QATAR | Page 24 SPORT | Page 8 Pakistan celebrates INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2–6, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 Qatar Museums international REGION 7 BUSINESS 1–6, 12–16 launches ‘100 Days of 22,118.86 8,471.60 48.40 ARAB WORLD 7, 8 CLASSIFIED 7–11 cricket revival +61.49 -60.80 +0.33 INTERNATIONAL 9–21 SPORTS 1–8 Blockade’ art initiative +0.28% -0.71% +0.69% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10575 September 13, 2017 Dhul-Hijja 22, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Turkish president meets FM ‘Qatar hasn’t violated In brief Riyadh agreements’ O Doha ready for talks; the Arab-Japanese political dialogue BUSINESS | Gulf crisis Qatar against terrorism held at the Arab league headquarters in Qatar has not missed Cairo. in all its types and forms, Al-Muraikhi, who headed the Qatari any oil, gas shipments says Minister of State for delegation to the meeting, condemned HE the Minister Foreign Aff airs the attack on the Egyptian police in of Energy and North Sinai, reiterating Qatar’s fi rm Industry Dr stance rejecting violence and terrorism Mohamed bin Agencies regardless of motives and reasons, and Saleh al-Sada Cairo expressed Qatar’s condolences to the said yesterday families of the victims and the Egyp- his country tian people. had not missed atar has not acted against the Addressing the gathering, he under- any oil or minutes of Riyadh Accords lined the importance of the joint meet- gas shipments despite the siege Q2013-2014, but the blockad- ing between the Arab foreign ministers imposed on it by its Gulf neighbours. ing countries have not responded to and Japan’s foreign minister, adding “During this blockade we have Doha’s proposal for talks to resolve the HE the Minister of State for Foreign that it refl ected the keenness and de- never missed a single shipment of GCC crisis, HE the Minister of State for Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi. sire of the Arab countries and Japan oil or gas to any of our consuming Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Mu- to deepen their political relations and partners,” he said at an event in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara yesterday with HE the raikhi yesterday said. posing the blockade on Qatar was not advance their distinguished relations Doha. Business Page 1 Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. At the outset of the Speaking at the regular session of fi ghting terrorism but imposing guard- to wider horizons of co-operation, meeting, the foreign minister conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Emir Arab League Council meeting at the ianship on the country and breaching through further understanding. QATAR | Human rights Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Turkish president as well as his wishes of foreign ministers’ level in Cairo, he said its sovereignty and meddling in its in- He said that the history of Arab- more progress and prosperity to the Turkish people. President Erdogan entrusted the siege nations have tried, using all ternal aff airs. Japanese relations was full of models NHRC takes part in the foreign minister to convey his greetings to the Emir, wishing him good health means, to grab the sovereignty of Qatar Al-Muraikhi reiterated Doha’s readi- of co-operation and constructive un- Geneva meetings and happiness and Qatari people further progress and prosperity. During the through imposing an illegal blockade ness to talk to end the Gulf crisis, in the derstanding. He pointed out that the Qatar’s National meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and means to strengthen and with the consequent diplomatic, polit- framework of mutual respect. He also relations between the two sides had Human Rights develop them. In addition, they discussed topics of common interest. Page 2 ical, economic, and religious impacts. stressed the steadfast stand of Qatar witnessed great developments over the Committee He said that the demands put for- against terrorism in all its types and past 10 years. The level of political con- (NHRC) took part ward by the blockading countries were forms. sultation on international and regional in the meetings of not implementable in nature, and “this Referring to the thousands of cam- issues of common interest had risen to the 36th session is the point of view of the mediators els left stranded on the border between high levels in light of the great conver- of the UN Human who want to resolve the crisis, because Qatar and Saudi Arabia after borders gence between the two sides in the vi- Rights Council Approved destination the demands clearly interfere in the in- were closed, al-Muraikhi said: “Even sions towards the international issues in Geneva. The ternal aff airs of states and it is hard to the animals were not spared, you sent such as international security, disar- NHRC delegation was chaired by abide by them”. them out savagely.” mament, nuclear non-proliferation, its Chairman Dr Ali bin Smaikh HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mo- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and counter-terrorism, violent extremism, al-Marri. Dr al-Marri is scheduled status granted for hamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said Bahrain cut diplomatic and trade links reform of the United Nations system, to hold meetings on the sidelines on Monday that Qatar was surprised at with Qatar on June 5, falsely accusing the Security Council and others. of the Human Rights Council Saudi Arabia going back on what has Doha of supporting Islamists. Qatar The minister said at the economic session in Geneva with the UN High been agreed during the the telephone denies the charges and calls the eco- level, the Arab-Japanese relations re- Commissioner for Human Rights Qatar in China conversation between His Highness nomic boycott a “siege” aimed at neu- fl ect a model of positive co-operation Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad, President of the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad tering an independent foreign policy it that should be followed. the Human Rights Council Joaquin atar is now an approved des- al-Thani and Saudi Crown Prince Mo- says promotes peaceful regional reform He appreciated Japan’s steadfast Alexander Maza Martelli and a tination for Chinese tour- hamed bin Salman. and fi ghting terrorism. and supportive stands for Arab issues, number of off icials to discuss the Qists, following the signing of Sheikh Mohamed said at press con- Kuwait has been trying to mediate in foremost among which is the support latest developments of the siege on a bilateral agreement between Qatar ference on the sidelines of a meeting of the dispute. of the Palestinian people’s right to self- Qatar. Page 2 Tourism Authority (QTA) and the Chi- the UN Human Rights Council in Ge- Qatar also participated in the fi rst determination and the establishment na National Tourism Administration neva that the real purpose behind im- session of the ministerial meeting of of their independent state. REGION | Crackdown (CNTA). Saudi arrests more In a statement yesterday, QTA noted that the agreement grants Qatar an Gulf crisis will end: critics, say activists ‘Approved Destination Status (ADS),’ Hero’s welcome for Barshim Saudi Arabia has detained more allowing it to receive Chinese tourists Arab League chief clerics and intellectuals, activists and hold tourism promotional activi- said on social media yesterday, ties within China. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed widening an apparent crackdown “We are delighted to welcome Qatar Aboul Gheit said that resolving the on potential opponents of the to the list of countries that have ADS. current Gulf crisis will take time and conservative kingdom’s absolute This system aims to guarantee safe and deep thinking about the consequences, rulers. Exiled Saudi opposition reliable tourism services for Chinese Hassan al-Ibrahim and Li Jinzao at the but “it will have an end”. activists have called for protests customers from both local travel agen- agreement signing in China. He was speaking at a joint press on Friday, Reuters reported. cies and international tour operators,” conference with Foreign Minister of Prominent clerics Salman al-Awdah, CNTA chairman Li Jinzao said. fi rst countries to express support to Djibouti, the chairman of the 148th Awad al-Qarni and Ali al-Omary He added that CNTA has seen the such development. session of the Arab League Council, were detained over the weekend, Qatari tourism sector make great “As more projects are implemented after the conclusion of the Arab according to Saudi sources. Page 24 strides, ensuring that Chinese travel- as part of the initiative, we expect more ministerial meeting yesterday evening. lers will fi nd fulfi lling experiences and opportunities for collaboration be- Asked about the reform and AMERICA | Technology a high level of service in Qatar. tween our two countries, particularly development of the institutions of Qatar’s ambassador to China Sultan in commerce, tourism, sport and cul- joint Arab action, he said that there is a Apple unveils new Salmeen al-Mansouri said they have ture,” the envoy said. committee concerned with this matter feature-rich iPhone been watching the Chinese outbound Citing a robust Chinese economy and hoped for a consensus among Apple Inc yesterday rolled out market grow by leaps and bounds over and an increasingly open tourism pol- Arab countries in this regard. its much-anticipated iPhone X, a the past few years, reaching 135mn icy, QTA’s chief tourism development The Arab League Council reiterated redesigned product of glass and travellers in 2016. offi cer Hassan al-Ibrahim noted that its commitment to the unity and stainless steel with an edge-to- “With growing interest from Chi- the Chinese outbound tourism market sovereignty of the Libyan territory, and edge display that Chief Executive nese tourists to venture outside the has been the largest in the world since to reject foreign intervention of any Tim Cook called “the biggest leap Far East and explore the Arab world, 2012 with the growth expected to con- kind, unless it was at the request of and London IAAF World Championships high jump gold medallist Mutaz Barshim forward since the original iPhone.” this is a great opportunity to build new tinue. “We are excited to work with our in co-ordination with the Presidency (right) is presented with a bouquet by Qatar team manager Khalifa Abdul Malik The phone features wireless bridges between the two regions,” he partners in the tourism industry to of- Council of the Libyan Government of on his arrival at the Hamad International Airport from Europe yesterday. Friends, charging, an infrared camera and noted. fer our renowned hospitality to our National Accord. fellow athletes and relatives were present in large numbers at the airport to hardware for facial recognition, Al-Mansouri stressed that the QTA Chinese guests. We look forward to The council also stressed its firm welcome the Qatari world champion who also made a clean sweep of all Diamond which replaces the fingerprint – CNTA agreement embodies Qatar’s welcoming visitors as they discover our commitment to preserving Syria’s League events this season. Also seen are 400m athlete Abdalelah Haroun (left) sensor for unlocking the phone. support for the ‘Belt and Road Ini- cultural heritage and natural treasures,” sovereignty and territorial unity as well who won a 400m bronze in London and Barshim’s coach Stanislaw ‘Stanley’ Page 10 tiative,’ for which Qatar was one of the he said. as its stability and regional security. Szczyrba (second from right). PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil. Sport Page 1 QMC forum weighs 100 days of Qatar siege

By Ahmed al-Qudah macy” which Qatar has been following, on Qatar,” and saw the participation of Doha and which has proved productive in prominent Qatari and non-Qatari jour- dealing with the crisis. Topics regard- nalists, economists, sociologists and re- ing the economic gains and the devel- searchers. QMC started Al Haqiqa pro- atar Media Corporation (QMC) opment prospects that the country has gramme on the fi rst day of the siege of yesterday organised a forum on so far achieved were also debated. Qatar and is broadcast live from Sunday Qthe occasion of the 100 days of The participants also discussed and to Thursday on Qatar TV at 10pm. the unjustifi ed Saudi-led siege on Qatar. hailed the societal cohesion which the Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and The forum which was aired live on citizens and the residents managed to Egypt severed diplomatic and commu- Qatar Television from Katara amphi- maintain in Qatar. nication links with Qatar on June 5, ac- theatre was a special episode of Al Ha- The repercussions of the Gulf crisis cusing it of supporting militant groups. qiqa programme in its Arabic version. regionally and internationally were also Qatar has denied all the allegations and Participants during the forum tack- discussed. Yesterday’s Al Haqiqa episode the accusing nations have not been able led issues such as the “tight-grip diplo- was dubbed “100 days of the blockade A session in progress at the forum. to present any evidence either. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 QATAR

FM meets Turkish counterpart Official Human Rights Emir issues ratifi cation Council urged decrees is Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Hmad al-Thani yesterday issued Decree No. 64 of 2017 rat- ifying a memorandum of under- to take action standing on co-operation in the fi eld of energy between Qatar’s Ministry of Energy and Indus- try and the Mexican Secretariat of Energy, which was signed in Doha on January 21, and to have the force of law in line with on unjust siege Article 68 of the constitution. His Highness the Emir also QNA East Jerusalem as well as forced The ambassador also ex- issued Decree No. 65 of 2017 Geneva evictions, the continuous kill- pressed Qatar’s strong con- ratifying the air transport agree- ing and detentions, the storm- demnation of the violent at- ment between the governments ing of Al Aqsa Mosque by the tacks against the Rohingya of Qatar and Tajikistan, which atar has called on the Israeli occupation authorities Muslims in Rakhine state was signed in Doha on February United Nations Human and extremist groups, and the in Myanmar, which result- 6, 2017, and to have the force of QRights Council to take strict measures imposed to ed in the deaths of dozens law in line with Article 68 of the an urgent action to stop the prevent Palestinians from en- of civilians and the fl ee- constitution. violations resulting from the tering. “Such fl agrant viola- ing of thousands from their In addition, His Highness the unilateral coercive measures tions of international resolu- homes. HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met with Turkish Foreign Minister Emir issued Decree No. 66 of and the unjust siege imposed tions constitute an obstacle to He expressed Doha’s deep Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two 2017 ratifying a protocol amend- by a number of countries on international eff orts towards concern about reports of abus- brotherly countries and means of boosting them, in addition to issues of common concern and a number ing the air transport agreement Qatar, and to end the ongo- achieving a fair and com- es and violations against the of regional issues. The Foreign Minister briefed his Turkish counterpart on the latest developments in the between the governments of ing and increasing suff ering of prehensive solution for the minority, stressing the need Gulf crisis and all illegal measures taken against Qatar. Qatar and Azerbaijan, which those aff ected by siege. Palestinian issue.” for the Myanmar government was signed in Doha on Febru- Qatar’s permanent repre- Regarding the Syrian cause, to abide by international law ary 27, and to have the force of sentative to the UN Offi ce in ambassador al-Mansouri ex- to protect civilians and achieve law in line with Article 68 of the Geneva, ambassador Ali Kha- pressed Qatar’s condemnation reconciliation. constitution. lfan al-Mansouri, made the of the Syrian regime’s exces- In his closing statement, the The decrees are eff ective remarks as he addressed the sive and serious violations ambassador welcomed the re- starting from their date of issue 36th session of the Human against its people and the re- marks made by the high com- and are to be published in the Rights Council, which started cent use of chemicals in Khan missioner for human rights Minister stresses Qatar’s offi cial gazette. on Monday, noting that the Sheikhoun. regarding the decline in hos- council’s failure to take swift He stressed that the human- tilities in Darfur, voicing hope and serious action to stop itarian and legal responsibil- that the Human Rights Coun- support for Unesco the violations undermines ity compels the international cil would support the eff orts its credibility, objectivity and community to take serious and of the Sudanese government mechanisms. responsible measures that en- and the relevant parties to sus- E the Minister of Educa- culture, science, technology more productive and dedicated, Expertise The ambassador also said sure the cessation of these vio- tain and consolidate the peace tion and Higher Educa- and media. stronger and more loyal to his that Qatar condemns the con- lations and crimes, and help in achieved in the region under Htion Dr Mohamed Abdul The minister also expressed leadership. tinuous Israeli settlement ac- holding accountable everyone the Doha Document for Peace Wahed Ali al-Hammadi stressed Qatar’s hope for the success of He expressed his thanks to all regulation tivity in the West Bank and responsible for them. in Darfur. the important role played by the HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz countries that stood by Qatar United Nations Educational, al-Kuwari, adviser to the Emiri and their keenness on achiev- Scientifi c and Cultural Organi- Diwan and Qatar’s candidate for ing justice and equity against law issued zation (Unesco) in supporting post of the director-general at countries that do not respect the education, heritage and culture, Unesco in the upcoming elec- sovereignty of others in violation preserving and protecting cul- tion, stressing Qatar’s commit- of international covenants and is Highness the Emir tural and human heritage and ment to support his candidacy, commitments. Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- ‘Rights of elderly promoting science and scientifi c which will signifi cantly achieve The delegation of the Unesco Hmad al-Thani yesterday research. the goals and aspirations of Executive Council is visiting issued law No. (16) of 2017 on the During his meeting with member states. Qatar to learn about its remark- regulation of works of expertise. members of the Executive During the meeting, the min- able achievements, especially in The law includes provisions reg- Council of Unesco, he ex- ister touched on the unjust siege the fi elds of education and cul- ulating the works of expertise in a a top priority’ pressed Qatar’s support for imposed on Qatar, stressing its ture, as well as its achievements comprehensive manner, includ- Unesco and its various activi- positive results on the Qatari in the fi eld of the work of the ing the terms and conditions of ties in the fi elds of education, society in terms of making it organisation. the registration of experts, their QNA the Human Rights Council rights of elderly people into all guarantees and obligations in the Geneva in Geneva, being held from relevant national strategies. exercise of their work, whether September 11 to 29. For example, she said, the Min- before the judicial or other rele- Al-Mudadi said that assis- istry of Transport and Com- vant bodies, and the rules of their atar has affi rmed that tive technology and technol- munications launched Wasla disciplinary accountability. it attaches great im- ogy based on automatic control Intergenerational ICT Learning Commitment to nuclear disarmament The law also establishes a Qportance to the human could contribute to enabling Programme as an innovative ini- committee of experts aff airs to rights of the elderly and con- older persons to live in dignity, tiative aimed at enabling elderly supervise their aff airs and to siders it as one of the main pri- independence and on an equal people to benefi t from digital enhances global security, says envoy consider applications for regis- orities of the governmental and basis with others without any technology by providing them tration in accordance with the non-governmental national discrimination. with ICT skills with the help of provisions of the law. eff orts. This technology should en- their sons and younger relatives. QNA the United Nations and interna- curity so as to sustain nuclear The law is eff ective and is to be Qatar in this regard adopt- hance the opportunities for so- She pointed out that Wasla Vienna tional organisations in Vienna, security systems and develop published in the offi cial gazette. ed legislations protecting the cial interaction for the elderly programme is being imple- Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, them as well as enhance regional rights of this category and and encourage them to become mented through holding made the remarks before the on- and non-regional initiatives and established relevant institu- more connected and integrated training courses organised by atar has said that the full going IAEA’s board of governors activities in this regard. Real estate tions such as the Elderly Em- into the family and society, as Tamkeen Center, in co-op- and comprehensive im- meeting in Vienna. Concluding his address, the decision ratified powerment and Care Centre well as helping them partici- eration with Mada Assistive Qplementation of coun- The ambassador stressed that ambassador stressed that fi nd- (Ehsan). pate fully in all aspects of life. Technology Centre. “Through try commitments in the area of the nuclear security is a joint re- ing national eff ective systems of This came in a speech deliv- This technology, she said, these courses, the elderly are non-proliferation and nuclear sponsibility of all countries and nuclear security helps in devel- His Highness the Emir Sheikh ered by Qatar’s fi rst secretary should not be used to neglect, able to rely on themselves in disarmament helps in enhanc- it concerns the international oping the peaceful uses of nu- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Permanent Mission to exclude and isolate the elderly the fi eld of technological de- ing nuclear security across the community, highlighting the clear energy and promoting in- yesterday ratified Cabinet Geneva, Maha al-Mudadi, from their natural surround- velopment, invest their time world, expressing appreciation need to address its national and ternational eff orts of combating Decision No. 39 of 2017 on the during the interactive dia- ings and family environment, in productive work, overcome for the central role of the Inter- regional dimensions. nuclear terrorism. expropriation of some real estate logue with the independent which are contrary to the val- the challenges they face, and national Atomic Energy Agency He added that Qatar calls for He called for paying more at- for the public good. expert on the full enjoyment ues of humanity of aff ection exercise their natural right (IAEA) in this regard. expanding the participation of tention to the issue of nuclear The decision is eff ective starting of all human rights by the and compassion. to communicate with all Qatar’s ambassador to Austria countries in IAEA’s projects and security due to its relation to in- from its date of publication in the elderly at the 36th session of Qatar had integrated the members of society.” and permanent representative to research related to nuclear se- ternational peace and security. off icial gazette.

Palestine issue tops Arab Iranian FM meets Qatari envoy Second phase of League Council agenda student registration

QNA follow-up committee on im- and transfer begins Cairo plementation of resolutions and commitments of the Amman 2017 Summit. he Ministry of Education includes new or incoming stu- atar participated in the The items also include the and Higher Education re- dents from private schools or 148th session of the Arab Palestine issue, the Arab-Israeli Tsumed the second phase those from outside the coun- QLeague Council at the confl ict and the developments in of the registration and transfer try. Students’ assessment pol- level of foreign ministers, held the situation in Syria, Libya and of students in public schools, icy regarding tests must be fol- yesterday at the headquarters Yemen. which will continue until the end lowed and the guardian must be of the General Secretariat of the The draft agenda also in- of January next to allow all stu- informed before registration. Arab League. cluded items on the support for dents to register, especially those Meanwhile, the Department HE the Minister of State peace and development in the who have not been allowed to of Educational Guidance in for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Republic of the Sudan, support register during the past period, the Ministry of Education and Saad al-Muraikhi chaired for the Federal Republic of So- after the interruption of regis- Higher Education is undertaking Qatar’s delegation to the malia and support for internally tration during the Eid al-Adha plans and programmes for the session. displaced persons in the Arab holidays. new academic year, while ensur- He participated earlier in the countries and the displaced Ira- The department of schools ing the provision of quality edu- consultative meeting of the Arab qis in particular. aff airs in the ministry has is- cational services to all parties in Foreign Ministers. The items also include the sued a number of standards and the educational process. The draft agenda of the dangers of Israeli armaments documents for registration and The focus is on the quality of Arab League Council in- to the Arab national security transportation. educational inputs as a guar- cluded 28 items, including and peace, the committee of The registration and transfer of antee for educational outcomes the report of the Secretary- arms control and non-prolif- Qatari students is open according that achieve Qatar National General of the Arab League eration, international terror- to the vacancies available. Vision. on the activities of the Secre- ism and ways to combat it, the The number of students is 33 The department has published tariat and the procedures for maintenance of Arab national in each division. This applies on the ministry’s website quar- implementing the resolutions security and the fi ght against Iranian Minister of Foreign Aff airs Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif has met with Qatar’s ambassador to Iran to non-Qatari students, with a terly educational plans for learn- of the Council between the terrorism and the international Ali bin Hamad al-Sulaiti. Talks during the meeting covered bilateral relations and ways of enhancing maximum of 30 students in each ing resources for all subjects and two sessions (147-148), and relations with international them, as well as issues of mutual concern. division. all levels of education, including the semi-annual report of the communities. Enrolment in public schools adult education. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 3 QATAR New bridges at Airport QRCS seeks to raise Interchange expected $3mn for Rohingya to improve connectivity wo new bridges have been he Qatar Red Crescent Society opened at the Airport In- (QRCS) has issued a humanitarian Tterchange (49) to directly Tappeal to raise $3mn for Rohingya connect northbound and south- people who fl ed the genocide in their home bound traffi c from Al Wakrah country, seeking refuge in Bangladesh. Road to Al Matar Street and the Under the fi rst phase of intervention, F Ring Road. QRCS will operate two mobile clinics, pro- The opening of the north- vide 5,000 hygiene kits, build 250 sanitation bound lanes on the bridge ena- facilities, distribute 5,000 food packages, bles road users travelling from and 5,000 shelter kits. Al Wakrah to Doha to continue Around 5,000 families (25,000 people) directly north towards the Cor- will benefi t from this much-needed aid, ac- niche and City Center Doha, and cording to QRCS offi cials. will soon provide a new con- “We are particularly worried by the vio- nection to Hamad International lations against innocent Rohingya civilians. Airport via the F Ring Road. As an internationally recognised humani- Similarly, southbound motor- tarian organisation, we believe in the basic ists from Doha to Al Wakrah will tenets of protection of civilians under the benefi t from direct connectivity Geneva Conventions and relevant instru- and also be able to access the G ments,” QRCS secretary-general Ali Hassan Ring Road (westbound). al-Hammadi told a press briefi ng in Doha In order to complete con- yesterday. struction works and deliver ad- The event was also attended by fi nancial QRCS off icials al-Khulaifi, al-Hammadi and al-Ishaq speak at the press briefing yesterday. ditional connectivity on the resource mobilisation head Ahmed Ali al- Airport Interchange, Ashghal with the General Directorate of ers can either continue straight Khulaifi and communications director Issa winter with nowhere to go and nothing to Al-Khulaifi said institutions and in- is required to close the existing Traffi c and will be implemented on Al Matar Street towards Doha Mohamed al-Ishaq. eat.” dividuals can donate online (http://qrcs. diversion route from Al Wakrah tomorrow. or turn right towards Hamad In- “We cite the ideals and values preached He said Qatar Fund for Development has org.qa/Arabic/Donatenow/Pages/Do- Road to Ras Abou Abboud Road. Motorists who usually use the ternational Airport. by all religions in relation to mercifulness, mad a donation of $500,000, adding “this is nateForm.aspx?CountryTitle=Burma) or The diversion has been in place existing diversion from Al Wak- Ashghal hopes to complete nonaggression, tolerance, and peaceful co- not something new for QFFD.” via QRCS account at Barwa Bank (IBAN: since the construction of the G rah Road to Ras Abou Abboud work of the Airport Interchange existence,” al-Hammadi said. “It is new evidence of our bilateral strate- QA37BRWA000000000200000094340). Ring Road started but will now Road will simply be required to by the end of this month which He recalled that QRCS adopted a com- gic partnership for the service of vulnerable Donors can also call or visit the QRCS be replaced by a new and more continue straight over the new will deliver full functionality of prehensive approach to the Rohingya crisis people everywhere”. headquarters (44027700), Al Khor Branch effi cient alternative provided at bridge on the Airport Inter- the interchange and provide ac- dating back to 2012, when a representation Al-Hammadi thanked Qatar’s ambassa- (44027883), or agents at malls and shop- the Airport Interchange. change towards F Ring Road. cess to south areas such as Al offi ce was opened to conduct education, dor to Dhaka Ahmed M al-Dehaimi for en- ping centres to give their contributions. The proposed road closure has At the intersection of Al Matar Wakrah, and north areas such as healthcare, environmental sanitation, pro- suring QRCS’ relief delegation currently in QRCS hotlines are 66666364, 66644822, been designed in co-ordination Street and F Ring Road, road us- Doha. ductive, and other development projects to Bangladesh gets all facilities. and 16002. improve living standards. The secretary-general called upon the in- QC helps drought-hit in Somalia QU to hold parents’ orientation session ternational community “to take every pos- sible diplomatic and humanitarian measure Qatar Charity has provided relief to those which are facing a diff icult humanitarian The Parent Programme Unit of the developments and changes light on the challenges that a to ensure stability in the region.” aff ected by chronic drought in Somalia situation, was due to lack of rain for more at Qatar University’s (QU) at the university. Parents will be new student may encounter “Again, the government and people of as part of its humanitarian eff orts in the than three consecutive years leading to Admissions Department will hold oriented on the QU community during the first academic year Qatar have stood up to their humanitarian country. In a press release, the charity water scarcity and the death of livestock an orientation session for new and QU’s services, resources and and the information parents and ethical responsibility, showing sym- said it had provided through its off ice that are their source of livelihood. Director students’ parents on September facilities. need to get from fundamental pathy with and support for the affected in Somalia a new food aid package to of Qatar Charity’s off ice in Somalia 16 at Ibn Khaldoon Hall. The programme agenda departments and units to cope population. We are sure that the generous displaced people in the nomadic areas in Abdulnoor Haj Ali stressed the charity’s The event aims to highlight features four sessions themed with that. Qatari benefactors will take the initiative Medg province, benefiting 525 pastoral commitment to providing assistance and the important role of parents “Welcome Change”, “A Parent The event will be followed by a and back our life-saving relief efforts,” families and covering their needs for one support to those aff ected by the chronic in supporting their children’s Piece of Advice”, “Journey of Q&A session as well as a campus al-Hammadi stressed. “Thousands of month. It said the focus on these areas, drought. learning experience and to Transition to QU”, and “Fruits of tour to familiarise the parents on Rohingya refugees are expecting a cold encourage them to stay abreast Success”. Discussions will shed QU’s facilities and services. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 QATAR

Shahry promo sets Rayyan issued sight on Ooredoo’s most building permits in business customers August: report oredoo yesterday launched a new promotion for business ayyan Municipality topped in the is- Ocustomers to gain additional suance of building permits in August data on their post-paid Shahry Smart Smart 100 customers (extra 6GB of Rwith 195 permits or nearly 27% of the pack plans, supporting mobile work- data per month), Shahry Smart 150 total issued in the country, fi gures released by forces and business competitiveness. customers (extra 10GB per month), the Ministry of Development Planning and Shahry Smart packs are full of Shahry Smart 250 customers and Statistics said. minutes, SMS, and mobile data for above (extra 20GB per month). Doha came second with 160 permits (22%), diff erent budgets and needs. Business leaders agree that a ma- A man views the Eid al-Adha photo booth in the departures terminal at Hamad International Airport. followed by Al Da’ayen Municipality with 139 With this promotion, Ooredoo jor benefi t of Endless Internet Packs permits (19%) and Wakrah (117 -16%). Business customers who are either is that customers remain connected The building permits issued by the other upgrading from pre-paid Hala ac- even after the pack is consumed. municipalities are as follows: Umm Slal (50 counts or are new Shahry Smart pack Customers can use mobile data at a – 7%), Al Khor (30 – 4%), Al Sheehaniya (16 subscribers can gain up to 20GB of ex- lower 2G speed until renewal, or pur- Ooredoo thanks HIA photo booth patrons – 2%), and Al Shamal (12 – 2%). tra data per month, for three months. chase a Speed Booster to restore 4G+ In terms of type of permits issued, fi gures Ooredoo Qatar COO Yousuf Ab- connection. indicate that new building permits (residen- dulla al-Kubaisi said: “Ooredoo’s new Shahry Smart packs start with the oredoo and Hamad Interna- Participants could take a printed – Commercial and Marketing, said: tial and non-residential) constitute 58% (418 Shahry promotion delivers great value Smart 55 pack, with 500 MB of data tional Airport (HIA) yester- sticker of their image and place it on “This joint activity with Ooredoo permits) of the total issued in the country last to our business customers, further en- and 200 minutes or SMS, going up Oday thanked the thousands a large digital display in a matching at Hamad International Airport’s month. abling Qatar’s mobile workforces. to the Smart 750 pack with unlimited of travellers who participated in cell. award-winning terminal symbol- In respect of new residential buildings “Ooredoo’s business customers can data, minutes, SMS, and 600 inter- the company’s Eid al-Adha photo Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, di- ises the excitement of millions of permits, villas accounted for 181 permits use Qatar’s fastest and most reliable national minutes. Ooredoo is see- booth in the departures terminal at rector of PR and Corporate Com- passengers who travel through Qa- (52%) followed by units on housing loans (132 network to easily and quickly check e- ing strong demand for the recently- HIA. munications at Ooredoo Qatar, tar’s gateway to the world. We, at – 38%) and apartments (26 – 8%). On the mail, share fi les, and collaborate from launched Qatarna Pack, with 30GB of The photo booth, which was de- said: “We hope this activity bright- HIA, take this opportunity to wish other hand, commercial buildings accounted their devices while on the go, driving local data and unlimited phone calls signed to help mark Eid al-Adha for ened people’s journey and helped all our passengers, customers and for 39 permits (54%) followed by industrial new levels of business results.” for QR350 per month. travellers and visitors of Qatar, was share some of the spirit of Eid al- the people of Qatar a happy and buildings (workshops and factories) 20 per- As part of the promotion, new Qatar’s businesses customers can open September 1-6 and invited Adha. We thank Hamad Interna- prosperous Eid al-Adha.” mits (28%), mosques (six permits – 8%) and Shahry subscribers will receive ad- leverage the Ooredoo advantage, mak- families and friends to take pictures tional Airport once again for their This is the latest in a line of com- government buildings (four permits – 6%). ditional data per month for three ing Ooredoo ‘Best for Business’, thanks in the booth and then share them on co-operation and partnership, as munity events from Ooredoo and The number of permits issued in August months with automatic activation to its breadth and depth of talent, best social media under #HIAQatar. we work together to serve the com- Hamad International Airport as the showed a 14% increase over July, MDPS said. of Endless Internet Packs: Shahry fi xed and mobile networks, broadest The photographs were then used munity.” companies work to share and cel- The monthly data was prepared jointly with Smart 55 customers will receive an portfolio of ICT services and solu- to create a special design made up of Abdulaziz al-Mass, Hamad In- ebrate the rich cultures and tradi- the Ministry of Municipality and Environ- extra 250MB per month, Shahry tions, and trusted partner for 60 years. over 3,200 images. ternational Airport vice president tions of Qatar. ment.

