7% year on year to £3.69bn, The Match of the Day host took mainly due to the phased reduc- home £1.75mn from the corpora- tion in government funding of free tion last year, while his fellow pun- TV licences for over-75s. dit Alan Shearer got £440,000. The corporation has strug- Boris Johnson speaks during a hustings event in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Other high-earning sports pun- gled with pay since it was forced dits include Jermaine Jenas on to disclose the salaries of all staff £210,000 a year and Ian Wright who earn more than £150,000 on £205,000, while John McEnroe a year. The fi rst annual disclo- earns £190,000 for taking part in sure, in 2017, exposed the radical the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage. diff erences in salaries between While many leading male news many leading on-air men and and current aff airs presenters – women. including Huw Edwards, Jeremy Since then, many leading BBC Hammond signals he Vine, and Nicky Campbell – took men have been shamed into pay cuts following a public out- taking substantial pay cuts, al- cry over their salaries, the sports though some such as Chris Evans department instead increased – who the disclosures show the amount it pays to on-screen took home £8,500 a programme pundits such as Shearer and for presenting the BBC Radio 2 Wright in the last year. breakfast show – have chosen to will fi ght no-deal Brexit The fi gures, contained in the leave the corporation. corporation’s annual report, will The BBC’s highest-earning Guardian News and Media take as a backbencher – it is widely British government to seek to pre-crisis. Brexit will exert fur- room in the event of a no-deal come under increased scrutiny woman is Zoe Ball, the new Radio London assumed both Johnson and Hunt pursue no-deal as a policy, and ther pressure on growth poten- Brexit for a new prime minister after the BBC announced plans to 2 breakfast show host, who took would replace him as chancellor I believe that it will be for the tial even in benign scenarios.” to introduce tax cuts costing scrap the free TV licence fee for home £370,000 in the 12 months – if a new prime minister sought House of Commons, of which In a swipe at the spending and about £10bn a year, as Johnson most over-75s, arguing it needed to April but will earn less than hilip Hammond has no-deal or attempted to prorogue I will continue proudly to be tax-cutting policies put forward has pledged. the money to protect its invest- her male predecessor. Other fe- strongly hinted he could parliament to ensure this. a member, to ensure that that by the two Tory candidates, Hammond said that as ment in programming. male high earners include Clau- Pvote against a new Con- McDonnell said: “Can I ask doesn’t happen.” the fi rm said: “The UK’s sover- chancellor he had built up fis- The BBC chairman, David dia Winkleman, Vanessa Feltz servative government to block a him, very straightforwardly, The credit ratings agency eign rating would come under cal headroom – scope for more Clementi, blamed the govern- and Lauren Laverne. no-deal Brexit, as he used what bearing in mind what he’s said, Moody’s has said Britain’s ability pressure if the UK were to leave borrowing within preset tar- ment for the cuts to free licences. The Woman’s Hour presenter could be his last Commons ap- will he join us in committing to borrow cheaply on interna- without a deal. A signifi cant gets – of between £26bn and He said: “This was not a decision Jane Garvey told the Today pro- pearance as chancellor to warn himself to doing everything he tional money markets would be weakening of the public fi nances £27bn. Hammond said: “The we wanted to take and it was a gramme that “perhaps it would about the dire economic conse- possibly can to oppose the pro- damaged by a no-deal Brexit. would also be negative.” purpose of having that head- decision we were required to take have been better to cut more quences of such a course. rogation of parliament to try to Moody’s stripped the UK of its On Monday Hammond room is precisely in order to by legislation.” male salaries rather than to up Speaking at Treasury ques- sneak a no-deal through, and AAA rating after the 2008 fi nan- tweeted a warning about the protect the UK economy from He also said it was “nonsense” some female salaries. I absolutely tions yesterday, Hammond told also voting against a no-deal?” cial crisis, and it said yesterday extravagant taxation and spend- the immediate effects of a no- to suggest that cutting the sala- get that.” the Tory leadership rivals Boris Hammond said he had been that its current AA2 status could ing commitments made by the deal exit. But I have no doubt ries of leading stars would cover The BBC’s overall gender pay Johnson and Jeremy Hunt that “consistently clear that I believe be in jeopardy. two leadership contenders, and whatsoever that in a no-deal the cost of providing the benefi t gap decreased from 7.6% in 2018 the so-called fi scal headroom of a no-deal exit will be bad for the It said: “Brexit has raised later told the BBC that the Con- exit we will need all of that to over-75s: “The sums don’t add to 6.7%, substantially better than about £26bn, which they have UK, bad for the British economy, questions around the growth servative party should “stop and money, and more, to respond up.” many other media organisations. earmarked for tax cuts and extra bad for the British people.” He rates that can be achieved once think” about such a course. to the immediate impacts of The total amount the BBC paid The gender pay gap at the Guard- spending, would be more than said: “We cannot, however, rule the process is completed, as well At Treasury questions, Chuka the disruption of a no-deal all on-air talent rose by almost ian’s parent company was 8.4% wiped out by no-deal. out that that could happen, be- as the country’s future institu- Umunna, the ex-Labour MP exit. And that will mean there £11mn in the last year – an an- last year, compared with 18.4% On no-deal, Hammond was cause it is not entirely in our tional strength. Even without who is now a Liberal Democrat, is no money available for nual increase of more than 7% to at the Financial Times and 23.4% asked by his Labour shadow, John hands. But I do agree with him Brexit, growth potential would asked Hammond whether there longer-term either tax cuts or £158.6mn. Amid tough market at the Daily Telegraph. McDonnell, what action he might that it would be wrong for the have been weaker than it was would be suffi cient fi scal head- spending increases.”

Kate opts for cheap seats Diana ‘was set to star’ in Brexit slows housing sequel to The Bodyguard market: Nationwide Reuters have bottomed out as investors London wait for Britain to resolve its Brexit Guardian News and Media parazzi before their relationship that set up the conversation be- crisis. London turned romantic. He said a fi rst tween me and Diana. And she “While healthy labour market script for the project arrived on never said, ‘Well, what about ouse price growth re- conditions and low borrowing his desk the day before Diana me? I’m a princess too.’ She was mained weak in June as costs will provide underlying sup- evin Costner has con- was killed in a car crash on Au- just so supportive of the idea.” Huncertainty about Brexit port, uncertainty is likely to con- fi rmed that the late Prin- gust 31, 1997. The Bodyguard took $411mn hung over the market, mortgage tinue to act as a drag on sentiment Kcess of Wales was set to Speaking to People, Costner at the box offi ce on release, lender Nationwide said yester- and activity,” Robert Gardner, Na- star alongside him in a sequel recalled that he and Diana had making it the second-highest day. tionwide’s chief economist, said. to the 1992 hit The Bodyguard, discussed the fi lm, in particu- grossing fi lm of 1992, while its House prices increased by 0.5% Price growth and transac- in which he starred as an agent lar the possibility of intimate soundtrack is still the bestsell- compared with a year ago, slow- tion levels were likely to be little assigned to protect a pop star scenes. ing of all time, with 45mn cop- ing slightly after a 0.6% rise in changed over the coming months, played by Whitney Houston. “I just remember her being ies sold. The movie marked the May but in line with the median he said. Speaking to PeopleTV, Cost- incredibly sweet on the phone, acting debut of Houston, whose forecast in a Reuters poll of econo- Britain is waiting for the rul- ner said that he, Diana and and she asked the question, ‘Are character is under threat from mists. ing Conservative Party to choose producers were eager to get the we going to have, like a kissing an unknown stalker. At the time of the Brexit refer- its new leader who, as next prime project off the ground. scene?’” Costner recalled. “She Costner played a former Se- endum in 2016, house prices were minister, will attempt to strike a “The studio liked the idea of said it in a very respectful … she cret Service agent who is hired growing by about 5% a year, ac- new Brexit deal with the European doing a Bodyguard 2,” he said, was a little nervous because her to protect her before the pair cording to Nationwide’s measure. Union before an October 31 dead- with Diana taking on a role “in life was very governed. And I fall in love. The fi lm, which was In monthly terms, house prices line for the country’s departure the same kind of capacity as said, ‘Yeah, there’s going to be not well received by critics, was Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, left the plush confines in June edged up by 0.1%, a slightly from the bloc. Whitney. Nobody really knew a little bit of that, but we can turned into a stage musical in of the Royal Box at Wimbledon yesterday to watch a British smaller increase than the median Nationwide’s data showed that that for about a year.” make that OK too.’” 2012, and is still running in wildcard competing on the lowly outside courts. In a rare move forecast in the Reuters poll for a prices in London fell for an eighth In 2012 Costner fi rst spoke Costner, 64, said talks had London’s West End. for a member of the royal family visiting the All England Club, rise of 0.2%. quarter in a row in the April-June about the project, explaining been initiated by Sarah Fergu- Houston died suddenly in Catherine took her place in among the 318 regular seats on Nationwide’s data chimed with period although the pace of de- that the plot would have in- son. “Sarah was really impor- 2012, drowning in the bath af- Court 14 to watch Harriet Dart take on Christina McHale. other housing indicators which cline moderated to 0.7% in annual volved his character protecting tant,” he said. “I always respect ter a long history with drink and have suggested that a weakening terms from 3.8% in the previous Diana’s from stalkers and pa- Sarah because she’s the one drugs. of the market seen in 2018 might quarter. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 13 EUROPE

PERSONA NON-GRATA REMEBERED CRACKDOWN RESCUE ROW POLITICS Ukraine says EU observers Memorial event for pilot Turkey hunts 152 more Germany agrees to take in Parliament set to vote on not welcome at July polls who died in mid-air crash for alleged coup links some Sea-Watch migrants Sanchez govt on July 23

