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SATURDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11194 May 25, 2019 Ramadan 20, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Qatar stands tall among nations; siege exposes hackers and bullies

By Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka from the unjust blockade which is Editor-in-Chief evident from the illustrious past two years, which are replete with many accomplishments that have made the A life of dignity or none at all”, residents of this great country proud. that was the sentiment expressed Qatar has completed many world- “by the people of Qatar when a class infrastructure projects includ- group of four Arab nations imposed ing stadiums, roads, bridges, fi ve-star a blockade on the tiny Gulf nation as hotels, major shopping malls, and a “punitive action” for embracing an launched a preview service for the fi rst independent domestic and foreign part of the Doha Metro’s Red Line. policy. The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah On June 5, 2017 Saudi Arabia, the was inaugurated on May 16. It was the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain fi rst World Cup venue to be built from and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with scratch and hosted the Amir Cup fi nal Qatar and imposed a land, air and sea which was attended by a record crowd blockade, accusing Doha of support- of more than 38,000 people. ing militant groups and cosying up During this period Qatar has to Iran. Qatar has vehemently denied achieved near self-suffi ciency in food these charges and its accusers have not production and embarked on ambi- been able to provide even a shred of tious projects to maintain its position evidence to support their conjured up as the largest exporter of liquefi ed nat- allegations. ural gas (LNG). Though the plan to “damage” Qa- A total of 120 new factories have tar had been in the making for several been established in Qatar since the years, the operation to realise it was siege and 60 more large establishments triggered with the hacking of the Qatar are expected to be completed in 2019. News Agency (QNA) in the early hours The eff orts of Kuwaiti Amir, Sheikh of May 24, 2017. The hacking followed Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah inserting fabricated news on the offi - to fi nd “rapprochement among the cial channel which was used as a pre- brothers” has earned him the praise of text by the blockading countries to the international community but has sever all ties with Qatar, less than two achieved little so far. weeks later. The blockade has made it harder to However, it did not take much time for Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah – first Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup venue built from scratch. develop inter-regional trade, attract the world to know who were the perpe- more foreign investment and build on trators behind the shameful cyber crime. On the domestic front, aided by political views on how regional politics speech, that the blockading countries tors suddenly found they could no recent successes in turning the region On July 20, 2017, the investigation team its vast hydrocarbon reserves, Qatar should play out. Thus any country in insist we surrender.” longer access their properties in the into a global hub in travel, communi- of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) revealed has modernised its infrastructure and the region that supports “democratic The reckless actions of the siege blockading countries. cations, fi nance and logistics. that the hacking “originated from the raised the standard of living of its citi- change” becomes a target. countries have resulted in eroding the Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holi- It also makes it diffi cult to envision UAE”. The probe was assisted by offi cial zens to the highest in the world - a level Because Qatar has used its “soft pow- trust among tribes in the Arab world est sites, shocked the world by closing formal moves to improve security co- Western agencies. Several specialised other Gulf states have been unable to er” in the form of diplomacy and inter- and made the Gulf Co-operation the doors for Qatari pilgrims, politicis- operation in traditionally sensitive agencies have all independently obtained achieve. national media networks to highlight Council (GCC) a dysfunctional bloc ing religion for petty gains. areas like counterterrorism and intel- solid and consistent evidence confi rm- Regarding foreign policy, Qatar’s demands for reform in the region, it be- which otherwise was a bulwark of Arab Meanwhile, Qatar has deepened its ligence sharing as this relied primarily ing Qatar’s fi ndings of the involvement independent regional course led to it came marked by the Saudi-Emirati axis. solidarity against threats of all sorts. strategic co-operation and diplomatic on the trust generated by shared exter- of the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the hack- supporting popular demands for dem- Addressing the Munich Security One of the most painful outcomes outreach with countries in the region nal threats, bonds of language and re- ing of the QNA’s website. Qatar has since ocratic change in the Arab world, es- Conference in February this year, His of the blockade was the separation of and around the world. It has also ex- ligion and deeply rooted business and taken many steps to strengthen its cyber pecially during the Arab Spring revolts Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin thousands of family members who panded trade ties with partners old familial ties. security. throughout the Middle East and North Hamad al-Thani said: “Preserving lived in GCC member states as mem- and new. Analysts feel other small Gulf na- Analysts feel the blockading coun- Africa. the sovereignty and the independent bers of an extended family. Qatari stu- The evil intentions behind the hack- tions are still at risk of punitive action tries were unhappy with Qatar’s inde- The young, aggressive leadership in decision-making of countries like Qa- dents had to discontinue their educa- ing was to tarnish the image of Qatar by the Saudi-Emirati coalition given pendent and ambitious domestic and Riyadh and Abu Dhabi saw Doha’s pol- tar ensures accelerated development tion, businessmen were deprived of and undermine its sovereignty. But the underlying conditions that result- foreign policy. icies as standing in opposition to their - development like free media and free their commercial interests and inves- Qatar emerged stronger and bolder ed in the blockade still persist. Bombing of mosque in Pakistan condemned Qatar has strongly condemned the bombing of a mosque in Quetta, Tearful May quits southwestern Pakistan, killing two New timings for Doha people and injuring others. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s over Brexit turmoil firm stance on rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of motives Metro after Ramadan AFP May, who took over in the aftermath and reasons. The statement stressed London of the 2016 Brexit referendum, was Qatar’s total refusal of targeting forced to make way following a Con- places of worship and terrorising By Joey Aguilar Msheireb (Interchange station), Al wailina station and take the train servative mutiny over her ill-fated strat- peaceful people. It expressed Staff Reporter Doha Al Jadeda, Umm Ghuwailina, Al going to the DECC station,” he said, er voice breaking, Prime Min- egy to end Britain’s near fi ve-decade Qatar’s condolences to the victims’ Matar Al Qadeem, Oqba Ibn Nafi e, Free adding that taking a taxi to the metro ister Theresa May announced membership of the European Union. families, the government and people Zone, Ras Bu Fontas and Al Wakrah. station for QR7 or QR8 would be an- Hher resignation yesterday af- “It is and will always remain a mat- of Pakistan, wishing the injured a he Doha Metro Red Line South, This line will soon open other sta- other option. “I want to avoid heavy ter three years of Brexit turmoil, dra- ter of deep regret to me that I have not speedy recovery. Page 12 which started its initial opera- tions such as Katara, Legtaifi ya, Qatar traffi c in the morning and I think matically increasing the likelihood of been able to deliver Brexit,” May said Ttions on May 8, will have new University and Lusail. It operates from many residents like me will be doing Britain crashing out of the EU within outside her Downing Street offi ce, RAMADAN THOUGHT timings after Ramadan, it is learnt. Sunday to Thursday and takes a break the same because it is really com- months. holding back tears. The service will most likely begin during the weekends “for the work re- fortable, aff ordable and hassle-free,” “It will be for my successor to seek a Those who spend their wealth earlier than 8am, aimed at a large quired to open more stations and lines.” Paul added. way forward that honours the result of (in Allah’s Cause) by night and number of people who report to work The staff said that the other Doha Passengers who do not want to the referendum.” day, in secret and in public, they at 7am, according to Qatar Rail’s cus- Metro lines, as well as the remaining drive or take a taxi can avail of the May, 62, who will be among the shall have their reward with tomer service hotline (105). stations of the Red Line, will open in free Metrolink feeder bus service to country’s shortest-serving post- their Lord. On them shall be “The timings right now are for stages and will be fully operational reach the stations as well as to travel WWII prime ministers remembered no fear, nor shall they grieve. Ramadan but we will have a revised by 2020. Filipino expatriate Paul N to nearby locations from the stations. for presiding over one of the most cha- (Qur’an 2: 274) timetable after Ramadan and we will told Gulf Times that the new timings Passengers have also been advised to otic periods in its modern political his- be announcing it in our social media will benefi t a large number of em- avoid blocking the doors as the train tory, said she would step down as head Prayer times channels so kindly follow us on Twit- ployees working at busy areas such as stops at a station and to properly use of the Conservative Party on June 7. Fajr....3.18 Zuhr....11.31 Asr....2.56 ter, Instagram, and Facebook,” a staff West Bay, Msheireb Downtown Doha seats. Eating inside the train is pro- She will remain in Downing Street in Maghrib.....6.19 Isha.....7.49 member said. (Central Station/Interchange) and hibited. Passengers may drink from a caretaker role until a replacement is The Red Line currently operates Old Airport Road, where a number of containers with sealable-tops. elected by the party before July 20. Fasting times from 8am to 11pm and its fi rst phase metro stations operate. In a series of posts on Twitter re- Any new leader of the party, which Iftar today ...... 6.19pm covers 13 of the 18 stations, including “I plan to leave home early (Al Hi- cently, Qatar Rail urged passengers British Prime Minister Theresa won the most votes in the last election, Imsak tomorrow...... 3.08am Al Qassar, DECC, QIC West Bay, Cor- lal) so I can get a parking slot for my not to stand on, sleep on, or block out May reacts as she announces her automatically becomes prime minis- niche, Al Bidda (Interchange station), car somewhere near the Umm Ghu- seats on the metro with bags.Page 16 resignation. ter. Page 8 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 25, 2019 QATAR Talks on Qatar-Japan defence ties QNL off ers support for aspiring postgraduates

he Qatar National Library nology, who runs the network each other,” Sayeed added. or business or even emotional (QNL) informal Postgradu- sessions said, “There are many The monthly sessions of the level.” Tate Peer Support Network PhD students who are strug- network are practical, focusing It’s clear that students in the off ers current and aspiring post- gling alone. They’re either en- on research methodology such network are highly capable of graduates, mostly PhD students rolling in online courses, or are as how to build an argument running their own knowledge in need of intellectual and emo- registered with universities in in a thesis, what makes an ef- building programme. At PhD- tional support, a relaxed environ- some other part of the world. fective argument, and how you level, many have advanced skills ment to meet and support each They are all managing diff erent corroborate your argument with and experience in software, and other. issues - access to information, evidence and statistics. There specialised research and survey The group meets once a month access to people, struck with have also been sessions on writ- techniques and methods. at the library to exchange ideas their research methods and lack ing a PhD research proposal, “We don’t lecture those who and share research, thoughts, of specifi c set of skills required critical reading techniques, sur- gather with us. We use more tips, experiences and personal to complete their PhD tasks. vey analysis, and software skills interactive techniques. I bring milestones and achievements. And they have nobody to ask or this year. in some of my previously pub- The network is one of the key cannot travel very often to their “The network is not an aca- lished or rejected papers, for HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed services that the library pro- universities to get help from demic, technical, or scientifi c instance, to work together and al-Attiyah, who is visiting Japan, met with Japanese Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the Ministry vides to these members of the their supervisors.” forum, but a platform that cre- identify ways to improve the of Defence in Tokyo. During the meeting, they discussed military and defence relations between academic community. Creating a network is one way ates a supportive environment paper or polish the argument. the two countries and means of enhancing them and promoting defence co-operation, besides Sayeed Mohamed, infor- of “bringing together stranded and for postgraduate students and It’s a useful exercise for the discussing the latest regional and international developments. The meeting was attended by mation services librarian at desolated PhD students to encour- even researchers to network and group.” Qatar’s ambassador to Japan Hassan Mohamed Rafi al-Emadi. QNL and a PhD student at the age and motivate one another and support one another, whether The library has vast resources Queensland University of Tech- also to give emotional support to its support at the intellectual including access to databases. QFFD supports amenity projects in 70 countries

By Joseph Varghese “Whether through targeting countries such as Jordan, Leba- ries and the establishment of an QFFD remains a major con- Staff Reporter access to healthcare services for non, and Turkey. In addition, electronic reference library. tributor to supporting the peo- underprivileged and deprived over 100,000 displaced persons In Yemen, Qatar continued ple of Palestine with contribu- communities, providing for from Deraa and Eastern Ghouta to extend generous support by tions nearing $150mn. In 2018, atar Fund for Develop- educational facilities and re- in Syria were also assisted providing access to water and over $75mn of emergency re- ment (QFFD) has sup- sources for out-of-school chil- through emergency response rehabilitating displaced persons. sponse aid went to Gaza. Also, Qported several amenity dren, or building necessary in- projects. QFFD funded $6.5mn worth of Qatar provided generous sup- projects in 70 countries last year, frastructure such as roads, water QFFD contributed a total of projects in healthcare benefi ting port to the UN Relief and Works providing educational, healthcare and sanitation networks, QFFD $3.5mn to various projects for over 680,000 people. Agency (UNRWA) that focuses and infrastructure development projects have helped millions of Rohingya people in partner- QFFD also contributed $5mn on aiding the Palestinian peo- assistance among others. people around the world over- ship with the UNHCR and lo- to support Unicef in fi ghting the ple both inside Palestine and in In 2018, QFFD disbursed come basic barriers to human cal NGOs to provide life-saving cholera epidemic in the most neighbouring host countries. Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari speaking at the 2018 report launch event. $585mn out of which $451.8mn needs,” says Khalifa bin Jassim healthcare and shelter in vari- aff ected areas in Yemen. These The contributions to UNRWA was for Arab countries, says its al-Kuwari, director general of ous camps in Myanmar and contributions are in response totalled around $50mn, and the KV River Nile State Transmis- fective access to electricity. 2018 annual report. QFFD in the report. Bangladesh. to the pledge that His Highness funds were utilised to sustain its sion Line Project, $85mn was QFFD also supported various On behalf of Qatar, QFFD pro- Qatar extended support with In Libya, over 600,000 peo- the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- education services for Palestin- disbursed to fund the project projects around the world, in- vides relief and support for sus- an amount of $52mn to Syria and ple benefi ted from projects mad al-Thani made during the ian youth in all fi ve fi elds of op- which mainly enables indus- cluding the earthquake relief in tainable development in various its neighbouring countries, pro- funded by QFFD to the tune of 73rd UN General Assembly. The erations, namely, Jordan, Gaza, trial-scale agricultural farming Papua New Guinea, the provi- developing countries. The prior- viding comprehensive health- $8mn. The projects were aimed $70mn pledge covers 53 projects the West Bank including East in the Northern and Khartoum sion of food relief for displaced ity areas of QFFD are education, care, housing, and vocational at supporting the health sec- in water, sanitation and insti- Jerusalem, Syria and Lebanon. states. This has benefi ted com- persons in Iraq, in addition to healthcare, humanitarian relief, training. These have benefi ted tor through training of staff , the tutional capacity building, and In Sudan, the Fund’s contri- munities living along the trans- several development projects in infrastructure development, and internally displaced Syrians and supply of equipment and medi- aims to benefi t 8.5mn people, butions touched $112mn in 2018. mission lines by providing them Chile, the Gambia, Kazakhstan, economic empowerment. refugees in neighbouring host cines, restoration of laborato- including 4.25mn children. With the completion of the 220 with more reliable and cost-ef- and the United States.

QU’s DPH students present research QU Health activity discusses projects Thousands of Students from Qatar University’s (QU) Department of Public Health (DPH) recently presented graduation research projects, which antimicrobial resistance issues range from topics such as early expats relish childhood development to obesity. Most of the 21 students that n Inter-Professional presented will graduate in Spring Education (IPE) activity 2019, making them the fourth Athat focuses on infection group of alumni with a BSc from quality meals and antibiotic stewardship was the public health programme. held recently in Qatar Univer- A project about the association sity (QU) engaging 150 students between breastfeeding and early and 16 facilitators from QU childhood development in Qatari Health, the health cluster that children was presented by Fatima at Iftar tents comprises three health related AlBakri, Estabraq al-Araji and Hind colleges - pharmacy, medicine al-Marri. and health sciences. Eman AlBahrani, Sara al-Saff ar By Ayman Adly and everybody is welcome,” The IPE Committee (IPEC) and Lara Saranek presented on Staff Reporter one of the organisers said. organised the event, aiming to the association between diabetes While all the services are introduce students to the con- and cardiovascular diseases and available for free and entry is cept of antimicrobial steward- their risk factors based on data haritable Iftar tents are open to all, the entire exercise ship. The activity addressed from Qatar Biobank. Both projects a distinctive feature of is carefully organised and each shared IPE competencies in- were supervised by Dr Mohamed Cthe holy month of Ra- tent follows a particular pat- cluding role clarifi cation, inter- Fasih Alam. madan across the country, as tern in the distribution of food professional communication Dr Diana al-Sayed Hasan and these places provide quality and seating of visitors. Also, and shared decision-making. her students Sara al-Rajeh, and free service to thousands there are eff ective measures in The programme featured Aisha al-Ahmed and Huda Maki of single expatriate workers. place to clean the tent and re- discussions focused on the is- investigated the impact of Such tents are organised by move leftovers after each Iftar sue of antimicrobial resistance A view of the participants in the IPE activity which focused on infection and antibiotic stewardship. cyberbullying on depression in individual donors and philan- meal. to highlight the ongoing prob- QU. Dr al-Sayed also supervised thropists, in addition to those The safety and health of lem of antibiotics no longer academic year, to participate a project by Fatema Helaluddin, arranged by various charitable the food supplied there is also being active against certain in curricula and extra curricula Omnia Mohamed and Ozra Hajebi entities. guaranteed as the authorities infections. IPE activities learning with, Chahestani, which investigated A short while before Iftar concerned conduct regular Furthermore, the students from and about each other on diabetes self-management time, quality meals in ad- and sudden inspection cam- were introduced to a case study a diverse range of topics such practices and the quality of life of equate numbers - often made paigns for this purpose, which that encouraged discussion as smoking cessation, diabetes, type 2 diabetes patients in Qatar. of rice, chicken, meat and fi sh also extends to catering com- among groups on the role and mental health, infection, fall Another important topic was besides salads, sweets and panies and transportation of perspective of diff erent pro- prevention and much more.” raised by Dr Lily O’Hara and her other dishes - are supplied food. fessions (pharmacy, medicine, CPH assistant professor and students Aisha al-Rumeihi, Reema hot and freshly cooked to the The frequency of visitors public health, biomedical) in lead facilitator for the event Dr Sultan and Afnan al-Aswad as tents by restaurants or cater- at these tents varies from one antimicrobial stewardship and Shane Pawluk said, “As glo- they analysed survey pertaining ers engaged by the sponsors location to another, with those the benefi ts of adding more bally, the rates of antimicrobial to the relationship between body and organisers to cater to the based in the Industrial Area professions to the team. The resistance are increasing, inter- image dissatisfaction with the participants on a daily basis receiving the highest number challenging case allowed stu- professional learning off ers our influence of society and social throughout the holy month. of single workers. On their dents to share their knowledge future health care profession- media in QU female students. The majority of people who part, the benefi ciaries see such and learn from others during als the opportunity to face this Dr Manar Elhassan and Rodaina frequent these tents are single tents as a good opportunity to a group discussion in order to challenge together in an organ- Hashem, Nada Arar and Nasra expatriate men. They praise enjoy a hassle-free Iftar after a meet the needs of this patient. ized and eff ective manner.” Ayon used Qatar Biobank data the initiatives for being gen- long day of work. Commenting on the event, Senior CHS biomedical stu- to investigate the association erous and open to all, as well Besides such Iftar tents, it CPH assistant dean for Student dent Fatima Abdullah Ahma- between obesity and risk as for enabling them to have a has been observed that many Aff airs and QU Health chair of di said: “The IPE experience CPH assistant professor and and lead facilitator for the event Dr of hypercholesterolemia. good time and enjoy a quality Qatari philanthropists pro- IPEC Dr Alla El-Awaisi said, was very helpful as a student Shane Pawluk. Additionally, a national financial meal with peers. “Everybody vide a considerable number “Inter-professional education in healthcare. We gained tre- analysis of health expenditure welcomes and accepts the of good meals at their houses, is an essential component in mendous knowledge from all disciplines somehow overlap and nity to meet other professionals was presented by Dr Shafqat others as brothers,” said one where many single expatriate creating and promoting a col- healthcare providers such as plays a crucial role in patient from other backgrounds and Shehzad and her students, Dana such visitor. workers go for a few minutes laborative culture where mem- biomedical sciences, pharmacy, care. Most importantly, it high- other perspectives that we lack. al-Sabbagh, Nurun al-Nahar “All these tents are welcom- before the Iftar time to re- bers of the healthcare team ef- medicine, nutrition and public lights that team work is vital in Everyone looked at the case and Ekram al Mushaddani as ing and open to all, and pro- ceive a meal. Alternatively, fectively collaborate together health. Furthermore, opening medical healthcare.” from totally diff erent angles. they presented a cross-country vide visitors with quality food some philanthropists opt for for best eff ective care to our the discussion about important Third year CHS public health Activities such as this provide comparison of expenditure on to break their fast with regard- transporting the food in their patients. We are proud that topics such as patient care, an- student Sana Ahmed Elashie students with the opportunity health, based on evidence from less of their background or vehicles to the places of those healthcare students in Qatar tibiotics and infectious diseases said, “Attending the IPE activ- to enhance their career and data provided by the WHO’s off ice status. Nobody needs to seek in need to distribute meals have had the opportunity, this makes you realise that all of these ity was a powerful opportu- achieve more in their area.” for the Eastern Mediterranean. permission to enjoy the Iftar before Iftar, too. Gulf Times Saturday, May 25, 2019 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD/RAMADAN The practice of the Prophet Trump: 1,500 a’ishah, may Allah be pleased the morning of the 21st, he, sallallaahu with her, reported: “When the ‘alaihi wa sallam, got up to pray the Alast 10 days of Ramadan came, Fajr prayer and it was raining; the roof the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- of the mosque leaked, and there was lam, would stay up all night, wake his mud and water. He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi family and gird his loins”. [Al-Bukhari wa sallam, came out when he had fi n- & Muslim]. In the book of Imaam ished praying, and there was mud and more troops Muslim the narration read: “He strove water on his forehead and nose. That hard and girded his loins”. Imaam Ibn was the morning of the 21st, one of the Hajar, may Allah have mercy upon last 10 days. [Muslim] him, said: “His staying all night was in Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased worship and acts of obedience, and the with him, reported that the Prophet, reason he woke his family was for them sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: to pray the optional night prayers, and “Whoever stays up praying during to deploy to girding his loins referred to him ab- Laylatul-Qadr (i.e. in prayer) out of staining from sleeping with his wives” faith and in the hope of Allah’s reward, ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased all his previous sins will be forgiven.” with her, reported: “The Prophet, [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with strive hard (in worship) during the her, reported: “When the Messenger last 10 days of Ramadan in a way that of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Middle East he did not strive at any other times.” was in I’tikaaf, he inclined his head to- [Muslim] wards me and I combed his hair whilst Agencies dress an alleged ongoing threat from tent to move forward with “a number Zaynab Bint Umm Salamah, may I was on my menses inside my room Washington Iran. of arms sales.” Allah be pleased with her, reported: (i.e. which overlooked the mosque), ARMS SALES In a statement, Risch said, “I am re- “Whenever the last 10 nights of Ra- and he did not enter the house except Meanwhile, Trump, saying there is viewing and analysing the legal justi- madan came, the Prophet, sallallaahu for a need (i.e. relieving himself).” [Al- resident Donald Trump an- a national emergency because of ten- fi cation for this action and the associ- ‘alaihi wa sallam, would not leave any Bukhari & Muslim] He, sallallaahu nounced yesterday that some sions with Iran, is clearing the sale of ated implications.” member of his family who could phys- ‘alaihi wa sallam, would walk his wives P1,500 additional US troops billions of dollars worth of weapons to OMAN’S PEACE EFFORTS ically pray the night prayers but would back home if any of them visited him would deploy to the Middle East Saudi Arabia and other countries, US Oman said yesterday it was trying to wake them up.” [At-Tirmithi] in the mosque during I’tikaaf. against a backdrop of soaring tensions senators said yesterday, despite strong reduce spiralling tensions between the Al-Husayn Ibn Ali, may Allah be with Iran. resistance to the plan from both Re- Unites States and Iran, as the Pentagon The Way of the Prophet in I’tikaaf pleased with him, reported: “Safi yyah “We want to have protection in the publicans and Democrats. confi rmed it was considering deploy- ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with the wife of the Prophet, sallallaahu Middle East,” Trump told reporters as The administration has informed ing more troops to the region. her, reported: “The Prophet, sallallaa- Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased ‘alaihi wa sallam, came and visited he prepared to set off on a trip to Japan. congressional committees that it will The sultanate, which faces Iran hu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to do I’tikaaf with him, reported: “The Messenger him during his I’tikaaf in the mosque “We’re going to be sending a rela- go ahead with 22 arms deals worth across the highly sensitive Strait of (residing in the mosque with the in- of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, during the last 10 days of Ramadan. tively small number of troops, mostly some $8bn, congressional aides said, Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, tention of worship) during the last 10 used to perform I’tikaaf every year in She spoke with him for a while, then protective,” Trump added.”It’ll be sweeping aside a long-standing prec- has maintained good relations with days of Ramadan until he passed away, the month of Ramadan for 10 days, she stood up to go home. The Prophet, about 1,500 people.” edent for congressional review of such Tehran throughout successive regional then his wives did I’tikaaf after him” and when it was the year of his death, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, stood up The deployment includes reconnais- sales.Some lawmakers and congres- crises.That has at times allowed it to Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased he stayed in I’tikaaf for 20 days”. [Al- with her to walk her back, then when sance aircraft, fi ghter jets, engineers, sional aides had warned earlier this play an important mediating role, in- with him, reported: “The Prophet, sal- Bukhari] she reached the door of the mosque, by and the extension of the presence of a week that Trump, frustrated with cluding with the United States. lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to do Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased the door of Umm Salamah, two men of Patriot missile defense battalion that Congress holding up weapons sales “We and other parties seek to calm I’tikaaf during the last 10 days of Ram- with him, narrated that the Prophet, the Ansaar passed by and greeted the accounts for 600 of the personnel. “This like a major deal to sell Raytheon Co tensions between Washington and Te- adan” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, is a prudent response to credible threats precision-guided munitions to Saudi hran,” Muscat’s state minister for for- ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with “Seek Laylatul-Qadr (i.e. the Night and rapidly moved away. The Prophet from Iran,” said Acting Defence Sec- Arabia, was considering using a loop- eign aff airs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdul- her, reported: “When the Prophet, sal- of Decree) in the last 10 days of Ram- said to them: “Wait, this is Safi yyah retary Patrick Shanahan.Pentagon of- hole in arms control law to go ahead lah said in a statement. lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, wanted to do adan” [Al-Bukhari] bint Huyay.” They said: “SubhaanAl- fi cials said the 1,500 additional troops with the sale by declaring a national “A war could harm the whole world, I’tikaaf, he would pray Fajr, then enter Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, may Allah lah, O Messenger of Allah!” They felt were in response to recent incidents in emergency. and both the American and Iranian the place where he was to do I’tikaaf” be pleased with him, said: “The Mes- distressed (that he thought they might the region that US intelligence had tied “I am disappointed, but not sur- sides are ‘aware of the dangers’.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslims] senger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa think something bad). The Prophet, to Iran’s leadership. prised, that the Trump Administration Abdullah earlier this week visited Once the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi sallam, did I’tikaaf during the fi rst 10 sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: Those have included a rocket attack has failed once again to prioritise our Tehran, where he met Iranian Foreign wa sallam, wanted to do I’tikaaf in the days of Ramadan, then he did I’tikaaf “The devil is as close to a man as his on the Green Zone in Baghdad, explo- long-term national security interests Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif, Te- last 10 nights of Ramadan, so he com- during the middle 10 days in a Turkish blood.” In another report: “The devil sive devices that damaged four tankers or stand up for human rights, and in- hran’s offi cial state news agency IRNA manded a small tent be placed for him tent [a circular structure] in which a fl ows through the veins of a man like in Fujairah at the entrance to the Gulf, stead is granting favours to authoritar- said. in the mosque. Zaynab, may Allah be mat was placed. He said: “So he, sal- blood. I was afraid that the devil might and a Houthi drone attack against a ian countries like Saudi Arabia,” Sena- Oman played a crucial role in bring- pleased with her, also commanded a lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, took the mat cast some evil ideas into your hearts.” Saudi oil installation. tor Bob Menendez said in a statement. ing US and Iranian negotiators togeth- tent be placed for her for I’tikaaf, and in his hand and put it at the side of the [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] “We view this as a campaign,” said Menendez is one of the members of er for the preliminary talks that ulti- after that other wives of the Prophet, tent, then he raised his head to speak Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have Rear Admiral Michael Gilday, director Congress who reviews such sales be- mately led to a landmark 2015 nuclear sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, com- to the people, so they came closer to mercy upon him, said: “Whenever the of the Pentagon’s Joint Staff . cause he is the ranking Democrat on deal between Iran and major powers, manded likewise. After he, sallal- him. He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Gilday stressed that the expanded the Senate Foreign Relations Commit- including the United States. laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, prayed the Fajr lam, said: “I did I’tikaaf during the was in I’tikaaf, a mat would be placed US military presence in the region, in- tee. The current crisis began when Pres- prayer he noticed the tents and com- fi rst 10 days, seeking this night, then I for him and a bed, and if he went out to cluding an aircraft carrier task force, Another, the Republican Foreign Re- ident Donald Trump abandoned the manded his tent to be removed and did I’tikaaf during the middle 10 days. use the bathroom, he would not talk to B-52 bombers, and an amphibious lations Committee chairman, Senator deal in May last year and gradually re- did not resume I’tikaaf the remaining Then someone came to me and told me anyone, and his I’tikaaf area was small, attack vessel deployed earlier this Jim Risch, said he had received formal imposed crippling sanctions that have part of Ramadan, and instead he went that it is in the last 10 days, so whoever unlike what some ignorant people do month, are defensive and meant to ad- notifi cation of the administration’s in- left Iran’s economy reeling. into I’tikaaf in the fi rst 10 nights of the among you wants to do I’tikaaf, let him by making their area fi t 10 people so month of Shawwaal. This proves that do so.” So the people did I’tikaaf with that they can receive visitors. This is he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, had him. He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, contrary to the manner of the Proph- a special isolated area away from the said: “I was shown an odd-numbered et’s I’tikaaf”. people for I’tikaaf that was enough night, in the morning of which I was Article source: http://www.is- only for him. prostrating in mud and water”. Then in lamweb.net/emainpage/

