QATAR | Page 16 SPORT | Page 1 CurioCity Semenya dedicated steals the to kids with show with special sensational needs Doha win

published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11173 May 4, 2019 Sha’baan 29, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Monster cyclone batters Indian state Aspetar aims to ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Three Palestinians killed in Gaza Three Palestinians, including two become global Hamas fighters, were killed by Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip yesterday, authorities in the enclave said, after Israel said two of its soldiers were wounded in a leader in sports shooting on the border. One of the Palestinians was shot dead during clashes along the frontier while two Hamas fighters were killed in an air strike, the health ministry in Gaza medicine by ’20 said. Hamas confirmed the two men killed in the air strike were members By Joseph Varghese of its military wing and pledged to Staff Reporter respond to what it called an “Israeli aggression.” Page 4 spetar aims to become a global LATIN AMERICA | Diplomacy leader in sports medicine and Aexercise science by 2020, a top Trump, Putin in ‘positive offi cial announced yesterday. talk’ on Venezuela crisis Fallen utility poles are pictured after Cyclone Fani hit Puri, in the eastern state of Odisha, India, yesterday. The powerful cyclone The fi rst specialised orthopaedic and US President Donald Trump and his left a trail of deadly destruction in its wake. Page 10 sports medicine hospital in the Gulf Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin region will also be the medical service yesterday discussed the crisis in oil- provider for the 2019 IAAF World Ath- rich Venezuela, where Washington letics Championships in Doha in Sep- has thrown its weight behind a tember and October. campaign to oust the Moscow- “Our work with athletes, research- backed socialist president. “Very ers and medical professionals from productive talk!” tweeted the US Interior ministry gears up for around the world is a cornerstone to leader following their conversation, the success of our vision,” explained Dr Abdulaziz al-Kuwari speaking at the which came three days after an Dr Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, acting CEO, conference yesterday. abortive military uprising in support Aspetar. of Juan Guaido, the self-declared security, safety in Ramadan He was addressing the opening ses- dium – the home of the 2019 IAAF interim leader seeking to oust sion of ‘International Conference on Diamond League – where behind the President Nicolas Maduro. Page 11 Medicine and Science in Athletics,’ scenes, hundreds of our colleagues QNA welfare of the residential neighbour- to congestion on some roads during which began yesterday at Aspire Zone. from Aspetar medical staff will pro- AFRICA | Unrest Doha hoods in order to provide maximum se- the pre-breakfast period specifi cally. More than 250 international speakers vide world-class sports medicine and curity and reduce the chance of crime. The campaign aims to raise aware- and participants from around the world physiotherapy services to the inter- Dozens killed in ethnic As for the traffi c, the General Di- ness of traffi c safety requirements are taking part in the three-day event national athletes,” continued the of- clashes in Ethiopia he Ministry of Interior con- rectorate of Traffi c has made all nec- among all segments of the society. organised by Aspetar. ficial. Dozens of civilians have been fi rmed that all security depart- essary preparations to enable offi cers Director of Media and Traffi c Aspetar, which provides the best He noted that the speakers who have shot dead in ethnic clashes in Tments have put in place the nec- to co-operate with the concerned au- Awareness Department Colonel Mo- medical treatment for sports-relat- developed new research-based treat- Ethiopia’s northern Amhara state, essary arrangements and procedures thorities to ensure the traffi c fl ow and hamed Radhi al-Hajri stressed that ed injuries, is staff ed by some of the ments will give a great cross-section of a regional off icial said yesterday, in preparation for the holy month of remove any bottlenecks which may a systematic plan aims at achieving world’s leading sports medicine practi- fi ndings and perspectives from around describing the attacks as retaliation Ramadan to ensure the provision of all occur at peak times. traffi c safety through public aware- tioners and researchers. the world providing a robust dialogue for earlier violence. “Search-and- services to the public and the maxi- In addition, the directorate will or- ness about speed limits, the use of seat “We have chosen an ambitious in the coming days. rescue missions are still ongoing mum level of security and safety. ganise an awareness campaign during belts, parking reserved for people with agenda for this year - one that seeks to Dr al-Kuwari also stated that Asp- to find victims and survivors from The ministry said it is keen on in- Ramadan aimed at educating road us- disabilities and the use of phone while reframe our approach to implement- etar supports more than 100 sporting Monday’s attack, but I can confirm tensifying its eff orts according to the ers to reduce accidents occurring due driving. To Page 3 ing research fi ndings in practical treat- events and championships this year. the death toll runs into several security requirements. ment of sports injuries in athletics,” Last year, Aspetar’s National Sports dozen,” Geleta Hailu, the director of Ramadan is an occasion that requires explained Dr al-Kuwari. Medicine Programme provided medi- communications in neighbouring a double eff ort, especially during the 15-hour fast for people in Qatar “Our guests and experts at the cal care for all sporting events held Benishangul Gumuz state, said. peak hours of the holy month, whether conference will address topics such in the country, requiring 370 doctors Page 4 in traffi c, security or civil defence. The astrological calculations Aff airs is the responsible institution as optimising health and perform- and specialists who worked more than The geographical security depart- conducted by specialists in the Qatar to declare the start of the holy month ance in athletics, heat acclimation 11,000 hours. QATAR | Weather ments have set all the necessary se- Calendar House (QCH) showed that of Ramadan. and cooling, athletes’ experiences The conference is one of Aspetar’s curity arrangements and procedures Ramadan crescent will appear at Dr Bashir Marzouk, astronomer at of injuries, performance nutrition strategic preparations to ensure that it Thundery rain with in preparation for the holy month of 1:45am Doha local time on Sunday, the QCH, said that the number of and common illnesses in athletics, can provide the most comprehensive strong wind expected Ramadan to guarantee the provision of May 5, which means that it is fasting hours in Qatar will change sports and performance nutrition,” medical support for 2019 IAAF World Thundery rain with strong wind is all services to citizens and residents in impossible to see it in the evening. during the holy month: the minimum he noted. Athletics Championships as the coun- expected inshore today, the Met the geographical scope of each depart- The crescent this year will remain duration of fasting hours will be 14 According to al-Kuwari, Aspetar’s try gears up to host thousands of the off ice has said. The maximum and ment through conducting security pa- in the skies of Qatar after sunset hours and 38 minutes on the first day mission is to assist athletes to achieve world’s leading athletes. minimum temperatures forecast trols in various streets to prevent any on Sunday for 31 minutes, while the of Ramadan, and gradually increase their maximum performance and full “We hope that what we hear, learn are 37C (Doha) and 22C (Mesaieed, violations and protect the members of duration will increase as we go west. until the maximum at the end of the potential. and discuss during this conference Wakrah, Abu Samra). Yesterday’s the community from any risks. The Crescent Sighting Committee holy month to reach 15 hours and 9 “That is especially relevant today will lead to new approaches and break- maximum was 41C and minimum The security departments also patrol at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic minutes. as we are standing just a few metres through results,” added Dr al-Kuwari. 21C. to maintain security and work for the away from Khalifa International Sta- Page 16 Qatari Diar, Kahramaa celebrate start of Lusail’s power stations

QNA National Vision 2030. real estate development. Doha They confi rmed the continuation Lusail is expected to accommodate of the technical coordination between more than 200,000 people living in its the work team of Lusail City and the picturesque surroundings. atari Diar Real Estate Invest- departments of Kahramaa to deal with The city is expected to employ ment Company and Qatar any observations. 170,000 people and 80,000 people are QGeneral Electricity & Water CEO of Qatari Diar Eng Abdullah expected to visit the city’s leisure fa- Corp (Kahramaa) celebrated the start- bin Hamad al-Attiyah said that the cilities. ing operation of the main power trans- celebration of what has been achieved The city’s 19 neighbourhoods will mission and power distribution sta- today is the result of the fruitful part- not only have new opportunities for tions in Lusail City, which has 14 main nership between Qatari Diar and Kah- housing, commerce, hospitality, and power transmission stations and 135 ramaa in the light of the integration of retail stores but also will provide power distribution stations. work and partnerships between the all the needs of the population of The infrastructure of Lusail City has company and government institutions schools, mosques, medical facilities, been completed by 90%. and business companies to develop Off icials of Qatari Diar and Kahramaa at the ceremony to celebrate the start of Lusail’s power stations. sports and entertainment and shop- During the ceremony held in Lu- sustainable infrastructure in Lusail ping centres. sail City, officials of Qatari Diar and City. partner in the development projects in technologies. project. It is a comprehensive planning Lusail, the city of the future, has Kahramaa praised the partnership Kahramaa President Essa bin Hilal the country. During the ceremony, Qatari Diar city and refl ects Qatar’s progress on a a light railway network, a water taxi between them, stressing the need to al-Kuwari expressed pride in the com- He explained that the project was honoured Kahramaa for its continued large scale. system and a pedestrian and bicy- unify the efforts of state institutions pletion and operation of the electricity implemented according to the high- eff orts in Lusail City project. The city is the largest independent cle network, and is being worked on to complete major national projects network in Lusail City. est quality standards in line with the Lusail is the largest Qatari Diar complex being built in Qatar and em- within the world-class 38sq m com- to achieve the objectives of Qatar He added that Kahramaa is a major approved schedule, using the latest project. It is more than just a real estate bodies Qatar National Vision 2030 in plex. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 4, 2019 QATAR Safety works at 335 schools The graduation ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Commander of the Amiri Guard, the Inspector-General, Assistants Commander of the Amiri Guard, as well as a number of departments and groups’ leaders, Oman’s military attache, British military attache, and off icers from the armed forces. completed Amiri Guard celebrates he Public Works Author- FIFA World Cup 2022,” he said. ity’s (Ashghal) projects Ashghal has completed im- Taff airs director Yousef plementation of congestion Abdulrahman al-Emadi has said management plan constituting that traffi c safety is Ashghal’s an accident response team in training season conclusion fi rst priority. close co-operation with other “Ashghal has completed im- emergency support services to plementation of many assigned attend accident sites throughout he Amiri Guard School Inspector-General, Assistants the Amiri Guard and the Brit- and training staff excellence. plans within the National Road Qatar. This includes investiga- celebrated conclusion of Commander of the Amiri Guard, ish Royal Military Police, and The trainees presented a series Safety Strategy,” he said. tion of road accidents, meas- Tthe training season 2018- as well as a number of depart- aims to exchange experiences, of methods through the applica- The offi cial was addressing uring damages and determin- 2019, where it graduated six ba- ments and groups’ leaders, qualify and develop trainees’ tion of a variety of movements the seventh forum of the co- ing causes. This is being done sic courses - security and VIP Oman’s military attache, Brit- skills in securing and protecting and various combat formations ordinators of the National Road through the full provision of protection, close protection, ish military attache, and offi cers personalities. that refl ected the combat readi- Safety Strategy earlier this week. Yousef Abdulrahman al-Emadi, accident support vehicles, with self-defence, rapid intervention, from the armed forces. On this occasion, Lt Col Mo- ness of the Amiri Guard and oth- Al-Emadi pointed out that director, projects aff airs at the aim of responding within intelligence security and train- The close protection course, hammed Rashid al-Hajri, act- er security forces, in addition to measures are being taken in the Ashghal. minimum time and providing ing Amiri Guard trainers - at which was carried out for the ing head of the Amiri Guard a number of supposed scenarios premises of schools to ensure safe corridors for road users at the Hasniyeh camp, under the fi rst time in co-operation with School, said that the school that included some fi eld exer- safety of students, parents and is carried with the help of smart accident sites. patronage and presence of the the British Royal Military Po- is always keen to upgrade the cises for rapid intervention, and staff , especially at the entry and cameras in various locations to The offi cial added that Ash- Commander of the Amiri Guard lice Close Protection Unit, is training in various courses ac- close protection. exit points. identify traffi c congestion, traf- ghal has also completed imple- Major General Hazza bin Khalil one of the important courses cording to the directives of the At the end of ceremony, the The programme covers 495 fi c diversions and accidents. “On mentation of the road safety- al-Shahwani. that contribute to the acquisi- Amiri Guard command, as it Amiri Guard commander hon- schools across the country and spotting such incidents, imme- engineering plan. It includes The graduation ceremony was tion of diff erent combat skills. is keen to enhance its train- oured the graduates and urged Ashghal has successfully com- diate co-ordination takes place development of a pilot project attended by the Deputy Com- The nine-week course included ing programmes with the them to continue their eff orts pleted safety works at 335 of with the General Directorate of for best road practices in terms mander of the Amiri Guard, the a watch tower training between best and the latest methods and perseverance. (QNA) them. Traffi c to display messages on the of implementing reduced As for the achievements of the sign boards to inform motorists,” speeds, giving priority to pedes- Road Maintenance Department he said. trian crossing facilities through in road safety, Ashghal complet- He added Ashghal’s fi ve year bridges, especially at accident ed maintenance and pavement action plan for the period 2018- prone areas and near sport facil- of roads along nearly 200km 2022 includes implementation ities being built for FIFA World Sky Jewellery launches Akshaya Tritiya off ers in 2018. of 25 action plans for road safety Cup 2022. “As part of its strategy to en- assessment and follow-up, in- In the forum, Ashghal show- hance traffi c safety, Ashghal has cluding achievement of safety cased the eff orts it took up to ky Jewellery has an- against each gram of gold they add two gram gold extra to your also completed installation of at work sites, traffi c conges- achieve the goals of the strategy, nounced special off ers to intend to buy, guaranteeing gold saving kitty. So, the auspicious- 15 dynamic signs on important tion management, intelligent its overall achievements in 2018 Smark the occasion of Ak- rate protection on the one hand ness of the Day starts then and highways and main roads such transportation system (ITS), and the ongoing eff orts in 2019. shaya Tritiya. and also benefi ting from low there with your purchase at Sky as Al Corniche Street, 22 Febru- road safety design, traffi c safety, These include provision of ex- “Whether it is free gold coin prices in case gold price drops on Jewellery.” ary Street, C-Ring Road, Khalifa assets management and road tensive logistic support and im- off ers or Akshaya Tritiya pre- the other. Gold exchange off ers, no mak- Avenue, Dukhan Road and Salwa maintenance. plementing the plans assigned booking options, everyone has Freebies can also be grabbed ing charges on gold coins, easy Road. These sign boards display “This plan also involves an to it being a member of the com- many reasons to choose Sky at Sky Jewellery. Quarter gram payment plans on one’s purchase road status information for road emergency response team for mittee. Ashghal’s lead role in Jewellery,” the jeweller said in a (250mg) gold coin free with every are other value additions they users regarding traffi c, conges- urgent maintenance work, study pedestrian crossings implemen- statement. purchase of gold jewellery worth can enjoy exclusively with Sky tion, diversion and closures,” the of signages, ensure pedestrian tation committee and measures When it comes to pre-book- Qr 2,000. “Also, if the purchase Jewellery enabling your auspi- offi cial said. safety, and traffi c congestion to reduce accidents were also ing Akshaya Tritiya ornaments, is for diamonds worth QR2,000 cious day purchase 100% hassle Continuous road monitoring management during hosting of highlighted. one needs to pay just one riyal it is just amazing that you can free. Amiri Frontier Guards and Turkish forces hold joint drill QatarDebate takes part in Arab Conference at Harvard

atarDebate (QD), a mem- educational sources among their ber of Qatar Foundation syllabus.” Qfor Education, Science He praised the conference, and Community Development, which increased the partici- recently participated - for the pants’ desire to see what QD fi rst time - in the 12th annual off ered and facilitated future Arab Conference at Harvard. partnerships in America, a press The event, titled ‘(Re)Imagin- statement noted. ing Home’, was held on Harvard Al-Subaie stressed the im- University’s campus in April. portance of participating in the QatarDebate delegates trav- conference and said: “We met The Amiri Frontier Guards of the Qatar Armed Forces conducted a joint exercise with the Turkish forces in Qatar over two days within the elled to the US in order to en- with great personalities from framework of military and defence co-operation agreements between the two countries. The exercise aimed at training commanders and hance the centre’s role as a sup- various cultural backgrounds. Abdulrahman al-Subaie subordinates and to deal with military operations of all kinds and raise their practical eff iciency through continuous training programmes. porter of the conference and The attendees were briefed This exercise comes within the framework of a carefully thought-out plan for its implementation in accordance with the steps that have enhance co-operation with on QD’s initiatives to spread “This conference provides a val- been put in place to achieve the objectives of the exercise, which has been prepared and equipped for the past two months. American universities, in ad- Arabic among Arabs and other uable networking space between dition to presenting a debate nationalities in general.” QatarDebate and many academic workshop and booth to highlight For his part, debate instruc- fi gures and educational institu- QD activities and events. tor Saad El-Asad said the turn- tions from around the world, in Abdulrahman al-Subaie, head out “was great” at the centre’s order to exchange experiences on of the Outreach Programme at booth, and the conference en- Arabic debate and the importance QatarDebate, said: “Partner- courages more networking of the nation’s culture of debate, ships with American universities opportunities.” and work to fi nd logical solu- QU students present research have been fruitful and they have Dr Mahmoud Barraj, Outreach tions that will create the balance begun to teach QatarDebate’s Programme specialist, added: required between countries.” works at ACS meeting in Florida

ine female undergradu- diverse areas of chemistry. The ate students enrolled event was attended by more than Nin the Department of 11,000 chemists, academicians, Chemistry and Earth Sciences and postgraduate and under- (DCES) at Qatar University’s graduate students from around (QU) College of Arts and Sci- the world. ences (CAS) recently present- Students refl ected upon their ed their research works at the participation in the ACS Na- 257th American Chemical So- tional Meeting as an experiential ciety (ACS) National Meeting learning experience that allowed in Florida, US, under the theme them to meet Nobel laureates, ‘Chemistry for New Frontier’. well-known scientists and stu- QatarDebate delegates interact at conference. The undergraduate students, dents from across the globe to Haya al-Thani and Hend Ali, exchange views, enrich their sci- presented their research post- entifi c knowledge and enhance ers in the Analytical Chemistry their social skills. division titled ‘Assessment of The QU students in Florida. In addition to attending sev- ionic content and nutrients in eral workshops, technical ses- Ooredoo to sponsor Attend & Win the plant extraction of Tetraena In the Organic Chemistry di- pyridine-1-carbonitriles by sions, a career fair and various Qatarense (Zygophyllum Qa- vision, students Amal Moha- cycloaddition of substituted social events as well as observing tarense) by ICP-OES and IC & madi, Roqaya al-Awabdeh, Sara 3-amino-2-ene nitriles with chemical demonstrations, the event at Mall of Qatar today Spectrophotometric and Spec- Yousuf and Suzan Ahmed pre- 3-acetylcoumarin’. group attended informational trofl uorometric determination sented their research work titled Zeineb Alahmed and Aya El- sessions on applying to graduate oredoo will sponsor the Speaking about the event, of L-Ornithine as pure form ‘Catalytic epoxidation of ole- wan presented their research school and potential careers in Attend & Win event to- Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi and dietary supplements: A fi ns over transition metal ferrite work in the Energy & Fuels di- chemistry. Oday at Mall of Qatar at – director PR and Corporate Chemometric approach’. nanoparticles’, ‘Catalytic oxi- vision titled ‘Novel high poten- On behalf of all the students, 5pm, it was announced yester- Commmunications at Ooredoo In the Environmental Chem- dation of aldehydes over tran- tial cathode materials for next president of the QU-CSA Stu- day. The cultural entertainment – said: “We’re always looking istry division, Noor Ba Omer sition metal oxide nanoparti- generation lithium ion batter- dent Chapter female committee, event will be held on the Oore- with cash and other prizes for ways to engage our custom- presented her work titled ‘Ex- cles’, ‘Extraction of triterpenoid ies (LIBs)’ and ‘Alluadite based Amal I Mohamadi, said: “As an doo Stage. being awarded for correct ers, and give them more. This traction and analysis of nutri- saponins from Tetraena qata- multicomponent cathode mate- undergraduate student, partici- TV presenter Khaled Jas- answers. fun event is the ideal way for ents and heavy metals in the rense (zygophyllum qatarense) rials for Na-ion batteries’. pating in the 257th ACS National sim and Hamad al-Jameela Along with a range of other sub- us to meet our customers, get soil of Tetraena Qatarense (Zy- and their biological activities’ The meeting featured lectures Meeting was a great opportunity will attend the event, which jects, the audience will be quizzed our message out there and of gophyllum Qatarense) and its and ‘Synthesis of substituted by Nobel laureates and other for us to learn and grow as young will see the audience being on Ooredoo, including on its range course hand out some exciting physicochemical properties’. 5-oxo-5H-chromeno[3,4-c] famous scientists working in professionals.” asked questions at random, of products and services. prizes!” Gulf Times Saturday, May 4, 2019 3 QATAR Symposium explores treatment of neurodegenerative diseases Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) hosted the symposium

atar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), part of QHamad Bin Khalifa Uni- versity (HBKU), recently hosted the fi rst symposium on Neuro- degenerative Diseases: Innova- tions in Biomarker Discovery Towards Personalised Medicine, which provided a comprehen- sive overview of the develop- ment and discovery of biomar- kers to treat neurodegenerative diseases. The symposium brought to- gether local and international clinicians and researchers from diverse career and educational Dr Omar El-Agnaf speaking at the symposium. The symposium brought together local and international clinicians and researchers. backgrounds to discuss various topics through a series of panel where patients are treated ac- of key neurodegenerative topics. ed topics and presented oppor- opments in their fi eld. Dr Omar tant age-related brain disorders Diabetes Research Centre. discussions and presentations. cording to their specifi c medical Dr Michael Schlossmacher, tunities for new collaborations.” El-Agnaf and his team ran an ex- Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s The NDRC focuses on inves- Among the main discussion needs as individuals. It positions director of the Neuroscience Dr Nasser Zawia, professor of cellent meeting full of substance. I disease, and interesting new re- tigating neurological disorders points of the symposium were QBRI and Doha at the fulcrum of Programme at Ottawa Hospital pharmacology and toxicology and enjoyed it tremendously.” search fi ndings.” of increasing prevalence in Qatar developing diagnostic tools for cutting-edge and inspiring work Research Institute, said: “Many Ryan Research Professor of Neu- Dr Kaj Blennow, professor at The inaugural symposium and the region, including neu- Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. and ideas.” talented and young QBRI re- roscience and Dean at the Uni- the Clinical Neurochemistry was sponsored by Eppendorf, rodevelopmental diseases such Dr Omar El-Agnaf, execu- Delegates from numerous in- searchers presented their work versity of Rhode Island, Gradu- Lab at the Department of Neu- GulfMed, Khalid Scientifi c Co, as Autism Spectrum Disorder, tive director of QBRI, said: “The ternational institutions, includ- demonstrating how much valu- ate School, said: “QBRI’s fi rst roscience and Physiology at the Zahrawi, Sedeer, Intertrade Intellectual Disability and epi- inaugural gathering enables ing Hamad Medical Corporation, able progress has already been symposium on neurodegenera- University of Gothenburg, add- Technical Supplies and HVD Life lepsy, as well as neurodegenera- delegates to explore how novel QBRI, University of Gothenburg, made since the institute was tive diseases reminded me of the ed: “The symposium consisted Science. tive diseases such as Alzheimer’s biomarkers can be used to ad- Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, founded. I learned a lot from the world-famous Gordon Research of two days with excellent pres- QBRI is home to three research and Parkinson’s disease. vance the treatment of neuro- Newcastle University, Oxford poster presentations and talks, Conferences, where a group of entations by leading research- centres – Cancer Research Cen- For more information on QBRI degenerative disease and work University and the University of which informed my understand- experts from around the world ers; giving both an overview on tre, Neurological Disorders Re- and its achievements, visit qbri. towards personalised medicine Rhode Island, spoke on a range ing of Parkinson’s disease-relat- meet to discuss the latest devel- what we know about the impor- search Centre (NDRC) and the hbku.edu.qa. Students learn about forensic science at Tamuq programme