Ukraine yesterday announced it is withdrawing The 27-year-old German pilot who died in a mid- Turkish police yesterday launched nationwide Germany has agreed to take in about a dozen of The Spanish parliament will begin the process to its invitation to monitors from the Parliamentary air crash during a military exercise in northern raids to detain 152 individuals accused of ties the 41 migrants who arrived in Italy last month decide whether to grant Pedro Sanchez another Assembly of the Council of Europe to observe Germany last week will be honoured at a to the group blamed for a 2016 coup attempt, on board German charity rescue ship Sea-Watch, term as prime minister on July 23, Speaker Meritxell elections later this month, in protest against memorial event, a spokesman for the Luftwaff e’s state media reported. Prosecutors from Ankara, an Italian government source said yesterday. Batet said yesterday. Sanchez has been serving Russia’s reinstatement in the body. Russian squadron 73 Steinhoff said yesterday. The event Istanbul, Konya and Izmir issued dozens of arrest The compromise to diff use tensions with the as acting prime minister since elections in April delegates had been stripped of their voting is scheduled to take place on July 9 at the Laage warrants for suspects including soldiers — some Italian government, which had ordered the led to political deadlock. His Socialist Workers’ rights in the pan-European rights body in 2014 airbase in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, still on active duty and some already sacked — ship not to enter Italian waters, also includes Party won, but failed to secure enough seats for a after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine, where the accident occurred. The spokesman according to the Anadolu news agency. Sixty-three France, Portugal, Finland, and Luxemburg, which majority in parliament. The Socialists have sought but last week were allowed to return over said it will not be open to the public, in keeping suspects had so far been arrested, the agency said. have agreed to share the burden of hosting the the support of as many parties as possible to form strong objections from Kyiv. “Representatives of with the family’s wishes. Two Eurofighter jets Since the attempted overthrow of President Recep migrants. The German captain of the ship, Carola a “government of cooperation” to re-elect Sanchez. an aggressor country, Russia, cannot be among collided during an aerial manoeuvre on June 24, Tayyip Erdogan, tens of thousands have been Rackete, appeared before a court in Sicily on The hurdle seemed to have cleared last month when international observers,” Ukrainian parliament prompting the two pilots to employ their ejector detained on suspicion of ties to US-based preacher Monday after she was arrested for forcing her the left-wing Unidas Podemos alliance struck a co- speaker Andriy Parubiy wrote on his Facebook seats; only one survived. The accident involved Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of ordering the way into Lampedusa port on June 29 carrying operation arrangement with Sanchez. Parliament is page yesterday. three aircraft. The third pilot was unharmed. failed coup. He strongly denies the accusation. migrants she had rescued off the Libyan coast. now set to hold its first vote on Sanchez on July 23. 14 Russian sailors die in sub fi re By Polina Devitt and been subject to underfunding and neglect Christian Lowe, Reuters after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow Since then, Putin has overseen a massive increase in military funding that has allowed the armed forces to renew their equipment ourteen Russian sailors on board a and improve training and morale. deep water research sub were killed in However, accidents have continued to Fa fi re while carrying out a survey of the happen as the military, used by the Kremlin sea fl oor, the Russian defence ministry was to project its growing international muscle, quoted as saying yesterday by Russian news has ramped up its activities and extended agencies. into new theatres of operation. A Russian news outlet, RBC, cited an un- In December 2016, a Russian military named military source as saying the ves- plane carrying 92 people, including dozens sel was a nuclear-powered AS-12 deep sea of Red Army Choir singers, crashed into the Protesters hold Catalan flags during a demonstration in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday. submarine, but there was no offi cial confi r- Black Sea en route to Syria where Russian mation of that. The incident took place on forces are deployed. Everyone on board was Monday in Russian territorial waters and the killed. fi re has been extinguished. Russia’s military has been developing new The vessel is now at the Russian Northern submarines as part of a broader push for Fleet’s base in Severomorsk on the Barents new defence hardware under Putin that has Sea, and an investigation has been launched also included hypersonic missiles and naval EU leaders strike a deal to into the cause, agencies Interfax, RIA and drones. TASS quoted the ministry as saying. US media have cited Pentagon offi cials “Fire broke out on board a deep-water as saying they are concerned about the in- scientifi c research vessel that was studying creased activities of Russian submarines and the marine environment of the world ocean spy ships operating in the ocean off the US give two top jobs to women on behalf of the Russian navy,” Interfax cited coastline. a ministry statement as saying. “Fourteen According to an archived report in Russian By Damon Wake, AFP European Parliament kicks off new term tion policy which is unacceptable submariners died as the result of smoke in- newspaper Izvestia, the AS-12 submarine Brussels for us, so this man is absolutely un- halation.” was fi rst launched in 2003 and is known by The European Parliament yesterday played live at the opening ceremony acceptable and I can’t see why the The statement as cited by the agencies did the nickname ‘Losharik’. opened for a new term with the high- — a gesture that other lawmakers de- prime ministers of France, Spain, not identify the type or model of the vessel. The vessel is specially designed to be able U leaders yesterday struck a est number of women ever but short nounced as disgraceful and pathetic. the Netherlands and Germany President Vladimir Putin cancelled a pub- to operate at depths inaccessible for regular hard-fought summit deal to of three pro-independence Catalan EU-wide elections in May returned a weren’t able to understand,” Babis lic engagement planned for yesterday after- submarines, according to the newspaper, Eput women in two of the bloc’s members who were barred from fragmented 751-member parliament, said. noon and was to meet Defence Minister Ser- and can be used to carry out special opera- most important jobs for the fi rst time. joining as hundreds protested over which is to elect its president today. Other countries — including Ire- gei Shoigu, RIA reported. tions. After three days of bitter wran- their exclusion outside the building. Catalan separatist leaders Carles land, Latvia and Croatia — also ob- In August 2000, the Russian nuclear- It is made out of a series of inter-connect- gling, German Defence Minister Further controversy arose when Puigdemont, Toni Comin and Oriol jected on the grounds they had not powered submarine Kursk sank to the fl oor ed spheres, which are stronger than the con- Ursula von der Leyen was named to 29 members of Britain’s anti-EU Junqueras have not been able to been properly consulted about the of Barents Sea after two explosions in its ventional submarine construction and allow replace Jean-Claude Juncker at the Brexit Party turned their backs take their seats in Strasbourg as the French-German plan cooked up on bow, killing all 118 men aboard. the AS-12 to resist water pressure. head of the European Commission as the European Union anthem Spanish electoral authority has not the sidelines of the G20 summit in That accident, soon after Putin took of- The plant that built the vessel declined to for the next fi ve years. — Beethoven’s Ode to Joy — was recognised them as members. Osaka at the weekend. fi ce, focussed offi cial attention on the state disclose any details about it, citing secrecy Once confi rmed, von der Leyen Spanish Prime Minister Pedro of the military and its hardware, which had rules, Izvestia reported. will lead a commission facing a host Sanchez initially stood fi rm be- of challenges, ranging from climate Foreign Minister Josep Borrell be- manuel Macron, as well as the sup- hind fellow Social Democrat Tim- change to disinformation, pop- comes foreign policy chief, replac- port of the Visegrad 4 bloc — Hun- mermans, but after a morning of ulism and Brexit. ing Federica Mogherini. gary, Poland, Czech Republic and bilateral and small group meetings Former French fi nance minister Von der Leyen, a minister for the Slovakia. among leaders, the Dutchman’s Lofty perch Christine Lagarde, who has led the past 14 years under German Chan- This saved von der Leyen from chances were fi nally buried, ac- International Monetary Fund since cellor Angela Merkel, has been an ad- the fate suff ered by Timmermans, cording to two sources close to the 2011, is to take charge at the Euro- vocate for closer EU integration, call- who was suggested by France and talks. pean Central Bank. ing for a “United States of Europe”. Germany as commission chief in- Deciding the top jobs was com- Summit host and European Except for Michel, the package stead of the early front-runner plicated by the fragmentation of the Council President Donald Tusk con- still needs the blessing of the Euro- Manfred Weber. EU political landscape in the May fi rmed the appointments on Twit- pean Parliament, and several senior A marathon 18-hour negotiat- elections to the European Parlia- ter, ending diffi cult talks that had fi gures in Timmermans’ centre-left ing session that began on Sunday ment. dragged on since Sunday evening, group tweeted their disgruntlement evening broke up without agree- The centre-right EPP and cen- dogged by division and infi ghting. at the proposed ticket. ment on Monday as the V4 plus tre-left socialist group, the domi- The 60-year-old conservative Von der Leyen would take offi ce Italy, where the populist govern- nant forces in EU politics for years, von der Leyen’s name came in the on November 1 — the day after Brit- ment shares some of the Eastern lost their combined majority in the frame for the commission after an ain is currently due to leave the bloc. Europeans’ anger at Brussels over assembly. earlier proposal to name Dutch so- Both candidates vying to take over migration, refused to countenance The liberals, which include Ma- cial democrat Frans Timmermans as British prime minister have vowed Timmermans. cron supporters, are increasingly ran into insurmountable opposition. to leave on time come what may, so As he arrived at the summit yes- assertive over the choice of top jobs The package agreed by the 28 the new commission’s fi rst task in terday, Czech Prime Minister An- after they and the Greens made sig- EU leaders also sees Belgian Prime offi ce could be to mop up the fall out drej Babis slammed Timmermans, nifi cant gains in the polls. A boy walks on top of a Soviet-era monument in Kyiv, lauding Ukrainian and Russian Minister Charles Michel take over from a messy “no deal” Brexit. who pushed a softer line on migra- Protracted wrangling to dish out friendship. from Tusk at the European Coun- Von der Leyen had the crucial tion, as “absolutely unacceptable”. the EU’s top jobs is not new: in 2014 cil of member states, while Spanish backing of French President Em- “He has always pushed a migra- it took three summits to fi ll the posts.

Hotter but less deadly? Preparedness may have cut death toll of Europe’s heatwave

By Megan Rowling, Reuters The international partnership been shown to decrease mortal- where housing and social sys- brought in preventive measures. Scientists decided to analyse Multi-day heatwaves have Barcelona analyses the possible infl uence ity “substantially”. tems are already more adapted to During the July 2006 heat- the impact of the June heatwave proportionally larger health ef- of climate change on extreme “We hope that this heatwave extreme heat. wave, about 2,065 deaths oc- in part because it came at a time fects, and three days is a length weather events, from fl oods to has become much less deadly Temperatures in the southern curred above the normal death of year when the French popula- that captures those impacts rea- he impact of June’s ex- droughts. than the 2003 heatwave because Gard region hit an all-time high rate in France, which was about tion is still at work and at school sonably well, they noted. treme heat across France, The scientists yesterday re- of the adaptation measures that of 45.9C last Friday — hotter 4,400 less than expected based before the summer holidays, The scientists warned that TSpain and other parts of leased a rapid assessment of three have been taken,” he told jour- than in California’s Death Valley on the 2003 episode, a 2008 potentially making people more heat extremes are likely to rise Europe is likely to have been less days of scorching heat in France nalists. — sparking fi res that burned 550 study said. vulnerable. as climate change warms the damaging than in the past be- from June 26-28, saying climate Those measures — put in place hectares of land. This week’s rapid assessment The elderly and children are planet on a trajectory expected cause governments put in place change made the event fi ve times from Paris to Barcelona — in- But the temperature in the city said post-2003 heat plans had especially at risk in heatwaves. to exceed limits set by govern- measures to cope after a deadly more likely and had boosted the cluded handing out water at of Paris remained relatively “rea- been activated for this June’s The French government decid- ments in a 2015 Paris climate 2003 heatwave, scientists said temperature of the heatwave by train stations and in other public sonable” at about 35C or 36C, heatwave and had probably ed to postpone one national exam accord. yesterday. about 4C. places, asking people to check on which was lower than in 2003, helped ease the impacts. because of the heat, despite the Global average temperatures Governments were spurred The death toll linked to health elderly neighbours and relatives, reducing the negative conse- Accurate forecasts by the na- huge organisational challenges have already risen by 1C, and into action by a European heat- eff ects from the recent heat- and opening air-conditioned quences, Vautard added. tional weather service, Meteo- involved, the researchers noted. are on track to become at least wave that year that caused the wave will not be known for a few schools, libraries and other “cool Friederike Otto, acting direc- France, also gave early warning, They examined the daily mean 3C hotter than in pre-industrial deaths of more than 35,000 peo- weeks, they said. shelters” for city residents. tor of the Environmental Change it said. For example, the all-time temperature — 27.5C across times, scientists have said. ple, and are now better prepared But Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, Robert Vautard, a senior scien- Institute at Britain’s Univer- national temperature record France over the three days — If the world hits 2C of warming to keep their citizens safe, ac- a senior researcher with the Roy- tist at France’s National Centre sity of Oxford, said research on a temperature was correctly fore- rather than the maximum or and heatwaves follow their cur- cording to climate scientists at al Netherlands Meteorological for Scientifi c Research (CNRS), 2006 heatwave in Europe showed cast to within 1C, and the predic- minimum temperature because it rent trends, “a heatwave like this the World Weather Attribution Institute, said heat action plans noted the recent heatwave was the 2003 wake-up call had led tion came at least three days in is a better indicator of health im- will be the norm in June”, warned group. developed by governments had most extreme in southern France, to fewer deaths as authorities advance. pacts, they said. Jan van Oldenborgh. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 INDIA

CRACKDOWN CONTROVERSY PLANS LEGAL ANGER CBI raids 50 places over Deol attacked for picking Vijayan upbeat on voting Order on Binoy Kodiyeri Kerala priests protest Rs11.14bn bank loan frauds ‘aide’ to represent him rights for Kerala diaspora bail plea put off again bishops’ suspension

In a major crackdown on bank loan defaulters, Sunny Deol, actor and first-time member of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday informed A Mumbai court yesterday deferred – for the Some 261 priests of the Syro Malabar the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) parliament from Gurdaspur in Punjab, has the state assembly his government will initiate fourth time – its order on the anticipatory Catholic Church in Ernakulam and Angamaly yesterday searched more than 50 locations in triggered a ‘row’ by appointing screenwriter discussions on how best the Kerala diaspora bail plea filed by Kerala CPI-M leader Kodiyeri archdioceses yesterday started a protest 12 states and Union Territories and registered Gurpreet Singh Palheri as his ‘aide’ to co-ordinate could participate in the upcoming local bodies Balakrishnan’s son Binoy Kodiyeri in a rape case seeking withdrawal of the suspension of two 17 cases of bank fraud amounting to the with government functionaries on his behalf. elections. Vijayan made the announcement after against him and posted the case for today. A bishops and threatened to intensify their stir tune of Rs11.14bn. A CBI off icial said that The decision has not gone well with the BJP. deputy opposition leader M K Muneer asserted 33-year-old Mumbai-based woman, who hails if the demand was not heeded. On Friday, 150 several teams of the probe agency raided Deol announced that Palheri will look after the that it’s high time that the Kerala diaspora get from Bihar, has alleged that Kodiyeri sexually priests took part in a similar protest after the the residences and business premises of aff airs of his constituency on his behalf. “Palheri’s their right to exercise their franchise. Vijayan said: exploited her for several years on the promise two bishops were suspended by the Vatican, companies, promoters, directors and bank appointment is a clear-cut indication that he has “For this to become a reality, several things have of marriage, according to a charge-sheet filed which also decided to return the administrative off icials across 18 cities. The places where the been authorised to chair meetings, including to fall in place, as it requires co-ordination with at the Oshiwara police station in Mumbai’s powers of Cardinal George Alencherry, raids took place include Delhi, Chandigarh, review meetings of the central government- various departments. With favourable responses Andheri. She also claims they also have a child. the supreme head of the Church. Cardinal Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Valsad, Surat, Ludhiana, sponsored schemes, on behalf of Deol,” a senior from appropriate bodies, we will definitely begin The victim registered the complaint on June Alencherry’s powers were taken away last year Gurugram, Gaya, Palani in Tamil Nadu, Bhopal state BJP leader said. “This is unfair of Deol as he discussions on this with the various stake holders 13 after she came to know that Kodiyeri was after a criminal case was registered against him and Kolar in Karnataka. is accountable to the people who voted for him.” on how to go about it.” already married. in a three-acre land deal in Kochi in 2016. Villagers accuse Chennai of seizing water

