BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 4 Player power set to shape Reds’ INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-6, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 REGION 7 BUSINESS 1–5, 9-12 transfer Qatar lauded for stable 22,048.70 9,307.14 49.56 ARAB WORLD 6, 7 CLASSIFIED 6-9 -36.64 -66.35 +0.39 INTERNATIONAL 8–17 SPORTS 1–8 LNG supply to Japan dealings -0.17% -0.71% +0.79% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10541 August 10, 2017 Dhul-Qa’da 18, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir receives message from Kuwait Qatar off ers In brief visa-free QATAR | Meeting Plans to develop Lusail City discussed Off icials from the Ministry of entry for 80 Municipality and Environment, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Qatari Diar and Lusail City held a joint meeting yesterday to discuss plans to develop Lusail City, in line with the State’s development plans nationalities during the next phase and the requirements of Qatar’s hosting O Citizens of 80 countries Meanwhile, citizens of 47 countries for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. HE will be able to enter Qatar (second batch) can obtain a 30-day visa the Minister of Municipality and waiver upon arrival in Qatar. It allows Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah ‘with no paper work, no the holder to spend up to 30 days in the al-Rumaihi attended the meeting payment and no visas’ country but can be extended for anoth- during which a visual presentation er 30 days. Entry to Qatar is approved about Lusail City displayed the His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday received a written message from the Emir of Kuwait, By Joey Aguilar at the sole discretion of the MoI. overall plan of the project, its Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, pertaining to the Gulf aff airs as well as regional and international developments. The Staff Reporter Visa facilitation forms an impor- phases, divisions, the marina, Kuwaiti Emir’s envoy, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, and Kuwait’s tant part of the national tourism sector recreation areas, the entrances and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs and Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Mohamed al-Abdullah al-Mubarak al-Sabah strategy, which QTA and its partners exits and their connections with the handed over the message when His Highness the Emir met them at Al Bahr Palace yesterday. itizens of 80 countries can now are now reviewing, according to al- main roads. enter Qatar visa-free, making Ibrahim. Cit the most open country in the “Easing entry to Qatar is a key ena- QATAR | Hunters region, the Ministry of Interior (MoI), bler for the growth of Qatar’s tourism Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and industry. With this announcement we Probe into kidnapping Qatar Airways announced yesterday. are already turning the pages of the not over yet: Iraq PM Former foreign, justice minister Instead of applying for a visa, citi- next chapter of Qatar’s journey towards Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi zens of these countries who want to 2030,” he said. said the investigation into the issue visit Qatar will be given a multiple-en- Al-Ibrahim noted that the 80 coun- of kidnapped Qatari hunters is not try waiver for free at the port of entry. tries have been carefully selected based over yet. Speaking during his weekly rejects Comoros stance on Qatar It includes the UK, the US, Seychelles, on the quality of the tourists and their press conference after a cabinet New Zealand, Canada, Australia, India, spending ability, in addition to security meeting, al-Abadi said the probe is E the Minister of Municipal- and South Africa. considerations. still underway because “it is a major ity and Environment Mohamed Speaking at a press conference in The current list will undergo periodic issue and regional sides got involved Hbin Abdullah al-Rumaihi re- Doha, Qatar Airways Group Chief Ex- review to update it in the future if need- in it.” Al-Abadi urged Iraqis to report ceived Fahmi Said Ibrahim, former jus- ecutive Akbar al-Baker stated that the ed, according to the senior QTA offi cial. any kidnapping as soon as they learn tice minister of the Comoros Islands, citizens of these 80 countries will be “With 80 countries eligible for a visa about it, noting that Iraqi forces in Doha yesterday. Ibrahim is on a visit able to enter the country “with no pa- waiver, Qatar is now the most open have foiled all recent kidnappings to Qatar to express his rejection of the per work, no payment and no visas.” country in the region and we are de- and returned the kidnapped to their Comorian President’s unilateral deci- “This historic announcement comes lighted to invite visitors to discover our families. sion to sever diplomatic relations with at a time of historic signifi cance. While renowned hospitality, cultural heritage Qatar, in the wake of the current GCC some countries in the region have taken and natural treasures,” he stressed. ASIA | Tension crisis. to closing their skies and their borders, Citing a renewed focus by the coun- Ibrahim has previously served as Qatar has instead opened its borders to try’s leadership on diversifying the na- US warns N Korea of Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs and more freely welcoming visitors from all tional economy, al-Ibrahim announced collapse of regime Co-operation, in charge for the Arab corners of the world,” he said. that a revised tourism strategy is The United States yesterday World. His recent post was Minister of “Many of these visitors who otherwise scheduled to be launched on Septem- warned North Korea that the Justice, in charge of Public Adminis- HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al- Rumaihi may not have considered a stay in our ber 27, when Qatar hosts the offi cial pursuit of its nuclear drive could tration of Islamic Aff airs and Human and Fahmi Said Ibrahim in Doha yesterday. beautiful country will no doubt go on to celebrations of World Tourism Day. lead to the collapse of Kim Jong- Rights (from 30 May 2016 until he quit share their experience with others. These Qatar is also considering further un’s regime, as President Donald his post on 19 July 2017). exclusive interview will be published on O The people of the island wanted to new ambassadors will be vital to achiev- enhancements to its visa policy such Trump brandished America’s The former minister said he quit the Sunday. Some of the highlights are: stage a rally in support of Qatar but the ing our target of over 7mn tourists by the as waiving visa requirements for hold- nuclear might as a powerful cabinet in protest against the unjusti- O The decision of the Comorian presi- move was suppressed on the orders of year 2030,” added al-Baker, who was ers of a residence permit or a valid visa deterrent. The further escalation fi ed stand of the President of Comoros dent to sever ties with Qatar was never the President. joined by QTA’s chief tourism develop- from GCC citizens (Bahrain, Kuwait, in Washington’s war of words with towards Qatar. endorsed by the government or the peo- O Haj should never be mixed with poli- ment offi cer Hassan al-Ibrahim and the Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE), the Pyongyang came a day after Trump Ibrahim, who recently quit his min- ple there. tics; Saudi Arabia should consider itself MoI’s Airport Passports Department UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New stunned the world with a bold-faced isterial post in Comoros alongside two O The people of Comoros have never as the guardian of the holy places and director Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Zealand or the Schengen countries. message to Kim, saying his country other ministers of the Juwa Party, has heard about Qatar supporting extrem- guarantee safe and easy access to all Rashid al-Mazroui at the event. According to QTA, this waiver would faced “fire and fury like the world highly appreciated the role of Qatar in ism. Muslims. Citizens of 33 countries (fi rst batch) allow eligible visitors to obtain an Elec- has never seen.” Those comments the development of his country. O Qatari organisations that have worked O Diff erences between countries should will be eligible for a multiple-entry tronic Travel Authorisation by com- triggered expressions of concern Gulf Times spoke to Ibrahim about in Comoros have improved the lives of be solved through talks based on the rule waiver valid for 180 days, allowing pleting a simple online application at from China as well as from US allies, his views on the current Gulf crisis. The the people. of law. them to stay for up to 90 days in Qatar. least 48 hours prior to travel. Page 2 and stock markets and the dollar have slipped as investors seek safe- haven investments. Pages 9, 10

SPORT | Gulf crisis Coe: Qatar remains host Mauritian group stands by Qatar of 2019 world athletics There is no problem with Doha Prominent citizens call ambassador Azad Dhomun and Jean tar with whom our people and country being the host city of the 2019 world Qatar’s blockade as most Marie F Richard, a seasoned media and enjoy a longstanding privileged friend- athletics championships despite PR practitioner. ship,” said Richard announcing the the diplomatic and economic unfair, unwarranted “The group is dedicated to voice creation of Friends of Qatar-Mauritius blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi support to the government and peo- yesterday. Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain, group of prominent Mauri- ple of Qatar following the most unfair, “The group will shortly be reaching International Association of Athletics tian citizens has formed the unwarranted blockade of this peace- out to decision makers and civil soci- Federations (IAAF) chief Sebastian A Friends of Qatar-Mauritius, ful country by certain quarters echoed ety in Madagascar La Reunion and Mo- Coe said yesterday. “These kinds an organisation aimed at voicing sup- even in Mauritius,” they said in a state- zambique to voice its views in support of problems come and go, but we port for Qatar in the face of the unjus- ment. of the longstanding amity between our have chosen that venue and we’re tified blockade imposed by the Saudi- “We deplore this unfounded posi- peoples,” he added. going to go. Besides, we have good led bloc. tion, which was unfortunately echoed Mauritius severed diplomatic ties relations with the countries in that The initiative is spearheaded by fi - in Mauritius. So we decided to set up with Qatar in solidarity with Saudi area,” Coe said. nancial and banking pundit and former our group to stand by our friends in Qa- Arabia and its allies in June. Members of Friends of Qatar-Mauritius chapter showing their support for Qatar. Qatar has overcome blockade, says monetary expert

By Joseph Varghese He was addressing “2017 Gulf Crisis, “If the currency loses the value, it “The calm and calculated steps by the crisis by wisely collaborating with economic diversifi cation in the country, Staff Reporter Economic, Legal and Political Perspec- can lead to infl ation and then the prices Qatar was able to make the world un- its friends and providing necessary you need to develop more human capi- tives,” a symposium organised by Arab of essential commodities will go up. derstand that the country is able to goods for the people of the country. tal. There should be more incentive for Centre for Research & Policy Studies This could create pressure on the gov- withstand any such siege. Moreover “Even if the blockading countries the youth to pursue higher education atar has overcome the blockade (ACRPS) at Doha Institute for Graduate ernment,” noted al-Khater. the sound investment policy of Qatar withdraw all their investment in Qatar and the returns of education should be by some Arab countries through Studies. “However, there was no way to reduce has diversifi ed its investment in sev- it will not have any impact on the coun- greater than what it is today,” he added. Qsound economic policies, a “There was a conspiracy by the the value of the currency as the eco- eral geographical locations around the try as it is very minimal,” he added. Mohamed al-Khulaifi , dean, Faculty monetary policy expert said yesterday. blockading countries to destabilise Qa- nomic fundamentals of Qatar are very world providing robust growth for the Al-Khater also pointed out that the of Law, Qatar University (QU) as well as “The blockade is an economic war tari riyal which would have led to more robust. There was an attempt to desta- country,” continued the expert. universities and research centres in the Majed al-Ansari, a political strategist as they wanted to destabilise Qatar fi - capital outfl ow requiring the govern- bilise the currency overseas but it could According to him, withstanding the country should involve strengthening from QU also spoke at the event which nancially,” explained Dr Khalid Rashed ment to step in and support the cur- not succeed as the supply of Qatari riyal evil attempts of the blockading coun- the human capital in the country. was moderated by Sheikh Suhaim al- al-Khater. rency to stabilise,” he said. in the overseas market is limited.” tries, Qatar has been able to overcome “If you want to develop successful Thani from ACRPS. Page 20 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 10, 2017 QATAR

Emir sends message to FM meets US envoys PM receives US treasury dept official Serbian leader

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent a written message to the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, pertaining to bilateral relations and means of developing them. The ambassador of Qatar to Serbia Sheik Mubarak bin Fahad al-Thani handed over the message during a meeting with the president of Serbia earlier yesterday in Belgrade. Minister holds talks in Romania

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al- Muraikhi met Romania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment Gratiela Leocadia Gavrilescu; Minister of Foreign Aff airs Teodor Melescanu; and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani the country’s Presidential Adviser yesterday met US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea for Foreign Policy Bogdan HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met the envoys of and the accompanying delegation, currently on a visit to Doha. They reviewed relations between Aurescuin during the course of the US Secretary of State, Retired General Anthony Zinni and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Qatar and the United States and means to develop them, particularly in the field of security. his current visit to Romania. Talks Arabian Gulf Aff airs in the Near East Bureau at the US Department of State Tim Lenderking, in Doha Separately, HE the Governor of Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud al-Thani during the meetings covered yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed the developments in the Gulf crisis and the illegal also met Marshall Billingslea. They exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, and discussed bilateral relations and ways of measures taken against Qatar by the siege countries. The Foreign Minister reiterated Qatar’s full aspects of co-operation between the two countries. The meeting was attended by HE the Deputy enhancing them, as well as issues support for Kuwaiti mediation, which calls for dialogue. The meeting was attended by HE the Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of the National Anti-Money Laundering and of mutual concern. Secretary to His Highness the Emir for Investments Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani. Combating the Financing of Terrorism Committee Sheikh Fahad bin Faisal al-Thani.

Attorney General meets US official Visa-free entry latest step to boost tourism he announcement to grant visa-free entry to LIST OF NATIONALITIES ELIGIBLE FOR VISA-FREE ENTRY Tcitizens of 80 countries comes just a year after an- A) Citizens of these 33 countries will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa nouncing the fi rst steps taken waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and with the co-operation of Qatar entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. Airways and the MoI to facili- tate tourist visas to Qatar, ac- 1.Austria 12.Germany 23.Norway cording to Qatar Tourism Au- 2.Bahamas 13.Greece 24.Poland thority (QTA). 3.Belgium 14.Hungary 25.Portugal The journey to enhance visitor 4.Bulgaria 15.Iceland 26.Romania HE the Attorney General of Qatar Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Merri met the US Assistant Secretary of the experience began in 2014. QTA, 5.Croatia 16.Italy 27.Seychelles Treasury for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea in Doha yesterday. They exchanged views on a in collaboration with the UN- 6.Cyprus 17.Latvia 28.Slovakia number of issues of common interest. WTO, conducted a visa facilita- 7.Czech Republic 18.Liechtenstein 29.Slovenia tion study, which benchmarked 8.Denmark 19.Lithuania 30.Spain Qatar’s policies against regional 9.Estonia 20.Luxembourg 31.Sweden best practices. 10.Finland 21.Malta 32.Switzerland In September 2016, and in 11.France 22.Netherlands 33.Turkey partnership with Qatar Air- ways, QTA signed a pact with B) Citizens of these 47 countries will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa VFS Global to create an online waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and Qatar, Turkey to co-operate platform for processing visa ap- entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. plications. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days. This platform was formally launched in June of this year and 1.Andorra 17.Hong Kong 33.Peru in cyber security fi eld a month later, QTA expanded 2.Argentina 18.India 34.Russia e-visa services to accept appli- 3.Australia 19.Indonesia 35.San Marino cations from travellers to Qa- 4.Belarus 20.Ireland 36.Singapore QNA key last week and held several ening mobile devices and smart tar aboard all airlines, as well as 5.Bolivia 21.Japan 37.South Africa Ankara meetings in which they agreed to applications that store large tourism and hospitality estab- 6.Brazil 22.Kazakhstan 38.South Korea concentrate on the fi rst projects amounts of data on cloud com- lishments in Qatar. 7.Brunei 23.Lebanon 39.Suriname to be implemented under the puting (icloud) will be supported This year also saw the intro- 8.Canada 24.Azerbaijan 40.Cuba he Scientific and Tech- agreement of scientifi c coopera- in a secure manner against cyber duction of the free transit visa, 9.Chile 25.Macedonia 41.Thailand nological Research tion and technology in the fi eld attacks and threats. allowing passengers of all na- 10.China 26.Malaysia 42.Ukraine TCouncil of Turkey (TU- of cyber security. Turkish and Qatari researchers tionalities transiting in Qatar to 11.Colombia 27.Maldives 43.United Kingdom BITAK) and the Qatar National Ergin said that under the will form consortiums of com- stay in the country for up to 96 12.Ecuador 28.Mexico 44.United States Research Fund are to begin im- co-operation agreement, sup- panies from the private sector hours. 13.Panama 29.Moldova 45.Uruguay plementing the cyber security port will be given to projects and public bodies, and will grant Since introducing a transit visa 14.Costa Rica 30.Monaco 46.Vatican City part of the agreement on Sci- that aim to develop the tech- $2mn to each consortium to im- in November 2016, some 60,000 15.Georgia 31.New Zealand 47.Venezuela entific and Technological Co- nology needed to protect the plement joint projects between applications have been processed 16.Guyana 32.Paraguay operation signed between both vital infrastructure of banks the two countries, said Ergin. and set to process 200,000 by the sides. and other institutions, power The co-operation agreement end of this year, according to Qa- In a statement to the Turk- distribution and transmission was signed in December 2015, tar Airways Group chief execu- sit visas will deliver around this growing demand will place sit visit. To promote Qatar as a ish Anadolu Agency, (TUBITAK) lines and electronic communi- during a visit by Turkish Presi- tive Akbar al-Baker. 200,000 additional visitors to Qatar among the most popular global transit hub, the +Qatar president Aref Ergin, said that a cations. dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan to He said the demand for tran- Doha in the next 12 months, and destinations for long haul tran- campaign was launched in May. Qatari delegation visited Tur- Projects aimed at strength- Qatar.

300 Qatari pupils graduated from UK Euro 5.6mn QFFD aid to rebuild quake-hit areas in Italy varsities this year Some 300 Qatari students graduated from British QNA Simone Petroni. Doha during the recent visit of universities this year. Rome Commenting on the occa- the Italian Minister of Foreign Among these universities are sion, the QFFD Director-Gen- Affairs Angelino Alfano in the Liverpool John Morris University, eral Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari political, investment and mili- Nottingham, University of atar Fund For Develop- said that this support came at tary fields. Huddersfield, London Arts, ment (QFFD) has signed direct directives of His Highness Qatar Fund For Development Bangor and Coventry. Qa memorandum of un- the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- (QFFD), through the extraordi- In press statements, the students derstanding (MoU) with the Ital- mad al-Thani, noting that Qatar nary commissioner of the Ital- praised the State’s attention to ian government to donate 5.6mn was among the fi rst countries ian government for reconstruc- the students and to science and euro to rebuild the areas dam- to provide support for the Ital- tion, will allocate a contribution education. aged by the earthquake that hit ian government after the earth- to the construction of a school They expressed pleasure at their Italy in 2016. quake. complex in the municipality of graduation and stressed their The MoU was signed at the He noted that the support Macerata. willingness to contribute to the headquarters of the Council will focus on the education sec- The project will cover an area renaissance of the country and of Ministers in Rome by QFFD tor and school building, which is of 24,000 square metres, of its development under the wise Director-General Khalifa bin in line with Qatar’s priorities in which 4,000 square metres will leadership of His Highness the Jassim al-Kuwari and the ex- providing foreign aid. be allocated for the construction Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad traordinary commissioner of For his part, Qatar’s ambas- of schools. al-Thani. the Italian government for re- sador to Italy Abdulaziz bin The initiative will cover the The Qatari Cultural Attache in construction Vasco Errani, in Ahmed al-Malki highlighted entire rehabilitation process Britain Dr Mohamed Abdullah the presence of Qatar’s am- the strong and growing rela- from kindergarten, primary QFFD Director-General Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari and the extraordinary commissioner of the Italian al-Kaabi praised the graduates bassador to Italy Abdulaziz bin tions between Qatar and Italy, school, fi rst level high school government for reconstruction Vasco Errani exchange documents after signing the MoU, in the presence for their eff orts, and hailed the Ahmed al-Malki and adviser noting that the MoU is part of and a 330 square metre gymna- of Qatar’s ambassador to Italy Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki and adviser at the Italian Foreign Ministry support of Qatar to scholarship at the Italian Foreign Ministry the three agreements signed in sium. Simone Petroni, in Rome. students. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 3 QATAR

Foreign Ministry official, security chief meet Philippine undersecretary Sidra off ers entry-level jobs to nationals

idra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) has created Sover 100 medical adminis- tration jobs for nationals. Inter- ested applicants are invited to a recruitment open day on August 13 from 9am to 9pm at the Sidra Outpatient Clinic. Interested applicants (Qataris and those with Qatari mothers) can apply for roles on the spot and are encouraged to review available job listings at: http:// careers.sidra.org/sidra/Qatariza- HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi and HE the Director-General of Public Security Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi yesterday met tion.aspx. separately with Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Aff airs and Migrant Workers Aff airs in the Philippines Sarah Lou Arriola, currently visiting the country. During the meetings, they discussed a The majority of jobs – which number of issues of mutual concern. require candidates to be bilingual in Arabic and English are prima- rily targeted at high school grad- uates and diploma holders who are interested in an entry level career in medical administration. Farewell for outgoing ambassador Jobs for experienced profession- als seeking careers in guest rela- tions, medical administration and patient fi nancial counselling roles are also available. 5 fi lms from Dr Kholode al-Obaidli, chief learning offi cer said: “We are keen to attract individuals who are at the cusp of deciding their future career options and want them to consider healthcare as Qatar to be a great opportunity to kick start their careers.” Successful candidates, who have been selected for certain ad- ministration roles, will be eligible for a fully paid four-month train- HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi ing programme at the Commu- screened at yesterday held a farewell ceremony at the Diplomatic Club in honour of Belgium ambassador nity College of Qatar (CCQ). Christophe Payot, on the occasion of the end of his tour of duty in the country. A number of Sidra CEO Peter Morris and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country and directors of the Foreign Ministry Dr Abdallah Hazaimeh - dean of departments attended the ceremony. Community College of Qatar will sign a memorandum of under- standing (MoU) at the open day. Sarajevo event The MoU signals a Sidra and CCQ partnership to off er a fully customised and Sidra specifi c he Doha Film Institute The DFI supported fi lms to be Hania, Until the Birds Return “Healthcare Offi ce Skills” pro- (DFI) is shining the spot- screened at Sarajevo event in- (Algeria, France, Germany, gramme exclusively for Qatari Tlight on Qatar’s homeg- clude fi ve fi lms by Qatari direc- Qatar/2017) by Karim Mous- Qatar Airways launches new staff who qualify for the entry rown talent with the showcase tors, including Al Johara (2016) saoui, City of the Sun (Georgia, level roles. The programme in- of fi ve Made in Qatar fi lms at directed by Nora al-Subai, USA, Netherlands, Qatar/2017) cludes courses such as medical the 2017 Sarajevo Film Festival Kashta (2016) by AJ al-Thani, by Rati Oneli, and Taste of Ce- customer service channel offi ce administration, medi- to be held from August 11 to 18. Smicha (2016) by Amal Al Muf- ment (Syria, Lebanon, Germa- cal terminology for healthcare, A total of 12 fi lms supported tah, Amer: An Arabian Legend ny, UAE, Qatar /2017) by Ziad health information management by DFI, including the Made in (2016) by Jassim al-Rumaihi, Kalthoum. etting in touch with Qa- systems and business computer Qatar titles, have been selected and Aisha al-Muhannadi’s in- All these titles have screened tar Airways’ (QA) cus- applications. to take part in one of Europe’s dependent venture Makh’bz at leading international fi lm Gtomer service team has To apply on the spot for the largest fi lm events. (2015). events including the 2017 become easier, thanks to the entry level roles, applicants will Qatar’s strong participa- “It is my privilege to serve as Cannes and Berlin fi lm festi- launch of a brand new dedicated need to bring along copies of tion is further underlined by a jury member of the Sarajevo vals. 24/7 Twitter channel. national ID (mandatory), high DFI CEO Fatma al-Remaihi for Film Festival, with its excep- Three Qatar-backed fi lms Qatar Airways passengers school certifi cate (mandatory for being chosen as one of the fi ve tionally curated programme and past Qumra projects will will now be provided with an entry level jobs only) and resume jury members for the Competi- of feature fi lms that put the be showcased in the CineLink even more customised online (for roles requiring experienced tion Programme - Feature Film. spotlight on new approaches to Industry Days programme, and support service in keeping with candidates). The other jury members fi lmmaking, and in presenting will benefi t from additional the award-winning airline’s are writer-director-producer compelling stories from diff er- guidance from international premium customer service Michel Franco (Mexico), Ed- ent parts of the world,” al-Re- experts at Sarajevo Film Festi- proposition. Free Flexi Points inburgh International Film maihi said. val. Using the dedicated support Festival artistic director Mark “We remain committed to The short-listed projects are: handle of @QRsupport, pas- for Hala customers Adams, actor Goran Bogdan this mission of supporting bold iPhone Memory by Mahdi Ali sengers can raise their inquir- (Bosnia and Herzegovina, voices in fi lmmaking from Qa- Ali (Qatar); The Maiden’s Pond ies and receive replies round- Ooredoo announced yesterday Croatia), and Turkish actress tar, our region and beyond, and (Lebanon, Germany, France, Qa- the-clock, seven days a week the launch of the Flexi Point Melisa Sozen. bringing fresh perspectives and tar) by Bassem Breche, and Reem in English and Arabic from the QA passengers can raise inquiries and receive replies 24/7 in promo for Hala customers, to This year, nine fi lms sup- narrative styles to global audi- Saleh’s What Comes Around airline’s customer service team. English or Arabic from the airline’s customer service team. reward them for topping up. ported by DFI, through its Co- ences,” she noted. (Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar). The service ensures passen- Any Hala customer who tops Finance, Grants programme, Al-Remaihi added that they Sarajevo Film Festival is gers can continue to contact the world’s ‘most-liked’ airline on awards for Best Emerging Air- up their main Hala balance, Qatari Film Fund and other de- are looking forward to contin- marking its 23rd edition this airline as quickly and simply as Facebook.” line on Social Media and Best purchases a data recharge of velopment initiatives, will be ue working on joint initiatives year and builds on its reputa- possible. “We are also proud that our Use of Emerging Platform by an specific denominations, or buys a screened as part of the festival, with Sarajevo, its cultural part- tion for high-quality program- “Social media has trans- fi ve-star service has been rec- Airline. new Hala Flexi card before August in addition to three fi lms – that ner, to nurture emerging talents ming, strong industry segment, formed the way and speed in ognised in a recent independent The airline has taken full 23 will be given free Flexi Points are Grants recipients and Qum- in cinema. and educational and network- which people interact with one survey, which found that Qatar advantage of the world’s most automatically. ra projects – selected for the Four granted fi lms selected ing platforms for young talents. another and businesses,” QA’s Airways had the highest posi- popular social media channels Flexi Points will be valid for CineLink Industry Days, open- to screen at the Festival include The Festival welcomes fi lm chief commercial offi cer Ehab tive sentiment, especially for to improve its loyal passengers’ seven days and the amount of ing doors for the fi lmmakers to Beauty and the Dogs (Tunisia, professionals from across the Amin said. its in-fl ight service, products, customer service experience, points earned is based on top-up interact with international ex- France, Sweden, Norway, Leba- world for its unique selection of “QA will continue to en- special off ers and promotions, and has continued to expand denomination 50 or above. perts to discuss various aspects non, Switzerland, Germany, Southeast European and inter- hance our renowned customer and airport experience, com- its reach to ensure consistent The bonus Flexi Points can be of fi lm production. Qatar/2017) by Kaouther Ben national fi lms. service both in the sky and on pared to any other Middle East customer engagement across used to enjoy local data, make the ground, recognising the airline,” she noted. numerous platforms. international and local calls, increasingly important role This follows on the success of Engagement with the air- or international/local SMS. played by social media,” he the airline’s ‘No Borders, Only line is widely available in key Customers have the flexibility to added. Horizons’ video campaign, markets in multiple languages, use the Flexi Points as they want, QA’s marketing and corpo- which has continued to reso- including English, Arabic, Chi- based on their need. rate communications senior nate positively with travellers nese and Russian, via Twitter, Flexi Points are part of Ooredoo’s vice president Salam al-Shawa worldwide. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, new Hala Flexi Card range, said: “Qatar Airways contin- It became the top viral video Linkedin, Pinterest, Snapchat, which aims to provide pre-paid ues to grow both in reach and in June 2017 as recognised by Google+, Tumblr, Weibo in customers with some of Ooredoo’s recognition online. Our social Advertising Age, a global web- China and VKontakte in Russia. most aff ordable rates. For media engagement strategy has site that monitors campaigns QA has a combined audience example, local calls cost just one successfully created a buzz on- from all brands worldwide. of more than 16mn followers Flexi Point per minute (0.08 Dhs) line, so much so that we are the QA also previously won around the world. with a Flexi 200 Card.

