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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10598 October 6, 2017 Muharram 16, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals UN blacklists In brief Saudi coalition

QATAR | Offi cial PM holds phone talks for killing with Moroccan and Algerian counterparts HE the Prime Minister and Interior HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani attending the review meeting Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser yesterday at Ashghal headquarters. Yemen children bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday held a telephone conversation with Moroccan Reuters brink of famine. The Houthis control Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani. United Nations much of northern Yemen, including The telephone conversation reviewed the capital, Sanaa. relations between the two fraternal The military intervention launched countries and means of strengthening he United Nations blacklisted a by Saudi Arabia in 2015, leading a coali- them in all fields. They also discussed Saudi Arabia-led military coa- tion of African and Middle East coun- the latest regional and international Tlition yesterday for killing and tries, has piled up miseries on the peo- developments of common interest. Premier reviews injuring 683 children in Yemen and at- ple of Yemen. HE the Prime Minister also held tacking dozens of schools and hospitals One of the biggest casualties of the a telephone conversation with during 2016. war has been healthcare, which suf- his Algerian counterpart Ahmed The blacklist attached to the UN an- fered near total disruption leading to a Ouyahia. They reviewed ties and nual report on children in armed con- massive outbreak of cholera of which means of enhancing them on all fl ict also named the Iran-allied Houthi most of the victims have been children. fronts, in addition to discussing the rebel group, Yemen government forces, The number of cholera cases in Yem- developments at the regional and progress of key pro-government militia and Al Qaeda en could reach 1mn by the end of this international levels. in the Arabian Peninsula for violations year, according to the International Red against children in 2016 as it did in last Cross. QATAR | Reaction year’s report. Alexandre Faite, head of the Inter- The report from UN Secretary-Gen- national Committee of the Red Cross Qatar condemns eral Antonio Guterres has been sub- delegation in Yemen has described the bombing in Pakistan Ashghal projects mitted to the Security Council. scale of the outbreak as “unprecedent- Qatar yesterday strongly condemned a The Saudi-led coalition was briefl y ed”. bomb attack which took place earlier in added to the blacklist last year and Faite said the number of suspected the day in Baluchistan in southwestern then removed by then-UN chief Ban cases now stands at about 750,000 – Pakistan, which resulted in a number of zAl Bustan Corridor project to be signed this year Ki-moon pending review. At the time, up from almost 276,000 as of July 5. deaths and injuries. In a statement, the Ban accused Saudi Arabia of exert- He added that “given this trend, we Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated ing “unacceptable” undue pressure could reach up to 1mn by the end of the Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence By Ramesh Mathew president Saad al-Muhannadi said. eral Hospital, a multi-level car park- after sources told Reuters that Riyadh year.” and terrorism regardless of motives Staff Reporter Among the projects reviewed at the ing at Hamad Medical City and Al Khor threatened to cut some UN funding. Kevin Watkins, CEO of Save the and reasons. The statement expressed meeting was Barwa Commercial Av- Transfer Station are to be delivered Saudi Arabia denied threatening Ban. Children, said: “All sides in Yemen’s Qatar’s condolences to the families of enue (BCA) – Al Mashaf Road that links next year. In an eff ort to dampen controversy war have failed to respect international the victims, the government and the E the Prime Minister and Inte- Al Wakrah, Al Wukair, and Al Mashaf Al-Muhannadi said projects on more surrounding the report, the blacklist law, and children have paid a terrible people of Pakistan, and its wishes for a rior Minister Sheikh Abdullah with BCA Signal, Doha and F-Ring than 15,000 plots (including those this year is split into two categories. One price. As a cholera epidemic continues speedy recovery to the wounded. Hbin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Road. There were also discussions on completed) in the Citizens Residential lists parties that have put in place meas- to infect thousands of children every yesterday reviewed several projects upgrade projects such as converting Development Programme would be ac- ures to protect children, which includes day, they are also being bombed in their QATAR | Finance such as Al Bustan Corridor and the bike roundabouts into signalised intersec- complished by the year-end. the Saudi-led military coalition, and the homes and schools, denied humani- and pedestrian path network on high- tions. Out of this, 10,221 plots will be served other includes parties that have not. tarian relief and forced to fi ght on the QCB’s foreign reserves, ways, to be signed later this year, at The Prime Minister praised the by infrastructure projects, 2,962 plots The report, which was produced by frontlines. liquidity rebound Ashghal headquarters. achievements of Ashghal in the projects by sewage projects and the remaining UN children and armed confl ict envoy “The secretary general has stood up The Qatar Central Bank’s international The Al Bustan Corridor, which in- completed in the fi rst half of 2017, in- 1,925 include land settlement projects. Virginia Gamba and issued in Guterres’ for Yemen’s children and for the rights reserves and foreign currency liquidity volves building four lanes on either cluding schools, kindergartens, the Ashghal offi cials also explained the name, does not subject those listed to of all children in confl ict with this de- rebounded in August after falling for side running parallel to the February Simulation Centre for Hamad Medical authority’s corporate development UN action but rather shames parties to cision. Now the UN and wider interna- two months because of a blockade, QCB 22 Street, is expected to reduce traffi c City and Aquaculture Research Centre plans, by increasing the number of Qa- confl icts in the hope of pushing them tional community must make sure the data showed yesterday. The reserves congestion on the vital path. The new in Ras Matbakh. tari personnel in the organisation. to implement measures to protect chil- violations by all parties to the confl ict and liquidity recovered to $39.0bn in road will join Al Shamal Expressway at Ashghal offi cials also briefed the Deliberations included the develop- dren. end. Being added to this shameful list August from $36.1bn in July. In May they the Landmark Mall area. Prime Minister on various projects im- ment and strengthening of the citizens’ Yemen has been devastated by more should act as a wake-up call to every had stood at $45.8bn. It was informed at the meeting that plemented in the educational sector, skills and capabilities, especially in than two years of civil war in which party in Yemen’s confl ict – and coun- Ashghal is committed to implementing which included nine schools and kin- such areas as the design, project man- President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s tries that are supporting or arming AMERICA | Decision all vital projects for hosting the 2022 dergartens. The progress on the works agement and maintenance sectors. government, backed by the Saudi- them.” FIFA World Cup on schedule. of four health centres in Muaither, Al The meeting was informed that Ash- led coalition, is fi ghting to drive the In August, human rights groups in- US ‘poised to lift ’ “As much as 60% of the work on Wajba, Al Jamiaa and Al Waab was also ghal succeeded in achieving Qatarisa- Houthis out of cities they seized in cluding Save the Children and Global Sudan sanctions 117km of highways and main roads and presented. These projects are expected tion ratios since the beginning of 2017 2014 and 2015. Citizen wrote a letter to the secretary The United States is preparing to lift 153km of internal roads, which are among to be delivered by the end of this year. besides enhancing the capabilities of More than 10,000 people have been general asking him to protect Yemen’s long-standing economic sanctions the requirements for the mega event, It was informed that the Trauma and the Qatari personnel through training killed and the confl ict has ruined the children by naming and shaming all against Sudan, citing improvement on have already been completed,” Ashghal Emergency Building at Hamad Gen- courses and workshops. Page 3 economy and pushed millions to the parties committing violations. human rights and progress on counter- terrorism, a US off icial said yesterday. President Donald Trump’s administration is expected to announce its decision as QMC chief meets German ambassador early as today, the off icial said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Thundershowers likely Qatar Media Corporation Chairman HE Sheikh BRITAIN | Honour hundershowers are expect- hours of the day. This is to be Hamad bin Thamer British author wins ed in the country today followed by a hot day, and there al-Thani yesterday met Talong with strong winds is a chance of local raincloud German ambassador to Nobel Literature Prize and low visibility, the Qatar Met formation. Qatar Hans-Udo Muzel. British author Kazuo Ishiguro, best department has said. Slightly dusty conditions, The meeting discussed known for his novel The Remains of the There is no warning for off - meanwhile, have been forecast in media relations between Day and whose emotional uprooting shore areas today. off shore areas. the two countries. HE the from his native Japan has left an indelible The weather report states that A maximum temperature of Chief Executive Off icer of stamp on his work, won the 2017 Nobel northwesterly-northeasterly 37C is expected today in Doha and Qatar Media Corporation, Literature Prize yesterday. The 62-year- winds will blow at 5-15 knots, Al Khor. The minimum, on the Sheikh Abdulrahman old “in novels of great emotional force, reaching a high of 25 knots dur- other hand, will be 24C in Me- bin Hamad al-Thani, has uncovered the abyss beneath our ing thundery rain, while visibility saieed, Wakrah and Abu Samra, attended the meeting illusory sense of connection with the may drop to 3km or less in some and 29C in Doha. along with HE the world,” the Academy wrote in its citation. places at times. Yesterday, a maximum tem- Secretary-General of Contacted by the BBC, Ishiguro said he The detailed forecast says perature of 39C was recorded in the German Handball was “flabbergastingly flattered” by the hazy to misty conditions are Sheehaniyah and other places, Association, Mark award. likely in some places in the early while in Doha it was 37C. Schober. Blockade could break up Gulf region, says QU academic he blockade imposed on Qatar of blockade, and the concept of self-de- of Law (LAWC) dean Dr Mohamed Ab- es of terrorism.” The academic noted on the regional and international arena. see how some countries have used defa- will cause new crises in the re- fence with the concept of terrorism,” QU dulaziz al-Khulaifi , and QU Professor that the cultural, economic and social This caused the emergence of many mation and fi ctions against Qatar to stir Tgion such as the establishment College of Sharia and Islamic Studies of Political Sociology Dr Majed al-An- blockade against Qatar caused a nega- adversaries among its neighbouring political malice against us in the West. of new military, political and economic (CSIS) dean Dr Yousuf al-Siddiqi said. sari. The seminar was moderated by QU tive impact on the structure of the Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia and This is a disgrace under all norms: fi rst alliances, and the division of the Gulf He was speaking at a seminar on Social and Economic Survey Research community and violated traditions and the UAE. Qatar does not follow any po- because the allegations are baseless, and region and the UAE, a senior academic “The accusations against Qatar of sup- Institute director Dr Hassan Abdulra- values. He also noted that the list of 13 litical agenda led by Saudi Arabia or any secondly because they have wrongfully at Qatar University (QU) said yesterday. porting terrorism” organised yesterday him al-Sayed. demands issued by the siege countries other country.” prejudiced. Do we not teach our children “The political perspective of the by the Offi ce of the Vice President for Dr al-Siddiqi referred to the recent is not backed by proof and focuses on Dr al-Sayed noted that the blockade at a young age that lying and malicious blockade countries lies on military an- Academic Aff airs at QU in order to ad- speech of His Highness the Emir Sheikh two main issues – shut down Al Jazeera against Qatar is an ethical crisis in the snitching are two of the worst vices? Is ticipation, substituting the concept of dress the issue of terrorism from an ac- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the UN and its affi liate stations and sever ties to fi rst place, also pointing to the speech slander and tarnishing a reputation not settlement with the concept of force, ademic, legal and political perspective. General Assembly, in which he said: the Muslim Brotherhood. of His Highness the Emir, in which he a crime punishable by law in all civilised the concept of justice with the concept The other speakers were QU College “We must focus on the roots and caus- He said: “Qatar plays a pivotal role said: “We have been very saddened to countries?” To Page 16 Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 6, 2017 QATAR

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud attends the World Teachers’ Day celebrations. Also seen are HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, HE the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit, undersecretaries and heads of diplomatic missions. World Teachers’ Day celebrated

QNA era, and its impact on education 164 new Qatari male and female Abdulrahman called on recog- Doha systems, teachers remain the teachers who recently joined nised teachers to intensify work basis of the educational proc- the profession as a result of a and put in more eff ort so as to ess. successful partnership with the achieve the goals and enhance nder the patronage of HE Legislation and laws in sup- “Ambition” programme imple- contributions to human and so- the Prime Minister and port of teachers’ rights, includ- mented by the ministry in co- ciety development. UInterior Minister Sheikh ing a distinctive pay for academ- operation with the College of Yousef Ali Darwish, general Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- ic staff , are initiatives taken by Education at Qatar University manager for communications at lifa al-Thani, Qatar celebrated Qatar as a national priority. and College of Community in QNB Group, the strategic part- World Teachers’ Day with an Teachers are provided with se- Qatar as well as the teacher re- ner of the Ministry of Education event organised by the Ministry cure and stable educational en- cruitment programmes of Teach and Higher Education, hailed of Education and Higher Educa- vironment that defi nes their job for Qatar and graduates of the the ministry’s recognition of the tion at the Qatar National Con- duties and hours and the number Faculty of Education wishing to teachers’ role in the education vention Center. of students per semester. teach. system. The function was attended by It is an attractive environment HE al-Hammadi noted that Darwish said QNB supported HE the Deputy Prime Minister to teachers from 56 countries, the ministry has Qatarised about the activities of the ministry in and Minister of State for Cabinet which refl ects the richness of 80% of senior and middle posi- an embodiment of the role of the Aff airs, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Qatar’s educational system and tions at government schools at private sector in backing educa- Zaid al-Mahmoud. its compliance with Unesco’s the level of academic deputies, tion systems. A number of ministers, un- theme, “Teaching in Freedom, administrative deputies and co- During the ceremony, a docu- dersecretaries and heads of dip- Empowering Teachers.” ordinators of subjects to give mentary was screened to high- lomatic missions also attended HE al-Hammadi pointed out Qatari personnel the opportu- light the signifi cant and vital the celebrations. HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi honours that the training and educational nity to take leadership positions. role of teachers in raising gen- HE the Minister of Education some of the teachers during the celebrations. development centre at the Min- In a speech given on behalf of erations. and Higher Education Mohamed istry of Education and Higher the honourees, Sarah Aman al- Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi roundings and community. ards in order to strengthen the tar’s society towards knowledge, Education has implemented in honoured 100 senior teachers The minister also reiterated national capabilities in the fi eld shaping the values and attitudes the framework of its plan for QF students mark event with social media videos during the celebrations in appre- the importance of the directives of teaching and education. of students and drafting their the last academic year about 90 ciation of their eff orts towards of His Highness the Emir Sheikh HE al-Hammadi expressed his national identity. training programmes, through Qatar Foundation (QF) has Qatar’s educational system. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in gratitude to HE the Prime Min- He added that teachers were which more than 6,800 trainees celebrated World Teachers’ HE al-Hammadi said the cel- the speech addressed to the citi- ister and Interior Minister for the main partners in Qatar’s de- have benefi ted. Day by honouring its educators ebration of World Teachers’ Day zens and residents of Qatar on his keenness to support this im- velopment and through them These include qualifi cation with a series of short student- is an indication of Qatar’s inter- July 21, especially His Highness portant occasion. This shows his the country’s main objectives programmes for the resettle- led videos on social media. national commitments and obli- the Emir’s call for self-reliance appreciation of the teachers’ role can be met with their eff orts in ment of leadership positions in The videos feature students gations and embodies its Islamic and rejecting dependency. in the path of development and establishing generations Qatar schools, educational empow- from a number of schools values inherent in its tradition HE al-Hammadi said the future building, he said. anticipates for its future. erment programmes for new and universities across QF, about future ambitions. World and culture by honouring edu- ministry will continue to attract HE al-Hammadi extended his Al-Hammadi stressed that teachers and career advance- including Hamad Bin Khalifa Teachers’ Day, a Unesco cation and educators and rec- Qatari expertise and human re- congratulations to the teachers despite the challenges of glo- ment programmes related to University. In each clip, the initiative, is celebrated every ognising their role in education, sources in the teaching profes- at Qatari schools, valued their balisation, the opportunities it professional licences. pupils express their gratitude year on October 5. It strives to fulfi lling their message of teach- sion by developing the recruit- dedication to work and their role off ers, the development of com- HE al-Hammadi said the and send messages of thanks appreciate, assess and improve ing generations and the positive ment system and evaluating in developing Qatar’s human and munication and information, Ministry of Education and to teachers, while talking educators around the world. impact they have on their sur- teachers according to set stand- knowledge capital, leading Qa- their implications for the digital Higher Education had welcomed Talks for 66 tonnes of UK team meets weekly banana imports ministers, from Manila underway trade ties

By Joey Aguilar panies – Al Raed Fresh Food company of BGS-BLQ Consor- reviewed Staff Reporter Processing, Agri Green Qatar, tium, and Doha-based Direct Life Producing Co, Dawas Qa- Real Estate. tar, Al Hakeem Group, United Rivera noted that most of the QNA weekly shipment of Trading Co, MEAC, Tawar lands are located in the prov- Doha more than 66 tonnes of Mall, Naser Al Misnad Est, and inces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Cebu APhilippine bananas from several others, expressed keen- and Cavite, which can be leased Davao city to Qatar is now un- ness in importing Philippine for 75-years through joint ven- E the Minister of Economy der negotiation following the food products. tures. and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed success of the recently held Apart from the Philippine Three Qatari companies ex- Hbin Jassim bin Mohamed al- Qatar Philippine Food Secu- government-owned ancestral pressed interest in these lands Thani yesterday met British Secretary rity Summit in Doha, it was an- domain lands, which could be and have already received rel- of State for International Trade and nounced. outsourced by Qatari farm oper- evant portfolios, the Peza of- president of the Board of Trade, Liam In a statement, Philippine ators, Rivera said two private real fi cial said. Fox, and his accompanying delegation. Economic Zone Authority estate companies in the Philip- Rivera said the summit con- During the meeting, they re- (Peza) consultant and special pines are also off ering 16,000 cluded with fi ve new ecozone viewed bilateral relations and dis- adviser to the director general hectares, which can be used for locators signing letter of in- cussed aspects of joint co-operation, HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani for the Middle East and North- agriculture and agro-tourism. tent with an initial investment especially in economic, trade and meets British Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox. ern Europe, Joseph Timothy These companies, which pledge of P70mn (QR5.4mn). investment fi elds, and means of de- Rivera, said apart from banan- were present during the sum- These companies include veloping these. Qatar and the United as, more food commodities are mit, are the Philippine Coun- New Methods for Services, Kingdom have signed a number of expected to be imported to the tryside Homes and Homeland which will open business trade agreements. country. Development Company, being consulting services within These include an agreement on He noted that Qatari com- the Philippine representative ecozones; Al Adaam SPA, economic, commercial and techni- which will be a wellness loca- cal co-operation, signed on June 19, tor in select tourist ecozones 1976, in Doha, an agreement on the in Iloilo, Cebu and Tagaytay; promotion and protection of mutual JAPA Garments, which will investments, signed on October 27, be expanding their exist- 2009, in Doha, and a memorandum of ing garments manufacturing understanding signed on October 28, operations to the Pampanga 2010, between the two countries for Economic Zone; LiQha Enter- co-operation in the fi elds of business, prises and JRENS Food Trad- trade and technology in London. ing Philippines, which will be The volume of trade between Qa- opening export companies for tar and the United Kingdom in the food exports to Qatar. fi rst half of this year amounted to “Qatar continues to be the about QR5.6bn, and the number of Middle East hub of Peza despite British companies operating in the recent events in the region and Qatari market stands at 79. These continues to ensure not only include fi rms in the fi eld of oil and the realisation but also the sus- gas, infrastructure and information tainability of all its solicited technology. investments from Qatar and HE the Minister of Public Health the rest of the GCC countries,” Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari also Rivera added. met with Fox yesterday. Peza will participate in the During the meeting, they dis- upcoming Philippine Trade cussed aspects of co-operation be- and Toursim Conference – tween the two countries and ways to Qatar, scheduled to be held at enhance and develop them, in addi- Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) consultant Joseph the Shangri-La Doha on Oc- tion to a number of issues of com- HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, discusses Qatar-UK co-operation Timothy Rivera. PICTURE: Tintin Rivera tober 20. mon concern. with Fox. Gulf Times Friday, October 6, 2017 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD PM meets UK minister Prime Minister urges timely completion of key projects

By Ramesh Mathew “The delivery of major the progress attained in diff er- ern areas of the Doha Express- Staff Reporter projects on time would help ent projects. way (Al Wakrah bypass), G- Qatar achieve a real legacy for This included the progress Ring Road, Rawdat Al-Khail the future generations,” he said sheet of those projects to be road extension, development he pace of the Public while seeking the co-operation completed this year and others of Dukhan Expressway and Al Work Authority’s (Ash- and wholehearted involve- under diff erent stages of con- Rayyan Expressway develop- Tghal) projects should ment of Ashghal offi cials to struction. ment (Phase 1 and 2). While be accelerated in line with the also ensure the completion of The offi cials also explained thanking the Prime Minis- directives of His Highness the works in diff erent areas com- about the projects to be ex- ter for the attention that he Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- ing under Citizens Residential ecuted in the next few years. pays for the timely comple- mad al-Thani so as to imple- Development programme. Discussions were also held tion of various infrastructural ment Qatar’s national plans It was informed at the meet- on several projects which were projects, Ashghal president regarding infrastructure, HE ing that Ashghal had already completed during this year. Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhan- the Prime Minister and Inte- completed and handed over It was told that as many as nadi said the Public Works rior Minister Sheikh Abdullah the infrastructure of 1,466 38 diff erent projects were ac- Authority and its offi cials are bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Tha- lands under the Citizens Resi- complished in 2017 and at extremely happy at the close ni instructed yesterday. dential Development pro- least 66 more are expected to monitoring of the progress of He has highlighted the ne- gramme earlier this quarter. be completed before Decem- diff erent works. cessity of timely completion The infrastructure develop- ber 31. “It demonstrates the im- of all major infrastructural, ment works to 1,829 plots were While reviewing the portance of each of these residential and other strategic in the fi nal stages and they progress, the offi cials also projects, whether it is con- HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday met projects across the country, would be delivered to their informed Sheikh Abdullah cerning with the infrastruc- UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox and the delegation accompanying him. The meeting while reviewing the progress of owners before the end of the about the progress of such tural services to the residents reviewed means of enhancing investment and trade ties between the two countries, in addition to discussing diff erent projects at a meeting year. major works as the Orbital or the economic and urban issues of mutual interest. held at Ashghal headquarters in At the meeting, the Prime Highway, Lusail Expressway, development it provides to the presence of senior offi cials. Minister was also briefed on the development of the south- Qatar in general.” Iraq forces retake Al-Muraikhi meets ambassadors IS bastion Hawija

