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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10456 May 17, 2017 Sha’baan 21, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Saudi FM Syria govt In brief blocks UN QATAR | Phone talk Emir congratulates French president HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday access to evening a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Emir congratulated Macron on his election victory, wishing him all success. During the call, HH the Emir also stressed the importance of enhancing the its prison friendly relations between the two countries. For his part, the French DPA tions are completely unfounded and president expressed his thanks New York are only fabricated by the imagination and appreciation to HH the Emir HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Emiri Diwan yesterday with the visiting Saudi Foreign Minister of this administration and its allies,” for his congratulations, confirming Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir and his accompanying delegation. The minister conveyed greetings of the Custodian of the Two the unnamed source said. his keenness to strengthen the Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia; Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister he United Nations said yesterday The State Department accused the strategic relations between the Mohamed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and Deputy Crown Prince, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence that Syria’s failure to give the Syrian government of killing around 50 two countries. HH the Emir also Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and their best wishes of good health to the Emir and progress and prosperity Torganisation access to their de- detainees daily at one of its prisons and held a telephone conversation with to the people of Qatar. The Emir entrusted al-Jubeir to convey his greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the tention centres was preventing an in- using a crematorium to dispose of the King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah of Crown Prince, and the Deputy Crown Prince and his wishes to them of good health, and to the brotherly Saudi people further vestigation of US allegations that mass bodies. Bahrain. During the phone call, they progress and development. The meeting reviewed the fraternal ties between the two countries and ways to enhancing them, killings and body disposals were taking The US believes the crematorium is reviewed the fraternal ties between as well as the latest regional and international developments of common concern. Al-Jubeir later attended, as a guest of place in Syria. part of an eff ort to cover up the extent the two countries and means to honour, the annual meeting of heads of diplomatic and consular missions of Qatar. He briefed the diplomats about the GCC’s The Syrian government said yester- of mass murders taking place in Sayd- boost them, and discussed the eff orts in enhancing Gulf solidarity and joint action in all fields. day that US accusations that they were naya Prison, where as many as 70 pris- major topics of common concern. using a crematorium to dispose of bod- oners are being held in cells designed to ies after mass killings were “completely hold just fi ve. QATAR | Visit unfounded,” according to state news The newly declassifi ed information agency SANA. lays out details about the use of chemi- Burkina Faso leader A spokesman for UN Secretary- cal weapons and abductions. arrives in Doha General Antonio Guterres said yes- The US criticised Russia and Iran - terday the organisation could not in- countries that support the government President Roch Marc Christian N Korea link emerges dependently verify the presence of a of President Bashar al-Assad - by say- Kabore of the Republic of Burkina crematorium at Saydnaya Prison. ing the “atrocities” detailed in the re- Faso arrived in Doha yesterday “The Syrian government has sys- ports “have been carried out seemingly evening on an off icial visit to the tematically rejected repeated UN re- with the unconditional support” from State of Qatar. The president and quests to access detention centres and Moscow and Tehran. his accompanying delegation in global cyberattacks prisons,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric A new round of Syria peace talks start- were welcomed upon arrival at told reporters. ed in Geneva yesterday, 10 days after a Hamad International Airport by AFP against a rush to judgment. a fl aw discovered by the US National Various UN entities have regularly deal sponsored by the rival talks held in HE the Minister of Municipality Washington “We are open to investigate in all Security Agency and later leaked. documented human rights violations Kazakhstan saw four safe zones set up for and Environment Mohamed bin directions, but we don’t speculate and “This was not a tool developed by in Syria, including torture in the con- civilians in the war-torn country. Abdullah al-Rumaihi, and Burkina we cannot confi rm this. the NSA to hold ransom data,” he said, text of detention, Dujarric said. UN Syria envoy Staff an de Mistura Faso ambassador to Qatar Adama ecurity researchers investigat- It’s still too early to say anything,” noting that no US government sys- The UN is extremely concerned restarted his bilateral talks with the Compaore. ing the massive cyberattack said senior agency spokesman, Jan Op tems had been hit. about the thousands of civilians being Syrian government and opposition Scampaign that sparked havoc Gen Oorth. “This is a global attack,” he added. held in government detention centres separately. QATAR | Incident in computer systems worldwide have “It could come from everywhere, it Russian President Vladimir Pu- in Syria and has reason to believe they In the previous fi ve rounds of discus- reported signs of a possible North Ko- could come from any country.” tin earlier had suggested the United are being subjected to degrading and sions in Geneva, both sides have only Three workers die at rean link, but Europe’s cross-border In November 2014, Sony Pictures States bore responsibility. inhumane treatment, negotiated through De Mistura as an construction site police agency said yesterday it was Entertainment became the target of “A genie let out of a bottle of this including torture and sexual vio- intermediary. The Ministry of Defence yesterday “too early” to draw a connection. the biggest cyberattack in US cor- kind, especially created by secret lence, Dujarric said. The previous round, which ended evening announced that three After days of disruptions aff ecting porate history, linked to its release of services, can then cause damage to A Foreign Ministry source told SANA in late March, did not yield tangible workers died and a number of networks worldwide, a top US offi cial North Korea satire The Interview. its authors and creators,” the Russian that the US State Department’s accu- progress on the key topics of a political them injured in an incident at said the number of computers aff ected More attacks were possible, Choi leader said on the sidelines of a sum- sations were “a new Hollywood plot,” transition, a new constitution, or elec- one of the construction sites of had reached 300,000, but that infec- said, “especially given that, unlike mit in Beijing. describing them as something Wash- tions. the Qatari Armed Forces. The tion rates had slowed. missile or nuclear tests, they can deny Russia has recently been accused of ington releases ahead of any Syrian Earlier this month, Russia and Iran ministry expressed its sincere In the fi rst clues of the origin of the their involvement in attacks in cyber- cyber meddling in several countries, peace talks to justify were joined by Turkey - which backs condolences to the families of the massive ransomware attacks, Google space and get away with it”. but Putin said his country had nothing “aggression and intervention.” the rebels - in brokering a deal to set up deceased and wished the injured researcher Neel Mehta posted compu- Israeli-based security fi rm Intezer to do with the attack. “The government of the Syrian Arab safe zones to protect civilians. a speedy recovery. It stressed ter code that showed similarities be- Labs said it agreed with the North Ko- Republic confi rms that these allega- its commitment to abide by the tween the “WannaCry” malware and rea attribution. highest safety standards in all its a vast hacking eff ort widely attributed The group’s chief executive Itai UN Security Council facilities. to Pyongyang. Tevet said in a tweet: “@IntezerLabs weighs new sanctions The code used in the latest attack confi rms attribution to North Korea REGION | Health shared many similarities with past for #WannaCry, not only because of The UN Security Council met behind Trump, Erdogan vow to fi ght terrorism hacks blamed on the North, includ- the function from Lazarus. closed doors yesterday to discuss Cholera outbreak a new raft of measures, including ing the targeting of Sony Pictures, said More info to come.” QNA Erdogan said that helping the Syr- sanctions, aimed at piling pressure kills 186 in Yemen Simon Choi, director of Seoul internet Europol said the situation was “sta- Washington ian Kurds “will never be accepted.” He A cholera outbreak has killed 186 security fi rm Hauri. ble” after attacks that struck comput- on North Korea aft er it fi red its latest added: “We should never allow those people in Yemen in the last two “I saw signs last year that the North ers in British hospital wards, European ballistic missile. groups to manipulate the religion or weeks, the UN said yesterday. A state was preparing ransomware attacks or car factories and Russian banks. US ambassador Nikki Haley said the S President Donald Trump and ethnic tensions.” of emergency was declared in the even already beginning to do so, tar- But according to Michel Van Den United States was working with China, Turkish President Recep Tayy- After meeting Trump, Erdogan said: Yemeni capital, Sanaa, late Sunday geting some South Korean compa- Berghe, director of telecom group Or- Pyongyang’s main ally, on a new Uip Erdogan met yesterday at “I have been frank in communicating as the country’s infrastructure and nies,” he told AFP. ange’s cyber security arm, a “second sanctions resolution and that all UN the White House and afterwards both our expectations about the Fetuhllah health system struggle to cope with Isolated, nuclear-armed North wave” is to be expected. member-states would step up action leaders vowed to work together to de- Gulen Organisation, which we have the surge in cases of the disease. Korea is known to operate an army Russia, China and India have against North Korea. feat terrorism in the Middle East. notifi ed our friends about their in- The number of suspected cases of thousands of hackers operating in blamed the United States government “We all have to send a sign to North But diff erences between them about volvement in the failed coup.” has now exceeded 14,000, with 186 both the North, and apparently China, for developing the original code. Korea, and that is ‘no more. This is not arming the Syrian Kurds appeared to be Trump, for his part, voiced US sup- associated deaths, UN spokesman and has been blamed for a number of Tom Bossert, President Donald play time. This is serious. These threats unresolved. “It is going to be important port for Turkey in its fi ght against ter- Stephane Dujarric told reporters, major cyberattacks. Trump’s top cyber and homeland se- are not welcome,’” Haley told reporters to forge close solidarity in fi ghting ter- rorism and said it would support any quoting figures from the UN’s But police agency Europol said the curity adviser, brushed aside sugges- ahead of the council meeting. Page 15 rorism, primarily ISIS and other groups,” eff orts to end the violence in Syria. humanitarian arm OCHA. investigation is ongoing, warning tions that the attack stemmed from Erdogan told the press after the meeting. Page 13

Demand for cooling appliances up 60% in fi rst quarter of 2017

emand for cooling appliances He said discounted prices and “sum- Another manager of an appliance Qatar General Organisation for Stand- these ACs, while the silver labels (seven could cause allergies among house- including air conditioning (AC) mer promotions” have helped push store said some customers are replac- ards and Metrology. stars) have up to 46.8% saving rate. hold members and children. “A humid Dunits, air coolers and purifi ers, demand for cooling appliances, adding ing their old AC units due to increased Air conditioning units sold in Qatar The manager also said health con- climate, where mildew or moulds, as and dehumidifi ers, as well as electric that the store gets “daily sales” for AC awareness on the advantages of ener- now should have at least three stars rat- cerns have also increased sales of air well as dust mites thrive, could trig- fans have increased by 60% in the fi rst units from walk-in customers. gy-effi cient appliances. ing. The energy effi cient ratio of these purifi ers and dehumidifi ers. ger different kinds of allergies,” he quarter of the year, it is learnt. The manager said a 1.5 tonne window In July last year, the state banned the ACs should not be less than 8.5 British “Because Qatar experiences ex- added. For split and window type AC units, type AC can go as low as QR999, while import and sale of all ACs that do not Thermal Units for the window units treme temperatures during the summer Aside from preventing allergies, de- demand has increased by 15% and 35%, a 1.5 tonne split type AC can go as low as bear energy-effi cient labels (star-rat- and 9.5 BTU for split-type. months, some homes and living quar- humidifi ers and air purifi ers also help respectively, while sales for air coolers QR1,499. “Some air coolers are aff ord- ed) following an initiative of Kahramaa, Units bearing golden labels (eight ters have limited ventilation, which control or reduce unpleasant odours increased by 10%, an appliances sec- able at QR499, making them preferred in co-operation with the Ministry of stars) are considered the highest in the could lead to moisture build up,” the caused by mould or mildew buildup in tion manager of a popular hypermarket cooling appliances among budget con- Municipality and Environment, Min- world in energy saving, with up to 51% manager explained. places like the kitchen, toilet, or bed- said. scious shoppers,” he said. istry of Economy and Commerce, and saving in the energy consumption of He noted that humid environments room, the manager added.

Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 3 QATAR Emir meets heads of Qatar’s FM opens annual diplomatic missions abroad meeting of Qatar’s

QNA Doha ambassadors H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- QNA issues and topics, including re- nisms of diplomatic discourse HThani yesterday met the Doha gional and international devel- in addition to promoting the heads of diplomatic and coun- opments, the foreign media dis- work environment and per- sellor missions of Qatar abroad. course of Qatar, the fi ght against formance in the Ministry’s HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh E the Minister of For- terrorism and violent extrem- General Office and in the dip- Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani eign Aff airs Sheikh Mo- ism, international co-operation lomatic, consular and repre- attended the meeting. Hhamed bin Abdulrahman activities and the diplomacy of sentative missions of Qatar to During the meeting the Emir al-Thani yesterday opened the Qataris’ development and relief achieve quality and excellence praised their eff orts and their meeting of heads of Qatar’s dip- assistance. in diplomatic performance. good representation of the lomatic and consular missions The two-day meeting aims to The meeting will also dis- country and contribution to abroad. identify the pillars of the diplo- cuss ways to establish the building bridges and co-opera- HE the Minister of State for matic discourse of the state in global image of Qatar, as a tion between Qatar and friendly Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad the light of the guidelines of the power for peaceful conflict countries, as well as looking af- al-Muraikhi and the Foreign Qatari foreign policy, and in light resolution, and as an active ter the country’s interests. Ministry’s Secretary-General of regional and international partner of the international HH the Emir also stressed the Ahmed Hassan al-Hammadi changes. community in building world importance of putting more ef- are attending the meeting along It also aims at determining peace and to promote this im- forts into clarifying Qatar’s po- with directors of departments in Qatar’s positions on regional age in the foreign media in sitions and its positive political the Foreign Ministry, and heads and international issues in ac- accordance with the general role, given their primary role in of diplomatic, consular and rep- cordance with its foreign policy guidelines of Qatar’s politi- representing the state abroad. resentative missions of Qatar and according to regional and cal discourse, in addition to The Emir wished them well in HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin abroad. international circumstances developing the role of the accomplishing their missions. Abdulrahman al-Thani during their meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of Qatar abroad. During its seven sessions, the and developments and devel- Foreign Ministry in achieving meeting will discuss a number of oping the tools and mecha- Qatar National Vision 2030.

HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani chairing the opening Heads of diplomatic missions of Qatar during a meeting with HH the Emir yesterday. session of the meeting of heads of Qatar’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad yesterday. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 QATAR Armenian president leaves Doha ‘Qatar is committed’ to enhancing human rights

QNA 13th General Assembly meeting towards a contractual system islative and institutional levels, Cairo of the Arab Network for Nation- between employers and their and its was emphasised in the al Human Rights Institutions workers. comprehensive vision of devel- which was dedicated to discuss- For his part, Fazee praised Qa- opment “Qatar National Vision cting Director of De- ing Qatar’s report. tar for the amendments it has 2030”. partment of Human Ambassador al-Henzab made in the labour law to guar- The promotion and protection ARights at the Ministry praised the transparency with antee the protection of foreign of human rights also received of Foreign Affairs ambassador which the discussion on the re- workers. great attention in the National Faisal bin Abdullah al-Henzab port was held. Addressing the 13th session of Development Strategy (2011- said that Qatar was committed He added that they will con- the Arab Human Rights Com- 2016), which included sectorial to enhancing human rights in sider the observations made to mittee on Monday, ambassador strategies and programmes to the country. them during the meeting to fur- al-Henzab reaffi rmed Qatar’s implement Qatar National Vi- He noted that the system for ther enhance human rights in attention to the promotion and sion 2030, he added. protecting human rights is the Qatar. the protection of human rights, Qatar appreciates the con- main pillar of achieving devel- Ambassador al-Henzab add- which he said represents a stra- tributions of expatriate work- opment in Qatar. ed that the state has worked on tegic option and the backbone ers and regards them partners President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan left Doha yesterday morning concluding his off icial visit This came in a joint press con- amending a number of provi- of the state’s comprehensive re- in its development, he noted, to Qatar. The Armenian president and the accompanying delegation were seen off at Hamad ference held with the Chairper- sions related to the rights of ex- form policy. stressing that protecting and International Airport by HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin son of the Arab Human Rights patriates. This attention has been re- promoting the rights of expa- Mohamed al-Thani, ambassador of Qatar to Armenia Ali bin Hamad al-Sulaiti and Armenian Committee (Charter Commit- One of them was establish- fl ected in the development and triate workers is a fundamen- ambassador to Qatar Gegham Gharibjanian. tee) Chancellor Mohamed Jomaa ing a committee for settlement strengthening of the human tal pillar in the policies of the Fazee after the conclusion of the dispute. The state has moved rights infrastructure at the leg- state, he said.

Prime Minister greets new Nakilat achieves over 37% Qatarisation French premier HE the Prime Minister and akilat has achieved more The award was presented by of talented Qataris to become Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah than 37% Qatarisation, Qatar’s Minister of Energy and marine offi cers or engineers bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Nthus bagging the award Industry, HE Dr Mohamed bin working onboard Nakilat ves- yesterday sent a cable of for localisation at the recently Saleh al-Sada and by Qatar Pe- sels. Besides, Nakilat has been congratulations to Edouard held Energy and Industry sector troleum president and chief ex- actively partnering with local Philippe on his appointment as 2017 annual Qatarisation review ecutive Saad Sherida al-Kaabi to schools, colleges and institutes the Prime Minister of France. meeting. Nakilat managing director Ab- to engage students across all lev- Nakilat was awarded in the dullah al-Sulaiti. els and promote career oppor- ‘supporting Qatarisation’ cat- Nakilat’s achieved Qatarisa- tunities with Nakilat as well as Real estate egory, for the company’s dem- tion rate of 37.4% is attributed spread awareness for the mari- onstration of successfully im- to the success of its wide-range time industry. transaction plemented human resource and comprehensive develop- “Nakilat’s Qatarisation ini- strategies towards this achieve- ment programmes, such as the tiatives come as part of our com- Real estate transaction in Qatar ment. ‘national developee programme’, mitment to invest in human cap- from May 7 to 11 were worth There were four award cat- which allows entry-level Qataris ital in attracting, retaining, and QR405,462,386, off icial data egories in the event, each recog- to embark on a two-year long developing our workforce with showed yesterday. nising a local company that had development programme that an emphasis on national devel- The weekly bulletin released demonstrated excellence in the would groom them to undertake opment, as evident from our by the real estate registration support and liaison with the ed- senior positions upon comple- mission statement; a mission department at the Ministry of ucation sector, supporting Qa- tion. that is aligned with Qatar’s Na- Justice said that the types of tarisation, support for training There is also a unique ‘marine tional Vision 2030, which aims real estate traded included plots and development as well as sup- cadet programme’, which spon- for the development of Qatar’s of land, houses and apartment porting student’s sponsorships. sors the education and training workforce,” al-Sulaiti said. Al-Sulaiti receiving the award from HE al-Sada and al-Kaabi. buildings. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 5 QATAR

Al-Sulaiti meets Chinese counterpart Education Minister meets World Bank delegation

HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti met with his Chinese counterpart Li Xiopeng. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the “Belt and Road Forum for International Co-operation,” which was being held in Beijing. The two sides discussed a number of issues of common interest between Qatar and China in the field of transportation HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi has met with Dr Jamal al-Kibbi, and mobility and means of further enhancing them, as well as the possibility of benefiting from programme manager for GCC countries at the World Bank, and the delegation accompanying him. During the meeting, the two potential investment opportunities in both countries. sides reviewed co-operation in the fields of education and higher education, and means of enhancing and developing it.

Yemeni man jailed for 10 Fire breaks Entrepreneur’s years for selling illicit drugs out at Hilal Doha Criminal ally. He was approached service Court has sen- by an undercover offi cer Atenced a Yem- and agreed with him for eni man to 10 years in the sale of some pieces of station jail, and imposed a fi ne marijuana for QR4,000. Boot Camp ends of QR200,000 on him for When the deal was con- selling and consuming il- QR10,000 for consum- ducted under the sur- ome vehicles suff ered atar Development planning. He also shared the fi eld of entrepreneur- neurial Thought and Ac- licit drugs. The court has ing illicit drug hash- veillance of police, the damage after a fi re broke Bank (QDB) and his 25-year experience ship, Professor Santinelli tion’, the participants are also ordered his depor- ish. The court acquit- defendant was arrested Sout at a service station in QBabson College in entrepreneurship and and Professor Dr Kim for going to be challenged to tation after serving the ted him of the charges and some quantity of il- the Hilal area of Doha yesterday. have concluded the entre- business. their support of our main think and act diff erently jail-term. of illicit drugs trade. licit drugs was found However, there were no reports preneurial skill-building Internationally-rec- organisational objective, and exposed to various Local Arabic daily Arrayah According to the case with him, hidden in his of any injuries. workshop titled ‘Entrepre- ognised specialist on en- which is to strengthen the techniques and concepts reported yesterday that fi le, a Ministry of Inte- house and vehicle. The reason for the fi re was not neur’s Boot Camp’ held in trepreneurship, associate SME ecosystem in Qatar.” that an entrepreneur en- a friend of the defendant rior department received The second defendant known. The blaze was brought Doha. professor Dr Phillip Kim Over the course of the counters through a medi- from the same national- information that a per- also happened to accom- under control by the Civil De- The camp was attended elaborated on how entre- four-day workshop, the um of interactive teachings ity was sentenced to six son used to sell cannabis pany him at the time of fence personnel quickly, sources by 46 professionals and preneurial ideas become participants engaged and practical exercises. months in jail and fi ned and consume it person- the arrest. said. aspiring entrepreneurs, as realities and stressed on in rich discussions on a We look forward to learn- well as founders of small the importance of team- number of topics and ex- ing about the outcomes of and medium-sized enter- building, emerging eco- plored common challeng- the participants’ entre- prises (SMEs) to learn more nomics, and technology es faced by founders and preneurial journeys post about the latest trends in entrepreneurship. company chief executives this boot camp that has entrepreneurship and in- Abdulaziz bin Nasser in areas like ideation tech- been sponsored by Qatar novation, and to transform al-Khalifa, chief executive niques, team-building, Development Bank.” creative ideas into success- offi cer, QDB, said: “We are entrepreneurs, competi- Kim said: “Entrepre- ful business models. delighted by the turnout tive assessments, defi n- neurship is a tremendous Faculty members from received at our fi rst Entre- ing value propositions, force for innovation, crea- Babson College, an aca- preneur’s Boot Camp as business model develop- tivity, and economic de- demic institution for en- it showed us the demand ment, brand-building, fi - velopment. The partici- trepreneurship, brought entrepreneurs across Qatar nancial management, and pants represent a range of their distinct method and have for short, intensive customer acquisition. new business ideas and practice of teaching to the training programmes that Babson College senior opportunities. workshop, QDB said in a deliver quality education director Vinod Radha- “We appreciate their ex- statement. on entrepreneurship that keesoon said: “It is an hon- citement to learn and ap- Adjunct lecturer Profes- is practicable in the real our for Babson College for ply the lessons from the sor Angelo J Santinelli dis- market. having brought our fl ag- programme. We look for- cussed several core themes “To this end, we are ship Entrepreneur’s Boot ward to the success stories during the course of the particularly grateful to the Camp programme to Doha. that result from this ini- training such as business contributions of two of the Through Babson’s unique tial sponsorship by Qatar development and strategic world’s leading experts in methodology of ‘Entrepre- Development Bank.”

Off icials of QDB and Babson College during the ‘Entrepreneur’s Boot Camp’ held in Doha.

Ministry recalls Municipality in Mercedes Benz Al Rayyan detects G-Class 2016 models 78 violations

he Ministry of Econ- The MEC will co-ordinate he Al Rayyan Municipality conducted several omy and Commerce with the dealer to follow up inspections in April and spotted various vio- T(MEC), in collaboration on the maintenance and re- Tlations. with Nasser Bin Khaled Auto- pair works and communicate During the inspections, 78 violations were detect- mobiles, has announced the with customers to ensure ed in building and excavation fi elds. The violations recall of Mercedes Benz G- that the necessary repairs are amounted to QR75,711 in fi nes. Class 2016 models because the carried out. Other violations included encroachments on state cable between the inner door The MEC has urged all cus- property. handle and the door lock may tomers to report any viola- Three houses were evacuated through legal action not have been manufactured tions to its Consumer Protec- as they were found to being used as labour accom- as per specifi cation. tion and Anti-Commercial modation in violation of laws and regulations. The MEC said the recall Fraud Department through In addition, 42 administrative decisions were campaign comes within the the following channels: Hot- issued to evacuate other buildings for the same framework of its ongoing ef- line: 16001, e-mail: info@ violation. The municipality conducted 76 in- forts to protect consumers mec.gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_ spections at diff erent buildings to issue comple- and ensure that car dealers Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qa- tion of building certifi cates and issued 16 licences follow up on vehicle defects tar, MEC mobile app for An- for holding temporary celebrations on various and repairs. droid and IOS: MEC_Qatar occasions. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 QATAR

Ooredoo tv passes 100,000 customer mark Following its February 2016 launch, Ooredoo tv has passed ME Forum ends with call for the 100,000 customer mark, the company announced yesterday in a statement. “It is a considerable milestone which reflects the brand’s continuous commitment of giving Qatari households the raising healthcare standard ultimate choice of accessing premium live tv & on demand he fi fth annual Middle content,” the company explained. East Forum on Quality Over the last year, Ooredoo tv has Tand Safety in Healthcare achieved many regional firsts – from (ME Forum 2017) has concluded launching its 4K set-top-box and with the participation of nearly region’s first 4K linear channel, 3,000 healthcare professionals to providing MBC HD channels from Qatar and GCC states. exclusively in Qatar, introducing HE the Minister of Public the region’s first MBC+ Ooredoo Health Dr Hanan Mohamed cobranded live channel, and off ering al-Kuwari gave the opening ad- a dedicated kids’ user interface. dress at the forum. Organised A significant service upgrade by Hamad Medical Corpora- from its Mozaic TV off ering, tion (HMC), in collaboration Ooredoo tv has been designed with the US-based Institute as a new evolution in home for Healthcare Improvement entertainment, combining apps, (IHI), the conference centred on-demand service, and all of the on themes around IHI’s Triple premium live television channels Aim initiative which includes in one easy-to-use box. applying a comprehensive plan Ooredoo tv customers can to deliver better care where pa- also enjoy the ever-growing tients have better experiences Nearly 3,000 healthcare professionals attended the fifth annual Middle East Forum. number of live tv channels on when they engage with service their Ooredoo tv app, which providers. which saw a far higher standard System as well as an interactive now carries 46 live tv channels. Around 35% of attendees of submissions than ever before area featuring diversity in HMC. The Ooredoo tv app can be were allied health profession- in the history of this event. The Ministry of Public Health downloaded from Apple or als, 30% were nurses and 20% Over 400 submissions were participated with information Google Play App store. were doctors, with the remain- made and a total of 334 poster submitted by the Qatar Council Ooredoo tv customers enjoy ing comprising healthcare ex- entries were evaluated by the of Healthcare Professionals and the region’s very best content ecutive, administrators, and panel of independent judges. the Accreditation and Licensing available, with premium students. Dr Ron Wyatt, chief qual- Division. HMC’s strategic part- packages from beIN, OSN, Abu “The Middle East Forum pro- ity offi cer, HMC stated that this ners, Primary Health Care Cor- Dhabi Sports Media, TFC, My vides a fertile arena for health- year’s focus was on quality rath- poration, Qatar University, Sidra GMA & Starzplay. care experts and frontline staff er than quantity. “After fi ve years Medical and Research Center, “Ooredoo tv’s success is about to convene and discuss practical of targeted quality improvement Qatar Biobank, and the World customer service excellence, ways in which they can refi ne education, we believed that Innovation Summit for Health because we constantly provide their procedures and processes, there was suffi cient knowledge added to the rich diversity of improved customer choice and with the ultimate goal of rais- and expertise among healthcare information. premium viewing options, both ing the standard of healthcare professionals in applying best Derek Feeley, president and in terms of content and picture in their hospital or clinical en- practice principles to give us the CEO, IHI, said Qatar was a quality,” said Manar Khalifa al- vironment,” said Dr Abdulla- confi dence to raise the thresh- leader in embracing the qual- Muraikhi, director of Community tif al-Khal, deputy chief medical old for poster submissions. The ity improvement and patient & Public Relations, Ooredoo Qatar. offi cer at HMC and co-chair of wonderful examples of amazing safety movement. “IHI has part- “Ooredoo is a regional the forum. and practical projects shown in nered with HMC for the past communications company The conference theme of the exhibition were a real vindi- six years to develop the frame- leader precisely because we ’Adding Value in Healthcare’ cation of our decision.” work and embed the knowledge put the customer experience was applied in the development An exhibition area called The and thinking required to propel at the heart of our operational of the more than 50 workshops, Knowledge Zone featured stands quality and safety improve- decision-making. Always giving plenaries, and lectures. It also from Hamad Healthcare Quality ment methodologies forward in customers what they want is our featured in the quality poster Institute, the Ambulance Serv- hospital wards and healthcare formula for continued customer exhibition and competition ice and the Academic Health systems,” said Feeley. Dr Abdullatif al-Khal speaking at the event. growth and loyalty,” added al- Muraikhi. Deputy PM meets ambassadors

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud held separate meetings in Doha yesterday with the outgoing ambassadors of Malaysia and the United States to Qatar, Ahmad Jazri bin Mohamed Johar, and Dana Shell Smith, respectively. Bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them were discussed. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs wished ambassadors Ahmad Jazri bin Mohamed Johar and Dana Shell Smith success in their future assignments, and the relations between Qatar and their countries further progress and prosperity. AAB-Lexus unveils new LC luxury coupe

bdullah Abdulghani System is a world’s fi rst & Bros Co (AAB)- construction that combines ALexus has unveiled the Lexus hybrid system the all-new 2018 Lexus LC with variable gears. By con- in Qatar. trolling the output of both The arrival of the fl ag- the higher rpm 3.5-litre ship performance coupe V6 engine and the electric marks the beginning of a motor, it achieves power- new chapter for the Lexus ful performance from low brand, according to a press speeds through to high statement. range driving. The LC, which is avail- Built on the new Lex- able in Lexus dealerships us Global Architecture across the GCC region and The all-new 2018 Lexus LC. – Luxury platform, the Levant, combines “stun- LC “harmonises driving ning design, scintillating tions to create a design that A massive 471hp is devel- performance, design and performance, long-dis- goes beyond the concept – a oped at 7,100rpm and the craftsmanship in unprec- tance comfort and premium design that will captivate torque peak of 55.0kg-m at edented ways to achieve a craftsmanship to join an you as soon as you see it.” 4,800rpm. new sense of ingenuity”. elite group of international “The car symbolises the The Lexus LC debuts the The LC “exhibits razor- grand touring coupes”, the beginning of a new phase fi rst 10-speed automatic sharp refl exes, exceptional statement notes. for Lexus, which is all about transmission for a luxury handling balance and rock- AAB is the exclusive dis- creating greater synergy automobile. It executes solid stability”. tributor for Lexus in Qatar. between engineering and shifts at speeds rivalling du- Meanwhile, the dynamic The Lexus LC is described design,” said Takayuki Yos- al-clutch transmissions, yet luxury theme of the exterior as a “powerful, emotion- hitsugu, chief representa- with the seamless perform- is carried through into the ally stirring realisation” of tive of the Middle East and ance and smoothness of a LC’s cabin, while new mul- the vision of Lexus master North Africa Representa- torque converter automatic. timedia and safety technol- driver Akio Toyoda for a tive Offi ce, Toyota Motor Lexus has developed a ogies complement the car’s fl agship production coupe Corporation. new Multi Stage Hybrid masterful craftsmanship. that echoes the spirit of Based on the design of System specifi cally for the The LC is also equipped, as the hand-built Lexus LFA the LF-LC concept car, the LC 500h. The Atkinson-cy- standard, with the Lexus Safe- supercar and delivers the Lexus LC debuted as a pro- cle 3.5-litre V6 gasoline en- ty System+, an array of active visual impact of the Lexus duction model at the 2016 gine uses D-4S direct fuel safety features that can help LF-LC concept. edition of NAIAS. injection, and lightweight the driver avoid an accident or Koji Sato, chief engi- Powered by a high-per- valvetrain components al- help lessen the consequences neer of the Lexus LC, said: formance 5-litre naturally low a 6,600-rpm redline, of a collision. The system uses “While maximising the aspirated V8 engine, the with Dual VVT-i ensuring a camera and millimetre-wave fundamental taste of the all-new Lexus LC 500 can ample torque across the radar to monitor the road LF-LC, we applied com- sprint from zero to 100km engine speed range. ahead for potential hazards pletely diff erent specifi ca- in less than 4.7 seconds. The Multi Stage Hybrid and collision risks. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 7 QATAR

Ministry of Education honours Qatar University winners of regional contests

QNA Doha

he Ministry of Educa- students join Rota tion and Higher Educa- Ttion yesterday honoured students, teachers and schools of Qatar who won prizes in the various regional competitions they participated in during the 2016-2017 academic year, and scheme in Nepal had outstanding results and achievements. HE Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi with a student. ducation Above All (EAA) HE Minister of Education and foundation, through its Higher Education Dr Mohamed which was held on the margins in the subjects of the study. Eprogramme, Reach Out to Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi of the United Nations Con- He praised the role of school Asia (Rota), recently partnered honoured 22 students, teach- ference on Combating Drugs administrations and Qatari with Qatar University (QU) to ers and schools who won the in Vienna, the winners of the families who supported their take a group of students on a Hamdan bin Rashid Al Mak- World Robotics Championship children, nurtured and pre- service learning trip to Nepal as toum Award for Distinguished and winners at Sheikha Fadia pared them for competition and part of its International Volun- Academic Performance, won at Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah winning. teer Trips Programme, aiming the 6th GCC Math Olympiad, Competition at the level of GCC The winners have painted an to expose the volunteers to the Physics Olympiad and Arabic secondary schools. honourable image of Qatar at reality faced by in-country Rota Language Debates in addition HE the Minister of Education the regional and international benefi ciaries and build their ca- to winners at the Braille reading and Higher Education said that levels, he added. pacity. competition, organised by the this victory, achieved by the Qa- For their part, the honoured A total of 18 female students Zayed Higher Organisation for tari students, indicates their sci- students and their families ex- travelled to the Dolakha re- Humanitarian Care. entifi c excellence which results pressed their happiness at this gion of Nepal on an eight-day The event also included win- from the strength of the compe- honour, which indicates the service trip.Working in col- ners at the World Youth Forum, tencies they have acquired state’s attention to excellence. laboration with ActionAid Ne- pal, volunteers facilitated daily workshops and took part in in- teractive activities with 72 stu- dents from the Shree Janajyoti Higher Secondary School and 1,894 inspection tours conducted Shree Tripura Sundary Basic School. oha Municipality Health meat was destroyed as being un- From these, 151 consignment Fatma al-Mulla, one of the Control inspectors con- fi t for human consumption. In weighing 21.58 tonnes were de- volunteers on the trip, said the Dducted 1,894 inspec- addition the central market unit stroyed for being infected with experience has helped her to An outdoor activity by the volunteers. tion tours on the food facilities inspectors checked the validity various bugs. In addition, 10 better understand some of the within the jurisdiction of Doha of about 14,872 tonnes of fruits other consignments of agri- educational challenges facing home in Qatar,” Ameena al-Jar- Rota, said: “Our International way. Volunteers gain valuable life Municipality in April. and vegetables and destroyed 56 culture products weighing 135 students and teachers in Nepal. man added. Volunteer Trips programme gives experiences and skills that they These resulted in issuing of 15 tonnes. During the same period tonnes which were exported “I would like to thank EAA for The daily volunteer-led work- university students in Qatar the can use to shape their local com- violation reports in accordance also, Doha Municipality received were inspected and issued plant giving me this incredible op- shops covered a range of topics opportunity to develop their munities back home in Qatar,” al- with law No 8 of 1990 regulat- and addressed 84 related com- health certifi cates. portunity – it has really opened that were designed to enhance leadership skills and play an ac- Saleh added. ing human food control. Be- plaints. Umm Salal Municipality in my eyes to some of the educa- students’ English language skills, tive role in contributing to Rota’s EAA’s Rota Volunteer Pro- sides 14 administrative closure Similarly, the Ministry co-ordination with MME’s tional obstacles youth across leadership skills, social entrepre- educational initiatives while gramme aims to promote a cul- decisions were enforced on var- of Municipality and Envi- General Cleaning Department Asia are faced with and under- neurship and cross-cultural un- learning about and experiencing ture of volunteerism in Qatar, cre- ious food outlets for fi ve to 30 ronment’s (MME) Agricul- cleared 9,910 tonnes of house- scored the importance of Rota’s derstanding. The emphasis was diff erent cultures.” ate a link between Rota’s national days according to the violation. ture Quarantine Offi ces have hold garbage during January- work.” on shared learning and relation- “By focusing on project-based and international initiatives, and The doctors of the meat health checked 6,364 diff erent con- March, in addition to 10,404 “This trip has boosted my ship building between youth in learning in the volunteer-led build the capacity of volunteers unit at the Central Market at Abu signments of imported agricul- tonnes of various refuse mate- confi dence and inspired me to Qatar and Nepal. workshops, these trips aim to and benefi ciaries by engaging in Hamour Area checked carcasses ture products, weighing around rials, 1,984 discarded tyres, 504 get involved in more volunteer Mohamed al-Saleh, national make an impact in a meaning- meaningful service, cross cultural of 73,422 sheep, 543 cows, and 112,093 tonnes at various ports tonnes of scattered garbage and initiatives both abroad and back programmes director at EAA’s ful, tangible and sustainable exchange and skills transfer. 528 camels. Around six tonnes of of the country in April. 390 carcasses of dead animals.