Kashta by AJ al-Thani. PREP initiative for Tamuq freshmen wo dozen students who engineering students. The pro- Dr Cesar O Malave, dean of Ta- gineering Leaders initiative, a will enter Texas A&M Uni- gramme comprises intense in- muq, said the transition between partnership between Tamuq Tversity at Qatar (Tamuq)’s struction in mathematical topics high school and college could be and longtime collaborator Mae- engineering degree programmes such as functions, trigonometry as challenging as an engineering rsk Oil Qatar that aims to help in the fall are focusing on advanc- and linear systems, according to a career. young Qataris choose – and ing their mathematics skills this press statement. “At Texas A&M at Qatar, we be- succeed in – educational path- summer ahead of their fi rst se- For the second consecutive lieve that preparing students for ways in science, technology, mester as university students. year, the course is being taught by the rigours they will face in their engineering and mathematics The students are participat- Dr Sandra Nite from Texas A&M’s university studies is key to their (STEM), which are critical to ing in a three-week Pathways for main campus in College Station, future success,” Dr Malave said. the success of Qatar National Retention in Engineering Pro- Texas, US. “We are grateful to Dr Nite for Vision 2030. grammes (PREP) initiative organ- “Our goal is to help students lending her expertise in preparing Jowaher al-Marri, Texas A&M ised by Texas A&M at Qatar’s Of- close any gaps between what they the next generation of engineer- at Qatar’s outreach and devel- fi ce of Development, Engagement already know and what they need ing leaders who will lead Qatar’s opment manager, said many and Outreach. to understand in engineering future growth and development, students come to the university PREP aims to provide students mathematics,” Dr Nite said. “We and we are proud of each of these each year suff ering from “sum- with a solid foundation in math- reinforce this knowledge with PREP students for committing to mer learning loss”, meaning that ematics, which is essential in sci- hands-on activities that illus- their careers and investing in their students lose much of the in- ences and engineering, to support trate the real-world application of futures.” formation acquired in previous A scene from Al Johara, directed by Nora al-Subai. the academic success of incoming mathematical concepts.” PREP is part of the Dhia: En- years. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, August 10, 2017 QATAR

Oman Air starts third daily fl ight to Mumbai

man Air has launched both business and leisure pas- a third daily fl ight on sengers, not only increasing Oits popular Muscat to tourism traffi c and revenue Mumbai route from August but also promoting vital trade 1. The two-hour 50 minute agreements between the two fl ight departs Muscat at countries. 10.40pm and arrives in Mum- The airline is growing its bai at 3am. The return fl ight weekly capacity to India with leaves Mumbai at 4.05am and frequencies increasing on fi ve reaches Muscat at 5.15am. of the airline’s eleven key In- Oman Air also connects Doha dian destinations. Mumbai, and Muscat. Delhi and Hyderabad increase Oman Air already has two from twice daily to three times daily return fl ights between daily. Muscat and Mumbai – the Calicut increases from once outgoing fl ights depart Mus- daily to three times daily and The Northwestern University in Qatar building. cat at 1.20am and 9am, arriv- Lucknow increases from once ing in Mumbai at 5.40am and daily to twice daily. 1.20pm, respectively. This latest addition from The returning fl ights Mumbai to Muscat increases leave Mumbai at 4.15pm and the overall weekly frequency 6.55am, reaching Muscat at of fl ights to India from 154 to 5.30pm and 8.10am. 161. The new time slot is ex- In addition, towards the be- pected to prove popular, espe- ginning of the year the airline NU-Q welcomes largest cially with business travellers launched direct daily fl ights who can now take an evening between Salalah and Calicut. fl ight and reach their destina- This growth in capacity fol- tion early the next morning. lows the revised Air Services Many convenient connections agreement between the Gov- are also on off er for GCC trav- ernment of Oman and India ellers. in December 2016, when the class to new building Mumbai, the largest city number of weekly seats was in India, is also the fi nancial, increased to 27,405 seats for orthwestern University western global community, ac- new building, which includes a ulty, often with special funding. media industries and technology, commercial and entertain- both countries, compared in Qatar (NU-Q) will cording to a press statement. world-class multimedia news- Many NU-Q students also will also have the opportunity to ment capital. Drawing around to 21,145 seats in the previ- Nwelcome its largest class “The incoming Class of 2021, room with the infrastructure of a present at major national and learn more about the achieve- 5mn visitors a year, the city is ous agreement, an increase of of undergraduate students to the like all NU-Q classes,” said Ever- TV network and modern robotic international meetings, as well ments of the NU-Q alumni in consistently in high demand 6,258 seats per week. university’s new building this ette E Dennis, dean and CEO, “is infrastructure, three video pro- as taking part in activities on whose footsteps they follow. among Oman Air guests, es- Abdulrahman al-Busaidy, month. very diverse with students com- duction studios, two 150-person the home campus, including In June, NU-Q awarded de- pecially those from Oman’s deputy CEO and chief com- NU-Q’s 10th class will attend ing from 25 diff erent countries. lecture halls and a two-storey re- research grants, a research fair grees to 47 graduates, who join large Indian expatriate com- mercial offi cer of Oman Air, a week of orientation sessions In addition to their academic search library. and university-wide publica- 222 NU-Q alums, along with munity. said: “We are extremely happy that are designed to help prepare achievements, this year’s class Students will have a fi rst-hand tions. 230,000 Northwestern alumni The new fl ight is the latest to announce this new service them for their undergraduate includes a star female athlete experience in the studios and Northwestern established a around the world. move in Oman Air’s ambitious between Muscat and Mum- experience, as well as introduce from Qatar’s national track and production facilities, spending school of journalism and com- NU-Q’s alumni are employed and dynamic programme of bai. The addition of this fl ight them to traditions that are part fi eld team, several local students time creating a video using the munication in Doha in 2008, at top media and strategic com- fl eet and network expansion is part of our wider commit- of every student’s experience at who were at the top of their high new editing suites. welcoming a class of less than 40 munications companies, regional and boosts Oman’s connec- ment to the Indian market. Northwestern – in Doha and on school class, and international The incoming class will learn students. Today’s undergraduate and international media organi- tion to India, which is an im- India is a key destination for the home campus. students who scored in the top more about the educational op- programme in Doha has approxi- sations and government agen- portant trade partner for the Oman Air and the demand for From the university’s mascot fi ve percentile of the SATs world- portunities off ered at NU-Q, mately 300 students. cies. Sultanate. all 11 of our Indian destina- to its fi ght song, along with the wide.” which includes an emphasis on The Class of 2021, which will More than 30% of NU-Q’s Oman Air fi rst launched tions has always been high. traditional ‘March Through the The week-long orientation undergraduate research where have the opportunity to complete graduates have also pursued fl ights to India in the 1990s We are sure this new service Arch’, the orientation introduces provides students with the op- students produce projects and one of two majors — journalism graduate degrees at top universi- and the demand for seats has will prove just as popular as NU-Q students to the North- portunity to explore NU-Q’s papers, working closely with fac- and strategic communication, or ties around the world. grown exponentially amongst our other Indian routes.”

More than 60 secondary school students from across Qatar explored career paths in business, science and technology at the annual Summer College Preview Programme. Carnegie programme: a glimpse into careers

ore than 60 sec- participate in SCPP get a CMU-Q, nearly a quarter university careers. ondary school stu- greater understanding of of students had completed Maryam al-Thani, a Mdents from across what CMU-Q is about: they SCPP. grade 10 student at Qatar Qatar explored career paths learn about our work ethic Ayah al-Ansari, a grade 12 Academy, said: “When I in business, science and and our unique approach student at Raba’a Al Adewi- fi rst learned about the pro- technology at the annual to study and problem solv- ya School, said: “Taking gramme, I was intrigued as I Summer College Preview ing,” said Damian Dourado, part in SCPP has been an wanted to learn more about Programme (SCPP) hosted CMU-Q’s director of pre- amazing experience – I have the computer science major by Carnegie Mellon Univer- college programmes. learned how to work in a CMU-Q off ers. I now know sity in Qatar (CMU-Q). Based on a programme group and take ownership of what to expect when I be- Students in the three- at Carnegie Mellon’s main my learning. I look forward come a student at CMU-Q.” week programme study, ex- campus in Pittsburgh, US, to applying to CMU-Q and Workshops and pro- plore and prepare projects SCPP off ers students an becoming a biological sci- grammes for secondary in one of the areas in which opportunity to explore ences student.” school students interested CMU-Q off ers degrees: bio- emerging fi elds and areas The programme also in- in studying biological sci- logical sciences, business of study. Designed for stu- cludes a series of workshops ences, business administra- administration, computer dents in their last few years on how to become a master tion, computer science and science and information of secondary school, SCPP student by learning to set information systems are systems. has been proven to hone goals and eff ectively man- held throughout the year. “We are proud to cel- students’ planning and age time – all challenges the One can learn more at www. ebrate the 10th anniver- preparation for college. In SCPP participants will face qatar.cmu.edu/outreach sary of SCPP. Students who the 2016 incoming class at when they embark on their

Vodafone extends ‘Flex’ to prepaid users

odafone Qatar has extended its ers, Vodafone is giving ‘Free Flex’ as a “We know this off er will be for the global innovation ‘Flex’ to pre- bonus with recharges from as little as benefi t of our prepaid customers in Vpaid customers as a follow-up QR55. This includes the standard top- Qatar, whether they like making more to the success of the initiative with the up and Internet cards. The Free Flex local or international calls or use more company’s postpaid customers after it bonus promotion will run until August of the Internet or even SMS. It’s up was launched in May 2016. 23, 2017. to them. Just one single Flex balance A single credit balance for prepaid “Vodafone Flex is a world-class, gives them the fl exibility,” said Voda- customers gives them the freedom and game-changing idea that will posi- fone chief commercial offi cer Diego fl exibility to use data, make local and tively change the prepaid market in Camberos. international calls, and SMS inter- Qatar by addressing the needs of our Flex can be used to call all other changeably on one balance with no pre customers. countries at various aff ordable rates, fi xed quota. We have seen the success of Flex in details of which can be found on www. The telecommunications provider other Vodafone markets and how it vf.qa/fl exprepaid The full list of Flex said Flex is an innovative product that simplifi es customers’ recharging hab- rates is available at www.vf.qa/fl ex- has already proven to be hugely suc- its by giving them full control to use prepaid Always check your Flex bal- cessful in other Vodafone markets. their balance the way they want with- ance through the My Vodafone App or To introduce the new concept of out being restricted to one particular dial *130#. The app can be download- Flex for prepaid to Qatar consum- use. ed from www.vf.qa/app

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, August 10, 2017 QATAR/ARAB WORLD Israeli soldier Solidarity behind bars on manslaughter conviction

AFP Opinion polls have suggested more court has said its piece,” he said. Rishon LeZion, Israel than two-thirds of Jewish Israelis sup- “We live in a state of law so I am port pardoning him. going to serve the sentence imposed The March 2016 shooting in the oc- on me, with the hope that it will be n Israeli soldier convicted of cupied West Bank city of Hebron was reduced. It’s important for me to em- manslaughter for shooting dead caught on video by a human rights phasise: I grew up in a moral home. Aa prone Palestinian assailant in group and spread widely online. Had I known that the terrorist didn’t a trial that deeply divided the country It showed Abdul Fatah al-Sharif, have a bomb, I would not have shot.” arrived yesterday alongside motor- 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot The trial captivated Israel and cycle-riding supporters to begin his along with another Palestinian after highlighted deep divisions in public 18-month prison term. stabbing and wounding a soldier, ac- opinion between those who decry the Moroccans take part in a demonstration in Casablanca yesterday for a protester who died in the Rif protests in northern Elor Azaria, 21, entered the Tserifi n cording to the army. shooting and those who say it was jus- Morocco after he was hit in the head during clashes with security forces. military base near the city of Rishon Some 11 minutes after the initial tifi ed. LeZion to begin serving his sentence, his shooting, Azaria shot him in the head Military leaders strongly con- car driven by his father festooned with without any apparent provocation. demned Azaria’s actions. photographs of him and Israeli fl ags. He said he feared Sharif was wearing However, right-wing leaders in- A few dozen supporters waved Is- an explosive belt and could blow him- cluding Netanyahu have called for him raeli fl ags and chanted Azaria’s name self up, a claim judges rejected. to be pardoned in an extraordinary as the car pulled up. Journalists sur- “His motive for shooting was that he public rift between politicians and the UN worried for civilians trapped in Raqa rounded him and his arrival was felt the terrorist deserved to die,” Judge military. broadcast live on television. Colonel Maya Heller said as he read the Human rights groups pointed to the A smiling Azaria briefl y exited the verdict in January. case as an example of what they call an AFP verify due to the situation on the ground.” Kurdish-Arab alliance backed by an in- car outside the base but did not speak. Azaria, a sergeant and military unequal system of justice for Israelis United Nations “Access to Raqa is not currently pos- ternational coalition battling IS, entered On July 30, a military court rejected medic at the time of the incident, was and Palestinians. sible for the UN, due to the fi ghting on Raqa city two months ago. Azaria’s appeal against his convic- sentenced in February. He later ap- Amnesty International has said the ground,” Dujarric said during his But the force’s progress has been hin- tion for manslaughter and upheld the pealed the verdict, while military pros- Azaria’s sentence does “not refl ect the he United Nations yesterday daily briefi ng. “We remind all military dered by IS which is fi ghting hard to hang prison sentence. He could have ap- ecutors asked for an increased sen- gravity of the off ence”, and the UN hu- urged those fi ghting in Syria’s actors of their obligations to protect ci- on to the de facto Syrian capital of the pealed to the country’s supreme court, tence after having initially requested man rights offi ce said it was an “unac- TRaqa to remember “obligations vilians and ensure humanitarian access, “caliphate” it self-proclaimed in June 2014. but opted not to after Defence Minister between three and fi ve years. Both re- ceptable” punishment for “an appar- to protect civilians,” voicing concern in line with international humanitarian The SDF is backed by the US-led coa- Avigdor Lieberman pleaded for him to quests were refused by military judges. ent extra-judicial killing”. over the tens of thousands of people still law.” lition battling IS in Iraq and Syria, which allow the country to move on. In his message last week, Azaria did Azaria completed his mandatory trapped without access to aid. In July humanitarian organisations has supplied weapons, air cover and a He has instead requested a reduced not express remorse, but said he would three-year military service on July 20 An estimated 10,000 to 25,000 peo- distributed aid, including food and limited number of troops. sentence from armed forces chief not have fi red if he had known there and was moved from confi nement to ple are stuck in the city, the Islamic medications, to some 263,000 people The fi ght for Raqa has prompted tens of staff Lieutenant General Gadi Ei- was no bomb. “I assure you that I acted his base to house arrest. State group’s main stronghold, said UN out of at least 46 sites within the Raqa of thousands of civilians to fl ee, with senkot, asking for community service out of a sense of immediate danger at His imprisonment had been post- spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who not- region, Dujarric said. many wounded by crossfi re or IS-plant- instead of prison time. the scene of a terror attack, but the poned pending his appeal. ed that “exact fi gures remain diffi cult to The Syrian Democratic Forces, a ed explosive devices during their escape.

Indesit’s Core Range AC now available in Qatar

ndesit, now associated with Whirlpool Corporation, has launched in Qatar its Core Range of air conditioners with Ian energy effi ciency rating of 7 stars as prescribed by Qatar Standards. The Core Range in a compact design comes with a new 3D Fast & Cool Technology that provides a more powerful cooling even at extreme temperatures. With a dual fan rotary compressor that keeps the compressor running cool, the AC continues to work effi ciently even if outside temperatures touches 58C. This also helps in 68% saving in energy consumption when compared to a standard inverter model, thereby reducing elec- tricity bills. Moreover, it uses the ecologically safe R410 Gas. The Core Range AC also comes with a 3D Power Cool Technol- ogy that is designed to drive performance with its three dimen- sional air intake capable of taking in more hot air through its in- take vents and able to throw the cooled air to a distance of 39ft A view of the Nando’s outlet at Doha Festival City. thus ensuring instant cooling in almost all parts of the room. The AC is equipped with wider coils that provide better air cir- culation and a bigger blower able to deliver more airfl ow. The Core Range also comes with a smart function that with a press of a button can automatically set the temperature and fan Nando’s opens doors at Festival City speed. Other features include a sleep mode, a power save mode that saves up to 41% energy when compared to the standard function. oha Festival City, the larg- The new Nando’s at Doha Festival Nando’s in Qatar said: “Doha Festi- A jet function drops the temperature by 5C in 10 minutes. est entertainment, retail City will also be home to 31 bespoke val City is a world class leisure, re- The remote comes with a built-in temperature sensor to ensure Dand hospitality destination pieces of art, sourced from up and tail and entertainment destination, that the cooling is as per set temperature. in Qatar, has announced that the coming South African artists. so we are so absolutely delighted to The HEPA+ Silver Ion Filter, unlike conventional fi lters, the popular South African restaurant Commenting on the new open- be bringing our exceptional off ering Lytic Enzyme High-Effi ciency Particulate Arrestance Filters re- chain Nando’s, has opened its doors ing, Trevor Hill, general manager, to even more people here. This will move 99.9% of bacteria and particulate from the air, in 24 hours at the mall. Doha Festival City Mall said: “Our be our ninth successful restaurant providing a healthier and relaxing environment. Nando’s is the fi rst restaurant new casual dining area is set to opening in Qatar, which under- Indesit AC’s are available at all Jumbo Electronics showrooms, to welcome visitors at the newly welcome several new outlets over lines the popularity of our delicious Spark Lifestyle Electronics and leading hypermarkets. opened ‘casual dining’ area on the the next few weeks, but we are de- PERi-PERi chicken and great at- fi rst fl oor, adjoining VOX Cinemas lighted to be kicking it off with mosphere, which will be in abun- and what will be its cutting-edge Nando’s which we know is a popu- dance at our new outlet.” Family Entertainment Complex. lar crowd-pleaser here in Qatar. The Hill said: “We are really looking In its 16th year of operation in restaurant design as per Nando’s forward to welcoming even more Qatar, this is Nando’s ninth res- trademark also has unique quirks food and beverage concepts to join taurant across Qatar. Nando’s, with that can only be seen here at Doha Nando’s in the casual dining area, as over 1,000 restaurants world-wide, Festival City - including the beauti- well as opening our Family Enter- of which 40 are in the region, is ful pieces of art - which makes the tainment Complex later in the year. famed for its fl ame-grilled PERi- restaurant a real feast for the eyes as We have had some hugely positive PERi chicken and its’ warm and am- well as the stomach.” feedback to date and are hoping for bient interiors inspired by its Afro- C V Rappai, CEO of Oryx Group more over the coming months with Portuguese heritage. for Food Services, which operate what is still yet to come!” An Indesit Core Range air conditioner.

SriLankan Airlines begins service to Hyderabad in India

riLankan Airlines has July, together with Visakhapatnam which we believe is an important most sophisticated in-fl ight en- enhanced opportunities for rapid launched new services to the and Coimbatore. addition to our global network. tertainment systems and superior and seamless transport of all types Ssouthern Indian city of Hy- With these additions, the airline This new service refl ects Sri- comforts”, the statement notes. of cargo throughout SriLankan’s derabad. operates 126 fl ights per week to 14 Lankan’s continuous commit- SriLankan has deployed its network”. The airline is off ering a four- cities in India, with existing serv- ment in consolidating the Asian brand-new A320neo and A321neo SriLankan’s global route net- times-a-week service to Hydera- ices to Chennai, Trichy, Trivan- market and off ering travellers aircraft on its routes to south India. work now spans 105 cities in 47 bad, connecting the city to Doha drum, Mumbai, New Delhi, Gaya, seamless travel experiences with The airline stressed that the countries. and other places through its global Madurai, Varanasi, Kochi, Banga- great comfort.” launch of new services by Sri- As a member of the oneworld route network. lore and Kolkata. Travellers to and from Hydera- Lankan to Hyderabad “would alliance, SriLankan also off ers its In a press statement, SriLankan SriLankan Airlines chief com- bad can now “enjoy SriLankan’s boost connectivity for the business passengers connectivity to over said Hyderabad is one of three mercial offi cer Siva Ramachan- award-winning hospitality on- community by providing all indus- 1,000 cities in 160 countries that south Indian cities that the airline dran said: “We are delighted to board its ultra-modern fl eet of tries in Hyderabad, one of the larg- are served by its oneworld partner has commenced operations to in extend our services to Hyderabad, Airbus aircraft, which possess the est industrial centres in India, with airlines. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD

SDF female fighters Rouhani Smugglers push names 3 women to migrants into the cabinet

