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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10094 May 20, 2016 Sha’baan 13, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir greets S Africa leader

In brief Search stepped

QATAR | Research Sheikha Moza visits up for crashed Harvard University HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, yesterday visited Harvard University’s Stem Cell EgyptAir plane Institute. She discussed ways of collaboration between the institute AFP “Whether it was an accident or an- and Qatar’s Biomedical Research Cairo other hypothesis that everyone has on Institute (QBRI) in stem cell research. their mind - a terrorist hypothesis...at HH Sheikha Moza also met a number this stage we must focus on our solidar- of Arab scientists working at Harvard gypt’s president demanded au- ity with the families and the search for University and the Massachusetts thorities step up the search for the causes of the catastrophe,” he said. Institute of Technology (MIT). Ean EgyptAir plane that crashed EgyptAir said contact was lost with She then visited Massachusetts yesterday in the Mediterranean with 66 the fl ight about 280km north of the General Hospital to see the latest people aboard, after confl icting reports Egyptian coast. advancements and technologies the of wreckage being found. A Greek aviation source said the fl ight hospital has to off er. His aviation minister said that while had disappeared from Greek radar at it was too soon to say why the Airbus A relative of a passenger who was flying around 0029 GMT. A320 fl ying from Paris to Cairo had aboard the crashed EgyptAir plane cries. “It crashed around 130 nautical miles QATAR | Fuel vanished, a “terrorist” attack would be off the island of Karpathos,” the source New grades for Super a more likely scenario than a technical ing the fi nding of wreckage of the miss- said, referring to an island northeast of failure. ing aircraft No. MS 804 near Karpathos Crete. and Premium gasoline The tragedy raised fears of a repeat of Island”. Greek civil aviation chief Constanti- Qatar Petroleum (QP) announced HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani welcomes South African the bombing of a Russian passenger jet It also said fl oating “life jackets and nos Litzerakos said the pilot had men- yesterday that the specifications President Jacob Zuma at the Emiri Diwan where he was accorded an off icial by the Islamic State (IS) militant group plastic material” had been discovered. tioned no problem in the last communi- of the automobile gasoline sold reception yesterday. Page 2 over Egypt last October that killed all But the head of the Greek air safe- cation before the plane disappeared, and at petrol stations across Qatar will 224 people on board. ty authority later said that wreckage it had not deviated from its course. be amended as of June 1. Under The plane vanished from radar found close to the area where the Egyp- “The fl ight controllers contacted the new specifications, ‘Super’ screens between the Greek islands and tAir went down “does not come from a the pilot (with the plane) at a height and ‘Premium’ gasoline grades the Egyptian coast overnight, without plane”. of 37,000ft (near Athens)...he did not will now become 95 octane (from its crew sending a distress signal. French President Francois Hollande mention a problem,” Litzerakos told 97) and 91 octane (from 90), Greek Defence Minister Panos Kam- confi rmed the plane had “crashed” Greece’s Antenna TV. respectively. The new specifications Ministry issues menos said the aircraft had plunged as authorities in both Paris and Cairo Neither the Greek coastguard nor the are consistent with international 22,000ft (6,700m) and swerved sharp- opened investigations. navy could confi rm reports that a pass- standard specifications in eff ect in ly twice in Egyptian airspace before it White House spokesman Josh Ear- ing ship had seen “a ball of fi re in the the GCC countries and most of the disappeared from radar screens. nest said “it’s too early to defi nitively sky”. world. QP has assured users that health alert over Both Egypt and Greece dispatched say what may have caused this disas- The civil aviation chief said if there ‘Super’ 95 and ‘Premium’ 91 are aircraft and naval vessels on a search ter”. had been an explosion, any debris would high quality fuel grades that suit all mission. Egypt’s Aviation Minister Sherif have scattered across a wide area. gasoline-driven cars in Qatar, and They were expected to be joined by Fathy said he was unable to “deny EgyptAir Holding Company vice recommended that drivers continue dust exposure French teams, while the US send a sur- the hypothesis of a terrorist attack or president Ahmed Adel also said there to use ‘Super’ and ‘Premium’ veillance plane to help with the opera- something technical”. had been “no distress call” before the gasoline as usual. tion. The airline said 15 French citizens plane vanished. eather forecast of strong dampened piece of towel to cover Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al- were among the 26 foreign passengers The passengers also included two Ira- wind and blowing dust has mouth and nose. Sisi demanded an “intensifi ed search” on the plane, who also included a Briton qis and one citizen from each of Algeria, AFRICA | Rescue Wprompted the Ministry Frequently change the mask or for the aircraft after confl icting reports and at least one Canadian. Belgium, Chad, Portugal, Saudi Arabia Fresh hopes for of Public Health to issue a detailed towel. emerged about the discovery of debris. Both France and Egypt have come and Sudan, as well as 30 Egyptians, the health advisory to Qatar residents. Avoid rubbing eyes to prevent eye The airline said on its Twitter ac- under attack by IS militants in the past airline said. Chibok schoolgirls Dust consists of particles that irritate infections and wear protective eye count that the Egyptian civil aviation year, and Hollande promised a compre- They included a boy and two babies. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu the lungs and cause allergies and exac- glasses when going out. ministry had received “an offi cial let- hensive probe into the cause of the crash Seven crew members and three secu- Buhari yesterday said there was fresh erbate asthma and hence the warning. Drivers must ensure all windows ter” from the foreign ministry “declar- as suspicions swiftly focused on a bomb. rity men were also on board. hope for the recovery of 218 Chibok All citizens and residents, espe- are closed while driving in dusty schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram cially elderly and those with asthma weather and only run the air condi- more than two years ago, as he met or respiratory diseases should avoid tioning system when needed. the first student to be found. Amina direct exposure to dust and stay at Individuals working in open areas Ali, 19, who was discovered by civilian home unless it is necessary to go out. should work in shifts to minimise the vigilantes and troops on Tuesday, Those who have recently had eye or exposure to dust. They should also and her mother, Binta, flew to the nose surgery ought to avoid exposure wear the protective mask and glasses. Boxing: Qatari to make capital, Abuja, to meet the president to dust. Individuals vulnerable to severe al- at his off icial Aso Rock residence. Ensure all doors and windows are lergies should start their prescribed Buhari said afterwards he was closed properly to prevent dust from antihistamine during sandstorms “delighted” at her release. Page 5 entering the building. even before any symptom occurs. history with fi rst pro bout If needed, use damp towels to seal After the sandstorm, clean all dust off any openings in windows and un- from the house, especially bedrooms EUROPE | Politics derneath the doors. and bedsheets. AFP is to win titles,” he said. Turkey names new Avoid open areas during the peak of The ministry has also urged resi- Doha Although he is said to train at a gym the sandstorm and low visibility. dents to report to the nearest health in Doha, Sheikh Fahad has also been prime minister Wash face, nose and mouth fre- centre in case of watery eyes, cough, preparing for the fi ght in Las Vegas. Turkey’s ruling party named a loyal quently to prevent dust from entering asthma or wheezing and to the Emer- Qatari sheikh will fi ght his and His opponent is aged 31 and fought ally of President Recep Tayyip lungs. gency Department if there is diffi culty the country’s fi rst ever profes- earlier this year at the O2, losing on Erdogan as the new prime minister Wear a protective mask or use a in breathing. Asional bout when he takes on points to Britain’s Josh Kennedy. yesterday, with the incoming premier Slovakia’s Elemir Rafael on the David Last October, Qatar hosted the immediately vowing to “work in total Haye undercard in London tomorrow. world amateur boxing championships harmony” with the strongman leader. Strong winds expected today Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani, a and had six fi ghters in the tournament. The ruling Justice and Development super lightweight, is turning pro after In the main event tomorrow, former Party (AKP) will off icially appoint Strong winds and poor visibility due On Wednesday, the Met department some 40 fi ghts as an amateur. world heavyweight champion Haye, Transport Minister Binali Yildirim as its to blowing dust are expected in some had said in a report that an extension He has also represented Qatar’s 35, will fi ght Kosovan Arnold Gjergjaj. chairman on Sunday, meaning he will parts of the country today, the Qatar of a high-pressure ridge was expected national team. On the offi cial site to Haye, who had previously retired, automatically become prime minister. Met department has said. to aff ect the country between this promote the bouts on May 21 at Lon- returned to the ring in January after a Yildirim will replace Ahmet Davutoglu, Off shore areas, too, are likely to see evening and Monday evening (May don’s O2 arena, Sheikh Fahad, 28, said three-and-a-half-year absence beat- who stepped down after a struggle strong winds along with high seas, 23), accompanied by fresh to strong he was “very proud” of representing ing Australian Mark de Mori. with Erdogan, as the president seeks according to the weather report. northwesterly winds. The wind speed Qatar. Gjergjaj, 31, is unbeaten in 29 fi ghts, to concentrate more power in the Visibility may drop to 2km or less in is likely to increase gradually, reaching “I’ve made history by being the Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani. but has only once fought outside Swit- presidential off ice. Page 10 some places at times. its peak tomorrow and on Sunday. first Qatari pro boxer, but my plan (WBCBoxing.com) zerland, where he is based. WISE shifting to biennial cycle from annual format

orld Innovation Summit our global and local research and out- “The next global Summit will take statement that Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin dulla guided WISE during its cru- Education, and the Learners’ Voice all for Education (WISE), an reach agenda.” place in Doha in November 2017,” an- Ali al-Thani has offi cially stepped cial, formative years and is largely carry his unique imprint. Winitiative of Qatar Foun- As part of this eff ort, WISE has nounced the CEO. down from his role as chairman of responsible for the fact that today He remains in contact with the WISE dation for Education, Science and launched a series of local and regional The precise dates are to be confi rmed WISE after over a decade of distin- WISE is widely recognised as the team and we continue to draw on his Community Development (QF), will gatherings that will take place between later. guished service to QF. premier global platform for innova- experience and expertise.” shift to a biennial cycle from the an- global summits and tentatively named Yiannouka also announced that fol- “Sheikh Dr Abdulla was very much tion in education. Yiannouka also added that WISE will nual format. WISE@. The fi rst two WISE@ events lowing the recent appointment of HE the driving force behind the WISE ini- “Sheikh Dr Abdulla greatly expanded support HE Sheikha Hind and her team In a statement released yesterday, will take place in Tunis on May 26 and Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani as tiative since its establishment in 2009 the range of programmes and activities in ensuring that QF continues to play WISE CEO Stavros N Yiannouka said in Beijing on November 5. CEO of QF, WISE is now working di- under the leadership of HH Sheikha that WISE undertakes on a year-round a signifi cant role in building the future that the change is “to allow more time A third gathering will likely follow in rectly with her offi ce. Moza bint Nasser,” Yiannouka recalled. basis; successful programmes such as of education in Qatar and around the and resources to be devoted to pursuing Europe in early 2017. The WISE CEO explained in the “As chairman, Sheikh Dr Ab- the WISE Awards, the WISE Prize for world. Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 20, 2016 QATAR

Official

Emir receives message from Eritrean president

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a written message from Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki pertaining to relations between Qatar and Eritrea and means of enhancing them. The message was received by HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Meraikhi during a meeting in Doha yesterday with HE Ambassador of Eritrea to Qatar Ali Ibrahim Ahmed. South African President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, reviewing a guard of honour at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Right: The Emir and President Zuma holding talks. Defence Minister meets US counterpart

HE the Minister of State for Defence Aff airs, Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah met in Washington with the US Qatar, South Africa sign Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter. They reviewed topics of common interest, especially in the defence sector and ways of enhancing them. The meeting was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to the pacts to boost relations United States, Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari and the delegation QNA accompanying the Minister of Doha State for Defence Aff airs. Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah has also met the Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services atar and South Africa Committee Senator John McCain. signed several agree- They reviewed topics of common Qments following offi cial interest, especially in the military talks held between HH the Emir aspects, and ways of enhancing Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- them. Thani and South African Presi- dent Jacob Zuma at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Civic Minister meets The talks were attended by Mexican off icial, Qatari ministers and the mem- bers of the offi cial delegation ac- Chinese envoy companying the South African president. HE the Minister of Municipality During the talks, the two sides and Environment Mohamed bin discussed ways to advance and Abdullah al-Rumaihi met Jose enhance ties of co-operation Calzada, Secretary of Agriculture between Qatar and South Af- for Mexico in Doha yesterday. rica in various fi elds, especially HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting the Talks focused on ways to trade, economic and investment members of the South African delegation. enhance co-operation between spheres. Qatar and Mexico in areas of They also exchanged views agricultural aff airs. on regional and international HE Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser al- issues of common concern, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and South African President Jacob Zuma witness the Thani, Assistant Undersecretary particularly the latest develop- signing of agreements between Qatar and South Africa at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. of Agricultural Aff airs, Livestock ments in Palestine, where the and Fisheries and Mexico’s two sides affi rmed their posi- ambassador in Qatar Francisco tion in support of the Pales- Javier Niembro Cibrian attended tinian people to restore their the meeting. legitimate national rights, and The Minister of Municipality also also stressed the need to inten- met the Chinese ambassador to sify international eff orts to re- Qatar Li Chen. alise lasting and comprehensive They discussed ways to enhance peace in the Middle East, which co-operation between Qatar and can only be achieved through China in the environmental and the end of the Israeli occupation Municipal Aff airs sector. of Arab territories and the es- tablishment of an independent Qatar-Switzerland Palestinian state with East Jeru- salem as its capital, in accord- ties reviewed ance with relevant international resolutions and the Arab peace HE the Assistant Foreign Minister initiative. for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad Following the meeting, HH corded an offi cial reception cer- Abdulrahman al-Thani held a al-Meraikhi met the Special Co- the Emir and President Zuma emony. meeting with the Minister of ordinator-Peace Policy Middle- witnessed the signing of a de- Following the offi cial talks, International Relations and Co- East & North Africa at Swiss fence co-operation agreement, HH the Emir hosted a luncheon operation of South Africa Maite Federal Department of Foreign a police co-operation agree- banquet in honour of President Nkoana-Mashabane here yes- Aff airs Roland Steininger. ment and an agreement on co- Zuma and the accompanying terday. Talks covered bilateral relations, operation in the fi elds of arts, delegation. They discussed relations be- ways of promoting them and culture and heritage between the The banquet was attended by tween Qatar and South Africa strengthening prospects of co- governments of Qatar and South a number of ministers and busi- and ways of enhancing them in operation, in addition to issues of Africa. nessmen. various fi elds, in addition to ex- mutual concern. Earlier on arrival at the Emiri Separately, HE the Foreign changing views on a number of Several Foreign Ministry off icials Diwan, President Zuma was ac- Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin issues of common concern. attended the meeting.

Message from Mauritania president Tunisian president hails ‘successful’ Qatar visit

QNA satisfaction with the role being perience, Essebsi said his coun- Doha played by the Tunisian commu- try is going through a diffi cult nity in Qatar,” he added. period and experiencing a dem- He praised Qatar’s fi rm sup- ocratictransition while stressing unisian President Beji port for all Tunisians, saying its strong determination to con- Caid Essebsi yesterday that Qatar’s position in support tinue on this path. Thailed his “successful and of Tunisia is ‘fi rm’. “The State of “I believe we are moving in fruitful” visit to Qatar towards Qatar stands alongside Tunisia, the right direction but all con- saying it aimed at further ad- all of Tunisia,” he said, dismiss- ditions for success are not yet vancing bilateral relations. ing as “groundless” any other completed,” he added, stressing In a meeting with representa- claims. the importance of achieving se- tives of the local media, Essebsi “We do not compromise oth- curity, eradicating terrorism and praised the level of the Qatari- ers in our sovereign convictions activating the national economy. Tunisian relations, stressing the and all our countries respect Tu- deep-rooted and historic ties as nisia, ...the sovereign decision well as the distinct co-operation President Essebsi interacting remains Tunisian whatever the Essebsi visits between the two countries. with the media yesterday. cost,” he added. Tunisian school Qatar is the largest Arab in- President Essebsi also stressed vestor in Tunisia and the second economic and urban sectors. the excellent relations between Tunisian President Beji Caid after France, he said, expressing President Essebsi expressed his country and the Arab and Essebsi yesterday visited the hope that this visit would con- satisfaction over the particular European countries thanks to its Tunisian school in Doha. tribute to enhancing relations to care and attention given to the geographical position. The Tunisian president achieve broader horizons. Tunisian community in Qatar, Tunisia is keen to invest its met the administrative and HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a written message from the President of “We believe that Qatar, thanks pointing out that the number of Arab-Arab and Islamic-Arab educational cadre as well Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, inviting him to attend the Arab League Council’s 27th to its great achievements and the Tunisian residents in Qatar has roots while taking advantage of as pupils. He listened to ordinary session at the summit level to be held in Nouakchott. Mauritanian Minister of Islamic wise leadership will be among quintupled during the four years its close position to Europe in their demands and off ered Aff airs and Original Education Ahmed Ould Ehil Daoud handed over the message when the Emir the developed countries,” he to reach about 20,000. building excellent relations with a collection of books and met him at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. said, hailing the great develop- “I am pleased that the Qa- both sides. stories to the school library. ment witnessed by Qatar in the tari government has expressed On Tunisia’s democratic ex- Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Media freedom a Saudi reforms on distant goal, says right track: IMF top Sudan editor AFP ranked Sudan near the bottom of a world press AFP sets a bold and far-reaching trans- “Saudi fi scal policy is appropri- Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest Khartoum freedom index. Riyadh formation of the economy to di- ately adjusting to the drop in oil oil exporter, in 2015 posted a record President Omar al-Bashir’s Arab-domi- versify growth, reduce depend- prices,” said the IMF, welcoming budget defi cit of $98bn and pro- nated government in Khartoum limits inter- ence on oil and increase the role of the control of public spending and jected a shortfall of $87bn this year. he message is clear for Sudanese edi- national media access to confl ict zones like he International Monetary the private sector. energy price reforms. The IMF also said the exchange tor Osman Mirgani whose newspaper Darfur, while rights groups regularly accuse Fund yesterday welcomed The foundation of the plan, It said more actions were needed rate peg of the riyal to the US dol- Tresumed printing last week after a fi ve- Sudan’s security forces of detaining activists Taccelerated economic re- launched by Deputy Crown Prince to balance a budget defi cit esti- lar continues to serve Saudi Arabia month ban: “real journalism” remains a risky and opposition politicians. forms by Saudi Arabia to reduce Mohamed bin Salman, is the sale of mated at 14% of gross domestic well. business in his country. Asked why Al Tayar was regularly targeted, its reliance on oil but said more less than 5% of state oil giant Saudi product this year. Due to the severe impact of the Mirgani, a US-educated engineer turned Mirgani said it could be because of his shoot- measures are needed to cover a fi s- Aramco in what offi cials say will be “Such fi scal consolidation plunge in oil revenues on the Saudi editor-in-chief of independent daily Al Tayar, from-the-hip style of speaking out and sev- cal defi cit. the world’s largest ever initial pub- should include further adjust- economy, international ratings said he was pleased to see his newspaper back eral corruption scandals the newspaper had Over the past 12 months “there lic off ering. ments in domestic energy prices, agencies have lowered the king- on the stands but feared its return could be exposed over the years. has been a signifi cant acceleration Proceeds from the share off er fi rm control of expenditures, and dom’s credit worthiness. short-lived. “We are trying to do independent journal- in reforms in Saudi Arabia,” an IMF will contribute to creating the big- further increases in non-oil rev- Crude prices, which still ac- “The risk to do real journalism is increasing ism. We are trying to be a tool of reform in Su- team said in a statement following gest government investment fund enues,” the IMF said. count for the majority of Saudi every day in Sudan,” Mirgani told AFP in an in- dan,” said the 54-year-old editor. a visit to the kingdom. in the world, with a value of $2tn, It welcomed the planned intro- revenue, have slumped by around terview at his newspaper’s offi ce in downtown Al Tayar’s latest suspension which lasted for It said the Vision 2030 plan, an- whose profi ts can provide an alter- duction of a value-added tax in half since they started to decline in Khartoum where armed men stormed in and 150 days came after it published a series of ar- nounced by Riyadh last month, native to lower oil revenues. 2018 and other tax measures. mid-2014. beat him up in July 2014. ticles criticising the government over subsidy “We need some time to realise that freedom cuts on fuel and electricity. of expression and freedom of media is good for “They never give you a written paper...They both, for the people and for the government,” just call you by telephone and say: ‘You are he said, speaking in English. closed starting tomorrow. Why? Don’t ask’.” Al Tayar has been suspended three times so Al Tayar resumed printing only after it chal- far by the powerful National Intelligence and lenged the NISS in the Constitutional Court - Security Service (NISS), the longest ban run- the country’s highest - which ordered the ban ning for two years between 2012 to 2014. be lifted. The print runs have been confi scated at Mirgani said it would take time to win back least 15 times by NISS agents. his readers, but he takes pride in the fact that “We have some undeclared redlines, at any none of his 40 journalists had abandoned the time maybe we can cross any of these red lines paper. and you fi nd yourself closed again,” said Mir- “But during those fi ve months we suff ered gani, who studied engineering in Cairo and the a critical fi nancial situation,” he said, adding United States before turning to journalism two that after the 2012-2014 suspension it had decades ago. taken three months just to resume printing. “Every day when we read our newspaper... Mirgani said he was saddened that Sudan, we feel very happy that we managed to survive a country of 37mn people, was served by only till the next morning.” 20 newspapers with a combined circulation of Since April, NISS has also confi scated print 300,000, of which Al Tayar sold about 35,000. runs of several other newspapers, including “Sudanese respect print more than tel- Akhir Lahza, Al Saiha, Al Taghyeer and Al Ga- evision...The newspaper is still the engine of reeda. information in Sudan,” he said, hoping the Entire print runs of newspapers are seized growing digitalisation of the press would wid- regularly by NISS agents over articles they en its reach. deem inappropriate. “The future of newspapers is the future of In its 2016 report, media watchdog Report- Sudan,” Mirgani said. ers Without Borders (RSF) said NISS “hounds “If the government’s thinking is not journalists and censors the print media”. It changed, nothing will be changed.” Russia to loan $25bn to Egypt for new nuclear power plant

Reuters used over 22 years in 43 instalments,” the ga- Cairo zette said. The loan will fi nance 85% of the value of each contract for the work, services and ussia will loan Egypt $25bn to fi nance equipment shipping, the gazette said. Egypt building and operating a nuclear power will fi nance the remaining 15%. Iraqi government forces celebrate with national flags on a street in the western town of Rutba after they recaptured it from the Islamic State militants. Rplant in Egypt, the offi cial gazette said The plant will be built in Dabaa, a site in the yesterday. north of the country that Egypt has been con- Egypt and Russia signed an agreement on sidering for a nuclear power plant on and off November 19 for Russia to build Egypt’s fi rst since the 1980s. nuclear power plant in Egypt and to extend It is due to be completed in 2022, and the Iraq announces recapture of western town from IS Egypt a loan to cover the cost of construction. fi rst of its four reactors is expected to begin It was not clear at the time what the deal producing power in 2024. was worth, but Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Egypt, with a population of 90mn and vast AFP “The Joint Operations Com- ern Anbar province along the gained signifi cant ground from al-Sisi said the loan would be paid off over 35 energy requirements, is seeking to diversify its Baghdad mand announces the complete main road to Jordan, three days the militants, securing the years. energy sources. liberation of the Rutba district,” it earlier. Ramadi area earlier this year and Egypt will pay an interest rate of 3% annu- As well as a nuclear plant, Sisi has talked of said in a statement. IS overran large areas north and retaking the town of Heet last ally, according to the country’s offi cial gazette. building solar and wind energy facilities in the raq yesterday announced that “Special forces, soldiers and po- west of Baghdad in June 2014, and month. Instalment payments will begin on October coming three years to generate around 4,300 its forces have recaptured the lice took part in the operation,” the later made further advances in An- But parts of Anbar - including 15, 2029. megawatts of power. Iwestern town of Rutba which statement said. bar, seizing its capital Ramadi in its second city Fallujah - are still “The loan will be used by the Egyptian side The country also recently discovered a large had been held by the Islamic State Iraqi forces launched the drive 2015. under IS control, as is most of Nin- for a period of 13 years between 2016-2028... reserve of natural gas off the Mediterranean militant group since 2014. to retake Rutba, located in west- Iraqi forces have since re- eveh province, to its north. the Egyptian side will repay loan amounts coast.