Officials and an award winner at the ceremony. PICTURE: Thajudeen Doha hosts Arab Towns Organisation’s award ceremony for architecture

QNA ity gave a speech to mark the occasion He expressed his thanks to all au- Doha and said that the award was one of the thorities and institutions keen on most important events in promoting maintaining the Arab identity. the identity of Arabic and Islamic ar- For his part, the secretary-general of oha hosted yesterday an award chitecture in cities. Arab Towns Organisation said that the ceremony to hand out prizes for It also helped promote environmen- event enhances the sense of partner- Dthe 13th edition of Arab Towns tal conservation and beautifi cation of ship between Arab cities and its dwell- Organisation Awards in the Architec- cities, HE the minister added. ers in their goal of achieving sustain- ture, and the Architectural Heritage He noted that the awards were es- able development. award categories. tablished to help preserve the identity It will also enhance the competitive- HE Minister of Municipality and of Arab cities after it, along with city ness of Arab cities and the effi ciency of Environment Mohamed bin Abdul- beautifi cation, became one of the big- its management, the secretary-general lah al-Rumaihi and secretary-gen- gest challenges facing Arab cities’ of- added. eral of the Arab Towns Organisation fi cials. Al-Subaih then expressed his thanks Ahmed Mohamed al-Subaih award- The award also aimed to encourage to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- ed the winners in the mentioned innovation in the Arab-Islamic archi- mad al-Thani, Qatar government, and categories. tectural fi elds and using it in modern the Qatari people for their support to HE the Minister of Municipal- day applications. the organisation.

Q-Auto introduces Smart Buy for VW

-Auto, the offi cial importer of years roadside assistance on the Jetta, the price point because we want to Volkswagen vehicles in Qa- Passat and Touareg. give back as a brand and off er a seam- Qtar, has introduced Smart Buy, During this period, customers will less showroom experience without the to celebrate the holy month of Ram- also benefi t from a buyback guarantee usual drawbacks of searching for the adan. Customers can take advantage of and fi nance options with 0% interest right fi nancing,” said Ahmed Shariefi , unique benefi ts on select models until rate without bank approval. general manager, Volkswagen Qatar, June 26. “During Ramadan, we have made it Q-Auto. Volkswagen Qatar will off er 0% easier for our customers to get behind More information can be had from down payment with fi ve years warran- the wheel of a German vehicle with the Volkswagen showroom on Salwa ty with unlimited mileage, three years premium technology at an aff ordable Road or Volkswagen Centre at +974 free service up to 45,000km and three price. Our current off ers go beyond 4445 2365. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 QATAR QCDC conducts training course for councillors from schools

he Qatar Career Develop- beginner and experienced par- sure that all participants gained ment Centre (QCDC) has ticipants. the most from taking part in this Twrapped up the third edi- Margo McCoy, a US licensed important programme, enabling tion of its Career Counsellors professional counsellor, and them to empower Qatari youth Training Programme. Patrick Desbarats, head of the to better serve the nation,” al- The annual event, organised in Counselling and College Place- Mansoori said. partnership with the US embassy ment at the American School of Nahid Lawson, education ad- in Qatar, and in collaboration Doha, made more than 15 pres- viser at the US embassy in Qa- with the Ministry of Education entations over a fi ve-day period tar, said, “We are very pleased Representatives of HMC’s Hamad Dental Center and the Faculty of Dentistry of RCSI. and Higher Education, was tai- on topics ranging from post-sec- that for the third consecutive lored this year to provide level- ondary school options for stu- year we were able to collaborate specifi c training to independent dents, to identifying the pillars with QCDC and the Ministry of school counsellors. of career and educational coun- Education and Higher Educa- More than 23 newcomers par- selling. tion to provide much-needed ticipated in beginner sessions Abdullah al-Mansoori, direc- training for school counsellors. HMC dentists join internationally on how best to guide young stu- tor of QCDC, a member of Qatar Our trainer, Margo McCoy, is dents to make informed aca- Foundation for Education, Sci- an expert in her fi eld with many demic and career decisions, ence and Community Develop- years of experience in counsel- while 33 experienced counsel- ment, said the latest edition of ling and training. It is our hope accredited fellowship programme lors joined discussions on issues the programme was designed to that school counsellors are able such as the impact of counsellor capitalise on its success in the to implement the knowledge and training programmes and eff orts previous years. practical tips learnt this week at he Hamad Medical Cor- part of an agreement between poration participated in this atric Dentistry Fellowship Pro- to professionalise career guid- “By tailoring sessions to match their schools so we have better poration (HMC), in co- HMC and RCSI that was devel- fi ve-day training programme. gramme off ered in co-operation ance practices. A number of key school counsellors’ level of ex- prepared students joining col- Toperation with the Royal oped with the aim of off ering The aim of the programme is to with the Royal College of Sur- presentations were open to both perience, QCDC sought to en- leges in Qatar or overseas.” College of Surgeons in Ireland specialised dentistry training to perfect the knowledge of HMC geons of Ireland,” added Dr al- (RCSI), recently organised a Qataris interested in furthering dentists in all aspects of den- Ansari. training programme for HMC their education and advancing tistry. The programme aims to The internationally accred- dentists to prepare to take the their dental qualifi cations. prepare staff for the educational ited RCSI HMC MFD Post- Membership of the College’s The programme is the fi rst of curricula required to pass the graduate Dental Education Faculty of Dentistry (MFD). its kind in the Middle East re- admittance test for member- Programme supports Qatar’s Through the programme, a gion. ship with RCSI, the next intake National Oral Health Strategy. group of HMC clinical associ- Dr Khalifa al-Ansari, senior of which is scheduled to be held Hamad Dental Centre strives ates successfully completed the consultant and vice chairman, at HMC next October.” to provide comprehensive, glo- requirement to be enrolled in Education and Programme “The dentists who joined last bally accepted, best practice the MFD Postgraduate Dental Director, Hamad Dental Cen- year’s qualifying programme care, founded on its holistic Education Programme. tre, said: “A total of 20 dental have achieved high scores in the perspective of delivering safe, Being off ered at HMC for the practitioners from HMC and MFD. Some of them have gone quality services and proven second time, the programme is the Primary Health Care Cor- on to join a specialised Paedi- treatments for all patients. Three health centres to be ready soon

he construction of at the dental department. least three health centres The other health centre being Tis expected to be over by built near Umm Salama Primray the third quarter of this year, School in Al Wajba too is near- according to reports in the latest ing completion. It is spread over issue of the in-house magazine 20,000sqm and has space for 45 of Ashghal. clinics. The total construction The health centres are at Al cost is about QR170mn. Wajba, Muaither and Al Waab. The report said more than The report said 75% of the three-fourth of the work of the work of the QR170mn health clinic at Al Waab is completed. and wellness centre in Muaith- It is spread over 10,000sqm and er is complete. The project is has space for 28 clinics. The Al Waab Health Centre is one of the three which will be ready by spread over 19,000sqm and has Al Jamaa Health Centre, lo- the third quarter of the year. approximately 480 parking lots. cated on the southern side of The centre will have 45 clin- Qatar University will be ready It is being built at a cost of of more than 23,000sqm and Participants take part in a group activity during the recent QCDC Career Counsellors Training Programme. ics, including 10 exclusively for towards the end of the year. QR150mn. It has a built up area has 28 clinics. QU announces winners of competition

he Qatar University’s chem- ical engineering teams Q- TCar, the Professionals and MadMax were placed first, second and third, respectively, in their category at the closing ceremony of the second ChemE Car Compe- tition. Omar bin Abdulaziz Independent Secondary School, Jassim bin Ha- mad Independent Secondary School and Khalifa Secondary Independent School were named the fi rst, second and third place winners in their cat- egory. The competition was organised by QU College of Engineering (CENG) Department of Chemical Engineer- ing in collaboration with its AIChE (American Institute of Chemi- cal Engineers) student chapter and sponsored by Oryx GTL Qatar. A total of 12 independent high schools in Qatar and six teams from QU participated in this year’s edi- tion. The competition, held for the second consecutive year, aims to encourage creativity and innova- tion among CENG Department of Chemical Engineering students and also reach out to high school A total of 12 independent high schools in Qatar and six teams from QU participated in the second ChemE Car Competition. students to motivate them towards studies in chemical engineering. 2016, the Department of Chemi- is one of CENG’s initiatives organ- use them to operate small cars. It The competition required par- cal Engineering team offered sev- ised in co-ordination with industry also helps students to improve and ticipants to design and race a small eral sessions for the participating to reach out to school students and implement their skills in the fi eld of car that is operated through chemi- schools to guide them on compe- motivate them to join engineer- science and engineering.” cal processes and carrying a load tition guidelines, rules, and safety ing careers and become tomorrow’s Oryx GTL Qatar acting public re- of water (0-500g) for a distance of regulations in addition to the main leaders in this important sector.” lations manager Thamer al-Kaabi between 15-30m. Teams were given phases they need to go through to CENG Chemical Engineer- said: “Our support for the ChemE information of the load and distance accomplish their car designs and ing Department head Prof Majeda Car Competition for the second year about two hours before the compe- calibration tasks. Khraisheh said: “The ChemE Car in a row is to confi rm the commit- tition. Commenting on the competition, Competition aims to help students ment of Oryx GTL in supporting the In the lead-up to the compe- CENG dean Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa to explore and understand the prin- importance of educational initia- tition that started in December said: “The ChemE Car Competition ciples of chemical engineering and tives in the State of Qatar.” Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD

International inquiry fi nds sulphur mustard exposure in Syria

Reuters of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fact were exposed to sulphur mustard,” the of laboratory analysis, the FFM has de- three chlorine gas attacks in 2014 and ment forces for the attack in the rebel- United Nations Finding Mission was not able to visit mission wrote in a report to the Securi- termined that this mortar...is a muni- 2015 and that Islamic State militants held area of northern Syria. the site. Investigators based their fi nd- ty Council earlier this month and made tion containing sulphur mustard,” the used mustard gas. Syria agreed to de- The Syrian government, which is ing on interviews with the women, an public yesterday. report said. he OPCW Fact Finding stroy its chemical weapons in 2013 under backed by Russia, has denied responsi- nvestigators from the global chem- analysis of blood samples taken under A Russian team of investigators vis- Mission is only responsible for deter- a deal brokered by Russia and the United bility. A crackdown by Syrian President ical weapons watchdog found that their supervision, and a review of in- ited the site two months after the re- mining if chemical weapons were used States. The OPCW mission is also inves- Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy pro- Itwo Syrian women were exposed to formation provided by the Syrian gov- ported attack. in attacks in Syria. tigating a gas attack last month in Syria testers in 2011 led to civil war and Islamic sulphur mustard in an apparent attack ernment and Russia. The OPCW mission examined a A joint United Nations and OPCW that killed dozens of people and prompt- State militants have used the chaos to in Aleppo province last September, a “The FFM can confi rm that the two mortar reported to be linked to the at- investigation could now look at the inci- ed the United States to launch missiles seize territory in Syria and Iraq. report to the United Nations Security female casualties reported to have tack, which had been recovered by the dent to determine who is to blame. on a Syrian air base.The OPCW has said Half of Syria’s 22mn people have been Council said. been involved in the incident in Um Russian team and given to the Syrian This team has already found Syrian a sarin or sarin-like substance was used. uprooted and more than 400,000 The Organisation for the Prohibition Hosh, Aleppo of September 16, 2016 government. “Supported by the results government forces were responsible for Western powers blame Syrian govern- killed.

US in new defence Over 60 electoral ‘violations’ in accord with UAE run-up to Iran vote: judiciary

Reuters paign office to steal documents Reuters Beirut pertaining to a rival. No details Washington were given about the other vio- lations, though Mohseni Ejei ore than 60 “viola- said they were being pursued in he United States has tions” linked to Fri- the courts. It is rare for Iranian signed a new, updated Mday’s presidential and officials to publicly discuss po- Tdefence accord with the regional elections in Iran have litical irregularities, particu- United Arab Emirates that could occurred and two people have larly before elections. allow Washington to send more been arrested, the judiciary said, But sensitivity to allegations troops and equipment there, the at a time of mounting tension of fraud has risen since wide- Pentagon said yesterday, in the between moderate and hardline spread unrest erupted over the latest sign of deepening ties. factions. disputed outcome of the 2009 The agreement, the details President Hassan Rouhani presidential election in which of which were fi rst reported by remains the narrow favour- dozens of people were killed Reuters, replaces a 1994 accord ite for a second term thanks to and hundreds arrested, accord- to better “refl ect the broad range Iran’s re-engagement with the ing to human rights groups. of military-to-military co-oper- world after the lifting of sanc- Tensions between moderate ation that the UAE and US enjoy tions, but has been hammered and hardline political factions today,” spokesman Christopher by hardline foes over his failure have escalated in the run-up to Sherwood said. to rehabilitate the economy. Friday’s election as top candi- US Defence Secretary Jim Judiciary spokesman dates have resorted to unusu- Mattis, a champion of closer Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei ally caustic criticism of each Gulf ties, discussed the agree- said yesterday the electoral other, a rarity in Iranian politi- ment with Sheikh Mohamed bin infractions were committed cal discourse. Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince by “governors, county chiefs, The May 19 election is shap- of Abu Dhabi, at the White district chiefs and the heads of ing up primarily as a contest House on Monday. government offices”, according between Rouhani, a pragmatist The accord was signed on May to judiciary news site Mizan. who has improved the Islamic Iranian presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi (centre) greets his supporters as he stands with former presidential candidate and mayor of Tehran, 8, the Pentagon said, but was Mohseni Ejei said the two ar- Republic’s relations with the Mohamed Baqer Qalibaf (centre-right), during a campaign rally in Tehran yesterday. only disclosed over the past day. rests arose from an attempt by West and sought to liberalise “The agreement marks a new an election candidate’s cam- Iranian society, and Ebrahim chapter in our partnership and Raisi, a conservative cleric refl ects the breadth and depth who served in the judiciary for of our ongoing co-operation,” VP pulls out of election, many years.Rouhani has criti- Mattis said in a statement af- backs Rouhani cised Raisi’s past as a senior ter the talks. A former leader prosecutor in the 1980s when of Central Command, which Iran’s reformist first vice presi- thousands of jailed dissidents oversees US military operations dent, Eshaq Jahangiri, yesterday were executed. in the region, Mattis has more pulled out of this week’s presi- Raisi and other hardliners openly embraced the Gulf’s view dential election and endorsed have accused Rouhani of toler- of Iran as a strategic adversary in the incumbent, Hassan Rouhani, ating corruption and misman- the Middle East. ISNA news agency reported. aging the economy, charges he Since taking offi ce, Trump ad- “I will vote for Mr Rouhani in the denies. ministration has already increased presidential election,” Jahangiri At a campaign appearance in co-operation with the UAE in said as he announced he was the northwestern city of Zan- Yemen against Al Qaeda in the withdrawing his candidacy. jan yesterday, Rouhani also Arabian Peninsula.It also appears “I have completed my historic upbraided the Islamic Revolu- increasingly inclined to support a duty and, together with you, I will tionary Guard Corps (IRGC), coalition against Houthi fi ghters, vote for Rouhani to help continue Iran’s elite and most power- who are aligned with Iran. Iran on the path to progress for this ful military and security force, rejects accusations that it is giving country,” he told a crowd of sev- suggesting it was drumming up fi nancial and military support to eral thousand people gathered in support for Raisi even though the Houthis in Yemen’s civil the southern city of Shiraz. he did not directly name the Supporters of Iranian President and presidential candidate Hassan Rouhani hold purple and green balloons, purple the symbol of his war. Page 10 group. movement and green the colour of the reformists, during an electoral campaign gathering in the northwestern city of Zanjan yesterday.

TENSION Grenade kills police off icer: ministry

Saudi Arabian police off icer was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade yesterday in a Shia town, the interior ministry said. A member of the special police emergency forces died when “a rocket-propelled grenade (was) launched from inside the neighbour- hood” and hit his patrol unit in the Almosara area of Awamiya, the ministry said in a statement. “Five others were injured and taken to hospital,” it said. Awamiya is a town of 30,000 in Qatif district of Eastern Province. On Friday the ministry said a two-year-old boy and a Pakistani died when gunmen from within Almosara opened fire on passersby, security off icers and workers on the project. Criminals engaged in the drug and arms trade tried “to jeopardise the project and protect their terrorist activities that they launch from the abandoned houses in the neighbourhood”, the ministry said at the time. Images purportedly from the area and circulating on social media yesterday showed a wasteland of buildings apparently pock- marked heavily by gunfire and with some showing signs of burning. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 ARAB WORLD Global research centre inaugurated in Jordan

AFP The facility, located in Balqa prov- work on the $100mn centre started in scientifi c research in subjects ranging two-year terms as vice presidents of was given a tour of the facility yester- Amman ince, just northwest of Amman, “will 2003. It was developed under the aus- from biology, archaeology and medical the SESAME council. day and was briefed on the technol- house the fi rst nuclear-powered ac- pices of Unesco and offi cially came into sciences.” In 2010, one Iranian member of ogy used there, the royal court said in celerator in the world,” said SESAME existence in April 2004. SESAME also seeks to “build sci- SESAME, Majid Shahriari, was killed a statement. Synchrotron uses a high- ordan’s King Abdullah II yesterday council president Chris Llewellyn Jordan was chosen from among fi ve entifi c and cultural bridges between in Tehran, with Iran accusing Israel of resolution X-ray to delve below the formally launched an international Smith. countries for the project, which was diverse societies, and contribute to a assassinating the nuclear scientist. surface and identify minute details. Jresearch centre whose members “The centre is expected to attract a funded mostly by the member coun- culture of peace through international Seyed Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri The centre has three accelerators include experts from around the world large number of scientists from the re- tries and the European Union. cooperation in science,” the website served as vice president from Decem- that can propel electrons up to 2.5bn including arch-rivals Iran and Israel. gion,” Smith said, adding it had “so far The project’s website says that SES- says. ber 2011 to May 2014 when Eliezer electron volts. The International Centre for Syn- received 55 scientifi c research projects AME is a “third-generation” synchro- Among the project’s members are Rabinovici, a physics professor at Je- The chairman of the Jordan Atom- chrotron-Light for Experimental Sci- on the use of nuclear accelerators”. tron light source aimed at promoting Israel and Iran, in addition to Cyprus, rusalem’s Hebrew University, replaced ic Energy Agency, Khaled Toukan, ence and Applications in the Middle SESAME was set up on the model “scientifi c and technological excel- Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Turkey and him. The centre also has 17 observ- “pointed to the political, technical East, known by the acronym SESAME, of the European Organisation for Nu- lence in the Middle East”. the Palestinian Authority. ers, who have an advisory role and in- and fi nancial challenges that faced “is the fi rst research centre of its kind clear Research (CERN) — Europe’s top Its mission is to “prevent or reverse Despite their deep hostilities, ex- clude the European Union, China and the project’s task force,” the statement in the region,” said the royal court. physics laboratory — and construction the brain drain by enabling world-class perts from Israel and Iran have served the United States. The Jordanian king added. Hamas releases ‘confessions’ of suspects in offi cial’s killing Iraqi security forces

AFP accomplices, confessing to their roles saying he was arrested two weeks after Gaza City in the death of Mazen Faqha, although the killing. their faces did not appear. Two other unnamed men are al- recapture most of No independent bodies have had leged to have helped plan the killing amas released a recording yes- access to the suspects, and the im- with the help of Israel’s security serv- terday of the purported con- ages and recordings were impossible ices. Hfessions of the men suspected to verify. The assassination in the middle of of murdering one of its commanders Faqha, a senior member of Hamas’ the Hamas-run Gaza Strip shocked in the heart of Gaza, allegedly on be- armed wing, was shot dead next to his the movement and raised fears of a west Mosul from IS half of Israel. home in Gaza City on March 24. new confl ict with Israel. At a press conference in Gaza, the Hamas immediately accused Is- The two have fought three wars AFP interior ministry in the Hamas-run rael of carrying out the professionally since 2008. Mosul enclave broadcast a 14-minute video. planned operation. Israel has neither confi rmed nor de- Images allegedly showed three men, On Monday, the group named nied the claims. presented as the murderer and his two Ashraf Abu Leila, 38, as chief suspect, In the recordings broadcast yester- raqi forces have recaptured nearly day, the chief suspect is not named 90% of west Mosul from the Islam- but is identifi ed only by his initials. Iic State group and militants in the He confesses to co-operating with city are on the “brink of total defeat”, Israeli intelligence since 2004, with an offi cers said yesterday. Israeli agent asking him for informa- Iraqi forces launched the massive tion about Hamas bases. operation to retake Mosul from IS His “last mission” was murdering nearly seven months ago, fi ghting their Faqha, saying he shot him fi ve or six way to the militant-held city, retaking times in the head and torso. its eastern side and then attacking the A security source recently indicat- west. ed the suspect was a member of the Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, armed wing of Hamas for several years spokesman for Iraq’s Joint Operations before being expelled in 2008. Command, told a news conference in General Tawfi q Abu Naim, head of Baghdad that IS now controls just over Tawfiq Abu Naim (second left), head of Hamas-run security forces in Gaza, speaks the Hamas security services in Gaza, 10% of west Mosul. during a press conference on the killing of senior Hamas off icial Mazen Faqha, in said the assassination was prepared Both Staff Lieutenant General Ab- Gaza City, yesterday. for eight months. dulwahab al-Saadi, a senior Iraqi spe- cial forces commander, and Colonel John Dorrian, the spokesman for the US-led international coalition against IS, said that the end was near for mili- tants in the city. Colonel John Dorrian, the spokesman for the US-led international coalition against “They have two options: die and go the Islamic State (IS) group, holds a press conference in Baghdad yesterday. to hell or raise the white fl ag. They have no third option,” Saadi said at his head- estimated to still be trapped inside the more people than the fi ghting. quarters in Mosul. city’s west. In eastern Mosul, life returned to a “The enemy is completely sur- The number of those fl eeing has semblance of normality fairly quickly rounded,” Dorrian told the news con- been on the rise, with Thursday see- after Iraqi forces drove the militants ference in Baghdad. “The enemy is on ing around 20,000 people fl eeing west back neighbourhood by neighbour- the brink of total defeat in Mosul.” Mosul, the Norwegian Refugee Coun- hood until the area was fully recap- The drive to retake Mosul has been cil said, in the biggest single-day dis- tured earlier this year. supported by a campaign of coalition placement since the operation began. IS overran large areas north and west air strikes in and around the city. The presence of a large civilian pop- of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces Dorrian said that coalition strikes ulation, which either chose not to leave backed by US-led air strikes have since have destroyed more than 300 explo- or was prevented from doing so by IS, retaken much of the territory they lost sives-rigged vehicles in Mosul, as well complicates any fi nal assault to seal to the militants. as over 200 IS tunnels and more than victory in Mosul. But while the battle for Mosul is a thousand militant fi ghting positions. While coalition air strikes have aided moving ever closer to its conclusion, IS now controls just a handful of the advance of Iraqi forces, they have the city’s recapture will not mark the neighbourhoods around the Old City, also reportedly caused hundreds of ci- end of the war against IS in Iraq. one of the country’s heritage jewels. vilian casualties in the city. Losing Mosul would remove from The area’s narrow streets and closely Human shields have become a cen- militants’ hands the largest Iraqi popu- spaced buildings make it diffi cult for tral feature of the vastly outnumbered lation centre still under IS control, and federal forces to take on the militants, militants’ defences, and IS has stopped would be a major blow to their narra- requiring them to fi ght on foot instead at nothing to deter people from escap- tive that they have established a cross- of from vehicles as they have previ- ing the city, including killing people border Islamic “state”. But IS also holds ously done. who seek to fl ee. other territory in Nineveh province, of Half a mn people are currently dis- Trapped residents reached by AFP which Mosul is the capital, as well as in placed as a result of the battle for Mo- inside IS-held areas have also recently Kirkuk and Anbar, while Syria’s Raqqa sul, and some 250,000 civilians are warned that hunger was starting to kill is also controlled by the militants. Trump to visit holy sites in fi rst trip abroad

AFP gether with an agenda of tolerance and moderation.” Washington After Saudi Arabia, Trump’s voyage will take him to Jerusalem, where he will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visit the Vad Yashem memorial to the Hol- S President Donald Trump will urge unity between ocaust. The next day he will pray at the Western Wall, one the world’s major faiths on an ambitious fi rst foreign of Judaism’s holiest sites. Utrip that will take him to Saudi Arabia, the Vatican On the same day, he will meet President Mahmoud Ab- and Jerusalem, the White House said yesterday. bas of the Palestinian territories in Bethlehem on the West National Security Adviser HR McMaster laid out a detailed Bank “where he will convey his administration’s eagerness itinerary for the “historic trip,” due to start late this week, to facilitate an agreement that ends” the Israel-Palestin- and confi rmed that Trump would address a gathering of ian conflict. Palestinian officials have put their hopes in Muslim leaders. Trump to revive the moribund peace process, but — after Previous US leaders have generally chosen a US neighbour early enthusiasm for the Republican billionaire’s rise gave such as Canada or Mexico for their fi rst presidential voyage, way to concerns — Israeli officials have been on edge in the but Trump intends to plunge right into some of the world’s run-up to the visit. most diffi cult spiritual and political confl icts. McMaster failed to answer a direct question as to In Saudi Arabia, after a day of talks with King Salman and whether the US government considers the Western Wall to his crown prince, Trump will attend a gathering of dozens of be within Israeli territory, and he said Israeli leaders would leaders from across the Muslim world. not accompany him on his visit to the site in Jerusalem’s “The speech is intended to unite the broader Muslim world Old City. “He’s going to the Western Wall mainly in con- against common enemies of all civilisation and to demon- nection with the theme to connect with three of the world’s strate America’s commitment to our Muslim partners,” Mc- great religions,” McMaster said. Master said, adding that Trump will help open a centre to After Jerusalem, Trump will head to the Vatican for an au- de-radicalise extremists. Trump campaigned for offi ce vow- dience with Pope Francis. The US leader will celebrate the ing to destroy “radical terrorism” and impose “a total ban on contributions of Catholics to America and the world, dis- all Muslim immigration” to the United States. cuss diplomatic issues with the pontiff and tour St Peter’s In offi ce since January 20, he has already attempted to Basilica. impose a ban on travellers from a group of mainly-Muslim After the Vatican, the trip takes a secular turn with a visit countries, before his order fell foul of the US courts. to Belgium to meet European Union offi cials and attend the But McMaster stressed that Trump would be visiting Nato summit on May 24-25. sites associated with the world’s great religions to stress He then heads to Italy and the island of Sicily for the G7 “that we all have to be united and we have to be joined to- summit on May 26 and 27. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 11 AFRICA

TERRORISM SAFE ASSASSINATION JUSTICE CIVIL STRIFE Female suicide bombers hit Four aid workers abducted Shebaab murder off icial in Gambia swears in several Congo army kills 15 militia Nigeria’s Borno state in central Mali are released northern Kenya ambush homegrown judges in violence-plagued region

Three female suicide bombers killed two people and Four humanitarian workers abducted by Gunmen from Somalia’s Shebaab militant group The Gambia’s president has sworn in six new The Congolese army yesterday killed 15 members injured six others in an attack on a village in northeast unknown gunmen in central Mali have been burst into a government off icial’s house in northeast judges to top courts, with Gambians dominating of a regional militia in the central Kasai region, Nigeria’s Borno state, a police spokesman said freed, the International Committee of the Red Kenya and shot him dead late on Monday, police and the list in a country that long relied on foreign a local off icial said. The army was informed yesterday. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the Cross (ICRC) said yesterday. The Malian nationals, the group said yesterday. Four attackers in military justices under the former regime. Chief Justice that Kamwina Nsapu rebels had regrouped in attack but it bears the hallmarks of Islamist militant who work for the ICRC and the Malian Red Cross, fatigues killed Dekow Abbey Sirat in Mandera county, Hassan Bubacar Jallow said late on Monday Kalombayi in Mweka district, and launched an group Boko Haram, whose heartland is Borno were healthy although “psychologically aff ected” a territory near Somalia’s border that has seen a the four appointed to the Supreme Court and attack, Mweka off icial Jean Sesh said. He said 15 and which often uses women for suicide attacks. by the kidnapping, said ICRC spokesman string of Shebaab raids in recent years. A number of two appointed to the Court of Appeal had all militiamen were killed while others fled into a Borno state police spokesman Victor Isuku said the Germain Mwehu. The aid workers were abducted his bodyguards also died in the attack, the militants enjoyed “distinguished legal careers here and forest, and that the army suff ered no casualties. bombers detonated their explosives on Monday in the village of Tenenkou in the central Mopti said. “We suspect the attackers are militants since abroad”. Cherno Sulayman Jallow, a former More than 500 rebels, police or soldiers have been night in Mandarari Ward, Konduga Local Government region on Sunday evening while assessing the after the raid they escaped towards Somalia,” Edward Attorney General of the British Virgin Islands and killed in Kasai over the past five months, according Area, some 36km from state capital Maiduguri, at humanitarian situation of the area. Members Mwamburi, the head of the northeastern regional Mary Mam Yassin Sey, a former Gambian judge to police. The region has seen increasing violence about 9.30pm. The military says the start of the rainy of religious orders or aid organisations are police force, told Reuters by phone. Abdiasis Abu who resigned and went to work for the United between the Kamwina Nsapu militia and security season in a few weeks’ time will probably reduce the regularly abducted by militants or extremists in Musab, Shabaab’s military operations spokesman, Nations as a legal adviser, were appointed to the forces since the traditional chief heading the militia militants’ movement and activity. Mali, usually in the hope of ransom. said: “We killed the Kenyan off icial in Mandera county.” Supreme Court. was killed in fighting in August.

