BUSINESSBUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 World Cup winner Cafu unveiled Envoy optimistic about as SC Qatari FDI growth in Italy Ambassador published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11222 June 22, 2019 Shawwal 19, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Amir to visit Pakistan today is Highness the Amir Sheikh QATAR | Reaction Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Qatar condemns attack Hwill pay a two-day state vis- Trump calls it to Pakistan from today at the invi- on mosque in Baghdad tation of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Qatar has strongly condemned the Imran Khan, the offi cial Qatar News bombing that targeted a mosque in Agency has reported. His Highness the east of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the Amir will hold talks with Pa- causing deaths and injuries. In a kistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi and statement yesterday, the Ministry off strikes Prime Minister Khan on ways to of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s enhance bilateral relations besides firm stance rejecting violence and discussing a number of issues of terrorism, regardless of motives common interest. During the visit, and reasons. It stressed Qatar’s both parties will sign a number of total rejection of targeting places of memorandums of understanding in worship and intimidating civilians. on Iran at several fi elds. An offi cial delegation The statement expressed the Qatar’s will accompany the Amir. condolences to the victims’ families, A press statement from Paki- the government and the people of Iraq, stan’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. issued in Doha by the Pakistan em- bassy yesterday, said the visit of His ASIA | Protest last minute Highness the Amir is expected to Thousands converge further strengthen the close frater- on HK police HQ AFP/QNA According to excerpts of an inter- nal ties between Pakistan and Qatar Washington view with NBC’s Meet the Press con- and deepen co-operation in di- Thousands of protesters blockaded ducted yesterday morning at the White verse fi elds. It also recalled that the Hong Kong’s police headquarters House, Trump said he had not given fi - Amir had earlier visited Pakistan in yesterday evening, demanding resident Donald Trump said nal approval to strikes against Iran, and March 2015. the resignation of the city’s pro- yesterday the United States was that no planes were in the air. Internews adds: Talking to media Beijing leader and the release of P“cocked & loaded” to strike Iran “But they would have been pretty yesterday, Pakistan Foreign Min- demonstrators arrested during the but pulled back at the last minute be- soon. And things would have happened ister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said territory’s worst political crisis in cause it would not have been a “pro- to a point where you wouldn’t turn Islamabad attaches a great deal of decades. The latest protest comes after portionate” response to Tehran shoot- back or couldn’t turn back,” he said. importance to its ties with Doha. the government refused to meet the ing down an American drone. The US president had struck a com- He said Pakistan has immense demands of demonstrators who have The downing of the drone — which bative tone in initial comments on investment opportunities for Qa- marched in their millions to oppose Iran insists violated its airspace, a Thursday about Iran shooting down tari investors in various fi elds. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani a bill that would allow extraditions to claim Washington denies — has seen the Global Hawk surveillance aircraft, the Chinese mainland. Page 7 tensions between the countries spike but as the pre-dawn incident whipped after a series of attacks on tankers the up fears of open confl ict, Trump moved UN reports largest expansion of West Bank settlements in 2 years ASIA | Accident US has blamed on Tehran. to dial back tensions. 30 killed in Indonesia Under pressure to respond to the Iran vowed yesterday to defend its With nearly 6,000 housing units Speaking at the outset, Mladenov the Palestinian Authority.” high-stakes incident near the strate- borders after downing the drone, with advanced, approved or tendered, declared: “Developments during In addition to the 6,000 housing units, matchstick factory fi re gic Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the the commander of the aerospace arm recent weeks have seen the largest this reporting period cannot be he said the demolition and seizure At least 30 people, including several US was prepared to hit “3 diff erent of its elite Revolutionary Guards saying expansion of Israeli settlements divorced from the broader context of Palestinian-owned structures also children, were killed when a fire sites” on Thursday night but that he the aircraft was warned twice before it in the West Bank in two years, the of Israel’s continued military continued throughout the period ripped through a private home that scrapped the strikes “10 minutes” be- was engaged over the Gulf of Oman. United Nations Co-ordinator for occupation of Palestinian territory between March 25 and June 10. operated as a matchstick factory fore they were to have been launched. And it denied a report that Trump the Middle East peace process and settlement activity, Hamas’ hold Providing updates on several cases in Indonesia yesterday, authorities “I asked, how many will die. 150 had warned it via Oman of an impend- Nickolay Mladenov said yesterday, over Gaza and military activity, the before the Israeli authorities, he said said. Pictures from the scene showed people, sir, was the answer from a ing attack unless it was willing to ne- as he briefed the Security Council on threat of war, unilateral actions that violent and provocative acts as well as blackened corpses lying on top of General,” the president tweeted, say- gotiate. the flagging implementation of its undermine peace efforts and severe incitement and inflammatory rhetoric each other in the burnt-out house ing he concluded it would not have The US requested a UN Security resolution 2234 (2016). challenges to the fiscal viability of also persist. (QNA) after the blaze, which authorities said been “proportionate to shooting down Council meeting on Iran on Monday. broke out early yesterday afternoon. an unmanned drone.” To Page 3 TV footage showed plumes of black smoke billowing from the home in Attorney-General meets US Treasury Secretary the town of Binjai in North Sumatra, about 70km west of provincial capital Medan. Page 7 EUROPE | Unrest Airlines halt Hormuz fl ights Putin bans Russian fl ights to Georgia AFP men (NOTAM), prohibiting US-regis- London tered aircraft from operating over the President Vladimir Putin signed a Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. decree yesterday banning Russian The NOTAM was in response to airlines from flying to Georgia, ome of the world’s leading car- “heightened military activities and in- starting on July 8, after violent riers including British Airways, creased political tensions that might clashes in the neighbouring country SQantas and Singapore Airlines place commercial fl ights at risk”, an FAA over a Moscow lawmaker speaking yesterday suspended fl ights over the statement said, as Tehran and Wash- in parliament in Tbilisi. In Tbilisi, Strait of Hormuz, as Iran-US tensions ington engaged in a war of words over protesters took to the streets for fl ared over the downing of a drone. Thursday’s missile strike on the drone. a second day yesterday calling for The suspensions aff ected thousands The FAA’s notice applied only to US- snap parliamentary polls and the of passengers and came after the Fed- registered airlines, and United Airlines ruling party’s oligarch leader to cede eral Aviation Administration in the said it was suspending its Newark- Qatar’s Attorney-General HE Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri met in Washington yesterday with US Treasury Secretary Steven power following a police crackdown United States issued a Notice to Air- Mumbai service in response. To Page 3 Mnuchin and a number of his aides. The two sides discussed a number of issues of common concern. that left 240 people injured. Page 9 Qatar-China ties set to scale greater heights: ambassador

By Ayman Adly port, Doha Metro and a sophisticated tions and entities, including the unity Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. between Chinese ports and Hamad Staff Reporter network of roads and expressways. of China, the South China Sea and Throughout the recent past, high-level Port to ease the fl ow of goods. “The number of Chinese companies China’s human rights record. “Simul- exchange of visits took place, including The top leadership of the two coun- and Qatari-Chinese companies working taneously, China supports the sover- the visits to China by Qatar’s Minister tries maintains good relations and have atar and China have maintained in Qatar has also grown considerably over eignty and independent decisions of of Transport and Communication, met twice within the past fi ve months. excellent relations throughout the years with more than 200 of these ac- Qatar and strongly backs its security Minister of Energy, Minister of Com- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Qthe recent years and the future tive in the country in diff erent fi elds.” and stability.” merce and Industry and the Governor bin Hamad al-Thani paid an offi cial of bilateral ties between them is prom- The envoy, who is a fl uent Arabic He said: “China has strongly sup- of Qatar Central Bank, among others. visit to China in January this year, ising in all fi elds, Chinese ambassador speaker, was able to make many friend- ported the Kuwaiti mediation eff orts This gave a boost to the volume of bi- which was his second visit after the to Qatar Li Chen has said. ships and develop excellent personal re- since the blockade against Qatar started lateral trade reaching $130bn in 2018, one in 2014. His Highness the Amir Speaking to the local media on Thurs- lations with local offi cials, businessper- in 2017 and called for dialogue, respect up by 28.6% from the previous year. also met Chinese President Xi Jin- day, he expressed great satisfaction with Li Chen sees a bright future for sons and many key individuals. for the sovereignty of independent China also signed new contracts with ping in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, during the four years he has spent in Qatar as Qatar-China relations and co-operation. “I am proud of such friendships and states and the principle of non-inter- Qatar to import LNG. Besides bilateral the fi fth summit of the Conference on the ambassador of China, describing his the offi cials here have been positively ference in the internal aff airs of other trade, the two countries also maintain Interaction and Confi dence-Building time here as happy, friendly and hassle- here in 2015 as ambassador. Through- co-operative all the time, making my states while abiding by international joint projects in other countries. Measures in Asia (CICA) this month. free. Chen will be leaving Doha shortly out these years, I have seen fast devel- mission easier,” he said. laws when resolving disputes.” Qatar is considered a good destina- During all such meetings, the leaders at the end of his tour of duty to Qatar. opments and achievements in various He described Qatar as a good and The ambassador said Qatar was tion for Chinese companies in diff er- have expressed strong political will for “I fi rst visited Qatar in 1995, then areas in Qatar, especially infrastruc- trusted friend of China, which has among the fi rst countries to take part ent areas. Immediately after the unjust more co-operation and integration be- again in 2008 as part of some diplo- ture and construction, including Ha- supported the Chinese stance on vari- in China’s Road and Belt initiative blockade was imposed on Qatar, China tween the two countries, according to matic visits and then I settled down mad Port, Hamad International Air- ous issues at all international organisa- and it is a founding member of the launched two direct navigation lines the ambassador. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, June 22, 2019 QATAR Ambassador: Italy and Qatar enjoy strategic

partnership Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano with dignitaries at the event.

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

ilateral relations between Qatar and Italy see “great Bopportunities ahead” in art and culture, education and research, health and sport, Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano has said. Speaking at the 73rd Ital- ian National Day celebration in Doha on Thursday, the envoy highlighted the two countries’ strong ties, which enabled a strategic partnership across all sectors. The event was attended by HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs; HE Dr Ali bin Ahmed al- Kuwari, Minister of Commerce and Industry; HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Minister Pasquale Salzano welcomes guests at the event. of State; ambassador Ibrahim Fakhroo, director of Protocol at “confi rm that there is still a huge sport practice and hosting major ympic and Paralympic Winter the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs; untapped potential to develop sport events, such as the upcom- Games in 2026 with a very in- Italian musicians entertain the attendees at the 73rd Italian National Day celebration in Doha. and Ali Ibrahìm Ahmed, Eritrean together”. ing World Athletics Champion- novative proposal for highly ambassador and dean of the Dip- Italy, he added, plans not only ships at the end of September,” sustainable games. Metro and Al Bayt Stadium. ment acknowledges these signif- the Qatari air force and navy lomatic Corps, other diplomats, to continue on the same course Salzano said. “Italy is in the fi nal stage of the “We also fi nd that Italian en- icant achievements and encour- are being trained in Italy. dignitaries and guests. but also to increase and diversify During the championship, competition and we look forward trepreneurs are more eager to ages to continue working in this As highlighted by Italian Min- “So far, our joint initiatives projects by working closely with he said the Italian Federation of to the Host City Election on June explore opportunities in Qatar, direction.” ister of Defence Elisabetta Trenta have often involved artistes Qatari institutions and involv- Athletics will open Casa Atletica, 24,” he added. thanks to the major reforms suc- Salzano announced that they in her meeting with HE the Dep- from all the countries in the re- ing new actors such as the Ital- a special area dedicated to Ital- The envoy also described the cessfully adopted to make the lo- are currently preparing for the uty Prime Minister and Minister gion, reaffi rming the vision that ian cultural association, Dante ian sport traditions, design, food two countries’ economic ties cal business environment more Fifth Joint Economic Com- of State for Defence Aff airs Dr art and culture belong to all hu- Alighieri, which recently started and culture with an engaging as “very positive” with bilat- friendly and dynamic for foreign mission between Qatar and Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, mankind, they have no bounda- its activities in Doha. programme of activities. eral trade reaching €2.6bn in investors,” Salzano said. Italy, set to take place later this “Italy is committed not only to ries and political division should “Italy has a broader vision of Salzano announced that Mi- 2018, recording a 21% increase “Indeed, Qatar has made re- year aimed at “taking forward foster technology transfer, but not restrain them,” he noted. culture, which includes sport, lano and Cortina d’Ampezzo, compared to 2017. markable steps in this regard, the two countries’ economic also to the development of hu- Salzano said his discussions healthy lifestyle and well-being which he described as a gem He said Italian companies especially reforming the labour co-operation towards more man resources”, the envoy said. with various partners in Qatar of individuals. In this regard, we of the Dolomites and one of are well-positioned in the Qa- market as part of its fruitful ambitious goals”. “In this regard, we are delighted who work in local universities, are pleased that Qatar is highly the many Unesco World Her- tar market and involved in ma- co-operation with the Interna- About bilateral programmes that in the coming weeks the research centres, museums, investing in social and commu- itage sites in Italy, are candi- jor projects for the 2022 FIFA tional Labour Organisation,” he in the defence sector, he said fi rst four Qatari female pilots will hospitals and sport institutions nity development, encouraging dates to host together the Ol- World Cup, including the Doha stressed. “The Italian govern- hundreds of personnel from graduate in Milan.” PHCC puts focus on preventive health and wellness model

By Joseph Varghese malik, managing director of tions, and managing outbreaks change, such as to quit smok- Staff Reporter PHCC, said the quality of life for and epidemics” the strategy ing. The plan will also use mo- people in Qatar is at risk from explains. bile technology and the social the impact of their changing PHCC has already established media to encourage healthy he new strategy of Prima- lifestyles. a range of services focusing on lifestyles and develop wellness ry Health Care Corpora- “Although there is already the promotion of health and services for the key popula- Ttion (PHCC) has focused a high prevalence of chronic prevention of illness and dis- tions, mothers and newborns, on preventive health and well- conditions and associated risk ease. It has also invested in the children and adolescents. ness services, a major shift from factors, I have always been con- infrastructure of new health Another method is to ex- the traditional curative care vinced that the best way to a and wellness centres to sup- pand the national screening model. healthy population is to focus on port the communities towards programmes for cancer, dia- The PHCC’s Corporate Stra- wellness and prevention and by healthier lives. betes and cardiovascular dis- tegic Plan 2019-2023 highlights having a comprehensive high- The major goals of the or- ease. PHCC also plans to extend that “our vision is to empower quality primary healthcare serv- ganisation in this regard are to screening to schoolchildren and people to take responsibility ice,” explained Dr Abdulmalik. increase health promotion and adolescents, supported with ed- for their own health and make According to the strategy, well-being, provide early detec- ucation on healthy habits. healthy lifestyle choices”. preventive services focus on tion and screening, and ensure The strategy further aims The new approach includes early detection of risk factors health protection and commu- to”standardise and improve the health promotion and wellness and screening for chronic dis- nicable disease prevention. surveillance and outbreak man- interventions and services that eases. The preventive health In this regard, PHCC plans agement of multi-drug resist- educate people, and encour- model of care “includes services to expand targeted wellness ant organisms and infectious age and empower them to adopt and practices that aim to protect programmes for improving diseases, implement control healthy behaviours that reduce people’s health by appropri- physical activity and healthy and prevention programmes for their exposure to disease risk ate immunisation, preventing behaviours among youth and communicable diseases, and de- factors. transmission of communicable adults. This will support people liver immunisation programmes While launching the strategy diseases and infections, reduc- to improve their health literacy, for vaccine preventable recently, Dr Mariam Ali Abdul- ing multidrug-resistant infec- as well as support behaviour diseases”. PHCC is investing in the infrastructure of new health and wellness centres.

100kg fi sh destroyed for being unfi t for consumption Qatar-China ties set to

he Health Control Sec- Inspections were carried scale greater heights: tion of Al Wakrah Mu- out at caterers’ kitchens, res- Tnicipality seized and taurants, consumer com- destroyed some 100kg of fi sh plexes and candy shops, and Chinese envoy that was found unfi t for hu- notices were issued to 55 es- man consumption. tablishments while affi davits The haul was destroyed were signed by some outlets From Page 1 62,000 last year, up 38% from after reaching the Al Wakrah pledging to make amends. Al the previous year. Qatar Air- fi sh market for auction as the Wakrah Municipality – rep- Chen said the two countries ways operates 49 direct fl ights veterinarians present there resented by the Municipal have signed key agreements in to seven diff erent destinations found signs of the fi sh going Control Department – also counter-terrorism co-operation in China every week, which also stale. The haul was destroyed after conducted a drive to remove and military and security co- helps in maintaining the fl ow of A statement issued by the reaching the Al Wakrah fish waste dumped by unknown operation. In addition, some tourists and visitors both ways. Ministry of Municipality and market for auction. persons in the Aba Saleel area. Chinese naval vessels have vis- During the offi cial visit of His Environment (MME) noted The campaign was imple- ited Qatar. In the cultural fi eld, Highness the Amir to China in that cases of fi sh being found Municipality conducted 260 mented in co-operation with the two countries organised a January 2019, the Chinese-Qa- unfi t for consumption are a inspection tours in areas the General Cleanliness De- successful Qatar-China Year of tari Friendship Society was es- common occurrence during within its jurisdiction in May, partment and a number of lo- Culture in 2016. tablished. It is headed by high- summer due to the high tem- resulting the issuance of four cal companies, the statement Last year, the citizens of both level offi cials from both sides peratures and for not putting violation reports, the state- added. countries were exempted from due to its importance. enough ice in containers in ment noted. The reports were Meanwhile, the Municipal the requirement of entry visa, Chen said the Chinese em- order to preserve them. issued for violating provisions Control Department seized which helped in easing their bassy in Qatar is set to establish The Health Control Sec- of Law No 8 of 1990 on the some trucks for discharging movement between Qatar and a Chinese Culture Centre and a tion at the Municipal Con- Regulation of Human Food sewage water at undesignated China. The number of Chinese Centre for the Chinese Language An off icial conducting inspection at an eatery. trol Department of Al Daayen Control. locations in Al Wukair. tourists visiting Qatar totalled Learning. Gulf Times Saturday, June 22, 2019 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Businessman detained Hundreds protest against in Algeria over corruption investigation