AFP had been an insurgent bastion The UN’s humanitarian af- seized swathes of territory in Hawija, Iraq since soon after the US-led in- fairs offi ce said the number of Iraq and Syria during a light- vasion of 2003, earning it the people still in the town was un- ning off ensive in the summer nickname of “Kandahar in Iraq” known but could be as high as of 2014 that was followed by its raqi forces retook one of the for the ferocious resistance it put 78,000. declaration of a cross-border Islamic State group’s last two up similar to that in the Taliban It said humanitarian agencies “caliphate”. Ienclaves in the country yes- militia’s citadel in Afghanistan. had set up checkpoints, camps Last week, it was ousted terday, overrunning the long- The area’s mainly Sunni Arab and emergency sites capable from Anna, one of three towns time insurgent bastion of Hawija population is deeply hostile both of receiving more than 70,000 it still held in the Euphrates after a two-week off ensive. IS to the Shia-led government in people who could fl ee. Valley, and Iraqi forces are pre- once held one-third of Iraqi ter- Baghdad and to the Kurds who The Norwegian Refugee paring to advance upstream ritory but it has suff ered loss af- form the historic majority in ad- Council said many of those ar- towards the other two, Rawa ter loss this year and now only jacent areas. Government forces riving in the camps had little and Al-Qaim. Provincial civil HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met separately with controls a slither of land in the bypassed it in their advance more than the clothes on their defence chief General Fawzi Cuban and Paraguay ambassadors Emilio Caballero Rodriguez and Angel Ramon Barchini. Euphrates Valley near the Syrian north to second city Mosul last backs. Yassin said it had taken until During the meetings, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of boosting them, in addition border. year, which culminated in the “In addition to the terror yesterday to clear nearly 1,000 to matters of common concern. “I announce the liberation of jihadists’ defeat in the emblem- they have experienced during mines and booby-traps that the the city of Hawija,” Prime Min- atic bastion in July. years under the control of the IS militants had planted in and ister Haider al-Abadi told a news Hawija lies between the two group, many of the families who around Anna. conference in Paris. “All that re- main routes north from Bagh- are arriving are malnourished,” Town council chief Abdel Ka- mains is the strip on the border dad – to Mosul and to the city said its acting area manager, Sil- rim al-Ani told AFP: “This clear- with Syria.” of Kirkuk and the autonomous via Beccacece. ance operation is going to allow Iraqi forces celebrated after Kurdish region – and its recap- The US-led coalition congrat- the displaced to return to their entering the town, posing with ture is both a symbolic and a ulated the Iraqi Security Forces homes.” upside down IS fl ags and fl ash- strategic victory for the govern- (ISF) for the “swift and decisive The US-led coalition is also ing V-for-victory signs after ment. “This a victory not only victory” against IS in Hawija af- backing an Arab-Kurdish al- riding in on tanks and armoured for Iraqis but also for the whole ter a “hard fought” battle. “The liance, the Syrian Democratic personnel carriers, an AFP pho- world,” Abadi said, as he an- government of Iraq and the ISF, Forces, that is battling to oust IS tographer reported. nounced the town’s recapture with the support of the global from its de facto Syrian capital “Today we are in Hawija and after talks in Paris with French coalition, have liberated more Raqqa. thank God it is completely lib- President Emmanuel Macron. than four million Iraqis and The SDF has captured about erated,” said Zamer Jabbar, a France is part of a US-led coa- reclaimed over 41,500 sq km 90% of Raqqa and is fi ght- member of the Shia-dominated lition that has been backing the (16,000 sq miles) of land once ing fi erce battles with remain- Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary campaign against IS. held by ISIS,” it said in a state- ing IS jihadists. IS’s other main units fi ghting against IS along- There was no immediate word ment. stronghold in Syria is the eastern side government forces. on the fate of civilians in Hawija. It warned, however, that “an province of Deir Ezzor, which Hawijah, 230km north of The United Nations said this ISIS presence remains in Iraq, borders IS-held territory in Iraq. Baghdad, was at the centre of week that an estimated 12,500 and the Coalition will continue Two separate off ensives are un- a pocket of mainly Sunni Arab people had fl ed since the launch to stand side-by-side with the der way against the militants in towns that were among the fi nal of the off ensive to retake the ISF in their collective mission to Deir Ezzor — one by the SDF, the holdouts from territory seized by town and surrounding areas last defeat ISIS”. other by government forces sup- the jihadists in 2014. The town month. IS, also known as ISIS or ISIL, ported by Russia. Libyans fl ee by boat amid Rights lawyers accuse Bahrain watchdogs over torture inquiry

‘terrible’ violence at home Reuters “Despite claiming to have opened investi- Dubai gations, neither the Ombudsman nor the SIU have communicated any fi ndings to Mr Ram- Reuters end the confl ict that has opened the way for Is- adan, Mr Moosa, their lawyer or their families. Tripoli lamist militants and armed smuggling groups group of British human rights lawyers This too constitutes a serious breach of inter- who have sent hundreds of thousands of mi- have accused Bahraini oversight bod- national law.” grants to Europe. Aies funded by Britain’s government of The Gulf Arab state’s government and its ust before the sun dipped into the Mediter- In mid-September, fi ghting erupted in violating international law by allegedly failing Ombudsman’s offi ce did not reply to requests ranean on Saturday, rescuers spotted a tiny Sabratha, a people smuggling hub on the to investigate torture allegations against two for comment. Jwooden boat on the horizon. It turned out Western coast, after an armed group clamped inmates on death row. A British Foreign Offi ce spokesman said to contain fi ve young Libyans fl eeing violence down on migrant boat departures, prompting Mohamed Ramadan and Husain Moosa face Bahrain’s SIU was pursuing an investigation and turmoil who were waving their arms for a cross-town rival to retaliate. As of last week, imminent execution in Bahrain after its Su- into the torture allegations. help. at least 26 civilians and combatants had been preme Court last year confi rmed death sen- “We encourage a thorough, transparent and The crew of the Seefuchs plucked them from killed and 170 wounded. Islamic State militants tences imposed by a lower tribunal based on swift investigation,” the spokesman said. “The the old fi shing boat, gave them water and cous- conduct attacks in Libya as well, including one false confessions extracted through torture, UK continues to encourage the government of cous and one of the men, 26-year-old Hamza on Wednesday that killed at least four people according to legal charity Reprieve. Bahrain to deliver on its international and do- Tekbali, explained why they had fl ed their Libyan migrants on a wooden boat celebrate and wounded 39. The two men had been convicted for a 2014 mestic human rights commitments.” country. “Libya is terrible,” Tekbali told Reuters and take selfies during a rescue operation. UNHCR says there are still more than 217,000 bomb attack in the village of Al Dair that killed Reprieve said Britain spends $1.59mn annu- as he waited to be transferred to an Italian coast internally displaced people in Libya and more a policeman. ally on training and support for the two Bah- guard vessel. “In Libya, if you do not kill, they where in Africa en route to Europe already face than 278,000 who have recently returned home Reprieve said the Bar Human Rights Com- raini oversight agencies. will kill you,” he said, adding that he feared he terrible conditions. and who are considered people of concern. mittee of England and Wales (BHRC) had peti- BHRC chairwoman Kirsty Brimelow called would be sent straight back home. “For the past few months we have seen more Tekbali abandoned his hometown of Kikla, tioned Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Kha- for a transparent investigation of the alleged The Seefuchs, a ship operated by the human- Libyans,” said Marco Rotunno, who monitors which is located southwest of Tripoli and said lifah for clemency for Ramadan and Moosa, use of torture. “Also, at minimum, the UK itarian group Sea-Eye, carried the men to Ca- migrant arrivals for UNHCR in Sicily. “They it was too dangerous to return. His friend Ra- arguing that their trial did not comply with fair government should join the Bar Human Rights tania, Italy, on Wednesday along with 16 other mostly point to a lack of security as their reason fat, who did not give his last name, said he was legal standards. Committee’s call for clemency to be applied to Libyans picked up on Sunday. Already this year for leaving. They talk about fi ghting, kidnap- fl eeing Libya after having been kidnapped by a It said the Bahraini government-appointed the death penalty sentences.” some 800 Libyans have reached Italy by sea, pings, ransom and armed robberies.” militia in 2016. He was released after nine days Ombudsman had agreed to open an investi- Bahrain has seen a wave of deadly bomb more than double the number for the whole Conditions in Libya have deteriorated sharp- when his father paid a ransom of 120,000 dinar gation into the torture allegations after com- attacks since a 2011 uprising led by majority of 2016, according to data collected by the UN ly since a 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar ($87,600) but said he feared a repeat. ing under pressure from international rights Shias was crushed with help from some Gulf refugee agency (UNHCR). Gaddafi . A third man, 24-year-old Alaa, said he was groups. Arab neighbours. Several people have been The number is a fraction of the more than Gangs frequently kidnap people for ransom, persecuted in Libya because his father had “However, in the 15 months since, the Om- sentenced to death over the attacks, including 100,000 non-Libyan migrants who have come power and water outages are common, health fought in Gaddafi ’s military. Tekbali said the budsman has disclosed no information about Ramadan and Moosa. to Italy from the country since January, but it services have been crippled and residents often fi ve friends planned their voyage for a month its fi ndings, and has indicated that it has re- In January, Bahrain executed three Shia men suggests that the situation is deteriorating for have to queue for days to withdraw cash from and set out from a beach between Sabratha and ferred that case to the Special Investigation convicted of killing three policemen in a 2014 Libyans in their own country. banks due to a liquidity crisis. Zuwara after paying $5,888 to smugglers for the Unit (SIU), a British-trained body, for further bomb attack, the fi rst death sentences to be Migrants travelling through Libya from else- The United Nations is making a new push to boat and the small outboard engine. investigation,” Reprieve’s statement said. carried out in over two decades. Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 6, 2017 AFRICA

Central Africa Three US Green Berets rebels ‘using killed in Niger ambush rape as a AFP Another person from an un- The Pentagon said the clash ien Armed Forces, in their eff orts Australia and Canada, including Sahel force tasked with fi ghting weapon’ Niamey named country was also killed, took place approximately 200km to counter violent extremist or- US Special Forces, conducted a religious militants to quickly be- according to the Pentagon state- (120 miles) north of Niamey. ganisations in the region”. 17-day training operation with gin its operations. ment, which did not specifi cally That puts the attack near the Steiger said that French fi ght- Nigerien troops focused on “The violent and deadly AFP hree US Green Berets and mention Nigerien casualties. border with Mali, where armed er jets were sent to the scene as fi ghting extremist insurgents. clashes that occurred yesterday United Nations an unknown number of “Our country has just been religious extremists are known a show of force, but did not drop Issoufou did not put a number on the Niger-Mali border re- TNigerien soldiers were attacked once more by terrorist to operate. any munitions to avoid hitting on how many Nigerien casual- mind us once again of the press- killed in a clash on the Niger- groups, an assault which sadly The two wounded US soldiers the forces on the ground. ties there were in the clash. ing need to proceed to the rapid rmed groups in the Cen- Mali border, where Islamic State has resulted in a large number of were evacuated to Landstuhl Under the name Operation He called for a minute’s si- operationalisation of the G5 Sa- tral African Republic (IS) fi ghters have established casualties,” Issoufou said in the Regional Medical Centre in Ger- Barkhane, France maintains a lence “to the memory of our sol- hel force,” the minister told the A(CAR) are using rape and a presence, offi cials from said capital Niamey. many where they are in “stable 4,000-man mission in the re- diers who have fallen on the fi eld council. sexual slavery to terrorise wom- yesterday. A French military spokes- condition”, US Africa Command gion to shore up fragile Sahel of honour” and to the memory of The regional force must be en and girls, led by commanders A joint US-Niger patrol fell man said French helicopters had said. countries against religious ex- “all victims of terrorism”. “rendered operational as quickly who appear to have ordered the into an ambush on Wednesday evacuated wounded from the The report confi rmed the tremists who have carried out “Women and children pay as possible in order to ensure assaults, Human Rights Watch in the Tillaberi region in the scene and added that the fi ght- little-known presence of US a wave of bloody bombings, a heavy price for terrorism, it can withstand those who are (HRW) said yesterday. country’s southwest, requiring ing was continuing. troops in the turbulent area, part shootings and kidnappings. directly as innocent victims seeking to destablise our entire In a new report, the rights French Mirage 2000 fi ghter jets “The Nigerien operation is of the poor and politically fragile Western militaries have been and indirectly as mothers and region: terrorists and armed group documented 305 cases of to be called in for air support. still ongoing, from what I know,” Sahel region where religious ex- actively supporting Niger forces spouses,” Issoufou said. groups”. rape and sexual slavery carried Niger’s President Mahama- said French Colonel Patrik tremist groups are mounting an in their eff ort to prevent extrem- At the United Nations, Mali’s The force set up by Burkina out against 296 women and girls, dou Issoufou said that there Steiger. insurgency. ist groups in the Sahel from es- Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Faso, Mali, Chad, Mauritania but these refl ect only a fraction were many casualties in the bat- “It is in the area of the Islamic Africa Command said in a tablishing a strong presence in Diop told a Security Council and Niger is due to being op- of the sexual violence, it said. tle, and US Africa Command State in the Greater Sahara,” he statement that US Forces are in the country. meeting on the situation in Mali erations later this month, but a The assaults were carried out said two more Special Forces said, referring to the name of the Niger “to provide training and In February and March, troops that the attack on the border question mark remains over its from early 2013 to mid-2017, troops were wounded. group’s regional franchise. security assistance to the Niger- from the United States, Belgium, highlighted the need for the new funding. even as the large-scale violence that convulsed the country fol- lowing the overthrow of Francois Bozize four years ago has sub- sided. “Armed groups are using rape in a brutal, calculated way Thousands march in Togo to punish and terrorise women and girls,” said Hillary Margolis, women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. The report named six rebels in on second day of protests leadership positions who were identifi ed by the survivors as having committed sexual vio- AFP lence or ordered their fi ghters to Lome carry out the attacks. To date, the attackers have This still image taken from a video shot on October 1 shows faced “no consequences what- protesters waving Ambazonian flags in front of road block in the housands of protesters soever”, said Margolis. English-speaking city of Bamenda. turned out in the West The CAR descended into TAfrican state of Togo bloodletting in 2013 following yesterday for the second day the ouster of Bozize by a coali- running, in a campaign aimed tion of Muslim-majority rebel at forcing out President Faure groups called the Seleka. Cameroon army Gnassingbe. In response, Christians, who Demonstrators converged account for about 80% of the from three points in the capital population, organised vigilante Lome for what was billed as a units dubbed “anti-balaka” and denies weekend “march of anger” against a fam- violence between the two groups ily which has ruled Togo for 50 has led to thousands of deaths. years, culminating in a rally on More than a million peo- the seafront. ple have fl ed their homes while protests death toll “Demonstrators have used 2.4mn people – more than half rocks to block the road from of the population – are in need Gakpoto to St Joseph’s school, of emergency food aid. DPA ernment knew of 10 deaths, and others are preventing cars “Commanders from the two Yaounde and disputed fi gures released from going through,” Amnesty main parties to the confl ict have this week by Amnesty Interna- International’s director for tolerated sexual violence by their tional recording 17 deaths. Togo, Aime Adi, said. forces: in some cases, they ap- ffi cials have disputed On Tuesday, a REDHAC In Atikoume district, angry pear to have ordered and com- a human rights group statement read: “At least 100 youths refused to follow the mitted it,” said the report on Oreport that at least 100 protesters were found dead march itinerary set down by sexual violence in the CAR. “At people were killed by security from bullets fi red by the de- the 14-party opposition coali- times, rape formed an integral forces during anti-government fence and security forces and tion, and said they would block part of armed assaults and was protests in Cameroon last from tear gas fi red in large streets, an AFP journalist saw. used as a weapon of war.” weekend. quantities.” However, in some neigh- A protester throws a brick as opposition parties supporters confront Togolese Security Forces during a Most of the documented Those reports put the death The statement went on to bourhoods on the march route, demonstration yesterday against Togo’s president in Lome. abuses constitute war crimes, toll signifi cantly higher than name 38 of the identifi ed vic- tension that was noticeable said the rights group. the previously reported high tims. on Wednesday seemed to have thousands of people, took place The government, responding As a result, the opposition Some of the women were of 17. English speakers in the eased somewhat. in the northern cities of Sokode, to unprecedented protests from wants the two-term restriction held as sexual slaves for up to The protests occurred across former French colony have Marchers said they would Bafi lo and Dapaong, local resi- the street, is proposing an over- to be applied retroactively by 18 months, often subjected to Cameroon’s two English- long complained that they are maintain pressure on the dents told AFP. haul of the constitution under restoring the 1992 constitution, repeated rape by multiple men, speaking regions on Sunday treated like second-class citi- Gnassingbe regime. However, there were no pro- which presidential terms would in order to force Gnassingbe while others were forced to cook, as they symbolically declared zens, and that the government “I am not tired and I will nev- tests in the far northern town be limited to two fi ve-year spells from offi ce. clean and collect food as fi ght- their “independence” from makes less money available to er be tired so long as the strug- of Mango, where a young man in offi ce. The president’s father, Gen- ers’ “wives”. the rest of the predominantly them. gle is not over. Even if we have was killed in a demonstration Gnassingbe, in power since eral Gnassingbe Eyadema, Thirteen women – three of Francophone country. On October 1, the seces- to march every day, I will be on September 20, which was the death of his father in 2005, ruled the country with an iron whom were children when they Yesterday the government sionist movement declared there,” said Elie Zikla, a young followed by a crackdown by the was re-elected in 2010 and fi st from 1967 until his death in were assaulted – said that they dismissed the fi gures pub- independence – although the man whose job is a motorbike authorities. again in 2015, in votes that the 2005. became pregnant from the rapes. lished by REDHAC, an NGO move had no basis in law – and taxi driver. The protests are the seventh opposition denounced as unfair. According to a source close Human Rights Watch said monitoring human rights protesters tore down Cam- In the north of the country in a wave of agitation that began If the two-term limit applies to the presidency, the proposed a newly-established special abuses in central Africa. eroonian fl ags and raised the – a region previously seen as in August. from the next elections, sched- change to the constitution will criminal court set up in the CAR Army spokesman Didier banner of their would-be state, reliably pro-government – sev- At least four people have been uled in 2020, he could theoreti- be put to a referendum “by the should be up and running soon Badjeck told DPA that the gov- “Ambazonia”. eral other rallies, also drawing killed and dozens injured. cally remain in offi ce until 2030. end of the year”. to hear cases of sexual assault.

Anti-corruption mayor shot dead

The mayor of Mozambique’s third city was shot dead outside his Germany to probe origins of colonial-era Rwandan skulls house by unknown gunmen, off icials said yesterday, in an apparent assassination. Mahamudo Amurane, mayor of Nampula, was killed on Wednesday AFP sorting them out geographically. buried near family homes. evening, sparking angry demonstrations in the northwestern city, Berlin Most paperwork documenting Asked if Kigali would make a where he was widely seen as an anti-corruption crusader. the skulls had been lost, and re- demand for restitution, Cesar “He was murdered by a man who shot him three times as he left his searchers’ best clues were notes said it was “too early”. private residence,” Saide Ali, a member of the Nampula municipal ermany has launched a written on the bones themselves. “The skulls are here, they’re government, told reporters. two-year study to deter- The majority of the skulls not going to go away. They have Yesterday police fired warning shots in Nampula to control angry Gmine the origins of more are marked as stemming from waited 100 years. Our interest at crowds who gathered to protest against his death and to call for than 1,000 human skulls, mostly Germany’s former East African the moment is to know the histo- justice. from Rwanda, brought to Europe colonies, including 986 from ry behind these skulls. And when “The Nampula City mayor had bravely tackled corruption head on,” during the colonial era for racial Rwanda. we know exactly what that is, we Amnesty International said in a statement. “It is no secret that this “scientifi c” research. Forty-one are from Tanzania, will think about how best to deal made him a target of attacks, even within his own Mozambique Billed as an important fi rst step four from Burundi and 54 others with it.” Democratic Movement (MDM) party.” to understand the provenance of are simply marked “East Africa”. Germany has in recent years It added that Amurane had tried “to root out corruption in the city’s the remains, the study could one “What we will do now is to handed back 20 skulls belonging administration and revitalise public infrastructure”. day lead to their return to east form a network with our col- to indigenous Namibians. Africa – more than 100 years af- leagues in Tanzania, Rwanda, The skulls were among an esti- ter they were removed. Burundi to research the origins mated 300 taken to Germany af- Zimbabwe to open donkey abattoir “We’re now looking at the Rwandan ambassador Cesar (left) and Prussian Cultural Heritage of these objects together,” said ter a slaughter of indigenous Na- circumstances surrounding the Foundation’s Parzinger at the press conference in Berlin. Heeb. mibians during an anti-colonial The Zimbawbean government has defended plans to open a origins of these skulls,” said Rwandan ambassador Igor Ce- uprising in what was then called donkey abattoir to provide body parts for the Chinese medicine Hermann Parzinger, head of around 1907-08 for the anthro- Foundation, which runs most of sar said Kigali had been unaware South West Africa, which Berlin market amidst criticism from animal welfare groups. the Prussian Cultural Heritage pologist Felix von Luschan, who Berlin’s museums, libraries, ar- of the human remains until 2016. ruled from 1884 to 1915. Zimbabwe will join several other African nations that are cashing in Foundation, which is leading the was studying the development of chives and research institutes. “One hundred years have gone The skulls gathered dust in on the Chinese belief that the gelatin in donkey skins has healing project. mankind. Bernhard Heeb, who is leading by without us knowing about this the German archives until 2008, properties and works as an aphrodisiac. “And then, we will decide to- But over the decades – and as the research project, explained at all,” he said. when public broadcaster ARD re- “We have previously turned down the construction of a donkey gether with the origin countries Germany lurched into two world that the skulls were in “very poor “When one hears 1,000 skulls, ported that they were still at the abattoir, so I think this time around the company satisfied all the what would be the appropri- wars – the collection was moved condition” when the founda- the fi rst question is, how come? Medical History Museum of the requirements,” Zimbabwe’s deputy agriculture minister Paddy ate way” to resolve the issue, he into deep storage. tion received them, and years How could one get 1,000 skulls?” Charite hospital, and at Freiburg Zhanda told DPA. added. In 2011, Berlin’s Charite hospi- have been spent cleaning them, Cesar said, noting that there University in the southwest. On Wednesday, five animal rights groups released a joint statement The skulls were shipped to tal fi nally turned the skulls over putting the fragments together, were no cemeteries in Rwanda at The publicity prompted Na- saying that poor farmers who sold their livestock for short-term Germany by expedition forces to the Prussian Cultural Heritage building up an inventory, and that time, and that bodies were mibia to seek their return. profit, would in fact make a loss in the long term. Gulf Times Friday, October 6, 2017 5 AMERICAS Las Vegas gunman may have considered