Kenyan women Ivorian mutineers back candidates decry violence, threats in barracks after deal ahead of election By Daniel Wesangula, Reuters AFP Nairobi Bouake he Kenyan government should protect women ebel soldiers in Ivory Coast politicians from harassment, beatings and in- yesterday agreed to end a Ttimidation in the countdown to August polls, Rfour-day mutiny which drew female candidates have said following a spate of at- in troops from across the country tacks and at least one death related to the election. after reaching agreement with the “The dangers that women aspirants face are unac- government over a wages dispute. ceptable and have been tolerated for far too long,” said “Calm has returned,” said De- Esther Passaris, who was targeted while campaigning fence Minister Alain-Richard Don- at the weekend for one of Kenya’s women-only seats. wahi. “The situation is returning to “Something must be done.” normal in all the military regions.” Passaris was locked in a room at the University News of the deal was confi rmed of Nairobi last week by a group of men demanding by a spokesman for the disgruntled 150,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,450) to allow her to hold troops, who said their fi nancial de- a planned rally. mands had been met, ending a dis- The door was eventually unlocked when her sup- pute which began in January. porters overpowered those of her opponent. “We have found a basis for agree- Kenya created 47 women’s representative seats in ment. We are returning to bar- 2013 to boost women’s numbers in parliament. racks,” Sergeant Cisse Fousseni told The country has East Africa’s lowest female repre- AFP after a round of unrest that be- sentation in parliament — at 19% — and women have gan on Friday. struggled to make gains in the face of violence, intim- The defence minister said banks idation and sexism. had reopened and that civil serv- During chaotic primaries last month a bodyguard ants could return to work and busi- for Millie Odhiambo, member of parliament for Mbita nesses resume normal activity. in western Kenya, was run over and killed by an op- The mutiny, which sowed dis- ponent’s vehicle. ruption across the world’s top co- A few days later her house was razed. coa-producing nation, saw soldiers “We are appalled by the inaction of police over the shooting angrily into the air and violence,” Josephine Mongare, chairwoman of the heavy gunfi re in Ivory Coast’s two Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA), told biggest cities, Abidjan and Bouake, the Thomson Reuters Foundation. in which one person died. “They are showing no sense of urgency in this se- There was heavy gunfi re on Mon- lective violence targeting women that has already re- day at the country’s largest military sulted in loss of life and threatens to spill over to more barracks in Abidjan, the economic women.” capital, as well as in Gallieni camp in Interior ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said the city centre where banks, offi ces women were not the only victims of political violence. and department stores were closed. “We cannot have a special police force for any par- Troops also seized control of ticular group of candidates whether male or female,” Bouake, the country’s second city, he said. where sustained gunfi re rang out. “Candidates should take personal responsibility Border posts were closed, halting and avoid provoking opponents.” traffi c to neighbouring Mali, Burki- A policeman talks with soldiers as they prepare to leave a roadblock at the entrance of Bouake yesterday. Women aspirants suff ered targeted attacks in na Faso and Niger. Kenya’s primaries, the state-funded Kenya National But the tensions eased consider- The mutiny was the latest in a rebel soldiers, the government has AFP. “But it’s becoming a habit. We strikes by other soldiers, civil serv- Commission on Human Rights has said, including as- ably after news of the deal broke. series of armed protests which be- now agreed to give them an imme- can’t live with this all the time.” ants and police. sault, a death threat and burning of property. “We’re happy, we haven’t slept gan in January in the West African diate payment of 5mn CFA francs “The mutineers are right. They Ouattara took offi ce in 2011 after It called on the government to de-register candi- for fi ve days,” said rebel spokesman country, with troops angered by a with the remaining 2mn to be paid should be paid. A mistake was made months of deadly election violence dates and parties involved in the violence. Serjeant Sidick. “Even we don’t wage dispute with President Alas- next month. and they had to sit down behind in which more than 8,000 rebels Sarah Korere, who is standing for member of par- want any more mutinies. It stops sane Ouattara’s government. With the agreement, the sol- closed doors...But giving them 7mn supported him against troops liament in the northern region of Laikipia, had the here. But we didn’t have any other That uprising ended when the diers have now secured “everything CFA francs? In plain view of people backing ex-head-of-state Laurent contents of her car looted last month while out cam- way to make ourselves heard.” government agreed to pay the sol- which had been promised in Janu- who are suff ering?” he asked. Gbagbo, who refused to concede paigning. “There were about three vehicles full of On the streets of Bouake, troops diers bonuses of 12mn CFA francs ary,” one source told AFP. Also relieved was student Cyril defeat at the ballot box. Many of the young and very drunk men saying they can’t agree for left the southern entrance of the ($20,000) each. “We got what we wanted. Full Guede, but he too had his reserva- rebels subsequently joined the reg- a woman to address them,” she said. city which they had taken over, At the time, they were given a stop,” said another. tions. ular army, which currently numbers Korere said that since becoming a legislator in 2013 handing back control of the spiked partial payment of 5mn francs with News that the mutiny was over “They say its all over and then some 22,000 troops. she had been shouted down and called a prostitute at roadblock to the police. the remainder due to be paid this was welcomed on the streets of they come back,” he told AFP of the Last year, the government un- public meetings and cursed by elders. And life started to resume its month. Bouake although some appeared rebel soldiers. veiled a plan to modernise the mili- “They used to scare me a lot but with time I learned normal pace, with most shops open But the last payment never mate- unconvinced it would be the end of “They’re happy, they’re at peace, tary, part of which would involve that I have to brush it off ,” she said, adding that she and the main streets, which had rialised, prompting the latest round the story. they can eat but the people are suf- the departure of several thousand now pays for up to 100 men to accompany her to pub- been deserted over the past four of unrest. “This is a real joy for the people,” fering a great deal,” he said, predict- men, mainly ex-rebels, who will not lic events, in addition to her armed government body- days, fi lling up with shoppers. According to sources among the a farmer called Billy Kouassi told ing it would only encourage further be replaced. guard. Superhighway threatens Nigeria’s tropical rainforest

By Celia Lebur, AFP ingly been tamed by rampant ur- against the superhighway have areas, where thousands of hec- remains on hold pending the fi nal Calabar, Nigeria banisation, forest management been locked in a power struggle. tares have already allegedly been decision of the Abuja authorities, and poaching. The project’s main backer, deforested. expected in the coming weeks. “Our fathers, our grandfathers Cross River state governor Ben The company has said its ac- It also continues to divide lo- hen bulldozers rolled used to live in this forest before Ayade, has repeatedly vaunted quisition was legitimate and that cals, where some villagers sup- into their forest at the us and we value what we inher- the future economic benefi ts of it “categorically” refutes claims port the project enthusiastically. Wstart of last year, the ited. It gives us all that we need,” linking Calabar with the rest of of encroachment on to the park. Glory sat on a makeshift stool Ekuri community in southeast Ni- said Egot. the country. Logging is of particular inter- at the side of a rutted track hav- geria protested: “Indigenes say no!” The isolated Ekuri — who live “How will this state grow, how est to companies working in the ing her long hair braided. They didn’t want a superhigh- in the middle of the forest — will we continue to sustain the area, according to one environ- “We have no good roads, no way that would wipe their an- have been fi ghting for 30 years payment of salaries, how will we mentalist. good water, no electricity, we are cestral lands in the Cross River to maintain their lifestyle of sus- manage our demographics, with “The park is home to an abun- suff ering a lot,” she complained. National Park off the map. Under tainable subsistence farming. 80% of our population below the dance of valuable timber. That is “The superhighway will help us.” pressure, the earthmovers left to The mammoth road project age of 35?” he said in March. a lot of money,” said the activist, The signs of poverty are eve- do their work elsewhere. threatened to strip more than “God made those plants and on condition of anonymity. rywhere in Obung, a village of But community spokesman 50,000 people of their land rights animals for us and not the re- According to a map drawn up houses with roofs of corrugated Martin Egot said: “They de- and their homes. verse. You must have a delicate by WCS from satellite images, iron sheets that lies on the park’s stroyed all the crops, the source Trees and villages were to have balance between development other companies such as Dansa southern fl anks. of our wealth: cassava, cocoa, been razed in a corridor 20km and environmental protection.” Obung community village chief Ntufam Igne (centre) speaks during Agro Allied, which specialises in Like elsewhere, recession has plantain.” wide, which environmentalists Against it, two petitions have an interview with the AFP in Calabar. pineapple plantations, are also hit hard and the few employers in The 800bn naira ($2.6bn) said would have been an “eco- garnered more than 350,000 operating illegally in the park. The the remote region have packed up highway project, launched in logical disaster”. signatures, leading Nigeria’s the head of the Rainforest Re- from taking powerful multina- company is a subsidiary of the and left months ago. 2015, is huge. It envisages six The Wildlife Conservation President Muhammadu Buhari to source and Development Centre tionals to court. Dangote Group, owned by Africa’s Obung’s inhabitants are hang- lanes, 260km long linking the re- Society (WCS) has criticised the suspend the project pending an (RRDC) in Calabar, told AFP. The damage, in part, may have richest man Aliko Dangote. ing on to the governor’s promises gional capital Calabar and a new lack of transparency and consul- environmental impact survey. “But the superhighway is still already been done. The fi rms themselves reject to bring modern life to the village. deep water port with Benue state tation on the project by the Cross After stormy negotiations, the crossing the park, which is com- Wilmar International, a Sin- the claims, asserting that their “The national park didn’t to the north. River state government. road’s route was changed to spare pletely unacceptable.” gapore-based palm oil giant, in activities respect international bring anything to us. We cannot At nearly 4,000sq km, the It “could allow developers to some of the communities and The environmental activist 2011 and 2012 obtained several environmental standards and hunt anymore, we cannot cut Cross River National Park is the cut down, burn and replant one endemic species under threat. said he had received a number of concessions in the region total- have created thousands of jobs. timber anymore, we don’t have biggest forest in Nigeria, a para- of Africa’s oldest intact rainfor- The 20km wide corridor has death threats because of his op- ling 30,000 hectares. Dansa’s lawyers have said the anything to do again,” said the dise of endangered gorillas, el- ests with palm oil or other farm- also been signifi cantly reduced. position to the road and the un- Friends of the Earth in 2015 company has no operations in village chief, Ntufam Igne. ephants and other species. ing”, the environmental charity Few environmentalists are controlled expansion of the palm accused Wilmar of having ex- the park and has supported its “With the superhighway, In Africa’s most populous na- added. convinced, however. oil industry in the region. panded its activities into the na- conservation. Obung will become a big city. We tion, the countryside has increas- For the last year those for and “It’s a fi rst step,” Odey Oyama, But he has not been deterred tional park and other protected The fate of the superhighway pray for it.” Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 AMERICAS

Trudeau’s govt Community kitchen Workers say fl ayed on climate Wal-Mart change by offi cial illtreated AFP and environmental aspects of Ottawa these subsidies. The depart- ment did not give us that in- formation.” pregnant anada’s auditor general Ferguson also protested the blasted Prime Minis- lack of transparency in a mes- Cter Justin Trudeau’s sage to parliament. government yesterday for ef- Fossil fuels are the main women fectively blocking an audit of source of greenhouse gas eff orts to eliminate fossil fuel emissions. Reuters subsidies in the fi ght against Since 2009, Ottawa has Illinois climate change. eliminated or scaled back six Canada committed at a G20 federal fossil fuel subsidies, summit in 2009 “to phase out but activists estimate the fed- wo former Wal-Mart Stores Inc employees and rationalise over the me- eral government still provides have fi led a lawsuit accusing the retailer of dium term ineffi cient fossil Can$1bn in subsidies to the oil Ttreating thousands of pregnant workers as fuel subsidies”, setting a tar- and gas sector annually. “second-class citizens” by rejecting their requests get date of 2025 last year with Environmental Defense, to limit heavy lifting, climbing on ladders and oth- continental free trade partners an activist group, called the er potentially dangerous tasks. Mexico and the United States, secrecy “extremely concern- The proposed class action lawsuit was fi led in Auditor General Michael Fer- ing”, adding that the report federal court in Illinois on Friday by Talisa Borders guson noted in his report. explains “why the Canadian and Otisha Woolbright, who say that until 2014, But Ferguson said the fi - government has made little Arkansas-based Wal-Mart had a company-wide nance ministry, which was progress on eliminating fossil policy that denied pregnant women the same ac- tasked with identifying subsi- fuel subsidies”. commodations as workers with other disabilities. dies, refused to hand over key Such subsidies can take the Felix Robles eats an evening meal at the Food Bank For New York City community kitchen in New York City. Food The class could include at least 20,000 women documents for analysis, citing form of government grants or Bank For New York City feeds an estimated 1.5mn New Yorkers annually through its meal programmes and its food and possibly up to 50,000 who worked at Wal- cabinet confi dentiality. loans, tax measures, research pantry. Services throughout the nation that feed, shelter and care for the needy are increasingly nervous about Mart while pregnant before the policy change, ac- Ferguson said he there- and development funding, en- proposed cuts to their programmes if President Donald Trump’s budget passes. cording to the lawsuit. fore was unable to determine ergy resources sold by govern- The company in a statement provided by whether the Trudeau admin- ments at below-market rates spokesman Randy Hargrove denied the women’s istration was acting on its or government intervention in claims and said Wal-Mart’s pregnancy policies commitments, despite having markets to lower prices. “have always fully met or exceeded both state and championed the fi ght against Canada offi cially recog- federal law”. The company said a separate anti- climate change on the global nises that oil and gas sec- discrimination policy it maintains has long listed stage. tor subsidies can “encour- pregnancy as a protected status. “We found that Finance age wasteful consumption, “Walmart is a great place for women to work,” Canada still had not defi ned undermine eff orts to address the company said. what an ineffi cient fossil fuel climate change, and discour- Borders and Woolbright say that Wal-Mart’s old subsidy was, nor could the age investment in clean en- In travel ban, policy violated a federal law requiring employers to department tell us how many ergy sources”, according to the treat pregnancy as a temporary disability and pro- ineffi cient fossil fuel subsidies report. vide work accommodations to pregnant women. there could be,” Ferguson said Its environment ministry The US Supreme Court, in a 2015 case involving in prepared remarks. has devised a preliminary plan United Parcel Service, said employers cannot treat “We asked Finance Canada for identifying non-tax sub- pregnant workers diff erently from those with other to provide us with its analy- sidies, but it has yet to imple- disabilities or medical conditions. ses of the social, economic ment it. judges focus on Wal-Mart, the largest private US employer, changed its policy in 2014 to treat pregnancy as a disability. But lawyers for the plaintiff s in the lawsuit say the changes did not go far enough, and they were planning a separate lawsuit involving the new pol- Oregon county to icy. discrimination Woolbright says her manager at a Florida Wal- Mart told her pregnancy was “no excuse” for not vote on blocking The judge asked why the court mass, dragnet exclusions in the past 50 President Bill Clinton, reviewed a Ha- doing heavy lifting. should not defer to the president years,” Katyal said.”This is something waii judge’s ruling that blocked parts She says she was fi red from her job in the deli new and unusual in which you’re say- of the Republican president’s revised department after injuring herself lifting trays that natural gas terminal Reuters ing this whole class of people, some of travel order. weighed up to 50 pounds and inquiring further Seattle whom are dangerous, we can ban them The March order was Trump’s sec- about the company’s pregnancy policies. all.” ond eff ort to craft travel restrictions. Borders, who worked at an Illinois Wal-Mart, Reuters blockage of several major ex- The Justice Department argues The fi rst, issued on January 27, led to says she was reprimanded for asking co-workers Seattle port facilities. S appeals court judges yes- Trump issued his order solely to pro- chaos and protests at airports before it to climb ladders and lift heavy boxes while she was Last year, the Lummi Na- terday questioned the lawyer tect national security. was blocked by courts. pregnant, and forced to go on unpaid leave. tion Native American tribe Udefending President Donald Outside the Seattle courtroom a The second order was intended to When she returned, she says, she was paid $2.00 coastal Oregon county and environmental groups Trump’s temporary travel ban about group of protesters gathered carrying overcome the legal problems posed by less per hour. will vote on a bal- blocked an export terminal in whether it discriminates against Mus- signs with slogans including, “The ban the original ban, but it was also sus- Alot measure to block a Northwest Washington state lims and pressed challengers to ex- is still racist” and “No ban, no wall”. pended by judges before it could take proposed natural gas termi- that would have moved Mon- plain why the court should not defer to Paez asked if an executive order de- eff ect on March 16. nal, the latest in a series of ef- tana and Wyoming coal to Trump’s presidential powers to set the taining Japanese-Americans during US District Judge Derrick Watson in forts to thwart energy projects markets in Asia. policy. the World War Two would pass muster Hawaii blocked 90-day entry restric- across the Pacifi c Northwest. In January, Washington The three-judge 9th US Circuit under the government’s current logic. tions on people from Libya, Iran, So- Navy chief says The measure would ban State denied a permit for a Court of Appeals panel was the sec- Acting US Solicitor General Jeff rey malia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, as well transport of fossil fuels not coal export terminal in the city ond court in a week to review Trump’s Wall, arguing on behalf of the Trump as part of the order that suspended en- intended for local use through of Longview, citing concerns directive banning people entering the administration, said that the order try of refugee applicants for 120 days. fl eet needs to Coos County, located about about the fi nancial viability of United States from six Muslim-ma- from the 1940s, which is now viewed As part of that ruling, Watson cit- 322kms south of Portland. the project. jority countries. Opponents — includ- as a low point in US civil rights history, ed Trump’s campaign statements on Backers have called the ini- In February, bowing to ing the state of Hawaii and civil rights would not be constitutional. Muslims as evidence that his executive expand tiative a response to a $7.6bn pressure from activists, Seat- groups — say that both Trump’s fi rst If Trump’s executive order was the order was discriminatory. proposal by Calgary-based tle’s city council voted to di- ban and later revised ban discriminate same as the one involving Japanese- The 9th Circuit previously blocked Reuters Veresen Inc, to build a facil- vest approximately $3bn from against Muslims. Americans, Wall said: “I wouldn’t be Trump’s fi rst executive order. Last Singapore ity in the county where natu- Wells Fargo, citing concerns The government argues that the text standing here, and the US would not be week the 4th US Circuit Court of Ap- ral gas would be liquefi ed and over the bank’s support of the of the order does not mention any spe- defending it.” peals in Virginia reviewed a Maryland transferred to tanker ships for North Dakota Access Pipeline, cifi c religion and is needed to protect Judge Michael Daly Hawkins asked judge’s ruling that blocked the 90-day he US navy needs to expand its fl eet and mari- sale abroad. among other factors. the country against attacks. challengers to Trump’s ban about the entry restrictions. time capability to remain competitive as oth- They have cast the measure Passage of the Coos Bay In addressing the Justice Depart- wide latitude held by US presidents to That court is largely made up of Ter nations such as China and Russia seek to as a local refusal to contribute measure would be another ment at the hearing in Seattle, 9th decide who can enter the country. Democrats, and the judges’ question- strengthen their naval power, Chief of Naval Opera- to global warming. blow for liquid natural gas Circuit Judge Richard Paez pointed “Why shouldn’t we be deferential ing appeared to break along partisan tions Admiral John Richardson said yesterday. Should the ban pass, it could projects on the West Coast, out that many of Trump’s statements to what the president says?” Hawkins lines. “We are getting back into, after decades really, an era bring the county into confl ict even as depots in other ar- about Muslims came “during the midst said. A ruling has not yet been released. of maritime competition,” Richardson told reporters with the administration of eas of the country have moved of a highly contentious (election) cam- “That is the million dollar question,” Trump’s attempt to limit travel was on the pier alongside the USS Coronado at the Changi President Donald Trump. forward. paign”. He asked if that should be taken said Katyal. A reasonable person would one of his fi rst major acts in offi ce. naval base. Gary Cohn, head of the Cheniere Energy Inc opened into account when deciding how much see Trump’s statements as evidence of The fate of the ban is one indication of “Some of these global powers, China, Russia, they’ve National Energy Council, in a port in Louisiana last year weight they should be given in review- discriminatory intent, Katyal said. whether the Republican can carry out been growing, China in particular. They’re maturing in April singled out the Veresen and several other companies ing the travel ban’s constitutionality. White House spokesman Sean Spicer his promises to be tough on immigra- every dimension of power (and) at some point you turn project as a priority for the are set to open projects on the Neal Katyal, an attorney for Hawaii said at a news briefi ng that the execu- tion and national security. to the sea to expand and continue to prosper.” administration. Gulf Coast in 2018 and 2019. which is opposing the ban, said the evi- tive order is “fully lawful and will be The US Supreme Court is likely to be China last month launched its fi rst domestically The Coos County initia- Dominion Energy Inc plans dence goes beyond Trump’s campaign upheld. We believe that.” the ultimate decider, but the high court build aircraft carrier amid rising tension over North tive is part of regional resist- to open the Cove Point LNG statements. The panel, made up entirely of judg- is not expected to take up the issue for Korea, and worries about Beijing’s assertiveness in the ance in the Northwest to fossil port in Maryland later this “The government has not engaged in es appointed by Democratic former several months. South China Sea and its broader military modernisa- fuel projects that has seen the year. tion programme. China’s claims to the South China Sea, through which about $5tn in sea-borne trade passes every year, are challenged by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Richardson’s comments come ahead of the release of the Future Navy White Paper on Wednesday at 1200 GMT (8pm ET). “Those who are challenging our interests are ad- vancing at rates that are much faster than ours. To re- main competitive, we must act now — we need a larger, better fl eet in the 2020s, not the 2040s,” said a Navy source familiar with the White Paper. US President Donald Trump has been seeking what he calls a “historic” increase in defence spending, but has run into opposition in Congress. This month he scored a partial win, getting a com- mitment for up to $15bn in additional funding for a military buildup — about half of what he originally asked for. Richardson told Reuters in December that the US arms industry was ready and capable of boosting pro- duction of new ships if Trump, then President-elect, made good his campaign vow to expand the navy to 350 ships from about 290. “It’s not just about numbers and platforms. It’s also about what those platforms can do and then again how they all work together,” said Richardson. Richardson said there were plans to transition to more modern frigates in the near future. Earlier in May, it was reported the US Navy had de- cided to delay by a year until fi scal 2020 the awarding of a design and construction contract for a planned new frigate. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 13 AMERICAS

SECURITY TERRORISM US prosecutors AVIATION SCIENCE United cockpit door Accused bomber Rahimi in New York and Canada bans bumping New Jersey, who codes ‘may be online’ seeks reduced charges have portrayed of passengers him as a jihadist Codes to gain access to United Airlines cockpits An Afghan-born US citizen accused of planting who bought bomb Canada introduced a ban yesterday against may have been made public, the carrier said on bombs in New York and New Jersey fired components bumping passengers from commercial flights. Monday, but it stopped short of confirming a report on police in New Jersey to evade arrest, but on eBay, kept a The passenger bill of rights is part of a package that a flight attendant inadvertently published the those crimes fall short of attempted murder journal expressing of transportation law amendments that also codes online. The airline still could keep its flight as charged, his defence lawyer argued on outrage at the expand the limit on airline foreign ownership decks secure through other measures, Maddie King, Monday. Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 29, faces a US “slaughter” from 25 to 49%, and require railways to install a spokeswoman for United Continental Holdings 30-count indictment in New Jersey’s Union of mujahideen Ahmad Khan Rahimi. voice and video recorders on locomotives. Corp, said in an e-mail. “We are working to resolve County in relation to a bomb blast in New York fighters in Transportation Minister Marc Garneau this issue,” she said. Citing a pilot who was briefed City’s Chelsea district last September that Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Palestine. Rahimi, conference said: “When Canadians buy an airline This Nasa photo shows the primary mirror of on the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported on wounded about 30 people. Another bomb in who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, ticket they expect the airline to keep its part Nasa’s James Webb Space Telescope inside Sunday that United, had alerted pilots that access New Jersey injured no one and other devices he appeared in court shackled at the feet and hands of the deal.” The proposed legislation sets out a cleanroom at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center codes to unlock cockpit doors were mistakenly is accused of planting did not detonate. Rahimi while wearing a blue prison uniform, white minimum compensation for passengers who in Houston,Texas where it will undergo its last posted on a public website by a flight attendant. also faces a host of federal charges brought by skullcap and beard. volunteer to give up their seat. cryogenic test before it is launched into space. Top US City pass Democrat rebuff s calls to impeach

AFP he divulged highly classifi ed Washington information about the Islamic State group to the Russian for- eign minister, Sergei Lavrov, emocratic House lead- and its ambassador to Moscow er Nancy Pelosi has Sergey Kislyak. Dpushed back against “The president should re- isolated calls from within her sign,” wrote David Frum, a con- party to impeach US President servative editorial writer for Donald Trump following alle- the Atlantic, a call echoed by gations he disclosed top secret infl uential TV satirist Stephen information to top Russian of- Colbert who urged the US lead- A dedicated bike lane allows cyclists to pass vehicles stopped in a traffic jam in New York. fi cials. er: “Donald Trump, if you’re The minority leader in the watching, fi rst of all: You’re a House of Representatives was bad president. Please resign.” responding to calls by at least Constitutional law expert two congressional Democrats Laurence Tribe argued even for Trump to be impeached in before the latest explosive re- the wake of Monday’s explosive ports that suffi cient evidence Washington Post report. had accrued since Trump “I don’t subscribe to that,” took offi ce in January to merit Pelosi told a CNN town hall launching an impeachment in- Monday night. “What are the vestigation. Absolute right to share facts that you would make a “The country is faced with case on? What are the rules a president whose conduct that he may have violated?” strongly suggests that he poses a “If you don’t have that case, danger to our system of govern- you’re just participating in ment,” he wrote in the Washing- more hearsay.” ton Post at the weekend. House Democrats Al Green The US impeachment proc- facts, says president and Maxine Waters have urged ess — a Constitutional method Congress to impeach Trump in for removing the president or The president said sharing The FBI concluded after an Trump departs on Friday for his the wake of the latest bombshell other federal offi cials from of- details was part of an eff ort investigation last year that there fi rst overseas trip as president, allegations, coming on the heels fi ce on the grounds of “treason, against IS were no grounds to pursue any to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy and of the shock fi ring of FBI direc- bribery, and other high crimes charges against Clinton. Belgium. The two top Republi- tor James Comey last week. and misdemeanors” — involves Reuters The Kremlin came to Trump’s cans in Congress, which is con- The lawmakers say Trump’s several stages. Washington defence on Tuesday, calling trolled by the party, House of dismissal of Comey — who was If a majority of the House reports that he had disclosed Representatives Speaker Paul overseeing probes into possi- votes in favor of impeachment, classifi ed material in the White Ryan and Senate Majority Leader ble Trump campaign collusion the Senate will then hold a trial. S President Donald House meeting as “complete Mitch McConnell, were muted in with Russia to skew the 2016 To convict and oust the Trump yesterday de- nonsense”. their response. election — amounts to an at- president the Senate must Ufended having disclosed Trump’s secretary of state, Rex Ryan’s offi ce said he hoped tempt to hinder the counterin- achieve the high threshold of a information to senior Russian Tillerson, and national security for a full explanation, while Mc- telligence investigations. two-thirds vote. offi cials last week, saying he had adviser, H R McMaster, issued Connell told Bloomberg TV on A number of media person- No infl uential lawmaker has an “absolute right” to do so and statements saying no sources, Tuesday he wished for a little less alities urged the president to thus far spoken out in support had shared facts to get Moscow US President Donald Trump meets with President Recep Tayyip methods or military operations drama from the White House. resign following the claim that of impeaching Trump. to step up its fi ght against the Is- Erdogan of Turkey in the Oval Office. were discussed at the Russian Other Republicans, however, lamic State militant group. meeting. expressed concern. Senator Su- The president took to Twitter backlash over Trump’s abrupt with Russia (at an openly sched- McMaster said the story, ini- san Collins said yesterday that to counter a torrent of criticism, fi ring on May 9 of FBI Director uled W H meeting) which I have tially reported by The Washing- even though the president has including from his fellow Repub- James Comey, who was inves- the absolute right to do, facts ton Post, was false. legal authority to disclose clas- licans, after reports that during tigating potential ties between pertaining to terrorism and air- The US offi cials told Reuters sifi ed information, “it would be Wizard of Lies tells a White House meeting he had Russia and Trump’s 2016 presi- line fl ight safety,” Trump said on that while the president has the very troubling if he did share revealed highly classifi ed infor- dential campaign. Twitter. “Humanitarian reasons, authority to disclose even the such sensitive reporting with the mation about a planned Islamic The turmoil has overshadowed plus I want Russia to greatly step most highly classifi ed informa- Russians”. Madoff story as ‘dark State operation. Republican legislative priorities up their fi ght against ISIS & ter- tion at will, in this case he did so She called for the Senate Intel- Two US offi cials said Trump such as healthcare and tax reform rorism.” without consulting the ally that ligence Committee to be briefed shared the intelligence, supplied and laid bare sharp divisions be- In a later tweet, Trump took provided it, which threatens to on the matter. tragedy’ of betrayal by an ally of the United States tween the White House and US aim at “LEAKERS in the intel- jeopardise a long-standing intel- Bob Corker, the Republican in the fi ght against the Islam- intelligence agencies, which con- ligence community”, a frequent ligence-sharing agreement. head of the Senate Foreign Rela- ist group, with Russian Foreign cluded in January that Russia had target of his months-old admin- US allies including Australia, tions Committee, said on Mon- Reuters Madoff , refl ecting an enduring Minister Sergei Lavrov and Rus- tried to infl uence the election in istration. New Zealand and Japan cited day the allegations were “very, New York fascination with the quiet, fa- sian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak Trump’s favour. Trump repeatedly assailed his the White House denials and very troubling”. therly fi gure and his apparent during a meeting in the Oval Of- Russia has denied such med- Democratic rival in the presiden- said intelligence sharing would “Obviously, they’re in a down- lack of remorse or explanation fi ce last Wednesday. dling, and Trump bristles at any tial election, Hillary Clinton, for continue. Some analysts, how- ward spiral right now,” he said of he latest fi lm about infa- for his actions. Madoff , 79, is The disclosures late on Mon- suggestion he owed his Novem- her handling of classifi ed infor- ever, said the reports could un- the White House. “And they’ve mous swindler Bernard serving a 150-year prison term day roiled the administration ber 8 victory to Moscow. mation by email while she was dermine trust between partners. got to come to grips with all that’s TMadoff , whose decades- after pleading guilty in 2009 to as it struggled to move past the “As President I wanted to share secretary of state. The reports came days before happening.” long Ponzi scheme cost clients multiple charges of fraud. more than $17bn, ends with a His son Mark committed sui- question. cide two years after his father’s “Do you think I’m a so- arrest and his younger son, An- ciopath?” Madoff , played by drew, died of lymphoma in 2014. Robert De Niro, asks journalist Ruth, his wife of more than Diana B Henriques in a prison 50 years, has cut off contact Trump, Erdogan vow friendship interview. with him. “I don’t know if I ever The Wizard of Lies, premier- really came to understand him,” ing on Time Warner Inc’s HBO said De Niro, who is seen as an AFP partners in the fi ght against the tory” in the US presidential race. that the United States continues Trump hopes to secure at least on Saturday ahead of an in- Emmy front-runner for his en- Washington Islamic State group in Syria and “Of course Mr Trump’s victory to host Islamic preacher Fethul- grudging Turkish agreement not ternational rollout, leaves the igmatic portrayal of Madoff . Iraq. has led to an awakening of new lah Gulen, a former ally who to oppose the US-led drive by question unanswered. Henriques, the New York “It is absolutely unaccept- expectations for Turkey and the chose exile in Pennsylvania and YPG fi ghters to oust the Islamic Almost a decade after Mad- Times journalist whose pris- residents Donald Trump able to take the YPG-PYD into region it is in. who has now been accused of State from their Syrian strong- off was convicted of master- on interviews and 2011 book and Recep Tayyip Er- consideration as partners in the We know the new US adminis- masterminding last year’s bloody hold of Raqa. minding the biggest fi nancial formed the basis for the HBO Pdogan stood side by side region, and it’s going against a tration will not let these hopes be attempted coup in his homeland. In return, Trump will have to fraud in US history, the fi lm- fi lm, said that while Madoff be- at the White House yesterday global agreement we reached,” in vain,” Erdogan said. While the pair shared warm give Erdogan assurances that makers put their focus on the came “a very easy target for an- and promised to work through Erdogan said, referring to the The US leader paid tribute to words at their joint public ap- Gulen will be closely monitored devastating consequences for ger and outrage” over the wider strained ties despite the Turk- Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Turkey’s historical contribu- pearance, Erdogan again made it while the US courts examine his family. 2008 Wall Street meltdown, his ish leader’s stern warning about Units (YPG) in Syria. tions to the Western alliance’s clear that he would never accept an extradition request and that “This is a dark tragedy of a story has a wider resonance. Washington’s arming of a Kurd- “In the same way, we should Cold War battles and promised: an autonomous YPG-led Kurd- Washington will eventually en- man’s betrayal of his family,” “This was betrayal on a ish militia. never allow those groups who “Today we face a new enemy in ish area in Syria, and that he had dorse a Turkish off ensive against said director Barry Levinson. Shakespearean scale,” said Fresh from securing his grip want to change the ethnic or re- the fi ght against terrorism and “frankly communicated” his ex- PKK bases in Sinjar, northern “This was a man who ultimate- Henriques, who plays herself on Turkey with a referendum ligious structures in the region again we seek to face this threat pectation that Washington hand Iraq. ly destroyed his family, and the in the fi lm. “When someone to enhance his powers, Erdogan to use terrorism as a pretext,” he together.” over Gulen. “That’s the main ask,” said fi nancial lives of thousands and comes forward who has so fl a- came to Washington with a list of added, suggesting that the Kurds Washington and Ankara are After their appearance, the Soner Cagaptay, director of the thousands of people.” grantly violated the trust of complaints about US support for are using the anti-IS fi ght as cov- bitterly at odds over US support pair headed into meetings and a Turkish research programme at “It’s not for us to decide is those who loved him, I think we Kurdish fi ghters and its harbour- er for separatist nationalism. for the YPG, a Syrian armed fac- working lunch with US Secre- the Washington Institute of Near he or isn’t he (a sociopath), all feel shaken by that.” ing of the alleged mastermind of Trump was one of the fi rst tion that acts as the main ground tary of State Rex Tillerson to dig East Policy. “He’s going to want because if he were, so what? Henriques conducted two a failed coup. leaders to congratulate Erdogan force in the Pentagon’s plan to deeper in to the issues. US support for a Turkish opera- It doesn’t help anything,” said prison interviews with Madoff But both leaders also wanted on winning the April 16 vote to defeat the Islamic State group “We look forward to having a tion against Sinjar.” Levinson. and exchanged e-mails and let- to put a brave face on their diff er- strengthen his offi ce, and his but that Turkey deems a front for long and productive discussion,” Turkish offi cials had spoken Wizard of Lies follows sever- ters, concluding that he is a man ences and to renew a key alliance Turkish counterpart repaid the the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Trump said. “We’ve had a great enthusiastically about Trump’s al documentaries, a stage play “with a pathological inability to between Nato’s leading power compliment on Tuesday by hail- Party (PKK). relationship and we will make it election as a chance to turn a new and a 2016 TV miniseries about see himself as a failure”. and its biggest Muslim member, ing his host’s “legendary vic- And Erdogan remains angry even better.” page. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 ASEAN Thai junta Ramadan race backs down on Facebook block over royal posts

AFP unavailable in the relevant country or territory Bangkok and notify people who try to access it why it is restricted.” According to its published data, Facebook hai authorities yesterday backed down on made 50 posts unavailable to Thai users after re- their threat to ban Facebook over posts quests from the government in 2016. Tdeemed critical of the royal family after No items were restricted in 2015 and 35 items offi cials said the social networking giant had were removed in 2014, the year of the coup. agreed to expunge such content. Vajiralongkorn, 64, became king following Thailand ferociously enforces a draconian lese the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej A Thai Muslim boy takes part in a horse race to welcome the month of Ramadan in Yi Ngo district in the south Thai province of Narathiwat. majeste law which outlaws any criticism of the who reigned for seven decades. He has yet to at- monarchy. tain his father’s widespread popularity. Since ultra-royalist generals seized power At least seven people are known to have been three years ago more than 100 people have been charged with lese majeste since he took the charged, many for comments made online, and throne. some people have been jailed for decades. One, human rights lawyer Prawet Prapanukul, The authorities have redoubled eff orts to is facing up to 150-years in prison after being purge the Thai web following the October ascen- charged with a record ten separate counts if lese China’s Xi off ers to help in sion of the country’s new king Maha Vajiralong- majeste. korn. Media inside Thailand must heavily self cen- Last week Thailand’s telecom regulator, the sor when reporting on the monarchy, making it NBTC, said it would fi le a police complaint perilous to detail what content has angered the against Facebook’s Thailand offi ce and shut authorities. Myanmar peace process down the hugely popular site if it did not remove Somsak Jeamteerasakul, an exiled Thai aca- more than 130 “illegal” posts by yesterday. demic and monarchy critic, posted a letter from “Facebook is cooperating with Thailand,” Ta- Facebook on his own account informing him that Reuters Xi met Nobel laureate Suu Kyi — concern about fi ghting along that it would work with China to korn Tantasith, secretary general of the NBTC some of his posts were among those censored. Beijing who serves as Myanmar’s foreign the border that has occasionally safeguard stability in the border told reporters after the 10am deadline passed. The posts included photographs and video minister while also being de facto spilled into its territory, for in- region, Xinhua said. Takorn said some 97 web pages deemed criti- footage taken of Vajiralongkorn in Germany head of its civilian government — stance in 2015, when fi ve people Beijing last month off ered to cal of the monarchy remained on the platform where he spends much of the year. hinese President Xi Jin- following China’s Belt and Road died in China. mediate a diplomatic row over the but authorities were seeking court orders to send Thai authorities have previously said they ping yesterday told Myan- Forum on Sunday and Monday. Xi also said China would work fl ight of around 69,000 minority Facebook demanding their removal. have asked Google — which also owns YouTube Cmar leader Aung San Suu “China is willing to continue to to enhance co-operation with Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh Thai authorities last week said Facebook had — and other major web giants to delete pages on Kyi that China would continue to provide necessary assistance for Myanmar on his Belt and Road to escape violence in Buddhist- already removed some 170 posts. the royal family. help the country achieve peace, Myanmar’s internal peace proc- development plan, which aims majority Myanmar, according to The social network giant declined to comment Thailand’s junta chief Prayut Chan-ocha told and called for both sides to main- ess,” China’s offi cial Xinhua news to bolster China’s global leader- offi cials from Bangladesh. on how many posts it had made unavailable in reporters yesterday some 6,000 web pages have tain stability on their shared bor- agency cited Xi as saying. ship by expanding infrastructure Myanmar has been sharply Thailand since the recent requests. been removed recently by foreign social media der, state media said. “The two sides must jointly between Asia, Africa, Europe and criticised in the West over vio- Under its published policies, Facebook says it platforms and search engines following govern- Fighting in March in Myanmar work to safeguard China-Myan- beyond. lence against the Rohingya. will comply with a country’s request to remove ment requests. pushed thousands of people into mar border security and stability,” The president promised $124bn Suu Kyi is barred from the content if it receives a valid court order. “Now we are trying to work on the remaining China to seek refuge, prompting Xi said. on Sunday to expand the reach of presidency under Myanmar’s “When we receive such a request, we review it ones and we must continue to work by asking for Beijing to call for a ceasefi re be- The news agency did not elab- the initiative during the two day army-drafted constitution, but to determine if it puts us on notice of unlawful cooperation from foreign governments, the pri- tween ethnic militias and the se- orate on what assistance China summit of world leaders in Beijing. eff ectively leads the government content,” the company told AFP. vate sector and Thai website administrators,” he curity forces there and carry out would provide. Suu Kyi told Xi that Myanmar through the specially created post “If we determine that it does, then we make it said. military drills along the border. China has repeatedly expressed was grateful for Chinese help and of “state counsellor”. Blaze triggers evacuation at Bali ATM robbery suspect fl ees court through toilet window