Quarantine offi ces inspect imported shipments

QNA ments, plant products, and aims to protect the country’s Doha pesticides and fertilisers across agricultural wealth from for- various customs points. eign-origin pests. The quarantine offi ces de- It also provides that all he Ministry of Munici- stroyed 64 shipments weighing plants, agricultural products pality and Environment’s more than 172 tonnes for violat- and any other materials shall be Tagricultural quarantine ing the agricultural quarantine subject to phytosanitary regu- offi ces have inspected during law and for certain damages. lations for its procedures and to August a total of 6,386 import- The agricultural quarantine ensure that fertilisers and pes- ed shipments, weighing 118,239 is a fi rst line of defence against ticides are in conformity with tonnes, from various types of agricultural infections. the conditions and specifi ca- The agricultural quarantine is a first line of imported agricultural consign- The preventive procedure tions. defence against infections. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 5 QATAR

LuLu Mercedes-Benz second mega draw held

The second mega draw for the LuLu Mercedes-Benz Car Promotion, organised by LuLu Hypermarket Group, has been held at LuLu Hypermarket, Al Messila branch, under the supervision of Ministry of Economy and Commerce inspector Wadah. Two Mercedes-Benz E-200 cars (2017 model) were given away as prizes in the mega draw, won by Mahabur (Coupon 0605357) and Abdul Azeez D (0902551). Consolation prizes in the form of LuLu gift vouchers, worth QR10,000 each and QR5,000 each, were also given to six other winners. Shaijan MO, regional director; Shanavas PM, regional manager; Mohamed Basheer, general manager - hypermarket operations; and other off icials from LuLu Hypermarket Group were present at the draw.

Qatar Airways to start fourth Turkey service

atar Airways has announced the friendship and co-operation between launch of direct fl ights to the our two great countries. Qsouthern Turkish city of Adana, “Adana is an agricultural and indus- the airline’s fourth route to the country, trial powerhouse, so our new three- from November 6. times-a-week service will help boost The new three-times-a-week serv- all-important trade and commercial ice is in addition to the airline’s existing links between Qatar and Turkey. It fl ights to the Turkish capital, Ankara, will also increase tourism to a city re- and Istanbul’s two main airports. The Central Mosque in Adana and nowned throughout Turkey for its in- The launch of fl ights to Adana comes in Stone Bridge. credible local cuisine, which acts as a response to “increased customer demand magnet for food lovers. for services to Turkey”, the Doha-based and the Middle East, Adana is Turkey’s “We are delighted to connect south- carrier has said in a press statement. fi fth largest city and a major agricul- ern Turkey to more than 150 destinations Qatar Airways will operate an Airbus tural and industrial centre. worldwide through our fi ve-star hub, A320, with 12 seats in Business Class and A short distance from the Mediter- Hamad International Airport in Qatar.” 132 seats in Economy, on fl ights between ranean coast, it is also famous for its Adana Sakirpasa Airport is the sixth Doha and Adana Sakirpasa Airport. traditional Turkish cuisine, and boasts busiest airport in Turkey. The Doha-Adana fl ight schedule is as of several historic monuments and ar- At just 3.5km from the city centre, its follows (Monday, Thursday and Saturday): chitectural landmarks, making it an international terminal can accommo- QR438 departing Doha at 7.20am and ar- ideal starting point for holiday-makers date up to 3mn passengers a year. riving in Adana at 11.25am, and QR439 wishing to explore historic Turkey. Qatar Airways currently operates departing Adana at 12.25pm and arriving in Qatar Airways Group chief executive fl ights to three destinations in Tur- Doha at 4.15pm. It will be the fi rst fi ve-star Akbar al-Baker said: “Qatar Airways’ key, with separate services to Istanbul’s Middle East airline to off er fl ights to and new service to Adana will help reinforce Sabiha Gokcen Airport (twice a day) from Adana, the statement notes. links between the State of Qatar and and Istanbul Ataturk Airport (10 times a Located at the crossroads of Anatolia the Republic of Turkey and deepen the week) as well as daily fl ights to Ankara. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 QATAR Offi cers check slaughterhouse norms at Eid he Health Control Sec- cordance with the standard tions of Al Rayyan and regulations. TAl Shamal municipali- The Al Rayyan Municipal- ties supervised the process of ity’s Health Control Section slaughtering livestock during also received related com- Eid al-Adha at the slaughter- plaints round-the-clock dur- Al Khor Family Park houses within their respective ing Eid holidays. received a large jurisdiction. All the necessary measures number of visitors For Al Rayyan Municipality, were taken to adequately ad- during the Eid al-Adha more than 5,100 carcasses were dress a total of 12 complaints. holidays. inspected and 200 destroyed Similarly, the veterinar- for being unfi t for consump- ians of Al Shamal Municipal- Left: Cleaning in tion. ity’s Health Control Section progress on Al The municipality’s Health inspected all the slaughtered Sharaawah Island. Control Section also conducted livestock at Al Shamal slaugh- around 100 inspection tours on terhouse. Right: The mini zoo at the traditional eateries, com- There were 820 carcasses, Al Khor Park was a mercial outlets, and other food including both the subsidised major attraction shops. Arabian sheep and the Austral- among the visitors. These resulted in one viola- ian sheep. tion report, according to Law Throughout the recent Eid the entry tickets sold. of the park in July and August meanwhile cleaned Al Sharaa- Number 8 (1990) regulating holidays, Al Khor Family Park Children aged nine years and were 3,055 and 2,006, respec- wah Island. human foods control. at Al Khor and Al Thakhira under accompanied by their tively. In addition to clearing all the In addition, 20 warnings Municipality received nearly families were given free entry The Ministry of Municipal- rubbish and refuse materials, were issued to some outlets to 6,000 visitors from September to the park. ity and Environment’s Pub- dead turtles that had washed modify their situation in ac- 1-8, according to the number of The number of the visitors lic Cleaning Department has ashore were also removed.

Primary Health Care Centre gives ‘Back to School’ nutrition tips HBKU language centre off ering seven courses this fall keep one full for a short period leading the As the new academic year begins, the Primary „ It is important to purchase a lunchbox that child to be hungry quicker and either over- The Language Centre at the Translation and Italian, and Chinese (Mandarin). Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has sug- is suitable and appropriate for the child’s age eat or reach out for another unhealthy meal. Interpreting Institute (TII), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa All courses are scheduled to start on September 24 and gested tips for healthy and nutritious meals and with serving sections to pack the lunch in „ After school snacks are meant to fill the University’s (HBKU) College of Humanities and Social conclude by December 14. for children: proportion. gap between meals, not a whole meal in Sciences (CHSS), will begin fall semester language HBKU’s Language Centre classes are open to anyone „ Breakfast increases the intake of key nutri- „ Avoid unhealthy meals. It may be an easy itself. Keep snacks small. courses later this month. over the age of 18. tion, cognitive performance, visual perception option to just pick a ready to go meal or a „ Water is a very important part of a healthy, The centre will off er the opportunity to learn one of The institute will be hosting an information session and short term memory. Whole grain cereals, packaged sandwich. However, it has no ben- nutritious lifestyle. It is important to get seven languages, over a 13-week period, at the Liberal about the upcoming fall semester courses on yoghurts, fruit salad or single fruit and por- efits to the child’s health. children into the habit of drinking plenty of Arts and Science building in Education City. September 18. ridge are good breakfast options. Studies show that an unhealthy meal will only water every day. Language courses off ered by the Language Centre this During the session, which is open to the public, fall are Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, attendees will get a preview lesson from TII instructors. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD Iran govt strikes deal with Syria to repair power grid

Reuters megawatts, Syrian state news agency energy minister, was quoted as saying London/Beirut SANA said. The agreement involves on the ministry’s website. restoring the main control centre for The deals will be worth hundreds of Syria’s electricity grid in the capital millions of euros if finalised, and Te- ran signed deals with Damascus Damascus, it said. hran is also keen to expand its co-op- yesterday to repair Syria’s power The new electricity deals could be eration to construct water and sewer- Igrid, state media said, a potentially worth millions of euros, Iranian state age facilities in Syria, he said. People walk along a street in Deir Ezzor. lucrative move for Tehran that points to media said yesterday. More than 1,000 soldiers deployed a deepening economic role after years The agreement also includes re- by the Revolutionary Guards to Syr- of fi ghting in the Syrian confl ict. habilitating a 90-megawatt power ia have died on the front lines of the Shunned by Western powers, the station in Deir Ezzor province, where multi-sided conflict in recent years. Syrian government is looking to the Syrian army and allied forces have “Iran’s Revolutionary Guards saved friendly states such as Iran, Russia made swift advances against Islamic the Assad regime from collapsing at a heavy price for Damascus for now ‘Much of the country’ and China to play a major role in re- State in recent days. building the country, as the war heads With Russian air power and other they own Syria,” Emanuele Ottoleng- towards its seventh year. militias, the government has driven hi, senior fellow at the Foundation for Since at least 2012, Iran has pro- rebels from Syria’s main urban cen- Defence of Democracies told Reuters. vided critical military support to Syr- tres in western Syria and marched “I expect these to be the first in a wave of tenders won by IRGC compa- cleared of militants ian President Bashar al-Assad’s gov- eastwards against Islamic State. ernment, helping it regain control of “The Syrian government...is work- nies, which will have the best recon- swathes of the country. ing relentlessly to restore the power struction projects to Iran,” he added. Reuters paign waged by US-backed Kurdish war with insurgents including rebels. Iran experts say Tehran is now system,” SANA cited Syrian Electric- Iranian firms are already involved Beirut/Moscow and Arab militias. Rebel groups were making steady looking to reap a financial dividend. ity Minister Mohamed Zuhair Khar- in a series of electricity generation Hezbollah leader Sayyed Has- advances against Assad as recently In January, Iran’s government and boutli as saying. “Iranian companies projects in Syria. san Nasrallah, whose group has sent as 2015, when the deployment of the entities close to Iran’s elite Revolu- will have a role in rebuilding Syria.” Iran aims to export electricity and he Lebanese group Hezbollah thousands of fi ghters to Syria, dis- Russian air force to Syria turned the tionary Guards (IRGC) signed ma- Two contracts were also signed, create the biggest power network has declared victory in the Syr- missed the fi ghting left to be done in tide in his favour. jor telecommunications and mining including for Iran to supply power to in the Islamic world by hooking up Tian war while Russia said gov- Syria as “scattered battles”. Over the past year, Assad has deals with Damascus. Aleppo city, which the Syrian military Iran’s national grid with those of Iraq ernment forces had driven militants “We have won in the war (in Syria),” crushed numerous pockets of rebel- Yesterday, Iran and Syria signed a and its allies fully regained last year in and Lebanon. from much of the country where Pres- he said in comments reported by the held territory in the cities of Aleppo, memorandum of understanding dur- a major blow to rebels, SANA said. Iran said in August that it has ex- ident Bashar al-Assad’s rule seemed Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar. Homs and Damascus, brokering local ing a visit by Syria’s electricity min- “We will stand by the Syrian people ported $58mn worth of goods to Syria in danger two years ago. Referring to Assad’s opponents, deals by which thousands of his oppo- ister to Tehran, including building a to rebuild this country...We will bring in the first four months of this year, The comments from two Syrian Nasrallah said “the path of the other nents have been moved to remaining power plant in the coastal province light to houses of the Syrian people,” marking a 100% increase compared government allies mark the most con- project has failed and wants to nego- rebel-held enclaves of the country. of Latakia with a capacity of 540 Sattar Mahmoudi, Iran’s caretaker with the same period a year ago. fi dent assessments yet of Assad’s po- tiate for some gains”. The comments, Ceasefi res brokered by Russia, Tur- sition in the war, though signifi cant made at a religious gathering, were key, Iran and the United States in re- parts of the country remain outside confi rmed to Reuters by a source fa- maining rebel-held areas of western the government’s control. miliar with the speech. Syria have freed up manpower on the Russia’s assertion that the army Hundreds of thousands of people government side, helping its advance Family reunion had won back 85% of Syria was dis- have been killed in the confl ict, which east into the oil-rich province of Deir missed by the Syrian Observatory for has fractured Syria into a patchwork Ezzor. Human Rights. It said the government of areas and generated a refugee cri- Government forces last week held 48% of Syria. The government’s sis of historic proportions, forcing reached Deir Ezzor city, the provin- most recent advances have recovered millions of people into neighbouring cial capital on the Euphrates River, swathes of territory in eastern Syria states and Europe. breaking an Islamic State siege of a from Islamic State, which is being Military backing from Iran and Rus- government-held pocket and a nearby targeted in the same region in a cam- sia has proven critical to Assad in the air base.

A Palestinian woman is hugged by her daughter upon her return from the annual Haj pilgrimage in Makkah, at Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday.

Myanmar crackdown marks death of Nobel: Khamenei

AFP which sits a cruel woman who was on her country’s Muslim minority now Tehran awarded a Nobel prize, kills innocent she is the eff ective leader. people, sets fi re to them, destroys their “Yes, they condemn it, issue state- houses and displaces them and no tan- ments, but what good does it do? yanmar’s crackdown on Ro- gible reaction is seen,” Ayatollah Ali They should take action. This marks hingya Muslims marks the Khamenei said in a speech in Tehran. the death of the Nobel Peace Prize,” M“death of the Nobel Peace Once lauded by the international Khamenei said. Prize”, Iran’s supreme leader said yes- community for standing up to the The United Nations says 370,000 terday in a sharp attack on Burmese Myanmar military, Suu Kyi has been Rohingya Muslims have fl ed Buddhist- laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. sharply criticised around the world for majority Myanmar since the army “A cruel government, at the top of her failure to condemn brutal attacks launched a huge security operation in response to attacks by militants late last month. UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein described the operation as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”. “Maybe a few religious fanatics play a role, but a government is doing this. This is a political issue,” Khamenei said. “The solution is for Muslim govern- ments to act. We are not saying they should send troops there, but impose political and economic pressure,” Khamenei said. He called on the Or- ganisation of Islamic Co-operation to convene “for this specifi c purpose and to discuss what measures can be taken for these Muslims.” The Iranian Red Crescent has pre- pared an aid package for the Rohingya but is awaiting permission from Myan- A handout picture provided by the off ice of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali mar for its delivery, the Mizan Online Khamenei yesterday, shows him delivering a speech in Tehran. news agency reported. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 ARAB WORLD

Death sentence for Russian militant captured in Mosul

AFP of the terrorist IS group,” said judge Abdel Baghdad Sattar Bayraqdar. Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi led Iraq’s main militant or- ganisation until his death in a US air strike n Iraqi court yesterday sentenced in 2006. to death by hanging a Russian man Iraqi forces detained hundreds of sus- Acaptured in Mosul after fi nding pected militants during the nine-month him guilty of fi ghting for the Islamic State operation to recapture Mosul, Iraq’s second group, in the fi rst ruling of its kind. city, which culminated in July. “It is the fi rst time that an Iraqi court Many more were killed. Joint Op- sentences to death, by hanging, a Russian erations Command spokesman General militant,” a judicial source said. Yahya Rasool said the Russian was “the The Central Criminal Court which is- fi rst (militant) to surrender” to Iraqi forces sued the ruling said the 28-year-old in west Mosul, scene of the most ferocious man, who was not named, had admitted battles. to carrying out attacks against the secu- The Russian was handed over to Iraqi in- rity forces since 2015. “He belonged to the telligence and then to judicial authorities, Zarqawi Brigade, one of the armed wings said Rasool.

Iraq’s Kurdistan region president Massoud Barzani (second left) attends a meeting with Kirkuk provincial Governor Najim al-Din Karim (third left), first Deputy for the Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party Kosrat Rasoul Ali (left), Peshmerga commander Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa (second right), Salah Dalo, leading member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and other Peshmerga and Kurdish party leaders in the northern city of Kirkuk yesterday. Barzani vows to press on with Kurdish referendum

Agencies gional Government (KRG), said in a presidency. The KRG has said it is up Meanwhile, on the eve of an in- Baghdad/Erbil, Iraq statement on his ruling party’s offi - to local councils of disputed regions dependence referendum in Iraq’s cial website after the vote. in northern Iraq to decide whether Kurdistan region, one man is cam- Barzani told a gathering in Kirkuk to join the vote. paigning against a “Yes” vote which raq’s Kurdish leader Massoud that the referendum was “a natural Kirkuk, an ethnically mixed city, he fears could stoke tension in the Barzani vowed yesterday to press right”, according to a tweet from his voted last month to participate in Middle East. Iahead with a referendum on aide Hemin Hawrami. the referendum, a move that stoked With the 5mn Kurds in Iraq who Kurdish independence on Sept 25 Barzani also said Kirkuk should tensions. are eligible to vote united by dreams despite a vote by Iraq’s parliament to have a “special status” in a new, in- Kurdish peshmerga forces took of statehood, the outcome of the reject the move. dependent Kurdistan. control of the Kirkuk area and other Sept 25 referendum in the autono- Earlier the parliament in Bagh- Iraqi lawmakers worry that the areas claimed by both Baghdad and mous region in northern Iraq is in no dad authorised the prime minister referendum will consolidate Kurdish the Kurds after Islamic State mili- doubt. to “take all measures” to preserve control over several areas claimed tants overran about a third of Iraq But with Baghdad making clear Iraq’s unity. by both the central government in in 2014 and Baghdad’s local forces it opposes independence for a re- Kurdish lawmakers walked out of Baghdad and the autonomous KRG disintegrated. gion that has abundant oil reserves, the session before the vote and is- in northern Iraq. At a news conference yesterday, some voters fear now is not the time sued statements rejecting the deci- “This referendum lacks a consti- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Aba- to start moves to break away from sion. tutional basis and thus it is consid- di said the Kurds were continuing to Iraq — and rich businessman Shas- Western powers fear a plebiscite ered unconstitutional,” the parlia- “illegally export” Kirkuk’s oil, and war Abdulwahid Qadir has taken up in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurd- mentary resolution said, without he called for urgent talks. their cause. ish region — including the oil-rich specifying what measures the cen- “I call upon the Kurdish leader- Despite being branded a traitor city of Kirkuk — could ignite con- tral government should take to stop ship to come to Baghdad and con- by political enemies, he has taken fl ict with the central government in Kurdistan from breaking away. clude a dialogue,” Abadi said. on the establishment by launching Baghdad and divert attention from Mohamed al-Karbouli, a law- A Kurdish delegation met offi cials a “No for now” campaign to explain the war against Islamic State mili- maker, said: “Kurdish lawmakers in Baghdad for a fi rst round of talks the economic and political risks of a tants. walked out of (Tuesday’s) session in August concerning the referen- “Yes” vote. Iraq’s neighbours — Turkey, Iran but the decision to reject the refer- dum. “A ‘No’ vote is better for our and Syria — also oppose the referen- endum was passed by a majority.” An Iraqi delegation was expected people, better for Kurdistan’s fu- dum, fearing it could fan separatism. A senior Kurdish offi cial dis- to visit the Kurdish capital of Erbil in ture,” the 39-year-old business- “The referendum will be held on missed the vote as non-binding early September for a second round man told Reuters after a rally on time...Dialogue with Baghdad will though an Iraqi lawmaker said it of talks, but the visit has yet to hap- Saturday in a soccer stadium in resume after the referendum,” Bar- would be published in the offi cial pen with less than two weeks before Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan’s zani, president of the Kurdistan Re- gazette after approval from the Iraqi the vote. second largest city.

Israeli leader lauds eff ort to probe blast

Reuters damaged by the inflation- Buenos Aires ary policies and heavy cur- rency controls of the Fern- andez years. enjamin Netanyahu Macri has met with Nis- yesterday used the man’s family and says he Bfi rst Latin America has made a high priority of visit of a sitting Israeli prime solving his death and the minister to praise President AMIA bombing. Mauricio Macri’s eff ort to Netanyahu and Macri are solve the bombing of a Bue- also “in ideological har- nos Aires Jewish centre in mony” on issues like free 1994 that killed 85 people. trade, development and se- But no one has been curity, Israel’s ambassador brought to trial in either to Argentina Ilan Sztulman that case or the deadly told local radio. 1992 bombing of the Israeli Netanyahu is travelling embassy in Buenos Aires. with executives of 30 Is- He praised fellow con- raeli companies looking to servative Macri for jump- increase trade with Latin starting efforts to solve the America. crimes. They include cyber se- A prosecutor, Alberto curity, irrigation and other Nisman, was discovered agricultural technology on the floor of his Buenos firms that could help Ar- Aires apartment with a gentina reinforce its posi- pistol by his side and a bul- tion as the world’s top ex- let in his head. porter of soymeal livestock The death was classified feed and a major supplier as a suicide, but Nisman’s of corn and raw soybeans. family and friends dis- After Argentina, Netan- missed that idea as absurd. yahu will visit Colombia Opinion polls show most and Mexico before ad- Argentines believe his dressing the United Na- death was a homicide. tions General Assembly on Macri won the presiden- Sept.19. cy and succeeded Fernan- The diplomatic flurry dez in late 2015. might take domestic at- He has since boosted tention off two corruption ties with the United States investigations centring on and Israel while trying to Netanyahu in Israel. attract the foreign invest- He was accompanied on ment he says is needed the trip by his wife Sara to stimulate an economy Netanyahu. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 9 AFRICA

Referral challenge hits attempt to contain cholera in Nigeria

ff orts to contain a cholera outbreak that has struck Kenyatta warns against ‘destructive more than 1,000 people in refugee camps in northeast ENigeria are being hampered because people are failing to report suspected cases to authorities, a United Nations of- fi cial has said. Health offi cials in Borno, the northeastern state at the epi- division’ as opposition stays away centre of both an insurgency by militant group Boko Haram and the disease outbreak, said the number of suspected chol- Reuters ate anyone intent on disrupting tions have been stolen from them, era cases had jumped to 1,626 as of September 11. Nairobi our hard-won peace and stability. that the east African nation’s tar- Forty people had died, it said, up from the 23 reported by Under no circumstances must Ken- nished courts could deliver them the UN on September 6. Around 1.8mn have fl ed their homes yans ever allow our free competitive justice. because of violence or food shortages, UN agencies say. enyan President Uhuru processes to become a threat to the That hope helped tamp down The rainy season has spread disease in densely populated Kenyatta yesterday opened peace and security of our nation,” he protests that threatened to spark camps where many people live in unsanitary conditions. Kparliament by warning said, to foot-stamping and cheering the kind of violence that followed Most cholera-related deaths have been recorded at the against divisive and destructive from ruling party legislators. disputed 2007 elections, when Muna Garage camp, on the outskirts of Borno state capital politics, while opposition law- “We shall continue to encourage around 1,200 people were killed in Maiduguri. makers boycotted the legislature vibrant democratic competition, ethnic bloodletting. Speaking from the camp, Souleymane Sow — a United Na- and rallied to demand the resigna- we shall not allow destructive di- In a separate development, a rul- tions Children Fund (Unicef) coordinator — said the “main tion of election offi cials. vision.” ing party lawmaker and a former problem” in containing the outbreak was a lack of referrals. Kenya held parliamentary, pres- As he spoke, opposition leaders opposition senator appeared in a “When the people are sick they don’t proactively report to idential and local elections on Au- held a rally in Kibera, the capital’s Nairobi court, charged with in- the clinics,” he said, adding that aid workers were conducting gust 8, but the Supreme Court nul- largest slum, rejecting the October citement to violence over speeches visits to homes in the camps to bring sick people to a treat- lifi ed the presidential results three 17 date unless offi cials on the elec- they had made in the past week. ment centre. weeks later, citing irregularities in tion board, whom they blame for Both were freed on a 300,000 Aside from Muna Garage, the nearby camps of Custom the tallying process. mishandling the polls, resign. Kenya shilling ($3,000) bond. House, Ruwan Zafi and Bolori II have also reported chol- New elections are scheduled for “Now we are putting it squarely A government body monitoring era cases. Outbreaks have also been reported in the areas of October 17. to you that the Supreme Court of hate speech says that it has seen a Monguno and Dikwa, northeast and east of Maiduguri. Borno While calling for unity and re- this country has found you incom- Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta inspects the honour guard before spike since the Supreme Court rul- state said there were 945 suspected cases in the Muna area, spect for the constitution, Keny- petent,” said Kalonzo Musyoka, the opening of the Parliament outside the National Assembly ing. 537 in Dikwa and 144 in Monguno, as of September 11. atta delivered a thinly veiled warn- running mate of Kenyatta’s presi- Chamber in Nairobi. More than three times as many ing to the opposition lawmakers dential rival Raila Odinga. incidents were reported in the who had chosen to stay away from The surprise election annul- the region’s richest nation and a But it also raised hopes among week following the ruling than parliament. ment initially raised fears of short- staunch Western ally in a region frustrated opposition supporters, during the whole 10-week election “My government will not toler- term political turmoil in Kenya, roiled by confl ict. who believe the last three elec- campaign, it said.