Reuters Tehran sea off Yemen, ranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday brought Ithree women into the gov- ernment, one day after being criticised on social media for submitting an all-male list of killing 29: IOM cabinet members to parliament for approval. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) female fighters sit together on a curb in the city of Hasaka, Massoumeh Ebtekar, head of AFP Appeals to end Sanaa airport closure northeastern Syria, yesterday. Iran’s Department of Environ- Dubai ment in Rouhani’s fi rst term, Aid groups and rebels who control But aid groups have warned was appointed vice president for the Yemeni capital appealed that the closure is hampering the women and family aff airs. mugglers forced more than yesterday to a Saudi-led coalition delivery of desperately needed Laya Joneidi was named vice 120 Somali and Ethiopian backing the government to allow supplies which now have to go president for legal aff airs while Smigrants into rough seas off the reopening of its airport now through the Red Sea port of Shahindokht Molaverdi was made Yemen yesterday, leaving 29 dead closed for a year. Hodeida. UN urges action to avert famine the president’s assistant for civil and 22 missing, the International The coalition of Arab states “The sick can no longer travel rights. Organisation for Migration (IOM) forced the closure of Sanaa airport abroad for treatment and medi- Rouhani had mentioned the said. to all but very limited UN flights in cines can no longer be brought in,” threatening 20mn people importance of women’s rights The IOM said it had found the August last year saying it was nec- the rebels’ transport minister Zeid in campaign speeches before shallow graves of 29 migrants on a essary to prevent arms smuggling. al-Chami told reporters. the presidential election in May beach in the southern province of Reuters “The Security Council calls The statement also asked when he was re-elected. Shabwa after they had been bur- United Nations upon all parties in Yemen, UN Secretary-General Antonio The appointments are likely ied by survivors. who are still missing”. than 8,000 lives since March 2015 South Sudan, Somalia and Guterres to brief the Security to tamp down some of the criti- “The smugglers deliberately An IOM statement said its staff and brought the country to the northeast Nigeria to urgently Council in October on impedi- cism that Rouhani faced from pushed the migrants into the wa- had provided urgent care to sur- brink of famine, Yemen continues he UN Security Council take steps that would enable a ments to responding to the risk supporters on Tuesday when he ters since they feared that they viving migrants who had stayed to attract people fl eeing the Horn yesterday called on war- more eff ective humanitarian of famine in Yemen, South Su- failed to announce any female would be arrested by the authori- on the beach. of Africa. Tring parties in Yemen, response,” the statement said. dan, Somalia and northeastern ministers in his cabinet. ties once they reach the shore,” an It estimated the average age Several refugee camps in south- Somalia, South Sudan and The United Nations appealed Nigeria and make recommen- One widely-circulated post IOM emergency offi cer in Aden of the migrants on the boat at ern Yemen host Somali refugees. northeastern Nigeria to allow in February for $4.9bn to com- dations on how to overcome on social media showed Rouhani told AFP. around 16. Already one of the Arab world’s humanitarian aid access and bat what it calls the largest any obstacles. with his new all-male cabinet cast Then they “simply went back The survivors told the IOM that poorest countries, the country urged countries to donate more humanitarian crisis since the US ambassador to the United in a photo in front of a government to where they came from to pick a smuggler had pushed them to has been rocked by years of con- money to avert famines threat- world body was formed more Nations Nikki Haley said fam- building — with a huge moustache more migrants and try to smuggle the sea after seeing people who fl ict between Shia Houthi rebels ening 20mn people. than 70 years ago, but UN ine was an issue of peace and photo-shopped onto the building. them into Yemen, again”. looked like offi cials, the IOM’s and the government of Presi- In a statement drafted by spokesman Stephane Du- security. “I won’t forget how people IOM says around 55,000 mi- Yemen mission head Laurent de dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Sweden, the 15-member coun- jarric said only 51% of that “The Security Council has rallied votes for Rouhani,” one grants have left the Horn of Africa Boeck said. backed by a Saudi-led coalition. cil expressed “deep concern amount has been received. fi nally acknowledged the clear critic posted on Twitter in Farsi. headed for Yemen since the start “They also told us that the In March, a helicopter opened that ongoing confl icts and “These four contexts are very link between confl ict and “What’s happened with this of the year, most aiming to fi nd smuggler has already returned fi re on a boat carrying over 140 violence have devastating hu- diff erent but one thing is in famine,” she said in a state- reformist government that we work in Gulf countries. to Somalia to continue his busi- passengers off Yemen’s Red Sea manitarian consequences and common - they are all aff ected ment. now have to beg just to get one The journey is especially haz- ness and pick up more migrants coast, killing 42 civilians and hinder an eff ective humani- by confl ict, they are manmade Yemen has been embroiled in woman in the cabinet?” ardous at this time of year due to to bring to Yemen on the same wounding 34. tarian response in the short, and also the humanitarian ac- confl ict for several years with Rouhani’s hardline predeces- strong winds in the Indian Ocean. route,” he said. A confi dential United Nations medium and long term, and cess is hampered by the ongo- Iran-allied Houthi rebels fi ght- sor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, The IOM offi cer said there “This is shocking and inhu- report in July said the attack was are therefore a major cause of ing confl ict,” Sweden’s Deputy ing Yemeni government forces had just one female minister in were “many women and children mane.” almost certainly carried out by famine” in these four coun- UN ambassador Carl Skau told backed by a Saudi Arabia-led his cabinet, though this was op- among those who died and those Despite a war that has cost more the Saudi-led coalition. tries. reporters. military coalition. posed by some clerics. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, August 10, 2017 AFRICA

Rwanda poll commission confi rms Kagame’s victory

AFP ceded defeat this week after process, in particular as re- Kigali preliminary results were re- gards the registration of the leased. However, Habineza candidates.” stated that “some local au- Kagame has been the de wanda’s electoral com- thorities were not cooperative facto leader of Rwanda since, mission yesterday con- and there were hindrances to as a 36-year-old, his rebel Rfi rmed President Paul our election observers and army routed extremist Hutu Kagame’s overwhelming vic- party agents.” forces who slaughtered an tory in last week’s presiden- After the election, the estimated 800,000 people — tial election, even improving United States said it was “dis- mainly minority Tutsis —and his score slightly to 98.79%. turbed by irregularities” ob- seized Kigali in 1994. He was There had been little doubt served during voting as well fi rst appointed president by that the 59-year-old would as a lack of transparency in lawmakers in 2000. return to the helm of the east determining the eligibility of He was made eligible to African nation which he has prospective candidates. run for a third term follow- ruled with an iron fi st since “We hope the new electoral ing a referendum in 2015 that the end of the 1994 genocide. law to be debated in the next voted to remove term limits Preliminary results showed session of Parliament will from the constitution and he had won 98.63% of votes, clarify that process well be- could potentially allow Kag- handing him a third term fore the 2018 parliamentary ame to seek election another in offi ce. The fi nal results elections,” read a State De- two times and rule until 2034. showed opposition leader partment statement. Kagame is credited with Frank Habineza of the Dem- Similarly, the European a remarkable turnaround in Protesters burn tyres in Kibera slum in Nairobi, a day after general elections. Kenyan police shot dead two protesters in the capital’s flashpoint Mathare ocratic Green Party scored Union acknowledged urged the shattered nation, which slum yesterday, as unrest broke out after opposition accusations that the general election was rigged, a senior off icer told AFP. 0.48% and independent can- “further eff orts to increase boasts annual economic didate Philippe Mpayimana the inclusiveness and trans- growth of about seven per- 0.73%. Both candidates con- parency of the (election) cent. Two die in Kenya post-poll violence

AFP fair”. “As a commission we shall Nairobi carry out investigations to establish whether or not the (hacking) claims are true,” he said, adding that the wo protesters were shot dead IEBC had a week to release fi nal re- by police in the Kenyan capi- sults. Ttal yesterday as unrest broke Raphael Tuju, secretary-general out after opposition claims of mas- of Kenyatta’s Jubilee party, urged sive rigging in an election that Pres- the opposition to “look at the fi gures ident Uhuru Kenyatta looked certain soberly” and accept the results. to win. “You cannot claim that results An AFP photographer saw one are fake with respect to presiden- of the victims, a young man with a tial vote and you welcome the areas massive gunshot wound to the head, where your governors and MPs have while a senior police offi cer con- won convincingly. You have to ac- fi rmed two had been killed in the cept the results however they come,” fl ashpoint slum of Mathare. he said. “They were part of a group that A demonstrator supporting opposition leader Raila Odinga wears a mask as Odinga urged his supporters to was protesting in the area and offi c- he protests, after Odinga claimed “massive” fraud in this week’s elections, “remain calm as we look deep into ers were sent to quell the chaos,” the in Kisumu, Kenya. this matter.” But he added: “I don’t offi cer said on condition of anonym- control the people.” ity. “We are told many of them were massive hacking attack had manip- entry using the identity of top IT of- As his speech ended, scores of also thieves who took advantage and ulated electronic tallying results. fi cial Chris Msando, who was found supporters gathered in Kisumu and could not even obey the police. Two Kenyatta looked to have an unas- murdered and tortured late last Mathare, burning tyres, setting up have been fatally wounded.” sailable lead, according to unoffi cial month. “This is an attack on our de- barricades and engaging in running Japheth Koome, police chief results streamed onto the election mocracy. The 2017 general election battles with riot police. “If Raila is for Nairobi, said the two who were commission (IEBC) website, hand- was a fraud,” said Odinga, claiming not president, we can’t have peace,” killed had tried to “attack our of- ing him 54% compared to Odinga’s detailed evidence of the hackers’ one Kisumu protester told AFP. fi cers with pangas (machetes) and 44.7%, with votes from over 96% movements. Resident Geoff ery Omondi, 22 that’s when the offi cers opened fi re of polling stations counted. The The 72-year-old, who is making shook his head as protesters lit a on them.” bloodshed comes a decade after a his fourth bid for the presidency as new fi re nearby. “It is very painful to An AFP photographer saw a disputed poll, which Odinga lost to the fl agbearer for the National Super watch. The problem is the IEBC who bloodied machete lying on the former president Mwai Kibaki, led Alliance (NASA) coalition, accused did not announce results well.” ground at the scene of the unrest. to two months of clashes that left his rivals of stealing victory from However the protests remained Police fi red teargas —and in some 1,100 people dead and 600,000 dis- him through rigging in 2007 and in isolated, and in opposition strong- cases live bullets into the air — to placed. 2013. holds where elections tend to stoke disperse several protests, which Decrying a “sham” tallying proc- “You can only cheat a people for tensions. Nevertheless the normally erupted in opposition strongholds ess, Odinga detailed accusations so long,” he said. traffi c-choked streets of Nairobi re- in Nairobi as well as the western city of a major attack on the electronic IEBC chairman Wafula Chebu- mained deserted as the country held of Kisumu after Odinga claimed a system, saying hackers had gained kati insisted the poll was “free and its breath over the results. South African opposition calls for new election, accused of ‘hallucinating’

South Africa’s opposition called yesterday for parliament to be dissolved and a national election held, a day after its no- confidence motion in President Jacob Zuma was defeated. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) suggested the opposition was ‘hallucinating’ if it thought that would happen. Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane said his opposition party would bring the motion to dissolve parliament to the assembly today and request that it be debated as soon as possible. Zuma, who has been dogged by accusations of corruption and mismanaging the economy, survived an attempt in parliament on Tuesday to force him from off ice. But he was left politically wounded after some members of his ruling African National Congress (ANC) party voted with the opposition. Maimane told a news conference in Cape Town that the result showed the ANC was divided and the country needed “a new beginning”. “The ANC may have won in the no-confidence motion in parliament yesterday, but it has lost the confidence of the country,” Maimane said. “We believe the voters should now have the chance to express their opinion about the conduct of the ANC in defending Jacob Zuma. In short, we believe that parliament should be dissolved now so that the country can hold an early election.” Zuma’s term as South Africa’s president is due to run until 2019. It was not clear whether the motion would be allowed and parliamentary off icials could not be reached for comment. Yesterday was a public holiday in South Africa and government off ices and financial markets were closed. But when asked about the DA party plan, ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa replied in a text: “A dream and hallucinations.” Analysts also said that even though the opposition had attracted a number of votes from the ruling party in the failed no-confidence motion against Zuma, it was a diff erent prospect altogether to expect the rebels to join this time around. “The DA has smelt a degree of blood and are looking to drive the knife in – not sure this is the right course of action,” said political analyst Daniel Silke. “They want to keep dissension and divisions alive in the ANC but when you want MPs to vote for an early election and not, say against, Zuma, this is a diff erent ball game. Many won’t agree.” Zuma, who has held power since 2009, has now survived nine no-confidence votes despite a record in off ice marred by allegations of sleaze and influence-peddling. He hailed his win as a victory for the ANC. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 9 AMERICAS Gym owner North Korea facing bans police destruction: Mattis from joining Reuters But Chambers pasted a The US defence chief has warned that The UN Security Council unanimously the Armed Forces Committee in the US Atlanta strongly worded version of the America would win any conflict easily imposed new sanctions on North Korea on Senate, who said Trump should tread cau- policy, including an expletive, Saturday. US military offi cials sought to tiously. “You’ve got to be sure you can do to the door a couple of weeks Reuters play down the potential for military con- what you say you’re going to do,” McCain gym owner in Atlanta ago. Washington fl ict. Three US offi cials, speaking on the said in a radio interview. who banned police of- That prompted a man to con- condition of anonymity, said the United Steny Hoyer, the No 2 Democrat in Afi cers and military mem- tact WXIA-TV, a local news States had not moved additional assets the US House of Representatives, said bers defended his policy yes- channel, to say he was off ended S Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is- into the region after North Korea’s threats Trump’s threat to North Korea “is reckless terday after receiving scores of as a military veteran. WXIA did sued a stark warning to North Ko- against Guam. and shows a serious lack of judgment.” death threats prompted by the not name the veteran. Urea yesterday, telling Pyongyang “Just because the rhetoric goes up, North Korea freed a Canadian pastor rule posted on his business’s that it should stop any actions that would doesn’t mean our posture changes,” one serving a life sentence on humanitarian door. “We know statistically lead to the “end of its regime and the de- offi cial said. “The only time our posture grounds, the offi cial KCNA news agency Jim Chambers said the rule that those people are struction of its people”. The first childhood home of President goes up is based on facts, not because of said yesterday. had been in place since early at risk around police in Mattis’ words, some of the strongest he Trump in New York. Trump’s childhood what Kim and Trump say to each other,” There was no clear connection between 2016 when he opened the East America” has issued on North Korea, followed incen- home is now available at $725 on AirBnb. the offi cial added. the release of Hyeon Soo Lim and the Atlanta Barbell Club in Geor- diary comments from President Donald While Trump said the nuclear arsenal heightened rhetoric between Washington gia’s capital. Since the channel’s report Trump who said on Tuesday that threats to Trump has said he will not allow was more powerful than ever before, US and Pyongyang. Canadian offi cials said The club advertises itself aired on Tuesday, Chambers the United States from Pyongyang would Pyongyang to develop a nuclear weapon offi cials say it takes decades to actually on Tuesday a delegation led by the coun- as “a radically aligned, left- said he had received a threaten- be met with “fi re and fury”. capable of hitting the United States. modernise nuclear weapons, a move al- try’s national security adviser had gone to friendly gym and community”. ing e-mail or call every minute Trump’s unexpected remarks prompted Yesterday, Trump followed up his “fi re ready under way under President Barack North Korea to discuss Lim’s case. Chambers said he has many or so. North Korea to respond by saying it was and fury” warning with a boast about US Obama’s administration, and there are Lim, who served in one of the largest members who are gay, or belong The Atlanta Police Depart- considering plans for a missile strike on nuclear capabilities. treaties that regulate nuclear expansion. churches in Canada, had been sentenced to racial minority groups, some ment did not respond to a re- the US Pacifi c territory of Guam. “My fi rst order as President was to Trump signed an executive order after to hard labour for life in December 2015 af- of whom said they had been quest for comment, but was Mattis said in a statement that the Unit- renovate and modernise our nuclear arse- he took offi ce in January to initiate a review ter North Korea accused him of attempting harassed by police offi cers. quoted by WXIA as saying its ed States and its allies would win any arms nal. It is now far stronger and more pow- of nuclear policy and strategy. to overthrow the regime. “We know statistically that offi cers would nonetheless re- race or confl ict with North Korea. erful than ever before,” Trump tweeted. A senior administration offi cial who “Strategically, North Korea perhaps those people are at risk around spond to an emergency at the “The DPRK must choose to stop iso- “Hopefully we will never have to use this deals with the Korea issue said the “fi re hopes to engender some goodwill from police in America,” Chambers gym. lating itself and stand down its pursuit of power, but there will never be a time that and fury” comment, which was Trump’s Canada as tensions rise,” said Charles said in a telephone interview. Chambers, who grew up in nuclear weapons,” Mattis said, using the we are not the most powerful nation in the strongest warning yet for North Korea Burton, a former Canadian diplomat in “I had members who joined be- Brooklyn, New York, and de- acronym for North Korea’s offi cial name, world!” and which he delivered to reporters in China. “They hope that Canada presents cause of the policy: they saw it scribes himself politically as the Democratic People’s Republic of Ko- Trump’s “fi re and fury” remarks New Jersey, was “unplanned and sponta- some moderating infl uence on the Trump on the door and thought, ‘Oh, “somewhere between an eco- rea. “The DPRK should cease any consid- prompted warnings from US offi cials and neous”. administration. that’s cool,’ and joined.” anarchist and a Marxist-Len- eration of actions that would lead to the analysts not to engage in rhetorical slang- “There had not been any discussions “(But) I do not think it is directly con- He referred to a string of inist”, said he would not call the end of its regime and the destruction of its ing matches with Pyongyang. about escalating the rhetoric in response nected to the tensions the US president has high-profi le cases of police kill- police in any circumstances. people,” he added. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Kim’s statements or about the possible ratcheted up. North Korea is concerned he ing unarmed people in recent He also disapproved of US On global markets, the strong rhetoric sought to play down the rhetoric. Before eff ects of doing that,” the offi cial said. would die in prison.” years. military interventions abroad. and sharp increase in tensions drove in- Trump’s tweets on the nuclear arsenal, The offi cial added, however, “it is im- KCNA said Lim had been released on There have also been police He said the gym had about vestors out of stocks and other risky assets Tillerson arrived in Guam on a previously portant for the North Koreans to under- “sick bail” for humanitarian reasons. offi cers targeted in retaliation, 30 members, many of whom yesterday and into textbook safe havens scheduled visit after telling reporters he stand that this country’s strategic patience Lim, accompanied by his wife and son, including two New York City he lets train for free or in ex- like gold and Treasuries. did not believe there was an imminent is exhausted and that our resolve to defend is expected to return to Canada today offi cers ambushed and fatally change for voluntary work at The United States and South Korea re- threat from North Korea and “Americans our allies, whatever is required to do that, and will be hospitalised on arrival at his shot as they sat in their car in the gym. main technically still at war with North should sleep well at night”. is not.” wife’s request, a source said. “So far, it December 2014. Former police offi cers and Korea after the 1950-53 Korean confl ict With his “fi re and fury” warning, Trump In his comments on Tuesday, Trump has been confi rmed that government The policy had drawn little military veterans were generally ended with a truce, not a peace treaty. was “sending a strong message to North said: “North Korea best not make any offi cials and a doctor are accompanying attention, Chambers said, be- welcome to join, he said, add- Tension in the region has risen since Korea in language that (North Korean more threats to the United States. Reverend Lim,” said the source, speaking sides from one offi cer who tried ing that they were no longer in North Korea carried out two nuclear bomb leader) Kim Jong-un would understand, They will be met with fi re and fury like on condition of anonymity because they to join and became “rude” upon a position to use force against tests last year and two intercontinental because he doesn’t seem to understand the world has never seen.” Critics included were not authorised to speak to media. being told the reason he could people on behalf of the govern- ballistic missile tests in July. diplomatic language,” Tillerson said. fellow Republican John McCain, head of -See page 10 not. ment.

One World

A view of the One World Trade Centre tower and the lower Manhattan skyline of New York City are seen at sunrise from Hoboken, New Jersey.

US slaps new sanctions on Venezuela

AFP The announcement came as the Con- ing against the body’s leader, Julio Borg- Caracas stituent Assembly and Venezuela’s Su- es, the US statement said. The sanctions preme Court took actions to limit the freeze the US assets of those targeted opposition’s ability to challenge Ma- and ban American entities from doing he United States imposed new duro. business with them. sanctions on crisis-hit Venezuela The assembly has established a “truth Major Latin American nations and Tyesterday, targeting members of commission” which Maduro has said Canada have also rejected the legiti- a controversial super-powerful loyalist he wants to examine alleged crimes by macy of the Constituent Assembly and assembly installed last week to bolster opposition leaders — especially those slammed Venezuela for “breaking dem- what Washington calls the “dictator- in charge of the country’s legislature, ocratic rule”. ship” of President Nicolas Maduro. which his Socialist Party lost control of The UN rights offi ce has also con- The measures were aimed at six two years ago. demned “excessive force” by Venezue- members of the so-called Constituent The assembly also fi red the attorney lan security forces against protesters Assembly — among them the brother of general, Luisa Ortega, who broke ranks who objected to the Constituent As- late president Hugo Chavez — as well as to become an outspoken critic of the sembly and who are angry about an a military offi cer in charge of security for president. economic crisis that has made food and the body, and a board member of the na- The Supreme Court ordered the jail- medicine scarce amid hyperinfl ation tional electoral authority. ing of an opposition mayor who allowed and a diving currency. Since the protests They added to previous US sanctions anti-government protests to happen in turned violent four months ago, nearly on Maduro himself — a rare designation his Caracas district, and was mulling 130 people have died. against a sitting head of state — imposed similar cases against others. Protests against Maduro have be- just before the assembly was elected on Those targeted in the US sanctions come muted in the past week however July 30 in a vote marred by violence, fraud announced Wednesday included Adan as authorities intensifi ed a clampdown, allegations and an opposition boycott. Coromoto Chavez, the brother of the though the opposition has urged dem- “President Maduro swore in this il- late president who was Maduro’s men- onstrators to continue. Although broad- legitimate Constituent Assembly to tor before he died of cancer in 2013. ly criticised, Venezuela is not entirely further entrench his dictatorship, and The National Electoral Council board isolated internationally. It can count continues to tighten his grip on the member, Tania D’Amelio Cardiet, was on the support of Russia and China — country,” US Treasury Secretary Steven designated for defending the assembly which have granted tens of billions of Mnuchin said in a statement. and for suspicion of being involved in dollars in loans to Venezuela. “This regime’s disregard for the will of the fraud in its election. On Tuesday, Caracas hosted a number Venezuelan people is unacceptable, and the The security offi cial, Bladimir Hum- of leftist allies, including Cuba, Bolivia United States will stand with them in oppo- berto Lugo Armas, “has been involved in and Ecuador, as well small Caribbean sition to tyranny until Venezuela is restored several acts of violence against National nations to which it gives cheap oil, in a to a peaceful and prosperous democracy.” Assembly opposition members,” includ- meeting to show solidarity. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, August 10, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

CELEBRATION LESE-MAJESTY POLITICS LEGAL NARCOTICS Thai man gets 18 years Greens co-leader quits Singaporean probed for Myanmar seizes 20mn for defaming monarchy in NZ political upheaval toothpicks in bus seat meth pills in drug bust

A Thai man was sentenced to 18 years in prison New Zealand’s political landscape faced a A 60-year-old Singaporean could be jailed for up Myanmar authorities have seized 20mn meth by a military court yesterday for posting six further shake up yesterday, six weeks before to two years if found guilty of sticking toothpicks tablets, 600,000 ecstasy pills and blocks of voice clips defaming the royal family online. Tara, a general election, as the co-leader of the into a bus seat in a suspected case of “mischief”, heroin in the heart of the drug-producing 61, was arrested in 2015 and charged with lese- Green Party quit following her admission police said. Singapore, whose crime rates are ‘Golden Triangle’, in what is believed to be the majesty and computer crimes for sharing voice of welfare and electoral fraud. The Greens among the world’s lowest, has tough laws biggest haul of the year. Authorities raided clips containing royal insults on his commercial upheaval came as the main opposition Labour for minor off ences such as vandalism, which four homes on Tuesday in Tachileik, a border website. Tara pleaded not guilty, saying he Party received a significant boost a week can be punished with caning. Police launched town in Myanmar’s Shan State next to Thailand used the clips only to promote health products after dumping Andrew Little in favour of the an investigation after a bus company in the and a regular sluice for drugs southwards he was selling on his website. Thailand’s strict charismatic 37-year-old Jacinda Ardern. Turei city-state reported last week that one of their to the big Southeast Asian market. Each lese-majesty law prohibits criticism, insults and had defied political and media pressure to vehicles’ passenger seats was perforated with methamphetamine pill goes for between $2-5 in defamation of the royal family. Tara’s original resign for more than three weeks since she toothpicks. “Through extensive ground enquiries Myanmar. But its value surges as it is transported A fireworks and lights show illuminates the sentence was 20 years but it was reduced to first revealed wrongfully claiming a benefit to and with the assistance of CCTV footages, from the warlord-run drug labs pumping out sky during the 52nd Singapore National Day 18 since he was already detained for two years help support her baby while studying for a law off icers... established the identity of the suspect,” Southeast Asia’s favourite high across the border celebration in Singapore yesterday. following his arrest, the court said. degree in the early 1990s. they said in a statement on Tuesday. into Thailand and beyond.