igh school students from Texas A&M at Qatar, together leaders in the energy sector.” Qahtani said. “I especially en- around Qatar learned with industry sponsor Occiden- Forensic science is the appli- joyed the last day as it combined Habout the science and tal Petroleum of Qatar Ltd (Oxy cation of science and technology all the activities that we learned technologies behind crime scene Qatar), presented Engineering to collect, preserve and analyse throughout the week into a very investigation over fi ve days as Heroes, one of several STEM evidence to be used in the course fun and informative project.” part of the Engineering He- programmes aimed at motivat- of a legal investigation. Partici- QSI participant Haya al-Nai- Student participants in the programme. roes: Qatar Special Investigators ing young Qataris to choose ed- pants in the camp learned the mi said her previous experience (QSI) academic enrichment pro- ucational pathways for careers in history of forensic analysis and with other programmes off ered Hala Almughanni has also tivities back to school with her, Several participants, including gramme hosted by Texas A&M fi elds related to STEM. how it evolved into today’s spe- by Tamuq made her want to try participated in a previous Tex- thanks to the hands-on learning Ahmed al-Thani, noted the skill University at Qatar (Tamuq). Andrew H Kershaw, president cialised career fi eld. other STEM programmes of- as A&M at Qatar STEM pro- and world-class facilities and with which the content of the The innovative Engineering and general manager of Oxy Qa- The programme concluded fered by the branch campus. “I gramme, which she said opened equipment available at Tamuq. programme was delivered. Heroes STEM (science, tech- tar, said: “We are delighted with with a competition in which the defi nitely recommend other stu- her mind to diff erent applica- Engineering Heroes was in- “I thoroughly enjoyed the pro- nology, engineering and math) our continuing sponsorship with participants used their forensic dents join these programmes. If tions of science and engineering. spired by scientifi c research that gramme and the people teaching outreach programme focused on Texas A&M at Qatar to make knowledge to investigate a mock they have any doubts about what “Engineering Heroes helped me is helping law enforcement solve it made it very exciting,” Ahmed the forensic science and tech- STEM programmes available crime. Participant Nasser al- major to study, the programmes develop my skills and I gained crimes. The programme was said. Dr Cesar O Malave, dean of nology used by the Qatari police to the Qatari community. The Qahtani said this mock investi- would provide them with the in- analytical, critical thinking, so- developed and led by Benjamin Tamuq, added: “We are proud and Ministry of Interior to in- STEM programmes are impor- gation was one of the highlights formation needed and give them cial and presentation skills.” Cieslinski, Dr Mohamed Gharib of those students who invest in vestigate crimes and protect the tant to Qatar as well as to Oc- of the week. “What I loved about a deeper understanding of sci- Noor Omar said she would be and Tala Katbeh of Texas A&M their futures by participating in country, Tamuq said in a press cidental by preparing students this programme is how it is a ence and engineering,” al-Naimi able to take much of what she at Qatar’s Development, En- programmes such as Engineering statement. as potential future workers and very hands-on experience,” al- said. learned during the week’s ac- gagement and Outreach offi ce. Heroes.”

Fahad, Ahmed to represent Qatar in global competition at Berlin Nama’s course on life skills concludes The Social Development Centre (Nama) has concluded the training for the second batch of the Fostering Life Skills and Citizenship pro- gramme trainees in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The second batch is a continuation of the first group course, which was held last February as part of a series of programmes and periodic workshops organised by the centre to provide the youth with the necessary skills and develop their abilities. The initiative is aimed at enabling the youth to make the appropriate decisions and be among the active players in implementing Qatar Na- tional Vision 2030, as well as leaving their mark on the economic and social transformation of Qatari society, Nama said in a statement. The Programme for Fostering Life Skills and Citizenship is aimed at The Programme for Fostering Life Skills and Citizenship is aimed at youth, who are considered the heartbeat of the Qatari community, and youth and targets young men and women aged 13-24 years and targets young men and women aged 13-24 years and 25-45 years to be 25-45 years to be trained in the Guide on Fostering Life Skills and trained in the Guide on Fostering Life Skills and Citizenship. Citizenship. The programme, which was attended by 26 young men and women, Fahad al-Adba and Ahmed Radwan have bagged the first and second place, respectively, in comes within the framework of a co-operation protocol that was signed and its integration into the scientific outcome, knowledge, tools and the local chapter of the ‘Get in The Ring’ competition. Held for the fourth consecutive year, the and ratified between Nama and the UNFPA. It is based mainly on moti- programmes gained from training, according to Nama. competition was hosted by Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (Bedaya vating and supporting youth and making them a leading contributor. It The trainers will also be granted an accredited trainer certificate from Centre) in the Oasis area, the vibrant heart of Mall of Qatar, last Sunday amid great interaction includes a number of outputs and activities agreed upon in the previ- the UNFPA and Nama for the training on the Guide to the Fostering of with the audience. Following some hard-fought competition, al-Adba and Radwan were able to ous four stages, such as providing trainees with complete knowledge Life Skills and Citizenship. outperform their opponents, making them eligible to participate in the global competitions that of the contents of the Life Skills and Citizenship Enhancement Guide Mariam al-Mannai, director of Community Services, said: “Such educa- would take place this year in Berlin, Germany, from June 17-19. Bedaya Centre is a joint initiative of for use in the training of trainers, enhancing trainees’ knowledge of life tional opportunities represent an important asset for the young genera- Qatar Development Bank and Silatech. skills concepts and interactive training methods, as well as preparing tion in our beloved country, which contributes directly to the formation a cadre of national experts capable of training trainers on the guide of highly skilled youth in various vital fields.” Interior ministry gears up for security, safety in Ramadan

From Page 1 Col al-Hajri further added mercial areas, and markets, in trols in all areas of the country ous state institutions and to members of the community. and commercial complexes. that during the celebration of addition to increasing patrols in during peak hours, especially strengthen co-operation and Head of the External Branch Additionally, Head of media He revealed that the depart- Garangao, which is a fun and the Corniche area to cope with before Iftar, and after Taraweeh community partnership to at the Community Policing De- and awareness section at the ment will organise several events joyful heritage event for chil- high traffi c congestion caused by prayer, in the markets to achieve achieve the goals and objectives. partment Colonel Ghanim Saad Directorate General of Civil De- during Ramadan, such as the reli- dren, the department will send some gatherings during the pre- rapid response to any emergency Director of the Community al-Khayarin said that the depart- fence Capt. gious exhibition of publications in simple awareness messages to Iftar period. that may occur. Policing Department Col Sultan ment has established a working Jabir Mohamed al-Marri said co-operation with the Ministry of children, accompanied by sym- Also, the Rescue Police Depart- He added that Al Fazaa patrols Mohamed al-Kaabi said that the team to implement the Ramadan that the directorate will also Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs, which bolic gifts of traffi c signifi cance ment’s (Al Fazaa) security patrols will distribute dates and water bot- department aims to reduce the programmes and activities, in organise awareness campaigns is held at the main hall of the Gen- to instil traffi c awareness among will be working around the clock tles as a form of social communi- crime and negative phenomena order to raise awareness of the throughout the holy month. eral Directorate of Traffi c, adding the new generation, in addition to maintain security and order and cation with the public so that the as well as raise awareness of the dangers of crime and negative He pointed to some of the risks that there are activities such as to organising exhibitions aimed to prevent anything that might drivers do not have to rush for Iftar. community regarding the se- phenomena, as well as organising that may be related to Ramadan, Iftar for truck drivers, visiting at educating families in markets harm the security and safety of the The Community Policing De- curity and safety procedures in awareness tours in co-ordination stressing the role of housewives family councils, Iftar for com- and commercial complexes. homeland and the citizen. partment is preparing to launch public places and develop the with the security departments, in following safety guidelines munities, and Iftar for the elderly The directorate will increase Director of Al Fazaa Major Naif a number of activities during sense of security and spirit of visiting patients in hospitals, and caution against the dangers in Ehsan centre, as well as aware- traffi c patrols in the streets sur- bin Faleh al-Thani explained Ramadan, in order to enhance co-operation and responsibility youth centres, sports clubs and of common domestic accidents ness lectures for civil servants. rounding the compounds, com- that Al Fazaa will intensify pa- communication with the vari- shared between the police and owners and attendees of shops in the holy month. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 4, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Rivals agree to delay forming unity government

South Sudan’s warring parties agreed yesterday to delay by six months the formation of a power-sharing government just days before it was due to be installed in the capital Juba. Representatives for President Salva Kiir Sudanese protesters vow and his rival, rebel leader Riek Machar, gathered in Ethiopia in a bid to salvage a 2018 peace deal to end years of war in the world’s youngest country. The parties had failed to resolve several crunch issues as the May 12 deadline loomed for creating a unity government with Machar as vice president. His camp wanted a six-month delay to resolve security and other issues that, it says, prevent him from making his return from exile to Juba, which he fled in 2016 when a prior peace agreement collapsed. to continue campaign The government wanted the meeting to focus on forming a joint adminis- tration in Juba. Observers had warned that reuniting the arch-rivals in gov- AFP lated violence since December. ernment for a third time without resolving these issues could be a recipe Khartoum As the imam spoke, hundreds for further disaster. But both parties agreed to push back the deadline at of protesters fl ashing victory the talks in Addis Ababa hosted by the Intergovernmental Authority on sign chanted “freedom, peace, Development (IGAD), a regional bloc for East Africa. “The Parties identified efi ant Sudanese protest- justice”, the catchcry of the pro- lack of political will, financing and time constraints as the major challenges er Ahmed Hamid insists test movement that ousted Ba- that have delayed implementation of the Pre-Transitional tasks,” IGAD said Dnothing can stop him shir. in a statement. IGAD’s South Sudan special envoy, Ismael Wais, said both campaigning for the army to re- Several volunteers, including parties had avoided a crisis by agreeing to iron out the unresolved aspects linquish power — not even the teenagers, sprinkled water from of the deal rather than pushing ahead too early. “Everybody is asking the start next week of fasting during small cans on rows of protesters question what comes next. Would there be problem if the implementation holy month Ramadan. to give them some respite as the of the agreement a failure, have we failed already,” he said Demonstrators remain midday heat reached 43 degrees camped out in the soaring heat Celsius. of Khartoum calling for civilian Others off ered drinking water rule three weeks after the mili- to protesters as a van carrying tary ousted veteran leader Omar prayer mats toured the sit-in al-Bashir. area. “We cut the head and part of “No doubt I will stay until a Algerians keep up the body is still there,” Hamid, civilian government is formed,” 21, said yesterday at the sprawl- said protester Awad Mohamed ing protest site. Awad, adding that he has been pressure on government “We will stay fasting here the at the complex since the top- whole of Ramadan and even af- pling of Bashir. ter Ramadan until we meet our “I’m already here, I’ll be fast- DPA delkader Bensalah and Prime demand.” ing here for Ramadan,” said the Algiers Minister Noureddine Bedoui. Sudan has been rocked by lawyer, as he draped the Suda- In the capital Algiers, dem- months of nationwide protests nese fl ag around his shoulders. onstrators rallied to the Central that initially targeted Bashir’s “I want a civilian government ens of thousands of Alge- Post square, a focal point of the 30-year rule, accusing the lead- Sudanese protesters gather during noon prayers outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, yesterday, as that satisfi es the demands of all rians took to the streets weekly protests in the capital. er and his regime of running they continue protests demanding that the ruling military council hand power to a civilian administration. the people.” Tyesterday, the 11th straight They called for public tri- the country’s economy into the Protesters say they already week of anti-government dem- als for Boutefl ika-era offi cials ground. But the 10-member army to form a joint civilian-military weekly prayers at the sit-in un- have a plan in place for Ram- onstrations demanding an over- and businesspeople suspected On April 6, thousands of pro- council that then took over has council that will replace the ex- der a scorching sun. adan, whether it is during the haul of the political system in the of corruption. “We demand the testers braving volleys of tear so far rebuff ed pressure from the isting military body. “People should not forget the hours of day-time fasting or for North African country. former president’s brother, Said gas from security agents reached street and international calls to Despite days of wrangling martyrs, we must continue with the nights. Weeks of protests and pres- Boutefl ika, brought to account the army headquarters in central hand power to a civilian body. they have been unable to settle the sit-in as it keeps us united,” “We have made arrangements sure from the infl uential military because he ruled the country in Khartoum and set up camp. So the protesters are now ral- on the composition of the new said an imam, delivering his ser- for fasting and for Iftar (break- forced long-time ruler Abdelaziz the shadows,” said Ahmed Kha- Five days later the military lying against the council, de- joint ruling body. mon from atop a mini truck as a ing of fast),” said Jaafar Wad al- Boutefl ika to resign a month ago. lilati, a 37-year-old protester. stepped in and deposed Bashir manding it be dissolved. In the face of that stalemate, worshipper shielded him with Reef, a regular at the sit-in. Since then, demonstrations “Why doesn’t the government as calls from the crowds grew After several rounds of talks the protesters at the army com- an umbrella. “I’m fi ne to fast. It’s like a have continued to pressure sen- spokesman come out and tell us if for them to intervene and end between the generals and pro- plex show no sign of giving up. Offi cials say at least 65 people badge of honour to us to show ior Boutefl ika allies to step down, Said Boutefl ika is still a presiden- his rule. test leaders, the two sides agreed Yesterday they performed the have been killed in protest-re- our commitment,” he said. including interim President Ab- tial adviser or not?” he added.

CONFLICT TENSION 12 die in pro-regime Stalemate in Tripoli after fighting attacks on Fighting raged in the battle for the Libyan capital Tripoli yesterday, northwestern Syria Three Palestinians killed in Gaza with neither faction able to secure gains as an off ensive by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar entered its fifth week, killing almost 400 Attacks by Syrian regime forces people and displacing 50,000. Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), and their Russian allies killed 12 AFP which is allied to a parallel administration based in Benghazi, has civilians in the country’s northwest Gaza City in the past week brought up more troops and heavy guns to the yesterday in the latest violation of frontline. an eight-month-old truce, a war But it has been unable to breach the defences in the city’s southern monitor said. The Britain-based hree Palestinians were suburbs of forces loyal to the internationally recognised government Syrian Observatory for Human killed by Israeli fi re in the in Tripoli. Rights said four women were TGaza Strip yesterday, au- Libya has been in a state of chaos since Muammar Gaddafi was top- among the 12 people killed in thorities in the enclave said, af- pled in 2011 after 40 years in power by insurgents backed by Nato air shelling and air strikes on several ter Israel said two of its soldiers power. The battle for Tripoli has all but wrecked U.N.-backed eff orts towns and villages in Idlib and were wounded in a shooting on for a peace deal between the rival factions, and has disrupted the oil neighbouring Hama province. the border. industry of a country that is one of Africa’s largest producers. There “The attacks have been continu- One of the Palestinians was was heavy fighting from Thursday afternoon until early morning yes- ously escalating for four days,” shot dead during clashes along terday in the area of the former international airport, but the frontline Observatory head Rami Abdul the frontier while the two oth- has changed little, residents said.It resumed at midday yesterday. Rahman said. An AFP correspond- ers were killed in an air strike, ent saw intense bombardment the health ministry in Gaza said. of southern Idlib yesterday, when The Israeli army said the air UNREST warplanes dropped bombs that strike was in retaliation for the Six dead in suspected militant bombing sent huge plumes of grey smoke shooting incident on the border billowing into the sky. Idlib and that left its soldiers wounded. A wounded Palestinian boy is evacuated during a protest at the border fence, in the southern Gaza At least six civilians, including children, were killed in Yemen yester- nearby areas have been protected The Gaza ministry named Strip, yesterday. day when a roadside bomb believed to be planted by Al Qaeda went from a massive regime off ensive the men killed in the air strike off in the country’s southeast, a Yemeni security off icial said. At least since a September deal inked by as Abdullah Abu Mallouh, 33 der. The army said “one soldier tions throughout the day. onstrations along the border for six others were wounded in the blast, the second attack in less than Damascus ally Russia and rebel and Alaa al-Bubli, 29, while the was moderately injured, and Hamas did not immediately more than a year, calling on Is- a week in Al-Qatn village in the vast Hadramaut region Al Qaeda’s backer Turkey. But the region, cur- man killed in the clashes was another soldier was lightly in- comment on the affi liation rael to ease its crippling block- local aff iliate in Yemen, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), rently harbouring some 3mn peo- 19-year-old Raid Abu Teer. jured” when they came under of the Palestinians killed but ade of the strip. At least 268 has taken advantage of a civil war between the Houthi group and ple, has come under increasing The Israeli military said it had fi re during renewed protests. pledged to respond to what it Palestinians have been killed by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s Saudi-backed government to bombardment since the militant hit a base belonging to Gaza’s An army spokeswoman said called an “Israeli aggression.” Israeli fi re since the protests be- strengthen its position in the impoverished country. AQAP operates group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took rulers Hamas after shots were around 5,200 Palestinians had Palestinians have been tak- gan in March 2018, the majority in several provinces in south and eastern Yemen, including in Abyan, full control of it in January. fi red at its forces along the bor- taken part in the demonstra- ing part in often violent dem- along the border. Shabwa and Al-Bayda.

Dozens killed after ethnic clashes Congo Ebola death Will young voters have their say in SA poll? in Ethiopia: official Dozens of civilians have been toll nears 1,000 Reuters because they don’t have jobs. shot dead in ethnic clashes in Johannesburg They’d rather rob others, be- Ethiopia’s northern Amhara cause then they can have the state, a regional official said yes- Reuters a scenario of continued intense bit of money that they want.” terday, describing the attacks as Geneva transmission,” Ryan told a news oung South Africans Solving these issues won’t retaliation for earlier violence. briefing. make up the majority be easy, he said, but the future “Search-and-rescue missions are “We haven’t exceeded the Yof eligible voters who of the country is at stake. still ongoing to find victims and he World Health Organi- 1,000 (deaths) as of this morn- have not registered to take part “The perpetrators of these survivors from Monday’s attack, sation said yesterday it ing but we will likely exceed in next week’s elections, rais- crimes are the young gen- but I can confirm the death toll Tfeared continued “intense that today when we see the ing concerns over voter apathy eration. They take drugs and runs into several dozen,” said transmission” of Ebola virus numbers later this evening. barely a generation after many commit crimes.” Geleta Hailu, the director of in the Democratic Republic of We want to use every tool in of their parents won the right Aadil Cajee, 25, an actuary communications in neighbour- Congo, where deaths from a the tool box.”Security incidents to vote for the fi rst time. with a local insurance com- ing Benishangul Gumuz state. nine-month-old epidemic stood continue to plague the response The Electoral Commission pany in Sandton, says he won’t He did not provide an exact at 994 and were expected to ex- to the outbreak, with 119 since of South Africa says nearly be voting in the upcoming death toll but said more than 80 ceed 1,000 within hours. January alone, Ryan said. This 27mn people registered to vote Supporters cheer South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during an election as the only party he people were injured in the assault The WHO plans to expand curtails access and thereby slows on May 8 for a new parliament election rally for ruling African National Congress (ANC) ahead of the feels aligns with his interests on the Gumuz ethnicity in the vaccination with an unlicensed eff orts to vaccinate more than and provincial legislatures, May 8 general election, in Mitchells Plain, near Cape Town, yesterday. is the ANC, but he is worried state. Ninety had taken shelter in new Ebola vaccine made by 900 people a day as well as daily representing about 75% of the about allegations of govern- a local school. Johnson & Johnson, in addition checks on some 12,000 people eligible population. lack of jobs, high crime rates, you are called for an inter- ment corruption that have The gunmen have not been iden- to a Merck vaccine already be- potentially exposed to the virus, The commission, however, corruption and poor public view, you are supposed to go been surfacing at a judicial in- tified but Geleta said the attacks ing used, said Dr Michael Ryan, he said. said it was concerned that services — issues the govern- there, who has the money to quiry. appeared to be retribution for executive director of WHO’s “We still face major issues about 9.8mn eligible voters ing African National Congress go there? Like, you know for “I fi gure there’ll be corrup- the killing of at least 21 people in Health Emergencies Pro- of community acceptance and who did not register. (ANC), in power since 1994, transportation. Where are you tion in every government. But separate clashes last weekend gramme. “We are anticipating trust,” Ryan added. Of those, about 6mn — has promised to address. gonna take that money from?” the problem I fi nd is that hav- between the Gumuz and Amhara more than 60% — are under Kananelo Makgetha, 23, Obvious Mokwena, 23, who ing what came out from the ethnic groups in Benishangul 30 years old. from the Johannesburg town- lives in the impoverished Jo- commission of inquiry now Gumuz state. Homes were also Reuters spoke to some ship of Soweto, won’t be vot- hannesburg township of Al- recently, and still nothing’s torched in that outbreak of young South Africans to fi nd ing in the elections. exandra, has been eking out a been done, I just fi nd that ri- violence, which local off icials said out why they might sit out the The university graduate is living as a trolley pusher at a diculous,” said Cajee, who is began as a dispute between two elections, 25 years after mem- too busy trying to fi nd work. mall in the wealthy fi nancial originally from Rustenburg, labourers. Communal clashes, bers of the country’s black “I come here to the Internet district of Sandton. in the North West Province of typically sparked by disputes majority cast ballots for the café, apply for jobs. That also “We could vote for the po- South Africa. over land, are common in Ethio- fi rst time, bringing an end to requires for you to have money litical parties that say they are President Cyril Ramaphosa pia. A fast-growing population of white minority rule. to print out, buy time at the going to provide jobs, but at has promised that those im- 105mn has added to pressures Many said they did not Internet café, you know what I the same time, we can’t vote plicated at the inquiry will face on farming in a country of sharp know who to vote for, as they mean?” he said. for what we’re not seeing,” the law. ethnic divisions. The violence don’t trust any of the main po- “So where are you supposed said Mokwena. Petronela Mukhine, 20, who has surged since Prime Minister litical parties to address the is- to get the money if you’re not “There are many issues is an unemployed resident of Abiy Ahmed came into off ice in Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), sues that matter to them. working? That’s one of my in Alex (Alexandra), such as Alexandra, doesn’t see a point April 2018. attends a news conference at the United Nations in Geneva, yesterday. They complained about a biggest frustrations. And also crime. People commit crimes in voting. Gulf Times Saturday, May 4, 2019 5 AMERICA Facebook bans controversial political personalities

Reuters popular fi gures on the far-right, and events associated with the Hours after his account disap- their thousands of followers to Infowars, the website run by lowers and catapult themselves San Francisco including commentators Milo banned individuals, both on its peared, videos of Farrakhan were other channels before the ac- Jones, posted a response saying into the mainstream. Yiannopoulos, Laura Loomer, core social network and its pho- still visible on Instagram among counts disappeared, as captured that the ban “...amounts to edi- The result has often been hap- and Paul Joseph Watson. to-sharing app Instagram. the 17,000 posts with the hash- in screen shots by BuzzFeed jour- torial control over user content hazard enforcement of policies: acebook Incorporated has Facebook also said it is banning It says it bans any users who tag #louisfarrakhan, including a nalist Ryan Mac. – and a donation in kind to the Facebook removed pages associ- said that it is banning Alex Paul Nehlen, an avowed white promote violence or hate. video where he defends his de- Jones, who has promoted 2020 Democratic presidential ated with Jones and his Infowars FJones and other controver- supremacist who ran for Con- However, Facebook stopped scriptions of Jews. conspiracy theories about the candidate”. website starting last year, but left sial US political personalities for gress in 2018, and Nation of Islam short of prohibiting other users “If it is truth, then it is not Sandy Hook school shooting and Social media companies have up his personal profi le, for exam- violating the social media com- leader Louis Farrakhan, who has from praising or supporting the anti-Semitic,” he says in the clip. hosted Proud Boys founder Gavin an uneasy history with voices on ple. pany’s policies on “dangerous preached black separatism and banned individuals on its plat- Facebook announced the McInnes on his show, quickly the far-right, struggling for years Apple Incorporated, Google individuals and organisations”. referred to Jews as “termites”. forms, as it has done for militant ban before removing the af- opened a new account and live- to decide how to handle extrem- parent Alphabet Incorporated Most of the individuals whose The company will remove groups like Islamic State and Al fected accounts, giving the ac- streamed himself talking about ist content even as its purveyors and Twitter also banned In- accounts are being removed are any accounts, pages, groups Qaeda in the past. count owners time to redirect the ban, CNBC reported. used the services to amass fol- fowars last year.

