BUSINESSBUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Kolisi replaces Whiteley, to be fi rst black SA Test US and Qatar to strengthen SME ties captain published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10833 May 29, 2018 Ramadan 13, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir’s visit strengthens Qatar-Kuwait ties

QNA cussed ways to support the well-estab- Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Doha/Kuwait lished fraternal relations and the close National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali In brief ties between the two brotherly peoples al-Ghanim, Deputy Chief of the Kuwait and countries. National Guard Sheikh Mishal al-Ah- is Highness the Amir Sheikh They also discussed a host of region- mad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Prime Minister Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani al and international issues and devel- Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al- Hmet with the Amir of Kuwait opments. Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and QATAR | Ramadan gesture Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al- The meeting was attended by His Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Amir pardons a Sabah at Dasman Palace in Kuwait yes- Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al- al-Ahmed, Deputy Prime Minister and terday. Thani, Personal Representative of the Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Kha- number of prisoners At the outset of the meeting, the Amir and a number of ministers and led al-Hamad al-Sabah, Deputy Prime His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Amir and the Kuwaiti Amir exchanged Sheikhs. Minister and Interior Minister Khaled bin Hamad al-Thani issued an Amiri greetings on the advent of the holy On the Kuwaiti side, the meeting was al-Jarrah al -Sabah, and a number of gesture pardoning a number of month of Ramadan. They also dis- attended by the Crown Prince Sheikh senior offi cials. To Page 2 prisoners, on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.

QATAR | Crackdown 67 people arrested in anti-begging drive Permanent residency law The Anti-Begging Section at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detained 67 people of diff erent nationalities on the first 10 days of Ramadan as part of its anti-begging gets Advisory Council nod drive, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) tweeted yesterday. To report QNA children of a Qatari woman married to dency ID to non-Qataris in accordance cases of begging, one can contact Doha a non-Qatari, as well as those who have with provisions of the said legislation. the CID’s Anti-Begging Section off ered valuable services to the country The Advisory Council approved the on 2347444/33618627 or via the and people with special capacities that draft law after discussing the report of Metrash2 application of the MoI. he Advisory Council yester- the country needs,” the offi cial Qatar the committee and decided to submit day gave its approval to a draft News Agency (QNA) said in a report. its recommendations thereon to the ARAB WORLD | Health Tlaw on permanent residency for The Advisory Council took the deci- Cabinet. non-Qataris and decided to submit its sion at its regular weekly session yes- In January this year, the council had Palestinian president recommendations on the matter to the terday, held under the chairmanship of discussed the draft law at its weekly leaves hospital Cabinet. its Speaker HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin session and referred it to the Internal Palestinian President Mahmoud Under the provisions of the draft Zaid al-Mahmoud. and External Aff airs Committee for Abbas left hospital yesterday legislation, HE the Minister of Interior At the outset of the meeting, the further study and a report. after eight days of treatment for may grant a permanent residency iden- council discussed the report of the In- Earlier, in August 2017, the Cabinet pneumonia. Dressed in a suit as usual tifi cation (ID) card to a non-Qatari if ternal and External Aff airs Commit- had given its nod to the draft law on and walking without assistance, the person meets the conditions speci- tee on the draft law, which stipulates permanent residency. Abbas gave a short statement on fi ed in the law. the establishment of a committee at Meanwhile, the Advisory Council re- being discharged, saying he planned His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being welcomed by the “Also, a decision by HE the Minis- the Ministry of Interior to consider viewed other topics on its agenda yes- to be back at work in his off ice as Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah upon his arrival in Kuwait. ter of Interior may grant this ID to the requests for granting permanent resi- terday. To Page 6 normal today. “Thanks to God, I left the hospital today in good health and return to work starting tomorrow,” he said. Page 8

EUROPE | Politics Italy heads to new Amir issues law on elections amid crisis Italy’s president yesterday named a former IMF economist as caretaker industrial areas prime minister to lead the country into new elections, possibly as soon as the autumn, after a political storm is Highness the Amir Sheikh right to use them when the land is re- whipped up by the collapse of a Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani claimed from them. populist bid for government. The Hissued yesterday Law No 8 of To establish any industrial facil- eurozone’s third largest economy 2018 on industrial areas. ity in these areas, the prior approval lurched into a fresh crisis on Sunday The law stipulates that the creation of the MoEI and the government en- when President Sergio Mattarella of industrial areas is made by a Cabi- tities concerned shall be obtained. vetoed the nomination of fierce net decision based on the recommen- Besides, any modification, demoli- eurosceptic Paolo Savona as dation of the Minister of Energy and tion or improvement of these facili- economy minister. Page 15 Industry, after the Ministry of Energy ties should also be done only after and Industry (MoEI) co-ordinates with obtaining the prior written approval RAMADAN THOUGHT the entities concerned. from the relevant department at the Accordingly, the Cabinet may grant MoEI. And We send not the Messengers developers a franchise to develop The Industrial Areas Committee but as givers of glad tidings and as and manage such areas according to shall be created at the MoEI, which shall warners. So whosoever believes and a franchise contract. However, the be concerned with the relevant admin- does righteous good deeds, upon law stipulates that the land plots of istrative issues. Based on the recom- such shall come no fear, nor shall the industrial areas are government mendations of this committee, HE the they grieve. (Qur’an 6: 48) property to be used only in the ways Minister of Energy and Industry may Prayer times stipulated in this law, no natural or grant licences for banks, shareholding legal person can own or take hold of companies and private entities with Fajr....3.17 Zuhr....11.31 Asr....2.56 them in any way except in accordance public interest to create industrial com- Maghrib.....6.21 Isha.....7.51 of this law. The law also stipulates plexes there and rent them out to the Fasting times that all the natural resources found private sector investors. or located inside these industrial land The law also specifi es the proce- Iftar today ...... 6.21pm plots are state-owned and those rent- dures for applying to obtain a plot land Imsak tomorrow...... 3.06am ing it would be given a fair compen- of industrial areas and the mechanism sation for losing the whole or partial of approval and rejection. To Page 6 beIN urges FIFA action on Saudi ‘piracy’

AFP pressure on the pirates,” she added. ters of “intellectual property very seri- Doha BeIN says the expensively purchased ously”. broadcast rights it has secured for major “FIFA is working with its various sporting events in the region – includ- partners to minimise issues relating atar’s beIN Media Group yes- ing football’s biggest tournament which to the infringement of its rights in the terday urged football’s gov- starts on June 14 – are being under- Mena region,” it said. Qerning body FIFA to take legal mined by pirate broadcasters operating BeIN said that since last October, action against what it called pirate out of its much larger neighbour. a vast and sophisticated Saudi boot- broadcasters in Saudi Arabia ahead of The Doha-based company has the legging network known as “beoutQ” the World Cup. rights to broadcast all 64 matches – using a signal from Riyadh-based “We have requested FIFA to take di- from Russia across the Middle East and satellite provider Arabsat – had been rect legal action against Arabsat and North Africa (Mena) region. illegally transmitting its broadcasts. the indications we have show that they It is one of the tournament’s offi cial Illegal transmissions from beoutQ had are behind that,” general counsel of broadcasters and plans to show match- appeared in Morocco, Jordan and Syria, beIN Sophie Jordan told AFP. es in 24 countries. and it was likely they would soon reach “We have asked FIFA to put direct In response, FIFA said it took mat- Asia and southern Europe, said beIN. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 QATAR

OFFICIAL

Amir appoints new ambassadors

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued the following Amiri Decisions: 1. Amiri Decision No 32 of 2018, appointing Khalid Hamad Ali al-Yousef al-Sulaiti ambassador to Iraq. 2. Amiri Decision No 33 of 2018 appointing Bandar Mohamed Abdullah al-Attiyah ambassador to Kuwait. 3. Amiri Decision No 34 of 2018 appointing Ali Hamad Mubarak al-Marri ambassador to Albania. 4. Amiri Decision No 35 of 2018 appointing Abdulrahman Ali Rabiah Amir’s visit strengthens Kuwait ties al-Ajaj al-Kubaisi ambassador to Sudan. 5. Amiri Decision No 36 of 2018 appointing Hassan Mohamed Rafea From Page 1 al-Emadi ambassador to Japan. 6. Amiri Decision No 37 of 2018 appointing Mohamed Hassan Jaber His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the Iftar ban- al-Jaber ambassador to Lebanon. quet hosted by the Amir of Kuwait at Dasman Palace. 7. Amiri Decision No 38 of 2018 appointing Zayed Saeed Rashid al- From the Kuwaiti side the Iftar banquet was attended by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Kumait al-Khayareen ambassador to Azerbaijan. al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, ministers and senior offi cials and dignitaries. 8. Amiri Decision No 39 of 2018 appointing Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Upon his arrival at Kuwait International Airport, the Amir was welcomed by the Amir bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani ambassador to Sweden. of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met with the Amir of 9. Amiri Decision No 40 of 2018 appointing Saad Ali Hilal al-Mohannadi Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and senior ministers, dignitaries, charge d’aff airs in Qatar’s Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah at Dasman Palace in Kuwait ambassador to Portugal. embassy in Kuwait Ali Jaber al-Marri, Kuwait’s ambassador to Qatar Hafeez Mohamed yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed ways to support the well-established 10. Amiri Decision No 41 of 2018 appointing Mohamed Ahmed al-Ajmi and members of the Qatari embassy. fraternal relations and the close ties between the two brotherly peoples and Mohamed Ibrahim al-Humeid ambassador to Ghana. The Amir and the accompanying delegation were seen off upon departure at Kuwait countries. They also discussed regional and international issues and developments. 11. Amiri Decision No 42 of 2018 appointing Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah International Airport by the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Personal Representative of Salih al-Sulaiti ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. al-Sabah and other dignitaries. His Highness the Amir, a number of ministers and sheikhs and members of the 12. Amiri Decision No 43 of 2018 appointing Saad Mubarak Saad al-Jafali The Amir returned to Doha yesterday evening from Kuwait. delegation accompanying the Amir attended the meeting. al-Nuaimi ambassador to Panama. 13. Amiri Decision No 44 of 2018 appointing Sultan Ali Yousef Mohamed al-Khater ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decisions are eff ective starting from their date of issue and are to be published in the off icial gazette. Transport minister meets ambassadors Amir ratifies decrees

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani ratified the following decrees: 1. Decree No 26 of 2018 to ratify the co-operation agreement between the governments of Qatar and Tunisia, in the field of Youth and Sport, signed in Doha on 12/10/1989, annexed to this decree and shall have the force of law in accordance with Article 68 of the Constitution. 2. Decree No 27 of 2018 to ratify the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on legal co-operation activities between the governments of Qatar and Malaysia, signed in Putrajaya on 16/10/2017, annexed to this decree and shall have the force of law in accordance with Article 68 of the Constitution. 3. Decree number 28 of 2018 ratifying an air transport agreement between the governments of Qatar and Nigeria, signed in Doha on 28/2/2016, annexed to this Decree and shall have the force of law in accordance with Article 68 of the Constitution. 4. Decree No 29 of 2018 ratifying agreement on encouragement and mutual protection of investments between the governments of Qatar and Jordan, signed in Amman on 28/01/2009, annexed to this decree and shall have the force of law in accordance with Article 68 of the HE the Minister of Communications and Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti held separate meetings yesterday with the ambassadors of Sweden and Italy to Qatar - Eva Constitution. Bolano, Pasquale Salzano respectively. The meetings discussed bilateral relations in the field of communications and transport, and ways of enhancing them. 5. Decree No 30 of 2018 ratifying an agreement on encouragement and mutual protection of investments between the governments of Qatar and Azerbaijan, signed in Baku on 28/08/2007. 6. Decree No 31 of 2018 ratifying MoU for co-operation in the field of environment and conservation between the governments of Qatar and Oman, signed in Muscat on 26/02/2016. Instruments of ratification

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued the following instruments of ratification Ramadan can be critical 1. An instrument of ratification approving a draft protocol to amend some provisions of the air transport agreement between the governments of Qatar and Oman signed on 16/4/2018. 2. An instrument of ratification approving a draft memorandum of understanding for co-operation in the field of education, higher education and scientific research between the governments of Qatar time for diabetics: HMC and El Salvador signed in Doha on 16/1/2018. Amir sends cables of congratulations amadan can be one of the Patients with diabetes who intake or by an excessive reduc- or type of food consumed. most critical times of year are able to safely fast are advised tion in dosages of diabetes med- Each year, HMC in collabo- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has sent Rfor diabetics, according to avoid making major changes ications. Symptoms of hyper- ration with the Qatar Diabetes cables of congratulations to the Presidents of Ethiopia, Nepal and to Manal Musallam, director of to their diet during Ramadan. glycemia include a dry mouth, Association, operates a diabetes Azerbaijan - Dr Mulatu Teshome, Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Ilham Aliyev Diabetes Education at Hamad Musallam says it is important blurred vision, increased thirst, hotline. The phone-based emer- respectively - on their countries’ National Day. Medical Corporation’s (HMC) that diabetics do not break their and frequent urination. gency service provides indi- His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani has National Diabetes Centre. fast with a large, excessive meal Musallam says during Ra- viduals with diabetes, as well as also sent cables of congratulations to the presidents of Ethiopia, Nepal “Diabetes, both Type 1 and as there is the risk of post-meal madan diabetics should fol- their relatives or caregivers, with and Azerbaijan on the occasion of their countries’ National Day. Type 2, is a condition that re- hyperglycemia. low the Sunnah of Prophet medical advice related to diabe- HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin quires careful management, “Meals eaten during Ram- Muhammad and break their tes and fasting. Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani has also sent congratulatory cables to the blood sugar control, appropri- adan are often large and contain fast with one date and a sip of Musallam says many of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed and Nepalese Prime Minister K ate diet, and for many patients fried and sugary foods which can water, followed by prayer. She calls received are questions P Sharma Oli on the occasion. strict adherence to medication have an impact on blood glucose says this will help encourage about medication adjustments regimes. Ramadan can be a very control. Iftar often turns into a the digestion process and will and people trying to fi nd out if challenging time of year for celebration for many families. also help prevent a sudden rise it is medically necessary to break Malaysian off icial meets Qatar envoy diabetics who choose to fast be- For diabetics, it is important to in blood sugar. During Ram- their fast. cause fasting alters the timings ensure that Iftar remains a meal adan patients with diabetes The HMC and Qatar Diabetes Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs of Malaysia Ramlan of meals and disturbs sleeping and does not become a feast,” are advised to eat as they nor- Association Ramadan phone- Ibrahim met the outgoing ambassador of Qatar Issa bin Mohamed al- patterns, both of which can af- said Musallam. mally do, with the only dif- based emergency service is Mannai yesterday. fect a person’s metabolic state,” Hyperglycemia can be caused ference being the timing of available seven days a week from They discussed bilateral ties and means to support them as well as says Musallam. by an increase in food or sugar meals rather than the quantity 8 pm to 11 pm on 5598 1331. Manal Musallam matters of common interest. Al Ahli Hospital off ers modern Qatar-Sudan relations reviewed neurosurgery services

he Neurosurgery Depart- ditions and symptoms related The hospital aims to bring ment at Al Ahli Hospital to brain and spinal tumours, together experts, diagnostics, Thas brought together best trauma, infections, degenerative treatment and recovery fa- management options and tech- disorders and congenital condi- cilities to ensure an integrated nology to help alleviate the pain tions. service focused on the individ- and suff ering of those aff ected by The availability of expert adult ual needs of each guest. This in- brain and spinal disorders, it was and paediatric neurology and dividualised approach ensures announced yesterday. neurophysiological services be- that diagnosis can be reached Given that brain and spinal sides physiotherapy and rehabil- as soon as possible and custom- problems are, by nature, often itation provide the guests with a ised treatment plans initiated as complicated and diffi cult to di- holistic neuro services under the Dr El Fatih Bashir Elmalik a priority. agnose and manage, the hospital same roof. Besides the availability of the aims to provide a comprehensive Guests with any brain or spi- gency Department ensuring state-of-the-art 3 Tesla MRI and sophisticated way of assess- nal problem can come directly to round the clock access to our scanner, the procedure rooms ment and treatment in a highly the visiting guest clinic without comprehensive services” said Dr and operating theatres are individualised manner. an appointment, a service not Elmalik. equipped with the latest tools “Individualised care is widely provided in other centres. The Neurosurgery Depart- including Image Guided Sur- achieved using our expertise and This enables early consultation ment has set its utmost goal to gery technology. This GPS like advanced technologies”, says Dr and preliminary investigations serve patients without delay. system, enables the consultants El Fatih Bashir Elmalik, consult- and diagnosis can be achieved “Our most important mission to use tracked surgical instru- ant neurological and spinal sur- within a short time. is to provide our guest with the ments and intraoperative images geon at Al Ahli Hospital. “Assessment of guests can best evidence-based care by to ensure pin-point accuracy for Sudanese President’s Assistant Ibrahim al-Sanosi met Qatar’s ambassador to Sudan Rashid bin The department off ers adult be performed in our specialised combining our experience with the removal of abnormal tissue Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi in Khartoum yesterday. During the meeting, bilateral ties and means to and paediatric consultative visiting guest clinics, in-house the latest technological advances while minimising any eff ect of bolster them were discussed. services for neurological con- care units as well as in our Emer- in the fi eld,” added, Dr Elmalik. the surrounding normal tissue. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 3 QATAR