North Korea mulls strike on Guam after Trump warning DPA Seoul orth Korea has warned Guam told to ‘enjoy it is considering a pre- Nemptive strike against the US Pacifi c territory of Guam, hours after President Donald Trump said Pyongyang’s threats paradise’, ignore would be met “with fi re and fury.” An attack with “enveloping fi re” against US military inter- ests on the Pacifi c island could be conducted at any moment once Pyongyang threat approval has been given by leader Kim Jong-un, a North Korean army spokesman said yesterday, AFP school’s just opened.” Guam, not just a military installation. according to state media. The Hagatna, Guam which advertises pristine beach- “With that said, I want to en- warning against the territory, es, clear blue skies and “world- sure that we are prepared for any which is home to the Andersen One of two US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers prepares to take off for a 10-hour mission, to fly in the famous sunsets” is a popular eventuality.” Air Force Base, came hours af- vicinity of Kyushu, Japan, the East China Sea, and the Korean peninsula, from Andersen Base, Guam. he Pacifi c island of Guam destination, with tourism a key Residents of Guam and the ter Donald Trump said in almost remained outwardly calm pillar of its economy. But it is also Marianas hold US citizenship. unprecedented comments for a missiles. In response, Japanese Tyesterday in the face of a home to about 6,000 US troops On the streets of the capital peacetime US president that if Defence Minister Itsunori Onod- threatened North Korean attack, and houses two US military in- Hagatna, there was a sense of Pyongyang continued to make era suggested that the Japanese and a senior offi cial in the US ter- stallations – the Andersen Air calm. “It’s not like there’s any- threats it would be met “with the military might need an off ensive ritory urged people to “relax and Force Base and the Naval Base thing we can do, anyway. This is fi re and the fury like the world missile capability to protect from enjoy paradise”. Guam. a small island. There’s nowhere has never seen.” North Korea. After US President Donald Despite the signifi cant contri- to run to,” James Cruz told AFP. North Korean leader Kim “has The nuclear threat was par- Trump threatened North Ko- bution the military makes to the Edith Tajalle was one of the few been very threatening beyond a ticularly pointed in Japan as it rea with “fi re and fury” over local economy, there is a small people to admit to being scared normal state, and as I said they was yesterday marking the 72nd its nuclear ambitions Tuesday, but growing opposition to its but added: “I know God will pro- will be met with the fi re and fury anniversary of the dropping of Pyongyang raised the stakes just presence. Nationalists argue the tect us.” and frankly power, the likes of an atomic bomb by the US on the hours later – saying it was con- territory is a potential target of Shopper Chuck Hambley be- which this world has never seen city of Nagasaki during World sidering missile strikes near US aggression due to the presence of lieved “cooler heads will prevail” before,” Trump told reporters on War II. The Chinese government strategic military installations on US forces. but said he was taking precau- Tuesday at his golf resort in New called for cool heads. “The cur- Guam. But Calvo said it was the mili- tions just in case. “I just have to Jersey. Trump remained defi - rent situation on the (Korean) In a televised address to the tary which provided protection. make sure that my emergency ant yesterday, tweeting that the peninsula is highly complicated 162,000 residents on the West- “Those who are against the mili- kits are ready if Homeland Se- US nuclear arsenal is “now far and sensitive,”China’s Foreign A South Korean soldier walks past a television screen showing a ern Pacifi c island, Governor Ed- tary will keep that distinction curity says we should get ready. I stronger and more powerful than Ministry said. “We hope all rele- graphic of the distance between North Korea and Guam at a railway die Calvo said Guam was work- and make that argument. In the am monitoring the situation.” ever before.” vant parties speak cautiously and station in Seoul. ing with Washington “to ensure same manner, those who support Madeleine Bordallo, Guam’s “Hopefully we will never have move prudently, stop provoking our safety”. “I want to reassure the presence of the military on delegate to the US Congress, said to use this power, but there will each other, avoid further esca- to show moderation.” rea expert Eric Ballbach sees the people of Guam that cur- Guam will argue that this is what North Korea’s nuclear capabili- never be a time that we are not lating the situation and strive to A Beijing-based expert told no “immediate threat” of a war rently there is no threat to our keeps us safe,” he said. ties were “deeply troubling” but the most powerful nation in the return to the correct track of dia- DPA Pyongyang’s stance was breaking out. Ballbach, of Ber- island,” he said. George Char- Guam was described by Presi- she was confi dent the island was world!” he wrote. logue and negotiations as soon as “very close to the red line” set by lin’s Freie Universitaet, said a fauros, the territory’s homeland dent Barack Obama’s defence safe and protected. Guam, set- Guam Governor Eddie Baza possible.” the US that North Korea should military strike carried out by the security adviser, said there was secretary Ashton Carter as “an tled about 4,000 years ago by its Calvo took to Facebook to reas- Catherine Ray, a spokeswoman not threaten US security. The US against North Korea would be “0.000001 percent chance of important strategic hub for the indigenous Chamorros who now sure his citizens, saying he had for the European Commission, situation was “very dangerous,” problematic. “A precision strike the North Korean missile hitting US military in the Western Pa- make up less than 40% of the spoken to the White House. said the situation in North Korea, said Zhang Liangui, a professor would only make sense if we Guam”. cifi c”. population, was ceded by Spain “An attack or threat to Guam is which is “of great concern” to the at the Institute for International knew the exact location (of the His advice to residents to “re- Calvo said there were “several to the United States in 1898. It a threat or attack on the Unit- European Union, needed to be Strategic Studies of the Central nuclear arsenal),” he said. lax and enjoy the paradise” ap- levels of defence” strategically was captured and held for two ed States. They have said that solved through “peaceful means.” Party School of the Communist A strike would also place in peared to hit home. There was placed to protect Guam and he and a half years by Japan during America will be defended,” he “This excludes military action,” Party of China. jeopardy “one of the most eco- no evidence of panic buying in had been assured by the White World War II before being retak- said. Ray said. “The situation is really “In our estimation North Ko- nomically dynamic regions in the stores yesterday and gas stations House that a strike on the terri- en by US forces in 1944. Guam is located 2,000km serious ...Another round of sabre rea will be able to complete its world,” Ballbach added, pointing were operating normally. Shop tory would be considered an at- In 1950 Guam was recognised east of the Philippines and has a rattling will certainly not help us intercontinental nuclear missile at the danger such a move poses worker Chelsea Nu told AFP the tack on the United States. as a territory of the United States, population of around 160,000. here” German Foreign Minister tests by 2018. So now the clock is to South Korea, Japan and China. threat of attack was not even a “They have said that America granting its people US citizen- Media reports from Tuesday said Sigmar Gabriel’s spokesman, ticking for the US to take any ac- News of the increasing tensions conversation topic in her store. will be defended. I also want ship. But as it is not a state, the both the US and Japan had con- Martin Schaefer, said. tion as sanctions are apparently sent the Frankfurt-based DAX “I haven’t heard people talk to remind national media that islanders cannot vote for the cluded that North Korea had de- “A military route cannot re- not working.” and the eurozone’s EuroStoxx 50 about it. The customer traf- Guam is American soil and we president and their congression- veloped a miniaturised nuclear solve the confl ict,” Schaefer said. Despite the escalation in on a downward course. fi c is normal. They’re just buy- have 200,000 Americans in al representative is a non-voting warhead that can fi t inside its “We therefore call on all parties rhetorical threats, North Ko- ing school supplies because the Guam and the Marianas. We are member. China quake kills 19, thousands evacuated

AFP a clear picture of the scale of the 6.3-magnitude tremor shook Chengdu, China disaster from emerging, but there the far-western border region were no reports of catastrophic of Xinjiang yesterday morning, damage or large-scale casualties according to the US Geological hina yesterday evacuated by yesterday afternoon. Survey. nearly 60,000 people in The quake killed at least 19 The Xinjiang quake, which Cits mountainous south- people, injured at least 247, and was followed by aftershocks of west after a strong earthquake 40 of them seriously, according 5.2 and 5.3 magnitude, injured 32 killed at least 19 people, rattling a to the local government of Aba people and damaged more than region where memories of a 2008 prefecture where the epicentre 1,000 homes, Xinhua said. seismic disaster remain fresh. was located. President Xi Jinping called for The 6.5-magnitude earth- Two foreigners, a French “all-out eff orts to rapidly or- quake struck Sichuan province man and a Canadian woman, ganise relief work and rescue the late on Tuesday, tearing cracks are among the injured. The Aba injured” in the Sichuan quake. in mountain highways, triggering government said 1,680 private Hundreds of soldiers and rescue landslides, damaging buildings homes across Jiuzhaigou coun- personnel had been deployed to and sending panicked residents ty’s 17 townships suff ered vary- the Jiuzhaigou area, along with and tourists fl eeing into the open. ing degrees of damage. Rescuers transfer a survivor, injured during an earthquake, by a hundreds of vehicles, and dozens The provincial government Images on social media or in helicopter to Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital in Jiuzhaigou in of sniff er dogs and devices used said yesterday afternoon that state news outlets showed cars China’s southwestern Sichuan province. to detect life underneath rubble. most of the tourists — many and buses tossed into ravines or The quake struck at a shallow stranded at a popular national crushed by giant boulders jolted near Jiuzhaigou, a national park by phone. “We slept overnight in depth of 10km, the USGS said, park near the epicentre — have loose from surrounding hills, and Unesco World Heritage Site tour buses and have been staying and was reportedly felt hundreds been evacuated after spending a and rescue personnel combing famed for its karst rock forma- in the open ground. Landslides of kilometres from the epicen- nervous night out in the open as through rubble for any victims. tions, waterfalls and lakes. are pretty bad, rocks keep falling tre. Shallow quakes tend to cause more than 1,000 aftershocks rip- Aerial footage broadcast by Xinhua said at least fi ve of the down.” more surface damage. pled across the region. state-run Xinhua news agency deaths occurred there, and that China’s offi cial earthquake It evoked memories of a mas- Locals will also be moved to showed picturesque green-for- more than 30,000 people had monitoring agency said more sive 8.0-magnitude earthquake safer ground, according to the ested mountains now scarred by been evacuated from Jiuzhaigou than 1,000 aftershocks had that devastated wide areas of authorities. The area’s diffi cult huge gouges from giant land- alone. “Nearly all the tourists are been detected, the most pow- the same region in 2008, leaving geography — and travel restric- slides that sent clouds of dust being evacuated,” a Jiuzhaigou erful reaching magnitude 4.8 87,000 people dead or missing in tions quickly imposed by au- into the air. tour company worker who gave yesterday morning. More than China’s worst seismic disaster in A crack is seen on a road after an earthquake in Jiuzhaigou county, thorities — have so far prevented The quake’s epicentre was only her surname, Yan, told AFP 2,000km to the northwest, a a generation. Ngawa prefecture. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 11 BRITAIN EU off ers limited post-Brexit rights on residency: UK

Reuters antee the holder...any right to onward gering of the exit clause by Britain “does London movement within the EU, for example to not change the right to free movement”. work or study in a neighbouring member She added: “Nor should it aff ect the state,” he said. rights of citizens who have made life he European Union has proposed “We have questioned whether this is choices on the basis of EU law and EU that Britons living in the bloc after consistent with the principle of reciproc- membership.” TBrexit will only have the right to ity, and also with the Commission’s de- After the fi rst full round of talks last A pedestrian leaps over a puddle as rain fell in central London yesterday. stay in the country where they are resi- sire to protect rights currently enjoyed month, chief EU negotiator Michel dent when Britain leaves, Brexit minister under EU law. This will be the subject of Barnier said there was “a fundamental David Davis said in a letter yesterday. further discussion in due course.” divergence” between the two sides on The future rights of UK nationals liv- The European Commission, the how to protect the rights of expatriates ing in the EU and EU nationals living in Brussels-based executive arm of the EU after Brexit. Flash fl oods hit east coast of England Britain is one of the issues the bloc wants where a special team is negotiating with Britain set out proposals in June to al- to settle in the fi rst stage of negotiations. London on behalf of the other 27 states, low current immigrants from the EU to Only then will it move on to talks over said divorce negotiations should start retain healthcare, work rights and other Guardian News and Media tures of stranded cars on the road east and south-east of England,” the future trading relationship. with addressing the uncertainty caused benefi ts that are more generous than London into Flamborough; Melanie Onn, said the Met Offi ce. In a letter updating a committee of by Brexit. those given to migrants from elsewhere. the Labour MP for Great Grimsby, “Some transport routes may be lawmakers from Britain’s upper house “That includes the fi nancial settle- It said those who had lived in Britain shared pictures on Twitter of the aff ected by localised fl ooding, lead- of parliament on the negotiations, Davis ment and the uncertainty that surrounds for fi ve years by an as yet unspecifi ed cut- eavy rain has brought fl ood- waterlogged roads, saying that some ing to longer journey times. In ad- said the EU was only off ering restricted the rights of EU citizens in the UK and of off point could acquire “settled status” ing to a stretch of the east were “like a river” and that the wa- dition, fl ooding of homes and busi- residency rights to Britons. UK citizens in the EU,” a spokeswoman similar to permanent residency. Those Hcoast of England, and fur- ter was “over my ankles”. nesses is possible. The heaviest of “Their off er only guarantees residence said. more recently arrived would be allowed ther severe downpours are expect- With forecasts that up to 80mm the rain should gradually become rights in the member state in which a “This should be agreed on the principles to stay until they achieved this status. ed. of rain could fall in parts of the confi ned to the extreme south-east British national was resident at the point of continuity, reciprocity and non-dis- The next round of Brexit talks is due to Flash fl ooding hit towns and vil- country over the next 24 hours, the of the UK later in the day.” of our exit from the EU. It does not guar- crimination,” she said, adding that the trig- take place in the last week of August. lages in the East Riding of Yorkshire Met Offi ce has warned that more The Environment Agency is and north-east Lincolnshire. fl ooding of homes and businesses is expecting the river Leen in Not- There was a metre of standing possible. tinghamshire to fl ood, while areas 5 appear in court over water in parts of Withernsea and A yellow weather warning for rain around the North Sea coast at Scar- further fl ooding in the Grimsby and has been issued for parts of the UK, borough have been put on alert. Hillsborough disaster Immingham areas. including the East Midlands, West The warnings come three weeks Referrals to counter-terror Humberside fi re and rescue serv- Midlands, London, East Anglia and after heavy rain lashed the country ore than 28 years after the ice said it responded to calls on the south-east. and led to fl ash fl ooding in the Cor- Hillsborough disaster, in Tuesday evening from Bridlington In some places 0.8in to 1.2in is nish coastal village of Coverack. scheme double after attacks Mwhich 96 people died while down to Hull, and from towns south predicted to fall within two or three Fifty properties were aff ected and attending a football game in Britain, of the river Humber. hours. “An area of heavy rain will several people had to be rescued fi ve men appeared in court yesterday Social media users posted pic- sink slowly southwards across the from their homes. Reuters tants from becoming radicalised. on charges relating to the deaths. London Cole’s comments are the latest at- Former chief constable of the tempt by senior offi cers to try to reassure West Yorkshire and Merseyside Po- the public about Prevent and come days lice Sir Norman Bettison, 61, and eferrals by members of the pub- after Dean Haydon, the offi cer who heads four other suspects arrived at War- lic to the British government’s up London’s Counter Terrorism Com- rington Magistrates’ Court in the Scotland presses Damian Green for Rcounter-terrorism scheme have mand, said it had achieved “fantastic north of England for a 25-minute doubled since militants launched deadly results” and that criticism was based on hearing, which dealt mainly with attacks earlier this year in London and ignorance. administrative matters. return of powers from EU Manchester, a senior police offi cial said “All of us involved in Prevent need to No formal pleas were entered dur- yesterday. work to improve that public confi dence ing the hearing, but all fi ve men in- Simon Cole, the National Police Chief and understanding, challenging damag- dicated that they intend to plead not Guardian News and Media published in July, implies Westmin- ment has its eye on more than 100 Council’s lead spokesman on deradicali- ing myths and be more transparent in our guilty when their cases are heard, Edinburgh ster will take direct control over the policy areas. That is a direct threat sation eff orts, said police had received approach,” Cole said. “We would rather The Guardian newspaper reported. vast majority of EU powers instead to the devolution settlement which around 200 referrals to the strategy people show concern before something Bettison, two other senior police of sharing them with the UK’s de- the people of Scotland overwhelm- known as ‘Prevent’ from members of the happens.” offi cers and a lawyer for South York- cottish ministers are to seek volved administrations. ingly voted for in 1997.” public since March when Britain suff ered Cole said the number of referrals made shire Police face charges linked to signifi cant concessions over UK ministers have also predicted Green was accompanied by the the fi rst of four deadly attacks. to “Prevent” by members of the public hiding evidence or lying about the SBrexit from Damian Green, the that a fi nal deal on new powers and Scottish secretary, David Mundell. Offi cials said that this fi gure was was still relatively low, with 500 made in conduct of the police at the match in fi rst secretary of state, after again budgets for the Scottish, Welsh and In his advance statement, Green around twice the numbers of referrals 2016 and 2017 compared to an annual to- the city of Sheffi eld. threatening to withhold consent for Northern Irish governments will insisted he was keen for early that Prevent representatives around tal of about 6,300. The fi fth man is Graham Mackrell, the EU repeal bill. only start in earnest after the UK progress on a deal and indicated that Britain had received in the months prior The other referrals were made by gov- who was safety offi cer for Hillsborough Green was in Edinburgh yester- has left the EU and will take several some new powers could be identi- to the attacks. ernment or police bodies or other public Stadium at the time. He is accused of day for a meeting with Mike Russell, years to fi nalise, pushing that proc- fi ed quickly. “Even though these referrals from the organisations. disregarding safety regulations and of Scotland’s Brexit minister, and John ess into the 2020s. Calling for open and positive public are increasing, we still need more The programme had helped the au- a health-and-safety off ence. The men Swinney, the deputy fi rst minister, In a statement issued before the dialogue, Green said: “In some ar- people to have the confi dence to tell our thorities stop about 150 people from were all given bail and a Crown Court to discuss which powers Scotland meeting, Russell renewed the Scot- eas there will need to be a common safeguarding experts if they are worried travelling to Syria in the past year, Cole hearing was set for September 6. will gain after the UK quits the EU. tish government’s ultimatum to approach. There will be other areas about someone’s behaviour,” Cole told said, adding about 55% to 60% of refer- A sixth man, David Duckenfi eld, a Russell and Swinney will tell withhold legislative consent for where I intend that the Scottish and reporters. rals were related to possible involvement former chief superintendent of South Green that the Scottish government that bill unless UK ministers gave UK governments can make progress Prevent has long been the most con- by British individuals with Islamic State Yorkshire Police, who was the match expects full powers over farming, ground. in identifying policy areas that troversial strand of the government’s at- militants. commander on the day, faces 95 counts fi sheries, environmental law, justice “The bill – as it currently stands could be released to Holyrood under tempts to stop Britons from becoming in- However, another 15% were related to of “manslaughter by gross negligence.” and policing – areas currently con- – means that Westminster would the new legislative arrangements. volved in violent extremism following its right-wing extremism. A jury ruled last year that the 96 trolled or infl uenced by the EU and take exclusive control over signifi - “We expect there will be a sig- introduction in the wake of the July 2005 Offi cials said that the number of refer- victims were “unlawfully killed” likely to involve hundreds of mil- cant areas of devolved policy, such nifi cant increase in the decision- suicide bombings by four British Islam- rals about suspected right-wing extrem- during a 1989 FA Cup semi-fi nal lions of pounds of extra spending as support for Scotland’s farmers making power of each devolved ists on London’s transport network. ists had doubled since the murder last between Liverpool and Nottingham for Holyrood. and food producers and many as- administration and we want to ad- Many Muslims believe it has been used June of British lawmaker Jo Cox, who was Forest and that “errors and omis- The Scottish and Welsh govern- pects of environmental protection dress this in a way which delivers as a tool to spy on their communities killed by a loner obsessed with Nazis and sions” by the police had contributed ments are furious that the draft and control of our seas,” he said. certainty and continuity for people rather than simply sway potential mili- white supremacist ideology. to the disaster. European Union (withdrawal) bill, “We know that the UK govern- and businesses across the UK.”

Skye islanders call for help with overcrowding after tourism surge

Guardian News and Media Locals routinely fi nd it impos- paign with Ware to win emer- ferried onto waiting coaches for Edinburgh sible to drive through the cars, gency funding to help and devise whistle-stop tours of the most coaches and campervans clog- a long-term tourism strategy, famous sites. ging the single-track road. says there has been decades of Kate Forbes, the MSP for Skye, esidents on the Scottish Fears are raised, too, that the under-investment in basic infra- Lochaber and Badenoch, has island of Skye are call- traffi c jams could prevent moun- structure. been helping coordinate a new Ring for urgent help to deal tain rescue teams reaching Skye’s Family cars are now much larg- strategic plan with the coun- with overcrowding after a surge mountain rescue headquarters in er and tour buses proliferate. cil, Scottish ministers and local in tourism led to too many visi- Glen Brittle. “All heading for the same groups with extra money off ered tors at some of the island’s most Ware also points to the pres- place, taking thousands of people to Highland council to help it famous beauty spots. sure on aff ordable housing for down these pathways. They’re cope. Islanders complain that their locals. deteriorating and everyone is That included building a much narrow, single-track roads are The surge in visitors is eco- parking the verge, which become larger 150-space car park in Glen being choked with camper vans, nomically vital, but has raised quite muddy, rutted and danger- Brittle, and strengthening road- tour buses and cars, that litter is housing costs and squeezed out ous. It’s causing problems for sides at the worst-aff ected areas. strewn around stopping places, local families and workers. parking and blocking the path- But Forbes says visitors too and visitors are going to the toilet The number of Airbnb lettings ways for emergency vehicles and need to act with sensitivity, in the open. on Skye has jumped, he said, people who live in these areas,” showing “basic common cour- The problem is most acute at from 54 in 2015 to 360 this sum- she said. tesy” at passing places on sin- Skye’s most famous spots, par- mer, including established self- Precise visitor statistics for gle-track roads, and on fi nding ticularly at the fairy pools – a catering cottages such as his, to Skye are diffi cult to obtain but proper toilets. series of vivid green and blue yurts, spare rooms and sheds. VisitScotland says more than “There is a strong message pools and waterfalls in Glen Brit- Tourists at the fairy pools, a group of waterfalls in Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye. Highland council has been un- 150,000 people visited its centre that you are welcome on Skye but tle – the Neist Point lighthouse der fi re for closing down public in Portree, Skye’s largest town please respect Skye,” she said. with views over to the Uist is- iconic destinations, like the Old which in turn have been pro- the former One Direction star: toilets, adding to the pressure last year, 5% up on 2015. Chris Taylor, VisitScotland’s lands, and the island’s remark- Man of Storr and the Quiraing.” moted heavily by the tourism the video for Sign of the Times on local hotels and bars, or lead- More than 24,000 people vis- north regional director, who cov- able ridges and stone outcrops at After decades of relative iso- agency VisitScotland and Scot- features him appearing to fl y over ing visitors to relieve themselves ited the centre in June this year, ers Skye, said the agency was the Quiraing and the Old Man of lation and depopulation, Skye tish ministers, who are anxious Skye. outdoors. again 5% up on 2016. supporting eff orts to fi nd a long- Storr. has recently become a must- to attract high-spending foreign Ware said those tensions The council said it was re- The boom in coastal cruis- term solution involving island- “Skye is buckling under the see destination for hundreds of visitors. erupted earlier this week after a viewing the availability of public es around Scotland which has ers, landowners, Highland coun- weight of increased tourism this thousands of overseas visitors, That has been accelerated by tour bus trying to park disturbed toilets and car parks across the threatened to overwhelm parts cil and the government. year,” said Rob Ware, who lets particularly from the US, most of TV shows such as the Highland a family funeral at a church in region, but had no cash left for of the Orkney islands has also ar- “I understand these issues. a self-catering cottage on the whom visit for a day or 48 hours fantasy epic Outlander, which Glen Brittle, a secluded glen on emergency projects. rived on Skye. They’re very real for people and south of the island. and converge on only four or fi ve opens with an adaptation of the the west side of Skye’s famous Shirley Spear, who runs the More than 30 cruise ships are very immediate, and it does have “It’s not everywhere on the is- of its most famous sites. Skye Boat Song, a recent advert Cuillin mountains. Three Chimneys restaurant near scheduled in moor in Portree bay an impact,” he said. “But the land: the reality is that there are Its popularity has been driven for a new Volvo which featured One mourner wrote to the tour Dunvegan castle, one of two this summer, each for less then benefi ts to Skye of bringing in in- lots of places which aren’t suf- by Holywood, pop stars, com- its dramatic seascapes and the company, urging them to stay off Michelin-starred restaurants on a day and some with 2,200 pas- ternational visitors and increased fering too much but it’s the key mercials and social media, Quiraing, and even Harry Styles, Skye. Skye, is coordinating a new cam- sengers on board, who are then spending are huge.” Gulf Times 12 Thursday, August 10, 2017 EUROPE

Czechs fi le Car rams into French soldiers, suit over EU rules on suspect arrested after manhunt gun control Reuters Reuters Prague Paris he Czech Republic fi led a rench police shot and arrested a lawsuit yesterday against man yesterday suspected of de- Ta new European Union Fliberately ramming his car into a directive tightening gun owner- group of soldiers in a Parisian suburb ship, aimed at limiting access hours earlier, injuring six of them in to semi-automatic and other what the government called a deliberate weapons after deadly Islamist attack. attacks in western Europe. Armed police from elite units tracked The European Parliament and the fugitive for fi ve hours after the at- EU interior ministers gave a fi nal tack before cornering him on a motor- nod to the changes earlier this way in northern France and shooting year despite the Czech Republic, him several times. Luxembourg and Poland voicing The suspect was unarmed when he opposition. was trapped by police some 260km The Czech Interior Ministry north of Paris where he had attacked said the directive was too harsh, the soldiers in the affl uent suburb of aff ecting for example thousands Levallois-Perret, a judicial source said. of hunters — a popular activity There was no immediate word on his with a long tradition in the cen- condition. tral European country. The man appeared to have lain in wait The directive bans long and for the soldiers in a pedestrian zone near short-barrelled semi-automatic their base in Levallois-Perret on the fi rearms with larger magazines, northwestern edge of the capital where those with foldable stocks, and France’s domestic counter-terrorism those converted from fully-au- agency is based. tomatic weapons. He accelerated his car into the troops, It requires the registration of who were starting their patrol, when some decommissioned weapons they were a few metres away, Interior and historical replicas. Minister Gerard Collomb said, before It also seeks to make it easier speeding off and sparking a huge man- to track weapons and combat the hunt. illegal trade. “This was a deliberate act, not an “Such a massive punishment accident,” Collomb told reporters out- of decent arms holders is unac- side the hospital where the three more ceptable, because banning le- seriously injured victims were being Police and rescue forces secure the the scene where a man suspected of ramming a car into a group of soldiers in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret was shot and gally-held weapons has no con- treated. arrested on the A16 motorway, near Marquise, France. nection with the fi ght against He said a terrorism investigation had terrorism,” Interior Minister Mi- been launched. ties associated with the suspect, identi- the 7,000-strong Sentinel force “was who was saying ‘It’s a car. It went that hall, Sentinel troops have disarmed or lan Chovanec said in a statement. The soldiers were part of Operation fi ed by the daily newspaper Le Parisien more necessary than ever”. way. Follow it! Run after it!’”, Lephro- killed would-be attackers on several “This is not only a nonsensi- Sentinel, launched in the wake of at- as 37-year-old Hamou B. Three soldiers had light injuries, hon said. occasions since — including a Febru- cal decision once again under- tacks in Paris in early 2015. “I saw the traffi c stop ahead of me,” Parly said, while three others were more Islamist militants or Islamist- ary incident where a machete-wielding mining people’s trust in the EU, The Levallois-Perret attack was the said one truck driver who identifi ed gravely hurt but not as seriously as pre- inspired attackers have killed more assailant attacked soldiers outside the but implementing the directive 15th on troops and police in the last himself as Teddy, speaking on the mo- viously thought. than 230 people on French soil since Louvre art museum, and another at the could also have a negative im- two-and-a-half years, many of them torway after the suspect was seized. Patrick Balkany, mayor of Levallois- January 2015, including one attack on Eiff el tower. pact on the internal security of Islamic State-inspired. “The police got out their cars, took Perret, called it a “disgusting” act Paris and another on the Riviera city This year, assailants attacked soldiers the Czech Republic, because a Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told cover and started fi ring. The gunshots of aggression that was “without any of Nice. at the Louvre museum site in Paris in large number of weapons could lawmakers in parliament that the “main were coming from everywhere.” doubt” premeditated. Operation Sentinel has put heavily February and at Orly airport in March. move to the black market,” he suspect” had been detained. The car used in the attack was riddled Nadia Lephrohon, resident of an armed combat troops in public view as An assailant shot a policeman dead said. One policeman was injured by a stray with bullet holes and surrounded by apartment building directly above the they patrol key sites in military fatigues, on the Champs Elysees avenue in the There are more than 800,000 bullet in the operation. balaclava-clad police offi cers, a Reuters scene, said she heard a dull thud and at an annual cost running into hundreds capital in April. fi rearms of all categories regis- A judicial source said the suspect was cameraman said. then soldiers shouting. of millions of euros. Levallois-Perret is about 5km from tered among 300,000 gun per- an Algerian national who held legiti- Armed Forces Minister Florence “I saw two soldiers on the ground and While it did not prevent the Novem- city centre landmarks such as the Eif- mit holders in the Czech Repub- mate papers to be in France. Parly said yesterday’s attack was proof the other soldiers were shouting. There ber 2015 attack when gunmen killed 130 fel Tower and the Elysee Presidential lic, which has a population of Investigators raided several proper- there remained an active threat and that was another man out there, a bystander, people in Parisian cafes and a concert Palace. 10.6mn.