House passes bill to keep US in Paris climate accord The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has passed legislation that would prevent President Donald Trump Insys founder convicted from following through on his withdrawal of the US from the Paris climate agreement. The Republican-led Senate is highly unlikely to take up the measure, which would bar federal funds from being used to withdraw from the accord. in drug corruption case However, the move by House Democrats appears aimed at AFP/Reuters defence lawyers signalled plans epidemic by recklessly and il- 50 to 100 times stronger than were being legally paid to dis- framing the president as opposed New York to appeal. legally distributing these drugs, morphine, Insys executives es- cuss Subsys’ benefi ts. to fighting global warming. “Dr Kapoor is disappointed especially while conspiring to tablished a system of large-scale Wilkinson in her opening Trump announced in mid-2017 in the verdict, as are we,” Beth commit racketeering along the bribes. statement in January told jurors that he was pulling out of the he founder of Insys Ther- Wilkinson, Kapoor’s lead attor- way,” he said. Between 2012 and 2015, they that Kapoor had no knowledge accord, arguing that it imposed apeutics has become the ney, said in a statement. “Four In 2017, President Donald paid health professionals to of “side deals” being cut with unfair environmental standards Tfi rst head of a major US weeks of jury deliberations con- Trump declared the opioid crisis prescribe large quantities of the doctors. on US firms and government, and pharmaceutical to be convicted fi rm that this was far from an a national public health emer- highly addictive drug. She said a former executive that remaining in the deal would of bribing doctors to prescribe open-and-shut case.” gency. The US Food and Drug Ad- turned government witness, pose a threat to the American addictive painkillers blamed for Two other executives pleaded Almost 400,000 people have ministration (FDA) approved Alec Burlakoff , kept Kapoor in economy. fuelling an opioid crisis that has guilty and testifi ed at the trial in died from overdoses involving Subsys in 2012 only for use in Kapoor: resigned from the Insys the dark about them. The earliest possible exit would claimed tens of thousands of Boston which lasted a little over prescription or illicit opioids treating severe cancer pain. board in October 2017, a few Burlakoff , Insys’ former vice- be November 2020, the month lives. two months. over the past two decades, ac- Doctors were encouraged to days after his indictment. president of sales, and Michael of the US presidential election, John Kapoor, 76, was found “Today’s convictions mark cording to the US Centres for recommend the spray to pa- Babich, its former chief execu- positioning climate action as a guilty of criminal conspiracy, the fi rst successful prosecution Disease Control and Prevention tients who did not need it and to promote the drug. tive, testifi ed against Kapoor af- campaign issue. along with four other former of top pharmaceutical execu- (CDC). also in excessive doses. In some years, Insys paid more ter pleading guilty to participat- The House voted 231 to 190 to executives of the Arizona-based tives for crimes related to the il- Nearly 48,000 people died in Offi cially, the bribes were paid than $10mn in bribes in this way. ing in the scheme. pass the climate Action Now Act, fi rm. licit marketing and prescribing 2017 alone from opiate overdose. as fees to doctors speaking at The heads of the fi rm also set According to Insys’ annual with three Republicans crossing The former billionaire and of opioids,” federal prosecutor “This is a landmark prosecu- seminars for health profession- up a scheme to mislead health report, Subsys sales reached the political aisle to vote with his co-defendants, including Andrew E Lelling said in a state- tion that vindicated the public’s als to praise the benefi ts of the insurance companies to reim- $329.5mn in 2015. Democrats. regional sales director Sunrise ment. interest in staunching the fl ow drug. burse patients for the costs of The group went public in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Lee, a former stripper, face up “Just as we would street- of opioids into our homes and The company’s aggressive the drug. 2013. described climate action as a to 20 years in prison, and will be level drug dealers, we will hold streets,” Lelling said. marketing tactics reportedly Kapoor’s lawyers acknowl- Kapoor resigned from the moral, economic and national sentenced at a later date. pharmaceutical executives re- To increase sales of their fen- also included sales representa- edged Insys paid doctors but board in October 2017, a few security “imperative”. They denied wrongdoing, and sponsible for fuelling the opioid tanyl spray Subsys, a painkiller tives making a catchy rap video contended that he believed they days after his indictment. Chewbacca actor dead

AFP Los Angeles

ctor Peter Mayhew, who won over fans worldwide as the AWookiee warrior Chewbacca in the blockbuster Star Wars movies, has died at the age of 74, his family an- nounced on Thursday. Mayhew died on Tuesday at his home in Texas, surrounded by loved ones, the family said in a statement re- leased on the actor’s Twitter account. “He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the fi lms from his knock-kneed running, fi ring his bow- caster from the hip, his bright blue eyes, down to each subtle movement of his head and mouth,” the statement said. “But, to him, the Star Wars fam- ily meant so much more than a role in a This file photo taken on December 16, 2015 shows actors Mayhew and Ford fi lm. The relationships that began then at the opening of the European premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in grew into the friends and family that central London. he would love for decades to come.” The towering British-born actor, He would go on to appear in The an even bigger heart who never failed the son of a police offi cer who meas- Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, to make me smile & a loyal friend who ured 7’ 3” (2.21m), was working as a and Revenge of the Sith. I loved dearly”. hospital attendant in London when The family said he had “fought his “I’m grateful for the memories we he was discovered by fi lm producer way back from being wheelchair- shared & I’m a better man for just Charles Schneer. bound to stand tall and portray Chew- having known him,” Hamill wrote on He was fi rst cast in the fi lm Sinbad bacca once more in Star Wars: The Twitter. and the Eye of the Tiger, in an uncred- Force Awakens”. Mayhew is survived by his wife An- ited role. He then worked to coach his suc- gie and three children. However, he was then cast in the cessor in the role, Joonas Suotamo, the The family said that a memorial role that would defi ne his career – as family statement said. service would be conducted on June the Wookiee co-pilot and best friend Co-star Mark Hamill, who por- 29 and a memorial for fans would take of Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) trayed Luke Skywalker in the iconic place in early December in Los Angeles in the original Star Wars fi lm released fi lms, was quick to pay tribute to the at Empire Con, an event for Star Wars in 1977. “gentlest of giants – A big man with fans.

Florida to prohibit ‘sanctuary’ cities

AFP munities and respect the work of law chairs the Republican Party of Florida. Miami enforcement at every level,” DeSantis “It’s about co-operating with the fed- said in a statement. “Local law en- eral government, and it’s about pro- forcement agencies can and should moting public safety.” awmakers in the southern US work with the federal government to The American Civil Liberties Un- state of Florida have passed a bill ensure that accountability and justice ion issued a “travel alert” for Florida, Lprohibiting so-called “sanctu- are one in our state.” a hub for Latin American immigration ary cities”, requiring local law enforce- The soon-to-be law requires police and home to large communities of Cu- ment to co-operate with immigration and other local law enforcement agen- bans, Venezuelans and Haitians. authorities. cies to comply with federal agencies’ “Both Florida residents, citizens The measure comes as President order of an “immigration detainer” – and non-citizens, and travellers could Donald Trump pushes policies aimed holding a person who is believed to be face risks of being racially profi led at cracking down on illegal immigra- a “removable alien” under federal law. and being detained without probable tion, while frequently demonising the In sanctuary cities – such as San cause,” it said. migrants as criminals. Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York The group recommended that all Florida’s lower house passed the bill – local law enforcement limit co-op- residents memorise the phone number 68-45 and it was sent to Republican eration with US immigration offi cials. of an immigration lawyer. Governor Ron DeSantis, a Trump ally Florida has no sanctuary cities, ac- According to the US Census, im- who campaigned on taking a tough cording to local media. migrants make up 20% of Florida’s stance against illegal immigration. “This bill is about respecting the population, although in large cities like “We are a stronger state when we rule of law,” said Senator Joe Gruters, Miami and Orlando the ratio is closer protect our residents, foster safe com- who sponsored the legislation and also to half. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 4, 2019 ASIA

Climber Lanka bolsters security as dies after mountain rescue attacks feared in capital AFP Kathmandu AFP frisked by police for explosives. Colombo Vehicles were not allowed to be parked near the Sufi mosque. Malaysian climber rescued Banners in front of the in Nepal after two nights ri Lanka bolstered securi- mosque condemned the atroci- Ain the open on one of the ty yesterday with fears of ties and expressed solidar- world’s most treacherous moun- Sattacks against bridges in ity with Christians. One of the tains has died in a Singapore hos- the capital as the prime minis- banners off ered the mosque pital, reports said yesterday. ter vowed to hunt down any re- for Christians to conduct their Chin Wui Kin, 48, succumbed to maining Islamic State extrem- services. his injuries Thursday, Singapore me- ists behind the deadly Easter “The situation has come dia said, after he was airlifted at the bombings. to normal but not complete- weekend from Nepal’s capital Kath- Sri Lanka’s minority Muslims, ly,” chairman of the mosque, mandu where he was initially treated. meanwhile, held Friday prayers Reyyaz M Salley, said. “People The mountaineer, a doctor under tight security, condemn- are still scared. Non-Muslims who worked at a hospital in the ing the jihadist attacks that and Muslims are in a very tense city-state, had reached the top of killed 257 people on April 21. situation.” the 8,100m (26,500ft) Annapur- Extremists were believed to Police confi rmed they had na on April 23. be planning further attacks, au- instructed stations around Co- However, he failed to return to thorities said, this time against lombo to deploy additional of- the nearest camp, 1km below the several bridges and fl yovers fi cers and asked the navy to peak, with the rest of his group, in the city as well as police deploy more vessels on rivers sparking frantic eff orts to find stations. following the leak of police in- him. His guide had stumbled to The warnings came as Prime telligence warning bridges were the camp and raised the alarm. Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at risk of attack. A rescue helicopter spotted him said some of the conspirators in Sri Lanka’s military has also waving from the snowy slopes at the April 21 bombings of three set up a special command cen- an elevation of around 7,500m on hotels and three luxury hotels tre to co-ordinate anti-jihadist April 25, Seven Summit Treks, his may still be at large. operations, while the army said expedition organisers, said. “Most of those responsible for more troops have been deployed Four experienced Sherpas were the Easter attacks have been ar- for search operations. then dropped at another camp rested. Some have been killed,” Additional troops conducted at 6,500m and after four hours Wickremesinghe said yesterday searches overnight and seized of searching and climbing found during a tour of island’s east, explosives and weapons from Chin in a semi-conscious state. where a church was hit. several locations, although He was airlifted to a hospital in “We are trying to see if there these were from criminal Kathmandu for treatment after are any more secret IS cells in groups and not jihadists, offi cial rescuers brought him down to a the country,” he said. “We will sources said. Armed security personnel stand guard as women walk on a street in Colombo yesterday. lower camp in a risky operation ensure that IS terrorism will be Authorities had information close to the summit, and his con- eradicated from our land.” about a small group of radicals still on the hunt for “four ter- low public schools in reopening “Everyone is giving informa- Soon after the attacks, Presi- dition was described as “critical”. He hoped normality would who may be trying to stage more rorists” involved in the Easter on Monday, the Church said on tion. They come forward to give dent Maithripala Sirisena said Rescuer Nirmal Purja said return by Monday when public strikes, said health minister and attacks who were still at large, Thursday. a lot of information,” he said. he believed there were 140 IS- the only words Chin spoke were schools reopen after an extended government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said in an interview Sri Lankan authorities have Sri Lanka was also receiving inspired jihadists in Sri Lanka “Can I have hot water?” Easter vacation. About 50 children Senaratne. on Thursday evening. admitted that there was a failure international help, with foreign and he had ordered security Climbing experts said it was a were among those killed. He said the crackdown on ex- The Catholic Church an- to act on advance intelligence intelligence services working forces to track them down. “miracle” that Chin had survived As Muslims held prayers, tremists after the Easter bomb- nounced Thursday that they warnings of the deadly Easter alongside their local counter- The Easter attacks were the freezing conditions on An- mosque leaders said donations ings had been largely successful. had called off the resumption of Sunday attacks against church- parts, Senaratne added. blamed on the local National napurna for so long. they received will be diverted to “You can’t say the threat is Sunday services following in- es and luxury hotels. “We have already received for- Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ) Hundreds of people from help rebuild the three churches. over, but the situation is well formation of a “specifi c threat” Senaratne said the country’s eign assistance from the US, UK whose leader was among the around the world travel to the At Colombo’s Dewatagaha under control... better than against two of their locations Muslim community had helped and from India. There are other suicide bombers. The group had Himalayas each year for the Jumma mosque, hundreds of what we expected.” just outside the capital. authorities root out extremists countries also which have off ered pledged an oath of allegiance to spring climbing season, when Muslims prayed after being But the government was also Catholic schools will not fol- in the weeks since Easter. intelligence services,” he said. the Islamic State group. conditions are best. UN calls for restraint after Myanmar troops kill six

DPA/AFP prompting soldiers to fi re shots ing between Myanmar’s mili- the open in front of the school Yangon fi rst into the air and then into tary and the Arakan Army since under a sweltering sun. the crowd. January. It was not until yesterday Six detainees were killed and The widow of a man shot that relatives were allowed to he United Nations’ top eight were injured, according dead in military custody in My- bury the dead. offi cial in Myanmar has to the True News Information anmar’s Rakhine state said her Several bloodied victims Tcalled on the country’s Team. husband died “for no reason”, were treated at a hospital in security forces and armed In a statement released yes- speaking after the army killed Rakhine’s capital Sittwe on rebels to show restraint after terday, UN resident co-ordi- six men on suspicion of being Thursday evening, according to reports that soldiers shot dead nator Knut Ostby called for rebels in the restive region. an AFP reporter at the scene. at least six people the previ- “calm and utmost restraint by The wife of 45-year-old Tun AA spokesman Khine Thu Kha ous day in the restive state of all, protection of civilians in all Shwe Win said her husband was denied any of the men were linked Rakhine. circumstances, and respect for among the dead. to the armed group, calling the ac- Security forces detained international humanitarian and “My husband and the others cusation “baseless” and adding The Royal Golden Plaque of the off icial title of His Majesty the King, the Royal Golden Plaque of His around 275 people in the village human rights law.” were killed for no reason,” Ma that his group were open to peace Majesty’s horoscope, and the Royal Seal of State are being transferred from the Temple of the Emerald of Kyauk Tan early Thursday He also off ered the UN’s as- Nge said over phone yesterday, talks with the government. Buddha to Baisal Daksin Throne Hall in Bangkok yesterday. while searching for members of sistance in confl ict prevention her voice shaking. Myanmar’s army this week the Arakan Army, an insurgent and aid distribution. The unrest started Tuesday extended a ceasefi re with armed group that seeks political au- The area where the kill- when soldiers raided the vil- groups elsewhere in the country tonomy for Rakhine Buddhists. ings occurred has been closed lage, separating all men aged for another two months. According to the military’s off to journalists and most aid between 15 and 50 before inter- But the truce omits Rakhine, Thai king conducts fi nal True News Information Team, organisations for months. rogating them. where rights groups say the several detainees tried to seize More than 30,000 people Families of those killed said military is acting with “total weapons from their captors, have been displaced by fi ght- the six bodies were placed in impunity”. rituals before coronation Cyclone fallout Reuters The king lit auspicious can- fect today, listed many criteria of blows tents off Bangkok dles at 4:19pm (9:19 GMT), a prisoners eligible for the pardon, time that court astrologers de- including those with disabilities, Everest Vietnam holds state funeral termined was propitious, as 80 chronic or terminal diseases, or hailand’s King Maha Va- Buddhist monks chanted. those within a year of complet- High winds blamed on Cyclone Fani jiralongkorn conducted Yellow is particularly signifi - ing their sentence. more than 900km (570 miles) away Tfi nal rituals yesterday in cant as it is the colour of Monday The king will also reduce blew tents off the side of Mount for former president Anh preparation for three days of In Thai culture, which is steeped sentences for some prisoners, Everest yesterday, off icials said. ceremonies for his elaborate in astrology, the day the king including those imprisoned for Fallout from the deadly storm, DPA coronation, which will also be was born, and also the colour life, and commute some death which hit India’s Bay of Bengal Hanoi marked by the pardoning and re- of the sun, which represents the sentences to life. coast yesterday, spread across lease from jail of some prisoners. monarch in the cosmos. It is not clear how many peo- South Asia – including the world’s The coronation, which takes Thais have been urged to wear ple will qualify for pardons, and highest mountain. ietnam yesterday held a place from today to Monday, will yellow until the end of July, the the Department of Corrections The monster storm was not state funeral for Le Duc be the fi rst the country has seen king’s birth month. said it would fi nalise a list of eli- predicted to go near Nepal, but VAnh, a former Viet- in 69 years, since his father, the Earlier yesterday, a senior pal- gible prisoners, and release them the country’s Meteorological namese president and general late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, ace offi cial transferred a golden or commute their sentences, Forecasting Division predicted eff ect famous for fi ghting the Khmer was crowned in 1950. plaque inscribed with the king’s within 120 days. from Fani would cause snow, rain Rouge in Cambodia. Anh died King Vajiralongkorn, 66, is also offi cial name and title, his horo- The order did not exclude and strong winds in the country. on April 22 in Hanoi. known by the title of King Rama scope and the royal seal from the foreigners, nor did it exclude About 20 tents at Everest’s Camp The veteran of four wars was X. He became a constitutional Temple of the Emerald Buddha prisoners convicted of insulting 2, at 6,400m (21,000ft), were the supreme commander of Vi- monarch after the death of his to the Grand Palace in prepara- the monarchy, a crime known as aff ected. etnamese forces in Cambodia in Soldiers transport a portrait of ex-president Le Duc Anh as they revered father in October 2016, tion for today’s events. lese-majeste, which is punish- “Very strong winds blew the tents the 1980s after Hanoi overthrew lead the convoy during his funeral on a street in Hanoi yesterday. after 70 years on the throne. The three items, which were able by up to 15 years in prison. off the mountain but no-one was the genocidal Pol Pot regime. Yesterday, the king visited the made in a three-hour ritual last Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, a hurt,” Ishwori Poudel, general Although Vietnam withdrew Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Last week a government Temple of the Emerald Buddha to week, will be presented to the prominent student activist who secretary of the Expedition its forces from Cambodia in Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen spokeswoman said Trong was pay respects to one of Thailand’s king by the chief Brahmin, along was sentenced in 2017 to two and Operators Association, said. 1989, Anh is widely credited with Thi Kim Ngan were joined at taking a break due to health most sacred Buddhist relics. with fi ve royal regalia, the sym- a half years in jail for sharing a With the spring climbing season paving the way for the Khmer yesterday’s ceremony at the Na- issues caused by exhaustion, “Long live the king,” chanted bols of kingship in Thailand. Thai-language BBC profi le of the looming, several teams have Rouge’s eventual defeat in 1998. tional Funeral Home in Hanoi but rumours persist that the a group of people dressed in Ahead of the grand ceremo- king is expected to be released postponed acclimatisation on He served as minister of na- by Japanese Minister of Defence 75-year-old, who also serves as yellow, an auspicious colour in nies, the king said he would next week, his lawyer said. Everest fearing the bad weather. tional defence from 1987 to Takeshi lwaya and Cambodian head of Vietnam’s ruling Com- Thailand, as the king and his grant royal pardons to some Jatupat was the fi rst person to “The eff ects of that storm mean we 1991 and was elected as Viet- Defence Minister Tea Banh. munist Party, is seriously ill. new queen walked on a red car- prisoners to “give them a chance be charged with royal insult af- are likely to see significant snowfall nam’s president in 1992. Conspicuously absent was Anh’s body was to be fl own pet to the Grand Palace, shielded to become good citizens”, ac- ter the king formally ascended and high winds on the mountain,” He had a stroke in 1996 and Vietnam’s President Nguyen to Ho Chi Minh City later yes- from the hot afternoon sun by a cording to the Royal Gazette. the throne following the death of expedition company Climbing the resigned the next year. Phu Trong, who has not been terday where he will be buried big yellow umbrella. The order, which will take ef- King Bhumibol. Seven Summits wrote on its blog. Vietnamese Prime Minister seen in public since mid-April. at the City Martyrs’ Cemetery. Gulf Times Saturday, May 4, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Taiwan tycoon and presidential hopeful Gou gets tips from Trump