Ooredoo showcases Qatar Airways launches new reach of Supernet at Amir Cup Final s the offi cial telecom- on-board dining experience munications partner of Athe recently-concluded atar Airways has an- Qatar Airways launched the Amir Cup 2018 football tour- also demonstrated the poten- nounced the launch of pre-select dining option last nament, Ooredoo utilised its tial of Ooredoo’s 5G technolo- Qa new on-board din- year, whereby passengers travel- recent investment in its Su- gy by successfully showcasing ing experience for its Premium ling in First and Business Class pernet network to showcase three futuristic applications customers, starting with its are able to pre-select one main its capabilities at the Amir which in future will solely run European routes. course from the à la carte on- Cup Final. on the Ooredoo 5G network. The new concepts include board menu as far as 14 days in The fi nal, which was held The applications includ- newly designed tableware, in- advance and up to 24 hours be- recently at the Khalifa Inter- ed an engagement platform fl ight dining menus, cutlery and fore take-off . This is in addition national Stadium, was at- to provide robust real-time chinaware that are “specially to the existing Dine-on-Demand tended by 45,000 people, the video streaming, an aug- crafted to meet travellers’ high service already available for val- majority of which were us- mented reality venue en- expectations and elevate their ued First and Business Class ing their phones to document gagement solution and experience on board the airline’s passengers. The pre-select serv- the historic match between immersive VR based on high- award-winning aircraft”, the ice enables First and Business Al Duhail and Al Rayyan. performance Multi-access Edge Doha-based carrier has said in a Class passengers to now enjoy During the fi nal, Ooredoo’s Computing (MEC solutions). statement. even more choice and freedom network surpassed interna- The Amir Cup network re- Qatar Airways said it has also to create their own personalised tional standards reached during sults are the latest in a line of put a greater focus on featur- Arabic dishes such as kabsa, biryani and flame-grilled meats will feature as a choice option for Premium dining experience while travel- mass sporting events, including recent milestones for Ooredoo, ing regional infl uences within customers across most routes. ling on selected long-haul fl ights a 99.3% voice call setup success such as the announcement the menu design process, which from Doha. rate, 99.5% data call success that Ooredoo is the fi rst in the now sees the inclusion of new been given to every new concept, standards of our passengers. er food options”, the statement To pre-select a meal, passen- rate, and 93% data traffi c on 4G. world to launch a commercially signature dishes to the in-fl ight from the mini condiment grinders “Qatar Airways is collaborat- notes. Qatar Airways supports its gers need to log into ‘My Trips’ In the last few weeks, Ooredoo available 5G network. menu based on route destina- dispensing ground black pepper- ing closely with local farms and customers’ desires and will now on the Qatar Airways website and has upgraded its 4G+ network Ooredoo’s 5G Supernet de- tions, such as the off ering of corns and Himalayan pink salt, to suppliers to produce products for feature lighter options, such as choose from the seasonal menu in the stadium to enhance the ployment is currently under- porcini and truffl e risotto on tableware such as the linen-lined our specifi c needs, promoting a fresh crisp salads, woodland ber- available on their fl ight. Meals overall data capacity and ensure way and will begin by covering Italian sectors. bread baskets that house a freshly ‘farm-to-table’ approach. Our ries, warm breakfast oatmeal and can also be ordered through the a world-class experience. an area from The Pearl-Qatar to Traditionally prepared Ara- baked trio of bread. in-fl ight dining menus are de- more. Healthier drink options Qatar Airways mobile app. Yousuf al-Kubaisi, chief ex- Hamad International Airport. bic main dishes such as kabsa, Qatar Airways Group chief signed to align with the four sea- such as ‘cold pressed’ juice with Besides enjoying unrivalled ecutive offi cer, Ooredoo, said, At the 5G launch, Ooredoo biryani and fl ame-grilled meats, executive Akbar al-Baker said, sons, better incorporating the use “great fl avour combinations” will fi ve-star service, premium cus- “Leading up to 2022, Ooredoo chief executive offi cer Waleed which off er a taste of the Mid- “Qatar Airways is thrilled to in- of locally grown produce and tap- also be available on selected men- tomers can also be pampered is committed to ensuring that al-Sayed said the company dle East, will feature as a choice troduce a whole new on-board ping into authentic foods of local us to revitalise during a long fl ight. with amenities from world- the Ooredoo Supernet brings aims to update 100 network option across most routes. dining experience that will push provenance delivering the very The airline said it has also im- class brands such as BRIC’S, the latest and best technology stations to 5G within the next New signature warm desserts the boundaries of Premium highest international standards.” proved its indulgent treats, in- Nappa Dori, Monte Vibiano and to Qatar to ensure that a seam- three months. will be introduced to passengers travel for our esteemed pas- The national carrier of Qatar cluding an enhanced caviar service The White Company. Mean- less Internet and crystal-clear Access to the Ooredoo 5G in the Business Class cabin, in sengers. Every new concept was “has recognised the emerging off ering for First Class passengers, while, all passengers have ac- calling connection can be en- Supernet will require a 5G addition to a luxurious afternoon designed and produced with the trend of its travellers being more which is accompanied by a Balik- cess to Oryx One, which of- joyed by our customers both compatible device, which is tea experience on board selected highest attention to detail and aware of their dietary needs and style salmon and showcased on a fers passengers up to 4,000 living and visiting Qatar.” set to be available from 2019 routes. Attention to detail has quality, to meet the exacting expressing interests in healthi- bespoke crystal plate. entertainment options. During the event, Ooredoo worldwide. QU students sponsor 1,000 orphans Safari draw winners named

atar University’s (QU) students, through Qthe Rofaqa competi- tion launched by Qatar Char- ity (QC), sponsored 1,000 or- phans in two months. The teams “Like These Two” led by Adel Lamy, “Be Their Neigh- bours” led by Saud Al-Maa’adid and “Al Rawaim” led by Asma al- Hammadi were ranked fi rst, sec- ond and third, respectively. The ranking was based on the decision of the judging committee as per the criteria relating to the plan, quality, ef- fi ciency, content and impact of the events, the marketing and media campaign, the number of orphans sponsored and QU students took part in the Rofaqa competition. the amount of donations col- lected in addition to method al-Abdullah, executive director of achieved, pointing out that it in the community service. and clarity of presentation, executive management of media was a very valuable experience Al-Abdullah expressed his The third draw of Safari Group’s ‘Win 10 Nissan Patrol Car Promotion’ for two winners has been held covering all the above points. and communication at QC and a for students. He thanked QC thanks and appreciation to the at Safari Mall, Abu Hamour. The draw was conducted in the presence of an off icial from the Ministry The ceremony was attended large number of QU students. for providing them with such management of QU for its par- of Economy and Commerce and Safari management members. The winners are Qatari citizens by Dr Abdullah al-Shantour al- Al-Yafi e said that the goal opportunities that unlocked ticipation and co-operation Rashid Nasser al-Hajri (coupon No 3109450) and Hussein Abdel Wahed Mashhadi (coupon No Yafi e, director, Student Services of the competition, the spon- their creative thinking abilities with QC in social and cultural 1805733), each of whom will receive a brand-new Nissan Patrol, Safari Group has said in a statement. and Activities at QU, Ali Ateeq sorship of orphans, has been and encouraged them to engage projects. Domasco announces off ers on GAC vehicles

oha Marketing Services enjoy special Ramadan off ers vehicles combine state-of- Company (Domasco) with low down-payment and the-art technology and inno- Dhas announced of- low monthly payments start- vation. During the holy month, fers on GAC Motor vehicles all ing from QR888 per month on we have something special to through Ramadan. the GA3, QR1,199 per month off er our customers as they will Customers purchasing a on the GS4 and QR1,799 per be spoilt for choice.” new GAC vehicle will receive month on the GS8, the state- The GAC Motor showroom cash-back up to QR3,000, free ment notes. The off ers are valid is located on Salwa Road, near comprehensive insurance and until June 30. the Qatar Decoration signal, registration for one year and Faisal Sharif, managing di- opposite HSBC. During Ram- one-year/20,000km free serv- rector of Domasco, said: “Since adan, the showroom is open ice, Domasco – the exclusive its introduction in the market, from 8am to 2pm and from distributor of GAC Motor in we’ve received an overwhelm- 7.30pm to midnight, Saturday Qatar – has said in a statement. ing response to the GAC brand to Thursday. On Friday, it is Every day, a group Ramadan Iftar banquet is held at the yards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In addition, customers will from customers in Qatar. GAC open from 8pm to 11pm. QRCS holding Ramadan Iftar project in Al-Quds

or the sixth year in a row, pasta, vegetable oil, and dates. Qatar for their benevolent con- Ramadan campaign for 1439 Qatar Red Crescent Soci- “Well before the start of Ra- tributions for the Palestinian AH, which involves QR84mn Fety (QRCS) is conducting a madan, we began preparing people in Al-Quds. worth of humanitarian and de- Ramadan Iftar project in the Al- for this project to promote the QRCS’s Ramadan Iftar project velopment projects. This in- Aqsa Mosque, Al-Quds, over the feelings of solidarity, share the in Al-Quds is implemented by cludes international projects in holy month. Ramadan rituals with our broth- the Zakat Al-Quds Commit- 20 countries at a total cost of The $118,000 project is im- ers in Al-Quds, and provide tee, which have since its estab- QR62mn, as well as health, so- plemented in co-operation with them with necessary food in lishment in 1988 accomplished cial, qualifi cation, and develop- the Zakat Al-Quds Committee. these hot days,” said QRCS sec- many similar projects in Ram- ment projects in Qatar at a value Every day, a group Ramadan retary-general, Ali bin Hassan adan. It has considerable ex- exceeding QR10mn. Iftar banquet is held at the yards al-Hammadi. perience, eff ective personnel, Also, Ramadan projects are of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and food The director of the Zakat Al- and accurate database about the currently undertaken in Qatar parcels distributed to the poor Quds Committee stressed the benefi ciaries such as the house- and 15 other countries, with a neighbourhoods of Al-Quds, importance of this project for holds with widows, orphans, budget of QR12,360,000. These with diverse staples like rice, keeping the Al-Aqsa Mosque and poor people. include Ramadan Iftar, Eid The GAC GS8. sugar, beans, lentils, visited. He thanked QRCS and The project is part of QRCS’s Clothing, and Zakat-ul-Fitr. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 QATAR Indonesian offi cials praise Qatar labour law

E the Minister of Ad- Hamid Abdullah (South Kali- data on the availability of ministrative Devel- mantan), Rafl i Kande (Aceh), Indonesian workers. Hopment, Labour and K H Muslihuddin Abdurrasy- On his part, the Indone- Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad id, (East Kalimantan) and Ir H sian ambassador noted that al-Jafali al-Nuaimi yesterday Abdul Jabbar Toba (Southeast an MoU signed between In- received delegates from the Sulawesi). donesia and Qatar in 2008 Indonesian Regional Repre- The delegation also in- would be adjusted in ac- sentative Council, chaired by cluded Indonesian ambassa- cordance with the new Qatar Abdul Aziz. dor to Qatar Mohamed Basri labour law. They discussed bilat- Sidehabi. According to the minister eral relations between the Aziz appreciated Qatar’s counsellor at the Indone- two friendly countries and labour law, which ensures sian embassy in Doha, Boy means of supporting as that the rights of migrant Dharmawan, the aim of the well as developing them in workers are protected in the senators’ visit to Qatar was to various fi elds, especially country. Kande, Acehnese supervise the implementa- in the fi eld of labour co- senator who is also a promi- tion of Indonesia’s Law No 18 operation, the Indonesian nent musician, hoped that of 2017 with regard to labour embassy in Qatar said in a Qatar could give Indonesian protection. In addition to statement yesterday. workers priority to play an meeting with HE the Minis- The delegation included important role in the labour ter, the senators plan to meet senators from various prov- sector – especially in prepa- Advisory Council offi cials as inces in Indonesia, such as ration for the 2022 FIFA well as hold meetings with Rosti Uli Purba (Riau) GKR World Cup. members of the Indonesian Ayu Koes Indriyah (Jawa Ten- In this regard, HE the community in diff erent cit- gah), Dr Shri I Gusti Ngurah Minister asked the Indone- ies, including Al Khor and Al Arya Wedakarna (Bali), Habib sian government to provide Wakrah. HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi with the Indonesian delegation.

Importance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare underlined

atar University (QU) The activity started with an diagram of the fl ow of information Health Interprofessional icebreaker themed “Misconcep- among the health professionals in QEducation (IPE) Commit- tion game”, in which students this story, and highlight the points tee held for the fi fth consecutive were divided into small groups and of communication breakdown, as year an IPE activity titled ‘Being shared the biggest misconception well as discuss how such problems an eff ective team player’. The ob- the public has about their profes- could be avoided. jective was to highlight the impor- sions and how they would educate Second-year CHS human tance of interprofessional collabo- others about this. nutrition student Fatima Ab- ration and being an eff ective team The event’s programme featured dulla al-Naimi said, “When player in healthcare settings. the screening of a video on “Ex- students from diff erent health Held at the College of the ploring the Concept of Team Com- professions collaborate in learn- North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q), munication and Decision Making”. ing about healthcare, from and the event engaged a total of 147 It also included a discussion on the with each other, they acquire students from six professions blame elements of the professions knowledge which yields health Students and off icials at the IPE event. – medicine, nursing, nutrition, represented in the video and the enhancement. It was a valu- pharmacy, pharmacy technician, human factors that need to be taken able event where we get to know municating with others and the cal majors opened my eyes on the and public health. It also drew into consideration. how diff erent health professions attention to diff erent points of importance of co-operating and the participation of 19 facilitators Also on the programme was an collaborate to achieve common view towards the case.” communicating between team from QU Health or QU colleges of interactive case-based discussion targets such as patient recovery. Second-year CPH student members. It is a great experience Health Sciences (CHS), Medicine on the impact of faulty commu- We also had the chance to fi g- Ikram Mustapha Zoukh said, “At- that prepares us for a brighter, and Pharmacy (CPH), CNA-Q, nication by the team during which ure eff ectiveness of working to- tending this IPE event and being better future for the medical and University of Calgary in Qatar. students had to read a case, draw a gether, the importance of com- in a team with diff erent medi- community.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 5 QATAR Economy ministry steps up inspections during Ramadan

he Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has launched Ta surprise inspection campaign targeting a number of retail outlets at a major shopping mall in Doha in order to monitor the compliance of shops with laws and regulations governing com- mercial activities. The inspection cam- paigns come within the framework of the MEC’s Ramadan initiatives under the theme #Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb.” The MEC traditionally intensifi es its inspection campaigns before and throughout the holy month of Ram- adan as part of its eff orts to monitor markets and commercial activities. The campaigns are also aimed at ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing commercial ac- tivities in order to crack down on viola- tions and protect consumer rights. The campaign resulted in penalising and fi ning a children’s amusement park and a restaurant at a shopping mall for violating the commercial licenses law. The campaign also resulted in seven penalties and fi nes for a number of shops at the mall for violations in- An inspector from the MEC at work. cluding expired commercial licenses, failing to meet the general and special The MEC urged merchants and shop The MEC has urged all customers to conditions for commercial shops, fail- owners to abide by regulations and laws report any violations to its Consum- ing to prominently display or post the governing commercial activities. er Protection and Anti-Commercial commercial license at the shop and for The MEC also invited merchants and Fraud Department through the fol- conducting commercial activities un- shop owners to learn about laws and lowing channels: Call centre: 16001, authorised in the license. regulations governing commercial ac- e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ The violating shops were also com- tivities by visiting its website on www. MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, pelled to modify their status in com- mec.gov.qa to avoid legal accountabil- MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: mercial licenses and records. ity and fi nes. MEC_Qatar

Qatar News Agency returns to Twitter

atar’s state-run news agency year, the Qatar News Agency an- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emir- was back on Twitter yester- nounced His Highness the Amir had ates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly broke Qday for the first time since its sent a message to Azerbaijan’s Presi- off diplomatic and trade relations with hacked website carried controversial dent Ilham Aliyev. Qatar, accusing it of having links with comments attributed to His High- Doha insists the planted remarks on radical groups and seeking closer ties ness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin the hacked website were fake and that with Iran. Hamad al-Thani, that sparked a Gulf the website was “hacked by an un- Qatar denies the charges and the crisis. known entity”. boycott remains in place almost a year In its fi rst tweet since May 24 last However, less than a fortnight later, later. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 QATAR Gulf English School graduates felicitated

he Gulf English School Qatar is being built by the hands has celebrated the gradu- of its people, so I advise you to Tation of its Class of 2018. depend on yourselves and build The graduates are set to join uni- your country, being its best sup- versities in Qatar and countries port,” HE Sheikh Faisal urged. including the UK, the US, and David Frame, head of Second- Canada. ary, congratulated the graduates As many as 101 graduated, and expressed his pride in them comprising nine from the Inter- as they are going forward in life national Baccalaureate (IB) Di- to start a new phase of their aca- ploma Programme and the rest demic and practical life. from AS Level. He pointed out that many of The graduation ceremony them have opted to join diff erent was under the patronage of HE universities in various countries Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Tha- in diff erent specialities, with a ni at Qatar National Convention desire to achieve the best and be- Centre on Sunday. come the decision makers of the HE Sheikh Faisal handed the future. graduates their certifi cates. Daniel Langfi eld, deputy head While addressing the graduates, of Secondary, also urged the he affi rmed that they are consid- graduates to exert their best ef- ered the leaders of the future and forts to continue great achieve- should chart their way towards ments in various fi elds. excellence, benefi ting from all Some of the graduates also the available opportunities. spoke during the ceremony and “The responsibility of the expressed their appreciation young people is quite big, espe- and gratitude for their teach- cially with the current condi- ers and school management for tions of the country due to the their eff orts and support during ongoing blockade. The blockade their study. The graduates also was a shock for us at the start thanked their parents for help- but with our wise leadership ing them to overcome all the and young people we were able involved challenges and attain to overcome this initial phase. success. The graduates with HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani.