Singapore’s Changi airport AFP bicle where Ortiz had been to discover the Peru- Denpasar vian was not there, and a small window inside was open, the offi cial said. AFP After climbing through the window, police Singapore man on trial for allegedly stealing large suspect he made his getaway from the court in the sums of cash from an ATM on the Indo- Balinese capital Denpasar by hailing a taxi. Anesian resort island of Bali fl ed from court They have launched a manhunt for the suspect undreds of passengers yesterday by climbing out of a toilet window, po- and have alerted offi cials at the airport, the port were evacuated yesterday lice said. and bus terminals to be on lookout for him. Hfrom Singapore’s Changi Peruvian national Jose William Salazar Ortiz Ortiz was arrested with two other Peruvian Airport after a small fi re erupted had been due to hear prosecutors’ sentence de- men in January for allegedly smashing open an in a terminal that was later ex- mand at the hearing, one of the fi nal stages of a ATM on Bali and stealing hundreds of millions of tinguished, authorities and wit- criminal trial in Indonesia. rupiah, local media reported. nesses said, delaying fl ights at But after arriving at court, the 38-year-old They are also suspected of stealing money from the global hub. asked security offi cers to go to the toilet before ATMs on Indonesia’s Java island, which lies west Smoke swept through the air- proceedings got under way, police offi cial Gede of Bali. port’s Terminal 2 building after Sumana said. “After a while, Ortiz didn’t return Bali is a popular tourist destination known for a fi re broke out in the departure and offi cers became suspicious — they thought he its tropical climate and palm-fringed beaches. hall, spurring authorities to seal might have run away,” Sumana told AFP. Minor crime is common on the island but theft off the area. Offi cers broke down the door of the toilet cu- involving large sums is rare. Three people were sent to hos- pital for smoke inhalation, the Singapore Civil Defence Force Singapore to buy two more ‘Vending machine’ dispenses (SCDF) said on its Facebook page. Ferraris, Lamborghinis “A small fi re occurred at the German-made submarines departure hall of Changi Airport Forget about soft drinks and potato chips — Terminal 2. The fi re has been ex- ingapore is to acquire two more German- a “vending machine” in Singapore is off er- tinguished by SCDF,” the Singa- made submarines for its navy, the defence ing up luxury vehicles, including Bentleys, pore Police said in a statement. Sministry announced yesterday, as countries Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Police said the fi re alarm was in the Asia-Pacifi c region increase their defence Used car seller Autobahn Motors opened activated at around 5.40pm budgets up to 60% by 2020. a futuristic 15-storey showroom in Decem- (0940 GMT) as smoke poured The two Type 218SG submarines will join the ber, with vehicles on display in 60 slots, from air vents, sparking an evac- Singapore Navy, which already has two submarines billing it as the “world’s largest luxury car uation order and closure of the of the same type projected for delivery in 2021, the vending machine”. terminal. ministry said in a statement. Customers on the ground floor choose Passengers on fl ights depart- The contract for the submarines, signed with from a touchscreen display which car they ing from the terminal “should ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, comes with a lo- wish to see. The car arrives within one expect signifi cant delays,” air- gistics package and a crew training arrangement in to two minutes thanks to an advanced port management said. Germany. system that manages vehicle retrieval, the Singapore Airlines said it was The four submarines will replace two Swed- company says. “working closely with the airport ish-made Challenger-class submarines that are Gary Hong, general manager at Auto- authority and various agencies to scheduled for retirement in the next few years. bahn Motors, said the vending machine ensure fl ights can be resumed in Passengers gather at Changi International Airport terminal 3 after being evacuated from terminal 2 Along with two other Swedish-made Archer- format was aimed at making eff icient use the shortest time possible”. due to a fire yesterday. class submarines, Singapore’s new fl eet will be of space in land-scarce Singapore as well as An AFP reporter at the airport among the largest in the Asia-Pacifi c region. standing out from the competition. said the scene was generally calm home with his 18-month-old “If it’s for one or two hours it’s smoke at a part of the airport,” he The latest purchase comes as countries in the “We needed to meet our requirement of as the departure and arrival halls daughter when they were evacu- okay, but they shouldn’t cancel told AFP. Asia-Pacifi c region are expected to increase their storing a lot of cars. At the same time, we were evacuated. ated. the fl ight.” More than 58mn internation- naval defence budgets by up to 60% by 2020, de- wanted to be creative and innovative,” he Airport staff were also seen “I am very worried now be- A Russian tourist who identi- al passengers passed through fence minister Ng Eng Hen said yesterday at Inter- told Reuters. leaving but there was no panic. cause we have a doctor’s appoint- fi ed himself only as Alexander Changi Airport last year. national Maritime Defence Exhibition and Confer- Vehicles on off er run from modern M Ramarao, 36, an Indian soft- ment tomorrow morning for my expressed hope his fl ight to Mos- The airport serves more than ence in Singapore. “To be eff ective, the (Singapore luxury sports cars to classics, including a ware engineer working in Singa- daughter who fractured her arm, cow would not be cancelled. 100 airlines fl ying to some 380 navy) needs to keep pace with this growth of navies 1955 Morgan Plus 4. pore, was set to take a fl ight back so it’s quite urgent,” he told AFP. “They told us that there was cities worldwide. in Asia,” he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

ACCIDENT ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS HISTORY ENGAGED 4 Japan military crew Uninhabited Pacific island Australia and Hong Kong Ancient human sacrifice Japan Princess Mako to killed in plane crash has 18 tonnes of plastic waste initiate free trade talks found in South Korea wed former classmate

Four crew members aboard a crashed Japanese Some 38mn pieces of plastic rubbish was found Australia and Hong Kong have begun talks to secure Evidence of human sacrifice to try to ensure the Japan’s Princess Mako, the granddaughter military plane were confirmed dead yesterday, on one small, remote and uninhabited island in a free trade agreement, Australia’s trade minister success of ancient construction projects has been of Emperor Akihito, is set to get married, the the defence ministry said. The wreckage was the South Pacific Ocean, an Australian scientist Steven Ciobo said yesterday, that would focus on found for the first time at a Korean site, off icials Imperial Household Agency said yesterday. The found on the northern island of Hokkaido, where said yesterday, highlighting the crisis of plastic securing increased access for service providers said yesterday. Two skeletons dating from the 25-year-old eldest daughter of Prince Akishino the LR-2 reconnaissance craft disappeared from pollution in the world. Jennifer Lavers, a research and could be firmed up within a year. Ciobo, who 5th century were found under the walls of the intends to marry Kei Komura, who is also 25 and a radar on Monday near Hakodate airport. It had scientist at the University of Tasmania, said the met Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Wolseong, or Moon Castle, in Gyeongju in South former university classmate. The match will have been flying there to pick up a hospital patient beaches on UN World Heritage-listed Henderson Economic Development Gregory So in Hong Kong, Korea, the capital of the former Silla kingdom, repercussions. According to imperial law, female at the request of Hokkaido’s governor. Troops Island on Pitcairns Group has the world’s highest said that while tariff s on Australian goods are Seoul’s Cultural Heritage Administration said members of the imperial family lose their status and emergency crews yesterday found debris levels of plastic waste. The island contains already set at zero, talks would focus on improving in a statement. “This is the first archaeological as members of the household if they marry a non- spread widely over the mountainous area, an estimated 37.7mn items of plastic debris access for financial, education, travel, construction, evidence that folklore about humans being royal. Despite this, Prince Akishino and his wife with television footage showing trees levelled. together weighing 17.6 tonnes, according to the mining, energy and transport companies. Ciobo sacrificed for the foundations of buildings, dams Kiko have apparently declared themselves happy “Their deaths have been confirmed,” a ministry study she published yesterday in a top peer- told Sky News that Canberra would “look and try or walls were true stories,” spokeswoman Choi with the engagement. Princess Mako is the first spokesman said of the Ground Self Defense reviewed journal, Proceedings of the National to negotiate as comprehensive an FTA as possible Moon-Jung of the Gyeongju National Research of four grandchildren of Emperor Akihito and his Force members. Academy of Sciences. over the next 12 months or thereabouts. Institute of Cultural Heritage told AFP. wife, Empress Michiko, to be engaged. THAAD Sombre ceremony detected N Korea missile Reuters programme was developing faster Seoul than the South had expected, he said: “Yes.” Han said the THAAD anti-missile orth Korea’s missile pro- unit deployed by the US military in gramme is progressing the South detected the North Korean Nfaster than expected, South missile, marking the fi rst time the Korea’s defence minister said yes- controversial system has been put to terday, after the UN Security Coun- use since its deployment last month. cil demanded the North halt all nu- China has strongly opposed clear and ballistic missile tests and THAAD, whose radar it fears could condemned Sunday’s test-launch. be used to spy into its territory, de- Han Min-koo told South Ko- spite assurances from Washington Three skulls from the native population of New Zealand were returned in a ceremony at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm on Monday night to representatives of rea’s parliament the test-launch that THAAD is purely defensive. the New Zealand National Museum. The three skulls have been in the Karolinska Institute’s anatomical collections since the late 1800’s. Now they will be returned to had been detected by the contro- South Korean companies, from the Te Papa Tonggarrewa Museum in Wellington. versial US Terminal High Altitude automakers to retailers and cosmet- Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile ics fi rms, have been hit in China by system, whose deployment in the a nationalist backlash over Seoul’s South has infuriated China. decision to deploy the system. The reclusive North, which has The North’s KCNA news agency defi ed all calls to rein in its weapons said Sunday’s launch tested its ca- programmes, even from its lone ma- pability to carry a “large-size heavy jor ally, China, said the missile test nuclear warhead”. Its ambassador to China said in PNG asylum seekers fear risk of was a legitimate defence against US hostility. Beijing on Monday it would con- The North has been working on tinue such test launches “any time, a missile, mounted with a nuclear any place”. warhead, capable of striking the US The test-launch was a legitimate act of self-defence and US criticism relocation outside their camps mainland. US President Donald Trump’s was a “wanton violation of the sov- administration has called for an ereignty and dignity of the DPRK”, a Reuters dent Donald Trump has described as The relocation of detainees comes as deport failed asylum seekers. immediate halt to Pyongyang’s North Korean diplomat told the UN Sydney “dumb”, will be settled within weeks in Papua New Guinea prepares to close the Reuters reported earlier this year that provocations and has warned that Conference on Disarmament in Ge- the town of Lorengau on the island, which centre at the end of October when the con- dozens of asylum seekers had accepted the “era of strategic patience” with neva yesterday. is in a remote area of the Bismarck Sea. tact of the camp operator Ferrovial ends. up to A$20,000 ($14,842) to return North Korea is over. DPRK are the initials of North apua New Guinea’s decision to The 905 men held on Manus Island The camp was set up in 2013, when home, the largest exodus in four years. US Disarmament Ambassador Korea’s offi cial name, the Demo- relocate hundreds of men held in are already allowed to travel to Lorengau Australia funded two remote Pacifi c de- However, the number of detain- Robert Wood said on yesterday Chi- cratic People’s Republic of Korea. Pan Australian-run detention cen- during the day but nearly all choose to tention centres to detain asylum seekers ees electing to return home has fallen na’s leverage was key and it could do “The DPRK will bolster its self-de- tre to a nearby town soon exposes them remain in the detention centre amid al- who arrive by boat indefi nitely. sharply in recent weeks, with just two more. fence capabilities as long as the Unit- to violence and inadequate medical legations of assaults and threats against Manus Island and a centre on Nauru accepting Australian incentives to leave Han said Sunday’s test-launch ed States continues its hostile policies care, asylum seekers and human rights them by residents. have drawn condemnation from human voluntarily, a source familiar with the was “successful in fl ight”. towards the DPRK and imposes nu- groups said yesterday. “We are concerned that these men rights organisation for cramped condi- camp told Reuters. “It is considered an IRBM (inter- clear threats and makes blackmail,” Papua New Guinea immigration of- are being moved to a place with even tions, inadequate medical facilities and “Those not eligible for resettlement mediate range ballistic missile) of diplomat Ju Yong-choi said. fi cials told asylum seekers on Monday higher security risks than Manus Island violence. have sought to read the tea leaves to un- enhanced calibre compared to Mu- Trump and new South Korean that an area of the controversial Manus and one that has inadequate facilities to While those who will be relocated derstand whether they will be deported. sudan missiles that have continu- President Moon Jae-in will meet Island camp north of the PNG mainland deal with people who require medical said their fears were tempered slightly There will be some who see no option ally failed,” he said, referring to a in Washington next month, with would close on May 28, with the rest of treatment,” said Kate Schuetze, Pacifi c by signs of progress in moving to the but to accept the fi nancial resettlement class of missile designed to travel up North Korea expected to be high on the compound to shut on June 30. researcher for Amnesty International. United States, those who are not eligible off er,” said an Australian offi cial, who to 3,000km to 4,000km. the agenda, the South’s presidential Those eligible for resettlement to the Papua New Guinea offi cials could not for resettlement said the move showed declined to be identifi ed because he is Asked if North Korea’s missile Blue House said. United States, under a deal that US Presi- be reached immediately for comment. Papua New Guinea’s commitment to not authorised to talk to the media.

Aviation-fuel sniff ers spark health warning Health workers in Australia a common occurrence in Beijing quietly releases draft have warned of a “public remote communities in Australia unveils massive health emergency” after Australia, but sniff ing avia- footage emerged of young tion fuel is a somewhat new of tough new intelligence law people in Northern Territory phenomenon. new shipbuilding plan siphoning fuel from aero- It is considered even planes for sniff ing. more dangerous than petrol Reuters national interests,” the document said, The video shows children sniff ing because avgas AFP build them at an Adelaide yard, beating off Beijing without giving a timeframe for passage of as young as 10 breaking contains lead, which can Sydney competition from Japan and Germany. the law. into the remote Elcho Island badly damage the brain and While no specifi c threat was cited, Defence National interests listed in the docu- Airport and climbing onto nervous system. Minister Marise Payne said the programme hina yesterday quietly released the ment include state power, sovereignty, in- the wings of planes to Lucas de Toca, the Miwatj ustralia yesterday revealed details of a was designed to ensure “we have the most fi rst public draft of an intelligence dependence and territorial integrity. siphon the fuel, known as Health chief health off icer, massive shipbuilding strategy, its larg- capable, agile and potent Australian Defence Claw giving authorities powers to Intelligence work needs to be performed avgas, which is toxic and said a number of kids have Aest peacetime naval investment, with Force that we are able to achieve”. monitor suspects, raid premises, and seize both within and outside China, and for- extremely flammable. recorded high blood-lead plans to construct dozens of new submarines “The future frigates, the off shore patrol vehicles and devices while investigat- eign groups and individuals who damage One Australian health levels, which can cause and frigates to shore up its defence capabilities. vessels, the future submarines — these are ing domestic and foreign individuals and national security must be investigated, it organisation estimates long-term cognitive and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said platforms that will deliver...the capability groups. added. about 100 youngsters from behavioural diff iculties. the A$89bn (US$66bn) package — fi rst that we need to ensure we are protecting President Xi Jinping has overseen a raft If passed, the law will give authorities nearby indigenous com- “Sniff ing can be fatal,” fl agged in 2015 to replace its ageing fl eets Australia and our interests.” of legislation to bolster national security new legal grounds to monitor and investi- munities have been abusing he said. “It’s a public health — would boost local industry, with up to Under the plan, Australia’s current ANZAC against threats from both within and out- gate foreign and domestic individuals and the fuel, emergency.” 5,000 jobs created in shipbuilding directly and Adelaide class frigates will be replaced side China. bodies, in order to protect national secu- according to the Austral- The state government and double that in the supply chain. with new ships better able to “detect, track The government gained new pow- rity, it said. ian Associated Press. is providing money for a “We will transform our naval shipbuild- and, if required, destroy enemy submarines”. ers with a national security law passed in The draft showed authorities will also At least 10 people from guard dog and security ing and sustainment industry here in Aus- Its Armidale off shore patrol vessels, de- 2014, followed by a raft of measures on be able to propose customs and border in- the north-east Arnhem Land off icer to patrol the airport tralia, with Australian workers, in Austral- signed for border protection, will also be counter-terrorism, the management of spections or “quarantines”, as well as “ad- region have been hospital- overnight for the next three ian shipyards, using Australian resources,” renewed, along with its diesel and electric- foreign non-government bodies and cyber ministrative detention” of up to 15 days for ized in Darwin, the Northern months. he said as he offi cially released the plan. powered Collins Class submarine fl eet. security, among other subjects. those who obstruct their work, or leak re- Territory capital. The government is work- “This is a plan for jobs, a plan for security, Turnbull said more than A$1.3bn would A top law-making body, the standing lated state secrets. “Our kids are ending up ing with health providers a plan for the opportunity that investment be injected to modernise facilities in South committee of the National People’s Con- China’s Ministry of State Security could in hospital by getting in- and community leaders to in our defence industry brings not just today Australia and Western Australia states so gress (NPC), yesterday released a draft not be reached for comment. fected by chemicals, which address the complex under- and tomorrow, but for generations to come.” the work could go-ahead. version of the National Intelligence Law State media, and the parliament web- is bad for them,” John Gur- lying causes of sniff ing, de The program will produce nine frigates and A shipbuilding college would also be es- on its website, inviting responses from the site’s own home page, made no mention of rumgurrum Burarrwanga, a Toca said. 12 off shore patrol vessels, along with 19 Pa- tablished to train workers. public until June 14. the draft, unlike two other pieces of legis- local Aboriginal elder, told “We are supporting fami- cifi c patrol boats for neighbouring countries. Construction of the patrol boats is slated “State intelligence work should...pro- lation also made public yesterday. Australian broadcaster ABC. lies with intervention and It also includes 12 new submarines at a to start in 2018 with the frigates beginning vide support to guard against and dispel China says the laws are appropriate for Petrol sniff ing has been education services,” he said. cost of A$50bn, with French naval contrac- two years later and the submarine build state security threats (and) protect major its national security concerns. tor DCNS last year selected to design and getting underway around 2022. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 BRITAIN

LAW AND ORDER REALTY FINED LAW AND ORDER TREND Man held over 1984 Libyan Capital suff ers fastest Knotweed outbreak: former Murder probe begins as Only 27% of voters trust embassy murder released fall in house prices councillor faces £1,500 bill dead girl found in car newspapers, reveals survey

A man who was arrested in 2015 in connection London house prices fell faster than anywhere A former Tory councillor who failed to tackle A murder inquiry has been launched after a Only 27 per cent of voters trust British with the murder of policewoman Yvonne else in the country in March as the impact an outbreak of Japanese knotweed at his “beautiful, talented and loving” teenage girl was newspapers, while 52% say they struggle to Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in London of Brexit finally caught up with the property £1.5mn Chelsea home has been left with a found dead on the back seat of a car following distinguish between “fake” news and real news, in 1984 has been released from police bail and market. The average price of a home slipped £1,500 bill. Nicholas Halbritter, 69, did not deal a crash. Megan Bannister, 16, was discovered according to a survey. The survey of some 2,000 will not face charges at this time, police said 1.5% to £471,742, dragging the year-on-year with the invasive plant as it took over his back after the crash at about 11.45am on Sunday in adults by pollsters ICM Unlimited found 45% yesterday. Fletcher, who was 25 and had joined rate of increase down to 1.5%, the slowest garden in Ifield Road, threatening to spread to Enderby, Leicestershire. Police said the death trust the national broadcaster, the BBC, but just the police aged 19, was hit in the back by a shot since 2012. The house price figures from the neighbouring homes and Brompton Cemetery is not believed to have been the result of the 13% trust news via social media. One-quarter fired from the embassy while she was policing Land Registry came as the Consumer Prices next door. Kensington and Chelsea council told collision between the black Vauxhall Astra and of respondents said they had seen “fake” news a demonstration by Libyan dissidents against Index rate of inflation jumped from 2.3% to him in September that he needed to call in a a motorbike, and two men have been arrested about the election, scheduled on June 8, and Muammar Gaddafi, who then ruled the North 2.7%, its highest rate since September 2013. specialist to deal with the plant. He did not heed on suspicion of murder. One resident living near 52% agreed that it was “diff icult to tell the African country. The shooting triggered an 11-day The biggest year-on-year falls were in the City, the notice and was later charged with failing to the crash scene said: “At first people thought the diff erence between real and fake news” about siege of the building by London’s Metropolitan Tower Hamlets and Islington, all areas favoured maintain land. Hammersmith magistrates’ court woman had died in a road accident, but then it the election. ICM noted its survey was conducted Police, the deportation of 30 Libyans in the by workers in the key financial services sector, deputy district judge Briony Clarke ordered him has come out that the police believe she was days after a BBC investigation suggested that embassy and the severing of diplomatic ties thought to be vulnerable to the fallout from the to pay a £467 fine, £1,000 in court costs, and a dead before the crash. That has really upset and Facebook had “swayed the results of the US between London and Tripoli. referendum. £46 surcharge. frightened people.” election and the Brexit vote.” Tories chalk up strategy to destroy opposition

Reuters This month, after making London gains in local elections, she told supporters: “I will not take any- thing for granted and neither will o talk of opinion polls and the team I lead, because there is defi nitely no boasting — too much at stake.” Nthe governing Conserva- Opinion polls give the Con- tive Party is under strict orders servatives around a 20-point before a June election which it lead over Labour, and the party hopes will “destroy” the opposi- won some seats traditionally tion. supportive of the opposition The Conservatives, once criti- party in the local elections. cised by Prime Minister Theresa They even won the mayoral May for being called the “nasty contest in Tees Valley — part of Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters after speaking at a campaign event in Beaumont Park in Huddersfield yesterday. party”, won seats from left-wing Labour’s heartlands in north- parties and from the right in lo- eastern England, only one of two cal elections this month by capi- regions where Labour is ahead talising on the opposition La- of the Conservatives but where bour Party’s divisions to appeal May’s party has reduced a wide to their working-class voters and gap to just two points. Brexit supporters. “We’re not allowed to talk The elections to local coun- about the polls, we’ve got to say cils and a handful of mayoral they are notoriously unreliable,” Labour Party unveils positions were a dry run for the said the Conservative lawmaker, June 8 parliamentary election speaking on condition of ano- in which opinion polls suggest nymity due to the sensitivity of May’s party is set to add dozens explaining Conservative strat- of additional seats, possibly re- egy. shaping the political landscape “We are not allowed to crow.” in Britain by ushering in years of The Conservative Party has ‘radical’ poll manifesto Conservative rule. struggled over the years with be- The goal is nothing less than ing portrayed as smug in some AFP “It will lead us through Brexit Service (NHS) and would only lined in the Labour manifesto. by Neale, a Labour volunteer, “to destroy Labour”, one Con- media and, under her pred- Bradford while putting the preserva- aff ect 5% of earners. “It’s a programme that will said the “inspiring” manifesto servative lawmaker said, by ecessor David Cameron, packed tion of jobs fi rst,” he said of the The party also plans a levy on reverse our national priorities would sway voters. “I wouldn’t targeting the seats of up-and- with members of Britain’s elite manifesto, appearing in front of businesses with staff earning to put the interests of the many be fi ghting so hard if I didn’t coming opposition politicians to schools and top universities. abour leader Jeremy Cor- Labour’s election slogan: “For large salaries over £330,000. fi rst,” Corbyn said. “This is a believe Labour has a chance to stunt its growth. In 2002, she herself chided byn yesterday unveiled a the many, not the few.” Labour promised to rena- programme of hope. The Tory win, and a very good one,” said This, the Conservatives say, members at a party conference L“radical and responsible” Corbyn promised a Labour tionalise the railways, water campaign, by contrast, is built the 39-year-old. would hand May the kind of for having too narrow a base: manifesto as the party hopes to government would immedi- companies and part of the en- on one word: fear.” The Conservatives imme- commanding victory she needs “You know what some people close the gap against the rul- ately guarantee the rights of ergy sector in what critics said Other pledges in the Labour diately slammed the plan as to strengthen her hand in divorce call us — the nasty party.” ing Conservatives before next EU citizens in Britain and reject was a throwback to an era of far manifesto include building 1mn “nonsensical” and not properly talks with the EU. She has tried to shift her poli- month’s election. the threat of walking away from greater state intervention in the new homes and adding four na- costed. “It’s ordinary working But the message to Conserva- cies closer to the political mid- Corbyn, who is fl agging bad- Brexit talks. economy in the 1970s. tional holidays to the calendar. people who will pay for the cha- tive lawmakers, members and dle ground, promising to build ly in the opinion polls, prom- The manifesto included a tax Corbyn promised to scrap Local Labour campaigner Joe os of Corbyn,” Treasury Chief activists is true to form for the more houses and expand work- ised to “change our country” increase from 40% to 45% for university tuition fees, a pledge Ashton, 29, said the manifesto Secretary David Gauke said in a risk-averse prime minister — do ers’ rights to appeal to those who with a raft of proposals includ- salaries of between £80,000 met with huge cheers from sup- set the party apart from others. statement. not take anything for granted. feel left behind by globalisation ing raising taxes on the well-off and £123,0000 a year, above porters gathered to hear him “I think it’s radical without be- But Labour member Cath- For her, the biggest electoral and mostly voted to leave the EU and renationalising key indus- which there will be a new 50% speak at Bradford University. ing extreme. Sensible, costed erine Gomersall said cuts rolled threat is not from other parties, last June. tries. top rate of income tax. Labour has also promised it will and when tested, our policies out by the government since the but the risk of the Conservatives But her strategists are betting Presenting the manifesto in The current 40% tax rate ap- increase corporation tax to 26 % are highly popular with the 2015 national election would appearing over-confi dent. on winning over voters by fo- Bradford the Labour leader said plies to people earning between by 2020. public,” he said. push people to vote for the op- “We must not be complacent cusing on her personality, which the country had been run “for £45,000 and £150,000. Such changes are among the Prime Minister Theresa position. and I am not complacent,” May those who have worked for her the rich, the elite and the vested Labour has said the rise would measures to boost the state cof- May’s Conservative Party have a “People are desperate, espe- said just a week after she called variously describe from “deter- interests” in seven years of Con- fund increased investment in fers by the £48.6bn needed to double-digit lead over Labour in cially in Bradford, for a change,” the early election. mined” to “intractable”. servative government. the state-run National Health meet the commitments out- opinion polls. But writer Barna- the yoga teacher said. May urged to abandon Rise in wind storms pledge to cut immigration likely as world warms Guardian News and Media profi le impact of climate change London on the UK. But the overall cost London Evening Standard The promise to cut net annu- Industry chiefs have ap- of wind storms is actually high- London al immigration below 100,000 pealed to May not to gold-plate er, as a result of a much larger was launched by David Cam- the target in the Conservative he UK is set to reap the number of smaller incidents, eron in 2010 in response to manifesto, due out tomorrow. whirlwind of climate and currently runs at an aver- heresa May should aban- public concern about the wave Last week, Business Minister Tchange with the huge age of about £1bn a year. Ex- don her pledge to slash of workers coming from east- Greg Clark refused four times in damage caused by wind storms treme wind storms can occur, Timmigration to the “tens ern Europe after countries such a radio interview to say which expected to increase sharply, ac- though, and in 1990 the Burns’ of thousands”, one of the To- as Poland and Hungary joined industries would have to take cording to new analysis. Day storm resulted in 47 deaths, ries’ most heavyweight thinkers the EU. But although it was fewer overseas workers to fit Even the minimum global as well as more than £2bn of in- urged yesterday. repeated in the 2010 and 2015 the cap. warming now expected – just sured damage and many millions Writing in the Evening manifestos, net immigration Lord Willetts, now executive 1.5C – is projected to raise the more in damage to roads, power Standard, former minister and surged to a record 336,000 in chair of the Resolution Foun- cost of windstorm destruction lines and uninsured properties. policy chief David Willetts said: June 2015. dation, worked in Margaret by more than a third in parts of The new work was commis- “There has to be a better ap- The most recent official fig- Thatcher’s policy unit at No the country. If climate change sioned by the Association of proach to migration policy.” ures, for the year to September 10 before serving as a senior heats the world even further, British Insurers (ABI), which is Lord Willetts, who was at the 2016, put the level at 273,000. minister under John Major and broken roofs and damaged concerned by the rising impacts heart of Conservative policy- Despite government rheto- Cameron. He also wrote the buildings are likely to increase of climate change on its custom- making for more than two dec- ric about gaining “control” 1997 Tory manifesto. by over 50% across a swathe of ers, and was carried out by the ades, said the target was unlike- over borders after Brexit, these In his article he urged May to the nation. consultancy Air Worldwide and ly to ever be met and was in any showed half of the net arrivals, put the plight of hard-pressed The research shows all of the UK Met Offi ce. case based on unreliable data. some 164,000, were from out- working families at the heart of the UK is on track to see rises “It is absolutely a concern “It is very hard to implement side the EU. her policy. “We could now move in high winds except the south that we are going to be living in in practice,” he writes. “We That figure, which alone is to a period which combines very and south-west, with the great- a world where overall there are have always had power to con- far above “tens of thousands”, modest income growth with est impact across the Midlands, higher wind storm losses,” said trol movement of people from rose even though the govern- widening inequality,” writes the Yorkshire and Northern Ireland. Matt Cullen, the ABI’s head of outside the EU and yet that has ment already has the power, former minister for universities This is because the main storms strategy. “That inevitably trans- not come down to tens of thou- in theory, to reject migrants and skills. that barrel in off the Atlan- fers through to insurers having sands. who do not have European free Families would feel poorer as tic are expected to move their to raise premiums and hold more “Even the figures that the movement rights. It almost inflation overtakes pay rises, track northwards as the planet capital. We want to make sure pledge is judged on — a sur- equals the 165,000 net increase he said, but the squeeze would warms, a phenomenon linked to we live in a world where risk is vey of people who say they are in EU citizens taking advantage be especially tight for many the rapid melting being seen in controlled and understandable coming for more than a year — of their right to work in member working families, facing cuts in Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to employees at a ScrewFix the Arctic. and we can off er insurance in a is unreliable.” states. working age benefits. distribution centre in Stoke On Trent yesterday. Flooding is the most high- reliable and sensible way.” Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 17 BRITAIN Leasehold is the biggest concern for homeowners: study

Guardian News and Media owners by the HomeOwners Alli- ey-grabbing scheme that has left The Guardian, in partnership ground rent clauses. Others have ter has begun parking advertising now part of a Facebook campaign London ance found that 50% of UK adults thousands of buyers across the with campaign group Leasehold been staggered to learn that their vans outside new-build develop- against charges that has attracted see the current leasehold-freehold country trapped in properties Knowledge Partnership, revealed freehold has been sold on to other ments in the north-west where more than 4,000 members. system (including service charges that are now essentially unsale- last year how developers such as companies, which in turn have homes are being sold as leasehold. “I was never told it doubled. The easehold has become the and ground rent) as a very serious able. “Leasehold houses, dou- Taylor Wimpey had introduced demanded infl ated amounts to His van, parked outside one Per- sales staff said do not worry about No 1 concern for home- or serious problem, up from 42% bling of ground rents and unfair clauses into 999-year leases on buy them out. Taylor Wimpey has simmon development at the week- it – you can buy the freehold for Lowners in the UK, ac- last year. Paula Higgins, the chief clauses are leaving homeowners new-build houses that resulted since stopped selling homes with end, says: “Thinking of buying £4,800 at any time you like. Then cording to a new study, after it executive of the HomeOwners in a nightmare situation and the in ground rents doubling every doubling ground rent clauses, and new dream home? Before signing they sold it on to an investment emerged that many new home- Alliance, said: “Unscrupulous government is clearly not treat- 10 years. Some buyers have found begun a £130mn scheme to change anything, make sure it’s not lease- fi rm without ever warning us. Now buyers have been trapped by spi- players within the industry have ing the issue with the severity it their homes unsaleable after mort- the leases, but many buyers remain hold, or it will become a prison!” the new landlords want £45,000 ralling ground rents. turned what has been a form of deserves. These people need help gage companies refused to lend unhappy. Bennett bought a leasehold off us to buy it back,” he said on his The annual survey of property tenure for centuries into a mon- and they need it now.” against properties with onerous Lee Bennett from Manches- house with a 999-year lease, but is Facebook posting.