Mourners attend a funeral of people, who were killed by an air strike launched by the Saudi-led coalition in Sanaa, yesterday. Saudi-led bombing kills 10 in Yemen

DPA Rebels man a nearby security checkpoint, they added. Sanaa There has been no comment from the Saudi-led alliance, which is fi ghting Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis have stepped up their missile and drone at- ir strikes by the Saudi-led coalition yesterday killed tacks inside neighbouring Saudi Arabia in recent weeks. at least 10 civilians in the embattled province of Taiz Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating confl ict be- Ain south-western Yemen, rebels and witnesses said. tween the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis since The Saudi-led jets bombed a fuel station in Taiz, Moham- late 2014. ed Abdel-Salam, a spokesman for the Houthi rebels, said, The feud has intensifi ed since March 2015, when the adding that children were among the dead. Houthis advanced on the government’s temporary capital “Another massacre added by the forces of aggression (the of Aden, prompting Saudi Arabia and its allies to start an air Saudi-led alliance) to their criminal record against the Yem- campaign against the group. eni people,” he tweeted in Arabic. Saudi-led attacks have killed nearly 4,600 out of the Local witnesses said two other civilians were injured in 7,000 verifi ed civilians who have died in the war, according the bombardment of the fuel station in the area of Muawiya. to recent fi gures by the UN Human Rights Offi ce.

Iraq urges Tehran to respect N-accord

AFP agreement,” said Iraq’s Foreign Min- shops for up to 25 years. The aim is to Oslo ister Mohamed Ali al-Hakim, refer- ensure that Iran is not holding unde- ring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan clared stocks of nuclear material and of Action signed by Iran in 2015 with is not enriching uranium past a cer- raq’s top diplomat yesterday called Russia, China, Germany, Britain and tain level. on Iran to respect the landmark the United States. “We encourage the Iranian govern- Ideal covering its nuclear pro- Under the terms of the deal, the ment to stick to the JCPOA and stick gramme, which has been weakened by UN’s nuclear watchdog, the Inter- to the spirit of the agreement and the US decision to withdraw from it national Atomic Energy Agency, is continue with it,” he told reporters and Tehran’s backing away from cer- charged with regular inspections in Oslo during a press briefing at a tain commitments. of declared facilities in Iran such as conference on combating sexual vio- “We think the JCPOA is a good uranium mines and centrifuge work- lence in humanitarian crises. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 25, 2019 ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Attacks on Algeria police cordon off key DR Congo Ebola teams kill protest site in show of force four since AFP is set for July 4, but protesters Algiers reject it, saying a vote will not be valid until new, independent outbreak institutions are set up to oversee lgerian police yesterday voting. threw up a tight cordon As the deadline for candi- AFP Aaround a key protest site, dates to register approaches, Kinshasa arresting dozens of demonstra- no major prospect has stepped tors in the biggest show of force forward. in 14 weeks of mass demonstra- While Bensalah and Prime cores of attacks on health tions. Minister Noureddine Bedoui teams tackling an Ebola Protesters have rallied out- have remained relatively quiet, Soutbreak in Democratic side the Grand Post Offi ce in Al- Salah has given three speeches Republic of Congo have killed giers every week since February, in as many days this week. four people and wounded dozens forcing veteran president Ab- On Monday, he spoke out in the last ten months, the gov- delaziz Boutefl ika to step down against the protesters’ de- ernment said yesterday. in early April after two decades mands, saying calls for the de- The UN has reported teams in power. parture of key members of the helping fi ght the second deadli- They have continued to stage Boutefl ika-era ruling circle est Ebola outbreak on record af- mass demonstrations each were “unreasonable, even dan- ter the epidemic in West Africa Friday, demanding sweeping gerous”. Preparations for the in 2014-2016 have come under reforms and the departure of presidential poll should be ac- attack and even been killed. regime fi gures including army celerated to avoid “the trap of The outbreak declared in east- chief Ahmed Gaid Salah and a constitutional void”, he said, ern DR Congo last August has interim President Abdelkader adding that the ballot would killed more than 1,200 people in Bensalah. “stop those who are trying to two provinces — Ituri and North But ahead of this week’s pro- prolong this crisis”. On Tues- Kivu — and new cases have test, security forces erected day, he called on protesters to surged in recent weeks. fences in a bid to prevent dem- “unite” with the army to pre- But eff orts to tackle the crisis onstrators from accessing the vent “instigators” from hijack- have been hampered by militia site.Several hundred protest- ing the demonstrations, and on fi ghting in aff ected regions and ers gathered near the building, Wednesday he reassured the assaults on teams as well as by chanting: “Tired of the gener- public he had “no political am- locals who view the international als!” “Gaid Salah resign!” bition”. prevention eff ort with suspicion. However, they were kept at Some observers have pointed “Between August 2018 and bay by a police cordon and a row to similarities with Egypt’s gen- May 20, 2019, there were 132 at- of vehicles, and an AFP jour- eral-turned-president Abdel tacks against health teams since nalist saw a woman arrested Fattah al-Sisi, who was elected the state of the epidemic in the nearby. Demonstrators chant slogans during a protest to demand the postponement of a presidential election and the removal of the ruling elite in in 2014 despite vowing the army east,” the health ministry said “Patrols criss-crossed the Algiers, yesterday. would stay out of politics after in a report.”They include health city and arrested anyone sus- it ousted president Mohamed workers and patients.” pected of joining” protests, said during the fasting month of Ra- not stop Algerians demonstrat- protests began. An activist with regions, with further rallies ex- Mursi the previous year. Health teams and nurses have Said Salhi, vice-president of the madan, huge crowds fi lled the ing. Algeria’s Socialist Workers’ pected in the desert south dur- In Algeria, the army has reported death threats and de- Algerian League for the Defence streets of Algiers. Local news site TSA report- Party wrote on Facebook that he ing the cooler evening hours. played a central role since the struction of medical centres be- of Human Rights, on Twitter. Mehenna Abdeslam, a pro- ed police in Algiers had made was being held “with some 20 Most protesters in Algiers country’s independence in cause of their role in fi ghting the “It seems they want to ban tester and a university teacher, “massive arrests among the other citizens in a police van”. dispersed peacefully later in the 1962, and was considered the outbreak, it said. the rally.” said he saw “the police system- protesters”.It also noted a heavy The offi cial APS news agency day. real holder of power up until Local medical teams on But despite the arrests and atically arrest anyone carrying a presence of female police offi c- reported protests in 25 out of A presidential election origi- Boutefl ika was fi rst elected in Thursday threatened to strike the hardships of demonstrating banner”. But he said that would ers for the fi rst time since the the North African country’s 48 nally due to take place in April 1999. if the government did not take measures to better protect them from violence. “Because of the violence, a number of doctors and nurses in the Beni and Lubero areas have Thousands attend prayers Rocket hits Libya HQ of anti-Haftar lawmakers had to move or temporarily quit, forcing some health centres to close their doors,” the ministry at Al-Aqsa compound AFP Tripoli in early April. The at- makers, described the attack mate on the southern out- said. Tripoli tack damaged the entrance to as a “dangerous escalation” skirts of the capital. The fi ght- WHO has accused political the conference centre adjoin- and accused Haftar’s forces of ing around Tripoli has killed leaders in the aff ected region of QNA 13 and women of all ages are al- ing the hotel, shattering its a “war crime”. The GNA’s in- at least 510 and wounded manipulating the Ebola issue to Occupied Jerusalem lowed to enter East Jerusalem hotel complex in the windows, AFP journalists at terior ministry described the 2,467, while over 100,000 turn people against health work- without permits for the occasion Libyan capital serving the scene said. The minority raid as “criminal” and said it are trapped, according to the ers. on Fridays. Aas a base for lawmakers faction of lawmakers, opposed was “a desperate attempt... United Nations and NGOs. The UN on Thursday named ens of thousands of Pal- Men under 40, however, are opposed to strongman Khalifa to Haftar’s off ensive against resulting from the defeats” Over 82,000 people have a pointman to co-ordinate the estinian Muslim worship- banned entry into the city. Haftar was hit by rocket fi re Tripoli, installed itself in the suff ered by Haftar’s forces. been displaced by the clashes global response to the Ebola Tpers above 40 years of age Israeli authorities beefed up yesterday, witnesses said. capital in early May. Haftar advanced from his since April 4, according to the epidemic in the DR Congo, as it from East Jerusalem, the West police deployments in diff erent The internationally rec- The 42-strong group held eastern stronghold into Lib- UN’s refugee agency UNHCR. ramps up eff orts to contain the Bank and Arab towns across Is- parts of the Old City of Jeru- ognised Government of Na- meetings at the Rixos, threat- ya’s south early this year be- The Rixos is in the heart of outbreak. rael attended the third Friday of salem as well as at all the alleys tional Accord (GNA) blamed ening a lasting schism with fore turning his forces towards the capital and had been the David Gressly, currently serv- Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque leading to the mosque com- the attack at the Rixos Hotel Libya’s parliament based in Tripoli, the seat of the GNA, seat of a parliament elected in ing as the UN’s deputy special Compound in Jerusalem. pound. and Conference Centre on Benghazi, in Haftar’s eastern on April 4. 2014 — the fi rst since former representative in DRC, will take Worshippers made their way Israeli forces fi red tear gas Haftar’s self-styled Libyan stronghold. But a counter-off ensive by dictator Muammar Gaddafi charge of the anti-Ebola eff ort, to the mosque compound, pass- canisters towards Palestin- National Army (LNA), which Sadeq al-Kehili, provisional forces nominally loyal to the was deposed and killed in a the World Health Organisation ing into East Jerusalem via the ian young men below 40 years, launched an off ensive against speaker for the dissident law- GNA has resulted in stale- 2011 Nato-backed uprising. said. Qalandia military checkpoint, as who attempted to break through a severe heat wave with temper- the section of Israel’s wall sur- atures as high as 39 struck the rounding Jerusalem in order to region, Palestinian news agency attend the prayer at the mosque WAFA reported. compound and detained a Playtime Men over 40, children under number of them. Clean-up of Nairobi rivers UNREST uncovers 14 bodies Sudan protest leaders call for strike

Sudan’s protest leaders have called for a two-day general strike starting on AFP strangled and dumped near the Tuesday amid deadlock in talks with the military on installing civilian rule. Nairobi river,” said county government “There is no longer any alternative to using the weapon of a general strike,” spokesman Elkana Jacob. the Alliance for Freedom and Change umbrella group said in a statement “This makes a total number yesterday. It said the strike, aff ecting “public and private institutions and major operation to clean of 14 bodies of adults and in- companies”, would be accompanied by civil disobedience and was “an act of up the trash-clogged riv- fants retrieved from Nairobi peaceful resistance with which we have been forced to proceed”. The group, Aers in the Kenyan capital rivers since Governor Mike which led a nationwide protest movement against long-time leader Omar has led to the grisly discovery of Sonko launched the clean-up al-Bashir that led to his ouster on April 11, is at odds with the ruling military 14 bodies, most of them babies exercise,” he said. council over the form of a new governing body. and children, the local govern- Nairobi’s name comes from a ment said yesterday. Maasai phrase meaning “place Yesterday, clean-up crews of cool waters”, however the REFUGEES found the body of an eight- main river and its tributaries Almost 300 migrants rescued year-old boy who had been have fallen prey to industriali- strangled and dumped near the sation and chaotic urban plan- The Libyan navy has rescued some 290 migrants from sinking boats off Nairobi River, just days after ning. the coast of Tripoli in two separate operations, off icials said yesterday. A the bodies of twin babies were Factories spew industrial coastguard patrol plucked 87 migrants of diff erent African nationalities, discovered in a plastic bag. waste into the rivers, while including six women and a child, from a sinking rubber boat about 50 “Nairobi county youth con- dozens of informal settlements kilometres east of the Libyan capital. They were taken to a Tripoli naval ducting cleaning of Nairobi with no proper sewage system base, said navy spokesman Ayoub Kacem. In a separate mission, some Palestinians play in the Mediterranean sea in Gaza City during a heatwave, yesterday. River have today (Friday) found or trash removal fill them with 203 migrants including a woman and also all from African countries. yet another body of a...boy garbage and human waste.

Zuma says forced to sell socks to pay legal fees

AFP Zuma, 77, was in court this week “I have to sell hats, socks to pay scared of anything,” said Zuma fi nances, the State has squeezed Johannesburg seeking a permanent stay of for legal fees,” he told his support- referring to Cyril Ramaphosa’s that”.Zuma has been charged with prosecution. ers gathered outside the court- government.He said he has had to 16 counts of fraud, racketeering He is accused of taking bribes house in the southeastern city of let go of white lawyers that previ- and money laundering relating candal-plagued South Af- from French defence company Pietermaritzburg. In December ously represented him. to a multi-million-dollar arms rica’s ex-president Jacob Thales during his time as a pro- a court ruled that Zuma, who “I am left with black lawyers deal dating back to before he took SZuma said yesterday he vincial economy minister and was ousted last year over multi- because they will do the work offi ce in 2009. Both Zuma and is so broke he has had to sell later as deputy president of ple graft scandals, should foot his even” if he has not yet paid them. Thales are asking the high court in clothes to raise legal fees to fi ght the African National Congress own legal fees. His lawyer Muzi Sikhakhane the southeastern city of Pieterma- a corruption case. (ANC) in the 1990s. “They don’t want me to have told the court that “Mr Zuma re- ritzburg to drop the charges. Former President Jacob Zuma speaks to supporters after his Facing corruption charges for He and Thales deny the charg- lawyers, they are ganging up mains here, squeezed out of eve- The ruling is expected at a date appearance in the High Court where he faces charges that include a case dating back to the 1990s, es. on me, but I won’t cry, I am not rything he could do. He has no yet to be set. fraud, corruption and racketeering, in Pietermaritzburg, yesterday. Gulf Times Saturday, May 25, 2019 5 AMERICAS