South African court ruling goes against Zuma and his allies

Reuters Africa, is the ancestral home of An ANC provincial offi cial told elections in 2019, when Zuma’s tenure succeed Zuma in December. Cape Town the scandal-prone president and eNCA television channel the Kwa- as South Africa’s president expires. Analysts say Zuma’s priority is to will also command most votes at Zulu Natal ANC leadership would Yesterday’s ruling could hit support ensure his chosen candidate succeeds the ANC’s national conference in not leave their posts and would for Dlamini-Zuma, a former health him as party leader so he can com- outh Africa’s President December, when Zuma will step probably appeal against the ruling. and foreign aff airs minister, and allow plete his presidential term and avoid Jacob Zuma yesterday suf- down as party chief. The party’s national spokes- her likely rival, Vice-President Cyril scrutiny over corruption charges his Sfered a setback when a court Zuma loyalists took control of man, Zizi Kodwa, said the ANC Ramaphosa, a trade unionist-turned- opponents would like reinstated. ruled that the election of a faction the province in November 2015 at would study the judgment before business tycoon, to make gains in the The ANC’s fl ag bearer at the na- loyal to him in his home province a party conference after ousting taking any further steps. province, analysts said. tional elections usually becomes the two years ago was invalid. former premier Senzo Mchunu, The ruling could further erode “Despite court ruling Dlamini- country’s president, given the ANC’s The High Court ruling high- but he fi led a court case against Zuma’s support base. Zuma, 75, Zuma still likely to be favored in dominance. lights growing rifts within Zu- his removal, citing procedural ir- survived a no-confi dence vote KwaZulu-Natal...but the ruling does Daniel Silke, a political analyst, ma’s ruling African National regularities — an appeal upheld in South Africa’s parliament last allow his (Ramaphosa’s) campaign to said the judgment could increase Congress (ANC) and could ham- by yesterday’s ruling. month but only after some 30 make more inroads in the province,” factionalism in KwaZulu Natal. per his eff orts to ensure his ex- “The eighth KwaZulu Natal ANC lawmakers broke ranks and said Darais Jonker, Eurasia Group’s “There is now the potential for wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma provincial elective conference (in voted with the opposition. director for Africa, in a note. confusion and disarray within the replaces him as party leader and November 2015)...and decisions Whoever wins the December Neither Dlamini-Zuma, 67, nor ANC in the province which could eventually as president. taken at that conference are de- contest will lead the ANC, which Ramaphosa, 64, have yet stated lead to a weakening of Mrs Zuma’s KwaZulu Natal province, situ- clared unlawful and void,” Judge has ruled South Africa since the an intention to enter the race to position going forward,” Silke said. ated on the east coast of South Jerome Mnguni ruled. end of apartheid, into national

Zimbabwe can feed itself again: Mugabe imbabwe produced enough food to feed Zits people for the fi rst time since adopt- ing a controversial policy to strip land from white farmers, President Robert Mugabe told parliament yesterday. From the year 2000, hundreds of white farm- ers were evicted from their farms, often violent- ly, and land was handed to allies of the ruling ZANU- President Robert Mugabe inspects a guard of honour during the official opening of the PF party and in many cas- Parliament in Harare, the last session ahead of a general election in 2018. es became neglected and unproductive. Zimbabwe had previ- ously been known as the “breadbasket” of Africa. “The country has this year succeeded in regain- ing its food self-suffi - ciency status on the back of the good rainy season and the introduction of command agriculture,” Mugabe said as he opened parliament. “Government is now working to consolidate agriculture through, among other things, in- vesting more resources in water harvesting and irri- gation development.” A bumper harvest of maize helped Zimbabwe regain its food independ- ence, he added. Mugabe has previously acknowledged that hand- ing vast tracts of land to inexperienced black own- ers was a mistake. The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers warned just last week that the acute shortage of foreign currency could cause severe shortages of essential staples. But yesterday, Mugabe said he was hopeful that the rejuvenated agricul- tural sector would lift the nation’s moribund economy which has been plagued by a dire short- age of hard currency and soaring unemployment. Zimbabwe’s legisla- tors are starting their fi nal session before presiden- tial and parliamentary elections set for next year. Mugabe who turns 94 next year has already been named as the presidential candidate for his ZANU- PF party. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 AMERICA Apple unveils iPhone X in major product launch

Reuters Apple normally ships new products Apple also introduced the iPhone 8 could double or even triple because of Cupertino, California within a week or two of announcing and iPhone 8 Plus, which resemble the the new connectivity. them, though Cook said the later date iPhone 7 line but have a glass back for An upgraded Apple TV will support the was consistent with earlier guidance to wireless charging. high resolution display known as 4K and pple Inc yesterday rolled out investors. The new phones feature Apple’s first will feature more programming options its much-anticipated iPhone X, “It’s great to have a product but we’d proprietary graphics processor, which as Apple steps up eff orts to cut content Aa redesigned product of glass have liked it sooner rather than later, provides greater speed, improved cam- deals and produce its own shows. and stainless steel with an edge-to-edge more like the beginning of October or eras and some features for augmented Cook opened the event at the Steve Jobs display that Chief Executive Tim Cook mid- October,” said Kim Forrest, senior reality apps. Auditorium on Apple’s new campus with called “the biggest leap forward since the equity research analyst at Fort Pitt Capi- The cheapest phones have 64 giga- a tribute to the company’s co-founder and original iPhone.” tal Group in Pittsburgh. bytes of memory, up from 32 gigabytes former CEO Jobs, who died in 2011. The phone features wireless charging, Apple shares were last down 0.6%. in previous models, and will sell for $699 The Apple building itself was consid- an infrared camera and hardware for They had traded as much as 1 % higher and $799. ered to be Jobs’ final product, and Cook facial recognition, which replaces the fin- during the launch event. The company also introduced an spent a few minutes boasting about the gerprint sensor for unlocking the phone. The company has sold more than 1.2bn upgraded Apple Watch, which can make design, energy-saving features and public The home button found on previous iPhones over the past decade and ushered phone calls and access the internet with- spaces at the new campus, including a iPhones is also gone, and users instead in the era of mobile computing, but last out the user carrying an iPhone. flagship Apple Store. tap the device to wake it up. year had a substantial decline in revenue The Series 3 watch will cost $399. The theater, never before open to the The phone, which is priced at $999 as many consumers rejected the iPhone 7 Apple did not provide sales figures for public, features an expansive glass- and ships on Nov. 3, as well as the holiday as being too similar to the iPhone 6. Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, shows the its watches, but Cook said sales had risen enclosed lobby, with two massive white shopping season that follows are the The screen on the iPhone X is about iPhone X during a launch event in Cupertino, California, yesterday. 50% from the year before and that the stone staircases leading down to the most important for Apple in years. the size of the current iPhone 7 plus, Apple Watch was now the best-selling auditorium. The new phone’s ship date raised though the phone is smaller. such as Samsung are also rolling out. erighi, the face ID unlocking did not work watch in the world. Inside, the decor is similar to that of questions about possible supply con- It features richer colours thanks to a new But in an embarrassing moment for on his first attempt during the on-stage Gene Munster, an analyst with Loup Apple’s stores, with hard maple flooring straints ahead of the holidays. technology called OLED that other vendors Apple senior vice president Craig Fed- presentation. Ventures, believes sales of the watch and tan leather seats

More than 50 arrested Floridans return to Keys for looting in Miami

Reuters as Irma death toll rises Miami

Reuters Miami iami area police ar- rested more than 50 Msuspected looters dur- esidents yesterday returned to ing Hurricane Irma, including parts of the Florida Keys archi- 26 people who were accused of Rpelago that was hammered by breaking into a single Wal-Mart Hurricane Irma’s high winds and storm store, authorities said yesterday. surge, while the death toll rose in the City offi cials on Tuesday lifted second major hurricane to hit the Unit- a local 7pm to 7am curfew that ed States this year. had been in place since Sunday. Irma, which had rampaged through As normality began to return, the Caribbean as one of the most pow- police commanders said offi c- erful Atlantic hurricanes on record, was ers will work 12-hour shifts, 24 downgraded to a tropical depression on hours a day, to discourage any Monday and is likely dissipate by today, more criminality. the National Hurricane Center said. “I said we would not tolerate At its peak the storm prompted evac- criminal activity or looting or uation orders for 6.5mn people in Flori- anybody who takes advantage da, the largest evacuation in modern US of our residents,” Deputy Chief history. of Police Luis Cabrera said at a Irma killed 43 people in the Carib- Two young women explore storm surge flood waters from Hurricane Irma along Two retirees ride tricycles through a flooded street at the Enchanted Shores news conference. “I was not jok- bean and at least 11 in Florida, Georgia the St Johns River at Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Florida. manufactured home park in Naples, Florida. ing.” and South Carolina. The Wal-Mart incident took A local Florida offi cial said there had would never have thought would have Aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was 6.9mn homes and businesses were Tampa, Florida, while using a chain- place on Saturday night at a been more deaths yet to be reported, fl ooded that have fl ooded,” Florida off Florida’s east coast yesterday and without electricity in Florida and saw in a tree during storm cleanup, the store on the north side of the particularly on the Florida Keys, where Governor Rick Scott told reporters after two amphibious assault ships were en neighbouring states and said it could Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Offi ce City of Miami, said Miami-Dade Irma arrived on Key Cudjoe as a Cat- a helicopter tour of the area. route to help in the Keys. take weeks to fully restore service. said. Police Department spokesman egory 4 hurricane with sustained winds Irma devastated several Caribbean Monroe County opened road ac- Insured property losses in Florida A man died in Worth County, Geor- Alvaro Zabaleta. of up to 215kph on Sunday. islands en route to Florida. cess yesterday morning for residents from Irma were expected to run from gia, on Monday while repairing the roof Among others suspected of Local authorities told around 90,000 It destroyed about one-third of the and business owners from Key Largo, $20bn to $40bn, catastrophe modelling of a shed during sustained winds of looting were six men arrested on residents of Miami Beach and people buildings on the Dutch-ruled portion of the main island at the upper end of the fi rm AIR Worldwide estimated. 67kph with gusts up to 112kph, a Na- Monday and accused of breaking from some parts of the Keys they could St Martin island, the Dutch Red Cross chain, as well as the towns of Tavernier Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tional Weather Service report said yes- into stores at the Midtown Mi- go home but warned it might not be said yesterday. and Islamorada farther to the south, fi re told an investor conference in New York terday. ami shopping complex, near the prudent to remain there. The storm was the second major hur- offi cials said. that the storm would ultimately boost A man was found dead in Winter Gar- fashionable Wynwood district, “This is going to be a frustrating ricane to hit the United States in a little No timetable was given for reopen- the economy by sparking rebuilding. den, Florida, after being electrocuted by before making off with mer- event. It’s going to take some time to let more than two weeks. ing the remainder of the Keys, which “There clearly is going to be an impact a downed power line, local police said. chandise that included shoes, people back into their homes particu- Hurricane Harvey ploughed into are linked by a series of causeways and on GDP in the short run, we will make it One man in South Carolina was killed bags and laptops. larly in the Florida Keys,” Brock Long, Houston late last month, killing about bridges down to Key West, a popu- up in the long run,” Mnuchin said. by a falling tree limb and another died in The looting attempts spanned administrator of the Federal Emergency 60 and wreaking some $180bn in dam- lar tourist spot on the southern tip of “As we rebuild, that will help GDP. a traffi c accident, offi cials said. the city, said Miami Mayor To- Management Agency, told a news con- age, largely through fl ooding. Florida. It’s too early to tell what the exact esti- The National Hurricane Center was mas Regalado, from the well- ference. Monroe County Commissioner Several major airports in Florida that mates will be, but I think it won’t have a monitoring another hurricane, Jose, heeled Brickell and downtown Millions of people were still without Heather Carruthers said on Monday halted passenger operations due to Irma bad impact on the economy.” which was spinning in the Atlantic neighbourhoods to the low- power in Florida. The city of Jackson- that people had been killed in the Keys, began limited service yesterday, includ- Several of the deaths caused by Irma about 1,130km west of Florida. income Liberty City and Little ville, in Florida’s northeast, was recov- which have nearly 80,000 permanent ing Miami International, one of the came as people started cleaning up and About 2-1/2 months remain in the Haiti areas. ering from heavy fl ooding. residents, but she did not have a count busiest US airports. making repairs. Atlantic hurricane season, which starts He said police will stay vigi- “There are so many areas that you on how many. Utility companies reported some A 55-year-old man died Monday in in June. lant as the cleanup goes on. No doubt Trump team intersected with Russia: Clinton

AFP eral interviews coinciding with Clinton might be fi nished as a billionaire nemesis as an incom- New York the book launch amplify a core presidential candidate following petent, unworthy, sexist “liar” in message of her campaign confes- her November loss, but she is not her book. sional: that a series of external going away quietly. Clinton off ers a personal reck- illary Clinton, who re- forces conspired to prevent her Her 15-stop book tour is in- oning of her election loss: how leased her tell-all mem- from becoming the nation’s fi rst tended not only to drum up sales she was expecting an easy vic- Hoir about the 2016 presi- woman president. but perhaps burnish Clinton’s tory but was “shell-shocked” on dential campaign yesterday, said “There were all of these out- standing as a prominent fi gure in election night; how she refused she has “no doubt” that Donald side forces coming at me right US political life. antidepressants and therapy, but Trump’s associates helped Rus- until the very end,” she told Na- In her memoir the 69-year- drank her fair share of Chardon- sia interfere in the US election. tional Public Radio. old assumes her share of respon- nay; and how she sought refuge Last year’s failed Democratic Among them were the FBI’s sibility for her stunning defeat in her family. nominee told USA Today news- relentless investigation of her e- — “My mistakes burn me up But the prospect of the twice- paper that there “certainly was mails, and the announcement by inside,” she writes of her topsy- defeated Clinton — fi rst by an understanding of some sort” then-director James Comey, just turvy campaign. Barack Obama in the 2008 Dem- — and direct communication — 11 days before the election, that But the former first lady ocratic primaries, then to Trump between Trump’s campaign of- the bureau was re-opening its and political survivor, who in last year — very publicly foisting fi cials or associates and Russia. probe into her use of a private ac- a quarter century in public life her suggestions on how to move “There’s no doubt in my mind count and server while secretary rarely gave Americans a per- the political debate forward has that there are a tangle of fi nancial of state. sonal peek behind her profes- made some Democrats uncom- relationships between Trump “After the Comey letter, my sional veneer, shows a vulner- fortable. and his operation with Russian momentum was stopped,” Clin- able side in her book as she Despite some nudging by those money,” she said in the inter- ton told NPR. describes her post-campaign in her party to exit the stage, view published hours before she “My numbers dropped, and we funk. Clinton makes clear she is keen to kicked off her rstfi book-signing were scrambling to try to put it She admits that not a day goes conduct an autopsy on the 2016 for the memoir, What Happened. back together, and we ran out of that she doesn’t think about why election. “And there’s no doubt in my time.” she lost, and “the aching sense “People are tired. Some are mind that the Trump campaign Clinton also lashed out at her that I let everyone down.” traumatized and others want to and other associates have worked progressive rival Bernie Sanders, “It’s going to be painful for keep the focus on the investiga- really hard to hide their connec- whom she felt refused to fully quite a while,” Clinton writes. tion into Russia’s election inter- tions with Russians.” back her general election cam- “But I’m not going to sulk or ference,” she writes. The Trump campaign’s links paign. disappear. I’m going to do eve- “I get all that. But it’s impor- to Russia are under investigation “I didn’t get anything like that rything I can to support strong tant that we understand what re- by special counsel Robert Muel- respect from Sanders and his Democratic candidates every- ally happened,” she adds. ler and by multiple congressional supporters. And it hurt,” she told where.” “Because that’s the only way Hillary Clinton kicks off her book tour of her memoir of the 2016 presidential campaign titled What committees. Pod Save America, an internet She does not hold back in her we can stop it from happening Happened with a signing at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square, New York. Clinton’s assertions in sev- podcast. criticism of Trump, branding her again.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Anger in Singapore as no election for president

AFP city-state’s Muslim Malay mi- est in becoming president of the values, have been eroded to fulfi l When asked for a response, the proved by the six-member reserved for a particular ethnic Singapore nority, will be the fi rst woman to tightly-controlled, affl uent na- perceived political goals,” writer Singapore Elections Department Presidential Elections Commit- group, as authorities seek to fos- hold the largely ceremonial role tion of about 5.5mn people. Two and political commentator Su- referred AFP to information tee — a government-appointed ter harmony in a multicultural if — as expected— she is formal- were disqualifi ed as they were dhir Thomas Vadaketh told AFP. about the presidency. group. It is not the fi rst time society dominated by ethnic ingaporeans yesterday ly nominated to the presidency not Malay — the presidency was There was criticism of the proc- Under election rules, poten- that a president has been chosen Chinese. poured scorn on the proc- today. on this occasion reserved for ess on social media, with Face- tial candidates must either have unopposed, and when there has Singapore is one of the world’s Sess to select their new But the 63-year-old will avoid members of the ethnic minority book user Hussain Shamsuddin served in public offi ce, headed been a vote, the establishment wealthiest and most stable so- president after an establish- an election originally slated for — while two Malay businessmen commenting: “As a citizen of a government-linked organisa- candidate has always won. cieties but its political system is ment fi gure was deemed the only September 23, as others hoping were disqualifi ed as their com- this democratic island nation, tion, or headed a company worth The president’s role is largely tightly controlled. eligible candidate, meaning no to run against her were judged panies were too small. I’m deeply embarrassed.” at least S$500mn (US$370mn) in that of a fi gurehead but the head The People’s Action Party election will be held. by authorities not to have met “All Singaporeans are unhap- “Don’t call it an election if we shareholder equity. of state does have some lim- has been in power since the city Halimah Yacob, a former strict eligibility criteria. Five py that meritocracy and elec- Singaporeans can’t vote,” wrote But those who do not qualify ited powers. It was the fi rst time gained self-rule from the British speaker of parliament from the people had expressed an inter- toral fairness, core Singaporean Fazly Jijio Din on Facebook. can still stand if they are ap- that the presidency had been in 1959. Myanmar faces heat on Rohingya exodus Agencies Cox’s Bazaar A burnt house is seen in a village near Maungdaw, Rakhine State.

ressure mounted on Myan- mar yesterday to end vio- Security Council to discuss Myanmar Plence that has sent about 370,000 Rohingya Muslims fl ee- ing to Bangladesh, with the Unit- The United Nations Security Council will hold an urgent meeting to dis- ed States calling for protection of cuss violence barrelling through western Myanmar, after the UN’s rights civilians and Bangladesh urging chief warned that “ethnic cleansing” appeared to have driven the flight of safe zones to enable refugees to over 300,000 Rohingya Muslims from the country. go home. The remote border region was plunged into crisis after Rohingya mili- But China, which competes for tants attacked police posts in late August, prompting a military backlash infl uence in its southern neigh- that has sent nearly a third of the Muslim minority population fleeing to bour with the United States, said Bangladesh. Rohingya refugees fleeing the unrest have told stories of it backed Myanmar’s eff orts to soldiers and Buddhist mobs burning entire villages to the ground. On safeguard “development and Monday the United Nations rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, said the stability”. The government says violence seemed to be a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”. about 400 people have been Hours after the warning, the Security Council announced it would meet killed in the fi ghting. today to discuss the crisis, which has heaped global opprobrium on The top UN human rights of- Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. A Nobel peace laureate, fi cial denounced Myanmar on Suu Kyi has been pilloried by rights groups for failing to speak up for the Monday for conducting a “cruel maligned Rohingya minority, who are denied citizenship by the state and military operation” against Ro- have suff ered years of persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. hingya, branding it “a textbook Britain and Sweden requested the urgent UNSC meeting amid growing example of ethnic cleansing”. The international concern over the ongoing violence, with fellow Nobel peace United States said the violent laureates urging Suu Kyi to intervene. The council met behind closed displacement of the Rohingya doors in late August to discuss the violence, but there was no formal showed Myanmar’s security forc- statement. UN diplomats have said China, one of Myanmar’s top trade es were not protecting civilians. Rohingya people are seen on a boat near a village outside Buthidaung, Rakhine State, Myanmar. partners, has been resisting involvement by the top UN council in ad- Washington has been a staunch dressing the crisis. supporter of Myanmar’s transi- Myanmar was also concerned The exodus to Bangladesh arrived in Bangladesh with aid der district where she distributed “It’s a sign of the significant worry that Security Council members have tion from decades of harsh mili- about the suff ering. shows no sign of slowing with for about 25,000 refugees. More aid. “Myanmar has created the about the situation that is continuing to deteriorate for the many Rohing- tary rule that is being led by No- Myanmar’s government re- 370,000 the latest estimate, ac- fl ights are planned with the aim problem and they will have to yas who are seeking to flee Rakhine state,” British ambassador Matthew bel peace laureate Aung San Suu gards Rohingya as illegal migrants cording to a UN refugee agency of helping 120,000, a spokesman solve it,” she said, adding: “We Rycroft told reporters. Kyi. from Bangladesh and denies spokeswoman, up from an esti- said. Worry is also growing about want peaceful relations with our The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar has said the “We call on Burmese security them citizenship, even though mate of 313,000 on the weekend. conditions inside Rakhine State, neighbours, but we can’t accept latest violence may have left more than 1,000 dead, most of them Ro- authorities to respect the rule of many Rohingya families have Bangladesh was already home to with fears a hidden humanitarian any injustice. Stop this violence hingya. The exodus, topping 313,000 escapees, has sparked a humanitar- law, stop the violence, and end lived there for generations. about 400,000 Rohingyas. crisis may be unfolding. against innocent people.” ian crisis in Bangladesh, where refugee camps were already overcrowded the displacement of civilians Reports from refugees and Many refugees are hungry and But Bangladeshi Prime Minis- Pakistan called on Myanmar to and food and other aid is in short supply. from all communities,” the White rights groups paint a picture of sick, without shelter or clean ter Sheikh Hasina said Myanmar stop making “unfulfi lled promis- Most refugees have walked for days in harrowing journeys across rivers House said in a statement. widespread attacks on Rohingya water in the middle of the rainy should set up safe zones to enable es”. In a speech to the UN Human and through jungle, arriving sick, exhausted and in desperate need of Myanmar government spokes- villages in the north of Rakhine season. The United Nations said the refugees to go home. Rights Council in Geneva, on be- shelter, food and water. Dhaka, which initially tried to block the Rohingya men were not immediately avail- by the security forces and ethnic 200,000 children needed urgent “Myanmar will have to take half of the Organisation of Islam- from entering, said Monday that it would start registering all new arrivals. able for comment but the foreign Rakhine Buddhists, who have put support. back all Rohingya refugees who ic Co-operation, Pakistan said, The Bangladesh government plans to build a huge new camp that will ministry said shortly before the numerous Muslim villages to the Two emergency fl ights organ- entered Bangladesh,” Hasina said “Discrimination, violence and house a quarter of a million refugees. US statement was issued that torch. ised by the UN refugee agency on a visit to the Cox’s Bazar bor- acts of hatred are intolerable.” But it remains unclear when or whether they will be able to return.

Injured shark returned to ocean after night in Sydney aquarium N Korea decries ‘vicious’ UN sanctions An injured juvenile shark that Sanctuary said yesterday. was found washed up on a The shark had beached itself popular northern Sydney beach on Monday, ending up on the AFP and seafood in response to the pect of a peaceful resolution to It bars countries from issu- rea since it fi rst tested a nuclear has returned to the ocean after sand despite volunteers trying United Nations North’s launch of an interconti- the crisis. ing new work permits to North device in 2006. spending the night in a marine to send it to the water four or nental ballistic missile (ICBM). “We are not looking for war. Korean labourers sent abroad – South Korea welcomed the sanctuary aquarium. The 1.8-me- five times. It wasn’t clear why North Korea categorically re- The North Korean regime has there are some 93,000, provid- resolution while Japan’s Prime tre-long great white, nicknamed the shark kept ending up on the orth Korea yesterday jected the new measures, with not yet passed the point of no ing Kim’s regime with a source Minister Shinzo Abe said the “Fluff y” by the rescuers, was beach, but one marine expert condemned “vicious” UN ambassador Han Tae-song return,” Haley told the Security of revenue to develop its missile sanctions were much stronger found in distress on the shore of said earlier it probably got Nnew UN sanctions im- saying in Geneva that the US Council, adding: “If North Korea and nuclear programmes, ac- than earlier measures. He urged Manly beach Monday afternoon lost, exhausted and then later posed over its sixth and largest had “fabricated the most vicious continues its dangerous path, we cording to a US offi cial familiar Pyongyang to take “concrete with some superficial injuries. stressed with the waves and all nuclear test, warning it would sanction resolution” and warn- will continue with further pres- with the negotiations. Under the action” toward denuclearisa- Marine experts from Manly Sea the people around it. The shark make the US “suff er the greatest ing of retaliation. sure. The choice is theirs.” measure, countries are author- tion. Life Sanctuary said they are was taken to a swimming pool pain” it has ever experienced. “The forthcoming measures During tough negotiations, ised to inspect ships suspected The United States and its al- optimistic about its survival after by the ocean, to the amaze- The new sanctions imposed by DPRK (North Korea) will the United States dropped initial of carrying banned North Kore- lies argue that tougher sanc- releasing the male shark from ment of shocked beach-goers. unanimously by the UN Security make the US suff er the greatest demands for a full oil embargo an cargo but must fi rst seek the tions will pile pressure on Kim’s a boat some 4km off Sydney Hundreds of Australians shared Council on Monday ban North pain it has ever experienced in its and a freeze on the foreign as- consent of the fl ag-state. regime to negotiate an end to its coastline on Tuesday afternoon. photos on social media. The Korean textile exports and re- history,” he told a disarmament sets of North Korean leader Kim Joint ventures will be banned nuclear and missile tests. Russia “It was collectively decided the marine experts then transferred strict shipments of oil products. conference in the Swiss city. US Jong-un. The resolution instead and the names of senior North and China are pushing for talks best course of action was to the shark on a stretcher in the The resolution, passed after ambassador Nikki Haley said at bans trade in textiles, cuts off Korean offi cial and three entities with North Korea, but the US release him via boat into deeper back of a truck to the sanctuary Washington toned down its orig- the UN the tough new measures natural gas shipments to North were added to a UN sanctions rejects their proposal for a freeze waters, so the curious creature for it to rest in an aquarium, and inal proposals to secure backing were a message to Pyongyang Korea, places a ceiling on deliv- blacklist that provides for an on Pyongyang’s missile and didn’t find itself in a similar the animal was accompanied from China and Russia, came that “the world will never accept eries of refi ned oil products and assets freeze and a global travel nuclear tests in exchange for a situation in the near future,” a by divers overnight as the team just one month after the coun- a nuclear-armed North Korea”. caps crude oil shipments at cur- ban. It was the eighth series of suspension of US-South Korean statement by the Manly Sea Life assessed its condition. cil banned exports of coal, lead But she also held out the pros- rent levels. sanctions imposed on North Ko- military drills.

Gambling addict brings landmark Australia poker machine case NZ Labour wants curbs on foreign home ownership A landmark trial began yesterday against Australian casino giant Crown and gambling slot machine maker Aristocrat, alleging players Reuters make home ownership more af- The original 12-member TPP, Ardern, who has almost sin- although its free trade deal with are misled or deceived about their chances of winning. The Federal Wellington fordable for New Zealanders. which aims to cut trade barriers gle-handedly changed Labour’s China already provides for re- Court case was brought by lawyers Maurice Blackburn on behalf of Foreigners with the right to in some of Asia’s fastest-growing election chances since becoming strictions on foreign investment. gambling addict Shonica Guy, who suff ered significant losses playing live in New Zealand would be economies, was thrown into lim- leader in August, has made home “Korea has the same carve- what are known in Australia as poker machines. New Zealand Labour gov- exempt from Labour’s proposed bo in January when US President ownership a campaign focus. She out ... for themselves so they can “I started playing the pokies when I was 17. Poker machines took ernment will still want ban, which would still be at odds Trump withdrew from the agree- has criticised National for failing restrict New Zealanders ... Aus- over my life for the next 14 years,” she said. “This case is not about Ato be part of the stalled with provisions in the TPP trade ment. to tackle a housing crisis during tralia has that same carve-out in seeking compensation for what I lost – I just want to make sure what Trans-Pacifi c Partnership (TPP) deal as well as New Zealand’s free nine years in government, prom- their agreement with Korea, so happened to me doesn’t happen to anyone else.” trade deal but only if it allows trade agreement with South Ko- Foreigners with the right to ising to build more aff ordable we don’t anticipate that would be Gambling addiction is a major problem in Australia. Advocates for for foreigners to be banned from rea. “It is an agreement we want live in New Zealand would homes and to crack down on for- a signifi cant sticking point,” she reform estimate that people lose around A$12bn (US$9.6bn) a year – buying existing homes, opposi- to be part of, but we also want to be exempt from Labour’s eign speculators. said. National criticised Labour’s with losses spiralling since the first machines were built in 1953. tion leader Jacinda Ardern said maintain our ability to legislate proposed ban Labour wants to reconsider plans to renegotiate the trade A public inquiry in 2010 disclosed there were 115,000 “problem yesterday. under our laws to protect what is New Zealand’s role in the TPP agreement with South Korea, de- gamblers”, whose habit can lead to serious health, family and finan- Labour, fi rming as the front- an overheated housing market,” The remaining 11 members if foreign investment provi- scribing it as an “ill-thought out cial issues. Another 280,000 were categorised as at “moderate risk”. runner ahead of the National Ardern said. have said they remain commit- sions are not restricted. Banning and vague” policy. The legal case centres on the design of the “Dolphin Treasure” government in a September 23 “We want to be in there but ted to the deal, but implementa- foreign investment in existing Support for Labour rose to machines at Crown’s flagship Melbourne casino, which off er cash election, wants to curb overseas our housing bottom line is pretty tion of the agreement linking 11 homes would also mean having to 41.8% in the latest average of prizes to players who line up matching symbols across a series of buyers’ home purchases in a bid fi rm for us,” she told New Zealand countries with a combined GDP renegotiate New Zealand’s trad- opinion polls, nudging above Na- spinning reels. to cool the housing market and media. of $12.4tn has stalled. ing agreement with South Korea, tional’s 41.1%. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 BRITAIN

MoD ‘spent £750,000 to deny responsibility for soldier deaths’

Guardian News and Media mation request has revealed. The revelation will reinforce ac- deployed in the Afghan and Iraq claims against the government prove negligence and divert cases tion request to the government’s London The massive bill was run up on cusations that ministers are pre- confl icts. Last year the Chilcot under legislation covering negli- away from the courts. It claims legal department by a campaigner, behalf of the ministry of defence pared to exploit taxpayers’ funds inquiry found a string of MoD fail- gence and human rights. In 2013, that it will produce more gener- Omran Belhadi. It shows that total (MoD) at a time when legal aid to to obtain a legal advantage in court ings in the preparation for the Iraq the Supreme Court found that, ous payments; the proposal has legal costs to the government for he government spent more claimants has suff ered deep cuts. while claimants are often left to war, including a delay in replacing based on human rights legislation, caused misgivings among service Snatch Land Rover cases to date than £750,000 on lawyers’ The department was ultimately rely on lawyers working pro bono. the vehicles, which were vulner- the army has a duty of care to sol- families who have campaigned to are £765,731, of which £321,354 Tfees trying to deny respon- unsuccessful in supporting it did Snatch Land Rovers, nicknamed able to bombs. diers killed in combat. reveal fl aws in army equipment. was for in-house lawyers and sibility for the deaths of soldiers not have a duty of care to those “mobile coffi ns”, were developed Families whose sons and The MoD is planning to in- The legal costs for the Snatch charges, and £444,376 was for killed in lightly armoured Snatch killed using the vehicles in Iraq to transport troops in Northern daughters died in Snatch Land troduce a compensation scheme Land Rover cases were obtained “external disbursements” – Land Rovers, a freedom of infor- and Afghanistan. Ireland. They were subsequently Rovers brought compensation that will do away with the need to through a freedom of informa- mainly barristers fees.