Hospital visit Boy, 12, held knife to Missing victim’s girl’s throat, court hears brother clings London Evening Standard London

boy aged 12 held a seven- inch blade to a schoolgirl’s to hope even as Athroat before threatening to kill her friend, a court heard. The two girls, also 12, were playing on tennis courts in west London when the boy — a pupil at their school — approached and killer Brady dies pulled the knife from his sports bag. He held it to one girl’s neck, Guardian News and Media ter addressed to Winnie to be would “cash in” on their connec- then swung it repeatedly towards London opened only after her death. tion to the mass murderer after the other girl telling her: “I’m go- Jackie Powell, Brady’s legal ad- his death. ing to kill you straight.” vocate at the time, claimed the “Some people will be very dis- The boy, who cannot be he brother of Ian Brady’s letter existed during a television appointed when Brady does die named for legal reasons, then lost victim is not cel- documentary. Police interviewed because their obsession will no threw the knife into the air, nar- Tebrating the death of her but could not corroborate the longer be there to receive their rowly missing another boy as it the Moors murderer, his family claims. letters and cards of support and landed, Uxbridge Youth Court lawyer has said, urging Brady’s Brady later claimed there sympathy, whilst blaming others was told. The girls ran to a police solicitor to pass on any infor- was no such letter. “Since 1985 more than blaming him for the station and reported the inci- mation that could help locate I have repeatedly stated that I crimes committed,” he wrote. dent, which took place in Fass- Keith Bennett’s remains. know/knew the whereabouts of “They will also ‘cash in’ by nidge Park, Uxbridge, at about Brady has died aged 79 hav- Keith Bennett,” he wrote from running to the press with their 3pm on February 4. ing never revealed where he and Ashworth secure psychiatric connections to Brady through The Year 7 pupil was charged Myra Hindley buried 12-year- hospital, “but to know or have letters and/or visits. Then the with possession of an off ensive old Keith after they killed him known the whereabouts is en- books of ‘facts’ will appear, as weapon in a public place and us- in 1964. The pair tortured and tirely distinct from stating that told to them by Brady. I would ing threatening, abusive, insulting murdered five children between a vast wilderness that changes suggest those could well be fi led words or behaviour with intent 1963 and 1965, burying at least with the seasons every year in the fi ction section of a library.” to cause fear or provoke unlawful four of the bodies on Saddle- would, after 50 years, remain Ainley said that he spoke to violence. worth Moor, near Oldham. precisely familiar to anyone.” Alan Bennett on Monday night The boy, who appeared in court Multiple searches of the moor Ainley said he doubted such a after police confi rmed Brady was alongside his parents, pleaded have failed to uncover Keith’s letter existed. “At the time I was dead. “I got the sense that there guilty to both charges. He was remains. After Brady’s death very sceptical that the letter was no celebration, that it was sentenced to a nine-month refer- in Ashworth secure hospital in existed,” he said. “No evidence sad, not that he was dead, but ral order and will have to pay a £70 Merseyside on Monday, Greater that has come to light since has because with his death goes any victim surcharge. Manchester police vowed to changed my view. I was never hope of getting that vital piece Chairman of the bench Ian never close the case unsolved. convinced.” of information,” he said. “There Comfort said: “This was a very The senior coroner for Brady’s lawyer, Robin Makin, had always been that glimmer dangerous set of circumstances, Sefton, Christopher Sumner, told BBC Radio 4’s Today pro- of hope. There was also sadness other children were around. One said that Brady’s body would gramme he would be very sur- that he had never shown any re- slip and someone could be dead. If not be released until assurances prised if the killer had had any morse for the children’s death.” this was an adult who held a knife have been given that his ashes useful information about where Johnson had never given up to a child’s throat we would have will not be scattered on Saddle- Keith’s body was. “He did go to hope of fi nding her son’s body, to put them in prison for up to two worth Moor. the moors a long time ago and I said Ainley. “Knowing where he years.” John Ainley, who represented suspect that if there had been in- was would have been a massive Nadine Hamden, prosecuting, Bennett’s late mother, Winnie formation for him that he could relief,” he said. “Since 1969 she said: “He held the blade to the vic- Johnson, told the Guardian he have provided, he would have had never given up hope of fi nd- tim’s throat saying ‘do you want to had contacted Brady’s solicitor- provided it then,” Makin said. ing Keith so she could give him a go?’ Before swinging it around at advocate to ask him to pass on Keith’s brother, Alan Ben- proper burial.” another female, saying ‘I’m going “any documents and informa- nett, said he would never give Terry Kilbride, the brother of to kill you straight’ and repeated tion that (Brady) may have left up hope of finding him. Thank- John Kilbride, Brady and Hind- this several times. behind that would be relevant ing supporters for their well- ley’s second victim, told the Sun “He then threw the knife up in to the search for Keith Bennett, wishes, he wrote on Facebook: he would celebrate Brady’s death. the air, with it landing near some be that in documents he had “We will carry on doing what- “He’s ruined our lives all other children standing around. left in his cell, or documents he ever we can to bring Keith these years and he’ll still ruin He then picked the knife up again Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is shown the workings of an MR Linac machine by had given to third parties to be home.” it even though he’s gone. I and fl ung it towards a patch of professor Uwe Oelfke during a visit to the Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton yesterday. The opened after his death, if such On Monday, shortly before feel numb,” he said. “He was a grass in nearby woodland.” Duke of Cambridge, president of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, visited the documents exist”. Brady’s death was confi rmed, murderous psychopath. There The court heard that the two hospital’s facilities in Sutton. The Duke accompanied staff as they went about their daily Just before Johnson died in Alan Bennett complained on are no other words to describe girls are now afraid to go out on activities in treating and caring for patients. 2012, one of Brady’s advocates Facebook that the killer had at- what he was. A complete luna- their own. claimed Brady had written a let- tracted a cabal of admirers who tic. Good riddance.”

Poll campaign RMT train crews Daredevil aims to break to stage walkout wingsuit fl ying records Guardian News and Media safety as well as access for peo- London ple with disabilities. Mick Cash, the RMT general Reuters in the world unaided by ma- several layers of thin thermal secretary, said: “That represents Salisbury chinery. clothing and a balaclava to rain staff in the RMT a serious safety and accessibility Japan’s Shinichi Ito set the contend with freezing tem- union will stage another risk and short of the guarantee record for the fastest horizon- peratures of between minus T24-hour strike across of a second safety-qualifi ed wingsuit pilot has soar- tal speed reached in a wingsuit 50 and minus 70 degrees cen- three rail networks in the on- member of staff on Southern ing ambitions to break — 363km per hour — in Cali- tigrade, before factoring in going row over the future of services we have no option but A four world records by fornia in 2011. wind-chill. conductors or guards. to confi rm a further day of strike sky diving from 42,000 feet. One of Corsan’s jumps, Corsan’s record attempts, Crew on Southern, Northern action.” The high-intensity sport which will take place in the dubbed Project Cirrus, will and Merseyrail services will go The RMT is in parallel dis- of wingsuit flying involves US and Canada, will involve raise money for the SSAFA - the on strike on May 30, the day af- putes with companies that jumping from a height using a him leaping from a height of Armed Forces Charity, a British ter the next UK bank holiday. have similar plans. It said that special suit with ‘wings’ fitted around 42,000 feet from a hot charity that helps veterans. Industrial action started Arriva Rail North, the opera- between the limbs to generate air balloon — shattering the After completing his final more than a year ago on South- tor of Northern, had “rejected extra lift and allow the wearer existing record of 37,000ft. practice jump last week, Cor- ern, where RMT members point blank” attempts to settle to glide through the air. “Commercial aircraft will san took one of the service- have walked out for 31 days in the dispute. Northern is likely Fraser Corsan, a 42-year- actually be below us when men aided by the charity for total. The decision to strike to introduce driver-controlled old former aerospace safety I exit because they go up to his first tandem sky dive. again comes in spite of South- operation across many servic- engineer, will carry out two 37,000 ft; we’re going anoth- “I’ve done some crazy stuff ern’s operating company, Go- es when new trains are brought wingsuit jumps as he attempts er 5,000 ft higher than them. in my life and (there’s) been via Thameslink Railway, hav- in, from 2018, although so far to break the records for the So around 12,000 feet higher some hairy moments in my ing already enacted its plans to its plans have not been con- highest altitude jumped in a than Mount Everest,” he said. life but nothing comes close change the role of conductors to fi rmed. wingsuit, as well as the long- The equipment used for the to that,” Lance Corporal Rory onboard supervisors and make Richard Allan, Northern’s est time and furthest distance feat is highly specialised. Mackenzie of the British army, the driver entirely responsible deputy managing director, said flown. Corsan wears a high-per- who lost a leg in an attack in for train operation, including it was “frustrating” that more “About the same speed as formance suit designed to en- Iraq in 2007, said after his closing doors. strikes had been called and a Bugatti Veyron or a Fer- hance his aerodynamics, and jump. In talks with the company, added: “RMT’s dispute will not rari F50, about 250 miles per equipped with inlets to inflate Corsan’s record attempts the RMT said it had learned be solved by unnecessary strike hour,” Corsan told Reuters, the wings in flight. are scheduled to take place on Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson visits Express that 8,216 trains a year would action, but instead by working speaking about the first of the In addition to gear that is May 22 and May 29, subject Bakery, during the general election campaign, in Dumfries, now run without a second crew with us to deliver the modern challenges he will undertake built for speed, Corsan will be to weather conditions and air Scotland, yesterday. member onboard, which the trains, services and stations our — becoming the fastest man equipped with heated gloves, space clearance. union said would compromise customers want.” Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 EUROPE World is close to ‘serious digital sabotage’, Dutch spy chief warns

AFP curity conference in The Hague, technology experts and offi cials. pen if the entire banking system The threat of “cyber terror- may not yet have the capability slowing, and suggested a possible The Hague as global experts grapple with the Bertholee highlighted how in were sabotaged for a day, two ism” from terror groups such as but they defi nitely have the in- North Korean link. fallout of a massive cyber attack 2012 the computers at Saudi Ara- days, for a week,” he asked. “Or the so-called Islamic State (IS) tent.” In the fi rst clues of the origin of over the past days. bia’s largest oil company came if there was a breakdown in our and Al Qaeda was still limited, Countries must be prepared the ransomware attacks, Google he world may be close to a Digital threats “are not imagi- under brief attack, or how three transportation network. Or if he said, but “Islamist-inspired for future threats in the digital researcher Neel Mehta posted “serious act of digital sab- nary, they are everywhere around years later Ukrainian electricity air traffi c controllers faced cyber terrorism is the number one pri- domain, with governments and computer code that showed simi- Totage” which could trig- us”, the head of the country’s in- companies were hacked causing attacks while directing fl ights. ority” of the Dutch intelligence private sector working closely larities between the “WannaCry” ger unrest, “chaos and disorder”, telligence services (AIVD) told a massive blackout lasting sev- The consequences could be cata- services. together, as this is “where our malware and a vast hacking eff ort Dutch spy chief Rob Bertholee the conference organised by the eral hours. strophic.” “The level of technical exper- societies have become most vul- attributed to Pyongyang. warned yesterday. Dutch government. The world’s infrastructure was Added Bertholee: “Sabotage tise available to a Islamist mili- nerable”, he said. Europol meanwhile said the Sabotage of critical infrastruc- “In my opinion, we might be heavily interconnected, which on one of these sectors could tant group is still insuffi cient to Security researchers investi- number of aff ected IP addresses ture “is the kind of thing that closer to a serious act of digital had huge benefi ts, but also “vul- have major public repercussions, infl ict signifi cant damage or gating the massive cyber attack around the world was 163,745 – might keep you awake at night”, sabotage than a lot of people can nerabilities”. causing unrest, chaos and disor- personal injury through digital campaign over past days have a 38% fall from the 226,000 re- Bertholee told a timely cyber se- imagine,” he told hundreds of “Imagine what would hap- der.” sabotage,” Bertholee said. “They reported signs that it might be ported on Sunday.

Federal court says German govt can save IP addresses Germany’s Federal Court has ruled that websites operated by the government are generally Ukraine blocks Russian allowed to save users’ Internet addresses but must provide reasons why doing so is necessary to help the sites guard against online attacks. Website owners routinely store users’ Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which can be used social media networks to locate a user’s computer, so that when cyber attacks happen AFP criminal investigators can use Kiev such data as a means to help them figure out who and where the user is. kraine has blocked Rus- The court returned to a lower sia’s most popular social court in Berlin a complaint Umedia networks and an by Patrick Breyer, a member Internet search engine in re- of the Pirate Party, who had sponse to the Kremlin’s alleged sought to stop the government backing of a three-year separa- practice of registering and tist war in the east. storing his computer’s Internet The decision sparked an im- address whenever he visited its mediate outcry from Ukrainian webpages. Internet users and freedom of Breyer and the government speech advocates. had both appealed against a Kremlin spokesman Dmitry previous ruling from the lower Peskov called Ukrainian Presi- court in Berlin, which had ruled dent Petro Poroshenko’s deci- that saving IP addresses was sion “another manifestation of only possible in exceptional unfriendly, short-sighted policy Poroshenko: promised to quickly close his Russian social media circumstances. toward Russia”. accounts. The court in Berlin subsequently Some critics in Kiev further referred the case to the Federal pointed to the irony of Porosh- analyst with the Bellingcat in- monthly users in Ukraine. Court. enko himself being an avid user vestigative research network “We have always steered clear The Federal Court stressed of two of the Russian networks said that the VK ban would be of politics,” it said in a state- the importance of the crime he had banned. especially painful for the Rus- ment. “We believe that in its deterrence eff ect of its ruling The pro-Western Ukrainian sian speakers who are trying to very essence, the Internet has no yesterday. leader promised to quickly close eke out an existence in Ukraine’s borders.” A view of the headquarters of Yandex company, Russia’s Internet search engine, in Moscow. Ukraine has The Berlin court must now his Russian accounts and de- impoverished eastern war zone. Kiev has been gradually ex- blocked Russia’s most popular social media networks and an Internet search engine in response to the decide whether saving the data fended the latest round of sanc- “VK is used extremely heavily panding its list of outlawed Kremlin’s alleged backing of a three-year separatist war in the east. is necessary and proportionate in tions against Kiev’s sworn foe as by civilians who live in the (east) Russian products and people terms of balancing security and an “adequate response” to the to collect information, know barred from entering the coun- Donetsk industrial regions that violation of free speech. The sanctions already in place privacy rights. Kremlin’s “hybrid warfare” us- where humanitarian aid is, talk try for either voicing support of has claimed more than 10,000 VK was used by “Ukrainian nearly overshadowed the Euro- In October, the Luxembourg- ing the Internet. to relatives,” Bellingcat’s Aric the Kremlin’s March 2014 an- lives. individual entrepreneurs who vision Song Contest extravagan- based Court of Justice of the The presidential decree bars Toler wrote on Twitter. “VK is nexation of Crimea or the self- The war began less than two had pages and advertised their za that concluded this weekend European Union rejected Breyer’s access to VK – often referred also by far the best way for peo- proclaimed independence of months after massive pro-EU goods”, Ukraine’s Reporters with the victory of Portuguese claim, saying that website owners to as Russia’s Facebook and ple to share witness accounts for Ukraine’s east. street protests toppled a Krem- Without Borders representative crooner Salvador Sobral. are free to store users’ Internet formerly known as VKontakte what happens on the frontlines, Numerous Russian television lin-backed president in Febru- Oksana Romanyuk wrote on Fa- Ukraine banned Russia’s con- addresses to prevent cyber – and Ukraine’s version of the with detailed timelines. That’s series and movies have been ary 2014. cebook. “And this is not to men- testant for having staged a per- attacks. popular Yandex search engine. gone.” thrown off the airwaves and the Both Kiev and the West see tion the millions of citizens who formance in Crimea a year after Laws passed last year in Britain The decision also covers the A January 2016 ranking con- silver screen. the confl ict as Russia’s retribu- used it to have a social life.” its annexation. and France give police sweeping Mail.ru e-mail provider and the ducted by the Kiev-based Gen- Ukraine has also blocked the tion for the loss of its ally. Poroshenko has also ex- Russia responded by deciding new powers to require Web Odnoklassniki (Classmates) so- ius business consulting compa- import and sale of some books. Human rights groups have panded the number of Russian not to air the kitschy contest and service providers, including cial network. ny placed VK and Mail.ru as the The West strongly supports criticised the Ukrainian gov- citizens and Kremlin supporters organisers have warned Ukraine Internet cafes, to track what The ban remains in eff ect for second and third most popular Kiev’s assertion that Russia has ernment’s decision to apply its from other countries who can that it may be forbidden from websites online users visit, how three years. Ukrainian websites after Google. both plotted and backed the re- sanctions against various forms no longer enter Ukraine to 1,228 taking part in upcoming events long they stay, and computer- A senior eastern European VK said that it had 16mn volt in the eastern Luhansk and of cultural entertainment as a from 682. over its actions. specific details of each user.

Top court causes stir with migrants

Italy’s top court has said that migrants must “adapt” to Western values, in a controversial ruling against an Indian Sikh who was seeking Lawmakers exemption from the law so that he could carry the ceremonial “kirpan” knife. The decision by the Court of Cassation, issued on Monday and published online a day later, has sparked a nationwide debate in a country with a rapidly rising foreign-born population, and under want cops on pressure from record boat migrant arrivals from Libya. “It is essential for a migrant to adapt his own values to the values of the Western world, where he has freely decided to integrate, and to check in advance whether his behaviour is compatible” with local norms, the Cassation wrote. charity boats The judgment turned down an appeal against a €2,000 ($2,200) fine the plaintiff was issued after he refused to hand over his kirpan, which Sikhs see as a religious symbol, rather than a weapon. AFP of registering NGO’s active in Coming from the Supreme Court, it sets an important legal precedent. Rome search and rescue operations in Italy is home to Europe’s second-largest Sikh community, numbering order to ensure full transparency about 60,000-70,000. about their fi nancing. n Italian parliamentary Charity boats have this year Asylum-seeker jailed 11 years for rape commission has called for been responsible for rescuing Apolice to be deployed on around one third of the thou- A 32-year-old Iraqi asylum-seeker was sentenced by a German court or close to charity boats rescuing sands of migrants picked up in yesterday to 11 years in prison for the rape of two Chinese students. migrants in waters off Libya. waters off Libya. The DNA collected from the victims indicate the guilt of the man, who Nicola Latorre, chairman of That is up from around a quar- also admitted to committing the crimes, judge Volker Talarowski said. the defence commission of the ter last year. The defendant dragged his 22- and 28-year-old victims into the bushes Senate, said that the deployment Italy has taken in more than on their way to the University of Bochum in western Germany before would ensure investigations into half a million migrants rescued in This picture taken on May 4 shows a child on a woman’s lap on a rigid-hulled-inflatable-boat (RHIB) brutally raping them. people traffi ckers begin at sea, this way since the start of 2014. alongside the Malta-based NGO Migrant Off shore Aid Station (MOAS) ship Phoenix, during a rescue The younger of the two victims was nearly choked to death in the where “crucial evidence can be The defence commission’s operation in the central Mediterranean, in international waters off the Libyan coastal town of Sabratha. process. lost”. recommendations follow a row He was speaking at the pres- over claims by a prosecutor entation of a report based on a based in Sicily that some NGO series of hearings which have boats could be being fi nanced seen NGOs accused of encourag- by the traffi ckers themselves to EU executive to decide on migration penalties in June ing the mass infl ux of migrants to make their job of getting mostly Italy by providing a “taxi pick- African migrants into Europe in up” service for packed rickety return for payments. Reuters seekers reaching their shores ropean spirit, others continue relocation scheme to the EU’s top Greece has seen numbers drop boats that traffi ckers eff ectively A more subtle version of the Brussels from across the Mediterranean. to show no solidarity,” EU Mi- court, the Commission also sin- after the EU sealed a deal with only need to get out of Libyan argument suggests the char- The bloc’s 2015 decision to dis- gration Commissioner Dimitris gled out the Czech Republic, say- Turkey that cut off this route, but territorial waters. ity boats have helped to create a tribute the newcomers across the Avramopoulos told a news con- ing it has not been active on that Italy is now under bigger pres- NGOs poured cold water on “pull” factor by decreasing the he European Commission EU has proven controversial and ference. “This is why I call on Po- front for a year. sure with arrivals from the shores the idea of allowing police to risks involved in trying to make will decide next month fewer than 18,500 have been re- land and Hungary, who have not Austria is another EU state that of lawless Libya. travel with them. the Mediterranean crossing. Ton any legal cases against located so far under the two-year relocated a single person in need has so far received nobody under The EU’s border agency Fron- “We have a humanitarian Figures suggest however that countries failing to resettle asy- plan meant to cover 160,000. of protection, to start doing so the plan but it has now pledged to tex said separately yesterday mandate and we want to main- the journey remains extremely lum-seekers as agreed in the While some EU states have right now.” take in people from Italy. that April saw nearly 13,000 dis- tain a clear distinction between dangerous with 1,229 people bloc, taking a small step towards been slow and taking asylum- The Commission said it would The Commission said it must embark in Italy, up a fi fth from that and any military or police recorded as having died or dis- potential punishment for Poland seekers in reluctantly, formerly decide next month on whether do the same for Greece. March. intervention,” one organisa- appeared at sea so far this year, and Hungary. communist easterners Poland to open the so-called infringe- The relocation plan has been Separate UN data shows 55,215 tion, SOS Mediterranee, said in according to the International The Commission, the EU’s ex- and Hungary have refused to host ment procedures over relocation agreed amid record-high arrivals refugees and migrants have made a statement. “This is crucial for Organisation for Migration ecutive, said yesterday that some a single person. against countries not fulfi lling of migrants from the Middle East it across the Mediterranean to our independence.” (IOM). countries could avoid showing “It cannot be that while the their obligations. and Africa into the EU. Europe so far this year, compared In its report, the commission That is one death for every 37 solidarity with Greece and Italy majority of member states are Apart from Warsaw and Bu- The bloc took in some 1.6mn to more than 360,000 people in also recommended a system people rescued. by taking in some of the asylum- making real eff orts in a real Eu- dapest, which took the whole people in 2014-2016. the whole of 2016. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 19 EUROPE Macron delays naming

Berlusconi and former wife Veronica Lario. cabinet to allow vetting Reuters elected on May 7, are spreading Initially expected for late yes- Paris alarm in the Socialist party and terday, the announcement of Berlusconi the conservative Republicans, who will be part of the govern- both of which are still licking ment was postponed to 3pm to- leading French conserva- their wounds after their presi- day (1300 GMT). fails in bid tive has accused Presi- dential defeat. The president’s offi ce said Adent Emmanuel Macron They fear that he will poach Macron wanted to allow time of “dynamiting” the political more of their leading fi gures as for thorough checks on the min- to reduce landscape as the latter put to- he tries to widen his political isters’ background, including gether a government that is ex- base before crucial parliamen- their tax situation, and avoid pected to include former rivals tary elections in June. confl icts of interest. alimony on both left and right. In a sign of that concern, Among the names being Macron wants to break senior Republicans lawmaker touted by French media are vet- through the left-right divide Francois Baroin disowned party eran socialists: outgoing defence payments that has dominated the euro- colleague Edouard Philippe for minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and zone’s second-largest economy accepting Macron’s off er of the former World Trade Organisa- for decades, and so is drawing in job of prime minister on Mon- tion boss Pascal Lamy. DPA fi gures from outside his year-old day. Le Drian met Philippe yester- Rome centrist Republic on the Move “What Emmanuel Macron is day, giving weight to talk that he Hamon: Who can think that the (REM) party to complete his list proposing is dynamiting, not could keep his job. Left will pull itself together if it is of ministers, expected today. political reshaping,” Baroin told There are also centrists, in- part of a coalition led by a ormer Italian premier Sil- “We want to bring people to- BFM TV. cluding Modem party leader member of the Republicans vio Berlusconi lost an ap- Philippe: 57% of those surveyed gether, beyond old divides that Baroin is leading the Repub- Francois Bayrou and EU law- party? Fpeal against paying €2mn said they did not know him well have become pointless,” REM’s licans’ campaign for the parlia- maker Sylvie Goulard, a former ($2.2mn) as monthly alimony to enough to say if his secretary general Richard Fer- mentary elections, which will be adviser to former European But in a sign of how little his ex-wife Veronica Lario, the appointment was a good or a rand told France Inter radio. key for his party’s future as well Commission president Romano known France’s new prime min- ANSA news agency and other bad thing, while just under a The divide-and-conquer as Macron’s chances of carrying Prodi. ister is, 57% of those surveyed media reported yesterday. third said it was a good thing. tactics by the centrist Macron, out his pro-business, pro-EU Conservatives whose names said they did not know him well Berlusconi, 80, is a billionaire policies. are being fl oated include Re- enough to say if his appointment who made his fortune in the me- Benoit Hamon, who gathered publicans lawmaker Nathalie was a good or a bad thing, while dia and construction business just over 6% of the votes for the Kosciusko-Morizet, as well as just under a third said it was a before entering politics in 1994. Socialist Party in the fi rst round Thierry Breton, who was econo- good thing. He and former B-movie ac- of the presidential election in my minister under conservative Some conservative lawmakers tress Lario married in 1990, split April, said that left-wingers did president Jacques Chirac. said they doubted Macron could in 2009 and were offi cially di- not belong in the upcoming gov- Among possible civil soci- poach any big names. vorced fi ve years later. ernment. ety nominees is Nicolas Hulot, “The heavyweights won’t Baroin: What Emmanuel Macron Italy’s highest legal body, the “Who can think that the Left a popular former TV documen- give in,” a source close to former is proposing is dynamiting, not Court of Cassation, confi rmed will pull itself together if it is tary star turned environmental prime minister Alain Juppe said. political reshaping. the validity of the €2mn monthly part of a coalition led by a mem- activist, who helped prepare the But more than 20 Republicans sum Lario was awarded as a tem- ber of the Republicans party?” 2015 United Nations COP21 cli- members of parliament, includ- the head of the country’s largest porary living allowance, valid for he said. mate summit in Paris. ing some party heavyweights union, the CFDT, warned him the period during which she was But the list of those tipped to A spokesman for Hulot told and former ministers, issued a not to “go at it with an axe” to separated, but not yet divorced. be part of the government in- Reuters that he was in talks with joint statement on Monday urg- carry out his planned business- Had Berlusconi won the case, cluded veteran Socialists, as well Macron but that nothing had ing the party to positively re- friendly reforms. he would have been entitled to as conservatives, centrists and been decided. spond to the “hand extended by “No one wants him to fail. We claim some money back from his newcomers to French politics. An overwhelming majority the president”. don’t know what would happen ex-wife. Macron has said he wants a want politicians from the Left, While the head of France’s if he did, there could even be vi- As part of the divorce set- team of maximum 15 ministers, Right and centre to be included main employers group Medef, olent clashes,” he told Les Echos tlement, the living allowance Macron: has said he wants a team of maximum 15 ministers, fewer fewer than in the outgoing So- in the government, a Harris In- Pierre Gattaz, said Macron’s fi rst daily in an interview, urging him for Lario has been reduced to than in the outgoing Socialist administration. cialist administration. teractive poll showed yesterday. days in offi ce were “faultless”, to consult unions. €1.4mn per month, starting from 2014. Berlusconi is also trying to have that sum reduced, with a separate appeal that is pending. Lario, 60, broke off the mar- Germany’s decision on suspected coup Austrian snap riage with Berlusconi after a newspaper revealed that the then-prime minister had at- tended the 18th birthday party of plotters further strains ties: Turkey PM elections agreed a sometime lingerie model who reportedly called him “daddy”. Reuters key’s Incirlik air base to another Ex-premier calls Ankara country if Ankara persisted in for October 15 denying German lawmakers Macron’s wife ‘a permission to visit them. beautiful mum’ ermany’s decision to Some 250 German troops are Reuters That put the OVP ahead of grant asylum to Turks stationed at Incirlik, contribut- Vienna the other parties in opinion Gaff e-prone former Italian prime Gaccused of participat- ing to the US-led mission tar- polls. minister Silvio Berlusconi has ing in last year’s failed coup has geting Islamist State (IS) mili- Before this, the populist joked about the nearly 25- further heightened tension be- tants in neighbouring Syria. ustria’s main parties Freedom Party (FPO) had led year age gap between French tween the two Nato allies, Tur- Turkish foreign ministry agreed to hold an early the polls for more than a year President Emmanuel Macron key’s prime minister said yes- sources told Reuters a visit Aparliamentary elec- with support of over 30%, fol- and his older wife, calling her the terday. by German parliamentarians tion on October 15, Chancellor lowed by the Social Democrats. leader’s “beautiful mum”. German offi cials said last would not be appropriate at this Christian Kern said yesterday, The FPO presidential can- “We have a 39-year-old guy [as week that 414 Turkish citizens time, without elaborating. in a vote that might bring the didate’s narrow defeat in De- French president] with, however, with diplomatic passports and Yildirim: Germany’s decision to grant asylum to putschist soldiers Citing public safety concerns, far-right Freedom Party into cember’s run-off refl ected the good work experiences, and, other government work per- is an important development that will add more tension to our Germany banned Turkish poli- government. steep decline in Austrian vot- above all, with a beautiful mum mits had requested asylum in relations. ticians from addressing rallies In the autumn of a year that ers’ trust in their main parties. who has taken him by the Germany since the attempted of expatriate Turks, prompt- will have seen Dutch, French, “You should get up one af- arm ever since he was a boy,” putsch, which prompted Ankara prove ties with Turkey, then it The strained ties raised ques- ing Erdogan to accuse Berlin of British and German general ter the other and apologise to Berlusconi said late on Monday to launch sweeping purges of the has to turn towards the Turk- tions about the future of some “Nazi-like” tactics. elections, the Alpine republic the people for how you messed during a campaign event in military, judiciary, civil service ish Republic and not separatists German troops stationed in A narrow majority of Turks in will decide its future course on up,” FPO general secretary Monza, near Milan. and others. and members of FETO,” Prime Turkey. the referendum backed chang- immigration, labour and social Herbert Kickl told the govern- Brigitte Macron is 64, while the Asylum requests had been Minister Binali Yildirim said in a On Monday, Chancellor An- ing the constitution to grant policy and its position within ment yesterday in parliament. French president is 39. approved from a number of speech to members of his ruling gela Merkel said Germany could Erdogan sweeping executive the European Union. “You must not only be They started an aff air when Turkish applicants with dip- AK Party in parliament. move troops now based in Tur- powers. “We have agreed on Octo- taught what the topics are, you she was Macron’s high school lomatic passports, Germany’s Ankara has dubbed Gulen’s ber 15 (for parliamentary elec- not only need a helping hand teacher. interior ministry has confi rmed, network “FETO”, shorthand for Journalist jailed for editing pro-Kurdish paper tions),” Kern said after meeting on the election date,” he said. Berlusconi is himself no stranger although it declined to com- “Gulenist Terror Organisation”. leaders of all parliamentary “You must also be shown how to intergenerational love aff airs, ment on media reports that sol- “Germany’s decision to grant A Turkish journalist was sentenced to 18 months in jail after being parties. to rule better.” as his girlfriend Francesca diers were among those. asylum to putschist soldiers is convicted of spreading terrorist propaganda during a stint as guest The next election was origi- The Social Democrats ruled Pascale is 49 years his junior. Turkey blames supporters an important development that editor of a pro-Kurdish newspaper, Turkish daily Cumhuriyet reported nally due in autumn 2018. with the FPO from 1983 to The former premier was also of the US-based Muslim cleric will add more tension to our re- yesterday. Kern’s government has been 1987. tried for soliciting sex from a Fethullah Gulen, for the coup lations,” he said, in comments Ekrem Murat Celikkan sat in as editor-in-chief of Ozgur Gundem for one blocked for months in disputes In 2000, the OVP and FPO minor in the so-called bunga attempt, in which more than broadcast live on television. day and also wrote several articles for the paper. over reform policies between agreed on a government head- bunga aff air, but was acquitted 240 people died. Relations between Ankara Celikkan was part of a group of people who took the top job in rotation his Social Democratic Party ed by the OVP’s Wolfgang for lack of evidence. Gulen, who lives in self-im- and Berlin deteriorated sharply as an act of solidarity with the media outlet, which was eventually shut- (SPO) and its conservative Schuessel, which led to a six- Berlusconi may however face posed exile in the United States, in the run-up to an April 16 ref- tered last year by the authorities. People’s Party (OVP) coalition month diplomatic boycott of another trial on charges of has denied the charges and con- erendum in Turkey on expand- The same Istanbul court ordered that academic Beyza Ustun be on partner, which have been exac- Austria by other European Un- bribing defence witnesses in the demned the coup. ing President Recep Tayyip Er- probation for five years for the same act. erbated by internal wrangling ion member states. case. “If Germany wants to im- dogan’s powers. in the OVP. But the FPO, whose char- Since the OVP called for ismatic late chairman Joerg early elections on Friday and Haider made it into Europe’s elected the 30-year-old For- most successful far-right par- Airport terminal cleared eign Minister Sebastian Kurz ty with 27% in Austria’s 1999 over suspected teargas as its new leader on Sunday, its general election, dropped to Would-be IS girl recruit convicted popularity ratings have jumped 10% in 2002 after a spate of in- A terminal at Berlin’s Schoenefeld airport to 35% in a Research Aff airs fi ghting, policy squabbles and was evacuated after a suspected teargas poll from around 20% in recent opposition to the EU’s east- Reuters “Allahu Akbar!”, a date, and the address The court said the girl had written two outbreak, although no one was injured, the months. ward expansion. Copenhagen of the Jewish school in Copenhagen A Twitter profi les in which she off ered to airport operator said yesterday. second note was marked “bomb attack fi ght for Islamic State. “Terminal D cleared due to suspected tear on the infi dels” and gave the address of Prosecutors last month presented gas. Fire brigade ventilates building,” Berlin 17-year-old Danish girl who of- her own school near Holbaek, a town the court records from her preliminary Airport said on Twitter. fered to fi ght for Islamic State west of the capital. questioning, stating that she initially It later said the terminal reopened at 1300 A(IS) was found guilty yesterday of Police said they also found chemicals, confessed to planning the attacks. GMT, and that no flights had been cancelled, planning bomb attacks at two schools, a list of ingredients for making a bomb The girl later changed her plea to not although some delays were possible. one of them Jewish, court documents and a container marked “Tatp” – a com- guilty. Earlier this year, passengers at Hamburg showed. mon abbreviation for the explosive triac- Defence attorney Mette Grith Stage airport were aff ected after a corrosive The girl was arrested at her home in etone triperoxide. told Reuters that her client would await substance leaked through the air January last year, when she was aged 15, A jury in the Holbaek district court sentencing before deciding whether to conditioning system. and charged with planning the attacks found the girl – who is white European appeal. Fire department off icials said at the time they after acquiring chemicals for making and was not named – guilty of attempted In February 2015, a gunman killed two suspected someone had set off a canister of bombs, police said. terrorism, the court said in a statement. people in shooting attacks at a debating pepper spray. Police who searched the residence Sentencing is due to take place tomor- event and a Copenhagen synagogue be- Schoenefeld airport is Berlin’s second largest Kurz (left) and Chancellor Kern talk yesterday during a session of found a handwritten note with the words row. fore being shot dead by police. airport after Tegel. the parliament in Vienna. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 INDIA

HONOUR AVIATION EVENT PUNISHMENT EDUCATION Assam conservationist Hyderabad airport ‘Books on the Beach’ Woman police off icer Bengali to be compulsory nominated for awards switching over to LEDs lit-fest to start at Kovalam shifted over protest in schools, says Mamata

Assam’s Purnima Barman, known for her eff orts The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) The pristine Kovalam beach in Kerala will host A woman police off icer was yesterday West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the conservation of the Greater Adjutant in Hyderabad is about to become 100% LED-lit leading writers and thinkers from across the country transferred for participating in a pro- yesterday announced that Bengali will be a Stork and its habitat, has been nominated for airport as 75% work on the project has been and beyond for the inaugural edition of “Books government protest over ‘Dharna Chowk’ which compulsory subject in all schools across the the prestigious Whitley Awards 2017, also called completed. GMR Hyderabad International on the Beach”, a literature festival that celebrates had turned violent in Hyderabad on Monday. K state as part of a three-language formula. the Green Oscar, it was announced yesterday. Airport Ltd (GHIAL), which operates the airport, and contemplates both the written word and its Sreedevi, inspector of Lake Police Station, was “Students have the freedom to take any This international prize honours exceptional announced yesterday that it has converted the expression, said politician and author Shashi Tharoor. seen holding placards along with some other language of their choice as a first language, individuals working in grassroots nature entire taxiway edge lights from halogen lamps The lit-fest, which is organised by non-profit India Book people, said to be residents of areas surrounding second or third language. If the student conservation in the world’s developing countries, to energy eff icient LEDs. It thus became south Foundation under the guidance and active patronage Indira Park, to demand shifting of Dharna Chowk chooses Bengali, Hindi, English, Urdu, and who often face humanitarian, environmental India’s first and India’s second airport to achieve of Tharoor, the Thiruvananthapuram Congress MP from the area. The inspector was seen in civil Gurmukhi, Nepali, as first language, he/she may and political challenges in the projects they this. The RGIA, which currently serves more and supported by Kerala Tourism, will be held over dress during the protest, which was allegedly opt for two other languages of their choice,” undertake. The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), than 15mn passengers per annum (MPPA) with three days starting on November 10. The event would organised to foil the march called by the Banerjee said. “One of the three languages a Britain-registered charity, has announced the close to 400 daily air traff ic movements, has a see writers of prose and poetry, fiction and non- opposition parties to oppose the government would have to be Bengali. The two other shortlist of six finalists for the awards. There is mission to move from conventional energy to fiction, essayists and environmentalists, artists and move to shift Dharna Chowk to the outskirts. choices are completely dependent on what the another Indian in the list – Sanjay Gubbi who renewable energy sources for environmental academics, reporters and editors conduct readings Some people were injured during the clash students chooses,” she said. The chief minister has been nominated for his eff orts to reduce sustenance. It recently commissioned a captive and recitals besides participating in meaningful between the two groups of protesters and also said this method would enable them to reach deforestation in Karnataka’s tiger corridors. 5MW solar power plant for its use. debates and dialogues on a multitude of topics. in a baton charge by police. regional, national and international standards. Court asks CBI to probe missing JNU student case