Trump peace plan in Jordan joint venture company could Reuters Algiers not be reached for comment. Reuters BNA declined to comment. Amman On Thursday, the same lgeria has detained court referred ex-Prime businessman Hassan Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and undreds of Jordanian Is- ALarbaoui in a corrup- two former industry minis- lamists marched in the tion investigation launched ters, Youcef Yousfi and Mah- Hcapital yesterday to de- after protests ended the rule djoub Bedda, to the public nounce Washington’s peace plan of President Abdelaziz Boute- prosecutor to be investigated to end the Arab-Israeli confl ict fl ika, state radio said yesterday for alleged corruption related and demand their government as demonstrators returned to to the same case, state radio boycott a conference in Bahrain the streets to demand change. said. Ouyahia and other of- next week that will examine the Larbaoui is director of a ficials could not immediately project. private company called Glo- be reached for comment, nor Emerging from the main Hus- bal Group, which runs a car could their representatives. seini mosque in downtown Am- assembly plant set up in joint The seven are being inves- man after prayers yesterday, the venture with South Korea’s tigated on accusations of protesters, among them lead- Kia Motors. “dissipation of public funds, ers of the mainstream Islamist Boutefl ika stepped down on illegal privileges and money movement that organised the April 2 under pressure from laundering”, the radio said. march, chanted “O Trump, O the army after mass protests The supreme court also Trump, go away from us. Jordan that began in February, de- ordered the detention of is steadfast and we will never manding an end to his 20-year Ouyahia and another former kneel.” rule and calling for his ruling prime minister, Abdelmalek US President Donald Trump’s elite to be held to account for Sellal, last week for “dissi- long-promised “Deal of the corruption. pation of public funds and Century” peace plan has hit a The army, which now holds awarding illegal privileges” political nerve in Jordan, where sway, has promised to act. in a separate corruption case. millions of citizens of Palestin- Tens of thousands were Mourad Eulmi, head of ian refugee origin live alongside protesting in Algiers again family-owned firm SO- native Jordanians. yesterday, demanding the de- VAC, partner of Germany’s While details of the secret parture of interim President Volkswagen AG at a car as- peace plan are still sketchy, Abdelkader Bensalah and sembly plant in western Al- Trump’s approach has stirred Prime Minister Noureddine geria, was detained earlier old fears of any attempt to settle Bedoui, who they see as part of this week over corruption al- the confl ict in a way that would the old guard that has run the legations.In yesterday’s pro- suit Israel but forgo Palestinian North African country since tests, demonstrators held up rights at Jordan’s expense. Jordanian protesters chant slogans during a protest against US President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century”, after the Friday prayer in independence from France in banners directed ruling elite, The protesters chanted slo- Amman, yesterday. 1962. saying: “Thieves, you have gans against Amman’s par- The court of first instance destroyed the country.” ticipation in the US sponsored chants and anti-Western rheto- nomic parts of Trump’s plan, who participate,” said Murad al- nians resent Israel and identify in Algiers ordered Larbaoui Others read: “Algeria is a workshop in Bahrain next Tues- ric. Some demonstrators car- it will deliver a message there Adaylah, the head of the Islamic with the Palestinian aspirations to be detained, along with free and democratic coun- day which Washington has billed ried placards saying “Down with that no cash off ers can replace a Action Front,(IAF) the political for statehood. the head of state bank Banque try”. as an economic overture to its Bahrain workshop” as hundreds political solution to end Israel’s arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, Some businessmen and of- Nationale d’Algerie (BNA) Authorities have post- long delayed peace initiative. of police stood by and cordoned occupation of the West Bank, the country’s largest opposition fi cials however privately say and two industry ministry poned a presidential election “No to normalisation with Is- off a main street in the heart of offi cials say. “We have come group. economically challenged Jordan officials, state radio reported. previously planned for July rael...down, down with the Bah- the capital’s downtown area. to say in one voice that as Jor- While the kingdom has a peace could profi t from any Middle East Larbaoui’s legal represent- 4 because of a lack of candi- rain conference,” shouted angry Although Jordan will join the danians we reject the Bahrain deal with Israel and maintains peace plan that promises billions ative was not immediately dates, with no new date set protesters who mixed religious conference to roll out the eco- workshop. It is shame on those strong security ties, many Jorda- in aid and project fi nance. available for comment. The for the vote. Sixteen of 75 migrants Troop fi ring injures Trump calls off stuck off Tunisia strikes on Iran fl own home: UN 13 Palestinians From Page 1 “maximum pressure” — in- cluding abandonment of an Oil prices edged down slight- international deal to regulate AFP Zarzis as Tunisian authorities QNA ly yesterday following the pre- Iran’s nuclear activities, eco- Tunis refused to allow it to dock de- Gaza vious day’s surge of more than nomic sanctions and deploy- spite an appeal from the boat’s 6%, while the price of gold ment of extra troops to the captain. The migrants fi nally — seen as a safe haven asset — region — make war ever more ixteen of 75 migrants saved disembarked in Tunisia on Tues- t least 13 Palestinians struck near six-year highs. likely. in Mediterranean waters day, after authorities agreed to were injured by live bul- On the streets of Tehran, US House Speaker Nancy Sin late May but stranded let them onshore on condition Alets or rubber-coated anxiety over a potential war was Pelosi warned yesterday of “an off Tunisia’s coast for over two that they be returned to their rounds yesterday when Israeli added to residents’ concerns extremely dangerous and sen- weeks have returned home, the country of origin. occupation forces attacked over crippling US sanctions. sitive situation,” but said she UN migration agency said yes- Once ashore, the migrants met hundreds of protesters taking Iran said yesterday it had was “absolutely” pleased with terday. IOM representatives tasked with part in the Great March of Re- presented the Swiss ambassa- Trump’s decision not to carry The group fl ew to Bangladesh helping them repatriate volun- turn at Gaza-Israel border, ac- dor, whose country represents out the strike. on Thursday, the International tarily, including through fi nan- cording to medical sources. US interests in Iran, with “in- Candidates for the Demo- Organisation for Migration said, cial support. The forces fi red live bullets disputable” evidence the drone cratic presidential nomination while the return of others is ex- But not all the migrants are and rubber-coated steel rounds violated Iranian airspace. also expressed concerns, with pected to be organised in the willing to return home, accord- at the protesters who gathered The Pentagon says the Global Senator Bernie Sanders warn- coming days. Sixty-four Bangla- ing to the United Nations agen- at many encampments along Hawk drone — one of the most ing war with Iran would “lead to deshis, nine Egyptians, a Moroc- cy, with discussions over their the border, injuring 13 protest- expensive pieces of equipment endless confl ict in the region,” can and a Sudanese citizen set fate ongoing. Some “in the end ers. Some of the wounded were in the US arsenal, costing over and Senator Elizabeth Warren out in late May from Libya in a refused to return, (and some) moved to hospital and others $120mn apiece — was 34km urging Washington “to step bid to reach Italy, but their vessel minors want to request asylum”, were treated in the fi eld hospi- from Iran when destroyed by back from the brink of war.” sank and they were rescued by an said Lorena Lando, the IOM’s tals. a surface-to-air missile in an Meanwhile, European lead- Egyptian tugboat. head in Tunisia. Over 300 Palestinians have “unprovoked attack.” ers expressed deep concern The Maridive 601, which At least 32 children were been killed and about 17,000 It published a map of the over the recent developments services oil platforms, then set among the 75 rescued by the others injured by Israeli forces drone’s fl ight path indicating between the United States and anchor off the southern port of Egyptian tugboat. since the outbreak of the Great it avoided Iranian waters, but Iran, but stressed that they did March of Return protests at Tehran provided its own map not see this as a strong reason Gaza border on March 30, 2018. showing the aircraft inside its for Washington to intervene The weekly protests call for territory when it was downed by militarily in the Strait of Hor- Two children die in building collapse in Tripoli lifting the Israeli blockade of a domestically-manufactured muz. the Gaza Strip and for return . Khordad 3 air defence battery. The leaders of the bloc are Two children died yesterday ment came detached from of the Palestinian refugees to Medics evacuate a Palestinian woman who inhaled teargas Trump has repeatedly said he deeply concerned about ten- when an old building partially the building, the authority their ancestral homes of pre- fired by Israeli forces during a protest at the border fence, in the does not favour war with Iran sions between Iran and the collapsed in the centre of Tripoli, wrote on Facebook. Images 1948 Palestine. southern Gaza Strip. unless it is to stop the country US, but do not see the need Libyan authorities said. broadcast on Libyan television PRAYERS PERFORMED getting a nuclear weapon — for military intervention in the “The bodies of two children showed dozens of residents Meanwhile, hundreds of imity to the segregation barrier, day, Israeli occupation author- something Iranian leaders in- Strait of Hormuz, President of aged 10 and 15 were pulled helping firefighters recover the Palestinians performed prayer Palestinian WAFA news agency ities gave Palestinian residents sist they are not pursuing. the European Council Donald from the rubble of the building children’s bodies. The health outdoors yesterday in Abu al- reported. in Wadi al-Hums until July 18 to But critics say his policy of Tusk said yesterday. which collapsed on Chaouqi ministry said a man and a Hummus area, in the occupied Sheik Ekrema Sabri, the implement an Israeli Supreme Street in the centre of Tripoli,” boy were injured and taken to East Jerusalem neighbourhood former Grand Mufti of Je- Courts order of demolishing the civil protection authority Tripoli’s central hospital, with- of Sur Baher, in protest over rusalem and Palestine, led 100 residential apartments, or said. out detailing whether anyone Israel’s decision to demolish the prayer and sermon, dur- face the large demolition costs Two rooms from an apart- was missing in the incident. dozens of homes in the area ing which he condemned the and fi nes charged by the occu- under the pretext of their prox- planned Israeli move. Yester- pation’s municipality. Airlines halt Hormuz fl ights

From Page 1 change a number of the fl ight paths” operating over the Gulf. But European, Asian and KLM said: “The incident Gulf operators were taking no with the drone is reason not to WFP hopeful Houthis will allow food aid suspension to end chances. fl y over the Strait of Hormuz “Our safety and security for the time being. team are constantly liaising This is a precautionary Reuters aligned Houthis on controls to Houthi leaders such as Abdul this worked out, and we don’t see “At this stage, you can clearly with authorities — including measure.” London prevent food being diverted away Malik al-Houthi and his brother any reason why it shouldn’t, we’ll say the humanitarian system is the likes of the FAA — around Responding to the latest from vulnerable people. who had been doing their best to be back on streets within hours,” funding military and political the world as part of their com- tensions over Iran, Malay- The decision aff ects about fi nd a solution.“There are hard- Beasley said. operations.We are independ- prehensive risk assessment sia Airlines said it “is closely nited Nations food chief 850,000 people living in the liners inside the Ansar Allah A Saudi-led coalition inter- ent, neutral, impartial and if into every route we operate,” a monitoring the situation and is David Beasley said yes- Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa movement that don’t care about vened in Yemen in 2015 to try to we can can’t guarantee that, we BA spokeswoman said. guided by various assessments Uterday he was hopeful out of the more than 10mn peo- people, they don’t care about restore the internationally rec- shouldn’t be there,” Beasley said. Germany’s Lufthansa and including security reports and that “good Houthis” would pre- ple in the country who rely on anything other than profi teering ognised government that was “The entire humanitarian sys- Dutch airline KLM followed NOTAMs by respective air- vail to allow the agency to lift its food provided by the WFP. and destabilisation.” ousted from power in Sanaa the tem is at stake here.” suit in bypassing the Hormuz space control authorities”. partial suspension of aid in Yem- “We’re hopeful that the au- Beasley said the WFP estimated year before by the Houthis, who The suspension follows a dis- area, although Air France said Australia’s fl ag carrier Qan- en and prevent the collapse of thorities in Sanaa will come to that at least 10% of the $175mn of say their revolution is against pute over the control of biometric it was already fl ying farther tas said it was avoiding the the entire humanitarian system. their senses and do what’s right food aid per month they provided corruption. Both parties in the data that the WFP use to ensure south. Strait of Hormuz and Gulf The World Food Programme for the people,” Beasley, the was being diverted in Houthi areas four-year confl ict, widely seen the food was not being diverted Dubai-based Emirates said of Oman “until further no- (WFP) said on Thursday it had agency’s executive director, told to help fund the confl ict. “We’re in the region as a proxy war be- from its intended recipients. it had rerouted fl ights to avoid tice”, while Singapore Airlines started a partial suspension of aid Reuters in an interview. hopeful that the ‘good Houthis’ tween Saudi Arabia and Iran, The Houthis have said the “areas of possible confl ict” warned passengers that its in Yemen, citing failure to reach He said he and his teams had will prevail and we can put our have used access to aid and food WFP’s insistence on controlling while Abu Dhabi’s Etihad an- fl ight times to Europe would an agreement with the Iran- been talking to and meeting with system back in place. If we can get as a political tool. the data breached Yemeni law. nounced it had “agreed to likely take longer now. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, June 22, 2019 AFRICA Blogger’s Selfie moment detention in Mauritania defended

AFP “Millions of Mauritanians took to the streets to Nouakchott demand his execution. His release would mean that chaos would be allowed to take root in the country,” he added. Mkheitir’s lawyer, Fatimata Mbaye, said auritanian President Mohamed Ould Ab- her client was being held in “arbitrary detention. del Aziz has defended the continued de- This young man is not being held in a place known Mtention of a blogger who has served jail to the judicial system.” time for an alleged controversial insult. Abdel Aziz is scheduled to step down after Cheikh Ould Mohamed Ould Mkheitir came to presidential elections, whose fi rst round is tak- world prominence when he was sentenced to death ing place today. He came to power after a military in December 2014 for blasphemy. coup, was elected in 2009 and again 2014, and He then repented, and an appeal court on No- cannot serve beyond a two-term limit. In an open Tourists take a selfie from an observation point on the top of the Kenyatta International Convention Center in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday. vember 2017 downgraded the sentence to a two- letter published yesterday, a group of 10 rights year jail term. His lawyers say he should have been groups, including the media watchdog Reporters released immediately, having spent four years be- Sans Frontieres (Reporters without Borders, RSF), hind bars, but is still in custody. Speaking at a press called on Abdel Aziz to use his fi nal weeks in offi ce conference late Thursday ahead of presidential to end the “illegal detention.” Failing to resolve elections, Abdel Aziz defended Mkheitir’s contin- this problem would greatly overshadow his legacy, ued detention, saying it was justifi ed by “his per- they said. Central Africa ‘is worst for food insecurity’ sonal security as well as the country’s.” “We know In April, Justice Minister Dia Moctar Malal told that from the point of the view of the law, he should the National Assembly that Mkheitir was in “tem- be freed, but for security reasons, we cannot place porary detention” and that “only the Supreme AFP by a rebel alliance. Since then, adding that overall security armed groups were commit- the life of more than four mn Mauritanians at risk,” Court can rule on his fate.” Bangui much of the country has been remained “precarious.” ting daily violations in the he said. at the mercy of armed groups The worst affected region country. that seek to control gold, dia- was the east, home to the larg- Some “2.9mn people, half bout 40% of the popu- mond and oil deposits, posing est number of displaced peo- of whom are children, need lation of the perennially a formidable obstacle to peace ple. humanitarian assistance and Cleaners fi nd abandoned foetus blockingplane’s toilet in South Africa Aunstable Central African and national reconciliation. The lawlessness was adding protection, while 2.1mn peo- Republic faces acute food in- “More than 1.8mn people in to the WFP’s woes, spokesman ple are facing food insecurity,” Cleaners found an abandoned foetus blocking for an early morning flight from the coastal city of security, the World Food Pro- the Central African Republic Herve Verhoosel said because the envoy said. the toilet of a plane in South Africa yesterday, the Durban to Johannesburg. gramme said yesterday. find themselves in a situation it made “access to food diffi- About 622,000 people are domestic FlySafair airline said, prompting the of- “Upon final preparations of the waste management One of the world’s poorest of acute food insecurity,” the cult” for people who needed it registered as internally dis- floading of passengers and a police investigation. system for the departure of flight, our technical and most unstable countries, report said. most. placed and 590,000 refugees The foetus was discovered by cleaning staff as the crew discovered what appeared to be an aban- CAR spiralled into bloodshed It said the Central Afri- On Thursday, United Na- from the country are regis- plane was being prepared and passengers boarded doned foetus,” the airline said in a statement. after longtime leader Francois can Republic was the country tions envoy Mankeur Ndiaye tered in neighbouring states, Bozize was overthrown in 2013 worst hit by food shortages, told the Security Council that according to the UN. Planned coal plant blackens the mood in Kenya’s idyllic Lamu

AFP Lamu

n the Lamu archipelago, fi sher- men ply the channels between lush Imangrove forests while life in an ancient Swahili town idles at the pace of the donkeys and boats which are the main means of transport. Life has changed little over the cen- turies in this part of Kenya’s north coast, however residents fear their pristine environment will soon be blighted by a coal-fi red power station spewing noxious gases. “I think it is going to be terrible, it is ONE SMOKER. going to destroy a lot of the environ- ment here,” says Thabit Omar Mo- hamed, 29, as he unwinds his fi shing line from a block of wood, skewers a piece of shrimp on the hook, and tosses TWO PATIENTS. it into the water. “We believe so many people are go- People hanging around the getty at the island resort town of Lamu where life has ing to have problems with their health changed little over the centuries in this part of Kenya’s north coast. like cancer, disease,” he said. Kenya’s government is planning cheaper renewable energies. is well underway, with one of the fi rst to build a 981 megawatt coal plant in Especially as Kenya already leads berths of the port nearly completed. Kwasasi, about 20 kilometres from in this regard, with most of its energy The project has already had a severe Lamu town, a Unesco world heritage currently coming from hydropower, impact on the environment, say Sultan site that is the oldest Swahili settle- geothermal and wind sources. and Mohamed, with dredging covering ment in Africa. The country also committed to re- a key coral reef with silt and devastat- However construction has been duce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% ing a popular fi shing spot. stalled for years due to resistance from under the Paris Agreement. In 2018 a court ordered the govern- TOBACCO KILLS locals, and the National Environmen- “We want development in Lamu ment to pay more than 4,500 fi sher- tal Tribunal will on Monday rule on the but a coal power plant is not what we men compensation of $18mn, a deci- fate of the project, with activists con- are asking for,” said Khadija Shekuwe sion now under appeal. testing the conduct of an environmen- Famau of Save Lamu, a community Last week, a report by the US- tal impact assessment. group contesting the plant’s construc- based Institute for Energy Econom- The natural beauty of the archi- tion. ics and Financial Analysis warned pelago includes wide, endless beaches Research by Greenpeace has shown that electricity from the plant may and waters rich in coral and marine life the plant will increase air pollution and cost consumers 10 times more than including fi ve species of threatened lead to acid rain, while a cooling system projected. turtles. which pumps warmed water back into The report said the plant would be Tourism and fi shing are the main the ocean could kill off marine life and a “costly error” for the country, with sources of income, and the former is coral reefs. the 25-year contract requiring a ca- only now recovering eight years after Unesco last week called for a halt to pacity payment of $360mn annually a British couple was kidnapped on an the plant’s development ahead of its even if no power is generated at the island north of Lamu. meeting in Azerbaijan in July, raising plant. If the coal plant is built, tourists the possibility of the site being added It says that Kenya’s energy demand “won’t come to Lamu. It will be like a to the list of World Heritage in Danger growth has been much lower than es- few years back,” bemoans Mohamed’s in 2020. timated, due to lower than expected uncle Ali Sultan, who is out fi shing The bulk of the $2bn project is being economic growth. with him. fi nanced by China and it will be devel- The government’s own 2017-2037 When not fi shing, Sultan is a tour oped by Amu Power, a joint venture power development plan warns that guide, and the small boat they are on, between a Kenyan fi rm and Oman’s if moderate growth continues as it named “Lamu Uber”, is also used to Gulf Energy. has, the plant will be “grossly un- ferry tourists up and down the island. Construction will be carried out by derutilised”. However Amu Power’s The Kenyan government argues that China Power Global. chief operating officer Cyrus Kirima the power plant is essential to drive The coal plant is part of a mega- denies these concerns, insisting the economic growth, pointing to the use project which includes the construc- electricity generated will be a fixed of coal by “highly developed” coun- tion of a port in Lamu, as well as 7.8 US cents per kilowatt. tries. highways and oil pipelines linked to He added that the coal plant would However critics are baffl ed by a de- landlocked South Sudan and Ethiopia. use the latest technology, which re- cision to turn to coal at a time when The ambitious project is called Lamu duces emissions, and will also desal- Issued in Public Interest by much of the world is doing the op- Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport inate water for consumption on the GULF TIMES posite and investing in increasingly Corridor (LAPSSET), and construction water-scarce islands. Gulf Times Saturday, June 22, 2019 5 AMERICAS

US House committee subpoenas Huge fi re at Trump associate Philadelphia over no-show