An abandoned boot is seen in the parking lot near the site of the Boston and Chicago Route 91 music festival mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Reuters/AFP hard to believe that the arsenal Anthony Guglielmi said about they were automatic weapons. tober 2016 may have been pre- tigators as a “person of interest”. whether she saw any changes in Las Vegas of weapons, ammunition and the report. Like other recent mass shoot- cipitated by some event in his Lombard said his client was his behaviour before she left the explosives recovered by police The retired accountant also re- ings, the incident stirred the de- life, Lombardo said. co-operating fully with authori- United States. in their investigation could have searched hotels around Boston’s bate in Washington over regulat- The Federal Bureau of Investi- ties. Danley said Paddock had he Las Vegas gunman who been assembled by Paddock Fenway Park baseball stadium, ing fi rearm ownership, which is gation (FBI) said on Wednesday An FBI offi cial in Las Vegas, bought her an airline ticket to killed 58 people and him- completely on his own. but there was no indication he protected by the Second Amend- that there remained no evidence meanwhile, said no one has been visit her family and wired her Tself in the deadliest mass “You have to make an assump- travelled to the city, NBC News ment of the US Constitution. indicating that the shooting taken into custody. money to purchase property shooting in modern US history tion that he had some help at reported, citing senior law en- Republicans, who control the spree was an act of terrorism. An Australian citizen of Filipi- there, leading her to worry that stockpiled weapons and am- some point,” Lombardo said. forcement offi cials. White House and both cham- Paddock’s girlfriend, Marilou no heritage, Danley said she fl ew he might be planning to break up munition over decades, and me- Before his Las Vegas attack, Some 489 people were also bers of Congress, have fought Danley, was questioned by the back to the United States volun- with her. ticulously planned the attack, Paddock booked rooms in a Chi- injured when Paddock strafed off Democratic calls for stricter FBI on Wednesday and said in a tarily “because I know that the Paddock’s brother Eric told re- authorities believe. cago hotel that overlooked the an outdoor concert with gunfi re background checks or federal statement that she had been una- FBI and Las Vegas Police Depart- porters that the $100,000 trans- But what led Stephen Pad- site of the August Lollapalooza on Sunday night from his 32nd- limits on magazine size following ware of Paddock’s plans. ment wanted to talk to me, and I fer was evidence that “Steve took dock, 64, to unleash the carnage music festival, USA Today re- fl oor suite of the Mandalay Bay past mass shootings. “He never said anything to wanted to talk to them”. care of the people he loved”, and remains largely a mystery. ported yesterday, citing an un- hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. But congressional Republicans me or took any action that I was Danley shared Paddock’s home that he probably wanted to pro- “What we know is that named law enforcement offi cial. He then took his own life. said they would be willing to in- aware of that I understood in any at a retirement community in tect Danley by sending her over- Stephen Paddock is a man who It was unclear if Paddock ever Police recovered nearly 50 fi re- vestigate the bump stocks that way to be a warning that some- Mesquite, Nevada, northeast of seas before the attack. spent decades acquiring weap- used the room or was in Chicago arms from three locations they allow legal semiautomatic rifl es thing horrible like this was going Las Vegas, before travelling to the Discerning Paddock’s motive ons and ammo and living a secret during the festival, the newspa- searched, nearly half of them to behave similarly to fully auto- to happen,” Danley, 62, said in the Philippines in mid-September. has proven especially baffl ing life, much of which will never be per quoted the offi cial as saying. from the hotel suite. matic weapons, which are largely statement released by her lawyer, Investigators questioned her as he had no criminal record, no fully understood,” Clark County “We are aware of the media re- Offi cials said that 12 of the ri- illegal in the United States. Matt Lombard. about Paddock’s weapons pur- known history of mental illness Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told re- ports and have been in commu- fl es that were found were fi tted Investigators were examining Danley, who returned late on chases, a $100,000 wire transfer and no outward signs of social porters on Wednesday night. nication with our federal part- with bump stocks, allowing the the possibility that Paddock’s Tuesday from a family visit to the to a Philippine bank that ap- disaff ection, political discontent Lombardo said he found it ners,” Chicago police spokesman guns to be fi red almost as though purchase of over 30 guns in Oc- Philippines, is regarded by inves- peared to be intended for her, and or extremist ideology, police said. NRA fi nally breaks silence Storm Nate lashes Former presidents NRA makes rare concession New York City subway. Central America on device that turns guns Passing this “right-to-carry into rapid-fire weapons, but reciprocity” law, the NRA ar- gather for insists that banning guns gued, “will allow law-abiding AFP It said Tropical Storm ‘will do nothing to prevent Americans to defend themselves San Jose Nate would be “near hurri- further attacks’ and their families from acts of cane intensity” by the time it hurricane violence”. hit Mexico’s southern Yuca- By David Smith, Rory Carroll The NRA said that banning tropical storm slid- tan Peninsula later today, then and Lois Beckett guns “will do nothing to prevent ing north along Central strengthen into a hurricane as benefi t gig Guardian News & Media future attacks – a fact that has AAmerica yesterday has it crossed the Gulf of Mexico to been proven time and again in unleashed heavy rains that hit the southern United States countries across the world”. have killed at least eight people somewhere between the states AFP he National Rifl e Asso- Researchers who study the in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, of Louisiana and Florida. Washington ciation (NRA) has broken eff ects of major gun restrictions with forecasters predicting it The US is recovering from Tits silence four days after – including in Australia, which could strengthen into a hur- two major hurricanes: Hurri- the deadliest mass shooting in saw a decline in murders and ricane headed for the United cane Harvey that tore through ll fi ve of America’s living recent US history to call for “ad- no further large-casualty mass States. Texas in August, and Hurri- former presidents will ditional regulations” on bump- shootings after buying back Costa Rica declared a na- cane Irma in September. Atake the stage later this fi re stocks, which the Las Vegas hundreds of thousands of guns A bump stock device (right), that fits on a semi-automatic rifle to tional emergency as it strug- Another powerful storm, month to raise money for vic- shooter used to turn his semi- in the wake of the Port Arthur increase the firing speed, making it similar to a fully automatic rifle, gled with mudslides, washed Hurricane Maria, ripped tims of hurricanes that ravaged automatic rifl es into rapid-fi re massacre in 1996 – would prob- is shown next to a AK-47 semi-automatic rifle (left) at a gun store in out roads and overfl owing riv- through the Caribbean in late the southern United States and weapons. ably disagree. Salt Lake City, Utah. ers. September, wreaking destruc- the Caribbean. But alongside the rare con- In Washington, Republican Schools, universities, gov- tion on several islands, includ- Former presidents Barack cession, the NRA also suggest- leaders said they would consider devices would be the minimum step back. We’ve had one of the ernment offi ces and state banks ing Dominica and Puerto Rico. Obama, George W Bush, Bill ed that it was time for further restrictions on bump stocks, Congress could do. most horrifi c tragedies ever on across the Central American In Costa Rica, an alert was Clinton, George HW Bush and relaxation of laws permitting raising the prospect of the fi rst “Of course bump stocks US soil. I don’t think we’d want nation were closed. issued for people to be wary of Jimmy Carter will appear to- Americans to carry concealed US gun control legislation for should be prohibited, but if to go out and make rash deci- Offi cials in Costa Rica said crocodiles that might be roam- gether at a hurricane relief con- fi rearms. years. that’s the only action we take sions while we’re still having an six people died: four Costa Ri- ing after rivers and estuaries cert at Texas A&M University on “The NRA believes that de- “Fully automatic weapons after 58 Americans are shot and investigation.” cans – including a three-year- fl ooded. October 21. vices designed to allow semi- have been banned for a long killed, we should be ashamed of Democrats are pushing for a old girl – hit by falling trees The country’s main interna- The three Democrats and two automatic rifl es to function like time,” the House speaker, Paul ourselves,” said Shannon Watts, ban on the devices, which are and mudslides, and two young tional airport was opened, but Republicans have teamed up to fully-automatic rifl es should Ryan, told MSNBC yesterday. founder of Mums Demand Ac- selling out as gun enthusiasts Nicaraguan farm workers. with multiple fl ight cancella- raise money for the victims of be subject to additional regu- “Apparently, this[the bump tion for Gun Sense in America. react to reports they may be At least 15 people were miss- tions. hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and lations,” Wayne LaPierre and stock] allows you to take a semi- “We’ll work with legislators outlawed. ing. The annual rainy season is Maria. Chris Cox, the group’s two lead- automatic and turn it into a interested in prohibiting bump Senator Chris Murphy has In neighbouring Nicaragua, currently underway in Central The event, titled “Deep From ing fi gures, said in a joint state- fully automatic. So clearly that’s stocks, but we’ll also demand outlined “a menu” of gun con- two people died, and seven America, a fi ve-month period the Heart: The One America ment. something we need to look into.” other laws to help save Ameri- trol measures he plans to intro- people were missing, Vice- typically ending in November Appeal” will feature Alabama, The NRA pair blamed the The mass shooting on Sunday can lives. Now is the time to de- duce, including to expand back- President Rosario Murillo told in which the risk of fl ooding the Gatlin Brothers, Lyle Lovett, Obama administration for ap- night in Las Vegas that left 58 mand that lawmakers prioritise ground checks and to restrict state media. and mudslides rise. Robert Earl Keen and Sam proving the devices for sale victims plus the gunman dead people over gun manufacturers’ people convicted of domestic More than 5,000 people This year’s has been intense, Moore. “on at least two occasions”, and and wounded nearly 500 has re- profi ts,” she added. violence from obtaining a gun. were being put up in shelters with some areas in the region In a statement, George W called on the Bureau of Alcohol, opened debate around the need Ryan’s comments followed a Yesterday minority leader in Costa Rica after having to getting up to 50% more rain Bush said the members of this Tobacco, Firearms and Explo- for tougher gun laws. call on Wednesday by the Sen- Chuck Schumer said on the abandon their homes because than average for September most exclusive of clubs were sives “to immediately review Offi cials said 12 of the rifl es ate’s No 2 Republican, John Senate fl oor: “I say to Presi- of fl ooding and the risk of un- and October. “very grateful to these wonder- whether these devices comply authorities recovered from the Cornyn, for an examination of dent Trump: come out and say stable ground giving way, the The worst-hit country in ful performers – some of them with federal law”. hotel suite used by gunman bump stocks. that you support and would director of the country’s Na- the region has been Honduras, old friends, some of them new The NRA’s suggestion comes Stephen Paddock were fi tted “I own a lot of guns and as a sign a law to ban bump stocks, tional Emergency Commis- where 32 people have died so – for giving their time and talent after Republican lawmakers in- with bump stocks. hunter and sportsman I think the modifi cation used by the sion, Ivan Brenes, said. far this season, according to to help the urgent cause of hur- dicated that they might support “I didn’t even know what they that’s our right as Americans, Las Vegas gunman to make his At least 18 main roads were national emergency service of- ricane recovery in Texas, Florida, a ban on the devices. were until this week,” said Ryan, but I don’t understand the use weapons automatic. That’s closed and another dozen were fi cials. and the Caribbean”. Firearms enthusiasts called a frequent hunter. “I think we’re of this bump stock, and that’s small, and it’s the right thing to only partially open. Guatemala suff ered 26 bump-fi re stocks a novelty de- quickly coming up to speed with another reason to have a hear- do. Don’t wait for the NRA to In the northwest Guanacaste deaths, and another 300,000 vice that made guns hard to fi re what this is.” ing,” he said. make up their mind. Do it.” region popular with tourists people were aff ected, and Trump suggests accurately, and said they had no He off ered no other details Another Republican senator, Bump stocks were originally many roads were so fl ooded 4,000 homes were damaged. real self-defence value. about what action the Repub- Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said: intended to help people with as to be impassable to all but In El Salvador, six people Senate investigate However, in the same state- lican-controlled House might “I have no problem in banning limited hand mobility fi re a four-wheel-drive vehicles and died and a national alert urging journalists ment, the NRA claimed that gun take or what the timeline would those.” semi-automatic without the in- horses. vigilance was issued last week. control laws would not stop fur- be. The White House welcomed dividual trigger pulls required. The rain was caused by In Panama, a mudslide on In the latest in a series of ther attacks, and called on Con- But the remarks signalled a the NRA’s statement, but earlier They harness the recoil of Tropical Storm Nate, which Saturday killed six people in an broadsides against the media, gress to pass a law that would shift for a party that has thwart- press secretary Sarah Huckabee the gun to allow the user to fi re was yesterday located overland indigenous area. US President Donald Trump make it easier for owners to ed legislative reform even as the Sanders said: “The president’s much faster than if they repeat- in eastern Nicaragua. Belize issued a public warn- suggested yesterday that carry weapons across state lines horrors of Virginia Tech, Sandy a strong supporter of the sec- edly pulled the trigger – as the The US National Hurricane ing over Tropical Storm Nate, lawmakers investigate journalists – a measure that would gut lo- Hook, and Orlando have piled ond amendment. That hasn’t rifl e recoils, the trigger bumps Centre (NHC) said that it ex- urging “preparations to pro- for their work. cal restrictions on gun carrying up. changed. forward into the shooter’s fi nger pected the storm to keep track- tect life and property” and for “Why Isn’t the Senate Intel and might make it legal for tour- Nevertheless, for many anti- “At this point in the proc- to speed up the rate of fi re. ing north, gaining force as it people in fl ood-prone areas to Committee looking into the Fake ists to carry their fi rearms on the gun activists, curtailing these ess, I think we all need to take a went. move to higher ground. News Networks in OUR country to see why so much of our news is just made up-FAKE!” Trump said in a tweet. That was a reference to a Senate panel which on Wednesday Brazil’s congress sets up fund to cover lack of campaign fi nance said it was still investigating collusion between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Reuters A ban on corporate donations and government payments to proved on Tuesday a constitu- infl uence policies, and even im- cians who should not be sitting Moscow. Brasilia coupled with the drying up of buy TV and radio time for par- tional amendment that limits plicated President Michel Temer here in Congress,” said Julio Del- Trump has long railed against under-the-table contributions ties. coalitions to parties with similar and several of his cabinet minis- gado, leader of the Brazilian So- what he sees as unfair press and kickbacks in the wake of The fund was meant to be platforms, but that change will ters. cialist Party (PSB). coverage and used attacks on the razil’s scandal-plagued the country’s biggest corrup- part of improvements to Brazil’s not go into eff ect until the 2022 Critics of the campaign fund “Not a single lawmaker under media to rally supporters. political class voted on tion scandal have left lawmak- discredited political system to elections. said it was aimed at providing investigation has opposed it,” he The latest fit of pique was BWednesday to set up a ers struggling to raise campaign reduce a proliferation of parties More than 100 lawmakers funding for lawmakers seeking added. prompted by an NBC News 1.7bn reais ($542mn) fund with funding. that has made it hard to govern are targeted by the Car Wash re-election to shield themselves Backers of the use of public report that Secretary of State taxpayer money to fi nance elec- The lower house of Congress Latin America’s largest nation corruption investigation that from prosecution for corrup- money for campaigns argued Rex Tillerson had considered tion campaigns, making up for a approved a bill that had passed without unwieldy coalitions uncovered a network of bribes tion. that organised crime would step resigning from the administration dearth of private funding ahead the Senate and will take funds based on self-interest. from private companies seeking “It is shameful that this fund in to fi nance politicians if fund- earlier this year and openly of next year’s general election. from pork barrel appropriations The Senate unanimously ap- to win government contracts or will be used by unethical politi- ing was lacking. referred to Trump as a “moron”. Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 6, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

RIGHT OF WAY MATING SEASON MOURNED CLIMATE CHANGE ACCIDENT Traff ic jam forces Indonesia Lovelorn koala nabbed after Thousands pay respects to Warmer waters expose Twelve missing after boat, president out of off icial car zoo escape in hunt for mate Thailand’s King Bhumibol baby crocs to predators tanker collide off Japan

Indonesia’s president was forced yesterday to Australian wildlife staff needed a crane to rescue Almost 12mn people, or almost one sixth Water warmed by climate change is exposing Japanese Coastguard yesterday mounted walk 2km through the scorching heat to attend a a lovelorn female koala who escaped from her of Thailand’s population, have visited the baby crocodiles to predators because it drastically a search and rescue operation for 12 crew military parade. The country’s traff ic nightmares enclosure at the start of her first mating season, glittering Grand Palace in Bangkok to pay their reduces the amount of time they can hide underwater. members of a Chinese fishing boat, after a were aptly illustrated when President Joko impatient to find a partner. Irene the koala was respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej Young crocodiles rely on “fright dives” to escape their collision with a Hong Kong tanker off the west of Widodo had to walk more than 2km to attend discovered missing from her holding yard at since he died last October, the palace said predators, which include birds of prey, large fish, turtles, Japan. Coastguards said they received a report a ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of the Australian Reptile Park outside Sydney early yesterday. Thousands lined the streets of and larger crocodiles. But in warmer water, a result of of the collision from their Chinese counterparts the Indonesian military’s founding. Widodo yesterday, park off icials said. The two-year-old was Bangkok’s historic area near the Chao Phraya climate change, their defensive dives are shortened yesterday morning stating that 12 of the 16 people and senior government off icials were held up eventually found stuck in a nearby tree after a River to enter the palace on Thursday, the by half, University of Queensland researcher Craig on the far smaller fishing vessel were missing by gridlock as they approached the military “Houdini-style” escape through an opening in her last day to see the late king before the royal Franklin said, warning that “young crocs will become and requesting Japan’s help to find them. Japan parade in Cilegon, a port city about two-and- pen, they said. General manager Tim Faulkner said cremation on October 26. Queues stretched more vulnerable as the climate heats up.” “We are launched three patrol boats for the operation. The a-half hours drive from the capital Jakarta, the Irene had only recently reached sexual maturity for more than 2km, officials said, with many concerned that crocodile youngsters will become collision occurred 400km north of the Oki Islands presidential palace said. After a 30-minute wait, and this week marked the start of the annual lining up since Wednesday. King Bhumibol more vulnerable to predators as they are likely to in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, “the president then decided that he would walk,” koala mating season. Park off icials insisted Irene’s died last October aged 88 and his body has have to surface more frequently if the temperature off icials said. The tanker’s crew were believed to Widodo’s guard Ili Dasili said in a statement. desires would be satisfied, but more prosaically. laid in state in a gold hall at the palace. continues rising,” Franklin said in a statement. be safe, a Japanese coastguard off icial told AFP.

Anti-government protest NZ election kingmaker says he can’t win

AFP Wellington

ew Zealand’s maver- ick “kingmaker” Win- Nston Peters yesterday expressed frustration at public criticism after opening talks with rival party leaders on breaking the country’s general election deadlock. Peters is expected next week to anoint the winner of the Sep- tember 23 poll after conservative Prime Minister Bill English and opposition leader Jacinda Ard- ern both failed to secure an out- right majority. Both need support from Peters’ New Zealand First (NZF) to get over the line under New Zealand’s complicated mixed member pro- portional (MMP) voting system. However, critics have lament- ed the system for allowing a par- ty that only attracted 7.5% of the vote to decide the South Pacifi c nation’s political future. “The whole thing has been depicted as one man holding the country to ransom,” Peters told reporters, defending his demo- cratic credentials. The 72-year-old added: “We People hold placards denouncing Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration during an anti-government rally in Tokyo. just can’t win. You can’t win with the public, you can’t win with the media, you can’t win with the commentariat.” Peters yesterday held his fi rst face-to-face talks with English and Ardern since the election. He made clear that the meet- ings at parliament were only pre- liminary and he would not make a decision before next week. Australia photo ID database “(It’s) setting the agenda, the ground rules, the protocols, how we’re going to go about it,” he said. Peters has previously said he will reveal his choice by October 12, when the results of the elec- tion are offi cially declared. to help track terror suspects That allows him to take into account the results from “spe- Reuters tional authorities requested informa- facial detection, even allowing edu- States and other allies in Afghanistan track down terrorists is a good idea,” he cial” votes — postal and over- Sydney tion from their state counterparts. cation authorities to use the system and Iraq. said. seas ballots — which will be an- “It shouldn’t take seven days to be to catch students cheating on exams, It is also on alert for dozens of home- “People might say using it for track- nounced tomorrow. able to verify someone’s identity or seek but Australia will limit the new data- grown radicals returning after fi ghting ing down murderers is a good idea, but The populist leader of NZF said ustralian police will create a to match the photo of someone who is base to police and intelligence agen- for Islamic State and other extremist what about people who haven’t paid there were about 380,000 special national photo database using a person of interest,” Turnbull told re- cies only. groups in Syria and Iraq. their parking fi ne?” Hanson said. votes, accounting for about 15% Aexisting identifi cation records porters in Canberra. Turnbull said the system would not Turnbull said police were hampered The new database was unveiled as of the entire electorate. held by state authorities to identify ter- “It should be done seamlessly and in be connected to Australia’s existing by the current outdated, state-based Turnbull met state leaders and an- “That’s huge and to have them ig- ror suspects, Prime Minister Malcolm real time,” he said. network of closed-circuit televisions, system but Fergus Hanson, head of in- nounced Australia would now double nored as if they don’t matter (would Turnbull said yesterday, fanning priva- The biometric database stops short easing fears that authorities were seek- ternational cyber policy centre at the the length of time terror suspects could be) quite regrettable,” he said. cy concerns among rights groups. of enabling real-time detection of sus- ing to create an automated system of Australian Strategic Policy Institute, be held by police to two weeks after The specials are expected to Turnbull said the database was in- pects by scanning large crowds and detection. said the new biometric system raised their arrest. give Labour and the Greens an- tended to accelerate the process of alerting authorities when people on a Australia, a staunch US ally, is on concerns about potential abuses of Australia’s detention laws came into other one or two seats, providing identifying potential terror suspects, security watch list are identifi ed, simi- heightened alert after a series of “lone power. focus earlier this year with the arrest a Labour-Green-NZF coalition replacing a time-consuming system lar to a system in place in China. wolf” attacks in recent years, and has “I think most Australians would of four men on suspicion of planning a an extra buff er if it formed gov- that could take up to a week when na- China leads the world in the use of sent troops to fi ght alongside the United agree that using facial recognition to plot to bring down a passenger plane. ernment. Brunei sultan celebrates 50 years in power

Reuters procession, which was greeted full independence from Brit- Bandar Seri Begawan by more than 80,000 well-wish- ain and living standards soar to ers, some of whom had arrived among the highest in Asia. as early as 5am to secure a good “When we go to Friday prayers il-rich Brunei’s ruler yes- spot. at the mosque, he is there. We terday marked 50 years The procession was part of can go up to him and shake his Oin power with elaborate a month-long celebration of hand or pass him letters if we celebrations that included a glit- the golden jubilee, which in- have complaints,” said Aizzat tering procession through the cludes the opening of Brunei’s Bakar, 32, a businessman work- capital on a gilded chariot. first cable-stayed bridge, the ing in the capital. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, unveiling of a major new urban Brunei is the only Associa- 71, is now the world’s second- park and a state banquet at the tion of Southeast Asian Nations longest reigning monarch, af- gold-domed palace on Friday, (Asean) country to have seen a ter ascending the throne in the attended by regional leaders as recession for three straight years. tiny northeast Borneo nation in well as British and Middle East- The price collapse prompted 1967. ern royalty. Brunei to embrace Chinese in- Dressed in gold brocade, “The responsibility of the king vestment, with Beijing pumping the sultan entered the capital, is to his people and the people billions into key infrastructure Bandar Seri Begawan, with his have a responsibility to the king,” projects. wife, Queen Saleha, and their the sultan told an audience at the In return, the sultanate has re- children on a carriage pulled by palace. “Together, the king and mained largely silent on Beijing’s 50 members of the royal house- the people hold the trust of the vast territorial stake in the South hold clad in traditional black and nation.” China Sea, which overlaps Bru- gold woven cloth. The sultan is hugely popular. nei’s own claims in the disputed Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen Saleha ride in a royal chariot during a procession to mark the golden jubilee of his accession A military band led the 5km His rule has seen Brunei gain waters. to the throne in Bandar Seri Begawan. Gulf Times Friday, October 6, 2017 7 BRITAIN After premier May’s speech fi asco, Tories

This picture taken on Wednesday shows Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledging applause from delegates, while walking past a slogan whose letters have fallen off on the final day of the Conservative Party annual conference at the Manchester Central Convention wonder: Who next? Centre. By Guy Faulconbridge, Reuters “I don’t think anybody wants with May, Britain has just over whole island took off and is or- py with the way it had gone. Business minister Greg Clark endum would not get the support London May to stay because they partic- one year to negotiate the terms of biting in their own galaxy. How But the British media were less said the Conservatives should of many Brexit opponents in the ularly want her as PM: I think lots the EU divorce and the outlines can you turn this around?” enthusiastic. stay cool-headed and praised parliamentary party. of people want her to stay be- of the future relationship. Sterling fell to a fresh three- “May on fi nal warning after May for showing guts and grace Some lawmakers want a t was meant to be the speech cause the time is not yet right for It is due to leave in late March week low yesterday. It was down speech shambles,” the Times by coping with the interruptions younger generation to take over that rescued Theresa May’s what they want to happen next,” 2019. 0.8% at $1.3144 against the dol- front page headline said. to her speech. but feel that no single candidate Ipremiership, but her public said Anand Menon, professor of If May stays, Brexit talks will lar. On the day of the Brexit vote, The Guardian said: “Cough- Spokesmen for both Down- from their group is yet ready. humiliation before the assembled European politics at King’s Col- be guided by one of the weakest the pound it traded at $1.50. ing and spluttering – May’s Brit- ing Street and the Conservative One Conservative activist said Conservative Party has thrust lege London, who attended the leaders in recent British history. In one of the most bizarre Brit- ish dream turns into nightmare”, Party declined to comment. there was a one in three chance of her own future into doubt. party conference. “All they are But if May goes, Britain would ish political speeches in a gen- while the i said: “Last gasp”. Many Conservative activists a leadership challenge by the end And, just as she tries to revive talking about behind the scenes be thrust into another political eration, May’s address to her The Sun, Britain’s most popu- fear another leadership con- of the year. Brexit talks. is whether she stays or goes, and crisis while the clock ticks down annual conference was ruined by lar newspaper, compared the test will exacerbate the divide in For a challenge, 48 Conserva- May’s authority was already that is a massive distraction as to Brexit. a comedian handing her a bogus party to the 1970s television the party over Europe, an issue tive lawmakers need to write to shattered by her botched bet on the UK faces this unprecedented Many business leaders – in employment termination letter classic Fawlty Towers in which which helped sink the last three the chairman of the 1922 Com- a June snap election that lost her challenge of Brexit.” Britain and the EU – now fear a “signed” rival Johnson, by re- Monty Python star John Cleese Conservative prime ministers – mittee asking for a confi dence party its majority in parliament Even after the speech, there is disorderly exit that would imperil peated coughing fi ts and even by plays Basil who runs a shambolic David Cameron, John Major, and vote. just days before the opening of no obvious successor because of Britain’s $2.5tn economy, shock letters falling off the slogans on hotel while complaining about Margaret Thatcher. The problem for May, the ac- formal Brexit talks with the EU. rivalries and divisions. global fi nancial markets and un- the set behind her. foreigners. And many worry that a lead- tivist said on the condition of an- But her survival has been de- Those most often mentioned dermine London’s position as the May battled on to fi nish the “Like the sign outside Fawlty ership contest would pave the onymity, was that the media will pendent on the absence of an ob- are foreign minister Boris John- only fi nancial centre to rival New speech and was greeted by ap- Towers, the missing letters be- way for an election victory by now focus on every slight mishap vious successor who could unite son, fi nance minister Philip York. plause in the hall and a hug from hind Theresa May are an emblem Labour’s Corbyn, who they cast to cast her as a fl awed leader. the split party around Brexit and Hammond, interior minister “Yesterday was humiliating her own husband, Philip, who of a tragicomic farce. Who needs as a Marxist seeking to impose a “I’m fi nding it increasingly fear of an election that many Amber Rudd, and Brexit minister for May,” said one EU diplomat. bounded onto the stage to em- Basil’s hotel? We now have the socialist fantasy on Britain. diffi cult to see a way forward Conservatives think would let David Davis. “The whole country, the public brace her. Tory Party,” the Sun said in an While Johnson is popular with at the moment and it worries opposition Labour leader Jeremy But as Conservative lawmak- mood in Britain is completely Immediately after the speech, editorial. “This entire party has some activists, the leader of the me,” Conservative lawmaker Ed Corbyn into power. ers decide whether to proceed from a diff erent planet. The her spokesman said she was hap- come unstuck.” leave campaign in the 2016 refer- Vaizey told the BBC.