Tunisia’s Ennahda to separate Savouring freedom politics from Islamic activity

AFP minute surprise, said: “We are going Tunis towards a party which specialises in po- litical activities. We are leaving political Islam and entering democratic Islam. We unisia’s Islamist Ennahda party are Muslim democrats who are no longer will separate it religious activities claim to represent political Islam.” Tfrom political ones, its chief said He described Ennahda as a “political, in statements published yesterday ahead democratic and civil party” but said its of a weekend congress to formalise the point of reference remain rooted in the change. values of ancient and modern Islam. Rached Ghannouchi, an intellectual Ghannouchi and other intellectuals who once advocated a strict application inspired by Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood of Islamic Shariah law, told French daily in 1981 founded the Islamic Tendency Le Monde there was no room left in post- Movement, which became Ennahda in Arab Spring Tunisia for “political Islam”. 1989. “Tunisia is now a democracy. The The party was persecuted under the 2014 constitution has imposed limits on regime of strongman Zine El Abidine extreme secularism and extreme reli- Ben Ali and his predecessor Habib Bour- gion,” he was quoted as saying. guiba. “We want religious activity to be com- Ghannouchi was sentenced to jail pletely independent from political activ- under Bourguiba and lived in exile for ity. 20 years, returning home after the 2011 “This is good for politicians because Arab Spring uprising ousted Ben Ali. they would no longer be accused of ma- He received a triumphant welcome nipulating religion for political means from supporters and won the post-rev- and good for religion because it would olution election in October 2011, but two not be held hostage to politics,” said years later Ghannouchi had to step aside Ghannouchi. amid a deep political crisis. His comments come on the eve of a In 2014, the secularist Nidaa Tounes three-day congress for Ennahda, which party of President Beji Caid Essebsi won is part of a coalition government. parliamentary elections, beating Ennah- Leaders say the congress will take the da which came second. formal step of making the separation be- But in January Ennahda became the Palestinian journalist, Mohamed al-Qiq hugs his wife Fayha Shalash in his village Dura, in southern West Bank after he was released from the Israeli Nafha tween political and Islamic activities. single biggest party when some lawmak- Prison. Al-Qiq, held by Israel without trial, agreed on February 26, 2016 to end his 94-day hunger strike under a deal for his release in May. He was released Ghannouchi, who is expected to be re- ers quit Nidaa Tounes to form a new bloc near the Jewish settlement of Beit Hagai, at the southern entrance to the occupied West Bank city of Hebron near his village. elected as party head barring any last- in parliament. Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 20, 2016 ARAB WORLD Hardliner to join Netanyahu team

AFP Since its formation in May 2015, Lieber- not just with Yisrael Beitenu but also with Jerusalem man had repeatedly branded the current the centre left. fi ve-party coalition as “defeatist” but on Netanyahu had been widely expected to Wednesday he told a news conference that make a deal with the leader of the opposi- rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he would be open to joining it if key de- tion Labour party, Isaac Herzog. looked set yesterday to form the mands were met. Months of secret talks between the two Pmost right-wing government in Is- He said one of them was the death pen- men made headlines in recent days, with raeli history, with Avigdor Lieberman, a alty for perpetrators of anti-Israeli attacks Herzog tipped for foreign minister ahead hardliner loathed by Palestinians, expect- and hinted that Netanyahu’s government of a French-led push for renewed peace ed to become defence minister. could accede to that demand. talks this summer. Netanyahu aides were in talks with of- Lieberman has long expressed mistrust But Netanyahu’s 11th-hour tilt to the far fi cials of Lieberman’s hawkish Yisrael in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas right appeared to jeopardise those hopes, Beitenu party on terms for its entry to the and called for his removal. drawing criticism from some newspapers. ruling coalition, which would boost its Just a month ago, he said that if he were “Instead of presenting to the world, in People protest against rising bread prices by the gate of Maaret al-Numan bakery in the rebel-controlled area currently wafer-thin majority in parlia- defence minister, he would give Hamas’s advance of the serious diplomatic chal- of Maaret Al Numan town in Idlib province. ment. Gaza leader Ismail Haniya 48 hours to lenges that lie ahead of us in the autumn, a Leaks to the Israeli media from both hand over detained Israeli civilians and more moderate government, Netanyahu is sides said a deal was close to being fi nal- the bodies of soldiers killed in the 2014 war presenting to the world the most extreme ised. “or you’re dead”. government ever to have served here,” the Yisrael Beitenu holds six of the 120 seats The Palestinian foreign ministry said centrist Yediot Aharonot newspaper said. Syrian govt forces, allies capture in parliament and its entry into govern- yesterday that should Lieberman join the Mtanes Shihadeh, Israeli studies pro- ment would be a major boost for Netanya- government it would be good news for Is- fessor at Birzeit University in the West hu, who has not concealed his ambition to raeli “settlers and ultra-extremists.” Bank, said most Palestinians didn’t see extensive area near Damascus expand on the coalition’s current 61 seats. “The inclusion of Lieberman, known for much diff erence between Lieberman and The return of Lieberman, who served his extreme rightwing (views) toward Pal- other Israeli politicians. as foreign minister under Netanyahu from estinians, is new evidence that Netanyahu “Even if Labour joins (the government), Reuters day when government forces and killed by what it said was rebel 2009 to 2012 and again from 2013 to 2015, as usual prefers to promote extremism in maybe there would be some kind of slow- Beirut Hezbollah fi ghters captured the shellfi re. could raise international concern about his government,” a statement said. ing down in settlement building, but the town of Deir al-Asafi r, and then Separately, southwest of Da- his government’s policies - especially on “The decision represents Netanyahu’s core issues will not change.” seized a number of other areas mascus, the Syrian army and its the confl ict with the Palestinians. response to French, international and re- The right-wing Maariv newspaper yrian government forces and nearby, closing off a pocket of rebel allies pressed attacks to try to As defence minister, Lieberman, who gional eff orts to revive the peace process agreed that Israel was about to get the allies including Lebanese control in Eastern Ghouta, the shore up control of a main highway himself lives in a Jewish settlement in the between the two sides - Palestinian and “most right-wing and most extremist gov- SHezbollah fi ghters yesterday British-based Observatory said. running from the capital to south- occupied West Bank, would oversee mili- Israeli - and sends a strong message to the ernment since the founding of the state”. seized an extensive area south- Pro-opposition Orient News western Syria, including Quneitra tary operations in the Palestinian territo- world.” Lieberman’s appointment to the defence east of Damascus from rebels television reported that govern- province and the Golan Heights, ries and have a major say in policy towards France is currently seeking to revive ministry in place of former armed forces and fought other insurgents near ment forces had “taken complete the Observatory said. the settlements. moribund peace negotiations, frozen since chief of staff Moshe Yaalon is also likely to a highway leading southwest, a control” of the southern part of Government forces have carried The international community considers April 2014, but Israel has rejected the idea raise the hackles of senior commanders. monitoring group said. Eastern Ghouta. The region has out dozens of air raids around the the settlements illegal and regards their of an international peace conference - in- Yaalon had been at loggerheads with The advance is part of a wider long been held by rebels. town of Khan al-Shih, where rebel persistent expansion by successive Netan- stead pushing for direct bilateral talks. Netanyahu over his insistence that sen- escalation in fi ghting that has ac- Most of Eastern Ghouta is still in groups control areas straddling the yahu governments as one of the biggest The government’s embrace of Lieber- ior offi cers be encouraged to “speak their companied failed diplomatic ef- rebel hands, but yesterday’s gains highway, it said. obstacles to peace. man comes after weeks of negotiations, mind.” forts to end the fi ve-year confl ict. could pave the way for further gov- The capture of Khan al-Shih Syria’s war has killed 250,000 ernment and Hezbollah advances would help secure control of the people, created the worst refugee there, Observatory director Rami road, Abdulrahman said. crisis since World War II, allowed for Abdulrahman said. The Syrian army said in a video the rise of Islamic State and drawn in Government forces and their al- report that rebels attacked the area many regional and global powers. lies have recently sought to exploit fi rst, and had been beaten back and The Syrian Observatory for Hu- rebel infi ghting in areas east of the driven from some of their positions Gazans feel borders closing man Rights said it was one of the Syrian capital. by government forces. most signifi cant government ad- The insurgents have failed to The Observatory did not imme- vances this year, after its forces halt that violence despite attempts diately report signifi cant advances. took territory in northwestern and at mediation. The fi ghting raged despite inter- central Syria. Hundreds of families fl ed Deir national attempts to revive a wider in as exit options diminish Insurgents have also advanced al-Asafi r yesterday because of ceasefi re in western Syria and re- in some areas recently, including in the intensity of the clashes be- start peace talks. Aleppo province. tween the government side and the Fighting continues elsewhere in By Nidal al-Mughrabi, has been struggling to handle Hezbollah’s Al Manar television rebels, the Observatory said. western Syria, including in Aleppo Reuters an infl ux of refugees from the said the fi ghting in Damascus’s Hezbollah fi ghters played a and Latakia provinces, and Islamic Gaza City wars in Syria and Iraq, told Eastern Ghouta suburbs was part key role in the assault, Abdulrah- State is engaged in battles farther Reuters the policy had not of a new military operation by the man said, which took place near east separately against government changed but did not elaborate. Syrian army against the rebels. to where the group’s top military forces, Kurdish fi ghters and a US- bu Abdallah, the owner For those in Gaza, often The fi ghting began early yester- commander in Syria was recently led air campaign. of a women’s fashion described by residents as an Astore in Gaza, travelled open-air prison, the sense of to Jordan seven times last year confi nement grows more acute. Tunisian forces kill so he could fl y on to Turkey and Since 2006, when Israel’s Egypt looking for new stock. tighter restrictions began, fol- IS commander This year, he has not been lowing Hamas’s victory in elec- Libya pleads for arms allowed out of the fenced-in tions and a short confl ict be- unisian special forces have strip once. tween Israel and Hamas, the killed a senior command- For a decade, Israel has population of Gaza has increased AFP on the Mediterranean coast which it Ter of an Islamic State af- maintained tight restrictions A member of the Palestinian security forces loyal to Hamas by 500,000 - more than 30%. Tripoli has controlled since last June. fi liate during clashes with the on the movement of goods speaks on a walkie-talkie at the Rafah border crossing between Palestinian human rights The militant group claimed group in a central, mountainous and people in and out of Gaza, Egypt and southern Gaza Strip. groups estimate that only responsibility for Wednesday’s region, the Tunisian Ministry of largely in an eff ort to put the around 5 % of the total are ibya’s unity government bombing which according to the Defence said yesterday. squeeze on Hamas, the Islam- son or someone who can help. In a letter, Human Rights granted permits by Israel - yesterday urged the inter- military killed at least seven peo- Security forces are engaged in a ist movement that seized con- If this continues I may lose my Watch this week called on usually for emergency medical Lnational community to ac- ple in Buairat el-Hassun, 60km crackdown on Islamic State mili- trol of the territory in 2007. work,” said Abu Abdallah, 43, the Jordanian authorities to treatment or for business. celerate the arming of its forces west of Sirte. tants after they carried out four Under President Abdel Fattah who had to delay the opening ease the restrictions, saying it Egypt opens Rafah only a after 32 of its fi ghters were killed IS said the attack was carried major attacks in the last year. al-Sisi, Egypt has applied even of a second store because he was making the situation for few days every three months. in clashes with militants and a car out by two suicide bombers - a Tunisian troops often clash stricter measures since 2013, could not travel to buy stock. Gazans ever more diffi cult. It last opened it on May 11 bombing. Sudanese fi ghter and another for- with militants allied with Al barely ever opening its border “With Egypt’s crossing “Palestinians from Gaza for 48 hours, allowing 700 The United States, Italy and Lib- eigner whose nationality was not Qaeda operating near the Algeri- with Gaza at Rafah and fl ooding almost always closed, I am have found it increasingly people to cross, mostly medi- ya’s allies and neighbours agreed in given. an border, but last year’s attacks a network of tunnels along the trapped like a rabbit in a cage,” diffi cult to get permission to cal cases and students. Vienna on Monday to exempt the Twenty-fi ve other members of were claimed by fi ghters loyal to frontier to stop smuggling. he told Reuters at his shop, transit through Jordan to travel That was a fraction of the Government of National Accord forces loyal to the GNA were killed Islamic State or its local affi liate A remaining lifeline for decorated with mannequins abroad, without any explana- 30,000 who applied. (GNA) from a UN arms embargo to in fi ghting with IS in Abu Grein, a Jund al-Khilafah. Gaza’s 1.95mn residents was dressed in clothes from Turkey. tion for the change,” HRW’s The clampdown on the Jor- help it confront the threat from the key crossroads further west, the “After monitoring terrorist ele- a transit permit from Jordan, Jordan says it has not Middle East director Sarah dan option has widened alarm. Islamic State (IS) group. military said. ments in the Mghila mountains, allowing the bearer to travel changed policy, but rights Leah Whitson wrote to the Jor- Palestinian Prime Minister The GNA urged the interna- The Tripoli-based unity gov- special forces clashed with the ter- through Israel and the West groups say many fewer per- danian authorities. Rami al-Hamdallah, based in tional community “to take re- ernment, formed under a Decem- rorists and killed Saif Eddin Jam- Bank to Jordan. mits have been approved since “Jordan certainly should the West Bank, said he was do- sponsibility and to accelerate the ber power-sharing deal agreed by mali known as Abu Qaqaa, one of But Jordan has now cut last August. control its borders but it ing all he could to improve the implementation of its promises” some lawmakers from both sides, the most dangerous terrorist lead- back those permits, residents A Palestinian offi cial with should continue to recognise situation. including the exemption to the has announced the formation of ers in Tunisia in Jund al-Khilafah,” and rights groups say, leaving knowledge of transit to Jordan the special duties it has toward “We have intensive contacts embargo on weapons sales, in a a new military command to take the defence ministry said. Gazans in despair and liveli- said the number of travel- those whose freedom of move- with our Jordanian brothers to statement published on its Face- charge of the battle against IS. It said the special forces seized hoods at risk. lers from Gaza had dropped to ment from Gaza it has facili- obtain more (transit) letters for book page. But armed forces loyal to the weapons and other military equip- “I have been going around around 10 a day, from dozens tated until now.” our people in Gaza,” he told re- It comes as IS seeks to expand other government based in the far ment in the operation late on like crazy, trying to fi nd a rea- each day in 2015. An offi cial in Jordan, which porters in Ramallah this week. westwards out of its stronghold Sirte east are also preparing to battle IS. Wednesday, without giving details.

Egypt’s fi rst woman rally driver shows desert racing not for men only

By Ola Noureldin, Reuters rally, the El Remal Desert Challenge lends itself to off -road driving, Cairo in Egypt’s western desert, Shal- used to be a stop on the Dakar Ral- aby’s critics were forced to think ly, the famous endurance challenge again. launched in 1978. hen Yara Shalaby got lost She went on to compete in Qa- The race shifted to Latin America in the desert during her tar and the United Arab Emirates in 2009 due to security concerns. Wfi rst race, she felt she had and ranked fi rst in her category in Shalaby, who juggles her roles handed victory to all those who had Egypt’s Pharaons International as mother of a six-year-old boy, mocked her decision to become Cross Country Rally in 2014. IT specialist at a bank and profes- Egypt’s fi rst woman rally driver. In further proof that rally driving sional rally driver, has always been “I was told: ‘You’re a girl, you is not a male-only sport, this year drawn to the desert. can’t race. Shalaby set up the Middle East’s “I loved the desert environ- Girls can barely drive on asphalt, fi rst women’s rally team, the Ga- ment since I was a kid. I used to go let alone race in a desert’,” the zelle Rally which has seven drivers on safaris and camps all the time, 34-year-old said. “All the depress- and has secured sponsorship for but being able to race in the desert ing people around me were happy 2016. gives me a special rush and joy,” she with this experience because it Sporting a black team-shirt, said. proved them right. Shalaby climbs into her Land “When I fi rst started racing, “But I was not (happy),” she said Cruiser to show off her skills be- male drivers used to tease me... of her failure to make the fi nish line hind the wheel, leaving a cloud of But now, I get really good feedback in Egypt’s El Gouna Rally Cup in dust as she speeds into the sand on from them. 2013. the eastern edge of Cairo, looping They are usually very excited Six months later, when she came and twisting through the scrub. about my achievements and they second in what was only her second Egypt, whose rough, dry terrain constantly encourage me.” Yara Shalaby speaks to Reuters on the outskirts of Cairo. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 5 AFRICA Rescued Chibok girl and Buhari

Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki, a Nigerian schoolgirl rescued after over two years of captivity with Boko Haram meet in capital militants, presents her child to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. Reuters days after her rescue, wore a veil the government school in Chibok boost to Buhari, a former mili- bok, one of the most audacious Boko Haram but of her joy at at- Binta said Amina’s father died Maiduguri and multi-coloured dress as se- in April 2014. tary ruler who made crushing the assaults of a seven-year-old in- tending school. some months after his daughter curity guards escorted her into She was found with her four- Boko Haram Islamist insurgency surgency to set up an Islamic She told the Murtala Mu- was abducted. Buhari’s offi ce in the Nigerian month-old baby while a “sus- a pillar of his presidential cam- state in the north. hammed Foundation, a Nige- “After Amina was kidnapped, Nigerian schoolgirl res- capital Abuja. pected Boko Haram terrorist” paign in 2015. More than 15,000 people have rian non-profi t organisation re- only two (of our children) are left cued after over two years She was accompanied by her called Mohammed Hayatu, who However, an assertion from been killed and 2mn displaced in searching a book on the Chibok alive,” she said, adding her son Aof captivity with Boko mother, Binta, and Nigeria’s said he was Amina’s husband, activist group #Bringbackour- Nigeria and neighbouring Chad, girls, that she was not sure of the and daughter live in Lagos. Haram militants met President minister of defence and national was also detained, the army said. girls that the remaining ab- Niger and Cameroon. age of Amina, the youngest of her She said she constantly Muhammadu Buhari yesterday security adviser. Pictures released by the Nige- ductees were under heavy Boko Some girls escaped in the me- 13 children. thought of her daughter, who amid hopes that she can shed Soldiers working with a civil- rian military yesterday showed Haram guard in the Sambisa for- lee but parents of the remain- “She always sewed her own helped her around the house. light on the fate of 218 other ab- ian vigilante group found Amina the clean-shaven man in a white est, the Islamic militants’ fi nal ing 219 accused then-president clothes,” her mother said in the “(My son) said I should take ducted Chibok girls. on Tuesday near Damboa, south shirt and cream slacks sitting be- stronghold, will put pressure on Goodluck Jonathan of not doing interview released to the Thom- it easy and stop crying,” she told Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki, who of Maiduguri. side Amina on a hospital bed cra- him to send in rescue squads. enough to fi nd their daughters. son Reuters Foundation by Aisha the Foundation. “He reminded was fl own in from the northeast Offi cials confi rmed she was dling the infant in his arms. Boko Haram captured 276 girls Amina’s mother last year Oyebode of the Murtala Mu- me that I am not the only parent regional capital Maiduguri two one of 219 girls abducted from Amina’s rescue should give a in their night-time raid on Chi- spoke of her daughter’s fear of hammed Foundation. who lost a child.” Kenyan government urges critics Protesters arrested for torching building not to protest over electoral body at S Africa university

Reuters said security services used ex- Reuters tive council at the university, Nairobi cessive force. Johannesburg blamed unidentifi ed people Western diplomats have urged for “hijacking the protests” by the authorities and citizens to lighting fi res at the campus. enya’s government has prepare carefully for presidential outh African authorities University offi cials were not called on its opponents and parliamentary elections due arrested at least 30 stu- available to comment. Knot to stage street protests in August 2017, in a nation where Sdents after the torching The government said the against an electoral oversight ethnic fi ghting followed the 2007 of a building at the University event to mark the centenary of commission that they accuse of vote and the 2013 result was dis- of Fort Hare during overnight the university in Eastern Cape bias, after three demonstrations puted via the courts. protests, local media said yes- Province today would go ahead in less than a month led to clash- The opposition, led by Raila terday , a day before a visit by as planned. es with police. Odinga who unsuccessfully chal- President Jacob Zuma visit to As well as Zuma, Zimba- On Monday, police fi red tear- lenged the 2013 result and is ex- mark its centenary. bwe’s President Robert Mu- gas and water cannon at protest- pected to run again, has promised Television station eNCA said gabe is among those scheduled ers outside the Nairobi offi ces of more protests. the detained students were to attend the event. the Independent Electoral and It blamed police for the vio- due to appear in court to face South Africa’s late president Boundaries Commission (IEBC). lence. The police said they would charges. Nelson Mandela is one of the Some offi cers with batons investigate offi cers who broke the Some students were gath- university’s alumni. pursued protesters, beating and law. ering at the campus to march “We were planning a na- kicking them. The IEBC was set up under the to the court in solidarity with tional and international event A few demonstrators had 2010 constitution, drawn up in their colleagues, it said. here that is expected to be at- thrown stones. the wake of the post-2007 elec- It was not immediately clear tended by fi ve presidents who “There are legal, constitutional tion violence in which 1,200 peo- why the students were protest- come from (the region),” said and progressive ways of address- ple were killed. ing. police spokesman Khaya Ton- ing issues without violence and Voting in Kenya is largely guid- At least six South African jeni, adding that more details shedding blood through dem- ed by ethnic loyalties rather than universities have been hit by on the overnight clashes would onstration,” Deputy President political allegiances. sporadic protests this year, be provided later. William Ruto said in comments The opposition has sought A picture taken on Monday in Nairobi shows a Kenyan riot police off icer repeatedly kicking an usually over local campus Earlier this month, angry made in the northeast of Kenya talks to reform the commission. unresponsive fallen protester. grievances. residents torched 19 schools in and released in a statement. “I have no powers to disband Last year South Africa ex- the northern Limpopo prov- The United States, Kenyan ac- IEBC,” said President Uhuru law nor allow others to do so.” Critics say that the IEBC lacks One way to disband the IEBC perienced nationwide student ince, protesting a change in tivists and international rights Kenyatta, who is expected to seek The commission oversees the neutrality required to ref- would be via a public petition marches against increases in municipal boundaries which groups have condemned the po- a second and fi nal term in 2017. “I elections in Kenya, including en- eree a fair election and wants it seeking the support of parlia- university fees. they say is a recipe for poor lice action. took an oath to defend the con- suring voter lists are up to date scrapped. IEBC members deny ment, where Kenyatta’s coalition Bulali Rawana, president social services, as tensions rise US Ambassador Robert Godec stitution and will not break the and supervising counting. the charges. has a majority. of the students’ representa- ahead of local polls in August.

Congo president’s rival charged Five peacekeepers die in Mali ambush with employing mercenaries AFP Bamako

Reuters/AFP The charges could carry the Kinshasa death penalty although the he UN said yesterday that Congo has observed a morato- fi ve Chadian peacekeep- rium on capital punishment for Ters had been killed and n opposition presidential over a decade. three others wounded during an candidate in the Congo, Katumbi has denied the alle- ambush in northeastern Mali, Ain hospital since clash- gations as “grotesque lies”. raising concern over the rising ing with police during a protest He has claimed that the case body count of its mission in the last week, has been indicted on against him, opened on May 4 country. charges of hiring mercenaries as following the arrest of four of The attack, which took place part of a plot against the state, a his bodyguards, is politically on Wednesday, occurred as the prosecutor said yesterday. motivated. soldiers were escorting a convoy An arrest warrant had been Human Rights Watch has in Aguelhok in the Kidal region. issued for Moise Katumbi, who slammed the case as “targeted They hit a landmine and then has denied the accusations that actions against a presidential came under sustained gunfi re, he says are aimed at derailing aspirant and close supporters”. according to a statement on the his campaign to succeed Demo- Katumbi was an ally of Kabi- UN Mali mission’s social media cratic Republic of the Congo’s la’s but broke with him in Sep- accounts. President Joseph Kabila in elec- tember after the president an- “Five ... peacekeepers were tions scheduled for November. nounced he would carve up DR killed and three seriously “Moise Katumbi, after hav- Congo’s provinces, including wounded during an ambush,” it ing been amply heard by the This file photo taken on June 2, Katanga, into smaller entities. said. magistrate in charge of his 2015 shows Katumbi. Danae Dholakia, Britain’s “Following the attack, three case, has been indicted on the special envoy to Africa’s Great suspects were captured and will A member of MINUSMA (left) and Malian police off icers are seen on patrol in Gao, northern Mali. charge of off ences against the porters outside the prosecutor’s Lakes region, said last week be transferred to the relevant internal and external security offi ce in Lubumbashi where he that she hoped “that recent ac- authorities,” said interim mis- ice, while another four have died Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Ni- tions for road travel, the interna- of the state,” Congo’s assistant had been questioned. cusations made against Moise sion chief Koen Davidse, who in friendly fi re incidents, UN fi g- ger, said that it had deployed tional missions face formidable prosecutor general, Anselme His supporters repeatedly Katumbi ... are not an exten- described the ambush as “des- ures show. logistical support following the challenges, and the French are Maduda Muanda Madiela, said clashed with police during three sion of restrictions” on political picable”. UN Secretary General Ban Ki- ambush. also relying on drones to monitor in a statement. days of hearings last week and freedoms in DRC. Known by the acronym MI- moon presented his condolences Spokesman Colonel Gilles Jar- the area. Katumbi “is no longer free his indictment and possible ar- “There are lots of red fl ashing NUSMA, the Mali mission is the to the victims’ families and de- on said the French army had sent Mali’s vast, desolate north and he can no longer do what he rest raise the prospect of further lights,” she said. most dangerous active deploy- manded the attackers be swiftly two helicopters and soldiers to continues to be beset by vio- wants”, government spokesman violence. Kabila has ruled since 2001 ment for UN peacekeepers and brought to justice. secure the area. lence, having fallen under the Lambert Mende said. Lubumbashi was calm yes- and is barred from standing for it has been hit by sharp internal He said attacking peacekeep- “This allowed the helicopters control of Tuareg-led rebels and Katumbi, who is 51, is Kabila’s terday afternoon with few yet a third term but the government tensions since its launch in July ers was a war crime. to pick up the wounded Chadians jihadist groups linked to Al Qae- leading rival for the country’s aware of the news. says it is unlikely to be able to 2013. Ban has previously alluded and evacuate them to Gao imme- da in 2012. top job after recently announc- Katumbi was not available for organise November’s polls in Wednesday’s attack was the to “persistent operational dif- diately,” Jaron said, referring to A landmark peace agreement ing plans to stand against the comment yesterday. time, blaming budgetary and worst since a February attack on fi culties” faced by the force, and the largest city in northern Mali. was reached last year between long-serving head of state. His lawyers said that they had logistical constraints. the MINUSMA camp in Kidal reiterated a call for the Malian “This situation just shows how the Mali government and the Katumbi, a former governor not yet been offi cially informed The country’s highest court by Malian Islamist group Ansar government to step up security in tense the situation in this area re- rebels, but Islamic militant vio- of the Congo’s main copper- of the charges. It was not clear ruled last week that Kabila Dine in which seven Guineans the north of the country. mains,” Jaron added. lence remains a threat and the mining region, has been in hos- whether he would be arrested would stay in power beyond the were killed. France’s Barkhane force, With temperatures now hit- Malian government has been pital for six days, after police immediately or kept under sur- end of his mandate if the elec- So far 59 peacekeepers have which comprises 3,500 soldiers ting 50° Celsius and sandstorms unable to maintain security with fi red tear gas at him and his sup- veillance while in hospital. tion does not take place. been killed while in active serv- stationed across Burkina Faso, whipping up impossible condi- domestic forces alone. Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 20, 2016 AMERICAS

Trump says Bill Clinton’s past behaviour is ‘rape’

AFP “It’s not like the worst thing,” ing against a woman’s will,” Han- Clinton’s spokesman Nick Mer- eral raped me and Hillary tried to Washington Trump, the GOP’s presumptive nity said. rill said. silence me,” Broaddrick said on presidential nominee, said late “And rape,” Trump added. In 1998, Bill Clinton paid an Twitter. “I am now 73 ... it never on Wednesday of what he called “And rape,” echoed Hannity, $850,000 settlement in a civil goes away.” epublican White House the “minor stuff ” he has done, who is also a conservative politi- complaint fi led by Paula Jones, Former White House aide hopeful Donald Trump has including kissing a model on the cal commentator. who had accused him of sexually Kathleen Willey alleged that Raccused former president lips. The campaign of Hillary harassing her in a hotel room in Clinton sexually assaulted her in Bill Clinton of “rape”, ramping up “OK, you look at what Clinton Clinton, the Democrat likely to 1991 while the Democrat was still November 1993. the attacks on the husband of his has gone through with all of the face Trump in a general elec- governor of Arkansas. She maintains her allegations. expected rival for the presidency problems and all of the things tion showdown in November, In 1999, Juanita Broaddrick On several occasions in recent at a time when his own conduct that he’s done,” Trump told Fox’s responded by accusing Trump accused Clinton of having raped months, Trump said Bill Clin- with women is under scrutiny. Sean Hannity. of trying to change the subject her in 1978, when she was a vol- ton’s past was a matter of legiti- In an interview with Fox News, The reporter then asked following the focus on his own unteer for one of his election mate debate in the 2016 race. Trump said the allegations of Trump whether the Times would treatment of women and his re- campaigns. Earlier this month, Trump ac- sexual misconduct that have interview women who in the past fusal to release tax returns. Clinton’s attorney at the time cused Hillary Clinton of being an dogged Clinton for decades were had accused Clinton of sexual as- “Trump is doing what he denied the allegations. “enabler” of Bill’s infi delities. far worse than claims aired by the sault or unwanted advances. does best, attacking when he She repeated her claims in Jan- “She’s married to a man who New York Times that the real es- “In one case, it’s about expo- feels wounded and dragging the uary in a tweet. was the worst abuser of women Trump: OK, you look at what Clinton has gone through with all of the tate mogul has a past of harassing sure. In another case, it’s about American people through the “I was 35 years old when Bill in the history of politics,” Trump problems and all of the things that he’s done. women. groping and fondling and touch- mud for his own gain,” Hillary Clinton, Arkansas Attorney Gen- said on May 7.