Reuters oil refi nery Washington Reuters the fl ammable gases burn under has enough money to rebuild. Philadelphia control. Yesterday’s incident comes US House panel issued The PES said in a statement just after a June 10 fi re at the This file picture shows the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery at sunset in front of the a subpoena yesterday to it believed the product that was same refi nery, which according Philadelphia skyline. ARussian-born real es- massive fi re at Philadel- burning was “mostly propane”. to a source familiar with opera- tate developer Felix Sater after phia Energy Solutions Four workers were injured, tions, aff ected a 50,000 bpd cat- monoxide, hydrocarbons (com- les-area refi nery in 2015 kept years of fi nancial struggles for he failed to appear for a closed- AIncorporated (PES)’s oil according to a company state- alytic cracking unit.. bustibles), or hydrogen sulphide, that plant mostly shut for sev- the refi nery, which has slashed door interview with the com- refi nery yesterday damaged the ment, and treated on-site, while The PES said in its statement said Philadelphia Department of eral years. worker benefi ts and scaled back mittee, which is interested in largest US East Coast plant to city emergency workers treated that there were three explosions Public Health spokesman James In April 2018, a refi nery fi re capital projects to save cash. his work on a proposed Trump the point that it could remain one person, who did not need to at the refi nery, which aff ected an Garrow in a statement. and subsequent explosions in It went through a bankruptcy Tower project in Moscow. shut for an extended period, ac- go to the hospital. alkylation unit. In the past, refi nery workers Superior, Wisconsin, threatened process last year to reduce its Sater did not show up for cording to Philadelphia city offi - The extent of the damage was A source familiar with plant have called for refi neries to stop the release of hydrofl uoric acid. debt. a scheduled session with the cials and company sources. unknown, but similar fi res have operations said one explosion using hydrofl uoric acid because That refi nery is still shut and The company emerged from House of Representatives Intel- Philadelphia fi re offi cials said shut refi neries for months or occurred at a 30,000 bpd alkyla- of the harm it can do to the eyes, not expected to resume normal bankruptcy in 2018 with $148mn ligence Committee. several explosions sent a huge years. tion unit that uses hydrofl uoric skin and lungs when released operations until 2021. in cash, only to see that fall to Numerous current and former fi reball into the sky, engulfi ng “It was the worst I’ve ever acid, one of the deadliest chemi- into the atmosphere following About 300,000 people live $87.7mn just three months later. Trump associates have refused the surrounding areas in smoke experienced,” said a veteran re- cals in the refi ning business and explosions. within three miles (5km) of the Analysts said gasoline supply to co-operate with congression- after 4am EDT (0800 GMT), fi nery worker who was at the a source of controversy for its The US Chemical Safety Philadelphia refi nery, according in the Northeast could be af- al probes of Trump and his busi- following the ignition of a fi re plant when the fi re broke out. “It use to make high-octane gaso- Board, a non-regulatory federal to a 2018 study by California’s fected by the outage. ness interests. that started in a butane vat at the looked like a nuclear bomb went line at plants in densely popu- agency that investigates such South Coast Air Quality Man- Gasoline futures rose 4% yes- Unexpected health issues pre- 335,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) off . I thought we were all going lated areas. incidents, is sending a four-per- agement District, an air qual- terday on the news. vented Sater from appearing, his refi ning complex, also the oldest to die.” City health offi cials said there son team to look into the explo- ity agency that oversees the Los The region is likely to boost lawyer Robert Wolf said. in the Northeast. The complex was still running is no immediate danger to the sion. Angeles area. fuel imports from Europe that “Due to health reasons Mr By mid-afternoon, the city’s at a reduced rate, the PES said, surrounding community. It has in the past advocated That makes it the most dense- are “likely to result in a short- Sater was unable to appear to- fi re department was working but depending on the extent of Preliminary testing at the re- refi neries stop using hydrofl uo- ly populated area near a refi nery term spike” in already-high day. He looks forward to vol- with the PES in its response to the damage, there will be ques- fi nery and the adjacent commu- ric acid in refi ning processes. that uses HF alkylation. gasoline prices, analysts at FGE untarily appearing at the next the fi re, though it was letting tions as to whether the company nity showed no ambient carbon An explosion at a Los Ange- The incident comes after Energy said in a note. rescheduled date,” Wolf said in a statement. Sater has voluntarily testifi ed previously to the panel, as well as two Senate committees and US Special Counsel Robert Mu- Pence puts off China speech sequel eller’s staff , according to Wolf. “Today’s issuance of a sub- poena by the committee was en- tirely unnecessary,” Wolf said. ahead of Trump-Xi talks in Osaka However, House Intelligence chairman Adam Schiff appeared unmoved by Sater’s health claim. Reuters tariff s on hundreds of billions after the G20,” the offi cial said. adviser to vice-president Joe “All I can tell you is that he Washington of dollars’ worth of each other’s The cancellation was fi rst re- Biden. agreed to appear this morning. goods and the meeting is aimed ported by the Wall Street Jour- “It sends a terrible message to He did not show up,” he told re- at discussing whether further nal. China that America won’t stand porters. S Vice-President Mike escalation can be avoided. The decision did not come as a fi rm, that everything is negoti- Representative Devin Nunes, Pence has called off a “There is room for progress, complete surprise. able with President Trump, even There were rumours in Washington for weeks that Pence would the panel’s top Republican, did Uplanned China speech and even if incremental, we There were rumours in Wash- core US values and interests,” soften the tone of his follow-up speech, or cancel it altogether. not respond to questions from that had been initially cast as a didn’t want to step on that po- ington for weeks that Pence said Ratner, now at the Centre the press. sequel to a blistering broadside tential,” a White House offi cial would soften the tone of his for a New American Security. the June 4 anniversary of the advocacy of religious liberty Committee spokesman he delivered in October, a move said, speaking on condition follow-up speech, or cancel it Pence’s aides fi rst announced Tiananmen Square massacre. and democratic principles – had Patrick Boland said in a state- aimed to averting increasing of anonymity about why the altogether. that he would give another Pence had shocked China- slammed China for meddling in ment: “The committee had tensions with Beijing, a White speech was called off . White House offi cials had speech on China on May 29, watchers with a speech in Oc- US politics and accused Beijing scheduled a voluntary staff -level House offi cial said. Trump and Xi spoke by phone repeatedly said plans had not raising concerns in China and tober in which he laid out a of economic and military ag- interview with Mr Sater, but he The decision came a week on Tuesday about the summit changed, though they were the US business community litany of complaints, chastising gression around the globe. did not show up this morning as ahead of what could be pivotal and formally agreed to meet to tight-lipped about the details. that tough rhetoric on human China for building “an unparal- While the speech was upset- agreed. As a result, the commit- talks on the US-China trade war talk about the trade war. While talking about sensitive rights and other issues could roil leled surveillance state” and for ting to China, it had no discern- tee is issuing a subpoena to com- between US President Donald “Following the positive con- issues may have risked casting chances for a detente in the trade government-run camps in the able impact on the last round of pel his testimony.” Trump and Chinese President Xi versation with President Xi, the a chill over Trump’s meeting war. Xinjiang region where Muslim Trump-Xi trade talks at the end New York-based Sater, whose Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 president and the (vice-presi- with Xi, cancelling the speech The timing was also sensitive Uighurs “endure around-the- of November, when the leaders links to President Donald Trump summit in Osaka, Japan. dent) thought it would be more emboldens Beijing, said Ely Rat- because of recent mass dem- clock brainwashing”. agreed to a ceasefi re in the trade were examined in Mueller’s in- The two nations have slapped appropriate to give the speech ner, a former national security onstrations in Hong Kong and Pence – who is known for his war that held until May. depth report on Russian med- dling in the 2016 US election, worked with Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen on a plan to build a Trump-branded sky- scraper in Moscow while Trump Citing racial bias, US Supreme Court tosses murder conviction was a presidential candidate. The House Intelligence Com- mittee wants to talk to Sater Reuters In his dissenting opinion, cluded from a jury because of Evans could not immediately could challenge his conviction about his work on the project, Washington Thomas described the ruling as their race, based on the right to be reached for comment. based on a juror’s racist com- which came under scrutiny af- “manifestly incorrect”. a fair trial under the Constitu- Flowers’ lawyer, Sheri Lynn ments and that a black Texas ter Cohen pleaded guilty in Thomas noted the court’s ma- tion’s Sixth Amendment and Johnson, expressed hope Flow- death row inmate could seek to November to lying to Congress he US Supreme Court, jority “does not dispute that the the 14th Amendment promise of ers would not face another trial. avoid execution due to testi- about when negotiations on the confronting racial bias in evidence was suffi cient to con- equal protection under the law. “A seventh trial would be mony from an expert witness at deal ended in order to minimise Tthe American criminal vict Flowers or that he was tried Yesterday’s ruling applied unprecedented, and com- trial who said the man was more Trump’s links to Russia. justice system, threw out a black by an impartial jury”. that precedent and, Kavanaugh pletely unwarranted given both likely to commit future crimes In late summer 2015, accord- Mississippi death row inmate’s Thomas, the only black Su- wrote, “we break no new legal the fl imsiness of the evidence because of his race. ing to the Mueller report, Sater conviction in his sixth trial for a preme Court justice and one of ground”. against him and the long trail of Flowers was found guilty in contacted Cohen, who was then 1996 quadruple murder convic- its most conservative members, Flowers was appealing his misconduct that has kept him his fi rst three trials – the fi rst a senior executive in the Trump tion, fi nding that a prosecutor asked his fi rst questions during 2010 conviction, in his sixth wrongfully incarcerated all these one with an all-white jury and Organisation, about the project. unlawfully blocked black poten- an oral argument in three years trial, on charges of murdering years,” Johnson said. the next two with just one black Sater had previously worked tial jurors. when the case was argued in four people at the Tardy Furni- Kristen Clarke, president of juror – but those convictions with Trump’s company on other The court, in a 7-2 ruling Kavanaugh: wrote that the March. ture store where he previously the Lawyers’ Committee for were thrown out by Mississippi’s matters and had “served as an written by conservative Justice prosecutors sought to strike His questions centred on worked in the small central Mis- Civil Rights Under Law civil top court. informal agent of the Trump Or- Brett Kavanaugh, found that the black jurors through all six trials. whether defence lawyers for sissippi city of Winona. rights group, said the ruling Several black jurors partici- ganisation in Moscow”, said the prosecutor’s actions violated the Flowers during his trials had ex- There were 11 white jurors and should “sound an alarm” for pated in the fourth and fi fth tri- report, released in redacted form right of Curtis Flowers, 49, un- The prosecution’s decision cluded white potential jurors. one black juror. prosecutors who engage in ra- als, which ended without a ver- in mid-April after an almost der the US Constitution to re- in the most recent trial to strike In US trials, prosecutors and His lawyers accused long- cial discrimination during jury dict because the jury both times two-year probe. ceive a fair trial. one black juror in particular defence lawyers can dismiss – serving Montgomery County selection. failed to produce a unanimous Trump’s children Ivanka The ruling does not preclude “was motivated in substantial or “strike” – a certain number District Attorney Doug Evans, “Racial bias continues to in- decision. Trump and Donald Trump Jr Mississippi from putting Flow- part by discriminatory intent”, of prospective jurors during the who is white, of engaging in a fect virtually every stage of our Prosecutors have said Flowers were accompanied by Sater ers on trial for a seventh time. Kavanaugh wrote. jury selection process without pattern of removing black jurors criminal justice system, includ- was upset with the store owner when they visited Moscow in the Kavanaugh, appointed by The decision was the latest of stating a reason. that indicated an unlawful dis- ing the jury selection process,” for fi ring him and withholding mid-2000s. President Donald Trump last several in recent years in which Some prosecutors, including criminatory motive. Clarke added. his pay cheque to cover the cost In November 2015, Sater e- year, wrote that the prosecu- the Supreme Court has ruled in in Southern states like Missis- Evans has given non-racial In 2016, the Supreme Court of batteries he had damaged. mailed Cohen suggesting that tors sought to strike black jurors favour of individual criminal de- sippi, have been accused over reasons for striking black poten- ruled in favour of a black Geor- Flowers was convicted of kill- the Moscow project could be through all six trials. fendants on race-related issues. the decades of trying to ensure tial jurors. gia death row inmate who also ing store owner Bertha Tardy, 59; used to increase Trump’s chanc- Prosecutors “engaged in dra- Justice Neil Gorsuch, ap- predominately white juries for Mississippi Attorney-General said black potential jurors were bookkeeper Carmen Rigby, 45; es of getting elected, according matically disparate questioning pointed by Trump in 2017, and trials of black defendants to help Jim Hood, a Democrat, said it excluded by the prosecution in delivery worker Robert Golden, to the Mueller report. of black and white prospective fellow conservative Justice win convictions. is now up to Evans to decide his case. 42; and part-time employee “Buddy our boy can become jurors” at his sixth trial, Ka- Clarence Thomas dissented in The Supreme Court ruled in whether Flowers will face an- In 2017, the court ruled in sep- Derrick Stewart, 16. President of the USA and we can vanaugh added. the case. 1986 that people cannot be ex- other trial. arate cases that a Hispanic man All except Golden were white. engineer it. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this, I will manage this process,” said the e- mail quoted in the report. Mueller’s 448-page report found insuffi cient evidence to Canada’s House of Commons adjourns for summer ahead of election establish that the Trump cam- paign engaged in a criminal con- spiracy with Moscow, despite Reuters for grabs at the October national Lawmakers will now be free der pressure to ratify the United step with that of the United was in Washington on Thursday numerous contacts between the Ottawa election. to spend time in their electoral States-Canada-Mexico Trade States, where top level Demo- where he met with US President campaign and Russia. The election is expected to be districts until the election is for- Agreement (USMCA) before Ca- crats have raised concerns about Donald Trump and US House of It also described numerous called before the House of Com- mally called, but one issue that nadians head to the polls. the trilateral trade pact and are Representatives Speaker Nancy subsequent attempts by Trump he Canadian House of mons is set to return on Septem- could see Canadian politicians After the election is formally pushing for changes. Pelosi and lobbied for a rapid to impede Mueller’s investiga- Commons has adjourned ber 16. return to Ottawa earlier than called, the House of Commons Mexico became the fi rst USMCA ratifi cation. tion, but stopped short of de- Tfor its summer recess, The Canadian Senate, an un- planned is trade. cannot be reconvened. country to ratify the USMCA on The US is Canada’s top trading claring that he committed a kicking off a pre-election cam- elected body, is set to adjourn as Prime Minister Justin Tru- Trudeau has said Canada’s Wednesday. partner, taking in three-quarters crime. paign period for the 338 seats up early as next week. deau’s government has been un- ratifi cation process will be in The Canadian prime minister of all its exported goods. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, June 22, 2019 ASIA

Elephant gores Thai SE Asian govts accused farmer to death

AFP of trading exiled activists Bangkok Reuters unholy alliance to shore up each rights groups’ complaints. Malaysian leader Mahathir UN envoys in letters to Viet- etnamese authorities while Bangkok other’s regime,” said Nicholas “We don’t have informa- Mohamed defended the extra- nam and Thailand dated April in transit and handed over to wild elephant gored a Bequelin, Amnesty Interna- tion on any of these cases,” dition, saying his country was 18 were blunt about their sus- Thailand, according to US- young farmer to death in a tional’s director for East and said a Thai foreign ministry “a good neighbour”. picions, saying they believed based Thai Alliance for Human Anational park in Thailand, s leaders of the 10-mem- Southeast Asia. spokeswoman. Last year, Thai authorities Thai immigration and police of- Rights. police have said. ber Association of Authorities in Vietnam, Thailand was once consid- arrested two Cambodians and fi cials, a “representatives from a Neither Vietnamese nor Thai Three elephants foraging for ASoutheast Asian Na- Cambodia, Malaysia and Thai- ered a haven for activists fl eeing sent them home. Thai ministry” and Vietnamese authorities would comment on food came across the 26-year- tions (Asean) meet this week- land have all been accused of repression from authoritarian Sam Sokha, a labour activist, military intelligence offi cers the report, which Reuters could old man and his wife sleeping in end in Bangkok, human rights detaining and returning critics governments. had thrown a shoe at a poster from Hanoi were involved in not verify. a tent, said police captain Chalit campaigners decried what they of neighbouring governments, But since a military coup in depicting Cambodian Prime the suspected abduction of Vi- Still, the timing of the ac- Sudachan. called increased co-operation in some cases even when they 2014, Thailand has requested Minister Hun Sen. She is serv- etnamese refugee and activist tivists’ disappearances raised The woman hid under a nearby in the forced return of refugees had political refugee status with return of its own political op- ing a two-year prison sentence Nguyen Van Chung in January suspicion, Amnesty’s Bequelin truck, but the farmer was at- and asylum-seekers. the United Nations. ponents from neighbouring for “insulting a public offi cial”. from his Bangkok home. said. tacked as he tried to fl ee. Since last year, there have “The growing trend of South- countries - and has also obliged Another Cambodian, Rath Nhat, a writer and critic of “The chain of events in “He was stabbed once by been at least eight cases of east Asian governments return- similar requests from them, Rott Mony, was arrested in Vietnam’s communist govern- Nhat’s case suggests a possible the elephant’s tusk from the Southeast Asian governments ing dissidents to neighbouring critics say. Bangkok in December and sent ment had previously spent two quid pro quo exchange between front... the tusk pierced his being accused of either offi - states where they could be at Last month, Malaysia arrest- back. He faces three years in years in prison for “abusing Thailand and Vietnam,” he said. back killing him instantly,” cially arresting, or co-operat- risk is extremely worrying,” said ed and sent home a Thai anti- prison for “incitement to dis- democratic freedoms”. The bodies of two Thai activ- Chalit told AFP from northern ing in the abduction of, politi- Charles Santiago, a Malaysian monarchy campaigner after she criminate” for his role in a doc- In February, three exiled ists who fl ed to Laos were found Buriram province. cal refugees from fellow Asean lawmaker and chairman of the registered as an asylum-seeker umentary on child prostitution. Thai anti-junta activists who on the Thai side of the Mekong Elephants are Thailand’s na- countries. Asean Parliamentarians for Hu- with the UN refugee agency. The verdict is due on June 26. had been living in Laos - Siam River in January, cut open and tional animal and live in the “A number of countries in the man Rights. The woman, Praphan Pip- While some activists are ex- Theerawut, Chucheep Chiv- weighed down with chunks of wild in parts of the country, but region are trading off political Thailand, which is hosting ithnamporn, is awaiting trial tradited through legal channels, asut and Kritsana Thapthai - concrete. No one knows - or their numbers have dwindled to dissidents and individuals fl ee- this weekend’s Asean meet- on sedition and organised crime there have also been reports of disappeared. is saying - what happened to about 2,700 from a peak of over ing persecution as part of an ing, declined to comment on charges in Thailand. extrajudicial abductions. They were arrested by Vi- them. 100,000 in 1850. Lanka frames Police in dock for ‘lapses’ over Easter attacks

charges over 2012 AFP Colombo

prison massacre uthorities have ordered the fi rst criminal charges Aagainst security person- AFP tion any command responsibility nel for “lapses” before the East- Colombo for the deaths. er Sunday suicide bombings Media reports have said the that killed 258 people. killings were ordered by the then Nine police offi cers will ri Lanka’s chief prosecu- defence secretary Gotabhaya face “criminal investigations” tor yesterday announced Rajapakse, a younger brother for failing to act on warnings Scharges against a top pris- of former president Mahinda ahead of the April 21 bombings on offi cer and an elite commando Rajapakse who was defeated at on three churches and three for the killing of 27 inmates in a January 2015 elections. hotels carried out by Islamic notorious rights case. Rajapakse has denied involve- State-backed jihadists. Attorney-General Dappula de ment in the killings. However, a In a notice ordering the probe, Livera said he wanted a special court hearing was told yesterday Attorney-General Dappula de fast track trial for prisons com- that no investigation was car- Livera said an inquiry commis- missioner Emil Lamahewage and ried out when Rajapakse was in sion appointed by President police commando Moses Ranga- power. Maithripala Sirisena had found jeewa over the execution-style The killings escalated in- the offi cers liable for criminal killings in November 2012. ternational condemnation of negligence. A third suspect who was a Rajapakse, whose government All nine were senior offi cers in member of a prison intelligence faced sanctions for rights abuses the districts where the attacks unit was on the run, de Livera in the fi nal years of Sri Lanka’s were carried out. said. 37-year-long Tamil war that Authorities have admitted Commandos were used to put ended in 2009. that warnings sent by India of down a riot at the Welika jail in Some of the inmates killed an impending attack by a local Colombo and disarm inmates were being held over robberies at group, the National Thowheeth who had taken weapons from the Sri Lanka’s national museum and Jama’ath (NTJ) were ignored. armoury. a temple, crimes allegedly linked Forty-fi ve foreign nationals Sri Lankan Christians hold oil lamps as they take part in a remembrance ceremony in Colombo yesterday, two months after Easter Sunday According to de Livera’s ac- to senior members of Rajapakse’s were among the dead and 500 bombings targeting churches and luxury hotels that killed 258 people. count, eight prisoners were administration. people were injured in the at- called out by name and killed The 2012 massacre was the tacks. The tourist hotspot has minister and law and order min- ings have gone ahead and police had failed to hold regular secu- telligence warnings from India. execution-style. worst prison violence since 50 been under a state of emergency ister, has also faced allegations have testifi ed before legislators. rity meetings to assess security Fernando was forced to resign, Weapons were later intro- inmates were hacked to death in since. that he could have prevented the Earlier this month, Sirisena threats. while Jayasundara has been sus- duced to make it look like the a July 1983 riot. Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence attacks. sacked national intelligence chief Defence Secretary Hemasiri pended from duty. victims had tried to fi re at jail Rajapakse lost a 2015 elec- Service (SIS) has been criticised The president has objected to a Sisira Mendis after he testifi ed Fernando and police chief Pu- Indian intelligence shared guards, according to court docu- tion to Maithripala Sirise- for failing to act on the Indian parliamentary investigation into that the attacks could have been jith Jayasundara also suggested information about the targets - ments made available to AFP. na who promised to ensure warnings. the attacks and ordered police prevented. Sirisena did not follow proper gleaned from a jihadist in Indian The documents did not men- accountability for past abuses. Sirisena, who is also defence not to cooperate. But the hear- Mendis said the president protocol in dealing with the in- custody - as early as April 4. Urban poor take over Cambodian cemetery Cambodia anti-traffi cking eff orts fl oundering: US By Suy SE, AFP reburying them elsewhere. Phnom Penh “They say it’s messy because Thomson Reuters Foundation More than 260,000 of Cam- a lot of people live here,” said Phnom Penh bodia’s 16mn people are trapped Peanh Moeun seated on a wood- in modern slavery, according to raveyards may tradition- en bed by a gravestone while the Global Slavery Index by the ally be the eternal rest- children rooted around strewn ambodia is not doing Walk Free Foundation, often in Ging place for the dead, garbage scavenging for resellable enough to combat human farms, fi sheries and construc- but one cemetery in Phnom scrap metal. Ctraffi cking, the United tion, many of them children. Penh has become a place to stay When Peanh Moeun fi rst States has said, leaving the Asian Thousands more are thought to for the living, as communities moved in 19 years ago after hav- nation at risk of economic sanc- have been traffi cked internationally, destroyed by unstoppable de- ing to leave a relative’s house, tions unless it takes fi rmer action. including Cambodian women who velopment are forced to take there were more than 300 Corruption impedes law en- are forced to marry men in China. desperate measures. graves. Today, there are about forcement, prosecutions and Campaigners agreed that graft Ma Nith confessed she was 110 remaining, she said. provision of services to victims, and a lack of political will had “speechless” when she realised With 500 active residents, the infl uential Traffi cking In hampered eff orts to address hu- that Smor San cemetery in the there are more living than dead. Persons report said, downgrad- man traffi cking. capital was to be home after her Nearby, Am Sokha looked on ing Cambodia from Tier 2 to the “We question the capacity of arranged marriage. as a neighbour laid the founda- Tier 2 Watch List, one step above police,” said Meas Sa Im, deputy “It was beyond my belief tions for a new house next to the lowest rank of Tier 3. head of women’s and children’s that I could live here,” said the several graves. “Against a backdrop of insuffi - aff airs at ADHOC, a human 42-year-old mother of four, He admitted to sometimes cient government oversight... au- rights group that helps Cambo- fl ipping fi llets on the grill as her eating the food left as off erings thorities did not investigate cred- dian traffi cking victims. son clambered over a grave. to the dead. ible reports of offi cial complicity “They have no budget, no re- “But now, I’ve adapted to “We are chasing the ghosts with unscrupulous business own- sources,” she said, adding that it,” she said, revealing that she away,” said the 62-year-old, who ers who subjected thousands... to low-level police were often un- had lived in the graveyard for 16 used to be homeless but now human traffi cking,” it said. willing to investigate for fear of years. wishes to stay in Smor San Government spokesman Phay interfering with the business of Cambodia has witnessed “for life”. Siphan questioned the purpose “high-ranking people”. rapid economic progress since “Living here is safe, close to of the ranking system and re- Cambodia announced reforms it emerged from decades of civil A woman looking at her smartphone beside a grave inside her home in Phnom Penh. markets, and we have electricity ferred questions about corrup- to crack down on traffi cking after it war and the ultra-Maoist Khmer and water,” he said. tion to the Interior Ministry’s was placed on the Tier 2 Watch List Rouge regime, which abolished have become less picky about been a steady increase since then. living with names such as Elite But Am Sokha rubbished ru- counter-traffi cking agency. in 2015 - which gives countries three private property and killed a where they live. Some came from a community Town. mours of hauntings in the cem- “We are also suff ering in hear- years to demonstrate improvements quarter of the population from Ma Nith’s family is one whose riverside homes collapsed The cemetery’s long-term etery, which comes alive as night ing that corruption and brokers or be relegated to Tier 3, where puni- 1975–1979. of roughly 130 residing in into the Bassac river, while others occupants are mostly ethnic falls as villagers drink beer and have strong connection to destroy tive measures can be activated. The World Bank estimates make-shift stilt houses and were evicted from nearby land to Vietnamese. children tumble around the our eff orts,” said the agency’s vice Interior Minister Sar Kheng said growth last year reached a four- corrugated metal huts in be- make way for a new market. While the dead may not tombs. chairwoman Chou Bun Eng. in a speech in April that police had year high of 7.5%. But as gleam- tween the colourful tombs of They say the cemetery is the care, their relatives do; and the He added: “It’s just said to “However the eff orts to over- handled 134 traffi cking cases in 2018 ing condominiums crowd out Smor San. best option for them. Views growing community has even scare people, but being scared is come human traffi cking cannot and that the government was forging slums, the 14% of Cambodians Many residents erected their across the river on Diamond Is- prompted some to start un- nothing compared to having no be made by only one ministry or relationships with its neighbours to living below the poverty line homes in the 1990s but there has land show a vision of upmarket earthing their loved ones and place to live.” institution.” root out traffi cking networks. Gulf Times Saturday, June 22, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Children among 30 killed in Indonesia matchstick factory fi re

AFP Medan. “We don’t know what victims may have been unable turned here just to lose her life,” Jakarta caused the fi re but it has been to fl ee the scene, he added, while a sobbing Suryadi, who goes by extinguished,” the head of North local media said four women es- one name, told AFP. Sumatra’s disaster agency Riadil caped. “They were trapped in a Deadly fi res are not uncom- t least 30 people, includ- Lubis told AFP, adding that at room – there was no way out,” mon in Indonesia due to poor ing several children, were least three children were among Nuryanto told Tribun News, safety standards that are rou- Akilled when a fi re ripped the dead. referring to the dead. “We’re tinely fl outed, while illegal busi- through a private home that op- “We’ve sent teams there,” he still identifying the victims and nesses are also widespread. This erated as a matchstick factory in added. Resident Budi Zulkifl i scouring the scene.” year, dozens were believed to Indonesia yesterday, authorities was headed to the local mosque It was not clear why there have been killed when an un- said. in the Muslim-majority nation were children at the scene. But licensed gold mine collapsed Pictures from the scene when the fi re broke out. “I was one survivor, identifi ed only as while, in 2017, at least 46 people showed blackened corpses ly- about to go out to Friday prayers Pipit, said that they were visit- were killed and dozens more in- ing on top of each other in the when there was a loud explo- ing their parents who worked at jured in a blaze that tore through burnt-out house after the blaze, sion,” he told AFP. “But I don’t the site. a fi reworks factory outside Ja- which authorities said broke out know what blew up.” “The children went there at karta. early yesterday afternoon. Binjai police chief Nugroho lunchtime,” she told Tribun Seventeen people were killed TV footage showed plumes Tri Nuryanto said a gas canister News. Relatives of the workers when a fi re ripped through a ka- of black smoke billowing from explosion may have set off the have fl ocked to a local hospital raoke bar on Sulawesi island in the home in the town of Bin- blaze, but that the cause still in Medan to identify their loved 2015 and, in 2009, a fi re killed 20 Investigators work on the scene of a burnt-out house that doubled as a matchstick factory in Binjai jai in North Sumatra, about needed to be confi rmed. At least ones. “My sister went home for people at a karaoke bar in Medan, yesterday following a fire on the premises that killed at least 30. 70km west of provincial capital three people escaped but most a lunch break, but then she re- on Sumatra island. Thousands converge on Hong Kong N Korea lauds police HQ in anti-govt demonstration