Reuters public works department showed. Chennai Data for Chennai district has not been made public. The Kancheepuram district to n the small village of Ban- the southeast of the city, which garampettai, 20 miles from includes the factories of many IChennai, about 150 people last foreign automakers, saw ground- month “captured” a water tanker, water levels deplete more than 6ft, breaking its windscreen and de- or three times the state average, to fl ating its tyres before handing it about 20ft during the year ended over to a nearby police station. May 2019, the data showed. People living on the outskirts of There is no sign yet that the the metropolis are blocking roads factories are having to reduce pro- and laying siege to tanker lorries duction because of the shortage. because they fear their water re- M Jeeva, 27, who runs a hard- serves are being sacrifi ced so city ware store near Bangarampettai, dwellers, businesses and luxury said he followed trucks taking the hotels don’t run out. village’s water back into the city “Private tankers have fi tted and found they mostly supply ho- more than eight bore wells in our tels and companies. village and are indiscriminately Two of the biggest lakes in extracting thousands of litres of Thiruninravur, the nearest town to water every day,” the Bangaram- Bangarampettai, are dry. pettai villagers wrote in a letter When Reuters visited, a fi shing to a government offi cial in the boat could be seen grounded and region a day after they stopped abandoned while children played A SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 airplane is damaged after it overshot the runway while landing due to heavy rains at the Mumbai airport yesterday. the tanker. cricket in the middle of the dry Bad water management and a lakebed. lack of rainfall mean that all four In Poochi Athipedu, another reservoirs that supply Chennai, a village on the city’s outskirts, a lo- carmaking centre dubbed “India’s cal landowner S Ramesh allowed Detroit”, have run virtually dry this private tankers to sink bore wells summer. and extract water, leading to pro- That has forced some schools to tests by the local community. shut, companies to ask employees Ramesh said he was paid up 21 people dead as rains to work from home and hotels to to Rs500 rupees ($7.20) to fi ll a ration water for guests. 12,000-litre water tanker, but Other cities, including the capi- stopped selling water after the tal New Delhi and technology hub protests. Bengaluru, are also grappling with Offi cials, though, say there is no serious water shortages. reason to be worried. But the problem is most acute “Water is being extracted only wreak havoc in Mumbai in Chennai, where local tensions from regions within the district have been infl amed by the Tamil where there is suffi cient wa- AFP day, bringing the city to a virtual (13 inches) of rain overnight into were seen pushing cars through the weight of continuous rain. Nadu government tapping wells ter,” said Mageswari Ravikumar, Mumbai standstill. yesterday morning, the most in a fl ooded streets. Three people, including a tod- normally used for agriculture and Thiruvallur’s top administrative Authorities declared a public decade. Rescuers were sifting through dler, were also killed yesterday villagers’ daily needs. offi cial, adding that the district holiday yesterday and advised all The deluge left low-lying ar- the debris of the wall that col- in Thane district, which bor- In their letter, the Bangaram- administration had stopped t least 21 people were residents to stay indoors. eas submerged. lapsed in a slum area in Mum- ders Mumbai, when a wall col- pettai residents said they had some water tankers that were killed in Mumbai yester- Schools and colleges were “Everything around us is bai’s north, in the hope of fi nd- lapsed at a school. Two waiters petitioned government offi cials, extracting water illegally. Aday when a wall collapsed closed while more than 100 fl ooded. It’s scary and the prob- ing more survivors trapped were electrocuted after rainwa- including the district’s top ad- Two state government offi cials as the heaviest monsoon rains in fl ights were either cancelled or lem persists every year despite under rubble. ter gushed into a restaurant and ministrator, several times, but the said residents in at least three oth- a decade brought chaos to In- diverted from Mumbai airport. government promises,” Vishal The dead included a 10-year- came in contact with a live wire tankers keep returning. er villages in the district — where dia’s fi nancial capital and sur- The airport’s main runway Agawane, a 32-year-old resident old girl, who was trapped alive in Thane. Another person was “We don’t have water in one of much of the population relies on rounding areas. was shut after a SpiceJet plane of the Dharavi slum, said. under the debris for hours before critically injured. the two water tanks in the village cultivating rice and sugar cane Scores more were injured carrying 167 passengers and Around 1,000 people living rescuers pulled out her body in a And six labourers died near now because the private tank- — blocked roads in protest over when the structure came down crew overshot it. close to the city’s Mithi river 12-hour-long unsuccessful op- Pune when a wall fell onto their ers have been extracting water worries about falling groundwater around 2am (2030GMT Mon- “Currently secondary runway is were evacuated to higher ground eration. makeshift shacks. day and night,” said S Arul, a local levels. day) in a slum, said Tanaji Kam- in use, our team is trying their best as it threatened to burst its A local rescue volunteer ear- At least 15 labourers died in a signboard painter. And N Nijalingam, president of ble, a disaster management to bring the main runway back in banks, said Kamble, the disaster lier in the day told the NDTV similar accident on Saturday. Groundwater levels in Chen- the South Chennai Private Water spokesman for Mumbai’s local operation and this may take up to management spokesman. channel that they heard the girl Mumbai’s streets regular- nai’s neighbouring districts, Tankers Association, confi rmed authority. 48 hrs,” the airport tweeted. Train services on Mumbai’s crying in pain and begging for ly fl ood during the monsoon, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram, some tankers have been chased The tragedy came as the teem- According to Skymet Weath- colonial-era rail network, a life- water. which runs from June until Sep- fell at a faster rate in May than the away, while others have had con- ing coastal settlement of 20mn er, a private weather-tracking line for the city’s population, Building collapses are common tember or October, and which state average in districts exclud- frontations with angry crowds on residents was lashed by heavy agency, large swathes of Mumbai were disrupted due to water- during the monsoon, when di- provides India with most of its ing Chennai, data from the state’s the city’s outskirts. rains for a second consecutive received around 350millimetres logged tracks, while motorists lapidated structures buckle under annual rainfall. Meeting soon to decide Punjab protest Mallya gets reprieve on new Congress chief against extradition IANS She also argued that chief London magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, coming Maharashtra Assembly who had cleared Mallya’s extra- IANS No threat to Karnataka New Delhi, elections. dition last year, had made “very coalition: Congress Meanwhile, the party source he UK High Court yester- serious errors of fact and law”. also indicated that the number of day allowed Indian busi- The 63-year-old Mallya, he leadership crisis in the Unfazed by the resignation of general secretaries and secretaries Tness tycoon Vijay Mallya, chairman of now defunct King- Congress after party chief its two legislators, Congress will also shrink this time. charged with fraud and money- fi sher Airlines, left India on TRahul Gandhi off ered to leaders yesterday claimed Rahul had off ered to step down laundering back home, to appeal March 2, 2016 after defaulting step down following the Lok that there was no threat to its as the party chief on May 25, dur- against his extradition to India, on loans amounting to Rs90bn. Sabha drubbing may end soon as year-old coalition government ing the CWC meeting following local media reported. He has repeatedly denied fl eeing, the party is all set to call a Con- in Karnataka. “Our the party’s dismal performance Mallya, whose extradition and said that he is ready to pay gress Working Committee (CWC) government in Karnataka in Lok Sabha elections, where it order had been upheld by the back the money he owed to the meeting to decide on the new could manage to get only 52 out of Westminister Magistrates’ Court Indian banks. will complete its five-year president. 542 seats. last year and his appeal against The government had in 2017 term, though the BJP has Senior party sources said the He had himself lost from Am- it rejected earlier this year, had fi led for Mallya’s extradition. meeting of the CWC – the party’s been trying to topple it since ethi, his family pocket borough, moved the high court in a last- A consortium of 13 banks, top decision-making body – will day one,” Congress general to Union minister Smriti Irani by a ditch bid to stop against being led by the State Bank of In- be called in the next few days, after secretary K C Venugopal said margin of 55,000 votes. He, how- sent to India. dia, has initiated loan recovery getting a nod from the party chief. in New Delhi. ever, was elected to the Lok Sabha According to the reports, had proceedings against him in a The development comes a day from Kerala’s Wayanad. his appeal failed, he would have special court in Mumbai under after all the fi ve Congress chief Earlier in the day, scores of Con- been on his way back home the Fugitive Economic Offend- ministers met Rahul at his resi- On Saturday, Kharge, who is gress workers and activists sat on shortly. ers Act. dence and sought to persuade him also the party’s in-charge for Ma- indefi nite strike at the party offi ce In the hearing yesterday, his The enforcement directorate to continue as the party chief. harashtra, had, along with Shinde, demanding Gandhi to take back lawyer Clare Montgomery ar- had also moved the Special Pre- The party source said that general secretary K C Venugopal, his resignation. Even an upset gued that Mallya was being vention of Money Laundering names of former Union home party’s Maharashtra secretary Delhi Congress worker identifi ed Members of Punjab Roadways and Punbus contractor targeted on political consid- Act Court last year to get Mallya minister and senior Maharash- in-charge Sonal Patel, Manikrao as Hamid Khan tried to climb on workers union shout slogans against Punjab Chief Minister erations and had been “delib- declared a “fugitive economic tra leader Sushilkumar Shinde or Thackrey, former MP Nana Patole, a tree and hang himself. However, Amarinder Singh during bus strike in Amritsar yesterday. erately set up as a lightning rod off ender” and confi scate his Karnataka leader Mallikarjuna Rajya Sabha MP Hussain Dalwai, he was soon forcibly brought down Employees of the state-owned Punjab Roadways and Punbus of public anger at India’s bad properties, estimated at more Kharge, the leader of the party in state leader Mukul Wasnik, met by the Delhi Police personnel, who went on a three-day strike demanding regularisation of their debt”. It was unlikely he would than Rs120bn, making it the fi rst the previous Lok Sabha, are being Rahul at his residence and dis- were deployed there. He was taken services and raise in salaries. get a fair trial in these circum- such case of its kind under the considered for the top party post. cussed the leadership issue and the to Tughlaq Road police station. stances, she added. new law. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 15 LATIN AMERICA