Amir issues law on industrial areas AAB launches new Toyota Rush in Qatar From Page 1 the benefi t of the state. The law also specifi es the cases, where the minister can terminate the rent arking the entry of ‘a The use of the industrial area plots of land shall be contract such as renting to a third party, or breaking supremely practical through rent according to the set terms and condi- the rental terms and conditions among other cases. Mvehicle that is set to re- tions. In addition, the owner of the industrial project However, the minister can grant the tenant a grace defi ne the compact the SUV seg- shall start implementing his project within a maxi- period to rectify his situation before terminating ment,’ AAB has unveiled the new mum period of 12 months from the date of receiving the contract prematurely. Encroaching on the state Toyota Rush in Qatar. the plot of land. He shall also be committed to pay owned industrial areas by any person, legal or natu- Off ering effi cient fuel econo- the stipulated rent in its due time and abide by all ral, in breach of this law, entails a maximum fi ne of my and manoeuvrability, along the rules and regulations set forward by the law and QR1mn without prejudice for any harsher penalty in with ample interior space with the MoEI. If the owner of a project stopped produc- any other law of the country. three rows of seats that can com- tion without valid justifi cation, he should liquidate The same applies for failing to obtain a prior li- fortably accommodate seven the project within a year of stopping production. cense to establish any industrial facility there. passengers, the new Rush seeks Failing to do this, gives the MoEI the right to sell the HE the Minister of Energy and Industry shall issue to highlight Toyota’s focus on project at a public auction, and all the accumulated the necessary decisions to enforce this law. The law is introducing vehicles that are not debts, if any, would be deducted from the price for eff ective and is to be published in the offi cial gazette. only equipped with a host of en- hanced and functional features, but also meet the growing de- AAB and Toyota off icials at the launch of the new Toyota Rush recently. mands of consumers. At 4,435mm long, 1,695mm The new Toyota Rush comes ed lines surrounding the win- confi gurations, with the second- wide, and 1,705mm high, the with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder en- dows on both sides, signifi cantly and third-row seatbacks folding Permanent residency law Toyota Rush’s external dimen- gine that generates a maximum enhancing its roomy look. down to create a large space for sions open into a spacious cabin output of 103hp and 13.9 kg-m of The new vehicle continues long items and the third-row seat- on the inside with ample room torque and incorporates the dual to look sporty with its large tail backs tumble-folding to expand gets Advisory Council nod for passengers and luggage. VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing- lamps and chunky boot lid while the luggage space, allowing easy Eiji Fujibayashi, chief engineer intelligent) technology, which a seamless line fl owing from the access for occupants and enough to study the damage resulting ing the session, members of the of the new Toyota Rush, said: “Our continuously optimises intake side to the rear further enhances storage for a variety of loads for From Page 1 therefrom and suggest appropri- Advisory Council also watched extensive 18-month research to and exhaust valve timing in re- the vehicle’s dynamic image. both family and business use. ate recommendations and availa- a presentation on the council’s understand evolving customer sponse to driving conditions for The cabin of the new Toyota Even as all seats are occupied, the A number of members pre- ble options to eliminate the harm. website, which would be launched preferences and subsequent ef- exceptional performance. Rush has been decked out with roomy luggage compartment of the sented a general debate request After discussion, the council soon. The website will contain all forts to address them by utilising The new Toyota Rush exhib- a range of enhanced features new vehicle can accommodate four on the harm caused to the chil- decided to refer the general debate information related to the coun- our superior engineering have re- its a modern and sleek identity including a coloured multi-in- 20-litre water bottles. The best-in- dren of divorced or widowed Qa- request to the Internal and Exter- cil’s activities, and document its sulted in the new Toyota Rush.” with its long cabin and robust formation display in the centre class automatic air conditioning tari mothers, whose spouses were nal Aff airs Committee to study it statements, activities conferences Yugo Miyamoto, chief repre- body. The front of the vehicle of the meters displaying fuel ef- system allows the temperature of from the siege countries, in order and submit a report thereon. Dur- and foreign participation. sentative, Middle East and North features large, wraparound head- fi ciency in an intuitive format, a the interior to be quickly adjusted Africa Representative Offi ce, Toy- lamps and a thick lower grille six-speaker sound system, a USB for maximum effi ciency. ota Motor Corporation, expressed that seamlessly encompasses the jack, an accessory socket for con- The new Toyota Rush is avail- Indian embassy Community meet confi dence that “the new Toyota Toyota logo and headlamps for an venient charging of smartphones able in six exterior body colours, Rush, with its everyday use fea- aggressive and dominating look. and other devices, in addition to including Deep Maroon, Dark The Indian embassy will hold its monthly Community house at the embassy premises on Thursday (May 31) tures, ride comfort and superior Complementing its dynamic 13 bottle holders placed deftly Red, White, Bronze, Silver, and between 3 and 4pm to listen/redress any urgent labour and consular issues of Indian nationals in Qatar. value, will strongly resonate with styling, the compact SUV has throughout the vehicle. Black, and has been fi tted with our customers and car enthusiasts.” been provided with uninterrupt- The seats ensure give a variety of 17-inch alloy wheels.

Recall of Mercedes-Benz GT-Class

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, has announced the recall of Mercedes-Benz GT-Class model of 2017 because the combination of the sports seat and roll bar may not correspond with legal specifications. The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that automobile dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and repair them. The MEC said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The MEC has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 7 RAMADAN/QATAR The supplications of our pious predecessors

Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit, may Al- He replied: ‘In the mosque’” Ibn al- lah be pleased with him, reported Munkadir, may Allah be pleased with ‘that he heard the Messenger of Al- him, never mentioned what he saw to lah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, say: anyone until the man died. “Whenever a Muslim supplicates to Ibn Wahb, may Allah be pleased with Allah, He accepts his supplication, or him, said: “I was told that the man averts any affl iction from him, or saves moved out of the house he was living in its equivalent in reward for him until to another location which no one knew the Day of Account – as long as he does about, so the owners of the house from not supplicate for something that is whom he was renting the house said: sinful or something that may break the ‘May Allah forgive Ibn al-Munkadir ties of kinship.” [At-Tirmithi] who forced this righteous man to leave Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with our house.’” him, said: “Some of the residents of ‘Abbaas Ad-Doori, may Allah be Koofah complained to (the Caliph) pleased with him, reported that ‘Ali ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, Abu Fazaarah, may Allah be pleased about (his governor of Iraq) Sa’d, may with him, said: “My mother was hand- Allah be pleased with him, claiming icapped for 20 years. One day she said QIC Group off icials and employees during the Suhoor event. that he did not know how to lead his to me: ‘Go to Ahmad ibn Hanbal and people in prayer properly. In response request him to supplicate for me to be to this, Sa’d said: ‘I pray in the exact cured.’ I went to him and knocked on manner I saw the Prophet, sallallaahu his door, so he asked me what my need ‘alaihi wa sallam, pray. I make the fi rst was. I told him that my mother was re- two Rak’ahs longer than the last two in questing that he supplicates for her to QIC Group hosts Suhoor the ‘Ishaa’ prayer’. Upon hearing this, be cured. He replied in an angry tone: ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, ‘I am in greater need for someone to said: ‘This is what I thought your prac- supplicate for me.’ As I was about to tice would be.’ After that ‘Umar sent head back home, an old lady came out some people to Koofah to inquire about and said: ‘He started supplicating for for staff , family members the situation. Whenever they entered your mother after you had left.’ When a mosque and asked the congregation I reached home, my mother was at my there, they would praise Sa’d, may Al- Your slaves, and I adjure You to bring reception (i.e., Allah had cured her).” atar Insurance Group has recently lah be pleased with him. When they down rain upon us!’ It was not but a Sulaym ibn ‘Aamir, may Allah be hosted a corporate Suhoor event reached a mosque where the tribe of short while that a cloud came with pleased with him, stated: “I entered Qat the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort Banu ‘Abs lived, one man said: ‘As you rain.” upon Al-Jarraah (before a battle) and & Convention Hotel to celebrate the holy have asked us about Sa’d, we will tell Ibn al-Munkadir was keen to know he raised his hands up and started sup- month of Ramadan. you the truth: he is unfair when judg- all the righteous people and thus de- plicating, and the leaders of the army It was attended by staff of QIC Group, ing between people and does not justly cided to try to fi nd out who this man did likewise, so I did the same. He sup- Beema and their family members, as well distribute (war booty) and never par- was. He said: “I said to myself: ‘There plicated for a long time, and then said as members of senior management. ticipates in battles.’ Upon hearing this, is a pious man in the city who I do to me: ‘Do you know what we were do- The Suhoor, which is a regular feature of Sa’d supplicated to Allah saying: ‘O not know’, so when he concluded his ing?’ I said: ‘No, but I saw you suppli- QIC’s calendar of events, serves as a plat- Allah! If this man is lying, make him prayer, I followed him until he reached cating earnestly, so I raised my hands form to strengthen relations between em- go blind, make him live to an old age the house of Anas, and entered it. I with you.’ He then said: ‘We were sup- ployees and share the spirit of Ramadan. and expose him to temptations.’ Some went back, and after I prayed the Fajr plicating to Allah to grant us martyr- Off ering tribute to its Qatari lineage, QIC Muslims later narrated that: ‘Indeed prayer I went to his house and knocked dom.’” Sulaym ibn ‘Aamir then said: “I Group’s annual Suhoor highlights Qatar’s we saw this man running after young his door. When he opened the door, I swear by Allah that every single one of rich heritage, hospitality, and traditional girls in the streets, harassing them. He asked him: ‘I overheard you last night them was martyred during this battle.” Ramadan celebrations that have been pre- would say: ‘Indeed the supplication of supplicating and I saw what resulted Bilaal ibn Ka’b, may Allah be pleased served and are followed for generations. Sa’d against me has been realised.’” from your supplication. Would you al- with him, reported that some young The event also featured a draw, which QIC Group Senior Deputy Group president and CEO Ali Fadala. Ibn al-Munkadir, may Allah be low me to provide your sustenance so men said to Abu Muslim al-Khaw- gave the attendees the chance to win prizes. pleased with him, said: “Once, I was that you can concentrate on your wor- laani, may Allah be pleased with him: Ali Fadala, Senior Deputy Group presi- nect and enhance our relation with share good times, build on our team sitting in the mosque next to the pul- ship?’ He replied: ‘No, but I have a fa- “Supplicate to Allah to enable us to dent and CEO QIC Group, said: “At QIC, our multinational staff and their spirit, and enjoy the festivities in pit supplicating in the middle of the vour to ask of you. Please do not men- catch this antelope.” He, may Allah be the annual corporate Suhoor helps to con- family members. We celebrate and full swing.” night. There was a man standing next tion what you saw to anyone until I die, pleased with him, supplicated to Allah to one of the pillars of the mosque cov- and do not come back again, because and they were able to catch it immedi- ering his face with a mask. I overheard people would notice and my matter ately. him saying whilst supplicating: ‘O my would become publicly known’ I said Article source: http://www.is- Lord! Drought has severely aff ected to him: ‘But where can I meet you?’ lamweb.net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Protests as Syria takes chair of world disarmament body Palestinian killed after

AFP Damascus in 2013, a deal with Geneva Russia was struck to rid Syria of chemical weapons, staving off US air strikes. Israel strike in Gaza he United States led A suspected chlorine and protests yesterday as sarin attack in the Syrian AFP TSyria took over the ro- town of Douma on April 7 this Gaza City tating presidency of the Con- year triggered punitive mis- ference on Disarmament (CD) sile strikes against alleged at a time when Damascus is chemical weapons sites in Palestinian was killed by Is- widely accused of using chem- Syria by the US, Britain and raeli tank fi re into northern ical weapons. France. AGaza yesterday, the health “Monday, May 28 will be Other permanent missions ministry in the Hamas-run enclave one of the darkest days in the to the Geneva-based CD sup- said. history of the Conference on port the US and Britain and It named the dead man as Moham- Disarmament with Syria be- would protest against Syria’s ed al-Rudeia, 30, and said another ginning its four-week presi- lack of “political legitimacy” man was wounded. dency,” tweeted US ambas- and “moral authority” at the An army spokeswoman said that sador to the CD Robert Wood. conference, a diplomatic two Palestinian men tried to breach The CD chair rotates al- source said. the border fence “with the intention phabetically every four weeks of carrying out an attack”. and Syria’s turn came round “A regime that has used It said the pair were captured but yesterday, although the con- CW (chemical weapons) other Palestinians on the Gaza side ference will meet in full ses- against its own people has fi red at Israeli soldiers, without caus- sion only from today. no place presiding over ing injuries. “The Damascus regime has the CD’s work” “In response we attacked with a neither the credibility nor tank a nearby lookout post,” she said. moral authority to preside Syria’s role would not be Eyewitnesses said the tank strike over the CD. “The interna- allowed to damage the proper targeted an observation point be- tional community must not working of the CD, the source longing to an armed group. be silent,” Wood wrote. added. A statement by Hamas’ military “A regime that has used Some ambassadors were wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Bri- Young Palestinians clash with Israeli soldiers in the Amari refugee camp near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank after troops CW (chemical weapons) not expected to lead their gades, hailed Rudeia as a “fi ghter”, an stormed the camp, yesterday. against its own people has no delegations at the conference accolade usually only given to its own place presiding over the CD’s in a sign of protest. members. Separately yesterday the work.” Britain also protested UN secretary general Anto- health ministry announced the death against the move. nio Guterres, who put his own of a Palestinian injured in clashes “The UK deplores the fact disarmament proposals to the with Israeli forces. that Syria will assume the CD last week, said he had “no Nasser al-Areenee, 28, was shot a presidency of the Confer- power” over the rotation sys- “number of days ago” east of Jabalia ence on Disarmament, given tem. in the northern Gaza Strip, the min- the regime’s consistent and He said he hoped Syria’s istry said, without giving further de- flagrant disregard of inter- presidency would not have a tails. national non-proliferation “negative impact” on the im- At least 121 Palestinians have been and disarmament norms and portant work of the confer- killed during weeks of unrest since agreements,” British ambas- ence. March 30, when Palestinians began sador Matthew Rowland said The CD is a multilateral calling to be allowed to return to their in a statement. disarmament forum that historic homelands inside Israel. But he pointed out that all meets in three sessions a year The majority were killed during CD members including Syria in Geneva. protests along the border, including had to agree to change the ro- It negotiates arms control at least 61 on May 14. tating system. and disarmament accords Others have been killed in air After hundreds of people and focuses on the cessation strikes, including on Sunday when died in chemical attacks near of the nuclear arms race. three members of the Hamas-allied Islamic Jihad group were killed. Palestinian relatives of Mohamed al-Rudeia, 30, mourn during his funeral in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.

DIPLOMACY China to host Iran leader amid Abbas leaves N-deal upheaval Iran’s president will attend a sum- mit with his Chinese and Russian counterparts next month, off icials in Beijing said yesterday, as they try to hospital after salvage the nuclear deal thrown into upheaval by Donald Trump. China, Russia and European powers, all of which signed the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, are scrambling to save the eight-day stay pact following the US president’s decision to quit the agreement AFP widespread speculation over whether and reinstate sanctions. China’s Ramallah his condition was worse than the details President Xi Jinping will meet Iran’s being disclosed. Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of No successor is publicly in line for the Shanghai Co-operation Organi- alestinian president Mahmoud the Palestinian presidency, which has sation (SCO) meeting on June 9-10 Abbas left hospital yesterday after added to concerns over Abbas’ health. in Qingdao, said Foreign Minister Peight days of treatment for pneu- Abbas won a four-year term as presi- Wang Yi. Russian President Vladimir monia that led to intense speculation dent in 2005, but he has since remained Putin will also attend the summit, over the 83-year-old’s condition and in offi ce without further elections. he added. Wang did not include who will eventually replace him. He argues the split between his Fatah the nuclear deal in a readout of the Dressed in a suit as usual and walking party and Hamas, which controls the summit’s formal agenda. But Beijing without assistance, Abbas gave a short Gaza Strip, has made elections politi- has signalled that it intends to keep statement on being discharged, saying cally impossible. working with the regime despite the he planned to be back at work in his of- A moderate, Abbas has been involved US move. fi ce as normal yesterday. in decades of negotiations with Israel. “Thanks to God, I left the hospital Many Palestinians see his approach today in good health and return to work to negotiations as having failed to end DIALOGUE starting tomorrow,” he said, speaking the Israeli occupation. Libya factions vigorously and with his two sons by his Israeli offi cials, while criticising what side. He thanked all international lead- they see as his intransigence, greatly raise doubts on ers who had called about his health and value the security co-ordination which Paris talks wished him well. his administration has provided. The hospital stint came at a time of Abbas succeeded Yasser Arafat, the Groups in western Libya have cast heightened US pressure on Abbas and charismatic leader who was revered by doubt on talks in Paris today that the Palestinian Authority. Palestinians. aim to pave the way for elections Some analysts said Abbas would now In recent months, Abbas has faced in the divided country, fearing seek to refocus on work and downplay what the Palestinians see as the blatant the meeting could play into the talk of stepping down. bias of US President Donald Trump’s hands of their rival, eastern-based He is expected to preside over a administration. commander Khalifa Haftar. Libya meeting of the central council of his Fa- Abbas froze all ties with the White splintered following the 2011 Nato- tah party today. House over Trump’s decision to recog- backed revolt that toppled Muam- Known to be a heavy smoker, Abbas nise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital mar Gaddafi, and since 2014 has was admitted on May 20 to the Istishari The United States has also frozen tens been divided into competing Arab Hospital near Ramallah in the oc- of millions of dollars in aid to the United political and military factions cupied West Bank with complications Nations agency for Palestinian refugees based in Tripoli and the east. The following an ear operation, including and has threatened to close the offi ce of United Nations is leading an eff ort high fever. the Palestine Liberation Organisation in to reunify the oil-rich nation and to Offi cials have since said he was being Washington. organise national elections. treated for pneumonia. Abbas has sharpened his rhetoric His extended hospitalisation led to against US offi cials. ASSISTANCE Unicef, WB offer aid to vulnerable Yemeni families Around 1.5mn of the most vulnera- ble families in Yemen have received cash from the UN children’s fund, Unicef as part of an emergency project to avert the risk of famine in the conflict-ridden country, the agency reported yesterday. The Unicef-World Bank emergency cash transfer project was launched in mid-2017 with a $200mn grant. Two payments have already been distributed to the most vulnerable Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas gives a short statement before leaving a Yemenis, with a third payment hospital near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, yesterday. planned for August 2018. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 9 ARAB WORLD Hariri seeks early govt formation for stability Reuters port its possession of arms, won Beirut at least 70 of parliament’s 128 seats in the election, a reversal of Lebanon’s last legislative election, rime Minister-designate which returned an anti-Hezbollah Saad al-Hariri expressed majority in 2009. Phope yesterday that a coali- The staunchly anti-Hezbollah tion government could be formed Lebanese Forces (LF) party is also quickly to shield Lebanon from seeking more government min- regional instability and a dire istries to refl ect its gains in the economic situation which he said election. The LF, led by Maronite posed the biggest danger to the politician Samir Geagea, nearly country. doubled its number of seats in Hariri was speaking after meet- parliament, winning 15. ings with lawmakers over the “The (LF) representation must make-up of the new coalition to be equal to the representation of be formed after a May 6 parlia- the FPM,” LF lawmaker George mentary election that strength- Adwan said after meeting Hariri. ened the hand of the Hezbollah The FPM was founded by Presi- and its political allies. dent Michel Aoun, and has been Pointing to complications led by his son-in-law Gebran ahead, the Christian Lebanese Bassil since 2015. Forces party demanded govern- The group has been politically ment representation equal to allied to Hezbollah since 2006. its main rival, the Free Patriotic Bassil, foreign minister in the Movement (FPM), and competi- outgoing government, said the tion for cabinet portfolios also FPM’s share of cabinet posts surfaced among rival Druze fac- should include either the minis- tions. “I am very optimistic, God try of fi nance or the interior, say- willing, and I thank everyone for Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri sits with Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri inside the ing his party had been denied both the co-operation they showed to- parliament building at downtown Beirut, yesterday. since 2005. Berri is insisting that day,” Hariri, who will be premier the fi nance ministry remains with for a third time, told reporters. Earlier, Parliament Speaker Na- lah aims to secure a bigger say in government. Senior political his Amal Movement. “Nobody wants to put a spoke bih Berri was quoted saying the the next government than it had in sources have said Hezbollah is Hezbollah supports that de- in the wheel,” Hariri said. government formation should the last one, after the heavily armed seeking at least one service-pro- mand, according to sources famil- Lebanon’s economic woes and take less than one month. group and its allies made signifi cant vision ministry and will have three iar with the group’s thinking. unsustainable debt levels are “Nobody has an interest in de- gains in the election. instead of two ministries this The interior ministry was con- seen as top priorities for the next laying the birth of the government The head of Hezbollah’s par- time. trolled by Hariri’s Future Move- government. So too is the Syrian or putting complications in its way,” liamentary bloc, Mohamed Raad, The group has typically taken ment in the outgoing government. refugee crisis for a country where Berri told people who had visited told reporters after meeting Har- ministries of marginal impor- Hariri lost more than a third of one in four people is now a Syrian him, the Hariri-owned newspaper iri that his party had requested tance. Hezbollah, along with its seats in the election, many of refugee. Al-Mustaqbal reported. Hezbol- a “weighty ministry” in the new groups and individuals that sup- them to Hezbollah allies.