US Senate approves Trump is a ‘threat’ to US $1.1bn to fi ght Zika democracy, says Clinton virus AFP Clinton pointed to Trump’s many of his irresponsible, reck- the inevitability of her winning Reuters Washington recent comments on being less, dangerous comments, it’s the nomination. Washington willing to meet with North Ko- not just somebody saying some- “I’m three million votes rea’s leader, whom she labeled thing off the cuff ,” Clinton said. ahead of him and I have an in- illary Clinton has blasted a “despotic dictator”, suggest- The harsh criticism came as surmountable lead in pledged n election-year fi ght over her likely general elec- ing that the United States pull Clinton all but declared victory delegates,” she said. addressing the spread- Htion rival Donald Trump out of the North Atlantic Treaty in her nomination battle with It was perhaps Clinton’s most Aing Zika virus intensifi ed as a “threat” to US democracy Organisation (Nato), or allow- Bernie Sanders. forceful declaration to date that in the US Congress as the Sen- and declared him unqualifi ed to ing certain allies to have nuclear “I will be the nominee for my the race is basically over, as she ate approved yesterday $1.1bn be commander in chief. weapons. party. That is already done,” she turns her focus on Trump and in emergency money one day “The threat that Donald Such positions are “danger- said. “In fact there’s no way that their general election show- after the House of Representa- Trump poses is so dramatic to ous”, she said, adding that the I won’t be.” down. tives voted $622.1mn fi nanced our country, to our democracy volume of Trump’s provocative Sanders, a US senator from She also expressed confi dence through cuts to existing pro- and our economy,” the former and alarming statements since Vermont, insists he is still locked that Sanders will unify behind grammes. secretary of state told CNN in a he launched his presidential in a fi erce battle for the nomina- her, “just as I did with senator The two chambers would have live interview. campaign, including his call for tion and has vowed to take the (Barack) Obama” during their to reach agreement on a spend- Asked directly whether she a ban on all Muslims entering race all the way to June 7, when intense battle for the nomina- ing level before they can send it believes the celebrity billionaire the United States, suggest he California, the largest state in tion in 2008, once the Demo- to President Barack Obama, who and presumptive Republican is not making impromptu re- the union, holds its primary. cratic race comes to a halt. in February requested $1.9bn. nominee is qualifi ed to be presi- marks. But Clinton essentially said it “He has to do his part to uni- Clinton: We have to break down the barriers holding back women The White House has called dent, she said: “No, I do not.” “I think if you go through was time for Sanders to accept fy,” she said of Sanders. and girls around the world. the House measure “woefully inadequate”. The Senate goes into the ne- gotiations with the House with a strong hand: a bipartisan 68-30 vote in favour of the emergen- World leaders urged to break down barriers holding back girls cy funds to battle Zika, a virus that has been spreading rap- idly through the Americas, with Reuters priority in the drive to meet new new Sustainable Development opment Goals (SDGs) agreed by “The Women Deliver summit at the end of 2016 we will have more than 100 confi rmed cases Copenhagen UN development goals. Goals. We have to break down world leaders last year to fi ght is critical to this work,” Clinton the fi rst ever elected female UN in the US state of Florida. “Two decades ago at the UN the barriers holding back women inequality and extreme poverty. added. “You carry the spirit of secretary general, and the fi rst US health offi cials have con- fourth world conference on and girls around the world.” “Gender equality, including Beijing forward bringing in new ever female president of the cluded that Zika infections in S presidential hopeful women in Beijing we came to- More than 5,500 delegates – sexual and reproductive health voices and lifting up the next most powerful of nations – the pregnant women can cause Hillary Clinton called for gether and said with one voice including world leaders, minis- and rights, must be a core pri- generation of leaders.” United States. microcephaly, a birth defect Urenewed eff orts to “break that women’s rights are human ters, health experts, economists, ority,” Clinton, the Democratic Mogens Lykketoft, president “What a way to demonstrate marked by small head size that down the barriers holding back rights. And the gains we’ve made business leaders, activists, roy- front-runner in the race to the of the UN General Assembly, that our shared vision can be- can lead to severe developmental women and girls around the since then prove that progress is alty and celebrities – have at- White House, said in the un- said that he hoped a woman come a reality,” he said. problems in babies. world” yesterday. possible,” she said. tended the four-day conference scheduled video address. “To get would become the next head of Women candidates in the The World Health Organisa- In a video address to “Women “But as you all know too well, in Copenhagen. there we need greater political the world body when Ban Ki- running include former New tion (WHO) has said there is Deliver”, a major women’s health our work is far from fi nished. Discussions focused on how will and resources, and we need moon steps down later this year. Zealand prime minister Helen strong scientifi c consensus that and rights conference, she said This is an important moment to put girls and women at the to continue to invest in more and “It would be symbolically and Clark and Unesco director gen- Zika can also cause Guillain- gender equality must be made a as we chart a course to meet the heart of the Sustainable Devel- better data to measure progress.” of real value very important that eral Irina Bokova of Bulgaria. Barre, a rare neurological syn- drome that causes temporary paralysis in adults. Conservative Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah tried unsuccessfully to kill the Senate funding, saying that the Obama Trudeau says he will administration already had enough money to deal with Zika. “What we should not do, however, is allow the Zika virus to be yet another excuse to run accept punishment up the national debt,” Lee said. But Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a moderate Republican, Reuters next election is not due until Oc- deau, irritated by what he saw as countered that US debt prob- Ottawa tober 2019 and opinion polls put delaying tactics by the opposi- lems were rooted in the rapid him far ahead of his rivals. tion, strode across the fl oor and growth in the cost of huge pro- The special committee of grabbed a legislator by the arm grammes such as Social Security anadian Prime Minister legislators could in theory fi nd before pushing him towards his and Medicare and not so-called Justin Trudeau apolo- him in contempt of Parliament, seat. “discretionary” spending like on Cgised for a third time thereby potentially triggering In the process, he acciden- Zika. yesterday for manhandling an a vote of confi dence which he tally elbowed a female legislator “If ever there were an emer- opposition legislator and ac- would easily win given the Lib- in the chest and later got into a gency, it is the threat posed to cidentally elbowing another in erals majority in Parliament. heated exchange with an oppo- public health by the Zika virus,” Parliament and said he would “It was my mistake, it was sition leader. Collins said, adding that health accept any punishment meted unbecoming of any member of The incident, while mild Trudeau (seated) is applauded by members of the Liberal caucus after delivering an apology yesterday experts she has met with made out by a committee examining this House. I expect better from compared to the brawls between following a physical altercation the previous day. her conclude that on Zika’s im- the incident. myself,” Trudeau told the legis- legislators in Taiwan, Japan and pact, “the news keeps getting The aff air is the most serious lature, saying he wanted to make Ukraine, was rare in Canadian with the hashtag #elbowgate. ways’, but what we’ve seen in attempts to pre-empt discus- worse and worse.” blow yet to the image of Tru- amends. “I wield full responsi- politics. Rona Ambrose, the leader of particular in the last few weeks sion on a hotly-debated bill that The Zika measure in the Sen- deau, who led his Liberals to bility for my poor choices last Photos of the fracas were the offi cial opposition Conserv- is the furthest thing from that,” would allow assisted death. ate was attached to an unrelated power last October with a prom- night and I ask for Canadians’ splashed across front pages with ative Party, said the incident was she told the chamber. The Liberals say they need transportation and housing ap- ise of “sunny ways”. understanding and forgiveness.” unfl attering headlines such as troubling. Tensions are rising as op- to push the draft legislation to propriations bill that still must Trudeau, 44, is in no imme- During preparations for a “Mad House” and “Hair Trig- “We started this parliament position members complain meet a June 6 deadline imposed be approved by the Republican- diate political danger since the Wednesday evening vote, Tru- ger”, and dissected on Twitter with the promise of ‘sunny about what they see as Liberal by the Supreme Court. controlled chamber. CBS newsman Morley Safer, recently retired, dead at age 84

Reuters He retired from CBS last week the art world atwitter. a great raconteur – all of those “If I could interview Dolly eve- watching want to ask,” he once Washington and 60 Minutes paid tribute to CBS said that Safer changed things and much more to genera- ry week, I would,” Safer told the said. him with a look back at his work war reporting forever with his tions of colleagues, his legion of New York Post in 2009. Jeff Fager, a former chairman on Sunday’s show. work in Vietnam before becom- friends, and his family.” Safer also delivered deep in- of CBS News and the current ex- elevision journalist Mor- Safer, who spent 61 years in ing an “iconic” correspondent Although he interviewed many vestigative pieces on injustice, ecutive producer of 60 Minutes, ley Safer, who made his television news, brought an au- who was one of US television’s artists, actors and musicians, corporate malfeasance and trade wrote on Twitter that Safer was Treputation as a Vietnam thoritative, urbane style to 60 most enduring stars. Safer never cared much for ce- in human body parts among a raft a “masterful storyteller, inspira- War correspondent for CBS and Minutes, CBS’s ground-breaking “Morley was one of the most lebrities, saying: “I really don’t of other subjects. tion to many of us and a wonder- This March 24, 2014 picture then became a mainstay on the news programme, and his work important journalists in any care what movie stars have to say “Some people, you have to grit ful friend”. shows Morley Safer at the network’s 60 Minutes show for was a mix of hard and soft news. medium, ever,” CBS chairman about life.” your teeth in order to stay in the In 1968 Safer married anthro- screening of The Unknown 46 years, has died at age 84, a The part-time painter often and chief executive offi cer Leslie Still, he listed country singer same room as them but you get pology student Jane Fearer. Known at the Museum of Art few days after his retirement, the reported on art and his disdain Moonves said in a statement. “He Dolly Parton among his favourite on and ask the questions that The couple had a daughter, Sa- and Design in New York. network announced yesterday. for contemporary works often set was also a gentleman, a scholar, interview subjects. you assume most of the people rah. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 7 ASEAN 10 protesters to face charges over Myanmar march

Reuters been arrested, 20 had been re- taw area, which is a special area Yangon leased. under the president,” Zaw Khin “Responsible departmental Aung said. offi cials are persuading the rest The decision comes as par- yanmar police said yes- of the protesters to return to Sa- liament, dominated by mem- terday charges will be gaing. bers of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Mfi led against around 10 Legal action will be taken National League for Democ- demonstrators who took part in about 10 protest leaders and racy (NLD), debates possible a labour rights protest in which outside instigators,” he said yes- changes to the law on public scuffl es broke out as they at- terday. demonstrations. tempted to enter the capital. The NLD, whose ranks are Workers from a wood- “It’s okay to stage protests fi lled with former political pris- processing factory in Saga- for their rights in their oners, dissidents and activ- ing State in the northwest last respective region but we ists, has freed scores of political month began marching towards can’t aff ord to let them prisoners since taking Power in Naypyitaw, bringing their de- protest in Naypyitaw area, April. mands for compensation, but which is a special area But rights groups like Amnes- were stopped short by police on under the president” ty International have criticised Wednesday. the proposed changes for not go- Win Ko Ko crossing crevasse on the way to summit of Mount Everest. Pyae Phyo Aung and Win Ko Ko, two Myanmar mountaineers, reached Photos showed police sur- Myanmar’s capital, built by ing far enough to protect peace- the top of Mount Everest yesterday, according to the Htoo Foundation which sponsored the team. rounding the protesters before the former junta, is around ful protesters. offi cers began roughly hauling 370km north of the country’s “As it stands, the draft retains people away. largest city, Yangon. restrictions to the rights to free- Police Colonel Zaw Khin “It’s okay to stage protests dom of expression and peaceful Aung, from the Naypyitaw- for their rights in their respec- assembly which breach inter- based Police Headquarters, said tive region but we can’t aff ord national human rights law,” the Myanmar climbers reach Everest summit that of 71 protesters who had to let them protest in Naypyi- group said in a statement.

AFP ers and they were the very fi rst Yangon (from their country) to reach the top. It is really impressive,” said Nyi Nyi Aung from base camp, wo Myanmar mountain- where he was forced to remain Jakarta to settle rights eers reached the summit because of health problems. Tof Mount Everest, their The ascent took 15 hours, he climbing team said yesterday, added. hailing them as the fi rst from Tay Za, whose Htoo empire abuse cases ‘this year’ their impoverished Southeast remains subject to United States Asian nation to scale the world’s sanctions and spans everything highest peak. from teak logs to an airline, is a DPA tled this year,” Luhut Pandjaitan, said the government wanted The ascent is a milestone for keen climber and narrowly sur- Jakarta the minister for political, legal to settle 12 abuse cases in Papua, a nation that until its recent vived a helicopter crash in My- and security aff airs, was quoted according to Antara. democratic transformation was anmar’s tip of the Himalayas in as saying by the state-run Antara “There should strong law largely closed to the outside 2011. isputes over human rights news agency yesterday. enforcement and there must world, with few overseas travel But climbing remains some- abuses in Indonesia’s re- “We don’t care about who the no longer be a half-hearted ap- opportunities for citizens. thing of a nascent hobby in the Dbellious Papua province perpetrators are,” he said. “We’ll proach,” he said. The mountaineers, Pyae Phyo country even though it boasts could be resolved by the end of disclose all the data and whoever Indonesia took over Papua Aung and Win Ko Ko, planted a multiple mountain ranges. the year, the government said. is guilty will be punished.” from the Dutch in 1963. Myanmar fl ag on Everest’s peak Hundreds of climbers aban- Indonesian security forces have Rights groups say the military Its control of the region was after climbing overnight to reach doned the mountain last year been accused of serious violations often acted with impunity and formalised in a 1969 UN-spon- the top early yesterday, accord- after an earthquake-triggered in their anti-insurgency opera- that low-ranking soldiers who sored ballot that many regard as ing to their expedition website, avalanche at Everest base camp tions in Papua, including involve- were found guilty of abuses only a sham. in a trip sponsored by one of My- killed 18 people. ment in the deaths of at least four received light sentences. The Free Papua Movement has anmar’s top junta-era cronies. Only one climber summit- students in December 2014. Imdadul Rachmat, a member waged a low-level armed insur- “We reached the top at 7:07 ted the mountain in 2014 after “I’m optimistic that cases of of the National Commission on gency against Indonesian rule this morning,” said one of the an avalanche killed 16 Nepali human rights abuses can be set- Human Rights, since 1965. men in a crackly audio fi le in guides, but this year Nepal is- which he was congratulated by Nyi Nyi Aung (left), Win Ko Ko (centre) and Pyae Phyo Aung posing sued 289 permits for the brief Tay Za, a controversial Myanmar for photo on the way to the summit of Mount Everest. spring climbing season from tycoon who has a famed passion mid-April to the end of May. for mountaineering. string of climbers to scale the climbing companion Nyi Nyi Last week, British mountain- Military drill Photos showed a smiling Win 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) high Aung, of the Technical Climbing eers Kenton Cool and Robert Ko Ko with his arm around his Himalayan peak as mountain- Club of Myanmar, said the men Lucas became this year’s fi rst climbing partners under crisp eers return to Everest after a were well and on their way back foreigners to reach the summit, a blue skies as they ascended the deadly earthquake ended last down. day after nine Nepalis scaled the snow-covered mountain. year’s climbing season. “These two Myanmar moun- peak while fi xing ropes for inter- The pair are the latest in a In a message to AFP, their taineers are really strong climb- national climbers. Indonesia’s Lion Air suspends 95 routes

DPA ministry imposed a six-month its operations by providing tech- an international fl ight to disem- Jakarta ban on opening new routes for nical guidance so that it meets bark at a domestic terminal last Lion Air because of frequent de- international safety standards week. lays and a strike by pilots over and the public can enjoy com- Three Indonesians and a Hun- ndonesia’s largest budget late payments. fortable, safe and aff ordable garian national reportedly failed airline Lion Air has suspend- The ministry has accepted fl ights,” she said. to report to the immigration Ied 95 routes, including two Lion’s decision to suspend the The ministry has also sus- counter because of the error. international ones, the Trans- routes, said Maryati Karma, the pended Lion Air’s in-house The same sanction was im- Indonesia military and search and rescue members conduct a drill at Benoa harbour on Bali island portation Ministry said yester- ministry’s air transportation di- ground handling operations in posed on AirAsia Indonesia for a yesterday. Indonesia military and emergency rescue teams held the drill aimed to increase their day. rector. at the Jakarta airport after the similar error at the airport on the skills in future search and rescue missions. The decision came after the “We want Lion Air to improve carrier allowed passengers on resort island of Bali.

Traffi cking of Vietnamese women expands across region

Thomson Reuters Foundation Vu, head of advocacy at Pacifi c “In reality, they get there, their ness to Counter Traffi cking Bangkok Links, a California-based devel- passports are taken away, and (FACT) programme trains man- opment organisation. they’re forced into prostitution agers on international and local “Traffi ckers are willing to take or into being brides,” Vu said, laws, as well as the traffi ckers’ he traffi cking of women the risk of traffi cking victims all noting that many women also tactics to trick workers on the to China for sex work or the way through Vietnam into end up re-sold into factories. factory fl oor and in the indus- Tforced marriage is expand- China,” Vu said in a recent in- “You could be traffi cked as trial zone. ing across Vietnam, an expert terview in Bangkok, adding that a bride, give birth to a son, and It teaches workers what hu- said, predicting that more Viet- this means the “trade for brides then sold off to a brothel or a fac- man traffi cking is, what to ask if namese women will be traffi cked is becoming more lucrative.” tory, or sold off to another family they are approached, and how to across Southeast Asia as the re- China is a destination for to give birth again... report cases. gion moves towards freer trade. traffi cked brides because of its Her value as a commodity is The FACT programme is now Some 70% of traffi cking vic- shortage of women as a result almost limitless.” expanding after the passage last tims in Vietnam are women and its strict one-child policy intro- In 2013, Pacifi c Links de- year of Britain’s Modern Slavery girls, with the bulk sent to China duced in the late 1970s. veloped a counter-traffi cking Act, which requires companies as brides, sex workers or fac- The country last year eased programme for factory own- operating in the UK with a turn- tory workers, while others are restrictions to allow all couples ers, managers and workers, with over of $51mn or more to disclose forced into sex work or marriage to have two children. support from businesses com- what they have done to ensure in Malaysia, or into brothels in Vu said economic growth in plying with the California Trans- slave labour is not in their sup- Cambodia, said Mimi Vu of the Vietnam and Southeast Asia has parency in Supply Chains Act. ply chains. Pacifi c Links Foundation. created more opportunities for The law, which came into ef- Pacifi c Links has trained In the past, most women traf- criminals to dupe workers, in- fect in 2012, requires large re- 9,000 workers so far, and aims fi cked into China were from cluding domestic migrants who tailers and manufacturers doing to at least double that number by northern Vietnam, near the Chi- leave rural areas for jobs in in- Some 70% of traff icking victims in Vietnam are women and girls, business in the US state to pub- the end of 2016. nese border. dustrial zones, with little knowl- licly disclose measures taken to Vu was a speaker for a panel Over the past year, the trade edge about human traffi cking. community with freer move- Already, an increasing number backing” on that migration and eradicate forced labour and hu- at Trust Forum Asia, an event has expanded south, with offi - The 10-member Association ment of trade and capital would of factories in Malaysia are tricking people with promises of man traffi cking from their sup- in Singapore last month on traf- cials fi nding more victims from of Southeast Asian Nations’ increase traffi cking risks, she staff ed by Vietnamese work- jobs in electronics factories, she ply chains. fi cking and slavery hosted by the the Mekong Delta region, said (Asean) shift towards a formal said. ers, and traffi ckers are “piggy- said. Pacifi c Links’ Factory Aware- Thomson Reuters Foundation. Gulf Times 8 Friday, May 20, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

China jets intercept Hong Kong protesters US plane

Reuters Washington try to stop China offi cial wo Chinese fi ghter jets carried out an “unsafe” AFP Tintercept of a US military Hong Kong reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, the Pentagon said late on Wednesday, a fur- ong Kong student pro-democ- ther escalation of tensions in and racy leader Joshua Wong was around the contested waterway. Hamong fi ve protesters detained The incident took place in in- yesterday after they ran onto a motor- ternational airspace on Tuesday way to intercept the motorcade of a top as the US maritime patrol air- Chinese offi cial during a highly-charged craft carried out “a routine US visit to the city. patrol,” a Pentagon statement Their bid came on the fi nal day of a said. three-day trip by Zhang Dejiang, who The incident comes a week af- chairs China’s communist-controlled ter China scrambled fi ghter jets legislature, where frustrated protesters as a US Navy ship sailed close have been kept out of sight behind bar- to a disputed reef in the South ricades in a security lockdown. China Sea. Zhang’s visit is the fi rst by such a sen- Another Chinese intercept ior offi cial for four years and comes as took place in 2014 when a Chi- concerns grow that freedoms are under nese fi ghter pilot few acrobatic threat in semi-autonomous Hong Kong manoeuvres around a US spy as China tightens its grip. plane. Police chased the group of fi ve pro- The intercept is also days be- testers as they ran along a major highway fore President Barack Obama in eastern Hong Kong which had been travels to parts of Asia from cleared for Zhang, with Wong carrying a May 21-28, which will include a sign calling for “self-determination”. Group of Seven summit in Japan The group were detained before and his fi rst trip to Vietnam. Zhang’s motorcade emerged from the China claims most of the motorway tunnel. South China Sea, through which The protesters were all members $5tn in ship-borne trade passes of Demosisto, a political party led by every year. The Philippines, Vi- Wong, who became the face of major etnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and pro-democracy rallies in 2014. Brunei have overlapping claims. A video posted on the party’s Fa- Washington has accused Bei- cebook page showed the group being jing of militarising the South chased on foot and pinned to the ground China Sea after creating artifi cial by traffi c police. islands while Beijing, in turn, has “(Protesters) rushed out near the tun- criticised increased US naval pa- nel front to voice out the demand of self trols and exercises in Asia. determination and the anger of people The Pentagon statement said against the interference of the Chinese the Department of Defense was government,” Demosisto’s Agnes Chow addressing the issue through mil- said in a statement. itary and diplomatic channels. Demosisto confi rmed fi ve of its mem- Police off icers block protesters holding a portrait of Zhang Dejiang, the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, in Hong Kong May yesterday. “Over the past year, DoD has bers, including Wong and fellow high- seen improvements in PRC ac- profi le young activists Nathan Law and form sparked a fl edgling independence the real situation in Hong Kong due to “What I have seen is their faces which are elderly and boarded a plane leaving tions, fl ying in a safe and pro- Oscar Lai, were detained by police after movement, condemned by authorities the major security clampdown, which full of happiness and comfort,” he added. Hong Kong yesterday afternoon. fessional manner,” the Pentagon the incident. in both Hong Kong and mainland China. saw seven arrested for unfurling protest He said he had listened to pro-de- Hong Kong is semi-autonomous after statement said, using an acro- Hong Kong police had no immediate During the trip, Zhang sought to re- banners on hills and fl yovers. mocracy lawmakers during a rare meet- being handed back to China by Britain in nym for the People’s Republic of comment. assure Hongkongers the city would not However, in an address to local ty- ing, but reminded his audience yester- 1997 and enjoys freedoms unseen on the China. Zhang’s visit was ostensibly for an be “mainlandised” but hit back at activ- coons, businessmen and offi cials day that Hong Kong’s economic success mainland, but there are concerns Bei- The Chinese embassy in Wash- economic conference, but has been ists calling for more autonomy, labelling Thursday morning, Zhang insisted he was “due to the fact that it is backed by jing’s interference is growing in a range ington did not immediately re- widely seen as a conciliatory eff ort af- them separatists. saw the city’s residents were “full of the mainland”. of areas, from politics to education and spond to a request for comment. ter frustration over lack of political re- Activists said Zhang had not seen happiness” during his trip. Zhang later visited a home for the the media. In 2015, the United States and China announced agreements on a military hotline and rules of behaviour to govern air-to-air encounters called the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea Australian PM under fi re over (CUES). Disarmament priority “This is exactly the type of irresponsible and dangerous in- xenophobic refugee claim tercepts that the air-to-air an- nex to CUES is supposed to pre- vent,” said Greg Poling, director for Hiroshima survivors By Matt Siegel, Reuters Border security and immigration are hot of the Asia Maritime Transpar- Sydney political issues in Australia that have swayed ency Initiative at Washington’s past elections and resulted in a bipartisan Center for Strategic and Inter- Reuters Many in the United States say the ly and about 140,000 by the end of policy under which asylum seekers arriving national Studies think tank. Tokyo bombings shortened the war and the year. ustralian Prime Minister Malcolm by boat are sent to South Pacifi c island de- Poling said either some part of saved the lives of US servicemen. About 27,000 people were killed Turnbull, in the midst of a tight elec- tention camps. China’s airforce “hadn’t gotten Terumi Tanaka, a native of Na- instantly in Nagasaki and about Ation campaign, came under fi re yes- The conservative government last year the message”, or it was meant as apanese atomic bomb survi- gasaki who was 13 when the bomb 70,000 by the end of the year. terday for backing his immigration minister pledged to take 12,000 refugees from Syria a signal of displeasure with re- vors say an apology from Presi- hit, said yesterday an apology for Japan surrendered six days after over claims resettling “illiterate and innu- on top of its 13,750 annual quota. cent US freedom of navigation Jdent Barack Obama for the US the human suff ering would be wel- the bombing of Nagasaki. merate” refugees would strain the social The centre-left opposition Labor Party actions in the South China Sea. bombing of Hiroshima would be come. Toshiki Fujimori, who was a safety network. says it will double the annual quota to 27,000 “If the latter, it would be very welcome, but their priority is on Though he was unharmed, he baby on his mother’s back when Opposition Labor Party leader Bill Short- by 2025 if it wins elections on July 2. disappointing to fi nd China sac- ridding the world of all nuclear vividly recalls searching the black- the two of them were bowled over en labelled Immigration Minister Peter Dut- Labor and the smaller left-wing opposi- rifi cing the CUES annex for po- weapons forever. ened city and piles of bodies for by the blast wave from the Hiro- ton’s comments “xenophobic”, while refugee tion Greens Party have seized on Dutton’s litical gamesmanship.” Obama, who in 2009 was awarded family members. shima bomb, said he sensed eff orts advocates such as an Ian Rintoul, a spokes- comments to paint the government as heart- The Pentagon last month the Nobel Peace Prize partly for mak- “We would defi nitely like were being made to dampen talk of man for the high-profi le Refugee Action less and divisive, accusing it playing wedge called on China to reaffi rm it has ing nuclear nonproliferation a cen- an apology to people who lost an apology in advance of Obama’s Coalition, condemned the comments. politics. no plans to deploy military air- trepiece of his agenda, will on May 27 their lives, those who lost visit. “They want to run a cry of xenophobia, Labor says it will continue the govern- craft in the Spratly Islands after become the fi rst incumbent US loved ones, parents who lost “What I mean is, there has been they want to undermine the migrant contri- ment’s immigration policy of off shore de- China used a military plane to president to visit Hiroshima, site their children,” Tanaka, who pressure applied to create a mood bution to Australia because they don’t want tention, but Turnbull is seeking to portray evacuate sick workers from Fiery of the world’s fi rst atomic bombing heads a national organisation of in which he can visit,” he said. “I this election to be about the issues that mat- the party as weak on immigration and border Cross Reef, where it has built a on August 6, 1945. bombing survivors, told a news won’t go into details.” ter to Australians,” Shorten told reporters. security. 3,000m runway. The city of Nagasaki was bombed conference. Hiroshima governor Hidehiko “The issue is that yesterday migrants were “Bill Shorten is only interested in the poli- In April 2001, an intercept three days later. But insisting on a broad apology Yuzaki said Obama’s visit was stir- demonised by Peter Dutton, and Malcolm tics of this issue,” Turnbull said. of a US spy plane by a Chinese Obama’s visit to Hiroshima, after risked interfering with the ultimate ring a range of emotions in survi- Turnbull backed Peter Dutton over the great Refugee advocate Rintoul said Dutton’s fi ghter jet resulted in a collision he attends a meeting of G7 lead- goal of nuclear disarmament, he vors but they were mostly putting immigration history of this country,” Short- comments were a reaction to the govern- that killed the Chinese pilot and ers in Tokyo, was hotly debated in said. hope for nuclear disarmament fi rst. en said. ment’s slipping voter support, but added forced the American plane to the White House, with concern it “The strongest feeling of survi- “Their biggest wish is that they Dutton on Tuesday sparked outrage when immigration and border security was un- make an emergency landing at a would be criticised in the United vors is that this should not become don’t want anybody to go through he said an increase in the annual refugee in- likely to play as well as in the past. base on China’s Hainan island. States if it was seen as an apology. a barrier to getting rid of nuclear this again,” he told Reuters. “In or- take would lead to an infl ux of uneducated “I think it’s been a serious mistake and it The 24 US air crew members Most Japanese feel the bombings weapons,” he said. der to carry this out, they’ll put the foreigners who would steal jobs from Aus- hasn’t worked for the government at all to were held for 11 days until Wash- of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were The bomb dropped on Hiroshima issue of an apology to the side for tralian citizens and strain the social safety play the boat card the way they have in other ington apologised for the inci- unjustifi ed. killed thousands of people instant- now.” network. election cycles,” Rintoul told Reuters. dent. ‘Now or never’ to save Barrier Reef: scientists