AFP Wednesday, however did not in- opposition party but his huge the Republic of China, I will be a woman Sarah Sanders said. Gou Gou said: “He replied that (being screen factory in Wisconsin, cre- Taipei clude any discussion of support factories in the mainland have peace maker and won’t become a boasted of his White House con- a president) it’s a tough job.” ating 13,000 jobs, with Trump for the Taiwanese tech mogul’s sparked concern over his cosiness trouble maker... I will strengthen nections in a swipe at the ruling Gou made his billions through and Gou breaking ground together campaign, the White House said. with Beijing. Taiwan and the US economically,” Democratic Progressive Party, Foxconn, which assembles Ap- at a ceremony two years ago. aiwan’s wealthiest man Gou made a surprise an- A stream of Taiwanese politi- Gou told reporters in Washing- which is much more sceptical of ple and Huawei phones as well as But the project has since been and presidential hopeful nouncement last month that he cians have beat a path to Wash- ton after the meeting. The White Beijing. “We have been given the parts and accessories for other hit by uncertainty over how many TTerry Gou met with Don- plans to run for president in next ington in recent months, hoping House confi rmed that Trump sat highest courtesy, (an invite) to major international brands. The jobs will really be created and the ald Trump at the White House January’s elections — after de- to drum up support within the is- down with “brilliant, business the Oval Offi ce, tell me until now bulk of Gou’s investments are huge tax breaks off ered to Fox- this week, with the Foxconn chief claring the sea goddess Matsu land’s diaspora and among infl u- leader Terry Gou”. which DPP offi cial has such a ca- in China, employing more than conn. The White House statement saying the American president urged him to do so. ential US offi cials. But only Gou “The president and Mr Gou did pability?” he said, later showing 1mn workers in the country where mentioned Foxconn’s investment warned him that the job he is go- The 69-year-old tycoon is has managed to secure a face-to- not discuss support for his cam- reporters a coaster and pen em- cheap labour helped fuel his com- in Wisconsin and teased that Gou ing for is “tough”. seeking the nomination of the Be- face with Trump. paign in Taiwan. He is just a great bossed with Trump’s signature. pany’s meteoric rise. Foxconn has “soon will announce even more The talks, which took place on ijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) “If I am elected president of friend,” White House spokes- Asked what Trump had told him, vowed to build a $10bn display investment there”. Vietnamese woman in Kim Jong-nam murder case freed

AFP hands over his face. Kim, who fell Kuala Lumpur from grace in the North after a bi- zarre attempt to visit Tokyo Dis- neyland, died shortly afterwards, Vietnamese woman who his face smeared with poison. stood trial for the assassi- The women, who faced death Anation of the North Kore- by hanging if convicted of mur- an leader’s half-brother was freed der, went on trial in October 2017 from prison yesterday, bringing but the case was slow-moving Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong’s lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik shows a letter at Kuala Lumpur down the fi nal legal curtain on a due to the large number of wit- International Airport in Sepang yesterday following her release from prison. dramatic and often bizarre two- nesses and appeals from the de- year murder mystery. fence teams. Kim Jong-nam, the estranged The defence stage of the trial relative of Kim Jong-un and had been due to get under way in once seen as heir apparent to the March before prosecutors sud- North’s leadership, died in agony denly dropped charges against after having his face smeared Aisyah, 27, following intense with a banned nerve agent as he diplomatic pressure from the waited at Kuala Lumpur airport Indonesian government. Viet- in February, 2017. Kim Jong-nam nam then stepped up pressure The sensational killing made for Huong’s murder charge to be headlines around the world, and withdrew murder charges against fl ying to Vietnam in the evening. dropped and at the start of April sparked a furious diplomatic row Huong, who pleaded guilty to a “She’s very happy,” Hisyam prosecutors off ered her the lesser as Seoul accused Pyongyang of an reduced count of “causing in- said. “She’s defi nitely looking charge, paving the way for her elaborate plot to murder a fi gure jury” and was told she would be forward to going home.” While release. Pyongyang has never ad- who had spent years in exile and released in May at the end of her there is relief for the women, no mitted to killing Kim Jong-nam been critical of his family’s rule. sentence. one else is in custody over the – it claims the dead man was a Doan Thi Huong from Viet- More than two years after her murder and those behind the plot North Korean citizen called Kim nam and Indonesian Siti Aisyah arrest, the 30-year-old former are unlikely to ever be punished. Chol, and that the accusations were arrested after being spot- hair salon worker was freed “The assassins have not been are an attempt to smear it. ted on CCTV approaching Kim from prison outside the Malay- brought to justice,” said Hisyam, The assassination sparked a but always denied murder. The sian capital at about 7:20am, her adding the women’s legal teams furious row between North Korea women insisted they were tricked lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told consistently argued that four and Malaysia, previously one of into carrying out the hit by North AFP. Journalists waiting outside North Koreans who fl ed Malaysia nuclear-armed Pyongyang’s few Korean agents who said it was a the jail saw a van and a car with after the killing, and were charged allies, and prompted both coun- reality TV show prank and fl ed tinted windows race past, and in absentia, were the real murder- tries to expel each other’s ambas- Malaysia after the killing. a court offi cial at the scene also ers. sadors. They went on trial, but in confi rmed Huong had been re- The women were arrested af- Ties have improved in recent March prosecutors dropped the leased. She was expected to head ter they were captured on airport times however with Malaysia murder charge against Aisyah af- to an immigration offi ce in ad- CCTV cameras walking up be- saying it plans to reopen its em- ter diplomatic pressure and she ministrative capital Putrajaya to hind Kim as he waited for a fl ight, bassy in Pyongyang, which was fl ew home. Then last month they sort out documentation, before and one was seen clasping her closed shortly after the murder. Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong in a file picture.

NZ PM Ardern engaged to partner after Easter proposal

Malaysia’s fi rst female top judge Leader of New Zealand Prime Minister ary if she would consider asking a member of parliament about the Jacinda Ardern is engaged to her Gayford to marry her or wait for then National Party government’s longtime partner Clarke Gayford him to propose. “Absolutely, I’m proposed changes to security Australia’s after a proposal over the Easter a feminist, but I want to put him legislation. is ‘big step’ for women’s justice holidays, her spokesman said through the pain and torture of He bumped into Ardern, a rising yesterday. Gayford, the 41-year-old having to agonise about that star in the Labour Party, they had ‘tinnie terror’ host of a TV fishing show, takes question himself. That’s letting coff ee and were living together Thomson Reuters for the Kuala Lumpur-based government proposals. Latheefa care of their 10-month-old daugh- him off the hook, absolutely not,” not long after. Gayford’s television Kuala Lumpur women’s rights group, Sisters in Koya from Lawyers for Liberty, ter Neve Te Aroha, while Ardern, she said jokingly. News of their show, Fish of the Day, takes him Islam, told the Thomson Reu- a non-profi t of human rights plot jailed for 38, runs the country. engagement broke after journal- around the Pacific, fishing and find- ters Foundation. lawyers, said the appointment Her pregnancy announced in ists noticed Ardern wearing a ring ing recipes for his catch. n a rare move for Asia, Ma- Among the 10,810 cases of was a “big step”. “It makes a early 2018 was seen by many as a on her middle finger at a public The series has been sold to 20 laysia has appointed its fi rst domestic violence reported be- diff erence when it comes to seven years symbol of progress for women in event yesterday. countries and won a gold award Ifemale top judge, leading tween 2015 and 2016, only 7% cases which involve the rights leadership roles. Her spokesman Andrew Campbell at the Houston International Film to calls from human rights ac- resulted in a conviction, accord- of women — rights at the work- She is only the second elected confirmed she had been wearing Festival in 2016. The family divides tivists yesterday to reform the ing to offi cial fi gures cited in a place, marriage and divorce,” Reuters leader to give birth while in off ice, the ring since Easter. He did not their time between the capital country’s judiciary and improve report by the non-profi t Wom- said the executive director. Sydney after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in give details of the proposal. The Wellington and Auckland, where the low conviction rates for en’s Aid Organisation. For rape, “If you have gender balance 1990. Ardern was asked by the couple met about six years ago they own a house in a central city crimes against women. out of some 28,700 rape cases in the judiciary it only means BBC while visiting London in Janu- when Gayford went to complain to suburb. Widely seen as a progressive reported between 2005 and there will be consideration and n Australian court jailed for judge, Tengku Maimun Tuan 2014, only about 3% saw guilty understanding from a woman’s seven years yesterday the Mat, an ethnic Muslim Malay verdicts, the report showed. In perspective,” she added. Malay- Aleader of a group of men woman, was unveiled as the cases such as divorce and do- sia’s government, which came to who planned to travel by motor- country’s next chief justice by mestic violence, Majidah said power a year ago on promises of boat from Australia to the Philip- Children’s Day in Japan the prime minister’s offi ce on women sometimes have had to reforms, has pledged to improve pines to join Islamic State fi ghters. Thursday. wait up to 10 years to get a court its record on women rights. Robert Cerantonio and four other There have been a rising judgment granting a separation Women’s rights groups how- men towed their small boat by car number of female judges in because of a “lack of empathy” ever, have criticised the govern- some 3,000km from Melbourne Malaysia’s top courts in recent among male judges. ment for failing to fulfi l an elec- to Cairns in northern Queensland years but women’s rights groups Women at the helm of the ju- tion promise to have at least a state. hoped her appointment would diciary are rare in Asia. third of women in policy-mak- They planned to sail to Mind- help tackle the low convic- Maria Lourdes Sereno was the ing positions. anao island in the southern Philip- tion rates in cases like rape and fi rst woman chief justice in the Malaysia was ranked 101 out pines to join an Islamist rebellion, domestic violence. “We hope Philippines until she was ousted of 14 countries in the World but were arrested before the left there will be more justice for last year after President Rodrigo Economic Forum’s 2018 Gender Australia. Their far-fetched 2016 women who go to court,” Ma- Duterte called her an “enemy” Gap Index after scoring poorly plan was dubbed the “tinnie ter- jidah Hashim, a spokeswoman for voting against controversial on political empowerment. ror” plot — small aluminium boats are known as tinnies in Australia — even though their boat was made of fi breglass. Endangered bird deals a blow to billion-dollar Australian coal mine “The whole venture was poorly planned and, I fear, foredoomed An endangered bird has dealt tral Queensland’s Galilee Basin, The rare bird, about 10cm to failure,” Victoria state Supreme a blow to a controversial which, according to geologists, in length, is found only in Court Justice Michael Croucher coal-mine project in Australia could yield more than 27bn parts of Queensland, as it has said in a statement provided by worth billions of dollars after tonnes of coal. disappeared from New South the court. “Given the ill-suited the state government said The state government’s envi- Wales. According to BirdLife vessel the group had purchased the company’s environmental ronment department told the Australia, its numbers have and their lack of serious boating management plan to protect company late Thursday they decreased by about 80% in experience, it is hard to imagine the rare bird was inadequate. rejected its plan to protect and recent decades, largely due to that they would have made it very Indian mining giant Adani is manage the endangered rare loss of habitat and increases far past the breakers,” he said. The planning to build the massive black-throated finch during the in the density of native woody four other men, and a fi fth who A 100-m-long carp streamer is hosted by a crane in the city of Kazo, Saitama prefecture, during an Carmichael coal mine in cen- construction of the project. weeds. was involved in planning but never event to celebrate the Japanese holiday of Children’s Day tomorrow. left Melbourne, were jailed earlier. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, May 4, 2019 BRITAIN

Crossrail delays ‘due to desire to cling to unrealistic timeframe’

Guardian News and Media Decisions were driven by a de- not open until March 2021. and the department for trans- in anticipation of the scheme said the programme had been beth line – the route’s offi cial ti- London sire to meet the December 2018 Changes to design and sched- port, “had a gap in its under- opening. mired by spiralling costs and de- tle – between October 2020 and deadline for the central section ules increased costs on most standing of delivery risks and Amyas Morse, head of the lays. She said: “It is concerning March 2021. The NAO warned of the new west-east rail line of the project’s 36 main con- the likelihood of meeting the NAO, said: “Throughout de- that Crossrail deluded itself for that Crossrail had not yet fully rossrail was driven over underneath London to start car- tracts, the report said. The costs December 2018 opening date”. It livery, and even as pressures so long about its ability to meet assessed the delay’s impact on its budget and schedule rying passengers. of civil engineering works at said that “assumptions about the mounted, Crossrail clung to the its original opening date and costs. Cbecause its management But that approach led to Whitechapel station alone, as level of progress that was achiev- unrealistic view that it could the £17bn-plus programme’s Mark Wild, the chief execu- team clung to an unrealistic “choices that clearly damaged of December 2018, had esca- able bore little resemblance to complete the programme to the project management was not up tive of Crossrail, said it would opening date, according to a Na- public value”, the NAO found. lated to £659mn – six times the the historic progress that con- original timetable, which has to the job.” review the NAO recommenda- tional Audit Offi ce report into the The report said that Cross- amount originally budgeted, and tractors had made”. had damaging consequences.” Labour shadow transport tions carefully. He said the new delayed transport project. rail’s “compressed sched- more than double the estimate Management also drove up He said the full extent of secretary, Andy McDonald, said leadership team had “undertak- The NAO said that although ule, contractual model, loss of in 2015. The overall budget for unnecessary cost by carrying losses could not yet be assessed it was “yet another disastrous en a detailed audit of the out- problems had emerged as early downward pressure on costs, Crossrail has risen from £14.8bn out early testing which was “of but there had been “a number failure of ministerial oversight standing works and produced as 2015, Crossrail did not take and absence of an achievable to £17.6bn. limited use and took any spare of choices made in the course from Transport Secretary Chris a robust and realistic plan to opportunities to change ap- plan were set against an atmos- The report found that Cross- time and space from construc- of this project that have clearly Grayling.” complete the Elizabeth line and proach nor produce a suffi cient- phere where ‘can do’ became rail, operating with a high degree tion workers on site”. damaged public value”. Crossrail last month set a new bring the railway into passenger ly detailed delivery plan to track unrealistic.” Crossrail said last of autonomy from the scheme’s Crossrail has also now tried The chair of the public ac- target to introduce services on service at the earliest possible its progress. week that the core section might sponsors, Transport for London to rehire staff laid off last year counts committee, Meg Hillier, the central section of the Eliza- date”. LibDem the big winners, says Cable

Guardian News and Media In an earlier comment, Cable – London who has said he will step down as leader following the local elections – said the LibDems had chalked up ince Cable has hailed his “already our best result for over 15 Liberal Democrats as “the years”. Vbig winners” of the lo- He said: “Voters have sent a cal election after the party gained clear message that they no longer hundreds of seats and control of a have confi dence in the Conserva- series of councils. tives, but they are also refusing With 171 of the 248 councils tal- to reward Labour while the party lied, the LibDems had won 1,020 prevaricates on the big issue of the councillors, a net gain of 530, and day: Brexit.” controlled 16 councils, retaining Cable added: “Today’s LibDem six more, in an election expected surge is a springboard to the Eu- to be Cable’s swansong as leader. ropean elections, where we are However, the gains came in the clearly the strongest Remain force context of results that were disas- on the ballot paper. Every Liberal trous for the party the last time the Democrat vote on May 23 will be a same areas were fought. vote to stop Brexit.” Among the areas taken were However, the result seemed to the traditional Tory stronghold of have a broader impetus than just Cotswold district council, where Brexit, with analysis showing the Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at the Scottish Conservative conference in Aberdeen, Scotland. the LibDems overtook the Con- party only did slightly better in servatives to become the biggest Remain-voting areas than those single party, winning 18 of the 34 that supported Leave in 2016. seats. Chelmsford, perhaps the most Arguably more striking was dramatic LibDem gain, supported Bath and North East Somerset, Leave in the referendum. where the party gained 23 seats to The LibDems had been wide- easily overturn the previous Tory ly expected to gain seats, as the majority, winning 37 of the 59 last time the same councils were Pressure on May to quit seats – including the home ward fought for was May 2015, when the of the Tory Brexiter MP Jacob party was being roundly punished Rees-Mogg. by voters for the Tory-LibDem As the results came in, Cable coalition. travelled to Chelmsford in Es- Then, the LibDems lost more sex, where his party overturned than 400 seats and four councils. a previous 45-seat Conservative In the general election on the same after losses at local polls majority, amassing a net gain of 26 day the party slumped from 57 seats, while the Tories lost 31. Westminster seats to eight. Guardian News and Media she gave a speech in Wales, saying: what is best for the country”. The Tories also lost Chelmsford, get the message over.” The party also gained Win- The party’s home aff airs London “Why don’t you resign? We don’t Delivering a message to the where the LibDems overturned a Sir Bernard Jenkin said voters chester, Vale of White Horse, Mole spokesman, Ed Davey MP, said want you.” With 114 out of 248 prime minister, he said: “I would 45-seat majority, and Somerset thought the prime minister had Valley, Hinckley and Bosworth, that nonetheless the results councils declared at 12.30pm yes- ask her to consider her position West and Taunton, where May’s “lost the plot”. North Devon and North Norfolk. marked a “sea change in British onservative councillors and terday, the Tories had lost council- very carefully.” party lost 31 councillors. “Certainly, among Conservative They also took the newly formed politics”, and were as good as the MPs have called for There- lors in 70 areas. In Bath and North East Somer- Other home counties losses for activists and council candidates, authority of Somerset West and LibDems had ever seen – for ex- Csa May to step down after Among the more surprising re- set, where the Liberal Democrats the Conservatives included Basil- there is an almost universal feeling Taunton, formed by the merger of ample following the 2003 Iraq war. the party lost nearly 500 seats in sults was the party’s loss of Cots- won control, Tory losses included don, Southend-on-Sea, Folke- that it is time for her to move on,” two councils. “It is just a fabulous day. We are local elections dominated by the wold district council after 16 years, the council leader, Tim Warren, stone & Hythe, St Albans and Wel- he said. Cable told celebrating LibDem clearly back in the game,” he told UK’s Brexit stalemate. with the Liberal Democrats now in who said councillors had been wyn Hatfi eld. The Scottish Tory leader, Ruth activists that the result refl ected BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Council leaders called for the charge. “given a kicking for something A succession of pro-Leave To- Davidson, said voters were angry a “story across the country”. He “People have been frustrated with prime minister to consider her po- The Conservative group leader, that wasn’t our fault”. ries yesterday called for May to over the impasse on Brexit. said: “The LibDems were written the appalling Tory government, sition, while others said they had Tony Berry, said it was a “very unu- Asked whether there needed to step down. The MP Crispin Blunt “It seems to be ‘a plague on both off at one point but we’re coming who have let them down not just made gains despite the govern- sual set of circumstances” because be changes in leadership or poli- said the party needed a new leader. your houses’ to the Conservatives back very, very strongly. We’re the on Brexit but with cuts to police ment’s paralysis since the 2016 EU of Brexit and “professional politi- cies at the top of the party, War- He said: “I’ve been trying to and the Labour party, who they see big winners of the night through- and schools, and a split opposition referendum. cians who are basically working for ren replied: “There needs to be a get her out openly since Decem- as a block on fi nding some sort of out the country.” with such poor leadership.” A heckler interrupted May as themselves rather than necessarily change in action.” ber. Lots of people are trying to resolution to Brexit,” she said.