Tunisia ruling coalition fails to agree on economic reforms

Reuters which include high infl ation and unem- “We cannot agree to change the gov- Turmoil and militant attacks have de- Tunis ployment, and impatience is rising among ernment at this sensitive time,” its leader terred investors and tourists, eroding lenders such as the International Monetary Rachid Ghannoushi told reporters. “En- living standards of ordinary people and Fund, which have kept the country afl oat. nahda has been known as a party which causing an increase in unemployment. unisia’s ruling coalition has failed to Offi cials from the two ruling parties — the makes concessions but this time we can- Annual inflation hit a record level of agree on a new economic reform plan secular Nidaa Tounes and the moderates of not do so, in the interests of the country 7.7% in April as the dinar tanked, making Tand a cabinet reshuffl e, offi cials said Ennahda — and labour and employers’ un- which needs stability.” food imports more expensive. yesterday, in a new political setback as the ions agreed last week to start a new eco- That leaves Chahed in office for now, The IMF is due to review the next International Monetary Funds (IMF) pre- nomic programme. though it is unclear how much power he tranche of its loan plan in June, diplomats pares to review the next loan tranche. But talks broke off yesterday after the still has after the parties failed to agree on said. The North African country has been parties failed to hammer out details, said a how to tackle Tunisia’s economic crisis. Chahed has been pushing to overhaul hailed as the Arab Spring’s only democratic spokeswomen for President Beji Caid Es- “It s a big failure for the country...Today loss-making state firms, making enemies success because protests toppled autocrat sebsi, who had been hosting the negotia- the government will get weaker as the po- with the powerful labour union UGTT. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 without trig- tions. litical scene is deeply divided,” said Kamel “We failed to reach an agreement (on gering violent upheaval, as happened in Ennahda had rejected calls from the Ni- Morjan, head of the small Moubadara par- the economic programme)... We are not Syria and Libya. daa Tounes to sack Prime Minister Youssef ty, which is part of the government. committed to any decision in the future,” But since 2011, nine cabinets have failed Chahed, a technocrat, or conduct a major Seven prime ministers have failed to fix UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi said, to resolve Tunisia’s economic problems, cabinet reshuffle. a sluggish economy. declining further comment.

In Mosul, volunteers help bring city back to life

Reuters Mosul

group of Iraqi university students have found a cause in the ruins of A Mosul. They are salvaging what is left of its rich heritage, clearing rubble and distributing aid in a city crying out for help after the war against Islamic State. The project began when Raghad Ham- moudi and a group of students decided to launch a campaign to help rebuild the Central Library of Mosul University, burnt and bombed in the war. Its vast contents had been all but lost. But they found buried under layers of ash some 30,000 books almost intact. Over 40 hot days, with the war still rag- ing on the other side, the students moved the books one by one using holes made by rockets to carry them to safety. “An entire city with a glorious past and ancient history lost its heritage and cul- ture: the tomb of the Prophet Jonah, the Raghad Hammoudi, who is a member of a group of students campaigning to help rebuild the Central Library of Mosul University, speaks minaret of Al-Hadba which is older than with Reuters, in Iraq. Iraq itself. It is great that we were able to save a part of this heritage,” said Ham- ter now and this is because of the revolu- ing rehabilitate homes, says most people, and her family escaped the fighting. moudi, 25, a nursing student. tion that happened within Mosul, within despite being impoverished, have re- “It was a miracle that we even made it. Both the leaning minaret of Al-Hadba, its young people,” she said. turned to neighbourhoods where the rub- From then on I refused to accept to stay part of the 12th century Grand Al-Nuri After living under Islamic State’s strict ble has been cleared. at home anymore. I refused to be silenced Mosque, where in 2014 Islamic State’s Abu rule and then the war to retake the city, However, there are entire areas that are and I haven’t since,” she said. Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate, young women feel as though they have completely deserted. Corpses fester under She says she had to overcome stigma and the ancient tomb of what is believed been liberated. debris. “Poverty can do more harm than both as a woman and a divorcee to car- to be the Prophet Jonah were destroyed in The team that set out to rescue the Daesh. If the city remains like this and the ry out the work. She runs activities for the military campaign to retake the city. books was mixed, a rarity in Mosul’s soci- poor can’t find anything to eat, they will children and helps co-ordinate access to Hammoudi says among the books sal- ety, where mingling between sexes outside do anything,” said Taher, 30. medical care and equipment for families. vaged were some handwritten by Mosul the family or university was limited even Taher says his target is to rehabilitate Her team organised the opening of a scholars. before Islamic State. 1,000 homes and has so far finished reha- park previously used as a military training They included editions written in Mo- “An unbelievable barrier has been bro- bilitating 75, relying solely on donations ground for the fighters who ruled the city slawi, the distinct dialect of the region ken, it might be a trivial thing for the rest from locals. for three years. once known as a centre for scholarly reli- of the world but for Mosul it is huge,” she Taher is regularly stopped by locals ask- Al-Juburi, who is still haunted by im- gion and the pride of many for its ancient said. ing for help. He points to a collapsed home ages of the night of their escape, says even mosques, churches and Old City architec- Months after Iraq announced full con- where an entire family was killed. if Mosul is rebuilt, people need help to get ture. trol of the city, life is back in many parts. “Their belongings were taken to be sold over the mental toll. Elsewhere, volunteers cleared rubble But much of the Old City, where the last for charity,” he said, skipping over the “In the end, the city will be rebuilt, even and garbage, opened roads, drilled water and the bloodiest battles were waged, is stream of sewage that split the road. if it takes 1,000 years. But if the mind is wells and distributed aid. still in complete ruin. Marwa al-Juburi, 25, a divorcee, was destroyed, then the city will be lost with “The situation in Mosul is so much bet- Diyaa al-Taher, a resident who is help- one of the first to volunteer as soon as she no hope of resurrection.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 AFRICA

Mugabe snubs parliament hearing again Zimbabwe’s former president a letter that had been written to Robert Mugabe yesterday again him,” Temba Mliswa, mines com- Kenya to charge 54 in failed to attend a parliamentary mittee chair and an independ- Kinshasa slams hearing where he was due to give ent member of parliament, told evidence on corruption in the journalists. ‘$80mn’ graft scandal diamond mining industry. “He is not being prosecuted, Lawmakers want to question it is only a matter of us hearing him over his 2016 claim that from him and him contributing AFP ing technical training and working on Macron over Zimbabwe lost $15bn in revenue whatever he has to us.” government projects. Kenya due to corruption and foreign ex- The committee has off ered With a budget soaring to some ploitation in the diamond sector. to interview Mugabe at his resi- $250mn a year, the NYS has been The 94-year-old, who was dence, Mliswa added. enya’s top prosecutor said yes- plagued by Kenya’s endemic corrup- ousted from off ice in November Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe from terday he would charge 54 sus- tion, with a fi rst scandal breaking in talks with AU after 37 years in power, also failed 1980 until he was ousted from of- Kpects over the theft of $80mn 2015 after the theft of $7mn through in- to attend the hearing last week fice in November following a brief from the national youth agency, the fl ated pricing and fi ctitious payments. AFP Countries in central Africa are casting a without giving reasons. military takeover. latest in a string of graft scandals to Investigators and media initially Kinshasa worried eye, amid fears that the sprawling, “We were expecting former His authoritarian regime was erupt in the country. reported $90mn had been stolen. volatile state could spiral once more into president Robert Mugabe to accused of syphoning off dia- The latest scandal at the National But Haji said yesterday the fraud war, possibly drawing them into it. appear before us as a result of mond profits. Youth Service (NYS) involves the alleged pertained to bills totalling $80mn — he Democratic Republic of Congo DRC President Joseph Kabila, 46, has fraudulent payment of millions of dol- an amount disputed by top NYS of- (DRC) reacted angrily yesterday after been in power since 2001 and should have lars for goods and services, often to fam- fi cials. TFrench President Emmanuel Macron stepped down at the end of 2016 after he ily and friends of powerful politicians. Kenyan media have reported how met the head of the African Union (AU), ap- reached his two-term constitutional limit Police arrested the director of the the NYS paid $10mn for beef in one parently suspecting closed-door dealings — a constitutional clause has allowed him National Youth Service (NYS), Rich- year — meaning each recruit would on the crisis-riddled country’s future. to remain in offi ce until his successor is ard Ndubai, and the principal secre- have had to consume 66kg of beef a Government spokesman Lambert Mende elected. 32 die in Ethiopia landslides tary of in the youth ministry, Lilian day. In another example a car tyre was blasted Macron for “dog-whistle remarks” Kabila’s presidency has been stained by Omollo, as well as 18 others in dawn purchased for $1mn. that he made last week in Paris after meet- a reputation for corruption, oppression of raids yesterday. According to the prosecutor’s of- ing with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, free speech and poor governance. AFP reported that 23 people were Another 34 suspects still being fi ce, charges will include abuse of of- who is also the AU’s current chair. The DRC’s armed forces are struggling Addis Ababa killed in a landslide in the Sida- sought were named in a statement by fi ce, stealing public funds and forgery, The comments caused “discomfort, not to repress confl ict in the vast, lawless east, ma zone. Six people were badly Director of Public Prosecutions Noor- among others. to say anger” in Kinshasa, Mende told a which is under the sway of multiple rebel injured, Fana reported. din Mohamed Haji. In an editorial in the Saturday press conference. groups. andslides caused by heavy Countries across the Horn of “My offi ce is preparing to have the Standard, a columnist referred to a Macron had said “France supports the Mende said: “We do not accuse the rain killed at least 32 people Africa have recently struggled to suspects arraigned in court to answer 1968 headline in which government initiative taken by the president of the Af- French president of anything. The ques- Lin southern Ethiopia over cope with heavy rains. to the charges,” he said in a statement, vowed to “crush” corruption. rican Union, in strict concertation with the tion is about knowing what may have been the weekend, the government Last week, fl ooding and adding the complicity of banks in the “Since independence government president of Angola,” but did not elaborate. said between him — because he spoke said yesterday. strong winds caused by Cyclone fraud would also be probed. in Kenya has not been about serv- Angola President Joao Lourenco was about it — and the president of Rwanda The Government Communi- Sagar killed at least 25 people in The NYS is a paramilitary training in- ice...The foremost reward of winning visiting Paris yesterday. concerning the DRC without us knowing cation Aff airs Offi ce (GCAO) said Djibouti and Somaliland, while stitution that has been at the forefront an election would seem to be the op- The verbal broadside from the DRC about.” nine people died in the Gamo heavy fl ooding left 21 dead in of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s plan to portunity to steal,” wrote columnist comes in a context of mounting tensions “When the answer comes, if it is unsat- Gofa zone, with 17 injured. Somalia, according to the UN’s combat high youth unemployment. Barrack Muluka. “We have sung the ahead of presidential elections scheduled isfactory, you can be sure that we will draw The state-affi liated Fana humanitarian co-ordinator Enrollment is voluntary, and sees anti-corruption song for far too long, for December 23. all the consequences,” Mende said. Broadcast Corporate on Sunday OCHA. youths receive a stipend while receiv- we can only be tired of it.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 11 AMERICAS

Cyber thieves hit two Lava covers potentially big Canadian banks

Reuters ers of its Simplii direct banking Toronto brand. CIBC said it has not yet con- fi rmed the cyber breach but is ank of Montreal and Ca- taking the claim seriously. explosive Hawaii well nadian Imperial Bank CIBC said customers at its Bof Commerce said yes- main banking division were not Reuters terday that cyber attackers aff ected. Honolulu may have stolen the data of Both banks said they were potentially tens of thousands contacting customers and ad- of customers in what could be vising them to monitor their ac- ava from Hawaii’s erupting Kilauea the first significant assault on counts and report any suspicious volcano has covered a potentially financial institutions in the activity. Lexplosive well at a geothermal pow- country. The banks did not respond to er station and threatened another, after Bank of Montreal, Canada’s requests for comment. fl owing onto the site, offi cials said. fourth biggest lender, said yes- Other Canadian banks said The Hawaii Civil Defense Agency said terday it was contacted by fraud- they had not been aff ected. the wells “are stable and secure”, and sters on Sunday who claimed Canada’s six biggest banks Hawaii Governor David Ige said that the they were in possession of the have been collaborating along plant was “suffi ciently safe” from the lava personal and fi nancial informa- with the Bank of Canada to en- that has ploughed through backyards and tion of a limited number of the hance their defences against cy- streets and burned dozens of homes. bank’s customers. ber attacks. But lava has never engulfed a geother- The bank said it believed the The Bank of Canada said ear- mal plant anywhere in the world and the attack originated from outside lier this month that some attacks potential threat is untested, according to the country and was confi dent would inevitably succeed but the head of the state’s emergency man- the exposures that led to the it has recovery mechanisms in agement agency. Local residents fear an theft of customer data had been place to limit the damage. explosive emission of deadly hydrogen closed off . Cyber attacks are increasingly sulphide and other gases should wells be It said it was working with rel- common. ruptured. evant authorities to assess the Last year, credit monitoring The molten rock was expected to con- situation. fi rm Equifax said information on tinue to fl ow across the Puna Geothermal Canadian Imperial Bank of about 146.6mn names, 146.6mn Venture (PGV) facility, according to the Commerce, Canada’s fi fth big- dates of birth, 145.5mn US social US Geological Survey. gest lender, said fraudsters con- security numbers, 99mn ad- Since Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began a tacted the lender on Sunday dresses and 209,000 payment once-in-a-century-scale eruption on May claiming they had electronically card numbers and expiration 3, authorities have shutdown the plant, re- stolen personal and account in- dates, were stolen in a cyber at- moved 60,000 gallons of fl ammable liquid, formation of 40,000 custom- tack. and deactivated wells that tap into steam and gas deep in the Earth’s core. Magma has drained from Kilauea’s Ivanka photo with her son sparks backlash summit lava lake and fl owed around 40km east underground, bursting out of Ivanka Trump is facing an the Department of Health and Hu- about two dozen giant cracks or fi ssures online backlash for tweeting man Services told a congressional near the plant. Pahoehoe lava advances west from fissure 7 on Leilani Avenue as a lava fountain is seen in the background at Kilauea Volcano’s what one critic called a “tone committee last month the govern- The 38 megawatt plant typically pro- lower East Rift Zone in Hawaii on Sunday. deaf” photo of herself cuddling ment was “unable to determine vides around 25% of electricity on the Big her son as outrage grows over with certainty the whereabouts of Island, according to local power utility than 250 earthquakes at Kilauea’s summit, US Marine Corps and National Guard fl ow from Fissure 7”, a statement from the a federal government policy 1,475” minors after attempting to Hawaii Electric Light. with four explosions on Saturday sending helicopters are on standby for an air evac- civil defence agency said. to separate the children of contact their sponsors in the last Operator Ormat Technologies Inc last ash as high as 12,000ft, offi cials said. uation if fi ssure activity cuts off Highway Offi cials had no information on how undocumented migrants from three months of 2017. week said there was no above-ground Winds were set to shift yesterday, 130, the last exit route for up to 1,000 many residents still remained in the their parents. “Isn’t it the just the best to damage to the plant, but it would have to causing higher concentrations of ash and coastal residents. neighbourhood or how many people The eldest daughter of Presi- snuggle your little one — knowing wait until the situation stabilised to as- volcanic smog that will spread west and More residents in some sections of the might have already left. dent Donald Trump, who serves exactly where they are, safe in sess the impact of earthquakes and sub- northwest to aff ect more populated areas, Leilani Estates neighbourhood were or- Local media has reported that about as an adviser to her father, posted your arms? It’s the best. The BEST. terranean lava fl ows on the wells. said National Weather Service meteor- dered to immediately evacuate shortly 2,000 people have already evacuated the picture of her with her son Right, Ivanka? Right?” tweeted Over the weekend, there were more ologist John Bravender. before 8pm “due to a fast moving lava since the new eruptions began. on Sunday, with the caption: “My comedian Patton Oswalt. #SundayMorning.” “This is so unbelievably tone Critics were quick to point deaf, given that public outrage is to a “zero tolerance” policy an- growing over young kids being nounced earlier this month by forcibly ripped from the arms of Attorney General Jeff Sessions their parents at the border — a Thousands fl ee weakened Alberto as it nears Florida that authorises border security barbaric policy that Ivanka Trump agents to take away the children is complicit in supporting,” added of people who enter the United Brian Klaas, a political scientist at Reuters Deadly hurricanes in the United States unlawfully. the London School of Economics. Houston States and the Caribbean last year The government places such Many others tweeted using caused hundreds of billions of dollars children in foster homes, but the #WhereAreTheChildren in damage, massive power outages and Steven Wagner, a senior off icial in hashtag. ubtropical Storm Alberto weakened devastation to hundreds of thousands as it neared landfall yesterday on of structures. Sthe Florida Panhandle, a day after The storm will bring powerful winds fl ooding from another storm tore through and heavy rains as it moves into the Ten- a historic Maryland town and swept away nessee Valley today and tomorrow, the a would-be rescuer, offi cials said. hurricane centre said. Forecasters said Alberto could bring The storm, coming on the last day of Bush Sr hospitalised life-threatening high water to south- the Memorial Day weekend, was expected ern coastal states when it slams an area to scramble holiday travel. from Mississippi to western Georgia A storm surge warning was in place AFP Care, in the state of Maine, under with up to 30cm of rain and possible from the Suwannee River to Navarre, Washington observation for a few days, Mc- tornadoes. Florida, and a tropical storm warning Grath wrote. Alberto’s top winds fell slightly to covered the area from the Suwannee Bush, 93, spent more than a 96kph with the storm about 80km south River to the border of Florida and Ala- little more than three week at a Houston, Texas, hos- of Panama City, Florida, the National bama. weeks after he was re- pital in late April and early May, Weather Service said. Authorities in Howard County, Mary- Aleased from hospital, immediately after the funeral of It was expected to reach land yester- land, said a 39-year-old man was missing former US president George H W his beloved wife Barbara Bush. day afternoon as it headed north at about after fl ash fl ooding from a separate storm Bush was re-admitted on Sunday At that time, Bush contracted 13kph. tore through the historic downtown of with low blood pressure and fa- an infection that spread to his “The basic idea is that it’s going to run Subtropical Storm Alberto nears the Florida Panhandle in Nasa handout photo Ellicott City on Sunday. tigue, his spokesman said. blood and initially left him in in- out of real estate for it to strengthen” by released on Sunday. The man was swept away as he tried to “The former president is tensive care. picking up energy from the warm Gulf of help rescue people from fl oodwaters. awake and alert, and not in any Bush, who suff ers from Par- Mexico waters, said Dan Petersen, a fore- Alberto, the fi rst named Atlantic storm lor counties issued mandatory evacuation The area had barely recovered from a discomfort,” Jim McGrath said kinson’s disease and is wheel- caster with the National Weather Serv- of 2018, spun up days before the formal orders for thousands of coastal residents. devastating fl ood about two years ago on Twitter. chair-bound, has been hospi- ice’s Weather Prediction Center in Col- June 1 start of the hurricane season. Florida, Alabama and Mississippi are that killed two people and damaged doz- The 41st president will likely talised on several occasions in lege Park, Maryland. Authorities in Florida’s Franklin and Tay- under states of emergency. ens of buildings. remain at Southern Maine Health recent years. Never forgotten: war veteran bikers rally for missing comrades