Daredevil biker Ishiguro backfl ips between awarded Nobel for barges on Thames literature

Reuters one for him to land on. London In 2006, motocross rider Mike AFP Metzger fractured a vertebrae London while attempting to backfl ip be- xtreme sports rider Travis tween two barges in a stunt for Pastrana performed a a television programme in Long ritish novelist Kazuo Ebackfl ip motorcycle jump Beach harbour, Los Angeles. Ishiguro said winning the over a 23m (75’) gap between two Organisers of Pastrana’s at- B2017 Nobel Prize for Liter- barges fl oating on London’s river tempt said he was the fi rst per- ature yesterday was “amazing” Thames yesterday, 11 years after son to try to perform the trick and a “huge honour”. the last rider who tried the stunt since then. “This is amazing and totally suff ered serious injury. Pastrana is known for compet- unexpected news for me,” he Set against the backdrop of ing in the X-Games extreme mo- told journalists at an impromptu London’s O2 arena, Pastrana had tocross competition and in the press conference in his garden. only 150’ to accelerate to take-off US NASCAR motor racing series. “It comes at a time when the speed before jumping, with only During his career he has bro- world is uncertain about its val- 36’ to come to a stop before he ken more than 90 bones and suf- ues, its leadership and its safety,” would have fallen into the river. fered 25 concussions. he added. “I just hope that re- The vessels that were used in Pastrana will be touring with ceiving this huge honour will the attempt were fi tted with a his live stunt show Nitro Circus even in a small way encourage steep ramp for the rider’s take- in Europe in November and De- Pastrana somersaults on his motorbike as he jumps between two barges on the River Thames. The O2 Arena sports venue is seen in the the forces for goodwill and peace off and a more gently inclined cember. background. at this time.” The Remains of the Day writer urged people to “think interna- tionally, despite all the diffi cul- ties that involves”. “We seem to be in danger of Royal Mail strike to losing our internationalist vision Late PM Heath suspected of the world and I think things like the Nobel prize ... help to start on October 19 bring people together,” Ishiguro said. Ishiguro grew up and went to of abusing boys: police Royal Mail management tion procedures agreed with school in England, but his par- prepared to challenge the union in 2013. ents spoke Japanese at home. planned strike in court The mediation process “I’ve always looked at the AFP suggest that the allegations could extend beyond Christ- world partly through my par- London were unlikely due to the level of Reuters mas, it said. ents’ eyes, so I’ve always had a close police protection he would London Royal Mail has about part of me that was Japanese,” he have had from 1970 onwards. 142,000 UK employees and said. “And that was quite good ormer British prime min- Friends called for a judge-led the CWU said on Tuesday that for me as a writer, at the time ister Edward Heath would investigation to reach conclu- ritain’s Royal Mail will 73% of workers voted in the when I was writing, because lit- Fhave been questioned over sions, as the police report “nei- use all legal options at its strike ballot, with 89% of its erature started to become very claims that he sexually assaulted ther justifi es nor dispels the Bdisposal to halt a strike members voting for industrial international.” fi ve boys if he was still alive, po- cloud of suspicion”. by postal workers this month, action. Ishiguro said he was writing lice announced yesterday. Heath’s reputation “should it said yesterday after the in- The dispute could threaten an e-mail at his desk when he Heath, who was Britain’s pre- not be left in limbo”, said Robert dustry union announced the postal delays at Christmas if it found out the news. mier between 1970 and 1974, is Armstrong, a former top civil action over a pensions dispute. continues. “I thought it was a hoax in this alleged to have raped an 11-year- servant, and David Hunt, chair- The Communications “This is a watershed dispute time of fake news, I didn’t be- old boy during a paid sexual en- man of Heath’s charitable foun- Workers Union (CWU) said the that will determine not only lieve it for a long time,” he told counter, offi cers revealed fol- dation. 48-hour strike would begin at our members’ pensions, jobs journalists. “Finally when the lowing a mammoth two-year “All those who knew Sir Ed- 1000 GMT on October 19 and and pay, but also the future BBC called, I thought it would be investigation. ward Heath or worked with him would involve about 111,000 of the service,” CWU general true.” Heath, who died in 2005 aged This file picture taken on October 12, 1989 shows Heath during a are, without exception, con- postal workers. secretary Dave Ward said in a The author called last year’s 89, would have been interviewed Conservative party conference in Blackpool. vinced that the allegations of Royal Mail said it is com- statement. winner Bob Dylan “my hero” and under caution over seven allega- child abuse will all be found to mitted to further talks to reach The union has said Royal said he would accept the award tions dating between 1961 and against Heath, seven were suf- No inference of guilt was be groundless,” they said in a an agreement as a matter of Mail’s move to replace its pen- in Stockholm. 1992, relating to fi ve boys and fi ciently credible to justify the made by the report. joint statement. urgency but that there are no sion scheme would result in “I said of course, I’m willing to two adult men. police questioning him under Heath led the Conserva- The number of abuse allega- grounds for industrial action. members losing, on average, a cancel a few things for that,” he “Sir Edward Heath was an ex- caution. tive Party from 1965 until 1975 tions being made in Britain has “We believe any strike ac- third of their future pensions. joked. tremely prominent, infl uential Those allegations including when he was ousted by Margaret surged since one of the BBC’s tion before the dispute reso- Royal Mail was privatised The 62-year-old said he was and high-profi le person who the rape and indecent assault of Thatcher – something which he top presenters, Jimmy Savile, lution procedures have been four years ago and is one of “embarrassed in a way” that he was arguably one of the most an 11-year-old boy during a paid never forgave her for. was exposed as a serial paedo- followed would be unlaw- the few big British companies had received it ahead of other powerful people in the world,” sexual encounter in 1961 and the As prime minister, he took phile after his 2011 death. ful,” a spokesman said after a to still have a defi ned-benefi t authors such as Haruki Muraka- Wiltshire police chief consta- indecent assault of a 10-year- Britain into the European Eco- A vast, judge-led inquiry has company statement raised the pension scheme, which pays mi, Salman Rushdie, and Marga- ble Mike Veale said, announc- old boy in 1962. nomic Community in 1973, and been opened into child sexual prospect of taking the matter out a proportion of a mem- ret Atwood. ing the investigation’s fi ndings. In addition, he allegedly in- was known as a dour bachelor abuse at a string of British in- to the courts. ber’s fi nal salary determined “The allegations against him decently assaulted two boys who loved sailing and classical stitutions from parliament to “Royal Mail will use all legal by length of service. were of the utmost seriousness aged 15 in the 1960s, and one music. the BBC, children’s homes to options at its disposal, includ- Rising costs, falling invest- and from a signifi cant number aged between 12 and 14 in the Heath rarely spoke about his churches. ing applying to the High Court ment returns and increased life of people.” early 1990s, as well as two adult private life despite years of me- Regarding the Heath allega- for an injunction to prevent in- expectancy have made it in- The £1.5mn ($2mn, €1.7mn) males in 1976 and between 1990 dia insinuations that he was gay, tions, “the inquiry will inves- dustrial action.” the company creasingly tough to fund such probe was triggered in 2015 after and 1992. at a time when public declara- tigate whether there was any said. schemes. Heath was named as a suspect in Six people named Heath in tion of homosexuality would knowledge within Westminster The company added that Royal Mail wants to replace an investigation into so-called accusations of satanic or ritual have impeded a political career. institutions, and if so, what it would contact the CWU to it with a modifi ed defi ned- historical child sex abuse. abuse, but police found no cor- Heath’s supporters have de- actions were taken”, a spokes- invoke the external mediation benefi t scheme or a defi ned- Ishiguro: would accept the Of the 42 allegations made roborative evidence. scribed him as “asexual” and woman said. process under dispute resolu- contribution pension. award in Stockholm. Gulf Times 8 Friday, October 6, 2017 EUROPE Germany’s spy Court bans Catalan agencies want greater authority

Reuters ble Russia decided the politi- Berlin cal cost was too great after the parliament session backlash that ensued in the US after a similar eff ort there. DPA they are even called is the new table, and it would likely respond igdemont’s secessionist coali- infl ating the injured count, and op German intelligence Russia denies seeking to in- Madrid off er of dialogue,” she quipped on by invoking Article 155 of the tion, said that Monday’s banned said that 431 police offi cers were offi cials have urged fl uence any foreign elections. Twitter. constitution, Jurado said. parliamentary session would be also hurt. Tlawmakers to give them Germany’s BND foreign in- The judgment came a day af- The article would allow the “to declare independence or pro- Independence remains a divi- greater legal authority to “hack telligence agency already has he Spanish Constitutional ter the Catalan governing coali- suspension of Catalonia’s self- claim the republic”. sive issue in Catalonia. back” in the event of cyber at- the expertise, but not the legal Court has ruled that a tion called for Monday’s session, government rights. Secessionists claim to have re- The anti-secessionist Catalan tacks from foreign powers. authority, to destroy foreign Tspecial session of Catalo- which would set out the way for- “The problem with 155 is that ceived a mandate from Sunday’s Civil Society, which had urged Hans-Georg Maassen, head servers, its chief Bruno Kahl nia’s regional parliament, called ward after a 90% majority voted has never been used, so no-one referendum. people to boycott the October 1 of the BfV domestic intelli- told the committee. to discuss independence from for independence in an unau- really knows what it means in But turnout was only 42%, and ballot because it was unconsti- gence agency, told the parlia- Once the source of attack Spain after a disputed referen- thorised October 1 referendum. practice,” Jurado said. “How and since there was no proper moni- tutional, is planning a pro-union mentary oversight committee had been carefully investigated dum, is not permitted to go ahead According to Ignacio Jurado, the extent to which the govern- toring, allegations of irregulari- rally in Barcelona on Sunday. that it should be possible to and identifi ed, it could make as planned next week. a lecturer in politics at the Uni- ment will enforce it will also de- ties, including double voting, are Spain, the eurozone’s fourth- destroy data stolen from Ger- sense to “shut down the source The Socialist Party of Cata- versity of York, yesterday’s ruling pend on what shape this declara- rife. largest economy, is seen as facing man servers and moved to for- of such an attack and not have lonia (PSC), which is opposed to is “part of the script” in the es- tion of independence takes, and Anti-Madrid sentiment has its most serious political crisis eign servers to prevent it from to retreat and give the job of secession, fi led a writ of protec- calating confrontation between how it is presented.” also been stoked by Spanish po- since its democracy was restored being misused. going back in and taking care of tion with the high court, on the Barcelona and Madrid, and Cata- On Wednesday, Catalan Presi- lice actions against the ballot. in the late 1970s, and events are He said that it would also business”, Kahl said. grounds that a declaration of lan leaders will “likely” ignore it. dent Carles Puigdemont criti- Puigdemont’s administration being closely watched in the rest make sense to “infect” for- In the end, however, such independence would violate the Jurado predicted for Monday cised the Spanish government’s accused riot-geared offi cers of of Europe. eign servers with software that decisions had to be made by constitution and “destroy” re- a “soft declaration of independ- unwillingness to accept “media- injuring 893 people as they raid- “The situation is very, very would enable greater surveil- politicians, Kahl said. gional deputies’ rights. ence”, through which Catalonia tion” in the crisis, but also told ed polling stations with batons worrying. A civil war in the heart lance of any operations direct- Christof Gramm, head of The speaker of the Catalan would secede from Spain, but the BBC that his region would go and rubber bullets. of Europe is unthinkable,” the ed against German cyber tar- Germany’s MAD military parliament, Carme Forcadell, only on paper, and would invite ahead with independence plans Four people were hospitalised, German EU Budget Commis- gets, or to extract data, much counter-espionage agency, said that the court shut off the Madrid to start “a new period of “in a matter of days”. while most of the others suff ered sioner, Guenter Oettinger, said at as human agents are recruited said that there were questions session before it was formally on dialogue” over the new situation. Mireia Boya, a member of the bruises and panic attacks. an event in Munich. “We can only for counter-espionage. of domestic and international the agenda. Madrid would reject talks un- far-left Popular Unity Candidacy The Spanish government ac- hope that Madrid and Barcelona “In the real world, it would law to address before empow- “Suspending plenaries before less independence is put off the (CUP) party, which supports Pu- cused the Catalan government of will start talking soon.” be like turning a foreign intel- ering the agencies to take such ligence agent and getting them actions. to work for us ... something like “This all has to be worked this should be possible in the out. There are international cyber world too,” Maassen told boundaries. We’re not just the committee in its fi rst public talking about national law,” Dutch primary school hearing. “These are ‘hack back’ Gramm told the committee instruments, but they are be- near the end of a three-hour low the threshold of destroy- session. teachers go on strike ing or incapacitating a foreign He said if such powers were server.” granted, it would be up to the German offi cials have military’s cyber command to AFP nounced later this month – fails blamed APT28, a Russian carry out such actions, not the The Hague to agree, they will consider strik- hacker group said to be linked MAD. ing for two days next month. to Moscow, for the May 2015 Maassen said authorities The protest aff ected “a large hack of the German lower needed access to streaming ens of thousands of Dutch part of some 6,500 schools house of parliament, the Bun- data from foreign servers – for primary teachers went on across the country”, the Dutch destag, and other cyber attacks instance of videos showing be- Ta day’s strike yesterday to newscaster RTL reported. aimed at political groups, indi- headings – to track radicalisa- demand better wages and a re- Strikes are unusual in the viduals or institutions. tion of possible extremists. duced workload, closing schools Netherlands. They issued repeated warn- He also called for broader across one of the world’s most “We are on strike because ings about the possibility that powers to track communica- literate countries. we want a better future for our Moscow could seek to infl u- tions between Germany and Carrying placards reading younger colleagues. They have ence or disrupt the September Raqqa, the Syrian city still un- “Teachers are furious” and “Pay enormous pressures,” Merian van 24 German election, although der Islamic State (IS) control, up!”, thousands of teachers gath- Goethaem, a teacher from the offi cials have since said they noting that current law only ered at a park in The Hague and southern city of Tilburg told AFP. did not see any major push by allowed the tracking of indi- demanded that the incoming “The diff erence between pri- Russia to do so. vidual communications, not government pay some €1.4bn mary and secondary education Maassen said it was possi- broader fl ows. ($1.6bn) to improve their salaries (salaries) is almost €600 per and work conditions. month. It’s just a lot of money,” Primary school teachers attend a general strike, demanding higher wages, in The Hague. The placards Teachers want at least added Michelle Onderwater, a read, from left, ‘More hands’, ‘Less work pressure’, and ‘Honest salary’. Mass US, UK spying probe dropped €900mn to bring their salaries teacher from Leiden. on a par with high school col- Sources told Dutch newspa- yet,” an offi cial of one of the the Organisation for Economic The Netherlands is ranked as German prosecutors have closed an investigation into suspected leagues, while the rest of the pers the new coalition planned to striking teachers’ groups told the Co-Operation and Development the 10th most-literate nation in mass phone tapping of German citizens by British and US spies amount should be used to allevi- make available almost €500mn popular daily Algemeen Dagblad. (OECD) in 2014 said. the world, behind top ranking after finding no concrete indication of any criminal activity, they ate work stress, Dutch media re- for primary school teachers, al- “Also, we would like to see it in The teachers averaged some Finland and other Scandinavian said yesterday. ports said. most double the amount previ- black and white fi rst.” 930 hours over a single school countries, according to a study The decision to drop the case brings to an end the latest chapter in Protesters warned that if ously set aside. Dutch primary teachers spend year, compared to the OECD’s that was published last year by a long-running spy scandal, triggered by revelations by former US Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s new “It’s really good news. But the more hours in class than the in- average of 782 hours and the EU the Central Connecticut State National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden which government – expected to be an- salary gap has not been bridged ternational average, a study by average of 754 hours. University. have strained ties between Berlin and Washington. The allegation in 2013 that the NSA bugged Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone shocked Germans and prompted her to say that spying among friends was totally unacceptable. In 2015, further allegations suggested that Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency had helped the NSA spy on European Macron comment further fuels ‘out of touch’ image companies and politicians for years. Prosecutors in Karlsruhe said that although the techniques used in US surveillance were known to German intelligence agencies, there AFP others seen as dismissive of ordi- palace in Versailles and likening was no evidence of them being used to target Germany so they Paris nary people or critics, contribut- his role to that of Jupiter, king of would no longer pursue the case. ing to a steep drop in popularity the Roman gods. “The prosecutors’ investigations and the investigation by the NSA for the 39-year-old centrist since The former investment bank- parliamentary committee have found no tangible evidence that rench President Emmanuel his election in May. er’s ambitious agenda includes US or British intelligence agencies undertook systematic and mass Macron came under fi re Last month, days before a un- labour reforms pushed through surveillance of German telecommunications and Internet (usage) Fyesterday after a remark ion-led protest against his fl ag- by decree, with critics seizing on that is against the law,” said the prosecutors in a statement. directed against union activists ship labour reforms, the presi- his use of executive orders as an fuelled accusations from oppo- dent said that he would not back example of an autocratic leader- nents that he shows contempt for down “to slackers, cynics and ship style. Firms see 3-fold rise in cyber attacks disgruntled workers. extremists”. Macron is also planning major The pro-business president His words became a rallying tax cuts for the wealthy, forcing The number of German companies targeted by cyber attacks in the made the comment on Wednes- cry for protesters who coined him to fend off accusations that past three years has tripled compared with the three years to 2015 day while visiting the central slogans such as “Slackers of the he is a “president of the rich”. and the figure is growing steadily, a study showed yesterday. town of Egletons, referring to world, unite!” France’s youngest president From the 450 German companies surveyed by the audit and trade unionists who clashed with He had previously raised eye- sees the tax cuts as essential to consulting company EY, 44% said that they had been spied on. police during a rally against lay- brows by drawing a distinction spurring investment and stem- But Bodo Meseke, an expert at EY, said many companies did not off s at the region’s GM&S auto between “people who succeed ming the exodus of millionaires notice attacks. parts plant. and people who are nothing”. such as actor Gerard Depardieu The study found that 67% of managers at larger enterprises – those “Some, instead of stirring up “Macron does it again,” the and ageing rocker Johnny Hal- with a turnover of more than €1bn ($1.17bn) – expect a significant (excrement), would be better off opposition Socialist Party said lyday. increase in the number of attacks on their businesses. looking for work” at a foundry in in a tweet on Wednesday, calling Wednesday’s remark “fur- Managers see the biggest danger coming from Russia, followed by Ussel, Macron said. on the president to “watch his ther alienates the president by China, and the United States. The foundry, 140km (85 miles) language and respect the French bolstering the image of heavy- Macron observing students using a driving simulator for civil A separate study by the Allensbach polling institute for Deloitte also from the auto plant, is struggling people”. handedness and indiff erence to engineering machines, during a visit on Wednesday to the School of published yesterday showed that 27% of executives in medium and to fi nd workers. A lawmaker of the hard-left the least fortunate”, said Em- Application to the Trades of Public Works (EATP), which is devoted to large companies said their businesses were exposed to IT attacks Macron said yesterday that he France Unbowed party, Adrien manuel Riviere of the Sofres apprenticeship and vocational training in Egletons, France. every day. was “standing by the substance” Quatennens, said that Macron polling institute. Four years ago, 12% suff ered daily attacks. of his remarks – which were “doesn’t know what it means to Political scientist Jerome Macron insists he has a man- Three demonstrations over his made in conversation with a re- look for work”. Sainte-Marie told AFP that it date for change after his presi- labour reforms failed to mobilise gional offi cial – and would have Macron has sought to restore “was not very good in terms of dential win was followed by a the huge crowds that marched ‘Super-spy’ convicted of tax evasion chosen his words diff erently in a lost prestige to the presidency, popularity, but that won’t pre- thumping parliamentary vic- against his Socialist predecessor more formal context. hosting events in grandiose set- vent him from passing reforms – tory for his Republic on the Move Francois Hollande’s workplace A 77-year-old spy, known as Germany’s James Bond for his secret The comment follows several tings such as the former royal he has overwhelming power”. (LREM) party. changes. missions during and after the Cold War, was convicted of tax evasion yesterday and handed a suspended two-year sentence. Werner Mauss, whose career spanned 40 years, says on his website that he was involved in smashing more than 100 criminal gangs and in the arrests of around 2,000 individuals. In a trial that has been going on for about a year, Mauss – who wore Sweden grants temporary residency to 106-year-old woman a hooded jacket in court – was accused of concealing millions of euros from German tax authorities in off shore accounts between 2002 and 2011. DPA due to the “exceptional circum- lum laws that Sweden introduced whose applications were denied. Uzbeki arrived with members “Ultimately, the extent of the damage is only one aspect to consider Stockholm stances” of her age, the Migra- last year after a record 163,000 The court said it had taken of her family two years ago as (in determining the sentence),” said Volker Talarowski, spokesman tion Court in the west coast city people applied for asylum in into account her old age and poor part of the massive infl ux of mi- of the court in Bochum. “All aspects have to be considered, among of Gothenburg said. 2015, straining resources and ca- health, and that she would have grants to Europe from countries them the age of the defendant. The defendant is 77 years old and Swedish court has ruled The unanimous ruling over- pacity at reception centres and been very vulnerable if deported including Afghanistan, Iraq, and he has never been sentenced, and he has achieved a special life’s that an Afghan woman, turned a June decision by the local municipalities. to Afghanistan. Syria. work.” Aaged 106, was to be al- Swedish Migration Agency re- The Migration Agency ear- “I have never experienced any- Her son and grandson helped German authorities say nothing about Mauss. lowed a temporary permit to stay jecting her request for asylum, a lier noted that she came from one of that age. Her health is very carry her during part of their long But media credit him with being one of Germany’s most in the Scandinavian country. statement read. northern Afghanistan, a region poor,” judge Dick Hjort said ac- journey through the Balkans and distinguished undercover agents. Bibikhal Uzbeki was granted The temporary residence per- it considered safe to allow for the cording to Swedish broadcaster on to northern Europe, earlier The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said he had had 100 a 13-month residency permit mit was in line with tighter asy- deportation of asylum seekers SVT. media reports stated. diff erent identities and a line to the chancellor’s off ice. Gulf Times Friday, October 6, 2017 9

INDIA

LEGAL CONTROVERSY PEOPLE CRIME TRAGEDY Zakia Jafri’s plea against Radhe Maa gets grand Dileep declines role in film Sweeper arrested as Five newborns die in clean chit to Modi rejected welcome at police station exhibitors’ organisation girl assaulted in school Assam medical college