Doctored Pelosi US House video goes viral fails to pass disaster Trump boosts AFP The slowed-down video of Washington Pelosi – who is often seen as a bete noire by Republicans – aid bill was shared by Trump’s per- manipulated video pur- sonal lawyer Rudy Giuliani on porting to show a slur- Twitter. Reuters Aring Nancy Pelosi was He later deleted the tweet. Washington Barr probe into gaining traction on social me- The Politics WatchDog dia with millions of shares yes- post’s caption reads: “House terday, as the Democratic con- Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Presi- he US House of Repre- gressional leader traded insults dent Trump walking out infra- sentatives failed yesterday with President Donald Trump structure meeting: ‘It was very, Tto pass a $19.1bn disaster over mental health. very, very strange’.” aid bill supported by President An analysis by AFP journal- The footage appears to have Donald Trump, but is expected ists of the doctored footage, in been doctored from a speech to try again early next month. Mueller report which Pelosi appears to speak Pelosi gave at the Centre for Following Senate passage of in a clumsy manner, found it American Progress Ideas Con- the legislation on Thursday by a Reuters fi ndings – NO COLLUSION, had been slowed to around 75% ference in Washington DC on vote of 85-8, House leaders had Washington NO OBSTRUCTION. Now they of its normal speed. Tuesday. hoped to win quick, unanimous should go back to work and leg- One version posted on Fa- At the event, Pelosi reiter- approval of the bill and send it islate!” cebook by conservative site ated her belief that Trump is to Trump for his expected sig- S President Donald Trump, a Republican, har- Politics WatchDog has been “obstructing justice” and is nature. Trump has ordered the bours suspicions that the Dem- viewed 2.3mn times, and it involved in a “cover up” by But since the House did not Uintelligence community ocratic Obama administration was also circulating widely on refusing to co-operate with go through regular, more time- to co-operate with Attorney ordered him investigated during YouTube and Twitter. investigations by Democrats consuming procedures, it need- General William Barr’s review the 2016 campaign to try to un- In the comment section of in Congress, according to sat- ed the consent of all of its cur- of the events that prompted an dermine his candidacy. the post, Facebook users called ellite TV network C-SPAN, rent 432 members to approve the investigation into links between He wants payback against Pelosi “drunk”, “a babbling which published the original bill. the Trump campaign and Rus- those he believes were respon- mess”, and suggested that she video online. For months, lawmakers sia. sible. may have taken prescription She characterised the US have been haggling behind the The directive comes as the “Comey, Brennan, Clap- drugs or suff ered a stroke. president’s actions as a poten- scenes over the disaster aid bill White House spars with con- per, we’re draining the swamp, The video has emerged amid tially “impeachable off ence”, it in response to hurricanes in the gressional Democrats over the folks,” Trump told a rally on a bitter public row between said. southeastern US, severe fl ood- work of Special Counsel Robert Monday in Pennsylvania, refer- Pelosi and Trump which has According to the Washing- ing in the Midwest, devastating Mueller, who led a two-year in- ring to former Federal Bureau seen the US president attack ton Post, which fi rst reported wildfi res in California and other vestigation into whether Russia of Investigation (FBI) direc- his rival as “crazy Nancy” and the doctored video, the pitch events. meddled in the 2016 US election tor James Comey, former Cen- “a mess”. of Pelosi’s voice had also been The $19.1bn in the bill is in- and if there were any ties be- tral Intelligence Agency (CIA) Pelosi, the speaker of the US altered to disguise the fact that tended to help farmers cover tween the Trump campaign and director John Brennan, and House of Representatives, ex- the video had been slowed. their crop losses and rebuild Russia. Trump with Barr prior to presenting the Public Safety Medals of James Clapper, a former direc- pressed hope that those close Trump on Thursday tweeted infrastructure hit by disasters, “Today, at the request and Valour to off icers in the East Room of the White House in tor of national intelligence, all to Trump would stage an in- a separate Fox News video of including repairs to US military recommendation of the attor- Washington on Wednesday. of whom have been critical of tervention “for the good of the Pelosi which appeared to have bases. ney general of the United States, Trump. country”. been edited to focus on sec- Representative Chip Roy, a President Donald J Trump di- Republican House mem- Rachel Maddow Show, House Of specifi c interest to the US In a tweet on Thursday, tions of a speech in which she fi rst-term Republican, objected rected the intelligence commu- ber Mark Meadows tweeted on Judiciary Committee chairman president are the warrants that Pelosi also sarcastically re- stuttered and mispronounced to holding the vote, citing con- nity to quickly and fully co-op- Thursday that “Americans are Jerrold Nadler said that Mueller emanated from a secretive court peated Trump’s description of certain words, with the cap- cerns that the legislation did not erate with the attorney general’s going to learn the truth about had told him that he is willing to that authorises surveillance on himself as a “very stable gen- tion “Pelosi stammers through include $4.5bn that Trump had investigation into surveillance what occurred at their Justice testify to lawmakers in private, foreign powers and their sus- ius”. news conference”. requested to deal with a surge of activities during the 2016 presi- Department”. but is willing to make a public pected agents. Central American immigrants on dential election,” White House Adam Schiff , a Democrat statement. Trump supporters believe the southwestern border. spokeswoman Sarah Sanders member and the chairman of Nadler, a Democrat, told that the warrants will identify Roy also complained that the said after Trump issued the di- the House Intelligence Com- Maddow that if Mueller did tes- those responsible for the Russia cost of the bill was not off set rective. mittee, has criticised Trump’s tify behind closed doors, then probe that is still roiling Wash- by savings to other government The order also allows Barr to directive. the public would get a written ington. programmes. declassify any information he “While Trump stonewalls the transcript of the testimony. Last month, Barr said at a “This is a $19bn bill that is not sees fi t during his review. public from learning the truth However, Trump railed on Senate hearing that “spying” on paid for when we are racking up A redacted version of Muel- about his obstruction of jus- Twitter early yesterday against Trump’s campaign was carried $100mn of debt per hour,” Roy ler’s report was released pub- tice, Trump and Barr conspire to the investigation, and said that out by US intelligence agencies, complained. licly in April. weaponise law enforcement and the investigation was political- though he later referred to his Congress regularly approves The probe found no evidence classifi ed information against ly-motivated. concerns as focused on “unau- “emergency” disaster aid bills that the Trump campaign en- their political enemies,” Schiff He wrote: “Intelligence Agen- thorised surveillance”. without any cuts to other pro- gaged in a criminal conspiracy said on Twitter. cies were used against an Amer- Barr has assigned a top federal grammes. with Russia and did not draw a “The cover-up has entered a ican President. @DevinNunes prosecutor in Connecticut to When the House returns from conclusion on whether Trump new and dangerous phase. This @ShannonBream @FoxNews probe the origins of the Russia a week-long Memorial Day re- obstructed justice, but outlined is un-American,” he added. This should NEVER happen to investigation in what is the third cess, it is expected to bring the some incidents that Democrats In separate comments late a President again! Dems are fu- known inquiry into the opening legislation back to the House have said may be obstruction. on Thursday on MSNBC’s The rious at Robert Mueller for his of the FBI probe. Pelosi: traded insults with Trump over mental health. fl oor for likely passage. Canada tackles fl ight overbooking with new rules on passenger rights

Reuters that they would have diffi culty of the Canadian Transportation by unions or events like a terror- Toronto meeting the July deadline. Agency (CTA), which prepared ist threat at the airport, Garneau Airlines have come under in- the fi nal rules this year. said. creased scrutiny from regulators The new rules would provide Massimo Bergamini, chief ex- ll airlines fl ying in and and the public for incidents such compensation of up to C$2,400 ecutive of the National Airlines out of Canada will be as lost luggage and overbooking, ($1,785) for bumping a pas- Council of Canada, said that he Arequired to compensate after a 2017 video of a passen- senger for reasons within their was “encouraged by the spirit travellers for incidents like de- ger being dragged off a United control, and a payment of up of these changes”, including the nied boarding or lost luggage, Airlines fl ight in Chicago went to C$2,100 ($1,561) and refund phasing-in of the rules, but said starting on July 15, Transport viral, generating public outrage. of any baggage fees for lost or he would need to check the reg- Minister Marc Garneau said at Canada is the latest jurisdic- damaged luggage, the transport ulations more closely. Pearson International Airport tion to beef up its airline pas- authority said. The new rules come as Can- outside Toronto yesterday. senger compensation rules. Airlines would also have to ada’s largest carriers are wres- The passenger bill of rights, The European Union enacted provide compensation of up to tling with the March global fi rst announced two years ago, compensation legislation in C$1,000 ($744) for fl ight de- grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX This video grab taken from the Space X webcast transmission on Thursday shows a SpaceX Falcon 9 will be phased in, with more 2004 and the United States ex- lays and cancellations within following two crashes involving rocket with 60 Starlink satellites lifting off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. complex requirements related panded protections in 2017 after an airline’s control that are not the model. to fl ight delays and cancella- the United Airlines incident. safety-related. Air Canada is the country’s tions to come into force on De- “Today marks a milestone Exceptions to the rules for largest carrier, which oper- cember 15, Garneau said, fol- for air travel in Canada,” added airlines include bad weather, ated 24 MAX aircraft before the SpaceX launches fi rst 60 satellites lowing complaints from airlines Scott Streiner, chief executive massive air traffi c failure, strikes grounding. of its space Internet network National Spelling Bee eases entry rules AFP higher than the International in-house in Redmond, near Seat- Washington Space Station, but well below tle. the majority of terrestrial satel- Starlink will become opera- Reuters have traditionally sent more also covers two tickets to a kick- Marocain is a type of dress lites – the highest of which are tional once 800 satellites have Washington than one participant to the na- off event and two tickets to an fabric of ribbed crepe. paceX has launched a rock- geostationary at 22,400 miles been activated, which will re- tional contest, the new RSVBee awards banquet. The same instinct has pushed et carrying the fi rst 60 sat- (36,000km). quire a dozen more launches. programme opens a door for In exchange, they get a shot many former bee participants Sellites of its “Starlink” con- The launch was originally With so many units orbiting he fi eld of competitors dozens of others. at winning the grand prize of through Ivy League universities stellation, which is intended to scheduled for last week, but was in the Starlink constellation, the in the annual Scripps It allows students who were $50,000 this year. and top schools, and into suc- provide Internet from space in an postponed – fi rst because of high satellites have been designed to TNational Spelling Bee not outright champions – those Competitors who win region- cessful professional careers. array that could one day contain winds and then due to the need automatically divert in the face has nearly doubled in recent who won a school spelling bee, al competitions usually get a For proof of RSVBee’s po- over 12,000 orbiting transpond- for a software update. of man-made or natural space years, thanks to a programme those who were a former na- free ride, courtesy of a sponsor, tential, look no further than ers. Billionaire Elon Musk’s fi rm, debris. that gives young prodigies an tional fi nalist, and others – to often a newspaper, service club last year’s champion – Karthik One of the company’s Falcon which is leading the private space “This mission will push the alternative route into an event apply. or community foundation, that Nemmani, who made it to the 9 rockets blasted off without race when it comes to rocket operational capabilities of that has captivated many spell- Bee organisers make the fi nal covers the costs. 2018 nationals through the pro- incident from Cape Canaveral launches, is now looking to seize the satellites to the limit,” the check-dependent Americans. decision. But if local tournaments have gramme. in Florida around 10.30pm on a chunk of the future space Inter- company said in a statement. The bee, which begins on It is a question of fairness, no regional sponsor, the RSVBee Nemmani, then 14, of McKin- Thursday (0230 GMT yesterday). net market. “SpaceX expects to encounter Tuesday in an auditorium out- said Valerie Miller, a spokes- program gives them a chance to ney, Texas, won fi rst prize in An hour later, the rocket began “All 60 Starlink satellites on- issues along the way, but our side Washington and ends on women for the bee, which start- go to Washington too. May 2018 by beating the same to release the satellites at an alti- line, solar array deployment learnings here are key to devel- Thursday with a live telecast ed in 1925. Regardless of their route to speller who defeated him just tude of 280 miles (450km). coming up soon,” Musk tweeted oping an aff ordable and reliable on ESPN, will test the spelling “You might have just one the event, past champions have months earlier. The satellites then had to after the disbursement. broadband service in the future.” mettle of a record 565 young speller who wins that region and said that the national contest That setback would normally separate and use their thrust- The launch makes Starlink a According to the company, people, age seven to 15. advances, but there are many triggered their competitive in- have disqualifi ed him for the na- ers to take up their positions in a forerunner of the technology. SpaceX broadband Internet It is the second year in a row spellers who are good enough stinct, often stoked by losses in tional bee, but RSVBee gave him relatively low orbit of 340 miles Startup OneWeb also has a should be accessible by devices that the fi eld has topped 500. to compete at nationals,” said previous bees. another shot, as long as he was (550km). foot in the door, well ahead of such as mobile phones from any- That compares with 291 Miller. “There are just too many Successful participants must able to pay for his trip. “Successful deployment of 60 Amazon’s Project Kuiper, the where on Earth at competitive spellers in 2017 and 280 in 2016, kids in that region.” spend countless hours memo- In the event, he correctly Starlink satellites confi rmed!” brainchild of Musk’s space rival pricing. when the competition was But there is a catch: RSVBee rising esoteric words like “ma- spelled the word “koinonia”, the company said on its offi cial Jeff Bezos. It intends using profi ts to help mostly limited to the champions spellers have to pay their own rocain”, which the 2017 champi- meaning “a body of religious Twitter account. Each of the satellites weighs fund Musk’s next stated aim – a of regional tournaments. way to Washington, including a on spelled correctly to take top believers”, and claimed the na- Their fi nal orbit is slightly 227kg (500 pounds) and was built mission to Mars. While a handful of regions $1,500 participation fee, which prize of $40,000 that year. tional crown. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 25, 2019 ASIA ‘Results’ needed Three Indian climbers die from Myanmar over Rohingya on crowded Mt Everest return: UNHCR Reuters Kathmandu AFP vince people to come back,” he Yangon said. Grandi visited the camps in hree Indian climbers and Bangladesh in April. one Nepali guide died yanmar must “show The two countries have Ton Mount Everest in the results” to convince signed a repatriation agreement past couple of days, taking to MRohingya refugees to but so far virtually no refugees seven the total number killed or return, the UN’s High Com- have returned, fearing for their missing on the world’s highest missioner for Refugees Filippo safety and unconvinced they mountain in this year’s climb- Grandi said yesterday at the will be granted citizenship. ing season, Nepali offi cials said end of his fi rst visit to Myanmar Myanmar pejoratively la- yesterday. since the crackdown against bels the Rohingya as “Bengali”, More than 120 climbers Rohingya Muslims in 2017. implying they are illegal in- scaled Everest on Thursday, A brutal military campaign terlopers and the community but some of them were caught in western Rakhine state has had its rights eroded over in the crowd of people on the forced some 740,000 Ro- decades. slopes, leading to exhaustion, hingya over the border into Gaining independent access dehydration and death, the Bangladesh. to northern Rakhine is diffi cult offi cials said. Around 1mn Rohingya now with most journalists, observ- Hiking offi cials say between languish in sprawling refugee ers and diplomats only allowed fi ve and 10 climbers die on camps from various waves of on brief chaperoned visits. Mount Everest in an average persecution. Grandi defended the UN- climbing year. A UN fact-fi nding mis- HCR’s involvement in a plan Two women from India were sion called for Myanmar’s by the Bangladeshi govern- among those who died. top generals to be prosecuted ment to move some 100,000 They were named as An- for “genocide” and the In- refugees onto low-lying island jali Sharad Kulkarni, 54, from ternational Criminal Court Bhashan Char. the commercial capital of (ICC) has started preliminary The area in the Bay of Ben- Mumbai, and 49-year-old investigations. gal is prone to fl ooding and Kalpana Das, from the east- During his visit Grandi spoke cyclones. ern state of Odisha. Both with both Rohingya and ethnic Rights groups oppose the died while descending from Rakhine Buddhist communities scheme that has also so far the summit, which is 8,850m in Maungdaw and Buthidaung been universally rejected by (29,035ft) high. This photo taken on May 22, shows heavy traff ic of mountain climbers lining up to stand at the summit of Mount Everest. in northern Rakhine, the epi- the Rohingya themselves. The Indian man who died, centre of the violence. The refugee agency must be also while descending, was Ni- many climbers were clogged by Nepal has issued permits to died or are missing on diff er- Tibetan side of the mountain on He also held discussions “involved” to have the nec- hal Ashpak Bagwan, 27, from a single line near the summit,” 379 climbers on Mount Everest ent Himalayan peaks in Nepal, Thursday, according to Everest with offi cials in capital Naypy- essary information in order India’s western city of Pune. Paudel said. in the season, which ends this seven of them Indians, since blogger Alan Arnette, who cited a idaw, including civilian leader to take a stance on the issue, “Bagwan died of dehydra- Lhakpa Sherpa of another month. the start of the climbing season Swiss operator, Kobler & Partner. Aung San Suu Kyi, describing Grandi said. tion, exhaustion and tiredness agency, Arun Treks and Expedi- The Nepali guide fell sick and in March. The climber’s full name has not all talks as “constructive”. “We’re still at that stage, no after being caught in the jam tions, said his client, Kulkarni, died yesterday, offi cials said On the Tibetan side of the been released. “My message is: ‘please ac- more than that.” of climbers,” said Keshab Pau- died of weakness while coming without giving details. Another mountain there have been ad- “The winds have returned, celerate’, because it has been He also visited camps del of the Peak Promotion hik- down to Camp IV on the South Nepali guide perished on nearby ditional casualties, though it plus the routes are extremely very slow in the implementa- near Rakhine’s capital Sit- ing agency that handled the Col of Everest. Mount Makalu, they said, also wasn’t immediately clear how crowded on both sides, due tion in this fi rst year. We need twe, where nearly 130,000 climber’s logistics. The deaths were confi rmed by without providing more infor- many. to few summit weather win- to show results,” he told AFP in Rohingya have been con- “We don’t know for how Mira Acharya, an offi cial of Ne- mation. A member of a Swiss team dows this spring,” Arnette said an interview in Yangon. fi ned since a previous bout of long the jam lasted nor how pal’s tourism department. A total of 17 climbers have died at 8,600m (28,215ft) on the on his blog. “This is not enough to con- violence in 2012. Thai king opens fi rst parliament since 2014 Vietnam seizes fi ve AFP aff ect national security and Bangkok people’s well-being.” Members of the diplomatic tonnes of corps were also in attendance. hailand’s king opened The king was next to Queen parliament yesterday fi ve Suthida, a former member of pangolin Tyears after a 2014 coup, his royal bodyguard unit whom stressing the importance of he married days before his cor- “national security” and “peo- onation earlier this month. scales ple’s well-being” as the junta The temporary setting – moves within striking distance Thailand’s new parliamentary AFP of cementing its grip on power. building is not ready yet – hint- Hanoi Results of the March 24 ed at the tensions and uncer- poll were released almost two tainty surrounding the rocky months after the vote and path ahead. ietnam police have seized showed no clear winner. Votes for House Speakers more than 5 tonnes of But the junta-linked Palang are set today while the vote for Vpangolin scales stashed in Pracharat won 115 seats in the prime minister could happen as a cashew shipment from Nigeria, lower house, only 11 votes shy of early as next week. the government said yesterday. a majority in the combined par- In a dramatic move a day be- Communist Vietnam is a hot- liament thanks to 250 military- fore the opening, the constitu- bed for the illegal wildlife trade, appointed senators. tional court suspended junta foe where animal products from ele- All eyes are now on mid-sized Thanathorn Juangroongruang- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, centre, attending the opening of parliament in Bangkok. phant ivory to rhino horn and ti- parties that analysts believe are kit from parliament as it agreed ger bones are consumed domes- tilting towards Palang Pracharat. to hear a case against him con- than 6mn votes and 80 seats. the coming days. mand a lower house majority. of the vote, including several tically and also smuggled abroad. Wearing glasses and reading cerning the alleged ownership But if the court rules against Future Forward is part of an That bloc includes Pheu Thai, fi rst-ever LGBT candidates. Police on Thursday found 5.3 from prepared remarks, King of media shares when he regis- him he could be barred from anti-junta bloc that could pose which won 136 seats and is as- Trans fi lmmaker Tanwarin tonnes of pangolins scales hid- Maha Vajiralongkorn told hun- tered as a candidate. politics, face jail time, or see the a legitimacy crisis for Palang sociated with self-exiled former Sukkhapisit, who was born den in a shipment from Nigeria dreds of assembled MPs stand- It was the latest move against dissolution of his party. Pracharat’s prime ministerial premier Thaksin Shinawatra. male, wore a skirt, suit jacket at a port in southern Ba Ria Vung ing in white uniform to act with Thanathorn and his Future For- Though suspended he still candidate and junta chief Prayut Despite the messy political and tie to the opening. Tau province, according to Hai responsibility because “each ward party, which shocked the attended the opening ceremo- Chan-O-Cha if he secures the climate observers have high- A total of 27 parties also Quan, the offi cial mouthpiece of member’s action will directly status quo by winning more ny, but he cannot cast votes in premiership but fails to com- lighted positive developments gained seats in parliament. Vietnam Customs. “The scales were stuff ed into 151 sacks inside a container ... (and) “There are times when we bags of raw cashew nuts were used may have to restrict access to as a disguise in order to avoid de- content because it violates the tection from authorities,” the on- Facebook increased law in a particular country, even Google blocks over 7,000 line news website said yesterday. if it does not violate our com- The government confi rmed munity standards,” a Facebook Thursday’s haul and also an- spokeswoman said. nounced a separate seizure of 8.3 Vietnam content “We publish information ‘malicious’ YouTube tonnes of pangolin scales from “an about the content we restrict African country” in the northern based on local law in our Trans- Haiphong port earlier this month. parency Report, and notify the Pangolins used to roam free curbs during 2018 person who posted the content videos in Vietnam in Vietnam’s national parks, that it has been restricted,” the but they have been aggressively spokeswoman said. hunted recent decades. Reuters etnam for expressing dissenting Facebook’s Transparency Report DPA Anti-government dissent Nguyen Van Dai, was sen- Their scales, which are made up Hanoi views were jailed for posting an- said it had made restrictions based Hanoi is banned in Vietnam, a sin- tenced to 15 years impris- of the same material as fi ngernails, ti-state comments on social me- on reports from Vietnam’s infor- gle-party communist state. onment for sedition in 2015 are used in traditional medicine to dia platforms such as Facebook. mation and security ministries. Neither Google nor Face- and subsequently exiled treat allergies and male impotence. acebook increased the The website is widely used in According to a report posted oogle has blocked book could be immediately to Germany last year, also Pangolin meat is consumed amount of content it re- the country and serves as the on Vietnam’s government web- more than 7,000 “ma- reached for comment, but remained online. on special occasions and can be Fstricted access to in Viet- main platform for both e-com- site on May 7, Facebook has so Glicious” videos and the social media accounts of While Vietnamese offi - bought for a hefty sum on the nam by over 500% in the last half merce and dissent. In January, far removed more than 200 posts banned 19 YouTube channels prominent anti-government cials have previously claimed black market. of 2018, the US social media gi- Vietnam accused Facebook of containing anti-state content in Vietnam at the request of groups targeted by Hanoi in success in getting foreign Often called scaly anteaters, pan- ant said in a report released yes- violating local laws by allowing in Vietnam following takedown the government, state media the past appeared functional tech fi rms to clamp down golins curl up into a ball when they terday, as the Southeast Asian users to post anti-government requests by the government. announced yesterday. as of yesterday. on anti-state content, Face- feel threatened and are the most country ramps up its crackdown comments. The Vietnamese government Facebook has also taken The YouTube and Face- book in particular remains a hunted mammal on the planet. on online dissent. From July to December last report said Hanoi has set up a down 200 pages containing book pages of the Viet Tan, popular medium for dissident Over 1mn pangolins have been The increase happened as year, Facebook’s Transparency working group between Face- anti-government content, as a pro-democracy advocacy bloggers. plucked from Asian and African for- Vietnam was tightening Inter- Report said it had restricted ac- book, the Ministry of Informa- well as pages advertising il- group founded in California A cyber security law passed ests in the past decade, sold and con- net restrictions, culminating in cess to 1,553 posts and three pro- tion and Communication, the legal goods and gambling, the and listed as a terrorist or- in June last year will require sumed in Vietnam and China where a cybersecurity law that came fi les in Vietnam, compared to State Bank of Vietnam, the tax Vnexpress news site reported. ganisation by the Vietnam- foreign digital fi rms to store burgeoning middle classes have into eff ect this January, which just 265 such “restrictions” in department and the Ministry Hanoi has repeatedly called ese government, were still the data of Vietnamese users fuelled appetites for illegal wildlife. requires companies to set up lo- the fi rst six months of 2018. of Public Security to address on social media giants in re- operational. within Vietnam by the end It is illegal to trade the ani- cal offi ces and store data in the A restriction refers to a piece outstanding issues. cent years to scrub their sites The Facebook page of 2019. mals internationally, and their country. of content posted to Facebook The report said the work- of “malicious” and “toxic” for the Vietnam-based Activists fear this will lead status ranges from vulnerable to Earlier this month, Amnesty which is not viewable in some ing group is focusing on three content, euphemisms often “Brotherhood for Democ- foreign tech giants to assist critically endangered depending International said nearly 10% countries because it is deemed to main areas: Content violations, used in Vietnam to refer to racy” anti-government Hanoi’s security services in on the species, according to the of the 128 prisoners held in Vi- violate local laws. economic development, and tax. anti-state content. network, whose founder, quashing dissent. World Wildlife Fund. Gulf Times Saturday, May 25, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Hong Kong leader slams Germany for giving asylum to runaway duo