Belgium-Netherlands row over tainted eggs Tourist attraction

AFP ceived an “anonymous tip-off ” in No- from supermarket shelves and urged Brussels vember 2016 that fi pronil had indeed shoppers to throw any they had away. been used to clean chicken pens in or- Contaminated eggs have since been der to combat red lice. discovered in Germany, Belgium, Swe- elgium yesterday accused the “At that time there was no indica- den, Switzerland, Britain and France, Netherlands of failing to inform it tion of an acute danger to food safety. with several supermarkets pulling mil- Bthat eggs were tainted with insec- There was not a single indication that lions of eggs off the shelves. ticide despite knowing about the prob- fi pronil could also be present in eggs,” Fipronil is commonly used in vet- lem since last November, as Europe’s van Lint said. erinary products to get rid of fl eas, lice latest food safety scandal deepened. French Agriculture Minister and ticks but it is banned by the EU Newly appointed Agriculture Min- Stephane Travert said he wanted from being used to treat animals des- ister Denis Ducarme told a parliamen- “much more fruitful and rapid ex- tined for human consumption, such as tary hearing that Belgian’s food safety changes of information” with his EU chickens. agency obtained an internal Dutch partners over the scandal. In large quantities, the insecticide document that “reports the observa- His ministry announced at the same is considered by the World Health Or- tion of the presence of fi pronil in Dutch time an investigation into the French ganisation to be “moderately hazard- eggs at the end of November 2016.” egg industry to check for fi pronil. ous” and can have dangerous eff ects “When a country like the Nether- The European Commission, which on people’s kidneys, liver and thyroid lands, one of the world’s biggest ex- oversees the 28-nation European Un- glands. porters of eggs, does not pass on this ion’s food safety alert system, refused The scandal has led to fi nger-point- kind of information, that is a real prob- to comment on if and when it was told ing between Belgium, Germany and lem,” said Ducarme, adding he has de- about the reported Dutch fi nding. the Netherlands as they try to get to manded an explanation from his Dutch The Belgian hearing was called in re- the bottom of how the scandal could colleagues. sponse to an admission by offi cials at happen. The Dutch food and goods watchdog the weekend that they too knew about Germany has meanwhile demanded NVWA rejected the claim. fi pronil in eggs back in June, but kept it answers from both countries. “The allegations that we knew about secret for nearly two months because of Criminal probes for suspected fraud fi pronil in eggs in November 2016 are a parallel criminal fraud investigation. are under way in Belgium and the untrue,” NVWA inspector-general Rob The insecticide scandal only became Netherlands over the tainted eggs, but van Lint said in a statement. public on August 1 when authorities in prosecutors in both countries have re- Tourists stand in line to visit the mausoleum of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin at Red Square in Moscow. However, he admitted his body re- the Netherlands ordered eggs pulled fused to give any details.

Polish president blocks army appointments

Reuters which advises the president, to help in the face of a more assertive Russia. Warsaw work on the army reform proposals. Moscow has seized Ukraine’s Cri- “We are always available to the Bu- mea region and backs armed separa- reau for additional clarifi cations or tists in eastern Ukraine. olish President Andrzej Duda consultations,” Szatkowski told Reu- The Polish defence ministry pre- has blocked the appointment of ters yesterday. sented a new defence concept in May Pnew generals, in a fresh sign of But some security analysts said Duda that envisages signifi cantly beefi ng up tension between the head of state and — who won the presidency in 2015 its armed forces and overhauling their the ruling nationalist Law and Justice thanks to the support of PiS — was keen command system. The president and (PiS) party that originally backed him. to demonstrate again his independence the National Security Bureau have yet Duda cited problems with a pro- as both president and as commander in to respond to those plans. posed new command system under chief of Poland’s armed forces. Halina Szymanska, Duda’s chief government reform plans as his reason “This is probably less about the of staff , told the state TVP Info news late on Tuesday for blocking the ap- generals and more about the fact that channel there was no confl ict between pointments. the president decided it would be ap- the president and the defence ministry, His move came two weeks after he propriate to say loudly and publicly but added: “First the work on building unexpectedly vetoed two controver- that all options for a dialogue with the new command and control struc- sial bills intended to reform the judi- the defence ministry have been ex- tures needs to be completed and only cial system. A source close to Duda’s hausted,” said Marek Swierczynski, a then personnel decisions will be taken.” administration said the nominations security analyst at Polityka Insight, a About a quarter of the Polish top concerned around a dozen generals. think-tank. brass has quit since PiS took power, Deputy Defence Minister Tomasz The spat comes as Poland plays host citing disagreements with Defence Szatkowski said his ministry had in- to more Nato troops as part of eff orts Minister Antoni Macierewicz over vited the National Security Bureau, to bolster the alliance’s eastern fl ank personnel and other decisions. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 13 INDIA Alleged stalker arrested, police press new charges

IANS tion with intent to confi ne per- police remand from the court. cal pressure (on us). We are doing station complex to keep away fused to give their blood and ensure justice,” said Luthra, who Chandigarh son) and Section 511 (attempt to We have to confront them with everything objectively, profes- Congress and Aam Aadmi Party urine samples to a doctor con- came before the media for the commit off ence punishable with various facts,” Luthra said. sionally and independently.” protesters as well as the media. ducting their medical examina- fi rst time in fi ve days after the life imprisonment). “The arrests and new charges Varnika Kundu, 29, daugh- Vikas and Ashish earlier in the tion on Saturday. incident. olice yesterday arrested “Following the interrogation, are based on many new facts like ter of Haryana Additional Chief day skipped police summons to “The doctor on duty wanted The ruling Bharatiya Janata Haryana Bharatiya Janata new facts have emerged. We legal opinion, new pieces of evi- Secretary V S Kundu, has alleged join the probe. They were asked to take the blood and urine sam- Party in Haryana washed its hands PParty president Subhash have decided to press two new dence in form of CCTV footage, that Vikas and his friend stalked to appear before the police at 11am ples, but the accused being law off the high-profi le accused. Barala’s son Vikas Barala and his charges. These are attempted statement of witnesses and the her on the night of August 4. The but only arrived around 2.30pm. graduates knew the law too well. “Vikas and BJP are separate. friend Ashish Kumar for alleged- abduction (sections 365 and 511). map of the route,” he said. Chandigarh police came under At his offi cial residence, Sub- Therefore, they refused to give The opposition parties are trying ly stalking and trying to kidnap a We have decided to arrest them,” “There are many things in in- widespread criticism for alleg- hash Barala left his press confer- their samples. However, such re- to mislead people by saying that woman. Chandigarh Director General of vestigations that I cannot share edly favouring the accused. ence in a huff , purportedly field- fusal can be held against them in the BJP is infl uencing the probe. The two men were interrogat- Police Tejinder Luthra told re- with you. I will refrain from di- Both accused arrived at the ing a phone call from his son, the investigation and during the We deny this. The BJP does not ed by police for over two hours porters. vulging very minute details at police station amid high drama. after tough media queries. trial,” he said. have anything to do with it,” said before being booked under Sec- “They will be produced in this stage.” The police threw a tight se- DGP Luthra earlier told the “I assure you that everything Haryana BJP spokesman Jawahar tion 365 (kidnapping or abduc- court tomorrow. We will seek He added: “There is no politi- curity ring around the police media that the accused had re- under the sun will be done to Yadav. Muslims feel a sense of insecurity, says outgoing VP

IANS the requirements for develop- New Delhi ment; you keep up with the times, educate yourself, and compete...” s he demits offi ce after On the controversy over tri- 10 years as vice presi- ple talaq, he said the practice Adent, Hamid Ansari was a social aberration and not says there is a feeling of un- a religious requirement. ease and insecurity creeping Asked if the courts should in among the Muslims in the step in, he said: “You don’t country amid rising incidents have to. The reform has to of intolerance and vigilante come from within the com- violence. munity.” Ansari, 80, who has had To a question on how he two terms as vice presi- looked at the situation in the dent, also says that there is a country in the context of cow Members of the Maratha community take part in a rally in Mumbai yesterday. breakdown of Indian values vigilante attacks, lynchings, and the ability of authorities beef ban, love jihad and ‘ghar at different levels in different wapsi’ campaigns, Ansari said places to be able to enforce the idea that India has been what should be normal law a plural society for centuries enforcing work. and not for 70 years was under “Over all the very fact that threat. Indianness of any citizen be- Asked about the fact that ing questioned is a disturbing even the Supreme Court has Massive ‘silent march’ thought,” he told journalist ruled that the National An- Karan Thapar in an interview them should be played before on Rajya Sabha TV, a channel film screenings and some for which he took the initiative other courts giving similar as the chairman of the upper directions, Ansari said: “The house of parliament. courts are a part of society. Ansari talks about vari- So what the courts tend to brings Mumbai to halt ous issues including the at- say sometimes is reflective tacks on Africans in India, the of the prevailing atmosphere. Agencies A spokesperson from Mum- turous Marathas who came on 2016, according to offi cial fi g- gaged in agriculture and are eco- functioning of the Rajya Sabha I call that a sense of insecu- Mumbai bai police said an estimated bicycles and some others riding ures. nomically deprived. and his relationship with two rity... This propensity to be 500,000 people participated in horses, a few even dressed like “Farming is no longer prof- But the community is politi- presidents – Pratibha Patil able to assert your national- the march, which brought rail Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – itable and jobs are not avail- cally powerful with several key and Pranab Mukherjee – and ism day in and day out is un- n estimated half a million and roads to a standstill as pro- the idol of all Maharashtrians. able,” said one protester, Pradip leaders active in the state. prime ministers Manmohan necessary. I am an Indian and protesters brought Mum- testers from the Maratha com- Several top leaders of vari- Munde, a farmer from Osmana- Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Singh and Narendra Modi. that is it.” Abai to a halt yesterday as munity pressed their demands. ous political parties, including bad, a town more than 400km Devendra Fadnavis responded Asked if Muslims were be- Asked if he had shared his they demanded quotas for gov- “We want reservations for former chief ministers Narayan southeast of Mumbai. yesterday with a promise for ginning to feel they are not concerns with the prime min- ernment jobs and colleges amid the Maratha community in gov- Rane and Ashok Chavan, senior “Reservation can ensure us “regular interaction” with the wanted, he said: “I would not ister or with the government, unemployment and reduced ernment jobs, educational in- Congress and Nationalist Con- better education and jobs.” Maratha community through a go that far. (But) there is a he said: “Yes.. yes. But what farm incomes. stitutes, and better farm loan gress Party leaders also joined Demands for quotas for highly committee. sense of insecurity.” passes between the vice presi- Many businesses in the south- waivers,” Bhaiya Patil, one of the the procession and interacted sought-after government jobs Yesterday’s rally was the con- He had a word of advice for dent and the prime minister ern part of Mumbai were closed organisers said. with the participants. and university places have esca- cluding protest of a series of 57 the Muslim community: it has in the nature of things must and traffi c was diverted as the The city’s famed ‘dabbawalas’, In June, the government in lated as unemployment has risen marches staged over the past year to move with the times and remain in the domain of privi- protesters, largely from rural who deliver packed lunches to Maharashtra agreed to write off and conditions in rural areas in Maharashtra by the Maratha live with the requirements of leged conversation.” areas of Maharashtra state, de- people working in offi ces across loans to farmers estimated to be worsened. community to press its demands. the occasion. To a question about their scended on India’s fi nancial cap- Mumbai, suspended operations worth nearly $5bn after 11 days of India reserves places for lower India has nearly 260mn farm- “Do not create for one self response and whether he ital in a sea of saff ron fl ags and for the day, as did schools in the protests that strangled supplies castes to try to bring victims of ers and farm labourers and over or one’s fellow beings an im- was satisfied, he said: “Well, banners. aff ected area. to Mumbai. the country’s worst discrimina- half the population lives in rural aginary situation which is there is always an explana- Organisers put the number of The ‘mook morcha’ (silent Maharashtra is one of several tion into the mainstream, but areas, but agriculture accounts centuries back, when things tion and there is always a protesters at more than 2mn and procession) started from the By- largely agricultural states that the policy causes resentment for just 17% of its gross domestic were very diff erent. I mean reason. Now it is a matter of said it was the largest rally ever culla Zoo and terminated at the have suff ered disappointing among other communities, who product. the whole idea was that what judgment, whether you ac- staged in the city of 20mn. historic Azad Maidan – a dis- rains and crop failures in recent say it freezes them out. Farmers around the coun- are the challenges today... The cept the explanation, you Media estimated the number tance of around 6km. years. Marathas, who comprise one- try have been pressing for more challenges today are challeng- accept the reasoning and its of people at the rally between While the majority were on More than 1,417 farmers killed third of Maharashtra state’s government assistance, often es of development, what are rationale.” 600,000 and about 1mn. foot, there were some adven- themselves in Maharashtra in 116mn people, are mainly en- through protests. Congress expels 14 rebel JD-U washes hands off Sharad Yadav’s visit legislators in Gujarat IANS of Sharad Yadav’s public ex- Patna pression of sadness over Bihar Chief Minister and party pres- IANS lar action against six other legis- also expelled for cross-voting in ident Nitish Kumar’s decision Ahmedabad lators who resigned earlier after defi ance of the party’s whip. day ahead of its former to dump the Grand Alliance of the party had issued a whip to Meanwhile, all the 43 legisla- president Sharad Ya- the JD-U, the Rashtriya Janata all MLAs to vote for the offi cial tors who voted for Patel, held a Adav’s arrival in Bihar, Dal and the Congress in the fter Congress veteran nominee in the Rajya Sabha elec- meeting with the senior Con- the state’s ruling Janata Dal- state and joined hands with Ahmed Patel’s hard- tions,” he said, adding that the gress leader and vowed to fi ght United yesterday distanced the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Afought victory in the Ra- action against them is on techni- the forthcoming polls with more itself from a two-day visit and National Democratic Alliance jya Sabha elections, the party cal grounds. vigour. dubbed it a personal initiative. to form the new government. yesterday cracked the whip “We will now initiate legal Patel exhorted all the leg- “Sharad Yadav’s visit to Bi- Sharad Yadav had said Ni- against 14 rebel legislators, in- proceedings against all of them islators to visit Tirupati Balaji har is his personal initiative. tish Kumar’s decision was cluding former chief minister to ensure that they are not able temple to seek blessings for the The JD-U has nothing to do against the mandate given by Shankersinh Vaghela, expelling to fi ght assembly polls for the victory and take a vow to bag 125 with it,” JD-U state president the people in Bihar in the 2015 them for six years for anti-party next six years,” Doshi said, add- seats in the forthcoming assem- Vashisht Narain Singh said. assembly polls against the BJP. activities. ing that defying the party whip bly elections. Sharad Yadav will begin his JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Ahmed Patel, who is the po- invites disqualifi cation from The Congress veteran had visit to seven districts, in- Kumar too said that Sharad litical secretary to Congress contesting any election. asserted after winning his Ra- cluding Patna, Muzaff arpur, Yadav, a former federal min- president Sonia Gandhi, mean- Besides Vaghela, the expelled jya Sabha seat that the victory Samastipur, Supaul, and Mad- ister, is visiting Bihar for two while called on the party unit to legislators include his son Ma- had pepped up the party’s ranks hepura, from today to meet days in his personal capacity. gear up for a target of winning hendrasinh and loyalists Ra- and “we will fight the assembly people, including his support- “Sharad Yadav is not visit- 125 seats of 182 in the December ghavji Patel, Bholabhai Gohil, elections with all aggression ers and mostly JD-U leaders ing Bihar on JD-U invitation. assembly elections. Anand Chaudhary, C K Raulji and ensure their (BJP’s) defeat and workers. So, where is the question of “The party has expelled and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, 100%.” “Sharad Yadav will meet the party at all?” all eight rebel MLAs, includ- who had voted against the of- A spirited state president party leaders and workers loyal Vashisht Narain Singh said ing Shankersinh Vaghela, who fi cial party candidate. Another Bharatsinh Solanki said: “The to him to know their stand and the decision to join hands with cross-voted against Ahmed bhai, MLA from Sanand, Karamshi victory in Rajya Sabha elections read the political situation care- the BJP was not taken by Nit- defying the party whip,” Gujarat Patel, who was one of the 44 leg- will go a big way to boost our fully before taking any deci- ish Kumar at the individual Congress spokesperson Manish islators fl own off to Bengaluru to morale. Ahmedbhai will play Congress supporters celebrate after Ahmed Patel won a seat in sion,” a JD-U ,lawmaker con- level. “The decision was of the Doshi said. prevent “further poaching” from a crucial role (in the assembly the Rajya Sabha, outside the party headquarters in Ahmedabad, sidered close to him said here. Bihar unit of the JD-U, includ- “We have also initiated a simi- the Bharatiya Janata Party, was polls).” yesterday. His visit comes in the wake ing the legislative party.” Gulf Times 14 Thursday, August 10, 2017 INDIA

CRIME POLITICS PUNISHMENT JUDICIARY LEGISLATION Realtor who killed woman’s BJP will not get even one Teachers transferred for Sahara moves SC to stall AAP urges Baijal to sign boyfriend arrested seat in Meghalaya: Congress giving wrong information Aamby Valley auction bill on Mohalla Sabhas

A realtor who shot dead his female employee’s Congress leader and Meghalaya’s Urban Aff airs Lying on paper is bad. Five teachers in Haryana The Sahara Group yesterday urged the Supreme The Aam Aadmi Party yesterday urged boyfriend has been arrested, Ghaziabad police Minister Ronnie V Lyngdoh yesterday said the learnt this the hard way after the government Court to put on hold the auction of Aamby Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to give said yesterday. Superintendent of Police Akash Bharatiya Janata Party would not win even a single transferred them to Mewat, a backward district Valley. Sahara’s lawyer Kapil Sibal urged a bench his assent to a bill on Mohalla Sabhas. The Tomar said Dinesh Sharma was desperate seat in the assembly elections next year. The veteran in south Haryana, for giving wrong information headed by Justice Dipak Misra to push back the bill, which has been passed by the Delhi to have a relationship with Shivani and so Congress leader was reacting to BJP leader Nalin under the transfer policy. The transfer was ordered publication of the sale notice and also sought Assembly, enables the formation of Mohalla conspired with two others to have her boyfriend Kohli’s remarks that a non-Congress government by the education department upon learning that more time to review Sahara’s payment plan. Sabhas, the urban version of Grama Sabha, Asif eliminated. He hired an off ice assistant, will be formed in Meghalaya after the assembly the five took undue advantage of the transfer On July 25, the court had asked Sahara chief through which people will get a say in the Lucky alias Aman Singh, and a contract killer, elections. “I think Nalin Kohli is not in a right state of policy by feeding false information on the Subrata Roy to deposit Rs15bn - a part payment development works and fund allocation Rajiv, to do the job. On August 4, when Shivani mind. I doubt if they (BJP) would win even one seat. Management Information System (MIS) portal, of Rs240bn that two group companies had raised in their areas. Speaking on the issue in and her friend came out of Gaur Central Mall, Therefore, how can he talk of forming a non-Congress a senior off icial said yesterday. The education from investors. As it cleared all the terms and the assembly, AAP MLA Rajesh Gupta Sharma opened fire at Asif. He took three bullets government,” Lyngdoh said. “Meghalaya is not UP department had asked teachers to provide conditions submitted by Bombay High Court’s said Mohalla Sabhas ensure that people’s in his chest and abdomen and was declared (Uttar Pradesh). We are a conscious people and the information regarding their postings and also off icial liquidator for floating a global tender to responsibility doesn’t end with the casting dead at a hospital. Shivani told the police that electorate also cast their votes consciously. I don’t sought their choice of stations for new postings. invite bids for the auction of Aamby Valley, the of votes. He said through Mohalla Sabhas, Sharma objected to her 10-year-long friendship think the electorate here would vote for a party (BJP) The department had said that eff orts would be court had said that if Sahara pays Rs15bn by people get to decide whether they need a with Asif and had hatched a conspiracy to which is creating an atmosphere of intolerance, be it made to adjust teachers in their home districts or September 7 and submits a plan, it would stall the road or a canal and the work is not done eliminate him. food habits or attack on religious institutions,” he said. nearby areas. process of auctioning Aamby Valley. according to the wishes of the MLAs.

Dilip Kumar discharged Talks are only after a week in hospital way for India, IANS Mumbai

egendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar, 94, who was Lunder treatment for kid- ney-related problems at Mum- China to end bai’s Lilavati Hospital for a week, was discharged yesterday. Dilip Kumar was seen in a wheelchair wearing a pink shirt when he came out of the hospital. He was accompanied by his wife and former actress Saira Banu, standoff : Dalai who was seen in a printed red suit with a dupatta on her head. Reuters India’s diplomatic eff orts to warning coming from a situation Before leaving the hospital, New Delhi end the standoff have hit a road- spiralling out of control, counter- Saira Banu tweeted from Dilip block, people briefed on the talks measures from China will be una- Kumar’s offi cial account. said, prompting Chinese state- voidable,” it said. By the grace of Allah, Dilip Sa- ndia and China will have to re- run media to trumpet rhetoric of The border crisis caps a year of hab is under the care of Dr Nitin solve their prolonged military “unavoidable countermeasures” souring diplomatic ties between Gokhale, Dr Arun Shah of Lila- Istandoff in a remote Hima- on the unmarked border. the Asian giants, even though vati Hospital and Sahab’s personal layan region through talks, the China has insisted that India trade between the fast growing family physicians Dr R C Sharma Dalai Lama said yesterday, ruling unilaterally withdraw its troops. economies is rising rapidly. and Dr S Gokhale, along with the out the chance of war because it But China did not respond to In- India has grown concerned at able input of Dr S D Bapat. This would be destructive to both par- dia’s suggestion in the talks that China’s ties to Pakistan, viewing excellent team has given the green ties. it move its troops back 250m in their trade corridor across Kash- signal to take Sahab home today. Indian and Chinese troops have return, said one source with close mir as an infringement of its claim “My gratitude to fans, friends been embroiled in a seven-week ties to Prime Minister Narendra to the whole of the region. for prayers, doctors for expert confrontation on the Doklam pla- Modi’s government. Modi refused to join President treatment, hospital staff n Sa- teau, claimed by both China and In the low-key diplomatic ma- Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and hab’s personal attendants for all India’s tiny ally, Bhutan. noeuvres that took place outside Road initiative to knit together the care. It is the Almighty God’s The Dalai Lama, who lives in the public eye, the Chinese coun- Asia and beyond, making In- will and benevolence that I wish exile in India after fl eeing a failed tered with an off er to move back dia the lone country to boycott a to acknowledge in all humility uprising against Chinese rule in 100m, so long as they received summit in May. and gratitude.” Tibet, said there would be no vic- clearance from top government China has warned New Delhi The thespian was admitted to tors in a war and talks were the offi cials. not to be drawn into a Western the hospital on August 2 due to only option. But there has been no come- military alliance led by the United dehydration and urinary tract in- “This century should be a cen- back since, except for China’s States and including Japan. fection. High potassium and cre- tury of dialogue,” the Nobel peace mounting warnings of an escala- Modi has sought closer ties atinine levels had raised concerns laureate said in the Indian capital. tion in the region, which it calls with both. that he may have to be put on di- “One-side victory, one-side de- Donglang. “There will be no happy end- alysis. Doctors decided against it feat is old thinking. “It is a logjam, there is no ing for this confrontation,” Indian after he started responding well Destruction of your neighbour movement at all now,” said a sec- foreign policy expert C Raja Mo- to treatment. is destruction of yourself. The ond source with knowledge of the han wrote in the Indian Express Now all parameters are under only way is through talks.” talks. newspaper, adding that India was control, Udaya Tara Nayar, com- Indian troops went into Dok- In Beijing, China’s Foreign unlikely to give in. piler of Dilip Kumar’s autobiog- lam in mid-June to stop a Chinese Ministry, which has repeatedly The second source said the raphy, said. construction crew from extend- urged India to withdraw, did not worry was the standoff could drag Dilip Kumar has made several ing a road India’s military says immediately respond to a request on into a summit of BRICS nations visits to hospital in the last three will bring China’s army too close for comment on the state of talks. China is hosting next month. years with a variety of ailments. for comfort in the northeast. Tension between India and Indian military offi cials say In December, he celebrated his India and China have a China has been rising over several there is no troop buildup on either birthday in hospital, where he 3,500km-long mountain border issues. side, nearly two months into a was being treated for fever and a over which they fought a 1962 war India is concerned over Bei- standoff that involved about 300 swollen leg. that ended in India’s defeat. jing’s military collaboration with soldiers just 100m apart on a pla- Born Mohammad Yusuf Khan, They have since failed to set- Pakistan as well as its expanding teau 3,000m above sea level. Dilip Kumar’s six-decade career tle the border, leading to frequent involvement in infrastructure de- China has accused India of is studded with acclaimed clas- claims of intrusions into each velopment across South Asia. massing troops, however, and sics such as Madhumati, Devdas, other’s territories. China has held off going to state media have warned against a Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, The chance of a confl ict was war in the hope New Delhi would fate worse than its defeat in 1962. Ram Aur Shyam and Naya Daur. low, however, despite exchanges of see reason, the state-run Global “We will keep engaging with He is well-known for playing harsh words, the Dalai Lama said. Times, which has kept up a bar- China to resolve the dispute. War tragic heroes in fi lms like Andaz, “Two big nations don’t have rage of hostile commentary, said cannot solve problems,” Indian Baabul, Mela, Deedar and Jogan. the ability to eliminate the other on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj He was last seen in the 1998 fi lm Dilip Kumar is escorted by wife Saira Banu and hospital staff as he leaves after being treated for an or defeat the other. So you have to “If the Narendra Modi gov- told parliament, sticking to a con- Qila. illness at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai yesterday. live side by side.” ernment continues ignoring the ciliatory stance.