Five years since challenging the clean chit The Delhi Police is probing how sect leader A day after he was reinstated as its president, A sweeper of a private school has been At least five newborns died in a medical to former chief minister Narendra Modi Radhe Maa managed to sit on the chair of Malayalam superstar Dileep yesterday wrote arrested for sexually assaulting a six-year- college in Assam’s Barpeta district in last and a battery of senior police off icials and the station house off icer at a police station to the powerful body of Film Exhibitors United old class I girl student, the Delhi police said 24 hours while two more are in a critical bureaucrats in the 2002 Gujarat riots, in the capital. An inquiry has been ordered Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) stating he was yesterday. A police off icer said the girl was condition, a hospital off icial said. The deaths Zakia Jafri, widow of slain Congress leader into the “unprofessional conduct” of Sanjay not interested in taking up the post. Dileep was molested on Wednesday afternoon at the were reported from the Fakhruddin Ali Ehsan Jafri, lost yet another legal battle in Sharma, SHO of Vivek Vihar police station in released on bail by the Kerala High Court on Sant Nirankari School in Malviya Nagar of Ahmed Medical College and Hospital in Ahmedabad yesterday. A bench of the Gujarat east Delhi, after a photograph showed the Wednesday after spending 85 days in judicial south Delhi by the sweeper Rakesh, 22. “The Barpeta since Wednesday evening. The High Court rejected her plea challenging woman seated on his chair. An off icer said custody for his alleged involvement in the victim returned from the school and informed college’s principal-cum-chief superintendent a lower court order upholding a clean chit the SHO had been told to report to another kidnapping of an actress in February. Following her parents, who then went back to the school Dilip Kumar Dutta yesterday, however, denied to Modi and others in the riots cases. Zakia department till the inquiry by an additional his release, the FEUOK at an emergency and met the principal,” the off icer said. Biswal any medical negligence, attributing the Jafri had called the riots a state-sponsored deputy commissioner of police is completed. executive meeting decided to reinstate Dileep said the girl was molested at around 1pm on deaths to birth asphyxia, a medical condition violence on the Muslims that left 1,100 people Prasad said the photo, supposedly taken on as president. In a letter to FEUO general Wednesday and around 8pm, her parents resulting from deprivation of oxygen to a killed and alleged a larger conspiracy. The September 28, also shows a police off icer secretary, Dileep said he was not interested informed the police about the incident. The newborn during the birth process and lasting hearing of the petition before the court had standing next to Radhe Maa with folded in remaining as president and thanked the off icer said the accused was later identified by long enough to cause physical harm, usually concluded on July 3 this year. hands. organisation for its support to him. the victim and he was subsequently arrested. to the brain. India can fi ght Rains bring travel chaos in Bengaluru two-front war: air force chief

IANS would have its full squadron New Delhi strength. He said “politically, till date we have not been part of a two-front he Indian Air Force is ready war”. to fi ght a two-front war Asked if he felt a two-front war Tand has adequate capabil- was unlikely, the IAF chief said: ity to take on any military chal- “What I am trying to say is that lenge from China, Air Chief Mar- the possibility of a two-front war shal B S Dhanoa said yesterday. in the current geopolitical situa- Addressing the annual IAF tion is low. But at the same time, press conference ahead of Air I said your response has to be Force Day on October 8, Dhanoa based on the enemy’s capability, said in a single front scenario, because intentions can change whether it is Pakistan or China, overnight.” the IAF was adequately capable Asked about his earlier com- of tackling any threat from the ments on the squadron strength neighbours. not being enough, he said the re- Dhanoa said though the air marks were about full spectrum force did not have the sanctioned operations for which the IAF full squadron strength of 39 but needed 42 squadrons. it still had a Plan B in case a war “There is a plan by the gov- breaks out simultaneously from ernment of India to induct fi ght- the eastern and western borders. ers and by the end of 15th Plan – Heavy rains lashed Bengaluru yesterday causing traff ic snarls across the city. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded at several traff ic junctions and under-passes which are “We need a strength of 42 2032, we will have the authorised flooded with rain water. Most of the low-lying areas of the city are inundated leaving many drains overflowing. squadrons to carry out full strength. But the numbers that spectrum operations in a two- we have got, we are capable of front (war) scenario. It doesn’t carrying out operations anytime.” mean we are not capable of About China alone he said it fighting a two-front war. We was not about what assets they have a Plan B. have but about what they can de- “To cater for the strength there ploy in Tibet which is a plateau are ways and means by which you with an average elevation of 4,500 can generate more sorties, you metres. can carry out 24-hour operations, “If you take China, it is not whatever we can do at our level, what China has got, it is what Sinha hits back after increase the serviceability of China can project against us. To our aircraft, we are doing so that project against us is what they we are able to carry out the task can get into Tibet. Look at Google mandated by our government,” Earth and see what they can or he said. cannot do from Tibet. That will Dhanoa, who as the Vice Chief give you an answer what is our of the IAF had said the number of capability. Our capability is ad- prime minister’s jibe fi ghter aircraft squadrons in India equate,” he said. was not enough to fi ght a war on Referring to the Doklam mili- IANS said that fear and democracy Manish Tewari to unveil his latest ess and we know that democracy your political persuasions may be, two fronts, maintained yesterday tary standoff , the IAF chief said New Delhi don’t go together. book Tidings of Troubled Times. means discussion, debate and an don’t allow those diff erences to that the remark to a parliamen- Chinese forces were still present “Mahabharata has been the On a serious note, Sinha ob- evolution of consensus based on aff ect your personal relations”. tary standing committee was in in Tibet’s Chumbi Valley which fl avour of the last couple of days. served that democracy is not these discussion,” Sinha said in a “So when I was approached to reference to “full spectrum op- lies close to the disputed tri- day after Prime Minister And characters from Mahabharta merely numbers. clear attack on BJP’s “Congress- come to this function to release erations”. junction. Narendra Modi referred to have suddenly appeared. Some “The soul of democracy is con- mukt Bharat” (Congress-free In- the book by Manish Tewari, I The IAF currently has 33 com- “The two sides are not in a AShalya, a character from people are talking about Shalya. I sensus. So even if you have the dia) slogan. readily agreed...I know the com- bat squadrons against a sanc- physical face off as we speak, in Mahabharata, to signify prevail- don’t know how much they know numbers, you have to reach out “And if debates and discus- pany I will be photographed with. tioned strength of 39.5, which face to face contact. However, the ing pessimism about economic about Shalya. to other people and parties to try sions don’t take place, consensus It sends some message. I must also is sought to be raised to 42. Dh- (Chinese) forces in Chumbi valley situation, former Union minister “In Mahabharata, there are two and get them along,” Sinha said will not be there and that will kill say I really don’t care,” he said. anoa’s predecessor Arup Raha, are still deployed,” Dhanoa said. Yashwant Sinha yesterday struck famous characters – Duryodhana recalling the days in Indian poli- the very fabric of democracy,” he “Let me tell you that fear and days before his retirement, had The Chumbi Valley is north of back comparing Modi and BJP and Dushsana. The Kauravas were tics when stalwarts like Chandra said, stressing the need to have democracy don’t go together. said the IAF needed at least 200 Doklam, where Indian and Chi- president Amit Shah duo with 100 brothers. Out of them only Shekhar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee dissenting voices in a healthy And we will all have to strive more fi ghter jets in the next 10 nese troops were locked in a long the eldest Kaurava brothers Du- two became famous, Duryodhana (both former prime ministers) set democratic set-up. together. Because at the end of years. standoff after India objected to ryodhana and Dushasan. and Dushasana,” Sinha said, leav- high ethical standards in politics. Sinha said that the fi rst lesson the day we have to maintain the Dhanoa said the IAF had a plan China building a road in the un- Urging the people to “stand ing the audience in splits. “Nobody talked about Mukt- he learnt in politics from the likes greatest tradition of parliamen- to address the shortage of fi ghter inhabited tri-junction claimed by up” to save the great tradition of Sinha was invited by Congress this Mukt-that because we are of Chandra Shekhar, Vajpayee and tary democracy. Let us stand up squadrons and by 2032, the force Bhutan and China. parliamentary democracy, Sinha leader and former Union Minister all part of the democratic proc- L K Advani was that “whatever and face it,” Sinha said.

Leopard on the loose ‘Scared’ Shah skips rally How long will Modi in Kerala CM’s hometown tell ‘lies’: Thackeray IANS he going to speak?” Mumbai In an exasperated tone, IANS “BJP leaders had claimed that ‘yatra’ in and around Pinarayi, Thackeray said that “now when- Kannur (Kerala) Shah was a ‘lion’ and a deter- the CPI-M put up pictures of its ever Modi comes on TV, we feel mined person. But today it is members alleged murdered by aharashtra Navnirman like switching it off , but then he proved that Shah is a lion without the BJP and RSS activists. Sena (MNS) president starts his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on the fter threatening to take any teeth. Also, Shah has realised Several pictures of Vijayan MRaj Thackeray attacked radio”. his fi ght into Kerala Chief the yatra has failed to evoke any were also put up along the route. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Calling the PM “a liar”, he said AMinister Pinarayi Vijay- response,” he said. A BJP spokesperson said the again yesterday, asking “how that like the people of the coun- an’s hometown, BJP president In Shah’s absence, the protest ‘yatra’ passed Pinarayi town long will he (PM) continue to tell try, Thackeray said he believed Amit Shah yesterday failed to was led by state BJP president yesterday. And though shops re- lies” to the country. and had faith in Modi, but now turn up here to lead a state-wide Kummanem Rajasekheran, who mained closed in the area, there Addressing a rally after tak- “we have been betrayed” and yatra (march) he had kicked off said he himself was enough to was a “good crowd turnout”, the ing out a massive procession to there is so much anger among two days earlier. take the battle into the chief min- spokesperson said. Churchgate to demand better the masses. But hundreds of Bharatiya ister’s hometown and that Shah’s Earlier the CPI-M accused Shah facilities for Mumbai commuters Targetting BJP president Amit Janata Party activists marched presence was not necessary. of unleashing “lumpen politics” after last week’s stampede killed Shah, who had once said the through Pinarayi town waving Shah had on Tuesday walked against it in Kerala but said the 23 commuters, Thackeray said election statement of depositing party fl ags and shouting slogans from Payyanur in Kannur district Marxists won’t be cowed down. the country was being pushed Rs1.5mn in every Indian’s bank on the third day of the “Jana Rak- with a huge crowd of BJP activ- “ Shah has embarked on a into crises on all fronts, brought account was an electoral stunt, he sha Yatra” that is meant to high- ists and promised to return yes- dangerous course of inciting about by the Bharatiya Janata said that it meant they “cheated light CPI-M “atrocities” on BJP terday. violence against the CPI-M by Party government. the people of the country”. and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamse- The earlier plan was that Shah levelling false charges and accu- “Modi has been lying and mis- Attacking the Bullet Train vak Sangh) cadres. would walk 9kms yesterday and sations against the party,” CPI-M leading the people of this coun- proposal, Thackeray wondered The BJP said Shah had been address a public meeting at Tha- journal People’s Democracy said try. Now I realise that when I for whom it was intended. “It called to Delhi by Prime Minister lassery. in an editorial. visited Gujarat a few years ago at will benefi t only the people of Naredra Modi. But the CPI-M al- The Kerala-wide campaign, a “Filled with the arrogance of A leopard that strayed into the Suzuki factory at Manesar the behest of (industrialist) Ra- Gujarat, but the loan of Rs1.08 leged he was scared of foraying show of strength by the BJP and power, Shah thinks that he can in Haryana early yesterday remained untraceable despite a tan Tata when Modi was the CM, lakh crore will be repaid by all the into CPI-M stronghold Pinarayi RSS, is to end on October 17 in bulldoze the Sangh politics into vigorous hunt for the animal. Production at the plant has been I was shown a misleading pic- people of the country who have town, where a Marxist-spon- the state capital. Kerala using the false fl ag of red hit. Four teams of Wildlife and Forest off icials that reached the ture of the development there,” nothing to do with the project.” sored ‘shutdown’ led to the clo- The CPI-M, which heads terror,” the editorial said. plant in the morning carrying nets and tranquilisers to rescue Thackeray said to cheers. He alleged that Suresh Prabhu sure of most shops. Kerala’s ruling Left Democrat- “This, in itself, shows the ina- the big cat failed to trace the animal. The rescue team placed He reiterated that the people was ejected as railway minister CPI-M state secretary Kodiy- ic Front, yesterday observed a bility of the BJP-RSS combine to goats inside a cage to lure the leopard but there was no sign of the country had lost faith in because he opposed the Bullet eri Balakrishnan said Shah was shutdown in Pinarayi town. counter the CPI-M and the Left of it. Modi, who “only keeps giving Train and Piyush Goyal brought scared to walk through Pinarayi. All through the route of the BJP politically in Kerala.” speeches daily – how much is in to facilitate it. Gulf Times 10 Friday, October 6, 2017 PAKISTAN

CITYSCAPE DECISION LEGAL UTILITIES CORPORATE Provinces demand for Meeting fails to decide on Loadshedding cut Major oil, gas field census financing rejected judges’ accountability issue by 52% in four years discovered in Punjab

The government has rejected a demand by Political parties yesterday could not reach a State Minister for Power Abid Sher Ali Pakistan Oilfields Ltd (POL) has found significant three provinces to fully finance from the federal consensus on how judges and generals would informed the Senate standing committee on deposits of oil and gas in Punjab which are budget more than Rs18billion spent on the be brought under the purview of the proposed power that loadshedding had been reduced estimated to raise the company’s hydrocarbon National Population Census-2017. A source said National Accountability Commission that would by 52% while recoveries increased to 94% production by about 25%. “POL has made a that Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa replace the National Accountability Bureau. A in the past four years. However, senator Mir significant oil and gas discovery at its Ikhlas recently objected to at-source deduction of decision in this regard had been expected at Israr Ahmed Khan Zehri, chairman of the block,” company secretary Khalid Nafees funds from their account towards expenses meeting of the parliamentary committee. At committee, expressed concern over the lack announced in a notification sent to the Pakistan incurred on the census. “Their objections were the meeting, Pakistan Peoples Party senator of gas and electricity to areas in Balochistan. Stock Exchange (PSX) yesterday. Tests at rejected by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his Farhatullah Babar put forward a proposal The minister said that power situation had exploration well Jhandial-1 in the block have stance was upheld by Prime Minister Shahid about the definition of a holder of public off ice improved significantly and several new shown a flow of 2,520 barrels of oil per day Khaqan Abbasi,” a finance ministry off icial said. under which judges and generals should be projects were in the pipeline to provide gas and 21mn standard cubic feet of gas per day The matter was raised after the KP government accountable by the NAC. “The committee agreed connections as well as electricity to remote (mmcfd). POL holds an 80% stake in the block protested the deduction of its funds by the to discuss the matter with their party heads parts of the country. The electricity production and Attock Oil Company has the remaining Women riding in a van react to an incident federal government and called for a refund. KP and state their view at the next meeting,” Law has been increased to 18,658MW from stake. The well would be connected to the outside the van in Rawalpindi yesterday. was supported by Sindh and Punjab. Minister Zahid Hamid said. 11,800MW in 2013, the minister said. production line within two weeks, he said. Green activist Red Arrows perform in Karachi honoured for research on climate change

Internews has already translated into several Islamabad high-level journal publications, working papers and blogs. The award committee praised akistani environmentalist Chaudhry’s research noting: “We and Oxford University lec- were extremely impressed with Pturer Dr Abrar Chaudhry has the novelty of the dissertation, received the ‘Best Doctoral Disser- the setting and detailed data and tation Award 2017’ by the Organi- analyses, as well as the impor- sation and Natural Environment tant practical implications of the Division (ONE) at Academy of work.” Management in Atlanta. Chaudhry said: “I am delighted Chaudhry was honoured for his to receive this award as a Pakistani pioneering work in managing cli- and the recognition of my work in mate change in developing coun- developing pragmatic solutions tries including Pakistan. for tackling the wicked challenge The award recognises relevance, of climate change in resource con- scholarly contribution, theoretical straint countries. “I look forward The British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aerobatic team, the ‘Red Arrows’, performs aerial manoeuvres during an airshow at Sea View in Karachi yesterday. and methodological rigour, as well to continuing researching this as practical implications in select- important work in Pakistan and ing the best dissertation. building on my strong association Chaudhry’s doctoral research with Oxford University.” investigated the challenges fac- Chaudhry has an interesting ing agriculture in developing and diverse career. He grew up countries, including Pakistan, in and studied in Lahore, training as adapting to the adverse impacts a chartered accountant. He went of climate change. Agriculture on to lead one of the oldest Paki- occupies roughly 40% to 50% of stani accountancy fi rms, set up by the earth’s land surface and is the his grandfather who was the fi rst Hunt on for attacker as 11 single largest source of income and member of the Institute of Char- jobs for poor rural households in tered Accountants of Pakistan. the developing world. Chaudhry’s passion for the en- In Pakistan, it is the second larg- vironment drove him to get a doc- est economic sector, contributing torate in environmental change approximately 20%-25% to the and management, an MBA, and national Gross Domestic Product an MSc in environmental man- women stabbed in streets (GDP) and absorbing roughly 42% agement from the University of of the labour force. Global warm- Oxford. Agencies fi ve women in diff erent parts of soon,” Soomro said. Authorities remain baffled to trigger fear and chaos in the ing reduces crop yields, threaten- He told Geo News his inspira- Karachi the neighbourhood, bringing The attacks echo a similar about the identity and motive metropolis. ing global food security and push- tion for studying climate change the total number of women as- spree in the garrison city of of the latest attacker. Some of- Meanwhile, the Pakistan ing millions into poverty. came from the 2010 fl oods in Pa- saulted to 11 and alarming au- Rawalpindi last year, when a ficials contend the assailant is Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Speaking to Geo News, Chaud- kistan. “Pakistan experienced he police yesterday an- thorities. man stabbed 17 women over a ‘mentally disturbed’ whereas Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also hry said: “My work requires cross- its worst-ever natural disaster in nounced a reward of CCTV footage of one at- series of months, killing one, some believe the attacker is took notice of the knife attacks ing disciplinary boundaries from 2010. One-fi fth of the country Tnearly Rs500,000 tack shows the man stabbing a because he wanted “revenge” part of an organised group. on women and ordered imme- natural science (understanding was under fl ood-waters, displac- ($4,700) for information that burqa-clad woman from behind for a cruel stepmother. Following the renewed spate diate arrest of the culprits in- climate change), social science ing millions of people and causing could help them nab a serial at- and then fl eeing, police said. of attacks, Sindh Chief Min- volved. (how people are impacted and how billions of dollars in damage. tacker who has stabbed 11 wom- “It is the pattern that he at- “We have arrested at ister Syed Murad Ali Shah “The PPP will not tolerate they react) to management science “Despite promises for better en so far in Karachi. tacks on the women from rear least eight individuals slammed the police for failing (these) attacks on innocent (how responses are planned and prevention and coping measures The attacks began late last with some sharp pointed ob- having similarities with to arrest the suspect and di- women. These terrorists are organised). by the government, civil society, month when a man on a mo- ject... We have arrested at least the appearance of the rected the police to arrest the challenging our nation by at- “The research is close to my and the global community, there torcycle began sporadically eight individuals having simi- attacker” attacker immediately. tacking our women,” he said in heart and touches on the bigger was little evidence of actions to wounding women walking on larities with the appearance of “What is happening and a statement. reality of how we can live in and create capacity for local popula- streets in the eastern part of the the attacker,” Samiullah Soom- “I hate women,” 22-year-old why have the police failed to The PPP chairman also adapt to an unpredictable and tions to deal with environmental sprawling city. ro, a senior police offi cer, said. Mohamed Ali told police when arrest the culprit?” the chief asked the judiciary to direct changing world with an ever- shocks and adapt to longer-term They escalated late Wednes- “Our full focus in on this case he was fi nally arrested in Au- minister asked adding that the the police to ensure protection increasing population.” The PHD environmental change.” day when the attacker targeted and we hope to fi nd the culprit gust. attacks appeared to be a move of women. Row over paramilitary unit Blast kills 13 Optical remote sensing fuels political confusion satellite launch in 2018 Internews with effi cient provision of com- Karachi munication and broadcast serv- Reuters “This was a gross violation.” ulation about a rupture in civilian- ices throughout the country and Islamabad Outside parliament yesterday, military ties. neighbouring regions.” the country’s Frontier Constabu- Senior leaders from Sharif’s akistan’s fi rst optical remote He added that Suparco was lary was on guard instead. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz sensing satellite PRSS-1 is proud to be associated with WSW n unexplained dispute be- A police offi cial on duty con- (PML-N) party pointed fi ngers at Pset to be launched in 2018. since 2005 as the national co-or- tween Pakistan’s interior fi rmed the Rangers were no longer the military after his disqualifi ca- With the launch, the country will dinator of World Space Week As- Aminister and an elite para- stationed there. tion for not declaring a source of become self-reliant in multi- sociation in Pakistan. military unit under his command “The order for them to leave did income. spectral imaging, a senior offi cial “It is our privilege to be among is adding to political confusion not come from the interior minis- The army denies playing a role. of the Pakistan Space and Upper 86 countries throughout the world in Islamabad, prompting ques- try, it must have come from some- But the Rangers’ departure from Atmosphere Research Commis- that celebrate and contribute to tions about a rift in ties between where else,” said the offi cial, who the area around parliament points sion (Suparco) announced while the promotion of space science civilian leaders and the powerful asked not to be identifi ed because to a persistent disagreement be- addressing the inaugural ceremo- and technology every year,” he military. of the sensitivity of the topic. tween civilian and military leaders, ny of World Space Week (WSW) said. The spat comes at a moment Rangers’ offi cials could not im- one analyst said. celebrations at the National Cen- About Suparco’s contributions, of heightened concern over the mediately be reached for com- “They can’t just leave their tre for Remote Sensing and Geo he said that they were involved in feverish political climate in Pa- ment. posts,” said Zeeshan Salahuddin, Informatics, Suparco headquar- natural resource management and kistan, which the US seeks to in- Iqbal did not immediately re- communications and strategy ters, yesterday morning. environment modelling through clude in its new strategy for south spond to telephone calls to seek director of the Islamabad-based The celebrations commenced glacier monitoring, land cover Asia. comment. Centre for Research and Security here simultaneously with 15 other classifi cation of Pakistan, land Interior Minister Ashan Iqbal The Rangers had this week de- Studies. Pakistani cities and 86 countries information systems, national en- was taken by surprise when the nied Iqbal entry to a court build- “If they have done so without of the world. vironment information manage- elite Rangers unit, which pro- ing where matters relating to an orders, that clearly shows the con- Addressing the ceremony, chief ment systems, etc. vides security around parliament, anti-graft case against Sharif tinuing rift between the two, and guest Ayaz Aziz, member, range “The agriculture sector is be- withdrew its guards without ex- were being heard, prompting him the displeasure of the military.” and instrumentation, said: “With ing served through an active crop planation on Wednesday. to threaten to resign, saying he The government will take action the launch Pakistan will become estimation programme. Risk and “I was told the Rangers have refused to be “a puppet interior after completing an inquiry into self-reliant in multi-spectral im- disaster assessment, mitigation unilaterally withdrawn from the minister”. the withdrawal, Iqbal added. A suicide attacker blew himself up outside a shrine in aging thus saving huge foreign and management projects are also important installations where The moves follow July’s Su- “The Rangers are a force subor- the Gandawa area of Jhal Magsi district, Balochistan exchange on account of satellite under way,” he said. they were on duty, which, for us, preme Court disqualifi cation of dinate to the ministry of the inte- province, southwest Pakistan, yesterday, killing 18 imagery and satellite-based moni- The highlight at the inaugural was shocking,” Iqbal told do- former prime minister Nawaz rior and when they are deployed, people. Provincial home minister Sarfaraz Bugti toring of various national projects. day was Suparco’s Mobile Space mestic television channel Dawn Sharif, which he blamed on a con- they are supposed to work under confirmed the toll. “Our communication satel- Education Bus equipped with News. spiracy against him, feeding spec- the civil administration,” he said. lite PAKSAT-1R is up and running multimedia. Gulf Times Friday, October 6, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES Marcos son confi dent will soon be VP