By Eric Baradat and Elodie served in Iraq and Afghanistan, US fl ag is the aim of the gathering the country from California for Cuzin, AFP Sunday’s ride was an over- dubbed ‘Rolling Thunder’, which the 13th time to participate in the Washington whelming experience. was also the name of a major op- annual Memorial Day weekend “Riding along, I could feel a eration which the US carried out spectacular. lump in my throat ‘cause Iraq and to bomb North Vietnam during Mel Goudge, 76, who served earing bandanas, cow- Afghanistan weren’t very popu- the war. in Vietnam from 1965-66, made boy hats or gleam- lar either,” he said. The parade began in 1988 with a similarly long journey, from Wing helmets, tens of “To see the American public fewer than 3,000 participants Washington state, but for him it thousands of war veteran bikers out there in the street really felt under the motto “We will never was the fi rst time. roared through Washington on great.” forget” to press for an accounting “The ride was hard on me,” he Sunday to honour US soldiers Waving banners in the red, of the Vietnam missing. said of the 10-day trip. “But I’m missing in action in foreign wars. white and blue of America’s fl ag, It has grown every year since glad I did it.” For 30 years their slogan has Shayla Mathei, 43, and Chaz into a rumbling, roaring extrava- “It was a pilgrimage. I grew been the same: “We will never Stamps, 42, clapped and warmly ganza that organizers say attracts up with a friend who lived across forget.” encouraged the riders, many of more than a million people, in- the street and he was shot down “It’s exhilarating, everybody whom were aboard heavy Ameri- cluding spectators. in 1968, November 25th, and I is so happy to see us,” said Keith can-made Harley-Davidson mo- The route took riders into the needed to come to the wall and Gonzales, after fi nishing his ride torcycles. centre of offi cial Washington, touch his name on the wall. It was that passed supporters who lined In a dress, shorts and sneakers past the monuments on the Na- kind of something I had to do,” he the streets and waved fl ags or — with no leather in sight — this tional Mall and the austere black said. other signs of support. pair in their forties had travelled marble memorial engraved with Most of the riders avoid talk Gonzales, 64, is a Vietnam vet- from California for the weekend, the names of the nearly 60,000 about politics, but Donald Trump eran. and looked nothing like the bik- US soldiers killed during the Vi- won many over by visiting Roll- His helmet, jeans, T-shirt, ers passing before them. etnam War. ing Thunder during his 2016 leather vest adorned with col- “We’re here to show our pa- According to organisers, more presidential campaign. oured patches, his energy and an triotism,” said Mathei, a speech than 85,000 US troops remain The US president tweeted his easy laugh, all belie the traumas therapist. “It’s makes me feel unaccounted for in wars as far Thousands of bikers and military veterans take part in the Rolling Thunder motorcycle parade in appreciation ahead of Sunday’s of that long war which ended in proud and it’s good to hon- back as World War I. Washington, DC on Sunday. parade. 1975. our people that have served our Most are from World War II, “Fantastic to have 400,000 “When we came back from Vi- country.” but 1,598 of the missing are from ing back home here in the Unit- said Jack Richardson, a retired still in Vietnam, they don’t know GREAT MEN & WOMEN of Roll- etnam we didn’t get this kind of Stamps is himself a former US the war in Southeast Asia, a con- ed States that have not found Los Angeles police officer who if they’re still alive, they don’t ing Thunder in DC showing their reaction at all. So it’s nice now,” Navy sailor. fl ict still fresh in the memories of out where their dads, their fa- served two tours in Vietnam in know if they’re dead, they don’t patriotism. They love our Coun- he told AFP. Honoring the missing as well older veterans. thers, their brothers — they the 1960s. know if they’re captured,” said try, they love our Flag, they stand For Doug Torres, 54, who as soldiers who died under the “Still there are families wait- don’t know where they are,” “They don’t know if they’re Richardson, who at 73 crossed for our National Anthem!” Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 ASIA

Thai villager killed by wild elephants A 54-year-old Thai man has Court set to make ruling on been killed by a herd of wild elephants in the western province of Kanchanburi, in the second dangerous encounter between humans and elephants this month, local media reported yesterday, DPA reports from Vietnam’s biggest-ever fraud Bangkok. The attack involved 10 female Reuters vidual’s employer at the time, “If the ruling was of depositors’ funds if negli- ior VietinBank manager to en- people and has 94 investors, 93 elephants and their calves, and Hanoi state-controlled VietinBank. upheld, she had little gence of the bank is established. courage customers to deposit of whom are Vietnamese. occurred late Sunday as the man The ruling comes as fi nancial hope of recouping her In Vietnam, interpretation of funds at a particular branch. VietinBank is Vietnam’s sec- and others in his village were fi rms such as investment banks bank’s $10mn from liability law becomes more She and accomplices used fake ond-largest listed bank by mar- trying to keep the animals away Vietnamese court is set and global buyout funds fl ock the perpetrator, who open when the perpetrator goes offi cial documents to appropri- ket value. It is 64.46% state- from their crops, the Bangkok to make a key ruling in to Vietnam, hoping to capitalise was sentenced to life beyond their responsibility, a ate the funds, according to the owned, with its next-biggest Post said. Athe country’s biggest- on a period of privatisation and imprisonment” lawyer said. indictment. shareholder Japan’s Bank of The victim, Thamsin ever fraud case, in a trial that capital-raising deals in the fast- “Diff erent understandings SBBS’ Yei said her company Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, a unit Ratananupappot, was reportedly has spotlighted Vietnam’s abil- growing emerging Southeast case. This represents 70% of lead to diff erent decisions,” said had 210bn dong deposited at of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial part of a group of villagers that ity to tackle fi nancial crime at Asian economy. our capital. Our business may Nguyen Thanh Ha, chairman of VietinBank at the end of August Group, with 19.7%. had been using slingshots to keep a time when foreign banks are The chief executive of one get suspended,” Josephine Yei Hanoi-based SBLAW. “Vietnam 2011, and was shocked when “This case should be handled the 30-strong herd of elephants heeding government calls to victim, depositor Saigonbank said in an interview. doesn’t have case laws for such two months later just 1% of the under international practices, out of their village. invest. Berjaya Securities JSC (SBBS) VietinBank, formally Viet- cases so it depends completely money remained. She said she otherwise it could have a bad The villagers had been patrolling The Ho Chi Minh City Peo- - a unit of Malaysia’s Berjaya nam Joint Stock Commercial on the mind of the jury.” has spent the intervening years eff ect on Vietnam’s investment the land, trying to keep elephants ple’s High Court is expected to Corporation Bhd – said that if Bank for Industry and Trade, Court documents showed trying to recover the funds and and business environment and from entering, every night for the rule today on whether to up- the ruling was upheld, she had and majority owner State Bank indebted Huynh Thi Huyen that SBBS and four other victims then investors will lose trust,” past month, the Post said. hold a judgment that the cen- little hope of recouping her of Vietnam – the country’s cen- Nhu and 22 accomplices were brought the latest appeal. economist and former govern- On May 16, a wild elephant tral perpetrator of a 4.9tn dong bank’s $10mn from the perpe- tral bank – did not respond to convicted in 2014 for “misap- The appeal covers only 1trn ment advisor Le Dang Doanh attacked a 73-year-old man in ($215mn) theft is responsible trator, who was sentenced to life emailed requests for comment. propriation of funds” from 15 dong of the broader case. told Reuters by phone. “We have Kanchanaburi province, breaking for returning some of the stolen imprisonment. In many economies, banks victims in 2010 and 2011. “It’s judgement day for us,” to avoid that. We have to create his ribs and back, but the man money, rather than the indi- “We can’t aff ord to lose the can be liable for embezzlement Nhu used her title as a sen- said Yei, whose fi rm employs 55 trust.” survived. 86 killed, 7,000 arrested in On way to Everest summit Bangladesh anti-drugs drive

Reuters “The Sheikh Hasina methamphetamine use. But be compared to an abusive re- Dhaka government says many Rohingya say their young gime,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, it is a protector of people are being pushed into South Asia director for Human human rights, so it crime because they cannot le- Rights Watch. angladesh police have should reform its gally work or, in many cases, get Ganguly said the government killed at least 86 people domestic record, access to aid. “should heed concerns and al- Band arrested about 7,000 set an example, The 86 deaths occurred legations by families and activ- since launching a crackdown instead of wishing to when police defended them- ists that several of these deaths on drug traffi cking this month, be compared to an selves in confrontations with could be extrajudicial killings”. offi cials said yesterday, raising abusive regime” suspected drug traffi ckers, said Interior minister Asaduzza- fears from rights activists of a Mufti Mahmud Khan, a direc- man Khan rejected the rights Philippines-style war on drugs. motivated to act against it,” tor of the police Rapid Action group’s allegations and denied Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi- Devdas Bhattacharya, a senior Battalion. that police had carried out any na approved the anti-narcotics police offi cial, told reporters. “It’s their legal right to save extrajudicial killings. He said campaign in early May to tackle “The process will continue themselves from the attack,” dozens of police had been in- the spread of yaba, as metham- until it’s eradicated totally”. Mufti said. jured in anti-drug operations. phetamine is widely known in He said police arrested six Human rights activists are The opposition Bangladesh Asia, and worth an estimated people on Sunday, including a worried the Bangladesh cam- Nationalist Party (BNP) said $3bn annually, government 12-year-old boy from Myan- paign is taking a page from the the anti-drugs drive was part of offi cials say. mar’s Rohingya Muslim com- Philippine drugs war, in which a campaign to intimidate it but The drug is sourced from munity, who had carried 3,350 thousands of people have been Khan also rejected that, saying Myanmar’s northeast and yaba tablets to the capital, killed in the past two years. ruling party members would smuggled into neighbouring Dhaka. “The Sheikh Hasina govern- not be spared if found guilty of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has said an infl ux ment says it is a protector of drug crimes. “In recent times, drug deal- last year of Rohingya fl eeing human rights, so it should re- “We are determined to save In this photo taken on May 16, mountaineers ascend on their way to the summit of Mount Everest, ing has increased and we feel Buddhist-majority Myanmar form its domestic record, set an our young generation from the as they climb on the south face from Nepal. that people should be alert and is partly to blame for soaring example, instead of wishing to curse of drugs,” he said. Lanka accepts $1bn loan from Chinese bank

Reuters velopment Bank had a bid for an that fall due up to 2022, with economy, expects foreign cur- Colombo eight-year tenure. The eff ective the start this year of repayments rency outfl ows of $6.35bn in the rate of return is around 5.3%,” on expensive infrastructure next 12 months including loans, the offi cial said, adding, “It foreign loans. securities, and deposits, com- ri Lanka has accepted an was a good off er. The loan has a The government has blamed pared with the current $9.1bn eight-year China Devel- three-year grace period. Then in “colossal borrowing” by the pre- in foreign exchange reserves, Sopment Bank $1bn syn- the next fi ve years, the govern- vious government for the spike according to the latest offi cial dicated loan to repay loans ma- ment will be repaying $100mn in debt servicing. Central Bank data. turing this year, two top fi nance biannually.” Finance Minister Mangala Sa- The cabinet has approved ministry offi cials said. Another ministry offi cial maraweera said last week the debt plans to borrow some $5bn in The bank was chosen from confi rmed the deal. crisis would further worsen next 2018 to refi nance the debts due among four bidding for the loan, The new borrowing comes year, when $4.3bn has to be paid this year. which the government plans after Sri Lanka raised a record for debt servicing in 2019. Some The island nation plans over- to use towards repaying other $2.5bn via two tranches of 77% of the next year repayments all net foreign borrowing of Rs- loans, one offi cial told Reuters. sovereign bonds last month. are for debts obtained by the 300bn ($1.9bn) this year, 9.1% “All three others had three- The government is also pre- previous government, he said. lower than 2017, budget data year tenure and only China De- paring to refi nance big debts Sri Lanka, which has a $87bn showed.

Maldives bars convicts from contesting presidential election Nepal to unveil budget today The Maldives Elections Commission has announced that anyone convicted of a criminal IANS ing targeted programmes to alleviate poverty Villagers travel in a boat to cross the towns near a flooded road in Malwana, near Colombo, yesterday. off ence cannot legally contest in a political Kathmandu and create employment opportunities. party’s presidential primary, warning that such Nepal has been running various income elections will be annulled, IANS reports from generating activities and small com- Male. epal will unveil the budget for munity infrastructure targeting the poor The elections commission made the fi nancial year 2018-19 today. households through Poverty Alleviation 75,000 Lankans relocated to declaration in a notice concerning the N The speaker of the House of Fund (PAF), an institution formed to run presidential election slated for September, the Representatives, the lower house of the targeted programmes. Edition reported. bicameral federal parliament of Nepal, According to the Economic Survey, as The commission said only candidates that Krishna Bahadur Mahara, informed the many as 984,421 poor households have shelters after landslide alert meet the prerequisites for president as per lawmakers about the budget session in a been benefi ted from the programmes the constitution would be allowed to run in meeting on Sunday. launched by PAF in 60 out of 77 districts primaries and it reminded the parties to abide Nepal’s Finance Minister Yubraj Khati- of the country. IANS ing struck by lightning, reports A red alert has also been by the island’s constitution. wada will unveil the budget in the joint Likewise, 44,810 youths were self-em- Colombo Xinhua news agency. issued to the naval and fi sh- Following the announcement, former president meeting of parliament at about 4pm, ployed in the fi rst eight months of the cur- As more rains were expected ing communities in Putta- Mohamed Nasheed, who formally applied reported the Kathmandu Post. rent fi scal year that began in mid-July 2017 in the coming days, Kodippili lam, Batticalo,a Colombo and to contest in the main opposition Maldivian Over 6mn Nepalis under poverty line: under the Youth and Small Entrepreneur he toll from Sri Lanka’s said the National Building and Galle. Democratic Party’s presidential primary More than 6mn Nepalis are still living Self Employment Fund. monsoon rains has Research Organisation has also More than 4,000 houses scheduled on May 30, had his candidacy rejected under the poverty line, which is 21.6% of However, due to limited employment Treached 23, while 75,000 issued a severe landslide alert have been partially or fully due to the terrorism charges against him. the Himalayan nation’s total population, a opportunities at home, around 4.3mn people have been evacuated in the districts of Kalutara, damaged or inundated. Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail on new report has revealed. Nepalis have gone for foreign employment and relocated to safer shelters, Galle, Ratnapura, Kegalle and President Maithripala terrorism charges over the arbitrary detention Unveiling the Economic Survey 2017-18 through formal or informal channels, the country’s Disaster Man- Nuwera Eliya. Sirisena and Prime Minister of a judge during his regime. at parliament, Finance Minister Khatiwa- stated the Economic Survey. agement Centre (DMC) said “People residing in these red Ranil Wickremesinghe last According to the commission, individuals da said despite reduction in poverty over According to the Economic Survey, Ne- yesterday. alert areas will be evacuated to week instructed relevant au- convicted of criminal off ences were also the years, there has not been achievement pal’s economy is expected to grow by 5.9% DMC spokesperson Pradeep safer locations. They will have thorities to immediately pro- banned from contesting in parties’ primaries. in the area as expected, reports Xinhua in the current fi scal year ending in mid-Ju- Kodippili said of the 23 vic- to remain there till the red alert vide relief to the aff ected peo- It warned that such candidacies would be news agency. ly. Nepal’s average economic growth over tims, fi ve were killed after be- is lifted,” Kodippili said. ple. deemed null and void. Nepal has taken a number of measures, includ- the last one decade stood at 4.3%. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 13 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Diplomatic duels: what now for the Trump-Kim summit?