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Narendra Modi address joint press conference in New Delhi yesterday. Agencies He said there have been delays New Delhi at every level and various lapses in the probe by the Delhi police. Earlier on May 3, a sessions he Delhi High Court yes- court quashed a lower court or- terday asked the Central der that asked the nine students TBureau of Investigation to appear before it to record Modi meets Abbas, renews to probe the case of missing Ja- their consent or refusal for a lie waharlal Nehru University (JNU) detector test. student Najeeb Ahmad, who Additional Sessions Judge disappeared seven months ago Siddharth Sharma dismissed a after an alleged altercation with magisterial court’s order dated support to Palestine cause activists of a students’ union. March 30 and rejected the notice A division bench of Justice G of the Delhi police. IANS Modi said India has been health and youth aff airs and Putin, respectively, on the issue. S Sistani and Justice Rekha Palli The sessions court also grant- New Delhi “unwavering in its support of sports. Abbas also condemned ter- handed over the case to the CBI ed liberty to issue fresh notice the Palestinian cause”. Modi also referred to a fl ag- rorism in all its forms and with immediate eff ect, after the Ahmad: mystery continues related to lie detector test of the “And, we hope to see the re- ship techno-park project India manifestations and voiced Delhi police said they had no ob- students. ndia yesterday reaffi rmed alisation of a sovereign, inde- was undertaking in Ramallah support for all regional and in- jection if the court transfers the tober 14 last year, allegedly after Patiala House Court Chief its support for a political pendent, united and viable Pal- and said particular emphasis ternational eff orts to fi ght this case to another agency. a row with members of the Akhil Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Isolution to the Palestine is- estine, co-existing peacefully was being laid on the areas of menace. The court asked that further Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Dass had earlier asked the stu- sue following bilateral talks be- with Israel,” he said, ahead of his information technology, youth Earlier in the day, Abbas was investigation be carried out by (ABVP), the students’ wing of dents to appear before the court. tween Prime Minister Narendra visit to Israel in July. and skills development. accorded a ceremonial welcome the CBI under the supervision the ruling Bharatiya Janata Par- The Delhi police had issued a Modi and Palestinian President The prime minister also said He also called for enhanc- at Rashtrapati Bhavan here fol- of an offi cer not lower than the ty. notice to the students and asked Mahmoud Abbas. that India would continue to ing cultural exchanges between lowing which he paid tribute to rank of deputy inspector gen- The ABVP has denied involve- them to appear before it for a lie “We had extensive exchange extend co-operation in build- the two sides and sought the Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. eral. ment in his disappearance. detector test. of views on the situation in ing infrastructure in Palestine participation of the Palestin- External Aff airs Minister Su- Advocate Rahul Mehra, ap- Senior advocate Colin Gon- However, the students had West Asia and the Middle East and contribute to improving the ian people in the International shma Swaraj called on Abbas pearing for the Delhi police, told salves, who appeared for the opposed the police’s move. peace process,” Modi said dur- lives of its people. Yoga Day to be observed next and discussed issues of bilateral the court that the police have student’s mother, had sought Earlier in February, the Delhi ing a joint news conference with “We will continue to support month. interest. carried out the investigation in to constitute a Special Investi- police were pulled up by the high Abbas following the delegation- the development and capacity- On his part, Abbas expressed Abbas arrived here on Sunday fair manner and made a pan- gation Team (SIT) with offi cers court over their slow progress in level talks here. building eff orts of Palestine,” his appreciation for India’s con- on a four-day visit to India. This India search for Ahmad, but he from other states. He said the the case. “We agreed that the chal- Modi said. tinued support and solidarity is his fi fth visit to India. could not be traced. inquiry by Delhi police was “po- “The student had gone miss- lenges in West Asia must be He said the two countries for the Palestinian cause on in- He is accompanied by a del- The court’s order came while litically motivated”. ing in October 2016; it is Feb- addressed through sustained signed fi ve agreements follow- ternational forums. egation comprising Palestin- hearing a habeas corpus plea The lawyer said that the nine ruary now. Nearly four months political dialogue and peaceful ing yesterday’s talks which “are He said he updated Modi on ian Deputy Prime Minister Ziad fi led by Ahmad’s mother Fatima suspected students, who as- have gone by and none of the means,” Modi said. reaffi rmation of our intent to his meeting with US President Abu Amr, Foreign Minister Riad Nafees, that her son be produced saulted and threatened Ahmad leads are going anywhere. We “India hopes for an early strengthen co-operation in this Donald Trump regarding the Malki, Diplomatic Adviser Ma- by police and the Delhi govern- before he went missing, were asked for a polygraph test as the resumption of talks between direction”. Middle East peace process and jdi Khaldi, Presidency Spokes- ment before the court. given “VIP treatment” by the other leads have not yielded any Palestinian and Israeli sides to The agreements include co- his talks with his German and person Nabil Aburdeineh and Ahmed, 27, a fi rst year MSc police and their custodial in- results,” the court observed. move towards fi nding a com- operation in the areas of ag- Russian counterparts Frank- Palestine’s Chief Judge Mah- student, went missing from his terrogation was not taken till The next hearing in the case is prehensive resolution.” riculture, IT and electronics, Walter Steinmeier and Vladimir moud Habbash. JNU hostel on the night of Oc- date.” on July 17. Kejriwal swears to change, and remains the same

rvind Kejriwal is very intel- works independent of the Kejri- Everyone thought the AAP chief “EVM used by the Commission decades now. Booth-capturing ligent, shrewd and reason- wal dispensation, are investigat- was going to rubbish Mishra’s al- is a stand-alone, non-networked, has become a thing of the past. Aably well educated too. But ing the matter. legations with hard facts. Instead one time-programmable (OTP) Bhardwaj conducted his hack- he obviously doesn’t seem to have As mentioned earlier, Kejriwal Delhi Diary it turned out to be an attack on machine, which is neither com- ing on a prototype machine that heard the one about not being able cannot be held guilty just because the Election Commission of India puter controlled, nor connected he and his friends produced. The to fool all the people all the time. someone produces a document By A K B Krishnan (ECI) for its unyielding stand that to the Internet or any network; ECI has challenged AAP and other No, this is not to prejudge Kejri- or two, even if that document is through multi-layered security and hence, cannot be ‘hacked’.” sceptics to hack any of its ma- wal’s guilt in whatever allegations purported to have originated from Gulf Times Correspondent it has made its electronic voting The program (software) used in chines randomly selected. The are being thrown at him from dif- a government offi ce and even if machines (EVMs) hack-proof. these machines is burnt into an only condition was that the ma- ferent quarters, presently chiefl y the person providing them was a This is old hat, of course. But Ke- OTP/masked chip so that it can- chines should not be taken out of from his one-time confi dante and former minister with a fairly clean who came to dispel the darkness The broom is being used more jriwal resurrected the EVM ghost not be altered or tampered with. their designated premises. Now colleague Kapil Mishra who was record. Naturally the three agen- of massive corruption that had and more to sweep the AAP’s mis- in the hope that he could sidestep The software of EVMs is devel- Bhardwaj says this is changing dismissed as Delhi’s minister for cies investigating the allegations enveloped the country during the deeds under the carpet. the corruption charges. Speaker oped in-house by a select group of goal-posts. He wants to take the water just the other day. Far from will dig up whatever they can Manmohan Singh regime. He was Kejriwal dismissed Mishra in after speaker held forth on how engineers from the defence min- machine home, or wherever, and it, Kejriwal could be as innocent as and if any prima facie evidence is prime minister material. If Delhi the wake of the drubbing the AAP the EVMs had cheated the AAP of istry and the atomic energy min- work on it until it is ‘hackable’. a new-born. And he will continue found, they will charge Kejriwal fell for him, all of India was ready received in Delhi’s civic elections. deserving victories in the Punjab istry independent of each other. How such hacking could take to be innocent until proven guilty and take him to court. It is only to do an encore. To boot, the sym- The chief minister said Mishra assembly elections as well as the After completion of software de- place during an election is per- because that’s the law. the court that will decide if Kerji- bolism of the broom, the party’s had been found wanting in his Delhi civic polls. The water issue, or sign, testing and evaluation of the haps beyond the reckoning of But this is what Kerjiwal’s close wal is innocent or not. election emblem, seemed so apt. work because the production of non-issue if you like, was conven- software is carried out by an inde- AAP or its chief. Or is it Kejriwal’s associate and journalist-turned- But the crux of the issue is “Here we are to sweep all cor- potable water had slipped badly iently forgotten. One of the legisla- pendent testing group as per the case that the ECI has allowed the politician Ashutosh said just two something else. As Ashutosh rupt parties out of India,” the AAP in the run-up to the civic polls tors, Suarabh Bhardwaj, who boasts software requirement specifi ca- BJP to take away all the machines days ago: “The Bharatiya Janata said, Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party seemed to declare. and this had adversely aff ected an engineering degree in computer tions (SRS). This ensures that the and hack them at will before they Party (BJP) and other political (AAP) is perceived to be diff erent But today the Delhi voter is the party’s chances. But two days science and more, even “demon- software has really been written are brought to the polling sta- parties are making an attempt from any other political outfi t. thoroughly disillusioned. She later The Hindu newspaper re- strated” to a very obsequious house as per the requirements laid down tions? Anyway, though there are to taint us, to show that we are Ashutosh is right that it has been feels betrayed. Not just because ported water production, instead how an EVM can be hacked to make for its intended use only. not many takers for Kejriwal’s like them, and no diff erent. If we the AAP’s USP. And what was much of what Kejriwal promised of dipping, had actually steadily sure that any/all votes go to a cer- The ECI further says: “After suc- hacking theory, the ECI had al- are like them, then we lose our that uniqueness? The promise of – total street-lighting, 10,000 risen from 895mn gallons on April tain party, in the present case the cessful completion of such evalu- ready announced that all future uniqueness and our selling point.” accountability in every sphere of commuter buses, 1.5mn CCTV 12 to as high as 902mn gallons on Bharatiya Janata Party. ation, machine code is given to the elections would be held through The reference to the “attempt governance. The AAP came into cameras, 20 new colleges and 500 April 23 (day of polling). The ECI stores these EVMs micro controller manufacturer for voter verifi able paper audit trail to taint” is the corruption and being on platform of openness new schools among other things The day after Mishra made in strong-rooms at several cit- writing in the micro controllers. (VVPAT) machines, setting at rest nepotism charges levelled against and rectitude. It published all do- – are nowhere on the horizon the initial allegation that Delhi’s ies across the country. They are From this machine code, the source any issue of malpractice. Kejriwal in a series of revelations nations, big and small, to the par- two years after taking power, but Health Minister Satyendra Jain, guarded day and night by armed code cannot be read. Source code is But of course, Kejriwal was only by Mishra. Some of this, like fake ty’s kitty on its website. Kejriwal even the so-called USP of trans- who also looks after the public police and are moved to individual never handed over to anyone out- using the EVM as an excuse to fend bills for government construc- had proclaimed that there would parency and accountability have works department, had handed polling booths under armed es- side the software group of PSUs.” off the many charges he and his tion work, has been corroborated not be a single case of corrup- been diluted beyond recognition. over Rs20mn of unaccounted cort. All such movements are also Many developed countries have government have been facing. In by independent investigators for tion in his government and if by Yes, a few ministers were sacked cash to Kejriwal, the chief minis- monitored by central stations in given up on EVMs because they the aftermath of the civic election national news channels. The Cen- chance there indeed was one, ac- after they were found to have in- ter announced that a special ses- each state. The ECI has said that the had not been using stand-alone defeat, Kejriwal had promised to tral Bureau of Investigation (CBI) tion would be swift and decisive. dulged in ‘unministerial’ deeds, sion of the Delhi assembly would “machines are non-tamperable”. machines or had other software turn a new leaf and focus on gov- and the income tax department as That’s certainly diff erent from but when questions started com- meet the very next day. “Truth This is what the Commis- written into them making them erning Delhi. There was hope that well the Anti-Corruption Bureau other parties, the voter thought. ing at Kejriwal himself, there was will win. To speak in assembly sion had to say about the ‘non- accessible from outside. EVMs he would change. But you know of the Delhi government, which Kejriwal was the torch-bearer a blatant attempt at obfuscation. tomorrow,” tweeted Kejriwal. tamperability’ of the machines: have been successful in India for what they say about the dog’s tail. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 21 INDIA

Send children ‘to work’ at school to end child labour: activists

Reuters lition of charities recently From ensuring fair wages for on tasks such as embroidering cilities but have no checks when society and government to work successful interventions in the Chennai launched a campaign with adult labourers to working with clothes, weaving carpets and they subcontract production together on interventions for cotton fi elds of Andhra Pradesh, guidelines for companies to help village councils on enrolment making matchsticks. to smaller factories or home child labour-free zones. stone quarries of Rajasthan and ensure that children living in drives and improving access to Children also work in restau- workers, where the prevalence After applying these guide- shoemaking workshops of Agra. rands sourcing garments, “labour hotspots” fi nish school. education, the campaign aims to rants and hotels, and as domestic of child labour increases drasti- lines, two communities in Tiru- “Like a quality check section, shoes, leather and natural “Brands must take responsi- make “potential child labourers workers. cally, campaigners say. pur with some 20,000 house- we want brands to add a social Bstones from India must bility and share their profi ts to work only in schools”. A 2017 Unicef report, based on “Child labour has often moved holds in December were declared responsibility unit in the facto- help create and sustain child help keep children in school,” According to the International Indian census data, says the pro- further down the supply chain, child labour-free. ries,” Reddy said. labour-free zones by mapping said A Aloysius, founder of So- Labour Organisation, more than portion of child workers in the making monitoring more dif- “It was the fi rst time that “Supply chains run deep and their supply chains and work- cial Awareness and Voluntary half of India’s estimated 5.7mn 5- to 9-year age group jumped fi cult,” said Venkat Reddy of the small garment manufacturers in brands know that. They don’t ing with communities to boost Education, a charity in the south child workers between the ages to 25% in 2011 from 15% in 2001. M V Foundation, a charity in the the area agreed to work with us have to build schools, just be part school enrolment, activists said. Indian textile hub of Tirupur of 5 and 17 toil on farms, and over Many companies do not en- coalition. The coalition’s guide- on the issue,” Aloysius said. of programmes to keep children The Stop Child Labour Coa- that is part of the coalition. a quarter are in manufacturing gage children in their own fa- lines urge the private sector, civil The guidelines draw from in school.”

We will not be cowed down by vendetta politics: Congress

IANS che Din’, they shattered the New Delhi dreams of 125 crore people of the country,” he said. “There is an environment of he Congress yesterday ac- intolerance in the country, and cused the Bharatiya Janata if anyone raises his/her voice or TParty-led government of debates it, then they are branded vendetta politics and said the anti-nationals,” Scindia said. opposition would not be cowed Scindia also accused the gov- down by actions like the raids ernment of forcing the people on the homes of former fi nance what to learn, what to read, what minister P Chidambaram and his to eat and what to wear. son Karti Chidambaram. “This government is trying to “The truth is that revenge has push its policies based on a regi- become a DNA of the BJP. Nei- mented thinking,” the Congress ther Chidambaram nor any Con- leader said, adding that un- gress leader or any other leader der this regimented thinking it of opposition will be deterred, formed anti-Romeo squads and Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, talks to the media after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided his house, in Chennai yesterday. would be cowed down or would harassed people. fear the politics of revenge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu vendetta,” Congress spokesman Prasad Yadav too said he was not Randeep Surjewala said. afraid and would not bow before His reaction came after the any one and fi ght “fascist forces” Central Bureau of Investigation till his last breath. raided the homes of the former His reaction came after the minister and his son. Income Tax Department carried Surjewala said the BJP and out raids in connection with al- Prime Minister Narendra Modi leged illegal land deals involving CBI raids homes of had failed to take action against him and his family. its leaders such as Madhya In a series of tweets, Yadav Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj sent out a strong message that Singh Chouhan in the Vyapam he is not upset or defensive, but scam, and Rajasthan Chief Min- is as aggressive as ever. ister Vasundhara Raje and Ex- “Beware egoist and fascist BJP ternal Aff airs Minister Sushma leaders. Before threatening Lalu, Swaraj, who allegedly helped look at your face in the mirror. Chidambaram, son former cricket administrator La- There are millions of Lalus in lit Modi leave the country. Bihar.” Government’s aim is to in granting approval for foreign party’s election defeat at the in a legal onslaught against granted or refused in accordance “The entire landscape of BJP is Lalu congratulated the BJP for silence my voice and stop me investment deals, a CBI spokes- hands of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Chidambaram, who has been the with the recommendations of mired by one scam after another. its “new alliance partner” with- from writing, says former man said without giving further Party (BJP) in May 2014. target of litigation brought by a the FIPB,” he said. If the yardstick is morality then out naming it – leading to spec- minister details. The case against Karti senior BJP lawmaker alleging the INX Media, since renamed 9X why is he shying away from or- ulation whether he meant his A police report that lays out the Chidambaram spells out alleged approval of a separate telecoms Media Private Ltd, is not named dering an inquiry into the Saha- major ally and Bihar Chief Min- Agencies case named Karti Chidambaram violations of India’s foreign in- deal in 2006 was corrupt. as a suspect in the CBI case. ra-Birla Computer Excel sheets, ister Nitish Kumar, who is also New Delhi as one of those accused of crimi- vestment law in the approval in “The raids have to take place Nor is Aircel-Maxis accused in which none other than the Janata Dal-United president. nal conspiracy, cheating, seeking 2007 of the sale of stakes in a to get documents and incrimi- of wrongdoing in the Supreme prime minister himself has been But RJD spokesman Manoj to infl uence a public servant and company called INX Media Pri- nating evidence which they have Court case fi led by Swamy. named repeatedly about having Jha said Yadav meant the IT De- he Central Bureau of In- criminal misconduct. vate Ltd to off shore entities. kept,” Subramanian Swamy told The Congress had been hit by taken bribe,” Surjewala said. partment as the BJP’s new alli- vestigation (CBI) yes- The former minister denied At the time, foreign invest- television news agency ANI. a string of corruption scandals The CBI raided more than a ance partner. West Bengal Chief Tterday raided the homes wrongdoing. ments were tightly regulated, and “The whole country will come as well as perceived mismanage- dozen places yesterday morning Minister Mamata Banerjee too of former fi nance minister P He said all investment ap- Karti Chidambaram’s company is to know that this is the most cor- ment of the economy. in connection with Foreign In- accused the BJP-led government Chidambaram and his son yes- provals granted during his tenure alleged to have helped INX Media rupt party in the world,” he said. In a separate case, income tax vestment Promotion Board (FIPB) of practising “vendetta politics” terday, in a probe into suspected were above board. bring in money from overseas. Swamy recently fi led a peti- authorities raided properties clearances given to INX Media against opposition leaders. criminal misconduct related to “The government, using the Also named in the case are Pe- tion to the Supreme Court seek- linked to Rashtriya Janata Dal when it was run by Peter and In- “Political vendetta is going approvals of investment deals. CBI and other agencies, is tar- ter Mukerjea, at the time head ing a probe into the 2006 sale of chief Lalu Prasad Yadav over al- drani Mukherjea, and Chidambar- on. We also discussed what is The dawn raids marked an geting my son and his friends,” of strategy at INX, and his wife telecom fi rm Aircel to Malaysia’s leged tax evasion and illegal land am was the fi nance minister. going on from this morning. Po- escalation in pressure by fed- he said in a statement. Indrani. Maxis. deals. The Congress also attacked the litical battles should be fought eral investigators against “The government’s aim is to The couple, once a fi xture on He alleges the deal was corrupt. The raids were welcomed by government for its failures during politically. If they (BJP) do not Chidambaram, a senior leader of silence my voice and stop me the Mumbai party circuit, are now Chidambaram said that nei- Yadav’s opponents in Bihar, a the past three years and said that like someone, they throw charg- the opposition Congress Party from writing,” said Chidambar- on trial charged with murdering ther he nor Foreign Investment state he once presided over as an “atmosphere of intolerance” is es at them, they get them raided, who has been a vocal critic of am, who writes a weekly column Indrani Mukerjea’s daughter from Promotion Board (FIPB) offi cials chief minister and his party now being created across the country. they jail them,” Banerjee said af- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. for The Indian Express. a previous relationship. were suspected of wrongdoing in rules in an alliance. “This government weaved a ter meeting Congress president The CBI carried out searches “All I will say is, I shall con- Karti Chidambaram, address- the hundreds of cases it had re- “Mr Yadav, already a con- dream of bringing ‘Acche Din’ Sonia Gandhi to discuss about a at locations in Mumbai, Delhi, tinue to speak and write.” ing a media scrum outside his viewed while he was in offi ce. victed politician, and his fam- (good days) and doing something common opposition candidate Gurugram and Chennai, includ- Chidambaram, 71, served home in Chennai, said there was “There is no allegation against ily acquired several properties new when it came to power in for the presidential election. ing the residence of Chidambar- twice as fi nance minister in the no evidence to back the claims any of them. There is no allega- through illegitimate and illegal 2014,” Congress leader Jyotira- Banerjee said leaders of op- am’s son Karti there. Congress-led coalition that ran against him, adding they were tion against me,” he said. means which needs to be inves- ditya Scindia said. position parties were being tar- The raids were “in connec- India for a decade – from 2004- politically motivated. “Every case was processed ac- tigated,” Devesh Kumar, BJP vice “Instead of bringing the ‘Ac- geted. tion with criminal misconduct” 08 and then from 2012 until the The case marks a new twist cording to law and approval was president in Bihar, said. 16 Maoist rebels killed North India in grip of in Chhattisgarh gunfi ght heatwave; 2 die in UP IANS grees Celsius. The heatwave Lucknow continued unabated in Poor- AFP Chhattisgarh anti-Naxal force. making off with weapons and vanchal and Bundelkhand where New Delhi “We can confirm at least 16 ammunition. temperatures have peaked over Naxals have been killed in the The government responded wo persons have died due the past one week. ongoing operation,” he said, with operations across the insur- to a heatwave sweep- Sonebhadra recorded 44.6 t least 16 suspected Mao- without elaborating on the gent-dominated, so-called “Red Ting across Uttar Pradesh. degrees while Mirzapur was very ists have been killed in circumstances in which they Corridor” stretching through There will be no respite in the hot at 44.9 degrees. Aa fi refi ght with security died. central and eastern India. coming days, the weather offi ce The weather conditions are forces in central India, police There was however no clar- The guerrillas, who say they said yesterday. likely to continue in most parts said yesterday, the same region ity on when the gunbattle took are fi ghting for the rights of trib- Warm winds blowing across of the state, though Muzaff arna- where rebels massacred two place. al people and landless farmers the state was adding to the woes. gar, Meerut and Saharanpur will dozens soldiers last month. Another police offi cer said the have been locked in a decades- According to offi cials, have cloudy conditions owing to The skirmish occurred near rebels were killed in two separate long armed confl ict with the au- 65-year-old Malti Devi of Mun- a westerly disturbance over Pa- Bijapur district in central gunbattles, and that a policeman thorities. dera and Omveer of village Ga- kistan, the weather offi ce said. Chhattisgarh state, where Mao- was also killed. The Maoists are believed to be dhiya Sheelam in Etah died due Haryana and Punjab too con- ist rebels have been engaging “One of our jawan (troops) present in at least 20 states but to a heat stroke. tinued to be in a grip of a severe Indian forces in jungle battles for was killed and another two in- are most active in Chhattisgarh, Banda remained the hottest heatwave. 50 years. jured in the operation,” local po- Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and district in the past 24 hours – the Hisar town in In Haryana siz- More than 300 police and lice offi cer Mohit Garg said. Maharashtra, occupying thou- maximum temperature recorded zled at 44.6 degrees while Karnal paramilitary troops had been Last month, in one of the sands of square kilometres of was 47 degrees Celsius. saw a high of 43 degrees. tracking the rebels – also deadliest attacks of its kind in land. The maximum temperature The maximum temperatures known as Naxals – in a joint years, rebels killed 24 police The decades-long insurgency in Lucknow was 43.3 degrees, at most places were up to fi ve operation since the weekend, commandos as they guarded a is believed to have cost tens of A bird drinks water from a tap amid rising temperatures at Alipore Allahabad logged 46.3 degrees, degrees above normal, Met de- said D M Awasthi, chief of the road project in Sukhma district, thousands of lives. Zoological Gardens in Kolkata yesterday. Jhansi 45.1 and Agra 44.6 de- partment offi cials said. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

UNREST CRIME LAW AND ORDER DATA VIOLENCE Venezuela protest toll Cuban volleyball players Police probes agriculture Brazilian payrolls rise in Priest stabbed in Latam’s climbs to 40 as teen dies appeal rape sentence ministry for corruption sign of economic recovery biggest cathedral

A 17-year-old Venezuelan youth died yesterday A Finnish court of appeal yesterday examined the Brazilian federal police started two separate Brazil added a net 59,856 payroll jobs in April, A knife-wielding assailant stabbed a priest in after he was shot in the head during a protest case of five Cuban volleyball players sentenced to investigations yesterday into suspected corruption its labour ministry said yesterday, marking the neck at a service in Mexico City’s cathedral, on Monday, taking the death toll from six weeks prison for aggravated rape in the southwestern at the agriculture ministry to benefit meatpacking, the second month of job creation this year as then tried to flee the church before being of anti-government unrest to at least 40. The city of Turku, a lawyer said. The five were convicted dairy and other food companies. The probes into the economy starts to slowly emerge from its caught, off icials said. “We are united in prayer incident took place in central Barinas state, the in September by a court in the southern Finnish whether inspection procedures were eased in deepest recession ever. The job gains marked for Father Machorro who just was gored in the birthplace of former president Hugo Chavez. “A city of Tampere. They immediately appealed favour of certain unnamed companies comes two the first such rise for that month in two years. neck in the cathedral,” fellow priest Jose Aguilar group of people arrived and started shooting, the case and deny the charges against them. months after the country’s meatpacking industry Brazilian companies typically add thousands of said on Twitter. Dozens of people were in the injuring the young person in the brain,” the Volleyball captain Rolando Cepeda Abreu and his was rocked by a wide-ranging investigation into new positions in April, which coincides with the Mexico City cathedral, Latin America’s largest state prosecutor’s off ice said. The teenager died teammates Abrahan Alfonso Gavilan, Ricardo alleged corruption and bribes targeting food height of the harvest season in Latin America’s and a popular tourist draw on the landmark in a hospital early yesterday. Violence flared in Calvo Manzano and Osmany Uriarte Mestre were sanitation inspectors. In one of the two newly biggest economy. Nearly half of the jobs created Zocalo square, when the assailant stabbed the various parts of the country on Monday as the sentenced to five years in prison, while Luis Sosa launched probes, police are investigating an last month were in the service sector. “This is the priest. The priest was rushed to hospital for opposition held sit-ins and roadblocks, trying Sierra was sentenced to three-and-a-half years. alleged scheme aimed at delaying or cancelling second positive result we had have in more than treatment of neck wounds, police said. They to keep up momentum in its bid to remove the The athletes were arrested one day after the fines in which about $965,000 changed hands a year,” said Andre Perfeito, chief economist with declined to give the identity of the assailant, socialist government. incident at a hotel in Tampere in July last year. between 2010 and 2016, they said in a statement. Gradual Investimentos in Sao Paulo. who was turned over to prosecuting authorities. Top Mexican Street cleaners celebrate miners owe $180mn in royalties: study

Reuters Instead the review, launched Mexico City last year, was aimed at determin- ing whether royalty payments should be scrutinised further. op Mexican miners Grupo The data is based on a prelimi- Mexico, Penoles, Fresnillo nary comparisons of tax returns Tand billionaire Carlos and annual reports and includes Slim’s Frisco together owe nearly tax credits that companies can $180mn in mining royalties to off set against the payments. Mexico for 2015, according to The government scrutiny re- preliminary government fi gures. fl ects further souring in the re- The documents, which are lationship between the industry part of an industry-wide re- and tax authorities since the new view for tax compliance led by royalty came into eff ect in 2014. Mexico’s tax authority, estimate More than 80 mining sub- Grupo Mexico owes some 1.7bn sidiaries operating in Mexico, pesos ($91.4mn) on a 7.5% min- including units of Slim’s Frisco, ing royalty on extractive profi ts have launched legal challenges Rio de Janeiro’s Municipal Cleaning Company (Comlurb) workers sing their own samba song during the celebration of the national day of the street cleaners at for 2015. arguing the royalty is unconsti- Praca Maua square in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. For the same levy, Penoles and tutional. Fresnillo, which belong to Grupo Tax offi cials could seek much Bal, owe some 962.6mn pesos heftier amounts as they review and 492.6mn pesos respectively, the sector for compliance on is- the fi gures show, while Frisco sues such as income tax, value owes some 189.1mn pesos. added tax and other royalty pay- Neither Frisco nor Penoles ments, two people familiar with paid anything for 2015 for the the matter told Reuters. mining royalty, while others’ Mexico’s tax authority SAT payments fell short of estimates, and Grupo Mexico declined to according to preliminary gov- comment. Renowned reporter ernment accounts for the second Fresnillo said it fully complied year the levy was in force. with its tax and royalty obliga- Reuters could not determine tions while Penoles cited a letter whether the companies had re- from Mexico’s mining chamber ceived the government estimates. rejecting allegations its mem- The review is the latest chap- bers avoided taxes and ques- ter in a stand-off between the tioned government calculations. shot dead in Mexico government and the industry, “We reiterate our disagree- whose production is worth about ment with the fi gure. Penoles Reuters Mexico one of the deadliest includes some crime reporting. A group of reporters said last of the murder of Javier Valdez $13.5bn annually and which crit- paid its mining royalties … ac- Mexico City countries for journalism at a Autlan is best known as the weekend a large group, includ- Cardenas in Culiacan, one of ics accuse of profi ting for years cording to the law and the mon- time when murder rates are at birthplace of rock musician ing children, carrying semi- the best writers and journalists without paying their fair share, ey was even distributed to the their highest since the peak of Carlos Santana. automatic weapons took their of Mexico,” British author Ioan and part of a broader eff ort to towns, states and federal gov- Mexican reporter re- the drug war in 2011. Valdez was one of Mexico’s equipment while they covered Grillo said on Twitter. boost the tax take as oil revenue ernment.” nowned for coverage In Autlan, in the neighbouring most well-known, and loved, unrest in the state of Guerrero. Photographs from Sinaloa falls. Frisco said in an e-mailed Aof organised crime was state of Jalisco that is the ter- chroniclers of the drug war, Valdez also contributed dis- showed Valdez’s body in the “It doesn’t surprise me...this statement that two units had killed in the lawless state of Si- ritory of the ascendant Jalisco winning the International Press patches to the national daily La middle of a street, the brimmed has been a recurring situation challenged the royalty in court naloa and gunmen attacked an New Generation Cartel, gunmen Freedom Award from watchdog Jornada and published a book hat he often wore lying among a in Mexico,” said Patricia Legar- and were subject to the “spe- executive of a small weekly mag- opened fi re on Sonia Cordova, an group the Committee to Protect last year about the dangers fac- dozen yellow markers for bullets. reta, investigative co-ordinator cial” royalty but paid nothing by azine on Monday, as authori- executive at the Semanario Cos- Journalists (CPJ) in 2011 for his ing journalists who report hon- Mexican President Enrique at PODER, a non-governmental crediting other taxes against the ties struggle to contain renewed teno weekly magazine. prolifi c coverage of traffi cking estly on the rampant crime and Pena Nieto and the US ambas- organisation that seeks to boost levy as the law allows. bloodshed between drug cartels. Cordova was wounded and and organised crime. corruption gripping Mexico. sador to Mexico condemned corporate transparency in Latin The royalty kicked in just as Javier Valdez was killed when taken to hospital and her adult News of his slaying shook Mexican and foreign journal- Valdez’s killing. America. metal prices sank, sparking an assailants opened fi re on his car son was killed in the attack, the Mexico’s journalism community, ists paid homage to Valdez on A special federal prosecu- “It’s very important that (the outcry among miners which in the state capital, Culiacan, state prosecutor’s offi ce said. already alarmed by a spike in at- social media, describing him as tor’s offi ce tasked with crimes companies) are audited,” she threatened to scrap investments. according to RioDoce, the me- A state police source said tacks against the media this year. a courageous writer and gener- against freedom of expression added. “(The royalties) were the dia outlet he co-founded and her son, Jonathan Rodríguez Mexico is one of the most ous friend whose killers must be said it had started the procedure Government sources said the straw that broke the camel’s where he worked. Cordova, worked as a reporter dangerous places to be a journal- brought to justice to deter fu- for opening an inquiry and was data did not necessarily mean back,” said Mario Hernandez, a He was the fi fth reporter at the family-run magazine, ist, with the vast majority of at- ture slayings. sending a team to collect evi- companies had broken the law. tax partner at KPMG. killed since March, making which publishes local news that tacks on the media unpunished. “Tears in my eyes, hearing dence. Amnesty slam police Coca eradication Advocate for missing Argentines charged

‘impunity’ in Brazil AFP she maintained would prove Buenos Aires her innocence. During and after Argentina’s AFP more than 20 years of impunity.” come embedded in Brazil’s po- last period of military dictator- Rio de Janeiro The shootings, as well as the lice operations,” Werneck said. he 88-year-old leader of ship, which ended in 1983, the rape of three women, took place Vassamon said that the deadly the Mothers of the Plaza Mothers and Grandmothers of in October 1994 and May 1995 in violence was a nationwide phe- Tde Mayo group and an the Plaza de Mayo threw the mnesty International has the Complexo do Alemao favela, nomenon, noting that a quarter ex-aide were charged with al- spotlight on abductions and lambasted the “impu- a sprawling slum of alleys inhab- of homicides across the country leged misappropriation of funds killings of young people for be- Anity” for Brazilian police ited by working class Brazilians in 2015 were the result of police meant for building homes for ing leftists and even suspected who kill suspects during opera- and partly ruled over by power- action. the poor, a court source said. of being leftists or their friends. tions after a regional rights court ful narco gangs. “This court decision could “Thanks, Macri, for giving me That was compounded by the ruled against Brazil in a spate of To this day, heavily armed Rio change the strategy for fi ghting the honour of being charged,” drama of widespread kidnap- slayings in the 1990s. police remain locked in confron- this violence here, because it cre- Hebe de Bonafi ni said in a video ping of babies born to suspected The Costa Rica-based Inter- tation with the gangs. Shootouts ates a precedent for pressuring posted on a page for the group. dissidents being held during American Court of Human Rights between the two sides often lead the state and diff erent govern- She was referring to Presi- the right-wing dictatorship — ruled last week that Brazil must to injuries and deaths among ments to set targets for reducing dent Mauricio Macri, whom she hence the Grandmothers. reopen investigations into the bystanders, while Amnesty and homicides,” Vassamon added. believes arranged for the pros- Many babies - off spring of killings of 26 people in a Rio de other human rights organisations Teresa de Cassia, the sister of ecution, which is related to an now dead dissidents - were Janeiro favela two decades ago and accuse police of continuing to use one of the victims of the killings alleged scheme to skim housing born in captivity without the should provide compensation. extrajudicial killings and torture. in the Rio favela two decades funds between 2005-2011. knowledge of their blood rela- “This judgment shines a long More than 60 police offi ces ago, said people were executed Judge Marcelo Martinez de tives and were given to military overdue light on the appalling have died in Rio de Janeiro state without trial during the police Giorgi laid charges against Bon- families to adopt. human rights violations perpe- already this year in what offi cers operation. afi ni, 88, and Sergio Schock- The Grandmothers gave trated by Rio’s police force against describe as an undeclared war. “The ruling is a great victory lender, 58, for allegedly siphon- genetic information for a da- young, poor, black individuals Amnesty said Rio police had because it shows that someone ing at least $13mn in funds from tabase that has helped reunite who were unarmed,” said Jurema killed 920 people last year, up has recognised that police execut- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos plants a state coff ers during the govern- some of these blood relatives. Werneck, executive director of from 416 in 2013. ed these young people. There were banana tree at a coca plantation in Pueblo Nuevo, Briceno ments of Nestor Kirchner and And many of those who were Amnesty International Brazil. “Police violence is still a real- summary executions,” she said. municipality, Antioquia department, Colombia, yesterday. Cristina Kirchner (2003-2015). abducted during the dictator- Marisa Vassamon, head of ity in favelas and marginalised Bruna Fonseca da Costa, who The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Bonafi ni, whose two sons ship - often left-wing activ- campaigns for Amnesty in Bra- areas of Brazil. We hope this also lost her brother, noted that Forces of Colombia (Farc) leftist guerrillas inaugurated a and daughter-in-law are ists, as well as trade unionists, zil, called the court ruling “a judgment will go some way to- caskets often couldn’t be opened plan to eradicate coca plantations and replace them with missing and presumed dead, journalists, or students - were victory in the context of po- wards stemming the horrifi c at funerals because the victims legal crops. says she gave authorities more killed by military forces or lice violence in Brazil. It’s been violence that seems to have be- had shots to the head or neck. than 60 boxes of documents right-wing death squads. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

INVESTIGATION TRANSPORTATION COMMERCE AGRICULTURE WEATHER British firm to audit China, Pakistan to upgrade Nepal seeks investment Bumper wheat crop makes Sharif’s properties 1,600km of railway lines opportunities in Pakistan Pakistani farmers happy

The Joint Investigation Team tasked by the Beijing and Islamabad have agreed to jointly Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Sewa Lamsal A bumper wheat crop has given new hopes of Supreme Court with probing the offshore upgrade the 1,600-km railway linking southern Adhikari invited Pakistani business personnel to financial benefits to the farmers. The harvesting financial assets of the Sharif family decided and northern Pakistan as part of a move to push explore investment opportunities in her country. of about 98% wheat has completed in Taxila yesterday to hire the services of a UK-based forward construction of the China-Pakistan Speaking during a meeting with traders of the and adjourning areas of the Potohar region near firm for forensic audits to validate the Economic Corridor (CPEC), Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pakistani capital of Islamabad. information the ruling family would submit said a Pakistani special envoy, China Daily yesterday, she said that both nations have According to data obtained from the agriculture about its London properties. Bilal Rasool reported. “China and Pakistan have signed MoUs tremendous potential in the areas of trade, department, the total cultivated area in Taxila who represents the Securities and Exchange to increase the speed of the railway connecting tourism, investment and cultural promotion. is 40,697 acres — 4,876 acres irrigated and the Commission of Pakistan in the six-member Karachi and Peshawar, as well as to upgrade its “Pakistani people are vibrant and innovative in remaining Barani (rain fed). The department JIT has been assigned to look for a suitable signal system and railway stations,” Pakistan’s business enterprises with proven skills,” she said. said the areas fed by both rain and tubewells firm for the purpose, according to media special envoy on CPEC, Zafaruddin Mahmood, Adhikari invited the Pakistani business had produced a high yield of wheat for the third reports. told China Daily on the side-lines of the ongoing community, especially those based in Khyber- consecutive year. In various parts of the rural An Afghan boy cools off under a muddy The JIT held its seventh meeting at its secretariat Belt and Road Forum for International Co- Pakhtunkhwa [K-P], to visit Nepal and explore areas, farmers were seen harvesting and at the waterfall on the outskirts of Jalalabad province, in the Federal Judicial Academy. operation. the vast investment opportunities. same time threshing the crop. Afghanistan, yesterday.