New role Johnson blocked from Solid gold toilet to party conference

Guardian News and Media called out his disruptive behaviour be installed at palace over Brexit. London Sources close to Davidson said Guardian News and Media brother and founder of the Blen- nections have been made. they did not want the two-day London heim Art Foundation. “It will When the White House asked oris Johnson has been conference to turn into a lead- be an installed, working, usable the Guggenheim to loan a Van blocked by Ruth Davidson ership hustings when the focus toilet.” Gogh for the president’s private Bfrom attending the Scottish should be on Davidson’s return to solid-gold toilet is set to There will be enhanced secu- living quarters, the museum re- Conservative party conference in frontline politics and the launch be installed in one of the rity, Spencer-Churchill said, but portedly declined, and off ered Aberdeen. of a two-year campaign to elect a AUK’s grandest country whether there will be a queuing the golden toilet instead. Scottish Tory sources said a Tory government to Holyrood in houses this autumn. And, yes, system or booked slots has yet to The toilet will form part of an number of potential leadership 2021. people will be able to use it. be decided. extensive Cattelan exhibition candidates had been “discour- Asked on STV about the pres- The 18-carat gold artwork, And there is the question of at Blenheim Palace, which fol- aged” from attending the event, ence of Michael Gove and Sajid America by Maurizio Cattelan, how long people can stay in the lows successful shows dedicated which began yesterday, amid Javid at the conference – Esther made headlines in the US after toilet. “I’m not sure I can an- to Ai Weiwei, Lawrence Weiner, concerns their appearance could McVey will also appear at a fringe the Guggenheim off ered it to swer that question yet,” he add- Michelangelo Pistoletto, Jenny distract from party leader David- event – Davidson said: “There’s a Donald Trump instead of the Van ed. “We’d like people to enjoy Holzer and Yves Klein. son’s return from maternity leave, lot of people who want to appear Gogh painting he requested. their time in there without giv- Spencer-Churchill grew up at insisting the decision was not per- at our conference.” While reiterat- It will be plumbed into a bath- ing them too much time, if that Blenheim surrounded by amaz- sonal. ing her “full support” for Theresa room at Blenheim Palace in Ox- makes sense.” ing things “but the art never re- Davidson also appeared to May, Davidson added that she fordshire, near the room in which When the artwork was in- ally grabbed me in an emotional downplay Johnson’s chances of would assess all of the leadership Winston Churchill was born. stalled in the Guggenheim in sense”. He said he fell in love with success in any leadership contest candidates according to three cri- Visitors will be able to admire New York in 2016 people queued contemporary art and found it in an interview on STV’s Scotland teria: their ability to strengthen and use the toilet, an experi- for about two hours before being “intellectually odd” that it was Tonight. She said: “Let’s remem- the union, advance Scotland’s pri- ence that will be new even to the allowed in one at a time. Cleaners exhibited in white-cube gal- ber that not everyone people talk orities, and bring the whole of the Marlborough family who have sanitised the toilet every 15 min- leries, while the art in country about being a frontrunner makes UK back together after Brexit. enjoyed lives of luxury at Blen- utes. An estimated 100,000 peo- houses stopped at the 20th cen- it to the starting line: Boris didn’t Gove, who will address the con- heim for more than 300 years. ple visited the installation and tury. “You wouldn’t have con- last time.” ference today morning, is regular- “Despite being born with a posted a blizzard of selfi es and temporary without the history Scottish Tories are understood ly cited by senior Scottish Tories silver spoon in my mouth I have toilet humour on Twitter. and at the time all the historic to have profound concerns about as a politician who “gets the un- never used a golden toilet, so I Cattelan made the artwork art was contemporary too. At one Defence Minister Penny Mordaunt arrives at Westminster the unpopularity of a Johnson ion”. Last May, Gove and Davidson look forward to it,” said Edward before Trump’s political rise but time, probably still is, Blenheim Abbey yesterday to attend a service to mark 50 years of leadership at Westminster with backed the launch of a think-tank Spencer-Churchill, the current given the US president’s love of was considered quite vulgar and Britain’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent. voters north of the border, and aimed at appealing to a new gen- Duke of Marlborough’s half- excess and golden chairs, con- ostentatious.” Davidson herself has regularly eration of Conservative voters. Gulf Times Saturday, May 4, 2019 9 EUROPE Cyprus police chief terminated as anger grows over killings AFP tain Metaxas on April 18. cial to quit over the scandal, said third countries, India’s envoy to regret over the horrifi c crimes Nicosia Days later, authorities found that he was leaving for reasons the island said. and apologised on behalf of the the body of a second woman in of “principle and conscience”, Cyprus government spokes- State and the Cypriot people the shaft, believed to be Arian while adding he had no personal man Prodromos Prodromou said to the representatives of these ypriot President Nicos Palanas Lozano, 28, also from the involvement in the case. the president had “expressed his countries”. Anastasiades has sacked Philippines. However, the chief of the main Neubauer appears on a screen behind RWE chief executive Rolf Cthe country’s police chief, The suspect then guided in- opposition communist party Martin Schmitz during the company’s annual shareholders as shock over the murders of sev- vestigators to a well near an army AKEL, which has repeatedly meeting in Essen. en foreign women and girls gave fi ring range outside the capital, called for Nicolaou’s resignation, way to outrage at the authorities where police found the body of slammed the outgoing minister for a botched response. a third victim – an unidentifi ed for failing to quit “on the fi rst or A suspect identifi ed in local woman of Asian origin. the second day that this story media as 35-year-old Greek Cyp- On Sunday, police recovered broke”. Climate protesters riot army offi cer Nicos Metaxas the remains of a fourth victim, “Nineteen days later, following has confessed to the seven kill- stuff ed in a suitcase at the bottom intense public outcry and pres- ings in a crime spree that went of a toxic man-made lake next to sure to stand down from his party undetected for nearly three years. a disused mine southwest of the ... this is not called political sen- grab mic at RWE With the island reeling from capital Nicosia. sitivity,” Andros Kyprianou said. what have been dubbed its fi rst Yesterday investigators paused Anastasiades has said the gov- “serial killings”, Cypriot authori- their search for more bodies at ernment is preparing new meas- ties have been accused of fail- the Mitsero lake as they waited ures to better protect foreign investor huddle ing to properly investigate the for a sonar system to arrive from workers. women’s disappearances due to Spain, Fire Service Chief Marcos Yesterday he met diplomats neglect and racism. Trangolas told journalists. from non-EU countries who AFP infrastructure needed to enable The president fi red top police Reporters were prevented from made suggestions on how best People attend a public gathering in memory of the victims of a Frankfurt am Main its so-called “Energiewende” offi cer Zacharias Chrysostomou approaching the lake, but AFP to monitor foreign workers from suspected serial killer, outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. (energy transition) to wind, so- yesterday, a day after Justice journalists at the top of a hill lar and the like. Minister Ionas Nicolaou an- overlooking it saw investigators erman students brought Environment ministry fi g- nounced his resignation over the closing a tent on the shore and a their weekly climate ures show Germany produced case. crane leaving the site. Gprotests to energy giant 38% of its electricity from re- In a letter to Chrysostomou Detectives who fl ew in from RWE’s home turf yesterday, newable sources in 2018. seen by AFP, Anastasiades de- Britain to help with the investi- grabbing the microphone from However, power generating cried “the apparent negligence gation are expected to leave Cy- bosses to urge a speedier exit fi rms plan to make up much of and dereliction of duty of the prus soon. from coal at the group’s annual the diff erence with coal – often police in investigating reports of Outrage over how authorities shareholder meeting. locally-mined, highly-pollut- missing persons”. handled the case has prompted RWE’s plans to continue ing lignite – until a cut-off date The president told the police protests outside the presidential burning coal into the 2030s of 2038, set by a government chief that his services were be- palace in the capital Nicosia. show it “doesn’t understand commission. ing “terminated” and that offi cial In an editorial published yes- what kind of crisis we’re in”, Other countries have chosen failings had meant the murder terday, English-language daily said 23-year-old student Luisa alternative energy sources to cases were not “solved in a timely the Cyprus Mail said that the po- Neubauer, a leading fi gure of bridge the gap, with France this manner”. lice had “failed to properly inves- the “Fridays for Future” cli- week saying it would extend “Some of the horrifi c crimes tigate” reports that women had mate movement in Europe’s some nuclear power generation that shocked Cyprus could have gone missing. largest country. by 10 years, until 2035, rather been prevented,” he wrote. “The complete lack of profes- Investors critical of RWE’s than open new fossil fuel- The killings came to light sionalism, the absence of any strategy had secured Neubauer burning plants. in mid-April when unusually sense of duty or responsibility, the right to speak, as activists Responding to climate crit- heavy rains brought the body of the sheer laziness and worst of and school students outside ics, RWE chief executive Rolf 38-year-old Filipina Mary Rose all, the racist disregard for the brandished placards reading Martin Schmitz said that he Tiburcio to the surface of the well-being of foreign women “coal stinks” or “our future is found it “good” that young disused mine shaft where it had trying to scrape a living in Cyprus melting with the ice”. people were engaging in the been hidden. were proved beyond reasonable “No company in all of Eu- debate. That discovery triggered a doubt,” it said. rope bears more responsibil- However, he defended his murder investigation which then Outgoing justice minister ity for the climate crisis than company’s track record, point- led to the detention of army cap- Nicolaou, the fi rst senior offi - People lie on the ground during a sit-in in front of the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. RWE,” she charged. “How can ing to its 34% reduction of car- you answer for that before me bon dioxide (CO2) output be- and my generation?” tween 2012 and 2018 as a sign Nine die as boat Energy giants like RWE and of its climate commitment. rival EON exemplify Germa- “That is more than Germany sinks off Turkey ny’s struggle to turn ambitious (as a whole) has managed since Arc de Triomphe ‘fully restored’ this week carbon reduction targets and 1990, in a much shorter space Four women and five children a widely-admired renewables of time,” he said. “No company died yesterday after their migrant sector into a transition away is making such a big bet on its AFP which is very fast,” said Riester, boat sank off the Turkish coast, from fossil fuels that still off ers transformation.” Paris while praising the work. the coastguard said. a dependable supply of elec- Berlin acknowledged last He said everything would be The boat went down off Balikesir tricity. year that it would miss a 2020 ready by Wednesday, when VE province in western Turkey, the The country is set to exit nu- deadline to reduce CO2 output he Arc de Triomphe in Day celebrations mark the 74th coastguard said in a statement, clear power completely by 2022 by 40% compared with 1990 Paris, which was ran- anniversary of Nazi Germany’s without giving the nationality of and is battling to push through levels. Tsacked during a “yellow surrender to the Allies on May those on board. vest” protest last year, will be 8, 1945. Five other passengers were entirely restored for next week’s The monument, which was saved from the boat, which was Portugal PM threatens to resign if VE Day celebrations, the French built by Napoleon to com- believed to be heading for the government said yesterday. memorate his many military Greek island of Lesbos. parliament passes teachers pay hike The monument, which con- victories, reopened less than a The boat had been carrying tains the French tomb of the fortnight after rioters broke into 17 people and it was not Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has threatened to resign unknown soldier, was vandal- it on December 1, though some immediately clear what had after his leftist allies abandoned the government in a parliamentary ised during an anti-government areas remained cordoned off . happened to the rest. vote that could undermine eff orts to balance the budget by raising demonstration in December Each year, more than 1.5mn Under an agreement reached teachers’ salaries retroactively. that ended in rioting and loot- tourists visit the Arc de Triom- with the European Union in 2016, Late on Thursday, a broad alliance of lawmakers sitting on a ing. phe, mostly to take in the view Turkey has made greater eff orts parliamentary committee voted to grant teachers’ salary increases Culture Minister Franck The mould of the ‘Genie de la patrie’, which was damaged by down the Champs-Elysees av- to limit departures towards the held back over several years since 2005. Riester said €1.2mn ($1.3mn) protesters on the sidelines of the ‘yellow vest’ demonstrations on enue. five Greek islands closest to its Costa called an emergency government meeting yesterday, after was spent restoring damaged December 1, 2018, is seen in a gallery of the Arc de Triomphe in Bulgarian-born artist Chris- shores. which he met President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for an hour statues and equipment inside Paris following repair works. to last month announced that That has led to a dramatic drop in and informed him that he would resign if parliament gives its full the landmark at the top of the he had received permission to the number of arrivals on Greek approval to the measure. Champs-Elysees. works, including a 1930s copy moulded from the 19th-century wrap the world-famous land- islands – from 875,000 in 2015 to Parliament will hold a full vote on the measure in a session on May As well as spraying its walls of a famous sculpture of The original. mark next April in the signature under 40,000 per year in 2017 15. with graffi ti and breaking equip- Marseillaise by Francois Rude “The restoration has been style he developed with his late and 2018, according to Frontex, The measure would not impact this year’s budget. ment, rioters smashed art- representing Victory, which was done in only a few months, French wife Jeanne-Claude. the EU’s border force. EU leaders set to meet after European parliament election: offi cials

Reuters ropean Commission President clarity, even after the election, European People’s Party is set Brexit negotiator, and Danish an- Brussels Jean-Claude Juncker. and offi cials are bracing for a to top the poll, putting its lead titrust commissioner Margrethe It could also be the occasion showdown between the Council candidate, German EU lawmaker Vestager. to review whether the results of and Parliament that could delay Manfred Weber, in a position to The Council should nominate U leaders are expected to the May 23 EU ballot in Britain, putting a new Commission in seek the Commission presidency. a Commission president at a June meet just after this month’s following the postponement of place before Juncker’s term ends His nearest rival would be 20-21 summit. Eelections to the European Brexit, off er any indication on on October 31. Juncker’s Dutch deputy, Frans Parliament, which convenes Parliament, offi cials said yes- whether British withdrawal from The outgoing Parliament re- Timmermans, the Spitzenkandi- on July 2, would then debate the terday, as national governments the European Union is likely to solved that it would not endorse dat for the centre-left. appointment. brace for a possible clash with proceed as planned. a Commission nominee from However, neither appears as- If it withholds its endorsement lawmakers over who will run the Aides to Council President the Council who had not been a sured of backing by national beyond July, however, the typical Brussels executive. Tusk declined offi cial comment. Tusk: likely to invite leaders to a summit on May 28. leader, or ‘Spitzenkandidat’, from leaders, for whom the appoint- timetable would be in jeopardy. Summit chair Donald Tusk is The EU sources said Tusk, who a winning party. ment is part of a web of bargains Only once the Commission likely to invite leaders to a sum- would represent the 28 member yet”, one offi cial said. mier led the centre-right list But national leaders, notably for top jobs that seeks to balance president is in place can that per- mit on May 28, two days after the state governments in talks with Leaders also met two days after which had come top in the parlia- French President Emmanuel Ma- the interests of diff erent coun- son then appoint fellow commis- last legislative voting, EU offi - Parliament over key executive the last EU election, in May 2014, mentary vote and was supported cron, have insisted that they will tries, types of country, regions sioners for policy areas, drawn cials told Reuters. appointments, was likely to con- to debate whom to nominate to by German Chancellor Angela not be limited in their choice by and political parties. from the nominees put forward He would aim to get a clear fi rm the proposed meeting when head the Commission. Merkel in the face of isolated re- a legislature whose legitimacy is Other potential – though un- by each member state. mandate from the European he chairs another summit next Then, Juncker was clear fa- sistance from then British prime hampered by chronic low turn- declared – contenders cited by Each of these national nomi- Council to negotiate with Parlia- Thursday, in Sibiu, Romania. vourite. minister David Cameron. outs. EU offi cials include Frenchman nees must also face parliamen- ment on who will succeed Eu- It is “likely but not confi rmed The former Luxembourg pre- This time there may be less As in 2014, the centre-right Michel Barnier, who is Juncker’s tary hearings. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, May 4, 2019 INDIA

DECISION TRAGEDY CRIME CONTROVERSY OBITUARY Top court to hear plea Two children die of Spurned doctor kills Doubts over politician’s Ex-Kerala minister on VVPAT next week starvation in Andhra flatmate in Delhi educational qualification Menon dies aged 92

The Supreme Court yesterday agreed to hear Two children have died of starvation after they The Delhi Police yesterday arrested a doctor After Union Minister Smriti Irani, actor-turned- Former CPI-M Kerala finance minister V a review plea by 21 opposition leaders seeking resorted to eating mud in Andhra Pradesh’s who murdered his flatmate and later slit her politician Ravi Kishan finds himself embroiled in Vishwanatha Menon died at a private hospital to increase the verification of VVPAT slips Anantapur district during the last six months, throat. The accused, who was on the run, was a controversy over his educational qualifications. in Kochi. Menon was 92. He had been unwell with EVMs in the ongoing polls. The court will a child rights group has said. Balala Hakkula arrested from Uttar Pradesh. According to the A complaint has been lodged in Gorakhpur, for a while and was moved to hospital a few hear the matter next week. On April 8, the top Sangham, a non-governmental organisation police, unable to accept the rejection by the from where Ravi Kishan is the BJP candidate, days back. He is survived by his wife and two court had directed the election commission to fighting for children’s rights, has complained to woman, Chander Prakash Verma killed her. pointing out that he has declared himself as sons. A finance minister in the E K Nayanar increase the VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) He was arrested while trying to end his life by “intermediate pass” in his election aff idavit. Ravi cabinet from 1987-91, Menon was one of the five polling booths in each assembly segment that the two children aged around five died as jumping into a canal. During interrogation, Kishan, who contested the 2014 elections from tallest leaders in Ernakulam, and was popularly of the Parliamentary constituency. Opposition they were eating mud to satiate their hunger. Verma revealed the victim was his colleague Jaunpur on a Congress ticket, in his then aff idavit referred to as Ambadi Viswan. He was a popular leaders led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Vennela died on April 28 while her cousin in a hospital, and had asked for help to get claimed that he was a graduate, according to leader of the undivided Communist party Chandrababu Naidu told the court that “increase Santosh died six months ago. Both children a accommodation. The accused off ered to the complaint filed by Santosh Kumar. If Kishan and later moved on to the CPI-M. In 1967 he from 1 to 5 is not a reasonable number and does were buried near their hut by Mahesh and Neela share his apartment. The victim accepted his was a commerce graduate in 2014, how did won from the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat. His not lead to satisfaction desired by this court”, Veni, who had migrated from Karnataka along proposal but this led to Verma thinking that the his educational qualifications come down to political career though came to a halt after and that the court should review its order. with six children in search of livelihood. woman was attracted to him, an off icer said. intermediate in 2019, Kumar wondered. parting ways with the CPI-M.

Film star Dileep Two dead as gets relief in actress assault case Cyclone Fani

IANS New Delhi

he Supreme Court yes- wreaks havoc terday stayed trial against TMalayalam actor Dileep, an accused in the assault on an actress, till his plea in the top court about access to visuals of the assault captured by the key accused Pulsar Suni is decided. across Odisha Dileep has said until he gets a copy of the crucial memory card, IANS lines of Odisha on the Kolkata- According to reports, tourists which he asserted proves his in- Bhubaneswar/Kolkata/Visakhap- Chennai route till May 4, offi cials stranded in Puri were fl eeced by nocence, the framing of charges atnam said. bus operators who were charging would result in “violation of The Assam government too them exorbitant rates after rail natural justice” and “irreparable has sounded an alert following and air connectivity to the region damage” to his reputation. wo people were killed in a warning of the cyclone hitting were cut. The order staying the trial Odisha after a severe trop- the state and other parts of the The army, navy and air force was passed by a bench compris- Tical cyclone made landfall northeastern region in the early were keeping a strict vigil on the ing Justices A M Khanwilkar and on the eastern coast of the coun- hours of today. The cyclone is developments in the coastal re- Ajay Rastogi. try yesterday, with wind speeds also expected to aff ect the regu- gion. Earlier during a hearing, the of up to 200km per hour pound- lar pattern of weather conditions J P Sharma, a top offi cial of the Kerala government informed ing the states coastal region, in some parts of Nepal, weather National Disaster Response Force the Supreme Court it would massively damaging property offi cials said. (NDRF), said, “the actual work will not press for framing of charges and disrupting fl ight operations, In Odisha, widespread damage start once the storm passes, leaving against him before the trial court communication, rail and road to property has been reported as behind the destruction in its path.” in the case, till his pending plea connectivity. thousands of trees and electric- The cyclone started crossing into in the apex court for access to Cyclone Fani was set to cross ity poles were uprooted under the Odisha coast close to Puri be- visuals of the assault captured several districts in Odisha before the impact of the cyclonic storm tween 8am and 10am. by main accused Pulsar Suni is advancing to neighbouring West which made its landfall in Puri. About a million people were decided. Bengal. The trail of destruction could evacuated to safer places in Odi- The government’s counsel Prime Minister Narendra be seen in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack sha due to the storm. The Met contended that there is no re- Modi, who was campaigning in and Puri. There was no power in department said heavy rainfall quirement under the law to share Rajasthan’s Hindaun, near Jaipur, Bhubaneswar since morning. will continue across the state. all the material with the accused. said the government stood with The All India Institute of Three warships – Sahyadri, Dileep’s plea for a copy of the the people hit by the cyclone. “I Medical Sciences (AIIMS) unit in Ranvir and Kadmatt – have been memory card was turned down want to assure the families af- Bhubaneswar reported extensive put on stand-by with relief ma- earlier by the Angamaly Magis- fected by the cyclone that we are damage hours after the cyclone terials and medical teams. trate Court and the Kerala High with them at this point of hour. made landfall. The institute also Other naval vessels were also Court. We have collected fresh updates cancelled a post graduate exami- kept on stand-by at Visakhapat- The Kerala government in- from the offi cials and had re- nation scheduled to be held to- nam from where teams of naval formed the court that an under- leased a fund of Rs10bn for relief morrow. divers have been moved to Odisha. standing has been reached with work.” Dileep in this regard. The trial In Odisha, about 10,000 vil- court was to commence hear- lages and 52 Urban Local Bodies Cyclone strongest to hit India since 1999: Skymet ing on framing of charges last (ULBs) were likely to be aff ected month. by the cyclonic storm. India has witnessed at least 20 Odisha. “Aft er the Super Cyclone Dileep says the visuals con- The two deaths in Odisha severe cyclonic storms in past of 1999, Fani has been found to be tained in the memory card had were reportedly caused by falling two decades but the ongoing the strongest cyclone to hit India been manipulated. The Kerala trees, authorities said. “extremely severe” cyclone “Fani”, as the wind speed crossed the government has, however, op- Airports in Odisha and West which hit Odisha with a wind 200kmph-mark,” Mahesh Palawat, posed his plea for the copy of the Bengal have been shut result- speed of up to 200km per hour director at Skymet, said. Indian visuals and accused him of being ing in the cancellation of many yesterday, has been found to be Meteorological department (IMD) the “chief conspirator”. fl ights. Civil Aviation Minister the strongest to hit the country chief K J Ramesh said ‘Fani’ was The south Indian actress was Suresh Prabhu has directed his since 1999. Private forecaster also the strongest cyclonic storm abducted and assaulted in a ministry offi cials to continuously Skymet said the Super Cyclone in the month of April since 1901. moving car on February 17, 2017. monitor the situation. of 1999 had struck the eastern “Also, Fani has been found to have Dileep was arrested in July the The railway has cancelled 223 coast with a wind speed of 225- the longest survival cycle. It has same year in connection with trains in the Bhadrak-Viziana- 250kmph, wreaking havoc in lasted too long,” Ramesh said. the case. People move through debris strewn road after Cyclone Fani hit Puri, Odisha, yesterday. garam section along the coastal Bonded workers rescued Water crisis Iconic RK Studios sold to Godrej fi rm after failing to cast vote GPL executive chairman Piro- IANS Mumbai jsha Godrej said the deal fi ts with the company’s strategy of deep- Thomson Reuters Foundation workers have said that the owner Krishnan, secretary of the Na- ening its presence in key loca- Chennai had promised to let them go back tional Adivasi Solidarity Council, he show will no longer go tions across leading cities. to their villages to vote, but later which works on tribal rights. on at the iconic 71-year- “We will seek to ensure we refused.” “It was during this process Told RK Studios. It will celebrate the remarkable legacy uthorities in south India The government outlawed that we found many villages had now make way for a swank resi- of this site with the goal of deliv- rescued dozens of bonded bonded labour in 1976, but it re- locked doors and realised that dential complex-cum-shopping ering an outstanding lifestyle for Alabourers from a farm yes- mains one of the most prevalent people who had migrated to work plaza through its new owner, its residents,” Godrej said. terday after a tip-off from aware- forms of human traffi cking in the had not yet returned.” realty major Godrej Properties Veteran Bollywood actor Ran- ness campaigners that they had country. The hunt for missing voters led (GPL), an offi cial said here yes- dhir Kapoor, son of the founder been banned from voting in the Krishnan and his team to sug- terday. of RK Studios, the legendary Raj election. “The workers said that the arcane and banana plantations GPL has purchased the 2.20 Kapoor, said: “This property in The campaigners said they owner had promised to where families had been working acres (roughly, 100,000 sq Chembur, has been of tremen- were trying to raise awareness of let them go back to their as bonded labourers. feet) RK Studios premises in dous signifi cance to my family the importance of voting when villages to vote, but later Somasundaram said each fam- Chembur, north-east Mumbai over the many decades that RK they realised many migrant refused” ily was working to pay off a debt – founded in 1948 – which was Studios has operated from there. workers had not returned to their of Rs25,000 and had not been gutted in a major fi re that en- We are excited to have chosen villages to cast their ballots. Unscrupulous employers and allowed to leave the farm even to gulfed it on September 16, 2017. GPL to script a new chapter for After they raised the alarm 39 agents still dupe people into cast their vote. GPL, which has inked the deal this location and build upon its people who had been enslaved working without pay in fi elds, “It has been a challenge to get for an undisclosed amount with rich history.” for a year at a plantation in Tamil brick kilns, rice mills, brothels migrant workers back to their Bollywood’s Kapoor clan – plan According to sources, work on Nadu were rescued, 17 of them or as domestic workers to pay off villages to cast their vote,” said to now convert it into a modern the designs for the mega-project children, offi cials told the Thom- debts. migrant rights expert Umi Dan- residential apartments complex will start shortly and after ob- son Reuters Foundation. Campaigners said many had iel, regional head of Aide et Ac- and a luxury retail centre spread taining the necessary approvals, “We were tipped off by ac- been unable to vote in the stag- tion International, a Swiss-based over a saleable area of around the construction of the housing- tivists who were campaign- gered general election that began charity. 350,000 sq feet. cum-shopping complex could ing to ensure that every citizen on April 11 and concludes on May “In these elections, some Leading realty players said begin by early 2020. casts their vote,” said Dhanday- 19. have been allowed to go home A villager walks on the dried bed of a pond at Vinzol current commercial property Incidentally, the studio prop- uthanpani Somasundaram, the “When we started the poll and vote, but wives and children village, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad yesterday. Gujarat is rates in and around Chembur erty sale deal comes barely eight senior government offi cial who campaign, the idea was to en- have been kept as collateral by experiencing acute water crisis due to poor monsoon rains are in the range of Rs24,000- months after late Raj Kapoor’s led the rescue mission. courage people in the tribal employers to ensure the worker last year. Rs28,000 per sq feet depending widow, Krishna, died at the age “In their testimonies, the belts to vote,” said Kandasamy returns.” on the locality. of 87, on October 1, 2018. Gulf Times Saturday, May 4, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA Cortizo favourite to win Panama presidential polls