AFP The biodiverse side off the (US$7.2bn) over the next dec- ter quality was due mainly to the government was doing Sydney Queensland state coast is also ade to improve water quality, sediment from grazing lands, “more than ever before” to suff ering its worst bleaching in “the Great Barrier Reef will be which causes water to be protect the reef for future gen- recorded history with 93% of in a terminal condition within cloudy and aff ects the growth erations. ustralia’s Great Bar- corals aff ected due to warming fi ve years”. of coral and seagrass. “Through our A$210mn rier Reef could be be- sea temperatures. “What’s happening is we’re Fertiliser run-off , particu- Reef Trust, we are investing in Ayond saving in fi ve years “The current management seeing climate change ramp up larly nitrogen, from the sugar- projects that directly improve without “now or never” fund- regime for catchment pollut- much more quickly than most cane industry was also causing water quality in the Great Bar- ing to improve water quality ant run-off and climate change scientists...believed,” Bodie crown of thorns outbreaks as rier Reef. as climate change ravages the is clearly inadequate to pre- told AFP. the nutrients were fuelling the This is part of a broader World Heritage-listed site, vent further decline,” James “One thing we can do is fi x- growth of the predatory coral- A$2bn investment by Austral- scientists warned yesterday. Cook University researchers ing water quality for the reef. feeding starfi sh, he added. ian governments to protect the The world’s biggest coral Jon Brodie and Richard Pear- For water quality manage- The funding would go on reef,” he said. reef ecosystem is under pres- son wrote in a paper published ment, I think it is now or nev- programmes such as plant- According to a 2013 Deloitte sure from not only climate in the Estuarine, Coastal and er because we have to do the ing trees along stream banks Access Economics study com- change, but farming run-off , Shelf Science journal. management now to give us to stop erosion, the scientists missioned by the government, development and the coral- They added in a statement some resilience against climate said. the reef contributes around eating crown-of-thorns star- yesterday that without gov- change.” A spokesman for Environ- A$6bn annually to the econo- fi sh. ernment funding of A$10bn Bodie said the poor wa- ment Minister Greg Hunt said my, mainly through tourism. A James Cook University handout photo of marine life on the Great Barrier Reef. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 9 BRITAIN

EVENT LEGAL SECURITY BREACH TRAVEL ENTERTAINMENT Celebrity injunction to Intruder arrested at Staff illness hits Southern Daniel Craig ‘done stay in place, rules court Buckingham Palace trains after strike day with James Bond’

A gagging order on identifying the famous couple The police yesterday said they had arrested Commuter services across the entire Southern Actor Daniel Craig has reportedly said he is “done” at the centre of the “celebrity threesome” story a man who climbed the perimeter wall and rail region were disrupted for a second successive playing James Bond, just days after a bookmaker will stay in place as the story is not in the public entered the grounds of Buckingham Palace, the day yesterday — this time due to staff reporting suspended betting on his replacement following interest, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday. The London residence of Queen Elizabeth II. During sick. The firm reported delays and cancellations a large bet on Tom Hiddleston. Craig, 48, is said couple, known as PJS and YMA, have been battling the incident, which took place on Wednesday in all 10 route areas including Brighton mainline, to have turned down a £68mn off er from MGM to keep their identities secret since January evening, the 41-year-old man was in the palace Gatwick Express, west London and Metro services. Studios to return to 007 for two more films after when the Sun on Sunday threatened to expose grounds for seven minutes before he was “Southern services are continuing to be aff ected 2015’s Spectre. Last year the actor joked that Two visitors sit below a photograph of an extra-marital aff air. Despite the story being found by police and arrested on suspicion of by a high level of conductor sickness,” it said. The he would rather “slash my wrists” than play the Concorde at the ‘Photo London 2016’ event at published across the world, in America, Scotland, trespassing. The suspect, who was not armed, is in problems follow a 24-hour strike on Wednesday British Secret Service agent again. He told studio Somerset House in central London yesterday. Canada and Sweden, and widely shared on social custody. Police were alerted to his presence when by RMT union train conductors over role changes, bosses returning to the role “just wasn’t what he Featuring works of some of the world’s most media, judges decided the injunction should stay he tripped an alarm. The Queen was likely to have more driver-only trains and ticket off ice closures. wanted” despite them throwing “huge amounts respected photographers, the event is aiming in place. The married couple, both well-known in been at home at the time. A spokeswoman for The TSSA union, representing managerial and of money at him”, a source told the Daily Mail. to put London on the map as the global city of the entertainment business, have young children the queen said: “We never comment on security, white-collar staff , warned of a possible strike ballot “Daniel is done - pure and simple - he told top photography. together but admit they have an “open marriage”. which is a matter for the police.” if the ticket off ice plans are not scrapped. brass at MGM after Spectre,” the source said. Hunt accused ‘Big Dance Pledge’ of prolonging doctors’ dispute

Guardian News and Media imposing the contract that had London prompted so much anger among junior doctors. “Why did he then insist upon eremy Hunt has been accused trying to bulldoze an imposed of prolonging the junior doc- contract through when virtually Jtors’ dispute unnecessarily for everyone told him not to and the three months after it could have consequences of doing so were been settled by putting personal obvious for all to see – protracted “pride” before a resolution. industrial action, destroyed mo- Labour’s Heidi Alexander rale and a complete breakdown in claimed in the Commons that the trust?” she said. health secretary had missed an op- But Hunt rejected her claims. portunity to settle the bitter row He said the BMA had spent “years” by displaying a damaging “com- refusing to discuss Saturday be- puter says no” attitude to talks. coming part of a junior doctor’s Hunt and Alexander, the shad- normal working week, though he ow health secretary, traded verbal praised it for “bravely” changing blows during a House of Com- its stance during the negotiations mons debate yesterday on the new that led to Wednesday’s potential deal announced on Wednesday, settlement. which both Hunt and the British And he criticised Alexander for Medical Association (BMA) hope refusing to say categorically if she Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (centre right) gestures to photographers during a photocall for the “Big Dance Pledge”, outside City Hall in London yesterday. Over will end the nine-month dispute. supported the new agreement, 40,000 people in 43 countries around the world will today take part in the dance. “What is now clear, if it wasn’t and insisted he had shown leader- already, is that a negotiated agree- ship by facing down the BMA. ment was possible all along. So I It was a matter of “great regret” have to ask you, why couldn’t this that junior doctors had staged deal have been struck in February? eight days of walkouts since Janu- Why did you allow your pride back ary, which included the fi rst to- then to come before sensible com- tal withdrawal of medical cover promise and constructive talks?” in NHS history, even in areas of Alexander said. emergency care such as A&E and “When you stand up you might intensive care, for two days last try to blame the BMA for the ne- month. Cameron faces defeat on gotiations breaking down, but you “Taken together, these changes failed to say what options you were show both the government’s com- prepared to consider in order to mitment to safe care for patients ensure that the junior doctors who and the value we attach to the role work the most unsociable hours of junior doctors,” Hunt said. are fairly rewarded. It was a ‘com- “Whilst they do not remove puter says no’ attitude and that’s every bugbear or frustration, they Queen’s Speech over NHS no way to run the NHS.”Alexander will signifi cantly improve fl ex- said Hunt had ignored her sug- ibility and work-life balance for London Evening Standard No government has been de- said Jeremy Corbyn was likely The tactics echo the Com- Johnson and Michael Gove. gestion, made on February 7, that doctors – leading, we hope, to im- London feated on a Queen’s Speech de- to come behind it, posing a real mons clashes during the He claimed the Remain he make further concessions on proved retention rates, higher mo- bate since 1924, when Stanley risk to Cameron’s fragile major- Maastricht revolts in the early campaign, which is now be- the key issue of what hours junior rale and better care for patients.” Baldwin lost a confi dence vote ity. Nineties, when Tory rebels col- ing orchestrated from Down- doctor should be expected to work Earlier Hunt admitted he had avid Cameron faces a and was forced to resign as a The technical issue behind laborated with Labour to infl ict ing Street, was in danger of a on Saturdays and their pay for do- “lessons to learn” from his pro- possible defeat on the consequence. the vote is that the NHS could humiliating defeats on John “scorched earth” policy that ing so as a way of reaching a nego- tracted dispute with England’s DQueen’s Speech af- Twenty fi ve Tory MPs yes- be exposed to privatisation Major. would damage the Conserva- tiated settlement. 55,000 junior doctors over plans ter Tory EU rebels teamed up terday signed an amendment pressures from big US health Although the current amend- tives. Seven of the eight days of strikes to overhaul their contracts and with Labour MPs to force a motion expressing “regret” that corporations under the terms of ment would not change policy, “A full frontal assault with by junior doctors in England hap- reorganise NHS services to usher vote about the National Health there was no Bill in the govern- a trade deal negotiated between it would be a major embarrass- due warning is fi ne, but the pened after that, which between in a fuller seven-day service in Service. ment’s programme to “protect the European Union and the US. ment to Cameron if passed and dagger in the heart, inserted them involved the cancellation of hospitals. Speaking on the Today The threat emerged amid the NHS” from competition The government says the deal could mark a new breakdown from the back, through whis- more than 30,000 planned opera- programme on BBC Radio 4, Hunt worsening relations between from American health fi rms. does not apply to the health serv- in Conservative party disci- pering in dark corridors is not tions and more than 100,000 out- insisted the government had se- Tory MPs, one of whom ac- Labour’s Jon Cruddas and ice, but former shadow chancel- pline. In a furious outburst, okay,” Baker said. He cited Lord patient appointments. Four days cured its “red lines” for delivering cused Downing Street of back- Scottish Nationalist MP Chris lor Peter Lilley believes the gov- backbencher Steve Baker con- Heseltine dismissing former after Alexander’s letter, Hunt told its commitment to a seven-day stabbing and “whispering in Stephens were among signato- ernment could be taken to court demned what he claimed were a London mayor Johnson’s cre- MPs that talks had failed because health service by driving down the dark corridors” to smear Boris ries from other parties. by US fi rms. Unite has commis- series of personal attacks mas- dentials as a future leader be- of the BMA’s refusal to discuss cost of employing doctors over the Johnson and other senior Leave The Unite union is backing sioned a QC’s opinion which terminded by No 10 to under- cause of his comparison of the Saturday working and that he was weekend. campaigners. the motion and Labour sources agrees that the threat exists. mine Brexit leaders, including EU with Hitler. Several children taken to Ivor Novello awards Tobacco fi rms lose packaging rules fi ght hospital after dog attack AFP “It’s the beginning of the end London for packaging that masks a deadly and addictive product,” he said. Guardian News and Media playing in the park at the time ning and the dog started com- The anti-smoking campaign London of the attack, described see- ing after me. It pushed me over obacco giants have lost a group ASH said the tobacco com- ing distressed parents trying next to the climbing frame and legal challenge in London panies had suff ered a “humiliat- to drag the dog off one of her scratched my back when I tried Tagainst imposing new rules ing defeat”, adding that the judge- olice are trying to trace the friends. to get up and then it bit my leg. for standardised packaging due to ment would help other countries owner of a Staff ordshire “The dog was playing for a “I was petrified, I was come into force today, meaning looking to introduce similar poli- Pbull terrier that attacked little while and then the dog screaming. People were just Britain will join a growing list of cies. more than a dozen children at a started getting very vicious,” getting bit, the dog was just go- countries to do so. Australia, France and Ireland park in Northumberland. she said. “We did not know ing to one person then going to Philip Morris International, have already done so. The incident took place in what was happening. I was another and then to another.” British American Tobacco, Impe- The European Court of Justice Burns Avenue, Blyth, at 6.30pm playing on the diamond when I A Northumbria police rial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco earlier this month ruled that the on Wednesday. Nine children saw the dog attacking my friend spokeswoman said the dog was International had challenged the Tobacco Product Directive is law- were treated in hospital for bite being kept in a secure kennel legality of the new regulations, ful. injuries. None are thought to “The whole street has until the owner was found. which mean all new cigarette Under the directive, health have been seriously injured. been traumatised by this, “At around 6.30pm on packs sold in Britain will have to warnings must cover 65% of the Sheryl Allison, whose daugh- nothing like this has ever Wednesday, police received re- be olive green. front and back of every pack of ter was in the park at the time, happened before” ports of a dog that had bitten a Shops will have 12 months to cigarettes, with additional warn- told ChronicleLive: “The dog number of children in the park sell existing packets. ings on the top. attacked about 14 kids, it was and then a few adults come in next to Burns Avenue in Blyth,” “The regulations were law- The directive also allowed Brit- like a terrorist attack. There and were trying to get the dog the spokeswoman said. “Emer- ful when they were promulgated ain to go further and introduce were injured kids lying all over off her. gency services attended and by parliament and they are law- its own regulations requiring all the place, it was a war zone. “My friend has got loads of police were able to bring the ful now in the light of the most tobacco packaging to be the same “Eventually a dad of one of the bites all over her, 12 bites alto- animal under control. up-to-date evidence,” judge Ni- colour -- olive green -- and with girls saw what was happening gether. The first girl to be bitten “A number of children were cholas Green said in yesterday’s large images designed to act as and sprinted into the park and is only seven and she has nine taken to hospital with bite ruling. health warnings. jumped on the dog, he pinned bites. The dog was chucking her wounds but none of the injuries Cancer Research UK’s chief ex- After the European Court of it down until the police arrived. around like a rag doll.” are thought to be serious. Police ecutive Harpal Kumar said: “This Justice ruling, a health ministry The whole street has been trau- After Brooke’s friend was remain in the area to reassure US actress Courteney Cox poses for photographers is an important milestone in our spokesman said: “Smoking is the matised by this, nothing like this freed from the dog, it then the local community and carry upon arrival at the Ivor Novello awards in central eff orts to reduce the devastat- biggest cause of premature mor- has ever happened before.” chased Brooke around the park. out inquiries to locate the ani- London yesterday. ing toll that tobacco exerts on so tality and kills over 100,000 peo- Brooke Nesbitt, 11, who was She said: “I just started run- mal’s owner.” many families every day. ple every year in the UK.” Gulf Times 10 Friday, May 20, 2016 EUROPE Turkey names new PM AFP party head, referring to Erdogan. on a crunch visa deal, a key plank its meaning”, said Fuat Keyman, Istanbul The 60-year-old Yildirim is of an accord aimed at easing the head of the Istanbul Policy Cent- seen as one of Erdogan’s closest EU’s migrant crisis. er think-tank. long-time confi dants and has The visa deal has been in jeop- “The president will become urkey’s ruling party has served an almost unbroken stint ardy over Ankara’s reluctance the head of the executive. The named a loyal ally of from 2002 to 2013 as transport to alter its counter-terror laws, prime minister will become a TPresident Recep Tayyip minister and then again from a key requirement of the agree- functional cog,” Keyman told Erdogan as the new prime min- 2015. ment, prompting Erdogan to AFP. ister, with the incoming premier They are both strongly op- make a series of critical state- After the announcement of a immediately vowing to “work in posed to resuming talks with ments about the EU in recent single candidate, Yildirim will total harmony” with the strong- the outlawed Kurdistan Workers weeks. likely be approved as new AKP man leader. Party (PKK), the Kurdish militant Yildirim vowed yesterday to leader by an extraordinary con- Yildirim delivering a speech The ruling Justice and Devel- group that has claimed respon- “rid Turkey of the calamity of gress of the party on Sunday. during a press conference, prior opment Party (AKP) will offi - sibility for several attacks across terrorism”. According to AKP convention, to the announcement of him cially appoint Transport Minister Turkey since a two-year-long His fi rst high-profi le outing the posts of party chief and head being appointed to become the Binali Yildirim as its chairman on ceasefi re collapsed in 2015. as prime minister is expected to of government automatically go new ruling party chairman. Sunday, meaning that he will au- The new prime minister’s main be the opening of the fi rst World to the same fi gure. tomatically become prime min- task, observers say, will be to pi- Humanitarian Summit in Is- Erdogan will then give the Left: Erdogan thanking outgoing ister. lot a change in the constitution to tanbul on Monday which will be new AKP leader the mandate to prime minister Davutoglu at the Yildirim will replace Ahmet transform Turkey from a parlia- attended by German Chancellor serve as prime minister early next presidential palace in Ankara. Davutoglu, who stepped down mentary to a presidential system, Angela Merkel. week, after which a new cabinet after a struggle with Erdogan, as placing more power in Erdogan’s Analysts expect that Yildirim will be announced. As such, he has been a key lieu- Selvi, the only serious diff erence nouncement earlier this month the president seeks to concen- hands. – who has never stepped out of As a ferry company chief tenant of Erdogan in implement- between the two men is that Er- that he was stepping down, the trate more power in the presi- “And now it’s time for the line with the president on a pol- and then as transport minis- ing what the president likes to dogan supports the Fenerbahce AKP has been keen to promote an dential offi ce. presidential system,” Yildirim icy issue – will prove a far more ter, Yildirim has for the last two call his “crazy” projects to create football side and Yildirim their image of unity in public. “We will work in total harmo- said earlier in May just after Da- pliable fi gure for the president decades worked in the transport a “New Turkey”, almost always arch Istanbul rivals Galatasaray. However fi nancial markets ny with all our party comrades vutoglu’s resignation. than Davutoglu. sector, an absolutely key area in pictured in the press wearing a The two have been close allies have not appreciated the political at all levels, beginning with our Another critical task facing the After the offi cial appointment Turkey which is trying to catch hard hat and fl uorescent jacket. since Erdogan was elected mayor uncertainty, with the Turkish lira founding president and leader,” new prime minister will be to ne- expected on Sunday, “the post of up its lag in infrastructure with According to the columnist for of Istanbul in 1994. losing 5% in value against the US said Yildirim after being named gotiate with the European Union prime minister will have changed vast new projects. the Hurriyet daily, Abdulkadir Despite Davutoglu’s shock an- dollar over the last month. Strikes rock France Spanish region as PM urges ‘harsh’ bans bull killing in treatment for rioters festivals

AFP While a policeman and a po- dent Francois Hollande. Paris licewoman were still inside the Small groups of troublemak- AFP car, a small group of masked ers appear to have infi ltrated the Madrid protesters beat the vehicle with protests, bent on attacking se- rance was disrupted by a iron bars before hurling in an ex- curity forces. third straight day of mass plosive device. After Wednesday’s violence, uthorities in the Spanish Fstrikes and demonstra- Both offi cers escaped un- Paris police chief Michel Ca- region of Castilla y Leon tions yesterday as the prime harmed. dot slapped bans on another 19 Ahave announced a ban on minister called for protesters Valls said: “The punishment people designated as hardcore the killing of bulls during tradi- who torched a police car to face must be harsh. The inquiry has activists, forbidding them from tional festivals, in a partial vic- “harsh” punishment. just started, arrests have been joining demonstrations. Protesters are arrested by police off icers during a demonstration yesterday in Nantes against the tory for animal rights activists. Dozens of fl ights and trains made.” And he called on those taking government’s planned labour law reforms. The decree targets the north- were cancelled as rail staff and Five suspects have been ar- part in the protest marches to ern region’s controversial Toro air traffi c controllers walked off rested over the attack. physically distance themselves in French as “casseurs” – from were forced through the lower and do little to bring down the de la Vega bull run, which takes the job in the latest mass pro- A video of the incident post- from any violent activists. mingling with the crowd. house of parliament last week unemployment rate, stuck at place every year in the town of tests against the government’s ed on Facebook had registered Security marshals appointed But his call for organisers to without a vote. 10% and nearly 25% for young Tordesillas and sees crowds on labour market reforms. 6.4mn hits by 1400 GMT. by the unions to control the think twice before staging a pro- The national rail operator people. foot and horseback chase the Taking an increasingly hard Tensions ran high as up to march appeared to have heeded test was dismissed by CGT un- SNCF said around 14% of its The labour reform, which animal, taking stabs at it with line after two months of dem- 14,000 people marched in Paris a call from police to leave clubs ion chief Philippe Martinez. staff had gone on strike yester- would make it easier for em- lances until they kill it. onstrations, Prime Minister yesterday, according to police and batons at home. “You cannot prevent democ- day, while Orly airport – the ployers to hire and fi re workers, Activists have for years tried to Manuel Valls threatened to use estimates, with masked protest- Cadot had already issued racy from being expressed just second-largest in Paris – was is likely the last major piece of get authorities to ban the bloody force to break up protests which ers again seeking confrontation around 40 orders banning peo- because there are problems on forced to cancel 15% of its fl ights. legislation to be put forward by mediaeval tradition, which pre- interfered with the operation of with riot police. ple judged to be troublemakers the sidelines of demonstra- The government says the Hollande’s government. dates the introduction of the ports, refi neries and airports. Violence has erupted at sev- from attending demonstrations, tions,” he said. changes contained in the draft Hollande, whose poll ratings classic bullfi ght at the end of the But he reserved his strongest eral demonstrations in recent but some of those orders have Over the past two months, law will make France’s notori- are among the lowest of any 17th century, and the Socialists words for those who attacked a weeks – mostly against the la- been suspended by the courts. some 350 members of the se- ously rigid labour market more post-war French president, has have pledged to put an end to it if police car in Paris on Wednesday bour reforms forced through Valls also called on dem- curity forces have been injured fl exible and create jobs. said he will decide by the end of they are elected. on the sidelines of a rally by cops parliament by the deeply un- onstration organisers to pre- during protests against the pro- But opponents say the re- the year whether to run for re- “The government has ap- protesting “anti-cop hatred”. popular government of Presi- vent troublemakers – known posed labour reforms, which forms will erode job security election next May. proved ... a decree banning the death of bulls in public in popular and traditional taurine events,” authorities in Castilla y Leon said in a statement. But the ban only aff ects events Naples smashes Romanian Cannes such as bull runs and not the more controversial bullfi ghts, which government offi cial Jose contender tackles Antonio de Santiago-Juarez de- world record with scribed as “art, emotion, beauty ... and harmony”. root of corruption He said that the region’s con- servative government had taken mile-long pizza this decision to “accommodate AFP houses around the world. the demands of current society”. Cannes His 2012 movie Beyond the And while it prohibits the kill- AFP ognised by Unesco as part of the Hills, set in an Orthodox con- ing of the bull, the decree does Naples world’s heritage, distinguishing vent, won both best screenplay not make any mention of the it from what purists consider Neapolitan pizza makers attempt on Wednesday to make the ost-communist socie- and best actress prizes for its practice of taking stabs at the to be inferior forms found else- longest pizza to break a Guinness World Record along the seafront ties will not root out two stars. animal during the event, which aples has reclaimed the where. of Naples. Prampant corruption un- Mungiu said that many peo- activists say terrorise and in- world record for the til their citizens stop the grub- ple in Romania felt the deck jure it. Silvia Barquero, head of Nlongest pizza after more by compromises in their own had been stacked against them animal rights party PACMA, said than 200 chefs rolled out and lives, previous Cannes winner since communism gave way to the issue now was to see exactly cooked a mile-long margherita Cristian Mungiu of Romania sleaze-wracked capitalism. how the town hall of Tordesillas on the waterfront of the doughy told the festival yesterday. “We speak a lot about cor- would implement the decree. delicacy’s home city. His latest Cannes contend- ruption in Romania but I never “Will it allow people to take The record-breaking er Graduation, which drew a wanted to make a fi lm about stabs at the bull or not? This snack measured up at exactly warm reception, tells the story the social corruption that we should not be allowed as it would 1,853.88m (6,082’), smashing of Romeo, a father in Transyl- see, this is for the press, the lead to the death of the bull,” she the previous record of 1,595.45m vania who hopes his daughter press speaks everyday about told AFP. (5,234’) set at last year’s World Eliza can escape their troubled corruption,” he said. “What I She said that the decision was Expo in Milan, Italy’s food and country with a scholarship to a wanted to do is to have some only a partial victory for animal agriculture board Coldiretti British university. questions about a possible re- rights activists that want the said. Eliza is a star student but lationship between the social festival banned altogether. “It’s Hundreds of chefs from all on the eve of her fi rst school- corruption and moral compro- a fi rst step, although not the last over the world spent most of leaving exam is assaulted in mises that you get used to do in one.” Wednesday assembling the broad daylight. your own life and without even But Jose Antonio Gonzalez pizza from raw ingredients of Romeo, a doctor at a state noticing.” Poncela, mayor of Tordesillas, 2,000kg (4,400 pounds) of hospital, fears the trauma will Mungiu said the issue took told reporters that the town hall fl our, 1,600kg (3,527 pounds) undermine her performance on a new dimension for him would appeal the decision. of tomatoes, 2,000kg (4,400 on the tests and tries to ensure when he had his own children. He said the decree went pounds) of mozzarella cheese, a high score for her by swap- “I’m talking about my gen- against several national laws 200 litres (53 gallons) of oil and ping favours with the people eration. It’s one of the most aimed at safeguarding Spain’s 30kg (66 pounds) of basil. marking them. important issues that we can cultural heritage. It was then baked in line Meanwhile, he is carrying have as parents at this age, de- Bullfi ghting and related events with the city’s best tradition by on a secret aff air with a woman ciding exactly what to say to have come under increasing fi re wood-fi re in fi ve custom-made who works at Eliza’s school, a your child, what your moral in Spain as afi cionados of the motorised ovens. betrayal that his daughter un- line is with your children,” he tradition lock horns with animal The record attempt had ini- covers and forces her father to told reporters. rights activists. tially been scheduled for Sunday reveal to his wife. “If you live in Romania ... The Catalonia region in north- but had to be postponed because Mungiu, who won the Palme you have to decide – and I eastern Spain banned corridas in of bad weather in the southern d’Or prize nine years ago for think it’s the most important 2012, for instance, and the city Italian city. the wrenching 1980s abortion choice – what you must do hall in A Coruna in the north- It was organised to promote drama 4 Months, 3 Weeks and for your children, what you do western Galicia region dropped Italy’s bid to have the art of 2 Days, represents the Roma- with your children. Advising the “feria” – an annual festival Neapolitan pizza-making rec- nian New Wave conquering art them to stay or leave.” with bullfi ghts and bull running. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 11 INDIA LDF captures power in Kerala BJP enters assembly after decades of waiting