AFP matriarch Imelda, returned to the Manila Philippines after his death and be- gan rebuilding political power. Imelda, 88, remains a member of he son and namesake of late Congress representing the family’s Philippine dictator Ferdi- stronghold in a northern Philip- Tnand Marcos yesterday de- pine province. clared he was confi dent of ousting She has said she dreams of Bong- the current vice president in a legal bong, who was a senator from 2010 challenge, which would place him to last year, becoming president. a heartbeat away from leading his In the Philippines, the president country. and vice president are elected sep- Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos arately. Jnr also confi rmed his family was The vice president takes over in talks with President Rodrigo should the president die or be- Duterte, a political ally, to end the comes incapacitated. government’s three-decade hunt Duterte, 72, has admitted to for billions of dollars worth of na- having a range of health problems, tional assets allegedly stolen by including a cardiovascular illness his father and mother during their caused by smoking called Buerger’s reign. disease. Marcos, 60, narrowly lost the Duterte said last year he had Philippine army artillery personnel fire 105 howitzer cannons during the turn-over ceremony of the army commanding general at Fort Bonifacio in Manila yesterday. vice presidential election last year dealt with chronic pain by taking but he fi led a case with the Su- higher doses of fentanyl, a highly preme Court alleging the victor, addictive opioid, than his doctor Leni Robredo, cheated by manipu- had prescribed. lating computerised vote counting Duterte insists he is an anti- machines. graft crusader. “We are defi nitely sure that But he also openly admires when the recount starts the true the leadership style of the dicta- Philippines hails US as top result will emerge and prove that tor, and counts the Marcos clan the votes in the vice-presiden- as important political allies who tial election had been incorrectly helped fund his presidential cam- counted,” Marcos told reporters. paign. Victory for Marcos would ce- Duterte said recently the Mar- ment his family’s remarkable po- cos family had proposed a settle- litical comeback, 31 years after a ment on the wealth cases by turn- ally, welcomes war games famous “People Power” revolution ing over to the government some saw millions of people take to the of its assets, “including a few gold AFP Military chief General Eduardo Ano, aster response and even territorial de- pines fi ght militants who have occupied streets to end his father’s 20-year bars”. Bongbong Marcos said yes- Manila returning from Hawaii where he met US fence. As he sought to loosen his nation’s parts of the southern city of Marawi rule and force the family into US terday the family was off ering to Pacifi c Command chief Admiral Harry alliance with the United States, Duterte since May 23. exile. sign a “quit claim” deed in which it Harris last week, said yesterday the al- also looked to build warmer relations The US has provided intelligence, Ferdinand Marcos Sr died in Ha- would identify properties and as- he Philippines’ military chief yes- lies had agreed to increase joint military with China and Russia. weapons and training to local forces try- waii in 1989, his reputation mostly sets it had acquired legally and re- terday hailed the United States as exercises for 2018 after they were scaled During a visit to Beijing a year ago he ing to retake Marawi. in tatters with the government ac- linquish its claim to whatever else This nation’s “number one ally” down this year. announced his nation’s “separation” The fi ghting has claimed more than cusing him and his cronies of em- the government fi nds. and announced a return of regular war “The president said: ‘I want to be from the United States. 900 lives and raised fears the Islam- bezzling up to $10bn from state “If the government is saying we games, following President Rodrigo Du- friendlier to the US’. So we have a closer He later explained he was angry at ic State group is trying to establish a coff ers during his time in power are hiding other things, we will terte’s call for warmer ties. relationship and more exercises,” Ano Obama for criticising his war on drugs, Southeast Asian base in the Philippines. while overseeing widespread rights help you fi nd it and you can have Duterte last week vowed to be “friend- told reporters in Manila. which has since seen thousands killed and Ano said yesterday the Philippines abuses. it,” he added, while declining to ly” with the United States, signalling an “He (Duterte) said to continue en- led rights groups to warn Duterte may be would still pursue closer defence ties But his family, led by fl amboyant provide estimated values. end to relentless criticism that included gagement with the United States. They orchestrating a crime against humanity. with China. a vow to end all joint military exercises are still our number one ally.” Duterte said last week the dispute was “The US is not our enemy. China is and using expletives for then US presi- Ano said the joint exercises next year “water under the bridge” as he thanked not our enemy. Our utmost priority is dent Barack Obama. would focus on counter-terrorism, dis- the United States for helping the Philip- the interest of the country,” Ano said. Majority fear falling victim to extrajudicial killings Duterte: Oust me if my wealth is beyond P40 million

Manila Times 68% thought having suspects By Catherine S Valente hundreds of millions of pesos. Manila alive was very important, while Manila Times Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Mo- 22% said it was somewhat im- rales’s offi ce claimed that it has started portant. looking into the wealth of the president even out of 10 Filipinos who The highest percentage of sur- resident Rodrigo Duterte yester- and his family, and that it had request- fear that they or someone veyed adults who want drug sus- day maintained that he was not ed more information from the Anti- Sthey know will become pects captured alive is in Metro Phiding his wealth from the public, Money Laundering Council (AMLC). victims of extrajudicial killings Manila at 95%, followed by Bal- adding he can be ousted if his wealth Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur amid the government’s ongoing anced Luzon and Visayas, which would turn out to be beyond P40mn. Carandang said the Duterte family’s war on drugs, a Social Weather are both at 90%. In his speech during the 58th Philip- transactions amounted to hundreds of Stations (SWS) poll released yes- The percentage in Mindanao pine Army Change of Command Cer- millions of pesos from diff erent banks terday showed. — where President Rodrigo Du- emony in Taguig City, Duterte denied between 2006 and 2016. The second quarter SWS sur- terte is from — is slightly lower anew he’s worth more than P40mn, He, however, clarifi ed that it was vey from June 23 to 26 showed than the rest at 86%. even if his inherited properties were hard to say how much the deposits were that 73% of the 1,200 adults in The 90% fi gure of Filipinos included in the computation. “Never in total, since money went in and out face-to-face interviews nation- who want drug suspects arrested mind my politics, pampatawa lang ‘yan of the accounts. The AMLC, however, wide said they were worried alive, however, was slightly lower (that’s just to make you laugh). Don’t said it has not released any report to the that they or someone they know than in March (92%), as well as in believe it ... I am telling you, if it will Ombudsman as it has yet to evaluate could get killed in the police’s September and December (both exceed the P40mn mark, that’s my life- its request for an investigation of the anti-drug operations; 41% were at 94%) of the 2016 SWS surveys. time savings, including my hereditary President’s and his family’s bank ac- very worried; 32% answered that Despite the majority who fear properties, please oust me if I tell a lie counts. they were somewhat worried. getting killed, 63% still believe to you,” Duterte said. Duterte, an impeachable offi cial, Only 13% are not too worried, that the Duterte administration Duterte has been accused by Senator said he would not submit himself to while 14% are not worried at all, is serious in solving the extraju- Antonio Trillanes 4th and other critics the investigation being conducted by according to the survey. dicial killings. of hiding wealth from the public, af- the anti-graft body. The president de- It also said that 90% of those The margins of error are 3% ter an offi cial at the Offi ce of the Om- clared total assets less total liabilities surveyed believed that sus- for national percentages and 6% budsman claimed to have gotten hold of P27.4mn as of end-2016, or an in- pected drug dependents should each for Metro Manila, Balance of records of bank transactions of the crease of over P3.3mn (14%) from the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the turn-over be captured alive. Of the 90%, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. president and his family that ran into P24.08mn he declared in June 2016. ceremony of the army commanding general at Fort Bonifacio in Manila yesterday. China gives guns to show it’s a friend, not a foe

Reuters about 26,000 M4 rifl es to the po- Washington has in the past 17 Manila lice last year. years provided nearly a billion The freeze on that sale came dollars of military aid, including amid concerns about the United drones, ships, surveillance planes hina yesterday gave 3,000 States arming a police force ac- and assault rifl es. assault rifles to the Phil- cused of widespread human rights Duterte has a notorious grudge Cippines as a gesture of abuses during Duterte’s fi erce war against the United States and ac- “friendly and co-operative rela- on drugs, which has killed thou- cuses it of hypocrisy and of mak- tions”, the second shipment of sands of Filipinos. ing his country a potential target rifles to the Philippines this year Duterte, who has been critical for aggression. He has also com- as President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines-US alliance, is plained about troops receiving seeks closer ties with old foe Bei- eager to develop closer trade and used, “hand-me-down” Ameri- jing. political ties with old foe China. can weapons, and applauded Chi- Philippines Defence Secretary China gave 3,000 assault rifl es na’s donation of new ones. Delfi n Lorenzana said the Chinese and 100 sniper rifl es to the Philip- Washington and Manila have weapons were supposed to go to pines in June, part of a new wave for decades held joint exercises, as the military, but Duterte felt the of diplomacy to engage a country many as 300 a year, and the pro- police needed them more. with which Beijing has a bitter his- grammes remain intact, despite “We are lucky that the Chinese tory of territorial disputes in the repeated threats last year by Du- government provided the fi re- South China Sea. terte to cancel them and abrogate arms,” Lorenzana said at a news The military also gave those bilateral defence pacts. conference, where stacks of rifl es guns to the police, but kept the They are set to increase those ex- were on display. sniper rifl es for themselves. ercises next year, said Military chief The rifl es, worth about $3.3mn, Beijing’s donations so far re- General Eduardo Ano, who agreed will all go to the Philippine Na- main small compared with arms last week with his US counterpart tional Police (PNP), which needs transfers from the United States, to hold more maritime security, Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana tries a CQ-A5b rifle donated by the Chinese government during the ceremony at the military to fi ll a shortfall of guns after some a defence treaty ally with the Phil- counter-terrorism and humanitar- headquarters in Manila yesterday. US legislators blocked the sale of ippines since the 1950s. ian assistance programmes. Gulf Times 12 Friday, October 6, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Rohingya Muslim refugees walk toward refugee camps after crossing the border from Myanmar at the Bangladeshi shores Rohingya Muslim refugees wait to be escorted by Bangladeshi coast guards after crossing the border from Myanmar at of the Naf river in Teknaf. the Bangladeshi shores of the Naf river in Teknaf. All Rohingya to be shifted to mega camp: Bangladesh

AFP of Cox’s Bazar to accommodate all AFP, adding families were already in southern Bangladesh is stag- Bangladesh scuttles boats, jails captains to curb influx Cox’s Bazar the Rohingya. moving to the new site known as gering in its scale, complexity and Two thousand acres of land the Kutupalong Extension. rapidity,” they said in a statement Bangladesh has destroyed guard off icial. More than half were jailed for six months next to the existing Kutupalong The minister said two of the calling the Rohingya crisis “the at least 30 wooden fishing a million Rohingya have fled for “excessively charging” angladesh yesterday an- camp were set aside last month existing settlements have already world’s fastest developing refugee boats to deter local captains ethnic bloodshed in Rakhine refugees for passage across nounced it would build for the new Rohingya arrivals. But been shut down. This week Bang- emergency”. from smuggling Rohingya since late August, many by the Naf. “The BGB (Border Bone of the world’s biggest as the number of newcomers has ladesh reported 4,000-5,000 Ro- Rohingya who have made it to refugees and illegal drugs boat across the Naf River Guard Bangladesh) has done refugee camps to house all the exceeded 500,000 – adding to hingya were crossing the border Bangladesh allege the spurt in ar- across the border from strife- which divides Myanmar and an appropriate job,” Zahid 800,000-plus Rohingya Muslims 300,000 already in Bangladesh – daily after a brief lull in arrivals, rivals follows a new campaign of torn Myanmar, off icials said Bangladesh. “These brokers Siddique, a local magistrate who have sought asylum from another 1,000 acres has been set with 10,000 more waiting at the intimidation by Myanmar’s army yesterday. Border guards (boatmen) were smuggling and government administrator, violence in Myanmar. aside for the new camp. frontier. in parts of Rakhine which were still seized the vessels and arrested people,” one border guard told told AFP. Gangs of boat The arrival of more than half a Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury The United Nations has praised home to Muslim communities. the captains after they were AFP on condition of anonymity owners, crew and fishermen million Rohingya Muslims from Maya, minister for disaster man- Bangladesh’s “extraordinary The United Nations has said intercepted Tuesday evening because he was not authorised have been charging the fleeing Buddhist-dominated Myanmar agement and relief, said all the Ro- spirit of generosity” in opening the Myanmar army campaign bringing more than 700 to speak to media. “We were Rohingya upwards of $250 since August 25 has put an im- hingya would eventually be moved up its borders. could be “ethnic cleansing” while Rohingya Muslims across asked to destroy the 30 boats. for the two-hour journey that mense strain on camps in Bang- from 23 camps along the border But Unicef chief Anthony Lake military leaders have blamed the the river from Myanmar’s These are hand-pulled vessels, normally costs no more than ladesh where there are growing and other makeshift camps around and UN emergency relief co-or- unrest on Rohingya. While the westernmost Rakhine state. not run by engines,” he added, $5. Bangladesh’s elite Rapid fears of a disease epidemic. Cox’s Bazar to the new zone. dinator Mark Lowcock said in an worst of the violence appears The boatmen were also saying non-motorised boats Action Battalion this week A Bangladesh minister gave “All of those who are living appeal for $430mn to provide aid to have abated, insecurity, food caught in possession of were used to avoid detection. rescued 20 Rohingya being details of the mega camp. Hard- in scattered places... would be that “the needs (of the Rohingya) shortages and tensions with Bud- about 100,000 “yaba” pills, A government off icial held hostage by local gangs pressed Bangladesh authorities brought into one place. That’s why are growing at a faster pace than dhist neighbours are still driving an illegal stimulant popular confirmed 39 people, mostly demanding huge fares from plan to expand a refugee camp at more land is needed. Slowly all of our ability to meet them”. thousands of Rohingya to make in Bangladesh, said a border Rohingya living in Bangladesh, the refugees. Kutupalong near the border town them will come,” the minister told “The human tragedy unfolding the arduous trek to Bangladesh. Deuba consults lawyers on status of govt after new Left alliance

IANS Kathmandu

epal Prime Minister Sher Ba- hadur Deuba has consulted Nlawyers on the status of his gov- ernment after the country’s major Left political parties, including CPN (Maoist Centre) which is part of the ruling coali- ONE SMOKER. tion, announced an electoral alliance. He has also sought counsel on the likelihood of a no-confi dence motion being fi led against the government. Lawyers who met the Prime Min- TWO PATIENTS. ister on Wednesday apprised him of the constitutional and legal provisions Sher Bahadur Deuba relating to the situation and told him that the government would not be af- ist forces are working to form a new “The government should not divert fected until the elections, the Kath- government or change the dynamics its attention from the upcoming polls,” mandu Post reported. of the ruling coalition. UML Vice Chairman Bhim Bahadur The consultation comes in the wake A section of NC leaders were of the Rawal said, addressing a programme in of the electoral alliance forged among view that the Maoist Centre should the capital. He clarifi ed that the act of the Communist parties – CPN-UML withdraw support from the govern- unifying Leftist force had been initi- led by former Prime Minister KP Shar- ment and have termed its forging an ated with a motive to end the tendency ma Oli, CPN (Maoist Centre) of former alliance with the main opposition of changing governments at short in- TOBACCO KILLS Premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prach- UML as “unethical”. tervals and to maintain political sta- anda’, and the Naya Shakti Party-Ne- The UML leaders, however, main- bility. pal of former Prime Minister Baburam tain that the government, led by the Senior UML leader Subash Chandra Bhattarai. NC and the Maoist Centre, is man- Nembang said the party does not see Among those present during the dated to hold provincial and federal any possibility of change in the pow- consultation with Deuba on Wednes- elections scheduled for November 26 er-sharing dynamics with the election day were President of Nepal Bar Asso- and December 7, and that the party is code of conduct in force. ciation Sher Bahadur KC, General Sec- against changing the government be- During the announcement of the retary Khamma Bahadur Khati, and fore the elections. Leftist alliance on Tuesday, Maoist senior advocates Radheshyam Adhika- As Prime Minister Deuba held con- Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Da- ri, Badri Bahadur Karki, Surya Dhun- sultations with several key stakehold- hal had renewed his assurance that the gel and Prem Bahadur Khadka. ers, including political parties and current coalition would continue till Given that the Maoist Centre is a legal experts, on Wednesday for chart- the elections and that the current bid key stakeholder in the incumbent gov- ing the future course, the UML urged was a part of the long-term strategy ernment led by the Nepali Congress the government to focus on the up- of bringing Left forces together, the (NC), speculation is rife that the Left- coming polls. Kathmandu Post reported.