China. A Hong Kong Watch report AFP standing trial on riot charges. Wong and Li faced riot charges She questioned whether Ger- EU tells HK leader of concerns at extradition law Hong Kong Wong and Li have been granted relating to Lunar New Year clash- many’s decision to grant them said Germany’s decision to grant refugee status in Germany in what es in February 2016 — the city’s asylum was based on facts. Ger- the pair amnesty was because is one of the fi rst cases of dissent- worst political violence in dec- many’ move highlights growing they faced trial under a punitive The European Union Off ice country, two systems” formula ong Kong’s leader lashed ers from the semi-autonomous ades — when protesters hurled fears that freedoms in Hong Kong law that has been used to crack- in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong when it returned to China in out at Germany yester- Chinese city receiving such pro- bricks torn from pavements and are quickly deteriorating as an as- down on and imprison the city’s told Hong Kong’s leader of 1997. Hday for granting asylum to tection. set rubbish alight in the commer- sertive Beijing fl exes its muscles political opposition. its concerns yesterday over a Critics, including foreign gov- two fugitives involved in a violent In an afternoon meeting with cial district of Mong Kok. Scores and stamps down on dissent. “The decision ... is a sign of the proposed extradition law that ernments, legal and business 2016 political protest, summon- David Schmidt — Germany’s act- were arrested and the violence left Wong, 25, told AFP that he was urgent need to reform the Public could see individuals sent back groups, have expressed fears ing Berlin’s envoy for an explana- ing consul general — Lam said she dozens injured — including police “paying a big price” in exile de- Order Ordinance, a law which has to mainland China for trial. the law could erode Hong tion. “strongly objects to and deeply offi cers. spite avoiding possible jail. He been repeatedly been criticised by The proposed legislation has Kong’s rule of law and leave Chief executive Carrie Lam regrets” Bonn’s move, according Lam’s statement said Wong said there was “zero chance” he the United Nations for breach- stoked mass protests in the individuals, including foreign took action two days after former to a government statement. and Li faced “serious charges” — could ever return to Hong Kong ing human rights standards, and former British colony, which nationals passing through the pro-independence activists Ray “Anyone accused of breaching including rioting and assaulting if a controversial extradition bill now is causing a chilling eff ect on was promised a high degree of city, vulnerable to being sent Wong and Alan Li broke their si- the law in Hong Kong would face police — and their action had “se- currently being mulled by the city protest in Hong Kong,” said Ben- autonomy, including an inde- back for an unfair trial on the lence on their whereabouts af- an open and fair trial,” Lam said in riously jeopardised public order was passed, fearing he could ul- edict Rogers, chair of Hong Kong pendent judiciary, under a “one mainland. ter skipping bail in 2017 to avoid the statement. and safety”. timately be brought to mainland Watch. Australian students join second wave of climate action strikes

DPA Canberra

ens of thousands of pu- Police off icers stand guard as protesters take part in a “Climate Rally”, held in solidarity with the Global pils have skipped school in Climate Strike, in Melbourne, Australia. TAustralia and New Zealand yesterday to kick off the second wave of global school strikes demanding action on climate change. Thousands of schoolchildren and adults took over the streets of Melbourne to pressure the gov- ernment to take strong action, including the declaration of a cli- mate emergency. It was led by the local branch of Extinction Rebel- lion, a British direct action group. The protest disrupted pub- lic transport as demonstrators marched through the city and staged a “die-in” to show the Earth’s sixth mass extinction. In Australia’s capital Canberra about two dozen students and adults protested at Northbourne Avenue in the city for several People gather at Town Hall Square for a climate change protest in Sydney, Australia. hours. Zahra Radih, 17, said she skipped school to protest in Can- and fossil fuels and invest in re- noisy protest to parliament The worldwide protests in over berra because “climate change is newable energy. We are all very where they urged politicians to 1,600 cities and towns in more as important as education.” “We worried about the future,” she do more to secure their future. than 100 countries were inspired are learning for the future. said, holding a placard that read There were also protests in more by Swedish teen environmental- But if the government does not “Stop Adani.” The controversial than 20 other towns and cities ist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg make climate action a priority we multi-billion-dollar Adani coal across the country. has staged a weekly protest out- People at a rally led by Extinction Rebellion, call for action on climate change, in Melbourne, Australia. do not have any future,” the Year mine was one of the most divisive National School Strike for side parliament in Stockholm 12 student at Narrabundah Col- topics during last week’s fed- Climate co-ordinator Sophie since August 2018 that has spread thousands of protesters in over determined to bring attention to the Catholic leader encouraged lege told DPA. eral election, which saw climate Handford told the New Zealand and inspired students around the 130 countries from Australia to the ongoing climate and ecologi- her to continue her activism. Eleanor Houghton, 12, who action-supporting Labor suff er Herald that students want the world to hold demonstrations Uruguay. cal crisis, and truly care about the The 16-year-old has also re- had come with her friends, said a bruising defeat. “I am of course government to declare a climate calling for climate action under Thunberg was set to take part future living conditions for all cently addressed members of her parents supported her skip- very disappointed with the elec- emergency. The fi rst nationwide the Fridays For Future slogan. At at a rally in the Swedish capital. species, then going to vote is one parliament in London, world ping school for the climate pro- tion result, but we will continue school strike for climate action least 1,623 protests were planned In a video clip on Instagram, she of the most powerful things you leaders at the World Economic test “as long as I don’t miss too to protest for climate action,” Ra- on March 15 was overshadowed in 119 countries. also urged young Europeans to can do,” Thunberg said. A month Forum in Davos, Switzerland, many classes.” dih said. by the deadly attacks on two “We are one, we are back,” or- vote in the European Parliament ago, Thunberg met Pope Fran- and those attending the UN cli- “We want the government In New Zealand’s capital Wel- Christchurch mosques on the ganisers said. A similar protest elections that run from Thursday cis on the sidelines of a Vatican mate conference held last year in to stop approving coal mines lington, the youngsters led a same day. on March 15 drew hundreds of to Sunday. “If you, like me, are event in St Peter’s Square, where Katowice, Poland.

Indonesia nabs Russian trying to smuggle otters, scorpions

Indonesian authorities have arrested a Russian on the holiday island of Bali after he was found trying to smuggle baby otters and scorpions out of the country. The unidentified Russian was found carrying four N Korea US offi cial urges Pacifi c Island critically endangered Eurasian otters and 10 scorpions in a box stocked with food and milk on Thursday, conservationists said. “The security in Ngurah Rai International airport detected living objects inside the trunk of a Russian passenger during an X-ray scan. When they checked they found four otters and 10 calls for scorpions,” said Budhy Kurniawan of the Bali natural resources conservation agency. Populations of the nations to keep ties with Taiwan Eurasian otter, a fish-eating mammal, are declining in Asia and it is a protected species in Indonesia. Illegal wildlife trade is rampant in Indonesia, despite eff orts by authorities to crack down on smugglers. fresh In March, authorities arrested a Russian at the same airport with a drugged baby orang-utan in his suit- Reuters Taiwan has formal options to meet their develop- case. He was attempting to smuggle it to Russia. Sydney ties with just 17 ment needs, their infrastruc- outlook ture needs, and their nation countries, almost building needs”. acific Island countries all small, less Taiwan has formal ties with Lights show in US ties that have diplomatic just 17 countries, almost all Pties with Taiwan should developed nations small, less developed nations maintain them in the face of in Central America in Central America and the Pa- Reuters “heavy handed” attempts by cific, like Belize and Nauru. Seoul China to reduce Taiwan’s over- and the Pacific, Five countries have switched seas contacts, a top US official over to China since Taiwan said yesterday. like Belize and President Tsai Ing-wen took orth Korea said yes- US Acting Assistant Sec- Nauru office in 2016. Others such as terday an “arbitrary retary for Southeast Asia W the Solomon Islands, where Nand dishonest” US Patrick Murphy also said the status quo, and the Pacific is a two-thirds of exports go to position had resulted in the United States was keen to help good example where China is China, are weighing the mer- failure to reach a deal dur- Pacific countries protect their attempting to reduce Taiwan’s its of diplomatic relations ing a second North Korea-US sovereignty, in a region where diplomatic relations in the re- with Taiwan. Although Pacific summit, warning the nuclear the United States and is allies gion,” Murphy said. “And that’s Island states offer little eco- issue would never be resolved are competing for influence kind of heavy handed.” nomically to either China and without a new approach. with China. “Countries should be able Taiwan, their support is valued A spokesman for North “Our encouragement on to make their own independ- in global forums such as the Korea’s foreign ministry ac- countries that have relations ent choices of their partners in United Nations and as China cused the United States of with Taiwan is to maintain diplomatic relations, and do so seeks to isolate Taiwan. trying to shift the blame for the status quo,” Murphy told on the basis of domestic ingre- “Taiwan is a core issue for the breakdown of the summit reporters in Canberra, on a dients, not foreign influence.” China, and it will not be back- between North Korean leader three-day visit to Australia. China has offered to help ing down on that. The com- Kim Jong-un and US Presi- China claims self-ruled and developing countries includ- ments do little to provide a way dent Donald Trump in Febru- democratic Taiwan as sacred ing in the Pacific, and many forward for the US-China re- ary by raising a “completely Chinese territory and merely a see Chinese lending as the best lationship to be repaired,” said irrelevant issue”. He did not province with no right to state- bet to develop their economies. James Laurenceson, director elaborate. “The underlying to-state ties. Taiwan is one of a But critics say Chinese loans of Australia-China Relations cause of setback of the DPRK- growing number of flashpoints can lead countries into a “debt Institute at the University of US summit talks in Hanoi is in the US-China relationship, trap”. Technology, Sydney. the arbitrary and dishonest which include a trade war, US Murphy said the United This year, President Xi Jin- Visitors gather to see light installations at Sydney Harbour at the start of the Vivid Sydney festival position taken by the United sanctions and China’s increas- States was very keen to help ping renewed China’s long- yesterday. Vivid Sydney is an outdoor cultural festival featuring light installations and projections States, insisting on a method ingly muscular military posture countries “protect their sover- standing threat to use force if with the annual event this year running from May 24 to June 15. which is totally impossible to in the South China Sea. eignty and their independence, necessary to bring Taiwan un- get through,” he said. “China is changing (the) to have viable alternatives and der its control. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, May 25, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND UN poverty expert hits back over ministers’ ‘denial of facts’

Guardian News and Media human rights, published his fi - said the government response “The statement is as troubling felt it was politically biased and version of the 19th-century some similarity to the 35 hours London nal report on the state of Britain amounted to “a total denial of as the situation,” he said. “There alleged that Alston did not do workhouse”, some commenta- of job search (required per week on Wednesday. In it he accused a set of uncontested facts” and is nothing that indicates any enough research, only visiting tors said he had gone too far. The to receive universal credit) for the government of the “system- that when he fi rst read its public willingness to debate over issues the UK for 11 days. historian Dominic Sandbrook people who have been out of he United Nations expert atic immiseration of a signifi cant comment “I thought it might ac- which have generated endless The government said it would wrote in the Daily Mail that it work for months or years,” he whose warning of deep- part of the British population”. tually be a spoof”. very detailed, totally reputable complain to the United Nations was “simply ridiculous” and said. “They have to go through Tening poverty in Brit- Ministers responded that He said he feared it showed reports across the political spec- and the UK’s ambassador in Ge- “an insult to our national intel- the motions but it is completely ain was this week dismissed as it was “a completely inaccu- ministers were not willing to de- trum in the UK. All of these are neva is understood to have this ligence”. useless. That seems to me to be “barely believable” by ministers, rate picture of our approach to bate offi cial fi gures that showed dismissed.” week requested a meeting with But far from backing down, very similar to the approach in has said the government’s denial tackling poverty” and instead 14mn people were living in rela- Alston’s report compared the UN high commissioner on Alston, who describes his poli- the old-style workhouse. The is as worrying as the poverty it- claimed the UK was among the tive poverty and therefore con- Conservative policies to the human rights over the matter. tics as progressive and left-of- underlying mentality is that we self. happiest countries in the world. sider what he believes are es- creation of Victorian work- When Alston said the depart- centre, has pushed his argument are going to make the place suf- Philip Alston, the UN rap- Alston, an eminent New York- sential changes to the welfare houses. Amber Rudd, the work ment for work and pensions had harder. fi ciently unpleasant that you re- porteur on extreme poverty and based human rights lawyer, system. and pensions secretary, said she created “a digital and sanitised “I think breaking rocks has ally won’t want to be here.”

Immigration Varadkar votes falls to 5-year low as EU UK will leave workers’ infl ux slows EU in October,

Reuters London deal or no deal, ong-term immigration to Britain dropped to a fi ve- Lyear low last year as the net infl ow of European Union migrants fell to its lowest in al- most a decade, extending a de- cline seen since Britain voted to says Johnson leave the EU in 2016. The number of people moving Guardian News and Media changes to the current deal to want this done as quickly as pos- to Britain for more than a year, mi- London try to ensure the Northern Ire- sible,” he said, dismissing any nus those leaving, sank to 258,000 land border backstop would not idea that May could stay on as in 2018 from 285,000 in 2017, of- endure indefi nitely, but he would a caretaker prime minister over fi cial data showed yesterday. oris Johnson has thrown press ahead with leaving on Oc- the summer. Prime Minister Theresa May, down the gauntlet to his tober 31 if that cannot be agreed After the MPs choose their who announced her resignation BConservative leadership with the EU27. shortlist, the strongly Euroscep- yesterday after failing to get her rivals by insisting the UK must Raab, also a Leave supporter, tic Tory party membership will Brexit deal through parliament, leave the EU by the end of Octo- is attracting support from some vote to choose their leader, who had long wanted to limit annual ber with or without a deal, as he Brexit hardliners in the party, will automatically become prime immigration to under 100,000. set out a hardline Brexit stance which means Johnson will come minister before parliament’s Net migration by EU citizens just hours after Theresa May an- under some pressure to demon- summer break. Recess dates dropped to 74,000, its low- nounced her resignation. strate how prepared he is to leave have not yet been announced, est for any year since 2009 and Johnson is the favourite without a deal. but the Commons rose on July 24 less than half its level in the 12 among Conservative members Avowedly soft Brexit can- last year. months before Britons voted to to take over as prime minister by didates, such as Rory Stewart, Johnson, a former foreign sec- leave the EU in June 2016. the last week of July, but he will the international development retary and leading Leave cam- “Since 2016, the pattern of face competition from as many secretary, will be keen to posi- paigner, will have James Whar- migration to the UK for work as 20 rivals. tion themselves as the choice for ton, a former MP, acting as his has been changing. Long-term The Foreign Secretary, Jer- those who oppose leaving with- campaign manager. Jacob Rees- immigration to the UK for work emy Hunt, was the fi rst Cabinet out a withdrawal agreement. Mogg, the chair of the Euroscep- has fallen, mainly driven by the minister to say he would stand, But it leaves Cabinet ministers tic European Research Group, is decline in EU arrivals,” Jay Lin- while Dominic Raab, the former such as Hunt, Gove, Javid, and a key backer and there have been dop, a statistician at the Offi ce Brexit secretary, said he would Matt Hancock, the health secre- reports that the political strate- for National Statistics, said. take time to think about it over tary, with a dilemma about how gist Lynton Crosby is providing More than 3mn foreigners the weekend. The Environment far they should go in opening the informal advice. have moved to Britain and stayed Secretary, Michael Gove, and the door to a no-deal Brexit, having Raab is backed by David Davis, since the start of 2009, just over Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, are advocated May’s deal as a better the former Brexit secretary, and a third of them from the EU, and also expected to announce lead- option. has assembled a campaign team concern about the pace of immi- ership bids in the coming days. The candidates have be- advised by Hanbury Strategy’s gration was a major reason why The contest is shaping up to gun declaring their intent even Paul Stephenson, a former Vote voters backed Brexit in the 2016 be a test of where the candidates though the leadership contest Leave staff member. referendum. stand on Brexit, with Johnson does not begin offi cially until The two men have attracted Migration Watch UK, a group taking a fi rm stance on leaving June 10, three days after May the most fi nancial support in which argues for lower immigra- by the EU’s next deadline. stands down as Tory leader. MPs donations declared on the MPs’ tion, said the latest fi gures were He told a conference in In- will take part in several rounds of register of interests in recent “unacceptably high”. EU immi- terlaken, Switzerland: “We will voting to whittle down the large months, with Johnson amassing grants were drawn to Britain by leave the EU on October 31, deal fi eld of about 20 to a shortlist of £130,000 and Raab £115,000. lower unemployment, as well as or no deal.” He suggested he two by the end of that month. Andrea Leadsom, a Leave sup- signifi cantly higher wages than could try to renegotiate a better One MP on the executive of porter whose decision to quit as in eastern Europe. deal with Brussels before press- the 1922 Committee, which or- leader of the House of Commons However, some migrants say ing ahead with the possibility of ganises the contest, said those helped trigger May’s departure, Britain has become less welcom- a no-deal Brexit if necessary. “A with the fewest votes would face is another signifi cant candidate ing since 2016. new leader will have the oppor- pressure to drop out quickly to on the Eurosceptic wing of the The fall in the value of sterling tunity to do things diff erently avoid wasting time. party. She was May’s adversary and an improved job market in Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar poses for photographs with his unmarked ballot and have the momentum of a He predicted all but the top last time but dropped out of most of the rest of Europe has papers as he prepares to vote in the European Elections, and in Ireland’s local elections and new administration,” he said. four to six would withdraw after the race before the Conserva- also reduced the incentive to the Divorce Referendum, being held concurrently, at a polling station in Dublin yesterday. A supporter of Johnson said he the fi rst round or two of voting. tive membership had a chance work in Britain. would make an eff ort to secure “MPs and the voluntary party all to vote. Charles to host Trump Climate change protest Forced marriage for tea during state visit cases at record high Thomson Reuters Foundation “But this is completely the London tip of the iceberg...There is a lot AFP lowing similar demonstrations formance, testimonial readings more to be done in terms of sup- London during last year’s more infor- and military displays, includ- porting people and them know- mal trip. ing a fl y-past of 25 modern and he number of calls to a ing that it is a crime.” Campaigners are again hoping historical aircraft,” said Buck- specialist unit tackling Offi cials said the data showed rince Charles will host to fl y an unfl attering blimp of the ingham Palace. Tforced marriage leapt to a they had helped more victims Donald Trump for after- US president wearing a nappy. Trump and the Queen will record high last year, with nearly than ever in 2018, with cases Pnoon tea during the US Trump, a strong supporter of then part ways, with the presi- one in fi ve involving a child aged ranging from emergency calls for president’s state visit to Britain Brexit, will also meet for talks dent heading to Ireland to meet under 16, data released yesterday help from victims abroad who next month, despite their ideo- with outgoing Prime Minister Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and showed. faced imminent forced marriage logical diff erences over climate Theresa May and visit West- then Normandy for more D-Day The Forced Marriage Unit to more general requests for ad- change, Buckingham Palace minster Abbey, where he will commemorations in France. dealt with 1,764 cases in 2018, a vice. announced yesterday. lay a wreath at the Grave of the The visit has already stirred jump of 47% on the year previ- “We will continue to raise Queen Elizabeth II will wel- Unknown Warrior. up political opposition, with ously, with more than 40% of awareness of forced marriage come Trump and First Lady Charles will then host the Labour Party leader Jeremy cases related to Pakistan but re- so that all those affected by Melania, as she did for their Trumps for tea at his cen- Corbyn declining an invita- ports involving dozens of coun- it know where they can go for 2018 visit, but the couple will tral London Clarence House tion to the banquet, accusing tries ranging from Somalia to support,” Victoria Atkins, the also meet her son Charles for residence before a grand state Trump of using “racist and mi- Iraq and Romania and in Britain minister for crime, safeguard- the fi rst time, following reports banquet, at which both the US sogynist rhetoric”. itself. ing and vulnerability, said in a the prince previously snubbed leader and the Queen are ex- House of Commons speaker Offi cials and campaigners statement. the US leader. pected to make speeches. John Bercow, who has ruled hailed the rise as a sign of in- Figures from the Forced Mar- Trump will arrive in Lon- Charles and his sons Prince out allowing Trump to address creased awareness over the is- riage Unit, a government project, don on June 3 where he will be William and Prince Harry parliament, and Vince Cable, sue, but charity Freedom said showed about a third of all con- greeted by the Queen, heir to reportedly refused to meet leader of the Liberal Demo- the number still represented tacts in 2018 involved some- the throne Charles and his wife Trump last year due to the crats, have already declined the only a fraction of those aff ected. one aged under 18, and nearly Camilla, before receiving a cer- president’s views, particularly invitation to the dinner. “It is positive people feel they 20% a child aged 15 or younger. emonial welcome in the Buck- on climate change. Trump May had invited Trump for can come forward rather than Calls to the unit were highest in ingham Palace gardens. will then head to the naval city a state visit when she visited risk being serially assaulted, July, when girls risk being taken Thousands are expected to of Portsmouth, on England’s him in January 2017 — just days suff ering domestic abuse and abroad during school holidays take to the streets to protest south coast, to commemorate after he took offi ce. The invita- Student and youth climate activists with placards march having a life of torture and mis- to be married. Britain banned Trump’s visit, timed to coin- D-Day alongside veterans. tion proved controversial and through central London yesterday demanding action to ery,” Aneeta Prem, the founder forced marriage in 2014 but there cide with the 75th anniversary “The event will tell the story an online petition to cancel it tackle climate change. of Freedom, told the Thomson have only been two convictions, of the D-Day landings, fol- of D-Day through musical per- reached 1.9mn signatures. Reuters Foundation. both of which were last year. Gulf Times Saturday, May 25, 2019 9 EUROPE Youths protest in Europe over climate crisis Sweden’s Thunberg The numbers were expected demands climate action on to climb signifi cantly as protest- Emergency workers attend to an injured person in the back of an ambulance after a suspected package day of global school strikes ers gathered in North and South bomb blast along a pedestrian street in the heart of Lyon, southeast France. America and more rallies were Reuters added to the count. Stockholm/Brussels An estimated 1.5mn young people took part in a previous global school strike on March 15. wedish teenage activist Climate change has moved up Greta Thunberg has urged the political agenda this year, Several hurt in bomb SEuropean politicians to with fears among young, fi rst- focus on a climate crisis in- time voters that they will bear stead of “bickering”, as children the brunt of global warming walked out of classes around spurring a wave of support for explosion in France the world to back her demands Green candidates. for urgent action to curb carbon But much of the debate dur- emissions. ing European campaigning has AFP scene shortly before the attack The windows were blown out,” With the 28 countries of focused on issues such as im- Thunberg speaks on stage in Kungstradgarden Park, during the Lyon was being sought by police, a he said. the European Union voting to migration and austerity, rather Global Strike for Future demonstration in Stockholm. source close to the inquiry said. A probe has been opened by choose the bloc’s next parlia- than exploring how society Police said that eight peo- the Paris prosecutor’s offi ce, ment this week, 16-year-old might convert to a low-carbon off school to protest yesterday seeking to stop a proposed new package blast on a pedes- ple were wounded but none of which has jurisdiction over all Thunberg said the threat of so- economic model in time to avert urged adults to heed calls by cli- coal mine in Australia. trian street in the heart the injuries appeared to be life- terror cases in the country. cietal breakdown posed by run- the grimmest climate scenarios. mate activists for a global gen- Global carbon emissions hit Aof France’s city of Lyon threatening. France has been on high alert away climate change overshad- Thunberg has emerged as an eral strike on September 20. a record high last year, despite wounded several people yester- Macron, in his Facebook inter- following a wave of deadly re- ows every other campaign issue. iconic fi gure since she began her In Paris, Celia Benmes- a warning from the United Na- day, offi cials said, just two days view, said: “It’s not for me to give ligious extremist terror attacks “If the EU were to decide to protest for climate action alone saoud, 15, held up a sign saying tions-backed Intergovernmen- ahead of the country’s hotly a toll but it appears there are no since 2015 which have killed seriously fi ght the climate cri- in August outside the Swedish “There’s Is No Planet B”, and tal Panel on Climate Change in contested European Parliament fatalities. There have been inju- more than 250 people. sis, it would mean a decisive parliament. said she hoped the school strike October that output of the gases elections. ries, so obviously I’m thinking of “It’s an area in the very centre global change. And the EU elec- She has won a nomination for would change the world – echo- will have to be slashed over the President Emmanuel Macron these injured and their families.” of Lyon, a major street,” the city’s tion should reasonably only be a Nobel Peace Prize, featured on ing hopes voiced by participants next 12 years to stabilise the cli- called the blast an “attack” dur- “An eight-year-old girl was deputy mayor in charge of secu- about this. But it isn’t. Not at the cover of Time magazine and from India, Turkey and Gambia mate. ing a live Facebook interview, wounded ... we’re fairly relieved rity, Jean-Yves Secheresse, told all,” Thunberg told thousands travelled Europe by train to lam- to countries across Europe. Global warming caused by adding that no deaths had been because apparently there were BFM television. of supporters gathered in Kung- bast senior fi gures in govern- Earlier, schoolchildren and heat-trapping greenhouse gases reported “for the time being”. no serious injuries but on the “These areas are highly se- stradgarden square in Stock- ment and industry. students had kicked off the pro- from burning fossil fuels has al- The area where the explo- other hand, we are certain it was cured, the police are continually holm’s banking district. Children, teenagers and tests in New Zealand and Aus- ready led to droughts and heat- sion occurred, on a narrow strip an explosive device,” said Denis present”, as were patrols by sol- “This election campaign is adults who had felt powerless tralia (see report on page 7). waves, melting glaciers, rising of land between the Saone and Broliquier, mayor of the city’s diers deployed in a long-running about politicians bickering with in the face of the climate crisis “I’m worried about all the sea levels and fl oods, scientists Rhone rivers in the historic cen- Second Arrondissement. anti-terror operation, he said. other politicians about other is- have rallied behind the Fridays weather disasters. Every time say, and climate models project tre of the southeast city, was He said the suspect sought by Lyon is the third-biggest city sues that in a bigger perspective for Future movement in the we have huge a bushfi re here an- that the fall-out could worsen. evacuated and cordoned off by police had been seen on video in France. won’t be of any signifi cance at hope of forcing politicians and other animal might go extinct,” Sophie Hanford, a national police, according to AFP journal- surveillance cameras. The population of the city plus all,” she said. business leaders to heed the said Nina Pasqualini, a 13-year- organiser in New Zealand, and ists at the scene. “There was an explosion and I its extensive suburbs is 2.3mn. By 1600 GMT, at least warnings of scientists. old at a rally in the Australian the Melbourne organisers said A police source told AFP the thought it was a car crash,” said The most recent package bomb 300,000 young people had “We are putting pressure on city of Melbourne that was led that they anticipated a huge package contained “screws or Eva, a 17-year-old student who in France dates back to December joined the strike in more than the governments and we want by the civil disobedience move- turnout at the general strike bolts” and had been placed in was about 15m (50’) from the site 2007, when an explosion in front 1,780 cities in 128 countries, ac- them to act fast and now,” said ment Extinction Rebellion. planned for September. front of a bakery near a busy cor- of the blast. of a law offi ce in Paris killed one cording to an early tally on the David Wicker, 14, who joined “The government isn’t doing “There’ll defi nitely be more. ner of two popular streets. “There were bits of electric person and injured another. website of the Fridays for Future some 7,500 young protesters in as much as it should. It’s just This is only the beginning,” A man apparently in his early wire near me, and batteries and Police never found who carried movement, a network of young Brussels. scary for younger generations,” Hanford said on New Zealand’s 30s who was spotted near the bits of cardboard and plastic. out that attack. climate protesters. Young people who took time she said, holding up a placard Breakfast television show.