By Ashraf Padanna Gulf Times Correspondent Doha resident Thiruvananthapuram

he Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the Com- Tmunist Party of India wins election (Marxist) has returned to power in Kerala defeating the Congress By Ashraf Padanna mit absentee voting like in the Party-led United Democratic Gulf Times Correspondent Philippines instead of insisting Front (UDF) by 91-47. Thiruvananthapuram on fl ying home to exercise their It was the LDF all the way as franchise. the state decided to keep its tra- Abdullah was the general dition of alternating between the atar resident Parakkal secretary of the Kerala Muslim main fronts and thrashing the Abdullah will be among Cultural Centre. During his term hopes of Chief Minister Oom- Qthe fi rst-time legislators the organization introduced a men Chandy that the unprec- in the 14th Kerala assembly to be “security scheme” for expatri- edented infrastructure develop- formed next month. ates in distress and opened the ment and benevolent schemes The Indian Union Muslim Qatar chapter of CH Centre for would bring him votes. League (IUML) candidate won acute patients and those suff er- Prime Minister Narendra from Kuttiadi in the northern ing from terminal illness. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party Kozhikode district long held by Earlier, Manjalamkuzhi Ali, a (BJP) also opened its account in the rival Communist Party of former resident of Saudi Arabia, the 140-member assembly with India (Marxist) in the just con- and Thomas Chandy of Kuwait, its veteran leader O Rajagopal cluded elections. had to give up their Non-Resi- stitching a convincing victory in “I have to thank my expatri- dent Indian (NRI) status to con- Nemom constituency defeating ate friends for this victory. They test the polls before the elections a CPM candidate. came from Qatar, UAE, Saudi rules were amended in 2012 al- The BJP lost Manjeshwar con- Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait to lowing them to participate in stituency in the northern tip of ensure my win,” Abdullah said elections while in India. the state by a whisker of 89 votes by phone from his constituency Ali was a member of the out- while it came second in Kasara- in the middle of a victory rally. going cabinet of Chief Minister god, Malampuzha, Palakkad, He defeated CPM’s K K Lathi- Oommen Chandy. Chathannur and Vattiyoorkavu. ka by a margin of 1,157 votes in Both Ali and Chandy have won Four ministers, K Babu a nail-biting fi nish that saw the this time as well. (Thrippunithura), Shibu Baby fortunes changing after count- But Abdullah’s victory, in the John (Chavara), K P Mohanan ing of votes cast on each of the face of an anti-incumbency wave (Koothuparamba) and P K Jay- 152 electronic voting machines against the Chandy government alakshmi (Mananthavadi), bit used in diff erent polling stations of which the IUML was a part, the dust. of the constituency. is even more exciting as Kuttiadi Speaker N Sakthan (Kat- He cornered 71,805 votes (formerly Meppayur) had never takkada) and Deputy Speaker K against Lathika’s 70,652 and sent a non-Marxist legislator. Surendran were also defeated. 12,327 votes polled by Rama- This was the third fi ght of However, K M Mani, who had das Manaleri, the candidate of Laithika, wife of CPM district to quit as fi nance minister af- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s secretary P Mohanan, here. She ter bribery charges, retained his Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers celebrate their party’s victory in the Kerala assembly polls, in Kannur yesterday. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). P C had won by a margin of 6,972 Pala seat for the 13th straight Baskaran of the Welfare Party of votes last time. time by a margin of 4,703 votes. CPM strongman Pinarayi Vi- James Mathew (Taliparamba), the communal and divisive forc- minister would be decided today. India who got 1,125 votes and Sa- The CPM is also ruling six of His bitter rival P C George jayan, 72, who is likely to succeed Aisha Potty (Kottarakkara) and es,” Vijayan said. “The state secretariat and state majwadi Party’s Sabu Kakkattil the eight panchayats (local self- won the nearby Poonjar seat by a Chandy, won from his home B Sathyan (Attingal) and Mons “We would now work hard to committee will meet in Thiru- (860 votes) were also in the race. governments) in the constituency. margin of 27,821 votes to become constituency of Dharmadam by Joseph (Kaduthuruthy) of Kerala achieve promises made in our vananthapuram tomorrow to “I faced all sorts of allega- Abdullah won the hearts of the lone unattached independ- a huge margin of 36,905 votes. Congress crossed the winning election manifesto.” elect a leader.” tions during electioneering. They the constituency by off ering to ent in the assembly. Of the 91 His lieutenant E P Jayarajan margin of 40,000. Chandy, who will tender his Celebrity winners include questioned my candidature as an improve basic infrastructure winners on the left side, six are registered the highest margin of Clashes between CPM and resignation today morning, said actors Mukesh (Kollam) and expatriate and even lodged a com- facilities like roads and drink- CPM-backed independents. 43,381 votes in the nearby Mat- BJP workers erupted in several he was taking responsibility for Ganesh Kumar (Pathanapuram) plaint with the Election Commis- ing water distribution. He also Chandy, 72, defeated his CPM tannur constituency while Anil parts of the state after the results the defeat as the UDF chairper- and losers are Jagadish (Pathan- sion against the expats coming to wants to turn Kuttiadi into an rival by 27,092 votes in Puthup- Akkara of the Congress won were announced. A CPM worker son. apuram) and cricketer Sreesanth vote,” he told Gulf Times. education hub. pally while Leader of the Oppo- Wadakkanchery by the lowest was killed in a blast during the “We were not expecting this. (Thiruvananthapuram). “There is at least one expatri- “People were fed up with po- sition V S Achuthanandan, 92, margin of just three votes. victory procession of Vijayan in It’s a setback we have to ponder Two student leaders from ate in every family and there are litical violence here. Develop- was elected from his Malam- The UDF could not win any Dharmadam. about,” he said. He is also un- the Jawaharlal Nehru Univer- 28,000 expatriate votes here. I ment is the solution and I off ered puzha constituency by 27, 142 seat in Kollam district. In some places, UDF and LDF likely to take up the mantle of the sity (JNU), Roji M John (Con- won against all odds with their just that,” Abdullah said. votes. The winning margin of CPM workers also clashed. Leader of the Opposition. gress, Angamaly) and Mohamed support.” He conducted “family meets” The opponents of both were candidates C Krishnan (Payya- “People have given a decisive In New Delhi, CPM leader Mohsin (CPI, Pattambi) also The legislator-elect who has across the constituency to take student leaders in their twenties. nur), T V Rajesh (Kalliasseri), verdict in our favour and against Prakash Karat said the new chief won. been doing business in Doha the residents into confi dence for the past three decades now during the two-and-a-half- wants the government to per- month campaigning. My victory is Jayalalithaa defeats exit start of BJP surge in state: polls – and opposition Rajagopal IANS Chennai IANS Thiruvananthapuram amil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa yesterday Rajagopal, the 86-year- Tled her All India Anna old political veteran, cre- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to Oated history yesterday a second fi ve-year term, con- by opening the Bharatiya Janata vincingly defeating a divided Party’s account in the Kerala as- opposition and proving wrong sembly when he won the Nemom exit polls that predicted her seat, defeating two-time sitting ouster. legislator V Sivankutty. “I am overwhelmed by the Speaking to reporters at the resounding victory given by the state BJP headquarters here, an people. My party and I are in- excited and happy Rajagopal said debted to the people of Tamil with his victory, the surge of the Nadu,” Jayalalithaa said as party in Kerala will now begin. the AIADMK cruised to vic- “Everyone, including the CPM Supporters carry Abdullah after his victory in Kuttiadi yesterday. tory in 134 of the 232 assembly and the Congress Party, was say- seats. ing that the BJP will not open its Congress-DMK alliance to form Puducherry govt “After 1984, no ruling party account in Kerala,” he said. in the state has been able to win “A K Antony ridiculed us by The Congress-Dravida AINRC had an alliance with the an election and form the govern- saying that the BJP will have to Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK. ment for a successive term,” she take a visitor’s pass to the assem- combine secured a majority The Congress-DMK combine said. bly and take its seat in the visitors’ in Puducherry yesterday, was upbeat about winning the The actress-turned-politi- gallery.” dislodging the ruling AINRC, polls as factors like closure of cian, who is known to nurture State BJP chief Kummanam and were set to form the next factories, loss of jobs and lack larger national political ambi- Rajasekharan tweeted: “We are government in the union of infrastructure development tions, said there was no word in entering Kerala Assembly. Dedi- territory. played against the AINRC the dictionary to describe her cating this feat to the eff orts of While the Congress won 15 government. feelings. The victory “is truly our Karyakartas, memories of our seats, the DMK won two seats Getting Puducherry statehood historic.” Balidanis and faith cast by voters.” in the 30-member assembly. is one of the major promises of The Dravida Munnetra Ka- A party supporter prostrates himself at the feet of Jayalalithaa at her residence in Chennai yesterday. Rajagopal defeated Sivankutty The All India NR Congress all parties. zhagam-Congress combine by over 8,000 votes. (AINRC) won only eight seats While the Congress did not which had hoped to unseat Jay- dia and MDMK - part of the six- celebrated the party’s victory MK came from Chennai, which Even before his victory was an- and the All India Anna Dravida project any chief ministerial alalithaa won 97 seats, with the party grouping - blamed their outside Jayalalithaa’s residence was battered by fl ash fl oods in nounced, hundreds of BJP sup- Munnetra Kazhagam grabbed candidate during the poll, Congress tally getting reduced defeat on the “money power” and all across the state. December and whose voters ap- porters began celebrating outside four. An independent candidate former chief minister V to just eight. A solitary seat went unleashed by the AIADMK and The PMK, which for the fi rst peared to have overwhelmingly the counting centre. was also elected. Vaithilingam is a hot contender to DMK ally, the Indian Union the DMK. time fought in all the constitu- turned against the ruling party. Rajagopal had contested the With the people’s verdict going for the post. Muslim League. “The AIADMK and DMK encies, did not win a single seat. AIADMK candidates trailed Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha against him, Chief Minister A major setback for the Prime Minister Narendra bribed the voters on a large The Bharatiya Janata Party and behind the DMK in 10 of the 16 seat in 1999, 2004 and 2014. He N Rangasamy submitted his Congress however was the Modi, whose party had dubbed scale,” MDMK leader Vaiko said. its allies which too contested all constituencies in the capital. fi nished in the second place be- resignation to Lt Governor A K defeat of prominent leader Jayalalithaa corrupt during the “It was the money power that the seats suff ered a similar fate. But Jayalalithaa retained her hind Shashi Tharoor of the Con- Singh here. E Valasaraj to independent election campaign, promptly won in the 2016 assembly elec- Polling was postponed in two Radhakrishnan Nagar constitu- gress in 2014. Speaking to reporters, candidate V Ramachandran in congratulated her. tions.” constituencies by the Election ency in the city, trouncing the He also contested the 2011 as- Rangasamy, who was re-elected Mahe constituency. More than the DMK-Congress Added Communist leader R Commission. DMK by 39,545 votes. sembly polls from Nemom and from the Indira Nagar seat, said While there are several parties defeat was the washout of a Mutharasan: “We tried to form The DMK did make major DMK president and former fi nished second. In a 2012 by- he had submitted his cabinet’s like the Bharatiya Janata Party, six-party alliance led by actor- a third front but were not able to gains but this proved to be main- chief minister M Karunanidhi, election in Neyyatinkara, he se- resignation. the Communist Party of India, turned-politician and chief fi ght the money power.” ly at the cost of other opposition 91, was also elected to the as- cured more than 30,000 votes but Prior to the elections, he had the Communist Party of India ministerial hopeful A Vijaykanth None of this made any diff er- parties - indicating that Jayala- sembly from Thiruvarur - for the could not win. said his alliance was with the (Marxist), PMK and others in the who himself fi nished third in his ence to the tens of thousands of lithaa’s victory was made pos- 13th time. He has never been de- Until Rajagopal’s victory, the people and not with any other fray, none of them were able to constituency Ulundurpettai. AIADMK supporters, including sible by a splintered opposition. feated since he began contesting BJP had never won an assembly or political party. In 2011, the make their mark. The Communist Party of In- a large number of women, who The bad news for the AIAD- elections in 1957. Lok Sabha seat in Kerala. Gulf Times 12 Friday, May 20, 2016 INDIA

New govt must solve Congress decimated; BJP Assam’s identity makes history in Assam crisis: Ulfa

Focus on regional parties IANS after decisive wins New Delhi

Agencies New Delhi s the Bharatiya Janata Party created history in AAssam and is set to form rime Minister Narendra its maiden government in the Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Ja- northeast, the pro-talks faction Pnata Party yesterday won of the United Liberation Front power for the fi rst time in the of Asom (Ulfa) has said the new northeastern state of Assam, a government should resolve the victory that will help his govern- state’s “identity crisis on a pri- ment recover some reform mo- ority basis.” mentum after poll losses last year. The faction, which is in peace Grabbing power in Assam, one negotiations with the central of fi ve states electing new legis- government since 2010, has also latures, is a sign that the BJP is sought that the new government expanding its political infl uence should complete the process of beyond its traditional heartland. updating the National Register It also meant a bruising day for of Citizens (NRC), which it says the main opposition Congress is “the only feasible solution to Party, which has blocked econom- the illegal migrants issue, which ic reforms in parliament but now has led to much bloodshed in the looks an increasingly marginalised state.” force after defeats in Assam and “Among the major expecta- the southern state of Kerala. tions are the faster update of the In West Bengal, the ruling Tri- NRC, which makes things clear namool Congress crushed the about who are the illegal migrants opposition while Tamil Nadu’s in the state. Another expectation All India Anna Dravida Munne- is that the government should tra Kazhagam proved exit polls certainly help in sealing an accord wrong by retaining power in as- between the Ulfa and the Indian sembly elections. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters celebrate after winning the Assam assembly elections in Guwahati yesterday. government,” Sashadhar Chaud- The Communist Party of India hury, a senior member of the Ulfa (Marxist)-led Left Democratic underdeveloped state rife with “The upshot is that the out- Modi’s party has invested sig- state from Bangladesh and grab- as “Amma” has long enjoyed a faction that favours talks with the Front made a comeback in Kerala ethnic and religious tension. look for economic reforms has nifi cant political capital to make bing land, causing tensions with huge following in Tamil Nadu government, said. amid a washout in West Bengal. State elections are especially brightened a touch,” said Singa- inroads into opposition strong- local people and sporadic out- where she has won three terms Referring to the 15 years of The Congress was the worst important for Modi’s party be- pore-based Shilan Shah. holds, and increased its tiny seat breaks of communal violence. as chief minister since 1991. Tarun Gogoi-led Congress rule hit in the fi ve-state election, los- cause state legislators elect The results will also boost the share in West Bengal. India’s seven northeastern The 68-year-old has earned in the state, Chaudhury, who ing power both in Assam, which members of the Rajya Sabha, BJP’s confi dence ahead of an elec- “This expansion for the BJP states, joined to the rest of the loyalty with a series of populist was formerly part of the under- it had ruled for 15 long years, and the upper house of parliament, tion next year in Uttar Pradesh, comes at a time when the Con- country by a narrow sliver of schemes including giving away ground movement, said: “People Kerala, where it was confi dent of where reforms including a land- India’s most populous state, that gress is shrinking, even though land, are culturally distinct from gold, goats and kitchen applianc- wanted change and to get rid of winning its second term. mark tax bill are stuck because it is a must-win if Modi is ever to re- they have diff erent social con- the rest of the country and have a es at election time, but has also the Bangladeshi-based politics The Congress-Dravida does not have a majority. alise his hope of controlling both stituencies,” said political analyst long history of separatist insur- drawn accusations of corruption in Assam, which the new gov- Munnetra Kazhagam alliance was, Congress said it would con- houses of parliament. Ashok Malik Malik, a fellow with gencies. and an autocratic governing style. ernment should take care of.” however, ahead of the ruling All tinue to block the goods and Modi, 65, stormed to power in New Delhi-based Observer Re- “People were fed up and they This year, her AIADMK party’s The fi rst phase of the ambi- India NR Congress in Puducherry. services tax legislation in parlia- 2014 with a promise of jobs and search Foundation think-tank. wanted a change...that’s why election manifesto promises in- tious NRC updating process The BJP also made history in ment unless Modi agreed to its growth for India’s 1.3bn people. “And now, the BJP is the only this time they’ve voted for BJP cluded free Wi-Fi at public plac- was completed some years ago, Kerala where its veteran O Rajag- conditions. But the failure to pass reforms pan-India national party, which and its alliance partners,” said es, laptops for students, free cell and the second one has begun. opal, 86, was elected from Ne- The BJP will hope a weakened including the biggest revenue the Congress once used to be.” Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP’s As- phones and minimum units of The process involves upgrading mom in Thiruvananthapuram. Congress will make it easier to shake-up since independence The BJP mounted a fi erce sam chief ministerial candidate. free electricity every month. the register of 1951 by enlist- He will be the fi rst ever BJP persuade regional parties to back has dented his party’s reputation. campaign in tea-growing Assam, Jubilant supporters of Tamil There were equally colourful ing names of “genuine” Indian member in the Kerala assembly. his reforms. The prime minister took a less promising to support indigenous Nadu’s popular Chief Minister scenes in West Bengal’s capital citizens, one of the key decisions “Heartiest congratulations Capital Economics said that prominent role in this year’s elec- rights and crack down on illegal Jayalalithaa Jayaram gathered Kolkata, where Chief Minister of the tripartite talk among the to Assam BJP... and leaders for while Modi still faced an uphill bat- tions after a bad loss in a November immigration from neighbouring outside her house to celebrate, Mamata Banerjee’s support- Centre, the Assam government the exceptional win. This win is tle getting his legislation through poll in the eastern state of Bihar. Bangladesh. many of them painted in the col- ers chanted slogans and daubed and All Assam Students Union historic,” Modi said on Twitter, parliament, the results had im- His party also lost in the capi- Migrants have long been ac- ours of the state fl ag. their faces in her party’s colour, (Aasu) during the signing of As- after a polarising campaign in an proved the prospects slightly. tal New Delhi last year. cused of illegally entering the The former movie star known green. sam Accord in 1985. ‘Congress will Rahul must play role of Mamata tsunami sweeps aside constructive change his opposition’ all opposition in West Bengal style, says

IANS IANS Madan Mitra, now in jail in con- BJP leader Guwahati Kolkata nection with the Saradha chit fund scam. He lost out to his CPM rival Manas Mukherjee at IANS ssam Chief Minister rushing aside anti-incum- Kamarhati. New Delhi Tarun Gogoi yesterday bency and a high-pitched The alliance put up a spirited Aaccepted defeat in the as- Bopposition campaign on fi ght in some of the north Bengal sembly polls and said the Con- corruption, West Bengal Chief districts, but was no match for Bharatiya Janata Party gress Party will play the role of Minister Mamata Banerjee yes- the Trinamool in most districts poll strategist in Assam a constructive opposition in the terday led her Trinamool Con- in south. Asaid yesterday the dynas- legislative assembly. gress to a landslide victory on In Kolkata, the Trinamool tic politics of the Congress Party “We accept the mandate of the development plank, deci- candidates made a clean sweep led to its defeat in the northeast- the people. I thank the people of mating the newly cobbled Left- of all the 11 seats. It also deci- ern state. Assam for giving us three terms Congress alliance. mated the opposition in South The Congress also needs to do to serve them. Now the people In the 294-member assembly, 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, some introspection and change want us to sit in the opposition the Trinamool looked set to fi n- Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. its style of functioning, Himanta and play the role of a construc- ish with 212 seats - substantially For the alliance, the silver lin- Biswa Sarma, a former Congress tive opposition and I thank the more than the two-thirds ma- ing was Murshidabad and Malda leader, told a television channel. people for that,” Gogoi told re- jority mark of 196, and the 184 districts. In Murshidabad, the “The Congress is run on a con- porters at his offi cial residence seats the party bagged in 2011 Congress-Left Front bagged 18 cession basis. (Congress presi- at Koinadhara Hills in Guwahati. when it came to power in alliance and the Trinamool four. The Tri- dent) Sonia Gandhi made Rahul “It is only natural to feel bad with the Congress. namool drew a blank in Malda, Gandhi the party vice president about the result but I am not Banerjee, who formed the with the alliance picking up 11 not because of merit but he is her depressed. In democracy, one Trinamool in 1998 by breaking seats and the BJP one. son. Similarly, Rahul conceded has to accept the verdict of the away from the Congress to ful- The Trinamool also failed to some ground to Assam Chief people and we have accepted fi ll her life’s mission of taking on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee waves towards her supporters outside her residence after open its account in Darjeeling, Minister (Tarun Gogoi),” he said. that. We are going to try our best the then entrenched Commu- her Trinamool Congress Party won a resounding victory in assembly elections. where the alliance and the GJM “This culture of concession to play the role of a constructive nist Party of India(Marxist)-Left won three seats each. starts from 10 Janpath and goes opposition,” he said. Front, not only won handsomely showed the Left-Congress hind the ruling party’s electoral who nailed Lalu Prasad Yadav in For the BJP, its state president down to the panchayat level. As “I am thankful to the people with a 25,000 plus margin from combine fi nishing well below triumph. the fodder scam - bit the dust. Dilip Ghosh pulled off a surprise many as 34 of the 126 Congress that they have not abandoned Bhabanipur, but also made the the three-digit mark. The al- Most Trinamool ministers Staving off the strong opposi- victory in Kharagpur Sadar, get- candidates in Assam were sons the Congress completely. May be Trinamool the only party in the liance candidates had won or won, including Partha Chatter- tion off ensive on graft, fi ve of the ting the better of nonagenar- and daughters of big politicians,” there are some shortcomings on state to emerge victorious in the were ahead in just 77 seats. The jee, Amit Mitra and Jyotipriyo six Trinamool candidates seen ian Congress candidate Gyan Sarma added. our part or may be that the peo- assembly election by fi ghting Congress seemed to be doing Mallik. However, fi ve of their allegedly accepting money in the Singh Sohanpal, who had won Sarma, a minister in the Go- ple have expected more from us alone since 1962. better than the Left by winning ministerial colleagues including video footage of the Narada sting ten terms from the constituency, goi-led government in Assam, than we delivered,” he said. Flashing the famed victory or leading in 44 constituencies. Upen Biswas - a former Central operation, also won. and had remained undefeated left the Congress following con- Gogoi said that he had already sign after the resounding tri- Left candidates were in the fi rst Bureau of Investigation offi cer The only exception was since 1982. fl ict with the chief minister and congratulated Bharatiya Janata umph, Banerjee thanked the position in 32. An independent joined the BJP in 2015. Party leader Sarbananda Sonowal people and dubbed the Con- backed by the alliance also won. Could co-operate with BJP on GST, says CM “Rahul Gandhi should make for the victory. “It is a grand suc- gress-Left alliance as a “blun- The dismal scenario for the the Congress a normal opposi- cess for them. The BJP, the AGP der,” saying both forces had Left-Congress alliance was re- Mamata Banerjee yesterday operate,” Banerjee said in her relations with Congress at tion. To keep the party grow- and the BPF came together this compromised with their ideolo- fl ected in its unoffi cial chief made it clear that while maiden post-victory press the national level, she said: ing, he has to change. This is a time and won the polls,” he said. gies. ministerial candidate, CPM state her party had “ideological conference when asked about “You should ask this question clear message. He is no god, and Reiterating that he’ll still be Amid the raucous cheers and secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra diff erences” with the Bharatiya Trinamool’s role in allowing to them, they joined hands should not behave like one,” the active in politics, Gogoi said and loud trumpeting by supporters suff ering a humiliating defeat by Janata Party, her Trinamool passage for the stalled GST bill with the Left to fight us.” The BJP leader said. downs are a part of a politician’s who had gathered in thousands over 13,000 votes in Narayan- Congress could co-operate in parliament. The Trinamool Trinamool and Congress had “You (Rahul Gandhi) became life. “I have seen many ups and near her Spartan residence at garh. He had been winning from with Prime Minister Narendra has favoured passage of the successfully fought the 2011 the Congress vice president be- downs in my life, be it in national South Kolkata’s Harish Chat- there since 1991. Modi’s government on the GST bill and also mentioned assembly elections that led to cause you are the son of Sonia politics or in Assam,” he added. terjee Road, Banerjee kept open Mishra, also the leader of the passage of the long-pending it in its manifesto during the the ouster of the Left Front. Gandhi. You made Gaurav Gogoi The outgoing chief minister speculations of playing a major opposition in the outgoing as- Goods and Services Tax (GST) 2014 Lok Sabha and 2011 Asked about her role in a an MP over and above the nor- said the party was going to ana- role in the 2019 general elec- sembly, said the alliance with bill. “We have ideological assembly elections. Banerjee future Third Front, Banerjee mal ‘karyakarta’ of the Congress lyse the loopholes and defi cien- tions saying: “I love my country, the Congress “had its faults” and diff erences with the BJP but also lashed out at the BJP for avoided a direct reply and because he is the son of Tarun cies in the party and the factors though Bengal is my priority. attributed a “tacit understand- if there are matters which its divisive “Hindu-Muslim merely said: Wait and see how Gogoi. This politics has been that led the BJP and its allies to Just wait and see.” ing” between the Trinamool and will help people, we can co- politics.” On her party’s things unfold.” rejected by the people of India,” victory. Final results and trends the Bharatiya Janata Party be- the BJP leader added. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 13

LATIN AMERICA

POLITICS CRIME FALLOUT LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE Argentine lawmakers Human remains found Fujimori aide quits after Brazil ex-president’s Marquez’s ashes arrive in pass bill to stop layoff s near Mexico site money laundering claim ally jailed for 23 years Colombia ahead of tribute

Argentina’s opposition-controlled lower Skeletal remains from an undetermined number Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori A leading ally of Brazil’s leftist icon and ex- The ashes of Latin American literary great chamber of Congress yesterday passed of individuals have been found not far from has announced that a senior aide had resigned president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been Gabriel Garcia Marquez have arrived in his a bill to prevent layoff s in the public and where 43 Mexican students went missing nearly from her centre-right party in a bid to calm sentenced to 23 years prison for his part in a native Colombia ahead of a Sunday ceremony private sectors, challenging the centre-right two years ago, off icials said. Investigators found an uproar following media reports that linked giant corruption scheme that has shaken the at their final resting place, his son said. The government’s eff orts to cut a gaping fiscal bone fragments including skulls, shin bones, the two to money laundering. Fujimori said country’s elite. Jose Dirceu, a former chief of Nobel-winning author of the groundbreaking deficit and spur investment in the battered jawbones and teeth of various people, as well Joaquin Ramirez, the party’s secretary general, staff under Lula and a co-founder with the ex- epic One Hundred Years of Solitude, died in economy. President Mauricio Macri, who as sandals and pieces of clothing, according off ered to step down, even though both have president of the Workers’ Party, was sentenced Mexico City in April 2014, at the age of 87. took power in December on a pro-business to a statement from the prosecutor’s off ice in denied any wrongdoing. “He understands for “crimes of corruption, money laundering “The ashes are in Colombia,” Gonzalo Garcia platform, has already said he would veto the the impoverished southern state of Guerrero. that there is an intent to upset my presidential and membership of a criminal group,” judge Barcha, one of Marquez’s two sons, said. bill, arguing it would block the government’s The remains were found in the small town of campaign,” Fujimori told reporters in broadcast Sergio Moro said. The sentence of 23 years and The ceremony will be held at the historic eff orts t o revive the economy and ultimately El Mirador alongside a road linking the towns comments as she displayed Ramirez’ three months can be appealed. Prosecutors say La Merced Cloister, a former convent which boost employment. The bill passed the lower of Coacoyula and Apipilulco, they said. News resignation letter. A Peruvian television show Dirceu, 70, was a ringleader of a scam centred is now part of the University of Cartagena. chamber 147 to 3, with 88 abstentions. The reports said the bone fragments appeared to be reported that Ramirez was the subject of a at Petrobras in which contractors paid bribes During the ceremony a monument to Senate, where no party has a majority, has from at least four people, and may have been money laundering investigation by the US to receive inflated contracts, and stolen money Marquez will be dedicated. It includes a bust already passed the legislation. burned. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). was funnelled to politicians and political parties. of the author in which his ashes will be stored. Brazil on time for ‘safe’ Olympics, says minister