World’s biggest book sale begins in Sri Lanka

IANS Jacqueline Ng in Malaysia, the Big utive days. It will end on October 15. Colombo Bad Wolf sale is aimed at encourag- The Big Bad Wolf is in collaboration ing the reading of English books at with ProRead Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a fi rm reasonable prices, reports Xinhua with a mission of spreading knowledge he world’s biggest book sale news agency. with aff ordable books, and the Minis- got underway in the Sri Lankan This year’s sale, inaugurated by try of Education. Tcapital yesterday with 1.5mn Education Minister Akila Viraj Kari- The Big Bad Wolf held its fi rst sale books on sale. yawasam, will be open 24 hours a day, in 2009 in Malaysia’s Selangor state. Issued in Public Interest by GULF TIMES Founded by Managing Director providing book enthusiasts the oppor- It has also been held in Thailand and Andrew Yap and Executive Director tunity to shop non-stop for 10 consec- Indonesia. Gulf Times Friday, October 6, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Renewing Caution against apathy faith ll praise be to Allah The [Qur’an 79:40-41] Listlessness is a disease that affl icts through Almighty, Who created and The other requisite to the everyone, regardless of their degrees proportioned, Who destined rectifi cation of the self, is to truly of faith. However, it is particularly Aand guided; and may prayers struggle for it, to be among those alarming if it aff ects the callers to fear and and peace be upon the Prophet of Allah The Almighty mentions, when Allah The Almighty and those who guidance, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa He Says (what means): {And those seek knowledge. Therefore, it is sallam, and those who are guided by who strive for Us - We will surely necessary to evade it by all means and him. guide them to Our ways. And indeed, immediately treat it if one does fall hope Success is the goal of those who Allah is with the doers of good.} prey to it. work hard; and, Allah The Almighty [Qur’an 29:69] An important aspect Since prevention is better than exts from the Qur’an: The has made it contingent on purifying, of striving is to be resolute; so, when cure, one should make a habit of hope of the believers which disciplining and refi ning the soul, as one forsakes a certain desire and being attentive so as to steer clear of is accompanied with good He Says (what means): Allah The Almighty tests him or her any symptoms of apathy that may Tdeeds; Allah The Almighty {He has certainly succeeded who by facilitating its causes, he or she gradually lead to ruin. If that happens, Says (what means): “Indeed, those purifi es himself.} [Qur’an 87:14] must be patient and determined. the remedy and cure would be very who have believed and those who {He has succeeded who purifi es it, Otherwise, if the soul is irresolute, it diffi cult. The diseases of the heart have emigrated and fought in the and he has failed who instills it [with will become accustomed to being that are like a plant, easy to uproot in its cause of Allah - those hope (i.e., corruption].} [Qur’an 91:9-10] way and be prone to corruption. early stages; however, if it grows and expect) the mercy of Allah.” (Qur’an, Furthermore, Allah The Almighty The third step in reforming the soul becomes fi rm in the earth, removing it 2: 218) They believed, gave up their sent His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi is to beautify it, by instructing it to requires strong men and tools. homes, migrated to strange countries, wa sallam (may Allah exalt his do righteous deeds until it gets used Moreover, an ill heart presents fought for the sake of Allah The mention), as a teacher and a mentor, to them and doing them becomes with simple symptoms, but, if left Almighty, sacrifi ced, suff ered the as He Says (what means): {It is He an inherent characteristic. The untreated, will choke a person in perils of war, and put up with the Who Has Sent among the unlettered Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, its grip and turn into a chronic and hunger, thirst and exhaustion that a Messenger from themselves reciting said: “Knowledge and forbearance incurable problem. Therefore, as accompany Jihaad (struggle). Such to them His verses and purifying are obtained by training for, and callers to Allah The Almighty, we are people can rightly hope for the mercy them and teaching them the Book and perseverance in attaining, them. The required to examine ourselves and of Allah The Almighty and for His wisdom - although they were before one who earnestly seeks goodness ponder our condition. If there is any Paradise. in clear error.} [Qur’an 62:2] Hence, will be granted it and the one who sign of apathy, we are immediately Hope for the forgiveness of sins; the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa avoids evil, will be protected against obliged to look for the cause and seek Allah The Almighty Says (what sallam, was careful to elevate and it.” There is no doubt that one’s treatment. means): “Say, ‘O My servants who cleanse the souls of his Companions deeds have a correlation to the heart. have transgressed against themselves may Allah be pleased with them. Every quality that is in the heart is Aspects of apathy [i.e., by sinning] do not despair of the And such is the practice of all refl ected on one’s body; equally, every Apathy manifests itself in many mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives those who seek to draw close to Allah deed that is performed by the limbs, ways, some of which are as follows: all sins [i.e., for those who repent The Almighty. The Prophets, may infl uences the heart. This is only one Sense of lethargy and disinterest and correct themselves].” (Qur’an, Allah exalt their mention, and their aspect that showcases the wonderful in performing acts of obedience 39: 53) Regardless of how many sins followers, all reformed and purifi ed link between the heart and the body. Neglecting Thikr (remembrance one has committed, minor or major, their souls. The Prophet, sallallaahu When the soul is purifi ed from of Allah The Almighty) and recitation one should never despair of the ‘alaihi wa sallam, endured much following its base desires and is of the Qur’an forgiveness of Allah The Almighty. hardship in calling his people to Allah beautifi ed by its righteous deeds Hardness of the heart, such that Allah The Almighty Says (what The Almighty. Every night, he used and virtues, a person is required it is not moved by Qur’anic verses or means): “Say, ‘To whom belongs to stand before his Lord, bowing and to then shift his or her focus to the sermons whatever is in the heavens and prostrating, supplicating to Him and manner of his or her performance of Indiff erence toward committing earth?’ Say, ‘To Allah.’ He has seeking His help, in full submission religious duties and favorable acts, acts of disobedience and letting that decreed upon Himself mercy. He and humility to Him. And so, for and refraining from prohibitions and become a habit will surely assemble you for the Day an entire year, this practice became disliked deeds. Lack of responsibility and of Resurrection, about which there obligatory on all Muslims because Thus, even when a person is doing realisation of being entrusted with a is no doubt. Those who will lose of its great eff ect in reforming their what is permissible, it is essential great trust themselves [that Day] do not believe.” hearts, motivating them and keeping to ensure having a pure intention, Lack of eagerness in performing [Qur’an, 6: 12] them steadfast. Therefore, even today, because laziness and negligence are Da’wah (propagation to Islam) Imaam ibn Jareer At-Tabari, though it is no longer mandatory, part of human nature. The Prophet, Weakness of the bonds of may Allah have mercy upon him, praying at night is indispensable. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: brotherhood among those who should commented on this verse saying, Thus, all Muslims, particularly “Every act of worship and obedience love each other for the sake of Allah “Allah has decreed that He will be those who seek religious knowledge witnesses a primary surge followed The Almighty merciful with His slaves, but how and those who call others to Allah The by a state of slackness. A person who An intense concern with this was His mercy expressed? He did not Almighty, are required to prioritise the remains within the boundaries of my worldly life and indulging oneself in punish them although they deserved reform and discipline of their souls, Sunnah, even at times of slackness, its pleasures at the expense of doing it (due to their sins); rather He delayed maintain their relationship with Allah will prosper. Otherwise, he [or she] righteous deeds and accepted their repentance, which The Almighty and take care of their would be on the path towards ruin.” Idle talk, increasingly engaging in made them have hope.” manners toward others. This should In his book, Madaarij As-Saalikeen, disputes and self-praise Hope even applies to worldly be the starting point for inviting other Ibn Al-Qayyim may Allah have mercy Creating problems matters, like hoping for wealth, people toward the faith and rectifying upon him, said: “It is inevitable that Bothering oneself with petty children, a wife, a job, fi nding what is them. worshippers become dispassionate. 2. Specifi c: this is characterised good deeds. issues and neglecting serious and lost, and so on. Prophet Ya’qoob, may Yet, even during such a phase, if a by a sense of lassitude regarding Hence, even the Prophet, benefi cial work that serves the Allah exalt his mention, taught his Purifi cation, beautifi cation and man adheres to what is right and certain acts of obedience, along with sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to Ummah children to have hope in fi nding their striving remains steadfast without neglecting undesirability, but not hatred; such seek refuge with Allah The Almighty Weakness of faith and an lost brother Yusuf, may Allah exalt his Among the most important obligations or committing unlawful is what many immoral Muslims are from weakness and laziness every indiff erence toward violations of the mention: “O my sons, go and fi nd out guidelines in reforming the soul, is to acts, he is expected to eventually mired in. morning and evening, and teach his commands of Allah The Almighty about Yusuf and his brother and do purify it from following its desires, return to a state that is perhaps even 3. Physical: sometimes, there is Companions may Allah be pleased Wasting time not despair [i.e., lose hope] of relief which bring about countless diseases. better than his former one.” a desire to perform good deeds, but with them to do the same. Moreover, Exhibiting no readiness to handle from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs Since the source of an illness can there is a feeling of weariness and when the believers were slow in their responsibility and avoiding serious of relief from Allah except the only be treated by countering its Degrees of apathy disinterest; and this is how many response to the call for Jihad (fi ghting work, instead indulging in actions disbelieving people.” (Qur’an, 12: 87) eff ects, the heart can be cured by Based on the above, it is inevitable Muslims are. The danger here lies or struggling), Allah The Almighty with no objectives Texts from the Sunnah (Prophetic acting in a way that contradicts one’s that everyone will experience a period in the fact that one’s time passes by, reproached them for it and urged Demonstrating a chaotic tradition): whims. Allah The Almighty concisely of listlessness and apathy. However, it and his or her life is wasted without them to race each other and hasten in demeanour in one’s work Anas bin Maalik, may Allah be mentioned this, when He Said (what may be of either of these types: having done anything benefi cial. doing righteous deeds, and motivated Criticising every positive act pleased with him, reported that the means), {But as for he who feared the 1. General: this impacts all acts of What is even more dangerous is if he them by describing the reward of such Postponing good deeds Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi position of his Lord and prevented the worship and instills an intense dislike or she deteriorates to a worse level and forerunners in faith. Possessing excessive wishes wa sallam, said: “Allah the Exalted soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then toward them; it is the most dangerous ends up being like the hypocrites in Article source: http://www. has said: `O son of Aadam! I forgive indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.} kind and is a state of the hypocrites. their neglect of obligations and other Apathy and the caller to Islam islamweb.net/emainpage/ you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, regardless of the sins you have committed. O son of Aadam! I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven; if you then ask for my forgiveness, I would Causes and treatment of apathy forgive you. O son of Aadam! if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, but meet Me associating nothing with here are many causes of apathy and delivering lectures of knowledge and the Qur’an, seeking His help, as He is the One Who responds also be overcome by apathy and aiding them in Me, I would match it with an earth they vary in importance. Some of them in terms of place and means. to the prayer of the distressed; and indeed, avoiding deviation. load of forgiveness.’” [At-Tirmithi] are: insincerity in performing deeds, Forgetting the persistent enmity of Satan. whoever is affl icted in faith and fears destruction, Having been brought up according to the On the deathbed, people have Tostentation, and a lack of religious Being heedless of the challenge the is in the worst state of distress. Moreover, it is comprehensive methodology of the Prophet, two diff erent sensations, fear or knowledge that makes one ignorant of the reward disbelievers present for Muslims and that they only He Whose help is sought in everything, as sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, which is a deterrent hope. One must always train himself of deeds and the virtues of patience. Also, being utilise every means to turn us away from our the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may to listlessness. to have good expectations of his attached to this worldly life and forgetting the religion and contrive plots against us. Allah exalt his mention ), commanded Mu‘aath, Performing numerous good deeds and not Lord, because Allah The Almighty Hereafter, perhaps because of obeying or being The illusions and whispers of the devil that may Allah be pleased with him, to say at the end the exact same ones. Thikr, recitation of the will treat a person according to occupied with one’s spouse and children, causes sow fear and cast doubts in the heart of the caller of every prayer: “Allaahumma a‘inni ‘alaa thikrika Qur’an, prayers, reading useful books, enjoining his expectations. The Prophet, one to neglect many acts of obedience, and if about the soundness of the way that he or she is wa-shukrika wa-husni ‘ibaadatik (O Allah, good, forbidding evil, helping others to fulfi l their sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, advised one is not alert, to misunderstand religion itself. following. Help me to remember [only] You, thank You and needs and relieving the troubled, are but a few three days before his death: “Let This may seem a strange possibility, but what is In addition to the aforesaid causes, there are worship You perfectly).” examples. none of you die unless he has good even more bizarre is for one to understand the diseases of the heart: envy, suspicions about Enhancing, renewing and caring to increase Following the paradigm of the Prophets, expectations of Allah.” [Muslim] nature of this religion and taste the sweetness of others, hatred, love of fame, arrogance and one’s faith by intensifying worship, for this is the may Allah exalt their mention, and the sincere Thus, we are encouraged have hope faith, and then stop working for its development. negligence in performing acts of worship, such true provision of the believer that alleviates his or preachers, in their zeal, punctuality and at the time of our deaths. This is Additionally, other causes include: committing as the daily prayers and Thikr (remembrance of her suff ering on the trying path to Paradise. righteousness, steadfastness, noble aims and why some of our Salaf (righteous sins and evil deeds and consuming money Allah The Almighty). Also, apathy may stem from Having confi dence in the oversight of Allah determination. A Muslim’s fi rst concern should predecessors), may Allah have mercy procured through unlawful or doubtful means. believing victory is out of reach, always expecting the Almighty and increasing one’s remembrance be Paradise and main purpose, seeking the upon them, would command their immediate results, having a lack of stability of Him. This necessitates fearing, glorifying, satisfaction of Allah The Almighty by continuing children to recite the verses from As for why those who call others to because there is no sense of direction, leaving loving and imploring Him, and believing in His to worship, until death arrives. the Qur’an that mention the mercy Islam fall prey to apathy, the reasons are work uncompleted and moving on to something knowledge and omnipotence. By invoking Him, Remembering death frequently, fearing an of Allah The Almighty whilst they numerous: else, looking at those lesser in terms of knowledge one’s heart becomes tranquil; but, perhaps the evil demise, visiting the graves and seeing people were on their deathbed, in order to Being unclear of one’s goals behind his or and worship, thereby undermining the morale, greatest of all acts, is strengthening one’s bond in the throes of death. This urges a Muslim to have good expectations of their Lord her propagation, which should be: seeking the and socialising with those who seek this worldly with the Qur’an through frequent recitation, repent without delay, have a content heart and before dying. satisfaction of Allah The Almighty, liberating life, thus being negatively infl uenced by them. understanding, contemplation and application. a body yearning to worship. On the other hand, The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi people from slavery to any entity other than the Indeed, only those whom Allah The Almighty Moreover, one is required to consider it as a judge forgetting about death leads a person to adopt the wa sallam, said: “A believer will be Lord of the worlds and establishing the religion of protects, are saved from that and from being and refer all issues and disputes to its authority; opposite. brought close to his Lord on the Day Allah on earth. overcome by apathy when treating one’s state of surely, the one who is not guided by the Qur’an Remembering Paradise and Hell and reading of Resurrection and (He will) envelop Weakness of belief in the goal or the means indiff erence. will be led astray by his or her fancies. their descriptions in the Qur’an and the Sunnah; him in His Mercy, He will make employed in Da’wah. Sincerity and piety; Allah The Almighty Says this would strengthen the determination of a him confess to his sins saying: `Do Extremism that drives one to despair and Treatment of apathy (what means): {O you who have believed, if you Muslim and sharpen his or her resolve. you remember (doing) this sin and abandoning his or her work Allah The Almighty provided a remedy for fear Allah, He Will Grant you a criterion [between Increasing and carrying on in righteous that sin?’ He will reply, ‘My Lord, Apprehension because of the many every disease, apathy being one of the severest right and wrong].} [Qur’an 8:29] deeds, while avoiding slackness. This is especially I remember.’ Then He will say: ‘I impediments and obstacles in the path of Da’wah spiritual kind. When left unnoticed, it leads an Purifying hearts from animosity, rancour, important with respect to routine acts of worship, covered it up for you in the worldly and the preacher, which Allah The Almighty has infl icted person toward deviation and may very jealousy and ill thoughts of others; this helps to because a person who abandons a voluntary deed life, and I forgive you for it today.’ tested all previous callers to Islam with. well cause his or her ultimate destruction. Hence, open the heart and guard its integrity. is very close to leaving an obligation as well. Then the record of his good deeds will Independence and reclusiveness that leads to treatment is very important, by utilising every Seeking knowledge, as it is very important Being patient and training oneself to be so. be handed to him.” [Al-Bukhari and misery and boredom. means that prevent the disease from occurring to attend religious lectures and circles of Thikr. Undoubtedly, the way of knowledge, worship and Muslim] Adopting limited methods of propagation and eradicating it if it has already developed. The Knowledge is the way to knowing and fearing Da’wah is lengthy, strenuous and full of troubles The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu and not considering new means that may assist following are some of the most important means Allah The Almighty, and it is the provision of and hardship. We seek the help of Allah The ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “He who loves in conveying the message to people and at the that would be useful in that regard: one’s heart. Almighty to keep us steadfast on His religion and to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet same time, retain the principles of Da’wah Avoiding the causes that lead to this disease, Being moderate in worship and all righteous grant us a good end. him; and he who dislikes to meet and its spirit. For example, people may avoid which is the most crucial factor in helping deeds. Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ Allah, Allah abhors to meet him.” a variation in the modes of address, whereas safeguard a person from its evil. Moreover, it Organising one’s time and constantly calling emainpage/ [Muslim] everyone should be spoken to in a manner that is necessary to realise the gravity of the illness oneself to account. Thus, one should combine fear of suits their level of intellect and the medium they and the signifi cance of avoiding it, through Adhering to the society of Muslims and and hope in Allah The Almighty. prefer: audio or print, or other forms. Likewise, precautionary measures or proper treatment. strengthening the ties of brotherhood. Article source: http://www. there is sometimes no variation in the method of Supplicating to Allah The Almighty and Maintaining relations with those who may islamweb.net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 14 Friday, October 6, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Russia playing a double Production Editor: Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] game over North Korea Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) While Moscow has an Fax 44350474 interest in protecting North Korea, it is not giving Pyongyang a free GULF TIMES pass By Andrew Osborn/ Reuters Moscow 2014 victory now ussia is quietly boosting economic support for North Korea to try to stymie any RUS-led push to oust Kim Jong-un as Moscow fears his fall seems so distant would sap its regional clout and allow US troops to deploy on Russia’s eastern border. Though Moscow wants to try to for BJP and Modi improve battered US-Russia relations in the increasingly slim hope of relief from Western sanctions over Ukraine, It has taken more than three years for Prime Minister Narendra it remains strongly opposed to what Modi to realise that a presidential style of governance is not suitable it sees as Washington’s meddling in for a country of India’s size and complexity. other countries’ aff airs, according Modi may have found it easy to preside over the destiny of his to Russian diplomats and analysts Russia fears US-led push to oust Kim Jong-un would sap its regional clout and allow US troops to deploy on Russia’s home state Gujarat as chief minister with his personalised style of familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking. eastern border. politics where he was a cut above the others in the government and Russia is already angry about a party. But India is diff erent. build-up of US-led Nato forces on its International Aff airs Council, a think- With Russia due to hold a defence of Kim Jong-un was based Hence his decision to set up an Economic Advisory Council to western borders in Europe and does tank close to the Russian Foreign presidential election in March, on any personal aff ection or support assist him in the framing of policy instead of pursuing an agenda not want any replication on its Asian Ministry, told Reuters. politicians are again starting to fret for North Korea’s leadership, likening in accordance with his own instincts and with inputs from the fl ank, the sources added. “The prospect of regime change about Western meddling. Moscow’s pragmatic backing to that Finance Minister and the Chief Economic Adviser. Yet while Russia has an interest is a serious concern. The Kremlin In 2011, President Vladimir Putin it has given Syria’s President Bashar If anything substantiates the dire prognosis of former fi nance in protecting North Korea, which understands that (US President accused then US Secretary of State al-Assad. minister Yashwant Sinha of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started life as a Soviet satellite state, Donald) Trump is unpredictable. They Hillary Clinton of trying to stir up Moscow’s position was motivated on the economy, it is the roping in of experts from outside Modi’s it is not giving Pyongyang a free pass: felt more secure with Barack Obama unrest in Russia and he has made clear by a belief the status quo made Russia charmed circle. it backed tougher United Nations that he would not take any action that that he wants the United States to a powerful geopolitical player in What it also shows is the non-fulfi lment – at least for the sanctions against North Korea over its would explode the situation, but with leave Kim Jong-un alone. the crisis because of its close ties to present – of the expectation of ‘vikas’ (development) which was nuclear tests last month. Trump they don’t know.” While condemning Pyongyang Pyongyang, Kortunov said, just as Modi’s trump card in 2014. Ironically, one of the reasons for the At the same time Moscow is playing Trump, who mocks North Korean for what he called provocative Russia’s support for Assad has gifted it hopes turning sour is another of Modi’s purported trump cards – a fraught double game, by quietly leader Kim Jong-un as a “rocket man” nuclear tests, Putin told a forum last greater Middle East clout. demonetisation – which, along with the clumsy rolling out of the off ering North Korea a slender lifeline on a suicide mission, told the United month in the eastern Russian port of He said Moscow knew it would lose Goods and Services Tax (GST), is now being held largely responsible to help insulate it from US-led eff orts Nations General Assembly last month Vladivostok that he understood North regional leverage if Kim Jong-un fell, Korea’s security concerns about the for the current economic woes. to isolate it economically. he would “totally destroy” the country much as its Middle East infl uence was A Russian company began routing if necessary. United States and South Korea. threatened when militants looked like The objective of the hugely disruptive step was to show Modi’s North Korean Internet traffi c this He has also said Kim Jong-un and Vladivostok, a strategic port city they might overthrow Assad in 2015. resolve to tackle the problem of black money in view of the month, giving Pyongyang a second his foreign minister “won’t be around of 600,000 people and headquarters “It’s a very delicate balancing act,” government’s inability to deposit the promised Rs1.5mn in every connection with the outside world much longer” if they made good on to Russia’s Pacifi c Fleet, is only about said Kortunov. bank account by busting the parallel economy. besides China. a threat to develop a nuclear-tipped 100km from Russia’s border with “On the one hand, Russia doesn’t As a political initiative, the note ban was a success in the weeks Bilateral trade more than doubled missile capable of reaching the United North Korea. want to deviate from the line of its immediately after its announcement since the prime minister to $31.4mn in the fi rst quarter of States. Russia would be fi ercely opposed to partners and mostly from China’s is generally widely trusted and large sections believed that the 2017, due mainly to what Moscow To be sure, Beijing’s economic ties any US forces deploying nearby in a position on North Korea which is hoarders of illegal funds were running for cover. said was higher oil product exports, to Pyongyang still dwarf Moscow’s reunited Korea. getting tougher. But on the other hand, But it was a short-term gain, for the economic downturn has according to Russia’s ministry for the and China remains a more powerful “(The North Koreans) know exactly politicians in Moscow understand shown that there’s more to governance than political showmanship. development of the Far East. player in the unfolding nuclear crisis. how the situation developed in Iraq,” that the current situation and level As a result, the one-step-forward of the demonetisation has At least eight North Korean ships But while Beijing is cutting back Putin told the economic forum, saying of interaction between Moscow and been followed by the two-steps-backward of a tacit admission that that left Russia with fuel cargoes trade as it toughens its line on its Washington had used the false pretext Pyongyang puts Russia in a league of its it takes more than one person to run a government, no matter how this year have returned home despite neighbour’s ballistic missile and that Baghdad had weapons of mass own compared to China.” energetic he may be or how impressive an orator. offi cially declaring other destinations, nuclear programme, Russia is destruction to destroy the country and If the United States were to remove Besides, several other problems have cropped up to exacerbate a ploy USoffi cials say is often used increasing its support. its leadership. Kim Jong-un by force, he said Russia the sense of unease in the government and the BJP. to undermine sanctions against People familiar with elements of “They know all that and see the could face a refugee and humanitarian The caution sounded by the party’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Pyongyang. Kremlin thinking say that is because possession of nuclear weapons and crisis on its border, while the weapons Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) And Russia, which shares a short Russia fl atly opposes regime change in missile technology as their only form and technology Pyongyang is about the murmurs of disquiet land border with North Korea, has also North Korea. of self-defence. Do you think they’re developing could fall into even more Among the among the people must have resisted US-led eff orts to repatriate Russian politicians have repeatedly going to give that up?” dangerous non-state hands. also enhanced the feeling of tens of thousands of North Korean accused the United States of plotting Analysts say Russia’s view is that So despite Russia giving lukewarm main causes anxiety in the saff ron camp. workers whose remittances help keep so-called colour revolutions across the North Korea’s transformation into backing to tighter sanctions on Among the main causes of the country’s hard line leadership former Soviet Union and any US talk a nuclear state, though incomplete, Pyongyang, Putin wants to help its of worry is the worry is the absence of jobs, afl oat. of unseating any leader for whatever is permanent and irreversible and economy grow and is advocating coupled with the view that the “The Kremlin really believes the reason is politically toxic in Moscow. the best the West can hope for is for bringing it into joint projects with absence of jobs, economic slowdown may not be North Korean leadership should get Russia’s joint military exercises Pyongyang to freeze elements of its other countries in the region. a “transient” phenomenon and additional assurances and confi dence with neighbouring Belarus last month programme. “We need to gradually integrate coupled with is certainly not a “technical” that the United States is not in the gamed a scenario where Russian forces Kortunov, the think-tank chief North Korea into regional co- glitch, as BJP president Amit regime change business,” Andrey put down a Western-backed attempt close to the Russian Foreign Ministry, operation,” Putin told the Vladivostok the view that Shah has said. Kortunov, head of the Russian for part of Belarus to break away. said he did not think the Kremlin’s summit last month. The phenomenon of jobless the economic growth has changed, therefore, into one of few jobs and hardly slowdown any growth. However, as even a pro-BJP may not be economist pointed out, an Caribbean disaster agency comes of age a “transient” economic council will be unable to suggest the possibility of an Hurricane Maria devastated integrating UN strengths in fi elds such In some regions there is discomfort immediate turnaround since By Ben Parker/IRIN phenomenon Bridgetown, Barbados agriculture, housing, and public as health, logistics, and shelter. While about the UN coming in and taking its panaceas will all have long services. institutional relationships may take over, and an increasing resistance to gestation periods. The population is “shell-shocked”, time to settle, O’Malley, who visited any overbearing, “boots-on-the- The so-called Big Bang reforms to introduce buoyancy in the aribbean governments want according to Prime Minister Dominica to bolster the UN’s support ground” manifestation of the UN economy and boost public confi dence are also out because the to be “taken seriously” in Roosevelt Skerrit, and the island’s to the government and CDEMA after system, Willitts-King told IRIN. government has never tried it before and is unlikely to do so when humanitarian management, infrastructure trashed. Public an appeal at UN headquarters by Another part of the “burden of co- the general elections are less than two years away and several Cand this year’s hurricane order is fragile but improving after Prime Minister Skerrit, said there had ordination” for CDEMA, he said, crucial state assembly polls are due next year. crises are an opportunity for the UN to extensive looting. Water, power, and been an “outpouring of solidarity” would be handling the fl ood of aid Besides, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s proposed Rs500bn “let go”, says a senior regional offi cial. telecommunications are gradually from neighbouring countries and the groups “bundling in” and “looking for ($7.6bn) stimulus may undermine the target for curbing fi scal The Caribbean is dealing with coming back and roads getting diaspora. profi le”. defi cit. The scene is not unlike what happened towards the end “something we’ve never experienced cleared. Barnaby Willitts-King, senior More assertive national and regional of prime minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure when he spoke of before” but proudly coping, Ronald Ships, personnel, and aircraft, and research fellow at the Humanitarian co-ordination may be the trend: reviving the “animal spirits” but to no avail. Jackson, head of the 18-member dozens of international aid teams have Policy Group, said this year’s After Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the The economy is not the government’s only cause of concern. It Caribbean Disaster Emergency descended on the Dominican capital, hurricane response – with CDEMA Philippines government resolved, next was an unfortunate coincidence for the BJP that students went on Management Agency, told IRIN, Roseau. The fl ow of incoming cargo effectively taking the lead – may time, not to allow “the international the warpath in Banaras Hindu University just when the party was adding that CDEMA eff ectively deliveries by air and sea, combined prove a turning point in disaster road show”, Willitts-King said. The holding its National Executive meeting and Modi was in attendance playing a leadership role is a “glimpse with ongoing distributions and response in the region. He also need to support regional disaster in the city. of the future”. services around the mountainous noted that some 30 other regional bodies was recognised at the World The unrest drew attention to the fact that the BJP’s student wing, At times, sharing and assigning island nation, demands co-ordination humanitarian bodies around the Humanitarian Summit, Willits-King the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), has lost several responsibilities has been tricky in and close management. world similar to CDEMA can also said. A report he co-authored in 2016 student union elections recently in a demonstration of how the the rolling crises caused by recent The Dominican government leads struggle to find the resources and found “a new wave of thinking on how regional organisations can more fully youth was getting disillusioned with the party. hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria: with CDEMA support, and CDEMA space to prove themselves. has appointed Earl Arthurs, a senior CDEMA has worked alongside contribute to humanitarian action, For the BJP, 2014 has never been farther away. several sources close to the Caribbean operations had told IRIN of a tense offi cial and retired brigadier general UN-led mechanisms for years and has either alongside or in lieu of the relationship between CDEMA and from Belize, as the new co-ordinator enjoyed extended donor support. It international community”. parts of the deployed UN teams. on the island. Arthurs will handle is stretched like never before but has One senior aid worker warned But Jackson, speaking to IRIN liaison between the government, reached a stage where it can handle against a “big beast” of orthodox UN from the CDEMA offi ce in Barbados, CDEMA mechanisms and member 2017’s crises, O’Malley argued. co-ordination for such a small country To Advertise brushed such talk aside. He said states, foreign militaries, the UN, and Jackson said CDEMA’s budget as Dominica and welcomed the CDEMA would play its mandated other international aid agencies. planned for three crises in the year, CDEMA setup, even if there had been [email protected] role at the forefront of the response The UN’s top offi cial for Dominica, but that September had more or less teething troubles. Display and looked forward to a “posture of Stephen O’Malley, told IRIN that sapped the whole year’s planned Jackson said his institution and Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 support” from the UN humanitarian CDEMA’s mandate is “very clear” expenditure. With a core team of 21 region was “desirous of being system, which didn’t mean the UN and it enjoyed the confi dence of and an emergency operations budget recognised” for its emergency Classified should “disappear”. Referring to UN the UN and international donors. of only about $1.5mn, new funding response, but looked forward to Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 assistance in the past, he added: He said “bumps and bruises” were was needed, he said. CDEMA has handing off to the UN and other “You’ve held our hand while we to be expected in a fast-paced and played a leading role on several islands institutions in the recovery and Subscription crawled”, but now “we’re walking”. pressurised work environment but this year. Arthurs himself had been reconstruction phase. Despite the [email protected] The scale of the challenge is there was no reason to consider a providing support in the British Virgin tragedies of the crisis, he said he illustrated by looking at hard-hit radical change to the co-ordination Islands. Overall, hundreds of civilian, was “energised” and the relief eff ort Dominica, where initial assessments setup. police and military personnel have was about “expressing capabilities” 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved suggest most of the 73,000 population Aid groups are “cracking on”, been deployed under CDEMA’s co- and “freeing up the potential of the are likely to need assistance after he said, noting that CDEMA was ordination. region”. Gulf Times Friday, October 6, 2017 15 COMMENT Kabila sits tight as Congo crumbles