Hollywood hound takes home the In Cannes, glittery fi lm festival literally costs the earth Palm Dog award The hefty American pitbull who By Estelle Emonet, AFP If the fi nger is pointed at eve- wolfed down cans of tinned rat in Cannes ryday festivalgoers, those re- Quentin Tarantino’s new movie sponsible for the heaviest toll are Once Upon A Time In Hollywood fi rst and foremost the numerous won the Palm Dog prize at the fl eet of energy-guzzling celebrities who walk the Cr- Cannes film festival yesterday. luxury yachts and private oisette. Known as Brandy, the brawny Aplanes, kilos of gourmet “Imagine the wishes of the beast played a starring role as food dumped, limousines driv- stars, all their desires, order- Brad Pitt’s trusty hound in the ing stars just a few hundred me- ing mountains of fl owers, then dark fairytale, which wowed tres: for environmentalists, the changing the order at the de- critics at the film festival. Cannes fi lm festival is just “one mand of their aides, the decora- “At least I do not go home empty- big mess”. tion of their suites, what food handed,” quipped Tarantino as “There is, without a doubt, they order and how much gets he picked up the silver-embossed a huge amount that needs to be dumped when they don’t eat it,” dog collar on behalf of “my done by the festival organisers she said. wonderful actress Brandy”. to make it more environmentally And off shore, the private par- “I have no idea if we’re going to friendly,” said Cyril Dion, a fi lm- ties on board yachts where im- win the Palme d’Or,” added the maker and climate activist. pressive displays of fi reworks director, referring to the festival’s For the 12-day extravaganza, light up the night sky, sending top prize, “but I do feel I was in the French Riviera town gets a clouds of fi ne dust particles into good standing to win the Palm glamorous makeover, leaving no the air and debris into the sea, Tarantino with stand-in hound Haru as he attends the Palm Dog Dog”. stone unturned as turns on the posing risks for seabirds and oth- ceremony on the sidelines of the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film “I read a piece that said they were charm to play host to a glittering er marine life. Festival. Spanish actress Paz Vega poses during a photocall for Rambo V: Last kind of weak on the dog section array of global cinema’s biggest But more than anything, it is Blood at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival. (for this year’s award) and I and names. the constant rumble of air traffi c was like, ‘Ha, ha, ha! Little do they But for local environmental that most bothers the residents know what’s coming!’” he said. organisation ADEN, the fl ip side of Cannes, which begins in ear- What got tails a-wagging on is a lot less attractive, with the nest with the festival and contin- the jury, which judges the best world’s biggest fi lm festival cre- ues on into the summer. canine performance every ating phenomenal pollution. Last year, Cannes airport reg- year at Cannes, was Brandy’s “During the festival, the pop- istered 1,700 private take-off s “memorable movie meals” in ulation triples, and all of these and landings in May, averaging which she gulps down enormous people have to travel,” said ADEN 54 a day, compared with 1,000 in quantities of glistening chow. head Genevieve Huchet. “Pro- April and more than 2,000 dur- Although the palm-winning fessionals and artists fl y in to the ing the summer months. pooch was not in the room, there airport at Cannes or Nice, a con- Planes taking off and landing was a celebrity “doggleganger” voy of vehicles often led by mo- are a major source of noise which waiting in the wings. torcycles with their sirens wail- can reach up to 80 decibels for “We have a stand-in for Brandy ing drive them to their hotels, the those with the loudest engines, right over here,” Tarantino said, huge yachts in the bay with their while normal levels of ambient calling over a giant 47kg blue- motors running all day in order to noise are below 50 decibels, fi g- grey Cane Corso called Haru. have electricity.” ures from the ADNA local cam- Chief Raoni Metuktire arrives for the screening of Sibyl at the 72nd US actor Sylvester Stallone arrives to give a masterclass during the “He’s from a prehistoric monster Every day, the red carpet is paign group said. edition of the Cannes Film Festival. 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival. movie!” the director joked. changed three or four times, and “The stars coming here, Three pooches performed on the festival prints out countless that’s all very well, but with “Many stars portray them- Stallone jokes about elocution school at Rambo V preview the set but Tarantino said his thousands of fl yers advertis- their noisy jets, they ruin our selves as defenders of the envi- favourite was the dog that ing the daily fi lm listings, which lives. We cannot live with the ronment when in reality, there Sylvester Stallone said yesterday that he and “Arnold and I should open up a school for speech popped up in the film’s finale, sometimes end up in the sea. windows open at this time of are several paradoxes,” Lisnard Arnold Schwarzenegger should set up a Hollywood lessons. If we can make it, anyone can.” who Tarantino said put in “a great And that’s without mentioning year,” said Albert Dauphin, who admitted. elocution school together as he gave the Cannes film The 72-year-old action hero actor showed a rarely- performance”. the vast numbers of glossy maga- heads the group. If Oscar-winning actor Leon- festival a sneak preview of Rambo V: Last Blood. seen philosophical side at his Cannes talk before a “The fight dog was kind of my zines printed out every day for the Cannes Mayor David Lisnard ardo DiCaprio, who has made a The Rocky star opened up about the facial paralysis screening of a restored version of his original Rambo favourite. But it wasn’t until I fi rst week or so of the festival, with insists that the town does what name for himself as an environ- that dogged him since birth and left him not being film, First Blood. was editing the movie that I daily copies issued by The Holly- it can to ease the environmental mental activist, were to “empty able to speak properly for years. His life’s work has been about resilience, Stallone told realised: ‘Hey she’s kind of a good wood Reporter, Screen, Variety and impact of the cinema showcase. the waste from his yacht into the He told a masterclass at the world’s biggest film those gathered, and he has found himself returning actress!’” Le Film Francais among others. “Contrary to popular opin- bay of Cannes, he would get a festival that he thought he would never make it to the theme again and again. Despite her canine charisma, All of which amounts to “fren- ion, I don’t think there is a lot fi ne, just like anyone else”. because of his “physical flaws”. The actor said the two roles that have defined his Brandy will never get to sport the zied consumerism”, Huchet says. of waste during the festival,” in- DiCaprio was in Cannes this “It was hard for me to speak. I had an accident when career are emblematic of two sides of human nature. collar, said Tarantino, who won In 2015, the festival generated sisted the town’s mayor, David week for the premiere of Quen- I was born so this side of my mouth was paralysed. “Rambo deals with a very dark side of nature that Cannes’ top prize 25 years ago an extra 1,900 tonnes of rubbish Lisnard, pointing out that the red tin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time So even as a boy when I talked I had this very deep unfortunately a lot of people live with, and they with Pulp Fiction. for the city of Cannes, ADEM carpet is made of recyclable ma- In Hollywood and also for the ‘How ya doing?’ voice,” Stallone said. “I knew it was feel isolated. Rocky is the more optimistic type. “I’m not going to give this to says, pointing to the last avail- terial and that there is a marine launch of Ice on Fire, his latest bad when Arnold Schwarzenegger said to me, ‘You He realises he is not a special man but tries to be her – it’ll go on my mantelpiece,” able fi gures. clean-up after any fi reworks. environmental documentary. have an accent’. special.” declared the proud director. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, May 25, 2019 INDIA

SHOOTOUT LAW AND ORDER CRIME DEMAND SETBACK Top militant linked to Juvenile arrested for killing Customs off icial held for Chorus grows to change Ex-Kolkata top cop’s plea Qaeda killed in Kashmir TikTok celebrity in Delhi Kerala gold smuggling role Sidhu’s portfolio in Saradha case rejected

Government forces in Kashmir killed a top militant The Delhi Police arrested a juvenile for his role in the Off icials of the directorate of revenue intelligence Punjab Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed former who pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda, off icials said, killing of TikTok celebrity and gym trainer Mohit Mor. (DRI) yesterday arrested a customs off icial in Kerala yesterday joined the chorus blaming Navjot Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar’s plea describing his death as a major blow to mili- The accused, 17, was arrested near Dwarka. Phone over his alleged role in facilitating gold smuggling. Singh Sidhu for Congress’ poor performance seeking extension of the protection granted to tancy. As the news of Zakir Musa’s death spread records showed he was the last person to speak to The DRI arrested customs superintendent V in the state and said his action during the him from arrest in the Saradha chit fund scam hundreds of protestors spilled out on the streets the 27-year-old victim. “The juvenile and Mor had a Radhakrishnan after establishing that the maximum parliamentary elections had not only harmed case. His protection from arrest ended yesterday. and clashed with government forces. Authorities fight which led to the victim assaulting the accused smuggling of gold took place when his team of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh but also party Rejecting the plea, an apex court bench observed cut cellular Internet services across the Kashmir in front of other people,” a police off icer said. “The off icials was on duty at the Trivandrum International president Rahul Gandhi. He also hit out at the that Kumar’s plea was not maintainable in court Valley and imposed a curfew in large parts of the juvenile then decided to kill Mor. He along with his Airport. The DRI also arrested an accountant of a cricketer-turned-politician, asking him to quit and it would not waste time on it. The court asked territory. Musa, 25, was trapped by soldiers and two friends searched for the victim but could not gold shop in Thiruvananthapuram. The two have if he could not work with the chief minister. Kumar’s counsel to move a competent court in counterinsurgency police inside a hideout near find him in the gym.” The juvenile called Mor on the been remanded to judicial custody. For the past six Dharamsot’s reaction came a day after Ama- West Bengal, as the other courts in the state were the town of Tral and asked to surrender, a police phone and asked about his whereabouts to which months, the DRI had been keeping a close tab on rinder Singh blamed Sidhu’s inept handling of functional and judges were conducting hearings off icial said. “In return he fired at police and was the latter replied that he was at a shop in Najafgarh. the airport and earlier this month, two people who the local government for Congress’ debacle in in cases. Kumar’s counsel argued that the lawyers’ later killed during the ensuing gun battle,” the The three gunned down Mor at the shop, killing him arrived from the Gulf were arrested for carrying urban areas and said he intended to change his strike in Kolkata was still on and the courts there off icer said. on the spot. 25kg gold worth Rs80mn. portfolio. were still not functional.

Rahul ‘to contest again from Amethi in 2024’

IANS has also joined the BJP,” he said. New Delhi Rakesh Singh, a local Congress leader, said that the Congress as an organisation was very weak in hough he was defeated on Amethi as compared to the BJP. “If home turf Amethi to BJP’s they were not weak here, then how TSmriti Irani, Congress did they lose four out of fi ve As- president Rahul Gandhi will again sembly seats in the 2017 Assembly contest from the seat in the 2024 election,” he said. Lok Sabha elections, a party leader He said that the four BJP MLAs said. got votes for the BJP in Amethi The Congress leader, requesting making a huge dent in Congress anonymity, said Rahul will never votes. leave Amethi. He said, “Chandra Prakash “He has done a lot of work in Mishra, formerly of the BSP, who Amethi and will continue to do contested against Rahul in 2004 that. And in 2024, he shall return and got close to 100,000 votes, there to contest again.” had joined the BJP. And Mishra’s Rahul, who was contesting from joining the BJP gave an edge to Amethi for the fourth time, on the saff ron party as he had a good Thursday lost to Irani by a margin command over the backward and of over 55,000 votes. However, he Dalit votes in Amethi.” Rakesh won from Kerala’s Wayanad by a Singh said that Dalits and OBCs record margin. constitute about 58% of the to- The Congress leader pointed tal population of Amethi, while out that late prime minister Indira Thakurs and Brahmins consti- Firefighters try to control the blaze at Takshashila building in Surat yesterday. Gandhi’s sons Sanjay Gandhi and tute over 26% and Muslims over then late former prime minister 16%. Rajiv Gandhi had carried out a lot Others who have joined the BJP of work in Amethi. in the past fi ve years include Jang “People still recall the works Bahadur Singh (Congress), Dhiru done by the Gandhi family in the Tripathi (Congress and then SP), area,” he said, adding that there is ex-Samajwadi Party MLA Gajad- no way the family would leave the har Singh, former Congress and seat. BSP leader Ashish Tripathi, SP 18 students killed in About the party’s dismal per- leader Rajesh Masala and ex-BSP formance in Amethi, the leader leader Sriram Krantikari. said that winning or losing was Meanwhile there is also specu- part of the game. “But we are defi - lation that Rahul may off er to re- nitely going to put a tough fi ght in sign at a Congress Working Com- 2024.” mittee (CWC) meeting scheduled Earlier people in Amethi blamed today to look into the reasons for Gujarat building fi re Congress party’s turncoats and lo- the party’s Lok Sabha elections cal leaders for Rahul’s rout. debacle. The meeting will also DPA/IANS staircase, so they could not Prime Minister Narendra urged its workers in Gujarat to Gehlot have also reacted to the Krishna Tiwari, who had joined decide the party’s further course New Delhi get down,” joint commission- Modi said on Twitter he was help the victims. incident. the BJP leaving Congress in 2015 of action to take on the BJP, which er of police Harikrishna Patel thinking of the bereaved fami- “We’re shocked and deeply Former Jammu and Kashmir said, “Several leaders leaving the has grown in strength over the last said. lies. saddened by the loss of lives of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah party made things worse for the fi ve years. t least 18 students were The blaze, likely caused due “Extremely anguished by children in the terrible fi re at a said in a tweet: “My heart goes Congress as they joined the ruling Rahul has taken full responsi- killed after a massive fi re to an electrical short circuit, the fi re tragedy in Surat,” Modi coaching centre in Surat. Our out to the parents and loved ones BJP in the last fi ve years.” bility for the party’s poll defeat and Abroke out at a tuition started between 3.45pm-4pm said. “May the injured recover thoughts and prayers are with of the children killed in the fi re Tiwari said besides Congress there is speculation that he may class in Gujarat yesterday, police local time and spread rapidly, quickly,” he said, adding he had the families of the victims. We in Surat. This mind-numbing leaders, the Samajwadi Party and off er to resign at the CWC meet- said. Patel said. instructed authorities to help urge our Gujarat Congress work- tragedy once again drives home the Bahujan Samaj Party leaders ing. Television footage broad- The fi re was brought under those aff ected. ers to do what they can to help,” how poor our building codes & who also switched to the saff ron However, party leaders are cast by private channel NDTV control in about fi ve hours by Politician C R Patil alleged the Congress said on its offi cial fi re safety standards are. May party in the last few years proved a backing him strongly and have showed people jumping off the two dozen fi re engines. there were gross safety viola- Twitter handle. the souls of the deceased rest in turning point for the BJP. said that the blame for party’s poor top fl oor of the Takshashila Television footage showed tions in the building; the coach- BJP president Amit Shah also peace & may the injured make a Giving examples of the leaders showing cannot be put on any one building or trying to escape by people trying to grab a large ing class was being run from an asked party workers to “assist speedy recovery.” who had switched to the BJP, Ti- individual. climbing down, as thick smoke banner on the side of the build- illegal construction on the top- the people in need”. Deaths in fi res are not uncom- wari said, “From Salon Assembly At the CWC meet, Rahul and billowed out. ing as they plummeted down. most fl oors and there were no The Aam Aadmi Party has mon in India where many estab- constituency, the Congress’s for- other party leaders are expected Most of the dead were stu- Rupani has ordered an in- emergency fi re exits. also urged the local authorities lishments do not comply with ward face and former MLC Di- to give their assessment of what dents who had been attending quiry into the incident and Rupani has announced a com- provide all possible assistance to fi re safety standards. The fi res nesh Pratap Singh has switched went wrong and the remedial steps class at a tuition centre housed asked Mukesh Puri, principal pensation of Rs400,000 for the those aff ected. are often caused by substandard sides to the BJP and contested that must be taken. in the building, according to secretary of the urban de- families of the victims. Several other senior leaders, or ageing electrical material. against Sonia Gandhi.” He said, There was reports of Rahul hav- the spokesman for the offi ce velopment department, to Congress President Rahul including Union Minister Ra- In February, at least 17 people Shiv Balak Pasi of the Congress ing off ered to resign on Thursday, of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay submit a report within three Gandhi wished a speedy recov- jnath Singh, Rajya Sabha MP died in a fi re that broke out at a had also joined the BJP. “And af- after the results, but the Congress Rupani. days, the spokesman for his ery to those injured in the inci- from Gujarat, Ahmed Patel, and hotel in the national capital New ter his death, his wife Kamla Devi denied those. “The fire started near the office said. dent, while the Congress party Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Delhi. Sabarimala row, Vijayan’s Barrackpore violence Cancellation of style blamed for Left rout Vadra bail sought IANS and that the courts must be cautious New Delhi and circumspect in exercising such IANS hard against the BJP but the ticular manner... if not, it can be powers of discriminatory nature,” Thiruvananthapuram Congress-led UDF reaped the misinterpreted. Such style has the ED said in its plea. “It is for the advantage. to change,” he said, hinting that he Enforcement Directo- same reason that the relevant fac- At the secretariat meet- Vijayan’s “arrogance” had to be rate has moved the Delhi tors for grant of anticipatory bail are erala’s ruling CPI-M yes- ing in which Vijayan also took reined in. THigh Court seeking to materially diff erent from the grant terday gave enough indi- part, party leader Kodiyeri RSP leader N K Premach- cancel the bail plea of Robert of regular bail. ... special judge has Kcations that the Sabar- Balakrishnan presented a pre- andran, who retained his Kol- Vadra, the brother-in-law of passed the impugned order by ig- imala issue and even Chief liminary report which pointed lam seat as part of the UDF, also Congress president Rahul Gan- noring the material on record.” Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s out that shifting of the minority slammed Vijayan. “He never dhi, in a money laundering case. The ED told the high court that leadership were to blame for the community votes to the UDF was cared for the Left and the beating Vadra was granted anticipa- Vadra’s questioning is required party’s debacle in the Lok Sabha not the only reason for the virtual that his party took is just because tory bail by a trial court on April to unearth the entire source of elections. washout and that the Sabarimala of his arrogance,” he said. 1 on the condition that he must credit used for the purchase of The party’s Kerala state secre- controversy too was a major issue Both Congress leader Ramesh not leave the country without properties, ascertaining transac- tariat dismissed Vijayan’s con- even in LDF strongholds. Chennithala and state BJP presi- permission and join the investi- tions and money laundering. tention that the Sabarimala row The secretariat decided to call dent P S Sreedharan Pillai said gation whenever needed. The ED added that Vadra’s was never an issue in the cam- a meeting of the state committee that it was time for Vijayan to The ED, in its plea, challenged questioning would help the agen- paign. by the end of May to discuss the quit. the trial court order and said the cy ascertain the role of other key The CPI-M-led Left Demo- rout. CPI Rajya Sabha member bail protection would be detri- accused persons involved in the cratic Front won just one of the Yesterday, veteran CPI-M and former state minister Binoy mental for the purpose of carry- commission of off ence and the state’s 20 seats, down from eight leader M M Lawerence, pull- Viswam also opined that leaders ing out the investigation in the modus operandi. The ED also said in 2014, with the Congress-led ing no punches, said Sabarimala should always ensure that they case by the investigating offi cer. that there are chances that Vadra UDF bagging the rest. The BJP- was defi nitely an issue and even are not above the people. The case relates to ownership may tamper with evidence and in- led NDA came second in only women in the party were not able CPI-M candidate M B Rajesh, of £1.9mn of assets overseas by fl uence witnesses in the case, as he Thiruvananthapuram and third to accept the manner in which who was aiming for a hat-trick Vadra. It pertains to undisclosed is a highly infl uential person. everywhere else. the Vijayan government handled of wins from Palakkad but suf- Vehicles were set on fire by an irate mob after violence foreign assets and entities meant “If he is granted blanket pro- Vijayan, who led the campaign the issue. fered a shock reverse, however broke out between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers to evade tax. tection of bail, there is likelihood in Kerala for the Left, is yet to “The style of putting across claimed that there was “some as counting for the votes cast in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls “It is trite to say that the anticipa- that Vadra shall tamper with evi- comment on the debacle, except things matters a lot as that conspiracy” behind the defeat concluded, in West Bengal’s Barrackpore yesterday. tory bail, to some extent, intrudes in dence and would infl uence wit- saying that the LDF campaigned (which) has to be done in a par- of the Left. the sphere of investigation of crime nesses,” it claimed. Gulf Times Saturday, May 25, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