Celebrity Public sector art dealer jailed wage cap to for thefts Guardian News and Media London

n art dealer to the stars has been sentenced to four be lifted next Ayears in jail for stealing paintings and sculptures “in broad daylight” like the protagonist of the Hollywood fi lm The Thomas Crown Aff air. Jonathan Poole, who specialised in selling artwork by famous musicians, stole work and year: govt cheated clients over three decades, Gloucester crown court was told. Guardian News and Media right direction, the government There was, he added, a need Poole, 69, promised to sell piec- London should have done this sooner, for pay discipline over the com- es for art collectors or investors, but we don’t feel that non-con- ing years to balance the needs of but in many cases they did not see solidated pay awards are the way public sector workers “while also the proceeds or the works again. he government is to lift forward.” being aff ordable within the pub- He informed some clients that the longstanding 1% an- The lifting of the seven-year lic fi nances and fair to taxpayers artworks had been destroyed in a Tnual cap on public sec- cap follows months of protest by as a whole”. fl ood, but the court was told that tor pay from next year, and Labour and the prospect of mass The police and prison offi cer he might have used the money has confi rmed higher rises for strikes by trade unions, who say deals are the last set of public to fund a gambling habit or was police and prison offi cers im- workers’ pay has plummeted in sector pay arrangements to be stashing it away for his future. mediately, Downing Street has real terms. concluded for the current fi nan- Poole, who lives in Poulton near announced. May’s spokesman told report- cial year. Cirencester and had two galler- The Cabinet yesterday agreed ers yesterday morning’s cabinet These pay awards would ies in Gloucestershire, admitted that police would receive a 2% meeting “agreed that our public come from existing Home Of- 26 off ences against nine victims pay rise for 2017-18 – half of sector workers are among the fi ce and justice ministry budg- involving artworks worth about which is a one-off “non-con- most talented and hard-working ets, No 10 said. May’s spokes- The ball of fat as long as three soccer pitches is seen blocking a Victorian-era, east £500,000. solidated” bonus – and prison people in our society”. man said he did not have a fi gure London sewer. Many of the paintings involved offi cers an average 1.7% rise, He continued: “They, like for how much the pay awards in the case are portraits and cari- Theresa May’s spokesman said. everyone else, deserve to have would cost. catures of stars and celebrities He added that more widely fulfi lling jobs that are fairly re- A written statement from such as John Lennon, Jim Mor- there would be scope for “fl ex- warded. The government takes Liz Truss, chief secretary to the ‘Monster’ fatberg blocks rison, Kate Moss and members ibility” over public sector pay a balanced approach to public Treasury, gave further details as of the Rolling Stones. The artists rises from 2018-19, eff ectively spending, dealing with our debts to the pay awards. It showed the range from the French sculptor spelling the end of the 1% cap to keep our economy strong, extent of the rise for individual Auguste Rodin to Lennon and the that has been in place for seven while also making sure we invest prison offi cers would vary, with London sewage system Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. years. in our public services. the increase dependent on fac- Victims included the Dire “We will continue to ensure “The government recognises tors including the recipients’ pay Straits bassist John Illsley, wealthy that the overall package for pub- that in some parts of the public band and performance rating. Guardian News and Media break up concrete. It’s frus- showed the 1,200mm high business people, Poole’s own lic sector workers recognises the sector, particularly in areas of Truss’s Labour shadow, Peter London trating as these situations are by 700mm wide sewer to be brother Nicholas and “ordinary” vital contribution they make and skill shortage, more fl exibility Dowd, said the awards for police totally avoidable and caused totally blocked by the fatberg, people who asked the dealer to sell ensures they can deliver world may be required to deliver world and prison offi cers were “deri- by fat, oil and grease be- which is 3.5 metres deep. their works, the court heard. class public services, while also class public services, including sory”, and amounted to a real- fatberg weighing ing washed down sinks and Thames Water says it James Ward, prosecuting, asked being aff ordable within the pub- in return for improvements to terms cut. the same as 11 dou- wipes fl ushed down the loo.” spends about £1mn a month the court to imagine his clients’ lic fi nances and fair to taxpayers public sector productivity.” He added: “The announce- Able decker buses and The fatberg is estimated clearing blockages from its shock when they realised the in- as a whole,” the spokesman said. The spokesman said that the ment will come as cold comfort stretching the length of two to weigh 130 tonnes and sewers in London and the ternational art dealer was a “pro- But immediately after the an- specifi c remit for the various for those nurses, teachers and football pitches is blocking stretches for 250 metres Thames Valley – an average fessional thief of some ability”. nouncement both the Prison Of- pay review bodies on how high other public sector workers who a section of London’s ageing making it 10 times larger than of three fat-related block- “His life’s work has been as art- fi cers Association and the Police they could go for rises in 2018- the government has ignored and sewage network. the one found in a sewer in ages every hour. Earlier this ist and art dealer. He was trusted Federation said their pay rises 19 would be “agreed as part of will face even steeper pay cuts on The congealed mass of fat, Kingston, London, in 2013. year the company announced by the wealthy individuals who in- were insuffi cient in the face of the budget process and set out in top of what they have lost since wet wipes and nappies is one The crew trying to break it was exploring whether it vested in art. He was trusted by in- 2.9% infl ation. due course”. 2010.” of the biggest ever found and it up are equipped with spe- could use recovered fatbergs ternationally acclaimed celebrities Steve Gillan, the general sec- would have risked raw sew- cial protective suits and at for biodiesel. such as Ronnie Wood, Miles Davis retary of the POA, told a Morning Labour silent on call for illegal strike action age fl ooding on to the streets times will have to hack away But Rimmer said the real and John Lennon,” Ward said. Star fringe event at the TUC an- in Whitechapel, east London, at the fatberg with shovels. solution was for consumers Poole, who was representing nual conference: “I don’t know Labour’s justice spokesman morning BBC radio interview. had it not been discovered The waste will then be sucked and business to dispose of fat himself after sacking his defence what the rest of the public sec- yesterday refused to address Asked if he backed the threat during a routine inspection up into tankers and taken for and wipes in the bin. Engi- team, said that at the peak of his tor is going to get. I have made it threats of illegal strike action of strike action, he said: “We earlier this month. disposal at a recycling plant neers have also been visiting 40-year career he was organising clear that it is a pay cut. It is not against the government’s should be talking about the Now workmen armed with in Stratford. food outlets to discuss how an exhibition almost every week, acceptable. Our executive will pay cap. Richard Burgon, the reality faced by … nurses, care shovels and high-powered Rimmer said: “We check they dispose of fat and food working with stars such as the ac- be looking to co-ordinate action shadow justice secretary, assistants, fire fighters, and all jets are working seven days a our sewers routinely but waste, plus off er advice on tor Anthony Hopkins. with other trade unions.” ducked questions on whether too often they get written out week to break it up. The grim these things can build up re- grease-trapping equipment He said his exhibitions had Steve White, the chairman of he would back a potential of this discussion. That is who task is expected to take three ally quickly and cause big for commercial kitchens. started to struggle with the advent the Police Federation of Eng- strike, even if fewer than half this is about.” Conservative weeks. problems with fl ooding, as “Yes, a lot of the fat comes of the Internet. “People would land and Wales, said many of his of union members vote in a MP Chris Philp said: “For a man Thames Water’s head of the waste gets blocked. It’s from food outlets but the come and if they liked something members would be “angry and ballot. Len McCluskey, the who aspires to lead the justice waste networks, Matt Rim- fortunate in this case that we wipes and sanitary items are they would look on the Internet defl ated” at their pay award fol- leader of the Unite union, has department, Burgon’s flagrant mer, said: “This fatberg is up have only had to close off a far more likely to be from do- and fi nd a better price for it.” lowing a requested 2.8% rise in said co-ordinated strike is now disregard for the law of the there with the biggest we’ve few parking bays to get to the mestic properties,” he said. Poole has a degenerative con- basic pay. “very much on the cards”. land is deeply troubling but ever seen. It’s a total monster sewer. Often we have to shut “The sewers are not an abyss dition and mobility problems. He “We were not greedy in what Burgon said the scenario was sadly unsurprising.” Burgon and taking a lot of manpower roads entirely, which can for household rubbish and said for the last fi ve years he had we asked for,” he said. “Offi cers “hypothetical” and avoided also ducked questions about and machinery to remove as cause widespread disruption, our message to everyone is been living in a single room. He in- have been taking home about answering questions on the McCluskey’s call for a second it’s set hard. especially in London.” clear: please ‘bin it – don’t sisted he had none of the missing 15% less than they were seven issue five times during a deputy Labour leader. “It’s basically like trying to CCTV camera inspections block it’.” pieces. “I don’t have any art apart years ago. While it is a step in the from my own,” he said. Theatre director Hall dies aged 86

Reuters he founded the Royal Shakespeare often used the cheap railway pass- The couple had a son and a London Company which he led until 1968. es to which his father’s occupa- daughter before their divorce in Appointed director of the Na- tion entitled him to visit the bright 1965. tional Theatre in 1973, Hall was lights of London’s theatre world. Later that year, Hall married eading British theatre direc- responsible for the move from the At the age of 23 he presented his Jacqueline Taylor, his former sec- tor Peter Hall, founder of the Old Vic theatre to its current home fi rst professional production. He retary. The couple divorced in LRoyal Shakespeare Com- in a purpose-built complex on the became assistant director at Lon- 1981 and Hall, who was knighted pany, has died at the age of 86, the South Bank of the River Thames. don’s small Arts Theatre in 1954, in 1977, married American op- National Theatre said yesterday. His work as a theatre director taking over the directorship a year era singer Maria Ewing in Febru- Hall died on Monday at Uni- included the world premieres of later. ary 1982. His last marriage was to versity College Hospital, London, Harold Pinter’s The Homecom- “Hall was an internationally He began to make his name with scriptwriter Nicky Frei. surrounded by his family, the the- ing (1965), Peter Shaff er’s Ama- celebrated stage director and a series of controversial modern National Theatre director Rufus atre said in a statement. deus (1979) and the London and theatre impresario, whose plays, including Waiting for Go- Norris said in a statement: “We all “Hall was an internationally Broadway premieres of Alan Ayck- infl uence on the artistic life dot. stand on the shoulders of giants celebrated stage director and the- bourn’s Bedroom Farce (1977). of Britain in the 20th century In that production, Hall chose to and Peter Hall’s shoulders sup- atre impresario, whose infl uence His last production at the Na- was unparalleled” portray the two leading characters ported the entirety of British thea- on the artistic life of Britain in the tional Theatre was Twelfth Night as tramps — although there is no tre as we know it. 20th century was unparalleled,” it in 2011. Opera and Bayreuth. mention of this in the text — and “All of us, including those in the added. Hall, who was diagnosed with Hall was born in November, directly aff ected almost every sub- new generation of theatre-makers Hall’s career spanned more than dementia in 2011, was also an in- 1930, the son of a railway station- sequent production of the play. not immediately touched by his half a century. In his mid-20s he ternationally renowned opera di- master in rural Suff olk. From his Hall was married four times. In infl uence, are in his debt. His leg- staged the English language pre- rector and worked at many of the local grammar school he won a 1956, he hit the society columns endary tenacity and vision created miere of Samuel Beckett’s Wait- world’s leading houses including scholarship to study English at when he married French actress an extraordinary and lasting lega- ing for Godot and in 1960, aged 29, The Royal Opera, the Metropolitan Cambridge University, where he Leslie Caron, star of the fi lm Gigi. cy for us all.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 13 BRITAIN/IRELAND

DECISION STAND COMMENT CRIME LEGAL Next round of Brexit talks Scottish govt for rejection Taxpayer ‘insulated from Two soldiers charged Top woman Met off icer postponed to Sept 25 of EU withdrawal bill rising Hinkley Point costs’ with neo-Nazi links wins £5,000 payout

Britain and the European Commission have Scotland’s devolved government has Taxpayers will not be on the hook for any Three men, including two soldiers, have been A senior Met off icer has won £5,000 in “jointly agreed” to postpone the next round of recommended that its parliament at Holyrood additional costs incurred in the building of the charged under terror laws with being members compensation after the force admitted unlawfully Brexit negotiations by a week, the department for withhold consent for legislation to withdraw Britain new $24bn Hinkley Point nuclear plant, Finance of a banned neo-Nazi group, police said. The snooping on her mobile phone data. Chief inspector exiting the European Union said yesterday. “The from the European Union, on the grounds that it Minister Philip Hammond said. A parliamentary two soldiers — Mikko Vehvilainen, 32, who was Kirsty Andrew discovered investigators had UK and the European Commission have jointly could water down their powers, a document filed watchdog said in June that the deal to construct garrisoned in Cyprus, and Mark Barrett, 24, who trawled through personal data from two phones agreed to start the fourth round of negotiations by the Scottish government said yesterday. The the nuclear power station, which is being built by was in Wales — were charged with being members while probing claims that she had wrongly claimed on September 25,” a government spokesman approval of the devolved parliaments in Scotland French state-owned utility EDF, was risky. It said of National Action, which last year became the first wages while not on duty. The off icer, who was said in a statement. “Both sides settled on the and Wales does not represent a veto to the the project could lead to requests for more cash far-right group to be outlawed by the government. cleared of any wrongdoing, sued the Met, arguing date after discussions between senior off icials in Brexit process, although it would stretch Britain’s and electricity payment top-ups worth £30bn. Vehvilainen and a third man, Alexander Deakin, her human rights had been breached and she was recognition that more time for consultation would constitutional tensions yet further by forcing the EDF said in July that costs at Hinkley Point were 22, were also accused of possessing documents now suff ering from a stress-related disorder. The give negotiators the flexibility to make progress in government of Prime Minister Theresa May to likely to be higher than it originally thought. “Costs useful for terrorists. Five men, including four Met admitted accessing phone data had been the September round,” he said. Negotiating teams ignore the expressed wish of the devolved bodies. are not rising for the bill payer or the taxpayer. serving soldiers, were arrested on suspicion of “disproportionate” but fought the claim, arguing for Britain and the EU had been due to reconvene Scotland would work with the Welsh government They may very well be rising for our development terror off ences last week in an investigation led by Andrew was not due a payout because she had in Brussels next week for a fourth round of talks. to propose amendments to the bill. partners, but that’s their problem,” Hammond said. the West Midlands Police’s counter-terrorism unit. been “vindicated” in the misconduct probe. 11 of family William visits McLaren plant jailed over slavery case

Guardian News and Media they were put to work laying tar- London macked drives, “dawn to dusk, seven days a week in all weather” and usually without a break, and leven members of a Lin- only rarely were they provided colnshire family have been food or drink, the judge said. Ejailed for violently exploit- “Sometimes payment was ing at least 18 victims of modern not monetary but by cheap cider slavery in off ences described as which promoted a dependency “chilling in their mercilessness”. upon alcohol, which provided The Rooney family, who were another means of control over based on traveller sites in Lincoln, them,” Spencer added. targeted homeless people and men Their victims lived in constant with learning disabilities to work fear of violence, the court was and live in squalid conditions for told. One man, who was exploited up to 26 years. The victims were by the family for at least 12 years, kept in caravans without running was brutally beaten by a “Rooney water or toilet facilities, Notting- lynch mob” when a car he was ham crown court heard, while driving ran out of petrol. By the their captors wore Rolex watches, time they were arrested, the fam- drove expensive cars and lived in ily had plundered £36,000 worth gleaming homes that were “pala- of this man’s income support and tial in comparison” to their work- disability living allowance. ers’ conditions. Spencer told the Rooneys: The judge Timothy Spencer QC “Your victims had reached a posi- said the diff erence in their lives tion where they were cowed into Prince William looks at a McLaren 720S made entirely out of Lego bricks by Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automative, in Woking, yesterday. was “akin to the gulf between me- submission. Any resistance, they dieval royalty and the peasantry” knew, was futile. It would have as he jailed 11 members of the fam- been met by you recruiting other ily for up to 15 years yesterday. family members and delivering Martin Rooney Sr, 58, the head more violence. of the family, was jailed for 10 “You knew they would off er no years and nine months, for or- resistance at all – nor did they. chestrating what the judge de- These off ences are chilling in their scribed as a “criminal culture” at mercilessness.” Drinsey Nook, the traveller site Detectives said the Rooneys where they were based. were living a “life of luxury” in May seeks Trump help in His twin sons, John and Patrick stark contrast to the squalor of Rooney, 32, were both sentenced their victims. They enjoyed holi- to 15 years in prison. The judge said days to Barbados, Australia, Egypt the pair were “clearly the most and Mexico and lived in “im- culpable” of those in the dock as maculate, gleaming homes” while their father was not leading the Patrick and John Rooney were operation when police swooped. coached at Manchester United Boeing-Bombardier row A further eight of their relatives football school. were handed jail terms of up to “This was all funded on the Reuters that employs 4,500 people in the a preliminary ruling on Boeing’s made ‘America First’ a theme of Boeing this year asked the US seven years. back of the forced labour of your London British province. complaint on September 25. his administration, to get one of commerce department to inves- A series of trials heard how the victims,” said the judge, “whilst Bombardier is Northern Ire- “Our priority is to encourage the titans of US industry to back tigate alleged subsidies and unfair Rooneys targeted men who were your workers’ only solace was land’s largest manufacturing em- Boeing to drop its case and seek a off from defending what it views pricing at Bombardier, accusing homeless, alcoholic or with men- cheap cider and for some a packet rime Minister Theresa ployer and May’s Conservatives negotiated settlement with Bom- as its trade rights. it of having sold 75 of its C Series tal health problems, often picking of tobacco, consumed in squalid May has asked President are dependent on the support of bardier,” a government spokes- But the DUP is certain to main- medium-range airliners to Delta them off the streets outside hos- surroundings.” PDonald Trump to inter- the small Northern Irish Demo- man said in a statement. tain its pressure on her. “The en- Air Lines at well below cost price. tels or night shelters. Their vic- Chief superintendent Chris vene in a dispute between Boe- cratic Unionist Party (DUP) party “This is a commercial matter, gagement at governmental level Bombardier makes the air- tims, who were aged between 18 Davison, head of crime at Lin- ing and Canadian rival Bombar- for their majority in parliament. but the government is working with Boeing and with the US has craft’s state-of-the-art carbon and 63, were lured with promises colnshire police, said: “We will dier to help secure thousands of May raised the issue with tirelessly to safeguard Bombar- been signifi cant over the course wings at plant in Belfast. of work, money, shelter and food, not rest on this result as there are jobs in Northern Ireland. Trump in a call this month. dier’s operations and its highly of the summer because this is “Boeing had to take action as the court heard. potentially other victims of mod- British ministers have also ap- She also plans to discuss the skilled workers in Belfast.” pivotal to the Northern Ireland subsidised competition has hurt Once taken to Drinsey Nook, ern slavery in our county. We are proached Boeing directly in an issue with Canadian Prime Min- A spokesman for May said economy,” DUP lawmaker Gavin us now and will continue to hurt they were put up in “broken- exploring fi ve active investiga- attempt to get the world’s larg- ister Justin Trudeau when they Bombardier’s jobs were “of huge Robinson told the Irish national us for years to come, and we could down, ill-equipped and dirty” tions and we will continue to put est aerospace company to drop meet next week, a source close to importance” to Northern Ireland. broadcaster RTE. not stand by given this clear case caravans without running water, any victims at the very heart of our its challenge against Bombardier, the matter said. May is likely to fi nd it diffi - “We’re not there yet, and the of illegal dumping,” Boeing said in heating or toilet facilities. Then investigations.” which could endanger a factory A US trade court is due to give cult to convince Trump, who has work still has to continue.” a statement. Dog that killed owner ‘had Raising a stink Boyfriend grilled as probably taken cocaine’ actor’s daughter dies London Evening Standard ily believed she had died in a London “tragic accident”. Guardian News and Media sumed drugs, probably eaten court heard. During the attack, Jamie Jamieson, under- London them. It is almost impossible Major crushed Mario’s larynx stood to be in a relationship to say whether that will make and caused him to lose so much etectives have been giv- with Michie’s sister Daisy, told the dog attack, but it does make blood he was given ten pints to en extra time to ques- friends online: “The Michie Staff ordshire bull ter- them respond abnormally. try and revive him later in hos- Dtion the boyfriend of family do not believe this was rier that killed its owner “They become very excited pital, the court heard. the daughter of Holby City ac- murder in any way, contrary Aby crushing his larynx in and agitated. It is more likely The senior coroner, Andrew tor John Michie who was found to the suggestions in certain its jaws in front of a BBC docu- that this attack happened be- Walker, concluded that Perivoi- dead at the Bestival music fes- tabloid news outlets. John and mentary crew had probably taken cause this dog had taken co- tos died as a consequence of in- tival. Carol Michie have asked me to crack cocaine, an inquest has caine.” juries received from the dog. He The body of Louella Michie post this. Please share.” heard. pointed out that the victim had was discovered in woodlands The results of a post-mor- The dog’s owner, Mario Pe- “It is likely that the dog taken cocaine before the attack. on the edge of the festival site tem examination into the rivoitos, died at his home in had consumed cocaine “It is likely that he was ex- in Lulworth, Dorset at 1am on cause of death were due to be Wood Green, north London, by eating it and it is likely periencing an epileptic shock, Monday — her 25th birthday — released later. Her death is be- in an incident in March that that this was an additional which caused the dog to nip his following a police search. ing treated as “unexplained”. was seen but not filmed by factor in the dog’s face before biting his neck. Michie and his wife Carol, Michie graduated in musical BBC journalists making a pro- behaviour” The film crew telephoned an a former member of the Hot theatre at the Tiff any Theatre gramme about drugs. ambulance while attempting to Gossip dance troupe, dashed College in Southend-on-Sea, An inquest at North London Julie Higgins, a pathologist, get the dog off Perivoitos,” he to the scene from their north Essex, in 2012. She modelled coroner’s court heard that the told the court that Perivoitos’s said. London home after receiving for London clothing brand behaviour of the dog, called body “included injuries to the “It is likely that the dog had a panicked call from her boy- Nympha and fi tness company Major, could have been trig- neck and face, with extensive consumed cocaine by eating it friend with a WhatsApp map House of Voga and starred gered by crack cocaine. haemorrhaging, and the larynx and it is likely that this was an pinpointing the spot where in a hip hop dance video on Nicholas Carmichael, a vet- was crushed”. additional factor in the dog’s their daughter lay. YouTube. erinary toxicologist, told the The BBC crew were at his behaviour. Perivoitos suffered The boyfriend, 28, was ar- A family friend said: “(John inquest that samples indicating home filming Drugs Map of serious injuries and was taken rested on suspicion of murder to Michie) just wants to make it high levels of cocaine and mor- Britain when he began having a to a major trauma hospital, and allow police to “establish the full clear there is no suggestion of phine were discovered in the seizure. died shortly after midnight.” circumstances” of her death. murder?...?she was a happy dog’s urine. The programme’s producer, Walker thanked the BBC crew Michie, 60, has paid tribute vibrant girl and it’s just an ac- Mail Online quoted Car- Joshua Haddow, managed to for their attempts to save Pe- A woman walks past a pile of rubbish as refuse workers to his “beautiful” daughter, cident and he is clear about michael as saying: “It is very wrestle Major off his owner, but rivoitos. Police told the inquest strike over job losses in Birmingham yesterday. the youngest of his three chil- that, the whole family are clear likely that this dog had con- it was too late to save him, the that Major is to be put down. dren, and indicated the fam- about that.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 EUROPE

Cinema chain drops Turkey inks deal for movie after threats AFP The Russian Orthodox Moscow Church has declared them saints and holy martyrs. The fi lm’s most vocal critic ussia’s biggest movie has been 37-year-old pro- theatre chain said yes- Kremlin lawmaker Natalia Rterday that it was drop- Poklonskaya, a former prose- Russian weaponry ping from its line-up a fi lm cutor in Moscow-annexed Cri- about an aff air between tsar mea, who has gathered thou- AFP Turkey to lessen the country’s Nicholas II and a ballerina after sands of signatures against the Istanbul dependence on outside suppliers. hardline activists threatened fi lm’s release. Both Ankara and Moscow have violence against any theatre Roman Linin, general direc- an interest in signalling to the screening it. tor of the theatre chain, said urkey has signed a deal West they mean business with Matilda, a fi lm directed by the cancellation of the screen- for its fi rst major weapons the military co-operation. Alexei Uchitel, focuses on Rus- ing was a “forced decision”. Tpurchase from Moscow Russia’s relations with Nato sia’s last tsar Nicholas II’s his- “The safety of our audience to buy S-400 missile defence have been in crisis over its an- torically documented relation- remains our priority,” he said in systems, both sides announced nexation of Crimea from Ukraine ship with ballerina Mathilde a statement released yesterday. yesterday, in an accord that could and for backing pro-Moscow Kschessinska. The chain operates 75 movie trouble Ankara’s Nato allies. separatists in eastern Ukraine. Aleksandra Artamonova, a theatres in 28 Russian cities. The purchase of the surface- Turkey, a Nato member since spokeswoman for the Cinema Last week Uchitel’s studio to-air missile defence batteries, 1952, has currently troubled Park and Formula Kino chains, in the former imperial capital Ankara’s most signifi cant deal ties with the United States over told AFP that a decision had Saint Petersburg was attacked with a non-Nato supplier, comes a number of issues including been made not to screen Mat- with Molotov cocktails, forc- with Turkey in the throes of a Washington’s support for the ilda due to “threats that movie ing the director to appeal to the crisis in relations with several People’s Protection Units (YPG) theatres have recently been re- FSB security service and the Western states. Syrian Kurd militia which Ankara ceiving from critics of the fi lm”. interior ministry for help. “Signatures have been made considers a terror group. Months leading up to the The Russian Ortho- for the purchase of S-400s from The Turkish-Russian contract release of the fi lm – due out dox Church has for the past Russia. A deposit has also been is a symbol of better relations be- in late October – have been months distanced itself from paid as far as I know,” Turkish tween Ankara and Moscow after marked by protests of nation- the controversy but moved President Recep Tayyip Erdogan This picture taken on May 9, 2015 shows the Russian S-400 Triumph/SA-21 Growler medium-range and a reconciliation deal was signed alist and Russian Orthodox yesterday to denounce the acts said in comments published in a long-range surface-to-air missile systems during the Victory Day parade at Moscow’s Red Square. last year following the 2015 activists who have condemned of violence. number of newspapers yesterday. shooting down by the Turkish the biopic, saying that Nicho- “We condemned, condemn “Mr (Russian President sounded the alarm, saying blunt- “We make the decisions about important as the delivery itself. military of a Russian plane over las II must be shown as an un- and will condemn the actions Vladimir) Putin and myself are ly that “generally it’s a good idea” our own independence ourselves, In 2015, Turkey scrapped a the Syrian border. touchable holy fi gure. of pseudoreligious radicals determined on this issue,” he told for North Atlantic Treaty Organ- we are obliged to take safety and $3.4bn (€2.8bn) deal with China But the two nations – whose Bolsheviks executed Nicho- no matter what religion they Turkish journalists aboard his isation (Nato) allies to buy inter- security measures in order to de- to build its fi rst anti-missile sys- rivalry in the Black Sea and Cau- las and his family in 1918, end- use as a cover,” spokesman presidential jet returning from a operable equipment. fend our country,” he said. tem. casus regions dates back centu- ing the Romanov dynasty. Vladimir Legoida said. trip to Kazakhstan. A Nato offi cial told AFP that He said Moscow would also Aykan Erdemir, senior fellow ries – are still at odds on a host of Moscow also confi rmed the interoperability was “fundamen- extend a line of credit to Turkey at the Foundation for Defence of political issues. accord, with Vladimir Kozhin, tal” to the alliance for the con- for the purchase of the weapons. Democracies, said the accord will Turkey, which vehemently Putin’s adviser for military and duct of joint missions. No fi nancial details have been hasten Ankara’s “drift from the opposed the 2014 annexation technical co-operation, saying: “No Nato ally currently op- disclosed. transatlantic alliance and values”. of Crimea, strongly condemned “The contract has been signed erates the S-400,” the offi cial Signing the deal does not mean The purchase “is more about yesterday the jailing of a Tatar Three die after falling and is being prepared for imple- noted, adding that “Nato has not that delivery is imminent, with signalling resentment against leader for eight years by Russia mentation.” been informed about the details Russia facing a high demand for the West than serving Turkey’s over a rally against Moscow’s sei- The purchase of the missile of any purchase”. the S-400s from its own armed pressing security needs”, he told zure of the region. into hole at volcano systems from a non-Nato suppli- But Erdogan said Turkey – forces and key clients like China AFP. Akhtem Chiygoz, a former er is raising concerns in the West which has the second largest and India. Ozturk Yilmaz, deputy leader deputy head of the Tatars’ tra- over their technical compatibil- standing army in Nato after the Some analysts have suggested of the opposition CHP party, ditional decision-making as- Reuters “Either there was a small ex- ity with the rest of the alliance’s United States – was free to make the message sent to the West by said the party was not opposed sembly, was arrested in 2015 over Rome plosion, or the ground simply equipment. military acquisitions based on its the military co-operation be- to the buy but argued that such clashes at a rally that left two gave way from their weight, The Pentagon has already defence needs. tween Moscow and Ankara is as weapons should be produced in people dead. and they fell into this hole,” n Italian couple and Cari said. “It was inside a their 11-year-old son fenced-off area.” Adied yesterday when a Firefi ghters on the scene hole opened up in the ground said the victims, who were on at a bubbling volcanic crater holiday from northern Italy, Greece suff ers oil spill near Naples, a popular tourist appeared to have died from as- site. phyxia, likely because of gases Italy’s fi re brigade said it emanating from the ground. near Athens pulled three bodies from a The offi cial cause of death shallow hole in a section of the will be determined by an au- crater at the Solfatara volcano, topsy. AFP maining fuel,” a coastguard which was surrounded by a The Solfatara volcano is one Athens spokeswoman told AFP. wooden fence meant to keep of many volcanic craters in the Authorities could not clarify tourists out. Campi Flegrei area, 20km (12 how much fuel remains on board, The victims were a 45-year- miles) west of Naples, which mergency crews were or when the operation would be- old male, a 42-year-old female fi rst opened up to tourists in scrambling yesterday to gin. and their son. 1900, according to its website. Econtain an oil spill near It was not immediately clear Another seven-year-old son The ground at the site emits Athens after an old tanker sank what caused the sinking late on did not fall into the hole and water vapours of 160° Celsius close to Salamis island over the Sunday. was unharmed, national fi re (320° Fahrenheit) and gases weekend. Weather conditions in the area brigade spokesman Luca Cari including poisonous hydrogen The coastguard said an entire were mild at the time and the said. sulphide, the website said. bay on the southeast of the island vessel was anchored. had been aff ected after the Agia “We need more forces to tackle Zoni II, carrying 2,500 metric the great extent of this damage,” 106 students caught cheating tonnes of fuel, sank. Salamis mayor Isidora Nannou- The spill extends over 1.5km Papathanassiou told state news More than 100 Greek university students have been caught in a and the full clean-up will likely agency ANA. “If the wind direc- mass cheating scandal, the state agency ANA reported yesterday. require four months, greater tion changes, the problem could The group at the University of Patras, most of them first-year Athens fi sheries councillor Voula spread to the rest of the Saronic students, submitted the same paperwork in four separate Toutountzi told the capital’s mu- gulf.” coursework exercises, the head of the business management nicipal radio. The tanker’s captain and chief A beach is seen covered with oil leaking from a small tanker that sank on September 10 off the shores of department said. Yesterday divers managed to engineer were charged with neg- Greece’s Salamina island. “These exercises constitute 30% of the final grade,” associate seal off further leakage from the ligence and released pending professor Yiorgos Androulakis told ANA. “They are composed of 45-year-old vessel, the coast- trial. But much of the fuel ended up Coastal businesses in the area and oil refi neries, one of the most four sets of exercises. The students submitted identical paperwork guard said. The coastguard said barriers on Salamina’s beaches regard- have also shut down, the mayor polluted areas in Greece. on all four.” “The hull is now secure, and had been erected to contain the less. said. The sewage treatment plant of The university has banned the 106 students from sitting the rest of the company has submitted a spill and tanker trucks were be- Local offi cials said fi shermen Salamis lies just off the port of Psyttalia is also near the location their exams in September. plan to begin draining the re- ing used to collect the oil. had been told to avoid the area. Piraeus and the Eleusis shipyards where the tanker sank. “Of all the possible sanctions, this is the mildest,” Androulakis said.