AFP election with a commanding form Panama” and “leave a lega- Though it has stuttered in the the country’s relationship with “positive infl uence” on the cam- character, and who dares,” Roux Panama City lead in opinion polls. cy” untainted by corruption. fi nal years of Varela’s term, the China, without neglecting ties paign. “Right now, what people said. A Democratic Revolution- “Hear me well, so that later economy has been boosted by with its traditional ally, the US. want, generally, is the return of Martinelli is in jail awaiting ary Party candidate, Cortizo has they can’t say they didn’t hear it, improvements to the Panama Analysts say that China’s the Democratic Change party,” trial for corruption after being oters go to the polls tomor- 36% support. His closest chal- we are going to do without steal- Canal and other infrastruc- presence in Panama will increase Roux said. extradited from the US, where he row to elect a president in lenger, former foreign minister ing,” he told supporters. ture development, amid grow- in the coming years, after both He has tried to appeal to Pan- fl ed in 2015 to evade arrest. Vbooming Panama, with Romulo Roux of the Democratic The nation’s economy has ing concerns that the country’s countries established diplomatic amanians who have struggled Barred from running him- anti-graft candidate Laurentino Change (CD) party, has 26.2%. been one of the fastest growing poorest are being left behind. relations in 2017. with inequality and high living self, he has thrown his political Cortizo the favourite to succeed There is no second-round in the region, but it has yet to US-educated Cortizo is a Roux, 54, is also a former costs, as well as a health and weight behind his party col- incumbent Juan Carlos Varela. runoff in the Central American shake off its image as a money- former agriculture minister who chairman of the Panama Canal welfare crisis, despite a growing league Roux. Cortizo, a 66-year-old busi- state’s presidential election, laundering destination follow- quit the Cabinet of then-president Authority and appears to have economy. The campaign has thrown up nessman and cattle rancher who so the candidate with the most ing the Panama Papers scandal, Martin Torrijos 13 years ago over a been untainted by his association “I’m convinced that this a surprise candidate in the shape campaigned on an anti-corrup- votes tomorrow wins. in which the Mossack Fonseca disagreement over the terms of a with former president Ricardo country needs radical changes of Ricardo Lombana, a lawyer tion ticket in a country tainted Cortizo, a veteran politician law fi rm helped thousands of free trade deal with the US. Martinelli, in whose government and that I am the person who and journalist who has garnered by Latin America’s Odebrecht known popularly as “Nito,” said clients around the world move The main candidates have said he served as foreign minister. can make those changes, the one nearly 20% in polls by running bribery scandal, heads into the he wants to “rescue and trans- money off shore to evade taxes. they would continue to deepen He claims Martinelli has had a who has the will, who has the on an anti-corruption ticket. PDVSA’s oil exports ‘steady in April, fl ow to Cuba continues’

Reuters In April, PDVSA shipped a to- Caracas tal of 35 oil cargoes, mostly from the country’s Jose port. The main destination of the enezuela’s state-run PD- shipments was China, which VSA exported 1.06mn absorbed 337,000bpd, almost Vbarrels per day (bpd) of a third of Venezuelan exports; crude and refi ned products last followed by India with 27% and month, an 8% increase from Europe with 10%, according to March as the sanctioned compa- the data. ny managed to boost shipments State-run China National Pe- to China, according to Refi nitiv troleum Corporation (CNPC) Eikon data. and its subsidiaries are PDVSA’s The US government imposed largest customers; they receive Opposition leader Juan Guaido (centre) speaks accompanied by lawmakers of the parliament during a press conference at the New Time Party headquarters in Los Palos the toughest sanctions yet on Venezuelan oil as repayment for Grandes neighbourhood in Caracas yesterday. PDVSA in late January, causing billions of dollars in loans ex- an abrupt disruption in fl ows of tended by China to Venezuela in Venezuelan oil to the US, formerly the last decade. the Opec-member country’s fi rst Venezuelan oil exports have destination for crude exports. remained stable after sanctions Venezuela’s overall exports fell partially due to inventory drains. 40% in the fi rst month after sanc- The country’s crude stocks tions, but they have remained have fallen by 3.8mn barrels steady since mostly due to ship- since late February to around Guaido calls for marches ments to Chinese and Indian buy- 32mn barrels, according to con- ers, according to the data. sultancy Kpler. PDVSA did not respond to a PDVSA’s largest customer in request for comment. India, Reliance Industries, last However, that looks set to month said it was buying Ven- change in May, as the period for ezuelan oil from third parties, in- US fi rms to fi nish ongoing deals cluding Russia’s Rosneft, as the to army barracks today with PDVSA expired on April 28. deals were not violating sanctions. Loading programmes — which Since the measures were is- DPA ing protests from Tuesday to army and called for a military day issued an arrest warrant for Lavrov and Pompeo could meet refer to scheduled exports — look sued, Rosneft has increased Bogota Thursday, according to the Ven- rebellion. him and Spanish offi cials said on the sidelines of a meeting of thin for May, according to PDV- swap deals with PDVSA to ex- ezuelan Observatory of Social Maduro said the government he would not be handed over. the Arctic Council, the Russian SA’s internal documents and the change PDVSA’s oil for imported Confl icts (OVCS), an NGO. had put down a coup and that However, Spanish Foreign news agency TASS reported. Eikon data, suggesting shipments fuel needed in Venezuela. enezuelan opposition The latest victim was a those involved would be jailed. Minister Josep Borrell said yes- Lavrov and Pompeo are ex- could drop in coming weeks. In April, Rosneft took at leader Juan Guaido has 15-year-old boy killed during a Maduro won a second term in terday his government would pected to discuss the crisis in After April 28, transactions to least 160,000bpd of Venezue- Vcalled on his supporters protest against constant power an election boycotted by most limit Lopez’s political activities Venezuela. purchase petroleum or fuel from lan crude and supplied around to march to military bases and cuts in north-western Merida of the opposition a year ago and as long as he was staying at the The Lima Group of American PDVSA or its controlled entities 29% of the refi ned products the barracks in a bid to persuade state, OVCS tweeted yesterday. has presided over an economic ambassador’s residence. countries met in the Peruvian involving US persons, the US fi - country bought, according to the army to abandon President Four people, including a disaster. Spain would not allow the em- capital Lima yesterday to ana- nancial system or US commodity the PDVSA documents and the Nicolas Maduro and force him 14-year-old and a 16-year- Guaido, who declared himself bassy to become “a centre of po- lyse the situation. brokers are prohibited by the US Eikon data. to resign. old, were earlier killed dur- interim president in January, litical activity,” the daily El Mun- In an interview with Fox News Treasury Department, including PDVSA last month averaged The marches will take place ing nationwide anti-govern- has the backing of more than do quoted the minister as saying. on Thursday, US President swaps and non-cash transac- 51,335bpd in exports to Cuba today, Guaido announced on ment marches on Tuesday and 50 countries in his campaign to Russian Deputy Foreign Min- Donald Trump called Guaido “a tions. even after specifi c sanctions on Twitter. Wednesday as demonstrators press Maduro to step down and ister Sergei Ryabkov meanwhile brave guy” and said that “what’s The US imposed sanctions to those shipments. Tomorrow, a vigil and prayers clashed heavily with security for fresh elections to be held. confi rmed that Russian Foreign happening in Venezuela is sad,” cut off President Nicolas Madu- The most recent export, a will be held for those killed in forces. Leopoldo Lopez, a key op- Minister Sergei Lavrov and US but refused to draw a specifi c ro’s main source of revenue. 300,000-barrel cargo of diesel recent protests, he added. “Our children are being killed position fi gure who was freed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo red line for an eventual military Many Western governments on Venezuela-fl agged tanker Guaido called on demon- by the repression of the dicta- from house arrest by military will meet in Finland next week. intervention. have recognised Venezuela’s Manuela Saenz, left Amuay ter- strators to “maintain the mas- tors,” Guaido’s wife, Fabiana sympathisers amid the unrest “Yes, the meeting has been “There’s always a tipping congress head Juan Guaido as minal at the end of April for the sive and peaceful character of Rosales, tweeted. on Tuesday, sought refuge at agreed on,” he said when asked point,” he said, when pressed the country’s rightful leader, but Caribbean island, according to the protest and not to risk their A new wave of protests erupt- the Spanish ambassador’s resi- to comment on remarks by a on what it would take for the the opposition has not yet been Refi nitiv Eikon and two shipping lives.” ed on Tuesday after Guaido said dence in Caracas. senior US state department of- US military to become involved. able to oust Maduro. sources. Five people were killed dur- he had won over part of the A Venezuelan court on Thurs- fi cial who said on Thursday that “Certainly, I’d rather not do that.”

Landslide in Bolivia Sponsors pull out of event Senate asks court to honouring Bolsonaro rule on Farc tribunal Reuters country,” Interior Minister Nancy Bogota Patricia Gutierrez said in a post on Reuters details, as did The Financial He once said a female law- her Twitter account. Rio de Janeiro Times. maker was too ugly to rape, and The JEP is meant to investigate, “We have decided to with- said he would not be able to olombian lawmakers said hear prosecutions and sentence draw our sponsorship of love a gay son. they will ask a high court those judged responsible for mas- elta Air Lines, The the...2019 Person of the Year Not all sponsors have pulled Cto rule on the legality of a sacres, sexual violence and other Financial Times and Awards Gala Dinner,” Bain said. out. senate vote on whether to make crimes during the fi ve-decade war DBain & Co have pulled “Encouraging and celebrating “Attending the dinner has changes to a special tribunal between the Farc and the govern- out of an event in New York diversity is a core Bain princi- never involved selecting or tasked with trying former rebels ment. honouring Brazilian Presi- ple.” endorsing the honoree in any and military offi cials for war The lower house of Congress dent Jair Bolsonaro, the firms The Chamber of Commerce way,” UBS said. crimes. rejected Duque’s objections on said, as the South American did not immediately reply to Bank of America Merrill The decision to seek a con- April 8. leader faces blowback for a request for comment on the Lynch, BNP Paribas, Credit stitutional court ruling comes The changes had been widely racist and homophobic com- boycott. Suisse, Citigroup Inc and JP- after 47 lawmakers voted against expected to be defeated because ments. Bolsonaro’s offi ce declined to Morgan Chase & Co all de- President Ivan Duque’s suggest- the peace accord is now part of Bolsonaro is due to be hon- comment. clined to comment on wheth- ed changes to the law, while 34 the country’s constitution and oured as the 2019 Person of The moves are a blow for er they would abandon the supported Duque’s alterations changes to it require a two-thirds the Year at the Brazilian- a president who has actively event. — which congress said was not majority in the legislature. American Chamber of Com- courted closer ties with the Bank of New York Mellon suffi cient. Duque was elected on a promise merce dinner. US and particularly President Corp, Refi nitiv, Nomura, Mor- Duque had asked legislators to to modify the peace accord, argu- The gala, which already Donald Trump, whom he has gan Stanley and HSBC did not review six parts of the 159-point ing that it is too easy on former had to move from its original praised. immediately respond to re- law that regulates the Special Ju- guerrillas. venue at New York’s American Bolsonaro’s rejection by cor- quests for comment. risdiction for Peace (JEP) court, He asked Congress to back Museum of Natural History porate heavyweights also hurts Refi nitiv is 45% owned by which was created as part of a better clarifi cation of extradition after the museum decided not his vow to grow foreign invest- Thomson Reuters. 2016 peace deal between the rules, Farc repayment of confl ict to host, is sponsored by vari- ment in Brazil. On its website, the Brazil- government and the Revolution- victims, and to toughen sentenc- ous blue-chip firms, which Bolsonaro is loved by his ian-American Chamber of ary Armed Forces of Colombia ing. have come under pressure supporters for his outspoken Commerce said it had chosen (Farc) rebels. But Duque’s objections angered to ditch their support of the views on guns, family values Bolsonaro as its person of the “There was no qualifi ed major- advocates of the peace agreement, event. and the military. year because of his “intention ity to sink the objections... so we arguing that they could create dif- Delta said it would no long- But his critics accuse him of of fostering closer commercial People look at the remains of their home after it was are in the hands of the Constitu- fi culties for implementation of the er be sponsoring the event, racism, homophobia and mi- and diplomatic ties between destroyed in a landslide in La Paz, Bolivia, yesterday. tional Court and we are confi dent agreement with the demobilised but declined to give further sogyny. Brazil and the US.” that everything will go well for the rebel group. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, May 4, 2019 PAKISTAN

Sharif to return to On Press Freedom prison after bail extension bid fails

DPA/Internews Day, Imran warns Islamabad he Supreme Court has rejected a plea by Nawaz TSharif to extend his six- week temporary bail set to ex- pire on Tuesday, offi cials said. The former prime minister, against fake news who is serving a seven-year jail term after conviction for Internews Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal corruption in December by an Islamabad Bhutto Zardari cautioned in his anti-graft tribunal, is now set Sharif: now set to return to message that “new tools and tac- to return to prison in Lahore on prison in Lahore on Tuesday. tics are being tested to gag the Tuesday. rime Minister Imran Khan, media in developing democra- The Supreme Court in client was suff ering from kid- on World Press Freedom cies”, while noting that the dan- March gave Sharif temporary ney-related ailment as well as PDay yesterday, tweeted a gers to press freedom in develop- bail of six weeks to allow him to depression and asked the court verse from the Qur’an in what ing countries are mounting. seek treatment for heart con- to extend the bail for eight seemed to be a warning against He said that a “policy of carrot ditions and diabetes. more weeks. the dissemination of fake news. and stick by government pow- A three-member bench “The doctors are treating He shared a verse which trans- ers has been let loose at diff erent headed by Chief Justice of Pa- Nawaz and monitoring him on lates as: “And mix not truth with tiers of media houses and profes- kistan Asif Khosa also rejected a daily basis,” the counsel said. falsehood, nor conceal the truth sionals in these countries”, add- the former premier’s plea to “One point [in the petition] while you know (the truth).” ing that Pakistan was no excep- allow him to travel abroad for states that Nawaz is not getting The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf tion. medical treatment. better. Another states that he (PTI) government has taken an Bhutto Zardari said that a vi- Sharif sought another eight- wishes to undergo treatment active and aggressive stance brant and free media is necessary Bhutto Zardari: new tools and week extension and asked the abroad,” the chief justice ob- against cracking down on sus- for a progressive democracy. tactics are being tested to gag court to lift a travel ban on served. pected fake news during its eight He added that the PPP, along the media in developing Prime Minister Khan: mix not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the him because the former leader To this, Haris replied that months in power, even creating with “bona fi de journalists and democracies. truth while you know (the truth). wanted to undergo surgery in the medical reports from Shar- a Fake News Buster Twitter ac- media persons”, would resist eve- London, his lawyer Khawaja if Medical City Hospital rec- count to share stories it claims ry kind of intimidation against ing last fi ve decades”. focus of the 2019 World Press harassment against journalists, Haris said. ommended that his client be are “fake”. the freedom of the press and me- In a video message shared on Freedom Day is the election sea- including women. As the hearing went under treated abroad. Some of the news reports that dia in Pakistan. Twitter, United Nations Secre- son in diff erent countries. “I am deeply troubled by the way, Chief Justice Khosa re- “We have good doctors and the Fake News Buster has dis- He claimed that the PPP had tary General Antonio Guterres “Facts, not falsehoods, should growing number of attacks and marked that the bench “will machines available here [in the missed as fake have included “thrown away the draconian said that a “free press is essen- guide people as they choose their the culture of impunity,” he said, not talk about anything con- country]. How can we know one on a major cabinet reshuffl e press and publication laws im- tial for peace, justice, sustain- representatives,” the UN chief while noting that as per Unesco, cerning the future”. that his treatment is not pos- that saw the departure of fi nance posed by dictatorial regimes and able development and human said. “While technology has almost 100 journalists were “Doctors can comment bet- sible here?” Khosa questioned. minister Asad Umar, the transfer would continue to act as an um- rights”, adding that no democ- transformed the ways in which killed in 2018 while hundreds ter on his illness,” the top judge “The medical board had said an of the inspector general of police brella for press freedoms in the racy is complete without access we receive and share informa- were imprisoned. observed, adding: “This was angiography was crucial, that’s of Islamabad after a run-in with country despite facing the worst to transparent and reliable infor- tion, sometimes it is used to “When media workers are tar- part of the package that you why we had granted him bail.” minister Azam Swati, and a re- kind of victimisation under dif- mation. mislead public opinion or to fuel geted, societies as a whole pay a can request for a bail extension Sharif, a three-time premier port on the ruling party operat- ferent pretexts”. He said that a free press is the violence and hatred.” price,” the UN secretary general after six weeks. We will have to who was removed by the coun- ing 18 undeclared bank accounts, Bhutto Zardari said that jour- cornerstone for building fair and Guterres noted that civic said, adding: “On World Press see whether we review our or- try’s Supreme Court in 2017, raising questions over the Twit- nalists, as well as PPP leaders and impartial institutions, for hold- spaces are “shrinking around the Freedom Day, I call on all to de- der or not.” has been under treatment for ter account’s accuracy in high- workers, had fought “shoulder ing leaders accountable and for globe at an alarming rate” and fend the rights of journalists, “Is a cancellation in the bail heart complications at a hos- lighting such reports. to shoulder against the dictators “speaking truth to power”. that anti-media rhetoric is on whose eff orts helped us to build a [such a] rare thing?” the chief pital in Lahore. Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples and anti-democratic forces dur- The UN chief noted that the the rise, along with violence and better world for all.” justice remarked to Haris. Sharif and his children – two “The courts are ridiculed sons and a daughter – were every time and given a political charged on three counts of cor- angle,” the judge continued. ruption during his two periods Facebook asked to remove polio vaccine misinformation Haris told the bench that his in power in the 1990s.

AFP Islamabad PPP and PML-N

akistan urged Facebook question anti-graft to remove harmful polio- Prelated content from the social networking site, saying chief’s impartiality that it is jeopardising eradication initiatives and putting the lives of vaccinators at risk. Internews NAB law is a black law, and Polio vaccination campaigns Islamabad wondered what compelled him have faced stubborn resistance [the NAB chief] to come out in for years in Pakistan. support of the government. In recent months Pakistani he main opposition par- “He [the NAB chairman], social media has been inundated ties have sharply reacted being a government offi cial, with fake news reports and vid- Atta: The parental refusals due to Tto remarks made by Na- should not become a mouth- eos – garnering thousands of propaganda on Facebook tional Accountability Bureau piece of the government,” she views and shares in the last week regarding the vaccine is (NAB) chairman Justice (re- said. alone – claiming that numerous emerging as the major obstacle. tired ) Javed Iqbal and urged Aurangzeb admitted that it children have been killed by the him not to become a “mouth- was a failure on the part of the polio vaccine. been frequent, with nearly 100 piece” of the government. opposition that the NAB law Thousands of parents have re- people killed in assaults targeting The Pakistan Muslim League was not changed during the fused to allow their children to be vaccine teams since 2012. – Nawaz (PML-N) and the last PML-N and PPP govern- inoculated. Despite the opposition, cam- Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ments. “The parental refusals due to paigners have reported progress lambasted the NAB chief for The anti-corruption watch- propaganda on Facebook regard- with tens of millions of children criticising the leaders of the dog has recently tightened the ing the vaccine is emerging as the This picture taken on April 22 shows people moving a child on a stretcher outside a hospital in Peshawar, vaccinated across the country two parties, and insisted that noose around many opposition major obstacle in achieving com- following what they claim was the administering of defective polio vaccine. along with a 96% drop in report- the National Accountability leaders. plete eradication of the virus,” ed polio cases since 2014. Ordinance (NAO) 1999 intro- It has laid its hand on senior Babar Atta, who is helping over- anti-polio campaign in April. to 200 to 300 during the previous where US forces later killed the But as Pakistan nears its goal duced by former military ruler politicians, including former see the country’s vaccination The violence coincided with campaign, according to fi gures militant leader in 2011. of ridding polio from its terri- Pervez Musharraf is indeed a prime minister Nawaz Sharif, drive, said in a statement. an outbreak of hysteria in cities from the country’s anti-polio Some Taliban and hardline re- tory, new headwinds have arisen “black law”. and government offi cials for He has requested that “Face- across northwest Pakistan after programme. ligious fi gures have been known amid a growing global movement The NAB chairman, while being involved in corrupt prac- book’s management block and/ rumours of children suff ering Opposition to myriad forms of to fan rumours that vaccines against inoculation. speaking at a function in Mul- tices. or manage the dissemination of from adverse reactions to a polio inoculation skyrocketed after the contain ingredients forbidden in In addition to Pakistan, polio tan, was asked if the NAB law is Many politicians from the such anti vaccination propagan- vaccine sparked panic, with tens US Central Intelligence Agency Islam, such as pork derivatives, is endemic in two other countries a black law, and why previous PPP and PML-N who are be- da from their platforms operat- of thousands rushed to hospitals. (CIA) organised a fake vaccina- or that can cause infertility as globally – Afghanistan and Ni- governments had not scrapped ing probed by the bureau have ing from within Pakistan”. Last week, around 10,000 vac- tion drive to help track down Al part of a conspiracy to reduce the geria – although a relatively rare it. criticised the NAB. At least three people were cination refusals were reported Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in population. strain was also detected in Papua Recently, PPP co-chairman PPP chairman Bilawal Bhut- killed in the last country-wide per day in Islamabad, compared the garrison town of Abbottabad, Attacks by militants have also New Guinea last year. Asif Ali Zardari had said that to Zardari at several press con- the country’s economy would ferences and rallies termed the not progress if the NAB con- NAB law a “black law”. Court accepts plea tinued to function the way it is. PPP information secretary In his remarks, the NAB Senator Moula Bakhsh Chan- to postpone chairman said that people who dio said the NAB chief’s politi- Musharraf hearing New curriculum to include fi nancial literacy claimed that the NAB and the cal speech had vindicated the economy could not run to- reservations expressed by the A special court has accepted gether are wrong, adding that opposition. former Pakistani military Internews Appreciating the SECP’s ef- “The SECP’s role of regulat- means we have not been able to it is in fact, the NAB and cor- He said the NAB chief had ruler General (retired) Pervez Islamabad forts to promote fi nancial lit- ing the capital market in a bal- suffi ciently expand the investor ruption could not go together. used the language commonly Musharraf’s request to postpone eracy and awareness, Mahmood anced manner is of critical im- base and this is why we need to PML-N spokesperson Mar- used by Prime Minister Imran the hearing of a treason trial said the government is prepar- portance,” he remarked. educate people and expand the riyum Aurangzeb said that the Khan against the opposition. against him until after Ramadan, inancial literacy will be ing a new curriculum in order to Speaking on the occa- investor education programme,” owing to his poor health. part of the new curricu- improve educational standards. sion, SECP chairman Farrukh said Sabzwari. A three-member bench headed Flum in Pakistan to equip “The subject of fi nancial lit- Sabzwari said that investor pro- He added that the public Doctor held after 90 infected with HIV by Justice Tahira Safdar the younger generation with eracy will be made part of the tection is the SECP’s top prior- needed to be educated regarding adjourned the case hearing till fi nancial knowledge, said Fed- new curriculum,” he stressed. ity, and said that the fi nancially fraudulent sales agents. At least 90 people, including 65 children, are believed to have June 12, after Musharraf’s counsel eral Minister for Education and The minister advised the literate and aware investor is a World Bank’s Lead Special- been infected with the HIV virus in Pakistan by a doctor using a Barrister Salman Safdar told the Professional Training Shafqat public not to invest in unregu- safe investor. ist Finance and Markets Marius contaminated syringe, off icials said. court that his client could not Mahmood. lated sectors. He revealed that the SECP is Vismantas said that the World “We have arrested a doctor after receiving complaints from the travel to Pakistan to attend the Speaking at the launch of a Instead, he suggested that about to introduce a new bro- Bank had been collaborating health authorities,” said Kamran Nawaz, the local police chief hearing due to his condition. book titled Savings and Capital they should invest in regulated ker custody model, which would with the SECP in a number of heading the case in Larkana. “The doctor also has HIV.” The counsel informed the Market at the Securities and Ex- sectors such as the stock mar- be highly secure, protected and initiatives for the development Authorities were alerted last week after 18 children from a town on bench that Musharraf had been change Commission of Pakistan ket, mutual funds and insur- more transparent. of capital market, and that the the outskirts of the city tested positive for the virus, which causes scheduled to arrive in Pakistan (SECP) headquarters, the min- ance. “This way, their capital Sabzwari agreed that investor launch of the book is the fi rst Aids. on Wednesday morning to attend ister said it is highly important will be safe and it will be trans- education is vital because peo- chapter of mutual co-operation. “More than 90 people have tested HIV positive and the number of the trial but could not due to his to inculcate fi nancial discipline, ferred to their heirs in a trans- ple are shy of investing in the Agreeing that fi nancial lit- children is around 65,” Dr Abdul Rehaman, a district health off icial in illness. culture of savings and benefi ts parent and easy manner.” regulated sector. eracy is vital for improving lives, Larkana, told AFP. “He is ashamed and apologetic of investment in the youth. He acknowledged that aware- “As of today, there are only he said: “The sooner we educate Authorities said they traced the outbreak to a single doctor, who for not being able to reach [in The book was published by ness of investment in the capital 250,000 investors in the stock our youth about fi nancial mat- appears to have been using a contaminated syringe on patients. time]. He is unable to walk,” the the SECP in collaboration with market is limited and stressed market. Some 30 years ago, ters, savings and investments, Azra Pechuho, Sindh province’s health minister, confirmed his counsel said. the World Bank. the need for fi nancial literacy. the fi gure was 90,000, which the better.” arrest. Gulf Times Saturday, May 4, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES Supreme Court orders govt to protect ‘South China Sea’