AFP China ties as Xi Hong Kong housands of protesters blockaded Hong Kong’s Tpolice headquarters yes- terday evening, demanding the resignation of the city’s pro- Beijing leader and the release of wraps up trip demonstrators arrested during the territory’s worst political AFP crisis in decades. Pyongyang The latest protest comes af- ter the government refused to meet the demands of demon- orth Korea lauded its ties strators who have marched in with historic ally China their millions to oppose a bill Nyesterday as Xi Jinping that would allow extraditions to wrapped up a highly symbolic the Chinese mainland. two-day visit to his nuclear- Opposition groups, after armed neighbour, with both putting on the biggest political countries facing deadlock in rallies in Hong Kong’s history, their negotiations with US Presi- have called for the complete dent Donald Trump. withdrawal of the extradition Kim Jong-un told the Chinese legislation and for city lead- president that his visit was an op- er Carrie Lam to step down. portunity to demonstrate “the im- But the movement has also A protester shouts after throwing eggs at the police headquarters in Hong Kong. mutability and invincibility of the morphed into a wider expres- DPRK-China friendship before sion of public anger at Lam violence that breached inter- the world”, the KCNA news agency and party leaders in Beijing national laws while the Hong reported, using the abbreviation of after years of sliding political Kong Bar Association added its North Korea’s offi cial name. freedoms. voice to calls for an investiga- At a time when “serious and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands with Chinese Throughout yesterday the tion into police tactics. complicated changes are hap- President Xi Jinping upon his arrival at Pyongyang international predominantly young, leader- Crowds outside the police pening in international and re- airport in Pyongyang. less protesters used spontaneity station grew yesterday evening gional situations”, KCNA said, and movement to up pressure as workers joined the largely the two leaders agreed to “pro- Similarly, nuclear negotia- come Xi, with KCNA saying they on authorities. Peaceful civil student-led protest where mote close strategic communi- tions between the North and the expressed their “friendly aff ec- disobedience were used across demonstrators used metal bar- cation” and develop their “com- US are also deadlocked, after the tion” for Chinese citizens who key parts of the city’s commer- ricades to fortify their positions mon interests”. second summit between Kim have “shared joys and sorrows” cial district, with a main road- and used unfurled umbrellas Pyongyang pulled out all the and Trump broke up in Hanoi in with them in the pursuit of so- way seized and two government and masking tape to obscure stops to welcome Xi, the fi rst February with the two unable to cialism. offi ces briefl y blocked. CCTV cameras. Chinese president to visit in reach a deal on sanctions relief Kim and Xi rode together But the focus for the day and Police held back from any re- 14 years — a period in which and what the North might give through the streets of Pyongyang into the evening was the police sponse and with the exception Pyongyang has carried out fi ve up in return. in an open-topped limousine, headquarters where thousands of a few thrown eggs, the dem- nuclear tests and launched mis- But North Korean media did and on Thursday evening Xi gathered, many chanting “re- onstration remained peaceful. Police officers watch from the police headquarters as protesters siles capable of reaching the en- not carry comments by Kim re- and his entourage were treated lease the righteous” and “shame Earlier in the day smaller groups throw eggs at the building’s facade in Hong Kong. tire US mainland. ported by Chinese state broad- to a special performance of the on police thugs” — references to of protesters briefl y blocked en- China always prefers stabil- caster CCTV, which quoted him North’s Mass Games. those detained during violence trances to the city’s nearby im- cial media and messaging apps seen on the mainland but many ity in its neighbourhood and the as saying that he was “willing to It featured several scenes of last week between demonstra- migration and revenue depart- like Telegram. “Blossom every- residents have been alarmed in North’s nuclear provocations be patient” in the talks with the Chinese-Korean history, includ- tors and the police. ments. where,” read a statement circu- recent years by what they feel strained the relationship be- US, but wanted “the parties con- ing their soldiers fi ghting togeth- Anger towards the city’s po- “We need to fl ow like water”, lated in a Telegram chat group. is a tighter grip by Beijing. Op- tween the Cold War allies, with cerned” to meet him halfway. Xi er in the Korean War, while the lice has exploded since offi cers to be able to retreat and regroup Lam has so far defi ed calls to ponents of the extradition bill Beijing backing UN sanctions on told him that China “positively ever-changing backdrop – made on June 12 used rubber bullets and adapt, said protester Chris, step down, and while she has fear it will ensnare the people of Pyongyang and Kim not visiting evaluated” the North’s eff orts, up of thousands of children turn- and tear gas to clear crowds of referencing a famous quote apologised and suspended the Hong Kong in mainland China’s to pay his respects for more than CCTV said. ing the pages of coloured books – demonstrators from the streets. from martial arts superstar and bill indefi nitely, it has failed to opaque and politicised justice six years after inheriting power. Jeung Young-tae, director of displayed slogans of friendship Opposition groups have de- Hong Kong legend Bruce Lee. quell anger. Pro-democracy system, and also give Beijing a But as he embarked on a fl urry the Institute of North Korean and thanks, and portraits of both manded an investigation into Another protester likened the demonstrators have vowed to tool to target critics based in the of diplomacy last year, Kim en- Studies in Seoul, said the summit Xi and Kim. allegations of police brutal- crowds to artifi cial intelligence. hold another mass rally on 1 semi-autonomous territory. sured that Xi — whose country is amounted to China giving Kim Songs in the show included “I ity and the release of those de- “They learn from themselves, July. The Chinese government the North’s key diplomatic sup- strong backing in the process. love thee, China”, and the Rodong tained during the clashes, in nobody really teaches them, Although Hong Kong was had supported the extradition porter and main provider of trade “Xi is saying that he will help Sinmun newspaper, the mouth- addition to Lam’s ouster and a they just adapt to diff erent situ- returned from British to Chi- proposal, and accused protest and aid — was the fi rst head of Kim resist pressure from the US piece of the North’s ruling party, cancellation of the extradition ations,” said Bernard, 21. nese rule in 1997, it is still ad- organisers of colluding with state he met. and calling on Kim to stick to his carried front-page pictures of bill. The call for yesterday’s dem- ministered separately under an Western governments. But Bei- Kim travelled to China three demands,” he told AFP. Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju wel- Rights group Amnesty In- onstration was made by the arrangement known as “One jing said after the bill’s suspen- more times to meet Xi, and Pyongyang has repeatedly coming Xi. ternational said it had verifi ed city’s student unions, as well country, two systems”. sion that it respected and un- Pyongyang has been increasingly called for Washington to adopt Beijing sent millions of troops multiple instances of police as informal organisers over so- The city enjoys freedoms un- derstood the decision. keen for the Chinese president to “a new method of calculation” known as “Chinese People’s Vol- reciprocate. for the negotiations, and Hong unteers” to save the North from Analysts say Xi, who fl ew back Min, a senior researcher at the defeat during the Korean War, New Zealand to China yesterday, intended to South’s state-run Korea Institute and Mao Zedong described their use the trip as a way of signalling for National Unifi cation said Xi’s relations as “close as lips and Traditional icy dip PM Ardern’s to Trump his infl uence with Kim, support gave Kim a “political and teeth”. daughter a week before the G20 summit in diplomatic opening to resume Nowadays Beijing sees the Japan. The world’s top two econ- talks with the US again”. North as a strategic buff er, pre- celebrates first omies are embroiled in protract- North Korean authorities venting the possibility of US birthday ed trade war and their leaders are deployed tens of thousands of troops on its borders — 28,500 expected to meet in Osaka. citizens to line the streets to wel- are stationed in the South. New Zealand’s first baby Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford celebrated her first birthday PNG migrant camp on fire as self-harm incidents rise yesterday. Her mum, Prime Minister A camp in Papua New Guinea win power in May elections. Ian cident came as debate raged over Jacinda Ardern, told radio housing refugees and asylum- Rintoul from the Refugee Action a law passed by Australia late last programme The AM Show that seekers, sent there under Australia’s Coalition said yesterday the latest year that would allow those housed she and fiance Clarke Gayford harsh immigration policy, was on such incident involved a 31-year-old in the off shore centres to travel to would mark their daughter’s fire yesterday after a man set him- Indian man who set himself on fire, Australia for medical treatment if birthday with “fairly low key” self alight amid growing despair burning his face and hands. the transfers are requested by two celebrations. among residents, advocates said. Photos released by Rintoul or more doctors. The conservative “I think the way I am going to Hundreds of refugees and asylum- showed a shipping container at the government is pushing to repeal describe it is we will be doing seekers are held in processing camp on fire, with people attempt- the law when parliament sits next exactly the same thing most camps on the remote islands of ing to put out the flames. Multiple month in the wake of their election parents do on first birthdays, Nauru and Papua New Guinea after asylum-seekers in the camps win. Migrants who try to reach celebrating with a few family attempting to reach Australia by also posted photos of the blaze. Australia by sea are barred from re- and friends,” Ardern said. sea, with rights groups criticising Australia’s Department of Home settling in Australia. Those who are It will be “an acknowledgement the facilities’ conditions. Aff airs said the incident was “being recognised as refugees are instead that we made it through the Refugee advocates said there dealt with by PNG authorities.” The considered for resettlement in the first year,” she said. has been a spike in self-harm roughly 500 people left on Manus United States under a deal struck In September Ardern made and suicide attempts on Papua were left in legal limbo after Aus- by the two governments, although Plumber Dan Gough (centre) plunging into an icy pool as part of midwinter celebrations at history when she brought New Guinea’s Manus Island, after tralia closed an off shore processing Immigration Minister Peter Dutton Australia’s Davis research station where it’s -23C on the ice and -1.5C in the water. To mark the then three-month-old Neve the centre-left Labor opposition facility there in 2017. They live on said last week that more than 300 shortest day of the year, expeditioners at Australia’s three Antarctic research stations and on to UN headquarters as world – which they hoped would treat three temporary sites, having not people have so far been rejected sub Antarctic Macquarie Island take a traditional icy dip to celebrate. leaders descended for the UN’s them more leniently – failed to been permanently settled. The in- for transfer. General Debate. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, June 22, 2019 BRITAIN Williamson ‘could be weeks away from triumphant return’

Guardian News and Media vast numbers of MPs who backed to go out with his former boss, paign, his assets were so consid- would have victory delivered by of valuable gossip. If he had heard denied anyone had been asked to London Johnson in the leadership race but he quickly picked a winner erable it was a no brainer. him. One minister, a senior back- an MP was backing a rival candi- do so. and one of the most infl uential in Theresa May and told her he “He just knows everybody, er of a rival Brexiter candidate, date, he would still pursue them If Johnson enters Number fi gures in Johnson’s camp. could deliver her the parliamen- what makes them all tick, all the said other candidates might have and then suggest perhaps it was 10, it will be a tricky to find ess than two months ago, Yet MPs said he has used tary numbers. gossip. And May’s team didn’t been queasier about employing not worth risking their careers to the right job for Williamson. Gavin Williamson was in forceful persuasion tactics, in- Joey Jones, a former senior civ- have anyone else like that, May his services. back a loser. He has a deep personal grudge Lpolitical Siberia, sacked cluding telling MPs their ca- il servant under May at the Home herself didn’t have a network.” “For us it was a genuinely a MPs said they were repeat- against the current Cabinet from his job as defence minister reers would be over unless they Offi ce, observed how Williamson It was not a foregone conclu- question of trust. Perhaps we edly warned about the perils of secretary Mark Sedwill, the for leaking from the national se- backed Johnson, something he found the correct niche to insert sion he would back Johnson. Just were not prepared to woo him double-dealing. When MPs went man who is believed to have curity council. Yet within weeks denies. himself into her campaign. days before he was sacked as de- and his talents in the same way,” into the fi rst round of voting, they made it clear he must be sacked he could fi nd himself back at the Acting as chief whip for a win- “Initially some of the team fence secretary, Williamson told the minister said. were asked to leave their phones for the breach of the national Cabinet table and as the pivotal ning candidate is a strategy Wil- were a bit ambivalent because friends he was undecided about MPs who spoke to the Guard- to one side because rumours had security council. enforcer for the new prime min- liamson has employed before. they did not want to be seen as who he would back, but said he ian about Williamson’s operation reached the returning offi cers Yet multiple MPs told the ister. As David’s Cameron’s parlia- the ‘Downing Street endorsed’ was absolutely determined to be to support Johnson said it was not that Williamson had been de- Guardian that Williamson has The former chief whip is wide- mentary private secretary (PPS), candidate,” Jones said. “But once on the side of the winner and he all threats, often he could charm manding MPs photograph their said he is determined to go back ly credited with delivering the he had looked like he was set he was brought into the cam- would ensure whoever he picked them as well as off er them tidbits ballot papers. Johnson’s team to the ministry of defence. British Airways pilots threaten summer strike

Daily Mail perks, including an hourly al- London lowance whenever they are fl ying and heavily discounted fl ights for themselves and their family. ritish Airways pilots on Along with cabin crew and six-fi gure salaries are set engineers, BA has off ered pilots Bto ruin the holiday plans pay rises worth 11.5% over three of thousands after threatening years. This includes a 4% hike strike action over the summer. this year – double the current The airline, which has off ered rate of infl ation. out infl ation-busting pay rises, But Balpa described the off er is facing walk outs as early as the as “too little too late”. start of August after talks, which It is demanding its members have dragged on since November, also receive a share of the profi t, fi nally broke down. as well as a bigger pay rise. The British Airline Pilots As- Talks became heated after the sociation, which represents airline announced in February around 3,500 of BA’s 4,500 pi- that it had made a record profi t lots, is set to start a month-long of more than £1.7bn last year. ballot of its members next week. The prospect that pilots on It could be joined by the Unite such high salaries are threaten- and GMB unions, represent- ing to strike over pay will be in- ing other BA employees from furiate workers who have saved cabin crew to engineers, which up all year for their summer holi- have also been involved in the day. talks. The three unions represent Chris Philp, MP for Croydon 40,000 BA staff in total. South, who has campaigned for Unite and GMB have yet to tougher anti-strike laws, said: ballot their members. “£150,000 a year for 17 hours a Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt leaves after attending a Local Government Association event in Westminster in London yesterday. Boris Johnson will face Hunt in a run-off to But a protest by pilots alone week of fl ying is already a huge become Britain’s next prime minister after a final ballot of MPs, with the winner tasked with guiding the country through Brexit. would be enough to paralyse amount of money, and a double Britain’s fl ag carrier, grounding infl ation pay rise sounds quite huge numbers of fl ights at the unfair to me. height of the summer. “I’m struggling to under- Fresh details of the generous stand how BA pilots could pos- pay packages enjoyed by BA’s pi- sibly justify strike action which lots have now emerged – further would ruin the summer holiday fuelling anger over the potential plans of tens of thousands of No Brexit renegotiation, strike. families who have been saving One Tory MP said it was hard hard all year for their annual to see how pilots could possibly break.” justify “ruining” the summer for British Airways said its pay and so many holidaymakers. benefi ts for pilots “are among the BA is renowned for paying best in the industry”, and pointed EU leaders warn next PM well, with some captains earning out that it receives around 1,000 upwards of £200,000 a year. job applications from pilots from AFP PM Theresa May struck with He said that all remaining 27 EU Barring a major upset, the ter terms were seen in Brussels Meanwhile long-haul captains other airlines each year. Brussels Brussels after two years of pain- leaders were adamant there could 160,000 grassroots members as a sign of possible bad faith. and co-pilots are understood to The airline said it is “extreme- ful negotiation — a deal which be no changes to the legal accord of the Conservative party will Though she was berated at receive an average basic annual ly disappointed” that Balpa “has British lawmakers have rejected struck in November last year. choose Johnson to take over home for her plodding approach, salary of more than £150,000. raised the prospect of a ballot for U leaders yesterday fi red a three times. “We are open for talks when from May in July. May won admirers in the EU for By contrast Ryanair said last industrial action”, and urged the Brexit warning to whoever At a leaders’ summit in Brus- it comes to the declaration on But the blond former mayor what they saw as her fair-mind- year that its captains at Stansted unions to return to the negotiat- Ewins the battle to become sels, European Council presi- the future UK-EU relations if of London is a hugely divisive ed pursuit of a Brexit deal. earn around £135,000 on aver- ing table. the next British prime minister, dent Donald Tusk said the bloc the position of the UK were fi gure. French President Emmanuel age. Brian Strutton, general secre- insisting the existing divorce would remain “very precise and to evolve, but the withdrawal Some say his wit and cha- Macron, who has taken a tough Safety regulations introduced tary of Balpa, disputed the pay deal will not be changed. also patient” despite the high agreement is not open for rene- risma is what is needed to win line on Brexit, said he hoped to ensure pilots are not over- fi gures and said pilots receive Hot favourite Boris Johnson political drama unfolding in gotiation,” Tusk said. Brussels around, while crit- May’s successor would act with tired restrict them to working a around £100,000 on average. faces Foreign Minister Jeremy Westminster. Jean-Claude Juncker, the head ics point to his long history of the same “formidable loyalty maximum of 900 hours a year He said: “Pilots have no argu- Hunt in a run-off vote to decide “Maybe the process of Brexit of the European Commission, gaffes and accuse him of cheap and formidable respect” she had – or just over 17 hours a week – ment with passengers and we who takes on the tricky task of will be even more exciting than which led Brexit talks for the populism and a lazy lack of at- shown. with the clock starting as soon will be doing everything we can piloting the country’s departure before because of some personnel EU side, said leaders “repeated tention to detail. “She never sought to block as they arrive for duty at the air- to negotiate a resolution and from the EU. decisions in London, but nothing unanimously there will be no Recent threats by Johnson to Europe and she never held dis- port. avoid disruption– but it’s now in Both say they want to rene- has changed when it comes to our renegotiation of the withdrawal withhold Britain’s £39bn divorce cussions about the future hos- BA pilots receive generous BA’s hands to reciprocate.” gotiate the deal that outgoing position,” Tusk told reporters. agreement”. bill unless the EU agrees to bet- tage,” Macron said.

IS suspect’s parents Minister suspended for guilty of terror funding manhandling activist Guardian News and Media IS-controlled territory. London The prosecution had argued that the couple “did not want to Guardian News and Media matter,” May’s spokeswoman of the incident shows. hear the truth”. London said. Labour called for Field to re- couple from Oxford have “Parents turning a blind eye “He will be suspended as a sign after the incident, with the been spared jail after they to the obvious is not a defence. minister while this investigation shadow women and equalities Awere convicted of funding Saying they wanted to help Jack ark Field has been sus- takes place. Mansion House are secretary, Dawn Butler, describ- terrorism off ences by sending is not a defence. They are not pended as a Foreign looking into the breach of securi- ing the incident as “horrifi c”. or attempting to send money to above the law,” Alison Morgan MOffi ce minister after a ty that took place and we believe In a statement released in the their son while he was living un- QC, prosecuting, told the jury at video showed him pushing a fe- it is right they are now reviewing early hours of yesterday before der Islamic State in Syria. the Old Bailey in London. male Greenpeace activist against their security arrangements.” his suspension, Field said he John Letts, 58, an organic grain She continued: “Their desire a pillar and grabbing her neck May is understood to have had reacted “instinctively” and farmer, and Sally Lane, 57, who to help their son cannot come while she protested at the chan- spoken to her chief whip, Julian was “genuinely worried” that formerly worked in marketing before the need to protect the cellor’s Mansion House speech. Smith, after viewing the footage, the protester might have been and book publishing, defi ed po- public. “Once Jack Letts made Police are investigating third- and Smith told Field he had been armed. lice warnings when they sent or the decision that he did to follow party reports of assault made suspended mid-morning yester- He said he “grasped the in- attempted to send £1,723 to their Islamic State to Syria, and live in against Field, who has since day. truder fi rmly in order to remove son, Jack Letts, now 23. Islamic State territory, and to de- apologised to the protester. The Asked whether Conservative her from the room as swiftly The couple knew they were fend its ideals and goals, the nor- MP for the Cities of London and MPs including Peter Bottomley as possible”, adding: “I deeply breaking the law, the jury was mal parenting rules for what you Westminster said he felt threat- and Johnny Mercer should have regret this episode and unre- told. In one message, Lane told can do to help your child change.” ened when the protester went been out on the airwaves de- servedly apologise to the lady their son: “I would go to prison The couple’s “complete refusal past him and was worried she fending Field while he was being concerned for grabbing her but for you if I thought it gave you a to accept the reality that all those might have been armed. investigated, the spokeswoman in the current climate I felt I better chance of actually reach- around them could see” had led Downing Street said Theresa repeated that the prime minis- needed to act decisively to close ing your 25th birthday.” The to their prosecution. May had viewed the footage and ter had found the footage to be a down the threat to the safety of judge sentenced them to 15 The couple claimed their son’s decided to suspend Field. He had cause for concern. those present.” Field said he had months’ imprisonment sus- life was in danger because he referred himself to the Cabinet Dozens of Greenpeace activ- referred himself to the Cabinet pended for 12 months. wanted to leave and the money Offi ce and the Conservative par- ists disrupted Philip Hammond Offi ce to “examine if there has Jack Letts converted travelled was intended to get him out of ty, who are both investigating. to draw attention to the climate been a breach of the ministerial to Syria in 2014 when he was 18. Syria. “That was the price we had “She found it very concern- crisis as the chancellor prepared code and will of course cooper- Video footage shows Conservative MP Mark Field tackling a His parents claimed he was not a to pay, and if that was the price we ing. The police have said they to deliver his set-piece address in ate fully with their investiga- Greenpeace climate protester at a dinner at Mansion House in the IS militant but acting as a trans- had to pay, then we were going to are looking into reports over this the City of London, video footage tion”. City of London. lator living in a civilian area of do it,” Lane had told the court. Gulf Times Saturday, June 22, 2019 9 EUROPE