Police smash sham More than 1.3bn people live Hungary marriage ring German police said yesterday that they have broken up a urged to fake marriage ring that paired on degraded land, says UN Portuguese women with Nigerian men who paid thousands of accept EU euros for a chance to gain EU Reuters tional agreement on land issues. well as improvements to land residency. Rome As land becomes less pro- management, smarter ways to Police arrested five suspects, ductive – which can hap- farm, and national policies to migrant including four women, as pen through deforestation, stop degradation, can make a lot they carried out raids in more ore than 1.3bn people overgrazing, fl ash fl oods and of diff erence, he added. than 40 locations across the live on agricultural drought – people are forced to China, which introduced quota German capital, Berlin police and Mland that is deterio- migrate to cities or abroad, there the world’s fi rst law to prevent prosecutors said in a statement. rating, putting them at risk of is greater likelihood of confl ict and control desertifi cation in Grandi: My impression is there is a very clear intention to limit the Authorities also raided homes in worsening hunger, water short- over dwindling resources, and 2002, has greened hundreds of Reuters number of people coming to Hungary to seek protection. nearby Potsdam, Frankfurt and ages and poverty, the United countries’ economies are hit, thousands of hectares of desert Budapest the eastern city of Goerlitz. Nations Convention to Combat said UNCCD deputy executive in Inner Mongolia resulting UN High Commissioner for tained while their asylum cases Investigators believe the Desertifi cation (UNCCD) said secretary Pradeep Monga. in more food, more jobs and a Refugees Filippo Grandi said are pending, said razor wire suspects recruited women in yesterday. “If you don’t fi x land deg- better life for the local people, he head of the United during a visit to Budapest. fences and tough legal measures Portugal, and while in Nigeria, the People’s use of the earth’s radation, we get into a cycle Monga said. Nations refugee agency Grandi said the EU’s quota conveyed the wrong message gang charged men up to €13,000 natural reserves has doubled in where people are losing their “People’s confi dence in their Thas praised the EU’s ref- system, introduced at the height that asylum was a crime. ($15,000) for the scheme, with the last 30 years. livelihoods, their homes, their quality of life is back, and these ugee quota system for member of the migrant crisis in Europe German Chancellor Angela part of the money going to the Now one-third of the planet’s fi elds,” he said. places become much more hab- states and urged Hungary to in 2015, provided a model for Merkel, whose country took in Portuguese “brides”. land is severely degraded, and And if the amount of pro- itable,” he said. drop its resistance to taking in other countries worldwide. the bulk of the migrants who The ring would then falsify every year 15bn trees and 24bn ductive land shrinks, less will Drought degrades land, but its fair share of migrants. “This was an EU decision ... entered the EU in 2015-16, has documents such as marriage tonnes of fertile soil are lost, the be available to feed the world’s if countries have good drought Hungarian Prime Minister we agree with that decision,” he also urged Hungary to imple- certificates. Bonn, Germany-based UNCCD population which is predicted plans in place and act on them Viktor Orban is facing criti- said . “It was a very good exam- ment the EU court ruling. Armed with the fake marriage said. to increase to more than 9bn then people can be protected cism over his continued refusal ple of sharing that responsibil- Grandi warned EU states certificate, the couples would “The land we live on is being people by 2050, up from 7bn from its worst impacts. to change his anti-immigration ity. It could be used globally ... in April not to send asylum- meet in Germany to present strained to breaking point. Res- today. “We cannot prevent drought stance despite a ruling by the forced displacement is a glo- seekers back to Hungary until themselves to authorities and toration and conservation are “If we can stop land degrada- but we can prevent the calamity European Union’s top court bal phenomenon like climate Budapest amended a law that apply for a legal, EU residency key to its survival,” the UNCCD tion and green our deserts, we and crisis that comes with that. this month upholding the bloc’s change. You can only address allows it to detain migrants at permit for the “husband”. said in a report launched in Or- can easily become food secure,” It’s like facing a hurricane – we quota system. it through global solutions and its border. “So far we have established dos, China. Monga told the Thomson Reu- have time,” he said. “If we man- “My impression is there is solidarity.” EU rules allow member states more than 70 cases where The UNCCD promotes good ters Foundation. age the land well, the world will a very clear intention to limit Grandi, who earlier in the day to return refugees to the fi rst marriages were faked to obtain land stewardship, and is the Small choices, like families become a much better place to the number of people coming visited a camp on the Serbian safe country they reached on EU residency permits,” the police only legally binding interna- cutting back on food waste, as live in every sense.” to Hungary to seek protection,” border where migrants are de- entering the 28-nation bloc. statement said. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 15 EUROPE Pilots ground Air Berlin fl ights as bid deadline nears

Reuters erations. That is crucial in order Pilots union Vereinigung destinations from September 25. trian Airlines as well as planes Berlin to bring talks with investors to a Cockpit (VC) said it was sur- Iff ert said in the memo seen used by Air Berlin subsidiary successful conclusion,” chief op- prised by the absences and that it by Reuters that this was because Niki, the source said. erations offi cer Oliver Iff ert said had not called on its members at a leasing company will no longer Thomas Cook’s German car- nsolvent Air Berlin cancelled in an internal memo. “Today is a Air Berlin to call in sick. provide Air Berlin with 10 long- rier Condor is preparing a bid about 100 fl ights yesterday day that threatens the existence In a similar incident last year, haul planes. for parts of Air Berlin, another Iafter pilots called in sick in of Air Berlin.” German leisure airline TUIfl y Germany’s biggest airline, source said, while media reports unusually high numbers, poten- About 100 fl ights had been was forced to cancel fl ights after Lufthansa, is seen in pole posi- say easyJet may want up to 40 tially hampering an attempt to cancelled by late yesterday cockpit and cabin crew called in tion to acquire large parts of its planes. fi nd investors to rescue Germa- morning after 200 Air Berlin pi- sick. rival and a decision on the bids Aviation investor Hans Rudolf ny’s second-largest airline. lots called in sick. The union Verdi, which repre- come could as early as September Woehrl said he had submitted Air Berlin fi led for bankruptcy Some short-haul fl ights at sents cabin staff , said then that 21, three days before a national a bid for the whole of Air Berlin protection last month after its Lufthansa’s budget airline Eu- its members were concerned that election. while German family-owned lo- biggest shareholder, Etihad Air- rowings were also hit because it merger talks, which have since One source has told Reuters gistics company Zeitfracht has ways, withdrew funding follow- leases 33 planes with crews from failed, could lead to job losses and that Lufthansa is interested in also expressed an interest. ing years of losses. Air Berlin. pay cuts. as many as 90 of Air Berlin’s air- Ryanair said yesterday that Potential investors have until An industry source said that While a German government craft. Air Berlin could be of interest to September 15 to submit binding Air Berlin could lose between loan is helping keep Air Berlin That number includes the 33 the Irish low-cost carrier but it off ers for the German airline. €4mn and €5mn a day because of alive, the carrier has also been being used by Eurowings, fi ve al- didn’t want to wait until after A board at Tegel airport in Berlin shows cancelled Air Berlin flights. “We must return to stable op- the cancellations. forced to scrap some long-haul ready leased to Lufthansa’s Aus- Lufthansa had fi nished talks.

Norway’s PM says Unions protest reform voters approve after Macron remarks of her govt Reuters/AFP/DPA DPA Paris Stockholm

resident Emmanuel Ma- orway’s Prime Minister cron faced the fi rst chal- Erna Solberg said yester- Plenge on the streets to his Nday that her centre-right business-friendly reform agen- government’s re-election was da yesterday when workers from a “stamp of approval” from the the hard-left CGT union began electorate. marching through French cities “People in Norway felt that to protest labour reforms. the government was the safe Sounding a call to the work- alternative,” she told reporters ing class, Philippe Martinez, the at the prime minister’s offi ce in head of the Communist Party- Oslo. “A re-election means that linked CGT, branded the reforms voters have given a stamp of ap- a “social coup d’etat” and took proval to the policies that have off ence at Macron’s pledge to been presented.” give no ground to “slackers”. She said voters appreciated Labour unions have scup- how the government had han- pered previous attempts to dled the fall in prices that hit the weaken France’s labour code, key oil and gas sector, and that but this time there was comfort the country had coped well with for Macron as two other unions, the 2015 migration crisis. including the largest, the CFDT, The fi nal results of the pre- declined to join the protests. liminary vote count showed that After weeks of negotiations, A police off icer watches people the centre-right bloc compris- the government last month set taking part in a labour ing Solberg’s Conservative Party out measures including a cap on demonstration in Strasbourg. and junior governing coalition payouts for dismissals judged partner, the right-wing populist unfair and greater freedom for Left: A demonstrator throws a Progress Party, and two small companies to hire and fi re. projectile during a protest in centrist parties won 89 seats. The reform makes no direct Paris. The result was clear of the 85 reference to the 35-hour week, a needed for a majority in the 169- totem of the labour code, though Turnout estimates for the seat legislature, but fewer than it hands fi rms more fl exibility to march varied widely between the 96 they won four years ago. set pay and working conditions. sources, as is often the case in The prime minister said she The government plans to France, with the CGT union was keen to ensure that all four adopt the new measures, being putting it at 60,000 in France’s centre-right parties continue to implemented by decree, on Sep- second city, while police said it co-operate. tember 22. was nearer 7,500. “We have already completed During a trip to Athens on Protesters were also gathering the main task, to complete a Friday, Macron told the local in Paris. budget for next year,” she said. French community: “I am fully French workers have long “We will take the time we need determined and I won’t cede any cherished the rights enshrined in to clarify the basis for future co- ground, not to slackers, nor cyn- the labour code, but companies operation,” Solberg added, not- ics, nor hardliners.” complain that it has deterred ing that each party needed time He said the “slackers” com- investment and job creation and A demonstrator bears a reading ‘slacker in the street’ during a to analyse the election outcome. ment was aimed at those who stymied economic growth. protest in Nantes. Parliament is set to reconvene had failed to push through re- Unemployment has been October 2. forms in the past, although po- above 9% for nearly a decade. ents for this to heat up,” he said. vey the devastation wrought by Unlike in the outgoing parlia- litical opponents and some un- Macron’s reforms are being Protesters seized on the re- Hurricane Irma on the French ment, Solberg’s ruling minor- ions took it as an attack on the followed in Germany as a test of mark yesterday, with the word territory of Saint Martin. ity coalition of the conservatives unemployed or on workers mak- his resolve to reshape the euro- daubed on banners and placards Governments on the politi- and the Progress Party need the ing the most of job protection. zone’s second-biggest economy, while others shouted: “Macron cal left and right have been try- two centrist parties – the Liber- A day ahead of the protests, a must if he is to win Berlin’s you’re screwed, the slackers are ing for decades to overhaul the als and the Christian Democrats the president doubled down on backing for broader reforms to in the street.” 3,000-page labour code, but – to secure a majority. Friday’s controversial comments the currency union. “I think that it led lots of ended up watering down their Projections said the conserva- describing opponents of the re- The CGT is France’s second- people to come out today,” plans in the face of street dem- tives won 25% of the vote, drop- form as “slackers”. biggest union, though its infl u- said Mehdi, a protester in Paris onstrations. ping three seats to fi nish on 45 The phrase referred to “all ence has been waning. whose friend held a sign saying Macron was economy minis- seats. those who think that we can do Martinez said yesterday’s na- “Come and see how the slackers ter in the Socialist government The Liberals and Christian nothing, that we have that luxu- tionwide protests were the “fi rst work!!!” of president Francois Hollande, Democrats were each projected ry,” he told reporters. phase” and more would follow. CGT workers from the rail, whose attempt at labour reform to get eight seats, both losing “Mr Macron knows very well He called Macron’s reference oil and power sectors have said led to weeks of protests that at Demonstrators take part in a protest in Marseille. seats, while the Progress Party it’s a power struggle, that’s what to “slackers” an insult to work- that they will heed his call for their peak brought 400,000 was on 28 seats, a loss of one he wants,” far-left fi rebrand ers. strikes, but by mid-afternoon onto the streets, and stoked a re- But when respondents looked Macron “to carry out the re- seat. Jean-Luc Melenchon, who has “The president should listen there was no apparent impact on bellion within his own party. at individual measures, most re- forms that France has shrunk The main opposition Labour become Macron’s most vocal to the people, understand them, power and refi ning production, Hollande was forced to dilute ceived majority support. away from for 30 years”. Party suff ered the largest set- opponent in parliament, said on rather than cause divisions,” spokespeople for utility EDF and his proposals, but so far there are With economic growth ac- The moderate CFDT union backs in the election, dropping the sidelines of a demonstration Martinez told France 2 televi- oil major Total said. no signs of Macron feeling com- celerating, unemployment on a described Macron’s labour de- three percentage points to fi nish in Marseille. “We will make him sion. Just over 11% of the workforce pelled to back down. downward trend and the unions crees as a “deep disappoint- on 27.4%, its weakest showing back down.” Bruno Cautres of the Cevipof at EDF, which operates France’s An opinion poll published on divided in their response to the ment” but said that it would not since 2001. “What is going to be a sur- political research institute said fl eet of 48 nuclear reactors, took September 1 indicated that vot- reforms, it is not clear whether join the CGT demonstrations. The party garnered 49 seats, a prise is when he ends up giving the former investment banker part in the strike, a spokeswom- ers have mixed views on the re- the protests will eventually gain The smaller Force Ouvriere loss of six seats. ground,” he told reporters yes- had “added fuel to the fi re” with an for the state-owned utility form. signifi cant momentum. (FO), usually an ally of the CGT, Labour’s preferred coalition terday. “This country doesn’t his choice of words. said. Nearly six in 10 said they op- Finance Minister Bruno Le also decided to stay away, a move partners, the Socialist Left Party want the liberal world ... France “With the ‘slackers’ com- Macron landed in the French posed Macron’s labour decrees Maire told the newspaper Les that has led to discord within its and the Centre Party, both made isn’t Britain.” ment, there are all the ingredi- Caribbean yesterday to sur- overall. Echos that voters had chosen ranks. strong gains.

Police told to seize ballot boxes ahead of Catalonia vote

AFP The vote is set for October 1 and d’Esquadra – a regional squad have the power to give instruc- lot boxes, electoral envelopes, in- Barcelona the northeastern region’s separa- controlled by the Catalan govern- tions to judicial police forces in in- struction manuals for members tists are determined to go ahead ment – were called to the pros- vestigating off ences, as do judges. of polling stations, election fl yers, with it despite Madrid’s refusal ecutor’s offi ce in Barcelona. “Police offi cers ... will directly election propaganda”. rosecutors in Catalonia have and a court ban, as a struggle be- They were then ordered to take adopt the measures necessary to Catalonia’s pro-independence ordered police to seize bal- tween Catalonia and Spain’s cen- action against authorities, civil seize resources destined at pre- executive called the referendum Plot boxes, election fl yers or tral government escalates dra- servants or individuals “to avoid paring or holding an illegal ref- last week and they have vowed any item that could be used in a matically. off ences being committed”, pros- erendum,” they said in the state- to see it through despite a ban by This handout picture released on Monday by the Catalan banned independence referendum Yesterday the chiefs of the ecutors said in a statement after ment. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s National Assembly shows an aerial view of people carrying a called by the Spanish region’s sep- Guardia Civil and National Po- the meeting. Specifi cally, they ordered police conservative government and the giant banner depicting a ballot box and reading, in Catalan, aratist executive. lice forces, and of the Mossos Under Spanish law, prosecutors to confi scate items such as “bal- Constitutional Court. ‘Referendum is democracy’ during a march in Barcelona. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 INDIA

TRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTIGATION MYSTERY DECISION Court summons BJP Cabinet clears doubling Provident Fund off icial Petrol station manager Cabinet approves 1% chief in 2002 riot case of two crucial rail lines arrested in bribe case found dead in Ghaziabad additional DA to govt staff

A court in Ahmedabad yesterday asked The Cabinet Committee on Economic Aff airs The Central Bureau Investigation has arrested an A petrol station manager was found dead in the The federal cabinet yesterday gave its approval Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah to yesterday approved two important railway enforcement off icial of the Employees Provident driver’s seat of an abandoned car near Karhera for an increase of 1% additional Dearness appear as a witness for Maya Kodnani, a former projects – doubling of the Barabanki-Akbarpur Fund Organisation in Kolkata on the charge of power station in Ghaziabad with three bullet Allowance (DA) to central government BJP leader and minister in the then Narendra and Daund-Manmad railway lines. The 161km accepting Rs20,000 as bribe, an off icial said injuries on his body. A bag containing Rs1.1mn employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to Modi government in Gujarat in a 2002 riot case Barabanki-Akbarpur railway line is expected to yesterday. A CBI team caught Samiran Kumar and two mobile phones were also found lying pensioners to compensate for price rise. This in which 11 Muslims were killed. Kodnani is a be completed by 2021-22 at a cost of Rs13.1bn Mondal on Monday while receiving the bribe, the next to him, police said yesterday. Police said they additional instalment of DA represents an convict in the biggest massacre on February while a time frame of five years has been set for off icial said. Mondal is currently working at the received a phone call from a farmer notifying increase of 1% over the existing rate of 4% of 28, 2002, when nearly 100 Muslims were the completion of the 247.5km Daund-Manmad Kolkata-based regional off ice of the EPFO. The them about a car parked in his agricultural field basic pay/pension and is in accordance with the massacred in Naroda Patiya, close to Naroda railway line at Rs23.3bn. According to the cabinet, CBI team also searched his off ice and home and near Sahibabad police station area of Ghaziabad. accepted formula based on the Seventh Central Gam in Ahmedabad. She was convicted and the doubling of lines will ease the ever increasing seized incriminating documents. “We registered Upon reaching there, they found the body, the Pay Commission recommendations, an off icial sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 but is passenger and freight traff ic on both routes, a case against Mondal on a complaint that he had bag containing the money, some bank papers and release said. The decision, benefiting about out on bail since 2014. The special court asked thereby increasing the revenue of the railways. demanded Rs1 lakh from the complainant for not two mobile phones. The victim, 35-year-old Monu 4.9mn central staff and 6.1mn pensioners, would the BJP chief to appear before it on Monday, Besides passengers, industries in and around the complying with the provisions of the Provident Sharma, a resident of Rahul Vihar in Ghaziabad, be applicable from July 1. The release said the either in person or through his lawyer to testify Barabanki-Akbarpur and Daund-Manmad routes Fund Act. The accused scaled down his demand left for his job at a petrol pump on Monday DA and DR would burden the exchequer with Rs on the alibi of Kodnani that she was not present will have additional transport capacity to meet for bribe to Rs20,000 after the complainant morning. He had been untraceable since then, his 30.68bn per annum and Rs20.45bn in the 2017- at the place of the riots. their requirements, said a cabinet statement. expressed his inability to pay,” the off icial said. wife Anjali Sharma said. 18 fiscal year (July 2017 to February 2018). Kerala priest Thousands stage protest rescued in over murder of Lankesh Yemen with “The inquiry which is under- IANS Bengaluru way through the SIT formed by the state government should hasten and complete its inquiry housands of social activ- and identify the powers behind ists, journalists, members the murder,” said the state- Tof people’s forums and ment. Oman’s help various political party workers “We are all witness to how from across the country yes- several organisations and indi- Father Tom Uzhunnalil was Air Force of Oman plane unaided, Minister Sushma Swaraj has to terday held a protest meeting at viduals affi liated to the Rashtriya abducted in March 2016 from but struggles as he makes his way be said,” said Alphons. Central College Grounds here to Swayamsevak Sangh, Hindu a care home in Aden down the steps to the tarmac. Expressing happiness at the condemn the murder of journal- Jagarana Vedike, Vishva Hindu “I wish fi rst and foremost to news, the priest’s brother Math- ist-activist Gauri Lankesh. Parishad et al have been cele- Agencies thank God almighty for this day,” ew Uzhunnallil said their prayers A ‘resistance meeting’ was brating Gauri Lankesh’s murder,” New Delhi the priest said before thanking have been fi nally answered. held here where renowned jour- the protesters said. Sultan Qaboos and those who Uzhunnallil’s ancestral home nalists, activists and thinkers “We at the resistance meeting prayed for his release. in Ramapuram in Kottayam dis- demanded that the Karnataka condemn this inhuman behav- n Indian priest kidnapped Later, the priest left Muscat trict is shut as two of his brothers government speed up the Special iour, which is not supported by by gunmen in Yemen on board a Royal Oman Air Force live abroad, while another lives in Investigation Team’s (SIT) probe any religious teachings. Alast year has been freed, aircraft for an audience with the Gujarat. into the murder. “Gauri Lankesh was murdered Oman’s state news agency ONA Pope in Vatican. Hearing the news, relatives of The 55-year-old editor of only to silence the voice of hu- said yesterday, posting a picture Uzhannallil is an employee of the priest gathered at the home Kannada weekly tabloid Gauri manity and democratic struggles of him appearing in good health the Vatican, which has been en- of a relative who lives close by. Lankesh Patrike was gunned that she represented,” the state- after being transferred to the gaged in talks with various quar- “We have heard that he has down by unidentifi ed men out- ment said. Omani capital Muscat. ters for his release. been fl own to Rome. He is at- side her home in the city suburbs “Those of us here would like to Father Tom Uzhunnalil from The Oman government took tached to the Bangalore diocese on September 5. tell her murderers loud and clear: Kerala was abducted in March the lead in getting him released and they also called us to tell the Those present at the protest ‘I am Gauri, we are all Gauri’,” it 2016 when four unidentifi ed after a papal representative vis- happy news,” said a close rela- venue included Communist added. gunmen attacked a care home ited Oman last month and had an tive. Party of India (Marxist) general Wearing black head bands that in Yemen’s southern port city of audience with Sultan Qaboos. Uzhunnalil, who is in his mid- secretary Sitaram Yechury, not- read “I am Gauri”, the protest- Aden, killing four Indian nuns, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi 50s, last appeared in a video cir- ed social activist Medha Patkar, ers took out the march from the two Yemeni female staff mem- Vijayan expressed happiness at culated online in December 2016, journalists P Sainath and Sagar- city railway station to the Central bers, eight elderly residents and the priest’s release. in which he appealed to Prime ika Ghose and civil rights activist College Grounds. a guard. “The Kerala government will Minister Narendra Modi and Kavita Krishnan among others. Members of the Communist ONA said Omani authorities now extend all the help that is Pope Francis to secure his free- Lankesh’s mother Indira Party of India-Marxist-Lenin- had co-ordinated with “Yemeni needed for his treatment and dom. Lankesh and brother Indrajit ist-Liberation, Karnataka Ja- parties” to locate Uzhunnalil and other things,” Vijayan said in a Yemeni authorities have Lankesh were also present. nashakthi, Aam Aadmi Party and transfer him to the sultanate. Facebook post. blamed the Islamic State group A commemorative edition of several student groups were also He will return to India, it said, Former chief minister Oom- for last year’s attack. the Gauri Lankesh Patrike was part of the rally. without mentioning which group men Chandy said the abduction Al Qaeda, which is also ac- launched at the venue. Those protesting were seen had been holding him in Yemen. took place while he was in offi ce tive win the area, distanced itself Addressing the gathering, singing protest songs, rais- “I am happy to inform that in 2016. from the mass shooting, saying Patkar questioned Prime Min- ing slogans like “Gauri Lankesh Father Tom Uzhunnalil has been “We did everything possible that it was not involved. ister Narendra Modi’s silence on Amar Rahe” (Long live Gauri rescued,” External Aff airs Min- and the eff orts of External Af- The internationally recognised the killing. Lankesh) and demanding that ister Sushma Swaraj wrote on fairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is government in war-torn Yemen “Why is the prime minister Lankesh’s assailants be brought Twitter. laudable, who was always will- is grappling with both an Iran- of the country silent on Gauri to book. Oman has frequently helped ing to give her best. We are all backed rebellion and a growing Lankesh killing even after a The progressive forum “Gauri facilitate the release of foreign really happy at his release,” said militant presence. week?” she asked. Lankesh Hatya Virodhi Vedike” nationals detained in Yemen. Chandy. Al Qaeda and IS have stepped Sainath said: “The killings took out the rally. The ONS picture showed the Newly-sworn in Minister of up attacks in Aden, targeting aren’t over. There will be more, “The forum of progressive white-bearded Catholic priest State for Tourism, IT and Elec- mainly loyalists and members unless we stop them. What we’re thinkers, writers, social activ- standing in a room in front of a tronics K J Alphons, from whose of a Saudi-led coalition battling up against is the largest machine ists, artistes and intellectuals portrait of Oman’s ruler Sultan Kottayam district the priest Houthi rebels and their allies. of hate.” was formed last Friday to fi ght Qaboos. hails, said the release became a President Abd-Rabbu Man- The protesting journalists, against Lankesh killing and de- In video footage from Oman reality because of concerted team sour Hadi has declared Aden to activists and thinkers came out cided to hold the national-level TV, Uzhunnalil is seen arriving in eff ort. be Yemen’s temporary capital A handout picture released by the Oman News Agency yesterday with a list of demands and deci- ‘resistance convention’ here,” Muscat. “Special thanks to Prime Min- since Sanaa was seized by the shows Thomas Uzhunnalil disembarking from a Royal Air Force sions pertinent to Lankesh’s kill- the forum’s convener K Leela had He disembarks from a Royal ister Modi and External Aff airs rebels in September 2014. of Oman plane in Muscat following his release. ing through a statement. told reporters on Monday.

Court orders police to Rising food prices push retail unlock hotel room infl ation to fi ve-month high IANS is required for investigation,” the New Delhi court said. The court said that the room Reuters has reduced the chances of an- Industrial output contracted was lying locked for over three New Delhi other rate cut by the RBI, which 0.2% in June. New Delhi court yester- years and thus caused a huge fi - has a central infl ation target of Asia’s third largest economy day rejected a Delhi po- nancial loss to the hotel. 4%. slowed to a three-year low in Alice request seeking more At the last hearing, the police ndia’s consumer price infl a- “We are of the opinion that the three months to June, deliv- time to unlock a room in Hotel said they had sent some more tion rose more than expect- RBI will not deliver any rate cut ering a blow to Prime Minister Leela Palace where former fed- items collected from the room to Ied to a fi ve-month high in this calendar year,” said Hitesh Narendra Modi, who faces crit- eral minister Shashi Tharoor’s a Central Forensic Science Labo- August, fuelled by strong gains Jain, an analyst at IIFL Wealth icism for disrupting business wife Sunanda Pushkar was found ratory (CFSL) and sought more in prices of food items, damp- Management. activity with his shock cash dead in January 2014. time to keep the room sealed for ening chances of a rate cut by The monetary policy com- squeeze last year. Metropolitan Magistrate collecting more evidence. the central bank in a policy re- mittee (MPC) of the central India’s food grain production Dharmender Singh asked the po- On July 21, the court ordered view next month amid weak bank had warned prices could is expected to fall this year fol- lice to unlock room number 345 that it be unlocked, saying the economic growth. start accelerating soon, refl ect- lowing a decline in areas under that has remained locked since hotel cannot be made to suff er India’s consumer price in- ing caution, despite pressure plantation, following unfa- January 17, 2014, and fi le a com- continuously merely because the dex (CPI) rose 3.36% in August to cut more aggressively after vourable weather conditions in pliance report by September 26. investigating team cannot estab- from a year earlier, data released consumer infl ation remained some states. Police had sought more time lish the cause of Pushkar’s death. by the Ministry of Statistics below its central target since Seasonal monsoon rains have to keep the room locked on the The hotel’s management had yesterday showed. October. caused damage to some crops ground that the report of a foren- told the court that as the room Analysts polled by Reuters Inflation had eased to 1.46% and hit movement of goods. sic science laboratory on samples was lying locked for long ter- had expected CPI infl ation in June – its slowest pace since “Looking ahead, price pres- collected from the room was mites, bugs and other pests had would edge up to 3.20%, com- India started releasing retail sures are set to rise further,” awaited. spoiled it and even adjoining ar- pared with 2.36% in July. inflation figures in January said Shilan Shah, an economist “... seeking extensions of time eas. Last month, the Reserve 2012, based on combined data at Capital Economics in Singa- is not justifi ed and no further The management said inves- Bank of India (RBI) cut its main for rural and urban consum- pore. time can be given for desealing tigators would be allowed to take policy rate by 25 basis points ers. Retail food infl ation, which the suite (room). However, the whatever they wanted as evi- to 6%, the lowest since 2010, Separately, annual industrial accounts for about 54% of the investigating agency or the FSL dence from the room, pointing while keeping its policy stance output grew at 1.2% in July, in consumer price index, rose team is at liberty to access the out that no investigating agency A woman buys vegetables at a market in Ahmedabad yesterday. at “neutral”. line with the forecast by econo- 1.52% in August after prices suite and collect whatever mate- offi cial had visited it for the past Inflation rose more than expected to a five-month high in August, Analysts said a rise in infl a- mists in a Reuters poll, the data contracted in the previous three rial or articles lying therein and one year. fuelled by strong gains in prices of food items. tion for two straight months showed. months. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 17 INDIA

Haryana police question Ryan staff in Mumbai over boy’s murder

IANS staff , mostly administrative, and on September 8 at the Ryan In- Haryana to move a court there. Subhash Garg, father of an- walls of the toilet and the corri- said the knife used in the killing Mumbai examined some documents. ternational School in Bhondsi Meanwhile, the postmortem other school student, said he dor,” Garg said. was not kept in the bus tool box, However, no members of the near Gurugram. report of Pradhuman has ruled was present on the campus when “Two private security as claimed by the suspect, add- St Xavier’s Educational Trust In a related development, out sexual assault even as the the body was found. guards were deployed near the ing that police pressured him two-member team of which runs the schools - in- hundreds of parents yesterday parent of another schoolchild Garg said he rushed along corridor. I asked the school also to admit to being an accom- Haryana police yesterday cluding Augustine F Pinto, his morning staged vociferous pro- claimed the crime scene was with others to the crime scene staff not to clean the blood till plice in the crime. Aquestioned some staff wife Grace Pinto and their son tests outside one of its schools tampered with. after hearing the screams of the police arrived there, but the Varun Thakur, father of members of Ryan International Ryan Pinto - were present at the in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, and “There were no physical in- staff and students. He said bus school sweeper wiped clean Pradhuman, said there were Schools at its Kandivali head- building. A Mumbai police se- demanded steps to ensure the jury marks on the body. Body conductor Ashok Kumar, 42, the corridor nevertheless,” he “too many loopholes” in the quarters here following the mur- curity vehicle, some parents and safety and security of their chil- samples were sent for forensic who is the main suspect, carried claimed. police theory and the school der of a seven-year-old boy in its journalists were present there till dren studying there. analysis, which established that the child to a vehicle to be shifted “The accused also washed his management’s stand on the Gurugram branch. late in the evening. The Bombay High Court yes- he was not sexually assaulted,” to hospital. blood-stained clothes, ignoring murder. The team visited the school The Haryana police team’s terday adjourned till today the senior forensic expert Deepak “There was blood in the toi- my warning not to do so,” Garg “That is why we have moved headquarters in a quiet residen- visit comes in the wake of the hearing of the Pintos’ plea for Mathur, who conducted the au- let and nearby corridor. Blood added. the Supreme Court for a CBI in- tial locality and questioned the murder of Pradhuman Thakur anticipatory transit bail to visit topsy, said. stains were also visible on the Bus driver Saurabh Raghav quiry,” Thakur said. PM, not Rahul, has insulted India on foreign soil: Congress