Reuters having the Games succeed,” he Brasilia said. Picciani dismissed concerns expressed on Monday by Defence ll infrastructure for the Minister Raul Jungmann that the Olympic Games in Rio de Rousseff government had over- AJaneiro will be ready before looked security issues to the point they begin in August, including a that some key foreign intelligence much-delayed metro line, Brazil’s agencies had stopped co-operat- newly appointed Sports Minister ing with Brazil. Leonardo Picciani said in an in- “I am very sure that Brazil has terview. taken all the measures needed Picciani was appointed by in- to eff ectively guarantee that the terim President Michel Temer, Games will be safe,” he said. who took over last week from Impeachment proceedings President Dilma Rousseff after against Rousseff paralysed her she was suspended to face trial for cash-strapped government and it Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro carries a child wearing a costume of a Venezuelan soldier, while he speaks during a meeting with fishermen and entrepreneurs in the allegedly breaking budget rules. never got around to launching an fisheries sector in Guanta. “All the obligatory infrastruc- international campaign to publi- ture will be fi nished in time,” Pic- cise Brazil’s tourist attractions to ciani said. draw more visitors. Even facilities that are behind Picciani said the campaign will schedule will be ready, he said, now start within days. Turmoil such as the velodrome that is and economic slump have damp- 86% fi nished and training facili- ened enthusiasm among Brazil- ties that are in the fi nal phases of ians for a global sports event that construction. was meant to showcase the emer- Opposition pressures A main concern for organisers gence of their nation as a major has been completion of Line Four world player. of the Rio metro system to trans- The lack of Olympic buzz is ev- port visitors to the southern end ident in tickets sales that are be- of the city next to the Olympic low plan. Picciani said Brazilians Villages. are known for leaving everything The Rio state government is to the last minute and excitement Maduro after protests responsible for the work and has will pick up as the Games draw guaranteed that the line would be closer. AFP “with the constitution.” across the country, according tinued to reject the referendum. the tide of adversity on the “im- operating on time, the minister “I’m sure they will be a success Caracas Its leader, Henrique Capriles, to the opposition and rights The US state department said perialist” United States, which said. at the box offi ce too,” he said. tweeted that Maduro “is con- groups. it was “deeply troubled” by the he accuses of conspiring with Buff eted by political crisis and a Picciani said all Olympic build- sidered void and nobody should The confrontations exacer- situation in Venezuela. Venezuela’s “fascist” right to severe economic recession, Brazil ing contracts will be examined for enezuela’s opposition respect him.” bated international concern over A spokesman said: “Reports overthrow him. is scrambling to prepare for the signs off corruption in the wake yesterday kept pressure On Wednesday, around 1,000 oil-dependent Venezuela, whose of excessive use of force and To counter foreign “armed in- Games that start on August 5. of the massive graft and kickback Von beleaguered President protesters tried to march in economy is being torn apart by violence against protesters ob- tervention” Maduro has ordered Adding to the government’s scandal that has hit state-run oil Nicolas Maduro after protests Caracas to demand electoral a brutal recession, hyperinfl a- viously is troubling to us and of military exercises for tomorrow. concerns, an outbreak of the mos- company Petrobras. demanding his ouster amid a authorities respect a petition tion and food and electric power deep concern.” The accusation is the same Ma- quito-borne Zika virus threatens Nothing has been found yet, he mounting political and econom- calling for a recall referendum shortages. Senior US intelligence offi cials duro’s late predecessor, Hugo to keep visitors and even some said, although public works such ic crisis. against Maduro, one of two doz- Former Spanish prime minis- have already said they believe Chavez, often raised. athletes from attending Rio2016. World Cup soccer stadiums have The opposition-controlled en opposition rallies across the ter Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero the South American nation is But it appears Maduro has not Picciani said Temer has made also been tarred by scandal. congress held a session to lam- country. But they were blocked was in Caracas trying to mediate in “meltdown” and at risk from convinced Venezuela’s popula- hosting a successful Olympics a Just four days on the job, Pic- bast the leftwing leader, who has by hundreds of riot police fi ring some sort of detente between public revolt. tion, 70% of which wants to see top priority of his incoming gov- ciani said he plans to speak to introduced a state of emergency tear gas. Maduro and the opposition. A senior Vatican offi cial, Paul a new government, according ernment as he endeavours to re- Rio authorities in the next few he warned could be bolstered Some demonstrators threw On Wednesday, the head of Richard Gallagher, the Vati- to recent polls. “The people no store confi dence in Brazil’s once- days about the water quality in further if “violent” acts against rocks and bottles. Maduro’s the Organisation of American can’s secretary for relations with longer want revolution,” said booming economy. Guanabara Bay where competi- his government occurred. United Socialist Party said seven States, Luis Almagro, said Ma- states, scuttled plans to visit Migdalia Lopez, 51, lining up for “The president’s keyword is tions such as sailing, canoeing The opposition has reject- police offi cers were hurt in the duro was a “traitor” to his people Venezuela next week amid the bread in the town of Guarenas, ‘confi dence’ and that will be and open water swimming will be ed the decree and called on capital. Thirty people were ar- and would be considered yet an- escalating unrest. east of the capital. “What they demonstrated to the world by held. the army to swap sides to be rested in the various protests other “petty dictator” if he con- Maduro has heaped blame for want is food.” Brazil’s ousted House Hundreds abused at speaker faces ethics panel Mexico rehab shelter AFP “No one believed me,” she Guadalajara, Mexico said. “After they left, I was awak- Reuters mer to accept his ally as coalition who has denied wrongdoing in ened at night with a beating and Brasilia leader. any of the cases, can be tried only punished again.” Temer preferred a consensus by the Supreme Court. exican police rescued The authorities discovered the candidate, but accepted Cunha Moura’s proximity to Cunha hundreds of men, shelter, called “Spiritual Awak- razil’s suspended House ally Andre Moura on Wednes- thrust the ousted speaker back Mwomen and children ening, Alcoholics and Drug Ad- speaker, Eduardo Cunha, day when it became clear that into the spotlight as he returned from a drug rehabilitation shelter dicts of the West,” after a woman Bdefended himself before 13 second-tier parties with 225 to Congress yesterday to tes- where they were found suff ering who visited a relative reported an ethics committee yesterday, a lawmakers had closed ranks be- tify before an ethics committee from beatings, cigarette burns being assaulted and held against day after the appointment of his hind him, according to two presi- weighing whether to perma- and rape, offi cials said. her will until she paid the equiv- ally as leader of the government dential aides who asked not to be nently strip his mandate as a Police from western Jalisco alent of $80. coalition in the chamber showed named. lawmaker. state raided the shelter in the city “The surprise was to fi nd 271 the veteran lawmaker’s enduring The compromise underscores He is accused of lying to a con- of Tonala, near the regional capi- people living in three small hous- political sway. the uphill battle facing Temer’s gressional probe about undis- tal Guadalajara, and found the es,” Jalisco prosecutor Almaguer The Supreme Court in- market-friendly economic team closed Swiss bank accounts. victims living crowded together Eduardo Ramirez told reporters defi nitely suspended Eduardo as it tries to pass unpopular re- Cunha reiterated before the in appalling conditions with during a news conference. Cunha this month on charges forms in Congress aimed at ethics committee that he had no spoiled food and boards used to Inside, police found boards of obstructing a corruption in- closing a huge fi scal defi cit and undeclared accounts overseas in beat them. with which victims were beaten, vestigation, just weeks after he restoring investor confi dence in his name, and that accounts re- Of the 271 people held there, 112 he added, saying they lived on orchestrated the approval of im- Brazil’s moribund economy. vealed by Swiss authorities were were minors. a “subhuman” diet. Some 18 peachment proceedings against Despite broad support in run by trusts on his family’s be- “We would go six days without minors showed signs of abuse, President Dilma Rousseff in the Congress, Moura is a controver- half. sleep or food, with three fi ngers of 13 from beatings and cigarette lower house. sial spokesman for the interim Although Cunha has been water,” one of the victims, Jaque- burns. The Senate voted last week to government, with six pending suspended from offi ce, he re- line Berenice Jimenez, 23, said. “We found women and chil- suspend Rousseff and put her on cases against him in the Supreme tains his congressional privi- “They told our families that dren who had been sexually trial for breaking budget rules. Court, ranging from embezzle- leges and use of the speaker’s everything was fi ne, but it was abused,” Ramirez said. Yet Cunha’s continued sup- ment and criminal conspiracy to residence, offi ces and plane, not.” Jimenez said she was vio- Two shelter managers and 11 port from an array of minor par- allegations of attempted murder. following a decision by his sup- lently punished when she tried employees were arrested and ties and his command of obscure Moura is also under investi- porters in Congress. to escape. Mireya Lucia Rubio charged, he added. parliamentary rules still make gation in a sweeping corruption A spokesperson for the Su- Gonzalez, 25, who was held for Among those rescued, one him a power broker in Brazil’s probe of state-run oil company preme Court said there was no three months, said she asked her victim had been reported miss- fragmented Congress, and forced Petrobras. legal precedent for removing the Brazil’s interim President Michel Temer poses for pictures with sisters to rescue her when they ing for a year and 11 had hidden interim President Michel Te- As an elected offi cial, Moura, speaker of the House. female legislators from the lower house in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday. visited the shelter. there to escape arrest warrants. Gulf Times 14 Friday, May 20, 2016 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Pakistan claims Bomb blast killing of eight Qaeda militants

Reuters tants fi red rockets and hand gre- groups of staging such encoun- Islamabad nades during the encounter, and ters to carry out extra-judicial several were able to escape. killings of people who are al- ready in custody. akistani offi cials yesterday “On the basis of the Mohamed Amir Rana, a sen- said they had killed eight information, a joint team ior security analyst, said none of PAl Qaeda militants during of ISI (Inter-Services the names disclosed by authori- a raid in the central city of Mul- Intelligence) and CTD ties were familiar, raising further tan after learning of their plans Multan carried out a raid at questions. to attack a local university. the meeting point, near the “It’s true that Al Qaeda exists The operation, which offi cials village of Nawabpur on the in this region and an operation is said was carried out on Wednes- bank of the river Chenab in also underway in Punjab against day night after an intelligence Multan, resulting in intense all kind of militants, but the tip-off , occurred on the city’s fi re from the militants” names disclosed after this recent outskirts, a spokesman for the raid are not familiar,” he said. Counter Terrorism Department Two of the men who were In 2015, Pakistan stepped up a (CTD) of Punjab, told AFP on the killed were said to have mur- multi-pronged off ensive against condition of anonymity. dered a senior military offi cer Islamist and other militants People gather around a destroyed police vehicle at the blast site in Quetta, southwest Pakistan, yesterday. At least one policeman “On the basis of the information, while another, “Hafi z Abdul through military operations, was killed and five others were injured when their vehicle was hit by a blast in Pakistan’s southwest Quetta city yesterday morning, a joint team of ISI (Inter-Services Mateen” was accused of mas- raids, as well as a crackdown on local Urdu media reported. Intelligence) and CTD Multan car- terminding a 2009 attack on a some hardline seminaries and ried out a raid at the meeting point, mosque in Rawalpindi that killed money laundering as part of its near the village of Nawabpur on the around 40 people. “National Action Plan”. bank of the river Chenab in Multan, No security offi cials were said It came in the wake of a Tali- resulting in intense fi re from the to have been killed or injured ban massacre at a Peshawar militants,” he said. in the raids, and authorities army school in December 2014 in The CTD offi cial said the mili- are routinely accused by rights which 134 children were killed. Sharif govt to present budget on June 3 amid Panama controversy Islamabad extradites double Internews the PM House yesterday was a June 3, preceded by a meeting development programme by Islamabad meeting at the Punjab House of the Annual Plan Coordina- more than Rs75bn to keep the with key ministers led by Inte- tion Committee on May 23 and fi scal defi cit within limits. The murder suspect to UK rior Minister Chaudhry Nisar that of the National Economic government is facing problems ith slower develop- Ali Khan to thrash out issues Council on May 30. selling another modern telecom ment spending so far, regarding the formation of a “Let me assure you, the licence that was anticipated to AFP “After fi ve years, West York- “extradited very recently”. Wthe government of parliamentary committee on budget would be announced yield about Rs50bn. Islamabad shire Police has managed to Pakistani offi cials would not Pakistan is undeterred to unfold Panama Papers. on June 3,” he said, adding that The Planning Commission arrange the extradition of Mo- confi rm Zubair’s nationality to next year’s federal budget on A fi nance ministry offi cial the budget exercise was in full data suggested that utilisation hammed Zubair, who has been AFP, and it was not mentioned June 3 despite Finance Minister confi rmed that the fi nance swing. of funds by all federal ministries akistan has extradited a held in custody in Pakistan since in the British police statement. Ishaq Dar’s preoccupation with minister’s focus was on the A Planning Commission of- has amounted to Rs148.8bn, or man charged by British November 2013,” the statement There is no extradition treaty the Panama Leaks controversy. political controversy, but the fi cial said disbursements for 71% of their allocated share of Ppolice with a double mur- quoted senior investigator Si- between Pakistan and Britain, A government offi cial said budget schedule had been fi - development projects were Rs209.8bn for the whole year. der in a rare handover between mon Atkinson as saying. but the two countries have en- that Dar could not concentrate nalised and would remain un- much slower than last year. As During the same period last year, the two countries, offi cials said “This has been a process that hanced co-operation in recent on the activities related to the changed. of May 13, the government had the ministries had utilised about yesterday. has taken a long time to come years to solve major crime cases. budget since he returned from “Last year, Dar had chaired disbursed Rs474bn, accounting Rs199.5bn, or 69%, against total Mohammed Zubair is due to to fruition, and is the fi rst in- A Pakistani Interior Ministry Dubai last week after conclud- more than a dozen meetings on for only 67.7% of Rs700bn total allocation of Rs259bn. appear in a court in Bradford stance in more than 10 years that spokesman said the signing of ing talks with the International the budget in fi rst two weeks of allocations. Under the government’s ap- yesterday over the 2011 killings anyone has been extradited from such a treaty had been a long- Monetary Fund. May. That’s not the situation During same period last year, proved disbursement mecha- of 27-year-old Imran Khan and Pakistan to the UK.” standing issue, but that present “He spends most of his time in this year. He has not presided disbursements for the Pub- nism, the PSDP should have 35-year-old Ahmedin Sayed The statement off ered no fur- minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali the Prime Minister House to be over any budget-related meet- lic Sector Development Pro- consumed 85% of total alloca- Khyel. ther details. Khan has said the lack of an ac- part of consultations to get the ing since he returned from Du- gramme (PSDP) had amounted tions by now. The mechanism A press release from West A senior offi cial at Pakistan’s cord “can’t halt the exchange of government out of political chal- bai,” he said. to Rs383bn, accounting for required disbursement of 20% Yorkshire Police thanked Paki- Interior Ministry confi rmed to criminals and Pakistan will ex- lenge arising out of the Panama The offi cial said the fed- 73pc of Rs525bn allocations. each in the fi rst two quarters of stani offi cials for their assist- AFP that Zubair, who was 31 at tradite suspects based on mutual Papers controversy,” he said. eral budget would be presented With this pace of releases, the year, followed by 30% each ance. the time of the crime, had been co-operation”. His only engagement outside in the National Assembly on the government is likely to cut in the last two quarters.

Indian actress Kalki all set to Top Afghan general killed work in Pakistan PM inaugurates $44mn Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin’s visit to Pakistan AFP device),” said General Mohamed Zabul province, eight Afghan in January had everyone optical fi bre project in Gilgit Islamabad Radmanish, a spokesperson for police offi cers were killed when wondering what was in the the Ministry of Defence. two fellow offi cers opened fi re making. It has now finally Shahrwand was severely in- on them early yesterday. been revealed that the ac- IANS between the two south Asian top Afghan general was jured by the explosion and died “The policemen, who had tor is all set to work in a Islamabad neighbours. killed after a home-made while on the way to the hospital, connections with the Taliban, Pakistani documentary. The Sharif also inaugurated the Abomb blew up while he Radmanish said. set fi re to the checkpoint and Margerita with a Straw actor Gilgit-Baltistan CPEC patrol- was visiting army personnel in This is the third incident this took a police ranger and weap- is collaborating with Sabiha akistan Prime Minister ling police headquarters in Afghanistan’s southern Kanda- year where a top army general ons with them,” said Haji Atta Sumar for her documentary, Nawaz Sharif yesterday Gilgit. har province yesterday, an offi - has been killed and the second Jan, a council member of Zabul Azmaish - Trials of Life. In an Pperformed the ground- The patrolling force com- cial said. one in Kandahar. province. interview with Mumbai Mirror, breaking ceremony of the prising 300 personnel will help “General Abdul Basir Shahr- General Atta Mir Agha was The checkpoint is located in the director of Khamosh Pani Pakistan-China Optical Fibre regulate traffi c along a 439 km wand was inspecting Afghan killed in Helmand in February Zafar Khel area on the Kabul- revealed that she is travelling Cable Project which is part of stretch of the CPEC in the area. army posts in the Kata Sang area while General Khan Agha was Kandahar highway, around 12 with Kalki through India and the China-Pakistan Economic China has provided 25 vehicles of Shahwalikot when he stepped killed in Kandahar in March. kilometres from Qalat, the pro- Pakistan, and “exploring the Corridor (CPEC), Radio Paki- for the patrolling force. on an IED (improvised explosive Meanwhile in neighbouring vincial capital. two countries”. stan reported. The premier announced the The $44mn, 820-km-long establishment of a technical cable project stretching from training institute in the re- Rawalpindi to Khunjerab in Gilg- Nawaz Sharif gion. “We will initially set aside it-Baltistan, will be completed Rs100mn for this project,” he by the Special Communication while addressing the ground- said. Sharif stressed the need Organisation in two years. breaking ceremony function in for preparedness for a newer Biometric passports planned The project, which will Gilgit. knowledge-based economy. provide an alternate telecom- India has already expressed “These development projects munication route between its objection to the proposed will help reduce extremism,” Pakistan and China, will also corridor as it will pass through he said, pointing towards lack bring 3G and 4G connectiv- Pakistan-administered Kash- of employment as a driver of to curb human traffi cking ity to Gilgit region, Sharif said mir, a region which is disputed militancy.

Thomson Reuters Foundation Pakistan in 2004 adopted to illegal migration have risen in condition of anonymity because Islamabad computerised passports that can recent years. he was not authorised to speak be read by scanning machines, There were 66,427 Pakistanis to the media, said more than he said, but the passports do not deported from countries such as 1,000 traffi cking networks were 7 killed as Azerbaijani cargo akistan plans to issue bio- contain a microchip, which con- Spain, Greece, Turkey, Oman and operating across the country, the metric passports from tains the holder’s biodata. Iran in 2013, up from 46,032 in majority in the central Punjab Pnext year to halt the thou- This is useful as it will help 2010, according a 2014 report by province. plane crashes in Afghanistan sands of people who are being authorities detect forged travel the UN Offi ce for Drugs and Crime. These organised criminal traffi cked overseas, largely to documents used by traffi ckers Many traffi cking victims are gangs primarily use Pakistan’s European and Gulf nations, of- who lure poor people from rural detected at border posts in Iran southwestern Baluchistan prov- AFP ince, Azerbaijan’s civil aviation from Silk Way and was fl ying fi cials said. areas with the promise of a good and Turkey as they attempt to ince, which shares a border with Baku authority said in a statement. without cargo to Mary in Turk- Interior Minister Chaudhry job overseas, Hussain added. travel on to Europe, where they Iran, as a traffi cking route to Eu- The plane crashed on menistan to refuel. It had ear- Nisar Ali Khan approved the A combination of poverty, often have to risk their lives on rope and the Middle East. Wednesday afternoon at lier fl own from Bagram airfi eld move last week after a meeting natural disasters and insecu- board dangerously inadequate From Iran, the traffi cking vic- n Azerbaijani freight around 14:30 local time, the to Helmand. with offi cials from the Federal rity caused by a long-running vessels run by people smugglers, tims are either taken to Turkey plane has crashed in Af- statement said. Azerbaijan’s civil aviation Investigation Agency (FIA) on Islamist insurgency has forced said the report. where they continue on to Eu- Aghanistan killing seven Seven of the plane’s nine authority said it had “launched tackling human traffi cking and thousands of Pakistanis to fl ee in Others are deported from rope, or sent to Oman and then crew members while two sur- crew – fi ve Azerbaijanis, one an investigation into the inci- migrant smuggling in the South search of a better life in Europe Oman - often en route to the on to the UAE, he added. vived, the Caucasus nation’s Ukrainian, and one Uzbek – dent.” Asian nation. and the Middle East. United Arab Emirates (UAE), More than a million migrants aviation authorities said yes- were killed in the crash. Previously a cargo plane op- “We will start issuing biomet- There are no accurate fi gures where they take up low-skilled and refugees crossed into Eu- terday. Two Ukrainain aircraft me- erated by Silk Way and carry- ric passports from 2017,” Sarfraz on how many people are being employment as maids, con- rope in 2015, sparking a crisis as The Antonov-12 plane that chanics survived the accident. ing supplies for the Nato mis- Hussain, the Interior Ministry traffi cked or smuggled outside struction workers or drivers, nations struggled to cope with belonged to Azerbaijan’s Silk “Their condition is stable and sion crashed into mountains in spokesman, told the Thom- the country, but the United Na- and are often subjected to labour the infl ux, and created division Way cargo airline crashed on satisfactory,” the statement Afghanistan in 2011 as it tried son Reuters Foundation late on tions says government data on abuses. in the EU over how to resettle takeoff from Dwyer airbase in said. to land at Bagram, killing all Wednesday. deportations of Pakistanis due A FIA offi cial, who spoke on people. the southern Helmand prov- The plane had been leased nine crew. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 15 PHILIPPINES

Boxing star Pacquiao wins seat in Senate

Reuters house of Congress and 18,000 local offi cials in champion, who stood as a member of one of Manila general elections held every six years. the losing presidential candidates, won more “I can focus and discipline myself, the way I than 16mn votes to come in seventh place for did in boxing to help the nation,” Pacquiao told 12 vacant seats in the upper house of Con- hilippine boxing star Manny Pacquiao, reporters, saying, as a new senator, he would gress. WBO world welterweight champion, push for free education at all levels. Opinion polls showed Pacquiao was among the Pscored a big political victory yesterday The 37-year-old two-term congressman also top choices for a senate seat but he dropped a few when the elections commission declared he was said he favours restoring the death penalty for notches down in the polls after he made an anti- among 12 new members of the upper house of drug-related and other serious crimes. gay remark in February. Congress. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has said he A month before elections, his ratings im- Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is surrounded by family members after the Last week, about 80% of 55mn eligible vot- will ask Congress to re-introduce a death pen- proved after a convincing victory over American Commission on Elections proclaimed him as a new senator at the ers cast their ballots to choose a president, vice alty that was repealed in 2006. champion Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, knock- Philippine International Convention Center in Manila yesterday. president, 12 senators, 200 members of the lower The former eight-division world boxing ing him down twice in the 12-round bout. Residents of Davao praise Duterte brand of governance

AFP rights abuses, many residents Davao, Philippines in Isla Verde — one of Davao’s longtime drug hotspots — felt no such concerns. ife in the slums of Davao “He has done a great job in in- became much easier after stilling discipline here,” said To- La fearsome drugs crack- tor, complaining only that resi- down enforced by mayor-turned dents still dumped their garbage president Rodrigo Duterte, awed outside their shanties. residents say, off ering an insight Totor said the crackdown a into what the Philippines can ex- few years ago scared him and pect under its new leader. many others, as heavily armed Fernando Totor, who for two police raided shanties looking decades has scraped by selling for drug traffi ckers. coconut wine, used to watch One man with a pistol who his neighbours in their seaside resisted arrest was shot dead, shantytown openly trade crystal according to Totor, although he methamphetamine — a hyper- said the police were in general addictive drug known locally as polite and orderly. “shabu”. Another longtime resident, “The drug problem here was mother-of-three Analyn Pilpa, huge, it was sickening,” Totor, also embraced the crackdown, 55, said as glassy-eyed men sat similarly saying it had not ex- Newly elected senators (left to right) Leila de Lima, Joel Villanueva and Franklin Drilon talk to each other after being declared by elections off icials as new members of the upper on wooden benches at sunset tinguished the drug trade but at house of Congress in Manila, Philippines, yesterday. drinking his ultra-cheap drink least made life bearable. out of plastic cups. “It’s relatively OK now, the “Now it’s okay. It’s better.” drugs have lessened,” said Pilpa, Totor lives in Isla Verde, whose husband earns less than a slum for thousands in the $100 a month driving a rub- southern city of Davao that fi re- bish collection truck and doing brand lawyer Duterte has ruled handyman jobs. as mayor for most of the past “Now at least I feel I can walk two decades. around at night.” President-elect meets Duterte won last week’s presi- In another Davao slum, a dential election in a landslide mother who lost four sons to largely on a pledge to roll out his what she and rights groups be- city’s law-and-order policies lieve were the death squads has nationally. warned of the dangers of a Du- The controversial and acid- terte presidency. tongued politician captivated The squads — made up of po- senior communist leader millions of Filipinos, and en- lice and hired assassins — killed raged his critics, with vows of people suspected of serious and AFP “I am optimistic that the talks A spokesman for Duterte con- said he was hopeful about Du- congressional approval. ruthless tactics to end crime petty crimes, according to rights Davao will be resumed. Our meeting fi rmed the meeting had taken terte’s commitment. “He said he is considering, within six months. groups. was positive,” Agcaoili said, but place on Tuesday, just days after “He has political will,” he said studying the possibility of rec- Duterte warned security forc- Clarita Alia’s sons — who had did specify if a timetable for the the politician won a landslide of the president-elect.”Duterte ommending to Congress the es would kill tens of thousands been involved in run-ins with hilippine president-elect resumption of the talks had been victory in national elections last is not like (President Aquino) passage of the general amnesty of criminals, and forget hu- police — were aged between 14 Rodrigo Duterte has met set. week. who was fond of delays.” He said law,” Bello said. man rights as he eradicated the and 18 when they were killed. Pwith a senior communist Running for almost half a Duterte, the mayor of the Duterte told him that govern- “I am very confi dent peace scourge of drugs that many vot- “He has no morals,” Alia said be- guerrilla leader, the two sides century, the communist in- southern city of Davao who will ment emissaries will travel to the negotiations will resume.” ers rated their top concern. fore the election. said yesterday, raising hopes surgency has claimed 30,000 be sworn in as Philippine presi- Netherlands to meet with the The communists’ armed Duterte’s campaign threats After the election, Duterte of ending one of Asia’s longest lives, according to military es- dent on June 30, has vowed to group and prepare documents wing, the New People’s Army, were backed by his rule in Dav- confirmed he would make the armed insurgencies. timates. seek a political settlement to the needed for the formal nego- is believed to have fewer than ao, where he has been accused war on crime his top priority. Rebel negotiator Fidel Agcaoili President Benigno Aquino confl ict. tiations and that he pledged to 4,000 soldiers, down from a of running or tolerating death “Those who kill my country said he spoke to Duterte about revived talks soon after taking He has off ered four cabinet grant amnesty to political pris- peak of 26,000 in the 1980s, squads that killed more than will be killed. Simple as that. how to immediately resume offi ce in 2010 but shelved them posts to the insurgents and ex- oners. according to the military, how- 1,000 suspects. No middle ground. No apolo- peace talks, three years after in 2013, accusing the rebels of pressed willingness to free ailing But Duterte’s designated ever it retains support among But while critics howled at gies. No excuses,” he said on the incumbent president ended insincerity in eff orts to achieve a guerrillas from prison. negotiator Silvestre Bello said the deeply poor in the rural imminent bloodshed and human Monday. them. political settlement. Netherlands-based Agcaoili such a move would require Philippines. Economy posts 6.9% Business as usual Comelec likely to growth, beats forecasts allow poll audit By Manila Times ent, you will push for an end- Manila result that would suit the in- AFP Esguerra told a news confer- year was investment-driven, terest of your client,” the poll Manila ence, referring to president- particularly in the construction chief pointed out.” elect Rodrigo Duterte who and manufacturing sectors, as he Commission on Elec- Bautista, however, added takes offi ce on June 30. exports rose only modestly due tions (Comelec) is likely that conducting an audit of the he Philippines’ economy “Barring a significant drop to weak demand. Tto grant the petition of automated election system was grew a better-than-ex- in business confidence in the The investments led to an senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ not that simple because it also Tpected 6.9% in the fi rst second half, the economy 8.7% growth in the industrial Marcos Jr. for a technical and involved intellectual property quarter, the government said seems to be on track in meet- sector, the highest in the last systems audit of its transpar- issues on confi dentiality. yesterday, putting it on track ing the full-year target of fi ve quarters. ency and central servers but it “Smartmatic has propri- to meet full year targets and 6.8% to 7.8%.” Esguerra said strong domes- will not be conducted by the etary rights on the source making it one of Asia’s best It puts the economic expan- tic demand would push growth senator’s team of information code. It’s a read only, like a PDF performers for the three month sion during outgoing President in the near term, off setting the technology (IT) experts but by (portable document format) period. Benigno Aquino’s six-year weak global environment. an independent team. fi le which content you cannot The GDP fi gure beat econo- term at just over six percent, However, the ministry said Comelec chairman Juan An- change,” he explained. “We mist forecasts of about 6.6%, the highest on record for the the Philippine farm sector dres Bautista yesterday said he should look at how we can au- and marks the highest quar- country, Esguerra said. shrank by 4.4% after near stag- will propose the creation of an dit the server without compro- terly growth in the Philippines President-elect Duterte has nation over the past year, as the independent team of IT ex- mising the interest of the other since the end of 2014. vowed to broadly pursue Aqui- worst El Nino dry spell in 28 perts when the en banc tackles party.” It was achieved despite a no’s main economic policies, years ravaged rural areas. the issue next week. Marcos had sought the audit drought-ravaged farm sector but his vague plans have left The sector employs 27% of He said the audit should be to determine if the change of and relatively weak exports, analysts uncertain about his the Filipino labour force. non-partisan and free from script during the counting of and also coincided with months agenda. Farmers also comprise a any political intervention. votes altered the results of the of campaign spending for May The fi rebrand politician, large chunk of the 26% of Fili- “I have not yet informed elections. 9 presidential elections, Eco- who is due to be sworn into pinos who live on $1.30 a day the en banc about my plan to Marcos yesterday slammed nomic Planning Secretary Em- offi ce on June 30, stormed to or less. create an independent group. Smartmatic offi cials for skip- manuel Esguerra said. victory in national elections Esguerra called for added It would be best if we form a ping the hearing of the Joint The economy expanded by this month after an incendi- state spending to diversify group of well-known [IT ex- Congressional Oversight 5.2% in the same period last ary campaign dominated by crops, boost community de- perts) with proven capability Committee on the Automated year. his profanity-laced vows to kill fences against disasters that and experience and non-par- Election System (JCOC-AES) “We are pleased to be turning criminals. also include typhoons and A vendor displays chicken for sale at her stall inside a wet tisan,” Bautista said in a radio on the unauthorised script over a strong and stable econo- The government said eco- fl oods, and social protection market in metro Manila, Philippines, yesterday. interview. change in the transparency my to the next administration,” nomic growth at the start of the including crop insurance. “If you are working for a cli- server of Comelec. Gulf Times 16 Friday, May 20, 2016 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Manila must return stolen bank funds: Bangla envoy Members of Sri Lankan military rescue team work at the site of a landslide at Elangipitiya village in Aranayaka yesterday. Bangladesh Bank off icial’s computer was hacked to carry out $81mn heist, says diplomat