Brazil’s rate path not tied directly to fiscal reforms: top bank chief The path for Brazilian interest rates does not depend record low 6.50% last month but expectations it will necessarily tied to one,” Campos Neto said. Drowned directly on the success or otherwise of the country’s soon begin loosening policy immediately surged. Campos Neto also said that Brazil has solid financial economic reforms, but on how that process feeds into Uncertainty over fiscal reforms was virtually the only buffers, noting that foreign direct investment can fund inflation and inflation expectations, central bank chief reason policymakers did not explicitly signal an immi- the current account deficit nearly seven times over and Roberto Campos Neto said yesterday. nent shift, economists said. that international reserves are worth around 20% of migrant man, Speaking at an event in Zurich, Campos Neto also said The central bank last week cut its 2019 growth forecast gross domestic product. Brazil has the financial buffers to protect the economy to 0.8% from 2% and its 2022 inflation target was set at This will help shield Brazil from external shocks. But from shocks from abroad, but risks to domestic growth 3.50%, reflecting a steady decline from this year’s 4.25%. risks of spillover from the slowing global economy from a global slowdown may be greater than previously As Campos Neto repeated yesterday, inflation vari- loom large. daughter buried thought. ables excluding Brazil’s fiscal adjustment process have “In light of evidence of economic slowdown in sev- “We are not tying the reforms to the decision on the evolved “favourably.” eral countries, the global environment may be more rates, but...we are saying that risk factor is the most A congressional special committee is this week relevant to the dynamics of economic activity than important now...because the sensitivity of the market expected to publish its revised version of the govern- previously anticipated,” he said, according to the text in El Salvador is telling us that,” Campos Neto said in a question and ment’s key pension reform bill, which aims to shore up of his presentation on the Brazilian central bank’s answer session. public finances and save the public purse around 1tn website. “(It) is not reforms themselves, but how this fits into the reais ($260bn) over the next decade. Campos Neto also repeated the central bank’s recent Tribune News Service dehydration, the latter as mi- macro variable that feeds into the inflation channel,” he “We don’t measure the probability of passing reforms, line that Brazil’s economy will recover “in a gradual fash- San Salvador grants wander in the desert said. we can’t make a decision based on that. There are other ion”, but like inflation, this will be steered by the reform amid intense heat. Migrants Brazil’s central bank kept interest rates on hold at a uncertainties...we are watching all of them. It is not process. — Reuters also face extortion and vio- heir drowning deaths lence. provoked worldwide The Martinez family came Tsympathy and outrage, from a working-class San Sal- while putting a human face on vador suburb. Martinez worked the issue of global migration. in a pizza shop, and his wife at a Hail carpets city A photograph of the bodies Chinese restaurant before quit- of a father and daughter hud- ting her job to care for the cou- dled face down in a final em- ple’s daughter. They saw little brace along the muddy banks future in El Salvador, relatives Politician on the Mexican side of the Rio and neighbours said. Grande spread rapidly via social The family lived in a neigh- media and otherwise a week bourhood known as Colonia ago, graphically illustrating the Altavista, in San Martin, a dangers faced by migrants. gritty suburb of San Salvador. It drew the attention of lead- Gang violence is rampant in on trial for ers such as Pope Francis, who the zone, residents said in in- was “profoundly grieved” terviews. about the deaths of the US- “Oscar was a tranquil per- bound migrants from El Sal- son, he minded his own busi- vador, the Vatican said, and ness, a hard worker,” said Lid- prayed “for them and for all the ia, a neighbour and friend who plot to kill migrants who have lost their asked to be identified only by lives trying to escape from the her first name because of se- war and misery.” curity concerns in the neigh- On Monday, Oscar Alberto bourhood. “Because of the Martinez Ramirez, 25, and his great problems of insecurity 23-month-old daughter, Angie in El Salvador, and because Maduro Valeria, were laid to rest in San here the jobs are not very well Salvador. Their bodies had been paid, he decided to migrate to AFP who used to be the speaker of the found June 24 near Matamoros, the US to give a better life to Caracas opposition-controlled legislature. Mexico, across from Browns- his daughter.” Meanwhile, Caracas has ville, Texas. Martinez’s mother, Rosa charged two intelligence offi cials The international press corps Ramirez, told reporters last Venezuelan politician ac- with homicide over the death of a that descended on El Salva- week that she had pleaded with cused of an attempt to as- navy captain who had been in mil- dor’s capital in the aftermath her son to consider the dangers Asassinate President Nicolas itary custody, the country’s chief of the deaths was mostly kept of the trip and “not to pursue Maduro using exploding drones prosecutor said. far away from the private cer- the American Dream” – a term will face trial after a court on Mon- President Nicolas Maduro’s emony at La Bermeja cemetery, that has taken on a sense of iro- day accepted charges against him, government over the weekend a final resting place for many of ny, even foreboding, as the per- his lawyer said. confi rmed the death on June 29 of the city’s poor. ils of the journey have captured Opposition lawmaker Juan Re- Rafael Acosta, arrested eight days “The tragedy of Oscar and headlines. But he and his wife quesens faces 30 years in prison if earlier for alleged participation in Valeria made visible the prob- decided to go anyway. found guilty of the brazen attempt a coup plot, without providing de- lem of migration, the tragedies The father and daughter were to kill Maduro as he attended a tails on the cause of death. that occur daily in the intention buried in a single plot in an area military parade in downtown Ca- Chief prosecutor Tarek Saab to emigrate,” Mario Vega, the of the cemetery named after racas on August 4, 2018. said two offi cials working for mili- pastor of the evangelical church Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran Two drones packed with ex- tary intelligence agency DGCIM where Ramirez and his family bishop who spoke on behalf of plosives fl ew towards President had been charged with homicide attended, told the media after- the poor and was assassinated Maduro, causing panic among in Acosta’s death. ward. in the 1980, as the country’s soldiers and civilians when they “Two offi cials working for the Among the estimated 300 civil war raged. detonated during his speech. (DGCIM) have been linked to this mourners, the pastor said, was Salvadoran President Nay- “The accusation against Juan regrettable incident,” Saab wrote Tania Vanessa Avalos, 21, the ib Bukele pointed to a failure Requesens was accepted in its en- on Twitter. widow of Martinez and the by El Salvador to provide for tirety...and consequently we are The two offi cials are a ser- mother of Angie Valeria. The its people as a contributing going to go to oral and public trial,” geant and a captain of the Na- assembled press did not see the factor in the tragedy of fa- lawyer Joel Garcia said after leav- tional Guard, who were aiding the widow or the coffins. ther and daughter. The pres- ing a lengthy hearing. DGCIM, he said. The mother had flown back ident noted the lack of jobs, Imprisoned since August 7, the Venezuela’s information minis- to El Salvador from Mexico on schools and healthcare in his lawmaker faces two charges of try did not respond to a request for Friday, ahead of the remains nation. attempted murder and fi ve oth- comment. of her husband and daughter, “We can speak blame to any ers for “possession of a fi rearm, Maduro has said the country which were transported back other country, but what about terrorism, treason, conspiracy to fully prosecutes human rights home overland. our blame?” Bukele, who took commit a crime and public incite- abuses and that Venezuela is un- El Salvador, along with office last month, said in a ment,” Garcia said. fairly targeted for criticism be- neighbouring Honduras and news conference. “I mean, what Requesens — who will remain cause of its socialist politics. Guatemala, constitute the so- country did they flee? Did they in custody while the trial is heard Diosdado Cabello, head of the called Northern Triangle region (flee) the US? They fled El Sal- — “pleads not guilty” to the al- pro-government Constituent As- of Central America that is the vador. They fled our country. It legations that could lead to a sen- sembly, referred questions about homeland of most migrants ar- is our fault.” tence of 30 years in prison if found Acosta’s case to the executive riving recently at the US-Mex- While both the US and Mex- guilty, said the lawyer, who added branch. ico border. ico have moved to clamp down there had been irregularities and Acosta, 50, was detained on The deaths came amid a surge on illicit migration, many ex- continuous procedural delays. June 21. in migrants, mostly from Cen- perts say a major downturn is Maduro’s socialist government When he was taken to a military tral America, seeking to enter unlikely as long as the so-called says retired soldier Juan Monas- tribunal on June 28, he was in a the US and apply for asylum. push factors – poverty and vio- terios has confessed to participat- wheelchair. The judge sent him to The increase includes a large lence – persist, prompting peo- ing in the attack and has broadcast a military hospital, where he died number of women and children, ple to seek opportunities in the videos of Requesens appearing in the early hours of June 29. in contrast to earlier migrant north. to admit to helping him enter the A defence ministry statement waves of mostly single men ar- “This was about a Salvadoran country from Colombia. said Acosta fainted at the start riving at the border. family trying to find a dignified According to Venezuelan au- of the tribunal hearing and was With the increasing numbers and secure life in another coun- Vehicles lie buried in hail in the streets in the eastern area of Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico. thorities, Requesens and Monas- transferred to a military hospital, of migrants have come more try,” said Celia Medrano, an ex- The hail buried vehicles and damaged homes. terios were acting at the request without off ering any further de- deaths, both by drowning and pert in immigration. of Julio Borges, an exiled deputy tails. Panama’s new president Lopez Obrador ‘would pledges to end poverty like to disband army’ Reuters armies, among them the Latin Mexico City American nations of Costa Rica Reuters Panama Papers leak of millions of strategic projects and starting to and Panama. Panama City of documents detailing tax eva- negotiate a free trade deal. Mexico’s army has tradition- sion by the rich and powerful. During the campaign, Cortizo exican President An- ally kept on the sidelines of in- “We come from a lost decade said he would continue to deepen dres Manuel Lopez Ob- ternational confl ict, but has been anama’s new President of corruption and improvisation, ties with China, but has suggest- Mrador said he would like deployed to tackle drug gangs Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo of stealing money from Pana- ed he might move more slowly to disband the army and put na- since 2007. Pvowed to curb corruption manians,” he said. “There will than Varela. tional security in the hands of the Lopez Obrador recognised the and close the wealth gap in the be no untouchables, even if they Cortizo did not mention China new National Guard militarised political challenges to eliminating isthmus nation at his swearing- are ministers, deputies and big in his speech, but in a statement police force, though he recog- the military, adding: “I can’t do it in ceremony on Monday. businessmen, starting with the on Monday his offi ce said Pana- nised the proposal was unlikely because there is resistance. One US-educated political veteran president himself.” ma “valued the relation with the to happen. thing is what is desirable and an- Cortizo, 66, of the Democratic Cortizo said he would propose People’s Republic of China.” It In an interview with Mexican other thing is what is possible.” Revolution Party (PRD), won the a new law in Congress, in which added that he was interested in newspaper La Jornada, the left- The creation of the National May election by just over two his party holds the majority, to revising trade agreements with ist president said he favoured Guard, which launched with 70,000 percentage points, the closest ensure clear rules and transpar- the goal of increasing agricultur- guaranteeing the nation’s secu- members and which Lopez Obrador presidential race in decades. ency around public contracts. al exports to the Asian country. rity through the National Guard, intends to grow to 150,000 units During his fi ve-year term he Panama’s economy grew 5.3% Fixing Panama’s inequality which he formally inaugurated across Mexico, has raised concerns will have to balance relations annually on average under former and reducing poverty would be on Sunday. about the militarisation of law en- with China and the US, on top of president Juan Carlos Varela, among the country’s major tasks, “If were up to me, I would get forcement in Mexico. domestic issues. driven by the fi nancial sector, in- Cortizo said. rid of the army and turn it into Lopez Obrador has already Upon taking offi ce at a conven- frastructure spending and revenue “The country of bonanza can- the National Guard, declare that tapped the force, which was cre- tion centre in the capital, Cortizo from the Panama Canal. not hide the country of misery,” Mexico is a pacifi st country that ated by a constitutional change, repeated campaign vows to clean However, Varela rankled the US he said. does not need a military and that to patrol the country’s northern up politics after Panama’s image by formally establishing diplo- Cortizo won a narrow elec- the defence of the nation, if neces- and southern borders in response was tarnished by a corruption matic ties with China, the second- tion victory over Romulo Roux, Panama’s new President Laurentino Cortizo gestures after sary, would be done by all,” he said. to US President Donald Trump’s scandal involving Brazilian engi- largest client of the Panama Canal, who initially refused to concede addressing the audience during his inauguration ceremony, in Only a few countries in the demands that Mexico do more to neering fi rm Odebrecht, and the accepting investment in a number defeat. Panama City, Panama. world have abolished standing contain migrant fl ows. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 PAKISTAN Economy on right Protest rally by traders track: Imran Khan

Internews ties – properties concealed in it becomes diffi cult to run the will enter into a new era after we Islamabad the name of others of Pakistani country,” he said. reached an agreement with IMF politicians and will start seizing Talking over the system of Fed- on July 3,” he added. them from Tuesday. eral Board of Revenue, Imran said Three zones established: rime Minister Imran Khan Imran said that the fi rst 10 that reforms in the institution are The federal government has no- has said that Pakistan’s months of his government were on cards as it has become neces- tifi ed the establishment of three Peconomy was moving in very diffi cult as the country was sary. “Reforms are necessary to major zones - Lahore, Karachi the right direction and assured suff ering from an economic crisis. bring the economy of the country and Islamabad - and 11 sub- the nation that the country will “Now Pakistan’s economy is going on track. We’ve done our home- zones for adjudicating authori- sail through this diffi cult period in the right direction,” he claimed. work and will bring reforms ac- ties to deal with benami (illegal) soon, ARY News channel report- “Pakistan would become cording to the situation.” properties as required under ed yesterday. bankrupt if fails to pay the loans “The United Arab Emirates, Benami Transactions (Prohibi- In an interview to ARY News, taken by previous regimes. The Saudi Arabia, China and Qatar tion) Act-2017. Imran claimed that past govern- rupee devaluation increases the have come to support Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on ments left every major institu- price of a dollar,” he added. in diffi cult times. Pakistan could Finance and Revenue Abdul tion of the country in shambles Speaking over the tax collec- have become bankrupt if they Hafeez Shaikh had announced and a debt-laden economy leav- tion system Imran said that the didn’t help us,” he added. on Sunday the creation of an ing his government with no op- tax base will increase when the Talking about the Interna- Adjudicating Authority as an Farooq Sattar, leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-Pakistan) political party, addresses tion but to raise electricity and government will succeed to attain tional Monetary Fund (IMF) umbrella and creation of three businessmen and representatives of various small traders, associations and markets against, what gas prices. the target of Rs5.5trn in taxes. bailout, the premier said that the zones of Lahore, Islamabad and they say is a harsh federal budget for the fiscal year 2019-20 that hikes in the gas and oil prices He announced that the gov- “Pakistan is the country economy would become more Karachi to go after those not de- and imposition of taxes, during a protest rally organised by the Traders Action Committee (TAC) in ernment is now taking ac- where people usually pay low tax stable with the introduction of claring their undisclosed assets Karachi yesterday. tion against ‘benami’ proper- and with this type of approach the programme. “The country and properties. 170,000 Govt to regularise contract staff