Senator visits blast victim PIA denies crew detained Afghan forces at Heathrow

Agencies recapture Islamabad he spokesperson of Pa- kistan International Air- Tlines (PIA) yesterday dis- missed earlier reports that the airlines’ crew members were detained at London’s Heathrow key district Airport over security threats. The spokesperson said the AFP began yesterday morning. The Taliban control vast areas crew members, including the Kunduz, Afghanistan A Kunduz government across Kunduz province. pilot who the British authori- spokesman said security forces The government often only Deputy chairman of Pakistan’s Upper House of Parliament Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, ties claimed to have detained at were clearing out landmines controls the district centres. who survived a May 12 suicide bomb attack, visits an injured blast victim at a hospital in Quetta the airport, had fi nished their fghan forces yesterday planted by insurgents in the re- The militant group’s aim is yesterday. A suicide bomb blast that targeted the convoy of a top senator in southwest Pakistan duty hours after fl ying from Is- regained control of a stra- captured areas. to fully capture the province, on May 12 killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 30 others, off icials said. lamabad to London and stayed Ategic district close to the “Around 2,000 families have including the continuously at- back in the country, Geo News restive northern city of Kunduz been displaced, with most re- tacked provincial capital Kunduz reported. that fell to the Taliban earlier this locating in Kunduz city. Some city. They were never scheduled to month, offi cial said. have also fl ed to other nearby The Norwegian Refugee fl y on fl ight PK-785 from London The Taliban seized Qala-e- districts,” Assadullah Sadat, a Council had earlier said that to Lahore in the fi rst place, the Zal in an assault that triggered member of the Kunduz provin- some displaced families were spokesperson said. fierce fighting with govern- cial council, said. forced to sleep in the open while Islamabad Red Mosque’s cleric The airline offi cial informed ment forces, prompting hun- Mahfozullah Akbari, a police others were crammed inside the that the fl ight landed in Lahore dreds of civilians to flee their spokesman in Kunduz, said spe- homes of relatives. earlier yesterday with a new homes and reigniting fears the cial forces launched operations Taliban militants launched crew and the original crew had insurgents could overrun Kun- to retake the district’s capital of their annual “spring off ensive” set to stir another controversy stayed back in London as per duz city for a third time. Aqtepa early yesterday. in late April, heralding a surge in schedule. “The governor’s building, po- Qala-e-Zal district centre fell fi ghting as the US tries to craft He added that the passports lice headquarters and several key to the Taliban on May 7, follow- a new Afghan strategy and Nato Internews The foundation announced besides facilitating the guests of the crew members had been areas are cleared of terrorists, ing the launch of the insurgents’ considers sending more troops Islamabad that the conference would not to set their schedule well on returned to them. but the operation is still ongo- spring off ensive on April 28. to break the stalemate against only be a milestone towards the time to attend the event. The PIA management in Lon- ing in other insecure areas of the According to Akbari, both the resurgent militants. implementation of ‘Shariah’ Meanwhile, a spokesman for don was trying to fi nd out the district,” the interior ministry sides suff ered casualties, but ex- The off ensive normally marks he deposed cleric of Is- but would also prove to be a the Shuhada Foundation said reasons for the search of the said, adding that their operation act fi gures were not available. the start of the fi ghting season, lamabad’s Lal Masjid referendum towards the impo- there was no need to obtain any plane and reports of detention, T(Red Mosque) Maulana sition of Islam in the country. NOC from the government as the offi cial added. Abdul Aziz is set to stir another “We will fi le an application the conference was being held According to earlier reports, Alibaba set to enter Pakistan, signs MoU controversy as he has decided with the capital administra- inside the mosque. 14 crew members, including the to preside over a conference to tion on Tuesday so that there is “If they do not give us the pilot of the PIA fl ight were de- Pakistan yesterday signed a Memorandum of signing ceremony during the PM’s visit to the mark the 10th anniversary of an ample time for them to clear NOC we will approach the Is- tained at Heathrow Airport on Understanding (MoU with Chinese tech giant headquarters of the company. Lal Masjid operation. all queries”, the cleric’s aide lamabad High Court to get Monday over security concerns Alibaba to promote the country’s worldwide “I am glad my meeting with Jack Ma at the World “Invitations will be sent to added. right to hold the conference to and were later released after a exports by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Economic Forum in January has come to fruition the president, prime minister, “Similarly, invitations will highlight the sacrifi ces ren- “thorough search” of the aircraft through e-commerce. in the shape of the MoU we have just signed,” the director general of the ISI be forwarded to key religious dered by our comrades for the for over two hours. The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s Sharif said. “My appreciation of Ma’s dynamism and the federal cabinet along and political personalities and implementation of Islam in the A report in Dawn newspaper Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir and Alibaba’s and performance of (the Alibaba) group comes with leaders of like-minded the leadership of the country country,” said Hafi z Ehtesham quoted PIA spokesperson Mash- President Michael Evans along with Douglas not only from its success as a e-commerce giant political and religious parties as well as the head of the intel- Ahmed, the spokesman. hood Tajwar as saying that the Feagin, Senior Vice-President of Global Business but more so from the focus of the group on job to attend the conference”, said a ligence agency this week. On the other hand, a senior fl ight from Islamabad to London of Ant Financial, on behalf of Alibaba, Dawn creation and livelihood generation,” he added. close aide to the cleric. He said extending invitations offi cial of the local administra- arrived at Heathrow Airport at newspaper reported. Under the terms of the MoU, Alibaba, Ant Financial The conference, scheduled to to key offi cials would help the tion said that Maulana Aziz is 2.50pm on Monday. Upon land- Alibaba Group’s Executive Chairman Jack Ma and TDAP agreed to foster growth of worldwide be held on July 7, will be organ- organisers put pressure on the a proscribed person under the ing, as passengers disembarked, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif witnessed the exports of products by SMEs in Pakistan. ised by Shuhada Foundation at local administration to grant Fourth Schedule of the Anti- the fl ight crew and aircraft were Lal Masjid. permission for the conference Terrorism Act. searched by the authorities. Saving Pakistan’s lost city of Mohenjo Daro

AFP Mohenjo Daro, Pakistan

he centre of a powerful ancient civilisation, Mo- Thenjo Daro was one of the world’s earliest cities — a Bronze Age metropolis boasting fl ush toilets and a water and waste system to rival many in modern Pakistan. Some 5,000 years on archae- ologists believe the ruins could unlock the secrets of the Indus Valley people, who fl ourished around 3,000 BC in what is now India and Pakistan before mys- teriously disappearing. But they warn, if nothing is done to protect the ruins — al- ready neglected and worn by time — it will fade to dust and obscurity, never taking its right- ful place in history. “Everybody knows Egypt, nobody knows Mohenjo Daro, Visitors walk through the Unesco World Heritage archaeological site of Mohenjo Daro some 425kms north of the Pakistani city of Karachi. this has to be changed,” says Dr Michael Jansen, a German State destroyed the ruins in Syr- roam the remains with impunity, ins, while exploring new, modern ley people are believed to have low access to the whole city,” he lisation disappeared so abruptly researcher working at the sun- ia’s Palmyra. many leaving rubbish in the once technology that allows research- numbered up to fi ve mn, with says. around 1900 BC. baked site on the banks of the Most horrifying, however, is pristine-streets and wells. ers to ascertain what lies beneath Mohenjo Daro their largest and Mohenjo Daro had a complex Currently, there is no bid to exca- Indus river in Pakistan’s south- the wanton disregard for Mo- Jansen and his Friends of Mo- the surface in the portions of the most advanced settlement. water and waste management vate further among the plans being ern Sindh province. henjo Daro — or “mound of the henjo Daro society aim to pro- city not yet excavated. Clay and metallic seals, coins, system which observers have laid by Lashari and Jansen. “It is ac- Jansen is at the forefront of dead” — by ordinary citizens. mote the site internationally, But, Lashari says, perhaps the standardised weighing stones, wryly noted was better than in tually preserved when it is buried,” a new eff ort to promote the site In 2014 police stood atop the with plans to recruit Pakistanis biggest challenge remains Paki- gold and bronze ornaments, toys many parts of Pakistan today. explains Harvard University’s Dr internationally while fi nding main stupa as hundreds of peo- around the world for conferenc- stan’s international image, tar- and whistles — the bric-a-brac Only a small portion of the site Richard Meadow. ways to protect what is left. ple swarmed the site to, ironical- es, seminars and debates. nished by extremism, corrup- of ancient lives have revealed has been excavated properly, but Despite their access to new In summer temperatures can ly, commemorate Pakistan’s cul- Dr Kaleem Lashari, chief con- tion, poverty, and insecurity. volumes about thriving Indus the most important building ap- technologies, that puts re- soar above 46 degrees Celsius. tural heritage — complete with sultant to the Pakistani govern- “Foreigners are afraid to visit trade and commerce. pears not to have been a palace or searchers in a quandary, espe- “There is enormous thermo- scaff olding, dancing, fi reworks, ment over Mohenjo Daro, said Pakistan and the site because of The layout of the city itself a place of worship, but a massive cially as they try to understand stress,” says Jansen, adding that heavy spotlights and lasers. they will also digitally archive the chronic issue of law and or- suggests an egalitarian people public bath. what happened to the Indus salt from the underground water Sardar Ali Shah, cultural min- the Indus script — which has der,” he warns. more concerned with cleanliness Houses had tiled bathrooms people. table is also damaging the ruins. ister in Sindh province, vowed never been deciphered — in The issues he cites underscore than hierarchy, says Dr Jonathan and their own cylindrical brick As Jansen says, the “best way But it’s more than just the never to let such a thing happen hopes that making it accessible unsettling diff erences between Mark Kenoyer of the University wells, sometimes raised to the to learn information is to exca- weather and time. again. will increase the site’s profi le. modern day Pakistan and the of Wisconsin. second fl oor to allow for a fl ush vate”. But mysteries take time to Pakistan’s bloody fi ght against “It’s like you are jumping on At the site itself, he said, tech- civilisation found among the ru- “In Mesopotamia, the streets system. solve: for now, the researchers militancy has also raised the the bed bed of a 5,000-year-old nical reviews are being held to ins. went from the city to the pal- None of this, however,has yet say, they will settle for ensuring spectre of destruction by an Is- ailing patient,” he tells AFP. examine the water logging issue At their peak during the ace...whereas in (Indus) cities all explained why such a powerful, that Mohenjo Daro endures for a lamist group, much like Islamic Yet today curious visitors still and other ways to shore up the ru- Bronze Age, the Indus Val- the streets were organised to al- advanced and fl ourishing civi- few centuries more. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Turkey, Duterte open to pacts for Mongolia ‘could join exploring South China Sea Asean’ AFP AFP its claims in the sea in recent he gave few details. Duterte pine Ambassador Jose Santia- Davao Davao years by building artificial is- said he told Xi and Li that he go Santa Romana will co-chair lands and expanding a military would not raise last year’s in- the meeting in China’s south- presence there have added to ternational tribunal ruling, ern Guizhou province, the Bei- ontroversial Philippine hilippine President Rod- the tensions. which was filed by Aquino and jing said yesterday. President Rodrigo Du- rigo Duterte said yester- Duterte, who took office last deeply angered China. “We Their talks will follow the Cterte said yesterday he Pday he was open to ex- year, abandoned the policy decided that there is a time for 14th meeting tomorrow of would push for the inclusion of ploring the South China Sea’s of his predecessor, Benigno me to ask about the ruling but senior officials from China Turkey and Mongolia in a group- natural resources with rival Aquino, to forcefully challenge it is not now,” Duterte said. and the Association of South- ing of Southeast Asian nations, claimants China and Vietnam, Beijing in diplomatic circles Xi hailed the “all-round im- east Asian Nations (Asean) on dismissing concerns about their after securing a “windfall” and instead sought to repair provement” of relations be- the implementation of a code geographic location. while in Beijing. bilateral relations. tween the two nations during of conduct in the South China Duterte said leaders of Turkey Duterte also emphasised Duterte has said his decision the forum, calling the Philip- Sea. and Mongolia told him about he had no immediate plans to has earned the Philippines bil- pines an “important partner” Chinese foreign ministry their desire to join the Associa- pressure China over an inter- lions of dollars in Chinese in- in his Belt and Road infra- spokeswoman Hua Chunying tion of Southeast Asian Nations national tribunal’s ruling last vestments and aid. structure project. said yesterday that the talks (Asean) while they were in China year that its sweeping claims Duterte spoke yesterday Chinese and Philippines of- would help Beijing and Manila over the weekend for a summit to most of the sea were unlaw- after returning from Beijing, ficials will meet in China on “properly manage differences on a global trade infrastructure ful. “If we can get something where he had separate meet- Friday for the first round of and promote maritime co-op- project. there with no hassle at all, why ings with Chinese President bilateral talks on their dispute. eration for the final settlement Duterte, whose nation holds not,” Duterte told reporters Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Aquino had avoided direct of relevant disputes”. the rotating Asean chairmanship when asked about a proposal Li Keqiang on the sidelines of talks with China for fear of The Philippines, under then this year, held separate meetings for jointly exploring the sea a summit on a global trade in- placing the Philippines in a president Gloria Arroyo, en- with Turkish President Recep with China and Vietnam. frastructure project. vulnerable negotiating posi- tered into an agreement with Tayyip Erdogan and Mongolian He emphasised the deal Duterte praised China’s tion. China and Vietnam in 2005 to Prime Minister Jargaltulga Er- would have to be “fair and bal- leaders as “generous”, “very Duterte said he wanted dis- jointly study potential oil de- denebat on the sidelines of the anced”. liberal” and “sincere”. cussions to involve a code of posits in the sea. summit. Duterte made no mention of President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he speaks shortly after arriving Duterte described his trip to conduct for the sea, which But the deal collapsed after “They want to join Asean and Malaysia and Brunei, the two in Davao yesterday, from a working visit to China. Beijing, his second since as- China and Southeast Asian Filipino politicians questioned since I am now the chair, the other Southeast Asian nations suming office, as a “windfall” nations have been discussing its legality. They alleged it in- Philippines is, they wanted me that also have claims to the sea, which is believed to sit Asia’s potential military flash- for the Philippines, saying for some 15 years. fringed on Philippine sover- to sponsor their entry and I said, sea. atop vast oil and gas deposits, points. more Chinese investments or Chinese Vice Foreign Min- eignty and accused Arroyo of ‘Yes, why not,’” Duterte told re- The competing claims to the have for decades made it one of Beijing’s efforts to cement aid had been offered although ister Liu Zhenmin and Philip- treason. porters in the Philippines. The 10-member Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Phil- ippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Marcos seeks A Nato member bordering the Middle East, Turkey straddles Europe and Asia. Its application for member- more tribunal ship to the European Union has been bogged down for years. Mongolia is a landlocked na- tion wedged between China and offi cers to hasten Russia. Geographic location is the fi rst criterion for Asean membership, along with recognition by all poll protest other members. Duterte said Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, By Jomar Canlas Marcos told the PET that who also attended the summit in Manila Times the election protest must be China, asked him if he had con- concluded soon “not only for sidered geography in deciding to the benefi t of the winner but sponsor Turkey and Mongolia’s ormer senator Ferdi- for the sake of public interest, Asean membership. nand “Bongbong” Mar- which can only be achieved by However Duterte insisted that Fcos Jr yesterday asked brushing aside technicalities the two nations were part of the the Supreme Court, sitting as of procedure which protract region. Presidential Electoral Tribunal and delay the trial of an ordi- “They are. I would say that (PET), to designate three hear- nary action.” they are,” Duterte said. ing offi cers to help expedite the The high tribunal had set a “Turkey seems to be ambiva- resolution of his poll protest preliminary conference for the Policemen (left) escorting funeral parlour employees carrying the body of the second of the two Abu Sayyaf militants killed in an encounter lent on whether to be a bridge against Vice President Maria election recount on June 21. with troops in Calape town, Bohol province, central Philippines. of Europe and Asia or being an Leonor “Leni” Robredo. In the preliminary confer- Asian...Sometimes they say they In a motion, Marcos said the ence, the Marcos and Robredo are part of Asia. Sometimes they assignment of hearing offi cers camps are expected to discuss say they are a bridge of Asia to prior to a preliminary confer- the issues to be resolved, the Europe.” ence next month was consist- list of witnesses and the evi- Asked about Duterte’s re- ent with the “summary nature dence to be presented, as well marks, the Asean Secretariat and preferential status of elec- as the schedule of hearings and Bohol hostage crisis ends said Turkey and Mongolia have tion protest cases.” the revision of ballots. “never applied” for membership “In a long line of decided Marcos, who lost to Robredo to the bloc. cases, this Honourable Tribu- by only 263,473 votes, ac- “This issue has never come nal has consistently ruled that cuses the camp of the former up for discussion in Asean,” Lee an election case, unlike an or- Camarines Sur representative after militants shot dead Yoong Yoong, community aff airs dinary action, is imbued with of benefi ting from “massive director of the Jakarta-based public interest since it involves electoral fraud, anomalies and Agencies police about the presence of He was arrested and taken to Hilario’s wife, Imelda, how- Asean Secretariat, said via e- not only the adjudication of irregularities” such as pre- Calape, Bohol armed men in their community. a police camp in Tagbilaran City ever, reported to the Kahayag mail. the private interests of rival shading of ballots, pre-loaded The police, in turn, relayed the for interrogation. However, he village captain, Ian Bahandi, East Timor has for years candidates but also the para- secure digital cards, misread- information to the military. was killed the next day after he that her husband and son were sought Asean membership but mount need of dispelling the ing of ballots, malfunctioning he two remaining Abu A gun battle ensued on April fought it out with policemen being held hostage by the ban- only holds observer status. uncertainty which beclouds vote-counting machines, and Sayyaf members hiding 12, leaving three Abu Sayyaf while trying to escape. dits. the real choice of the electorate an “abnormally high” unac- Tin the island province members dead, including their On May 10, the police and Bahandi, in turn, reported the with respect to who shall dis- counted votes for the position of Bohol were killed yesterday leader, Abu Rami. the military cordoned off Pan- matter to government troops charge the prerogatives of the of vice president in the 2016 afternoon, after more than a The remaining members of gangan Island in this town after who went to the mangrove area. Robredo’s offi ce,” the Marcos camp said. polls. month on the run following a the group fl ed to nearby Clarin receiving reports of the pres- As a shootout ensued, the foiled attempt to set up a local town and hid inside a cave in ence of the two remaining Abu father and son scampered for net worth base. Barangay Bacani. Sayyaf bandits. safety while the two Abu Sayyaf Abu Ubayda and another But government troops dis- On Monday morning, Hilario bandits ran to nearby Barangay down 19.7% member identifi ed only as covered their hiding place on Toloy and his seven-year-old Lomboy where they took a resi- since 2016 “Asis” were killed in a pursuit April 22 after receiving a tip son were gathering seashells dent’s motorcycle. operation that started past noon from a habal-habal (passenger along the mangrove forest here They headed to Barangay Vice President Maria Leonor and ended at 5:35pm, Philippine motorcycle) driver and three when the bandits appeared and Lawis only to fi nd themselves Robredo has reported a 19.7% Daily Inquirer reported. residents. pointed their guns at them. facing a police checkpoint. decrease in net worth since as- Both died from bullet wounds Another clash broke out, The two asked the father and They abandoned the motor- suming off ice last year. in the head. Ubayda was unrec- leading to the deaths of four son to give them food, accord- cycle and ran, returning to the Her latest Statement of Assets, ognisable after he was repeat- bandits, including Joselito Mel- ing to a relative of the Toloys. mangrove area in Lawis. Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) edly shot in the face. loria, a subleader of the group Reports said the bandits took Government troops pursued showed that her net worth fell to Their deaths ended a crisis who guided the bandits to his Toloy’s son hostage to make them and cornered them in the P8,878,111.43 at the end of 2016, that started on April 10 when a hometown of Inabanga via sure that he would return with mangrove area, where the ban- from P11,053,138 as of June 30, group of 10 Abu Sayyaf mem- Barangay Napo. the food. dits were killed in separate are- 2016. The decrease in the vice bers entered Barangay Napo in Another Abu Sayyaf mem- Toloy went home to Barangay as. Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, president’s net worth stemmed Inabanga town to set up base ber, Saad Kiram, went out of Kahayag, just a few metres from Armed Forces of the Philippines from the P2.17mn decrease in there and conduct terror activi- hiding and asked for food from the mangrove area, and brought spokesperson, said none among the amount of her cash, Manila ties on nearby islands. residents in Tubigon town on with him rice and catfi sh stewed the government forces were Times reported. Marcos Jr: seeking speedy handling of case Residents tipped off the May 4. in vinegar for the bandits. injured. Robredo listed a residential lot, which was acquired in 1994 and which was a donation; a residen- tial lot purchased in 2000 with an acquisition cost of P60,000; a residential house acquired in 1996 with an acquisition Probe offi cials linked to illegal gambling: De Lima cost of P1.2mn; three agricul- tural lots (two were purchased in 1995 while the other one was Manila Times Resolution (PSR) 359 urging the Senate offi ce and ensure public trust in gov- inces, including Laguna, Batangas, and “With the culture of patronage con- purchased in 2000) with a total Manila Committee on Civil Service, Govern- ernment,” she said in a statement. certain provinces in the Bicol Region. tinually evolving, Section 7 (a) of (Re- acquisition cost of P225,000; ment Reorganisation and Professional Gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang According to him, Esperon works public Act) 6713, which only states that an orchard lot purchased in Regulation to inquire into alleged links earlier said Justice Secretary Vitaliano with other high military offi cials in ‘public offi cials and employees shall 1995 with an acquisition cost of he Senate should investigate al- of administration offi cials to the STL Aguirre and National Security Adviser controlling STL operations in Northern not, directly or indirectly, have any P250,000, and a memorial lot legations of corruption involving operations. Hermogenes Esperon want to eliminate Luzon, including Pangasinan. fi nancial or material interest in any which was acquired in 2012 and Tgovernment offi cials that are be- “Allegations of corruption involving him so they can control STL operations De Lima noted that STL, a grassroots- transaction requiring the approval of which was a donation. hind Small Town Lottery (STL) opera- Cabinet and other high-ranking gov- in certain provinces in the country. based lottery and charity that is managed their offi ce’ no longer suffi ces in ad- These pieces of real property are tions in the country, Sen. Leila De Lima ernment offi cials should be investigat- Ang accused Aguirre of working with by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes monishing public offi cials against com- all located in Naga City, said yesterday ed with utmost urgency and scrutiny in his brother, Ogie Aguirre, in taking over Offi ce (PCSO), was designed to stamp mitting certain irregularities whether Camarines Sur. De Lima has fi led Proposed Senate order to protect the integrity of public STL operations in Southern Luzon prov- out jueteng, an illegal numbers game. penalised by law or not,” she said. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

High Court stays 3 cases Lankan PM seeks more against Zia

By Mizan Rahman Dhaka investment from China he Bangladesh High Court (HC) yesterday stayed the Reuters Meeting Xi in Beijing after anniversary year of trade relations. Tproceedings of three cases Beijing attending China’s Belt and Road Chinese Premier Li Keqiang fi led against Bangladesh Nation- Forum on Sunday and Monday, also met with Wickremesinghe alist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka yesterday. Zia for instigating violence in ri Lankan Prime Minister was willing to work with China Li said the two countries 2015. Ranil Wickremesinghe to “successfully push forward” should deepen co-operation The HC bench of Justice Mit- Stold Chinese President Xi the Hambantota and Colombo in trade and investment, in- fahuddin Chowdhury and Justice Jinping yesterday that he wel- Port City projects, according frastructure building and A N M Bashirullah passed the comed increased Chinese in- to offi cial Chinese news agency production capacity. order after Zia fi led three peti- vestment in Sri Lanka’s major Xinhua. The Chinese premier urged tions seeking stay on the case infrastructure projects, Chinese Xi said the construction of Sri Lanka to create a good le- proceedings. state media said. a China-Sri Lanka free trade gal, media, policy and security Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney China signed a deal with Sri zone would prove a key start- environment for implementing General Moniruzzaman Kabir Lanka late last year to further ing point in promoting fair and the projects. said they were preparing to fi le develop the strategic port of sustainable development in Wickremesinghe said his an appeal against the order. Hambantota and build a huge bilateral trade, accelerate ease country is ready to closely co- Among the cases, two were industrial zone nearby, a key of investment and realise the ordinate with China to create fi led with Jatrabari police station part of Xi’s signature eco- unimpeded fl ow of trade and a favourable environment for and another with Darussalam nomic and foreign policy to capital. Chinese companies to invest in police station on charge of insti- create a modern-day “Silk Major projects with Sri Lanka Sri Lanka. gating violence during the block- Road” across Asia, Europe should act as precursors for Sri Lanka will also speed ade programme enforced by the and Africa. driving infrastructure connec- up the construction of those BNP-led alliance in 2015. But amid concern over in- tivity and maritime and avia- key projects, and strengthen The High Court yesterday creasing Chinese invest- tion co-operation, Xi added, production capacity co-op- transferred Zia Orphanage Trust ment, hundreds of Sri Lankans according to Xinhua’s report. eration with China to facili- graft case against Zia from Dhaka clashed with police at the in- Sri Lanka aims to fi nalise tate Sri Lanka’s industrialisa- Senior Special Judge Court to dustrial zone’s opening in a free trade agreement with tion and regional connectivity, Ranil Wickremesinghe, left, shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-5. January. China this year, their 65th Wickremesinghe said. People in Beijing yesterday. A High Court division bench comprising Justice Shawkat Hossain and Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder passed the order. “The High Court on May 14 ordered for transfer of the case from Dhaka Senior Special Judge Lanka govt Bangladesh plans open-jail Court. On Tuesday the High Court fi xed Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 to deal with the case,” said Zia’s counsel Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan. drags feet on to rehabilitate off enders Earlier, Dhaka 3rd Special Judge Court was hearing the case against the BNP chief. But allow- DPA head of Bangladesh’s prison inmates will be sent in batches Sri Lanka and Malaysia, to en- ing a plea of her, the High Court Dhaka directorate, said. to the facility, where they will courage the convicts for more on March 8 had given Dhaka reconciliation, In the new facilities, inmates be employed in fi shing, poul- corrections on the one hand Senior Special Judge Court the will be employed with mini- try farming and agriculture, and make them employed in jail charge to go on with the trial angladesh is contemplat- mal supervision and perimeter Uddin said. on the other,” Uddin said. proceedings. ing the construction of an security. The project will cover 321 It will help the inmates But on April 14, Zia expressed Bopen-jail aimed at more The open-jail concept means acres in the Ukhiya sub-dis- maintain good relations with no confi dence on this court too. says ICG corrective and employment that prisoners will not be trict of Cox’s Bazar, more than their families while in jail and The Anti-Corruption Com- opportunities for convicts locked in a cell while serving 300km southeast of the capital, encourage them to take up mission (ACC) on July 3, 2008, facing comparatively shorter sentences, Uddin added. Dhaka. projects after they complete fi led a case with Ramna police AFP ecessor Mahinda Rajapakse, prison terms, a top offi cial said The project is part of Bang- While the project’s budget is their prison terms, he added. station, accusing Zia, her son Colombo especially in the fi nal months yesterday. ladesh’s eff orts to move away yet to be fi nalised, it is expected Bangladesh’s 68 prisons Tarique Rahman and four others of the war, when Sri Lanka’s “We have started the proc- from the British colonial-era to be implemented within fi ve are full to bursting, with more for embezzlement of over 21mn security forces were accused ess of land acquisition for the Prison Act of 1894 and Jail Code years. than 75,000 inmates crammed taka brought from abroad meant ri Lanka’s failure to ad- of massacring up to 40,000 new prison site,” Brigadier of 1920. “We have initiated the into spaces with a combined for orphans at the Zia Orphanage dress its wartime past Tamil civilians. General Syed Iftekhar Uddin, After initial training, selected project, taking experience from capacity of 36,614. Trust. Snearly a decade after its But the president has resist- bloody confl ict jeopardises ed calls for internationally- any hope of a lasting peace in backed courts to try generals the ethnically-divided island, and soldiers accused of atroci- a global rights group warned ties, and has been critical of yesterday. police investigations into the In a new report, the Inter- murder of a prominent anti- 14 rope-fi xing climbers reach Everest national Crisis Group urged government cartoonist. President Maithripala Sirisena Progress on promised re- to come good on his promise forms has also been slow or IANS climbers has reached the summit of EOAN, said on Monday, “As various countries are ready- This year, Mt Everest has al- to deliver justice for tens of slid backwards, the group said, Kathmandu between 1:15 pm and 2pm today,” the route is open now, the rope- ing to scale the world’s high- ready recorded two tragedies, thousands of war victims or raising doubts over Sirisena’s Gyanendra Shrestha, a Tourism fi xing Sherpa will return to base est peak this spring season. including the deaths of famous risk renewed confl ict. pledge to ensure reconcilia- Ministry offi cial, told Xinhua on camp and escort their clients to May is regarded as the perfect Swiss climber Ueli Steck and the “Two years into President tion after a war that left more Monday. the summit.” window for the Everest expe- 86-year-old Nepali climber Min Sirisena’s term, Sri Lanka’s than 100,000 dead. team of 14 rope-fi xing Last year, the rope fi xing task dition in terms of favourable Bahadur Sherchan, who was in fragile hopes for lasting peace “Ambitious promises to im- climbers on Monday was completed on May 11. Fourteen high-altitude weather between winter and a bid to regain the title of oldest and co-operation across party prove the economy, eliminate Astood atop the world’s “The fi rst two summiteers are mountain guides were monsoon. climber. and ethnic lines are imper- corruption, restore the rule of highest peak Mount Everest be- Pema Chhiring and Pem Chhiri assigned for rope fi xing Many have expressed fears of There were no expeditions in illed,” ICG stated in its report law, address the legacy of war coming the fi rst team of 2017 to who stood atop at 1:15,” Phurba from Camp II to top of traffi c jam in the Everest region the spring of 2015 due to ava- “Sri Lanka’s Transition to and write a new constitution reach the summit from south Tenzing Sherpa, a record holder the 8,848m peak under this season due to high number lanches triggered by the dev- Nowhere”. remain largely unrealised,” the face in Nepal. Everest climber, said from the Expedition Operators of climbers and their mountain astating April 25 earthquake Sirisena came to power report said. Though other Sherpa climbers base camp. Association of Nepal guides and helpers. that killed 19 climbers, includ- in January 2015 with strong It also urged for a speedier had already opened the route to Fourteen high-altitude Everest has not only been an ing high-altitude guides and backing from Tamils, the investigation into a 2006 mas- the top of the Everest via Chi- mountain guides were as- The ascent of the 14 climb- identity of the Himalayan na- helpers. The government had largest ethnic minority in Sri sacre of 17 aid workers from na’s Tibet last week, expedition signed for rope fi xing from ers has paved the way for all the tion but also a major source of extended their permits for two Lanka, who bore the brunt of French charity Action Against from Nepal side was delayed Camp II to top of the 8,848m commercial and independent revenue collection. The Hima- years, which is ending this year. the 37-year separatist war that Hunger, and the disappear- this spring season owing to bad peak under Expedition Op- summits of 2017. layan country that charges There was no expedition in ended in May 2009. ance and murder of journalists weather, reports Xinhua news erators Association of Nepal According to department of $11,000 per foreign climb- 2014 as well as 16 Sherpa guides He had promised to investi- and government critics under agency. (EOAN). tourism, 40 expedition teams er earns millions of dollars were killed in an avalanche near gate atrocities under his pred- Rajapakse’s reign. “A team of 14 rope-fi xing Dambar Parajuli, president comprising 373 climbers from annually. the Everest Base Camp. Lanka regains EU trade concession after six years