Agencies Hopes fade for 150 feared Manila

he Philippines must im- mediately return millions Tof dollars recovered from buried in Lanka landslides a high-profi le hacking theft, Bangladesh’s ambassador said Agencies “There are places where the displaced across the country by stream next to my house had yesterday in Manila, but Filipino Colombo mud level is up to 30ft.We will do the disaster had been sent to 610 turned into a river of mud.” offi cials warned resolving the our best. We will keep going until safe locations. He said he returned yesterday embarrassing case could take we can recover the maximum.” Troops used boats and heli- to discover his house was still in- months. opes faded yesterday for Rescue eff orts have focused on copters in rescue operations tact, unlike 34 others in the vil- On February 5, unidentifi ed the survival of about 150 the town of Aranayaka, 100km elsewhere, as the torrential rains lage that had been swallowed by hackers shifted $81mn from the Bangladesh’s ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes gestures Hpeople trapped under the northeast of the capital Co- since Sunday have caused fl oods tonnes of mud. Bangladesh central bank’s ac- during a money laundering hearing at a hotel in metro Manila. At left mud and rubble of two landslides lombo, where three villages were and landslides in 19 of the coun- President Maithripala Sirisena count with the US Federal Re- is Probash Lamarong, Second Secretary and Head of the Bangladesh in Sri Lanka, as heavy rain ham- buried late on Tuesday in the try’s 25 districts. urged authorities to speed up serve to a nondescript bank in Embassy in Manila. pered rescue operations and the central district of Kegalle. Sheltering at a Buddhist tem- rescue and relief operations after Manila, from where it was fun- death toll from the disaster rose Military offi cials used hoes ple, devastated housewife Piya- travelling to the area on Wednes- nelled into local casinos. $81mn to dollar accounts at Ma- ladesh also with the Philippine to 41. and shovels to shift mud as they wathi said her son and 10-year- day. Filipino authorities now say nila’s Rizal Commercial Banking ambassador. How would he be Days of torrential rains have scrambled in the hilly terrain to old grandson were killed in the “The loss is devastating,” he they have tracked down all but Corporation. feeling about it?” the envoy said. forced more than 300,000 people fi nd survivors amid heavy rain landslide after it swept through tweeted after his visit. $21mn of the loot, but have only Wong said he did not know “It would be like a slap on my from their homes across the is- that made walking diffi cult. his house. The Disaster Management recovered a fraction of it. that the money was stolen from face,” Gomes added. land nation, offi cial data showed. Material from destroyed “My son’s house has simply Authority has warned there Late March, Manila-based Chi- Bangladesh and that he merely He said a Bangladeshi cen- Eighteen bodies have been re- homes littered the area, where disappeared,” Piyawathi said at could be further landslides, and nese casino promoter Kim Wong, helped the two men - who are tral bank offi cial’s computer was trieved at the landslide sites. dog cages, water tanks, and a the Viyan Eliya temple where she has evacuated families from who is under criminal investiga- also his casino clients - open used by the unidentifi ed hackers That fi gure is likely to rise three-wheeler were swathed in and around 350 others sought some areas. tion after a portion of the stolen bank accounts. to make the payments via SWIFT. sharply, as authorities battling mud. refuge before the landslide hit. “We have issued more land- money was traced to his account, The Philippines’ Anti-Money There were certain indications muddy conditions began to give The military pulled three bod- In the second village, farmer slide warnings and have asked began handing over chunks of the Laundering Council has fi led a about who the hackers were, up hope of reaching 134 peo- ies from rubble at the site of the Nihal Edirisinghe, 35, described residents in vulnerable areas stolen cash to Filipino authorities. suit to gain control of the alleged Gomes said. ple believed to be trapped under second landslide that buried 16 fl eeing his home at the foot of a to be vigilant,” said spokesman Bangladeshi ambassador to stolen funds from Wong, the Ma- Gomes said the hackers were rubble at one site, and 16 at an- people, Ranasinghe said. hill with his family after hearing a Pradeep Kodippili. Manila, John Gomes, expressed nila bank and the casinos. neither in the Philippines nor in other, before time ran out. Aid agencies in Colombo can- “massive sound like an aircraft.” Flooding and drought are cy- outrage yesterday that the sur- But the council’s executive di- Bangladesh, but he had no other “I don’t think there will be any vassed for boats to rescue hun- “The entire area was cov- clical in Sri Lanka, which is bat- rendered funds - now totalling rector Julia Abad testifi ed yester- information. survivors,” Major General Su- dreds of people trapped by rising ered in mist,” Edirisinghe said. tered by a southern monsoon be- $15mn - had not been returned to day that the whole process could “One of our bank offi cials who dantha Ranasinghe, the offi cer waters near the banks of rivers. “On Tuesday evening we heard tween May and September, while Dhaka, nearly two months later. take at least three to fi ve months is in the group that makes pay- in charge of the rescue operation, Disaster management author- a massive sound like an aircraft a northeastern monsoon runs “It is Bangladesh’s money, so it for uncontested cases, and po- ments, that passes the payment said. ities said the 300,000 people at close range. Then I saw the from December to February. is our request that this should be tentially years if the ownership instructions, his computer was followed through,” a visibly upset were disputed. hacked,” Gomes said. Gomes said while testifying yes- “We are doing everything to “It was a Friday when the at- terday at a Senate public hearing provide the necessary assist- tack happened and the Bangla- on the case. ance to the Bangladeshi govern- desh central bank is totally shut The brazen heist highlighted ment to recover the money... We down. It was all sealed and no how the Philippines’ bank- cannot just take the law into our one goes to the bank on that day.” Suspect in professor’s murder dies ing loopholes and anti-money hands,” Abad said. There was no evidence directly laundering laws have made the Ambassador Gomes said there linking anyone in Bangladesh to By Mizan Rahman of the Public Administration jail offi cial said. Police ceroffi followed a now-familiar pat- impoverished and corruption- were no other claimants apart the cyber heist, Gomes said. Gulf Times Correspondent department of the university, Rejaus Sadik said Hafi zur was tern witnessed in the killings of weary Southeast Asian nation a from his government for the sur- The hackers sent fraudulent Dhaka was a leader of Islami Chhatra arrested on April 28. teachers, bloggers and online dirty money destination. rendered money, and he could messages, ostensibly from the Shibir, the students’ front of the Deputy Director of RMCH, activists as well as foreigners Philippine law exempts casino not understand why the process central bank in Dhaka, on the Jamaat-e-Islami. Dr Gazi Saidul Alam Chowd- - sharp weapons being used to transactions from scrutiny by the was taking so long. SWIFT system, to the New York n accused in the murder Shafi qul Islam, superintend- hury, however, told local jour- target the head or neck. country’s anti-money launder- He said the Filipino authori- Federal Reserve. of Rajshahi University ent of Rajshahi Central Jail, said nalists that Hafi zur died due to Prof Rezaul Karim, 58, of the ing council without a case fi led ties had even invited him to wit- Bangladesh Bank offi cials have Aprofessor A F M Rezaul Hafi zur, who was admitted to ‘irreversible cardio-respiratory English department, was killed in court. ness the storage of the recovered said they believed SWIFT, and Karim Siddiquee died at the Ra- RMCH on May 17, died of anae- failure.’ He was admitted to the in the northwestern city’s Wong, the casino junket op- funds at Manila’s central bank the New York Fed, bear some re- jshahi Medical College Hospital mia. hospital on Tuesday after he fell Shalbagan area while he was erator, had earlier told the Sen- vault. sponsibility for the cyber heist, (RMCH) early yesterday. His body was handed over to sick in jail. waiting for a university bus on ate that two high-rollers from “We have bilateral relations, but SWIFT has rejected the sug- Hafi zur Rahman, a student his family after an autopsy, the The murder of the teacher April 23. Beijing and Macau shifted the and this could happen in Bang- gestion.

New party Nepali sherpa guide dies on Teachers protest world’s fourth-highest peak against punishment

AFP for headmaster Kathmandu

AFP Jahangirnagar University, during Nepali sherpa guide fell Dhaka a rally in Dhaka. 2,000m to his death yes- “It seems as if the MP has for- Aterday while guiding gotten the diff erence between a Indian soldiers in an attempt housand of teachers took lawmaker and a law enforcer,” to summit Lhotse, the world’s to the streets across Bang- Khan said. fourth-highest peak, an expedi- Tladesh yesterday to protest Dhaka University pro-vice tion agency said. against a lawmaker’s punishment chancellor Nasreen Ahmed said The 25-year-old guide, who of a headmaster falsely accused of thousands of teachers were tak- had summitted Mount Ever- insulting Islam, after the incident ing part in the protests held in est twice, was nearing the top went viral on social media. cities and towns “to demand jus- of neighbouring 8,516m-high Teachers from universities, tice for the deplorable incident.” Lhotse when he slipped. schools and seminaries held ral- Bangladesh Education Minis- “He was guiding our Indian Lhotse Face is very steep and icy, the cause of many falls. lies in support of the headmaster ter Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday Army expedition to Lhotse... after opposition MP Salim Os- reinstated the headmaster and when the accident happened at ism department chief Sudarshan spring climbing season, which man ordered him to squat while sacked the school’s governing around 11.40am (0555 GMT) to- Prasad Dhakal. runs from mid-April to the end holding his ears - a demeaning board, which had suspended him day,” Thupden Sherpa, manager “We are expecting more than of May. punishment in the country. over the incident. of Arun Treks & Expeditions said. 100 other people to summit to- Since the fi rst summit of Ever- Shyamol Kanti Bhakta was “Injustice has been done to the “We are sending helicopters to day,” Dhakal said. est in 1953, more than 300 people, punished last week in Bandar teacher,” the minister said, de- retrieve the body,” he said. Hundreds of climbers fl ed the most of them locals, have died town, outside Dhaka, in front of scribing the incident as “shame- The accident comes as hopes 8,850m last year after an earth- while attempting to scale Everest hundreds of people after he was ful”. However, the lawmaker, from mount for a successful season on quake-triggered avalanche at and Lhotse, which share the same falsely accused of making derog- the small opposition Jatiya Party, nearby Everest, which has seen Everest base camp killed 18 peo- route until Camp 3 at 7,200m. atory remarks against Islam. refused to apologise, saying many scores of summits in the past ple. Falls are among the most The videoed incident was up- had supported his actions. seven days, ending a years-long Only one climber summitted common causes of death on the loaded onto social media, spark- “Why shall I apologise? Five drought after two deadly disas- the mountain in 2014 after an av- mountain and the Lhotse Face ing an outcry and demands for thousand men gathered and ters. alanche killed 16 Nepali guides. is especially steep and icy, the justice for the headmaster. chanted slogans against him Nine Nepalis last week became China’s Wang Jing reached cause of many falls. The tag #SorrySir was trend- (Bhakta).I actually helped him to the fi rst group of climbers in the top after using a helicopter Mountaineering is a major ing on Twitter and many posted escape the angry public,” Osman three years to summit the world’s to transport tent equipment to revenue-earner for the Himalay- Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as photos of themselves squatting told reporters. highest peak, paving the way for higher camps following the can- an nation but last year’s earth- Prachanda, addresses a crowd after announcing the in a show of support. Last month, two Hindu school others to follow. cellation of that year’s moun- quake, which killed almost 9,000 unification of the party with splintered groups to form the “The MP has insulted the en- teachers were jailed for alleg- “We have already recorded 88 taineering season. people, threatened the future of new party, the Communist Party Nepal (Maoist Centre), in tire nation by humiliating its edly making “abusive” remarks summits this season, including Nepal issued 289 permits to the country’s climbing and trek- Kathmandu yesterday. builder - the teacher,” said Sha- against Islam in the southwest- 52 by Nepali climbers,” said tour- mountaineers for this year’s brief king industry. hab Enam Khan, a professor at ern town of Chitalmari. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Contemplation and consideration: qualities of the virtuous

eliberation most certainly “By Allah, I love being close to you and him that it would be better for him to leads to knowledge, which, I love what pleases you.” He, sallallaahu remain in the company of people. But in turn, results in action. ‘alaihi wa sallam, then performed he, may Allah have mercy upon him, DHence, if people ponder the ablution and started praying. He used to tell him that staying alone magnifi cence of Allah The Almighty, started weeping until his lap was for long periods of time is better for they will surely refrain from His soaked. Then, he started weeping contemplation and that deep refl ection disobedience. Moreover, contempla- until his beard became wet; and [he leads to Paradise. tion is a mirror that refl ects one’s good continued so] until the ground became It was also narrated that ‘Umar ibn and evil deeds. It is one of the best acts damp. Bilaal, may Allah be pleased ‘Abdul-‘Aziz, may Allah have mercy of worship, for not only does it bring with him, then came to perform the upon him, once wept when he was about wisdom, it endows the heart Athaan (call to prayer) and found the among his friends; when questioned with life and instills the fear of Allah Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, about his behavior, he replied, “I The Almighty in it. weeping, so he asked, ‘O Messenger thought of life and its pleasures and That is why Abu Sulaymaan Ad- of Allah, why are you in tears when desires; I learnt from it that all its Daaraani, may Allah have mercy upon Allah has forgiven what has preceded desires are eventually followed by what him, would say, “When I go out and of your sins and what will follow?’ is bitter. Verily, these realities should see anything, I notice the blessing He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, be warnings for those who are heedful.” of Allah in it and take a lesson from answered,‘Should I not be a grateful Moreover, the most benefi cial it.” Similarly, when the wife of Abu slave? Indeed, a verse was revealed to thoughts are those that pertain to the Ad-Dardaa’, may Allah be pleased with me tonight; woe to the one who recites Hereafter and the favors of Allah The them, was asked about her husband’s it and does not ponder its meaning. Almighty, His blessings, ordinances, best act of worship, she replied, [The verse is:]{Indeed, in the creation prohibitions and means of true “Contemplation and consideration.” of the heavens and the earth and the knowledge of Him, His names and It was also reported that Muhammad alternation of the night and the day attributes. Indeed, such thoughts ibn Ka‘b al-Qarathi, may Allah have are signs for those of understanding.} instill in an individual love of Allah mercy upon him, said, “I would rather [Qur’an 3:190].’” The Almighty and knowledge of Him read [only] the chapters Az-Zalzalah On another occasion, Huthayfah, and His religion. That is because when (The Earthquake) and Al-Qaari’ah (The may Allah be pleased with him, one ponders the next life, its honor Sudden Calamity) all night long and narrates: “Once, I prayed with the and perpetuity, and this life and its ponder on their meaning, than recite Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam; meanness and transience, he or she the Qur’an quickly without refl ection.” he started reciting the chapter of Al- would aspire to the Hereafter and Taawoos, may Allah have mercy Baqarah (The Cow). I thought that he forsake this world. Moreover, when one upon him, narrates, “The disciples would bow after one hundred verses, contemplates this ephemeral existence said to ‘Eesa (Jesus), may Allah exalt but he went on. Then, I assumed he and the impossibility of a longer his mention, ‘O soul of Allah! Is there would recite the whole chapter in one lifespan, he or she would become more anyone on earth like you today?’ He standing, but he then read the chapter serious and endeavor to make the replied, ‘Yes; he whose utterances An-Nisaa’ (The Women), fi nished it optimum use of his or her time. comprise the remembrance of Allah, and continued reciting the chapter On the other hand, thinking of only silence is meditation and gazes are Aal-‘Imraan (The Family of ‘Imraan). this world and other nonsense is the introspective, is like me.” Therefore, Whenever he would come across a door to all kinds of evil. That would one should contemplate the blessings verse of Allah’s praise, he used to include concerning oneself with of Allah The Almighty and all things, glorify Him; and if he would happen notions about what we have not been and must only avoid questioning His upon a verse mentioning good things, ordered to ruminate over, such as the entity, for, as He Says (what means): he would pray to Allah for them. Also, essence of Allah The Almighty and {There is nothing like unto Him, and if he would read a verse that mentions matters that surpass human intellect. He is the Hearing, the Seeing.} [Qur’an bad things [like Hell], he would seek As for one who is mean in his or her 42:11] refuge from them in Him. When he thoughts, he or she will display the There are many verses that refer to fi nally bowed and uttered, ‘Subhaana same narrow-mindedness in all aff airs. deliberation, refl ection, meditation Rabbi Al-‘Atheem (Glory be to my Therefore, Mugheeth al-Aswad, may and consideration in the Noble Qur’an; Lord, The Great)’ and his bowing was Allah have mercy upon him, would Allah The Almighty Says (what means): almost equivalent in length to his instruct: “Visit the graves every day {Thus Allah makes clear to you the standing. After that, he said, ‘Sami’ so they would remind you [of death]. verses [of revelation] that you might Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the Imagine the situation with your hearts give thought.} [Qur’an 2:219] one who praises Him)’. Then, he stood [and minds], looking at both groups {“Say, ‘Is the blind equivalent to for a lengthy period and prostrated when they are led either to Paradise the seeing? Then will you not give for a similar amount of time, saying: or Hell. Let your souls and bodies not thought?’”} [Qur’an 6:50] ‘Subhaana Rabbi Al-A‘la (Glory be to forget [the latter] and its maces of {Do they not contemplate within my Lord, The Most High).’” [Muslim] iron.” Another factor that stimulates themselves? Allah has not created Likewise, ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood, contemplation is fasting, which is why the heavens and the earth and what may Allah be pleased with him, relates: it was said: “When the stomach is full, is between them except in truth and “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa thinking becomes dormant, wisdom for a specifi ed term. And indeed, sallam, said to me, ‘Recite the Qur’an shuts down and the organs stop many of the people, in [the matter for me.’ I replied, ‘O Messenger of performing acts of worship.” of] the meeting with their Lord, are Allah, how could I read it to you when A person should think of his fi rst disbelievers.} [Qur’an 30:8] it was revealed to you?’ He said, ‘I like priority and primary motive of a deed; It is related that ‘Ataa’, may Allah be to listen to it being recited by others.’ I if it is for Allah The Almighty, he or she pleased with him, said: “Once, I went read out the chapter An-Nisaa’; when should proceed, but if it is for someone with ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr to ‘Aa’ishah, I reached the verse (which means): {So or something else, he or she should may Allah be pleased with them, how [will it be] when We bring from stop. Indeed, deliberation is good in who said to him: ‘It is about time you every nation a witness and we bring all matters, except what aff ects one’s visited us.’ He, may Allah be pleased you, [O Muhammad] against these Hereafter. Ash-Shaafi ‘i, may Allah with him, replied, ‘I repeat the wise [people] as a witness?} [Qur’an 4:41], have mercy upon him, said, “Think saying that goes – visit people once I lifted my head, or a man beside me before you decide and contemplate in a while, so that they would love nudged me so I looked up, and saw the before you take a step forward.” Ibn you more.’ She said, ‘Let go of this Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with nonsense.’ Ibn ‘Umayr, may Allah be in tears.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] him, would also advise his friends: “In pleased with him, then asked, ‘Please Many other reports from the Sunnah your time, the best among you is the tell us about the most remarkable thing confi rm this quality and all of them one who hastens toward good deeds; that you saw the Prophet, sallallaahu prove the Prophet’s, sallallaahu ‘alaihi however, there will be a time when ‘alaihi wa sallam, do.’ She paused for a wa sallam, constant contemplation and seclusion and his eyes fl ood with tears” Bukhari and Muslim] better than praying all night long.” It is the best among people will be those moment, then responded, ‘One night, consideration. is among the seven types of people, Others from our righteous also told that the wise man Luqmaan, who refl ect on and verify everything, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whom Allah The Almighty will shelter predecessors would similarly advise us; may Allah have mercy upon him, because of the rampant false talk.” sallam, said to me, ‘O ‘Aa’ishah! Let me would also remind us that a person in His shade on the Day of Judgment, Al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy upon would habitually sit in solitude; his Article source: http://www. worship my Lord tonight.’ I told him, who refl ects and “remembers Allah in when there will be no other shade. [Al- him, said, “Deliberation for one hour is slave would ask him about that, telling islamweb.net/emainpage/ Refl ecting on identity, creation and destiny

fter knowing the value of to Paradise has attained [his desire]. not even have a safe sidewalk to call links. We should supplicate to Allah Says (what means): {It is not allowable of Islam is ideological. Additionally, contemplation and the And what is the life of this world their home; so, contemplate this, The Almighty at night to bring the for the sun to reach the moon, nor does we must be aware that the only path verses, many Hadiths and except the enjoyment of delusion} for you may fi nd this to enable you hearts of Muslims together, unite their the night overtake the day, but each, in toward the company of the victorious Asayings regarding it, it is [Qur’an 3:185] to praise Allah The Almighty for word and grant them victory over an orbit, is swimming.} [Qur’an 36:40] and the saved, is to adhere to the worthy of us to pause and ponder our Once, ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Aziz, the blessings that you have and to their enemy. We cannot renounce Let us also consider the numerous course of the Prophet, sallallaahu identity, creation and destiny; and, may Allah have mercy upon him, sat cease being ungrateful. You may feel our responsibility, for we will indeed miracles of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and his Companions, whether we are to live forever or die, pondering and said: “The graves have ashamed when you consider your own be held accountable, as Allah The ‘alaihi wa sallam, related to astrology, may Allah be pleased with them. So, and if we are to pass away, then where penetrated the burial cloths, ravaged negligence, for modesty and faith are Almighty Says (what means): medicine, wisdom and eloquence and, let us ask ourselves if we have truly would we go: Hell or Paradise? Verily, the bodies, sucked the blood and linked; a lack in one denotes a failing in {Then We will surely question those of course, the greatest miracle of all is adopted this methodology in our life without Allah The Almighty is like devoured the fl esh. I wonder what the the other as well. to whom [a message] was sent, and We the Noble Qur’an. There is much that knowledge, acts and beliefs. a mirage that appears as water to a worms have done with the corpses; You may then save yourself before will surely question the messengers.} proves the prophethood of Muhammad, Also, if we consider the state of our thirsty person, who comes to it only to they probably defaced them, broke the it is too late, because the enemies of [Qur’an 7:6] sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, in his righteous predecessors, all of us will, fi nd it to be nothing; but then, he fi nds bones, bared the fragmented limbs and the past are no diff erent from those {That He may question the truthful morals, knowledge of the matters of the undoubtedly, fi nd ourselves negligent. Allah The Almighty before Him, Who tore the organs. I wonder if [the dead] of today and they do not diff erentiate about their truth.} [Qur’an 33:8] unseen, acceptance of his supplications However, this should not discourage us will pay him his due, in full, for indeed, feel any diff erence between the day and between one Muslim and the other, Furthermore, we should refl ect and the fact that he was mentioned in from striving against our vain desires, He is swift in account. night, for are they not in pitch-black and, as Allah The Almighty Says (what on our own selves and the blessings the scriptures of the People of the Book. for Allah The Almighty Says (what Hence, think of death, graves and darkness? How many of them whose means): {Hatred has already appeared bestowed on us by Allah The Almighty, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): means): {And those who strive for Us - the Hereafter; and, as Imam Ahmad, faces were soft have rotten and their from their mouths, and what their Who Says (what means): {And in {Then do they not give thought? There We will surely guide them to Our ways. may Allah have mercy upon him, used necks severed from their bodies? Their breasts conceal is greater.} [Qur’an yourselves. Then will you not see?} is in their companion [Muhammad] no And indeed, Allah is with the doers of to say, if one is not deterred by that, pupils dissolved and turned into pus 3:118] We have become an easy prey [Qur’an 51:21] We must also know madness. He is not but a clear warner.} good.} [Qur’an 29:69] “he or she will not be dissuaded if even that ran on their faces. Then shortly, for the wicked, because of our love that Islam is the greatest favour of all, [Qur’an 7:184] It is said that a journey of a thousand two mountains smash into one another their bones became disintegrated.” for life and our hatred of death. That so have we expressed our gratitude If we contemplate all this, our faith miles begins with a single step. Our right in front of him or her.” Then, he said, “I wish I knew how I is because one who makes life his towards Him for it? and conviction in our religion will Lord reproaches us for being weak, Contemplate, for life is short and would bear the harshness of the earth major concern, Allah The Almighty Contemplating the realm of the certainly increase, and we will fi nd so it is His help we must seek in your breaths are numbered; your and which one of my cheeks would will deprive him or her and he or she heavens and the earth also guides ourselves supplicating to Allah The abandoning vices, which must be done shrouds are being made and your burial decompose fi rst.” will have no share in life, except what those who feel at a loss, because Almighty, saying, “O Lord, make me before looking to acquire virtues. We place is waiting for you. Those who are Let us also refl ect on the conditions is predestined. On the other hand, he everything is a sign that indicates die a Muslim and join me with the must beware of committing sins as alive will follow those who preceded of Muslims, for one who does not do who prioritises the Hereafter, Allah the oneness of Allah The Almighty. righteous.” O Allah, let our silence that would be equivalent to one who them in death, for that is the end of so, is not one of them; and our only The Almighty will enrich him in his Let us ponder how He has raised the be contemplation, our speech Your makes a hole in a ship, making it sink. all; indeed, there is nothing other than worry must be our Hereafter. It is heart and the world will be at his heavens and proportioned it, gave remembrance and our gaze a means of Further, as it is said, the disobedience that, but false hope, for one’s demise really odd to fi nd people preoccupied service. the night its darkness and removed learning lessons. of an army is more dangerous to itself has already been destined. Allah The with football, cinema, Arabic or We must also think about how its brightness; then, He spread out We should also equip ourselves with than the swords of its enemy. Almighty Says (what means): {Every foreign songs, or fashion, at a time we can achieve Islamic unity and the earth, extracted water from it and benefi cial knowledge and act on it, Article source: http://www. soul will taste death, and you will only when Muslims are being subjected brotherhood in faith. This is our task, made pastures. Let us think of the alongside performing righteous deeds. islamweb.net/emainpage/ be given your [full] compensation on to massacres and annihilation for we are all sentries at the fortifi ed omnipotence of Allah The Almighty in Let us be keen on strengthening the the Day of Resurrection. So he who is everywhere. borders of Islam and we must be His creation and the accurate system principles of creed inside ourselves, drawn away from the Fire and admitted Moreover, many among us do careful that we are not the weakest of the universe that is in motion, as He because our war with the enemies Gulf Times 18 Friday, May 20, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: Amjad Khan Supply side, demand