Erdogan supporters mobilise to Thousands at climate take back Istanbul rally near German mine By Gokan Gunes, AFP DPA Istanbul Aachen, Germany

fervent supporter of housands of children President Recep Tayyip gathered in Aachen to call AErdogan, vegetable mer- Tfor political action to mit- chant Inal Kaya did not vote dur- igate climate change as part of ing the local elections in March the German city’s fi rst interna- and later regretted it when the tional “Fridays for Future” rally. ruling party lost in a shock upset. According to organisers, the “I was a bit fed up with all demonstration was Germany’s these elections,” said Inal, peel- largest so far, with 40,000 par- ing leeks at his stall in the dis- ticipants gathering outside trict of Fatih, a conservative Aachen’s Tivoli football sta- stronghold. dium, not far from the country’s It was the eighth election in foremost lignite-mining area, just fi ve years. Europe’s largest source of car- But tomorrow he will have a bon dioxide emissions. second chance, thanks to a re- Seventeen nationalities were run of the mayoral vote. also represented, said spokes- “And I will certainly be there,” woman Cornelia Theuer, in- he said. cluding Dutch, Belgian, French Every vote will count, since and British people. only 13,000 ballots separated Earlier, a police spokeswoman Erdogan’s chosen candidate, said they were expecting the former premier Binali Yildirim, number of registered partici- from the winner, Ekrem Imamo- pants, 10,000 to 20,000, to be Young activists take part in the ‘Fridays for Future’ demonstration in Aachen. glu of the opposition Republican reached. People’s Party (CHP). They did not immediately give was “seizing the opportunity to risky action, which temporarily day in Germany at the Garzweil- Many, like Inal, had assumed an updated participation esti- change something in the world”, put a halt to the protest march. er surface mine, around 40km Yildirim’s victory was guaran- mate. adding: “If you have the oppor- A large police contingent had from Aachen. teed after a 25-year unbroken Thousands of climate activ- tunity to be a hero, you should been deployed for the demon- They will be calling for an ear- run of rule by the AKP or its ists are preparing to block access seize it.” stration. lier phase-out of coal, which is predecessor in the city. to the mine over the weekend. Many students brought One of the oldest participants currently foreseen for 2038 at Others boycotted the vote The mass gathering, held un- home-made signs to the rally. was Erasmus, an 88-year-old the latest. to show their displeasure over der sunny skies, had a festival Romy, a 17-year-old from Co- man from Cologne. The surface mine will report- the recent economic downturn, atmosphere. logne, held one with the message “We support the students, we edly also be targeted by the cli- which has led to rising prices for On banners, in chants and “The climate is more hopeless want to show that we old peo- mate activists’ blockades. Police off icers walk past climate activists occupying railway tracks basic goods and unemployment. through speeches, participants than our math graduation exam”. ple have the same ideas and the They are demanding an im- at the coal power plant in Neurath, western Germany. The ‘Ende According to columnist Ab- called for the swift closure of Others proclaimed “The di- same goals,” he said. mediate phase-out of coal and Gelaende’ movement, backed for the first time by the ‘Fridays for dulkadir Selvi, close to the gov- coal-fi red power plants and nosaurs also thought they had The “Fridays for Future” pro- “a fundamental system change”. Future’ student movement, sought to blockade and occupy ernment, more than 400,000 other drastic measures to curtail time” and “Grandma, what’s a test network is driven largely by The Ende Gelaende! (Stop operations in one of energy giant RWE’s huge lignite pits, the new AKP supporters did not come to climate change. snowman?” school children and led by Swe- here!) alliance said it expects ground zero in an intensifying environmental battle. the polls in March. “We have to do something A banner hanging over a fi re den’s Greta Thunberg. 4,000 activists to take part. This time the party is not tak- now, it is actually already too engine read: “Our house is on Her weekly protest outside Police had already stepped tion for several hours after 1,000 An activist spokeswoman said ing any chances. late,” warned 17-year-old Malika fi re.” parliament in Stockholm culmi- up their presence at the mine activists from the alliance had the demonstrators were on their “The upset voters are being Scheller from the German city of Two children abseiled from nated in a May 24 global school yesterday morning, with a wa- made their way there. way to vigils and rallies. phoned one by one for individual Freiburg. a bridge, holding a banner be- strike that was staged in 131 ter cannon among the vehicles “We want to stop them from “Police are taking away young discussions,” Selvi wrote. Nadja Gosteli, a 15-year-old tween them that read “Your countries. standing by. using the train to travel to the people’s rights to protest for Erdogan himself has sought who travelled to the demonstra- greed is costing us our future”. Another “Fridays for Future” Police also blocked the Vi- mining site in order to commit their future,” said the spokes- to rekindle their fi re, saying last tion from Switzerland, said she The police said they ended the demonstration is planned for to- ersen am Niederrhein train sta- crimes there,” said police. woman, Kathrin Henneberger. weekend: “It’s possible to be an- gry with certain people, but not with the cause.” Koksal Demir, a retiree from the working-class district of Kasimpasa where Erdogan him- Huge protest in Georgia despite parliament chief quitting self grew up, recognises that there are economic problems, but doesn’t understand why DPA In a statement, Georgian chairing a meeting on religious morning, state television net- AKP supporters are tempted to Tbilisi Dream said the protests had and political issues in the parlia- work First Channel reported. abandon the party. painted a “grave picture” of ment’s plenary. “In most cases there was trau- Yildirim “is the only candi- public anger. Anti-Russian sentiment runs ma, bruising and eye injuries,” date capable of resolving the housands of protesters Kobakhidze’s resignation deep in Georgia, with political Deputy Health Minister Zaza problems”, he said from his small returned to the streets showed that the party main- forces often sensitive to sugges- Bokhua was quoted as saying. stool outside a cafe, keeping one Tof Georgia’s capital Tbi- tained a “high standard of ac- tions of Russia regaining infl u- The interior ministry had eye on his game of backgammon. lisi for a second night of pro- countability” to the people. ence. threatened a tough crackdown Like most AKP supporters, tests yesterday, heeding a call But opposition leaders, speak- Russia routed Georgian forces on the protests. Demir focuses on the improve- by opposition leaders for further ing at yesterday’s protest, now in a brief war in 2008 over two Media reports said police used ment in living conditions since demonstrations in front of the demanded early parliamentary breakaway Georgian regions, tear gas, water cannons and Erdogan came to power – fi rst as country’s parliament. elections and the resignation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. rubber bullets to disperse the prime minister and later as pres- Television footage showed the country’s Interior Minister Russia recognises them as in- crowds. ident – in 2003, pointing to the the protest running peacefully, Giorgi Gakharia as a result of the dependent states but maintains Regional expert Diyar Au- bridges, tunnels and hospitals in contrast to Thursday night’s heavy-handed reaction by police de-facto control. tal described the incident as a built in that time. demonstrations that left 240 the night before. Russian President Vladimir “public relations disaster” for That record is refl ected in the people injured, including 80 of- Demonstrators had tried to Putin’s spokesman condemned Georgia’s government, with the AKP’s campaign slogan: “We fi cers. storm parliament on Thursday the demonstrations as a “Russo- leading Georgian Dream party have done it, we will do it again.” Observers estimated yester- night, demanding Kobakhidze’s phobic provocation”, according A protester wears a red eye patch with 20% written on it, a reference facing a possible loss of support. But it has its work cut out day’s crowd at 10,000, similar to resignation. to comments carried by Russian to Georgian territory ‘occupied’ by Russia, during a rally in front of “In Georgia, people widely ahead of tomorrow’s vote, with the night before. The chairman was held re- state news agency Tass. the parliament building in Tbilisi. see Russia as a country that oc- the opposition also going after The chairman of Georgia’s sponsible for a controversial Putin also signed a decree cupies 20% of the Georgian ter- absentee voters. parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze, visit this week by a delegation suspending fl ights between the which relies on Russian tourism. statement on her Facebook page. ritory,” said Autal, an associate At his vegetable stall, Kaya quit his job earlier in the day af- from neighbouring Russia. two countries until July 8, the Georgian President Salome “The breakdown of our country at the Harvard Davis Center for certainly follows the pat- ter overnight protests called for The Russian delegation came Kremlin announced last night, Zourabichvili had earlier called and society, the internal con- Russian and Eurasian Studies. tern, condemning the “strange his resignation. to promote ties between coun- citing the security situation. for the restoration of peace and frontation does not help anyone Nevertheless, “more than 1mn things” and “cheating” he says The decision was taken after tries where Orthodox Christi- Travel agencies were be- suggested that instability actu- else but Russia. This is its most Russian tourists visited Geor- were done at voting stations. an emergency leadership meet- anity is widely practised, but ing advised not to plan trips to ally benefi ts Russia. well-known weapon.” gia last year”, Autal told DPA. “This Sunday, we will see the ing of the governing Georgian opposition leaders objected to Georgia, a step that could be a “Russia is our enemy and oc- More than 100 people re- “Tourism is Georgia’s key in- real results,” he says. Dream party. a member of the Russian Duma big blow to Georgia’s economy, cupant,” Zourabichvili said in a mained hospitalised yesterday dustry.” Spain’s top court fi nds ‘wolf pack’ guilty of rape

Guardian/Reuters/AFP in July 2016 at the start of the Guerrero, Jesus Escudero and against the victim’s freedom, ter, reacting to the latest ruling. Madrid popular San Fermin bull-running Angel Boza were originally sen- among them at least 10 sexual “Spain continues to move for- festival. tenced to nine years’ imprison- assaults.” ward in the protection of wom- They left her half-naked in the ment, fi ve years’ probation and Earlier, the public prosecutor en’s rights and freedoms, and he fi ve defendants in the doorway. One of them also stole ordered to pay €10,000 each to Isabel Rodriguez had argued that won’t stop.” notorious Pamplona sex- her mobile. the woman. violence and intimidation had Spain’s acting deputy prime Tual attack case have had The teenager was found crying Guerrero, a Guardia Civil po- been used in the assault, saying: minister and equalities minister, their prison sentences raised on a bench by a couple who rang lice offi cer, was also fined €900 “You can’t ask victims to act in a Carmen Calvo, said the Supreme from nine to 15 years each after the police when she said she had for stealing her phone. dangerously heroic way.” Court’s decision “recognised the the Supreme Court found them been attacked. But yesterday the Supreme The defendants were sen- credibility of the victim”. guilty of gang-raping a woman at Both the woman and the fi ve Court in Madrid overturned the tenced to 15 years in prison, for- In a tweet, she said the verdict the running of the bulls festival men had appealed to Spain’s lower court’s verdict, ruling that bidden from contacting or ap- was in line with the government’s three years ago. highest court following the origi- the men had committed rape proaching the victim for 20 years, proposals to change the law to By late afternoon, all fi ve had nal conviction and sentencing. rather than sexual abuse. and ordered to pay her €100,000. distinguish between rape and been detained, according to the Defence lawyers had claimed It said the victim had been Guerrero was sentenced to a sexual assault, and sexual abuse. police. the woman had consented and subjected to “a genuinely in- further two years for the phone Viviana Waisman, the presi- The case – known as La Man- had let one of the men kiss her. timidating scenario in which she theft. dent of the human rights NGO ada, or the “wolf pack”, after the They also argued that 96 sec- never consented to the sexual The original proceedings had Women’s Link, said the verdict name of the men’s WhatsApp onds of video footage from the acts perpetrated by the accused”. also been criticised because the was very important. group – shocked Spain, prompt- A woman holds a placard reading ‘It is not abuse, (it) is rape’, during a men’s phones – showing the Explaining its decision to fi nd judges accepted into evidence a “It sends a clear message that ed major protests and provoked a protest outside the Supreme Court in Madrid yesterday. woman immobile and with her the fi ve guilty of rape, the court report compiled by a private de- judges must apply the law with- fi erce debate over the country’s eyes shut during the attack – was added: “This intimidating situ- tective hired by the defendants. out gender stereotypes and that sexual off ences legislation. Pamplona in April last year, the does not involve violence or in- proof of consent. ation led the victim to adopt an The detective had followed when victims of sexual violence “If you resist they kill you, if fi ve were cleared of gang rape but timidation. The prosecution, however, said attitude of submission, doing the woman over several days and come forth, they must be be- you don’t resist you consent. convicted of the lesser charge of Minutes after meeting her, the the victim had simply been too what the perpetrators told her to produced photographs of her lieved instead of questioned – What to do?” read one sign at a sexual abuse. fi ve raped the drunk woman, then terrifi ed to move. do, despite the distress and in- smiling with friends. and that the system needs to fo- protest. Under Spanish law, sexual aged 18, at the entrance to an José Angel Prenda, Alfonso tense strain … the accused took “Only yes is yes,” Prime Minis- cus on investigating the accused At the end of their trial in abuse diff ers from rape in that it apartment building in Pamplona Cabezuelo, Antonio Manuel advantage of this to commit acts ter Pedro Sanchez said on Twit- and not the victims,” she said. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, June 22, 2019 INDIA

OPINION FALLOUT TRAGEDY COMMENT LEGAL Rahul mocks Modi’s Vijayakanth’s properties One killed in fire Kejriwal meets Modi, Binoy Kodiyeri bail plea ‘New India’ slogan set to be auctioned aboard warship calls for co-operation decision on Monday

Congress President Rahul Gandhi yesterday Properties worth about Rs1bn owned by A contract worker was killed in a fire that In a dramatic role reversal of his earlier A court in Mumbai yesterday posted, for Monday, mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s actor-turned politician A Vijayakanth, his wife V broke out on an under-construction warship confrontationist attitude, Delhi Chief Minister its decision on the anticipatory bail plea filed by slogan of a “new India” as he tweeted Premalatha and his educational trust has been put ‘Vishakhapatnam’ in the Mazagaon Docks in Arvind Kejriwal yesterday met Prime Minister Binoy Kodiyeri, son of Kerala CPI-M state secretary pictures of the army’s dog squad performing on auction by the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for Mumbai, off icials said yesterday evening. The Narendra Modi and said both the city and central Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, in the rape case filed against yoga along with military personnel. non-payment of a Rs55.2mn loan. The loan was fire was reportedly confined to the second governments must work together. “Assured full him in the city. As the case came up at the Dindoshi “New India,” Rahul tweeted in a mocking availed by the actor’s Andal Azhagar Educational and third decks of the ship during grinding co-operation of Delhi government to develop Court at Mumbai, Binoy Kodiyeri’s counsel vein, attaching two photographs of army Trust and Vijayakanth and Premalatha were the operations in a tank around 4pm. Firefighting Delhi, (the) capital city of India. It is important that argued this was a cooked-up case and an attempt personnel performing yoga along with the sureties, providing their properties as security to operations were taken up and the blaze was Delhi government and centre work together,” to blackmail his client, while the prosecution, dog squad on the occasion of International the bank. The properties are to be auctioned on brought under control within three hours, Kejriwal tweeted after the meeting. “Met Modi opposing the bail, said all the required evidences Day of Yoga. Union Home Minister Amit Shah July 26. The minimum price of the trust’s property though the extent of damage to the vessel and congratulated him for LS (Lok Sabha have been produced before the court. A 33-year- slammed Rahul over his tweet saying that at Mamandur in Kanchipuram is fixed at about is not known. One contract worker who was election) victory,” he said. Kejriwal also assured old Mumbai-based woman, who hails from Bihar, the Congress chief was full of “negativity” Rs920mn, the residential property of Vijayakanth trapped in the blaze, succumbed to his burn “full co-operation” of the Delhi government has alleged that Binoy sexually exploited her for and accused him of insulting the armed in Chennai is at about Rs42.5mn and a residential injuries and possible asphyxia, and another for the city’s development and sought Modi’s several years on the promise of marriage and forces. plot in Chennai has been fixed at about Rs30mn. worker sustained minor injuries. support in the storage of rainwater in Delhi. claims they also have a child. Pompeo ‘likely to calm tension during visit’

Reuters between us that will be on the New Delhi table at all points of time,” the offi cial said. “But it should not detract from the over-all direc- S Secretary of State Mike tion of the relationship, which is Pompeo will try to soothe positive.” Uincreasing friction with Both countries are wary of the India over trade, data fl ows and growing might of China. A US arms from Russia during a visit state department spokesman next week and instead focus on said on Thursday Pompeo would strategic ties between the two seek to advance a strategic part- big democracies, offi cials said. nership with India. Pompeo arrives in New Delhi India and the US eyed each on Tuesday for talks that are other warily over decades of aimed at laying the ground for a Cold War suspicion, when In- meeting between US President dia was closer to the then Soviet Donald Trump and Prime Min- Union. ister Narendra Modi later in the But the US has become one of week at a G20 meeting in Japan. India’s top arms suppliers over India is embroiled in disputes the past decade, selling more with the US over tariff s, Indian than $15bn of weapons such as price caps on imported medical transport planes, long range devices, most from the US, and submarine hunters and helicop- Indian rules on e-commerce that ter gunships. impose conditions on the opera- US fi rms Lockheed Martin and tions of US Boeing are in the race for a con- giants such as Amazon and tract to build 110 fi ghter planes Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga during a mass yoga event on International Yoga Day in Ranchi yesterday. Walmart. in a deal estimated at $20bn. Another issue that has In 2016, the US declared India alarmed India is the possibility a major defence partner, open- of US restrictions on work visas ing the way for sales of high-tech for Indian professionals in retal- military equipment seen as part iation for New Delhi’s insistence of a US aim to build up the coun- on local data storage by big for- try as a counterweight to China eign fi rms, even though the state in the region. department said on Thursday it But here too, new strains have Threat letter to Modi had no such plan. emerged over an Indian plan to “US-India trade ties, at least buy S-400 surface-to-air mis- between our capitals, are cer- sile systems from Russia, which tainly worsening. We both have can trigger US sanctions under leaders who look at trade as a the its Countering American zero-sum game,” said Richard Adversaries Through Sanctions Rossow, a specialist on US-India Act (CAATSA), prohibiting any in Kerala sparks alert ties at the Center for Strategic & engagement with Russia’s de- International Studies in Wash- fence sector. IANS tially caused panic as the prime to fi nd out where the letter orig- Kerala, you may ask why Modi book and all eff orts are made ington. India, which signed the deal New Delhi minister was scheduled to visit inated, a police offi cer added. selected Kerala for his fi rst po- to provide foolproof security The government says it has with Russia last year, has been the same temple. The temple For security reasons, the entire litical speech. Kerala is as im- cover to the executive head of been trying to negotiate solu- hoping the Trump administra- authorities informed us about text of the threat message was portant as Varanasi,” Modi had the state. Any message relating tions to the disputes with the US tion would give it a waiver, but n anonymous letter the letter and subsequently se- not shared. then said. to any sort of threat to the prime but that, as a developing coun- that has not been forthcoming. threatening to attack curity was put on high alert,” a The prime minister had vis- “We believe that elections minister is evaluated by diff er- try, it has to protect the interests “There is no blanket waiver or APrime Minister Narendra senior offi cial of Kerala police ited the Kerala temple before have a place of their own but ent agencies at various levels. of its people. country waiver when it comes to Modi has put all security agen- said. going to visit Maldives and Sri after elections the more impor- The SPG, which forms the Trump has repeatedly criti- the S-400,” US principal deputy cies on their toes. As per a confi dential report of Lanka. tant responsibility is towards inner cordon of PM’s security, cised India for its high tariff s and assistant secretary for South and The letter was received at the Intelligence Bureau, shared Modi had raised eyebrows by the 130 crore citizens. Those constantly co-ordinates with last month raised the stakes with Central Asia, Alice Wells, told the offi ce of a temple in Thris- with Special Protection Group picking Kerala as his fi rst stop who made us win are ours, intelligence agencies, local and the withdrawal of a decades-old Congress this month, adding sur district of Kerala during PM and police of relevant states, the to thank voters for the Bharatiya those who did not make us win the state police. About rais- trade privilege. that the United States had “se- Modi’s visit last fortnight. “threat message was written Janata Party’s massive victory in are also ours. Kerala is as much ing the level of PM’s security A government offi cial said rious concerns” about the pos- Highly placed sources in the in Malayalam on a Rs500 note the Lok Sabha elections. Kerala mine as is Varanasi,” the pre- in wake of the recent threat, an trade would be addressed dur- sible Indian purchase. agencies said the letter was re- sealed in an envelop.” is the only majorly populated mier had said. offi cial said, though people are ing Pompeo’s visit but the two “We are continuing our con- ceived at the offi ce of Guruvay- A few words in English were state where the BJP drew a blank According to intelligence concerned about the prime countries had a broader political versations about how the US or ur temple on June 7, close to the also written. in this election, as has been the sources, the prime minister’s minister’s security, such details and security relationship. other defence providers could PM’s visit to Kerala. Intelligence agencies are con- party’s fate forever in the state. security arrangements are al- cannot be shared with the me- “There will be certain issues assist India,” Wells said. “The content of the letter ini- tinuing to investigate and trying “The BJP drew blank in ways as per the security blue dia. Activists vow to halt Running dry Kerala court lodges elephants’ train journey case in tycoon’s death IANS The court observed that if Kochi government bodies delay giving AFP said Manilal Valliyate, a veteri- der a severe heatwave at the sanctions to business establish- Guwahati narian and head of the Indian moment, and roughly half the ments, then investors might not branch of People for the Ethical country is enduring its worst he Kerala High Court yes- be interested to investing in such Treatment of Animals (PETA). drought in six decades,” he said terday registered a suo states, thereby aff ecting devel- ildlife activists yes- They also believe there is a risk in a letter. Tmoto case in connection opment. terday vowed to go to the elephants will end up in the The elephants are currently with the suicide of a Nigeria- Parayil’s wife, Beena, has gone Wthe Supreme Court illegal wildlife trade, Valliyate in Tinsukia district in the re- based NRI businessman in Kerala. on record to say that her husband to halt an operation to take four said. mote northeastern state. The incident has become a was under tremendous stress, elephants on a cross-country Two were captured from the major embarrassment for the especially from the municipality train journey to take part in a “Experts have warned wild last year. ruling CPI-M as the suicide was chairperson P K Shyamala who is festival. of the dangers of The animals are to be put in reportedly provoked by the fail- the wife of senior CPI-M leader Opponents of the plan to transporting these carriages without air condi- ure of the businessman in ob- M V Govindan. move the elephants more than elephants such a huge tioning that will be attached to taining necessary clearance for The Congress and the BJP have 3,000km from Assam in the distance, forcing them to a passenger train. his venture from the local civic already attacked the CPI-M and north to Gujarat in the west say work in heat” Temperatures along much body headed by the wife of a top said a businessman’s life was lost the three day trip in the blister- of the route have been around CPI-M leader. because of the cold war between ing summer heat poses a grave He added that moving the 40C in recent weeks. Sajan Parayil, 49, who hailed Kannur’s two top CPI-M leaders, threat to the animals’ health. elephants would violate a 2016 Dozens of people have died from Kannur district, hanged P Jayarajan and Govindan. The four elephants are to be Supreme Court order banning from severe heat in recent weeks. himself on Tuesday after a state- Based on a preliminary report, sent to a temple in Gujarat’s the transportation of the pro- “We are trying to ensure a of-the-art convention centre State Minister of Local Bodies A main city of Ahmedabad, where tected species from one state to safe journey for them and also he built by investing Rs160mn C Moideen has suspended four a well-known festival begins on another. sending a team of veterinarians failed to get clearance from the employees of the municipal- July 4. “Assam based animal welfare and keepers with them,” Ranjan Anthoor Municipality in his ity, which, the opposition par- Many temples in India tra- groups are planning to take this Kumar Das, an Assam forest of- home district. ties claimed, was done to shield ditionally parade decorated el- important issue to the court, fi cial, said. Observing that incidents like Shyamala. ephants at festivals. and we will provide necessary “There will be facilities to Workers carry the last bit of water from a small pond in the these will aff ect the state’s ability Meanwhile, CPI-M cen- Activists want the practice support,” he said. spray enough water on them at dried-out Puzhal reservoir on the outskirts of Chennai. The to attract investments, a division tral committee member A Vi- banned. Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi has regular intervals,” he added. drought is the worst in living memory for the bustling capital bench of chief justice Hrishikesh jayaraghavan met with local “Experts have warned of the also called on the environment Prime Minister Narendra of Tamil Nadu, India’s sixth largest city, that is getting less Roy and A K Jaisankaran Nambi- party leaders yesterday to take dangers of transporting these ministry to stop the railway Modi, who comes from Gujarat, than two thirds of the 830mn litres of water it normally uses ar took up the case and directed stock of the situation. Several elephants such a huge distance, journey. has in the past attended the each day. the Kerala government to submit other complaints have emerged forcing them to work in heat,” “The country is reeling un- Ahmedabad festival. all the relevant fi les by July 15. against Shyamala. Gulf Times Saturday, June 22, 2019 11