Reuters/AFP the European Union said in a rorism act still needs to be by rigorous (human rights) Colombo statement. completed, incidents of torture monitoring.” The trade concession will still remain and children are There were still “serious see the European Union re- still being forced into marriage, concerns” about the use of tor- ri Lanka has regained a moving a signifi cant part while there are still laws that ture by law enforcement, child lucrative EU trade con- of import duties on select discriminate against sections marriages and social discrimi- Scession it lost over con- products in exchange for a of society. nation, he added. cerns about human rights, commitment to ratify and “We want to see an end to Sri Lanka lost the EU con- mainly benefi ting its garments eff ectively implement 27 these practices,” Malmström cession in 2010 after then- export industry, but it will be international conventions said. president Mahinda Rajapakse subject to vigorous monitor- on human rights, labour EU ambassador to Sri Lanka, rejected demands from the ing, the European Union said conditions, protection of Tung-Lai Margue, said export- international community to yesterday. the environment and good ers could enjoy the duty free address human rights abuses The South Asian island na- governance, it said. status from Friday, despite allegedly committed during a tion lost the concession six “...no one is pretending outstanding concerns. 2009 off ensive to crush a Tamil years ago. that the situation is perfect,” “There are no serious fail- insurgency. The trade concession off ered EU Trade Commissioner Ce- ures (under the new govern- Since ousting Rajapakse by the Generalised Scheme of cilia Malmström said in a ment),” he told reporters in in January 2015, President Preferences (GSP) Plus will statement. “The EU will work Colombo. Maithripala Sirisena’s admin- provide immediate benefi ts closely with the government “But that does not mean istration has agreed to address worth in excess of 300mn eu- and non-government organi- that everything is perfect. As the rights violations. ros a year and the value could sations to rigorously monitor in the case of all countries With annual exports of be worth many times more if progress.” benefi ting from GSP Plus, the around $5bn, Sri Lanka pro- Sri Lanka uses the opportu- The EU said the process of removal of customs duties for duces garments for some of the nity to diversify its economy, replacing a prevention of ter- Sri Lanka will be accompanied world’s most popular brands. Workers make clothes at a garment factory in Colombo yesterday. Gulf Times 26 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Grateful Pakistan bids

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] adieu to cricket heroes Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Misbah and Younis were is a good reason why such adulation culminating in him becoming one of don’t get to 10,000 Test runs any Fax 44350474 is reserved for Misbah and Younis, Wisden’s fi ve Cricketers of the Year — other way, especially if you’re from very accomplished, but which even players greater than them a more spectacular contrast would be a country deprived of international humble to a fault; plying have not been able to take home in hard to conceive given the traditional action — since the unfortunate terror retirement. hostility of the English press and its attack in 2009. their trade with exemplary Both these gentlemen have been cricketing establishment towards For a man whose family was riddled commitment and honesty outstanding role models — not Pakistan cricket spanning more than with tragedies — siblings dying of just for Pakistan but the entire half a century. cancer and in a road accident — he GULF TIMES sporting world. They were very Ironically, Misbah was not always was the epitome of humility and By Kamran Rehmat accomplished, but humble to a so cherished at home — in fact, no brought that infectious something Doha fault; winning laurels but always cricketer in Pakistan has been more to his personality that overrode all crediting their teammates and lampooned for his “defensive” adversities: smile. others; never speaking ill of anyone batting (which also earned him Just as Misbah’s sudden sixes Silk Road risks: The two most powerful warriors despite personal attacks; always the unfl attering sobriquet of “Mr brought a smile, Younis wore his like are patience and time. — Leo Tolstoy looking out to help their juniors by Tuk Tuk” — someone who defends an identity card. Shockingly, some absorbing the pressure and giving dourly at the crease) overlooking the critics had even issues with that too them generous space to grow; but adversity he almost always arrived — more infamously during the early n emotional Pakistan bid above all else, plying their trade with in. Eventually, he won over his phase of the 2009 T20 World Cup China needs to adieu to her two most exemplary commitment, discipline compatriots when the realisation in England when Pakistan had lost a accomplished and beloved and honesty. Mark that last word! began to sink that there was a method few games. Guess what happened? Asons the other day. Life When Misbah was handed the to it. There can be, of course, little He smiled his way to a famous World came to a virtual standstill as the reins in 2010 — at 36, most people argument against success and Misbah Cup trophy and then, conveniently, think a bit smaller Test decider in Dominica ground to a are on the verge of retirement in the authored an unprecedented book, not everyone began to see the light! tense last seven balls as an unfancied sport — it was done surreptitiously in just chapter, worth of success and It would be futile to attempt to post West Indies threatened to pull off a clerk’s room at the Pakistan Cricket stability. Younis’ records in this concised space; China, surely, has more than enough money to spend an unlikely draw and deny captain Board headquarters with express Misbah retired with 26 Test wins it would be akin to dreaming of luxury and the country is read to splash it on the trillion- Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan the instructions to keep the board’s and 11 series triumphs — the highest in a cellar. While he’s easily the top dollar Belt and Road (also known as Silk Road) projects, farewell they deserved. blushes to himself. The reason? from Asia. He was also Pakistan’s of the pile in Test runs, centuries and For starters, very few sportspersons Pakistan cricket had just been mired highest scorer in each of his last Test, catches for Pakistan, it’s the range the centrepiece of a soft-power push championed by are given to honourable farewells. in a quagmire after three of its top ODI and T20 series — talk about of international achievements — to President Xi Jinping. Fewer still are courageous enough players were found involved in spot- leading from the front and leaving cite only two: being the only man to China has invested more than $50bn in Silk Road to make the right call at the right fi xing and later banned. with grace! score Test tons in all 11 countries that countries since 2013 and Xi has pledged another time. Cricket lore is replete with Misbah took it on the chin and He also made light of the public have hosted such matches as well as examples of greats scripting their set about the course of redemption perception of a slowpoke by clocking against every single Test nation and a $124bn for his plan. Credit Suisse estimates China own caricaturisation. For Misbah and with such dedication and courage up the fastest Test half century, and conversion rate of centuries that even could pour more than $500bn into 62 countries over Younis to publicly announce their that there is little doubt it will go then, century — the latter record was the greatest, Sir Donald Bradman, fi ve years. Armed with more than $3tn in international retirement beforehand — even when down in the history of sport as one of only broken last year — and hung up could not match — that takes your reserves – more than a quarter of the world’s total – they were good enough to hold their its fi nest chapters. Pakistan cricket his gloves with the highest tally of Test breath away! own and, in a country where this has will be the poorer without him but sixes by a Pakistani. Nobody smote The last days leading up to the China has more resources than developed economies hardly ever been the tradition — was he left it rich, none more symbolic crisp, cleaner sixes in his time than graceful exit came with a fi tting struggling to hit budget targets. outstanding. than how he restored the honour the qualifi ed MBA and his cheek of hashtag: combining the fi rst three At a two-day summit on the project in Beijing on What this series victory will do of his proud nation when he led the breaking long spells of ball blocking letters of the names of Misbah and Monday, 30 nations agreed to promote a rules-based, is embellish our memories of their team to England with distinction with a sudden signature all-mighty Younis — #MisYou — a coinage so heroic services. It will make the heart last year, drawing a diffi cult series by strike out of the park would be long simple and perfect that it all but non-discriminatory trading system with the World grow fonder even if it is melancholic winning The Oval Test on Pakistan’s remembered — and missed. obviates the need for perhaps, a more Trade Organisation at its core. And that stands in stark at the moment. “All good things must Independence Day — talk about more Younis was the other arm of this notable Shakespearean analogy. contrast to US President Donald Trump’s “America come to end” — that familiar refrain — symbolism! Tolstoy subscribed equation — First” trade policy. is what appears to be the nearest thing On and off the fi eld, he was hailed patience and time. The Marathon Man zThe writer is Community Editor to a balm at the moment. But there as a hero by the English press, from Mardan had loads of it — you China stands to gain; not just by putting to work its underused industrial capacity and excess production of steel and other materials, but also by pushing its goal of deepening the global reach of its currency, which entered the International Monetary Fund’s big league of global currencies – the Special Drawing Rights basket – last year. Make no mistake, if everything about the Silk Road project is big; so is the risk. China’s slowing economic growth has left fewer resources to spend overseas. Its international reserves have fallen about 6% over the past year. Some Western diplomats also see the initiative as an attempt to promote Chinese infl uence If everything globally amid rising about the Silk concerns about transparency and access Road project is for foreign companies. And India has refl ected big, so is the risk its displeasure with China for developing a $57bn trade corridor through Pakistan that also crosses the disputed territory of TWO OF A KIND: Misbah-ul-Haq, left, and Younis Khan. Kashmir. Partner nations of the project should be weighing economic benefi ts against risks, including political instability or poor governance. Some are already evident: a deal for a rail project in Thailand fell through because local offi cials refused to grant China’s request Toward a global treaty on plastic waste for commercial property rights; the Kyrgyz prime minister was forced to resign in 2016 over a contract By Nils Simon and Lili Fuhr turtles that had the bad fortune of pollution treaty. One of the authors action plans that would form part of Berlin becoming entangled in plastic rings of this article proposed a convention the treaty on plastics. award to a Chinese company; white elephants like an or nets, biologists are fi nding dead modelled after the Paris climate The European Commission’s international airport in southern Sri Lanka that hosts whales and birds with stomachs agreement: a binding overarching goal “circular economy package” may only a couple of fl ights a day. f there are any geologists in stuff ed with plastic debris. combined with voluntary national provide another example worth China’s increasingly assertive military, particularly millions of years, they will easily Plastic products may not be all action plans and fl exible measures emulating. Though it has not yet been in Asian waters amid the so-called “string of pearls” be able to pinpoint the start of that good for humans, either. While to achieve them. A research team implemented, its waste targets have the so-called Anthropocene – the the plastics used, say, to package from the University of Wollongong the potential to save the European doctrine, is also a concern for some neighbours. I geological age during which humans our foods are usually nontoxic, in Australia, taking inspiration from Union 190mn tons of CO2 emissions China emphasises the Silk Road’s role in boosting became the dominant infl uence on our most plastics are laden with the Montreal Protocol, the treaty per year. That is the equivalent of industrialisation in the developing nations on the planet’s environment. Wherever they chemicals, from softeners (which that safeguards the ozone layer, has annual emissions in the Netherlands. ancient trade routes connecting China with Central look, they will fi nd clear evidence of can act as endocrine disruptors) suggested caps and bans on new Of course, the transition to zero its onset, in the form of plastic waste. to flame retardants (which can plastic production. waste will require some investment. Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Economists Plastic is a key material in the be carcinogenic or toxic in higher Some might ask whether we should Any international treaty on plastic agree, too, that the initiative has the potential to world economy, found in cars, mobile concentrations). These chemicals embark on yet another journey down must therefore include a funding stimulate Asian and global economic growth. phones, toys, clothes, packaging, can make it through the ocean and the long, winding, and tiresome road mechanism, and the “polluter pays” But instead of the “cheap-funds-heavy-debt- medical devices, and much more. its food chain – and onto our plates. of global treaty negotiations. Can’t principle is the right place to start. Worldwide, 322mn metric tons of Addressing the problem will not be we engineer our way out of our plastic The global plastic industry, with growing-risk” approach China would be wise to think a plastic were produced in 2015. And the easy; no single country or company, problem? annual revenues of about $750bn, bit smaller. Projects should be scrutinised not only for fi gure keeps growing; by 2050, it could however determined, can do so on The short answer is, probably not. surely could fi nd a few hundred their headline numbers but their long-term viability. be four times higher. its own. Many actors – including Biodegradable plastics, for example, million dollars to help clean up the Lenders need to be transparent about fi nancing terms But plastic already is creating massive the biggest plastic producers and make sense only if they decompose mess it created. global environmental, economic, and polluters, zero-waste initiatives, quickly enough to avoid harming A comprehensive, binding, and and considerate of borrowers’ ability to repay. social problems. Despite requiring research labs, and waste-picker co- wildlife. Even promising discoveries forward-looking global plastics treaty As a simple investment rule, China needs to treat its resources to produce, plastic is so cheap operatives – will have to tackle the like bacteria or moths that can dissolve will not be easy to achieve. It will Belt and Road ambition with a clear perception of risk. that it often is used for disposable – problem head-on. or digest plastics can provide only take time and cost money, and it will often single-use – products. As a result, The fi rst step is to create a high- auxiliary support. inevitably include loopholes and have a huge amount of it ends up polluting level forum to facilitate discussion The only way truly to address the shortcomings. It certainly will not the earth. among such stakeholders, with the problem is to slash our plastic waste. solve the plastic pollution problem To Advertise Plastic clogs cities’ sewer systems goal of developing a cooperative Technology might be able to help, on its own. But it is a prerequisite for and increases the risk of fl ooding. strategy for reducing plastic off ering more options for substitution success. [email protected] Larger pieces can fi ll with rainwater, pollution. Such a strategy should go and recycling; but, as the many Plastic pollution is a defi ning Display providing a breeding ground for beyond voluntary action plans and zero-waste communities and cities problem of the Anthropocene. It Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 disease-spreading mosquitoes. Up to partnerships to focus on developing around the world have shown, it is not is, after all, a global scourge that is 13mn tons of plastic waste end up in a legally binding international necessary. entirely of our making – and entirely Classified the ocean each year; by 2050, there agreement, underpinned by a For example, Capannori, a town within our power to solve as well. – Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 could be more plastic in there than commitment from all governments of 46,700 inhabitants near Lucca Project Syndicate fi sh. The plastic that washes up on to eliminate plastic pollution. in Tuscany, signed a zero-waste Subscription shores costs the tourism industry Negotiations on such a treaty could strategy in 2007. A decade later, it has zNils Simon is a political scientist [email protected] hundreds of millions of dollars every be launched this year, at the United reduced its waste by 40%. With 82% and Senior Project Manager at year. Nations Environment Assembly in of municipal waste now separated adelphi research. Lili Fuhr heads the Moreover, all that plastic poses a Nairobi in December. at source, just 18% of residual waste Ecology and Sustainable Development 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved serious threat to wildlife. Beyond the Scientists have already advanced ends up in landfi lls. Such experiences Department at the Heinrich Boll dead or dying seals, penguins, and concrete proposals for a plastic- should inform and guide the national Foundation. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 27 COMMENT Merkel treads carefully with Trump

Lingering concerns about and a little more than a week before with Obama at the landmark in central infl uenced,” said a senior French he makes his fi rst trip to Europe as Berlin. offi cial.”You can talk to the people president mixed with president, offi cials in Berlin and Trump, her aides acknowledge, around Trump and give input. relief on policy; Merkel other European capitals are still presents a unique challenge because They are perhaps more malleable unsure about where the Trump of his unpredictability and ambivalent and open to outside views than many works systematically to administration stands on many of the attitude towards Europe. people thought.” move beyond early Trump big issues that concern them. He is deeply unpopular in Germany, During Merkel’s visit in March, she Coupled with this confusion is relief making it politically awkward for her spent a long time explaining to Trump tensions that he has not turned US foreign to get too close in an election year. and his team how the European Union policy on its head, as some feared, Nevertheless, there is satisfaction worked, according to participants. Reuters during his fi rst months in offi ce. in Berlin that Merkel and Trump have By the end of four hours of meetings Berlin/Washington Trump is no longer calling Nato gotten off to a relatively smooth start, — including a half hour one-on-one obsolete. after he accused her of “ruining” between the two leaders, a meeting And he has kept Russia’s Vladimir Germany with her open-door refugee with business executives, and a lunch ast month, in a phone Putin at arm’s length. policies and she responded to his — Trump had dropped his push for a conversation between Donald Apart from his suggestion last victory by signalling she would only bilateral trade deal with Germany and Trump and Angela Merkel, the month that an attack on policemen cooperate with him on the basis of accepted that only an agreement with LUS president shared his views in Paris would help far-right leader common values. the EU was possible. on Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan. Marine Le Pen in the French election, The two leaders have spoken four Although German offi cials “He’s a great guy”, Trump told the Trump has not intervened in European times on the phone since her visit in acknowledge that the prospect of German chancellor, according to politics or sought to undermine the mid-March. reviving TTIP — the transatlantic sources familiar with the exchange. European Union. File photo of Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Both sides have played down the trade deal Europe tried to clinch with Merkel listened politely before His controversial National Security Trump holding a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in incident that dominated coverage of Obama — seems remote, they were pointing out that Erdogan had been Adviser Mike Flynn has been fi red, Washington on March 17. that visit: Trump’s failure to shake pleased that Trump seemed open to lobbing vitriol at Germany and its replaced by HR McMaster, who is seen Merkel’s hand in the Oval Offi ce. the idea of negotiating with the EU. European allies for weeks, denouncing as a smart, steady hand. showed Trump was capable of taking And a tit-for-tat protectionist Last month, Trump, the brash They were also reassured that them as the descendants of Nazis. And the infl uence of Steve Bannon, rash decisions on issues of major spiral could threaten its export-reliant former real estate mogul from New Trump proved to be a good listener. Trump was surprised, the sources the White House adviser Europeans importance. economy. York, told the Associated Press that At the end of the two hour lunch, said. fear most, may be on the wane. Reports that he revealed highly In July, just two months before he had “unbelievable chemistry” with when aides to the president reminded He appeared unaware that Ankara “We feel there is now a productive classifi ed information to Russia’s Germany holds an election, Merkel Merkel, the reserved former physicist him it was time to head off to his and Berlin were in the midst of a fi erce working relationship,” said Peter foreign minister at a meeting in the will host a tricky G20 summit in from communist East Germany. Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the diplomatic row over whether Turkish Wittig, the German ambassador to Oval Offi ce last week seem likely Hamburg, where Trump is expected to German offi cials speak of a weekend, he demurred, saying the ministers should be allowed to campaign Washington. to aggravate the level of distrust in meet Putin for the fi rst time. systematic eff ort by the chancellor discussion was going well and his in Germany for a referendum on But beneath the veneer are lingering European capitals. Turkish President Erdogan and to minimise tensions with Trump, departure would have to wait. boosting Erdogan’s powers. questions about the president’s “The doubts about the China’s Xi Jinping will also be there. pointing to the invitation she extended Offi cials in the German chancellery The White House did not respond to character and his policies on a range professionalism of Trump’s team, at Merkel has been sparring with Putin to his daughter Ivanka to attend a G20 were pleasantly surprised when, 10 a request for comment. of issues. least in foreign and security policy, and Erdogan for over a decade and women’s summit in Berlin in April. days after the visit, Trump called The German government declined German offi cials remain worried have receded,” one veteran German worked with two US presidents before They note that Trump has not Merkel to congratulate her on a comment, citing the confi dential about a shift to protectionism diplomat said. “But the doubts Trump. pulled out of the Paris climate deal, surprise win for her party in the tiny nature of the call. under Trump, despite his less about Trump himself, his character, She formed a close relationship with NAFTA or the nuclear deal between state of Saarland — even if he used the The exchange, weeks after confrontational rhetoric towards maturity and trustworthiness, have George W Bush in his Europe-friendly western powers and Iran, as he had call, one source said, to harp about Merkel paid her fi rst visit to Trump China and his decision to drop only grown.” second term. threatened during his campaign for “fake polls”. The White House did not in Washington, underscored the controversial plans for a border A second German offi cial said: And although she got off to a the presidency. respond to a request for comment. challenge the German leader faces as adjustment tax. “You shouldn’t underestimate the tricky start with Barack Obama after Trump has said he will not make The German government declined she tries to forge a relationship with a Several European diplomats infl uence of Trump on the Trump denying him a chance to speak at the a decision on the climate deal until comment. president that half a dozen European expressed concern about what they administration.” Brandenburg Gate during his 2008 after a G7 summit in late May, where Over the past months, German offi cials who spoke to Reuters view as the lack of a coherent US Few foreign leaders have as much campaign, the two ended up forming a Merkel and other European leaders are offi cials have made a concerted orteff described as erratic, ill prepared and strategy on Syria. riding on the relationship as Merkel. close bond. expected to lobby him hard to stay in. to reach out to a wide range of offi cials prone to rhetorical excess. Some of them said the abrupt Germany relies heavily on the Before travelling to Brussels to meet “There are signs that this in Washington, including people in the Six months after Trump’s election fi ring of FBI director James Comey United States for its security. Trump on May 25, she will appear administration is capable of being White House and Congress. Weather report FBI won’t give up the Russia probe Three-day forecast TODAY High: 42 C investigation into the Trump would be the swift appointment of an The administration will therefore Low : 31 C By Harry Litman Inshore: Hazy at places at first Tribune News Service campaign’s dealings with fi gures independent counsel, who would be be under pressure to select a candidate becomes hot daytime with slight from the Russian government. Maybe able to insist on ample investigative of known integrity with experience dust and some clouds. something sinister like this is at resources and unfettered discretion. in the ways of the FBI, such as former uch remains unclear work. Or maybe the fi ring was just a The president has now waded into Deputy Atty. Gen. Mark Filip. THURSDAY about the sudden fi ring fi t of pique by this most erratic and truly dangerous waters with his tweet There’s one last line of defence in High: 40 C of FBI Director James B adolescent of presidents. war on Comey and his suggestion that the form of Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Low: 30 C MComey, but one point is But - and this is the key point that Comey “better hope” that there are no Rosenstein, who will oversee the Sunny beyond dispute: The original proff ered should calm patrons of the darkest secret tapes of their conversations. No Russia investigation for the Justice reason for the dismissal - that Comey fantasies - if the president’s goal in one of any sophistication could possibly Department. made improper public comments fi ring Comey was to scuttle the Russia credit the president’s version of events. Rosenstein, who wrote the FRIDAY about the bureau’s investigation into investigation, he has overplayed his In light of the comparisons to memo about Comey’s approach to High: 41 C Hillary Clinton’s use of a private hand. An investigation is underway, Watergate, it should not be forgotten the Clinton business, has already Low: 30 C e-mail server - was pretextual. staff ed by handpicked agents of an that Deep Throat, the source who resisted the administration’s efforts Sunny Comey’s public commentary on the organisation that is acutely aware of was instrumental in thwarting the to paint him as the moving force e-mail investigation was a violation - if not obsessed with - its image as conspiracy and bringing Nixon down, behind the director’s dismissal. And of long-standing Justice Department the premier federal law enforcement was the deputy director of the FBI. And like the other players in the drama, Fishermen’s forecast that scandal took place in a pre-email Rosenstein has strong cards to play policies, and a fi ring off ence. But his agency in the country. OFFSHORE DOHA comments were plainly not the reason For these agents, the investigation era when leaking was a much more against White House overreaching. Wind: NW-SW 05-15/20 KT the president lowered the boom: is a career-making opportunity. complicated enterprise. No ingenious The strongest of these is a threat to Waves: N 2-4/6 Feet Candidate Trump loudly praised And their motivation has now been use of parking garages is required resign, which would be a disaster for INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15/18 KT Comey’s actions at the time. And the augmented by outrage at Comey’s today to publicise nefarious political the administration. All indications Waves: 1-3/4 Feet president has now shifted ground, fi ring, which the agency sees as an interference by the White House. are that Rosenstein is resolved to admitting that the decision was assault on its independence. Nor is it obvious that the president be seen as ensuring an independent Around the region unrelated to the e-mail controversy. They are, moreover, sophisticated has the political manoeuvring investigation. Expect him soon to Weather Weather When the administration, already actors who know how to press the room to install a yes-man at the announce that additional resources today Max/min tomorrow Max/min operating under a cavernous truth levers of Washington - including the FBI. The choice will be the most have been devoted to the Russia case, Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/27 Sunny 38/28 defi cit, off ers a manifestly false press and the staff ers of congressional scrutinised of his presidency, and as Comey reportedly had requested. Baghdad Sunny 38/23 Sunny 41/26 Dubai account of such a signifi cant action, investigative committees - to fi ght the political establishment broadly The White House will have little Sunny 37/27 Sunny 39/28 Kuwait City P Cloudy 41/29 P Cloudy 41/29 the foreseeable result is that critics back against any eff ort to curb their wants to maintain the FBI’s ethos choice but to feign support. Manama Sunny 38/31 Sunny 38/31 will assume the worst, and that work. of independence. It would take the All this means that the Russia Muscat Sunny 39/32 Sunny 39/33 comparisons to Watergate will swirl If, for example, the president were defection of only a few Republican investigation is not going away Riyadh M Sunny 42/28 M Sunny 41/28 around the White House. to replace Comey with a lackey who senators to reject a questionable anytime soon, and that “all the Tehran Sunny 32/19 Sunny 31/21 In fact, the move has been widely attempted to throw sand in the gears nominee, or, far more ominous to the president’s men,” and possibly criticised as “Nixonian,” invoking of the investigation, the eff ort would administration, to establish a bipartisan the president himself, will remain the spectre that the president leak to the press in a Washington select congressional committee that can squarely in the crosshairs of the FBI acted to impede the FBI’s ongoing minute. And the likely outcome undertake its own investigation. and the Department of Justice. Live issues Weather’s impact on pregnancy diabetes

By Andrew M Seaman that research suggests exposure to the most -10 degrees Celsius (C), or 14 a big impact,” she said. The new study Reuters Health cold increases people’s sensitivity to degrees Fahrenheit (F), during the 30 can’t prove that warmer temperatures the hormone insulin. days before their gestational diabetes cause women to have gestational People with type 2 diabetes and test to women exposed to at least 24 diabetes, said Dr Kathryn Drennan, a et another reason to worry gestational diabetes don’t respond degrees C, about 75 degrees F, before maternal fetal medicine physician at about global warming may to or don’t produce enough of the their tests. the University of Rochester Medical Around the world be an increase in the number hormone, which helps the body The prevalence of gestational Centre in New York. Weather Weather of women who develop convert sugar into energy. diabetes among women exposed to For example, there may be other today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Y Athens Showers Showers 21/13 diabetes during pregnancy, suggests a Nearly one in 10 mothers-to-be colder outdoor temperatures was 4.6 seasonal factors influencing the 21/15 new study that found seasonal higher may develop gestational diabetes, %, compared to 7.7 % among women risk of gestational diabetes like Beirut Sunny 24/22 P Cloudy 24/22 T Storms T Storms 31/26 temperatures are tied to an increased according to the US Centres for exposed to warmer temperatures. fluctuating vitamin D levels, said Bangkok 30/27 Berlin P Cloudy 24/13 Sunny 26/14 risk for what’s known as gestational Disease Control and Prevention. Every 10 degree C increase in Drennan, who wasn’t involved with Cairo M Sunny 36/23 P Cloudy 36/21 diabetes. The condition increases the risk of average outdoor temperature was tied the new study. Cape Town P Cloudy 19/12 P Cloudy 19/13 Researchers found Canadian women women having gestational and type II to a 6% increase in the risk of women “I think for the average pregnant Colombo S T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 were more likely to be diagnosed diabetes in the future. developing gestational diabetes, the women, they shouldn’t be concerned Dhaka P Cloudy 33/26 S T Storms 33/26 Hong Kong P Cloudy 27/23 S Showers 25/23 with gestational diabetes if they were Also, it increases the risk of women researchers found. about this,” she told Reuters Health.”I Istanbul Cloudy 21/14 Cloudy 18/12 exposed to higher average outdoor having larger-than-normal babies that When they restricted the analyses to think from a systems-wide level, it’s Jakarta M Sunny 33/25 P Cloudy 33/25 temperatures during pregnancy, may result in delivery complications women who had more than one birth a bigger concern especially with the Karachi Sunny 33/28 Sunny 33/28 compared to women who were or C-sections. during the study period, the results warming climate.” London Rain 18/10 M Cloudy 18/09 Manila T Storms T Storms 34/27 pregnant in cooler periods. For the new study, the researchers were similar. The study gives researchers a reason 34/27 Moscow Showers 09/05 M Cloudy 17/07 “It’s compelling evidence that air analysed data from 396,828 women The increased risk may be important to investigate the relationship between New Delhi M Sunny 41/28 M Sunny 42/28 temperature is tied with increasing and their 555,911 deliveries in the as global temperatures are expected temperature and gestational diabetes, New York Sunny 31/21 P Cloudy 32/22 gestational risk,” said lead author Greater Toronto Area from 2002 to to rise 1 to 2 degrees C by 2050, Booth said Drennan. Paris P Cloudy 28/13 Rain 17/09 Dr Gillian Booth, of St Michael’s 2014. told Reuters Health. “This is the fi rst study I’ve seen Sao Paulo P Cloudy 20/14 Cloudy 21/14 Seoul P Cloudy 25/12 Sunny 26/12 Hospital and the Institute for Clinical The researchers compared the “That may seem like a small looking at this particular aspect of Singapore S T Storms 31/27 S T Storms 30/26 Evaluative Sciences in Toronto. risk of developing diabetes during number, but 10 to 15mn women around gestational diabetes,” she said. “It’s Sydney M Sunny 19/12 P Cloudy 20/15 Booth and colleagues write in the pregnancy among women exposed to the world have gestational diabetes a nice way to start looking at this Tokyo Cloudy 19/16 Cloudy 23/15 Canadian Medical Association Journal an average outdoor temperature of at annually and that may potentially have relationship.” Gulf Times 28 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 QATAR

Foreign minister welcomes Saudi counterpart to Museum of Islamic Art Five VCUQatar students win AEB awards

he Arab Engineering Bu- reau (AEB) presented Tthe 2017 awards for De- sign Excellence, and Creative Achievement and Potential to fi ve students from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) during a ceremony at the university re- cently. AEB’s group chief executive and chief architect Ibrahim Mo- hamed Jaidah, a long-time sup- porter and friend of VCUQatar, presented the AEB Award for Two award winners with Jaidah, Design Excellence in Graphic dean Kahera, and other off icials. Design to graduating student Eman O al-Jailay, and for Design dustry in Qatar, and it is our Excellence in Interior Design to absolute pleasure to be able graduating student Majdullin to award such individuals for Nasrallah. their hard work and help them The awards were instituted kick start their careers,” Jaidah by Jaidah to encourage and as- added. “I must also commend sist graduating students as they the level of education off ered start their careers as designers at VCUQatar. Over the past 11 in Qatar and the region. years I have had the pleasure of Jaidah is recognised as a working closely with a number pioneer of a new architectural of strong students who came to movement combining the far- us as interns, but also a number reaching infl uences of Islamic of graduates who have joined art with modern styles to create our team.” memorable landmark structures The AEB Award for Creative Three of the award winners. that are shaping Qatar. Achievement and Potential was “We are committed to na- presented to graphic design jun- skills through their senior year. awards recognised the students’ tional development and we are ior Amira Natsheh and interior The awards are a highlight of commitment to their future ca- invested in supporting young design juniors AlJazi al-Thani the academic year for VCUQa- reers in what is a very competi- HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Qatar Museums chief and enthusiastic generations of and Zeina Sleiman. tar’s students. tive and demanding environ- executive Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel bin designers from VCUQatar,” he These awards are aimed at VCUQatar dean Akel I Ka- ment. Ahmed al-Jubeir yesterday to the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. They toured one of the world’s said in a statement. helping junior students recog- hera said the university was Besides the awards, AEB and greatest collections of Islamic Art, which includes metalwork, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, textiles, “Over the years VCUQatar nise their true potential, create hugely grateful for the contin- Jaidah continue to partner with coins and glass. The museum attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. graduates have proved to be at leadership and encourage them ued support from AEB over the VCUQatar by off ering intern- the forefront of the design in- to continue developing their past decade and added that the ship opportunities to students. Ooredoo, AFG College ink deal partnership agreement has been signed between AOoredoo and AFG College with the University of Aberdeen, to share technology, expertise and services between the tel- ecommunications company and the college in Qatar. The agreement was signed by Dr Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh al-Thani, chairperson of Al Faleh Group for Educational and Academic Services, and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser al- Thani, chief new business offi cer at Ooredoo Qatar. The signing ceremony was attended by a number of offi - cials and stakeholders from both sides. Dr Sheikha Aisha praised the collaboration between AFG Col- lege and Ooredoo, a leader in in- tegrated ICT solutions. After several co-ordination meetings between the two par- ties, the agreement strengthens co-operation and partnership in achieving common interests. She also stressed that co- operation with Ooredoo is the best choice for AFG College in its march toward excellence in the information fi eld while keeping abreast of accelerating techno- logical developments. Dr Sheikha Aisha and Sheikh Nasser with other off icials at the signing ceremony. “At AFG College with the University of Aberdeen, we aim tions,” Dr Sheikha Aisha said. ating offi cer Yousif Abdullah nology in Qatar and the region expressed their admiration for university branch in the Middle It is consistently ranked to invest in providing the latest “So, we have made our goal to al-Kubaisi said that Ooredoo is by developing, innovating, and the quality of the faculty’s facili- East, especially in Qatar. among the top 200 universities in technical resources to students take advantage of the latest tech- pleased to partner with educa- providing the best solutions in ties. University of Aberdeen is an the world. by providing a solid foundation nology and communications re- tional institutions in Qatar such the fi eld. Al Faleh Group for Educational ancient and prestigious univer- As a result of the partnership, for an advanced infrastructure sources to ensure the success and as AFG College, as the company After completing the sign- and Academic Services has es- sity founded in 1495, making it AFG College with the University that adds value to our education- excellence of our students in the seeks to be one of the leading ing ceremony, the participants tablished a contractual partner- Scotland’s third-oldest univer- of Aberdeen will start its pro- al services and sets them apart digital age,” she added. providers of telecommunications toured the diff erent departments ship with the University of Aber- sity and fi fth-oldest in English- grammes by the beginning of the from other educational institu- Ooredoo Qatar’s chief oper- services and information tech- and facilities of AFG College and deen in the UK, to open the fi rst speaking world. academic year 2017/2018.

Qatargas chief executive Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani with senior management and employees. Qatargas honours staff for excellence and long service

he world’s largest liquefi ed ours employees for their dedi- bin Khalifa al-Thani said that achieving the Company’s busi- level of performance,” he added. instrumental in making Qatargas tional performance in 2016. natural (LNG) gas com- cated long-term service while the company has a rich history ness goals,” he told the winners of Referring to the Long Serv- what it is today – the world’s pre- In addition, 498 employees Tpany, Qatargas, recently the Shukran Award recognised of recognising exceptional per- the Shukran Award. ice Award winners, the chief mier LNG company.” received a Long Service Award recognised 677 employees at the outstanding achievements by formance. “I would like to take this op- executive said: “This award is During the ceremony, a total in acknowledgement of their annual Long Service Award and Qatargas employees. “I am delighted to present this portunity to say my personal a refl ection of your hard work, of 179 Qatargas employees were service and contribution to the Shukran Award Ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, award in recognition of your out- ‘shukran’ to all of you, and en- professionalism and valued con- presented the Shukran Award success of the company over the The Long Service Award hon- Qatargas chief executive Khalid standing contribution towards courage you to keep up this high tribution, all of which has been in recognition of their excep- years.