Children up for adoption paraded in Brazil shopping centre

AFP tion,” according to an offi cial “It’s a night for potential But the bar association said (OAB-MT) said on its Facebook to reverberate today in a coun- slaves?” Juarez Ternus wrote. Rio de Janeiro statement promoting the show. adopters to get to know the kids the photo was taken during a page. try where racism is deeply em- Another user said: “Shameful... The parade — organised by and teens. The population can previous “Adoption on the Cat- It admitted, however, that two bedded. it’s like a children’s exhibition the local chapters of the Brazil have more information about walk” event in 2016. teenagers were adopted after the A spokeswoman for the bar fair in the form of a cattle mar- parade of adoptable chil- Bar Association’s Childhood and adoption and the children them- News of the parade sparked 2016 edition. association said the adoptable ket.” dren held in a Brazilian Youth Commission (CYC) and selves will have a special day in outrage on social media, “The OAB-MT and AMPARA children who took part in the pa- “Like the slaves of ‘old’ — did Ashopping centre drew the Adoption Research and Sup- which they will get done up for prompting organisers to defend reject any kind of distortion of rade were accompanied by part- they show their teeth?” wrote condemnation, with some com- port Association (AMPARA) — the parade.” the event, saying none of the the event by associating it with time foster parents. Silvia Morgan. paring the event to the sale of was held in the Pantanal shop- An undated photo published children had been forced to par- dark periods of our history,” it Children who had already The National Secretary for the animals or slaves. ping mall in the capital Cuiaba. on G1 news site purportedly ticipate. added, referring to Brazil’s past been adopted also participated Rights of Children and Adoles- ‘Adoption on the Catwalk’ in “As we always say, what the showed a girl wearing a white T- “It was never the goal...to as a slave trader. with their families, she said. cents expressed its “regret” over the central-west state of Mato eyes see, the heart feels,” Tatiane shirt and a short pink skirt walk- introduce children and ado- The former Portuguese col- The bar association’s Face- the parade, which also sparked Grosso was designed to “give de Barros Ramalho, president of ing down a catwalk in front of lescents to families in order to ony only abolished slavery in book statement drew hundreds an online petition protesting visibility to children and adoles- the CYC and a lawyer, was quot- onlookers, who were recording achieve adoption,” the Brazil 1888, two decades after the US. of comments, mostly critical of the event. So far it has garnered cents who are eligible for adop- ed as saying. images with their smartphones. Bar Association of Mato Grosso Echoes of that period continue the parade. “Selling animals or more than 1,100 signatures. El Salvador’s Crossing over wartime parties forced to shelve amnesty bill

Reuters It follows a similar bill in Gua- San Salvador temala that could lead to the release of former soldiers con- victed of massacres. awmakers in El Salvador Backed by the ruling leftist have agreed to suspend a Farabundo Marti National Lib- Lcontroversial amnesty bill eration Front (FMLN) and the following an outcry from victims’ opposition right-wing Nation- families, the United Nations and alist Republican Alliance (ARE- rights groups who said it aimed NA), the amnesty bill known to whitewash crimes committed as the “national reconciliation during a bloody civil war. law” would have released former A 12-member congressional combatants in prison in 2016. commission representing a range The two parties dominate the of political parties voted unani- legislative assembly, controlling Migrants hold hands as they cross the border between the US and Mexico at the Rio Grande river, on their way to enter El Paso, Texas. The location is in an area where mously for a technical commit- 60 of the 84 seats, and needed migrants frequently turn themselves in and ask for asylum in the US after crossing the border. Approximately 1,000 migrants per day are being released by authorities tee to review two other propos- a simple majority to approve the in the El Paso sector of the US-Mexico border amidst a surge in asylum seekers arriving at the southern border. als and consult with members bill. of civil society, the armed forces However, victims’ families and the Catholic Church on said they were not consulted on Monday. the bill. A new proposal could be ready Human rights groups feared for a vote by Wednesday, the leg- there would be no justice for islators said. those killed in notorious mas- The amnesty bill aimed to sacres like El Mozote and El prohibit jail time for former mil- Sumpul, as well as crimes in- itary personnel and leftist gue- cluding the 1980 murder of rillas accused of atrocities dur- Archbishop Oscar Romero Maduro ‘cannot reverse ing the 1980-1992 war in which and the 1979 disappearance of 75,000 people were killed and former South African ambassa- 8,000 went missing. dor Archibald Gardner Dunn. The bill instead proposed UN Human Rights chief community service. Michelle Bachelet, a former Lawmakers with roots in op- Chilean president who herself posing sides of the war were in was detained during a military democratic transition’ a race against time to pass the dictatorship in her country, bill, since President-elect Nayib urged lawmakers to refrain from Reuters since January...is irreversible ezuela’s military top brass have backed an opposition initiative that it is a regime that will stop at Bukele opposed it and could veto “adopting provisions that con- Paris with all the international sup- largely ignored entreaties from to deliver US humanitarian aid nothing,” Araujo said. the legislation if it was not on travene international law.” port for a democratic transition. the opposition and Washington to its neighbour in February, but Earlier Maduro accused the the books when he takes offi ce “If passed, these provisions There’s no way back to the Ma- to turn against Maduro. Maduro closed the only formal US of seeking to destroy a food on June 1. will unduly benefi t people who, enezuelan President duro regime staying in power A little over 1,000 troops border crossing. aid programme that the govern- In July 2016, the Supreme Court during the armed confl ict, were Nicolas Maduro will not indefi nitely,” Ernesto Araujo have defected, mostly to Co- Because of the frontier clo- ment says feeds some 6mn fam- of Justice declared unconstitu- directly responsible for crimes Vbe able to reverse the said in Paris. lombia and Brazil. sure, hundreds of Venezuelans ilies. Washington is preparing tional a 1993 amnesty law that against humanity and war democratic transition that is President Jair Bolsonaro’s Araujo, who was in Paris for bribed National Guard offi cials sanctions and criminal charges prevented investigation, prosecu- crimes,” she said in a statement. taking place in his country, but right-wing government has an OECD meeting as Brasilia daily as they tried to make their against Venezuelan offi cials tion and imprisonment of people “They will also result in im- the military will also need to joined more than 50 other na- closes in on joining the organi- way into Brazil along indig- and others suspected of using responsible for war crimes. punity for the masterminds and support that change, Brazil’s tions in recognising Guaido as sation, said he didn’t believe enous trails that cross the sun- the food programme to launder Judges ordered Congress to military leaders who ordered foreign minister said yesterday. the legitimate leader of Ven- foreign intervention in Ven- baked savannah. The border has money for the Maduro govern- adopt a new law to promote na- such crimes, or failed to adopt Opposition leader Juan ezuela. “The question today is ezuela was necessary and that since reopened. ment, sources familiar with the tional reconciliation before July measures to prevent or stop Guaido called on the military the arrangements necessary for economic and diplomatic ef- Venezuela’s economic melt- matter said. 2019. them.” to change sides last month, but the Venezuelan military to ad- forts were isolating Maduro. down has left roughly a quarter The measures against the The last-minute bid to soften US assistant secretary for only a handful of soldiers heeded here to the legitimate govern- “The forces inside Venezuela of its 30mn people in need of programme, known in Ven- punishments is part of a back- the western hemisphere af- his April 30 call. Maduro’s gov- ment. We feel it is necessary are gaining momentum against humanitarian assistance, the ezuela by its Spanish acronym lash in Central America against fairs, Kimberly Breier, said any ernment has launched a crack- for the military to adhere but the Maduro regime and the United Nations says. CLAP, are expected to be en- attempts to bring justice for ex- national reconciliation law in down on opposition lawmakers the shape it will take is up to the growing perception is that it’s The attempt to deliver aid acted within the next 90 days, cesses in the region’s Cold War- El Salvador should protect the allegedly linked to the attempt. Venezuelans,” Araujo said. only a question of time,” he said. “failed because the aid didn’t get according to the sources, who era confl icts. rights of victims to seek justice. “The process that is in place Despite US sanctions, Ven- Along with Colombia, Brazil through, but politically it showed asked not to be identifi ed.

Artefacts found Bolsonaro bid to weaken Chile high court indigenous agency fails rejects airline deal Reuters cision and that it was a “step Santiago backward” for Chile. Reuters Land decisions were moved to sidered by many as nature’s best The carrier added it was Brasilia the agriculture ministry, led by defence against global warming, considering continuing to pur- farm representatives that believe with its trees absorbing huge hile’s Supreme Court sue the deal, but without the Brazilian tribes have too much amounts of carbon dioxide. struck down a proposed involvement of Chile. razil’s lower house of Con- land, with indigenous people Meanwhile, a survey yesterday Cdeal on routes between Authorities in Uruguay, Co- gress has rebuff ed Presi- who account for less than 1% of showed more Brazilians disap- carriers LATAM Airlines, lombia and Brazil all approved Bdent Jair Bolsonaro’s move the country’s population living prove of Bolsonaro’s government American Airlines, British Air- the deal last year, which does to put decisions on indigenous on 13% of its territory. than those who approve. This was ways and Iberia, upending an not involve any transfers of land claims in the hands of the Brazil’s main indigenous or- the fi rst time this has happened agreement meant to reshape money between the airlines. ministry of agriculture. ganisation APIB called the vote a since the former army captain was international air travel in Latin LATAM shares closed 0.34% The chamber voted to restore historic victory against the gov- sworn into offi ce on January 1. America. higher in Santiago, in line with land delineation decisions to ernment’s plan to open up tribal The fi rst fi ve months of Bol- The decision comes more the broader Chilean bench- the national indigenous aff airs lands to agribusiness. sonaro’s term have been marked than two years after the car- mark index. agency Funai, which will also be Bolsonaro has said the tribes by a weak economy, which likely riers announced their plans, The decision in Chile, which placed under the ministry of jus- live in poverty and should not contracted in the fi rst quarter, termed a joint business agree- applies to the four OneWorld tice again. The reversal still must be held inside reservations “like failure to cultivate political sup- ment. carriers, could also spell trou- be voted on by the senate. animals in a zoo” but be allowed port for his reform agenda, con- At the time it was seen as a ble for a separate group of The right-wing president had to engage in commercial activity troversy, and some high-profi le bold move to save costs, co- airline competitors in the alarmed anthropologists and en- and charge royalties from mining gaff es. ordinate prices and run routes Star Alliance grouping, which vironmentalists by planning to companies. According to the latest XP more effi ciently, but also raised had announced a similar deal assimilate Brazil’s 800,000 indig- Tribal leaders protested that Investimentos/Ipespe poll, antitrust concerns. of their own to take on the enous people into Brazilian soci- without their ancestral lands, which surveyed 1,000 Brazil- “We are in the presence of an LATAM alliance. ety and open reservation lands to indigenous languages, cultures ians on May 20-21, 36% think agreement between competi- In late 2018, US-based commercial agriculture and min- and ways of life would die. Bolsonaro’s government is bad tors...who individually each United Airlines, Colombia’s ing, even in the Amazon rainforest. “Our relation with the land is or terrible. That’s up fi ve per- have relevant market shares Avianca Holdings and Pana- Bolsonaro’s fi rst decree reor- about sustainability and respect centage points from the previous and who would acquire a joint ma’s Copa Airlines announced ganising the executive branch for Mother Nature,” APIB said in survey earlier this month. market power that would be a joint business agreement the day he took offi ce in January a statement. The number of those who think hard to challenge in a post- to share routes across Latin put Funai under a newly cre- Environmentalists have de- the government is good or great Salvadoran archaeologist Michelle Toledo, shows a pre- deal scenario,” four judges America. ated women, family and human fended the reservations as the slipped to 34% from 35%. The hispanic ear piece found at the Joya de Ceren archaeological wrote in their decision. That deal is also awaiting rights ministry headed by an best way to stop deforestation margin of error is 3.2 percentage site in San Juan Opico, 35km west of San Salvador, El Salvador. LATAM said in a statement regulatory approval, but is at a evangelical pastor. of the Amazon rainforest, con- points, XP Investimentos said. it was “surprised” by the de- much earlier stage. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, May 25, 2019 PAKISTAN Pakistan assures Iran of support

Internews Imran Khan and National As- sues through diplomatic engage- eff orts are needed to eliminate Islamabad sembly Speaker Asad Qaiser. ment, and said that stakeholders terrorism from the region, adding He is also expected to meet need to demonstrate patience that friendly relations with Iran Chief of Army Staff General and tolerance. are essential for the prosperity of oreign Minister Shah Meh- Qamar Javed Bajwa, as well as to Zarif assured Qureshi that Iran the people of both countries. mood Qureshi has assured brief top Pakistani leadership on “gives value” to Islamabad’s ef- Earlier this week Foreign Of- Fhis visiting Iranian coun- current regional developments, forts to establish peace in the re- fi ce (FO) spokesperson Dr Mo- terpart, Javad Zarif, of Pakistan’s Iranian news agency IRNA re- gion. hamed Faisal had said that issues continued eff orts towards reduc- ported. Both sides expressed satisfac- between Iran and the US, plus ing tension in the region amid a Zarif, upon his arrival in the tion over the implementation its Arab allies, had to be resolved This photo released by the ministry of foreign aff airs yesterday shows Qureshi greeting Zarif at the simmering crisis between Tehran capital, told IRNA that Tehran of decisions made during Prime through dialogue. ministry in Islamabad. and Washington. seeks stronger ties with Islama- Minister Khan’s recent visit to “We believe the situation in Zarif arrived in Islamabad bad, and that “developing strong Iran and agreed to continue co- the region is serious and needs to har, the provincial governor and Zarif, while speaking to IRNA those who don’t believe in laws”, on Thursday night on a criti- relations with our immediate operation on bilateral matters. be addressed through dialogue by administrative offi cials were upon his arrival in Islamabad, IRNA reported. cally timed two-day visit ahead neighbours is on the top of Ira- Zarif also met Prime Minister all parties. We expect all sides to “insisting” that Chabahar and said that the “international com- He said that international of next week’s emergency Arab nian foreign policy”. Imran where they talked about show restraint, as any miscalcu- Gwadar are two complementary munity has to take practical steps and regional actors “must play a League meeting, called by Saudi Qureshi and Zarif discussed bilateral relations between Iran lated move can transmute into a ports, according to IRNA. to stop this American aggressive proactive role for the stability of Arabia over regional tensions. bilateral ties, border security is- and Pakistan. large-scale confl ict,” he had said. “We believe Chabahar and approach”. the region”. The purpose of the visit was sues, and recent US-Iran ten- That meeting was also attend- Zarif, who has visited Islama- Gwadar complement each other, The Iranian foreign minis- “Regional states have to stand not made public, but there has sions. ed by Qureshi. bad twice since Prime Minister and we can connect Chabahar ter claimed that Washington’s against the sanctions for their been speculation that Iran is During delegation-level talks The Iranian foreign minis- Khan was elected, said he was in and Gwadar, and then through bullying approach is evident own interests,” he was quoted by looking to Islamabad and its close between the Pakistani and Ira- ter also met National Assem- Islamabad with a proposal for the that, can connect Gwadar to our through the US’s conduct with IRNA as saying. relationship with Riyadh to help nian sides, Qureshi noted that bly Speaker Qaiser, where both Pakistan government to form a entire rail road system from Iran Iran and China, and warned that Zarif was received at the air- deescalate the situation. regional tension is in no one’s stressed on the importance of connection between Chabahar to north corridor through Turk- if the international community port by Iran’s ambassador to Pa- The Iranian foreign minister interest. promoting bilateral relations be- and Gwadar, IRNA reported. menistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbai- failed to stop the US from pursu- kistan, Mehdi Honardoost, and held a meeting with Qureshi, and He stated that Pakistan wants tween Pakistan and Iran. The Iranian foreign minister jan, Russia and Turkey,” Zarif ing its policies, the “world’s con- senior ministry of foreign aff airs later called on Prime Minister resolution of all outstanding is- The latter insisted that joint said that when he was in Chaba- said. trol would go into the hands of offi cials, IRNA reported.

Two TV channels served notices for Blast in Quetta ‘sensationalising’ child murder case The Senate Standing Committee on Information was informed that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had issued show-cause notices to two TV channels for mosque kills two “sensationalising” the Farishta murder issue. In reply to a query by members of the committee, Pemra chairman Saleem Baig said that the show-cause notices had been issued AFP/DPA/Reuters/Internews “It would have been disastrous because the channels “violated the code of conduct”. Quetta/Islamabad had the bomb gone off during the “The channels have been directed to abide by the code of conduct. prayer,” Ahmed said. However, the regulatory body does not interfere in the editorial The mosque’s prayer leader policy of any channel,” Baig said. t least two people were was one of the dead, but it was The committee, headed by Senator Faisal Javed, also discussed the killed and more than two not immediately known whether coverage of the murder of 10-year-old Farishta in Islamabad. Adozen injured by a blast he was the target, Ahmed added. Senator Khushbakht Shujat said television channels should show a during Friday prayers at a mosque Quetta Deputy Inspector Gen- “responsible attitude” over social issues. in Quetta, offi cials said. eral (DIG) Abdul Razzaq Cheema Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami said no crime Police chief Abdur Razzaq said that out of 618 mosques, 100 should be linked to ethnicity and, without naming anybody, Cheema said the explosion – the have been provided with secu- criticised the attitude of the Pashtun Tahaff uz Movement for giving latest violence in a string of at- rity. the issue a political colour. tacks in restive Baluchistan prov- He added that 1,500 police of- “In the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)’s ince – was caused by a remotely fi cials have been posted across record, my caste is Afghan, but I am a Pakistani and playing politics detonated bomb. the city. over such matters is incorrect,” Ahmed said. “We have received two dead Baluchistan Chief Minister The committee also took up problems being faced by the bodies and 28 injured,” Dr Mo- Jam Kamal Khan Alyani con- Security off icials examine the interior of the mosque in Quetta following the blast. employees of Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television, and Lok Virsa. hamed Waseem in Quetta’s San- demned the blast and summoned deman hospital told AFP, adding a report on the incident. to see that evil forces are target- co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari Militants still retain the ability that 12 patients were in a serious He expressed grief over the ing innocent civilians.” also issued a condemnation and to carry out attacks, including on Rapists sentenced to death in Sindh condition. deaths and multiple injuries National Assembly Speaker stressed the need for “eliminat- major urban centres and tightly- There have been no claims of caused by the blast. Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker ing the nurseries that nurture ex- guarded targets, and analysts Three men have been handed death sentences by an additional responsibility for the incident. “Those who make innocent Qasim Suri also strongly con- tremist ideologies”. have long warned that Pakistan sessions court in Pakistan’s Sanghar for the gang rape of a student. The bomb went off in the main people the target of terrorism in demned the attack and said that “Those who spill the blood is yet to tackle the root causes of Judge Inayatullah Bhutto awarded death sentences to Jahanzeb praying hall of the Rehmania this blessed month and on this those who attack mosques and of humans are unforgivable,” he extremism. Qaimkhani, Danish Qaimkhani, and Wasim Qaimkhani after they mosque in Quetta’s Pashtoona- blessed day deserve a severe pun- other places of worship are en- said and urged the government to Baluchistan is key to the Chi- were found guilty of the rape, committed in 2010. bad area, local police offi cial Be- ishment,” he said, while ordering emies of humanity and have no provide protection to the people. na-Pakistan Economic Corridor Another accused in the case, Suhail Rajput, was given life hram Khan said. security measures in the city to relation to any religion. The latest attack comes weeks (CPEC), part of Beijing’s Belt and imprisonment. Earlier, police said the bomb be further strengthened. Leader of the Opposition in after a suicide blast claimed by Road initiative. The judge, however, acquitted three women who were nominated detonated outside the com- In a post shared on Twitter, the National Assembly Shehbaz the Islamic State (IS) group in The CPEC seeks to connect in the case. The women are relatives of the convicts and were pound. State Minister for States and Sharif also condemned the at- Quetta killed at least 20 people. China’s western province of Xin- friends of the victim. The attack occurred half an Frontier Regions Shehryar Afridi tack. Baluchistan, Pakistan’s larg- jiang with Gwadar, giving Beijing An uncle of the victim had registered a first information report (FIR) hour ahead of the scheduled condemned the attack, saying: “The person who attacks the est and poorest province – bor- access to the Arabian Sea. in 2010 at Khipro Police Station and nominated the three women prayer, meaning that only a few “Another nefarious act by evil house of God on a Friday in the dering Afghanistan and Iran – is The separatists usually attack along with the four convicts. dozen people were present at the forces in Quetta.” month of Ramadan cannot be a rife with Islamist, separatist and energy infrastructure and the se- According to the FIR, the victim, a resident of Khipro and a student mosque, another police offi cial, Even during Ramadan they Muslim,” he said, adding that the sectarian insurgencies, even as curity forces, while the religious of class nine, was invited by the three women for a get-together at Iftikhar Ahmed, told DPA. choose to target civilians praying continuous rise in terrorist inci- incidents of violence have sig- militants usually attack govern- their place, where she was given sweets to eat. More than 5,000 people usu- in a masjid, Afridi wrote, adding: dents was extremely worrisome. nifi cantly dropped elsewhere in ment targets and members of the She fell unconscious when she ate them and after coming to her ally attend the event. “It is so painful [and] astonishing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Pakistan. Shia Muslim minority. senses, realised that she had been raped.