IANS BJP and the present govern- New Delhi ment,” he said. Gandhi in his speech attacked demonetisation, and said the he Congress Party yes- decision that removed 86% of terday said it was Prime cash from circulation overnight TMinister Narendra Modi and was carried out unilater- who “insulted” India on for- ally without asking the chief eign soil, after the Bharatiya economic adviser, the cabinet Janata Party accused Congress or even parliament “imposed a vice president Rahul Gandhi of devastating cost in India”. belittling Modi in his speech at “Yes, it is true that there a US university. are dynasties in India. There “We are surprised at the have been dynasties in every criticism that is unwarranted country of the region – in Asia, and unjustifi ed made by the Europe, Africa, North Amer- government and the ruling ica – both US of America and party. The statements and is- Canada,” said Sharma refer- sues raised by Union Informa- ring to Gandhi’s reply on dy- tion and Broadcasting Minister nasties. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s workers arrive to attend the party’s General Council meeting in Chennai yesterday. Smriti Irani shows ignorance “When it comes to the Ne- of history and her eagerness to hru-Gandhi family, there have be an apologist for the prime been fi ve generations in the minister,” Congress leader service of the country. Jawa- Anand Sharma said. harlal Nehru did not think nor “Rahul Gandhi spoke about did Moti Lal Nehru, when he India’s achievements in the gave up all his riches that India last 70 years. We understand will become free and Congress AIADMK council ousts why the BJP is criticising him. Party will become the ruling If Rahul Gandhi is criticis- party of the country. ing the prime minister of the “Nehru, when he went to country, no one should have British prisons, faced their any objection to that. It’s a lathis (canes) and remained in feature of democracy,” he said. solitary confi nement, did not Irani, at a press conference think that he was going to be Sasikala and Dinakaran yesterday morning, criticised India’s prime minister,” Shar- the Congress vice president’s ma added. IANS The General Council also de- tions led by Palaniswami and Loyalists of Dinakaran, in- late Jayalalithaa, he wondered speech at University of Cali- He also went on to say that Chennai cided that party co-ordinator, Panneerselvam. cluding lawmakers and members whether the same logic would fornia in Berkeley, and said both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv now held by Deputy Chief Min- One of the basic demands of of General Council, boycotted also apply to the chief minister’s Gandhi chose to belittle the Gandhi were elected by the ister O Panneerselvam and joint the Panneerselvam camp for the the meeting. post. prime minister. people of the country. amil Nadu’s ruling All In- co-ordinator held by Chief Min- merger with Palaniswami was Reacting to the resolutions Dinakaran said it was Pan- She also said that Gandhi “After Rajiv Gandhi took dia Anna Dravida Munne- ister K Palaniswami, will oversee the dismissal of Sasikala and her Dinakaran said the Madras High neerselvam who broke away chose a “platform of conven- oath of offi ce as prime minister Ttra Kazhagam’s General the party aff airs. family members from the party. Court on Monday had said the from the party and was instru- ience to berate his political op- in January 1985, for 32 years, Council yesterday annulled the It was also decided that the Party offi cials said the power decisions of the meeting are mental in the Election Commis- ponents” after failing to con- there is no member of the Ne- appointment of V K Sasikala co-ordinator and joint co-or- to admit or dismiss a member subject to its fi nal judgment. sion freezing the party’s `two nect with the people of India. hru-Gandhi family who has ac- as the party’s general secretary dinator would be elected by the rests with the general secretary. Dinakaran, who claims the leaves’ symbol. “It is the prime minister of cepted or taken oath of offi ce. and also struck down the ap- General Council, and they would This power has been now trans- support of 21 party legislators, “Our workers and the public India who is guilty of insult- “Rahul Gandhi was also an pointments made by her before hold the post for fi ve years. ferred to party co-ordinator and yesterday said he would work have been raising the question ing India on international soil. MP when UPA was in offi ce, going to jail, including making With the annulment of the joint co-ordinator following the towards bringing down the Pal- about the continuation of this The prime minister called the Sonia Gandhi was elected as her nephew T T V Dinakaran the appointment of Dinakaran as amendments to the rules. aniswami government. government, which is not in tune country corrupt on his fi rst the leader. It was their con- party deputy general secretary. deputy general secretary, the ap- Party offi cials said the dis- “You (Palaniswami) and oth- with Jayalaithaa’s principles. visit abroad and also said on scious decision at that time,” In other major decisions, the pointments made by him are also missal of Sasikala and her family ers have no moral right to sit in They (ruling faction) are afraid another occasion that Indians he added. General Council altered the par- struck down. from the party may happen now positions of power that was once of facing elections. They can’t used to feel ashamed to accept Sharma also said: “We reject ty’s organisational structure to a Sasikala was appointed in- - under the new organisational wielded by Jayalalithaa. We will even get back deposits, but the they are Indian on foreign soil,” the criticism with the force collective leadership. It amend- terim general secretary last De- structure. send this government home,” MLAs are with them because of a Sharma said. of truth, facts of history and ed the party rules whereby none cember following Jayalalithaa’s The General Council also re- Dinakaran told a press confer- false fear about facing elections,” He said it was part of the with contempt for those who will be elected or nominated to death. solved to restore all those who ence later. he said. ruling BJP’s intolerance to- have neither contributed to the post of general secretary, a Sasikala appointed Dinakaran were party offi ce bearers ap- Citing the resolution that “After sending this govern- wards criticism. make India what it is, but have position held by party supremo as her deputy before going to jail. pointed by Jayalalithaa. They states that the party members ment home, we will work to “It is the streak of intoler- only belittled and insulted the and late chief minister J Jayala- The council also ratifi ed the will continue to hold offi ce now, cannot visualise anybody else as restore Jayalalithaa’s govern- ance towards criticism by the predecessors.” lithaa till her death. recent merger of the two fac- it said. general secretary other than the ment.” New centre set up to help India, Belarus agree to migrant workers in Gulf elevate partnership IANS evolve from a buyer-seller part- New Delhi nership to deeper engagement. Reuters Government fi gures show tion in a phone interview. “There are abundant business New Delhi there are some 6mn Indian mi- An extension of the Indian and investment opportunities grants in the six Gulf states. government’s safe migration ndia and Belarus, celebrating in pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, Over the years, the Indian gov- awareness programme, the cen- the 25th anniversary of the heavy machinery and equip- new resource centre for ernment and non-governmental tre will also invite workers to Iestablishment of diplomatic ment,” he said. Indian migrants em- groups have received a steady camps to educate them on their ties this year, yesterday agreed Modi said last year Indian Aployed in Gulf states will stream of complaints from mi- rights. to further elevate their partner- companies made a positive be- help reduce the risk of workers grant workers. “We are largely dealing with ship. ginning with three joint ventures being traffi cked to fake jobs and To register these complaints, blue collar workers, many of “We reviewed the architecture in pharmaceuticals. exploited, offi cials said yester- a multilingual toll free number them illiterate and unaware of of India-Belarus partnership “Possibilities for partnership day. (800 INDIA) will be run 24/7 at the terms surrounding their and exchanged ideas to expand also exist in manufacturing of With a 24 hour helpline and a the Sharjah centre, where job of- work contract,” said Ankit Agar- it,” Prime Minister Narendra tyres, agro-industrial machin- team of advisers, the Indian Work- fer letters will also be verifi ed to wal of Alankit, the fi rm collabo- Modi said at a joint press confer- ery and mining equipment,” he ers’ Resource Centre in Sharjah in ensure they are not fake. rating with the Indian govern- ence with Belarusian President said. the United Arab Emirates aims Besides being duped by ment to run the centre. Alexander Lukashenko follow- “Similarly in heavy duty con- to help the thousands of Indian job agents, many workers are “At the camps, we give out ing delegation-level talks here. struction machinery, India has a workers in the region who may be trapped in low paying jobs, una- basic information and tell them “We exchanged views on bi- growing demand and Belarus has at risk of exploitation. ware of how to seek legal or fi - how to reach us when they are in lateral, regional and global is- industrial strengths.” “There are numerous fake job nancial help, Kumar said. trouble.” sues,” Modi said. Lukashenko said he was in- rackets that result in migrant In many cases, the diff er- In 2010, the Indian govern- He said that both sides con- terested in India’s growth so workers fi nding themselves ence in culture, language and ment opened its fi rst resource sidered new areas of co-oper- that the world can become more without proper documentation, food habits becomes a hurdle for centre in Dubai. ation and agreed to elevate the multi-polar. low salaries or even without a workers migrating from poor In- In 2016, the Dubai centre re- partnership. Stating that the two countries job once they arrive here,” said dian families, he added. ceived nearly 25,000 calls from “We will work to diversify signed an investment protection Dinesh Kumar, an offi cial at the “Counsellors will be avail- workers and more than 2,000 economic linkages. The focus agreement yesterday, he said Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. able at the centre to help work- letters, faxes and phone messag- will be to build upon the natural Belarus was interested in par- “Help for Indian workers ers cope with the place and talk es, including one from a univer- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko throws rose petals while complementaries between us.” ticipating in key Indian develop- in distress will be a phonecall about their worries,” Kumar told sity professor who wasn’t paid paying tribute at Rajghat, memorial for Mahatama Gandhi in New The prime minister said the ment initiatives like Smart Cities away.” the Thomson Reuters Founda- his dues. Delhi yesterday. bilateral relationship should and Skill India. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 LATIN AMERICA Venezuela Supreme Court ‘has staged eff ective coup’

Reuters The collapse of the judiciary Sam Zarifi , ICJ secretary-gener- on Monday rejected as “base- had undermined human rights coup d’état against the consti- have faced retaliation and pun- Geneva has left victims of torture, kill- al, told a news briefi ng. less” a UN report that found ex- and infringed the Constitution tutional order and have ushered ishment,” Zarifi said. ings and disappearances and “This breakdown of the rule cessive use of force by its secu- through a series of rulings since in a new reign of arbitrary rule,” Maduro denies accusations of their families without recourse of law has also severely ob- rity forces and other violations. December 2015. Zarifi said. a power grab, saying his actions, enezuela’s Supreme to justice after months of violent structed accountability (and) Four months of demonstra- In two rulings in March 2017, Judges on the Supreme Court which include the creation of an Court has progressively street protests, the International essentially made it impossible to tions in which at least 125 people the Supreme Court of Justice are mainly from the Socialist alternative Constituent Assem- Vdismantled the rule of Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said. bring to justice those responsi- were killed have all but stopped “eff ectively claimed legislative Party or former offi cials of the bly that has granted itself law- law, becoming an instrument It called on the UN Human ble for gross violations of human due to fatigue among protesters powers for itself, depriving the government of Maduro or both, making powers, aim to restore of President Nicolas Maduro’s Rights Council to take action. rights,” he said. and disillusionment at seeing National Assembly of its con- the Geneva-based jurists’ group peace after months of protests government in what amounts to “We have seen a judiciary that The Venezuelan government the ruling Socialist Party cement stitutional powers and granting said. and violence. a coup against the constitutional has essentially lost its independ- did not immediately reply to a vast powers despite the concert- sweeping arbitrary powers to the “Judges who have demon- The new Constituent Assem- order, an international human ence and become a tool of a very request for comment. ed opposition push. executive,” it said. strated independence and ruled bly “at this point acts as a body rights group said yesterday. authoritarian executive branch,” Foreign minister Jorge Arreaza The ICJ said the top court “These decisions amount to a against the executive branch outside of the rule of law”. Temer lashes Spanish Square in Guatemala City out at graft allegations

AFP ed by Congress, which has power Brasília to accept or throw out charges against the president. Analysts say Janot’s second razil’s President Michel charge would also have little hope Temer lashed out against of passing in the legislature. Bwhat he described as an However, the reports of the out of control judiciary’s use of police investigation have embar- unsubstantiated corruption al- rassed Temer, who is named as a legations to destroy reputations. key fi gure in the PMDB’s corrupt The centre-right leader issued dealings with donors. the unusually strongly worded According to Estado de Sao statement in the wake of new Paulo newspaper, police believe reports that he gained millions Temer was in charge of placing of dollars in benefi ts from a cor- allies in “strategic posts to ne- ruption scheme. gotiate with companies in the The statement also came scheme and to receive money for ahead of the expected fi ling of electoral donations.” fresh criminal charges against The report said Temer re- Temer this week. ceived $10mn worth of un- “We have reached the point specified “benefits” from Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales addresses the audience during the inauguration of the Spanish Square in Guatemala City, Guatemala, yesterday. where they try to convict peo- companies, including the scan- ple without even hearing them dal-plagued construction giant — without ending the investi- Odebrecht. gation, without uncovering the A massive probe over the last truth, without verifying the ex- three years codenamed opera- istence of real proof,” Temer’s tion “Car Wash” has uncovered offi ce said. systemic bribery of politicians “Individual rights are being by major companies like Ode- violated every day without the brecht, as well as massive em- slightest reaction,” the state- bezzlement by high ranking ment said. politicians and executives from Brazil probes report of It also lambasted prosecutors’ state oil company Petrobras. frequent use of wire taps and In the possible obstruction of plea deal testimony from busi- justice charge that Temer could nessmen and politicians admit- face from Janot, the president ting to corruption. allegedly also authorised pay- “Reputations are shattered in ments of hush money to an im- conversations founded on clan- prisoned former PMDB leader to Amazon tribe massacre destine actions,” the statement prevent him from testifying. said. Temer has denied any involve- Guardian News and Media lier this year. Investigators face the inquiry but said that two “They were saying they killed Funai has less than £600,000 “Bandits concoct versions ment in corruption or in the al- Brasilia a 12-day boat trip just to reach men arrested recently in a police indigenous people and threw to spend this year protecting based on hearsay in exchange for leged payments to the jailed the area. and army operation into ille- them in the river,” Sotto-Maior 103 tribes of non-contacted impunity or to obtain a pardon, politician. Pablo Beltrand, the pros- gal gold prospecting in the area said. She emphasised that the indigenous people across this even partial, for their innumer- In the presidency’s statement razilian authorities are ecutor from the remote Amazon were not connected to the case. massacre has yet to be con- vast country, as well as recently able crimes.” yesterday, it said that companies investigating reports of a town of Tabatinga – near the Brazil’s National Indian fi rmed. contacted groups. Around 20 Temer’s attack on prosecu- contributed to political parties Bmassacre of up to 10 peo- Peruvian border and 700 miles Foundation, known as Funai, “It is very diffi cult to inves- isolated groups are believed to tors and their methods followed in “a perfectly legal” way. ple from an isolated tribe in the from the Amazonas state capi- fi rst sent a team of three to the tigate something like this after live in the Javari Valley, where leaks in the Brazilian media late “You cannot criminalise cor- Amazon by illegal gold miners. tal, Manaus – said his team was small town of Sao Paulo de Ol- time (has passed). We don’t around 80 recently contacted Monday of a federal police probe rect actions that are protected by The killings, alleged to have fi rst informed about the pos- ivença after receiving reports have the bases,” she said. indigenous people also live. reportedly fi nding that he and the constitution.” taken place in Javari Valley, are sible murders in the Javari Val- that men working for gold pros- Funai has had its budget al- “To know we do not have the other leaders of his PMDB party Janot’s term as prosecutor claimed to have been carried out ley at the beginning of August. pectors had boasted in a bar of most halved this year by the capacity to stop something like formed a criminal “gang.” general ends Sunday and he is by men working for gold pros- A fi fth of Brazil’s uncontacted killing a group of eight to 10 in- business-friendly government this … it’s very diffi cult,” Sotto- The leaks also come just as going out with guns blazing. pectors who dredge illegally in tribes live in this wild region. digenous people. of President Michel Temer. His Maior said. chief prosecutor Rodrigo Janot is In the last few days, he has the region’s rivers. “We received a communica- Leila Sotto-Maior, co-ordi- government recently proposed Cleber Buzatto, executive reportedly preparing to fi le crim- fi led corruption charges against If proven, the murders would tion from federal government,” nator for isolated and recently to reduce the protected area secretary of the non-profi t In- inal charges against Temer, pos- ex-presidents Luis Inacio Lula confi rm that severe budget cuts he said. “The ongoing inves- contacted Indians at Funai, said of Amazon forest and has an- digenous Missionary Council, sibly for obstruction of justice. da Silva and Dilma Rousseff , as to Brazil’s indigenous agency tigation is about the possible the men had brandished a paddle nounced plans to allow mining said cuts to Funai budgets and A fi rst criminal charge of well as several high-profi le fi g- are having deadly eff ects. The death of indigenous people.” and a small bag used for carrying and development in other pro- the closing of bases in areas bribe-taking lodged by Janot in ures in the PMDB and the leftist agency was forced to close two Beltrand said he could not food that they claimed they had tected areas. with isolated tribes increased June was overwhelmingly reject- Workers’ Party. bases in the same region ear- give more information about taken from their victims. Sotto-Maior’s department at the risk of attack. US seeks 30 years jail for 100 inmates escape on Maduro wife’s nephews hurricane-hit island AFP The Daily Telegraph said notes London from a Cabinet meeting that Reuters The prosecutors also said vember by a jury of conspiring to were leaked to the press yester- New York Flores de Freitas and Campo import cocaine into the US. day suggested as many as 60 had Flores lied in an eff ort to sup- Days later, Maduro blasted the ver 100 high-risk pris- yet to be recaptured. press evidence in the case. conviction in a speech as an in- oners escaped in the “We are working with St Lucia wo nephews of Venezue- The prosecutors said that fed- stance of “US imperialism.” OBritish Virgin Islands and BVI authorities to secure the la’s fi rst lady should serve eral guidelines called for sen- Maduro has frequently cast during Hurricane Irma, a British transfer to St Lucia of 40 high- Tat least 30 years in prison tences of life imprisonment, US accusations of drug traffi ck- junior minister said yesterday, as risk prisoners that have escaped for their convictions in the US though they asked only for “sub- ing as a pretext for meddling in he raised the death toll in British in BVI,” the briefi ng notes were on drug traffi cking charges, US stantial terms of not less than 30 Venezuela and trying to topple territories to nine. reported as saying. prosecutors said. years.” him. “We had a serious threat of a Duncan said a total of nine They stated in a fi ling in the Flores de Freitas and Campo complete breakdown of law and people died in British Caribbean federal court in Manhattan that Flores de Freitas and Flores were arrested in Haiti in order in the British Virgin islands territories — fi ve in the BVI and the two men, Franqui Francisco Campo Flores were November 2015 and fl own to the (BVI),” junior foreign minister four in Anguilla. Flores de Freitas and Efrain An- convicted in November US following a US Drug Enforce- Alan Duncan told parliament. The authorities had previ- tonio Campo Flores, tried to by a jury of conspiring to ment Administration sting op- “The prison was breached, over ously reported one person killed make $20mn through drug traf- import cocaine into the US eration. 100 very serious prisoners es- in Anguilla. Britain’s response to fi cking so as to keep their family Prosecutors said the two men caped,” he said. Irma has been criticised by some in power and to “enrich them- Lawyers for Flores de Freitas, plotted to use a Venezuelan air- Duncan said Royal Marines local inhabitants as too slow selves while their countrymen 32, and Campo Flores, 30, could port’s presidential hangar to were deployed to cope with the with some complaining about a starved in the streets.” not immediately be reached for send 800kgs of cocaine to Hon- threat but did not disclose how breakdown of law and order and The men are nephews of Cilia comment. duras for shipment into the US. many prisoners had been recov- being left to fend for themselves. Flores, the wife of Venezuelan In their own fi ling last month, They said recordings of meet- ered or how many were still at Briton Claudia Knight said President Nicolas Maduro. they argued for a sentence “far ings with two DEA informants large. her partner Leo Whitting, 38, Under Maduro, oil-produc- beneath” the guidelines recom- showed the nephews wanted the “We have maintained and kept was stranded on the island of ing Venezuela has fallen into an mendation of life, saying pros- cash to counteract money they law and order on the BVI, which Tortola in the British Virgin Is- economic and political crisis ecutors had proved only that the believed the US was supplying at one point, could have dra- lands archipelago. “Everyone’s in which more than 120 people two men engaged in “bungling to Maduro’s opposition before matically threatened the already turned feral and no-one’s going have died in four months of pro- discussions of a drug plot that Venezuela’s December 2015 Na- unfortunate plight of those who out without being armed... It’s tests. could never actually have been tional Assembly elections. had been hit by the hurricane,” turning really nasty,” she told the The US announced new sanc- executed.” Maduro’s Socialist Party lost he said. Press Association news agency. tions against Maduro’s govern- Flores de Freitas and Campo its parliamentary majority in A family carries a sofa out to dry outside their home after The foreign ministry declined “Leo carries a knife with him,” ment in July. Flores were convicted in No- that election. Hurricane Irma caused flooding and a blackout, in Havana, Cuba. to comment. she said. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 19 PAKISTAN

Police hunt elder over In poll test, ousted PM’s couple’s murder

AFP daughter takes limelight Karachi By Drazen Jorgic, Reuters his extension. I have grown Lahore up espousing his agenda, his akistani police were yes- ideology.” terday hunting a tribal Maryam has framed the elec- Pelder who ordered a teen- n campaigning for a Pa- tion as a chance for voters to age couple to be electrocuted by kistan by-election seen protest the Supreme Court’s their families as punishment for Ias a test of support for verdict against her father eloping, in the country’s latest ousted prime minister Na- and help the PML-N fl ex its gruesome “honour” killing. waz Sharif, the most visible electoral muscle. The couple, members of the fi gure is not on the ballot: “Your vote was disrespected Pashtun ethnic group living in Sharif’s daughter, Maryam, and disregarded, will you an- the southern city of Karachi, fell widely touted as his political swer to this disrespect on Sep- foul of their families after elop- heir-apparent. tember 17?” Maryam asked at a ing last month. But police said This past weekend, crowds recent rally. the man’s family persuaded them mobbed Maryam’s car and The by-election is seen as to return home so they could be threw rose petals as she criss- a litmus test for the PML-N’s married. crossed the eastern city of La- political fortunes in the wake A tribal jirga (council) then or- hore campaigning for her moth- of Nawaz’s ouster, and an early dered the couple’s execution af- er, Kulsoom, who is the ruling indicator of voter sentiment ter the families had put their case Pakistan Muslim League-Na- ahead of a general election next to the infl uential group of elders. waz (PML-N) party’s candidate year. The couple were tied to a to contest the seat Nawaz was Opposition leader Imran wooden bed and electrocuted by forced to vacate by a Supreme Khan, on the ascendancy after family members. Police said the Court ruling in July. Nawaz’s ouster, and eager to girl was aged 15 or 16 and the man With Kulsoom in London for make inroads into the PML-N’s was around 18 years old. cancer surgery, accompanied by political heartlands in Punjab, “The (jirga) decided that the Nawaz, 43-year-old Maryam has accused Maryam of ben- girl would be electrocuted by her has led the campaign with fi ery efi ting from alleged corruption own father and uncle and the boy speeches denouncing Nawaz’s swirling around her father, and by his father and uncle,” police opponents and the Supreme cast the by-election as a plebi- offi cer Amanullah Marwat said, Court. scite on corruption. adding that the families later Her infl uence within the “This election will decide buried the bodies in secret. PML-N has grown in recent where the people of Pakistan Jirgas commonly adjudicate in years, with senior party fi g- stand,” Khan, the leader of the communal disputes in rural Pa- ures crediting her with Nawaz’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) kistan, especially in the northern move to embrace relatively party, told crowds in Lahore last tribal belt, but are rare in cities. more pro-women and liberal week. Maryam Nawaz takes a picture with a supporter at a rally in Lahore. However the bustling port city causes in a nation of 208mn The PML-N made Maryam of Karachi is home to large num- people. – a telegenic but inexperienced Sunday, Maryam hinted at infrastructure spending to boost elements of the military being the 2018 poll. Others have sug- bers of migrants from the tribal In a rare interview with politician – the face of the military interference in Paki- development – and overall pop- involved in her father’s ouster, gested she may become a leader territories, where jirgas are held foreign media, Maryam out- campaign despite a Supreme stani politics, a source of in- ularity “sent alarm bells ring- as some senior PML-N fi gures soon. in high esteem. lined to Reuters what drives Court-appointed panel accus- stability since independence in ing” for those who don’t want have hinted, Maryam paused Maryam was more forthcom- Police have arrested the rela- her political ambitions as she ing her of signing forged docu- 1947, and portrayed herself as a Pakistan to have a strong leader. before saying: “It’s not my place ing when asked about compari- tives behind the killings, charging emerges from her father’s ments to obscure ownership of campaigner for democracy. “This was the main reason he to comment”. sons with slain female leader them with murder and tamper- shadow to become a promi- off shore companies used to buy “Our history is marred with was being targeted,” she said, Maryam was coy when asked Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of ing with evidence. However the nent fi gure in the ruling party upmarket London fl ats. dictatorships and repeated at- before adding: “That’s all I can whether she has ambitions to be former premier Zulfi kar Bhutto leader of the jirga who ordered the he still controls. She denies any wrongdo- tacks on democracy, so this is say.” prime minister one day, saying who vied for power with Nawaz murders remains at large. “I’m proud to be the torch ing but the Supreme Court has what I struggle for,” she told Such coded talk is a familiar she was not eyeing anything and during two decades of politi- “We are raiding diff erent plac- bearer of ideology which ordered the National Account- Reuters. dance in Pakistan, where politi- was for now “happy with love cal turmoil and tussles with the es to arrest him,” Marwat said. PML-N has,” Maryam said at ability Bureau (NAB) to launch Maryam says her father’s dis- cians speak between the lines to and aff ection that I’m getting”. military. Hundreds of women are mur- the weekend in Punjab’s pro- a criminal investigation into missal by the Supreme Court is imply that the hidden hand of But senior PML-N offi cials “I have a lot of respect for dered by their relatives each year vincial capital Lahore, her fa- her, Nawaz and other family a conspiracy, noting his success the powerful military is behind expect her to at least become a the lady, but... the only thing after allegedly bringing shame on ther’s electoral power base. “I members. in reinvigorating the economy unfolding events. minister in the next cabinet if which is common between us is their families in the deeply con- am (Nawaz’s) refl ection, I am Ahead of another rally on – with a pro-business focus on Asked if she is talking about the party holds on to power after gender,” she said. servative Muslim country. US has not issued Pro-democracy resolution demands over Afghanistan: PM introduced in Upper House Internews themes related to parliamen- hid Hamid opposed it on the cuna in the Constitution which Islamabad tary democracy, fundamental ground that a similar bill moved provides no mechanism for an AFP ments would upend relations rights and constitutionalism in by Shirin Mazari was pending immediate substitute of the Islamabad between the Cold War allies. Pakistan. before the National Assembly. prime minister in case of his “We don’t think the Pakistani- Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan he Pakistan Senate yes- The resolution emphasises Faraz was asked by the chair death, disqualifi cation or in- US relationship will be defi ned Abbasi terday adopted a pro- that the future of Pakistan and to withdraw the bill, but he ability to perform his functions akistan has not received by Afghanistan,” the prime min- Tdemocracy resolution, its 200mn people depends on refused. was referred by the chair to the specifi c requests from the ister told reporters in Islamabad. ments, adding Washington had calling for the establishment of the continuity of democratic The house did not allow relevant standing committee of PUS to target alleged mili- “This relationship (is) 70 years not issued demands to Pakistan a national democracy commis- governance embedded in the Shibli Faraz leave to introduce the house. tant sanctuaries, Prime Minis- old (and) cannot be redefi ned by on the matter. sion as envisaged in the charter supremacy of the Constitution. a bill suggesting amendment Farhatullah Babar of the PPP ter Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said one issue or it should not be re- “We have not received any list of democracy to promote and It points out that half of the in Article 91 of the Constitu- raised the issue of forcible evic- yesterday, as he vowed to tighten defi ned by one issue.” of measures,” said Abbasi. “We develop democratic culture in country’s population is under tion providing for the National tion of some poor residents by security along the border with Islamabad has repeatedly re- are open (with the US). We are the country, but voted out a twenty-fi ve and not all young Assembly speaker to perform the Cantonment Board author- Afghanistan. jected claims of being soft on transparent. We have nothing to motion for leave to introduce people are able to get formal functions of the prime min- ities in Loralai in Balochistan on The premier’s remarks come militancy, accusing its ally of hide.” a bill seeking powers for par- school, college and university ister in case of death or dis- the ground of ‘bad reputation’. weeks after President Donald ignoring the thousands who He added that Pakistan was liament to ratify all foreign education and that core con- missal of the country’s chief Speaking on a point of public Trump lambasted Pakistan dur- have been killed in Pakistan willing to kick start a raft of agreements. cepts of constitutionalism, executive. importance, he said that four of ing a speech outlining US policy and the billions spent fi ghting measures to increase secu- The pro-democracy resolu- federalism and representative Under the proposed bill, a the victims had travelled all the on Afghanistan, accusing Islam- extremists. rity along the border with Af- tion, moved by Sehar Kamran parliamentary institutions are session of the National Assem- way from Loralai and were sit- abad of hosting safe havens for Following Trump’s remarks, ghanistan and improve its rocky of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, missing in the textbooks taught bly was to be convened within ting in the lobby of the Senate to insurgents who cross the border Secretary of State Rex Tillerson relationship with its neighbour. called upon the government to in the classrooms. seven days to elect a new lead- petition the Upper House. to attack Afghan and Nato forces. cautioned that Pakistan could “We are open to bilateral make democratic civic educa- The leave to introduce the er of the house and the cabi- He said the courts had also During a press conference lose its status as a major US verifi cation, we’re open to joint tion part of the curriculum and bill seeking ratifi cation of all net was to perform under the exonerated the evicted resi- Abbasi denied the accusations ally and see its US military aid patrols,” said Abbasi. educational activities. foreign agreements by parlia- speaker’s leadership during the dents of the charges, but they that Pakistan supported mili- suspended. “We will put up a fence there, It stressed that extra and co- ment had been sought by Shibli time. were still not allowed to return tants groups as he batted away Abbasi however said he was the Afghans are welcome to put curricular activities at the na- Faraz of the Pakistan Tehreek- A bill seeking addition of a to their homes which had been suggestions that Trump’s com- unaware of any looming punish- up another fence on their side.” tional campuses should include i-Insaf, but Law Minister Za- new section to address a la- locked by the authorities. Women pickers toil unprotected in Pak’s cotton fi elds