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar side, or innovation side? [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), When fi rms hit by reduced things from the demand side, using the stop hiring for a time, some people of angel and venture capital. Some 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) demand contract theory built by John Maynard Keynes who would have joined established Greeks have formed startups, though Fax 44350474 in 1936. When “aggregate demand” fi rms use their situation to dream up not in Greece. operations, the space they – the level of real expenditure on fi nal new products or methods and organise The demand-siders say that give up becomes available for domestic goods that households, startups to develop them. innovation only makes recovery businesses, the government, and The growing number of aspiring harder, because it enables fi rms to use by entrepreneurs with overseas buyers are willing to make – innovators toiling in home garages meet existing demand with fewer better ways of running the falls short of output at full employment, may self-produce some of their employees. Thus, they call for annual output is limited to the demand. And capital goods. More important, the public-sector investment up to the GULF TIMES business – or with better innovation won’t happen. accumulation of new startups will level needed for full employment. businesses But the demand-siders’ conception gradually generate rising investment But such infrastructure investment of the economy is strange. For demand – induced demand! – and would go far beyond what would By Edmund Phelps them, private investment demand growth, too. ever have been undertaken had the New York is autonomous, governed by forces Some may doubt this. Can new economy been left to regain high Carbon emissions: that Keynes dubbed “animal spirits.” products and methods fare well in the employment through the workings Consumer demand is essentially market if demand is defi cient? As an of adaptive or innovative activity. t has become impossible to deny autonomous, too, because the innovator said to me amid the fi nancial Indeed, such investment is costly the so-called secular stagnation so-called induced part is yoked to crisis, his objective was to take over beyond the expense because it verifi cation needed gripping the world’s most autonomous investment through a market – it mattered little that the preempts the adaptation and Ideveloped economies: Wealth the “propensity to consume.” Thus, targeted market was only 90% of its innovation that would have brought is piling up, but real wages are barely government measures are the sole former size. higher employment and faster growth. rising and labour force participation way to boost employment and growth Can capital be raised where incomes Moreover, as long as Western for nations’ claims has been on a downward trend. Worse when autonomous demand falls short are depressed? Small fi rms and innovation remains narrowly confi ned, yet, policymakers have no plausible and jobs are lost. startups must always struggle for a demand-side commitment to a idea about what can be done about it. This conception grasps neither credit, and the Great Recession that large, sustained fl ow of infrastructure Satellites could verify nations’ claims that they are Behind this stagnation is the growth nor recovery. In healthy followed the 2008 fi nancial crisis investment – and, likewise, a supply- reducing carbon production. slowdown in productivity growth economies, a contractionary demand made it harder for them. side commitment to a similar fl ow When nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris late since 1970. The wellspring of such shock sets off two types of responses Yet the recession did not prevent of private investment – must bring productivity gains – indigenous fueling recovery. droves of such fi rms from fi nding ever-diminishing returns, until, last year to work together to reduce emissions of the innovation – has been badly clogged Adaptations to emerging fi nancing in Silicon Valley, London, ineluctably, the economy reaches its greenhouse gases that cause global warming, one since the late 1960s (mostly in opportunities are one such response. and Berlin. near-stationary state. crucial detail was left hanging: verifi cation. established industries) and was even When fi rms hit by reduced demand No wonder Germany, the United Supplying more of the same old Under the accord, the nations backed a set more so by 2005. contract operations, the space they States, and the United Kingdom are goods never “creates its own demand,” Ronald Reagan and Margaret give up becomes available for use by more or less recovered. In the US, total as Keynes thought. But supplying new of principles and goals designed to stop global Thatcher viewed the stagnation that entrepreneurs with better ways of factor productivity growth set records goods can. It is the impediments to temperatures from rising more than 2C above pre- was gripping economies by the 1970s running the business – or with better in the 1930s, when the economy fell adaptation and innovation – not fi scal industrial levels, the point beyond which many from the supply side. They pushed businesses. Some of the employees into and then grew out of the Great austerity – causing our stagnation. scientists believe catastrophic climate change will through tax cuts on profi ts and wages they let go will start fi rms (and hire Depression. And only renewed dynamism – not to boost investment and growth, with employees) of their own. Recovery has fallen woefully short more fi scal irresponsibility – off ers occur. Some experts questioned whether even the debatable results. With every recession, many shops in two kinds of economies. France any hope of a durable way out. – pact’s aspirational target of 1.5C would be low enough But today, with tax rates much on Main Street disappear; and, over and Italy are lacking young people Project Syndicate to avoid the worst eff ects. lower, cuts of that size would result time, new shops – generally more who want to be new entrepreneurs or Now it turns out that the world is warming even in huge increases in fi scal defi cits. successful – appear. innovators, and those few who do are zEdmund S Phelps, the 2006 Nobel And with debt levels already high and The other response is indigenous impeded by entrenched corporations laureate in economics, is Director of the faster than previously anticipated. Climate experts say large defi cits ahead, such supply-side innovation – new ideas springing from and other vested interests. Greece has Center on Capitalism and Society at that 2016 will likely be the hottest year on record, by measures would be reckless. the brows of various businesspeople. no lack of would-be entrepreneurs Columbia University, and author, most the widest margin on record. Those changes reinforce So now the best and brightest view When fi rms hit by reduced demand and innovators, but it lacks a system recently, of Mass Flourishing. the broad scientifi c agreement that drastic reductions in carbon production are crucial. The Paris accord was supposed to start us down that path, and it was an important, if tardy and insuffi cient, step forward. Yet it is an agreement based on little more than good intentions. The pact is voluntary, with international shaming of transgressors the only truncheon available. Each country is responsible for measuring and attesting to its own emissions. It is, in eff ect, an honour system for saving the planet. That is a signifi cant weakness. Beyond the obvious problem that nations can simply lie about their emissions, there’s the Each country is secondary problem of false reporting by responsible for private actors. And there’s the possibility measuring its of simple error. Under own emissions the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, industrial nations are supposed to issue annual reports on emissions, with developing countries issuing reports less frequently. But the Children, who are internally displaced due to the fighting between rebels and the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, play inside Al-Tah camp in the southern reporting varies in reliability from country to country. Idlib countryside. A plan by a coalition of national space agencies, including Nasa, could off er the kind of monitoring and verifi cation needed to ensure that the signatory countries are living up to their word. The agencies are Education cannot wait putting together a network of six to eight satellites that will, among other things, be able to map carbon By Gordon Brown with the bare essentials – food, water, fund will respond to new realities and passions and key innovations. We dioxide emissions, the biggest contributor to global London shelter, and protection. requirements. want technology fi rms to play a warming, and methane, which has more signifi cant In such circumstances, the right to Most child refugees are likely to central role in providing new ideas and but shorter-term eff ects, from individual nations. The education becomes an unaff ordable spend more than a decade out of disruptive thinking. ecall the face of the poorest “luxury.” While UN Peacekeepers are their own countries, so their plight We want fi rms that already off er monitoring idea grew out of an eff ort to understand and weakest man you have funded by assessed contributions cannot be considered temporary. The refugees an online education, “climate feedback,” such as how changes in ocean seen, and ask yourself if levied on member countries, the breakthrough fund will support the internet access and IT hardware to temperatures infl uence air temperatures, which in turn Rthis step you contemplate millions of children displaced by crises education of refugees for up to fi ve drive the provision of education to aff ect ocean temperatures. But scientists realised the is going to be any use to him.” These have no guarantee that anyone will years, instead of the mere months displaced and isolated girls and boys. words, spoken by Mahatma Gandhi fund their schooling. of patchwork provisions that are In establishing this fund, we are collected data also could be mined to verify emissions. in 1948, should be taken as a test of Indeed, less than 2% of presently on off er. ending the era of the formulaic crisis Nasa already has one satellite, called Orbiting Carbon our sincerity, and as a challenge to our humanitarian aid reaches education. No longer will humanitarian, response. Observatory 2, in place, and it will be joined in two complacency, when considering the Syria’s civil war, now entering its security, and development needs It was Gandhi’s belief that refl ection years by a second. Japan also has put up a satellite and fate of the 30mn children displaced sixth year, and the fi rst anniversary of be split into silos with their own could motivate action by recalibrating from their homes by civil wars and Nepal’s devastating earthquake – two addresses and agendas. A single fund our moral compass. others are planned by France, China and the European natural disasters. disasters that have forced millions will now meet these needs at once. What makes this fund unique is not Space Agency. A Nasa offi cial said it was diffi cult to More boys and girls have been more children into the streets – After all, when refugee children fi nd a the series of new benchmarks it sets. estimate what the total cost would be, but others uprooted by crisis than at any time serve as painful reminders that we place in school, they are more secure, Rather, it signals a change in how we since 1945. They are likely to spend lack the means to return children to their parents are more hopeful, and meet the challenges of an emergency. suggest it could be in the billions of dollars. their school-age years without the classroom in the wake of such their states are more stable. Going beyond present demands, the And the science is still being developed. One trick is entering a classroom, their talents tragedies. The fund will not be bound by old fund is based on the needs of the fi guring out how to separate readings of human-caused undeveloped and their potential A permanent fund securing World Bank rules that, until recently, future. carbon dioxide emissions from naturally occurring, unlocked. There are now 75mn education for children in emergency excluded the education of refugee In providing resources to deliver young people whose education has situations is long overdue. children in middle-income countries education, the fund is a bold uncontrollable emissions – forest fi res, volcanoes and been interrupted by conflict and Instead of wasting months begging from concessional loans. affi rmation of a better tomorrow – an rotting vegetation, for instance. But the scientists are crisis. for aid, such a reserve fund would be The initiative will be the fi rst offi cial unwavering promise to unlock talent, confi dent they can make it work. Yet urgency – and international capable of delivering it immediately. humanitarian fund for education. develop potential, and secure futures And they should. Of course, such a system is law, which mandates the education At the onset of an emergency, the And a parallel UN-led fund will for all children, wherever they are. of all displaced children – fails to fund would swiftly assess where have distinct windows through By establishing “Education Cannot contingent on government funding. inspire action. Displaced children are dispossessed children are, develop which businesses, foundations, and Wait”, we are sending a message more likely to become the youngest a strategy, and put in place a plan to individuals can contribute. To be sure, to the downcast and dispossessed labourers in the factory, the youngest provide education for them. delivering an education to displaced everywhere. To Advertise brides at the altar, and the youngest Now, for the fi rst time, we are in a children demands a departure from Education, at its best, off ers soldiers in the trench. Without position to deliver on this promise. pure voluntarism: a shift toward something that food, shelter and [email protected] opportunity, children are vulnerable Under the leadership of UNICEF assessed contributions collected by healthcare can never themselves Display to extremists and radicalisation. Every Executive Director Anthony Lake, levies from wealthy countries. provide: hope, the chance to plan, and Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 year, close to a half-million girls are Unesco Director-General Irina But, until this shift occurs, we to prepare for the future. - Project traffi cked and vanish. Bokova, UN High Commissioner for will ask individual philanthropists, Syndicate Classified The fate of these dispossessed is Refugees Filippo Grandi, Chair of the corporations and charities – as well Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 tethered to the thinnest of lifelines. Global Partnership for Education Julia as new and old aid donors – to come zGordon Brown, former Prime When disaster strikes, what can Gillard, and World Bank President, together to catalyse the venture. Our Minister and Chancellor of the Subscription only be described as a begging bowl Jim Yong Kim – and with the support sense of urgency, coupled with the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, [email protected] is handed around the world’s donor of the UN Secretary-General, Ban requisite funds, promises to have a is United Nations Special Envoy community. Voluntary contributions Ki-moon – an unprecedented signifi cant impact. When it comes to for Global Education and Chair are then administered by refugee humanitarian fund for education in securing schooling, no price tag is too of the International Commission 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved agencies, charities, and NGOs, which emergencies is about to be established. steep. on Financing Global Education heroically help refugees scrape by The new “Education Cannot Wait” The fund will harness today’s Opportunity. Gulf Times Friday, May 20, 2016 19 COMMENT Triumphs and struggles of Arab startups

Mena startups have achieved the B2B sector. Unsurprisingly, in the most success online, these major industries, disruptive entrepreneurship and innovation where the large established tend to arrive slowly and late. While players did not show early telecommunications is something of an exception in this sense, even interest and barriers to entry, its development is hampered by in terms of capital government regulation. Mena startups have achieved the investment and market most success online, where the large access, are relatively low established players did not show early interest and barriers to entry, in terms By Sami Mahroum of capital investment and market Dubai access, are relatively low. Indeed, most of the successful companies in this domain sell directly to consumers he recent STEP conference in and conduct transactions via digital Dubai – the biggest startup payment services that enable them to conference for the Middle avoid transactional barriers, such as TEast and North Africa (Mena) government procurement regulations region – attracted a lot of buzz. It and high bank fees. seemed to indicate that the region’s The progress that such startups startup scene was coming of age. Yet have managed to achieve highlights Mena entrepreneurs are still facing their potential to spearhead serious structural impediments to innovation and generate economic progress. growth. It should thus serve as The successes of the a powerful incentive for Mena region’s startups should not be governments and businesses to underestimated. According to Wamda, represented up to 70% of the Mena commercial judicial systems, arbitrary innovative entrepreneurship in mature and expand, which limits their change their approach. Specifi cally, a regional accelerator platform, more private-sector economy – a higher nationalisation programmes, and a the Mena region lies in the way capacity to spur broader economic governments should do more to than a dozen startups – including share than in any other region. This lack of eff ective corporate governance. governments manage their critical role growth and development. leverage their spending to support Bayt, Careem, MarkaVIP, Namshi, means that a large segment of the While most countries have made as clients. Through the procurement A third major impediment to new, innovative businesses, while News Group, Propertyfi nder, and business community raises funds, improvements on these fronts, the of goods and services – which innovative entrepreneurship in Mena established companies should open Wadi.com – now have estimated shares equity, and manages operations tribal business tradition remains comprises about 10-15% of GDP in countries relates to the industrial up their operations and cooperate valuations above $100mn. Souq.com, within small, tight-knit social circles. entrenched, and will take time to developed countries and up to 20% structure. Construction, banking, with startups to scale up innovative a 3,000-employee company founded The conventional wisdom of dislodge. of GDP in developing countries – telecommunications, tourism, and activities that can inject dynamism in 2005, is poised to be the region’s drawing on friends, family, and fools But steps can be taken now to governments can serve as important traditional manufacturing represent into markets. fi rst “unicorn,” with a valuation above for new business endeavors seems help mitigate some of the problems drivers of growth and innovation. a significant share of the region’s Startups are proven hubs $1bn. to translate in the Mena region as, associated with this business Silicon Valley’s genesis and growth, private-sector economy. Companies of innovation and drivers of Yet the regional environment “If you are not a friend or family, you culture, such as a lack of availability it should be recalled, was propelled in these industries tend to be not economic growth, employment, remains far from conducive to must be a fool.” While this might of adequate risk capital for new by government contracts and only family-owned, but also large in and development. It is time for the entrepreneurship. Beyond the wars, help to contain risk, it also fosters a entrepreneurs. In Lebanon, for procurement. size and heavy in capital investment, Mena countries to make the most of terrorism, and political turbulence risk-averse business culture. And yet example, the central bank has But in Mena countries, the and they do not typically view that potential. - Project Syndicate/ plaguing the Arab world – not to a willingness to take risks is pivotal launched an unprecedented startup conditions for doing business with startups as potential strategic Mohamed Bin Rashid Global mention the usual challenges facing to innovation and entrepreneurship. support initiative, Circular 331, the government – including tendering business partners. Initiatives, 2016. entrepreneurs outside Silicon Valley, Moreover, keeping businesses in through which it guarantees up to requirements, payment schedules, All of this implies high barriers such as lack of adequate risk capital, the family reduces their disruptive 75% of risk capital made available by and bureaucratic demands – tend to to entry for new businesses, which zSami Mahroum is Director of the talent, or infrastructure – is a slew of potential, even when they do manage local banks, amounting to up to 3% of be prohibitive for small fi rms (10-50 face severely limited opportunities Innovation & Policy Initiative at deep-rooted structural problems. to innovate. their assets. Since its launch in 2013, employees). With small businesses to disrupt, spin off , or even INSEAD and the author of Black Swan One of those problems relates to This family-oriented, or “tribal,” the program has generated more than unable to access the market for leverage major industries. Even Start-ups: Understanding the Rise of enterprise demographics. According business culture is the result $400mn in risk capital. public goods and services, they miss startups that make some initial Successful Technology Business in to one study, in 2011, family businesses of a long history of ineffi cient A second major hindrance to out on important opportunities to headway struggle to scale up in Unlikely Places. Weather report The right diet for gender equality Three-day forecast TODAY High: 41 C By Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala But there is hope. If we invest in these early life circumstances a blueprint for political action. On better nutrition now, we can ensure place girls at an even more severe June 14, the 2016 Global Nutrition Low : 30 C and Lawrence Haddad Strong wind and poor visibility Copenhagen a brighter future for girls and women disadvantage. The cycle then repeats Report will launch globally. The report expected at places due to blow- everywhere – for the next hundred itself; these disempowered and aims to assess progress, improve ing dust. years and beyond. malnourished women give birth to accountability for meeting global uring the last century, the We can no longer treat gender stunted babies, perpetuating the cycle commitments, and recommend SATURDAY battle to secure equality discrimination and malnutrition of inequality. actions for government and key High: 38 C for women and girls as separate issues. The two are To improve nutrition outcomes for stakeholders to end all forms of Low: 29 C Dhas been fought in the inextricably linked; they reinforce girls and women, we need to scale malnutrition by 2030. Cloudy classroom, in the voting booth, and each another in a pattern that touches up proven nutrition interventions The conversation must begin today. in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 women at every stage of their lives. and ensure that other development This week, the Women Deliver 2016 companies. But if gender inequality Malnutrition – in all of its forms – programmes take nutrition into Conference – the largest meeting SUNDAY is ever to be abolished, we can no is both a cause and an eff ect of the account. It is critical, for example, of girls’ and women’s advocates High: 38 C longer aff ord to neglect one of its profound power imbalance between that we promote early and immediate in a decade – is taking place in Low: 29 C major causes and consequences: men and women. breastfeeding – an incredibly Copenhagen. More than 5,000 global Cloudy malnutrition. Gender inequality begins in the powerful tool against both stunting leaders, policymakers, and advocates Right now, a staggering 1.6bn womb. Every year, 16mn adolescent and obesity. from 150 countries are convening to people worldwide suff er from girls give birth, most in low- and Development policies and discuss, among other issues, how to Fishermen’s forecast programs must also take gender break the cycle of poverty and gender anaemia, a condition strongly middle-income countries. If a mother OFFSHORE DOHA connected to iron defi ciency – and one lives in an area where stunting rates imbalances into consideration. inequality that undermines women’s Wind: NW 18-25/35 KT of the symptoms of a global nutrition are high and she is in her mid-teens, Social protection programmes that health. The call for action to sever the Waves: 7-10/13 Feet crisis that disproportionally aff ects her child is more likely to be stunted – improve women’s control of income link between nutrition and gender INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 18-25/37 KT women. Indeed, anaemia affl icts twice and thus more susceptible to disease transfers, for example, are linked to inequality must be loud enough to Waves: 1-3/4 Feet as many women as men – nearly one and largely irreversible cognitive better nutrition outcomes for them echo around the world. in three women and girls worldwide underdevelopment, adversely and their families. We must eliminate all factors that Around the region – and contributes to one-fi fth of all aff ecting their ability to benefi t In many countries, women eat last perpetuate gender inequality. And that Weather Weather maternal deaths. from education and reach their full in the family, reducing their chances of starts with better nutrition for all. The today Max/min tomorrow Max/min In 2012, the World Health Assembly potential. getting the right nutrition. Maternity next century of progress depends on Abu Dhabi Sunny 43/27 Sunny 37/27 endorsed a target to reduce the rate These children will usually go on and breastfeeding provisions are also it. – Project Syndicate Baghdad Sunny 34/23 Sunny 37/23 Dubai of anaemia by 50% by 2025. But, to earn less, which increases their weak, making it diffi cult for women Sunny 39/28 Sunny 37/28 Kuwait City Cloudy 41/26 Cloudy 41/27 at the current rate of progress, this likelihood of living in poverty, being to nurse their children. Behaviour- zNgozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former Manama Cloudy 35/30 Cloudy 34/30 target will not be reached until 2124. malnourished, and, as a result, change programmes, communication, minister of fi nance of Nigeria and Muscat Sunny 42/33 Sunny 42/32 Despite hard-won gains for women, facing a higher risk of developing and role modelling can all be helpful managing director of the World Bank, Riyadh Sunny 41/24 Sunny 38/23 we remain a century behind schedule chronic diseases such as diabetes and in weakening the grip of harmful is Chair of the Global Alliance for Tehran M Sunny 32/18 M Sunny 29/16 on an issue that is key to their health hypertension later in life. And, given social norms concerning nutrition and Vaccines and Immunisation. Lawrence and development – and to that of their the societal and economic biases gender. Haddad is the lead author of the 2016 children. against women in most countries, Accomplishing this will require Global Nutrition Report. Live issues Hypertension, the silent killer

Tribune News Service pressure numbers, the top number, zHeart failure Washington or systolic pressure, represents the zWeakened and narrowed blood pressure in your arteries when your vessels in your kidneys heart pumps. The lower number, or zThickened, narrowed or torn Around the world ypertension, or high blood diastolic pressure, represents the blood vessels in the eyes Weather Weather pressure, is determined pressure in your arteries when your zMetabolic syndrome today Max/min tomorrow Max/min by the amount of blood heart is at rest. Ideal blood pressure zTrouble with memory or Athens M Cloudy 24/18 T Storms 24/17 your heart pumps and the numbers can vary depending on age understanding Beirut Sunny 24/18 P Cloudy 26/20 H Bangkok T Storms 35/27 S T Storms 34/27 amount of resistance to blood fl ow and medical conditions, but here is Medication and/or changes in Berlin P Cloudy 23/12 M Cloudy 24/13 in your arteries. The more blood some general guidance: lifestyle can help get blood pressure Cairo Sunny 33/19 Sunny 36/23 your heart pumps and the narrower NORMAL numbers down. These healthy habits Cape Town P Cloudy 23/13 P Cloudy 21/13 your arteries, the higher your blood Your blood pressure is normal if it’s can make a diff erence: Colombo T Storms 30/26 T Storms 31/26 pressure. below 120/80. zEat a healthy diet with less Dhaka T Storms 28/24 T Storms 27/24 Hong Kong T Storms 28/25 Rain 28/24 Mayo Clinic nephrology and PREHYPERTENSION salt (Dietary Approaches to Stop Istanbul Sunny 23/16 S Showers 19/15 hypertension expert Dr Ivan Porter You have prehypertension if your Hypertension, or DASH, diet). Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 33/26 agrees that everyone age 18 or older top number ranges from 120 to 139 or zExercise regularly. Karachi Sunny 37/29 Sunny 36/29 should have regular blood pressure your lower number ranges from 80 to zQuit smoking. London Cloudy 21/13 Showers 19/12 S T Storms S T Storms 32/26 checks, and, if the numbers are high, 89. Prehypertension tends to get worse zMaintain a healthy weight or Manila 31/26 Moscow Rain 17/11 Showers 17/11 they should take steps to lower them. over time. lose weight if you’re overweight or New Delhi Sunny 42/29 Sunny 42/29 “The biggest challenge is that there HYPERTENSION obese. New York M Sunny 25/14 Showers 18/12 are generally no symptoms associated You have hypertension if your High blood pressure is common, Paris Showers 21/13 P Cloudy 25/16 with high blood pressure. That’s why numbers are above 140/90. Untreated especially for people over 60. Talk to Sao Paulo S T Storms 24/17 S T Storms 25/17 Seoul M Sunny 32/13 P Cloudy 31/14 they call it the silent killer,” Porter high blood pressure puts you at your healthcare provider to ensure Singapore T Storms 33/28 T Storms 32/27 says. “But, having high blood pressure and stroke, so it’s vital to keep blood increased risk for: your blood pressure numbers are Sydney Sunny 23/13 P Cloudy 22/11 long term can cause many serious pressure numbers down.” zHeart attack or stroke where they should be. – Mayo Clinic Tokyo Rain 23/15 Cloudy 24/13 health problems, such as heart disease When reviewing your blood zAneurysm Network Gulf Times 20 Friday, May 20, 2016 QATAR Msheireb Properties marks International Museum Day

sheireb Properties has cele- Doha with evidence from archaeology, Ali al-Kuwari, chief offi cer for de- brated International Museum oral history, maps and aerial imagery. sign and delivery at Msheireb Prop- MDay 2016 with an interactive Dr Carter specialises in the archaeol- erties, said: “Msheireb Museums is programme at Msheireb Museums. ogy of the Arab and Islamic world and a cultural and heritage benchmark at The activities helped raise aware- has extensive knowledge of the origins Msheireb Downtown Doha, where vis- ness about the importance of pro- of the Gulf towns. itors can experience the way of life in tecting and enhancing the cultural The talk was followed by a pan- the past. The museums are equipped landscape in Qatar, according to a el discussion on the challenges in with state-of-the-art audio-visual statement. adapting the heritage houses used technology that allows the guest to Located in the Heritage Quarter by Msheireb Museums to make them have an in-depth understanding of at Msheireb Downtown Doha, the suitable for the 21st century, including major events that have shaped our Msheireb Museums hosted students, the methods of restoration, protection history.” academics, media and other invited and conservation used to create “liv- International Museum Day has guests from key local ministries and ing heritage”. been acknowledged on May 18 since educational establishments to mark Guests were also invited to explore 1977, with more than 35,000 muse- the event held under the theme “Mu- a photo gallery exhibit, which show- ums participating in 2015 across 145 seums and Cultural Landscapes”. cased the architecture of Msheireb countries. The celebration began with open- Museums, combined with local po- International Museum Day aims to ing remarks from Hafi z Ali, director of etry. raise awareness of the fact that mu- Msheireb Museums. Msheireb Properties is a subsidiary seums are an important means of Dr Robert Carter, professor of Ara- of Qatar Foundation for Education, cultural exchange, enrichment of cul- bian and Middle Eastern Archaeol- Science and Community Development tures and development of mutual un- ogy at UCL Qatar, shared his insights and Qatar’s leading sustainable devel- derstanding, co-operation and peace HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari and other dignitaries at the Ashghal pavilion at QIMC. into the development of Msheireb and oper. among people. PICTURE: Thajudheen Ashghal’s role in health projects highlighted he Public Works Au- it is involved in besides min- equipping works for three project at Hamad General thority (Ashghal) has iature models of proposed hospitals as part of the Ha- Hospital, which includes 20 Tshowcased its con- hospitals and health centres. mad bin Khalifa Medical City operating rooms. tributions to the country’s HE the Minister of Public project. The hospitals are This is in addition to the healthcare industry at an Health Dr Hanan Mohamed spread over a built-up area intensive care unit for acci- exhibition held alongside al-Kuwari was briefed on of 227,000sqm and include dents, recovery unit, inten- Some of the participants at the event. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil the second annual Qatar the status of the projects by 559 beds distributed over the sive care units for surgery, International Medical Con- Ashghal’s Public Relations three buildings - namely the surgery preparation units gress (QIMC), which con- and Communications De- Ambulatory Care Centre, and associated services, as cludes today. partment manager Abdul- Qatar Rehabilitation Insti- well as a multi-level park- The three-day event is lah Saad al-Saad and engi- tute and Women’s Wellness ing tower to accommodate being held at the Doha Ex- neer Tamader al-Malki. and Research Centre. around 800 vehicles. hibition and Convention Ashghal has implement- Each of the three hos- The surgery building also Centre under the patron- ed a number of hospital pitals has been built ac- includes a services facil- age of HE the Prime Min- projects, such as the Com- cording to the highest ity for project operation, a ister and Interior Minister municable Diseases Unit at specifi cations and interna- provision for water as well Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Rumailah Hospital and Ha- tional standards. Ashghal as a medical gas network. It bin Khalifa al-Thani. mad medical city’s Simula- also completed the con- has two helicopter landing At its pavilion, Ashghal is tion Centre. struction and equipping pads connected to the new highlighting an array of im- Ashghal recently com- works for the additional surgery building to transfer portant healthcare projects pleted the construction and operation rooms building emergency cases.

A total of 486 distinguished students received certificates from CENG dean Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa. High-achieving students of QU CENG honoured

atar University College of En- student aff airs Waled Mukahel, as well and the Qatar National Development gineering (QU CENG) hon- as faculty, students and their families. Strategy.” Qoured its academically distin- In his remarks, Dr al-Khalifa said: Mohamed al-Subaiey from the guished students named on the Dean’s “You are here because you have dem- Mechanical Engineering Programme List at a celebratory ceremony held onstrated the level of academic dis- said, “This achievement showcases recently. tinction and quality for which QU is CENG’s commitment to preparing A total of 486 distinguished stu- well-known. This event aligns with well-rounded and competent profes- dents (218 men and 268 women), who CENG’s main objective, which is to sionals who will provide knowledge obtained 3.5 GPA or higher, received provide the State of Qatar with highly- and experience to fulfi l the needs of their certifi cates from CENG dean Dr qualifi ed engineers to meet the needs the Qatari society, and who will drive Khalifa al-Khalifa for their “outstand- of the local and regional market. the country’s future towards a knowl- ing performance” during the Fall or “It also shows the college’s ongoing edge-based economy.” Spring 2015 semester. commitment to off ering its students Nada Mamdouh Adawi from the Also present were the college’s asso- the opportunity to excel and achieve Industrial and Systems Engineering ciate dean for academic aff airs Dr Mo- their goals and contribute to Qatar’s Programme added, “This achievement hammed Samaka, associate dean for growth and progress, in line with na- motivates me to work hard and max- development and industrial relations tional priorities towards the achieve- imise my potential to reach my goals Dr Saud Ghani and assistant dean for ment of a knowledge-based economy towards success.”