Tribals at loggerheads with Rogue elephant kills new tree-planting policy 15, faces culling Agencies and hunters here with us. We are New Delhi brainstorming a solution...one of Reuters said in a statement marking In- and selling forest produce. Litera- them is to shoot the animal. But New Delhi ternational Day of the World’s In- cy, child malnutrition and mater- that’s the last resort and we will digenous people. nal mortality are among the worst n elephant that has killed take a call in a day or two.” “Tree plantation policies in- in the country. 15 people in eastern India The marauding elephant likely illions of tribal people in centivise forest offi cials to com- Neglect by the authorities and Aover a months-long ram- wandered from its herd and be- India are being denied mit atrocities against tribal and a Maoist insurgency in the coun- page could be shot within days if came lost, straying into villages Mtheir rights to forest land other forest dweller by encour- try’s central tribal belt have exac- it is not brought under control, an where the killings took place. and resources and forced from aging and funding tree planta- erbated their plight. offi cial said yesterday. Elephants kill roughly 60 people their ancestral settlements due to tions on lands that are the basis But the biggest threat has al- Wildlife rangers and hunt- every year in forested Jharkhand, a recently enacted law promoting for tribal livelihoods, culture and ways been to their land. ers assembled in Jharkhand after Singh said, just a fraction of the an increase in tree cover, an indig- survival.” A lack of documents proving another victim was trampled to estimated 1,100 who died nation- enous rights group said yesterday. The IPF cited instances in dis- land ownership has meant that death on Tuesday evening, the wide from elephant or tiger at- The Indigenous Peoples Fo- tricts such as Kandhamal where tribal people are often treated as state’s chief forest and wildlife tacks in the three years to May. rum (IPF), which represents tribal forest offi cials were going ahead criminals, exploited by wealthy conservator L R Singh said. According to the environment groups in eastern Odisha state, with projects despite protests from land owners and money lenders, or The rogue elephant crushed ministry, 1,144 people were killed said the law passed by parlia- village leaders and that aff oresta- face extortion by offi cials, experts four victims in Bihar state in in attacks across India in 1,143 ment in July last year has resulted tion funds were being used to force say. March before crossing into neigh- days between April 2014 and May in communities being displaced people from protected areas. Many also live in mineral-rich bouring Jharkhand and killing 11 this year. from their homes in favour of tree Government offi cials from the regions such as Odisha, Mad- more. The ministry said 345 tigers plantations. ministry of tribal aff airs were not hya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and “Villagers are living in fear, and 84 elephants were killed The Compensatory Aff oresta- immediately available for com- Jharkhand, and risk being driven especially the Paharia tribe that in the same period, mostly in tion Funding (CAF) Act provides ment. from their homes due to mining lives on the upper hillier regions poacher attacks. $6bn to state forest departments India’s tribes make up around projects. where the elephant roams. Some- Elephants are targeted for their to increase forest cover after dec- 10% of its 1.3bn population. In 2008, India passed the For- thing must be done,” Singh said, tusks. ades of environmental degrada- Many live on the margins of est Rights Act (FRA) which recog- referring to one of the poorest Siddhanta Das, the ministry’s tion across the country. society in remote villages where nises the right of tribes to inhabit indigenous tribal communities in director general of forests, said “In India, tribals continue to they eke out a living from farm- land their forefathers settled on The rogue elephant that has killed at least 15 people is seen in eastern India. human encroachment into animal have their rights violated,” IPF ing, cattle rearing and collecting centuries ago. Sahibganj district of Jharkhand. “We have a team of experts territory was causing the deaths. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 15 PAKISTAN

TRADITION FACILITY ENERGY TELECOM RECOGNITION Flag hoisting on August 14 First autism centre, Braille China invited to set up Broadband subscribers Bills on transgender rights at Parliament House sought printing press opened mid-country oil refinery reach 44.6mn in Pakistan tabled in parliament

The Senate secretary has sought a response to The Sindh province government yesterday Pakistan has off ered China to invest in setting Total broadband subscribers, including for The National Assembly yesterday saw the Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani’s letter which had opened the country’s first autism centre and up a mid-country deep-conversion refinery near 3G and 4G services, have crossed around introduction of two bills aimed at securing the been sent to the Prime Minister Off ice, seeking Braille printing press at its special education Lahore and laying a gas pipeline from Karachi the 44.608mn mark in Pakistan, registering rights of transgender persons in Pakistan. The flag hoisting ceremony on August 14 on the the complex. Special Assistant to Sindh Chief to Lahore for the transmission of imported a reasonable growth rate with each passing bills were tabled by JUI-F’s Naeema Kishwar Parliament House’s premises. Senate Secretary Minister on Human Rights and Special liquefied natural gas (LNG) to consumers in month, the latest off icial data showed. Khan during private members’ day. The bills Amjed Pervez Malik, in a letter addressed to the Education Rehana Leghari inaugurated the Punjab, an off icial says. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said 3G are the first pieces of proposed legislation prime minister’s secretary yesterday, said the twin establishments. She termed the autism The off er was made during the visit of a Chinese and 4G subscribers reached 42.084mn by June that extends any modicum of recognition to Senate chairman had been waiting for a reply to centre as the country’s first such state-of-the-art delegation, headed by Nur Bekri, Administrator this year. The number of broadband subscribers this often-ignored segment of society. This the letter written to the prime minister on June 19. government facility. The two institutions were of National Energy Administration in July this in other technologies included DSL (1,527,306), bill frames penalties for off ences against The Senate chairman said if the letter could not inaugurated at a formal event organised by the year. HFC (50,571), WiMax (168,511), FTTH 48,020 transgender individuals, and aims to make it be placed before the former prime minister, the provincial special education department. Leghari During a meeting, the Pakistani side requested and EvDO (729,625). Mobilink has overtaken its illegal to deprive such persons from inheriting PM’s secretary should then inform Prime Minister distributed hearing aids donated by the human China to set up an oil and gas sub-group under competitors to become the number one 3G/4G property, unlawfully evict them from any Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and convey his decision to rights department among hearing-impaired the Energy Working Group for facilitating player. Jazz subscribers base was 12.44mn for 3G premises or deny them entry to educational the Senate chairman. children. production and supply projects. and 0.938mn for 4G till the period mentioned. institutions.

Govt to seek parties’ Sharif starts defi ant consent for repeal of Article 62: Abbasi

Internews through the controversial Karachi Eighth Amendment (during ‘caravan’ to Lahore the regime of Gen Ziaul Haq) and its interpretation was zSharif’s show of power akistani Prime Minister vague and ambiguous. follows disqualification from Shahid Khaqan Abbasi So if all political parties off ice Pyesterday said his gov- reached consensus then this z Will take route from ernment would try to create article could be repealed, he Islamabad to eastern city of consensus in parliament for added. Lahore the repeal of the constitution- al clause through which then “Nawaz Sharif is Reuters premier Nawaz Sharif was going his home [in Islamabad disqualifi ed by the Supreme Lahore]. It was the Court. common desire of all “The interpretation of Arti- MNAs that he [Sharif] housands of people at- cle 62(1)(f) is ambiguous it can passes through tended a rally and proces- be repealed with the consen- their respective Tsion in support of former sus of all political parties,” PM constituencies so that Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Abbasi told Geo News anchor people could express Sharif yesterday as he embarked Hamid Mir during an inter- solidarity with their on a show of political power fol- view. party” lowing a Supreme Court deci- Article 62 of the Constitu- sion to disqualify him from offi ce tion pertains to the qualifi ca- Terming Pakistan Tehreek- over undeclared assets. tions for membership of par- i-Insaf chief Imran Khan a Sharif launched the so-called liament and its sub-clause 1-f “professional critic”, Abbasi “caravan” procession from Is- reads: “A person shall not be clarifi ed that yesterday’s plan lamabad to his eastern home- qualifi ed to be elected or cho- by the ousted PM to travel to town of Lahore, despite the con- sen as a member of Majlis-i- Lahore via GT Road was not a cerns of advisers about security. Shura (parliament) unless ‘he protest. Big crowds of supporters is sagacious, righteous and “Nawaz Sharif is going thronged the capital to join in the non-profl igate, honest and his home [in Lahore]. It rally, and set up camps along the ameen, there being no dec- was the common desire of route he was expected to take. laration to the contrary by a all MNAs that he [Sharif] “Nawaz Sharif is still our court of law’.” passes through their re- prime minister,” said worker On July 28, a fi ve-judge spective constituencies so Niaz Ahmad, who wore a lion larger bench of the apex court that people could express look-alike costume and chanted, declared the then premier solidarity with their par- “Lion, Lion!” referring to the “not honest” under Article ty,” he said. election symbol of Sharif’s po- 62(1)(f) of the Constitution. Abbasi repeatedly termed litical party. The SC disqualified Shar- Sharif’s disqualifi cation a Backers of Sharif danced and Pakistani supporters escort the vehicle carrying ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif during a rally in Islamabad yesterday. if from holding the public conspiracy. showered his vehicle with rose office after he was found to When asked as to who had petals as the procession took domestic Geo TV. charges had been proved, and have furnished a false dec- hatched the conspiracy, he nine hours to reach Rawalpindi He told SAMAA TV the event it was unfair to disqualify him laration under solemn oath said he was not saying that the from Islamabad. was not a protest, but rather on the grounds of not having Shehbaz Sharif to head and failed to disclose his apex court had conspired or The event remained largely a reception for Nawaz Sharif declared a salary from his son’s receivables — constituting someone else. peaceful, though Sharif’s sup- by his supporters to mark his Dubai-based company among a ruling PML-N party assets from Capital FZE — “Any matter which causes porters assaulted the crew of two homecoming. list of assets submitted ahead of in his nomination papers harm to the country would be local TV stations, which have Sharif was seen off in Islama- the 2013 elections that brought Raja Zafarul Haq, leader of the victed in the plane hijacking case under Section 12(2)(f) of the seen as a conspiracy.” been critical of him during the bad by Abbasi, the new cabinet him to power. House in the Senate, has said that and declared disqualified from Representation of People When the interviewer months of court proceedings, and other party offi cials, his po- Sharif’s governing Pakistan it has been decided that Shehbaz politics and Shehbaz Sharif was Act 1976. pointed out that the load- police offi cial Hafeez Khan said. litical adviser Asif Kirmani said. Muslim League-Nawaz (PML- Sharif would be the new president made the PML-N president. To a PM Abbasi was asked shedding duration had in- Sharif, 67, resigned during Several ministers also took N) party, which has a solid ma- of the ruling Pakistan Muslim question, Haq said the struggle of whether the Pakistan Muslim creased, the prime minister his third stint as prime minister part in the rally, chanting slo- jority in parliament, elected Ab- League-Nawaz (PML-N). The deci- PML-N was against the disrespect League-N government in the said: “There would be no after the Supreme Court ruled gans, dancing, and taking selfi es basi as his replacement within sion would be announced soon, of people’s vote. remaining 10 months of its loadshedding in the coun- on July 28 that he should be dis- with supporters. four days of the court decision. Haq told BBC Urdu. According to He said general elections would term was considering bring- try after November 2017. But qualifi ed. Kirmani said a huge number Party leaders have recently consultation so far done in the be held in June next year and a ing an amendment, one like problems may be faced at the The court also ordered a crim- of people were waiting for Sharif suggested that Abbasi is expected party, most members are of the number of political parties had the 18th Amendment adopted local level.” inal probe into his family over along the Grand Trunk Road to hold offi ce until elections due opinion that the party’s president- started their political campaign, during the previous govern- He said there was a need for allegations stemming from the linking Islamabad with Lahore, next year, a reversal of earlier in- ship should be handed over to therefore the PML-N had also ment of the Pakistan People’s a broader dialogue between “Panama Papers” leaks of inter- about 380km distant. “We re- dications that Sharif’s younger Shehbaz Sharif, Haq said. The decided to make preparations for Party. political parties so that a na- national off shore companies. ally don’t know how long it will brother, Shahbaz, would take over. decision would be taken due to the elections. The PM replied in the af- tional charter, like the Char- Pakistan’s new prime min- take, how many days.We have no Shahbaz is now likely to re- disqualification of former prime Due to other priorities and firmative, saying his party ter of Democracy between the ister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a idea,” he said. place his brother as party chief, minister Nawaz Sharif by the administrative and governmental would initiate it in parlia- PPP and PML-N, could be close Sharif ally, said the former Sharif, in recent meetings because the ousted premier can Supreme Court. matters, the party could not focus ment and expressed the hope achieved. leader was alert to security with party leaders, lawyers and no longer lead a political party as The PML-N leader said during the on its organisational matters, but that all parties would sup- He defended the size of his threats. the media, has expressed his dis- Pakistani law bars convicted or regime of General (retd) Pervez now it had been decided to work port it. cabinet, saying there were 43 “The bigger a leader is, the pleasure over the court ruling. disqualifi ed persons from such Musharraf, Sharif had been con- more on party matters, he added. He said Article 62(1)(f) was ministers against the consti- bigger the threat is,” Abbasi told He has said no corruption roles. inserted in the Constitution tutional limitation of 49. Pakistan’s skydiving PM seen soothing fears zNew PM seen loyal to days had installed Abbasi as a said: “The entire nation is proud Abbasi championed Pakistan’s ousted leader Nawaz Sharif temporary prime minister. of the sacrifi ces rendered by se- embrace of LNG after the PML-N zAbbasi eager to improve Sharif then had a change of curity personnel in ridding the won 2013 elections with a promise civilian-military relations heart about plans to elevate his motherland from the menace of to end frequent power outages. zVows to bring an end brother as long-term leader. terrorism.” In an interview with Reuters to a decade of electricity With Abbasi, 58, now likely Pakistan’s military has a his- as petroleum minister in July, blackouts to stay on until the election, the tory of meddling in politics, and Abbasi said he wanted to ramp opposition is training its cross- staging coups, including one in up use of LNG for power plants Reuters hairs on him while voters seek 1999 that toppled a previous and was scathing about a power Islamabad clues as to what he can accom- Sharif government and saw Ab- ministry that was “averse to plish in less than a year as the basi jailed for two years with the change”. On Tuesday, he an- leader of a nuclear-armed nation veteran leader. nounced that future energy amily links to Pakistan’s of 190mn. The army pushed Abbasi to plants would focus on gas and powerful military and a US-educated Abbasi has switch allegiance from Sharif domestic coal over oil. Fcabinet stint championing been frank about Sharif’s role but he refused, cementing his Pakistan’s LNG bet has largely the use of liquefi ed natural gas as the power behind the throne reputation as a loyalist. paid off , with Western compa- (LNG) will probably help new but those close to him expect a The opposition has accused nies fl ocking to build terminals prime minister Shahid Khaqan slightly diff erent approach to the Abbasi of acting as a “pawn” to and other infrastructure, despite Abbasi navigate thorny relations army. keep Sharif as a de facto leader. initial scepticism. with the army and curb rolling “He is going to repair the rela- “He’s a decent, educated guy Abbasi has promised black- blackouts. tionship and have a better com- but he’s basically a show-boy, outs will end by November, which How Abbasi, the co-founder munication channel to the army just there to fulfi l the legal re- would give the PML-N a huge fi l- of a budget airline and a skydiv- than Nawaz,” said a senior PML- quirements,” said Shah Meh- lip ahead of the 2018 polls. ing fan, tackles those two issues N offi cial. mood Qureshi, vice-chairman of The former engineer “likes to may defi ne his tenure as he seeks “Shahid is very pragmatic and the opposition PTI party. get his hands dirty” and will be to tilt the next general election, aware that the army is there, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi speaks during a meeting in Islamabad, yesterday. One of Abbasi’s fi rst moves more than a placeholder, said due in mid-2018, towards the you can’t just wish them away.” was to merge the petroleum and one senior energy offi cial who ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Sharif has endured fraught volved in his Supreme Court dis- si’s family ties to the military — — will make him more palatable power ministries, a step Western has worked closely with Abbasi. Nawaz (PML-N) party. relations with the military dur- qualifi cation. his father was an Air Force com- to the army. donors had advocated for nearly “He’s into results,” the offi - Ousted leader Nawaz Sharif ing his three stints in power and The military denies involve- modore while his father-in-law After his fi rst meeting with a decade. cial added. “He often says to us: was disqualifi ed by the Supreme some of his allies have hinted ment. headed the Inter-Service Intel- the army chief General Qamar He will head the new energy ‘Talk is really cheap, you need to Court last month and within elements of the army were in- PML-N politicians say Abba- ligence (ISI) military spy agency Javed Bajwa on Tuesday, Abbasi ministry. deliver.’” Gulf Times 16 Thursday, August 10, 2017 PHILIPPINES Campaign against me: Comelec chairman

Manila Times so for the sake of his children. Quezon City Bautista admitted that what was happening was one of the most painful chapters ommission on Elections in his life, saying that he had Chairman Juan Andres not been dealt with fairly and CBautista said yesterday forthrightly. that there was a demolition job Holding back his tears, against him, maintaining that Bautista said that he was allegations by his estranged very concerned with his four wife about his P1bn ill-gotten young children who have since wealth were totally false. stopped going to school be- “There is an orchestrated cause of his rift with his wife. campaign against me, perhaps Bautista said that he has the Comelec, the [2016] elec- brought up his concern about tions,” Bautista said in an in- the children to which his wife terview on ANC’s ‘Headstart’, answered that “the universe as he explained point by point will take care of them”. all the accusations of wife Pa- Bautista’s wife has records tricia. of bank deposits, checks, ATM Bautista said that he had cards, fi nancial records, among done nothing wrong and would other documents to support clear his name and “all will be her claim that Bautista did explained in due time where not truthfully declare his 2016 these were [accusations]were Statement of Assets, Liabilities coming from”. and Networth or SALN. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa salute honour guards during the 116th anniversary of the PNP at its headquarters The poll chief disclosed Bautista reiterated that all in Manila. that he has fi led on Tuesday his documents were stolen by formal complaints against his his wife 10 months ago and estranged wife for grave coer- had not been returned to him, cion, qualifi ed theft and rob- adding that many of the bank bery, and extortion. accounts were closed or non- Bautista said he had long existent, while the others be- been advised by his lawyers to longed to his brother, sister and fi le the charges but did not do parents. Duterte puts bounty Ex-DoH chiefs call for cigarette tax hike on ‘rogue’ policemen Manila Times “We strongly appeal the fol- The president has promised a pardon to alive — better dead”. He said the unidenti- Former US president Barack Obama was cussions regarding the use of US drones to Quezon City lowing amendments. We urge those who find the fugitives fi ed policemen had worked with Reynaldo among the many international critics of strike IS-inspired “terrorist groups.” that taxes on tobacco be in- Parojinog, the mayor of the southern city Duterte’s tactics. Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colo- creased by 60% in 2018, and AFP of Ozamiz, who was killed in the pre-dawn But criticism from the United States, nel Chris Logan said all military assistance ormer Department of by 10% yearly thereafter with Manila raid along with his wife, his brother and 13 the Philippines’ former colonial ruler and in the Philippines is conducted at the re- Health (DoH) secretaries, the following goals, to decrease other people. mutual defence partner, has been toned quest of the government. Falong with physicians, the number of current smokers Police said they were forced to kill the down under the administration of Donald “We respect the sovereignty of the Phil- health organisations and civil from 14.5mn to 13.5mn; to re- hilippine President Rodrigo Duterte 16 people in self-defence, but Parojinog’s Trump. ippines, and we are not pursuing unilateral society groups, have united to duce annual fi nancial losses of yesterday announced “dead-or- lawyer has insisted the mayor and oth- Tillerson met Duterte in Manila on action in the Philippines,” he said. support the inclusion of higher at least P210bn from smoking- Palive” bounties worth $40,000 each ers had not resisted arrest. Duterte had Monday on the sidelines of a regional Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte cigarette tax being pushed in related diseases,” Cabral said. for policemen he accused of helping an accused Parojinog of being a major drug security forum. Duterte said American has asked lawmakers to approve the re- the senate to combat tobacco Ona said health should also accused narco-politician, and said he pre- traffi cker. offi cials did not raise any concerns with cruiting of 20,000 more soldiers to tackle use and malnutrition. In a news be the priority of the Duterte ferred they be killed. As he has done in similar cases of alleged him. increased security threats following a briefi ng on Tuesday, petitions administration along with The call for police offi cers to kill their extrajudicial killings, Duterte yesterday The United States is weighing addition- bloody urban siege in the south. were signed to urge senators infrastructure and the fi ght colleagues is the latest infl ammatory com- also vowed to give legal protection to the al support to the Philippine military as it Almost 700 people have been killed, ac- and President Rodrigo Duterte against criminality and drugs. ment by Duterte in his controversial drug policemen who killed Parojinog and the fi ghts an Islamist insurgency in the south, cording to the offi cial count, in over two to include cigarette tax in de- “Health should not be war, which has claimed thousands of lives, other 15. If they were found guilty of mur- a US defence offi cial said Tuesday. months of fi ghting in the southern city liberations on the comprehen- number two or three. If number and comes shortly after a meeting with US der, he would pardon them, he vowed. Discussions are “pretty advanced” and of Marawi against Islamist militants who sive tax reform package. one is infrastructure and crim- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Duterte easily won presidential elec- would see the US provide increased sur- have pledged allegiance to the Islamic Present during the event inality, so should health be.” Duterte made the off er during a speech tions last year after promising an unprec- veillance drone capabilities and training State group. were three former health sec- Tan expressed surprise that at national police headquarters, off ering edented war on drugs in which tens of for local forces, the offi cial told AFP on The militants, waving the black IS fl ag, retaries, namely Esperanza tobacco and alcohol taxes were 2mn pesos ($40,000) for an unspecifi ed thousands of people would be killed. condition on anonymity. have occupied parts of Marawi since May Cabral, Enrique Ona and Jaime not included when the Tax number of offi cers who allegedly helped a Since he took offi ce in the middle of last The drones could hypothetically be 23, prompting Duterte to declare martial Galvez-Tan. Reform and Acceleration and mayor killed in an anti-drug operation on year, police have confi rmed killing more used to conduct strikes, the offi cial add- law in the entire southern region of Mind- In her presentation, Cabral said Inclusion (Train) bill was pro- July 30. than 3,400 people in anti-drug opera- ed, although that would only be for self- anao. tobacco exposes smokers to about posed. “Each of those policemen carry on their tions. defence reasons to protect US or partner US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson 45 life-threatening diseases such “We have not taxed tobacco heads now, I am announcing, 2mn per More than 2,000 other people have been forces, and would not signal another front on Monday called the crisis in Marawi a as stroke, heart attack, lung can- and alcohol [at the same rate head and you are free to go on leave (to killed in drug-related crimes and thou- in America’s drone wars. “tragic situation” and said US forces were cer and chronic lung disease. as other countries]if we com- pursue them),” Duterte told the offi cers in sands more murdered in unexplained cir- “It’s not necessarily what those (drones) providing surveillance aircraft and impor- “In addition, tobacco predis- pare ourselves to Hong Kong, the audience. cumstances, according to police data. are there for. Those are there for ISR and tant advice for the Philippines forces in the poses [smokers]to a major health Thailand, and even Singapore,” “I’ll cut short my speech so that you will Rights groups say many of those victims support,” the offi cial said, using an abbre- battle there. problem, illicit drug use. Of he said. Tan noted that a stick have a chance for a crack at the 2mn for have been killed by government-backed viation for intelligence, surveillance, and The US has for years provided intel to 4.5mn Filipinos who have ever of cigarette in other countries those idiots.” vigilantes, and Duterte has boasted that he reconnaissance. the Philippines and has between 300 and tried drugs, 1.5mn used tobacco costs around P20, while the Duterte added the bounty would be would be “happy to slaughter” 3mn drug The Philippines’ Department of Na- 500 special operations and regular forces as the gateway,” she added. price here is only P5. paid if the policemen were found “dead or addicts. tional Defense said there had been no dis- stationed in the country. HIV test for ex-Miss Universe Govt interests insured for P1bn