Thomson Reuters Foundation health risks the work posed. “Every season I suff er Cotton is picked by hand and pain are rampant among women “But such eff orts have failed to However, Zohra Yusuf, head of Vehari She has been suff ering from problems when I return at the end of the day women la- cotton pickers,” he said. produce good results.” the Human Rights Commission recurring headaches, skin and home aft er cotton bourers carry their bundles of Farm owners blame the work- However, Pakistan’s National of Pakistan and a women’s rights eye ailments since she started picking. But I cannot blooms to be weighed, to de- ers for not wearing masks and Food Security and Research activist, was not optimistic that idow Amina Batool cotton picking, and can spend abandon the job because termine how much they will gloves provided for cotton Minister, Sikandar Hayat Khan much would change. has laboured in Paki- as much as a third of her $80 my two children depend be paid. Complaints of health picking. Bosan, said discussions with the “The protection of (rural Wstan’s scorching cot- monthly income on health bills. on me” problems, which experts blame Ibrahim Mughal, chairman provincial agriculture depart- women’s) educational, health, ton fi elds for nearly eight years “Every season I suff er prob- on pesticides, are widespread. of Agri Forum Pakistan, said ments on the rights of cotton employment and maternal rights to eke out a living and feed and lems when I return home after Pakistan’s government and “A huge number of the cotton his farmers’ organisation had pickers had made good progress. remain the ... lowest priority of clothe her two children. cotton picking. But I cannot provincial authorities say they pickers carry out cotton-picking run programmes to encourage “Provincial agriculture sec- the political leaders and policy- She lives in a two-room, mud- abandon the job because my are taking steps to ensure the without wearing safety gadg- farmers to demand their work- retaries have fi nally been con- makers,” she said. thatched house on the outskirts two children depend on me,” use of safety gear, but women’s ets such as gloves, face masks, ers wear protective clothing, but vinced that sensitising cotton Back in Punjab, widow and of Vehari town, in Pakistan’s she told the Thomson Reuters rights groups say nothing is done aprons, glasses, head and arm with little success. fi eld owners about the rights of mother-of-two Amina Batool Punjab cotton belt, surrounded Foundation. when farm owners don’t comply. covers,” said Khuda Bakhsh, “We have organised over three cotton picking workers to safety said she has no choice but to by shrubs and eucalyptus trees, Women labourers make up the “Taking measures at offi cial agriculture scientist and a lead dozen awareness-raising pro- equipments ... is key,” he told the carry on picking cotton. where she rests with her daugh- bulk of the estimated half a mil- levels ... is a welcome move. But author of a study on the haz- grammes for cotton fi eld owners Thomson Reuters Foundation. “I have no skills, I have to rely ter and son after her long work- lion cotton pickers in Pakistan, ... punishing with jail-terms ards of cotton harvesting to be and cotton pickers in collabora- In June, the Punjab provin- on manual labour to feed my ing days in searing temperatures. the world’s fourth biggest cotton and imposing fi nes upon those published in November. tion with local non-government cial agriculture department family. I cannot let my children At fi rst, Batool, 32, thought producer. who fail to comply are a must “Complaints of the skin ir- organisations in Punjab and launched a programme to en- sleep on empty stomachs,” she cotton picking would bring With the widespread use of for successful enforcement,” ritation, headache, nausea, gas- Sindh provinces and encouraged force the provision of safety said. “If my employer gives me her a reliable income after the pesticides, and a lack of safety said Shaista Bukhari, execu- troenteritis, general weakness, farmers to make it mandatory for equipment to cotton pickers. protective equipment that would death of her husband in 2009. equipment, Batool’s story is fa- tive director at Women’s Rights dizziness, sleeplessness, vomit- their workers to wear protective Others provinces should follow be a great relief – at least it would But she was unaware of the miliar to many of them. Association Pakistan. ing, coughs, fever and stomach clothing,” he said. suit, Bosan said. save us spending on health bills.” Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 PHILIPPINES Congress backs annual budget of just $20 for agency probing drugs war

Reuters slashed to just 1,000 pesos, a Manila huge cut from the 2017 budget of 749mn. Though the motion still re- hilippine lawmakers al- quires another reading and lied with President Ro- Senate approval, opponents Pdrigo Duterte yesterday say it is likely to be passed, as voted to allocate an annual Duterte enjoys a supermajority budget of just 1,000 pesos in the two chambers. ($19.66) to the Commission on The agency has long com- Human Rights, a public body plained it lacks manpower and investigating Duterte’s bloody resources to fully investigate war on drugs. the killings. About 119 of the 151 lower Its head, Chito Gascon, said house members present sup- the measly budget was an at- ported the move to dramati- tempt to force his resignation. cally cut the budget, in what “The principal reason why I critics of the anti-drugs cam- cannot resign my offi ce is that paign call retaliation for the to do so is to weaken the insti- agency’s criticism of Duterte tution itself,” Gascon said. and its eff orts to investigate He added: “On pretext, ask- thousands of killings over the ing me to resign would lead to past 15 months. essentially making the insti- Residents and motorists manoeuvre along a flooded main street in Manila yesterday, after tropical depression locally codenamed “Maring,” hit the eastern town of Mauban The rights agency deserved tution forever at the mercy of before moving northwest across the main island of Luzon and passing just beside Manila, the government weather station said. a low budget for being a “use- politics.” less” body and defending Filipinos are largely sup- criminals’ rights, the speaker portive of Duterte’s crack- of the house of representa- down as a solution to tackling tives, Pantaleon Alvarez, said rampant crime stemming from in a television interview. drug addiction. “If you want to protect the However, activists say the rights of criminals, get your prime targets have been us- budget from the criminals,” ers and small-time peddlers At least four dead as he said. “It’s that simple. Why and accuse police of executing should you get budget from thousands of people. the government and yet you The police reject that and are not doing your job?” say they kill only in self-de- Thirty-two minority law- fence. makers opposed the meas- Human rights advocates ure, said Congressman Ed- hope senators will restore the storm causes fl ooding cel Lagman, adding that the agency’s current budget. president’s supporters were “If we need to go to the Su- AFP “virtually imposing the death preme Court on this issue we Manila penalty on a constitutionally will consider that as well,” created and mandated inde- added Gascon. pendent offi ce”. Lawmakers may have mis- t least four people died The agency requested a understood the agency’s role, and six were missing af- budget of 1.72bn pesos for said one representative, Raul Ater a major storm caused 2018, but the government pro- del Mar. “We need to be re- fl ooding in and around Manila posed 678mn pesos. minded that the CHR’s main yesterday, forcing schools, gov- On the second reading of function is to curb the excess- ernment offi ces and businesses the legislation, Congress ap- es and abuses of those in the to shut down. proved that the fi gure be seat of power,” he said. A 12-year-old girl who drowned in a rain-swollen river in a Manila suburb and a three-month-old baby who was Bishops set 40 days of prayer for victims crushed by a landslide southeast of the Philippine capital were Philippine Catholic bishops yesterday called for a stop to the spate among the victims, local offi cials of killings in the country as it set a 40-day period of prayer for said. thousands slain in President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against Most of the dead and miss- illegal drugs. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines ing were poor people forced to (CBCP) urged the Filipino faithful to off er daily prayers and light live in identifi ed “danger zones” Residents use a makeshift boat to ferry commuters along candles for the victims of the drug war and the conflict in the despite government warnings of Residents use their mobile phones to take footage of rampaging floodwaters in Quezon City, Metro Manila as a storm sweeps southern city of Marawi from September 23 to November 1. It the risks they face during storms. floodwaters in Las Pinas, Metro Manila. across the main Luzon island. also called on all dioceses to toll their church bells at 8pm each “Our local authorities had day during that period as a remembrance for those killed. “For continuously warned them that through chest-deep waters out- Manila, the government weather Noriel Habana, head of the city’s moving at just 15 kilometres per the good of the country, stop the killings,” Archbishop Socrates their place was really prone to side the capital, was the latest to station said. In Calamba City disaster management offi ce. hour, worsening the fl ooding. Villages, the CBCP’s president, said in a statement. “The toll of landslides but they insisted on hit the Southeast Asian archi- south of Manila a fl ash fl ood “In previous fl oodings, we had “Because it moves slowly, ‘murders under investigation’ must stop now.” “For the sake of the staying,” said civil defence of- pelago, which endures about 20 washed away a riverside shanty, pre-emptive evacuation. It just it can bring more rain over an children and the poor, stop the systematic murders and spreading fi cer Ronnie Mateo, after the rain such storms each year. leaving six inhabitants including so happened it was a fl ash fl ood area,” he said. reign of terror. In memory of those killed, let us start the healing of caused a landslide that fatally The storm, locally codenamed a two-year-old missing. and they had no time to react,” Thousands of people were or- our bleeding nation,” he added. The CBCP issued the statement buried two teenage brothers just “Maring”, hit the eastern town of “They were informal settlers, he said. dered by local governments to after the killing of three teenagers in alleged police operations east of Manila. Mauban before moving north- living beside a river. There was Forecaster Renito Paciente evacuate from low-lying, coastal linked to the campaign against illegal drugs last month. The tropical depression, west across the main island of a fl ash fl ood and it washed out said Maring, packing gusts of and landslide-prone areas as which left some people wading Luzon and passing just beside their two storey-house,” said 100 kilometres per hour, was rain pounded the area. Troops kill fi ve militants Police halt drug tests after in besieged Marawi city residents petition court Reuters city’s 142 neighbourhoods ask- Duterte and the police reject DPA Manila ing people to complete surveys such accusations and say that Manila about drug use and take volun- those killed had resisted arrest tary urine tests, said Guillermo violently. olice have been forced Eleazar, Quezon City police Eleazar said the drug tests hilippine troops yester- to stop conducting drug chief. police had conducted were vol- day killed fi ve suspected Psurveys and testing in “The police will no longer untary and not coercive. Pmilitants in a pre-dawn the Philippine capital’s biggest have an active role in the anti- He said the court did not is- assault on their hideout in be- and most populous area after drug activities,” Eleazar told sue a restraining order because sieged Marawi City, where more a lawyers’ group representing Reuters, a day after he attended he assured the judge it was up than 900 people have died in residents fi led a petition before a court hearing on a petition to to each community to decide the nearly four-month confl ict. a court, a police chief said yes- stop the police tests. its own programmes and police The clash erupted less than terday. “Our uniformed personnel would play only a supporting 12 hours after President Rod- Thousands of residents had will now be limited to providing role. rigo Duterte visited the main been surveyed and a few hun- security and visibility upon the Eleazar accepted some police battle area in Marawi City, 800 dred had been tested in a requests of our barangay (com- officers were “over-zealous” in kilometres south of Manila, door-to-door anti-narcotics munity) officials. the conduct of house-to-house said Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar campaign in two communities They will no longer take part surveys and tests, but said pe- Herrera, a military spokesman. in Manila’s Quezon City from in asking questions and taking titioners were wrong to blame It brought to 670 the number May this year, part of President urine samples,” he said. police, who were only trying to of Islamic State-allied militants Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war The decision comes as Phil- help. killed in the crisis, which also on drugs. ippine police are under intense “The petitioners are barking left 147 soldiers and police of- Human rights groups and media scrutiny over their con- up at the wrong tree,” he said. fi cers dead, the military said. An armoured personnel carrier (APC) drives along a main national highway of Mahayahay town Duterte’s political opponents duct in an anti-narcotics cam- “They should ask the court to The terrorists have killed 45 after the intense fights between soldiers and pro-IS militants group, who have taken over parts of have said tests conducted by paign that has killed thousands stop the barangays from doing civilians, while 40 displaced Marawi, in Iligan City, yesterday. police amounted to harassment of Filipinos over the past 15 these anti-drug surveys and residents have died in evacua- that could endanger the lives of months and alarmed human tests.” tion centres due to illnesses. ence in the main battle area has Fighting has been confi ned to ple have also been displaced in those who tested positive. rights monitors. The National Union of Peo- Duterte, accompanied by top left a mark in our troops in their a 20-hectare area in the centre the confl ict, which began on Activists say large numbers Activists and some opposi- ple’s Lawyers (NUPL) said they military and defence offi cials, strong desire to end the crisis in of Marawi City, where about 40 May 23 when government forc- of users have been killed during tion politicians have accused expected police to shift blame. inspected the municipality’s Marawi,” said Brigadier General Islamic State-allied militants es attempted to arrest a local the anti-drug campaign, often Duterte of having a kill policy “No doubt this about-face main mosque that was recov- Rolando Bautista, command- were still holed up in various Islamic State leader, prompting by mysterious gunmen. that aims to eliminate suspect- by the police was due to public ered by troops last month. er of the military’s Joint Task buildings, the military said. the militants to launch simulta- Community officials were ed drug dealers rather than take protests and the legal suit,” the “The president’s recent pres- Force Marawi. More than half a million peo- neous attacks. still allowed to go around the them into custody. NUPL said in a statement. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Inquiry Bangladesh PM: Myanmar ordered into Biman should take Rohingya back ticket scam By Mizan Rahman IANS, AFP “Because these people, in- Dhaka Dhaka nocent people, the children, women, they are suff ering. So these people, they belong to rime Minister Sheikh angladesh’s Prime Min- Myanmar. Hundreds of years Hasina has asked Civil ister Sheikh Hasina yes- they are staying there. How PAviation Minister Rashed Bterday urged Myanmar they can deny that they are not Khan Menon to order a probe to take back the hundreds of their citizens?” against certain offi cials of Biman thousands of Rohingya Mus- Hasina said her country Bangladesh Airlines who are in- lims who have fl ed violence in would off er Rohingya shelter volved in fake booking of tickets Rakhine state to her country. until Myanmar took them back. on the national carrier. Speaking as she visited Ku- She also condemned the mili- A minister had raised the is- tupalong refugee camp in Cox’s tants for their role in the vio- sue during an unscheduled dis- Bazar district, Hasina urged lence, but said Myanmar’s gov- cussion at a cabinet meeting, a Myanmar to view the situation ernment should have dealt with minister told newsmen. with humanity, saying innocent the situation more patiently. The minister, who brought up people were suff ering. She said Bangladesh protests the matter, pointed out that cer- Hasina accused the Myanmar this injustice and inhumane tain Biman offi cials were booking military of committing atroci- attitude towards Rohingya in tickets in advance and showing ties and said its actions were in Rakhine state, and renewed her all the seats as booked. “violation of human rights”, and call to the international com- Those wanting to buy tickets added that Rohingya refugees munity to mount pressure on are told to go to certain private are Myanmar’s nationals and it the Myanmar government to or international airlines where must take its citizens back. take back their nationals. tickets are available. “Bangladesh wants to main- “Myanmar has to take back The premier said some high- tain peace and good relations their nationals, give them a safe ranking offi cials, such as the with its neighbouring coun- place to live in their homeland. manager of Biman, have been tries, but it cannot accept ‘un- The international community involved in corruption for a long just acts’ the Myanmar govern- should put pressure on Myan- time, but nobody has taken any ment is committing,” the prime mar... this has to be stopped,” action against them. minister was quoted as saying she added. She instructed the civil avia- by the Daily Star newspaper. Bangladesh’s parliament tion minister to take action “Still, the fi re is burning passed a resolution on Monday against the corrupt offi cials after there... people can’t fi nd their night urging the UN and other identifying them. family members... the bodies countries to mount diplomatic Menon admitted that some of- of infants and women are fl oat- pressure on Myanmar. The gov- fi cials have long been involved in ing on the Naf River... these go ernment has also decided to “fake booking” of seats on Biman completely against human- collect biometric data from the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a visit to Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar of Chittagong. fl ights. He said the matter will ity and are violations of human refugees for a database. be looked into by the board of rights,” Hasina said. There have been protests the Bangladesh authorities, stretched with new arrivals. government is speeding up work seas around Bhashan Char. directors of Biman. Some 370,000 Rohingyas in several Muslim-majority who are scrambling to fi nd land But the plan was apparently at Bhashan Char with a view to “The Navy has... already set Sources in the airlines said have crossed the border since nations. to build more camps, including shelved last year amid reports building a 10,000-acre facil- up two helipads and are now some corrupt offi cials have violence began in August, the UN human rights chief Zeid on the inhospitable and unin- that the silt island, which only ity that can house hundreds of building roads and a shed for earned a large amount of money UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Raad al-Hussein said on Mon- habited Thengar Char island emerged from the sea in 2006, thousands of Rohingya. their use”, said Mahbub Alam by booking tickets in advance in said yesterday. Myanmar’s day that the security opera- – recently renamed Bhashan was unhabitable due to regular But they face huge challenges. Talkukder, a government ad- the name of Haj pilgrims during military says it is fi ghting Ro- tion in Rakhine appeared to be Char – despite reluctance on the tidal fl ooding. A police offi cial in the region ministrator based in the region. the ongoing pilgrimage. hingya militants and denies it is “a textbook example of ethnic part of Rohingya leaders and UN The government is trying said that the island, which is Bangladesh Foreign Minister This year, Biman authorities targeting civilians. cleansing”. offi cials. to fi nd more space for the Ro- used sporadically by fi shermen A H Mahmood Ali on Sunday distributed 63,000 air tickets But many of those who have The Bangladesh government Bhashan Char, located in the hingya, including establishing a and farmers seeking to graze appealed for international as- among 104 agencies, instead of fl ed say troops responded to at- has appealed for international estuary of the Meghna river, is a new 2,000-acre (800-hectare) their animals, was susceptible sistance to help transport the 635 operating agencies. A total tacks by Rohingya militants on support to move the Rohingya one-hour boat ride from Sand- camp near Cox’s Bazar, close to tidal fl ooding once or twice a Rohingya to Bhashan Char dur- of 21,000 pilgrims visited Saudi August 25 with a brutal campaign to the island as the impov- wip, the nearest inhabited is- to the Myanmar border, which year. ing a meeting with diplomats Arabia to perform Haj in the of violence and burning of village erished country confronts a land, and two hours from Hati- will house around 250,000 “I think the island needs... and UN offi cials. fi rst phase, 21,000 in the second aimed at driving them out. growing crisis over where to ya, one of Bangladesh’s largest Rohingya. massive infrastructure before it But Rohingya leaders remain and 21,000 in the third phase on “My personal message is very house an infl ux that has mount- islands. As the exodus swells how- gets habitable,” the offi cial said. opposed to the move, while a UN Biman fl ights. clear, that they should consider ed following a military crack- The authorities fi rst pro- ever, there are fears that may not The presence of the Bangladesh agency offi cial warned that any Strangely, the Biman authori- this situation with the eyes of down in Buddhist-dominated posed settling Rohingya refu- be enough to accommodate all Navy, which is involved in devel- attempt at a forced relocation ties have also allocated tickets to humanity,” the prime minister Myanmar’s Rakhine state. gees there in 2015, as the camps those in need of shelter. oping the island, has deterred pi- would be “very complex and Haj agencies whose licences have told the BBC. The surge has overwhelmed in Cox’s Bazar became over- As a result, the Bangladesh rates who used to operate in the controversial”. been suspended. Protest by kin of prison shooting victims Lankan minister sacked for rocking coalition

AFP close to the presidency said, Colombo citing Fernando’s previous as- sertion that around a dozen ministers were planning to ri Lankan President leave the government. Maithripala Sirisena Fernando was not immedi- Syesterday sacked a min- ately available for comment, ister who had threatened to but he told the Lankadeepa split his coalition government, daily website that his sack- three weeks after another was ing was unlikely to discour- fi red for publicly criticising a age other dissidents in the government decision. government. Sirisena’s offi ce said Arundi- Sirisena’s party, the junior ka Fernando, (pictured) junior partner in Sri Lanka’s coalition $1.1bn sale in July of a 70% stake minister for tourism and Chris- since August 2015, is already in a port to state-owned China tian aff airs, was expelled from the split between him and former Merchants Port Holdings. government under the executive strongman president Mahinda Sirisena and his Prime Min- powers of the president. Rajapakse, who is an MP and ister Ranil Wickremesinghe The brief statement did not has considerable support with- have vowed to continue their give a reason for his dismissal, in the party. power-sharing arrangement but offi cial sources said the It is not yet clear whether until 2020 when the next move prevented Fernando from the potential new faction was general election is due. engineering defections to a trying to join the side of the However, there are reports of breakaway faction of Sirisena’s former president or remain as squabbles within the coalition Sri Lanka Freedom Party. a third faction within the party. and many fi scal policy meas- “With this sacking the presi- Three weeks ago Sirisena ures have been either toned Families of victims and rights activists demonstrate outside Sri Lanka’s main prison, demanding justice for the 27 inmates shot dead by dent has asserted his authority sacked justice minister Wijeya- down or completely with- security forces in 2012, in Colombo yesterday. and sent a signal he won’t hesi- dasa Rajapakshe, who publicly drawn in recent months due to tate to expel more,” a source denounced the government’s infi ghting.

China visit helps build mutual Central bank introduces remittance award

trust, understanding: Mahara By Mizan Rahman The categories are skilled re- A total of 35 awardees, in- $110.06mn up from the corre- Dhaka mitter, unskilled remitter, bond cluding remitters, exchange sponding month in the previous IANS including Premier Li Keqiang railway project,” Mahara said. investor NRB, exchange house houses, bond investors and fi scal. Kathmandu in Beijing.” The deputy prime minister owner NRB and the highest re- banks, will receive the award. “The overall situation has During his visit, the two sides said that China will be extend- angladesh’s central mittance receiver bank. Out of 35 awardees, fi ve banks improved as BB has taken some reiterated commitment to work- ing support to Nepal to develop bank will give remit- Bashar said the award will be will get the award this year. measures to streamline the le- epal’s Deputy Prime ing closely to enhance rail and mega projects such as highways, Btance award to the high- handed over at a function to be There was a falling trend in gal channel for encouraging Minister Krishna Baha- road connectivity under the Belt railways and cross-border trans- est remittance senders and the held on September 19. the infl ow of remittances since overseas Bangladeshis to send Ndur Mahara said yester- and Road Initiative proposed by mission lines under the Belt and highest remittance receiving Finance Minister A M A fi scal year 2014-15 but the situ- home money,” said BB deputy day that his recent offi cial visit China, he said. Road Initiative. institutions for encouraging Muhith is expected to attend ation witnessed a change at the governor Abu Hena Moham- to China has greatly contributed “I told the Chinese leadership “The MoU on energy co- overseas Bangladeshis to send the function as the chief guest beginning of fi scal year 2017-18 mad Razee Hassan. to building mutual trust and that there is common consensus operation will pave the way for money through legal channels. while fi nancial institutions di- as the expatriates sent home As part of its move to plug understanding between the two among major political leaders expanding ties between the two “We will give the ‘Bangladesh vision secretary Eunusur Rah- $1,418.58mn in August, up by the informal channels, he said, countries. in Nepal to carry forward rail- countries in the development of Bank Remittance Award-2016’ man and Bangladesh Bank (BB) $234.97mn from the corre- the central bank has already put Mahara, who is in charge way connectivity between Nepal power generation projects and under fi ve categories to encour- Governor Fazle Kabir will at- sponding month in the previous some mobile banking operators of foreign aff airs, told Xin- and China as a national priority joint investment in power grid age the infl ow of remittances,” tend it as special guests. fi scal 2016-17 (FY17), according under close supervision as it hua: “I had very fruitful, cor- project. Nepal and China agreed including feasibility study in Bangladesh Bank’s fi nancial BB deputy governor Shi- to the BB data. has identifi ed some mobile ac- dial, positive and satisfactory to take necessary measures to cross-border power grid inter- inclusion department offi cial M tangshu Kumar Surchowdhury Migrant workers sent $ counts used for sending home talks with Chinese leaders carry out technical study of the connection,” he added. Abul Bashar said yesterday. will chair the function. 1,115.57mn in July, which was remittances illegally, he added. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Tackling the migration

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] challenge at the source Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Any solution to the mitigate demographic challenges and to persist, many migrants will barriers, and then work to remove Fax 44350474 contribute to the economy’s skills ultimately make it to the developed those obstacles. migration challenge base. world, one way or another. And One key barrier to private must focus on spurring The second position is precisely while immigration liberals are right investment in Africa is risk. When the opposite: immigration should that migrants will help to ease the investment environment is development in migrants’ be prevented by all available means. demographic pressures in recipient considered uncertain, as is the home countries. For Proponents of this view often argue countries, the prohibitionists are case in most developing countries, that migrants drive down wages, right that the newcomers will place investors demand a risk premium GULF TIMES Europe, the focus should particularly at the lower end of the considerable cultural stress on their on virtually any project, even those be on Africa, the main income distribution, undermining new communities, particularly in with potentially high rates of return. natives’ living standards. They Europe. Individual project risk is, after all, source of migration fl ows also argue that migrants dilute This is why any solution to the very difficult to measure in such a the recipient country’s culture migration challenge must focus on context. China debt mountain By Kemal Dervis and traditions – a claim with an spurring development in migrants’ The public sector can help with Washington, DC emotional pull that economists often home countries. For Europe, the risk-pooling measures such as underestimate. focus should be on Africa, the main carrying certain tranches of risk The third position falls somewhere source of migration fl ows. More rapid or providing insurance. Such risk weighs on global or citizens of poor countries, between these extremes. It recognises economic growth in Africa would, pooling, accompanied by institution- migration often is a highly the potential benefi ts of some over time, greatly reduce the pressure building across all sectors (not just appealing option. The journey immigration, but calls for strict that Europe faces. Africa’s long-term health and education), could go a fi nancial stability Fto a new country is often profi ciency tests, to ensure that only development will of course require long way toward boosting economic perilous, but it promises far greater migrants who can fi ll a skills gap in the greater political stability and peace; growth and development in Africa and economic opportunity: average per recipient country are accepted. That in the meantime, however, there are elsewhere. Communist China has stepped in to champion the capita incomes in advanced economies way, immigration will improve the steps that Europe can take to help spur The positive impact of this cause of globalisation and free trade in the face of US can be more than 50 times higher (in quality of supply in the labour market growth. approach would be far-reaching President Donald Trump’s policies of protectionism terms of purchasing power parity) and boost fi rms’ competitiveness, While Africa has plenty of natural – beginning with a reduction in than those in the developing world. without generating cultural pressures. resources, it lacks the capital and migration pressure. The impact would and inward-looking isolation. But systemic risks in the In many cases, migrants’ physical Of course, this approach looks knowhow needed to support a be even greater if new investment world’s second largest economy make it the biggest security improves as well. Yet, for quite diff erent from the perspective signifi cant growth acceleration. Public targeted areas with the largest threat to global fi nancial stability, according to a QNB recipient countries, immigration of migrants’ home countries, which resources are simply inadequate to number of displaced persons and report. remains a contentious topic, with lose not only valuable skilled labour, supply the bulk of that capital. So, as migrants-in-waiting, as proposed Government-led stimulus has been a key driver governments struggling to settle but also any resources invested in that has lately been recognised, investment by a new “Commission on Forced on policies that will enable their labour, say, through the education must come from the private sector, Displacement”. of China’s economic growth since late 2008. Along economies to reap the benefi ts and system. While a country may benefi t as must critical skills and access to Investment-driven growth is no with that, the country has also built up a mountain of avoid incurring excessive costs. from its expatriates’ remittances, it more developed markets. But tapping substitute for confl ict resolution and debt at nearly 300% of gross domestic product (GDP) Immigration is a particularly salient is the migrants alone who secure the private investment requires the public political stabilisation; on the contrary, compared with around 140% before the global fi nancial topic of political debate in Europe overall benefi ts of relocating. sector to take some enabling steps, the former cannot be sustained crisis. and the United States. Even in Japan, In any case, when advanced countries joined by the philanthropic sector, without progress on the latter. But which has largely closed its borders accept only a small number of skilled which also has signifi cant resources to an economic boost could serve as an Driven by low interest rates, the major driver of to migrants, the need to fi nd ways to migrants, they do nothing to diminish contribute. important source of much-needed China’s credit growth has been household debt, cope with rapid population ageing has the pressure that drives migration fl ows, This is not to say that public hope – and the start of a virtuous expanding by an average of 19% a year since 2011. At lately been stimulating discussion of which overwhelmingly comprise people investment and philanthropy should circle of peace and prosperity. – this pace, it could more than double the current level the issue. who lack the new country’s required subsidise inherently unprofi table Project Syndicate and potentially be 70% of GDP by 2020 versus 30% in In all of these countries, the debate skills. And those pressures are powerful, projects. On the contrary, that 2013. tends to boil down to three basic as demonstrated by the tragic situation would leave everyone worse off in zKemal Dervis, former Minister of positions. The fi rst – espoused by a in the Mediterranean Sea, where the long run. The goal should be Economic Aff airs of Turkey and former The banking sector has ballooned, too, with wealth small minority, and lacking signifi cant more than a thousand refugees on the to identify projects that, despite Administrator for the United Nations management products tripling to $3.8tn as they off er political support – is that immigration treacherous route from Africa to Europe being economically profi table, are Development Programme (UNDP), higher yields. The rapid unwinding of trades funded is fundamentally benefi cial to an died in the fi rst four months of this year. unattractive to private investors, is a vice president of the Brookings with margin debt fuelled the $5tn equity market slump advanced country, as newcomers can If these pressures are allowed owing to institutional and other Institution. in 2015. The trillion dollar Belt and Road (also known as Silk Road) plan, the centrepiece of a soft-power push by President Xi Jinping, also raises fears. More than $250bn in China’s overseas investments failed between 2005 and 2015, according to the China Global Investment Tracker, a database maintained by the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation. Chin’s slowing growth has raised concerns that years of risky lending could lead to a disaster worse than the US sub-prime collapse. Growth fell to 6.9% in 2015, the weakest pace since 1990. The China’s total debt economy expanded 6.7% in 2016, within stands at nearly the government’s 300% of its expectations, though the pace was the $10tn-plus GDP slowest in a quarter of a century. Moody’s expects growth to slow to around 5% in coming years, saying the economy will, however, remain robust and the likelihood of a hard landing is slim. But looking beyond the negative headlines, one encouraging fact stands out: China’s biggest companies are healthier than they’ve been in years. The market capitalisation-weighted average debt- to-equity ratio at China’s 100 biggest non-fi nancial businesses dropped to 68% at the end of last year from 72% in 2015, according to Bloomberg data. Profi t margins and interest coverage ratios also improved, ‘Dieselgate’: spewing far more toxic nitrogen oxide (NOx) than legally allowed. while free cash fl ows for the group swelled to a record $93bn. In August, foreign exchange reserves rose nearly $11bn to $3.092tn, the highest level since October last Two years after ‘dieselgate’, can diesel be saved? year. The improvements could help ease fears of a looming AFP myth of “clean diesel” and turning off greener engines of the future, and Marc Mechai, an auto analyst with fi nancial crisis in China, even though smaller Chinese Frankfurt am Main consumers. plans to set quotas for electrifi ed cars Accenture in Paris, estimates it costs companies have made less progress so far. As the every-other-year IAA readies that would shake up the industry. some “1,500 euros ($1,800) per car” A Chinese fi nancial crisis, which doesn’t look to open its doors again this week, But carmakers in Europe, backed to make an engine meet the most imminent, will be a massive shock to the global uff eted by scandals and uncertainty over the technology’s by governments desperate to tackle stringent regulations. threatened by driving bans, future is casting a shadow over the climate change, have for years “For cars under 20,000 euros, that economy, says QNB. The debt challenge is much diesel has become the bete glitzy industry showcase. invested heavily in diesel technology, makes the use of a diesel engine hard bigger; the economy’s outsized role in global trade Bnoire of the auto industry. “Dieselgate has driven diesel into a touting it as more fuel-effi cient and to justify,” he added. means a contagion would spread to the global economy But as the second anniversary dead end,” Ferdinand Dudenhoeff er, environmentally friendly than petrol Adding to diesel’s woes are rapidly, while China’s compliance with post-crisis of ‘dieselgate’ approaches, is the director of Germany’s CAR research because of its lower carbon dioxide countries’ eff orts to clamp down on fi nancial regulation is poorer compared with the US engine of choice for millions of centre, said. “It will die a slow death.” emissions. pollution to meet the targets of the European drivers really in its death But other experts cautioned against Yet ‘dieselgate’ has laid bare just Paris climate accords. and Europe. throes? penning diesel’s obituary prematurely. how much the industry has resorted Both France and Britain have How China’s $10tn-plus economy fares is no longer “For several months now we have Tens of millions of diesel cars are to skirting the rules, or outright announced plans to ban the sale of an internal issue, but one with dire consequences seen a net drop in diesel sales in the currently on the roads, bought in good cheating, to cover up that the new diesel and petrol cars by 2040. across the world. major European markets of France faith before the scandal broke out, and technology was spewing far more China has announced similar and Germany,” said industry expert politicians have been at pains to stress toxic nitrogen oxide (NOx) than legally intentions, while dozens of smog- Stefan Bratzel of Germany’s Center for that drivers won’t be made to pay for allowed. clogged German cities and towns are Automotive Management. the industry’s misdeeds. NOx gases cause smog and have mulling diesel bans. In Germany, diesels now account “You can’t expect households to been linked to asthma, lung cancer In Germany, where the diesel engine To Advertise for 37.7% of new car sales, down from replace their cars with clean energy and heart disease. was invented, Chancellor Angela 45% last year. ones from one day to the next,” The European Commission Merkel is walking a tightrope between [email protected] In France, the share of diesel- said Euler Hermes analyst, Maxime has responded to the cheating by expressing solidarity with duped drivers Display powered cars has dipped below the Lemerle. introducing tough new emissions without alienating a sector that employs Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 50%-mark for the fi rst time since “Nobody stands to gain from an tests on September 1 that will force more than 800,000 people. 2000, to 47.8%. abrupt change.” carmakers to do a better job fi ltering Ahead of inaugurating the IAA Classified It was on September 18, 2015, It’s no accident that diesel’s fall the harmful pollutants from diesel on Thursday, she praised carmakers Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 at the height of the last Frankfurt from grace has been most painful in engines — a complex feat that is for accelerating the push towards International Motor Show (IAA), Europe. One of diesel’s biggest selling technically doable, but costly. electrifi ed vehicles, but urged them to Subscription that diesel’s descent began, when US points, that it is more fuel-effi cient “We know how to remove the keep innovating diesel technology as [email protected] regulators revealed that Volkswagen than petrol, never did much to sway pollution from a diesel engine, we well, saying drivers would be relying had used cheating software to dupe drivers in the US accustomed to low know how to make it clean...but on the internal combustion engine “for emissions tests on diesel engines. fuel prices. it comes at a price,” said Patrick decades to come”. “Finding the right 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved The controversy went on to engulf a China, the world’s biggest car Koller, chief executive of French auto balance will be one of the auto industry’s slew of other car giants, shattering the market, meanwhile has bet on the equipment supplier Faurecia. greatest challenges,” she said. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 13, 2017 23 COMMENT Deconstructing deglobalisation