Internews The committee has been said that a unifi ed policy regard- 2015 subject to the conditions employees were still working on Islamabad tasked with forming a uniform ing regularisation of contract that only critically required of- contract. income tax policy for the regularisation of employees working in all min- fi cers and staff as determined As per prevailing services the contractual staff working in istries and divisions should be by the ministry on the basis of rules in Discos, the services of he federal government of various ministries and divisions. formed. technical requirements may be employees recruited in grades Pakistan has decided to The offi cials said the power The offi cials said Discos were hired against the sanctioned 1 to 16 were required to be de- Tregularise contract em- division had moved a sum- placed on the privatisation list in posts. clared regular after two years in returns ployees of all ministries and di- mary to the cabinet in a recent 2014. Since then no regular re- The commission said hiring service and services of employ- visions, including over 12,000 meeting seeking permission to cruitment had been made. should be for posts covered in ees in Grade 17 and above after of the power distribution com- regularise 12,011 contract em- However, with the expansion accordance with the last tariff one year in service based on per- panies (Discos) appointed dur- ployees hired by Discos dur- in the distribution network and petition submitted or going to be formance. ing the tenure of the PML-N ing the tenure of the PML-N retirement of employees, ample submitted to the National Elec- The offi cials said there was a fi led in June government. government. shortage of staff in Discos devel- tric Power Regulatory Authority settlement between the Labour Sources said that the gov- However, during discussion oped overtime. Resultantly, the (Nepra) by that entity. Union (CBA) and the manage- ernment has formed a com- in a cabinet meeting chaired by impact could be seen in customer It was further said that hiring ment of Pakistan Electric Power Internews bring them home. Successive mittee under the chairmanship Prime Minister Imran Khan, the services and response time. may only be made on a contract Company (Pepco) according to Karachi governments have promised of Adviser to the Prime Minis- cabinet members raised an is- The Ministry of Water and basis with a maximum duration which regularisation of contract to rein in tax evasion and boost ter on Institutional Reforms sue of a large number of contract Power approached the Priva- of one year. employees had been agreed upon revenues, but have faced fi erce and Austerity Ishrat Hussain employees who were awaiting tisation Commission seeking Discos proceeded with hir- and according to Section 49 of akistani authorities resistance to change powerful with the secretaries of the es- regularisation in many other permission for recruitment in ing in 2015-16 against the sanc- Industrial relations Act 2012, the have received 170,000 tax dodgers. tablishment division, fi nance, divisions and their subordinate these Discos on which the com- tioned posts in accordance with implementation of the settle- Pincome tax (IT) returns However, facing govern- law, railways and power as its offi ces as well. mission allowed proceeding for the guidelines of the Privati- ment between CBA and the man- in June, as fi ling spiked in the ment threats of an unprec- members. Thus, the cabinet members fresh hiring on September 16, sation Commission and those agement was legally binding. month ahead of July 3 (today) edented crackdown on tax deadline of an amnesty for the evaders, participation in the declaration of hidden assets, scheme has surged in late June. offi cials said. Analysts said the participa- The Federal Board of Rev- tion surge is defi nitely a relief enue (FBR) had received a for economic policymak- France returns stolen record total of 2.11mn income ers, some of whom fear a less tax returns by June 30, appar- than stellar amnesty would ently due to huge participa- force the government to slash artifacts to Pakistan tion in the amnesty scheme. the already meagre spending In June alone, the FBR had to contain a ballooning fi scal received 170,000 new income defi cit. Reuters gallery’s premises, customs of- tax returns. “Those who have evaded Paris fi cers seized several hundred “Though the date for fi ling taxes by hiding their local and more ceramic pieces. was also extended for gen- foreign assets have about two In a ceremony held at Pa- eral public (late tax fi lers), the more days to turn themselves rance returned more than kistan’s embassy in Paris, 445 numbers in June showed a into the programme or gamble 400 stolen artifacts to the artifacts were handed back to massive participation in am- they will not be caught,” said Fgovernment of Pakistan Pakistan yesterday, with an es- nesty scheme,” an offi cial said. an analyst. Sources said the yesterday, including ancient timated value of 139,000 euros FBR offi cials said they expect FBR had also included names busts, vases, urns and goblets, ($157,000). more income tax returns to of declarants under the am- some dating to the second and “It is indeed a special moment be added in the scheme after nesty scheme 2018 and Asset third millennia BC. for Pakistan,” said Muhamed three days extension in the Declaration Scheme - 2019 Many of the pieces turned up Majad Aziz Qazi, the head of scheme. in the latest Active Taxpayers in France in September 2006, mission. “It is also an emotional The amnesty, which runs List. sent in parcels addressed to a moment for us. We believe, to- until today (July 3), aims to “It would be the last ATL for gallery in Paris. day, that a part of Pakistan’s provide the government with the tax year 2018, if the date is The packages were inter- heritage is coming back to its new taxpayers and billions of not extended further,” a source cepted by customs offi cers homeland.” rupees in revenue to help cover said. The FBR issues ATL eve- at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Qazi said arrangements were Archaeologist Aurore Didier points to some artifacts amongst the 445 artifacts from the 2nd and 3rd a large fi scal defi cit. Under the ry year on March 1. airport and identifi ed by the being made to send the treas- millennium BC which were seized by French customs between 2006 and 2007, before being returned by measures announced in the It was regularly updating National Centre for Scientifi c ures back to Islamabad as soon French authorities to Pakistan, during a ceremony at the Pakistan embassy in Paris, yesterday. scheme, non-declared assets the ATL on weekly basis till the Research as items looted from as possible. can be regularised on payment fi scal year 2017/18. Through cemeteries in Pakistan’s Indus “Hopefully soon... you will with a fi ne of between 100,000 ancient artifacts, making it ever she said. “These lootings used of a 4% levy, with property as- the Finance Act, 2018 the valley. fi nd them in one of the best mu- and 200,000 euros for receiving harder to gather anthropologi- to be prevalent in this region of sets levied at 1.5%. late fi lers were denied as ac- Another consignment of pot- seums that we have in Pakistan.” stolen goods. cal data on the peoples who once Baluchistan.” Pakistanis who declare as- tive taxpayers. Since the dates tery and terracotta pieces des- While the gallery that was the Aurore Didier, a specialist in lived there. French President Emmanuel sets overseas are allowed to were frequently extended for tined for the same gallery was intended recipient of the loot has South Asian archaeology, said “It was not only greedy smug- Macron has made a point of seek- pay bit higher rate of tax / the tax year 2018, the FBR is stopped two weeks later. And not been named, French offi cials Baluchistan in southern Pakistan glers that encouraged it but the ing to return ancient artworks to penalty if they are not keen to still updating the ATL. during a search of the unnamed said it was likely to have been hit had suff ered widespread theft of international art market as well,” regions where they originated.

CNG dealers mull strike over gas Interview with Zardari taken off air Arrest of senior politician price hike The All Pakistan CNG Association Internews would not be aired. hear selected voices. President (APCNGA) may go on a countrywide Karachi “I am getting calls from all Zardari’s interview with @ sparks opposition fury strike against the unprecedented over the world people asking HamidMirPAK censored. Pulled hike in tariff of natural gas, a leader what happened? State of from air when it had already Reuters vehicle. If convicted, he could His lawyer, Azim Nazir of the CNG sector said. An interview of former Pakistan giving bad name to started. No diff erence in Zia’s Lahore face the death penalty. Tarar, said the accusations “The extraordinary hike of 31% in president Asif Ali Zardari was this country we don’t need Pakistan, Musharraf’s Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, the presi- were “ridiculous”. the tariff of natural gas will leave stopped from being aired enemies,” he said. and Naya Pakistan. This is no dent of the PML-N, de- Tarar said that Sanaullah the CNG sector bankrupt and shortly after it started on a A snippet of the interview was longer the free country Quaid akistan’s main oppo- nounced the arrest of his had told the court at his arrest thousands jobless,” said APCNGA private news channel. circulated on social media. promised us.” sition party yesterday longtime ally as a “fake case”. hearing that police had inter- Central chairman Iftikhar Ahmed. Hamid Mir, who was the “What’s wrong in it? I asked Various media watchdogs Pcriticised as political “It is just unfair, brutal and cepted his vehicle and driven He said it would hurt not only the interviewer of the programme some questions to ex- took notice of the incident and the arrest on drugs charges the worst oppression,” said him to their offi ce in Lahore masses and existing businesses on Geo News, took to Twitter president Asif Ali Zardari condemned press censorship of one of its senior provincial Sharif, saying the arrest had city without elaborating any using gas but it would also put to express his outrage over he responded? Is he bigger in the country. leaders. demonstrated the govern- further. Offi cials told him lat- future investment in jeopardy, which the incident. “I can only say criminal than Ehsanullah “Freedom Network slams Rana Sanaullah, a parlia- ment’s frustration at failing to er that heroin had been seized included construction of liquefied sorry to my viewers that an Ehsan former spokesman of what appears case of enforced mentarian and Punjab pro- deliver on its promises since from his car, he said. natural gas (LNG) terminals with the interview was started and TTP? Remember Ehsanullah #censorship as #interview vincial president of the Pa- coming to offi ce last year. The anti-narcotics po- help of foreign investment. stopped on Geo New[s] I will Ehsan gave interview from of @AAliZardari with @ kistan Muslim League Nawaz The episode followed a lice said Sanaullah himself He said compressed natural gas (CNG) share the details soon but off icial custody I interviewed HamidMirPAK is stopped (PML-N), was arrested by string of arrests of other op- pointed to a briefcase on the dealers in three provinces of Sindh, it’s easy to understand who Asif Zardari in Parliament minutes after it started,” the anti-drugs police on Monday position fi gures, including rear seat of the car when in- Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa stopped it? We are not living in House,” asked Mir. watchdog stated. on the motorway linking the former Prime Minister Na- tercepted, and helped offi cers had increased CNG prices by up to a free country,” he wrote. Commenting on the matter, The Asia Desk of the capital Islamabad with the waz Sharif and a number of unzip a polythene bag con- Rs22 per kg while the price in Punjab In a series of tweets, Mir Pakistan Peoples Party Committee to Protect eastern city of Lahore. He was his relatives, on corruption taining the drugs. had been raised by just Rs3 per kg. said that within few minutes chairman Bilawal Bhutto Journalists termed it an remanded in custody for 14 charges. Another main opposi- “Punjab is using imported gas, during the telecast Geo News Zardari tweeted: “Selected “outrageous infringement on days. Sanaullah, a fi ery politi- tion group, the Pakistan which has attracted 5% customs announced Zardari’s interview government only wants to freedom of the press!” Information Minister Fir- cian, had been saying for People’s Party, also con- duty in the budget that has dous Aashiq Awan said 15kg months that the government demned the arrest, calling it translated into Rs3 per kg,” he of heroin was seized from his was out to get him. victimisation. elaborated. (Internews) Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 17 PHILIPPINES

Government suspects fi rst suicide China seeks closure in bombing by a local boat-ramming incident