PML-N fl oats idea of PTI govt without Imran Vesak Day celebrated in Taxila

Internews Speaking with reporters after about the opposition meeting. Internews promote the civilisation and its fully support every stakeholder Lahore his meeting with former prime “We will fi nalise our protest Islamabad sites of religious signifi cance. in the commemoration of mi- minister Nawaz Sharif at Kot strategy after Eid. Maulana Fa- Park said that Pakistan, and norities’ religious events. Lakhpat jail, the PML-N fi re- zlur Rehman (Jamiat Ulema-e- Taxila specifi cally, could be made Speaking to the press later at head of the joint opposi- brand said the opposition had Islam – Fazlur chief) will call the esak Day, a Buddhist reli- a hub for Buddhist tourism. the Taxila Museum rest house, tion’s proposed protest no objection if the PTI chose a multi-party meeting after Eid gious occasion that marks Rajkumari Trivani, the daugh- Bukhari said that the govern- Adrive, the Pakistan Mus- new candidate to replace Prime for the purpose,” he said. Vthe birth, enlightenment ter of Raja Tridev Roy, said that ment is planning to develop a lim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Minister Khan. When asked whether the and passing of the Buddha, has Buddha spread a message of Buddhist trail by exploring vari- has revealed its main demand, “The PTI government may be PML-N was on the same page as been celebrated at the Dharma- peace, love and tolerance, which ous religious sites from Taxila to saying that it is ready to work retained, but the inept premier the PPP, Abbasi said: “We had rajika Stupa near Taxila. there is dire need for in today’s Swabi. with the Pakistan Tehreek-e- should be replaced forthwith for attended Bilawal’s Iftar dinner The day is observed by Bud- world. He said the government would Insaf (PTI) government, provid- the people and the economy of after ignoring our diff erences. dhists around the world, and is She said such events spread launch an aggressive tourism ini- ed Prime Minister Imran Khan this country,” he said, and added (PML-N leader) Maryam Au- also known as Buddha Purnima such a message across the world, tiative with a particular focus on is replaced with someone else that the demand is for the bet- rangzeb, (PPP leader) Bilawal and Buddha Day. adding that it is time to join religious tourism. from the ruling party. Abbasi: We will finalise our terment of the economy and the (Bhutto Zardari) and (PML-N It is traditionally celebrated hands for a Gandhara renais- “Pakistan is uniquely placed Since the leadership of main protest strategy after Eid. poor. leader) Hamza (Shehbaz) were on diff erent days in various Bud- sance and restore past glory. for tourism, as people from di- opposition parties – the PML-N Sanaullah, who is considered sitting on one sofa, showing dhist countries and other parts of Syed Zulfi kar Bukhari, special verse religious backgrounds in- and the Pakistan Peoples Party Khan) for revival of the econo- a close aide to Sharif, warned both opposition parties on the the world. assistant to the prime minister cluding Buddhists, Hindus and (PPP) – joined hands in Islama- my”. that if this demand is not met, same page.” According to Buddhists, 2019 on overseas Pakistanis, also at- Sikhs have their holy places in bad on last Sunday against the “We ask the powerful peo- the PTI would solely be respon- He predicted a more active marks the 2,563rd year of Lord tended the ceremony. Pakistan. Imran Khan government and ple (a reference to the military sible for the “destruction”. role of the PML-N in days to Buddha’s attainment of enlight- He said that according to the “Pakistan also has some of announced holding a multi- establishment) to get rid of in- “(In such a scenario), the come. enment. vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mo- the most beautiful landscapes, party conference to chalk out competent (prime minister) minimum demand (of the oppo- “The PML-N will be seen In Pakistan, the event on Mon- hamed Ali Jinnah, everyone can mountain peaks, meadows and its protest strategy after Eid Imran Khan and bring someone sition) will be mid-term polls,” more active. We will decide day was organised by the Centre practice their religions freely. lakes in the world,” he said. next month, the PML-N has else to replace him. In the pres- he said. along with other opposition for Culture and Development He said that religious minori- In response to a question, he come up with a proposition for ence of this inept prime minister Former prime minister and parties whether to topple the (C2D), with Sri Lankan High ties enjoy religious freedom, and said encroachments on national the establishment to get rid of the country cannot move for- PML-N vice-president Sha- government (after Eid), or it Commissioner Noordeen Mo- Prime Minister Imran Khan is a heritage sites would not be tol- Prime Minister Khan: working ward,” PML-N Punjab president hid Khaqan Abbasi briefed im- may fall because of its own fol- hamed Shaheid invited as the strong proponent of making Pa- erated, and no one would be al- with the “government (without Rana Sanaullah declared. prisoned party supremo Sharif lies,” he said. chief guest and Chief Monk of kistan a welfare state on the pat- lowed to utilise the land of an- Singapore Rev Dato Sumana Siri tern of the state of Madinah. cient sites for personal use. presiding over the rituals. Bukhari, who is also the chair- He said religious tourism was British Airways preparing to resume operations in Pakistan from June 2 A large number of Buddhists, man of National Tourism Co- neglected by previous govern- Christians, Hindus, and Muslims ordination, praised the initiative ments, and its potential has gone British Airways (BA) will resume flights The service will be operated on a three-class put the final touches to this exciting route participated. of organising a Vesak celebration, untapped for decades. between London and Islamabad on June Boeing 787 Dreamliner with World Traveller launch.” Addressing guests, Korean and urged Buddhists to visit Pa- The government will make 2 after a break of around 11 years, with (long-haul economy), World Traveller Plus Aftab Khan, who is one of the crew members scholar Dr Park Kyo-soon said kistan and help the government strategies to promote the sacred three flights per week on the Boeing 787 (long-haul premium economy), and Club operating the inaugural flight, said: “I can’t that Pakistan is the custodian of preserve their heritage as well sites of religions such as Sikhism Dreamliner aircraft. World (long-haul business class) available. wait for what will be such a wonderful the Gandhara civilisation. as give proposals regarding reli- and Hinduism, and eff orts will The final touches are coming together for the The 787 is BA’s newest long-haul aircraft. occasion. To be chosen to operate this flight, She said that it is a moral re- gious tourism and religious fes- be made to provide facilities that airline’s return, ahead of its first flight on June BA chief commercial off icer Andrew Brem with my close family links to Pakistan, is a sponsibility to work individually tivals. attract followers from within the 2, a BA statement said. said: “The excitement is building as we real honour.” and collectively to preserve and He said the government would country and abroad, he said. Gulf Times Saturday, May 25, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES

Canada Sea dispute to be raised taps fi rm to take during Duterte-Abe meet back trash By Bernadette E Tamayo By Ralph Villanueva has always affi rmed its commit- Manila Times Manila Times ment to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and overfl ight, freedom of com- anada has tapped a fi rm erritorial disputes in the merce and other lawful activi- to ship back 103 container South China Sea (West ties, exercise of self-restraint, Cvans of garbage exported TPhilippine Sea) will be and the peaceful resolution of to the Philippines from 2013 to raised by President Rodrigo Du- disputes,” he added. 2014. terte during talks with Japanese China has heightened activi- Manila last week recalled its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next ties in the South China Sea and, envoy in Ottawa following con- week, the Department of Foreign earlier this week, a US-based tinued delays in the return of Aff airs (DFA) said yesterday. think tank said fi shing fl eets had the waste, which had been mis- Duterte and Abe would ex- returned to harvest giant clams labelled as recyclables. change views on regional is- in areas such as the Scarborough Catherine Mckenna, Can- sues of mutual concern such as (Panatag) Shoal, which it seized ada’s minister of Environ- claims to the South China Sea from the Philippines in 2012. ment and Climate Change, and developments in the Korean Duterte, who has courted Bei- announced on Thursday that a Peninsula, DFA Assistant Sec- jing’s favour in a pivot from tra- contract had been awarded to retary Meynardo Montealegre ditional Philippine ally the US, Bollore Logistics Canada “to said in a briefi ng. last month threatened “suicide” safely bring the waste back to Duterte, who will be attend- attacks following reports that Canada as soon as possible.” ing the 25th Nikkei Conference Chinese vessels had been spot- Canada said the firm would on Future of Asia on May 30-31, ted near Philippine-held Pagasa begin preparations for the will also discuss partnerships (Thitu) Island. shipments and removal was ex- involving defence, security, Meanwhile, Montealegre said pected to be completed by the economic co-operation and Duterte and Abe would not be end of June. infrastructure development as witnessing the signing of any “Canada is pleased to an- part of the agenda, along with agreements during the Japan vis- nounce that it has awarded jobs for skilled Filipino work- it. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez a contract to bring the waste ers and aid for the Bangsamoro earlier said at least 10 deals could back promptly and to ensure region. “The peace and stabil- be inked with Japanese fi rms. its safe and environmentally ity in the region is a mutual “There will be no agreements sound disposal,” McKenna said. concern to both the Philippines to be signed during this particular “Canada has amended its and Japan. And the South China visit. The meeting between the regulations to prevent this from Sea is central in this regard,” two leaders is the key takeaway of happening again and is looking Montealegre said. this particular visit,” Montealegre at ways to hold the responsible “The Philippines, for its part, said. President Rodrigo Duterte with Foreign Aff airs Secretary Teodoro Locsin. parties to account,” she added. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Ottawa and Manila “have a deep and valued relationship underpinned by the hundreds Complaining residents told to move to Makati of thousands of Canadians of Survey: More Filipino descent.” Earlier this week, Mala- By Jaime Pilapil Belmonte added. The incom- canang said the Philippines Manila Times ing mayor came under fire would be shipping the garbage Filipinos say for posting pictures of her back at its own expense and distributing school supplies could dump the shipment in uezon City Mayor- in several barangays (vil- Canadian waters. elect Joy Belmonte lages) and her reply further It downplayed possible re- Qwants constituents inflamed commenters. “Is taliation against Filipinos in their lives complaining of not getting this how a leader responds,” Canada who numbered 901,218 free school supplies to move to Topacio Patty Garcia wrote. as of April 2018, comprising a more prosperous Makati. Xerox Antonino, mean- mix of naturalised Canadians, “To those complaining of while, said: “Don’t com- permanent residents and tem- have improved not having shoes, boots, rub- plain… given the numbers of porary foreign workers. ber shoes, PE uniforms, rain- those who received P1,000 “The Filipino-Canadian coats and allowance, just live and P200… use this to buy community has made huge By Ralph Villanueva By region, this was up 12 in Makati,” an irritated Bel- Comelec officials proclaim Joy Belmonte as the new Quezon school supplies.” contributions to Canada. As Manila Times points in Balance Luzon to an monte said in a Facebook post. City mayor. Belmonte noted that I mentioned to their Foreign “excellent” +52 from +40. Belmonte, the outgoing Makati City had fewer resi- Secretary (Teodoro Locsin Jr) The scores were virtually Quezon City vice mayor who say is very large is controlled added. “Next year, I will find dents, senior citizens and in- last week, we are committed to he number of Filipinos identical, meanwhile, in Metro will be taking over from Her- by Mayor Herbert Bautista. ways to provide school sup- formal settlers compared to resolving this issue as quickly claiming that their lives Manila (+42 from +44), Visayas bert Bautista, said she had yet Your request for school sup- plies to all schoolchildren Quezon City’s population of as possible. Today is an es- Thad improved rose in the (+37 from +34) and Mindanao to take control of the budget. plies for every child in QC as I will be the one crafting 3.2mn and 250,000 informal sential step forward in accom- fi rst quarter of 2019, a Social (+47 from +44). Net optimism “The city budget that you should be sent to him,” she programmes for the city,” settlers. plishing that,” Freeland said. Weather Stations (SWS) survey increased across all classes. found. Optimism about the Philip- The polling fi rm said 38% of pine economy for the next year respondents considered them- also went up, with 45% re- selves “gainers” versus the 21%, sponding positively compared to who claimed their lives had wors- the 10% who were pessimistic. ened over the last 12 months. This resulted in a net opti- Man in smear campaign against This resulted in a net gainer mism score of +35, three points score of +17, up from the +12 higher than the +32 “excellent” three months earlier. rating in the prior quarter and Both were classifi ed by the the highest since the +42 re- SWS as “very high.” corded in December 2017. Net gainer scores rose nation- The fi gure decreased by six president ‘lacks credibility’ wide, except in Mindanao. points in Mindanao to +44 from It was up nine points in the December’s +50. It also dipped By Neil J Servallos “This time your source is Panelo, in response to Trillanes, Visayas to a “very high” +12 in Visayas to +25 from +30, but Manila Times Bikoy. You’re such a genius, Du- said the senator should answer from December’s “high” +3; surged in Balance Luzon, adding terte,” he added. the ouster allegation instead of seven points in Metro Manila to 10 points to +36 in March. Sen. Leila de Lima, another again criticising Duterte. an “excellent” +21 from a “very Metro Manila’s score was +30, uster plot claims by Duterte critic who has been “Despite the repudiation high” +13; and by six points in a three-point increase from +27 Peter Joemel Advin- jailed on drug-related charges, of his oft-repeated predic- Balance Luzon to a “very high” in December. Ocula, the self-confessed also denied Advincula’s claims tion that the president would +19 from +13. It fell two points The results were taken posi- “Bikoy” who has taken back that she was part of an ouster lose his popularity … Trillanes to +16 in Mindanao from the +18 tively by Malacanang, with his claim that President Rod- plot. continues to spew his poison- recorded three months earlier. spokesman Salvador Panelo rigo Duterte’s family had ac- “Let me start by stating, cat- ous invectives against the chief Net gainer scores also rose saying it “emphasised that our cepted drug money, should not egorically, that like me, none of executive, who remains stand- across classes except for class E, people see and appreciate the be believed until backed up by my staff has anything to do with ing as the nation’s most beloved where it dropped four points to a president’s tireless eff orts to evidence, a Cabinet offi cial said the so-called Bikoy and trusted leader,” Panelo said “high” +8 from the “very high” improve and bring about genu- yesterday. expose.None of us know in a statement. +12 previously. It rose by eight ine and positive change to the “Let us not be hasty in giving Bikoy or has ever met or talked “The outgoing Senator points in the ABC class to an nation.” credence to what he is saying. to him, or otherwise dealt with should fi rst address the serious “excellent” +31, improving from “This is yet another loud re- From what I heard and read, him,” said de Lima in a state- allegation pointing to him as the the similarly “excellent” +23 in pudiation against — and yet an- he has been lying at every ment. mastermind and in conspiracy December, and by seven points other wake-up call to — the crit- turn,” Defence Secretary Delfi n “When I fi rst started hear- with certain political leaders for class D to a “very high” +18 ics and detractors of the Duterte Lorenzana told reporters. ing about the Bikoy expose, the identifi ed with the opposition from an also “very high” +11. administration, which include Advincula, who came out foremost question in my mind of the unlawful plot to topple Half of the people surveyed the left-leaning groups, militant earlier this month to insist that was — Is Bikoy for real, or is he the Duterte Administration,” he also said they expected their per- Church members and the po- the Dutertes had received pay- a fraud? Worse, is he being used added. sonal quality of life to improve in litical opposition, who continu- off s from drug syndicates, went in some ploy that would even- “While many will wish Tril- the next 12 months, with only ously and deliberately ignore our into hiding after failing in a bid tually lead to the vilifi cation of lanes good riddance as he is four % responding otherwise. achievements, which redound to to secure legal aid from a law- the opposition?” she added. about to leave the hallowed This resulted in an “excellent” the benefi t of the Filipino mass- yers’ organisation. Peter Advincula at a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City. An investigation, de Lima halls of the Senate at the end of +47 net optimism score. es,” he added. He resurfaced on Thursday said, should ferret out the truth. June of this year, we will instead and said the scheme had been dry run. With his flip-flop- complaining of chest pains. In the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” wish him luck as he faces an- masterminded by the opposi- ping lies, he’s on a roll,” Lac- “His blood pressure shot up videos, a hooded man named other prospect of being placed tion in a plot to unseat the gov- son added. and said he felt nauseous, so we Bikoy claims to have facilitated behind bars again as the self- ernment. The IBP let Advincula use its sent him to the hospital,” he told drug syndicate payoff s to Du- confessed black propagandist “His motive? Of course, headquarters to make his ac- a press briefi ng. terte’s son former Davao City turns against his master, even to save himself!” Lorenzana cusations against the Dutertes Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, vice mayor Paolo “Pulong” as his victims look forward to said, adding that the retraction earlier this month. who Advincula now says was the Duterte, son-in-law Manases seeing the Senate, or better yet should be substantiated. It was the PNP’s turn on mastermind behind the “Ang “Mans” Carpio, and former the Government, without the Advincula’s lying, Sen.Pan- Thursday, as offi cials allowed Totoong Narcolist,” accused the special assistant Christopher cantankerously obnoxious coup fi lo Lacson also said yesterday, him to make a public recanta- president of again trying to take Lawrence “Bong” Go, among plotter.” was a “unique talent.” tion a few hours after surren- down a vocal critic. others. As an Army lieutenant, Tril- “He can divide the world with dering to answer estafa charges. “There you go again. You Advincula now claims that lanes was one of leaders of the the fl ip of his tongue,” the sena- PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albay- haven’t yet redeemed yourself Trillanes — a Nationalista Party failed 2003 Oakwood mutiny tor said on Twitter. alde, who has denied that the from embarrassment when you senator — and the opposition against then-president Gloria “From IBP (Integrated Bar police had fl ip-fl opped after invented my having off shore Liberal Party led by Vice Presi- Macapagal Arroyo. of the Philippines) to the PNP earlier discrediting drug mon- bank accounts and the allega- dent Maria Leonor “Leni” Ro- He was jailed for his role and (Philippine National Police), ey claims made by Bikoy in the tion against my mother, and bredo cooked up the scheme in the mutiny but successfully ran he completed a successful Yel- “Ang Totoong Narcolist” vid- now you have another accusa- a bid to discredit Duterte and for the Senate while in prison, low (the opposition) vs DDS eos, said Advincula was taken tion against me,” he said in a force him from offi ce. fi nally gaining an amnesty in A street vendor shares a meal with his wife in Intramuros, Manila. (Diehard Duterte Supporters) to a hospital yesterday after text message. Palace spokesman Salvador 2010. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, May 25, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF How to live better and Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor stop destroying the planet Amjad Khan

By Ana Paula Aguiar, Odirilwe nature while increasing human sustainable agricultural practices, the stability of the Amazon rainforest, P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar Selomane, and Pernilla Malmer prosperity. The measures it proposes such as integrated pest and nutrient the world’s climate, and many Stockholm are not the usual suspects, such as management, organic farming, soil and species. But attempts to combat [email protected] reducing deforestation or curtailing the water conservation, and measures to global warming through large-scale 44350478 (News), exploitation of species; instead, they improve animal welfare. planting of bioenergy crops, along with arlier this month, a bleak address the causes of these problems. One of the IPBES report’s reforestation and aff orestation, could 44466404 (Sport), global assessment of the Here, the report concludes that development paths to 2050 is in line greatly harm biodiversity and fragile 44466636 (Home delivery) shocking state of life on Earth sustaining Earth’s living systems requires with the fi ndings of the separate ecosystems. Well-planned measures, made headlines worldwide. us to redefi ne what a good quality of life EAT-Lancet Commission report on on the other hand, could enhance 44350474 E According to the report by the means. Societies need to get away from sustainable food systems. That report, biodiversity, improve soil quality, and facebook.com/gulftimes Intergovernmental Science-Policy the idea that a good and meaningful life released earlier this year, concluded that capture and store carbon dioxide. Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem is possible only through ever-increasing the world could feed ten billion people a Protecting the living world twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Services (IPBES), about 12% of all material consumption. This is clearly healthy diet – with less meat and dairy calls for systemic changes that go known animal and plant species are absurd. Well-being has been stagnating products, and more nuts and vegetables beyond narrowly focused policies now threatened with extinction. Worse in many developed countries, even as – without needing to use more land. on biodiversity or climate. Fighting still, humanity is destroying entire consumption continues to increase. But these actions on their own poverty and inequality are essential habitats, and with them the web of life Solutions could instead build upon will not be enough. One-third of all parts of the solution, too. But these GULF TIMES that supports societies and economies. new social and political narratives food produced never makes it to the transformative steps will happen only Unsurprisingly, the fi ndings were showing that happiness goes hand in plate. We support calls for food waste if we start treating the situation like the greeted with despair. hand with lowering total consumption to be slashed by 50% by 2030, and, crisis it is, as Swedish climate activist As IPBES scientifi c contributors and cutting waste. Reducing gender encouragingly, countries including and student Greta Thunberg has urged. and co-authors of the report, we face and wealth inequalities also improves France, Germany, and Italy have taken In recent weeks, both the UK and May never had a this news every day. It is impossible a society’s well-being, as Nordic steps to prevent supermarkets from Irish parliaments have declared climate not to react emotionally to the scale of countries have shown. And, as IPBES discarding unsold food. and nature emergencies, and we urge destruction humans are infl icting on recognises, indigenous and local Third, we must treat the world’s oceans other countries to do the same. In the natural world. Yet the report also knowledge can reveal other ways of far better. Industrial fi shing now extends 2020, a “superyear” for international grip on the crown goes to great lengths – although this has managing ecosystems sustainably. to 55% of the world’s ocean area, and just environmental policy – with major been less widely reported – to identify Undertaking such shifts will not be 3% is free from human pressure. The summits on biodiversity, climate, ways to reverse this alarming trend. easy. The world must urgently adopt a ocean is increasingly used as a dumping and the oceans – the UN should mark To succeed, however, humans need to new economic paradigm that goes beyond ground for sewage, plastic, excess its 75th anniversary by declaring that fell into her lap undertake four major transformations. a singular focus on GDP. This is beginning fertilisers, and other toxic pollutants. an emergency for the planet to First, we must substantially change to happen. New Zealand, for example, has But research shows that managing the accelerate action to ensure long-term our legal, economic, and technological announced its fi rst “well-being budget,” oceans sustainably can increase fi sh sustainability. – Project Syndicate British Prime Minister Theresa May has bowed to intense systems. It is true, as the report while China is continuing to develop stocks and economic value. And the UN pressure from her own party and named June 7 as the day she emphasises, that protected areas measures of “green GDP.” aims to reach agreement next year on new Ana Paula Aguiar is a research will step aside as Conservative leader, drawing her turbulent and legislation have prevented the Second, the world must transform international regulations to protect the fellow at the Stockholm Resilience Centre three-year premiership to a close. extinction of many species, such as the its food system. The way we currently oceans. and a senior researcher at the Brazilian panda. And further conservation steps produce and consume food is a major Finally, the world must think Institute for Space Research (INPE). Speaking in Downing Street, May said it had been “the are clearly needed. But humans need to cause of ecological destruction. Yet carefully about the best ways to tackle Odirilwe Selomane is a postdoctoral honour of my life” to serve as Britain’s second female prime make far more fundamental changes. feeding a growing global population climate change. The timber and researcher at the Stockholm Resilience minister. The IPBES report therefore a healthy diet without damaging the agriculture industries – in particular Centre and a fellow of the IPBES global Her voice breaking, she said she would leave “with no explores numerous possible economic Earth is not only possible, but will the production of soy, palm oil, and assessment. Pernilla Malmer is Senior ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to development paths for the world to also improve people’s quality of life. beef – are causing rapid deforestation, Adviser at SwedBio at the Stockholm 2050, and identifi es ways to protect The IPBES report highlights several with devastating consequences for Resilience Centre. have had the opportunity to serve the country I love”. The prime minister listed a series of what she said were her government’s achievements, including tackling the defi cit, reducing unemployment and boosting funding for mental health. But she admitted: “It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit.” May’s announcement came after a meeting with Graham Brady, the chair of the backbench Tory 1922 Committee, which was prepared to trigger a second vote of no confi dence in her leadership if she refused to resign. Her fate was sealed after a 10-point “new Brexit deal”, announced in a speech on Tuesday, infuriated Tory backbenchers and many of her own cabinet — while falling fl at with the Labour MPs it was meant to persuade. The leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, resigned on Wednesday, rather than present the Brexit bill to parliament. A string of other cabinet ministers had “It is... a matter also expressed concerns, of deep regret to including Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt, Chris me that I have Grayling and David Mundell. not been able to In particular, they deliver Brexit” rejected May’s promise to give MPs a vote on We must treat the world’s oceans far better. The ocean is increasingly used as a dumping ground for sewage, plastic, excess fertilisers, and other toxic pollutants. a second referendum as the Brexit bill passed through parliament, and implement the result — which they felt came too close to endorsing the idea. The prime minister will remain in Downing Street, to shoulder the blame for what are expected to be dire results for her party from Thursday’s European elections — and to host Donald Trump when he visits. The myth of climate wars? The 1922 Committee will set out the terms of a leadership contest, to kick off on June 7, which is expected to last however, have long avoided or rejected role of climate change in the Lake Chad For example, in Indonesia, Farwiza perhaps six weeks. By Alaa Murabit and Luca Bucken New York discussions of “climate security” – confl ict (Resolution 2349), the council Farhan has acquired unique insights The former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the front not to diminish the risks that climate held its fi rst debates on the relationship from years of facilitating community- runner to be Britain’s next prime minister, but more than a change poses, but because they fear that between climate change and security, inclusive forest conversation that dozen senior Tory fi gures are considering throwing their hats n the years leading up to Syria’s framing climate change as a security with the participation of a large and respects local stakeholders. In Somalia, civil war, the country endured issue will undermine eff orts to mitigate diverse group of member states. Ilwad Elman has proved her ability to into the ring. three consecutive record-breaking those risks, by enabling the incremental Given the impact of climate navigate intersectional peace-building In the cabinet, Rory Stewart has already said he will stand, Idroughts. By forcing internal securitisation of climate action. change on issues like migration and eff orts through her organisation, Elman while Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Penny Mordaunt and displacement, the droughts arguably Securitisation is often a political health, decoupling discussions of Peace. Sajid Javid are all likely contenders. contributed to the social tensions that tactic, in which leaders construct a climate action from national security Of course, there is also an imperative May’s departure came after three years of wrangling erupted in popular protests in 2011. security threat to justify deploying considerations may never have been to give more women the tools they But that does not mean that the Syrian extraordinary, even illegal measures, feasible. On the other hand, linking need to join in this process. The with Brexiters on her own backbenches about what future confl ict is a “climate war.” that infringe on people’s rights. If climate change to security can interconnections identifi ed in the UN relationship with the European Union they would be As extreme weather events the fi ght against climate change is positively contribute to mobilising Sustainable Development Goals provide prepared to accept. proliferate, it’s becoming increasingly securitised, it could, for example, be climate action. The key to avoiding a functional roadmap for delivering the That became considerably more diffi cult when she lost easy to fi nd a link between climate used to rationalise new restrictions the pitfalls of securitisation is to needed equity. In particular, improving her majority at the 2017 general election, after spearheading change and violent confrontations. on the movement of people, enabled move beyond paradigms – which reproductive health (SDG 3) and Territorial disputes in the South by and reinforcing anti-migrant overemphasise military-focused “hard education (SDG 4) of girls and women what was widely regarded as a disastrous campaign, China Sea have also been connected sentiment. security” narratives – that continue is one of the most cost-eff ective ways promising “strong and stable leadership in the national to food-security concerns, rooted in Framing climate as a security issue to shape security policy and public both to mitigate climate change (SDG interest”. competition over access to fi shing areas. can also challenge already-strained discourse. One way to achieve that is to 13) and to empower them as community Brexit is likely to dominate the race to succeed May, with Some now warn of a “brewing water international co-operation on climate take a more gender-inclusive approach leaders (SDG 5). time increasingly tight for a new team to set out any new war” between Egypt and Ethiopia, governance, while driving investment to confl ict prevention and resolution. Rather than resisting the triggered by the latter’s construction of away from necessary interventions Research shows that women are more securitisation of climate, advocates direction before the deadline of October 31 for Britain’s a dam on the Nile River. – such as the shift to a low-carbon likely to pursue a collaborative approach and policymakers should be advancing departure from the EU. But the “climate war” narrative is economy – toward advancing military to peacemaking, with actors organising what the Stockholm International deeply fl awed. From Syria to Sudan, preparedness. The accompanying across ethnic, cultural, and sectarian Peace Research Institute calls “the today’s confl icts are the result of apocalyptic discourse, moreover, could divides. Such an approach “increases climatisation of security.” This is best To Advertise multiple complicated and interrelated well lead to public disengagement, the prospects of long-term stability and done by using security to increase the factors, from ethno-religious tensions further weakening democratic reduces the likelihood of state failure, salience of climate action, highlighting [email protected] to protracted political repression. accountability. confl ict onset, and poverty.” When the shortcomings of current security Display While the eff ects of climate change Yet, even as some United Nations women participate in peace negotiations, frameworks, and promoting gender can exacerbate social and political member states express concern about the resulting agreements are 35% more inclusiveness and local leadership 44466621 44418811 instability, climate change did not cause linking climate change more closely to likely to last at least 15 years. as holistic and long-term solutions these wars. This nuance is important, security, most countries are moving in Sustainable peace is possible for fostering local, regional, and Classified not least for the sake of accountability: precisely that direction. In 2013, the only by recognising the necessity international peace. – Project Syndicate 44466609 44418811 climate change must not be used to American Security Project reported that of local women’s leadership, who duck responsibility for resolving or 70% of countries view climate change have relevant expertise and yet are  Alaa Murabit, a medical doctor and Subscription averting violent confrontations. as a threat to their security, and at least currently excluded from national and Executive Director of Phase Minus 1, is Still, military and climate experts 70 national militaries already have clear multilateral frameworks. After all, if one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals [email protected] argue, climate change is a “threat plans in place to address this threat. policy decisions are to meet the needs Advocates appointed by the UN Secretary- multiplier,” and thus remains an The UN Security Council is also of the aff ected communities, members General. Luca Bucken is a policy adviser important national security issue. becoming more active in the climate of those communities must have a seat and strategist who focuses on migration, © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Climate advocates and academics, security fi eld. After recognising the at the table. security, climate, and justice. Gulf Times Saturday, May 25, 2019 15 COMMENT The Belt and Road a trap for China?