Events around the Korean in the Panmunjom truce village internationally sanctioned North peninsula have been moving at between the two Koreas. Korean off icials will travel there. a dizzying pace over the last few The State Department says a Importantly, they’ll also have days, with a summit between team of US off icials also met to decide what exactly the two S Korea calls for Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un with North Koreans in Panmun- men are going to talk about. that was on, then off , then ap- jom on Sunday. The Washington parently on again. Here’s where Post reported that senior diplo- What are the stumbling we stand with what could be a mat Sung Kim was leading the blocks? historic meeting. US delegation and that the two In a word, denuclearisation. sides planned to continue talk- Both sides say they want it, but How did we get here? ing. The White House said on the there is a yawning gulf between more impromptu A few months ago Kim and weekend that a separate team their definitions. Washington Trump were hurling insults and of off icials was also on its way to says it wants to see the com- threats of war at each other. The Singapore to lay the ground for plete, verifiable and irreversible rhetoric began to cool during the meeting. denuclearisation (CVID) of North the Winter Olympics in South Korea in return for sanctions and Korea, and by mid-March the Who is Sung Kim? economic relief. Trump wants two sides had agreed to a face- Few American off icials have to see CVID take place immedi- talks with North to-face. After some back-and- more experience of dealing with ately – although he has recently forth, June 12 in Singapore was North Koreans than Sung Kim. conceded a phased approach Reuters fixed on, but as May ticked over The Korean-born diplomat previ- could be discussed. Seoul both sides began casting doubt ously served as Washington’s Moon says Kim is also commit- on the meeting. The insults ambassador in Seoul and was a ted to the “complete” denuclear- started up again, with North special envoy during ultimately isation of the Korean Peninsula. outh Korea’s President Korea calling US Vice President fruitless Six-Party Talks in the But when asked if that meant Moon Jae-in said yesterday Mike Pence a “dummy”, and mid-2000s. He is currently the same as CVID, he told report- Sthere could be more im- both sides threatening to walk Washington’s envoy to the Phil- ers that was something for promptu talks and summits with away. Trump abruptly pulled the ippines but has been called back Pyongyang and Washington to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, as plug last week, only to appar- to his old stomping ground – discuss. Analysts believe North US offi cials prepare for a historic ently reverse course 24 hours Trump has yet to nominate an Korea will be unwilling to cede meeting between President Don- later in the wake of Pyongyang’s ambassador to Seoul. its nuclear deterrent unless it is ald Trump and Kim. emollient response. given security guarantees that Moon and Kim Jong-un held a So is it going to happen? the US won’t try to topple the surprise meeting on Saturday at How did talks get back on Given the twists and turns, and regime. That may mean they the border village of Panmunjom, track? the mercurial nature of the par- will look for confidence-building during which they agreed that a Some say Trump’s sudden ties involved, few Korea watch- measures such as a reduction in North Korea-US summit must willingness to walk rattled ers are prepared to say with any US troops in South Korea or joint be held. “What’s more important Pyongyang, which has since certainty. But most observers military drills. than anything from the latest dialled down its rhetoric and ex- are confident the process is back Kim Sung-han, professor of inter-Korean summit was that pressed a willingness to talk “at on track – for now. In the last international relations at Korea the leaders easily got in contact, any time”. “Trump’s unexpected 48 hours Trump has sounded University, said Trump will have easily made an appointment and response totally took Kim by upbeat, saying the June 12 diff iculty accepting any condi- easily met to discuss urgent mat- surprise and left the North meeting will still go ahead, or tions from North Korea, partly ters, without complicated pro- scrambling to find a way to that it could happen at a later because he had been so critical cedures and formalities, just like mend things,” Cho Sung-ryul, a date if more time is needed. of the Iran nuclear deal. “If he a casual meeting,” Moon told a South Korean President Moon Jae-in presides over a meeting with his senior secretaries at the Presidential senior researcher at the Institute Usually these kind of summits believes that it would be hard meeting with senior secretaries. Blue House in Seoul, South Korea. for National Security Strategy, are planned months, sometimes to include CVID or any specific Trump last week pulled out of told AFP. Others say the crisis years in advance. Now off icials terms to mandate the North to the meeting with Kim, planned gineering & Construction gained Moon may meet Trump, Kim in Singapore: offi cial was primarily averted by Kim have only a fortnight left to carry out nuclear disarmament for June 12 in Singapore, before 24 percent. and South Korea’s president finalise thorny protocol details quickly, he may cancel the sum- announcing he had reconsidered A US offi cial told Reuters that South Korean President Moon the North Korean side of the Moon Jae-in, who made the such as where in Singapore the mit again, even days before the and American and North Korean Sung Kim, the former US ambas- Jae-in could travel to Singapore demilitarised zone (DMZ) for extraordinary decision to meet talks will take place and how event,” he said. offi cials were meeting to work sador to South Korea, was lead- to meet with US President Don- talks as preparations continued out details. ing the American delegation to ald Trump and North Korean for a summit. The future of the On Sunday, the US State De- meet North Korean offi cials at leader Kim Jong-un, a govern- Trump-Kim summit remains un- Denmark. “It’s also an implicit since it conducted its fi rst nucle- language in terms of denucleari- partment said US and North the border. ment off icial in Seoul said yes- clear after Trump on Thursday acknowledgement that running ar test in 2006. The United States sation of the Korean Peninsula. Korean offi cials had met at Pan- “It’s a good thing to have him terday. The potential three-way said he was pulling out, citing this negotiation out of the Oval has struggled to slow the isolated In previous, failed talks, North munjom, a village in the demili- onboard,” said a former sen- meeting could be held around “open hostility” in Pyongyang’s Offi ce has not worked, and that country’s weapons programmes, Korea said it could consider giv- tarised zone (DMZ) that runs ior South Korean offi cial who June 12, when Trump and Kim recent statements, before voic- lower-level offi cials are needed which have become a security ing up its arsenal if Washington along the heavily armed border worked with Sung Kim in past. were originally scheduled to ing eagerness to still hold the to work out the details before a priority for Washington given removed its troops from South between North and South Korea. “He’s capable, level-headed, hold their landmark bilateral summit, even on the original summit can take place.” Pyongyang’s promise to develop Korea and withdrew its so-called A “pre-advance” team of US offi - cautious, and has solid grasp of summit, the presidential off ice date. Moon and Kim held unan- Still, with only a few weeks a nuclear-tipped missile capa- nuclear umbrella of deterrence cials was also travelling to Singa- the issues and knows North Ko- spokesman told the Yonhap nounced talks on Saturday in left until the scheduled summit, ble of hitting the US mainland. from South Korea and Japan. pore to meet with North Koreans reans well. But at the same time news agency. The meeting the DMZ. Kim again expressed such talks are unlikely to recon- In remarks on Sunday, Moon Moon said Saturday’s sum- there, the White House said. he has healthy scepticism.” would depend on the outcome willingness to meet Trump and cile the diff ering positions over acknowledged Pyongyang and mit with Kim, which was or- Asian stocks and US share fu- Pentagon offi cial Randall of discussions between Wash- reiterated a pledge to denu- Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal, he Washington may have diff ering ganised on short notice after the tures gained yesterday, while Schriver was also part of the US ington and Pyongyang, the clearise the Korean Peninsula said. expectations of what denucleari- North Korean leader requested a shares in South Korean construc- team, the US offi cial said. The off icial said. made when the Korean leaders “No matter how experienced sation means and he urged both meeting, should be a model for tion and railway fi rms surged af- Washington Post fi rst reported US off icials on Sunday entered first met in April, Moon said. and knowledgeable these offi - sides to hold working-level talks increased contact between the ter Trump said his offi cials and the team met with Choe Son Hui, cials are, they will not be able to to resolve their diff erences. leaders of the two Koreas. North Korea have resumed talks the North Korean vice foreign change the fundamental chal- The United States has de- “If we could hold working- to prepare for the summit in June. minister. The US delegation also welcomed the news the United and professional team signals lenge between the United States manded the “complete, verifi - level, back-to-back talks on both Shares of Shinwon Corp, included Allison Hooker, the Ko- States had dispatched a team that the Trump administration is and North Korea over its status as able, and irreversible” disman- sides of Panmunjom if urgently which used to operate factories rea expert on the White House of seasoned negotiators to hold getting serious about the specif- a nuclear power.” tlement of North Korea’s nuclear necessary in addition to formal in the Kaesong industrial re- National Security Council. After several days of preparatory talks ics of an agreement,” said former North Korea has faced years weapons programme. Pyongyang summits, it would expedite faster gion near the demilitarised zone, weeks of political posturing by with the North Koreans. US deputy assistant secretary of of economic sanctions over its has rejected unilateral disarma- advancement of inter-Korean re- jumped 22%, while Hyundai En- both Trump and Kim, analysts “Sending such an experienced defence for East Asia, Abraham nuclear and missile programmes ment and has always couched its lations,” Moon told his aides.

Mother of ‘nut ‘Ground-breaking’ ceremony rage’ Korean Mahathir axes Air heiress high-speed rail link questioned The scandal engulfing the Korean Air dynasty widened project to Singapore yesterday as 69-year-old ma- triarch Lee Myung-hee faced police questioning over AFP return of Mahathir — whose re- allegations she assaulted em- Kuala Lumpur lationship with the city-state was ployees including household famously prickly during his fi rst staff and construction work- stint as premier from 1981-2003 ers renovating her home. alaysian Prime Minister — might cause ties to worsen. Lee’s two daughters, who Mahathir Mohamad said The neighbours have had a dif- held management positions Myesterday he was scrap- fi cult relationship since Singapore at South Korea’s top carrier, ping a project to build a high- was expelled from the Malaysian became viral sensations for speed railway to Singapore, in an Federation in 1965 over ethnic is- their own temper tantrums ominous sign for the neighbours’ sues, and relations in subsequent which were dubbed the “nut famously fractious relationship. decades were punctuated by oc- rage” and “water rage” scan- Mahathir, who won a sur- casional bickering. dals online. prise election victory this month When Mahathir was fi rst prime “I am sorry for causing against Najib Razak’s long-ruling minister, rows erupted frequently trouble,” a bespectacled Lee coalition, is seeking to repair the over everything from water — said with her head lowered country’s fi nances, which he says Singapore gets its water supply as she walked past throngs deteriorated dramatically after from Malaysia — to the Malay- of journalists before entering the former government became sian leader’s plan to build a bridge a Seoul police off ice. embroiled in a huge fi nancial connecting the neighbours to re- Lee is accused of assaulting scandal. place the current causeway. The drivers and housekeepers The leader said it was a “fi nal project never took off . from her personal staff as decision” to scrap plans for the But under Najib, who was ac- well as construction workers bullet-train line between Kuala cused of overseeing the plunder renovating her home and Lumpur and Singapore, which of state coff ers, relations had been building a Korean Air-aff iliat- had been agreed on several years warm. Malaysia and Singapore ed hotel. ago and was expected to cut travel signed a deal in 2016 to build the The alleged abuses range times to 90 minutes from fi ve railway. Companies had started Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (centre) and other guests applaud after using shovels to dig up sand at a ‘ground-breaking’ from cursing and scream- hours by road today. “It’s not submitting bids for the 350-km ceremony for the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Culture District yesterday. The Palace Museum, due to open in ing at employees to kicking, benefi cial. It’s going to cost us a line, which was scheduled to be 2022, will showcase a collection loaned from the Palace Museum in Beijing. slapping and even throwing huge sum of money, we’ll make no completed by 2026. a pair of scissors at them. money at all from this operation,” Currently, most people take a the 92-year-old said. fl ight of around an hour between Mahathir said he was not sure Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, on how long his decision would take what is the world’s busiest inter- to implement, adding: “Of course national air route. Chinese com- we have to talk to Singapore, we panies were seen as having a high New Zealand orders mass cull to eradicate disease have an agreement with them.” chance of landing a chunk of the Asked if Singapore had been in- project as ties had warmed with formed of his decision, he said: “I Malaysia under Najib. AFP my — the farming sector,” Prime heavily on livestock farming for fraction of New Zealand stock, O’Connor said it was believed don’t know.” Others were also keen – in Feb- Wellington Minister Jacinda Ardern said. its export earnings — would aim with some 4.2mn cattle slaugh- the outbreak came from one Malaysia, he said, may have ruary a powerful European con- “This is a tough call — no one to eradicate the disease com- tered annually. Mycoplasma source and that expert advice to pay as much as 500mn ring- sortium that included Alstom and ever wants to see mass culls. But pletely. “We do believe we are bovis has been found on about indicated it was possible to con- git ($125.7mn) in compensation. Siemens announced it had part- ew Zealand yesterday the alternative is the spread of taking it on at a point that it is 40 farms so far but the govern- tain and eradicate it. A Singapore transport ministry nered with a Malaysian fi rm to bid ordered the culling of the disease across our national possible to eradicate and more ment believes 192 properties However, many healthy cat- spokesman told AFP the govern- for the project. N126,000 cattle in an herd.” than 99% of farms don’t have will eventually be involved in tle will also be killed in the cull. ment had “not yet received any There was also expected to be attempt to eradicate the pain- Mycoplasma bovis does not it and we want to protect them the cull. “The majority of animals that offi cial notifi cation from Malay- interest from Japan. No offi cial ful Mycoplasma bovis disease, aff ect milk and meat for human from having it.” Already, 26,000 cattle we do cull in New Zealand are sia”. assessment of the railway’s cost which causes udder infections, consumption, and most gov- The phased eradica- have been destroyed in the 10 all healthy. This is a necessary, The development will alarm has been made public but analyst pneumonia and arthritis. ernments are content to control tion, to take place over two months since the disease was unfortunate part of not having the Singapore government, which estimates in 2016 were as high as The decision was taken to outbreaks. However, Ardern years at a cost of NZ$886mn fi rst recorded in New Zealand. yet a test that clearly identifi es is watching to see whether the $15bn. “protect the base of our econo- said New Zealand —which relies (US$616mn), represents only a Agriculture Minister Damien the individual animals,” he said. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND

TRAGEDY INVESTIGATION LAW AND ORDER CRIME ACCIDENT Three held in connection Probe begins after Suspect arrested as girl, Woman’s neck broken Woman breaks arm at with music festival deaths man killed in car crash woman die in Gloucester as thief snatches bag arm-wrestling contest

Three men have been arrested in connection A murder investigation has been launched after a A man has been arrested on suspicion of A 100-year-old woman has been left with a broken A woman broke her arm during a female arm- with the deaths of two festivalgoers in man died and several people were injured when murdering an 11-year-old girl and a 31-year- neck after being knocked over by a handbag wrestling competition at a young farmers’ event, Portsmouth, police said yesterday. The Mutiny a car collided with pedestrians outside a bar in old woman. Their bodies were found when thief. She was attacked from behind and pushed causing her opponent to faint at the sight. The Festival in the southern port was called off Stockport. Police are searching for the driver of the police were called to Dexter Way, Gloucester, to the floor near the junction of St Chad’s Road 20-year-old was taking part in the activity at the at the weekend after an 18-year-old woman vehicle that hit the group by the Salisbury Club in to reports of two people with serious injuries. and Empress Road in Normanton, Derby, at 08:30 Young Farmers’ Clubs northern district field day in and a 20-year-old man who attended the Brinnington shortly before 10.45pm on Sunday. The Gloucestershire Police said both victims were BST. The stolen green fake leather bag was found Irthington, Cumbria, on Saturday. Paramedics from event died in hospital. They had likely taken victim, believed to be in his 30s, died in hospital. declared dead at the scene. A 28-year-old man nearby. Police said the woman, who is being Kentdale First Aid company in Kendal were called drugs, hospital sources said. Just prior to their The car, thought to be a black Audi A4, was found has been arrested on suspicion of murder, treated in hospital, also suff ered bruising to her to the scene. Andrew Dickinson, a paramedic, said announcement of the festival’s cancellation, abandoned in the second lane of the nearby M60. Gloucestershire Police said. Dexter Way is a face but her injuries are not thought to be life- the woman’s opponent was very upset and fainted organisers warned of “a dangerous high Witnesses reported seeing the driver climb over quiet residential street close to the centre of threatening. Detective sergeant Laura Kershaw when she realised what had happened. “She broke strength or bad batch substance on site.” a fence and run away. Inspector Kris Williams of Gloucester sited between the River Severn and a said “This is a particularly nasty incident that has her arm while wrestling with another girl. It Fifteen festivalgoers - including the two who Greater Manchester police said: “We’ve spoken large retail park. Resident Ruth Kedward said she targeted a very vulnerable elderly woman who was a bad break and she was in a lot of pain,” died - had to be treated in hospital. One person to witnesses and will continue to do so to build a was “dumb-struck” when she found out about was unable to defend herself.” The woman has Dickinson told the BBC. “The other girl realised was in a critical condition yesterday. fuller picture of what has exactly happened.” the deaths. “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. been unable to give a description of her attacker. she had broken her arm and fainted.” Survivors angry as ministers fail to attend Grenfell inquiry