AFP By Catherine S Valente Xi Jinping. Fisherfolk group Manila Manila Times Pamalakaya slammed the presi- dent for entering into such an agreement. Filipino militant is sus- hina is seeking closure “Whether verbal or formal pected of carrying out an of the issue on the ram- agreement, the mere fact that Aapparent suicide bomb- Cming of a Philippine our chief executive has given ing last week in the southern boat by a Chinese vessel in the a go signal to China to exploit Philippines, an army general said Recto (Reed) Bank because it is our marine territory at the ex- yesterday, a grim fi rst for the in- hurting the relations between pense of Filipino fi sherfolk is surgency-plagued nation. Beijing and Manila, Malacanang more than enough to have him Philippine targets have been said yesterday. impeached over treason and struck in the past in rare in- Palace spokesman Salvador culpable violation of our con- stances of suicide attacks, but Panelo said China wanted the stitution,” Pamalakaya Chair- this would be fi rst believed to issue put to rest so as not to fur- man Fernando Hicap said in a have been carried out by a Fili- ther strain its diplomatic rela- statement. pino. tions with the Philippines. Pamalakaya denounced the The bombing Friday of a mili- He said China relayed the agreement, saying Filipino fi sh- tary base on the southern island message through its Ambas- ermen should have been con- of Jolo killed at least fi ve people sador to the Philippines Zhao sulted. and bore the hallmarks of a sui- Jianhua. “We have to put clo- “A chief executive does not cide attack, authorities said. sure to this because our rela- make an agreement with a for- Major General Cirilito Sobe- tions are being aff ected,” Panelo eign counterpart without get- jana said the suspected bomber’s said, quoting Zhao. ting the side of its constituents, remains were identifi ed by his “I’m sure all Filipinos would especially if it involves and mother and a sibling, but DNA want to put closure to this. We compromises our rights to our testing was needed to confi rm have to determine exactly who exclusive territory,” Hicap said. the preliminary identifi cation. was at fault,” he added. The group also denounced Sobejana said investigators Panelo said President Rodrigo China’s refusal to involve a third can’t entirely rule out the pos- Duterte would seek China’s as- party in the investigation of the sibility the bomb was remotely surance that it would guarantee Recto Bank incident on June 9. detonated and the 23-year-old the rights and safety of Filipino “Beijing’s rejection to have a suspect, who allegedly has ties fi shermen in the West Philip- third party in the joint investi- to militant group Abu Sayyaf, pine (South China) Sea. Off icers of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc, led by its president Dr Lim Bon Liong (second gation says a lot about the whole was merely carrying it. Duterte pushed for the pro- left, front), pose with F/B GEM-VIR boat captain Junel Insigme (third left, front) and boat owner Felix Dela Torre (centre, front) during the nature and the outcome of this “The probability that it was a tection of Filipino fi shermen ceremonial turnover of P1.2mn in cash donation and sacks of rice for the fishermen whose boat was destroyed after being rammed by a process, that it will be a one- suicide bombing is very high, but when he met with members of Chinese vessel in Recto Bank. sided probe in favour of China. we also have to consider those his Cabinet on Monday. We reiterate our strong objec- possibilities,” he added. “The Cabinet discussed the ment. “The president wanted third party in the joint investi- men were left at sea after their He also said the Chinese tion to a joint investigation with If confi rmed, the bomber Recto Bank incident where China’s assurance that the gation of the Recto Bank inci- boat was rammed in early June. could fi sh in Philippine waters China because it means cover- would be the fi rst known lo- PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa rights and safety of our fi sher- dent. The fi shers were rescued by a because the Philippines had no up to the Chinese perpetrators cal suicide attacker in a nation Duterte) told the Cabinet that folk are guaranteed,” he added. Panelo said China preferred Vietnamese vessel. capability to stop China. while depriving our fi shermen where security offi cials had long the incident be discussed dur- On Monday, Malacanang a joint investigation with the The president downplayed The Palace later claimed that justice, and moreover, a surren- said the tactic goes against local ing the bilateral meetings with revealed that China rejected Philippines. the incident as just a “little Duterte had a fi shing agree- der of our sovereignty,” Hicap culture. China,” Panelo said in a state- Duterte’s proposal to include a Twenty-two Filipino fi sher- maritime accident.” ment with Chinese President said. Philippine defence Secretary Delfi n Lorenzana said on Mon- day the attack was “obviously a suicide bombing”, describing it as an important development in the nation’s restive south. Bill to lower age of Insurgent groups have killed Duterte’s son mulls run tens of thousands in their dec- ades-long fi ght for a separate criminal liability refi led homeland in the nation. The defence chief said Friday’s blast was the third suicide attack for top spot in Congress By Javier J Ismael age of criminal liability. In 2017, on the Philippines, following a Manila Times Senate Minority Leader Franklin July 2018 van bomb in southern Drilon fi led a similar bill, seek- Basilan island, and explosions Reuters Paolo Duterte had served as ing to lower the minimum age of during Sunday mass in January Manila Davao vice mayor but resigned ith the start of the 18th criminal responsibility to 12. at a Catholic cathedral in Jolo. in late 2017 citing a failed mar- Congress on Monday, It was referred to the Senate All three attacks were claimed riage and damage to his repu- W“senior” senators fi led Justice and Human Rights Com- by the Islamic State group, which he son of Philippine tation from him being linked their respective pet bills, with mittee, but no committee hear- takes credit for the violence car- President Rodrigo Du- to a seized $125mn shipment Senate President Vicente Sotto ing was ever conducted. ried out by local affi liates such Tterte said yesterday he of illegal drugs from China, 3rd leading the pack. The age proposals of Sotto and as kidnap-for-ransom group might seek the speakership of which led to his appearance Sotto fi led 10 bills, including Drilon are higher than the origi- Abu Sayyaf. Authorities have the lower house of Congress, before a Senate inquiry. a refi led measure that seeks to nal proposal of the House of Rep- blamed foreign attackers for the heating up a race for leader- He has denied involvement lower the age of criminal liability resentatives in 2016, which was two previous blasts which killed ship of a legislature dominated and he has not been charged from 15 to 13 years old. Come- nine years old. Psychologists, pro- more than 30 people. by his father’s allies. with any off ence. back Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. also child groups and social workers Sobejana added the suspect Paolo Duterte, 44, who won Though the president has fi led 10 measures. opposed this, saying a child’s brain was a member of the Abu Sayyaf a seat in May’s midterm elec- increased his majority in Other senators who fi led bills had not yet fully developed at ad- faction led by Hajan Sawadjaan, tion, proposed to share the Congress and the Senate, his were Senate President Pro Tem- olescence and that the problem who allegedly plotted the attack three-year speaker term and choice of house leaders and pore Ralph Recto, Francis Pan- was the law’s implementation. on the Jolo cathedral in January. wants to settle what he said their eff ectiveness could be vi- gilinan, Panfi lo Lacson, Pilar Ju- The other bills Sotto fi led were Abu Sayyaf has been blamed was a divide in a newly-elected Paolo Duterte: race for top spot? tal to determining the success liana “Pia” Cayetano and Maria the proposed Medical Scholar- for some of the worst terror at- chamber that has yet to con- or failure of his presidency. Lourdes Nancy Binay. ship Act, Anti-Drug Penal In- tacks in Philippine history, in- vene for its fi rst session. added. The president has yet He was referring to daugh- Some political commenta- Sotto, former chairman of the stitution Act, Presidential Drug cluding frequent kidnappings of “We are not talking about to endorse a candidate amid ter Sara Duterte, his succes- tors say Duterte needs to get Dangerous Drugs Board, said his Enforcement Authority Act, foreigners. two persons here. We are talk- intense lobbying for the post. sor as Davao City mayor, and his legislative agenda passed bill is consistent with President Dangerous Drugs Court, Pre- Members of the group have ing about our beloved coun- A month ago, Duterte said youngest son, Sebastian, her as early as possible, or risk it Duterte’s goal to curb criminal- vention of Terrorism Act, Hy- pledged allegiance to IS, includ- try,” he said in a statement. he would resign the presidency vice mayor. Sara Duterte is fast being held hostage by money ity in the country. brid Election Act, Increasing the ing those who participated in the “It is not about speaker- if his son became speaker, be- becoming a political heavy- politics, horse-trading or a Duterte wanted Republic Act Penalty for Perjury, Anti-fake 2017 siege of the southern city of ship alone, but who is the right cause there were already three weight and is being tipped to shifting of allegiances as the 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice Act news/Anti-false Content Act Marawi. person to unite Congress,” he Dutertes in offi ce. take over as president in 2022. 2022 elections draw nearer. of 2006” amended to lower the and the 14th Month Pay Law. Landlords become big winners on Chinese infl ux