LATIN AMERICA

U-TURN LAW AND ORDER SCHEME DECISION CRISIS Bolsonaro says could Court orders release of Mexican airline off ers Chile salmon farmer 200 Venezuelan migrants run for re-election Swede linked to Assange $1 flights to migrants pulls out of national park stuck at Chile-Peru border

Less than six months since he took off ice, right- An Ecuador court ordered the release of a A Mexican airline is off ering $1 flights to Chile salmon farmer Nova Austral plans to Some 200 mostly Venezuelan migrants wing President Jair Bolsonaro says he could run Swedish national with ties to WikiLeaks founder undocumented migrants wishing to return to pull the pens it uses to raise salmon from fleeing poverty at home remained stranded for a second term even though he promised Julian Assange and who was accused of Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala as the the ocean waters off a national park near on the Peru-Chile border after being refused during the election campaign to do away with computer hacking, as his detention was deemed country struggles to curb arrivals from Central the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia, its entry to Chile earlier this week. Chilean re-election for Brazilian presidents. Bolsonaro “arbitrary.” Ola Bini had been arrested while America. The Reuniting Families programme, chief executive said. A recent expansion of Interior Minister Andres Chadwick told the said if Congress does not substantially reform trying to travel to Japan on April 11, the same day announced by Volaris, aims to “to assist in Chile’s Alberto de Agostini National Park left local press that only “those who meet the Brazil’s political system, he will consider running Ecuador rescinded Assange’s seven-year claim the repatriation of migrants,” the airline said. the company’s pens within park boundaries. legal requirements, regardless of origin and again in 2022. “If there is a good political to asylum in their London embassy. “There was The off er will run until June 30 and is open to The sprawling coastal park is home to nationality, will enter the country.” Latin reform, I could even throw out the possibility eff ectively a violation to (Bini’s) right to freedom,” Central Americans in an “irregular migration several tidewater glaciers, deepwater fjords America is in the grip of an immigration of re-election. But if there isn’t, and the people and his detention was “illegitimate and arbitrary,” situation” who wish to depart from airports in and a mountain range named after English crisis, with millions of people from Central want it, we are here to continue for another four judge Patricio Vaca said, ordering his release. Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez — both close to the naturalist Charles Darwin. “We have agreed America and Venezuela driven by poverty years,” he told reporters. A former army captain The court will require Bini to periodically appear US border — or Guadalajara and Mexico City. to emigrate out of the park,” CEO Nicos and violence seeking refuge in other and seven-term Congressman, Bolsonaro before authorities and banned him from leaving Passengers must be willing to board “the next Nicolaides told reporters in Santiago, adding countries while the US urges governments to was elected in October by voters angered by the country as investigations continue over his available seat” in order to take advantage of that the government had not required the reduce the flow of asylum seekers arriving at widespread graft and rising violence. alleged hacking attacks. the ultra-cheap fare. company remove the pens. the US border. US sanctions ‘suff ocating’ ordinary Venezuelans

AFP fl ation which the International Caracas Monetary Fund says will reach a staggering 10mn percent this year have taken their toll. enezuelan shopkeeper The UN says a quarter of the Manuel Saavedra says 30mn-strong population is in Vnew US sanctions are need of humanitarian aid and strangling him — and lots of oth- 3.3mn people have fl ed the coun- er everyday people. A video game try since the end of 2015. store owner in Caracas, Saavedra Under Maduro’s government, has been forced to raise prices Saavedra had already been forced as products became harder to to close one store and reduce his import from May 15, when the workforce from 14 people to two. US transportation department Venezuelans are suff ering suspended passenger and cargo from a lack of basic necessities services between the US and such as food and medicines as Venezuela. well as failing public services, Washington has imposed that including water, electricity and and other punishment in hopes transportation. of undermining President Nico- The suspension of direct las Maduro and helping opposi- fl ights to the US has also made tion leader Juan Guaido, who is it trickier to get there, even via a recognised as interim president stopover, as tickets are scarce. Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido stands next to UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet at the National Assembly in Caracas by more than 50 countries. “It’s hard to fi nd them and yesterday. But Saavedra says those new when you do the prices are exor- sanctions hurt average citizens bitant,” cardiologist Luis Cressa more than they do the Maduro said. regime. The 37-year-old frequently “They’re suff ocating us, ordi- needs to travel to the US for work nary citizens,” he said. “I don’t or academic reasons. But the cost know how long it will last. In any of a fl ight to Miami has jumped country (sanctions) aff ect every- from $600 to $1,200, he says. Bachelet’s Venezuela visit one (but) less so those in govern- Because of hyperinfl ation, the ment.” minimum monthly wage is now Air courier companies in- the equivalent of around $6.50. creased their charges from $3.50 Air travel has become increas- to $4.50 per pound following the ingly diffi cult all round, not just latest US sanctions while mari- because of cost. sparks anti-govt protests time shipments went from $8 to Of the 32 airlines registered in $10 per cubic metre, says Saave- 2013, only nine are left, Hum- DPA Demonstrations were also all voices and working with all ney general Tarek William Saab, The US-backed opposition dra. berto Figuera, president of the Bogota staged by oil sector employees actors to promote and protect all according to local media. has failed to persuade the army Packages can no longer be sent Venezuelan airlines association, demanding delayed salaries and human rights of all Venezuelans.” Bachelet yesterday held talks to turn against Maduro and oust directly from the US and must said. teachers complaining that hun- “We shall continue co-oper- with Maduro and opposition him from power. now fi rst pass through Panama US sanctions had targeted only N human rights chief ger was keeping children out of ating and strengthening our ties leader Juan Guaido, whom more The military prevented an at- or the Dominican Republic in or- Maduro and other high-ranking Michelle Bachelet’s visit school, according to daily El Na- with the United Nations sys- than 50 countries have recog- tempt by Guaido to bring hu- der to circumvent the sanctions. regime offi cials until 2017 when Uhas sparked a string of cional. tem for the benefi t of all Ven- nised as interim president. manitarian aid donated by the “That pushes up the costs and Washington put a ban on lending anti-government protests in the Relatives of political prison- ezuelans,” Foreign Minister Jorge Bachelet has previously ex- US and Latin American coun- means that you sell less,” Saave- money to either the government Venezuelan capital, Caracas, ers rallied to ask Bachelet to visit Arreaza said after welcoming pressed concern about human tries into Venezuela in Febru- dra said. or state-owned oil company PD- with demonstrators calling on detention centres, where they Bachelet on Wednesday. rights violations in the South ary. It’s one of a number of extra VSA. her to visit hospitals and prisons said the prisoners were being President Nicolas Maduro said American country, including po- About 139 tonnes of aid that is hassles facing ordinary Ven- That cut off Venezuela’s ac- to witness the country’s crisis. tortured, and to urge her to inter- he hoped that the visit “will be litical killings by police and the stored in the Colombian border ezuelans as a consequence of US cess to foreign fi nancing at a The health sector is in urgent cede for their release. for the good of the system of hu- detention of senior opposition city of Cucuta is now approach- sanctions, such as fuel shortages time when the South American need of humanitarian aid, be- Nearly 30 political prisoners man rights in Venezuela.” fi gure Roberto Marrero. ing its expiry date, Colombian and sky-high airfares. Even be- country already had an external cause it does not even have clean- have been released in recent days, Bachelet, a former Chilean Venezuela is experiencing a broadcaster Caracol reported on fore that latest embargo, Vene- debt of $150bn and a cash cri- ing products or sanitary pads, according to the NGO Foro Penal, president, on Thursday met gov- massive economic and political Thursday. zuela’s crippling economic crisis sis due to its crude production daily El Universal quoted trade which says more than 700 such ernment representatives includ- crisis under Maduro, who won a Millions of Venezuelans have weighed heavily on its businesses dropping from 3.2mn barrels unionist Silvia Bolivar as saying. inmates still remain behind bars. ing Defence Minister Vladimir second term in an election boy- left the country amid hyperinfl a- and citizens. a day to just 1mn over the last Bachelet met representatives Bachelet tweeted that she Padrino and Interior Minister cotted by most of the opposition tion, food and medicine short- Five years of recession and in- decade. of the sector yesterday. looked forward to “listening to Nestor Reverol, as well as attor- last year. ages, and power cuts.

Honduras protest Mexico, El Salvador look Guatemala to audit election returns to trees to slow migration AFP whose candidate Thelma Cabre- Guatemala City ra came fi fth in the presidential race — denounced “evident elec- Reuters Their partnership comes as ple weeks ago with the US that toral fraud.” Tapachula, Mexico Mexico is under intense pressure commits it to reduce the fl ow of uatemala will audit elec- Solorzano said he had invited to stem the fl ow of US-bound mostly Central American mi- tion returns after fraud Cabrera and her party to the migrants by President Donald grants within 45 days. Gallegations in the wake of court to check her complaint. illions of new trees will Trump, who has dangled repeat- If Trump determines that last Sunday’s presidential and The tumultuous campaign to soon begin sprouting in ed tariff threats on all Mexican Mexico’s eff orts are insuffi cient, legislative elections, the coun- succeed outgoing President Jim- MEl Salvador thanks to a exports if Lopez Obrador fails. he has said he would consider re- try’s Supreme Electoral Court my Morales saw two leading can- programme funded by the Mexi- “I’m sure that better times are viving the tariff threat. (TSE) announced. didates barred from taking part can government that aims to help coming for all of us,” said Bukele, “We have the commitment, TSE president Julio Solorzano in the election and the country’s impoverished communities that a 37-year-old entrepreneur of and we are going to meet it, to told journalists that he had or- top electoral crimes prosecutor often create fertile ground for Palestinian descent who took of- better control our border, on dered an audit of certifi ed re- fl ee the country after threats. fl eeing migrants. fi ce this month. our southern border, to ask that turns from each ballot box to Disturbances broke out Part of a larger push to plant The grant will eventually ex- those who enter (Mexico) regis- “clarify disagreements.” Thursday in several municipali- more fruit and wood trees cham- ceed $100mn, offi cials said. ter,” said Lopez Obrador. Speaking at a news confer- ties where mayoral candidates pioned by Mexican President They also announced the con- But he also appeared to sup- ence, Solorzano said the process rejected the results. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, struction of what they called the port those fl eeing violence and would begin on Monday. A lawmaker from Morales’ the $30mn grant will be spread biggest plant nursery in Mexico, bleak economic prospects back The audit would include mu- FCN-Nacion party, Estuardo across some 1.2mn acres, an area expected to produce some 40mn home. nicipal and congressional elec- Galdamez, went on social media the size of more than 900,000 plants and off er temporary jobs “We have to see the migrant tions held in tandem with the to condemn electoral fraud and American football fi elds. to some 2,500 migrants. as a human being who is seeking presidential vote. said the country was on the brink The programme was an- Two new shelters for migrant a better life, better conditions to Centre-left former fi rst lady of becoming a “dictatorship” un- nounced on Thursday in Tapa- families with a capacity to hold work and risking everything,” Sandra Torres leads in the presi- der Torres’ Unity of Hope party. chula, a Mexican town that bor- 5,000 people are also part of the said Lopez Obrador, adding that dential polls with 25.7% of the The Organisation of American ders Guatemala, during an event plans, according to a statement those passing through Mexico vote, ahead of conservative Ale- States (OAS) welcomed the TSE headlined by Lopez Obrador, from Mexico’s ministry of well- will not be mistreated. jandro Giammattei, with 14%. decision, which it said was aimed Mexico’s leftist leader who has being. “And we will never encourage Members of the military police remove a barricade during Both had been expected to at “providing greater transpar- long focused on the poor, and El Migration loomed large over this rejection of foreigners,” he a protest against the government of Honduras’ President contest the August 11 run-off ency and certainty in the electoral Salvador’s new president, Nayib the announcements, especially said to a smattering of applause. Juan Orlando Hernandez, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. round. The leftist Movement process, especially in relation to Bukele. the deal Mexico struck a cou- for the Liberation of Peoples — local and legislative elections.” Gulf Times 12 Saturday, June 22, 2019 PAKISTAN Task force defers Senate panel rejects public service retirement plan

Internews He said that that Article Islamabad 240(b) of the Constitution al- government budget lows the provincial govern- ment to enact legislation from Internews The opposition senators won as independent – supported defi cit budget, but this govern- are not paying due taxes. he Task Force on Civil the provincial legislature to Islamabad termed the taxation measures the government and preferred to ment had taken such measures in He declined to name these Service Reforms, led by this eff ect. harsh and possessing the poten- walk out in protest ahead of vot- the last 10 to 12 months that the lawmakers. TDr Ishrat Husain, has According to media reports, tial to lead to storms of protest if ing. common people “had starting Senator Mehmood came for- deferred the proposal to in- Yousafzai recalled that initially fter witnessing walkout by the budget is passed. Senator Mehmood said that as crying” as their disposable in- ward and said that the govern- crease the retirement age of in Civil Servant Act 1973, the two senators from treas- Senators from the opposition the taxation measures would lead come dropped signifi cantly, with ment must arrest those who are government servants from 60 retirement age for government Aury benches, Pakistan’s benches, including Ayesha Reza to price hikes, it should be re- infl ation heading towards double not paying their due taxes. to 63. employees was 50, which was Senate Standing Committee on Farooq from the Pakistan Mus- jected in totality, adding that he digits. He again asked for total rejec- Informed sources said that later enhanced to 60, and this Finance rejected the Finance Bill lim League – Nawaz (PML-N), would not take part in anything She said that export reforms tion of the fi nance bill, especially the task force considered the has been in force in the last 35 2019-20 in totality, saying that Talha Mehmood from the Jamiat that would further burden the were not possible in the last fi ve those clauses that hurt the com- proposal but decided to defer years. they could not approve taxation Ulema-e-Islam – Fazlur (JUI-F), common people. years. mon man. it till the fi nalisation of some Life expectancy in Paki- measures that would lead to price and Imam Uddin Shouqeen from Senator Aziz opposed this pro- Senator Aziz then said that he Senator Aziz then raised a basic civil service reforms, in- stan had increased to 63 years hikes, further burdening the the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), posal, arguing that as they had did not want to make this com- question on the defi nition of the cluding the overhauling of the in 2018, from 55 in 1973, the common people. voted in support of the resolution worked hard in the last four days, mittee a debating club, as the last common man, pointing out that present performance manage- minister said, adding that each The recommendations of the tabled by the Senate Standing there was no rationale to reject government ran the economy on those who are eating processed ment system. year around 5,000 employees upper house of parliament are Committee on Finance chairman the Finance Bill in totality. the basis of wrong fi gures, lead- food of some renowned food When approached, Husain reached the age of superannu- not binding on the National As- Farooq H Naek, stating that the He said that he remained part ing to public debt rising phe- brands could not be declared as confi rmed that the proposal to ation, with the ratio of prema- sembly, and the approval of the taxation measures, which they of this standing committee with- nomenally. “common”. increase the retirement age was ture (early) retirement around Senate is not required on money say would further burden the out having political considera- He said that this committee Senator Farooq explained that considered by the task force, 50/50. bill. common people, is rejected in tion and point-scoring, and had should not “play to the gallery”, those of the lower middle income and deferred till the introduc- Therefore, the number of However, the total rejection totality. made all-out eff orts to improve pointing out that there are many class are used to eating processed tion of some fundamental civil employees attaining the age of of the fi nance bill is a political Two treasury members – Sen- the budgetary proposals. people sitting in parliament who food, hence by hiking prices the service reforms. 60 each year is 2,500, cost Rs- defeat for the ruling Pakistan ator Mohsin Aziz from the rul- Senator Farooq stated that are wearing Rolex watches and government is directly aff ecting The task force, according to 6bn to the provincial kitty. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). ing PTI and Dilawar Khan, who every government had presented travelling in luxury vehicles, but the common man. sources, observed that only fol- It is said that the KP chief lowing the overhauling of the secretary had reservations present performance manage- regarding increase in the re- Army deployment ment system can the proposal tirement age by the provincial for enhancement of retirement government. for elections in age be revisited, in order to set The chief secretary, it is said, tribal districts guidelines for those govern- was of the view that the deci- ment servants whose retire- sion to extent the age of retire- The Pakistan armed forces will ment age could be extended on ment to 63 years may bring be deployed inside and outside the basis of merit, effi ciency, some immediate savings, but is all polling stations during next and/or performance. not an alternate solution. month’s elections for seats of the Sources said that confusion It was said that government Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly regarding the enhancement of spending on pension would in the recently-merged tribal retirement age has been cre- rise at a time when the KP gov- districts. ated because of the moves by ernment is in the last year of its According to the schedule issued the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) term. by the Election Commission government. The chief secretary, it is said, of Pakistan (ECP), elections for Last week, the KP cabinet had added that in the absence provincial assembly seats of the was reported to have extended of clear policy on pension con- tribal districts on July 20. retirement age of the provin- tribution, such decision may “The Pakistan armed forces and cial department employees to not be rewarding. civil armed forces shall assist 63 years. Discussion on the proposal Election Commission of Pakistan It was claimed that the un- for increase in retirement age and make necessary security precedented decision would recently became the focus for arrangements for conduct save the provincial government media after a letter dated June of elections in KP Assembly Rs24bn per annum. 11 from the Prime Minister’s in erstwhile tribal districts Briefi ng the media regard- Offi ce was found circulating scheduled to be held on July 20,” ing the decisions taken in the through social media. the ECP said in a notification. cabinet meeting, the Provin- The said letter showed that The forces will be deployed inside cial Minister for Informa- the premier had asked the fi - and outside all polling stations tion Shaukat Yousafzai, while nance secretary to hold con- from July 18-21. Showing flexibility justifying the increase in the sultations with the establish- Troops would also be deployed retirement age, had said that ment division and the fi nance at the Printing Corporation of Yoga practitioners attend a class on Thursday, ahead of International Yoga Day, at a the superannuation age for departments of Punjab and Pakistan in Islamabad from July park in Lahore. International Yoga Day is annually celebrated across the world every government employees in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to evalu- 5 to July 20 “to make foolproof year on June 21. education and health sector in ate legal, fi nancial and admin- security arrangements during India is 60-65 years, as it is in istrative implications of in- printing/staking and storage of Left: Women attend a yoga session yesterday in Lahore. Europe and Brazil, 62 in Japan, creasing the age of retirement ballot papers”. and 67 in the United States. and early retirement. PM’s Offi ce successfully cuts expenses by 32% Online tax profi ling Internews tain points about the budget allocation of Rs472mn, refl ect- the next fi nancial year 2019-20 for the Prime Minister’s Offi ce of Rs1,172mn includes the budg- Islamabad explained that the Prime Minis- ing a savings of 22%. is Rs862.9mn, 12% less than has been refl ected in the Vol- etary allocation Rs309mn for ter’s Offi ce had cut expenditures To achieve this goal of ex- budgetary allocation for fi nan- ume-I of Federal Budget 2019- the National Disaster Manage- system by 32%, which is unprecedented. penditure rationalisation and cial year 2018-19. 20 (Current Expenditure) and ment Authority (NDMA). hanks to the ongoing aus- The further analysis refl ects austerity, the Prime Minister’s In spite of rising infl ation, in- the relevant pages are 302-310. The NDMA, although autono- terity drive, and with a that the expenditure of the Offi ce slashed 35% of human re- crease in salaries and demand for The press release said elec- mous with its own budget line, launched Tview to set example from Prime Minister’s Offi ce (pub- sources, and massively reduced replacements of physical assets tronic media has been fl ashing has been parked under the Prime the top, the Prime Minister’s Of- lic) has been curtailed from the expenditure on refreshments, and refurbishment, budgetary page 302 of this book, which Minister’s Offi ce. fi ce has successfully managed budgeted Rs514mn to Rs305mn fuels, procurement of equip- allocations for the Prime Min- refl ects the Prime Minister’s Of- Previously it was under the Internews to keep its expenditures to up to (till end June), refl ecting the sav- ment, machinery, and adoption ister’s Offi ce have been kept to fi ce budget of Rs1,172mn for fi - ministry of climate change. Islamabad Rs675mn, against the budgetary ings of 41%. of a basic economical non-lavish bare minimums, to set an exam- nancial year 2019-20 against the Hence, the budget of the allocation of Rs986mn for the Similarly, the Prime Minis- style of offi cial working. ple for other federal ministries, existing budgetary allocation of NDMA must not be and should fi nancial year 2018-19. ter’s Offi ce (internal) brought The budgetary allocation for divisions and departments. Rs986mn for FY 2018-19. not be confused with the dis- he Federal Board of Rev- A press release issued by the down its expenditures to up to the Prime Minister’s Offi ce – For further clarity, it is in- As elaborated in the table, the tinct budget items of the Prime enue (FBR) has formally fi nance ministry to clarify cer- Rs370mn, against the budgetary both public and internal – for formed that the printed budget Prime Minister’s Offi ce budget Minister’s Offi ce. Tlaunched the online FBR Tax Profi ling System, enabling 53mn people to check their bank details, properties, utility bills and travel history data. Cool move FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi, Cambridge students create energy while addressing a press confer- ence in Islamabad, introduced the system through which citi- effi ciency policy model for Punjab zens can check their tax profi le after paying a fee of Rs500. He said that the data has been Internews pert from Singapore, Bhavya the energy conservation sector. compiled with the help of the Islamabad Anand, a senior power sector The four researchers are stu- National Database and Registra- executive from India, and Danial dents of MPhil in engineering for tion Authority (Nadra). Uksonoya from Nigeria designed sustainable development in Uni- He said that anyone on the our Cambridge University this investment model. versity of Cambridge. basis of their computerised na- students have designed an The researchers have proposed Amjad Hafeez said that it is tional identity card (CNIC) and Finvestment model for en- an investment model that takes consultancy project from Uni- cellphone number can request ergy effi ciency in Punjab prov- care of all these issues and pro- versity of Cambridge Engineer- access to their information. ince, in collaboration with the vides back-to-back guarantees ing Department as part of aca- Zaidi said that security fea- Punjab Energy Effi ciency and to the investors in energy effi - demic activity. tures have been added to the on- Conservation Agency (PEECA). ciency sector of the Punjab. The researchers were assigned line profi le system so that no one The researchers from Singa- This investment model has its the energy effi ciency sector of can access the personal informa- pore, India, Nigeria, and Paki- ingredients from developed and the Punjab and tasked to design tion of another person. stan have backgrounds in policy developing world and has been investment model, which can He said Pakistan is entering framing and implementation re- customised to fi t in the socio- attract local and foreign invest- a new era, with tax assessment garding the power sector of their political and economic environ- ment into the energy effi ciency now made on the basis of avail- home countries. ment of Pakistan. sector of the Punjab, he said. able data as well as related infor- The research was conducted The researchers said that Pa- “Punjab consumes 70% of mation. with input from power distribu- kistan is signatory to the Paris electricity in Pakistan, and ener- Zaidi further said that Rs500 tion companies, energy servicing Agreement and Sustainable De- gy effi ciency in the Punjab means would be charged for each at- companies, the World Bank, Ger- velopment 2030 goals set by the signifi cant development in emis- tempt to access one’s profi le. many’s GIZ, and various banks in United Nations. sions reduction from overall As per details, if a person Pakistan, which had pointed out The researchers believe that by economy of the country,” Ha- wants to access their tax infor- various fl aws in policies and bu- adopting this model, Punjab can feez said. “This policy document mation, they will have to send reaucratic delays as barriers to help achieve Pakistan’s interna- forms the basis of rules and pro- a text message to 6699 in order woo investors. tional commitments and targets. cedures for energy conservation to receive a registration code for Amjad Hafeez, a senior civil Dennis Khan and Bhavya sector and PEECA in Punjab.” the system. servant and energy policy spe- Anand are of the view that this This research paper is being Next, the person will have to cialist from Pakistan, Dennis research will go a long way in published by Energy Policy Re- A man cools off under a water pipe from a canal on the outskirts of Peshawar. pay a Rs500 fee before gaining Khan, a senior power sector ex- community participation into search Group of Cambridge. access to their data. Gulf Times Saturday, June 22, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES

President raises dangers of Beijing’s sea claims

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday warned China Former minister critical that other nations could start declaring ownership of seas near their territories if it continues to lay claim to the entire South China Sea. Duterte said he plans to “talk lengthily” about the dangers of of China denied HK entry China’s claim during a summit of leaders of the Association of AFP immigration holding area on the supposed environmental a party in the complaint fi led South-East Asian Nations (Asean) Manila arrival, where he remained “for fallout of Beijing’s activities in by del Rosario at the ICC, was in Bangkok over the weekend. nearly three and a half hours”. the disputed waters. approved for entry hours later, “Is it correct for China to declare Del Rosario’s lawyer Anne Philippine President Rodrigo but chose to return to Manila ownership of an ocean?” he said ormer Philippine foreign Marie Corominas subsequently Duterte has largely set aside the instead. “Hong Kong’s ques- before flying to Thailand for the minister Albert del Ro- said: “He’s been excluded and nation’s once tense standoff tioning of secretary Albert del Asean summit. “It’s simple — can Fsario was denied entry to deported.” She said that au- with China over the South Chi- Rosario...is a detestable retalia- you claim an ocean as your own, Hong Kong yesterday, in what thorities had given no reason for na Sea, opting instead to court tory act of China as it confi rms because tell me now, (and) I will critics called retaliation for his denying him entry, and he was Beijing’s investment and trade. that Hong Kong has shed or also claim mine.” attacks on Beijing’s contested put on a fl ight back to the Phil- The Philippines has claims been cowed into giving up its Duterte said that if that was the claims over the South China ippines. over parts of the key water- autonomy,” she said. case, then the United States Sea. He landed in Manila yester- way, where China has staked Del Rosario, who served un- could lay claim to a third of the Del Rosario was behind two day evening. “indisputable sovereignty” der Philippine president Be- Pacific Ocean, the Philippines prominent legal initiatives China has yet to off er an ex- and built artificial islands with nigno Aquino from 2011-16, could lay claim to the Sulu Sea, against China, including a 2013 planation, but Beijing’s foreign military facilities and airstrips. accused airport immigration and other countries could do the case at an international tribunal aff airs ministry spokesman Lu Duterte’s strategy has authorities of acting “in vio- same with bodies of water near which ultimately ruled against Kang told reporters: “Who is prompted sharp criticism from lation of the Vienna Conven- their territories. Beijing’s claim to most of the allowed or not allowed to enter the opposition and segments tion” on diplomatic privileges. “Now I’m thinking of claiming the resource-rich waterway. the country is entirely China’s of public, charging the presi- Yesterday’s incident comes Sulu Sea as ours and you can’t His deportation comes as sovereignty”. dent with frittering away the as the Duterte government pass by there without permission anger is still bubbling in Hong Although Hong Kong was nation’s sovereignty. seeks to calm public outrage from me,” he said. “That is the Kong over a proposed bill that returned from British to Chi- Hong Kong immigration au- over the June 9 sinking of a Fil- danger.” would have allowed extraditions nese rule in 1997, it is still ad- thorities briefl y held another ipino fishing boat by a Chinese China claims almost the entire to the mainland, raising fears of ministered separately under an Philippine critic of China, vessel in an area of the South South China Sea, a key shipping people being ensnared in Chi- arrangement known as “One former Supreme Court justice China Sea claimed by both lane believed to be rich in marine na’s opaque court system. country, two systems”. But ac- Albert del Rosario: victimised? and special anti-graft prosecu- countries.Duterte has faced and mineral resources. Del Rosario said he fl ew to tivists have been alarmed in tor Conchita Carpio Morales on criticism for not taking Chi- Other claimants are the Philip- Hong Kong early yesterday us- recent years by what they feel freedoms unseen on the main- leader Xi Jinping at the Interna- May 21 when she made a private na to task over the incident, pines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei ing a Philippine diplomatic is a tighter grip by Beijing, land. In March, del Rosario fi led tional Criminal Court, alleging visit to the territory with her which is a test of his Beijing- and Taiwan. passport but was taken to an though Hong Kong still retains a complaint against Chinese “crimes against humanity” over family. Morales, who was also friendly policy. As Angat dam level falls further, water allocation faces new cuts

By Divina NJD Cruz Manila Times

he water level at Angat Dam, the primary source Tof Metro Manila’s supply, could breach the critical low level of 160 metres today, the state-run weather bureau said. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pa- gasa) yesterday recorded the dam’s water level at 160.28, a 0.45-metre drop from the pre- vious day. Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence Go visits fire victims. “Tomorrow (Saturday) it could reach below 160 metres. We can already call it critical low,” Pagasa hydrologist Elmer Caringal said. Rains remained insuffi cient to reverse the decline, he added. Go visits Pasig fi re “First, demand is huge. Second, there is no substan- tial amount of rain within the watershed of Angat,” Caringal said. The water level of Angat Dam, the main source of water for Metro Manila and nearby provinces, is at its tragedy victims Regulators who have already critical mark at 160.28 metres despite the onset of rainy season. reduced water allocations for Manila Times Go’s visit to the fire victims He also stressed the need for Metro Manila and nearby said nounced longer service inter- balanced across the entire East cast track, Caringal said. Manila was his second this week. He an intensified fire prevention further cuts would take eff ect ruptions that would now last Zone,” it added. The LPA, to be named “Do- was also in Lucena, Quezon on campaign.“More often, infor- today. from 12 to 17 hours from the West Zone concessionaire dong” if it becomes a storm, Wednesday to meet with vic- mal settlers lack knowledge on “There will be further re- previous 8 to 12. Maynilad Water Services Inc, was located 1,240 kilometres enator-elect Christopher tims of a fire that took place on fire prevention and protection,” duction of allocation from the The Ayala-led utility said the meanwhile, said its service in- east of Mindanao as of yester- Lawrence “Bong” Go June 16 to extend relief assist- he said. current at 40cms (cubic metres goal was for all customers to terruptions would run from 7 to day morning. It is expected to Svowed anew to push for ance. One of Go’s legislative pri- per second) to 36cms eff ec- have access to water for at least 12 hours. Pagasa weather spe- move in a northwest direction measures to address the lack He pledged to speak with the orities is the improvement of tive… June 22,” National Water several hours per day so they cialist Rene Paciente, mean- and only aff ect the Bicol and of decent housing as he visited National Housing Authority to fire safety measures across the Resources Board Executive Di- could store enough water for while, said only localised thun- Central Luzon region. 23 families whose homes were facilitate a one-year moratori- country. rector Sevillo David Jr said in a when taps run dry. derstorms were bringing rains “If there are rains, these gutted by a fire in Ilugin Street, um on the collection of month- He said the holding of fire text message to Manila Times “While we have posted the across the country. would not be as heavy and sus- Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig ly dues of qualified benefici- drills and seminars on fire safe- yesterday. schedule of water service in- “If a severe thunderstorm tained. In terms of eff ect, these City. aries to allow them to recover ty and prevention measures are “It will continue until such terruptions in our social media hits the area of Angat, the water will not increase the level to add “One in every five persons from the tragedy. only required in schools, gov- time that we have some signifi - platforms, fi ne-tuning of op- level could increase, but if none, to Angat’s reservoir,” Caringal in Metro Manila is an informal “One of my priorities is to ernment buildings and selected cant rainfall in the Angat water- erations may take around three the level would continue to de- said. settler. We need to improve our push for a long-term hous- establishments. shed that could lead to the im- days from reduction of supply cline,” Paciente added. Paciente, meanwhile, said programmes for those who need ing roadmap or plan to fill in He urged local government provement of the water level in to be able to capture the actual A low pressure area (LPA) more rains are still possible if affordable and decent housing. the 6.5mn housing gap. There units to take responsibility in Angat Dam,” he added. schedule of water availability that could turn into a tropi- the LPA or the tropical depres- We need a long term affordable should no longer be a squatter the holding of fire prevention East Zone concessionaire in the households, as the lim- cal depression this weekend sion enhances the southwest housing programme,” he said. in the country.” campaigns in their areas. Manila Water Co Inc. an- ited water supply needs to be would not help, given its fore- monsoon. Garcia’s death a ‘heartbreaking loss’: Malacanang

By Catherine S Valente “It is a heartbreaking loss Artist. “We mourn, but we also a standing ovation he deserved Manila Times for the entertainment industry, honour and celebrate Eddie Gar- and started shouting ‘Bravo’ for which he dearly loved. Manoy cia and his life well lived,” Ba- the last time. We love you!” he (Garcia) died with his boots on, gong Henerasyon party-list Rep. said in a Facebook post. alacanang yesterday in a manner of speaking, doing Bernadette Herrera Dy, secretary Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Al- mourned the passing what he loved most — acting,” he general of the Partylist Coalition fredo Garbin and Senior Citizen Mof veteran actor Edu- added. Foundation Inc. (PCFI), said in a party-list Rep. Francisco Datol, ardo “Eddie” Garcia, saying his Panelo said Garcia “left an statement. meanwhile, urged President Ro- death was a “heartbreaking loss” indelible mark in the hearts and “As a group, the Partylist Coa- drigo Duterte and the military to for the Philippine entertainment minds of Filipino moviegoers lition will nominate Eddie Garcia render half-mast and military industry. and audience, with a career that for the posthumous conferment honours to the late actor who Palace spokesman Salvador spanned nearly seven decades.” of the National Artists award. served in the Philippine Scouts. Panelo extended condolences “His immense contributions The man and his legacy stand for Vice President Maria Leonor to the family of Garcia, 90, who were nonpareil for he was the what is beautiful and true about “Leni” Robredo hailed Garcia, died 12 days after being hospi- only Filipino inducted in three Philippine art, specifi cally in a fellow Bicolano, as one of the talised for an accident that hap- categories in the FAMAS (Fili- fi lm and television,” she added. pillars of the industry. pened while he was taping a tel- pino Academy of Movie Arts The PCFI is headed by Gar- “I send my deepest condo- evision show. and Sciences) Hall of Fame as cia’s stepson, 1-Pacman party- lences to the family and loved “The Palace extends its Best Actor, Best Supporting Ac- A glimpse of the wake of the late actor Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Garcia at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. list Rep. Michael Romero. ones of a fellow Bicolano, Manoy deep condolences to the fam- tor and Best Director by far,” the Romero thanked Garcia’s Eddie Garcia, one of the pillars of ily, friends, colleagues, fans and Palace spokesman said. him.” Garcia passed away on uled at the Heritage Memorial multi-awarded actor and direc- closest friends, among them Bi- the television and fi lm industry,” loved ones of screen icon, as well “As we pay tribute — and give Thursday afternoon after nearly Park. tor. beth Orteza, Tirso Cruz 3rd and she said. as showbiz legend Eddie Garcia, honour to — his lifetime works, two weeks in a coma due to a Garcia, who started his His death generated a fl ood of Philip Salvador, who gave eulo- “His contributions to the arts who died yesterday afternoon at we pray to the Almighty to grant broken neck. showbiz career 70 years ago, tributes and a party-list group gies during the cremation. cannot be discounted and the the age of 90,” Panelo said in a him eternal repose, and that His remains were immediately is considered an institution in said it wanted Garcia to be post- “As he entered the crema- mark left by his skill will not be statement. perpetual light may shine upon cremated and his wake is sched- Philippine entertainment as a humously named a National tion room, we all gave Tito Ed surpassed by time,” she added. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, June 22, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Facebook’s Libra Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan must be stopped

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar By Katharina Pistor [email protected] New York 44350478 (News), acebook has just unveiled its 44466404 (Sport), latest bid for world domina- 44466636 (Home delivery) tion: Libra, a cryptocurrency designed to function as private 44350474 F money anywhere on the planet. In facebook.com/gulftimes preparing the venture, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been in negotia- twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar tions with central banks, regulators, and 27 partner companies, each of which will contribute at least $10mn. For fear of raising safety concerns, Facebook has avoided working directly with any com- GULF TIMES mercial banks. Zuckerberg seems to understand that technological innovation alone will not ensure Libra’s success. He also needs In praise of ingenuity: a commitment from governments to enforce the web of contractual relations underpinning the currency, and to endorse the use of their own currencies America’s record as collateral. Should Libra ever face a run, central banks would be obliged to provide liquidity. economic expansion The question is whether governments understand the risks to fi nancial stabil- ity that such a system would entail. The Ten years ago this month, the US unemployment rate was a idea of a private, frictionless payment disastrous 9.5%. General Motors, requiring a government bail- system with 2.6bn active users may out, fi led for bankruptcy protection. Would the American auto sound attractive. But as every banker industry even survive? and monetary policymaker knows, pay- Representations of virtual currency are displayed in front of the Libra logo in an illustration picture. ment systems require a level of liquidity That bleak age isn’t forgotten, but it is long gone. The US backstopping that no private entity can Facebook is barrelling ahead as if Li- became clear that many funds could not Ben Bernanke in September 2008, pulled out of recession in June 2009 and hasn’t looked back. provide. bra was just another private enterprise. deliver. To forestall a widespread run followed by European Central Bank Barring catastrophe, the economy next month will set a new Unlike states, private parties must But like many other fi nancial interme- on all MMFs and the banks that backed President Mario Draghi in July 2012, record for the longest continuous period of expansion. The cur- operate within their means, and cannot diaries before it, the company is prom- them, the US Federal Reserve stepped in to do “whatever it takes” to ensure the rent record was set amid the 1990s tech boom. unilaterally impose fi nancial obligations ising something that it cannot possibly to off er liquidity support. A run on Libra currency’s survival? Would they even on others as needed. That means they deliver on its own: the protection of the would require support on a much larger have the capacity to do so, let alone A boast like that – 10 years of straight growth! – means less to cannot rescue themselves; they must currency’s value. Libra, we are told, will scale, as well as close co-ordination co-ordinate their actions – and share individual Americans than their current state of economic well- be bailed out by states, or be permitted be pegged to a basket of currencies (fi at among all central banks aff ected by it. losses – with all the other countries ness and expectations for the future. Today’s paycheque, and to fail. Moreover, even when it comes to money issued by governments), and Given these massive risks, govern- involved? Would governments be able tomorrow’s, is more important than 2009’s. states, currency pegs off er only an illu- convertible on demand and at any cost. ments must step in and stop Libra before to seize control of the system if it proves The expansion speaks to the resilience of the American sion of safety. Plenty of countries have But this guarantee rests on an illusion, it launches next year. Otherwise, as incapable of sustaining itself? had to break such pegs, always while because neither Facebook nor any other Maxine Waters, the Chairwoman of Silence in response to Facebook’s economy – or more specifi cally, the relentless drive of Ameri- insisting that “this time is diff erent.” private party involved will have access the US House Committee on Financial announcement this week is tantamount can employers, entrepreneurs and workers to compete, reinvent What sets Facebook apart from other to unlimited stores of the pegged cur- Services, has warned, governments may to endorsing its dangerous new venture. and succeed. Business was brought to its knees during the Great issuers of “private money” is its size, rencies. as well start drafting their own living Governments must not allow private, Recession of 2007-09. Since then, the economy hasn’t stopped global reach, and willingness to “move To understand what happens when wills. In the parlance of fi nance and profi t-seeking parties to put the entire growing. fast and break things.” It is easy to im- regulators sit on their hands while banking, a “living will” is a written plan global fi nancial system at risk. If banks agine a scenario in which rescuing Libra fi nancial innovators create put options, that banks provide to regulators describ- are “too big to fail,” then states defi nitely In other words, Americans are in the thick of what is shap- could require more liquidity than any consider the debacle with money mar- ing how they will unwind themselves in are. If governments fail to protect us from ing up to be a record-setting era of increased prosperity. The one state could provide. Recall Ireland ket funds in September 2008. Investors the event of insolvency. In the case of Facebook’s latest act of hubris, we will all unemployment rate today is 3.6%, a 50-year low. The jobless after the 2008 fi nancial crisis. When the in MMFs were promised that they could a government, a living will would have pay the price for it. – Project Syndicate rate for African-Americans and Latinos is at or near record government announced that it would treat their holdings like a bank account, to explain how the relevant authorities lows since 1973 when such record-keeping began. Stocks are at assume the private banking sector’s li- meaning they could withdraw as much would respond to Libra breaking its peg z Katharina Pistor is Professor of startling highs. The situation isn’t perfect: Many people who abilities, the country plunged into a sov- money as they put in whenever they and triggering a global run. Comparative Law at Columbia Law fell on hard times haven’t recovered and home values haven’t ereign debt crisis. Next to a behemoth wanted. But when Lehman Brothers Obviously, this raises a number of School. She is the author of The Code of like Facebook, many nation-states could collapsed, MMF investors all tried to pertinent questions. Would govern- Capital: How the Law Creates Wealth come back everywhere. But jobs are plentiful, which means so is end up looking a lot like Ireland. cash out at the same time, whereupon it ments vow, like former Fed chairman and Inequality. opportunity. On the Great Reces- The expansion sion and its aftermath: The fi nancial crisis was caused speaks to the in part by lax, greedy lenders resilience of who set off an unsustainable housing boom. The subse- the American quent crash took fi nancial America’s bipartisan institutions with it and economy wiped out trillions of dollars of wealth. To save the day, the US government stepped in with a monumental bailout sup- ported by years of aggressive Federal Reserve actions. Given the government’s vast resources, recovery at some climate-policy failure point was inevitable. What’s remarkable is the uninterrupted growth that’s followed. We attribute this to dynamism – the years is the 100 by ’50 Act, which ingenuity and fl exibility of Americans and their economy. Con- By Mark Paul and Connor Rupp Sarasota includes provisions to “achieve 100% sider the vast scale of the digital revolution, and how the most clean and renewable energy by 2050.” important personal tool most people possess – an Internet- But, again, this falls far short of what enabled cellphone – was introduced by Apple in 2007. S President Donald Trump’s is needed to limit global warming to Think about how the nature of work has changed: The com- anti-climate agenda is in full 1.5C above pre-industrial levels – the swing. His administration has threshold beyond which the Intergov- pany leasing the most offi ce space in downtown Chicago today already taken action 117 times ernmental Panel on Climate Change is WeWork, a fi rm that off ers shared work space. WeWork was U to repeal or weaken climate regulations, forecasts devastating consequences. founded in 2010. and much more deregulation is in the Fortunately, a growing chorus of Other accomplishments: Next year, the US will export more works. By unravelling environmental Democrats has begun to demand genu- energy products than it imports, reversing 70 years of history. protections on an unprecedented scale, ine action that would start to make up including through executive orders, for decades of climate-change denial- GM, recovered from bankruptcy, expects a radically diff erent Trump is using every tool at his disposal ism lite. They understand that without future driven by electric vehicles. to increase fossil-fuel extraction and the signifi cant, comprehensive action by Those are specifi cs. A broader aspect of American ingenuity: production of dirty energy. Apparently, the US, the climate cannot possibly be Productivity, which measures American workers’ effi ciency, is he is hell-bent on topping his predeces- stabilised at a level that is still condu- rising at the fastest clip since 2010. That means the economy sor’s own fossil-fuel boom. cive to human fl ourishing. That’s right, former president Rather than talking about what peo- “can grow at a faster pace on a more sustained basis,” economist Barack Obama presided over a fossil- ple must give up to reduce emissions, Blerina Uraci of Barclay’s told The Wall Street Journal. What fuel boom: the domestic shale-energy PICTURE: National Geographic the climate realists are trying to sell does greater productivity look like? One example is how com- revolution enabled by the advent of hy- voters on a new vision of the economy, panies today use cloud computing and machine learning – both draulic fracturing (or fracking). The fact in the past decade alone, Republicans generated by the exploitation of public one that off ers long-term economic novel concepts in 2007 – to manufacture goods more effi ciently. is that neither major party in the United presented 187 that would increase resources to a pot of incentives for the security and environmental stability. States has been the climate champion greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. Most fossil-fuel industry. The GND resolution introduced earlier Economies, alas, don’t expand perpetually. As always, the that the country – and the world – of these bills have sought to advance the But the real insult is the behaviour this year has rapidly shifted the window next recession is coming, the only question is when. needs. While young activists around the interests of the fossil-fuel industry over of Democratic leaders, who continue of discourse, such that once-radical Ten years of economic expansion is a remarkable achievement world are stepping up to show what true those of everyone else. The Republicans’ to abide by what James K. Boyce of proposals are now garnering public sup- for American employers and workers. Today’s Mission Possible: climate leadership looks like, politi- purported rationale is to achieve “en- the University of Massachusetts calls port and being debated seriously. Though the details of the GND Maintain the private sector’s refreshing success – and keep the cians are barely taking note. As Dianne ergy independence,” which, in practice, “climate-change denial lite.” Consider Feinstein, a Democratic US senator from has meant off ering special treatment the case of the Democratic National still need to be fl eshed out, Demo- boom going. – Tribune News Service California, dismissively told a group of to the oil, gas, and coal companies that Committee. Last year, the DNC decided cratic presidential contenders such as young people advocating a Green New spend exorbitant amounts on campaign that it would no longer accept contribu- Washington Governor Jay Inslee are Deal (GND): “I’ve been doing this for 30 contributions. tions from political action committees already off ering concrete proposals in To Advertise years. I know what I’m doing.” Not long after coming to offi ce, affi liated with the fossil-fuel industry, accordance with its prescriptions. The The longer both parties cling to a Trump promised that by unleash- only to reverse course and embrace an GND could be the “north star” of the [email protected] policy of “business as usual,” the more ing America’s fossil-fuel reserves, his “all-of-the-above” energy policy just country’s decarbonisation path. But Display likely we are to face a climate catastro- administration would “create countless months later. much will depend on Democratic con- phe in which millions of people perish jobs for our people, and provide true Though congressional Democrats gressional leaders such as Speaker of the 44466621 44418811 or have their lives upended. In reality, energy security to our friends, partners, have introduced modest proposals to House Nancy Pelosi, who has scoff ed at though, the responsibility for adopting and allies all across the globe.” Fol- curtail GHG emissions, they haven’t ambitious climate proposals as a “green Classified a new paradigm ultimately rests with lowing the same logic, Don Young, a made any major push for climate legis- dream.” Either that changes, or we will 44466609 44418811 the Democrats. While Trump has been Republican congressman representing lation since the failed American Clean all fi nd ourselves in an environmental disastrous for the planet, his admin- Alaska, has introduced the American Energy and Security Act of 2009 (the nightmare. – Project Syndicate Subscription istration’s policies are in keeping with Energy Independence and Job Creation Waxman-Markey bill). And even that a Republican Party that won’t change Act, which would allow exploration bill would not have reduced emissions [email protected] anytime soon. and extraction of oil and gas reserves fast enough, relative to what the climate z Mark Paul is an assistant professor In a recent review of more than 1,000 in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife crisis demands. of economics at New College of Florida. climate-related bills introduced in the Refuge. Adding insult to injury, the bill Among the more meaningful climate Connor Rupp is an undergraduate stu- © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved US Congress since 2000, we found that, would direct half of the tax revenues bills introduced by Democrats in recent dent at New College of Florida. Gulf Times Saturday, June 22, 2019 15 COMMENT Expansions don’t die of old age