Guardian News and Media it emotionally. They have missed London an opportunity. This is the most important part of the inquiry in terms of understanding what re- s the Grenfell Tower in- ally went wrong.” quiry starts again today, it Rydon, Studio E and Artelia Ais likely to play out in front are expected to give vital evi- of more empty seats than people. dence later on, while Broken- With the sparse attendance no- shire and Raab are overseeing ticeable to those who were present policy proposals for social hous- last week, some are asking: who ing reform widely seen as a key has not shown up, and why? response to the Grenfell disaster. The Housing Secretary, James Observers at the inquiry have Brokenshire, and the Housing wondered if such witnesses’ ap- Minister, Dominic Raab, have not proach to the inquiry could be come and do not plan to. The same shaped by attending the com- is true of Nick Hurd, the Home memoration hearings in person. Offi ce minister who is the main The majority of the hundred government contact for victims. or so people attending each Executives from Rydon, the day have been survivors, their company that refurbished the friends and family and lawyers, tower with combustible clad- all supporting those who have ding, are not coming. Neither spoken about their loved ones. are the cost consultants, Artelia, Some politicians have come. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives for a meeting with European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, who were involved in “value en- Labour MP David Lammy Belgium, yesterday. gineering” by cutting costs. The supported the family of Khadija architects, Studio E, declined to Saye, a friend of his who died. contribute. There was no sign Elizabeth Campbell, the leader of anyone from the fi rms in the of the Conservative-controlled fi rst days of the commemoration Kensington and Chelsea council, hearings which will continue has attended on most days with this week. her deputy, Kim Taylor-Smith, Some survivors believe they who mixed easily with many of are missing what could be the the survivors. Sturgeon rails at ‘mad most important part of the whole “The interconnectedness inquiry. It is revealing, hour by of people at Grenfell has come emotional hour, not only the hu- across very strongly,” Taylor- man impact of the disaster, but Smith said. “It was an integrated, also the richness and vibrancy of linked community. You can see the community that lived in and that here with the people coming around the 24-storey council and supporting. They are being Brexiteers’ after EU talks block that was torn apart by the incredibly brave and I want to be 72 deaths that followed the fi re here to give them support.” Agencies the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator ratist Scottish National Party, Northern Ireland, due to con- On the issue of an independ- on June 14, 2017. Asked whether Raab and Bro- Brussels Michel Barnier. said she had made “very clear” cerns in London, Dublin and ent Scotland joining the euro “The ministers are not here, kenshire should come, he said: “One of the problems for to Barnier her wish to see the Brussels about renewed tensions currency, Sturgeon said adding it’s terrible,” said Hamid Wahabi, “That’s a matter for the minis- the government right now...is UK stay in the customs union. across its land border with EU there was “absolutely nothing” who lived on the 16th fl oor and ters.” cottish First Minister that they are not really listen- This was “the only credible and member Ireland, is being off ered stopping the country keeping has attended every day of the in- His colleague on the council, Nicola Sturgeon yesterday ing to anyone apart from the sustainable option for the Unit- a chance by EU negotiators to re- the pound. quiry so far. “Some have sent offi - Walaa Idris, said: “You get to see Srailed at London’s “mad mad Brexiteers,” Sturgeon said ed Kingdom”, she said. tain eff ective coverage by EU eco- “It is not my party’s position cials. But this is the time we want the human aspect. You get to see Brexiteers” after holding talks at a conference organised by the “It’s a question of whether nomic regulations after Brexit. to go into the euro and I do see everyone to see (our) feelings.” the real thing. We shouldn’t sit with EU offi cials in Brussels, Politico website. they concede that now or are Sturgeon cautioned how- that changing. Self evidently “If they came to listen to the away from this. We should be where she fi rmly backed Britain “And for the avoidance of forced to concede that later,” ever that Scotland would have a it is not a requirement for EU bereaved, about how they lived, close and hear it.” staying in the bloc’s customs doubt, I’m talking about peo- she said, adding that it was cru- problem with Northern Ireland membership in practice,” Stur- their families, their children and Brokenshire and Raab are un- union and single market after ple like (foreign minister) Boris cial to solving the thorny Irish having better access to the EU geon said, “The pound is Scot- education they will have some derstood to be following parts of the divorce. Johnson,” she said. border question. single market than Scotland. land’s currency right now. The feeling of empathy,” said Sid-Ali the commemorations from their Sturgeon said Prime Minis- Stureon also singled out pro- “My view is if we concede it The possibility “raises addi- pound, as everybody knows, is a Atmani, 42, who lived on the 15th offi ces three miles away in West- ter Theresa May ignored anti- Brexit MP Jacob Rees Mogg and now, then we might start to see tional issues for Scotland but I fully tradable international cur- fl oor. “They have been looking at minster and have sent a civil serv- Brexit opinion as part of a with- Environment Minister Michael some progress in these talks and think it raises a whole lot of is- rency. There is absolutely noth- things professionally and politi- ant, reasoning that their attend- ering list of criticisms made to Gove. that would be better than wait- sues for the UK government,” ing to stop Scotland from using cally. If they came they would see ance might distract attention. journalists after a meeting with Sturgeon, leader of the sepa- ing until later.” she said. the pound,” Sturgeon added.

Art installation Johnson ‘hobbled by lack Man dies in West of Foreign Offi ce power’ Midlands fl ooding Guardian News and Media ised, pointing out that Coleshill London in Warwickshire recorded just Guardian News and Media gues that this shift led to a fur- has been at any time since the 3mm of rain in 12 hours. London ther power grab by the Cabinet end of World War II. We need to A West Midlands ambu- Offi ce, taking key Brexit talks make the Foreign Offi ce the stra- man in his 80s has died lance service spokesman said closer to the prime minister. tegic engine of our foreign policy after his vehicle was its crew arrived in Rushall to oris Johnson has been At the same time, respon- again.” Asubmerged during fl ash fi nd two vehicles in the water. “hobbled” as foreign sec- sibility for trade negotiations Tugendhat, seen as a possi- fl ooding on a bank holiday “Firefi ghters who had entered Bretary partly by a White- was handed to a self-standing ble future Tory leader, has used weekend of extreme and varied the water had found an elderly hall refusal to make the Foreign department, diminishing the his status as the foreign aff airs weather across the UK. man at the vehicle and taken Offi ce a strategic department Foreign Offi ce’s clout in the committee chair before to criti- Police were called to Rushall him to an ambulance crew who spanning diplomacy, trade and commercial area of foreign rela- cise the Foreign Offi ce’s lack of in Walsall just after 2am yester- were at the water’s edge,” said a overseas development, accord- tions. strategic direction, claiming the day to reports that a vehicle had spokesperson. ing to the chair of the foreign af- In his speech, Tugendhat said: phrase “global Britain” used by entered the water. The victim “The ambulance crew car- fairs select committee. “Successive foreign secretaries Johnson to explain his vision was taken to hospital but pro- ried out advanced life sup- Tom Tugendhat suggests that – including the current one – of UK infl uence was little more nounced dead a short time later. port before taking the man to bringing trade, intelligence and have been hobbled. They’ve had than superfi cial branding. Parts of Birmingham and Walsall Manor hospital, but overseas development issues the title, but they haven’t had There is also frustration in the West Midlands experi- sadly he was pronounced dead under the control of the For- the power.” the Foreign Offi ce that John- enced more than a month’s shortly after arrival.” eign and Commonwealth Offi ce The Foreign Offi ce “has lost son’s preoccupation with the rainfall in one hour on Sunday, West Midlands fi re serv- (FCO) would provide better co- control of key aspects of over- Conservative leadership means leaving vehicles swamped by ice said it had dealt with more ordination to meet the challeng- seas infl uence, like trade and de- he spends more time position- fl ood water up to 5ft deep. The than 1,000 calls in just a few es of the post-Brexit era. velopment, and has been obliged ing himself in relation to There- fl ooding closed roads across hours as the rain fell on Sun- In a speech given yesterday to to take part in a tug-of-war with sa May, and Brexit, instead of the region, with a stretch of the day. “We helped everyone we the Rusi defence thinktank, Tu- the Cabinet Offi ce over anything developing a coherent stance M5 submerged. could, but had to prioritise gendhat said his proposals will that involved national security towards Europe, China and The Met Offi ce said 58.6mm incidents with life at risk, so if require a revolution at the heart and the EU. This has created si- Russia. of rain fell in 60 minutes in we weren’t able to help at the of government. los in our foreign policy, reduc- Tugendhat argued that “in- Edgbaston, and 81mm came time, we apologise,” it said. After the EU referendum, the ing our ability to balance across sight, infl uence, trade, alli- down in a 12-hour period. The People in Birmingham FCO was dismembered, with the areas of infl uence. ances and force” are the fi ve UK monthly average for the West shared dramatic pictures on responsibility for Brexit negotia- “The success or failure of our strengths that must be balanced, Workers construct an art installation entitled The Mastaba, Midlands in May is 55mm. social media of locals wading tions going to the new depart- foreign policy is now more im- and called on the government to made of plastic barrels, by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Craig Snell, a meteorologist through water to push strand- ment for exiting the European portant to the future health and bring them together under the on the Serpentine Lake, in London yesterday. at the Met Offi ce, said the tor- ed cars and of wheelie bins Union (DExEU). Tugendhat ar- prosperity of our nation than it Foreign Offi ce. rential rain had been very local- fl oating down roads. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 15 EUROPE

Dutch citizen wins President appoints PM to gender case lead Italy into snap polls

AFP Reuters on keeping Italy enslaved and In a televised address on Sun- The Hague Rome afraid of the reaction of fi nancial day, Mattarella said that he had markets. rejected the coalition’s candi- “The next elections will be date for the crucial economy Dutch citizen has won the taly’s president set the coun- a plebiscite – the population portfolio, 81-year-old Paolo right for the fi rst time to try on a path back to fresh and real life against old politi- Savona, because the economist Abe allowed to register as Ielections yesterday, ap- cal castes and the ‘lords of the had threatened to pull Italy out neither a man nor a woman, with pointing a former International spread’,” Salvini added. of the eurozone. judges urging lawmakers to rec- Monetary Fund (IMF) offi cial as Cottarelli must try in the “The uncertainty over our po- ognise a “third gender”. interim prime minister with the coming hours to form a govern- sition has alarmed investors and The Limburg District Court task of planning for snap polls ment with majority support savers both in Italy and abroad,” in Roermond ruled that the un- and passing the next budget. from parliament. Mattarella said, adding: “Mem- named plaintiff can now be re- The decision to appoint Carlo He seems almost certain to fail bership of the euro is a funda- corded in the Dutch birth regis- Cottarelli to form a stopgap ad- – Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party mental choice. If we want to dis- ter as “gender undetermined” as ministration sets the stage for refused to back Cottarelli even cuss it, then we should do so in a opposed to male or female. elections that are likely to be before he was appointed – at serious fashion.” “At birth in 1961, this person’s fought over Italy’s role in the Eu- which point the president would The League and M5S, which gender could not be determined ropean Union and the eurozone, swear in him and his proposed had spent days drawing up a co- and the parents decided to reg- a prospect that is rattling global cabinet, to serve until the next alition pact aimed at ending the ister the person as male, to make fi nancial markets. election. stalemate that has lasted since things easier at the time,” the The eurozone’s third-largest He has been tasked with pass- March, responded with fury court said in a statement. economy has been seeking a new ing the 2019 budget by the end to Mattarella, accusing him of In 2001 however, the plaintiff government since inconclusive of this year, a challenge that may abusing his offi ce. underwent medical treatment March elections, with anti- prove impossible without the M5S leader Luigi Di Maio has and changed gender to female. establishment forces abandon- confi dence of parliament. called upon parliament to im- “Eventually it also turned out ing their eff orts to form a ruling In those circumstances, elec- peach the mild-mannered Mat- that the female gender did not fi t coalition at the weekend after a tions could be held as soon as tarella. the person, whose personality is standoff with the president. September. League chief Salvini threat- experienced as gender-neutral,” President Sergio Mattarella Mattarella welcomes Cottarelli (right) at the Qurinale presidential palace in Rome after giving him man- Voters at a Rome market criti- ened mass protests unless snap the court said, “feeling neither vetoed the parties’ choice of a date to form a government. cised M5S and the League. elections were called. like a man nor a woman”. eurosceptic as economy minis- “It is ridiculous.They had so “If there’s not the OK of Ber- The plaintiff then asked au- ter, prompting the 5-Star Move- increased,” said Cottarelli, who a de facto referendum on Italy’s campaign while the League much time to sort themselves lin, Paris or Brussels, a govern- thorities to include a third, gen- ment (M5S) and far-right League had served as a cost-cutting tsar euro membership. campaigned as part of a right- out and they also had an elec- ment cannot be formed in Italy. der-neutral entry in the birth party to accuse him of betraying to a previous government. The euro hit a fresh six-month wing coalition, including with toral campaign to explain their It’s madness, and I ask the Ital- register. voters and to drop their plan to “Nonetheless the Italian low and yields on Italian debt the party of former prime minis- policies, which did not include ian people to stay close to us be- A similar request by a diff er- take power. economy is still growing and the climbed, increasing the extra ter Silvio Berlusconi. leaving the euro,” pensioner cause I want to bring democracy ent person was turned down in Cottarelli told reporters after public accounts remain under borrowing costs or spread that “This is not a democracy, Nuccio Lugini told Reuters. back to this country,” Salvini told 2007 by the Netherlands’ high- his appointment that elections control. I can absolutely guaran- Italy pays in comparison with this doesn’t respect the popu- Shopper Irene Teramo also reporters. est court, the High Council. would be held in the autumn or tee that a government led by me Germany. lar vote,” League chief Matteo backed the president in his deci- However, Salvini later dis- However, due to “social and early next year. would assure a prudent manage- Already Italian politicians are Salvini said in a statement after sion to veto the economy minis- missed Di Maio’s call. legal developments, the time is He also tried to reassure in- ment of our public accounts,” he back in campaign mode. Cottarelli accepted his appoint- ter: “I am a mother of a boy who “We need to keep cool. Some ripe for the recognition of a third vestors on the Italian economy. added. A M5S source said that it is ment by the president. has to travel the world and so I things cannot be done in the gender”, the judges said. “Speaking as an economist, The prospect of fresh elec- considering an election alliance He characterised the move as am convinced an anti-European throes of anger ... I don’t want “To enable the registration of in the past few days the tensions tions raised fears among inves- with the League. the political establishment lash- minister is not the right thing for to talk about impeachment,” he a third gender ‘X’, a legal amend- on the fi nancial markets have tors that the vote could become In March, M5S ran its own ing out in its death throes, intent Italy.” told Radio Capital. ment is crucial. It’s now up to the lawmakers,” they added. Meanwhile “the court rules in favour of changing the per- son’s gender in the birth register Impeachment attempt will ‘not succeed’: analysts to ‘gender could not be deter- mined’”, the judges said. By Olivier Baube, AFP ment by M5S leader Luigi Di ance between the powers of the shattered, at least for now. Salvini (right) says: This is not a Rome Maio, has little chance of success state would have been brutally Nobel economic laureate Paul democracy, this doesn’t respect EU aims to ban since it is only possible in cases broken,” wrote left-wing news- Krugman warned that the politi- the popular vote. of “high treason” or for “acting paper La Repubblica. cal developments in Italy could plastic straws alls for Italian President against the constitution”. But Il Fatto Quotidiano news- have implications for the whole Di Maio (below) has called on Sergio Mattarella to be “President Mattarella has paper, close to the M5S, wrote: EU project. parliament to impeach Plastic straws, plates, cotton buds Cimpeached for reject- only exercised his constitutional “King Sergio blows up every- “Faith in the single currency Mattarella. and balloon sticks are among a ing the choice of eurosceptic powers”, said Massimo Luciani, thing.” trumps democracy? Really?” he number of new plastic items set populists for economy minister president of the Italian Consti- Italy has a government debt wrote on Twitter. “European in- to be banned in the European will not succeed, analysts said tutionalists Association. burden of €2.3tn ($2.7tn). stitutions already suff ering lack Union, under a new proposal yesterday amid warnings of an Demands to “impeach” Mat- Mattarella justifi ed his veto of legitimacy due to democratic tackling marine waste presented institutional crisis in the euro- tarella have no substance as he decision by citing concern from defi cit. This will make things by the European Commission zone’s third largest economy. used his powers “like other pres- investors at home and abroad much worse.” yesterday. Mattarella faced impeach- idents before him”, said Holger over the nomination of fi ercely Eurosceptic politicians from More than 80% of marine litter is ment calls after refusing on Sun- Schmieding, chief economist at eurosceptic Savona and the pos- across the continent also con- plastic, with the proposed rules day to accept the nomination as Berenberg investment bank. sible impact on the markets. demned the developments in aiming to target the 10 single-use economy minister of Professor The Italian president’s role is Instead, the president has Italy. plastic items most commonly Paola Savona, an 81-year-old largely ceremonial but also in- nominated Carlo Cottarelli, a “The European Union and found in Europe’s seas and economist who has called Italy’s cludes the power to appoint the pro-EU, International Monetary the fi nancial markets are again beaches, said the commission entry into the euro a “historic government. Fund (IMF) veteran, to head a confi scating democracy. What “We are at risk of choking mistake”. In a country which has had caretaker government which has happened in Italy is a coup our oceans in plastic, with a The president’s move pit- 64 governments since World may only last through August d’état,” French far-right leader knock-on eff ect on our food ted him against the democrati- War II, their role as a referee after which elections will likely Marine Le Pen wrote on Twitter. chain and human health,” said cally elected populist winners above the political fray has of- be held. Leading Brexit campaigner commission Vice-President Frans of March elections, with the far- ten been viewed as essential, and Known as “Mr Scissors” for and former leader of the UK In- Timmermans. right League and anti-estab- strengthened the president’s making cuts to public spend- dependence Party, Nigel Farage, and bigger votes.” said that his Italian counter- The commission wants to ban lishment Five-Star Movement image as a guarantor of the ing in Italy, Cottarelli is a deeply said on Twitter: “Italian voters But others praised Mattarel- part was fulfi lling his role as any single-use plastic item for (M5S) enraged by the decision. country’s stability. unpopular pick among M5S and will be furious that the estab- la’s stance. the guarantor of the country’s which a non-plastic alternative is Most analysts however say a “(If Mattarella) had given in, League members, whose hopes lishment is blocking new min- French President Emmanuel institutions with “courage and readily available. call for Mattarella’s impeach- bowing to the threats, the bal- of forming a coalition have been isters. Time for more elections Macron, a pro-Europe centrist, responsibility”. Rajoy to face confi dence vote on Friday Greece, Macedonia name row