Manila Times high risk items, are provided with comprehensive Quezon City and adequate insurance coverage,” AO 4 read. “Notwithstanding existing law, the Commission on Audit indicated in its reports that there are still resident Rodrigo Duterte has initially ear- agencies whose [pieces of property], assets, facili- marked P1bn for the insurance of key pieces of ties and other insurable interests are currently not Pproperty, assets and other insurable interests insured or substantially underinsured,” it said. of the government. The inter-agency committee will be composed The move came with issuance by the President of representative from the fi nance department as of Administrative Order (AO) 4, which created an chairman, representative from the Offi ce of the Ex- inter-agency committee to formulate the necessary ecutive Secretary as Co-Chairman, and contingent policies, rules and regulations for the purpose of in- from the Department of Budget and Management, suring government assets. Insurance Commission and Government Service It is in accordance with the Property Insurance Insurance System (GSIS) as members. Law, which provides for a General Insurance Fund In addition, the inter-agency committee is man- (GIF) for the purpose of indemnifying or compen- dated to assess the utilisation and management of sating the government for any damage to, or loss of, the GIF being administered by the GSIS; evaluate its insurable interests because of fi re, earthquake, the existing inventory of all government assets, storm and other calamities. facilities and other insurable interests that are ac- The Property Insurance Law also provides that tively insured; determine high-risk key government national government agencies and local govern- assets and other public facilities which should be ment units, except those belonging to municipali- insured annually; and propose appropriate legisla- ties below fi rst class, should insure with the GIF tive measures or executive issuances, as necessary, their pieces of property, assets and other interests on insuring key government assets, facilities and against any insurable risk. other insurable interests. Pia Wurtzbach, former Miss Universe and UNAIDS goodwill ambassador for Asia, provides a blood sample for an HIV test at a “There is a need to prescribe the necessary poli- The inter-agency committee will submit a termi- government off ice in Taguig City, suburban Manila, as part of her advocacy to raise awareness on HIV. cies to ensure that key [pieces of property], assets nal report to the president within one year after its and other interests of the government, especially convening. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Festival procession

A Nepali child takes part in the Neku Jatra-Mataya festival in Thecho village on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Britain urges all US may deport parties to take part Mujib’s killer, in Bangladesh polls By Mizan Rahman all concerned on those aspects education and women empow- Dhaka to be carried forward,” he said erment in the Commonwealth while talking to. Summit to be held next year. The British Minister talked Praising Bangladesh’s stun- he United Kingdom has about ‘huge opportunity’ to ning socioeconomic develop- laid emphasis on hav- celebrate the pluralistic nature ment under the leadership of Ting a pluralist choice of of democracy in Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, says minister healthy democracy, and en- in 2021 when Bangladesh will the British state minister said, couraged all parties in Bang- celebrate the 50 years of inde- “Bangladesh has an incredible Rashed Chowdhury has been convicted managed political asylum” where death Mujib was assassinated along with all ladesh to take part in the next pendence. story to tell...and under your and faces execution on extradition sentence “is not prohibited”. but two of his family on August 15, 1975 at elections making democracy a Mentioning strong ties be- dynamic leadership, Bangla- “There is also no legal restriction on his Dhanmondi house in Dhaka by a group sustainable one. tween the UK and Bangladesh, desh is going to be a middle- By Mizan Rahman handing over a condemned person” from of army personnel. “Number one, please partici- he said they are a strong ad- income country.” Dhaka the US, Anisul said. His daughters – Sheikh Hasina, now the pate. And secondly, let’s have vocate of having a democracy About terrorism, he said the The US Department of Justice “has giv- prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana – sur- a fair and transparent election which is sustainable. world will have to act together en indication” that Rashed Chowdhury vived the massacre as they were abroad. because those are foundations He said pluralist and healthy to contain terrorism and stop he United States has hinted at de- might be repatriated, offi cials said, and the Shariful Haq Dalim, another condemned for ensuring sustainable de- democracy will help Bangla- human traffi cking. The Brit- portation of MA Rashed Chow- government hired Skadden LLP, a US law killer, is hiding in Spain, according to un- mocracy for the long term,” said desh make its all development ish PM’s special representa- Tdhury, one of the six condemned fi rm, to pursue the matter. The govern- confi rmed government information. visiting UK Foreign and Com- initiatives sustainable for the tive praised the zero-tolerance fugitive convicts of the killing of the coun- ment “is in close touch” with the US state The government sent message in De- monwealth Offi ce Minister of long term. policy of Prime Minister Sheikh try’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur department, Department of Justice, and cember 2016 to the German authorities State Lord Ahmad. The United Kingdom ex- Hasina against all kinds of vio- Rahman, after completing some legal pro- the Department of Homeland Security for mentioning that Muslim Uddin, another Lord Ahmad, also British pressed the hope that Bangla- lence and extremism. cedures. completing the repatriation. fugitive killer, is staying in the country. Prime Minister’s special repre- desh’s next general election will He discussed the issue of The government, however, still does not Bangladesh is also in discussion with the The German government sought more in- sentative on preventing abuse be an inclusive one. counter terrorism and violent have specifi c whereabouts of four of the Canadian government to bring back SHMB formation about him. There is no informa- in confl ict, said they are, of During his meeting with extremism during his meeting six condemned fugitive convicts even after Noor Chowdhury, another fugitive con- tion about Abdul Mazed, another fugitive course, “disappointed” that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with State Minister for Foreign about seven years of the execution of fi ve demned killer, the law minister said. The condemned killer. not everyone participated in Lord Ahmad also expressed the Aff airs M Shahriar Alam held at convicts in 2010. government has updated information on Five of the 12 condemned convicts were the last election. He said they hope that Bangladesh’s next state guest house Padma. Bangladesh has requested Pakistan to all fugitive killers and “diplomatic eff orts hanged in 2010 and six had gone in hiding are “certainly impressing” on general election will be an in- The British minister said provide whereabouts of Khandaker Abdur are on to bring them home”, home minister abroad to avoid execution. all concerned, all parties, and clusive one. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Rashid, a key planner of the 1975 massacre, Asaduzzaman Khan said at a briefi ng. The prison authorities hanged fi ve of anyone seeking to participate in While talking about the UK’s and her British counterpart after recieving tip-off s that he might be Bangladesh missed an opportunity to the convicts – Syed Faruk Rahman, Sultan the elections because that pro- exit from the European Union, Theresa May are likely to meet hiding in Pakistan. The Pakistani authori- bring back Noor Chowdhury from Canada Shahriar Rashid Khan, Muhiuddin Ahmed, vides the ‘pluralistic’ choice of known as Brexit, he said it will on the sidelines of the UN Gen- ties are yet to reply. in late 2006 and early 2007 after Canada Bazlul Huda and AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed healthy democracy. not aff ect Bangladesh and its eral Assembly in New York in “There is enough progress in discus- had refused to grant him political asylum. – on January 27, 2010, a year after the “And in doing so it’s also (Bangladesh) trade benefi ts will September. Prime Minister sion” on bringing back one of the killers, According to Canadian laws, the country Awami League-led alliance government important to ensure that elec- continue as well. Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to law minister Anisul Huq told newsmen in does not send back foreign nationals who assumed offi ce. One of the killers, Abdul tions are transparent, free and He urged the Prime Minis- visit New York on September Dhaka. “I’ll not give you details so that we face death penalty in their own country. Aziz Pasha, reportedly died in Zimbabwe, fair. I think, we’ll be impressing ter to take the leadership of girl 17-22, a senior offi cial said. can achieve our target.” There is a bleak prospect that he would state minister for foreign aff airs Shahriar Replying to a question on presence of be deported from Canada as the applica- Alam said, adding that the government Rashed Chowdhury in the United States, tion is still pending with the attorney gen- collected certifi cate of his death from the the minister said Rashed “has somehow eral’s offi ce for the past nine years. country. Court grants ‘permanent bail’ Bangladesh has enough to Khaleda Zia in graft case By Mizan Rahman Ali, Barrister Jakir Hossain phanage Trust graft case on July Dhaka Bhuiyan and AHM Kamruzza- 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Sta- man moved for the BNP chief tion accusing Khaleda, her eld- while lawyer Khurshid Alam est son Tarique Rahman, who livestock for Eid: govt angladesh Nationalist Khan argued for Anti Corrup- is now living in the UK after Party (BNP) chairperson tion Commission (ACC). securing bail, and four others BKhaleda Zia, now in Lon- Khurshid Alam Khan said in for misappropriating over 21mn By Mizan Rahman According to government sheep, totalling 5,39,548 ani- goats, and 735 sheep, totalling don, has secured “permanent 2008, the HC had granted her taka that came as grants from a Dhaka statistics, Bangladesh has mals. 3,44, 514 animals. In Rangpur, bail” from the High Court (HC) anticipatory bail and issued a foreign bank for orphans. 25.4mn cows and buff aloes, In Chittagong, the total there are 3,50,983 cows, 3,900 in the Zia Orphanage Trust rule seeking explanation why Four other accused are 29.3mn goats and sheep, total- number of sacrifi cial animals buff aloes, 1,27,903 goats, and graft case. the BNP chief should not be former BNP lawmaker Salimul angladesh has at least ling 54.7mn. They said there in the division is 11,59,219. Of 47,497 sheep. A HC bench of Justice M granted regular bail in the Zia Haq Kamal and businessman 11.5mn sacrifi cial ani- are some 3.34mn healthy cows them, there are 8,58,170 cows, In Mymensingh, the total Enayetur Rahim and Justice Orphanage Trust graft case. Sharfuddin Ahmed, former Bmals, enough for the and buff aloes in dairy farms 42,286 buff aloes, 1,34,563 number of sacrifi cial animals in Shahidul Karim yesterday After fi nal hearing on the principal secretary to the PM upcoming Eid al-Adha, one of across the country. goats, and 1,24,200 sheep. the division is 6,39, 016. There passed the order after fi nal rule, the HC granted permanent Kamal Uddin Siddique and Mo- the largest religious festivals of Besides, there are 1.11mn In Rajshahi, there are are 1,15,649 cows, 6,397 buf- hearing on the rule issued by bail to Khaleda Zia. minur Rahman, nephew of late Muslims, according to the De- cows and buff aloes in private 6,79,165 cows, 2,046 buf- faloes, 5,07,155 goats and 9,715 the court in 2008 granting an- “But the trial court can can- President Ziaur Rahman. partment of Livestock Services ownership, which are old, un- faloes, 12,54,562 goats, and sheep. ticipatory bail to Khaleda in the cel the bail for any misuse of the Kamal Uddin Siddique and (DLS) in Dhaka. productive and unprofi table 1,28,088 sheep raising the total DLS director general Dr graft case. bail,” he added. Mominur Rahman are abscond- Offi cials at the DLS said but fi t for sacrifi ce. to 20,63,441. Ainul Haque said: “Our farm- Senior lawyer AJ Mohamed The ACC fi led the Zia Or- ing. there has been a sharp rise in The dairy farmers have In Khulna, the number of ers will suff er losses if we im- livestock production in recent 2.83mn sacrifi cial goats and sacrifi cial animals in the di- port sacrifi cial animals despite years in the country reducing sheep while in private owner- vision is 5,57,998. Of them, having enough local livestock Bond scams: JVP points finger at PM dependence on neighbouring ship there are 4.27mn goats 3,20,369 are cows, 1,909 buff a- production.” He asked people countries for sacrifi cial ani- and sheep in this year, totalling loes, 2,20,100 goats, and 15,620 not to buy unhealthy and sick Prime Minister Ranil Addressing a press conference blame for the bond scams. He mals during the Eid al-Adha. 7.1mn. sheep. cattle. Wickremesinghe “was directly at the JVP headquarters cannot say his hands are clean. Now there are some 61,72,990 DLS data shows that there In Sylhet, the number of In 2014, there were 9.6mn involved in the Treasury bond in Pelawatte, Propaganda The entire country is aware of healthy sacrifi cial animals are 31,60,675 cows, 1,81,980 sacrificial animals in the di- sacrifi cial animals in the coun- scams and he cannot absolve Secretary Vijitha Herath his involvement. across the country, in addition buff aloes, 24,44,703 goats vision is 3,38,531. There are try, while there were 10.9mn in himself of the responsibility for said: “The Central Bank has “We demand that he too to 53,85,000 which are old, un- and 3,85,632 sheep in eight 1,99, 870 cows, 23,182 buffa- 2015 and 11.4mn in 2016. them by scapegoating Foreign been under the PM. He is the be summoned before the productive, unprofi table but divisions of the country. In loes, 77,650 goats, and 37,829 Last year, a large number Minister Ravi Karunanayake for one who appointed Arjuna presidential commission suitable for sacrifi ces, raising Dhaka Division, there are sheep. of Indian and Myanmar cows the biggest ever fraud in the Mahendran to the post of investigating the Treasury the total number to 1,15,57,990, 3,90,030 cows, 10,650 buff a- In Barisal, there are 2,46,419 were smuggled into Bangla- country’s history”, a senior JVP Governor of the Central Bank. Bond scandals.”-courtesy the DLS offi cials told newsmen. loes, 1,16,920 goats, and 21,948 cows, 91,510 buff aloes, 5850 desh. member has said. Therefore, he should take the island.lk Gulf Times 18 Thursday, August 10, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Amid White House

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] chaos, generals rise Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Reuters America’s military leadership has, general from within his administration those at the top of the military Fax 44350474 Washington of course, been a fi xture in the nation’s — National Security Adviser Mike frequently complained the president broader domestic politics since the Flynn, a former chief of the Defence was uncomfortable around his days of George Washington and the Intelligence Agency, over failing to generals and largely avoided direct Revolutionary War. disclose links to foreign governments. contact with them. hen White House budget World War Two commander Flynn, however, was always one of Paradoxically, that administration chief Mick Mulvaney Dwight D Eisenhower and Civil War America’s most controversial senior was simultaneously accused of was asked why President military supremo Ulysses S Grant offi cers. micromanaging missions, particularly GULF TIMES WDonald Trump had were the last two to make it to the Those who have followed have involving Special Forces. appointed former Marine offi cer John Oval Office. tended to be more conformist. Trump, in contrast, has tended to let Kelly as chief of staff , Mulvaney had a Never in recent history, however, Crucially, those who have remained the generals run their own campaigns. simple explanation. “You know that he have there been quite so many armed have been much more likely to stick He has granted the US military enjoys working with generals,” he said. forces fi gures swirling around the top together. much more latitude in conducting Time for Guardiola Within this rambunctious, echelons of power. Mattis, Kelly, McMaster and those its operations and is reported to have idiosyncratic presidency, a small but Other former top military leaders still at the top of the US military all given Mattis the authority to decide growing group of former military are also gaining important roles. served together in multiple Iraqi and whether to send more US troops into leaders appear almost the only ones Last week, former US General Afghan campaigns. (In Iraq, Mattis Afghanistan. and Mourinho able to operate, survive and even Anthony Zinni was named as was immediate superior to General Some commentators worry that too thrive in the Trump administration. America’s envoy for resolving the Joseph Dunford, current Chairman of little civilian scrutiny will be bad for The president appears to be diplomatic crisis around Qatar. the Joint Chiefs and professional head the services. to deliver increasingly placing his trust in It’s an appointment that has been of the US military.) Reported civilian casualties from US their discipline, loyalty and ability broadly welcomed within the region This dynamic puts America’s actions in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere to infl uence and control those in his and Washington policy environment, serving senior offi cers in a sometimes have risen since Trump took offi ce, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho came in amidst chain of command. not least because so many civilian awkward situation. leading to concerns the military is much fanfare last season. Manchester City and A triumvirate of America’s most roles within the State and Defence Some have been more outspoken quietly shifting to the use of more Manchester United had managed to land managers of respected generals — former Marine departments remain unfi lled. than others. indiscriminate force in those confl icts. James Mattis as Secretary of Defence, Inevitably, some fi gures have Last week, a US Coast Guard admiral What may worry Trump more, the highest calibre. Two of the best in the world, many serving Army Lieutenant General HR become swiftly politicised. was openly critical of the recently- however, is the perception that some will argue. McMaster as national security adviser That’s particularly true for National announced ban on transgender troops, of his top military trio may spend The fi rst season yielded a third place for City and and former Homeland Security chief Security Adviser McMaster — still a saying his priority was protecting his much of their time apologising for him a United a lowly fi fth. Both Guardiola and Mourinho Kelly — now sit at the political heart of serving offi cer doing a role usually own transgender personnel. and America. the administration. fi lled by a political appointee. Others have avoided direct With the hash tag could argue that their fi rst seasons were transitional With Kelly running the day-to-day Last week, McMaster found himself comments on the policy, which Trump “#presidentMattis” trending on campaigns. There were new players that were bought operations of the White House since on the receiving end of frenzied tweeted out unexpectedly while Twitter last week, the president may and everybody had to get used to the methods of their replacing former Republican chairman briefi ngs from his newfound political Mattis was on leave. also come to worry they have their high-profi le bosses. Reince Preibus, their infl uence may enemies, many of them said to have Last week, US Army Chief of Staff own ambitions. increasingly reach well beyond foreign originated from the circle of White General Mark Milley told the National “Bear with us,” Mattis told a Before the start of the 2017 season, both Guardiola and security policy into national House adviser Steve Bannon. Press Club he knew nothing about conference in Singapore in June, and Mourinho have brought in key players who they politics. McMaster is widely reported to Trump’s proposed ban on transgender before paraphrasing wartime British believe will fi t their style of play. These two teams now The hope of many in and outside have opposed Bannon on a number of troops until the tweet. Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s refl ect the character of its managers and no excuses government is that the commanders issues including Russia sanctions, the Milley did add that it is not unusual quotation that America would provide a much-needed dose of sanity Iran nuclear deal and troop numbers for senior commanders to fi nd out about eventually do the right thing after will be accepted by impatient fans or the management. and experience to an administration for Afghanistan. presidential decisions from the media. exhausting other alternatives. Mourinho is fi ghting the bigger battle here. The that badly needs both. Few doubt there are further political That appeared to be a veiled If America’s generals can take the Red Devils last won a league title in 2013 and the Critics, however, accuse them of fi ghts to come. reference to the Bush and Obama credit for the Trump presidency Portuguese manager has looked to plug all the gaps is risking politicising the armed services That’s particularly true for Kelly, administrations, both of which also not being a catastrophe, it’s at least and lending credibility to a presidency who must now run the entire White gained a reputation for making public possible one of them may yet make it his squad. that hasn’t earned it. House political machine despite announcements on matters such to the White House themselves. They have the services of Romelu Lukaku, a like-for- The truth may be that the military having relatively little experience as troop numbers for Afghanistan If they can’t, however, they may fi nd like replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic – probably offi cers are almost the only gures fi of key areas such as dealing with without pre-warning commanders in themselves taking an unfair portion of more agile. The defence and midfi eld have been Trump trusts, respects or can be Congress. Washington and the fi eld. the blame for whatever the president reliably expected to listen to. Trump has already lost one former Under the Obama administration, does wrong. bolstered with the signing of Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic respectively. Then there’s the matter of the world’s second-most expensive player — Paul Pogba. It’s high time the Frenchman converted his potential into goals. United also have Marcus Rashford in their midst and the 19-year-old striker has shown that he is quite capable of producing the goods. The team had the individual talent. Now it’s up to Mourinho to bring about the cohesion Both high-profi le and ensure that managers will be his side can deliver consistent results. under pressure to As for Man City, many experts win the EPL title are predicting Guardiola’s team to be the one lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of the season. They defi nitely look strong on paper. Their defensive woes have been addressed with the signing of Kyle Walker General James Mattis General HR McMaster General John Kelly (from Tottenham Hotspur) and France international Benjamin Mendy from Monaco. The one area that City were desperate to address was between the posts. And with the signing of Brazilian Ederson, they seem to have taken care of that. Guardiola has an abundance of talent in the attacking Finishing the post-crisis job department. Brazilian Gabriel Jesus who shone during his brief show last season, is now fi t and raring to go. Argentinean Sergio Aguero has been the trusted lead By Jim O’Neill largely fell on deaf ears, and the two largest economies. terms since 2007, with GDP rising striker and along with Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, London fi rm’s foreign-exchange salespeople Still, other countries have built from $3.5tn to around $12tn. As a Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, Man City will be a probably got bored passing on yet up ever-larger current-account result, the aggregate size of the BRIC more of the same pieces to their imbalances over the past decade. economies is now around $18tn, which very attractive team to watch on the attack. esterday (August 9, 2017) clients. Chief among them is Germany, is larger than the European Union and While City and United have been shopping actively was the tenth anniversary of At one point in 2007, the US whose external surplus now exceeds almost as big as the US. to prime themselves for a title challenge, the other the decision by the French current-account deficit was reported 8% of GDP. Germany’s current There will inevitably be another big names have been relatively quiet. Defending Ybank BNP Paribas to freeze to be 6-7% of GDP (it has since been account suggests that there are deep financial bubble, so it is worth some $2.2bn worth of money-market revised down to around 5% for the imbalances that could lead to a new asking where it might occur. In champions Chelsea are hoping Alvaro Morato can funds. Those of us who were active full year). This high figure reflected crisis if policymaking is not well co- my view, it is unlikely to emerge provide the goals with Diego Costa almost certain to in fi nancial markets at the time the fact that the US trade balance ordinated. The last thing that Europe directly from the banking sector, be sold. Liverpool and Spurs have chosen not to make remember that event as the beginning had been steadily deteriorating needs is another sudden reversal, as which is now heavily regulated. huge changes to their sides. Arsenal have brought in of the worst global fi nancial crisis since the 1990s. In the absence of we saw at the height of the Greek debt The bigger concern is that many since the Great Depression. any obvious negative consequences, crisis. leading companies across different Alexandre Lacazette and if they manage to retain the Many economists and fi nancial however, complacency had set in, The United Kingdom, for its industries have continued to focus services of Alexis Sanchez, the Gunners will be hoping observers argue that we are still living and the US continued to spend more part, will have a current-account excessively on quarterly profits, to get back into Champions League with a top-4 fi nish. with the consequences of that crisis, than it saved. defi cit above 3% of GDP this year, because that determines how The spotlight will be fi rmly on Mourinho and and with the forces that incited it. Meanwhile, China had spent the which is nearly three times what it executives are remunerated. This is partly true. Many developed 1990s exporting low-value-added was ten years ago. But that is not to Policymakers should take a hard Guardiola. This is the season they are expected to economies still have in place products to the rest of the world, not say that the UK’s trade balance has look at the role of share buybacks deliver and while both may play down their chances, a unconventional monetary policies least to US consumers. In 2007, its signifi cantly deteriorated. Rather, it in this process. To her credit, in lacklustre title challenge could spell serious doom for such as quantitative easing, and both current-account surplus was around refl ects the fact that the UK is a major the Conservative Party’s 2017 their reputations. productivity and real (infl ation- 10% of GDP – the mirror image of the fi nancial centre, and that investment election manifesto, British Prime adjusted) wage growth appear to be US. Whereas the latter was saving too returns have shifted more in the UK Minister Theresa May announced mostly stagnant. little, China was saving too much. than elsewhere. that her government would do this. But it is important to put these For some observers, this huge All told, the global economy today One hopes that May’s government developments in perspective. Many international imbalance was the is much healthier than it was ten years follows through. Doing so could To Advertise people, including the Queen of source of the crisis. In the years ago. Many are disappointed that real strike a symbolic blow against the England in November 2008, still ask: leading up to the crash, they argued global GDP growth since the crisis underlying malaise of post-crisis [email protected] “Why did no one see it coming?” that the global fi nancial system has undershot performance in the economic life. The West needs real Display In fact, many fi nancial observers was simply doing its job, by fi nding previous decade. But since 2009 – investments and higher productivity Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 did warn that housing prices in the increasingly clever ways to recycle the worst year of the recession – the and wage growth – not more United States were rising untenably, the surpluses. Of course, we now global economy has grown at an economically unjustifiable profits. – Classified especially given the lack of domestic know that it performed that job rather average rate of 3.3%, just as it did in Project Syndicate Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 personal savings among US poorly. the 1980s and 1990s. consumers. Much has changed in the Of course, this is largely owing to zJim O’Neill, a former chairman of Subscription As chief economist of Goldman intervening decade. In 2017, China China, the only BRIC country (Brazil, Goldman Sachs Asset Management [email protected] Sachs at the time, I had written three will run a current-account surplus of Russia, India, and China) that has and a former UK Treasury Minister, diff erent papers over a number of 1.5-2% of GDP, and the US will most met my growth expectations for the is Honorary Professor of Economics years showing that the US current- likely run a defi cit of around 2% – but decade (although India is not too far at Manchester University and former 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved account defi cit was unsustainable. possibly as high as 3% – of GDP. This behind). The size of China’s economy Chairman of the British government’s Unfortunately, these fi ndings is a vast improvement for the world’s has more than trebled in nominal Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. Gulf Times Thursday, August 10, 2017 19 COMMENT Will Trump unite Europe?