By Yasheng Huang costs of construction were reduced by as much Cambridge as one-third. Other BRI countries will probably also ask for debt forgiveness and write-off s, the costs of which will ultimately be borne by ritics often claim that China is using Chinese savers. its massive “Belt and Road Initiative” The BRI may well have additional hidden as a form of coercive “debt-trap costs for China down the road. For starters, it Cdiplomacy” to exert control over is extraordinarily diffi cult to make money on the countries that join its transnational infrastructure projects. There is a widespread infrastructure investment scheme. This risk, as belief that infrastructure investment powers Deborah Brautigam of John Hopkins University economic growth, but the evidence for this recently noted, is often exaggerated by the is weak. In fact, China itself built much of media. In fact, the BRI may hold a diff erent kind its current infrastructure after its growth of risk – for China itself. had taken off . In the 1980s and 1990s, for At the recent BRI summit in Beijing, Chinese example, China grew much faster than India President Xi Jinping seemed to acknowledge despite having a shorter railway network. the “debt-trap” criticism. In his address, Xi According to the World Bank, in 1996 China said that “building high-quality, sustainable, had 56,678km (35,218 miles) of rail lines, and risk-resistant, reasonably priced, and inclusive India had 62,915km. Chinese growth was not infrastructure will help countries to utilise fully jump-started by infrastructure, but by reforms their resource endowments.” and human capital investments. If growth This is an encouraging signal, as it shows fails to materialise in BRI countries, Chinese that China has become more aware of the debt companies may end up bearing the costs. implications of BRI. A study by the Center for Furthermore, many of China’s BRI partner Global Development concluded that eight of countries are risky – including Pakistan, a the 63 countries participating in the BRI are at major recipient of investments under the risk of “debt distress.” scheme. In addition to its high political, But as John Maynard Keynes memorably put economic, and default risks, the country it, “If you owe your bank a hundred pounds, also scores poorly on education indicators. you have a problem. But if you owe your bank According to one report, Pakistan ranked a million pounds, it has.” In the context of the 180th among 221 countries in literacy. This is File photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the bilateral meeting of the Second Belt and Road Forum at the Great Hall of the People in BRI, China may turn out to be the banker who is a potential red fl ag for Chinese investments Beijing last month. owed a million pounds. in Pakistan, because research suggests that In particular, China may fall victim to the investments in physical infrastructure promote their infrastructure will not be enough. strains of the trade war with the US. are distancing China from the West. “obsolescing bargain model,” which states that growth only in countries with high levels of Finally, the BRI will probably further Moreover, Western fi rms, an important China has grown and developed the capacity a foreign investor loses bargaining power as it human capital. China itself benefi ted from its strengthen China’s state sector, thereby component of China’s private sector, are to undertake BRI projects precisely because it invests more in a host country. Infrastructure infrastructural investments because it had also increasing one of the long-term threats to its retreating from the country. Several US opened its economy to globalisation, and to projects like those under the BRI are a classic invested heavily in education. economy. According to a study by the American companies, including Amazon, Oracle, Seagate, Western technology and knowhow. Compared example, because they are bulky, bolted to the Nor should the BRI be compared to the Enterprise Institute, private fi rms accounted and Uber – as well as South Korea’s Samsung to its engagements with the West, the BRI ground, and have zero economic value if left Marshall Plan, the US aid programme to help for only 28% of BRI investments in the fi rst half and SK Hynix, and Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and may entail risks and uncertainties that could incomplete. rebuild Western Europe after World War II, of 2018 (the latest data available), down by 12 Sony from Japan – have either scaled down become problematic for the Chinese economy. Unsurprisingly, some BRI partner countries as an example of how large-scale investment percentage points from the same period of 2017. their China operations or decided to leave As the Chinese economy slows down, and its are now demanding to renegotiate terms, and projects can boost growth. The Marshall Plan The BRI’s massive scale, coupled with the altogether. Partly as a result, US foreign direct export prospects are increasingly clouded by typically after the projects have started. China was so successful – and at a fraction of the lack of profitability of China’s state sector, investment in China in 2017 was $2.6bn, geopolitical factors, it is worth rethinking the may be forced to off er ever more favourable BRI’s cost – because it helped generally well- means that projects under the scheme may compared to $5.4bn in 2002. pace, scope, and scale of the BRI. – Project concessions in order to keep the projects on governed countries that had been temporarily need substantial support from Chinese This is a worrisome development. Through Syndicate track. In mid-April, for example, Malaysia disrupted by war. Aid acted as a stimulus banks. BRI investments would then inevitably the BRI, China is building ties to some of announced that a major BRI rail project, that triggered growth. Several of the BRI compete for funds – and increasingly the world’s most authoritarian, financially Yasheng Huang is International Program put on hold by the government after last countries, by contrast, are plagued by economic precious foreign-exchange resources – with opaque, and economically backward Professor in Chinese Economy and Business and year’s election, would now go ahead “after and governance problems and lack basic China’s domestic private sector, which is countries. At the same time, a trade war, an Professor of Global Economics and Management renegotiation.” According to media reports, the requirements for growth. Simply building up already facing a high tax burden and the ever-stronger state sector, and protectionism at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 380c Minimum Temperature : 300c

SUNDAY Compensation claim for defective goods Maximum Temperature : 370c Minimum Temperature : 270c By Dr Nizar Kochery Working for a firm exceeding six months, which may In Qatar, under which law is it MONDAY Doha be renewed for similar terms. The punishable? Please advise. Maximum Temperature : 380c not recruited by it competent authority may also NX, Doha Minimum Temperature : 280c authorise any expatriate to work on a Fisherman's forecast Question: We have purchased Q: I am working for a part-time basis for another employer A: Gambling is any game in which some materials from a company construction company for the out of his working hours, provided the probability of gain and loss WARNING and due to delay from the client past few years. The company is that the recruiter agrees thereto in depends on the luck and not on Inshore : Nil our works got delayed. When we ready to grant NOC. I have got an writing. In any case, the approval of controlled factors and each party Offshore : Expected poor visibility started using the materials we offer from another company but the Ministry of Labour and Social agrees to give the amount of money, to the northeast WEATHER found them defective. When we they could not issue me visa. Can Affairs shall be required. in case of loss, to the winning Inshore : Misty a places at first notified the company regarding I work with the new company party. Gambling is prohibited as becomes hot daytime the defect, the supplier rejected without changing my visa? Gambling in company per Shariah Law. According to with slight dust at times our claim. Is there any provision Please advise. Article 275 of Qatar Penal Law, Offshore : Misty to foggy to the in law that supports the VP, Doha accommodation whoever gambles shall be punished northeast at first with supplier’s defence? Can we claim with imprisonment for a term not some clouds for compensation for defects A: According to Article 23 of the exceeding three months and a fine WIND in goods as per the law? Please Entry, Exit and Residence Law, no Q: We have noticed gambling not exceeding QR3,000 or both. The Inshore : Northeasterly-North- advise. natural or legal person shall permit activities in the accommodation penalty is no more than six months westerly 05-15 KT SL, Doha any expatriates who were recruited and we have issued warning in prison in addition to a fine of no Offshrore : Northeasterly-South- by them for employment, to be letters to the staff who are more than QR6,000, or one of these easterly 03-12 KT Answer: Article 458 of the civil law employed by any other employer involved in it. Again, some two penalties if gambling occurs in a stipulates that when the purchaser or employ any person not recruited issues connected with gambling public place, is performed openly or Visibility : 4-8 KM has taken delivery of the thing sold by them. Notwithstanding the have been reported from the in any place or house made for this Offshore : 1-3 FT he shall ascertain its condition above, the competent authority company accommodation. purpose. Around the region as soon as he is able to do so in may authorise a recruiter to second Being a country that follows Weather Weather accordance with common usage. his expatriate workers to another Shariah Law, is gambling  Please send your questions to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min If the purchaser discovers a defect employer to work for a period not allowed in Qatar in any case? [email protected] Baghdad P Cloudy 46/28 Cloudy 43/25 for which the seller is answerable Kuwait CitySunny 39/27 Sunny 42/29 he must give a reasonable notice Manama Sunny 37/29 Sunny 37/28 thereof to the seller failing which he LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Muscat Sunny 36/29 Sunny 37/31 will be deemed to have accepted the Tehran M Sunny 34/22 M Sunny 34/22 thing sold. If the defects that cannot According to Article 366 of Criminal conclusive. be discovered by means of normal Procedure Code, if a person is The period of discontinuance of inspection the purchaser shall, precautionary detained, and ordered the penalty shall be interrupted by upon the discovery of the defect, at to pay a fi ne only, an amount of the arrest of the person sentenced once give notice thereof to the seller hundred riyals shall be deducted upon to a custodial penalty, and by any failing which he will forfeit his right enforcement against each of the days enforcement procedure undertaken to the warranty. If the goods are of imprisonment. If he is sentenced against him or which has become destroyed or damaged by an act of to both imprisonment and a fi ne, and known to him, or during this period the the purchaser, the purchaser shall the period he spent in precautionary convicted person committed a crime or remain liable for payment of the full detention exceeds the term of the misdemeanour identical or similar to price thereof. imprisonment sentence, an amount of the crime of which he is convicted. hundred riyals shall be deducted from Any hindrances that prevent the fi ne for every additional day. enforcement, whether legal or physical, Worker damages Enforcement may be made by way shall interrupt the validity of the company property of imprisonment, for the collection penalty discontinuance period. The of fi nes, other fi nancial penalties existence of the convicted person Around the world and the fees of criminal cases, and abroad shall be considered as a Weather Weather Q: Can the management the period thereof shall be estimated hindrance that interrupts the validity today Max/min tomorrow Max/min withhold the salary of the by considering one day as hundred According to Article 371, enforcement of the period. Athens M Sunny 27/16 P Cloudy 27/16 employee for damaging company riyals or less. However, in violations, by way of imprisonment shall be in If the convicted person dies after Beirut P Cloudy 26/19 M Sunny 25/19 property? We have apology the imprisonment period shall not accordance with an order issued from receiving a conclusive judgment, the Bangkok P Cloudy 35/27 S T Storms 35/27 letter from the employee for the exceed seven days, and in crimes and the Public Prosecution, after notifying fi nancial penalties, compensation, Berlin P Cloudy 18/09 Cloudy 20/14 damage to the property. Please misdemeanours, the imprisonment the convicted person, and after amounts owed and expenses shall be Cairo Sunny 37/19 M Sunny 36/20 advise, how can we recover the period shall not exceed six months. satisfying all terms of the custodial enforced against his estate. Cape Town M Cloudy 25/17 M Cloudy 23/13 loss? As per Article 369, if the judgments penalties to which he is sentenced. According to Article 379, rehabilitated Colombo S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 OA, Doha are multiple, enforcement shall have The convicted person is not discharged occurs ipso jure if no criminal or Dhaka T Storm 32/27 S T Storms 34/27 regard to the total adjudged amounts, of the fi nes, other fi nancial penalties misdemeanour judgment is issued Hong Kong S T Storms 27/24 S T Storms 27/24 A: As per Article 71 of the Labour provided that the imprisonment period and expenses through enforcement against the convicted period during Istanbul S Showers 22/16 M Sunny 24/16 Law, the worker is under obligation shall not exceed one year. imprisonment, unless by considering the following periods: (a) If the Jakarta P Cloudy 33/26 P Cloudy 33/26 to compensate the employer for The Public Prosecution may off er QR100 for each day. judgment is a penalty for a crime Karachi P Cloudy 38/28 Sunny 37/28 damage, loss or destruction to the convicted person, if need be and As per Article 375, the sentenced and fi ve years have lapsed from the London P Cloudy 22/13 Cloudy 21/11 machinery, products or equipment upon his request, a period of time for penalty in a crime shall be discontinued enforcement or a pardon is granted or Manila T Storm 33/27 T Storm 33/27 of the establishment as a result of the payment of amounts due to the after 20 years, except if it is a death there is discontinuance by lapse of the Moscow Cloudy 23/14 M Cloudy 24/12 his fault provided that the obligation State, or permit him to pay them in sentence, then it will be discontinued period. (b) If the judgment is a penalty New Delhi Sunny 39/26 Sunny 41/27 of the worker for the compensation instalments, provided that the period after thirty years. The sentenced for a misdemeanour and three years New York M Sunny 21/17 P Cloudy 32/19 shall be preceded by an enquiry. The does not exceed three years. If the penalty in a misdemeanour shall be have lapsed from the execution or a Paris Showers 21/11 M Cloudy 22/14 employer may deduct the value of convicted person delays in the payment discontinued after fi ve years. The pardon is granted, unless the judgment Sao Paulo M Sunny 21/12 M Sunny 23/12 the compensation from the wages of an instalment for no acceptable sentenced penalty in a violation shall considered the convicted person as a Seoul Cloudy 28/16 P Cloudy 31/18 provided that the value of the reason, the other instalments are be discontinued after two years. The recidivist, or the penalty discontinues Singapore P Cloudy 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 compensation does not exceed the nullifi ed. The Public Prosecution may period of discontinuance shall start by lapse of the period and the period Sydney Sunny 24/14 S Showers 21/11 wages due to the worker for seven reverse such an order. from the time the judgment becomes shall be fi ve years. Tokyo Clear 31/18 Clear 31/18 days in one month. Gulf Times 16 Saturday, May 25, 2019 QATAR Businesses around metro stations likely to get a boost

By Ayman Adly crease and attract more investors Staff Reporter and developers. Full metro network “People would love to live and work in such areas as they do not The full metro network consists of three lines; he popularity of Doha have to worry about transporta- Red, Green and Gold with 37 stations will be in Metro Red Line South tion. This limited introduction service by 2020. The Red Line, which runs for Tas an eff ective means of of the metro service has eased 40km from Al Wakrah in the south to Lusail in transport is expected to boost the lives of many people and im- the north, also connects Hamad International businesses within its coverage proved the businesses of many Airport at Terminal 1 to the centre of the city. It area. Currently, passengers can commercial outlets alongside the has 18 stations. use the metro from Al Wakrah stations,” he observed. The Legtaifiya Station will also allow pas- to Al Qassar, passing through 13 The metro currently does not sengers to transfer over to the Lusail Tram, stations. run on Fridays and Saturdays to in addition to another interchange station Many residents living in the complete the necessary works between the metro and the tram called Lusail vicinity of the metro stations are to open more stations and links. Central. The line off ers a very convenient using the service on a daily basis Since the metro fi rst launched its and reliable alternative to driving within the for commuting to work. Also, service in Doha early this month, heart of the capital. The Green Line runs east many are using the service for passengers have been keen to use from Al Mansoura to Al Riff a in the west. As it easy access to shopping malls, it for their daily commute and passes through Education City, the line is also recreational areas or just getting gave very positive reports about known as the Education Line. There are eleven around the city. the service and its smooth op- stations along the line; aside from Education “If you are living at Al Wakrah eration. City, notable stops include Hamad Hospital, Al or West Bay and want to go shop- Many residents have stopped Shaqab, and the Qatar National Library. ping taking the metro would save using their own vehicles for go- The east-west Gold (Historic) Line extends time and hassle of possible traffi c ing to places covered by the from Ras Bu Abboud to Al Aziziyah. Eleven delays. And the cost is also very metro. Besides, the availability of stations run along the Gold Line, with stops reasonable,” pointed out John, an metro has encouraged them to go at the National Museum of Qatar, Souq Wa- Australian resident. more often to areas earlier con- qif, and Al Waab (near Villagio Mall). Al Bidda Another resident who hails sidered “too far” by road. Several station provides transfer facility between from New Zealand expected shopping outlets and business Red and Green Lines, while Msheireb station more metro lines to be intro- establishments along the Red provides transfer facility among Red, Green duced soon. He said the real es- Line have been receiving more and Gold Lines, according to https://www. tate market value of the areas customers since the launch of qr.com.qa. Passengers can use the Metrolink feeder bus service to reach the stations as well as to travel to nearby locations from the around the stations would in- the metro, it is learnt. stations. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Eid rush at textile and tailor outlets

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

ith Ramadan set to en- ter its fi nal phase, tex- Wtile and tailoring shops in Doha and beyond have started witnessing a steady fl ow of peo- ple eager to buy and stitch new clothes for the upcoming Eid al- Fitr celebrations. Such customers are currently fl ocking to souqs and stores, A youngster selecting cloth for thobe at a shop in Doha. PICTURE: Jayan Orma where they can fi nd their dress of choice, in large numbers, it is According to him, expatriate Expatriate ing at Souq Waqif. He added that found. women, especially those from expatriates from Arab countries Shop owners say Qataris as India and Pakistan, go for con- women, especially also tend to wear the thobe for well as expatriates prefer stick- ventional churidars. “No trans- those from India Eid celebrations and prayers. ing to conventional styles during formation is seen while it comes “Non-Arabs also select thobes Eid. to dress selection. Qataris and and Pakistan, go though it is quite low in number. “This season has not yet seen other Arabs go for traditional for conventional They go for jubba and pyjama or any trendsetting dresses or pat- dresses and expatriate women pants and shirts,” he said. terns. Both Qatari and non- also do the same thing for Eid churidars Demand is also high for skull Qatari women are opting for shopping,” he said. caps and keffi yehs. “Along with conventional designs,” said Mo- Souq Waqif, which houses a runs a shop in Souq Waqif. Trad- dresses, rings for the head dress hamed Ali Kalloorakkal at a ladies number of shops, has started ers in Doha reiterate that there is and buttons for thobes are also tailoring shop in Al Hilal. A tailor busy at work to meet feeling the Eid rush. “Shops here no change visible in dress selec- in demand,” said Abdu Rasheed. His shop receives orders for the festive rush. were busy for a few days before tion by men. “As is always the Traders here expect the fi nal days jalabiya and frocks, among other PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Garangao. However, they had case, Qatari men keep their tra- of Ramadan to bring them good dresses. Mohamed said things little to do for some time as the dition intact during dress selec- fortune. have also gone online as most clothes and we take measure- celebrations ended. After a short tion. “Sales have increased by 50%. customers share photographs ments. We follow the designs interval, residents have again Thobe, the traditional mens- And we hope it will go further A tailor takes measurement of a boy who has come to stitch new of their desired designs through that they simply share with us,” started fl ocking to shops with wear, still rules,” said Khaleel, up during the last week of Ram- thobe for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed WhatsApp. “Customers bring he said. orders,” said Abdu Rasheed, who who runs Mubarak Syed Tailor- adan,” he added.

Fan zone abuzz with activities

The 2019 Amir Cup final fan zone, hosted at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, recently gathered 20,000 fans who enjoyed music and dance from 16 communities, 27 food trucks, two Qatari graff iti artists live drawing and 40 Ardah and Naham performers, among other activities, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy tweeted.