The president’s over the Independent National But election experts told IRIN minister of foreign aff airs, Leonard Electoral Commission, or CENI, the electronic voting will present CENI She Okitundu. determination to cling on body tasked with organising elections with a logistical and budgetary According to internal CENI data to power has the country that experts say is independent in nightmare, with voter machines and seen by IRIN, the number of registered name alone. power supplies required for more voters in Sankuru was over twomn, on the brink “CENI is considered a big player in than 100,000 polling stations across a 226% above its estimate of 886,386. driving delays and executing Kabila’s country the size of western Europe. That represents 92% of the total By Philip Kleinfeld/ IRIN strategy,” said Stephanie Wolters, “They are having problems population based on population Kinshasa Congo analyst at the Institute for managing the generators for roughly fi gures from a 2015 report from the Security Studies. 17,000 registration centres, let alone Congolese Institute for National In his offi ce in Kinshasa’s gilded polling stations,” said one source. “It Statistics, also seen by IRIN. iolent prison breaks, district of Gombe, CENI spokesman is so much material to deploy.” “It is simply unbelievable,” militiamen attacking Jean-Pierre Kalamba disagreed. Voter machines would also require said Martin Fayulu, an opposition the city, a plummeting “CENI is the independent national signifi cant training for CENI staff politician and leader of the Veconomy. For the Kinois, electoral commission according to and could pose serious technical Commitment for Citizenship and residents of the Democratic Republic the Congolese constitution,” he said. issues given Congo’s high humidity Development party. of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, they are “Those that doubt it, we put down to levels and electricity challenges. “By Kalamba off ered numerous all symptoms of the same crisis and ignorance.” the time it is introduced, tested, and explanations to IRIN, emphasising the fault of the same man: President But to date the commission has deployed, Kabila could have had more population movements triggered Joseph Kabila and his refusal to let go failed to publish an electoral calendar than his three mandates,” said one by the confl ict in Kasai. “Sankuru of power. and faces a truly daunting workload, election expert. “It could take him to Province was a part of Kasai that After 16 years at the helm, Kabila which several Kinshasa-based election 2020 and beyond.” rebels did not manage to reach,” he was supposed to hold elections and experts and observers – all of whom With the voter register valid for just said. “Many people who ran away from leave offi ce last year when his second requested anonymity – told IRIN fi ve years under existing Congolese the war went there.” and – under the constitution – fi nal could keep Kabila in power for years law, by that time, a whole new But publically available fi gures from term expired. Instead, he stayed put. to come. generation of young adults might need the UN’s emergency aid co-ordination On December 31, with the country First, CENI must complete the A vendor waits for customers at her grocery stall at the Sigida Market, within enrolling, allowing CENI to go right body, OCHA, show that just 21,000 on a knife-edge, an agreement was electoral register. While most voters Kinshasa Municipality, in Kinshasa. “The Congolese are living like animals in our own back to square one, added another IDPs were registered in Sankuru struck between the government and have now been enrolled, registration country,” says taxi driver, during a recent general strike called by opposition parties. expert. as of June 2017, far fewer than in an opposition coalition known as has only just begun in the confl ict- The two experts agreed there was neighbouring provinces. the Rassemblement. It said elections torn provinces of Kasai and Kasai- depending on the resources CENI “They are looking to change a absolutely no limit to how long it As the crisis rumbles on, violence would be held by the end of 2017 and Central. Kalamba said this is likely to dedicates and the capacity of its lot,” said Kulenovic. “It needs to be could all take. “This is an art, and is on the rise across the country. In that Kabila would not stand for a third fi nish in January, already taking Kabila servers. reviewed by the national assembly as CENI is mastering it,” one of them Kasai, a new confl ict between the term. beyond the December 31 deadline and This “should have started at the soon as possible.” added. government and a militia called But with three months until the sending Congo back into the political very beginning of the registration Next CENI will need to print The credibility of the registration Kamuina Nsapu has displaced 1.4mn accord expires, a date for elections unknown. process,” said Cyril Kulenovic, ballots. This could be done in Congo process has also been called into people and killed thousands. is yet to be set and Kabila remains A plan for how to organise the election expert at the Organisation or tendered to a foreign company. The question by opposition politicians In the east, a new coalition of in power, hunkered down in his registration of Congolese voters internationale de la Francophonie latter could take months, depending and election observers, who claim armed groups called the National presidential mansion above the Congo living abroad is also yet to be decided, (OIF), but CENI is yet to procure the on how quickly the procurement irregularities in CENI’s initial data. People’s Coalition for the River, as the country – wracked by despite biometric kits for the diaspora software required. process is managed, and will be “In some provinces, enrolment Sovereignty of Congo (CNPSC) is civil wars in the 90s and early 2000s – being ready for months. “The kits are CENI also needs to change complicated by the fact that three numbers are extremely high, in others building momentum in the province crumbles around him. just sitting there in boxes,” said one Congolese electoral law, including elections – presidential, national extremely low,” said a source who of South Kivu and has threatened to “The Congolese are living like expert. “For CENI, it is an extra way of provisions on the organisation legislative, and local – are being held receives regular data updates from topple Kabila. animals in our own country,” said buying time.” and fi nancing of the elections, simultaneously: something never CENI. “It is alarming.” On top of the violence, low global 34-year-old motorbike taxi driver After the registration process is the allocation of seats, and a attempted before in Congo. At the centre of the controversy commodity prices have triggered an Freddy Mulume, during a recent complete, data must be brought to new threshold for parliamentary To get around the cost of printing is Sankuru, one of fi ve provinces economic crisis. Inflation is rising general strike called by opposition Kinshasa for analysis. This will involve representation. Some of these so much paper, CENI has proposed that make up the confl ict-torn and the Congolese franc has lost parties. “We are suff ering so much.” removing cases where citizens have provisions could prove controversial the introduction of a semi-electronic Kasai region and a stronghold of 30% of its value, causing severe At the heart of Kabila’s current enrolled on more than one occasion and take time to pass in the national voting system. Kalamba described this government information minister and hardship for an already impoverished strategy to stay in power is control and could take several months, assembly. as a “simple” option. spokesperson Lambert Mende and the population. Weather report How Britain lost its cool Three-day forecast TODAY High: 37 C By Mark Leonard Britishness, and then reintroduce Of course, I should not overstate manifested in the fears of older, white, Britain to the world. the infl uence of my pamphlet. less-educated voters – can wreak Low : 29 C Berlin Inshore: Hazy to misty at places at first Rebranding was clearly necessary. BritainTM was just one part of a havoc in the interregnum. becomes hot daytime with chance of By the mid-1990s, a fog of malaise larger phenomenon. The British What remains to be seen is how local rainly clouds. he recent meeting between had settled over British politics. Prime national story was moving towards far the nativist turn will go, and German Chancellor minister John Major had lost control of openness, and that change would have whether its leaders will overreach. SATURDAY Angela Merkel and British the Conservative Party, and declining a profound impact on both Labour and Will the populist wave recede once High: 36 C Prime Minister Theresa public trust in British institutions a Conservative Party that needed to a critical mass of voters starts to feel Low: 29 C T Sunny May in the Estonian capital of was fuelling anxiety among voters. detoxify its own brand. Conservative the economic eff ects of Brexit on the Tallinn was a portrait in contrasts. Britain, once known as the “workshop leaders such as former prime minister British economy? And could it have Merkel has pursued openness and of the world,” had become a service David Cameron and even Boris been prevented with a slower, more internationalism, and leads a country economy. The British retail chain Johnson, when he was the mayor of gradual change in the national story? SUNDAY with a world-beating industrial base Dixons decided to name one of its London, came to represent a modern, Similar questions have surely been on High: 37 C and strong trade ties. May talks more consumer-electronics brands Matsui, multiracial, and multiethnic Britain. Merkel’s mind since Germany’s federal Low: 28 C about the past than the future, and because it sounded Japanese. The soap This is the Britain that the director election last month. The fact that the Sunny has disparaged “citizens of the world” operas coming out of Buckingham Danny Boyle depicted in the opening far-right Alternative for Germany made while claiming to defend her country’s Palace had turned adulation of the ceremony to the 2012 Olympic Games unprecedented gains while Merkel’s confused national identity. royal family into voyeurism. And in London. own party lost support owes something Fishermen’s forecast Among other things, the Merkel- according to opinion polls, around half How, then, did the country move to her bold open-door policy during OFFSHORE DOHA May dynamic shows how cyclical of the country’s population wanted from cosmopolitanism back to the refugee crisis. She may now be Wind: NW 07-15/20 KT history can be. Twenty years ago, to emigrate, and a similar percentage nationalism and nativism? The short wondering if the Willkommenskultur Waves: 2-4/6 Feet Germany was the “sick man of (particularly Scots, Welsh, ethnic answer is that Britain’s rebranding (welcoming culture) that she has INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15/25 KT Europe,” struggling to dispel its minorities, Londoners, and the young) became a victim of its own success. promoted will share the same fate as Waves: 1-2/3 Feet demons so that it could look out and no longer felt British. By accommodating previously Blair’s Cool Britannia. to the future. The United Kingdom, Rather than mourning the ethnic- excluded citizens, the new national Ensuring that it does not will be Around the region on the other hand, had become based, exclusionary Englishness story made those at the centre of the Merkel’s big challenge in her fourth Weather Weather “Cool Britannia.” In 1997, much of that former prime minister Margaret older, narrower version feel like a term. Unfortunately, May, having today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the world was tuning in to Brit- Thatcher had done so much to threatened minority. And when the ridden the wave of nativism, rather Abu Dhabi Sunny 36/29 Sunny 37/30 pop; and top British artists, fashion promote in the 1980s, I argued that Brexit referendum rolled around, they than trying to redirect it, will have Baghdad M Sunny 32/18 Sunny 35/19 Dubai Sunny designers, and architects were the Britons should embrace a new civic fought back. little to teach her German counterpart. Sunny 37/28 37/28 Kuwait City Sunny 35/24 Sunny 36/25 hottest names in their fields. Even identity, based on deeper stories about May’s main goal since succeeding If anything, May could fall victim Manama Sunny 36/29 Sunny 36/28 British chefs were seen as global their country. Britain, after all, was a Cameron has been to appeal to the to her own opportunism. If history Muscat Sunny 34/25 Sunny 33/26 arbiters of taste, to the chagrin of global hub, but also an island with a emotions of the old tribes at the heart does indeed move in cycles, it stands Riyadh Sunny 37/23 Sunny 38/23 their French counterparts. long history of creativity, quirkiness, of Thatcher’s version of Britishness to reason that Britain will turn back Tehran P Cloudy 19/12 M Sunny 23/14 I had a walk-on part in that and innovation. It was a hybrid – all who felt disenfranchised in towards openness sooner or later. moment of British national revival. country that gloried in its diversity. It Cool Britannia. Still, demography And when that happens, May’s brand In the report BritainTM: Renewing had pioneered social and technological dictates that the new, open Britain of backward-looking politics, like Our Identity, I proposed a strategy of change not with revolutionary fanfare, will inevitably replace the old one. Thatcher’s, will be swept aside. – national rebranding that was picked but through sound governance. And it Most polls show that the country is Project Syndicate up by the new Labour government was a country that valued “fair play,” a becoming more liberal and tolerant under prime minister Tony Blair. value embodied in the National Health every year. But one lesson from the zMark Leonard is Director of the The idea was to rethink the idea of Service. Brexit vote is that identity politics – European Council on Foreign Relations Live issues Skipping breakfast may damage arteries

IANS markers were more prevalent in those New York who skipped breakfast and low-energy Around the world breakfast consumers compared to Weather Weather breakfast consumers. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min re you in the habit of “People who regularly skip breakfast Athens M Sunny 27/19 Sunny 27/14 missing your breakfast likely have an overall unhealthy Beirut Sunny 27/21 Sunny 27/23 Bangkok T Storms 31/26 T Storms 32/25 every day? Beware, you lifestyle,” said author Valentin Berlin Rain 13/08 Showers 12/09 may be at an increased risk Fuster, Director of Mount Sinai Heart Cairo Sunny 31/21 M Sunny 34/23 A Cape Town P Cloudy P Cloudy 17/12 of atherosclerosis, a condition in Institute. 19/12 which the arteries tend to harden and “This study provides evidence Colombo Rain 29/26 Rain 28/26 T Storms 32/26 narrow due to a build-up of plaque, that this is one bad habit people can Dhaka 33/26 T Storms Hong Kong P Cloudy 31/27 P Cloudy 31/27 researchers have warned. proactively change to reduce their risk Istanbul Sunny 23/18 Showers 23/17 On the other hand, eating a healthy for heart disease,” Fuster added. Jakarta S T Storms 33/24 S T Storms 32/24 breakfast has been shown to promote For the study, published in the Karachi Sunny 34/24 Sunny 37/26 greater heart health, including Journal of the American College of London M Sunny 15/09 Showers 16/10 Manila T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/26 healthier weight and cholesterol. Cardiology, the team in Madrid Moscow Rain 09/06 S Showers 10/04 The study showed that examined 4,052 male and female New Delhi Sunny 36/22 Sunny 36/23 atherosclerosis was observed with volunteers who were free from New York P Cloudy 28/20 P Cloudy 27/22 more frequency among people who breakfast had the greatest waist unhealthy lifestyle, including cardiovascular or chronic kidney Paris M Sunny 16/06 P Cloudy 17/13 M Sunny S Showers 24/17 skipped breakfast and was also circumference, body mass index, poor overall diet, frequent alcohol disease. Sao Paulo 32/18 Seoul Rain 21/14 P Cloudy 27/16 higher in participants who consumed blood pressure, blood lipids and consumption and smoking. They were Of these, 2.9% skipped breakfast, Singapore S T Storms 30/25 S T Storms 31/25 low-energy breakfasts compared to fasting glucose levels. also more likely to be hypertensive and 69.4% were low-energy breakfast Sydney P Cloudy 19/13 P Cloudy 19/12 breakfast consumers. Participants who skipped breakfast overweight or obese. consumers and 27.7% were breakfast Tokyo Cloudy 18/15 Rain 22/16 Importantly, people who skipped were more likely to have an overall Additionally, cardiometabolic risk consumers. Gulf Times 16 Friday, October 6, 2017 QATAR

Siege will have economic consequences for all: Qatar envoy

QNA magazine Der Spiegel, he said being imposed on Qatar by Saudi in it despite Egypt’s participa- seems to be one of these reasons. Egypt, but it is not against them. Berlin that Qatar provides 40% of the Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and tion in the siege. They do not want the freedom We do not support them and we energy to the rest of the world. Egypt led to human rights viola- Answering a question about of opinion to reach other Arab are not against them. Muslim “Think of what will happen if tions and separation of families the demand to close Al Jazeera, countries through Al Jazeera. Brotherhood is a party and we atar’s ambassador to the blockade continues for a long in the Gulf region. He added that he said: “No one can attack our Sheikh Saud pointed out that only deal with them when they Germany Sheikh Saud time.” the siege imposed four months sovereignty. Imagine if we de- the only body authorised to de- are part of a government.” Qbin Abdulrahman al- Responding to a question ago led to the expulsion of Qatari manded that Germany stop the fi ne the concept of terrorism is He stressed that Iran is an Thani has said that the siege on whether Qatar is ready to students in the region from the DW channel or Britain stop the the United Nations or the Se- important state in the region, imposed on Qatar does not only talk about the demands made universities where they study, BBC. This is inadmissible. The curity Council, noting that it is “but we also have diff erences of harm Qatar, but also those who by the siege countries, he and that Qataris working in the freedom of opinion cannot be not the right of individual states opinion with it, it is our neigh- have investments in the region, stressed the need to resolve all siege countries were expelled as confiscated in other coun- to list groups and consider them bour, we have to dialogue with pointing out that the siege will differences of opinion through well. tries.” terrorists. it, and we have to have business have economic consequences dialogue “at the negotiating At the same time, he pointed Even if we do not know the The envoy said that Qatar relations with it. We only want Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman for all. table.” out that Qatar still allows more reasons for the blockade to be “does not support Hamas nor to have good relations with our al-Thani In an interview with German Sheikh Saud said that the siege than 300,000 Egyptians to live precise, the freedom of opinion the Muslim Brotherhood in neighbours.” Surprises await audiences at Cultural Diversity Fest he 2nd edition of the Cul- tacular line and circle dancing on a tural Diversity Festival medley of traditional songs. Tkicked off on Wednesday, “The festival comes as part of featuring a series of traditional Katara’s on-going eff orts to pro- performances at the Amphitheatre mote an array of cultures and of Katara – the Cultural Village. open vivid windows on a simulat- The event, organised by Katara, ing world occupied with art, mu- in co-operation with the Unesco sic, folklore, traditions and much Offi ce in Doha, will run until No- more,” Katara’s deputy general Katara’s deputy general manager and operations head Ahmad vember 11. manager and operations head Ah- al-Sayed at the event. Two charming performances mad al-Sayed said in a statement. by Qatar’s Al Maha folkloric group The festival will also feature a and the Palestinian Ambassadors wide array of cultural perform- for folklore group enthralled a ances refl ecting authentic cultural large number of spectators at the identity, representing more than festival’s opening. It was attend- 20 countries. ed by dignitaries, diplomats and The countries, which are sched- guests. uled to take part in this edition in- Al Maha fascinated the crowd clude Qatar, Palestine, Lebanon, with their exceptional interpre- Algeria, Ethiopia, Togo, South Af- tation of Qatari traditional mari- rica, China, South Korea, Pakistan, time songs, accompanied with Iran, Chechnya, Turkey, Hungary, a time-honoured moves on au- Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine, Bul- thentic beats played along with garia, the UK, Mexico, and Brazil. the Oud. The public can see other folk- The Palestinian performance loric performances from Brazil wowed the audience with a phe- from 7.30pm to 8.15pm and the UK nomenal folk dance titled “Dab- from 8.15pm to 9pm on Saturday kah,” which evolved around spec- and Sunday. Al Maha folkloric group performs on stage. The Palestinian performance wowed the audience.

DHFC to host series of family activities

After the success of its ‘Back- Blockade could break to-School’ campaign, the Doha NU-Q holds annual Festival City (DHFC) will be organising a series of activities up Gulf region, says for families and children during the weekends. “Every weekend Student Research Week there will be something new QU academic for the kids,” DHFC general manager Trevor Hill told Gulf ighlighting its aca- Times. He revealed that DHFC will From Page 1 international obligations in good demic research ac- also launch new activities this DHFC general manager Trevor faith and not to abandon them Htivities and projects, month, particularly on children’s Hill. Dr al-Khulaifi noted that the based on a unilateral will with- Northwestern University in entertainment and with several main three demands of the siege out reasonable justifi cation, Qatar (NU-Q) hosted its an- surprises along the way. “QTA has been very collaborative countries – sever all ties to “ter- among many others. nual Student Research Week DHFC, the largest entertainment, with us since day one, they are rorist organisations”, stop all “There is no international to encourage students to ex- retail and hospitality destination in very excited about the future of means of funding for individuals, law which obliges countries to plore research opportunities. Qatar, unveiled the biggest Confetti our project, particularly from the groups or organisations that have hand over wanted individuals. The week featured presen- Dome ever seen in the country size, entertainment and F&B,” been designated as terrorists, and Extradition occurs only when tations of student research yesterday, and it will run until the general manager noted. “We hand over “terrorist fi gures” and specifi c, bilateral treaties exist projects—completed and in October 14. Mall-goers can enter worked hand in hand with them wanted individuals from Saudi between countries. Extradition progress as well as faculty the impressive dome structure, across our Eid shows and we had Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bah- agreements usually decree that discussions of their work standing at more than 6m high, some great success in the recent Eid rain to their countries of origin – the off ence which has triggered across a variety of disciplines. The week featured presentations of student research projects and enjoy the strong whirlwind of in September.” “We will also have are a violation to the principles of the extradition request must NU-Q’s faculty works with confetti all around them. some really great things happening the international law. be considered a crime in both their students on research ferent research projects. Sa- receive grants for independ- In holding various events later in the year and also early “These demands are against countries. Many treaties provide projects in science and tech- rah al-Ansari works with Prof ent research projects from to attract more foreign and next year. It’s a very collaborative the principles of non-inter- for political and human rights nology, media and news Anto Mohsin on a research Northwestern’s Offi ce of Un- domestic visitors, Hill lauded relationship. QTA’s a very engaging ference in the internal aff airs, exemptions, which can prevent consumption, health com- project funded by the Qa- dergraduate Research. Zaki what he described as “an partner, always willing to listen and equality in sovereignty, and the the extradition of a person who munication, digital literacy, tar National Research Fund Hussain, Neha Rashid, and amazing partnership with Qatar share ideas and it has been very principle of implementing the is accused of political crimes.” museum studies, and more. through the Undergraduate Ammar Younas received a Tourism Authority (QTA).” fantastic for us,” he stressed. “Research is a core ele- Research Experience Pro- Summer Undergraduate Re- ment of an NU-Q student’s gramme, which is exploring search Grant from North- academic experience,” said the engagement and under- western to investigate bonded Everette E Dennis, dean and standing of science in Qatar. labour in Pakistan. As a result CEO. “Our home campus in “Research opened new of the research, they created a Evanston is one of the leading doors of opportunity for me short documentary and a fea- ‘Qatar’s media research universities in the to develop personally and ture article on the topic. world, and NU-Q is commit- professionally,” said al-An- Throughout Research Week, ted to continuing that tradi- sari. “I was able to learn and NU-Q students meet with responded sensibly tion through scholarly studies hone new academic skills and staff from the research offi ce that address important issues will soon have the chance to to learn more about grants and in the region.” present my work at interna- projects they can apply for. to Saudi-led siege’ QU’s Social and Economic Survey Research Institute director Dr Student Research Week at tional conferences, where I Professors take time through- Hassan Abdulrahim al-Sayed, Professor of Political Sociology Dr NU-Q includes a community can network and discuss my out the week to discuss their Majed al-Ansari, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies dean Dr meeting, hosted by student project with leaders in the research with students and to atar’s media handled Yousuf al-Siddiqi, and College of Law dean Dr Mohamed Abdulaziz researchers who discuss their science research fi eld.” present opportunities for stu- the Saudi-led siege with al-Khulaifi at the seminar yesterday. experiences working on dif- Students at NU-Q also dents to contribute. Qresponsibility and re- sponded sensibly even when the blockading countries were Qatar expresses concern over not achieving tangible progress on nuclear disarmament blatantly publishing lies against Qatar, prominent journalist Anu The State of Qatar expressed First Committee (Disarmament with the statement made by the move forward on nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Sharma told Qatar Radio’s live deep concern over failure to and International Security Arab Group and the Movement disarmament and non- which is the cornerstone of the show Haqeeqat yesterday. achieve a tangible progress Committee) of the 72nd session of Non-Aligned Countries. The proliferation, However, the nuclear non-proliferation and “The media channels of the Prominent journalist Anu Sharma on nuclear disarmament in of the UN General Assembly, Second Secretary explained growing risks faced by the disarmament system, all states blockading countries kept lying (left) was a guest on Qatar Radio’s the Middle East. It cited the the Second Secretary of Qatar’s that the challenges to collective international community have obligated to rid the world for many weeks, but I think grad- live show Haqeeqat yesterday. repeated failure to comply delegation to the United Nations security underscored the impose a greater responsibility of this great threat, based on ually people in these countries with the implementation of the (UN) Talal bin Rashid al-Khalifa urgent need to redouble on everyone to strengthen co- Article VI of the Treaty. The are beginning to question the au- shan apart from the print media 1995 Review and Extension said, despite the positive international eff orts in the area operation and intensify eff orts second Secretary of the State thenticity of the news,” she said, and other television channels. Conference of the Parties to the results achieved in the area of of disarmament and security, to address these risks. of Qatar’s delegation to the UN while pointing out that news Haqeeqat, which aims to en- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty disarmament and its impact on in light of the growing conflicts, The nuclear threat continues stressed that Qatar aff irms that grounded in lies creates sensation gage and interact with the large (NPT) and the practical steps peace, security and stability in the persistence of terrorism and to be of great concern to the investing in conflict prevention for a brief time and eventually South Asian expatriate com- outlined in the 2000 NPT Review many regions of the world, the the proliferation of weapons and international community, will achieve the international people discover the truth. munity in Qatar, is a joint ven- Conference and the action Middle East still lacks security the dangers posed by the use making the issue of the security that all of us desire, and “It’s a trend these days for a ture of the Gulf Times and Qatar plan of the 2010 NPT Review and stability. of weapons of mass destruction evacuation of the world from save the financial and human section of the media to create Media Corporation Urdu Radio. Conference, as well as the failure Al-Khalifa aff irmed the and their possible occurrence nuclear and other weapons of resources spent on armaments, news for the sake of sensation- It is broadcast from Sunday to of the 2015 Review Conference co-operation of the Qatar by terrorist groups and parties mass destruction urgent, al- and put an end to the arms race, alism and TRP (Target Rating Thursday on FM107. The show is of the Treaty on the NPT. delegation with the participating to non-State conflicts. Khalifa noted. which has become a source of Point), but the media channels hosted by Saif-ur-Rehman. While delivering Qatar’s delegations to make the work The Second Secretary added Al-Khalifa said that after more great concern to all because in Qatar exercise their freedom Log on to Qatar Urdu Radio on statement on disarmament and of this Committee a success. He that Qatar appreciates the than four decades after the of its growing regional and with great responsibility.” Facebook and ‘@QatarUrduRa- international security before the also associated Qatar’s voice eff orts being exerted to conclusion of the Nuclear international eff ects. Sharma has previously worked dio’ on Twitter for feedback and for All India Radio and Doordar- comments about the show.