Germany must fi nally Perhaps owing to Trump’s anti- weapons in Syria. Accordingly, trade agenda, the EU recently Macron has already reserved the right reckon with the idea concluded a new trade agreement to intervene in Syria if Bashar al- of European strategic with Japan much faster than many Assad’s regime uses chemical weapons had expected; and it has shown a again. autonomy, which France willingness to retaliate if the US enacts Germany’s geostrategic situation openly promotes measures to protect the domestic steel is more precarious, notwithstanding industry. its strong economic position. The Trump seems to have abandoned twin pillars of German security are By Zaki Laidi earlier proposals for a border Nato’s collective-defence guarantee Paris adjustment tax, and he may not follow and a stable relationship with Russia. through on all of his protectionist Now, both are in jeopardy, as is rhetoric. But even barring the worst- Germany’s relationship with Poland’s eyond his bizarre, intemperate case scenario, Europe will remain in increasingly illiberal government. tweeting, the challenge that a state of deep uncertainty. After all, Germany must fi nally reckon US President Donald Trump EU policymakers don’t know if they with the idea of European strategic Bposes for Europe is real, but should put more stock in the heated autonomy, which France openly not always easily defi ned. There are rhetoric of Trump and his trade promotes. Of course, strategic diff erences between what Trump adviser, Peter Navarro, or in the more autonomy, long a taboo in Germany, says, what his administration does, conciliatory words of Gary Cohn, the will have to develop incrementally, and what Congress makes him do. In former Goldman Sachs executive now through joint Franco-German military fact, just last week, Trump was given leading the US National Economic programmes. no choice but to sign a bill imposing Council. The French and German new sanctions on Russia that he had With Trump obsessing over governments recently decided to move stridently opposed. secondary issues such as tariff s and ahead on a plan jointly to develop Moreover, the European Union’s defi cits, it will be all but impossible a new fi ghter jet, which is certainly capacity for collective action varies for the US and Europe to establish new a good fi rst step. But one should from issue to issue. Europe can come global trade norms. But the EU does not expect to see any spectacular together on soft-power issues such as still have cards to play on other issues, co-operative achievements in the trade and climate; but its security and such as climate change. For starters, immediate future. In 2018, Germany defence is largely dependent on the it will continue to lead the rest of the will need to update its combat aircraft Franco-German relationship, which G20 in implementing the Paris climate for the next seven years. Will it has never been more important than agreement, now that Trump has purchase French Rafale jets, in the it is today. withdrawn the US from that accord. administration’s rhetoric and facts on coherent US policy on Russia or likely depend on the strength of the name of European solidarity; or will Trump launched an off ensive And it can work with the many US the ground. For example, while Trump Europe is creating new uncertainties. Franco-German alliance, which has it opt for American F-35s from its against multilateral trade as soon cities, states, and civil-society groups has expressed admiration for Russian For example, many in Germany are long been the engine driving European traditional security guarantor? as he took offi ce. He abandoned the that remain committed to fi ghting President Vladimir Putin, he did not worried about US sanctions targeting integration. Trump has unwittingly created real 12-country Trans-Pacifi c Partnership climate change. reverse a decision by his predecessor, the Russian energy sector, which could France has less reason than opportunities for Europe, which is (TPP), and withdrew the United The EU also has an opportunity to Barack Obama, to deploy US forces aff ect Nord Stream 2, a pipeline that Germany to worry about US slowly realising that it can no longer States from negotiations over the become a global renewable-energy in Poland and the Baltic countries bypasses Ukraine to deliver natural disengagement. With the US and trust the US unconditionally. But to Transatlantic Trade and Investment leader. To succeed, however, it will under the auspices of Nato. And now gas directly from Russia to Germany. British governments both mired in come together eff ectively in the face of Partnership (TTIP) with the EU, which need to integrate the European energy that the US Congress has stepped At the same time, Poland, long wary chaos, France, a permanent member a common threat, Europeans will fi rst would have created a vast North market by harmonising national-level in, Trump can no longer unilaterally of Russian attempts to forge an energy of the United Nations Security have to overcome their nationalist – Atlantic common market. This has policies. Without a common strategy lift sanctions on Russia. Moreover, alliance with Germany, has welcomed Council, will have signifi cantly more or, in Germany’s case, anti-militarist put the EU on guard, because it is for pricing carbon, the EU will not the US State Department seems to the new sanctions. diplomatic infl uence in Africa and – instincts. – Project Syndicate more dependent than the US on trade, reach its goal of zero net emissions by want to reengage with Ukraine, even This points to a growing risk: rather the Middle East. French President and especially on the World Trade 2050. if that means circumventing certain than sign on to a common European Emmanuel Macron has not forgotten zZaki Laidi is Professor of Organisation’s Dispute Settlement Things are not as clear-cut on members of the “Normandy format,” position vis-a-vis the US, individual that, in 2013, Obama humiliated International Relations at L’Institut Body, which the Trump administration the security front, especially given namely France and Germany. EU member states could decide to go France by unilaterally abandoning a d’études politiques de Paris (Sciences may try to bypass. the large gaps between the Trump Unfortunately, the lack of any it alone. Whether or not they do will “red line” against the use of chemical Po). Weather report Making ‘women’s work’ count Three-day forecast TODAY High: 42 C Low : 31 C By Bharati Sadasivam quarter less, on average, hold only one can actually be done to meet this study in Turkey showed that one quarter of executive positions in the objective. dollar of public money invested in the Inshore: Hazy to misty /foggy at Istanbul places at first, becomes hot daytime private sector, and occupy less than The responsibility will lie, fi rst and care sector could create 2.5 times as and humid by night. one quarter of all seats in national foremost, with governments. After all, many jobs as a dollar invested in the ver the next few months, parliaments. Only half of working- while businesses or neighbourhood construction industry. More than half FRIDAY the 12,000 employees based age women worldwide are in the paid associations may off er childcare of those jobs – decent jobs that could High: 40 C at Apple’s headquarters in labour force, compared to more than options to working parents, costs raise incomes and living standards, Low: 34 C OCupertino, California will three quarters of men. and quality vary widely. Government particularly for poor households – Sunny complete their move to an extravagant This situation is slowly beginning action is needed to ensure that care would go to women. new campus. The “spaceship,” to change. Unpaid household and services cover all who need them – International institutions covering 2.8mn sq ft, includes a two- care work is gradually shedding from preschool children to the sick, can play an important role in SATURDAY story yoga studio, running paths, and its reputation as “women’s work,” the disabled, and the elderly – and helping governments to seize High: 42 C even revolutionary pizza boxes that and men today are assuming more that they are universally accessible the opportunities presented by Low: 33 C keep slices crisp. One thing it does not household responsibilities than their and aff ordable. investment in the care sector. In M Sunny have, however, is daycare. fathers and grandfathers did. Some Beyond services, however, the former Yugoslav Republic of When it comes to ignoring the countries, particularly in Europe, achieving the SDGs’ targets will Macedonia, the United Nations importance of childcare for working are revising traditional leave policies require policy change. Most Development Programme undertook Fishermen’s forecast parents, Apple is far from unique. And so that parents can choose how to important, governments must an initiative that helped women who OFFSHORE DOHA that omission places a powerful drag allocate time off after the birth of a establish requirements for parental had mostly worked at home their Wind: SE-NE 03-12 KT on parents’ ability to achieve their child. and family leave programmes. entire lives to fi nd jobs in the care Waves: 1-3 Feet economic potential, with women More broadly, the value of unpaid Together with private companies, sector, enabling them to make use of INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-NE 05-15 KT suff ering the most. household and care work – not just they can also provide monetary their skills, by caring for children and Waves: 1-2 Feet Worldwide, women carry out for children and family members, incentives for men and women to for young adults with disabilities, twice as much unpaid domestic but also for the long-term health share household and care work more while earning an income. Around the region and care work – including raising of societies and economies – is equally. Such policies have proved As populations grow and age, Weather Weather children, caring for sick or elderly increasingly being recognised. effective not only in Northern the care sector will only increase in today Max/min tomorrow Max/min family members, and managing the Efforts to measure the contribution Europe – the most commonly cited importance. Adapting to these new Abu Dhabi Sunny 41/34 M Sunny 44/36 household – as men do. In Mexico, of care work to national economies model – but also in Eastern European circumstances now will give countries Baghdad Sunny 51/32 Sunny 49/31 India, and Turkey, women do three have produced estimates ranging countries like Lithuania, Estonia, a considerable advantage, as it Dubai Sunny 44/34 M Sunny 44/34 Kuwait City Sunny times more care work than men. from 20% to 60% of GDP. and even Hungary, demonstrating bolsters women’s rights and freedoms, Sunny 45/32 43/32 Manama Sunny 42/33 Sunny 42/33 This “gender chore gap” limits In 2015, United Nations member that they can be applied anywhere. generates jobs, and make societies Muscat Sunny 32/28 Sunny 31/28 women’s choices, as it impedes their states adopted the Sustainable At a time when many governments, more equal. So what are we waiting Riyadh Sunny 46/30 Sunny 45/30 ability to obtain formal education, Development Goals (SDGs), which particularly in the developing for? – Project Syndicate Tehran M Sunny 36/23 Sunny 34/23 secure good jobs, and achieve equal call for recognising, reducing, and world, are faced with severe fi scal pay. Indeed, though women around redistributing unpaid care work – a constraints, such interventions may zBharati Sadasivam is the United the world actually work more than measure long proposed by feminist seem farfetched. But spending on Nations Development Programme’s men in total (including both paid economists and gender-equality the care sector should be viewed as regional gender adviser for Eastern and unpaid work), they earn one advocates. The question now is what an investment, not a cost. A recent Europe and Central Asia. Live issues Infectious diseases: learning about E. coli 101

Tribune News Service “Certain foods are at a higher risk may increase the risk of developing Washington, DC for transmitting E. coli infection,” hemolytic uremic syndrome. Most says Rajapakse. “Most commonly, we people are better in about one week. hear about it in raw or undercooked The CDC off ers these tips to Around the world . coli infections are a type of hamburger meat. However, any type prevent E. coli illness: Weather Weather foodborne illness that peaks of food that comes into contact with zWash your hands thoroughly today Max/min tomorrow Max/min during the summer months, raw or undercooked meat may lead to after using the bathroom or changing Athens Sunny 36/26 Sunny 37/26 according to the US Centers cross-contamination. Salads, fruits diapers and before preparing or Beirut Sunny 29/26 Sunny 29/26 E Bangkok P Cloudy 35/27 P Cloudy 35/27 for Disease Control and Prevention and vegetables can transmit, as well, eating food. Also, wash your hands Berlin Cloudy 24/16 S T Storms 22/14 (CDC). and we do occasionally see outbreaks thoroughly after contact with animals. Cairo Sunny 38/26 Sunny 38/27 Dr Nipunie Rajapakse, a paediatric related to those types of products.” zCook meats thoroughly. Ground Cape Town Cloudy 15/12 P Cloudy 14/09 infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Other foods carrying a high risk of beef and meat that has been needle- Colombo T Storms 29/26 T Storms 29/26 Clinic, says there are many strains of E. coli infection include unpasteurised tenderised should be cooked to a Dhaka T Storms 31/27 T Storms 30/26 Hong Kong S T Storms S T Storms 32/29 E. coli bacteria that may cause serious milk, unpasteurised apple cider, and temperature of at least 160F. 32/29 Istanbul Sunny 31/23 Sunny 31/23 illness for those infected. soft cheeses made from raw milk. zAvoid raw milk, unpasteurised Jakarta P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 33/25 “E. coli stands for Escherichia E. coli infections peak during the “E. coli generally causes relatively dairy products and unpasteurised Karachi M Cloudy 30/27 Cloudy 30/27 coli, which is a type of bacteria that summer months. mild illness in otherwise healthy juices. London P Cloudy 21/11 M Cloudy 21/16 can cause food or waterborne illness people. But in certain populations, E. zAvoid swallowing water when Manila S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 33/26 Moscow M Sunny 26/16 P Cloudy 27/17 in people,” says Rajapakse. “It’s a young children.” coli can cause severe illness especially swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, New Delhi M Cloudy 34/28 P Cloudy 36/28 relatively common cause of illness. This form of kidney failure that can in people who have weakened immune streams and swimming pools. New York M Sunny 29/19 P Cloudy 27/21 There’s a type of E. coli that people be life-threatening is called hemolytic systems, people who have underlying zPrevent cross-contamination in Paris S T Storms 21/13 M Cloudy 23/14 may have heard of called O157:H7. uremic syndrome. digestive system problems, young food preparation areas by thoroughly Sao Paulo M Cloudy 20/13 P Cloudy 20/13 Seoul T Storms 29/23 S T Storms 30/22 It’s a specifi c type of E. coli that can E. coli also can be found in the children, the elderly, and pregnant washing hands, counters, cutting Singapore S T Storms 30/26 S T Storms 29/25 cause bloody diarrhoea and has been environment and in the intestines of women,” says Rajapakse. boards and utensils after they touch Sydney P Cloudy 24/14 P Cloudy 23/08 associated with a condition that can humans and animals so contamination Antibiotics should generally not be raw meat. - Mayo Clinic News Tokyo Clear 33/26 Cloudy 30/23 cause kidney damage especially in of food can occur in multiple ways. used for treatment and in some cases Network Gulf Times 20 Thursday, August 10, 2017 QATAR Gulf crisis leaves families divided, dreams shattered AFP Qatari carriers from their ports That is nothing unusual in and asked to remain anony- Other Qataris, interviewed at Doha and airspace. Since the blockade a region where cross-border mous, said she was terrifi ed. She a centre in Doha set up to sup- started, Qatari authorities have marriages are commonplace. and her two adult daughters are port those aff ected by the cri- committed schools and univer- The diplomatic spat has thrown caught between fear of their own sis, fear for their assets in other or Qataris aff ected by the sities to enrolling repatriated such families into their own cri- government and uncertainty countries. The Compensation Claims Committee off ice in Doha. diplomatic crisis, the re- students. ses. “Half my family is in Dubai, about their future in Qatar. Nour, who declined to be Fality of politics is stark: But for Sara and many like in the UAE. I also have family “We feel trapped,” she told named in full, owns apartments Law firms approach claims panel families divided, assets frozen her, the crisis was personal. in Bahrain,” Sara said, choking AFP by phone. “We will have in Dubai but can no longer ac- and dreams put on hold. “When someone prevents you back tears. to renew our visas in a year. It’s cess them. Ahmad and Abdullah The Compensation Claims Committee has received a number of off ers Sara, a 29-year-old Qatari, from studying, it destroys your When her grandmother fell ill frightening — we don’t know own camels worth a fortune, but from international and regional law firms, which are eager to provide had been poised to start her sen- dreams,” she said. “One day, in Dubai, her mother was reluc- what will happen.” they are in Saudi Arabia where their services and assist the panel in taking necessary legal action on ior year in business school in overnight, with no warning -- tant to travel to the UAE for fear She said she does not want they are traditionally sent to the submitted claims, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported. Dubai when on June 5, a bloc of suddenly you’re told ‘you have she would not be allowed to re- to go back to Saudi Arabia, but graze. Many Qataris are in a state The committee met a delegation from a UK law firm on Tuesday, which Arab states led by Saudi Arabia to stay home, no school for you’.” turn to her children in Qatar. fears that if she does not she will of shock. off ered to help people aff ected by the blockade in pursuing their claims abruptly cut ties with her coun- As the standoff drags into its States in the Saudi-led bloc be blocked from accessing her Qatari civil servant Ahmad for damages and get adequate compensation, especially in cases try. “We were suddenly told that third month, the uncertainty have demanded that their citi- late husband’s Saudi pension, said political issues “should stay pertaining to trade and commercial issues. we were no longer permitted to is causing agony, particularly zens leave Qatar, but many have her only source of income. Her between leaders, people should The committee received 25 applications for claims on Tuesday and attend classes and had to go back for families of mixed national- hesitated to do so — especially daughters, who work in Qatar, not be involved”. nine calls enquiring about the procedures involved. A source said the to Doha,” she said. ity. Sara, who did not want her those with families in the emir- also want to stay. Abdullah al-Marri, another committee would study off ers made by the UK law firm and other The blockading countries surname revealed because she ate. Some say they fear pun- One has started losing her hair government worker, said he was international agencies and take a decision after thoroughly examining asked all Qataris to leave their feared the consequences for her ishment by their own govern- because of stress over the issue. surprised at the turn of events. them. Both Qataris and expatriates have been approaching the territories within two weeks, relatives elsewhere in the region, ments. All three declined to meet jour- “I didn’t think such things could committee to submit claims about the losses they have incurred due to recalled their ambassadors and has an Emirati mother and a Qa- One Saudi mother, who has nalists in person for fear of the happen between brothers,” he the unjust blockade. The committee is also helping them prepare the citizens from Doha and banned tari father. been based in Qatar for years consequences. said. necessary documents in order to file proper complaints. Symposium looks at Deal on sending Turkish options to challenge goods to Qatar via Iran through Ro-Ro ships to Qatar. He pointed out Qatar every month. The other alternative is to Ankara that a verbal agreement has also been reached transport by land fl exible and small packages, QNA with Iran, and that the agreement was expect- “said the Turkish minister, stressing at the blockading countries ed to be transformed into a written text in the same time that the transfer of some Turkish coming days. products will continue by air, especially fresh tripartite agreement has been reached Ro-Ro ships (Roll-on/roll-off ) ships are milk and chicken meat. By Joseph Varghese national Court of Justice,” ex- solved without any serious con- between Ankara, Doha and Tehran on vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such Zeybekci, who held talks in Tehran on Sat- Staff reporter plained al-Khulaifi . sequences. Athe transfer of goods from Turkey to as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, urday about opening up a link through Iran, “Taking into account the “Arab Spring divided the Arab Qatar via Iran, Turkish Minister of Economy and railroad cars, that are driven on and off told businessmen and industrialists that number of violations that have countries into two groups and Nihat Zeybekci announced yesterday. the ship on their own wheels or using a plat- technical delegations would meet this week he countries that are happened to the people of the Qatar had taken a clear stand on “The verbal agreement will become an of- form vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular to discuss the plans. Turkey has been a strong blockading Qatar have country economically, socially this issue. With Donald Trump fi cial agreement within days,” he added. In transporter. supporter of Qatar in its dispute with its Gulf Tviolated most of the in- and in other aspects, Qatar can becoming the US President there a statement to the Turkish Anadolu Agency, On Friday, the Turkish minister said that his neighbours. ternational conventions and take up the matter to the Inter- were several changes. Zeybekci said he had recently met with Qa- country, along with the Qatar and Iran, wanted Meanwhile the Scientifi c and Technologi- principles on human rights, a national Court of Justice. Qatar Though President Trump fol- tar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce to reach a tripartite agreement on the issue of cal Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Qatar University (QU) offi cial has has taken a great initiative by lowed a diff erent line on the HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed transferring Turkish products to Qatar in a and the Qatar National Research Fund are to noted. establishing a committee to look present crisis, several depart- al-Thani, and reached a verbal agreement on practical and cost-eff ective manner. begin implementing the cyber security part of “Now Qatar has three options into the violations and other cas- ments in the Trump administra- the transport of goods by road from Turkey to “The transfer by sea will be important, and the agreement on Scientifi c and Technological to legally challenge the blockad- es that have aff ected the Qatari tion did not go with his policy,” Iranian ports, and then transporting the trucks we plan to send at least four large vessels to Cooperation signed between both sides. ing countries,” said Mohamed people,” he continued. said al-Ansari. al-Khulaifi , dean, Faculty of Law, “Acting on behalf of these He also said that the present Qatar University at a symposium people, the committee can ap- crisis and the Iraq war has many organised by Arab Centre for Re- proach the local or international similarities. “The blockading search & Policy Studies (ACRPS) courts. Individuals also can ap- countries are propagating sev- yesterday at Doha Institute for proach the local courts on ac- eral false information on Qatar Graduate Studies. count of the losses but at the as it happened in the case of Iraq Call for ‘unconditional’ “The fi rst option is a politi- international court, individuals on weapons of mass destruc- cal procedure which is a non- cannot represent the case. Only tion. However, Iran is the great- judicial one. The second one is the country can represent there,” est benefi ciary of the crisis,” he to take it to the International he noted. added. Human Rights Council, which is Majed al-Ansari, a QU politi- Dr Khalid Rashed al-Khater, the offi cial global entity related cal strategist, said that before the a monetary policy expert, also opening of airspace to human rights violation. And crisis, there have been diff erenc- spoke at the symposium. Sheikh the third one is the international es with the blockading countries Suhaim al-Thani from ACRPS judicial procedure at the Inter- on certain issues but they were moderated. It is the duty of ICAO, who Chicago Convention, and con- allocates FIRs to countries, tinue co-operation regarding HIA to set up more e-gates for immigration to administer international aviation’s safety and security airspace, says al-Baker and international civil aviation’s More e-gates will be set up at The objective of the smart effi ciency and sustainability. Hamad International Airport passenger project is to facilitate By Pratap John The directive was issued after for immigration clearance of passengers to complete the Chief Business Reporter the ICAO Council Extraordinary residents, said Lt Col Mohamed entry or exit process through Session was held at the ministe- Rashid al-Mazroui, director self-service devices, depending rial level in Montreal, Canada on of the Airport Passports on smart technology, without he International Civil Monday to examine Qatar’s re- Department at the Ministry of the need to approach the Aviation Organisation quirement. Interior. counter staff . T(ICAO) must demand On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bah- “We have enabled e-gates for The activation of the from the blockading countries rain, the United Arab Emirates Qataris and residents above electronic gates for residents the “unconditional opening of and Egypt severed diplomatic 18, but unfortunately not all has contributed to quick their airspace and not in bits and and travel ties with Qatar, ac- of them are going through completion of their travel pieces,” Qatar Airways Group cusing it of supporting terror- the e-gates. Once you use the procedures without standing Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker ism and being an ally of Iran, e-gates, the pressure on the in long queues and waiting has said. charges that Doha denies. manually controlled emigration for passport control off icer to “It is the job of ICAO to de- The Convention on Inter- counters will come down,” he verify their personal data and mand from these countries the national Civil Aviation (also said at a media event yesterday. put the departure or arrival unconditional opening of the known as Chicago Convention), Qatar Airways Group Chief stamp on their passports. airspace - not restricting only was signed on December 7, 1944 Executive Akbar al-Baker said, This has also saved passport on high seas, but unconditional by as many as 52 States. “We are working with the pages for many residents as opening of the airspace into Al-Baker also said Qatar Air- Ministry of Interior and HIA to many of them suff er from rapid their fl ight information region ways was evaluating whether it double the number of e-gates depletion of available pages in (FIR) minus their territorial air- would use air routes which me- in anticipation of the influx of their passports due to the large space. dia reports said were opened this tourists.” number of travel stamps. The panel at the symposium yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil “It is the duty of ICAO, who week by countries embroiled in a allocates FIRs to countries, to political dispute with Qatar. administer international air- Qatari-owned aircraft are and the United Arab Emirates tion of ICAO, a UN body. ICAO space,” al-Baker said in reply to blocked from using the airspace had agreed to open some of its came into existence on April 4, a question by Gulf Times at a of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt airspace to Qatari aircraft. 1947. In October of the same media event in Doha yesterday. and the UAE as part of economic The airspace closures have year, ICAO became a specialised Recently, the Montreal-based sanctions enforced by the four forced Qatar Airways to fl y long- agency of the United Nations ICAO asked all member-states countries on June 5. er, spend more on fuel, prompt- linked to Economic and Social to abide by and comply with the ICAO recently said Bahrain ing Doha to call for the interven- Council (ECOSOC). DCMF denounces Israel’s decision to ban Al Jazeera oha Centre for Media is intended to avoid coverage of Al Jazeera, shut down its offi ces The centre has also urged all Freedom (DCMF) has the continuous violations com- and banned its journalists from parties concerned to reject Israeli Dcondemned the decision mitted against Palestinians by working in their countries,” the practices that hinder the free- by the Israeli authorities to shut Israeli forces in the occupied ter- statement added. dom of journalists to cover news down Al Jazeera News Network’s ritories”. DCMF has called on all or- developments in the Palestinian offi ces in Jerusalem and revoke its “By taking this decision, Is- ganisations concerned to resist territories. journalists’ press credentials. rael is lining up with the Gulf this decision, which targets not Further, DCMF stressed that it In a statement yesterday, states who have been imposing only Al Jazeera, but all free media supports all legal actions planned DCMF said it believes that such a siege on Qatar for more than outlets that “believe in the right to be taken by Al Jazeera Network a “practice is part of a system- two months, namely Saudi Ara- of freedom of expression, right to in order to confront, counter and atic attack on press freedom bia, the UAE, Bahrain as well as convey the truth, and free access prevent the implementation of A section of the audience at the symposium organised by Arab Centre for Research & Policy Studies. and freedom of expression, and Egypt, who have also targeted to information.” this decision.