Reuters leged that island-building by the idency, as China tightens its Manila Chinese state and Chinese fi sh- control over the strategic wa- ing practices were violations of terway where more than $3tn a 2016 ruling by the Permanent in commerce passes each year. he Philippine Supreme Court of Arbitration, in a case Opinion polls consistently Court ordered the gov- lodged and won by the Philip- show that Duterte’s huge pop- Ternment and security pines. ularity among Filipinos has agencies yesterday to protect the Duterte has been accused of done little to change feelings of environment in disputed areas of squandering the advantage of mistrust towards China. ‘Joy’ Belmonte and ‘Abby’ Binay are expected to win. the South China Sea, respond- that landmark ruling by giving in Duterte denies caving in to ing to fi shermen’s complaints of to China’s strategic demands, in Beijing but argues it is point- inaction against illegal Chinese the hope of securing billions of less and dangerous to challenge activity. dollars of loans and investments. a more superior military power. The top court said it had is- Yesterday’s order by the Su- He met Chinese President Xi sued a writ instructing heads of preme Court covers three dis- Jinping at a summit in China Incumbents in Capital Region key ministries, the coastguard, puted area, the Scarborough last month and, according to navy and police to enforce in- Shoal, the Philippine-occupied Duterte’s aides, voiced opposi- ternational conventions and do- Second Thomas Shoal, and tion to swarms of Chinese fish- mestic laws to protect reefs and Mischief Reef, one of three ing boats near a disputed island ahead in mayoral race: survey marine life in the Philippines’ reefs that China has converted occupied by the Philippines. 200 nautical mile Exclusive Eco- into artificial islands equipped Abdiel Fajardo, president of nomic Zone (EEZ). with radar, bunkers and sur- the Integrated Bar of the Phil- By William Depasupil conducted by the RP-Mission while, Binay still enjoyed a Cuneta, son of the late Pasay The order represents a rare face-to-air missiles. ippines, said the writ affirms Manila Times and Development Foundation strong lead of 64% against her Mayor Pablo Cuneta, had challenge by the judiciary to The court gave no timeframe the arbitration ruling and ef- Inc (RPMDinc), Zamora was six brother, former mayor Jejomar 15%. Pasig City Mayor Euse- what critics say is President and did not say how authorities fectively reminds the authori- points ahead with 53% to Es- Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr, who bio was also way ahead at 66% Rodrigo Duterte’s capitulation should enforce the laws. ties they have a duty to follow ith a week left before trada’s 47%. The non-commis- posted 34%. In the closely con- compared to Vico Sotto, son to China’s expansionism and The justice minister and the the constitution and domestic the midterm polls, sioned survey polled 8,000 reg- tested race in Manila, former of actor-comedian Vic Sotto militarisation in the South Chi- president’s spokesman did not laws. Wan independent sur- istered voters in Metro Manila vice mayor Francisco “Isko and actress Coney Reyes, who na Sea, in return for economic immediately respond to re- “The Philippines, at least vey for the mayoral race in 16 from April 27 to May 1, 2019. Moreno” Domagoso was lead- scored 33%. Also leading were incentives that have not been quests by Reuters for comment through the judiciary, is not cities and one municipality of It showed that Josefi na “Joy” ing at 50%. Incumbent Mayor Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon “Rex” forthcoming. on the court order. waiving its rights over them by Metro Manila (National Capi- Belmonte of Quezon City, Mar- Joseph “Erap” Estrada had 33%, Gatchalian (95%), Paranaque The court was responding to The ruling compounds what acquiescing to the unilateral tal Region or NCR) showed that len Abigail “Abby” Binay of while ex-mayor Alfredo Lim City Mayor Edwin Olivarez a petition by fi shing communi- is arguably Duterte’s biggest actions of another state,” he incumbents and names from Makati City, Imelda “Emi” Cal- posted a voter preference of (62%) and Malabon Mayor An- ties from two provinces who al- foreign policy crisis in his pres- said in a text message. known political families com- ixto Rubiano of Pasay City, Lino 15%. tolin “Lenlen” Oreta (65%). fortably led their opponents Cayetano of Taguig City, Robert In Taguig City, Cayetano, In the cities of Mandaluyong, and were likely to win. “Bobby” Eusebio of Pasig City brother-in-law of incumbent Caloocan and Muntinlupa, in- The only exception was in and Tobias “Toby” Tiangco of Mayor Maria Laarni “Lani” cumbent candidates pulled San Juan City where former San Navotas City were also leading Cayetano, garnered 67% away in the poll with Mayor Juan vice mayor Francis Zamora their opponents with big mar- against Taguig-Pateros Rep. Carmelita Abalos (97%), Mayor Palace assurance on press freedom and incumbent Vice Mayor gins. Arnel Cerafi ca, who only got Oscar “Oca” Malapitan (93%) Janella Estrada were fi ghting The survey showed that Bel- 30%. and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi neck-and-neck for the seat monte would be hard to beat Tiangco, who is running for (57%) leading. By Catherine S Valente to be vacated by Mayor Guia with her 60% lead against Vin- Navotas mayor, was up by 76% Dr Paul Martinez of RPM- Manila Times Gomez, mother of re-election- cent “Bingbong” Crisologo, against Dan Israel “DI” Ang’s Dinc said the incumbents, kin, ist senator Joseph Victor “JV” who posted 32%. Former law- 20%. seasoned leaders and those Ejercito. maker Ismael “Chuck” Mathay In Pasay City, Rubiano led with big names were winning he Rodrigo Duterte administration will con- In an independent survey 3rd received only 4%. Mean- with 74%, while Cesar “Chet” the race. tinue to respect press freedom in the Philip- Tpines, Malacanang assured the public yes- terday on World Press Freedom Day. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the pres- 10 die in poll-linked ident believes that the press plays an important role incidents across nation in a democracy as he considers the fourth estate “a Binay’s wife pleads not guilty partner for genuine change.” Ten individuals, including local “We do not condone media violence and repres- candidates, were killed in 35 sion of information. In fact, the Chief Executive Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo. over irregular purchase election-related violent inci- issued and implemented orders, which advance dents that were recorded since freedom of information within this branch of gov- the allegations of some,” Andanar said in a state- the start of the election season, ernment and further the protection of media work- ment. “Among the initiatives that will prove that Manila Times the Committee on Awards; and ed the court to enter a not- according to the Philippine ers through the creation of the Presidential Task the administration respects and protects the media Manila Luz Yamane-Garcia who was guilty plea on their behalf. National Police (PNP), Manila Force on Media Security during the fi rst months of is the creation of Presidential Task Force on Media city treasurer at the time ma- These four others are: Ma- Times reported. his presidency,” Panelo said. Security or PTFoMS,” he added. terial to the cases, also pleaded bel Asunio, then-head of the Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP “The Duterte administration assures members of Duterte, in October 2016, signed Administrative ormer Makati Mayor not guilty to the non-delivery Ospital ng Makati’s Depart- spokesman, said in a news brief- the press that it will support them in the free exer- Order 1, creating the PTFoMS, with its mandate to Elenita Binay and two oth- of cryosurgical units with volu- ment of OB Gyn; Jaime de ing yesterday the 10 individuals cise of their profession and in crafting accurate, fair protect the life, liberty and security of media work- Fers pleaded not guilty to metric pressure pumps even af- los Reyes, then-member of were confirmed killed in such and non-partisan reports for the Filipino people,” ers and their families. graft charges before the Sandi- ter the city had paid in full. the Committee on Canvass, incidents recorded from Janu- he added. Presidential Communications Secretary Andanar said the Presidential Communications ganbayan’s Fourth Division over Binay, Aspillaga, and Ya- Makati City; Lilia Nonato, ary 13 to April 30. Martin Andanar said the Duterte administration Operations Offi ce would continue to intensify its the alleged anomalous procure- mane-Garcia also pleaded then-inspector, Medical Sec- Some of the fatalities were can- had been pushing for programmes and plans to campaign to combat fake news and disinformation. ment of medical equipment. not guilty to the malversation tion, Supply and Property, didates in the May 13 midterm protect media practitioners in the country. “We are one with mediamen in the country and all Former General Services De- charge. Meanwhile, the four GSD, Makati; and Conrado polls, while some were just “You can expect that the Duterte administration over the world in pushing and protecting the rights partment Head Ernesto Aspil- others refused to enter any plea Pamintuan, then-member of supporters, he added. will continue to respect press freedom contrary to to press freedom,” he added. laga, who was then-member of to both charges which prompt- the Committee on Canvass.

Man held over smear campaign bid may become state witness

By Catherine A Modesto ing members of a drug syndi- of Robredo and Trillanes show the information of the public, Manila Times cate. However, he said he knew that those Bikoy videos are Rodel Jayme is not working for Nguyen because they were both spurious and a mere figment the OVP or for VP Leni,” Guti- supporters of the Liberal Party. of their wild imagination,” he errez said in a statement yes- odel Jayme, the man ar- Jayme denied reports that he said. “This is entirely of a polit- terday. rested early this week worked for Vice President Maria ical nature, a direct attempt by He added that Jayme could Rfor allegedly uploading Leonor “Leni” Robredo. these people to return to power have been one of the thousands “Bikoy” videos that implicated “As far as I know, Mary Nguy- using the videos to weaken the of supporters who visited Ro- members of the family of Presi- en is a supporter of the Liberal administration candidates for bredo and posed for photos dent Rodrigo Duterte in the il- Party. We met during sorties,” the Otso Diretso to land seats in with her in 2016. Otso Diretso legal drug trade, might be tapped he said. the Senate,” Paras added. candidate and human rights as a state witness, the National He said there were other peo- Paras, a lawyer, said he would lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ple behind the Bikoy videos, but file a complaint against the Diokno said Jayme should un- said yesterday. he declined to identify them so personalities behind the vide- dergo fair trial and investiga- “It is very possible (to turn as not to compromise the in- os. The camp of Vice President tion on the issue. him into a state witness) if he vestigation being conducted by Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo “The Supreme Court ruled continues to spill the beans on the NBI. The NBI on Thursday said the vice president was that a person cannot be pun- others, and we get to prove that fi led charges of inciting to sedi- not involved in the release of ished for simply sharing a he just created the website and tion against Jayme before the a series of videos linking some video. If the proper process nothing else,” Ferdinand Lavin, Department of Justice. It said members of the Duterte family is observed, the court should NBI spokesman, said. the Bikoy videos that went viral to the illegal drug trade. examine the authenticity of Jayme admitted that he was on the Internet were designed to Photos showing Rodel Jayme Bikoy’s videos,” he said. paid P2,500 by Maru Nguyen to sow hatred towards the govern- with Robredo and other candi- Trillanes yesterday cau- create the Metro.Balita.net web- ment. Jayme, a high school grad- dates who ran in the national tioned Justice Secretary Me- site. uate, said he feared for his life. elections in 2016 surfaced on nardo Guevarra to slow down He said he gave Nguyen access Lavin said the NBI was set social media after the former on his crackdown on “whistle- to the website, and that it was to fi le more complaints against was arrested early this week. blowers” linking members of the latter who uploaded the “Ang Jayme for cyberlibel and child Barry Gutierrez, Robredo’s the Duterte family to illegal Totoong Narcolist” videos that abuse, because the Bikoy videos spokesman, said detractors of drugs lest he, himself, be sus- linked former Davao City vice also claimed that the president’s the vice president mounted a pected of protecting drug lords. mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, 13-year-old daughter, Veronica, smear campaign by spread- “Secretary Guevarra must fi rst Manases Carpio and Christo- received drug money. Rodel Jayme (left) confers with NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin. ing rumours that Jayme had investigate and disprove the al- pher Lawrence “Bong” Go to the He said that fi ling of crimi- worked for her. legations of (dismissed police) illegal drugs trade. nal charges against Jayme was a to “Jing” Paras yesterday said the Duterte administration. said, could be used to expand “This is a smear campaign. Col.(Eduardo) Acierto and Bikoy Jayme said he was not Bikoy, strategy prior to the acceptance Robredo and Senator Antonio Paras, in a news briefing, the NBI probe on the contro- Based on stories that are being before he could say that their the hooded man who accused of the latter as a state witness. Trillanes 4th might be behind showed several photos of Ro- versial videos. peddled along with the photos, statements are untrue,” said Carpio, Go and Duterte of be- Labour Undersecretary Jacin- the destabilisation eff ort against bredo and Jayme, which, he “The reported involvement VP Leni is behind Jayme. For Trillanes in a statement. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, May 4, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Putin challenges US in Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan Venezuela power play P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] AFP reserves has continued to thrive. 44350478 (News), Moscow Russia is the second largest lender to Caracas after China, with Moscow 44466404 (Sport), heavily investing in Venezuela’s oil 44466636 (Home delivery) ussia has emerged as a crucial resources and Caracas acquiring power broker in the crisis in Russian arms worth billions of dollars. 44350474 far-away Venezuela this week However that also means, analysts facebook.com/gulftimes Rwhen Washington accused say, that Russia has a lot to lose from a Moscow of convincing President Nico- change in leadership. twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar las Maduro not to fl ee to Cuba. But what it stands to gain from a US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo possible deal with Washington may be said Maduro had a plane on the tarmac more important for the Kremlin. ready to fl y to Havana when “the “Putin would cut a deal, if in agreeing Russians indicated that he should stay”. to let Maduro leave he got something GULF TIMES Moscow hit back, dismissing the really big from Trump in exchange,” said claim as fake and accusing Washington Timothy Ash, a strategist at BlueBay of supporting a coup “that has nothing Asset Management. to do with democracy” by backing He suggested that Moscow wanted opposition leader Juan Guaido. Washington to lift the damaging Can your memory Moscow has its reasons for sanctions, to allow Russian oil standing behind Maduro — he’s a rare companies to freely operate in ally in Latin America and Russia has Venezuela and agree on “spheres of poured billions into the Venezuelan infl uence”. improvement be economy. “I think they (the Trump But analysts say Russian President administration) would be happy to Vladimir Putin is also playing the cut a deal with Putin, where he gets long game, hoping to use Venezuela as his troops out of Venezuela, in return just a zap away? leverage in his global tug-of-war with for the US turning a blind eye to Washington. developments in Ukraine,” Ash said. “Russia is seeking to translate its Pompeo and Russian Foreign You stride purposefully into the living room and then infl uence over Maduro — which is in Minister Sergei Lavrov are set to discuss ... your mind goes blank. You can’t remember what you fact not absolute — into an opportunity the Venezuela crisis on the sidelines planned to do. to have dialogue with the US,” Tatyana of an Arctic Council meeting starting Or you memorise a short grocery list. But when you Stanovaya, head of R.Politik, a Paris- Monday in Finland. based analysis fi rm, said. “Maduro is a In duelling statements this arrive at the supermarket all you can recall is yoghurt. bargaining chip.” week, Pompeo accused Moscow of What else were you supposed to buy? Tensions in Venezuela have soared “destabilising” Venezuela while Lavrov Then there are those times you bump into what’s-his- since Guaido declared himself acting said Washington was a “destructive name at work. Or struggle to dredge up the title of that president in January, claiming Maduro’s infl uence” in the country. book you wanted to buy or movie you saw last week. re-election last year was illegitimate. Analysts say both sides appear More than 50 countries led by the US reluctant to consider military options Such lapses are presumed to be a normal feature of the lined up behind the 35-year-old head of and are likely looking to make backroom ageing brain. They can’t be helped. the National Assembly, but Russia and deals. Or can they? Researchers at Northwestern’s Feinberg China have backed Maduro. US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Events on the ground may matter School of Medicine and Boston University report Reeling from Western sanctions, discussed the situation in Venezuela during wide-ranging telephone talks more. tantalising progress in related experiments to boost short- Moscow has quickly sensed an yesterday. After the military uprising in support opportunity, even if it meant locking of his bid fi zzled out this week, Guaido and longer-term memory. The first type is “working horns with the US in Latin America, military support for President Bashar defi ning foreign policy debacle for has called for demonstrations at army memory.” That’s what’s used to remind yourself of a Washington’s traditional sphere of al-Assad in Syria. President Trump in the same way bases. Other experts doubt Russia’s real phone number you just heard, or to take your medication. infl uence. But the audacity with which the Syria became that for the Obama ability to infl uence the crisis. Then there’s longer-term memory that helps you recall In a highly publicised move in March, Kremlin inserted itself into the administration.” The Trump administration is “greatly something that happened weeks or years ago. Moscow sent two planes with around Venezuela crisis has drawn gasps in Russia and Venezuela enjoy a exaggerating the role of Russia and 100 soldiers and equipment to Caracas, Washington. long history of ties and Maduro’s China. I don’t think that’s a decisive In one set of experiments where Russian mercenaries are also “Russia is making the next play in predecessor Hugo Chavez, known for factor at all,” said Ted Galen Carpenter, Memory lapses at Boston University, believed to be operating. our hemisphere,” Frederick Kempe, his passionate tirades against the US, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a researchers jolted the brains Ties between Russia and the West president of the Atlantic Council, wrote was a welcome guest at the Kremlin. libertarian think-tank in Washington. are presumed of people over age 60 with plummeted over Moscow’s annexation last month. After Chavez’s death in 2013 the “Maduro’s base of power remains a mild electrical current. of Crimea in 2014, its backing for “Vladimir Putin may be laying the relationship with a country that reasonably intact. The military will be the key power.” to be a normal Study participants donned separatists in eastern Ukraine and ground for making Venezuela the boasts the world’s largest proven oil feature of the what look like shower caps with electrodes protruding ageing brain (Think: Grade Z 1950s sci-fi movies). No, the therapy doesn’t hurt. It’s more like a tingling or itching sensation, The village that keeps rising from the ashes test subjects say. Result: After the zapping, study participants over 60 performed a certain memory task as well as those in their 20s, The Associated Press reports. By Anne-Sophie Faivre le Cadre/AFP In a separate study, researchers at Northwestern’s Cha das Caldeiras, Cape Verde Feinberg School applied high-frequency magnetic stimulation to areas on the surface of the brain connected our years after the volcano to the hippocampus, which is the memory vault of the erupted – razing everything in brain. Researchers gave subjects a difficult memory test, its path in Cape Verde’s Cha das showing them about 80 objects in certain settings – a FCaldeiras valley – the fl oor tiles key in a kitchen, for instance, or a toothbrush in a shed of the small, rebuilt inn are warm to the touch. scene. Later, the subjects were asked to recall which “We constructed too quickly on lava objects appeared in which scenes. Before the treatment, that had not yet cooled down,” says older adults scored far worse in this memory tests than hotel owner Marisa Lopes, in her early younger ones. A day after the treatment, the older adults 30s. performed at the same level as people in their 20s and 30s. “For the fi rst months, the fl oors in the rooms were so hot that you couldn’t Again, there’s no pain involved. walk on them with bare feet.” Shocking and exciting? “Totally,” Northwestern’s Joel Lopes is one of dozens of Voss tells us. Memory ability peaks in the early 20s, he entrepreneurs locked in a perpetual tug says, and then slowly declines. The research aims to help of war with the Pico do Fogo volcano people with age-related memory challenges – all of us towering over Cha das Caldeiras, whose population numbers 500. – but may also prove helpful in treating early stages of The name means Peak of Fire in Alzheimer’s, Voss says. Portuguese. Unfortunately, the effects of those treatments wear off The volcano generates the bulk of after a few hours or a few days. But we can imagine a time the crater community’s gross domestic when the forgetful could get a mild memory zap with an product, attracting some 5,000 tourists every year who need hotel beds, food implantable chip, or maybe via a smartphone app. Who and tour guides — about 30 make a wouldn’t trade a momentary tingle for days or weeks of living as guides in this remote part of This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows the newly built Marisa’s hotel, made with cement and lava on the roof of the great memory? West Africa. owner’s former house, in the village of Portelo in Cape Verde’s Cha das Caldeiras valley. Four years and a half later, the Seniors are often told to exercise their brains to preserve But on the downside, the festering village of Portelo was partly rebuilt despite the risk of a new eruption. mental acuity. There are plenty of programmes, though giant erupts once a generation — six times in the last 200 years — destroying Again. to live anywhere else than the fertile, a smile, sometimes even a touch of most of them are more effective at lightening your wallet everything in its path; crops, homes, Cicilio Montrond, 42, was also lava-fed valley that, between outbursts, nostalgia. than improving your memory. roads. there in 2014, looking on as a river of boasts an abundance of vines, fi g trees Margarita Lopes Dos Santos, 99, But the research suggests that instead of doing On November 23, 2014, Lopes molten rock spewing from the Pico do and cassava. has been forced out of her home by the crossword puzzles and working Sudokus, the ageing mind watched helplessly as the Pico — almost Fogo burnt his fruit trees and buried “It is the volcano that allows us to three last eruptions of the Pico do Fogo. can be jolted to a more powerful state. Just imagine ... a 2,900m (9,500ft) high — erupted after everything he owned in a thick, grey live,” said Montrond, tourist guide- The fi rst was in June 1951, shortly a 19-year slumber. Lava engulfed her coat. turned-hotelkeeper and restaurateur. after she gave birth to her fi rst child. world without lost car keys. – Chicago Tribune (Tribune brand new tourist hostel, eponymously The eruption killed no one, but left The Pico’s eruptions are rarely deadly “I remember the fi rst time like it was News Service) named Casa Marisa. 1,500 people homeless. in terms of human life. yesterday,” she said, through a beaming, Three months later, she built a new After a few weeks in Sao Filipe, But what about the next time? toothless smile. one, again in the fl ow zone of the crater. a nearby town to where the valley “The volcano is my life,” Montrond “It was a lot more violent. Rocks To Advertise “The volcano took a house from me, inhabitants were relocated, Montrond shrugged, as he gazed upon the house were falling from the sky. There were but it gave me another. Without it, returned to Cha das Caldeiras with his he built with his own hands. tornadoes of ash and of smoke,” she [email protected] there would be no tourism,” she told wife. “I was born here, I will die here.” recounted, while husking beans. Display AFP, undeterred. Not a bird stirred in the air still The volcano gives. Outside her house, Lopes Dos Santos Despite the constant danger and polluted with ash, not a creature moved The volcano takes. has planted fl owers — fl ashes of red 44466621 44418811 government eff orts to dissuade them, on the still warm lava ocean that now First it destroys the vines, then it begonias that provide the only colour in the inhabitants of Cha das Caldeiras covered the valley fl oor. provides fruitful soil for the planting of the grey and black landscape. Classified keep coming back. For weeks, Montrond and his wife new ones. “The resilience of the people of Cha 44466609 44418811 After the last eruption, the military lived in a tent on the roof of their These produce wines — some of it for is extraordinary,” said Jorge Nogueira, evacuated those in the path of the lava destroyed house with no water, no the export market. president of the municipal council of Subscription and the state provided food aid for six electricity and no food apart from a few Far from fearing or despising Sao Filipe, capital of the island of Fogo, months afterwards. canned goods. the peak’s constant threatening Cape Verde. [email protected] But it was the people themselves “We lived in makeshift shelters, it presence, the inhabitants appear to “As soon as they could, they came who reconstructed roads and found was precarious, dangerous. But we were embrace it and have made it part of back — to poor living conditions, but no the materials for rebuilding homes and home.” their identity. matter: the only thing that counted for © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved hotels. For Montrond, it is unimaginable They evoke past eruptions with them was to be home.” Gulf Times Saturday, May 4, 2019 15 COMMENT Climate crisis ‘about to put humanity at risk’