New trade wars or exuberance. The crash of 1907 in Siberian penal colonies. Ordinary preceded World War I; and the 1929 activities like creating an object or military confl icts could crash, the 1931 European banking even cleaning a room can confer a conceivably unravel the crisis, and the Great Depression sense of self-worth, he observed. But preceded WWII. the pointless toil assigned to prisoners complex commercial The second emotion that drives – such as digging and then refi lling interrelationships that deglobalisation, suspicion, can create holes – did the opposite: it was meant a trap. As Elvis Presley famously put to destroy their dignity and annihilate have delivered prosperity it: “We can’t go on together / With their sense of self. since World War II suspicious minds / And we can’t build History shows that tackling the our dreams / On suspicious minds.” emotional roots of deglobalisation By Harold James During the period of reckoning will require an enormous feat of Princeton after a fi nancial crisis, those who have social imagination. The task before come out on top are also often believed us is nothing less than to reestablish a to be the culprits. In some cases, universal sense of human dignity and S President Donald the public directs its ire at another purpose. Trump and his advisers’ country; in other cases, it targets Financial fl ows today are smaller fi erce rhetoric on trade ethnic minorities or social groups such than before the 2008 fi nancial crisis; Uand immigration has led as fi nancial elites. In the 1997 Asian and, since 2014, international trade some to wonder if our current era of fi nancial crisis, Chinese traders in the has grown at a slower rate than globalisation is now at risk. If it is, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia production for the fi rst time since an even more pertinent question is were singled out. WWII. Despite eff orts such as China’s whether the end will be accompanied Suspicions can also be heightened “Belt and Road” initiative, which aims by violence. by security concerns. Before WWI, to unite Eurasia through infrastructure Stock markets have become many Londoners worried that and investment, it is conceivable that increasingly jittery, owing to German restaurant waiters were the world has reached “peak fi nance” recollections of past moments when spies, as a few doubtless were. And and “peak trade, and possibly “peak international economic integration was today, many Europeans have fears globalisation.” thrown into reverse. New trade wars about refugees and radicalisation Still, there is one major area of or military confl icts could conceivably in Islamic communities that are international connectivity that shows unravel the complex commercial disproportionate to the actual threat. no sign of declining: the exchange of interrelationships that have delivered Fear and suspicion thrive when the information. Global data fl ows will prosperity since World War II. Over the last century, three related emotions, in particular, have fuelled backlashes against globalisation: fear, suspicion, and processes of globalisation erode core continue to increase, constituting a In previous episodes of anomie. values, sources of meaning (such as growing share of economic value. deglobalisation, catastrophic events traditional occupations), and ways of But can digital globalisation also such as World War I or the fi nancial as deglobalising events. American inconsistent, and otherwise bad James Montier created a “fear and life. In advanced industrial countries, create new sources of meaning? crash of 1929 disrupted the fl ows revolutionaries rejected foreign rule decisions. When poor decision- greed” index, in which market the backlash against migration and Experimental artists and social- of commerce, fi nance, and people and trade, and French revolutionaries making in one country adversely sentiment is driven entirely by the trade is often framed as a matter of media experts would say that it can. that had previously linked countries sundered the Bourbon dynasty’s aff ects other countries, it can then interplay of greed and fear of loss. either “saving” jobs or compensating But if the new interconnectivity has together. One result of these crises European alliances. In both cases, the trigger a vicious circle of retaliation Montier’s central insight was that the globalisation’s “losers.” But in both the paradoxical eff ect of making was that nationality and citizenship revolutionaries asserted new rules of and escalation. potential for fear increases alongside cases, the response ignores the fact that people feel more isolated and adrift, became the key components of citizenship. Over the last century, three related the level of greed on display. Fear is there are no new decent jobs to provide those people will pick old imagined political and social life. It would seem that modern political emotions, in particular, have fuelled thus the historically determined wages sources of meaning and identity. certainties over globalisation any day. The same pattern of reversal and society is predisposed toward backlashes against globalisation: fear, of greed, just as death, in Christian This has been a problem at least – Project Syndicate disintegration can be found earlier in deglobalisation. Historically, this suspicion, and anomie. Generally, theology, is the wages of sin. since mass industrialisation began to history: the end of the Roman Empire tendency has been triggered when widespread fear of fi nancial losses, or It is worth remembering that the accelerate in the nineteenth century. zHarold James is Professor of History and the disintegration of China’s the emotional balance of a society of dangers posed by other countries, twentieth century’s major military Fyodor Dostoyevsky opened his and International Aff airs at Princeton Eastern Han Dynasty, to name just changes. Social turmoil often gives refl ect a society’s deeper anxiety about confl icts were all preceded by classic 1862 account of prison life, The University and a senior fellow at the two. Some historians even regard the rise to new leaders whose governing a constantly changing world. fi nancial crises, which themselves House of the Dead, with a paean to the Center for International Governance American and French Revolutions mentality leads to rash, short-sighted, In the 1980s, the fi nancial analyst were preceded by periods of wild importance of work – even for those Innovation. Weather report The economic view from the Alps Three-day forecast TODAY High: 41 C By Jim O’Neill this occasion, we travelled by train on an Interrail card, when I saw the best in the G7. Given these trends, I to the Bernese Highlands (Berner Japanese tourists lined up to board the suspect that Switzerland will continue Low : 32 C London Inshore: Hazy to misty / foggy at places Oberland), just as I had done nearly 40 mountain train at Kleine Scheidegg. to host plenty of Japanese tourists in at first becomes hot daytime with some years ago. As we made our precisely They were making the exciting climb the coming years. clouds and humid by night. recently took a trip to Switzerland timed connections with ease, I up to the Jungfrau and the highest And if China, with its population of – a remarkable country that I wondered why so many other Western mountain station in Europe, and I 1.4bn people, maintains its economic THURSDAY have been fortunate to visit many governments have deemed the public seem to remember that they had their trajectory of the last 20 years, the High: 40 C Itimes over the past 40 years. In sector to be incapable of running an own carriage, perhaps to aid with Swiss will probably have to build a Low: 30 C addition to having a good time, I found effi cient railway system. The Swiss translation. new, much larger station at Kleine Sunny a Swiss perspective useful to refl ect on system is a testament to how public Back then, Japan was supposedly Scheidegg. Of course, China could the state of the world and its economic expenditures and administration can about to overtake the United States to also fall short of its aspirations, as vitality. benefi t all of a country’s citizens. become the world’s largest economy. its persistently bearish sceptics have FRIDAY Aside from its wealth – or perhaps As someone who was deeply But within a decade, its asset-price predicted. But while in Switzerland, High: 38 C because of it – Switzerland has always involved in the British government’s bubble had burst, and its economy I couldn’t help but think that the Low: 30 C struck me as a happy country. While “northern powerhouse” project, I take had essentially fl at-lined in nominal constant talk of China exaggerating Sunny spending some time in Zurich in 1994, the Swiss example to heart. It further terms. These days, it is China that will its offi cial economic data has become I fi rst experienced the joy of swimming bolsters my belief that the United supposedly overtake the US; and, as it a farce. To appreciate China’s rise, in the city’s river and lake. And Kingdom should make state-of-the- happens, that same Kleine Scheidegg one need only look at all the Chinese Fishermen’s forecast station platform now has a carriage tourists in the Bernese Highlands and nowadays, it is common to see people art railways a priority, especially in the OFFSHORE DOHA doing this in many other urban areas, north, to connect Manchester, Leeds, reserved for Chinese tourists. many other places. Wind: SE-SW 03-10 KT including Basel, where contented souls Liverpool, Sheffi eld, Newcastle, and And yet there are still plenty of To be sure, the Chinese economic Waves: 1-2/3 Feet enjoy the mighty Rhine. their surrounding areas. Japanese tourists in Switzerland, too; miracle will end at some point. But INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15 KT I recently overheard two Swiss Of course, in other ways, Swiss and in Grindelwald, one of the Bernese that time has not yet come. On the Waves: 1-2 Feet speakers teasing each other about and British economic experience Highlands’s many picturesque contrary, my trip provided ample whether the swimming is better in is nothing alike. In recent years, villages, there is even a Japanese- anecdotal evidence in support of the Around the region Zurich, Basel, or the capital, Bern, the Swiss franc has appreciated language information centre. This data showing a strong global recovery Weather Weather with its fast-fl owing white waters. signifi cantly against almost every reveals a less-appreciated side of the in 2017. That recovery is real, and it today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Where else in the developed world can other currency. For Britons, there are Japanese economic story. Adjusting will most likely continue to broaden Abu Dhabi Sunny 40/31 Sunny 39/31 one enjoy such accessible pleasures? better ways to pass the time than to for Japan’s declining workforce shows and include more countries – at least Baghdad Sunny 46/24 Sunny 43/24 Dubai I used to fi nd it amusing that so many calculate the pittance that a pound that in terms of per capita GDP, Japan for now. – Project Syndicate Sunny 41/29 Sunny 39/29 Kuwait City Sunny 46/30 Sunny 45/29 Germans regard Switzerland as their now buys in Switzerland, and I was has actually performed just as well as Manama Sunny 41/32 Sunny 41/31 ideal country; as I have grown older, not surprised to see so few others on many other advanced economies in zJim O’Neill, a former chairman of Muscat Sunny 34/28 Sunny 35/28 I have come to understand what they my trip. recent years. Goldman Sachs Asset Management Riyadh M Sunny 42/27 Sunny 42/27 mean. I did, however, see plenty of visitors Moreover, recent data indicate and a former UK Treasury Minister, Tehran Sunny 32/21 Sunny 32/21 Another reason to admire from Asian countries at some of that Japan may be embarking on a is Honorary Professor of Economics Switzerland is its astonishing railway the Alps’ most beautiful sites. This strong, domestically driven economic at Manchester University and former system, which crisscrosses every reminded me of my very fi rst trip to expansion. In the second quarter of Chairman of the British government’s nook and cranny of the country. On Switzerland, as a student travelling this year, its growth rate was among Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. Live issues Olive oil, nuts, avocados help boost intelligence: study

QNA Washington

utrients found in foods rich in monounsaturated fatty Around the world acids (MUFA) such as olive Weather Weather oils, nuts and avocados today Max/min tomorrow Max/min N Athens Sunny Sunny 33/20 are linked to general intelligence, 34/22 according to a study. Beirut Sunny 31/26 Sunny 30/26 S T Storms 35/27 The researchers found that general Bangkok 34/26 P Cloudy Berlin Rain 19/12 S Showers 14/11 intelligence was associated with the Cairo Sunny 38/23 P Cloudy 35/23 brains dorsal attention network, Cape Town M Cloudy 17/11 Cloudy 18/12 which plays a central role in attention- Colombo T Storms 29/26 Rain 29/26 demanding tasks and everyday Dhaka T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 32/27 Hong Kong S T Storms 32/27 P Cloudy 31/27 problem solving. Istanbul Sunny 28/21 Sunny 28/20 In particular, general intelligence Jakarta P Cloudy 34/24 P Cloudy 34/25 was found to be associated with to a very specific brain network, we need to understand the ways organisation mediated the relationship Karachi M Sunny 32/26 P Cloudy 32/26 how effi ciently the dorsal attention the dorsal attentional network, that these nutrients infl uence brain between fatty acids and general London Cloudy 17/08 Cloudy 17/07 T Storms T Storms 32/26 network is functionally organised, the and how optimal this network is function,” Barbey said. intelligence. Manila 31/26 Moscow S T Storms 24/12 P Cloudy 18/16 researchers said. functionally organised,” said lead For the study, published in the In turn, they found that those New Delhi Sunny 37/27 M Sunny 36/26 The study found that this author Aron Barbey, professor at journal NeuroImage, the team with higher levels of MUFAs in New York P Cloudy 27/21 S T Storms 28/21 relationship with is driven by the the University of Illinois-Urbana- examined the relationship between their blood had greater small-world Paris Rain 19/11 P Cloudy 17/09 correlation between MUFAs and the Champaign. groups of fatty acids and brain propensity in their dorsal attention Sao Paulo Sunny 31/18 Sunny 32/18 Seoul Sunny 26/13 Sunny 27/16 organisation of the brains attention “This is important because if networks that underlie general network. Singapore P Cloudy 30/26 S T Storms 30/26 network. we want to develop nutritional intelligence. The fi ndings suggest a pathway by Sydney Cloudy 32/11 Cloudy 17/11 “Our findings provide novel interventions that are eff ective at In doing so, they sought to which MUFAs aff ect cognition, the Tokyo Clear 31/23 Cloudy 27/21 evidence that MUFAs are related enhancing cognitive performance, understand if brain network researchers noted. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, September 13, 2017 QATAR

Artists Mubarak al-Malik, Ali al-Kuwari, Dimitrje Bugarski, Thamer Mesfer and Assil Diab showcase their works at the ‘100 days of blockade’ art initiative at the Doha Fire Station. Artworks tell of emotions on 100 days of blockade

Qatar Museums’ Fire Station evoking its origins as a form of typically moved by a signifi cant of the ‘100 days of blockade’ ini- Following the September 15 launches ‘100 days of activism and self-expression, moment or event, such as the tiative, launched by QM under deadline, selected artists will get blockade’ art initiative which is easily accessible by the one we’re all experiencing now the patronage of its Chairperson, the chance to produce a mural on broader community. — the unfair blockade on Qa- HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Ha- a bridge, tunnel or wall within he Doha Fire Station has The artists involved in this tar,” Fire Station director Khalifa mad bin Khalifa al-Thani. the country. unveiled fi ve emotive art- initiative are Mubarak al-Malik, al-Obaidly said in a statement. The initiative provides an op- A judging committee, with Tworks produced by citi- Ali al-Kuwari, Dimitrje Bugarski, “These fi ve talented artists used portunity for those living in members from the Fire Station zens and residents as part of Qa- Thamer Mesfer and Assil Diab. their creativity to produce fan- Qatar to express their feelings and Ashghal, the Public Works tar Museums’ (QM) ‘100 days of Each artist produced an art- tastic works that best express on the blockade through crea- Authority of Qatar, will con- blockade’ art initiative. work which highlighted an as- how they feel about the present tive means. As part of the sec- vene to select the best proposals, The artworks, showcased on pect of the blockade, resulting in political situation, through an art ond phase of the initiative, QM which will then be showcased the facade of the Fire Station a series of outdoor installations form driven by the need to speak is currently accepting proposals throughout the country. building, refl ect each of the art- that tell the story of the blockade out and share one’s opinions in from Qatar-based artists who Such initiative comes as part ists’ personal take on the eco- to audiences in the most creative expressive and accessible ways,” want to submit an artwork that of QM’s commitment to inspire nomic blockade imposed on Qa- manner. he added. showcases their support for the and nurture talented artists, as Fire Station director Khalifa al-Obaidly and QM CEO Mansour bin tar by the Saudi-led bloc. The “Artists are always inspired According to QM, these fi ve country during this historical well as support and celebrate the Ibrahim al-Mahmoud at the unveiling of ‘100 days of blockade’ art medium of choice was graffi ti, by their environment, they’re artworks represent the fi rst stage time. nation’s unity through art. initiative.

IUMS urges Saudi Arabia to free Muslim scholars Work on stadium projects

Preachers and scholars On Monday, activists reported arrested in Saudi Arabia on social media that the Saudi not aff ected by Gulf crisis ‘should not be used as pawns authorities had detained more in political crisis’, Doha-based than 20 Muslim preachers and he construction works of IUMS says scholars for unspecifi ed reasons. 2022 FIFA World Cup stadi- Alongside al-Audah, those re- Tums have not been aff ected portedly detained include prom- by the Saudi-led blockade on Qa- Al Jazeera inent Saudi preachers Aaidh tar, Manoj Kumar, a senior civil en- Doha al-Qarni and Ali al-Omari. Ac- gineer, has said. cording to reports, the arrests “The stadiums for the 2022 appear to be a crackdown on World Cup were planned well in he International Union of Islamists seen as critics of the advance and construction works Muslim Scholars (IUMS) conservative kingdom’s absolute on these sites have not stopped Thas condemned the re- rulers. because of the siege,” Kumar told ported arrest of Muslim preach- In one of his last postings on Qatar Urdu Radio’s live radio show ers and scholars in Saudi Arabia, Twitter, al-Audah welcomed a Haqeeqat yesterday. “Khalifa In- urging Saudi King Salman bin report last Friday suggesting that ternational Stadium is ready for Abdulaziz to order their release. From left: Salman al-Audah and Aaidh al-Qarni. the three-month-old row be- the World Cup. The basic struc- Salman al-Audah, a prominent tween Qatar and four Arab coun- ture of Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor Muslim preacher and member of has done nothing but call for general, was quoted in the docu- tries led by Saudi Arabia may is complete and nearly 40-50% of the IUMS’s board of trustees, unity between these brotherly ment as saying that al-Audah be resolved. Hopes for a break- the work has been done on it,” he and more than 20 others were countries,” the statement read, was known for his “moderate through were quickly dashed added. arrested on Sunday, according to noting that his last tweet urged positions”. when Saudi Arabia suspended The companies immediately Manoj Kumar social media postings. The Do- GCC members to “come together Saudi Arabia is yet to issue any any dialogue with Qatar, falsely began re-routing the transporta- ha-based IUMS said in a state- for the sake of their people”. offi cial statement regarding the accusing it of “distorting facts”. tion of materials after the blockade “Soon, the entire infrastructure and interact with the large South ment on Monday that the schol- The IUMS is an organisation reported arrests. Like al-Audah, al-Qarni had started. “The government, along of Qatar will be interconnected, Asian expatriate community in Qa- ars “should not be used as pawns of Islamic theologians headed The incident came to light on also expressed support for rec- with construction companies, had and the plan is to build a dense tar, is a joint venture of Gulf Times in political disputes”, referring to by chairman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Twitter after Khalid bin Fahd onciliation between the siege contingency plans for the mega network of roads near stadiums and Qatar Media Corporation Urdu the crisis between Qatar and four and headquartered in Qatar. al-Audah tweeted on Sunday countries and Qatar. The Gulf projects earlier — taking into ac- for better mobility. The fact that Radio. It is broadcast from Sunday other Arab states — Saudi Arabia, About 90,000 Muslim schol- that the Saudi authorities had crisis that their arrests are linked count all the possible risks. This construction is under way on most to Thursday on FM107. One can the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. ars are connected through the arrested his brother Salman. He to broke out on June 5 when Sau- is the reason why the siege did not roads around the country even as log on to Qatar Urdu Radio on Fa- “In regards to the crisis (with) union, which claims to bring to- did not elaborate on the time of di Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and aff ect the construction sector the we speak tells us that the impact of cebook and ‘@QatarUrduRadio’ the Gulf Co-operation Council gether Sunni and Shia Muslims. the arrest or the possible reasons Egypt cut diplomatic and eco- way Saudi Arabia and the UAE per- the siege has been minimum.” on Twitter for feedback and com- (GCC) member states, al-Audah Ali Qara Daghi, IUMS secretary- behind it. nomic ties with Qatar. haps thought it would,” he said. Haqeeqat, which aims to engage ments about the show.

Qatar opened 1,244 new rooms in H1

Qatar’s tourism accommodation sector has continued to develop Qatar Tourism reaches out to Asian travellers rapidly in the first half of 2017 with opening of three new properties, a Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) report has said. increasingly accessible destina- Qatar’s tourism off erings such as In its Tourism Performance Summary H1 (first half) 2017, QTA noted QTA representative off ices tion for Chinese travellers, espe- hospitality options and key events that these properties added 1,244 new rooms to the Qatar market, opened in China; India and cially after the country waived online. which brings the total number of available rooms to 24,293 across 121 Russia off ices to operate entry visa requirements for Chi- Qatar will also establish a pres- properties. QTA said the 5-Star occupancy rate increased by 1%, from before the end of this year nese citizens,” Qatar’s ambassa- ence across the most prominent 60% last year to 61% this year while the 3-Star occupancy rate increased dor to China Sultan Salmeen al- Chinese social-media platforms from 57% last year to 60% this year during the same period. By Joey Aguilar Mansouri said. in the coming months, QTA “The occupancy rate averaged 62% across all hotels and hotel Staff Reporter Chinese nationals are entitled added. “As demand for unique, apartments in H1 2017. The highest rates were achieved in the Standard to a visa-free entry to Qatar us- exciting, and experience-rich Apartment and 4-Star segments, at 72% and 68% respectively,” the ing a multi-entry waiver issued destinations continues to grow report noted. The report added that the 5-Star and Deluxe Apartment atar Tourism Authority free-of-charge at the port of en- among Chinese travellers, we are segments achieved the highest rates for the Average Room Rate (ARR) (QTA) has opened repre- try. Citing a substantial number excited to embark on this multi- at QR638 and QR459 while 1-Star and 3-Star hotels got the lowest Qsentative offi ces in China, of Chinese tourists travelling to year partnership with QTA,” PHG rates at QR199 and QR255, respectively. The highest rates for Average with headquarters in Beijing and various destinations globally, the COO Ken Mastrandrea said. Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) are reported in the 5-Star and supporting locations in Shanghai envoy believes that Qatar’s eff orts Qatar has all the components Deluxe Apartment segments at QR388 and QR271 while the lowest and Guangzhou, aimed at attract- to make its presence in China is to be a touristic destination such rates are reported in 1-Star, 2-Star and 3-Star hotels at QR99 and QR154, ing more Asian visitors to Qatar. timely. Ken Mastrandrea (left) and Rashed al-Qurese at the event. as “a best airline and best airport respectively. The first half of 2017 saw an increase in occupancy in The opening comes as Qatar According to QTA, the new in the world,” apart from having two classifications in the hotel property segment: 5-Star grew by 0.4%; has been offi cially awarded the offi ces will be operated in part- tiatives such as workshops, sales tar has been developing its assets world-class museums, souqs, and and 3-Star grew by 5.5% compared to the same period last year. The ‘Approved Destination Status nership with PHG Consulting, a visits, and travel agents destina- in both areas, and we look forward cultural facilities. The opening of 4-Star hotel properties performed “relatively well” in terms of ARR with (ADS),’ which allows the country division of Preferred Hospitality tion training through their online to working with our partners at new offi ces in China is expected to a slight decline in room rate compared to the 5-Star hotel properties, to receive Chinese tourists and Group, known as a premier glo- ‘Tawash programme.’ the China National Tourism Ad- further attract more foreign tour- according to QTA. hold promotional tourism activi- bal provider of representation and QTA will also forge partner- ministration and PHG Consulting ists from other regions, including Meanwhile, most of the visitors stayed in Qatar for 3.7 nights (average) ties within China. consultancy services for tourism ships with tour operators, or- to raise awareness of our unique Asia, amid the ongoing economic from January to June this year, an increase of 8% compared to 3.4 The new headquarters in China boards, destination management ganise familiarisation trips, and tourism off ering,” he pointed out. blockade. nights during the same period in 2016. “The highest Average Length becomes QTA’s third offi ce in Asia companies, airlines, and hotel conduct media campaigns and a With Qatar granted ADS, QTA QTA’s “Tourism Performance of Stay (ALOS) continues to be observed across the hotel apartment and ninth globally, including the brands. variety of innovative activities to is planning a major campaign Summary H1 (fi rst half) 2017” classifications, with Deluxe Apartments reporting the highest ALOS at UK, Ireland, France, Germany, QTA said the offi ce in China raise Qatar’s profi le as a destina- from January 2018, which will in- report showed that visitor arriv- 12.1 nights in H1 2017, followed by Standard Apartments with 8.7 nights Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Tur- will further help raise awareness tion among Chinese tourists. clude advertising in major publi- als from Asia, including Oceania, during the same period,” the report said. QTA also recorded the largest key, the US, the GCC markets and and knowledge about Qatar as “China has risen rapidly as a cations, and organising familiari- recorded a 4% increase compared increase in ALOS in the 3-Star segment, which grew by 21% from 2.4 Southeast Asia. “a quality tourism destination” major source of outbound tour- sation trips to experience Qatar to the same period in 2016. nights per trip to 2.9 nights while the lowest increase was observed In a statement, QTA offi cials through a pro-active marketing ists in the world and we have fi rst hand. QTA’s move of opening more in 1-Star and 2-Star hotels, up by 5% from 2.4 nights per trip to 2.5 also hinted that additional over- campaign. QTA’s chief marketing identifi ed it as key source market QTA offi cial website www. overseas offi ces will also signifi - nights per trip. “Numbers are not the only performance indicator for seas offi ces in Russia and India and promotion offi cer Rashed al- for future growth, among both visitqatar.qa can now be read in cantly help Qatar’s hospitality this sector. Visitor experience is at the heart of plans for this sector’s will also open before the end of Qurese said they will be holding leisure and business visitors,” al- Mandarin to help Chinese travel- sector grow further, according to development and will continue to be our priority,” QTA’s chief tourism this year. “Qatar has become an a wide range of promotional ini- Qurese said in a statement. “Qa- lers get more information about a hotel manager in Doha. development off icer Hassan al-Ibrahim added.