Reuters Chinese tenants but I was con- of expatriate workers in the Phil- for 1,500 pesos per square me- local strife and increase the com- Manila vinced later on when my friends ippines. tre, Andaya said, comparable to petition for jobs when 2.29mn told me they were doing the In comparison, there were rents in Makati. Filipinos are unemployed. same”, said Tessie. 4,477 work permit holders from Alongside, the infl ux of Chi- The issue is being compound- essie, her husband and “It’s benefi ting people like Japan and 622 from the United nese workers has fuelled a surge ed by the arrest of hundreds of their adult son recently me who need to earn”, said the States last year. in demand for residential space, undocumented Chinese workers Tvacated their home of 37 63-year-old housewife. The arrival of Philippine off - lifting condominium and hous- in illegal online gambling out- years in a Manila suburb to make Her home is close to a two- shore gaming operators, better ing rents by as much as 50% in fi ts and construction sites and way for some unfamiliar tenants tower offi ce building where ve fi known as POGOs, has become areas where POGOs operate, said the discovery by authorities that — 20 Chinese nationals. of the nine fl oors are used by a major boon for the property Pronove Tai International Prop- some of these entities have not It wasn’t an easy decision to Chinese gaming fi rms. market just as it was getting erty Consultants. been paying correct taxes. let out their 5-bedroom home, A Chinese restaurant and crimped by a slowdown in the “The sales market increased But Duterte has called for tol- but for 140,000 pesos ($2,730) Chinese tea shop downstairs do country’s with investors buying bulk erance. a month in rent — nearly three brisk trade. Such arrangements $24bn outsourcing sector. units...which they lease to Chi- “The Chinese, let them times the norm in their middle- are now commonplace across “POGOs came in and saved nese companies as staff hous- work here. Let them be. Why? class neighbourhood — it was the business hubs of Manila, the offi ce market”, said Dom Fre- ing”, Pronove Tai said. We have 300,000 Filipinos in an off er too good to refuse, said where Chinese gaming fi rms are drick Andaya, a director at Col- Chinese accounted for close China. That’s why I can’t just Tessie. capitalising on the Philippines’ liers International Philippines. to 50% of local developers’ for- say, leave, or have them de- She declined to be identifi ed liberal gaming environment. “We would have had double- eign sales, Colliers said, helping ported. What if they make all by her full name. The infl ux started in 2016, co- digit vacancy rates by 2017 if drive residential property prices the 300,000 (Filipinos) leave”, Like Tessie, many Filipino inciding with the rise of Philip- POGOs did not come”. higher. Duterte said in a speech in Feb- landlords are laying out welcome pine President Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine gaming regulators Shop signs and names of res- ruary. mats for the surging number of who since coming into power has have so far licensed 56 POGOs Chinese nationals queue outside the Bureau of Immigration in Manila. taurants, spas and pharmacies Filipino businessman JP Chinese coming to Manila to pursued warmer ties with China, from 35 in 2016. in Mandarin have become in- Gaspar, who is renting out his work in online gaming compa- and the gaming regulator’s move They have also accredited contact details were available in Manila by year-end, Andaya creasingly common around the family’s four-bedroom home to nies taking sports and casino to license these Internet gam- 204 gaming support providers online but they did not respond. said, nearly 12 times more than capital, and many retail stores Chinese nationals for 100,000 bets, undeterred by simmer- bling operators. that market their products and Reuters also visited at least in the last quarter of 2016. are now using Chinese digital pesos a month, said he is aware ing anti-China sentiment and a The number of Chinese work render customer service to play- one gaming tenant in a building Offi ce rents in the Manila Bay payment apps WeChat Pay and the country’s embrace of China common perception that Chi- permit holders nearly quadru- ers abroad, among other serv- in the main Makati business dis- area, which has the highest con- AliPay. may not last longer than Du- nese are taking Filipino jobs. pled in two years to 109,222 in ices. trict but was denied entry. centration of POGOs, have risen But lawmakers are growingly terte’s six-year term in office. “I was afraid at fi rst because 2018, government data showed, Reuters requested comment POGOs will likely take up 1mn as much as 150% over the past worried that the rising number “In the meantime, I’ll grab I heard so many bad things abut making China the biggest source from at least two POGOs whose square metres of offi ce space two years, with some renting up of Chinese workers could lead to the opportunity”, Gaspar said. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 03 - 07 -2019 Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Trump-Xi handshake: Temporary trade truce, short-term benefi ts Global fi nancial markets have reacted positively to the “apparent” weekend warming of trade relations between the US and China. Longer-term, however, economists and market observers are not buying the optimism as the outlook remains uncertain. Stock markets surged on Monday after US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed on the sidelines of the G20 summit to restart trade talks, reviving hopes of an end to their tariff war. Trump said negotiations to resolve the standoff between the US and China — the world’s two biggest economies — were “back on track”, adding that he would hold off imposing threatened new levies on Chinese goods. In battle for Libya’s oil, While Trump also signalled a softer position on Chinese telecom giant Huawei, China pledged to buy more US agricultural machinery. Nevertheless, analysts fi nd little reason surmise that the so-called truce will help cushion ailing global trade and water becomes a casualty growth data. More signifi cantly, the prospects for another jolt in fragile negotiations may limit any changes in bets for interest-rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve. Reuters as the Great Man Made River (MMRP) maintenance,” Sunni said. thousands of employees and fi ghters. “The US-China ceasefi re handshake came in line with Tripoli was a world-leading civil engineering Across Libya, demand has risen to In Tripoli, Prime Minister Fayez project when it was built in the 1980s. 7bn cubic metres annually, up from al-Serraj’s UN-backed government has our expectations, but our main takeaway is that investors Some 80% of the population of 5.5bn in 2011, as farmers and others have brought some order but armed groups and policy-makers shouldn’t stop worrying about trade,” hile Libya’s oil lies at the 6mn live along or near the northern drilled wells or tapped reservoirs, Sunni have forced the state to give them and Citigroup’s Cesar Rojas and global chief economist heart of three months of Mediterranean coast and depend on said. their partners jobs or contracts. Catherine Mann said in a note. “The impact on the real fi ghting over Tripoli and fresh water pumped via its pipelines By 2025, Libya will need 8bn. Sunni said water infrastructure economy is ongoing from both the current tariff s and the Wyears of power struggles from vast aquifers further south, where The draft Unicef report, which has needed 2bn dinars ($1.4bn) of before that, water is becoming a far Libya’s abundant oil reserves also lie. yet to be fi nalised, listed kidnapping of investment but his authority got 60mn uncertainty on the potential escalation.” bigger concern for its people. Ground water in coastal areas is water workers and looting of equipment dinars last year and nothing yet this year Here’s what market observers are saying: “There’s no Interruptions to water supplies are salty and contaminated by sewage and among many problems. due to the war. indication of progress on key sticking points,” Morgan common after eight years of near- around 80% of desalination plants have “If not addressed properly and Serraj said in an interview that Stanley’s Michael Zezas wrote in a note. “An uncertain anarchy since Muammar Gaddafi was broken down, water authority offi cials immediately, these threats and damages funding for Libya’s development and ousted, but a wider crisis is now coming and diplomats say. could lead to the complete failure of the basic services had to be diverted to pause doesn’t do enough to remove the overhang.” to a head in a country made up mainly of The pipes supply Libya with more MMRP,” it said. equip troops and treat the wounded. The temporary trade arid desert and split between competing than 70% of its fresh water and remain Sunni said water quality had been While instability since 2011 has Economists and truce doesn’t make administrations. crucial because desalination plants are aff ected by a lack of treatment, due to eroded living standards, with GDP a fi nal deal any more In western Libya, fi nding clean water complicated to fi x and vulnerable to a shortage of funds for chemicals and of around $7,235 per capita, Libya is likely, according to has become diffi cult because both the attack, offi cials at the United Nations’ equipment, and some offi cials agree still an upper middle income country, market observers power grid and water control system children’s agency say. with residents who say water in the taps according to the World Bank. academic Zhu Ning, have been damaged in an off ensive by People dismantle well heads to sell is not fi t to drink. But it now depends on the UN and are not buying who advises the forces loyal to eastern-based Khalifa the copper and tribesmen living in the “All water is contaminated,” said Badr other international organisations for the optimism as Chinese government Haftar on Tripoli, where the UN-backed neglected south close or destroy pipes al-Din al-Najjar, head of the National a multitude of services, including and central bank. government is based. to press their demands with offi cials in Centre for Disease Control, listing building water tanks for the one-in-fi ve “Drinkable water is a daily issue the capital. problems such as harmful bacteria or a schools without piped water. outlook remains “With Donald Trump for my family,” said Usama Mohamed As a result, 101 of 479 wells on the high-salt content. “There is no drinking “Libya and Tripoli have been without in offi ce I don’t think it Dokali, a cashier in a cafe in Tripoli, who western pipeline system have been water, especially from the state.” water for many, many hours for two uncertain makes any diff erence,” buys bottled water when he can and gets dismantled, Abdullah El-Sunni, head of The problem has been building since months...so how can children wash?” Zhu said on Monday. it from a charity when his money runs the Tripoli-based water authority said Gaddafi ’s overthrow, when offi cials said Abdel-Rahman Ghandour, Libya Make no mistake, the trade war has already taken on a out. in an interview with Reuters. stopped investing in facilities that had Special Representative of Unicef. Other people fi ll bottles from wells Asked if there could be a water been looted, damaged or allowed to The agency also carries out basic global dimension. and hope for the best. crisis, he said power cuts were already deteriorate in the chaos. childhood vaccinations and the United Off ering a reality check on the trade truce, global Looting and neglect have made the threatening supplies. Libya sits on Africa’s biggest proven Nations and other international bodies manufacturing took another knock at the end of the second situation fragile and armed groups have Since the central monitoring room of oil reserves and is pumping the highest provide food for displaced people and quarter, signalling a worsening economic growth outlook. exploited the unrest. the pipeline system for western Libya volumes of crude since 2013. even medical kits to state hospitals to In May, gunmen pressing offi cials to was hit around early May, engineers But the $34bn budget is mainly used treat civilians and fi ghters on both sides Across Asia and Europe, factory activity shrank in June, release a detained relative forced water have been unable to gauge water to pay armed groups, an overstaff ed of the frontline. while the US showed only meagre growth, according to workers to turn off supplies to all of pressure and fl ows. public service and fuel subsidies or is “The health system is about to purchasing managers’ indexes. A global measure pointed Tripoli for two days. A Tunisian maintenance fi rm working simply stolen, diplomats say and some collapse,” Najjar said. to a second straight contraction, the fi rst time that has The United Nations has warned all on the system left because of the Libyan offi cials admit. Authorities have banned swimming happened since 2012. sides that water should not become a fi ghting. The government says it is committed in the Mediterranean in and around the weapon of war, but the water system “The water fl ow to Western Libya to fi ghting corruption and its economic Tripoli because sewage gets pumped Signs of weakness were widespread in reports on is already badly damaged in western has dropped from the normal fl ow of reforms have helped. unfi ltered in to the sea. Monday, with Chinese manufacturers seeing declines in Libya where the capital is located, 1.2mn cubic metres per day to about Haftar, a former Gaddafi -era With homes deprived of air sales and production, and Germany suff ering from weaker according to unpublished reports by the 800,000 cubic metres per day now, military commander, is allied to a conditioning by power cuts, people foreign demand. Exports from South Korea plunged almost water authority and the United Nations due to sabotage and lack of funding and parallel administration which has hired crowd the beaches nonetheless. 14%, and Japan’s Tankan confi dence index dropped to a Children’s Agency. Even local bottled water in a country three-year low. which sits on Africa’s biggest proven oil An International Monetary Fund blog in May concluded reserves has become contaminated. that “consumers in the US and China are unequivocally the If the damage does not get fi xed, losers from trade tensions.” The IMF has warned that the there could be a “sudden, unexpected, uncontrollable and un-prepared for” global economy remains vulnerable to trade tensions and shutdown of the main water pipeline urged governments to be “very careful.” system, the water authority said in a Sure, there is a general welcome for the trade truce. But March presentation to international worries do remain about the long-term outlook on the organisations seen by Reuters. global economic health. “The consequences will be catastrophic as there is no viable Despite the Trump-Xi handshake, die-hard mutual alternative water supply system,” it said. distrust refuses to just melt away. And the uncertainty and That warning of a possible systematic damage brought by the still enduring trade tensions remain failure, echoed in a draft Unicef report drag on corporate confi dence and the macro outlook. the same month, is the most dramatic sign of a collapse of state services in what was once one of North Africa’s To Advertise richest countries. It would have far-reaching [email protected] consequences in a country where Display lawlessness is being exploited again by militants, armed groups and people 44466621 44418811 promising to smuggle African migrants and refugees to Europe. Classified “An estimated 4mn people would be 44466609 44418811 deprived of access to safe water,” Unicef Libya spokesman Mostafa Omar said by Subscription e-mail, listing cholera, hepatitis A and diarrhoea, a major childhood killer, as [email protected] the likely result. Poor public services were one of the drivers of the uprising against Gaddafi , © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved but a 4,000km pipeline system known People fill gallons with water during a water shortage in Tripoli, Libya, in this June 13, 2019 photograph. Gulf Times Wednesday, July 3, 2019 19 COMMENT Build your own talent magnet

By Simon Johnson private sector, actual entrepreneurs, Research and development is labour Washington, DC and venture capital. This approach, intensive: each scientist needs 3-5 lab pioneered by Fiona Murray and Phil technicians, depending on the process, Budden, has proved to have great and these are generally well-paid round the world, the appeal around the world. jobs. In addition, as a cluster becomes creation of good new jobs is Everyone thinking about economic stronger, it creates more good jobs increasingly concentrated development and innovation faces in ancillary business and personal Ain some of the largest cities. a variant of the same question: services, all of which are local and hard Innovative people want to work and Where will the good jobs come from? to outsource to faraway places. live in close proximity to one another. Established strategies, such as just America’s trading partners in This process of talent agglomeration getting people into any job, are no Europe and Asia are attracted to this has accelerated in recent decades and longer satisfactory. People need jobs idea. It is easy enough to implement shows no signs of abating. It has also that pay living wages (or better). through various forms of competition produced some increasingly glar- And when employers want to hire, among local governments – like ing adverse side effects: worsening as in some places in the Midwestern the bidding process for Amazon’s congestion (of roads, schools, and United States, they report signifi cant second headquarters. The difference social services) in megacities; eco- weaknesses in terms of available local is that governments would compete nomic segregation as lower-income skills and appropriate vocational by offering complementary local people are pushed out of big cities by training. investments (such as infrastructure, rising housing costs; and potentially Helping entrepreneurs’ businesses schooling, and public amenities), deeper social polarisation as people grow and attract financing is always rather than tax breaks. elsewhere feel excluded from the best a critical part of the puzzle, as As the biggest cities attract more opportunities. emphasised by MIT’s Bill Aulet and talent, it becomes increasingly One response to the urban boom Shari Loessberg. But the practical difficult for them to remain has been to introduce congestion process of building stronger productive. High real-estate prices pricing. Urban tolls that vary with innovation clusters is not one size fits discourage young people from trying traffic levels are already in use in all. In some parts of the world, the to break into an area. Diffusing the places like London, Singapore, and solution may include building faster development process geographically Stockholm. New York City will local transport links. For example, by embracing a broader and deeper introduce a version for the busiest reducing the travel time between process for nurturing innovation part of Manhattan in 2021, Seattle Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and ecosystems strengthens national is watching closely, and Northern Sheffield would create a much more economies and helps countries Virginia is already implementing integrated labour market for creative as they compete to be the places on major arteries. It can cost up to talent in the north of England. where next-generation technology $25 to take Interstate 66 inbound In other places, an important part is invented and manufactured. to Washington, DC, during rush of the task may be to change the local Countries that don’t adopt some hour (it’s free off-peak). However, technical university’s strategy and version of this process will lose out to congestion pricing raises the cost of deepen its engagement with industry. New jobs are increasingly concentrated in some of the largest cities in the world. those that do. - Project Syndicate living and further reduces middle- Ivory towers are a thing of the past, at class families’ access to places with least with respect to the development innovative in a particular place, As my MIT colleague Scott Stern be modernised, land often needs z Simon Johnson, a former chief the best opportunities. of new technology. I am impressed there will necessarily be associated likes to say: no one is in charge of to be cleaned up before it can be economist of the IMF, is a professor An alternative approach is to focus by the number of senior university manufacturing jobs. entrepreneurship. The idea that reused, and education systems at MIT Sloan, a senior fellow at the on building innovation ecosystems officials who now make this point. The future of manufacturing in government – at any level – can must be strengthened. These are all Peterson Institute for International that are not necessarily in the largest At the same time, those countries like the US seems bright, in or will directly create more new government responsibilities. Economics, and co-founder of a cities. Some of my colleagues at MIT responsible for developing an part because automation means that companies is an illusion. At the In addition, as Jon Gruber and I leading economics blog, The Baseline run a Regional Entrepreneurship innovation ecosystem need to labour costs become less important same time, local government is argue in our book, Jump-Starting Scenario. He is the co-author, with Acceleration Programme (REAP), pay attention to how many jobs when considering where to build new an important part of the REAP America, national governments Jonathan Gruber, of Jump-Starting which helps local leaders construct are created for people at different plants. But a corollary is that such coalitions, particularly in places can catalyse both the development America: How Breakthrough Science viable coalitions, including education levels. It is no longer manufacturing will be much less where urban-renewal initiatives of new science and frameworks Can Revive Economic Growth and the universities, government, the existing enough to assume that if you are labour intensive than in the past. are underway. Transit needs to that encourage commercialisation. American Dream.