Guardian News and Media The authors hope the from protection of individual London fi rst global assessment of species and areas, and to look biodiversity in almost 15 years at systemic drivers of change, will push the nature crisis into including consumption and he world’s leading the global spotlight in the same trade. scientists will warn the way climate breakdown has The political environment planet’s life-support surged up the political agenda is changing in some countries Tsystems are approach- since the 1.5C report last year by due to overwhelming scientifi c ing a danger zone for humanity the UN Intergovernmental Panel evidence and increasing public when they release the results of on Climate Change. concern about the twin crises the most comprehensive study Like its predecessor, the of nature and climate, which of life on Earth ever undertaken. report is a compilation of have prompted more than 1mn Up to 1mn species are at risk reams of academic studies, in students to strike from school of annihilation, many within this case on subjects ranging and led to street protests by decades, according to a leaked from ocean plankton and Extinction Rebellion activists in draft of the global assessment subterranean bacteria to honey more than a dozen countries. report, which has been bees and Amazonian botany. The UK parliament declared compiled over three years by the Following previous fi ndings a climate emergency this UN’s leading research body on on the decimation of wildlife, week and the government’s nature. the overview of the state of chief climate advisory body The 1,800-page study will the world’s nature is expected recommended an accelerated show people living today, as to provide evidence that the plan to cut carbon emissions to well as wildlife and future world is facing a sixth wave of zero by 2050. generations, are at risk unless extinction. Unlike the past fi ve, Until now, however, the urgent action is taken to reverse this one is human-driven. nature crisis has been treated the loss of plants, insects Mike Barrett, WWF’s as far less of a priority. “Where and other creatures on which executive director of are the headlines? Where are the humanity depends for food, conservation and science, emergency meetings?” asked pollination, clean water and a said: “All of our ecosystems the school strike founder, Greta stable climate. are in trouble. This is the most Thunberg, in a recent tweet on The fi nal wording of the comprehensive report on the the subject. summary for policymakers state of the environment. It Extinction Rebellion activists is being fi nalised in Paris by irrefutably confi rms that nature said protests that blocked several a gathering of experts and is in steep decline.” London streets last month were government representatives Barrett said this posed an as much aimed at the defence before the launch on Monday, environmental emergency for of nature as stabilising the but the overall message is humanity, which is threatened climate. “They are two sides of already clear, according to by a triple challenge of climate, the same destructive coin,” said Robert Watson, the chair of the nature and food production. Schoolchildren carry placards to take part in a climate protest outside the ruling Liberal Party headquarters in Melbourne yesterday. Farhana Yamin, a co-ordinator Intergovernmental Science- “There is no time to despair,” of the movement who is also Policy Platform on Biodiversity he said. “We should be hopeful two big conferences at the end Italy, Belgium or Turkey. world’s land surface has been fl oods have become as a result an environmental lawyer and and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). that we have a window of of 2020. Watson, a British professor severely altered, according to of global heating. formerly a lead author of the “There is no question we opportunity to do something That is when China will host who has headed both of the the leaked draft. Humanity The goal is to persuade an IPCC report. are losing biodiversity at a about it over these two years.” the UN framework convention UN’s leading scientifi c panels, is also decimating the living audience beyond the usual “The work of IPBES is as truly unsustainable rate that The report will sketch out on biodiversity gathering in said the forthcoming report systems on which we depend green NGOs and government crucial as the work done by will aff ect human well-being possible future scenarios that Kunming, which will establish will delve more deeply than by emitting carbon dioxide and departments. “We need to the IPCC on the 1.5-degree both for current and future will vary depending on the new 20-year targets to replace anything before into the causes spreading invasive species. appeal not just to environment report. That is why Extinction generations,” he said. “We are in decisions taken by governments, those agreed in Aichi, Japan, of nature collapse, chief among Watson said the authors ministers, but to those in charge Rebellion is demanding an end trouble if we don’t act, but there businesses and individuals. The in 2010. Soon after, the UN which is the conversion of have learned from attribution of agriculture, transport and to biodiversity loss and a net- are a range of actions that can next year-and-a-half is likely framework convention on forests, wetlands and other wild science, which has transformed energy because they are the zero phaseout by 2020. We can’t be taken to protect nature and to be crucial because world climate change will revise landscapes into ploughed fi elds, the debate on the climate crisis ones responsible for the drivers save humanity by only tackling meet human goals for health leaders will agree rescue plans Paris agreement commitments dam reservoirs and concrete by showing how much more of biodiversity loss,” he said. climate change or only caring and development.” for nature and the climate at at a meeting in either the UK, cities. Three-quarters of the likely hurricanes, droughts and A focus will be to move away about biodiversity.” LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast

TODAY Maximum Temperature : 370c Penalty for intentionally disabling systems Minimum Temperature : 290c SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 350c Minimum Temperature : 260c By Dr Nizar Kochery company is in loss and owes a lot any damage due to the breach of without work. In such a case, can we Doha of money to many companies. undertaking, unless the contract- reduce the salary to 50%? Is there any MONDAY The operating partners have ing party who made the undertaking provision in the law which allows to do Maximum Temperature : 360c issued a document, without my fulfil the obligation himself without so? Please advise. Minimum Temperature : 270c Question: Due to some issues, we knowledge, to the creditors stat- causing any damage to the other Fisherman's forecast have suspended a staff member ing that I am responsible for the party. If the third party accepts the AJ, Doha for a few weeks. After that we payments. Will such a document obligation, the promising party shall WARNING Inshore : Expected thundery rain noticed some of our systems are impose liabilities on me? As per not be legally obliged and the third A: The employee should be paid in associated with strong not working properly. When we law, is that document valid? party shall be bound by such an un- accordance with the terms agreed wind checked the CCTV footage, we Please advise. dertaking from the time of accept- in the employment contract. As per Offshore : Nil found that he had done something ance, unless the acceptance indicates Article 44 of the Labour Law, if the WEATHER to the systems. If we report to the OS, Doha expressly or by implication that the worker attends the place of work and Inshore : Sctd clouds to p police, what will be the punish- acceptance is retroactive as from the is willing to perform the work but cloudy & c of sctd rain ment for such acts as per law? A: According to Article 177 of Civil date of the agreement between the could not do so for reasons beyond becomes thundery at times, and slight to Please advise. Law, a contract shall not create any contracting parties. his control, he shall be considered to blowing dust at places obligations binding upon third par- have actually done the work and be Offshore : Sctd clouds to p CJ, Doha ties but may grant rights in favour entitled to the advantages accru- cloudy at times with c Employee must be of sctd rain at times of such third parties. If a person ing therefrom. The employer shall WIND Answer: According to Article 374 who promises to another person to paid as per contract undertake to enable the employee Inshore : Southeasterly-North- of Penal Law, whoever intention- oblige a third party to an obliga- to perform the work and to provide easterly 06-16/28 KT Offshrore : Southeasterly-North- ally destroys or damages input or tion, he shall be bound by it, not the him with all things necessary for easterly 03-12/15 KT output units, computer screen or its third party. If the third party refuses Q: I am working as an HR manager in performing work. components, shall be punished with to undertake the obligation, the an IT solutions company. As the com- Visibility : 4 -8/3 KM imprisonment for a term not exceed- contracting party shall be liable to pany does not have enough projects z Please send your questions to Offshore : 1-3/4 FT ing three years and a fi ne not exceed- compensate the other party against in hand, some of the technicians are [email protected] Around the region ing QR10,000. The same penalty Weather shall be imposed on any person who Weather tomorrow Max/min intentionally disables any of the items today Max/min LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Baghdad P Cloudy 29/16 P Cloudy 32/17 or makes them inoperable. Kuwait CityP Cloudy 36/24 M Sunny 36/23 Manama P Cloudy Sunny 34/25 According to Article 323 of Criminal As per Article 330, the court may, 34/25 Muscat Sunny Sunny 36/29 ‘Exemption’ from Procedure Code, the penalties or on judging in absentia by impris- 35/28 Tehran M Cloudy M Sunny 27/16 judicial fee payment the procedures prescribed by law for onment for a term of one month 28/17 any crime shall not be executed un- or more, order upon the request less by way of an enforceable judg- of the Public Prosecution to arrest Q: My business partner has cheated ment issued by a competent court. and imprison the suspect if he has me and he owes me money. I have The Public Prosecution shall under- no specific place of residence in discussed with some people about take the execution of the enforce- the State of Qatar, or if an order of this and they advised me to fi le a able judgments issued on criminal temporary imprisonment is issued case against the partner. Now my cases. If necessary, it may seek the against him. The suspect shall fi nancial condition is so bad that I assistance of the public authority. be imprisoned upon arrest in the cannot aff ord the court charges. In The judgment of the death penalty execution of this order until a deci- such a situation, does the law al- shall not be executed urgently. sion on the objection is made by lows any kind of assistance for the As per Article 326, judgments im- him or by the expiration of the time people who are unable to pay the posing penalty of fines and expenses decided for objection. In all cases, expenses? If so, what is the proce- shall be enforceable without delay, the suspect shall not remain in de- dure to avail the assistance? even if appealed. The judgment tention for a period exceeding the ordering imprisonment shall be adjudged period, unless the court Around the world SN, Doha executed, unless the court decides to which the objection is submitted Weather Weather to stay the execution by issuing bail, considers to release before deciding today Max/min tomorrow Max/min A: According to Article 551 of the civil in such case the value of bail shall be on it. Athens Cloudy 19/14 Sunny 23/14 and commercial procedure code, if a specified in the judgment. The ambiguity in execution is filed Beirut M Sunny 22/17 P Cloudy 26/21 party proves to be unable to pay the Judgments as to imprisonment shall by a report at the office of the court Bangkok S T Storms 36/28 S T Storms 36/28 judicial fees, he shall be exempted be executed temporarily. If the sus- which issued the judgment, and the Berlin Cloudy 11/02 M Sunny 13/03 wholly or partially from payment. Ex- pect is a recidivist or has no perma- date shall be fixed to consider the Cairo P Cloudy 31/18 P Cloudy 36/26 emption shall include fees of judicial nent place of residence in the State ambiguity, not to exceed seven days Cape Town M Cloudy 16/12 Cloudy 19/12 papers, execution fees, expenses of of Qatar, the court shall execute the Public Prosecution and the victim. from the date of the report. Colombo T Storm 30/26 S T Storms 31/26 judicial notices and other expenses judgment temporarily. If the suspect According to Article 328, the sus- If the ambiguity is in execution of a Dhaka T Storm 28/26 P Cloudy 36/27 borne by the litigants. Exemption shall is precautionary detained, the court pect who is imprisoned temporar- judgment issuing the death penalty Hong Kong M Sunny 24/21 Rain 23/21 be conditioned on there being good may order temporary execution of ily shall be released immediately or a custodial penalty, it may be Istanbul P Cloudy 23/14 S Showers 24/15 prospects of success in the claim. A the judgment. if the judgment is an acquittal or a reported before the administra- Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 32/25 request for exemption from pay- The convicted person may appeal non-custodial penalty, or a penalty tor of the place of the imprison- Karachi Sunny 36/26 Sunny 34/26 ment of fees shall be submitted to the before the Court of Appeal against which execution of detention does ment, or the place where execution London P Cloudy 11/03 M Cloudy 13/05 competent court and the court shall order of temporary execution by not require, or if the judgment order takes place. The ambiguity shall Manila M Sunny 34/27 P Cloudy 34/28 examine such a request. way of a report filed at the office of suspends execution of the penalty, be submitted without delay to the Moscow M Cloudy 16/07 S T Storms 22/12 the court which issued the judg- or if the suspect has spent the term Public Prosecution to fix the day for New Delhi P Cloudy 41/25 Sunny 41/25 ment, or administration of the place of the penalty as precautionary de- hearing. New York Cloudy 22/13 Rain 14/11 Legal obligation where he is imprisoned. This griev- tention or the adjudged measure. Reporting the ambiguity shall not Paris Rain 11/04 M Sunny 13/03 for third parties ance may be filed during the hearing The judgment in absentia issued by lead to the suspension of the execu- Sao Paulo M Cloudy 30/18 M Cloudy 29/19 of the appeal of the judgment. The penalty or a measure shall be execut- tion of the judgment in which there Seoul P Cloudy 26/08 Sunny 20/06 grievance shall be decided within ed, if not objected by the convicted is ambiguity in execution thereof, Singapore T Storm 32/27 S T Storms 32/27 Q: I am the sales executive of three days from the date of report, person within seven days from being unless the judgment issued is the Sydney M Sunny 21/12 Showers 18/13 a company which is operating after hearing the testimony of the personally notifi ed of the judgment. death sentence. Tokyo Clear 24/13 Cloudy 25/15 in Doha since 2009. Now the Gulf Times 16 Saturday, May 4, 2019 QATAR

An outside view of CurioCity. A workshop at CurioCity. PICTURES: Nasar K Moidheen CurioCity dedicated to social inclusion of kids

with special needs Yousef Behzad Yousef.

By Shafeeq Alingal of Play unique is the fact that it’s The idea is to help children learn “We opted for organic architec- replicas of a boutique and mar- at helping kids become acquaint- can accommodate around 100 Staff Reporter dedicated exclusively to children about science and engage them ture,” Yousef said, adding that no ket, workshops, relaxing rooms, a ed with the routines of human children at a time. The cafe of- with special needs, allowing in physical activities, besides fa- harmful chemicals or materials stage for science show and grav- life and few basics of physics. fers refreshment for parents who them a suitable environment to miliarising them with the routine were used during construction. ity table. These ensure the social inclu- accompany their children to the magine a place by the sea, play and engage in physical ac- activities of life. The walls were not even painted These are apart from a few sion of kids with special needs,” centre. fi lled with toys, rides and tivities. CurioCity comes with an CurioCity is an innovative idea to make sure that the play centre rides for physical entertainment Yousef added. Yousef said he has plans to Iplayrooms. Seems like a scene exclusive space to play and study. and it’s all about learning while conformed to standards of or- and a water table that helps chil- CurioCity has got six trained introduce more facilities within straight out of a child’s dream? The school was set up by playing or playing while learn- ganic architecture and ensured a dren understand the potential of staff members, including spe- CurioCity and develop it into the Well, the dream has turned into Yousef and his wife Anastasiya ing,” said Yousef. He and his wife healthy atmosphere for children.” water in energy production. The cialists in caring for children with “best play school for children reality, thanks to the eff orts of Darozhka after they decided to had spent months looking for the The centre, which touches the ‘dark room’ at CurioCity has a disabilities. with special abilities”. Besides, entrepreneur Yousef Behzad do something innovative for the “ideal place”. Marsa Canal and seashore, has hyperbolic slit, tornado, water “The staff here is capable of he is looking to launch more such Yousef, who has started a new “uplift of children with special CurioCity also off ers some- several facilities to entertain and spire, colour rotating refl ect lamp catering to the needs of these centres in order to ensure best playschool at The Pearl-Qatar. abilities”. “It feels like our long- thing special when it comes to help children learn and play. The and photoelectric disk. children and guide them prop- caring facilities for children in What makes CurioCity Center cherished dream has come true. its structure and architecture. centre includes a hall of game, “The facilities here are aimed erly,” he said, adding the centre need.

Aspetar conference discusses enhancing performance in athletics

Some of the experts and off icials participating in the International Conference on Medicine and Science in Athletics, which opened yesterday in Doha under the auspices of Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital. The three-day event has a strong turnout from leading medical personnel, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, nutritionists and podiatrists. The conference features more than 250 experts who discuss the most advanced techniques and most recent scientific research in athletics from around the world. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

Films supported by DFI make it to Cannes Film Festival again

he Doha Film Institute a jury member of the Cannes Film Be Heaven (France, Qatar, Ger- grave to hide a large sum of money tive spaces by fi lming portraits by (DFI) has set another fi rst Festival in 2006 and his feature many, Canada, Turkey) is an au- he stole. To Live to Sing (China, Qatari artist Fatma al-Remaihi Tin the Arab region for a fi lm The Time That Remains premiered tobiographical account of Elia’s France, Qatar) by Johnny Ma fea- as they are removed from stor- organisation, with its latest co- at the festival in 2009. Grant re- experience of leaving Palestine tures a hot-tempered Sichuan age and discussed with members fi nanced project selected to the cipients Adam by Maryam Touza- to fi nd an alternative homeland. opera troupe manager faced with of her family, showing the sub- Offi cial Selection, Competition ni and Papicha, a Qumra 2019 Adam (Morocco, France, Belgium, the demolition of her theatre, tle relationship between artistic once again at the 72nd Cannes project, by Mounia Meddour will Qatar) by Moroccan director who must fi nd a new home for practise and its life in the home. Film Festival, which takes place world premiere in the Un Certain Maryam Touzani tells the story her troupe, before the family falls Also exploring family life is I Am from May 14 to 25. Regard segment of the Offi cial Se- of Abla, a struggling widow and apart; and The Orphanage by Not My Father, which looks at This nomination makes DFI the lection. mother to a 10-year-old daugh- Shahrbanoo Sadat (Afghanistan, the relationship between fathers only cultural organisation in the Selections in the parallel sec- ter; and Papicha (Algeria, France, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, and sons and the impact of strict Mena region to have had four co- tions include the world premieres Belgium, Qatar) by Algerian di- Germany, Qatar), set in the late parenting on generations to come. fi nanced fi lms in the Offi cial Se- of Qumra 2019 projects, Abou rector Mounia Meddour is set in 1980s, is about 15-year-old Qo- Family-friendly animations lection, Competition to date. Pre- Leila by Amin Sidi-Boumediene 1990s Algeria and follows the life drat, who lives in the streets of Where Are You Right Meow and vious nominees include Asghar and The Unknown Saint by Alaa of a free-spirited young student Kabul and sells cinema tickets on Nasser Goes to Space both look at Farhadi’s The Salesman in 2016, Eddine Aljem, in Critics’ Week Alaa Eddine Aljem’s The Unknown Saint. as she refuses to allow the tragic the black market. the importance of family. Looking and Nadine Labaki’s Caphernaum (Semaine de la Critique); and two events of the Algerian Civil War Shorts from Qatar include Do- refl ectively at humans and their and The Wild Pear Tree by Nuri new Spring 2019 Grants recipi- ity of projects we nurture through stories that have the potential to keep her from experiencing a nor- mestic Acoustics (Qatar/2018) place in society, Voyager is a cap- Bilge Ceylan in 2018. ents To Live to Sing by Johnny Ma our funding and mentoring initia- shape world cinema.” mal young woman’s life. by Majid al-Remaihi; Where Are tivating human story about emo- A further six fi lms supported and The Orphanage by Shahrba- tives,” DFI CEO Fatma Hassan al- “I am especially proud of mas- Algerian director Amin Sidi- You Right Meow? (Qatar/2018) tions, psychology, and personal by DFI through its Grants pro- noo Sadat make their global debut Remaihi said. ter fi lmmaker Elia Suleiman and Boumediene’s fi rst feature narra- by Maysam al-Ani; Voyager (Qa- challenge as it follows a world gramme and six short fi lms from at Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine “We are delighted that the his bedrock credentials as a great- tive Abou Leila (Algeria, France, tar/2018) by Khalifa al-Marri; I traveller who embarks on a mo- Qatar will screen to global audi- des Realisateurs). works of talented fi lmmakers ly admired director. Elia’s par- Qatar), set in 1994 Algeria, fol- Am Not My Father (Qatar/2018) torcycle journey across Europe. ences in key sections of the pres- A further six short fi lms made from the region and beyond have ticular worldview, his keen sense lows two childhood friends, who by Naif al-Malki; Nasser Goes to Also exploring identity is The tigious festival. Palestinian di- in Qatar will be screened at the once again made the cut at the of the absurd and his unbounded cross the desert in search of Abou Space (Qatar/2018) by Mohamed Bleaching Syndrome – a docu- rector Elia Suleiman’s new fi lm It Cannes Short Film Corner under premiere fi lm event, competing passion for storytelling are crea- Leila, a dangerous terrorist; The al-Mahmeed and The Bleaching mentary made by an Afro-Arab Must Be Heaven, co-fi nanced by the theme ‘Shortcuts to Qatar’. with some of the most anticipated tively represented in It Must Be Unknown Saint (Morocco, France, Syndrome (Sudan, Qatar/2018) fi lmmaker living in Qatar who DFI, is included in the competi- “To have fi lms supported by DFI fi lms in international cinema,” she Heaven, an important and timely Germany, Lebanon, Qatar) the by Eiman Mirghani. The screen- looks at the phenomenon of Su- tion along with 19 global entries. repeatedly selected at the pres- added. fi lm of the Palestinian experience fi rst feature by Moroccan director ing will take place on May 22 at danese women bleaching their Winner of the Festival’s Jury tigious Cannes Film Festival is an “The selection underlines the that will resonate with all,” al- Alaa Eddine Aljem, tells the story 1.30pm. skin and addresses her own life- Prize in 2002 for Divine Interven- exceptional honour for us and a focus of DFI and Qatar to support Remaihi noted. of a thief who, moments before Domestic Acoustics explores long feeling of unworthiness and tion, Elia Suleiman also served as strong testament to the high qual- compelling voices and powerful Co-fi nanced by DFI, It Must his capture by the police, digs a the overlap of domestic and crea- under representation.