By Anatole Kaletsky in the 1940s is to continue expand- world economy comes from Europe, an London ing at around its trend rate of growth innocent bystander in the US-China (roughly 2% in the US). In the postwar trade war that has already suff ered far period, recessions have generally more than either of the belligerents. he US economy has entered resulted from three causes: substan- When the International Monetary its 11th year of uninterrupted tial monetary or fi scal tightening in Fund revised its 2019 growth projec- expansion, breaking the pre- response to infl ationary pressures; tions in April to take account of the Tvious record for the longest some kind of fi nancial crisis, such as problems that emerged in late 2018, the period of growth in American history the subprime mortgage collapse of forecasts for China and the US were without a recession. But far from cel- 2008 and the technology bust of 2000; essentially unchanged, despite their ebrating, many economists conclude or a massive external shock that vastly trade war (up 0.1 percentage point in from this unprecedented performance increased energy prices. Until one of China, down 0.2 in the US). But the that a recession is now overdue, if not these events occurs, we can be fairly IMF downgraded its growth forecast immediately then surely before the confi dent that the US expansion will for Germany by 1.1 percentage points, 2020 presidential election. Fortunately not just “die of old age.” by 0.9 for Italy, and by 0.6 for the for the US economy, but sadly for Pres- Why, then, are so many economists eurozone as a whole. ident Donald Trump’s opponents, the now worried about a US recession and Europe has been the main victim idea that economic expansions have convinced that fi nancial markets are of the US-China trade war, for the some kind of natural lifespan and then underestimating the downside risks to same reason it was the main victim of die of old age has neither empirical nor economic growth? The main reasons the 2008 fi nancial crisis, which also theoretical support. are the US-China trade war and a originated in the US. While the US and History shows that US expansions fi nancial warning signal: the “inverted China are stimulating their economies since the end of World War II have yield curve.” The fi rst risk is obvious; to counteract the trade slowdown, the varied in length from 12 months to 120 the second requires some explanation. European authorities are, as usual, re- months, with no sign of mean rever- An inverted yield curve is a rela- sponding with exactly the wrong poli- sion. Moreover, it can be argued that tively unusual condition that occurs cies. Instead of easing monetary, fi scal, the 18-year period from 1982–2000 when long-term bond yields fall or credit policies, the eurozone re- was really one continuous economic below short-term interest rates. In the sponse is “pro-cyclical.” The European upswing, interrupted only briefl y by US, the overnight federal funds rate Commission is trying to force Italy to the spike in oil prices caused by Iraq’s is around 2.4%, but 10-year yields reduce public spending and raise taxes. invasion of Kuwait. recently fell to below 2%. Germany’s fi nance ministry is using And there are clearer instances of Such an inversion is often cited as lower-than-expected budget surpluses advanced economies that have avoided a signal of imminent recession, but it as an excuse to squeeze investment and recessions for much longer than the shouldn’t be. The “signal” often comes delay tax cuts. And bank supervisors 10-year record the United States has years before the recession it claims to A jogger runs in Main Street Park in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US. The US economy has entered its 11th year of are forcing banks to tighten their credit just surpassed. Australia is now in its predict. More important, bond market uninterrupted expansion, breaking the previous record for the longest period of growth in American history without a standards, increase loss provisions, 28th year without a recession, and pricing has drastically changed in the recession. PICTURE: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg and cut lending to preserve capital. the United Kingdom experienced 17 decade since the global fi nancial crisis. Such policies condemned Europe to years of uninterrupted growth from Bond yields have become increasingly believe that the old growth-infl ation markets, as I argued in April, is not that public spending, and easing credit spend most of the post-crisis period in 1992–2008. Unlike the US, both Aus- divorced from real economic condi- linkage is broken means that they will the US is near a recession; it is simply restraints. China’s stimulus measures, recession or near-recession, while the tralia and the UK are more recession- tions, partly because of quantitative keep interest rates much lower for that the Fed is preparing to cut interest like the Fed’s expected easing, will take US and China enjoyed a decade of un- prone because of their dependence on easing and regulatory pressures on much longer than in previous eco- rates. If that happens – and it almost some time to feed through into eco- interrupted growth. If similarly foolish commodities, fi nance, and property pension funds to buy bonds regardless nomic cycles. As long as central bank- certainly will – a US recession will nomic data, but these measures virtu- policies are maintained, the same thing speculation. of economic conditions, but mainly ers continue to behave like this, bond become less likely, not more so. ally guarantee that the US-China trade will happen again. – Project Syndicate Economic principles are equally because infl ation seems to have decou- yields will continue to refl ect inves- The same is true in China. The war will cause only limited damage to unhelpful to advocates of the “overdue pled from unemployment and growth. tors’ expectations about what central Chinese government and central bank growth prospects in both countries, at Anatole Kaletsky is Chief Econo- recession” theory. The normal condi- Even if the decoupling of growth banks will do with short-term interest have responded to Trump’s trade war, least in the next year or two, which is mist and Co-Chairman of Gavekal tion of any reasonably well-managed and infl ation ultimately turns out to be rates, rather than their expectations albeit somewhat belatedly, by cutting the time horizon over which macr- Dragonomics and the author of Capi- market economy since the invention of illusory, the mere fact that the US Fed- about economic prospects or recession interest rates and reserve require- oeconomic policies operate. talism 4.0: The Birth of a New Economy active demand-management policies eral Reserve and other central banks risks. The main message from fi nancial ments, reducing taxes, ramping up A much more serious threat to the in the Aftermath of Crisis.

LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 420c Minimum Temperature : 320c Stay of execution after court’s judgment SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 410c Minimum Temperature : 330c By Nizar Kochery wise the claim shall be null and void. is terminated under Article 61 of the renewing my visa even after many Doha The party who makes the claim shall Labour Law. According to Article requests. How can I get the visa MONDAY notify the other party within 10 days 61, the employer has right to termi- renewed to avoid troubles con- Maximum Temperature : 440c after preparing the report by a memo- nate the employment contract of an nected with expired ID? Please Minimum Temperature : 330c Question: I have fi led a complaint randum, explaining the evidence of employee without any notice period advise. Fisherman's forecast against one of my colleagues and forgery and investigation procedures or end-of-service benefi ts for reasons OW, Doha the police transferred the case to that he requires for evidence, other- of gross misconduct such as false WARNING the public prosecution and then wise his claim may expire. identity or nationality or submission A: The employee can approach the Inshore : Nil to the court. I have attended some of false certifi cates or documents, any Labour Department if the employer Offshore : Nil hearings of the case when the police act which causes gross fi nancial loss to is not renewing the visa/ID. All Termination without WEATHER requested to give a statement. The the employer, an assault on the person expatriates residing in the country for Inshore : Hot daytime with slight court has pronounced the judgment any notice period of the employer, disclosed confi dential any purpose shall obtain a residency dust at some places and the colleague was punished for information, convicted for a crime permit from the competent authority. Offshore : Slight dust,becomes the off ence. At the same time, the involving immorality or dishonesty, According to Article 8 of Entry-Exit fine later court has suspended the punishment Q: My friend received termination drunk or under the infl uence of drugs Law, the recruiter/employer shall against him. Now he is free from all letter two weeks ago and he accepted during working hours or absent from comply with the permit procedures WIND punishments and was released from it. The company terminated him work without legitimate cause for and its renewal thereof within a Inshore : Northwesterly-North- easterly10-18/22 KT custody. What is this procedure? without any valid reason. When he more than 7 consecutive days or 15 maximum of 90 days from the date of How the punishment gets stopped? requested to settle his dues and end- days in one year, etc. expiry. According to Article 40 of the Offshrore : Mainly Northwesterly- Please explain the provision. of-service benefi ts, the management said law, any person who violates the Northeasterly03-12/15 KT SH, Doha refused to settle them stating that above mentioned provision shall be terminated staff is not eligible for the Employer not subject to a fi ne that shall not exceed Visibility : 4-8/3 KM Answer: According to Article 79 of the benefi ts. In what all situation, can renewing visa QR10,000, without prejudice to any penal laws, upon issuing a judgment of a the company refuse to pay benefi ts to severer penalty stipulated in any Offshore : 1-3/4 FT fi ne or imprisonment for a period of no the employee? Please advise. other law. Around the region more than one year, a judge may order SJ, Doha Q: I have been working in an LLC Weather Weather a stay of execution if considering the A: An employee is entitled for end- company in Doha for the past two Please send your questions to leges@ today Max/min tomorrow Max/min accused’s conduct, past circumstances of-service benefi ts under Article 54 years. My ID expired two months qatar.net.qa Baghdad Sunny 42/27 Sunny 43/27 of off ence or age there is reason to of the Labour Law unless he or she ago and the management is not Kuwait CitySunny 42/31 Sunny 42/31 believe that he shall not commit another Manama Sunny 38/31 Sunny 39/32 off ence. The judgment shall show the Muscat Sunny 36/32 Sunny 40/33 reason for the stay of execution. A judge LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Tehran Sunny 37/26 Sunny 38/27 shall make a stay of execution inclusive of any secondary punishment, except According to Article 411 of Crimi- of communication, decide to arrest confi scation. The stay of execution shall nal Procedure Code, if the person the person to be extradited, tempo- be for a period of three years from the requested to be extradited is under rarily, until the written extradition date on which the judgment becomes investigation or trial on another crime request and attachments thereof are fi nal. However, a judgment may be committed in the State of Qatar, the delivered. The person requested to be passed for revoking a stay of execution extradition shall be postponed until extradited shall not be detained for a if the convicted person commits during the conclusion of the investigation or period exceeding 15 days, unless the the period of probation a deliberate of- the trial with a conclusive judgment country requesting the extradition fence, he shall be sentenced to a penalty and for which the penalty is executed. present an acceptable reason. The involving deprivation of liberty for more The extradition request shall be period of detention shall not, in all than three months, whether the convic- presented through the diplomatic cases, exceed one month. tion judgment has been passed during channels, and the competent authori- If more than one country requests this period or thereafter, provided that ties shall decide thereon in accordance extradition of a certain person, the the action has been brought during such with the law. Public Prosecution shall determine a period. The request shall be accompanied the country to which the extradition Around the world with the following data and docu- shall be made, taking into account Weather Weather ments: An arrest warrant issued by decide on the extradition request. If it the circumstances surrounding each today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Borrower fails to the competent authority wherein the becomes clear that the data and docu- case, especially: (1) Seriousness of the Athens Sunny 34/23 M Sunny 35/24 repay money type of the crime and the punishing ments submitted in support of the crime; (2) Time and place of commit- Beirut Sunny 28/23 Sunny 28/24 article of law are stated, if the request extradition request are insuffi cient for ment of the crime; (3) Date of each Bangkok M Sunny 36/27 P Cloudy 35/27 Q: I lent money to a person and an concerns a person under investigation. deciding thereon, the Public Prosecu- extradition request; (4) Nationality of Berlin P Cloudy 25/13 Sunny 27/14 agreement was made as a proof for The request shall be attached to an of- tion may request from the country the person requested to be extradited; Cairo Sunny 37/23 Sunny 37/23 the transaction. The borrower failed fi cial copy of the investigation papers requesting the extradition to present and (5) Place of usual residence of the Cape Town Showers 16/11 Sunny 17/11 to repay the money as agreed. I have ratifi ed by the judicial authority which additional data or documents within a person requested to be extradited. Colombo T Storm 29/27 T Storm 29/27 fi led a case before the court for re- conducted it or which had the papers. time specifi ed by it. As per Article 417, without preju- Dhaka S T Storms 32/27 P Cloudy 33/27 covery of money. Now the borrower Offi cial copy of the judgment, if the The person requested to be ex- dice to the rights of bona fi de third Hong Kong M Cloudy 30/27 Cloudy 30/27 submitted a document to prove that request concerns a person adjudged in tradited shall be informed with the parties, the Public Prosecution may Istanbul M Sunny 30/22 P Cloudy 31/21 he had repaid the full amount. The absentia or in presence of the parties. charge attributed to him, the evi- deliver to the country requesting Jakarta M Sunny 33/24 P Cloudy 33/25 document submitted was a forged The extradition request shall be, dences standing against him and the the extradition all possessions of the Karachi P Cloudy 33/29 P Cloudy 33/29 one. What action can I take in such a in all cases, associated with a ratifi ed documents related to the extradition person against whom a judgment of London M Sunny 22/13 M Cloudy 25/18 situation? Please advise. copy of the legal text applying to the request. The testimony of such a per- extradition was issued among seized Manila S T Storms 35/28 S T Storms 34/28 VP, Doha crime, and full information about the son shall be recorded in a report and materials from the crime of which he Moscow S T Storms 31/19 P Cloudy 27/15 identity of the person requested be he may bring an attorney when being is convicted, or materials used in the New Delhi Sunny 42/30 M Sunny 40/29 A: As per Article 236 of the Civil and extradited, descriptions and the papers questioned. commission of the crime or which can New York M Sunny 27/18 Sunny 29/19 Commercial code of procedure, the showing nationality. All the extradi- According to Article 415, the be used as evidence of it. Paris M Sunny 25/16 P Cloudy 29/19 forgery may be claimed at any stage tion papers are to be ratifi ed by the Public Prosecution may, in the case If the country requesting extradition Sao Paulo M Sunny 24/14 Sunny 25/14 of the case by submitting a report to competent authorities in the country of emergency, and upon a request does not receive the person within a Seoul M Sunny 31/16 M Sunny 30/18 the offi ce of the Registry of the court requesting the extradition. submitted directly to it by the judicial month from being notifi ed, such per- Singapore T Storm 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 that specifi es all parts of the exhibit in As per Article 413, the Public authorities of the country request- son shall be released and shall not be Sydney S Showers 14/07 Rain 13/11 which the alleged forgery took place Prosecution shall be competent to ing extradition, and by any means extradited except by a new decision. Tokyo Cloudy 26/21 Cloudy 27/20 and all claimed acts of forgery, other- Gulf Times 16 Saturday, June 22, 2019 QATAR

Union of Strings and Wind concert held at Katara

Some renowned Indian musicians enthralled the audience at a concert held at Katara – the Cultural Village Drama Theatre yesterday. The concert, named Union of Strings and Wind, was organised by Beats & Tunes Events in co-operation with the Indian embassy as part of the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture. Grammy and Padmabhushan awardee Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt played the Mohan Veena, with Shashank Subramanyam, a Grammy-nominated musician, playing the flute. The ‘jugalbandi’ concert also featured Amita Dalal on the sitar, Patri Satish Kumar on the mridangam and Himanshu Mahant on the tabla. Present on the occasion was Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Indian ambassador P Kumaran and other off icials, dignitaries and guests. Pictured are snapshots from the concert along with a view of the dignitaries and other members of the audience. PICTURES: Nasar K Moidheen Rio youth benefi t from Qatar 2022 legacy initiative eneration Amazing – a next generation through the in- Qatar 2022 legacy pro- spirational impact of football.” Ggramme – teamed up Marco Teixeira, senior pro- with the United Nations Offi ce gramme offi cer of UNODC’s on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Programme for the Im- and Flamengo FC to deliver a plementation of the Doha Dec- football for development session laration, congratulated Genera- The initiative aimed to promote youth empowerment, inclusion and resilience through sport. to impoverished youth in Rio de tion Amazing on the scope of its Janeiro. outreach. The event, which was attend- Teixeira said, “Youth are ed by girls and boys from Campo placed at the centre of the Doha Grande, Favela do Vidigal and Ci- Programme’s activities that aim dade de Deus, aimed to promote to promote a culture of lawful- youth empowerment, inclusion ness, and to empower young and resilience through sport, boys and girls to become socially according to a report on the Su- responsible citizens by helping preme Committee for Delivery & them build life skills to better Legacy (SC) website. cope with daily-life challenges Participants have previously and move away from involve- benefi ted from UNODC’s Line The event was attended by girls and boys from Campo Grande, ment in violence, crime or drug Up, Live Up programme, which Favela do Vidigal and Cidade de Deus. use. uses sport-based initiatives as In this eff ort, sport has been an a tool to prevent youth violence positively aff ect children’s lives aries for Generation Amazing, important ally, off ering a unique and crime. Flamengo legend in areas of the world most in need which is currently present in sev- vehicle for non-formal educa- Evaristo de Macedo and Bora Mi- of assistance. en countries in the Middle East tion, skill development and the lutinovic, who has coached fi ve “Generation Amazing seeks to and Asia: Qatar, Nepal, Pakistan, social integration of young peo- diff erent nations at FIFA World eff ect that improvement in lives Jordan, Lebanon, the Philippines ple.” Cup fi nals, were among those through the power of football and India. “We are proud to an- The activation contributed to who attended the event that took and today’s event is a wonderful nounce that Generation Amaz- the Generation Amazing objec- place on the sidelines of Qatar’s showcase of that immense power ing, in collaboration with its stra- tive of positively impacting 1mn participation in Copa America. in action. We sincerely appreci- tegic partners, has now reached lives through football outreach Hassan al-Thawadi, secre- ate the involvement of Flamengo, half a million benefi ciaries,” said and education by 2022, the re- tary-general of the SC, the or- Evaristo and Bora Milutinovic for Mushtaq al-Waeli, senior adviser port said. Generation Amazing ganisation responsible for de- bringing the event to life and as- to the SC secretary-general and has already reached more than livering the infrastructure and sisting in providing the children executive director of Generation 28 disadvantaged communities legacy programmes for Qatar in attendance with a day to re- Amazing. through its various programmes, 2022, said: “Generation Amaz- member.” He added, “Reaching 500,000 including the development of ing and the UNODC are natural The event marked a major youth is a major step on our jour- community football pitches and Flamengo legend Evaristo de Macedo and Bora Milutinovic, who has coached five diff erent nations at FIFA partners as both entities seek to milestone in terms of benefi ci- ney to empower and educate the other sporting facilities. World Cup finals, were among those who attended the event. Ooredoo Myanmar donation contributes to learning and digital literacy

hae Nu San, a Tech Age The Tech Age graduate, is spreading the programme, Tjoy of learning with her mobile library with support from which is sponsored Ooredoo Myanmar. This April, during the ‘The by Ooredoo more you speak, the more Oore- Myanmar, has doo will donate’ CSR programme completion ceremony, Ooredoo given San the Myanmar “showcased its con- inspiration and tinued commitment to education and empowering women by sup- confidence she porting the passionate Thae Nu needed to make San with the donation of an auto- rickshaw,” the company said in a her dream come press statement. true With this donation, she could set up her mobile library safely, boys for technical assistance. As The children’s mobile library. carry more books and reach more she wanted to be capable and in- places to share her knowledge, the dependent, she attended the Tech make her dream come true. education, knowledge and digital statement notes. San had a dream Age Girl programme in 2016. The “Thanks to programmes like skills into their lives. “It is amaz- to share her knowledge with chil- programme aims to empower girls Tech Age Girl and the support ing to see a young person like Thae dren in Myanmar that did not have and enable them to become lead- from Ooredoo, she is now able to Nu San have the power to touch access to education or libraries. Alok Verma, chief commercial off icer of Ooredoo Myanmar, with Thae Nu San. ers. share computer and digital litera- many communities and inspire She envisioned children in vil- This year, the Tech Age pro- cy with more than 6,500 children and motivate thousands of chil- lages having access to informa- tion powers a better world and es such as Phaung Taw Oo Monas- San was born in Ohn Pauk Vil- gramme, which is sponsored by and encourage reading habits to dren to learn, read and use tech- tion, books, materials and digital broadens the insights of entire tic Education School, Shwe Keinri lage, Shwebo Township, Sagaing Ooredoo Myanmar in partner- over 11,000 children,” the state- nology grow. There is nothing skills that would empower them communities. Monastic Education School, Zaya Region, and her journey began ship with the Myanmar Book Aid ment points out. more admirable than some than to live better lives. Founder of the Currently, San drives her mo- Waddy Nun School, Zayyar Thiri getting a BA in Philosophy. She and Preservation Foundation, San is focused on social devel- seeing an empowering woman San Motorcycle Mobile Library, bile library three days a week, Orphanage and Nun School and then studied technology because has given San the inspiration opment and helping underprivi- taking her knowledge and sharing she strongly believes that educa- around Mandalay. She visits plac- Arr Kar Min Free Class. she did not want to depend on and confi dence she needed to leged communities by bringing it with the world,” it adds.