Whales targeted by Japan face extinction threat Three-day forecast TODAY as well, according to Justin Cooke, a There are two known sub-species Maximum Temperature : 410c AFP Minimum Temperature : 340c Paris long-standing member of the IWC’s of the larger Bryde’s whales — also scientific committee and a member filter feeders — that grow up to 17 THURSDAY of the IUCN’s Cetacean Group. metres (55 feet) in length. Maximum Temperature : 410c ne of three species Japan “There are two types of minke Japan stopped hunting Bryde’s Minimum Temperature : 310c has targeted in resuming whale exploited off the coast of in 1987, but re-authorised yearly FRIDAY commercial whaling on Japan,” he said. catches in international waters of 50 Maximum Temperature : 430c OMonday is threatened with “The one found in coastal waters individuals starting in 2000, again Minimum Temperature : 360c — in the Sea of Japan, the East for supposedly “scientific” research. extinction, and sub-populations of Fisherman's forecast the other two are severely depleted China Sea and the Yellow Sea — is The North Pacific population — as well, according to experts. quite severely depleted due to a found mostly in the middle range WARNING After pulling out of the long history of catches by Japan and of Japan’s exclusive economic zone Inshore : Nil International Whaling Commission South Korea.” — was recently estimated at just Offshore : Nil (IWC) at the end of last year, Japan Besides those targeted by whalers, over 26,000 by the IWC’s scientific announced it would allow 227 of the others die after getting caught up in committee. WEATHER Inshore : Hot daytime with slight giant sea mammals to be harpooned netting set for fish, he explained. The other sub-species is found dust at places. within its territorial waters — Known as the “J stock”, the in Japan’s southern waters and extending 200 nautical miles coast-hugging minke (Balaenoptera supports a local whale-watching Offshore : Slight dust becomes fine later (370km) from its coast — before the acutorostrata) are highly unusual industry. end of December. A captured minke whale is lifted by among baleen, or filter-feeding, Also known as Eden’s whale, they WIND The commission’s 1986 a crane into a truck bed at a port whales because they breed during number just under 170, according to Inshore : Northwesterly-North- moratorium on whaling forbids all in Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture the summer rather than the winter. a 20-year old stocktake, Cooke said. easterly 05-15/22 KT whaling, though a trio of countries, yesterday. Surveys by Japanese and South For the endangered Sei whale, Offshrore : Northeasterly-South- including Japan, flouted the ban Korean fisheries agencies have experts disagree on how to easterly 05-15/18 KT through loopholes while remaining The sei — at 20 metres (645 feet), estimated their numbers at about characterise its population. Visibility : 4-8 KM within the IWC. the biggest of whales after the blue 1,500, Cooke said in an interview. “Japanese scientists insist that Japan’s new self-arrogated and the fin — was the main target The more plentiful “O stock” there is only one (population) in the Offshore : 2-4/5 FT quota — which could be renewed or of Japan’s ostensibly “scientific” minke — which breed in summer and whole North Pacific,” said Cooke. “But they have only collected data changed next year — includes 150 whaling from the early 2000s until number about 25,000 — are found Around the region Bryde’s, 52 minke and 25 sei whales. 2017. further north in the Sea of Okhotsk, from the offshore area.” Weather One of these species, the sei, The Red List classifies Bryde’s and in Russian waters. A competing hypothesis is that Weather tomorrow Max/min is listed at “endangered” on minke whales “of least concern,” As with other types of whales, the region is home to five distinct today Max/min Sunny 43/26 the International Union of the meaning they are not currently including orca, sub-populations of populations, including one along Baghdad Sunny 45/27 Cloudy 47/33 Conservation of Nature’s Red List, threatened with extinction. the same species can develop highly the western coast that will now be Kuwait CitySunny 47/33 Sunny 40/34 which has assessed the conservation But these assessments obscure a distinct behaviour patterns, which hunted for its meat. Manama Sunny 39/32 P Cloudy 37/33 status of some 100,000 animals and more nuanced reality that could spell has led some biologists to describe The latest estimate for this sub- Muscat Sunny 36/31 Sunny 39/26 plants. trouble for sub-groups of the species these differences as “cultural”. group is about 400, Cook said. Tehran Sunny 36/25

Live issues Mothers’ education can matter for diabetic kids

2013. In type 1 diabetes, the rarer form In the current study, HbA1c levels capable of helping manage diabetes By Manas Mishra Around the world Reuters Health of the disease, the body’s immune averaged 7.6% in children of mothers and could help their kids on how to system mistakenly kills the beta cells with advanced degrees, 7.9% in control their disease. Weather Weather in the pancreas that make and release children of women with bachelor’s Links between patient education today Max/min tomorrow Max/min amily background can the hormone insulin. Type 1 diabetes degrees, 8.2% in children whose or socioeconomic status and Athens Sunny 35/23 Sunny 38/24 matter for the health of requires treatment with insulin mothers graduated from vocational compliance with treatment has been Beirut Sunny 29/24 Sunny 29/24 diabetic children, according injections. or 2-year colleges, and 8.4% in shown in older studies, too. Bangkok S T Storms 29/26 T Storm 30/26 Fto researchers in Denmark The children were divided into children of mothers with no more The study is limited because it was Berlin P Cloudy 21/10 M Cloudy 23/14 who found young patients’ blood 4 groups, depending on their than a high school degree. not possible to get information on Cairo Sunny 38/23 Sunny 38/23 sugar control was linked with the mother’s highest level of education. Children of better-educated all mothers and their children in the Cape Town P Cloudy 16/12 S Showers 16/12 level of education their mothers had Altogether, 1,643 had mothers who mothers also had lower rates of registries. Colombo I T Storms 30/27 S T Storms 31/27 attained. hadn’t gone to college, 1,548 had a dangerous condition known as Still, the researchers write in Dhaka T Storm 30/26 T Storm 32/27 “One of the first explanations mothers who completed vocational diabetic ketoacidosis, and lower rates Diabetes Care, “For clinicians and Hong Kong T Storm 28/25 T Storm 29/27 that comes to mind is that unequal or 2-year college, 695 had mothers of dangerously low blood sugar that policymakers, our results suggest Istanbul Sunny 32/21 Sunny 31/22 access to healthcare may be a factor with bachelor’s degree and 193 had can result from overdoses of insulin. that it may be beneficial to provide Jakarta P Cloudy 33/24 S T Storms 33/25 linking family background and mothers with master’s degree. Differences in how often kids’ extra support to the least privileged Karachi P Cloudy 34/29 P Cloudy 33/29 blood sugar levels,” said study leader The researchers found that levels blood sugar levels were checked children during the first few years of London P Cloudy 21/12 P Cloudy 26/15 Nick Nielsen from department of so-called glycated haemoglobin, during the day likely explained a diabetes.” Manila S T Storms 33/26 P Cloudy 33/26 of economics at University of or HbA1c, HbA1c, which reflects large part of the disparities, the It would also be helpful if Moscow S Showers 19/11 P Cloudy 18/09 Copenhagen. blood sugar control over the previous authors say. healthcare professionals help form New Delhi M Sunny 41/31 P Cloudy 39/30 But studying people in Denmark, three months, went down as Children of the most highly patient groups, Nielsen says. New York P Cloudy 32/23 P Cloudy 31/22 which has universal tax-financed mothers’ education level went up. educated mothers had the highest “In these groups, families could Paris P Cloudy 25/13 Sunny 27/14 access to healthcare, helped cancel The normal range for HbA1c is number of daily blood glucose tests, help support each other outside the Sao Paulo M Cloudy 28/17 Rain 21/14 out that factor, he told Reuters 4.3% to 5.8% - but that range is while those with a high school clinic. We think that this increased Seoul P Cloudy 31/19 Sunny 32/19 Health. difficult to achieve in diabetics. education or less had the lowest. decentral support could be valuable Singapore S T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 Nielsen and his team analysed data The American Diabetes Association Other potential explanations, due to the importance of peer Sydney P Cloudy 17/08 Showers 17/13 on 4,079 children who were diagnosed recommends that children with type the authors write, are that mothers support and “everyday” advice and Tokyo Cloudy 26/22 Cloudy 25/22 with type 1 diabetes between 2000 and 1 diabetes strive to stay below 7.5%. with higher education may be more knowledge sharing,” Nielsen added. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 QATAR NMoQ gift shops connect people to Qatar’s natural landscapes

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

ational Museum of Qa- tar’s (NMoQ) gift shops, Nstunning architectural works made of 40,000 pieces of wooden panels, provide an op- portunity for visitors to experi- ence and connect to the coun- try’s natural landscapes. “When I fi rst entered the gift shop, I really had the impression of walking into a cave and it was a powerful feeling, it was inspiring and emotional,” the Italian em- bassy’s deputy head of mission, Carlotta Colli, said. She was speaking at a work- shop held yesterday at the NMoQ Carlotta Colli (second, left) with the workshop organisers. (Supplied picture) auditorium, organised by De- voto Design in partnership with Koichi Takada Architects, were renowned Japanese-Australian inspired by Qatar’s desert land- fi rm Koichi Takada Architects scapes, which infl uenced and and Obiettivo Qatar – the de- marked the concept of the interi- signers and carpenters of these ors, reproducing the striking ge- museum shops and Café 875. ometries and chromatism of the Attendees at the workshop desert, its canyons and dunes. represented key design, archi- Takada presented the design tecture and engineering sectors inspiration of the Wooden Cave across Qatar, as well as ‘Starchi- of Light (Dahl Al Misfi r) where tects’ and other rising stars of museum guests have been invit- the industry and Qatar Museums ed to “imagine being in a cave, or Culture Pass members. sand dune, being in this narrow “The fact that the gift shops space of a Souq – there’s some- were made of 40,000 pieces of thing that triggers your emo- wood carefully produced and tions. You start to connect to the carefully installed by the master space, to the natural landscape in art design, really give you that Qatar”. feeling of going into a cave, and “After the global attention of inspired people to think about NMoQ and our projects, we were An array of items displayed at a museum shop. and reconnect to nature and asked many questions about how PICTURE: Joey Aguilar think about the importance of the complex timber works were organic-made material,” said realised and some of the myster- and an inspiring experience for Hadid Architects, MAXXI Muse- The NMoQ gift shops are made up of carefully produced and installed 40,000 pieces of wood panels. Colli, who underlined Devoto ies relating to it,” Devoto Design’s each visitor to NMoQ.” um of Modern Arts in Rome) and PICTURE: Joey Aguilar Design’s extensive experience in master carpenter Claudio Devoto The workshop covered case steam-shaped wood to create interior furnishing. said in a press statement. studies of the projects, as well desired shapes (Musée du Quai and unfurling movement, creat- a place dedicated to retail needs. standing pieces of furniture that She noted that Devoto Designs “As artisans, we felt that we as topics such as ‘Facing a com- Branly by Ateliers Jean Nouvel in ing a massive wooden canyon, Meanwhile, the fi t-out of the complete the fi t-out of the café. has been working for more than would like to share some of our plex and strongly double-curved Paris). which is not only a shell but a Café 875’s circular, freestand- According to Devoto Designs, 30 years, describing it as a com- challenges and inspirations and cladding’ and ‘The solution to The gift shops have a vertical free-standing element itself. ing seating modules are made of the collaborative project consists pany that embodies the perfect learnings from the project,” he slide the double surface into proportion with high sinuous walls Display islands are scattered in solid oak blades that reproduce almost completely of solid oak example of what made in Italy is pointed out. 40,000 wood pieces’. and narrow passageways, all clad the middle of the gift shops, play- the confi guration of desert rocks. wood and was so complex that able to do. “We hope it is useful to some Other insights focused on gel with horizontal solid oak strips. ing with the layout and off ering These islands are conceptually more than 6,800 solid oak strips These projects, designed by of Qatar’s leaders of the industry coating for organic shapes (Zaha This ‘skin’ generates a fl uid the necessary exhibition stalls and linked to other fi xed and free- were used.