Reuters veys and the most likely to win a Madrid snap election, urged Rajoy yes- talks in ‘fi nal stage’: minister terday to call an early poll, say- ing his government was weak panish Prime Minister and tainted by corruption. AFP with Dimitrov and that discus- Mariano Rajoy will face a The Socialists have proposed Athens sions were moving forward. Svote of confi dence in his their leader Pedro Sanchez as a “We are all very encouraged by leadership on Friday as corrup- replacement for Rajoy. the progress made especially on tion convictions handed down The party, with just 84 seats alks to end a decades-old the negotiations between Skopje to dozens of people linked to his in parliament, must get at least row between Greece and and Athens on the (Macedonia) centre-right People’s Party (PP) 176 votes to carry its proposal. TMacedonia over the name name issue. We will all work to threatened his six-year rule. Leftist party Podemos, with of the former Yugoslav republic support and accompany, hope- Spain’s parliament agreed 67 seats, has said it will support are in “the fi nal stage”, the Mac- fully, a positive outcome of these yesterday that the debate and the motion, but that would not edonian foreign minister Nikola important negotiations,” Mogh- vote would take place on Thurs- be suffi cient. Dimitrov said yesterday after ne- erini told media before attending day and Friday, although the The Socialists would also gotiations in Brussels. the EU foreign ministers meet- opposition Socialists who pro- have to seek backing from small Dimitrov made the comment ing. posed the vote may struggle to regional parties who would at- to the Greek state agency ANA Names already put forward garner enough support in the tach politically diffi cult condi- after meeting his Greek counter- Mogherini: We are all very en- and in discussion include “New fragmented legislature to unseat tions in return for their support part Nikos Kotzias on Sunday on couraged by the progress made Macedonia” and “Upper Mac- Rajoy. such as the freedom of Catalan the sidelines of EU foreign min- especially on the negotiations edonia”. News of the no-confi dence politicians from custody. isters’ talks. between Skopje and Athens on A telephone conversation vote helped drive the Spanish Ciudadanos said on Satur- “Negotiations will continue the (Macedonia) name issue. could take place this week be- government’s borrowing costs Rajoy: survived a no-confidence vote last June. day it would be willing to work between experts on legal and tween Greek Prime Minister to 2-1/2 month highs, while the with the Socialists to support a technical issues,” said Dimitrov, northern province called Mac- Alexis Tsipras and his Macedo- blue-chip stock index, the IBEX, that he intended to serve out adding that the no-confi dence neutral candidate to oust Rajoy, saying that the deal was in its edonia, and fears it may imply nian counterpart Zoran Zaev to turned lower. his four-year term and that the vote was irresponsible and put whose minority government “fi nal stage” and could be agreed territorial ambitions. fi nalise the deal, Dimitrov said. Opposition parties are taking corruption convictions did not Spain’s economic stability at has been damaged by a crisis before a scheduled EU summit at Greece wants the change of Kotzias said that the two for- advantage of Rajoy’s weakness aff ect a single member of his risk. sparked by Catalonia’s inde- the end of June. name to be backed with a consti- eign ministers had “fi nished the after 29 people linked to the PP government. Spanish borrowing costs rela- pendence vote. The name dispute between the tutional amendment and for it to work that their prime ministers were convicted last Thursday The 63-year-old survived a tive to Germany’s rocketed to However, Ciudadanos leader two countries dates back to 1991, be applied on the “erga omnes” had entrusted to them”. of crimes including infl uence- no-confi dence vote last June. their widest diff erential since Albert Rivera said yesterday he when Skopje declared independ- (“towards all”) legal principle, “When the legal and technical peddling and falsifying ac- “We are deeply sorry that the start of the year, though they was not prepared to seek pacts ence from war-torn Yugoslavia. meaning universal use inside and issues will be clarifi ed, the texts counts, in the culmination of a there were people who used the were also hit by concerns over with “regional nationalists and Athens objects to the neigh- outside Macedonia. will be returned to both prime long-running corruption trial. PP for self-enrichment,” party political uncertainty in Italy. populists” to oust Rajoy and bouring state’s constitutional EU foreign policy chief Fed- ministers, who must discuss and The PP has closed ranks be- spokesman Pablo Casado told Ciudadanos (Citizens), a lib- that elections in the autumn name, Republic of Macedo- erica Mogherini said she held an fi nalise the agreement,” he said in hind Rajoy, who said on Friday a news conference yesterday, eral party ahead in opinion sur- would be preferable. nia, because Greece has its own “informal working breakfast” a statement. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 EUROPE

Denmark to school France citizenship off er ‘ghetto’ children in to ‘Spider-man’ migrant democracy Reuters be granted it right away. Macron’s government has said would like to stay in France. Reuters Paris As elsewhere in Europe, im- that it wants to be both fi rm and “I replied that his heroic ges- Copenhagen migration from Africa and the fair on immigration but it took ture was an example for all citi- Middle East has fi xated French a tougher stance lately, with zens and that the City of Paris rance has off ered citizen- public opinion in the last few parliament approving a bill that will obviously be keen to sup- enmark will force chil- ship to an illegal immi- years, fuelling the rise of far- tightens asylum rules. port him in his eff orts to settle in dren in residential areas Fgrant from Mali who scaled right parties such as the Nation- “What you have done cor- France,” Hidalgo said. Dcontaining large numbers the facade of a Paris apartment al Front. responds with what fi refi ghters The boy’s father was arrested of immigrants to be educated block to save a boy who was Macron, who had been criti- do; if this fi ts your wishes, you and told police that he had left about democracy, equality and about to fall from a fourth-fl oor cised by left-wing voters for could join the fi refi ghters’ corps his son alone to go shopping major Danish holidays such as balcony, President Emmanuel taking a tougher stance on im- so that you can do (such acts) on and returned home later than Christmas, the government said Macron said. migration since his election, a daily basis,” he said. planned because he was playing yesterday. Video shows Mamoudou Gas- may also have sought to send a Adam Thiam, a Malian analyst Pokemon Go, an enhanced reality The Nordic country has for sama, 22, risking his life on Sun- message to Socialist voters by and former presidential adviser, game, on his smartphone. decades struggled with how to day as he climbed up the balco- signalling a more welcoming at- told Reuters that Gassama’s act “His behaviour constitutes an integrate immigrants, primarily nies to rescue the four-year-old titude to a deserving migrant. had been praised in his home off ence, failing to honour paren- those originally from the Middle who is clinging to a railing and Gassama told Macron that he country. tal responsibilities, which car- East, into its ethnically and re- glancing at the ground be- Macron with Gassama at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris. tried to cross the Mediterranean “There is great pride here in ries a possible sentence of two ligiously homogeneous welfare low, while horrifi ed onlookers in March 2014 to reach Italy, but Mali,” Thiam said. “But while years in jail,” Paris prosecutor society. watched. child,” French newspaper Le “We’ll obviously be setting all was caught by police. (Gassama) gets the honours, Francois Molins said. The new policy, agreed with The video went viral and Gas- Parisien quoted Gassama as say- your papers straight and if you Europe has faced a migrant there are ... Malian citizens un- Gassama is being off ered a major opposition parties, will sama, who has been nicknamed ing. “I climbed ... Thank God I wish it, we will start the process crisis since 2015 following wars der the threat of being expelled spell of community service work force young children living in “Spider-Man” for reaching saved him.” of naturalisation so that you can in Libya and Syria and more than by the French government.” at the Paris emergency services. “ghettos” – an offi cial term in the boy in the nick of time, was Macron congratulated Gassa- become French,” he added. 1mn people from Africa and the Gassama informed Paris An offi cial website says the Denmark for areas consisting of swiftly granted a meeting at the ma for “an exceptional act” and Ministers said the citizenship Middle East have tried to reach Mayor Anne Hidalgo by phone work pays about €480 ($558) a primarily non-Western immi- Elysee Palace. said that France would give him process would be sped up, al- the continent via Turkey or by on Sunday that he arrived from month for a fi xed 11-month pe- grants – into 25 hours of public “I did it because it was a a job in the emergency services. though Gassama cannot legally sea. Mali a few months ago and riod. education a week from the age of one. Children in Denmark must normally receive 10 years of edu- cation from the age of six. However, school attendance is not compulsory, meaning Russia calls that the parents have the right to choose how their children are educated. Danish parents living in the designated areas will also be for harshest forced to enrol their children in the initiative, although those al- ready receiving daycare will not be required to join. While the primary focus will punishment be on language skills and learn- ing readiness, the deal also seeks to educate the primarily Muslim children in Danish traditions and Christian holidays including for vandal Christmas and Easter. If parents fail to enrol their children they could lose their AFP pared to the value of this paint- child benefi ts, the government Moscow ing,” Aristarkhov said. said. “We would like to initiate a The percentage of non-West- discussion on toughening up the ern immigrants in the “ghetto” ussia has called for the punishment for the vandalism of areas was 66.5% in 2017, accord- harshest possible pun- art,” Tretyakov Gallery director Journalists look at the screen showing the damaged painting during a press conference at the Russian State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. ing to the Danish ministry of Rishment after a visitor Zelfi ra Tregulova added, speak- housing. to Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery ing in the Repin Room of the gal- ters by Repin prove the painter other points of view,” Tregulova of the painting, were left un- thousands of people. Non-western immigrants caused serious damage by at- lery where the crime took place. did not intend for the work to said. touched. He also killed his own son, make up 8.7% of Denmark’s tacking a famous 19th-century Russian media said that the be historical, but rather about Russia has seen several less It was not the fi rst time the most likely by accident, during a 5.7mn population. painting of Ivan the Terrible. man – a builder named Igor Pod- “psychological drama”. serious attacks on art by ultra- painting has suff ered such an at- violent rage. Denmark is the only coun- On Friday, Russian police ar- porin – vandalised the painting For her part Tregulova said patriotic groups in recent years, tack. In 2017, Russian President try in the world to offi cially de- rested a 37-year-old man who for “historical reasons” and later she feared that Russians are with many commentators blam- In 1913, a man stabbed the Vladimir Putin said that the scribe certain residential areas used a metal pole to break the told police that he acted under increasingly “not diff erentiat- ing state media and offi cials for work with a knife, ripping the story was a “legend” used by the as “ghettos”, a term originated in glass covering Ilya Repin’s the infl uence of alcohol after ing artistic work from historical creating an atmosphere of intol- canvas in three places. West against Russia. sixteenth century Venice to de- painting of the 16th-century drinking a shot of vodka. facts”. erance. The artist Repin was then still “Did he kill his son? Did he scribe areas of the city to which tsar killing his son, damaging The gallery’s chief conserva- “The mixing of the two can The gallery showed photo- alive and participated in the res- not? Many experts say he did not Jews were restricted. the work in three places. tor, Tatyana Gorodkova, said mean that any artwork can be graphs of the damage to the toration of his painting. and that this was invented by The agreement was reached Russia’s deputy culture min- that the man did not appear a victim (of an attack),” she painting, which has been re- Since then, the painting has the pope’s nuncio who came to by a majority in parliament, ister Vladimir Aristarkhov told intoxicated and bypassed four warned. moved from the Repin Room for been protected by glass. Russia for talks and tried to turn where the government is led by a news conference at the gal- of the gallery’s guards before She called the act “a terrible the fi rst time since it was evacu- Russian state offi cials have Orthodox Rus to a Catholic Rus,” the Liberal Party and supported lery yesterday that his ministry throwing himself at the painting crime against Russian and Eu- ated from Moscow during World lobbied for the rehabilitation of Putin said. by the nationalist Danish Peo- expects the man to receive “the just before the museum closed. ropean culture” and said it ex- War II. Ivan the Terrible, who led Russia In 2016, Russia inaugurated a ple’s Party. most severe punishment pos- She told journalists that mu- posed “unprecedented aggres- The pictures showed three from 1547 to 1584 and earned the controversial monument to the The opposition Social Demo- sible”. seum staff heard him “say some- sion” in Russian society. large marks on the tsar’s dying moniker “Terrible” because of 16th-century tyrant, the fi rst cratic Party, which in recent Under current law, the man thing about how Ivan the Terri- “People think their point of son. his brutal policies, including the of its kind, in the city of Oryol years like many other European faces up to three years in prison. ble did not kill his son”. view is the only one that is cor- Ivan the Terrible’s face and creation of a secret police that some 330km (200 miles) south social democrats has taken a “Three years is nothing com- She stressed that archival let- rect. They aggressively reject hands, the most striking parts spread mass terror and executed of Moscow. harder stance towards Middle Eastern immigrants, also sup- ported the deal.

Scandalised French billionaire Serge Dassault dead at 93 refugee agency blames workload AFP son in 2016 – with a net worth amid a fl urry of tributes. used in French planes during at the age of 61 when most peo- Paris estimated by Forbes magazine Nicolas Sarkozy, whom Das- World War I. ple are thinking of retiring. Workers of the German refugee at $14.8bn (€12.7bn) – died in sault strongly backed when as Marcel survived the Buchen- As well as his business inter- agency at the heart of a scandal his Paris offi ce on the Champs- France’s president, paid tribute wald death camp during World ests, Dassault pursued a political involving more than 1,000 cases ne of France’s richest Elysees yesterday afternoon. to a “friend” who he said was a War II after being sent there by career like his father – leading to of suspected improper approval men, Serge Dassault, Dassault is best known as the “visionary able to anticipate the occupying Nazi forces because scandal. for asylum applicants defended Odied yesterday after suf- principal stakeholder of Das- world to come without losing he refused to put his skills at In February this year, he was their record yesterday, pointing fering a suspected heart attack, sault Aviation, which has made the meaning of the present”. their disposal. convicted of tax fraud for hid- to their enormous workload. his family said. a series of famed French planes, Dassault, a workaholic who is Arrested along with the rest ing millions of euros in Luxem- Rudolf Scheinost, head of the He was 93. including the Falcon business survived by four children and his of his family by the Gestapo as a bourg, Liechtenstein and the Dassault: his net worth was Federal Off ice for Migration Dassault, head of aviation, jet, the Mirage fi ghter, and the wife Nicole, also owned France’s teenager, Serge narrowly avoid- Virgin Islands. estimated by Forbes magazine and Refugees’ (BAMF) main media and software giant Das- country’s most cutting-edge biggest-selling right-wing ed deportation and would go on Dassault was spared jail be- at $14.8bn. staff council, told DPA that sault Group, was a titan of the military jet, the Rafale. newspaper, Le Figaro. to pursue studies at elite French cause of his advanced age, but employees faced pressure from French business world who “France has a lost a man who The Dassault family’s busi- universities before entering the he was fi ned €2mn and barred plicity in illegal election cam- the agency’s directors and from served as a right-wing senator dedicated his life to developing a ness empire was founded by his family business in his twenties. from holding elected offi ce for paign fi nancing and exceeding politicians to process a mountain and a scandal-plagued mayor of jewel of French industry,” French father Marcel, an aeronautical He fi nally succeeded his fa- fi ve years. campaign spending limits over of applications: Up to 1.4mn at a town south of the capital. President Emmanuel Macron engineer and celebrated inven- ther after his death in 1986, tak- In April 2014, he was also his terms as mayor in the Paris- the height of the refugee crisis in France’s third wealthiest per- said in a statement that came tor who developed a propeller ing the helm of the family group charged with vote-buying, com- ian suburb of Corbeil-Essonnes. 2015 and 2016. The BAMF is reeling from allegations that emerged last month that more than 1,000 asylum cases were improperly decided in its off ice in the France had a million fewer smokers in 2017, says ministry northern city of Bremen, possibly in exchange for bribes. On Sunday, it emerged that scope AFP not mention whether electronic This represented a decline of a seventh of the global popula- thank for the “encouraging” The report made no mention of suspected foul play could Paris cigarettes have had any impact 1mn daily smokers in the space tion – were smokers. trend, boosted by state-reim- of any role for the massive global stretch beyond the Bremen off ice: on the apparent trend. of a year, said the report. The number was unchanged bursed cessation counselling switch, also observed in France, Internal documents showed that It cited fi gures from a random The ministry pointed out that from 2015. and nicotine patches, non- from tobacco to e-cigarettes an employee in BAMF’s Bingen rance had 1mn fewer daily representative survey of 18- to tobacco kills about 200 people in Tobacco use shows signs of a branded packaging and health that emit a tarless vapour that off ice expressed worries over smokers in 2017 over 2016, 75-year-olds living in France France every day, some 73,000 slow decline globally, though in warnings. users inhale instead of smoke. exceptionally high approval rates Fthe health ministry said last year. per year. some countries – especially de- The decline in smokers was At the press conference, Fran- for applicants from Iran and yesterday, thanking the dis- “In 2017, 31.9% of people Globally, the World Health veloping ones – there is a rise. particularly steep among low- cois Bourdillon of France’s pub- Afghanistan. suasive power of higher tobacco surveyed said that they smoked Organisation (WHO) says to- Smoking has been linked to income puff ers. lic health agency did note that German Interior Minister Horst taxes. occasionally, and 26.9% daily,” bacco kills more than 7mn peo- several types of cancer, heart Buzyn intends to raise the e-cigarettes were “clearly” the Seehofer is due to address a In a special report on tobacco said the report. “These num- ple every year. disease and stroke. price of a packet of cigarettes to smoking cessation aid of choice. parliamentary committee today use in a country once synony- bers are 3.2 and 2.5 percentage In 2016, according to the lat- French Health Minister Agnes €10 ($11.60) by 2020, up from The survey found 2.7% of to give his response to the BAMF mous with smoke-fi lled Paris- points lower, respectively, than est WHO data, more than 1.1bn Buzyn said the so-called “sin” almost €8 today after a series of people in France were daily e- scandal and outline who was ian street cafes, the ministry did in 2016.” people aged 15 and older – about tax on nicotine was largely to hikes in recent years. cigarette users in 2017. responsible. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 17 INDIA

POLITICS SCARCITY CORPORATE MILITANCY CRIME Panda quits BJD, Court seeks report on Videocon, six group firms Two killed in militant Punjabi singer attacks party leadership Shimla water shortage ‘fined Rs140mn in 2017’ attack on army camp found shot dead

Months after his suspension, BJD MP Baijayant The Himachal Pradesh high court yesterday The enforcement directorate in Mumbai had Two people have died in a shootout in A budding Punjabi singer Navjot Singh was found Jay Panda, who had often praised the Modi took suo moto cognizance of the acute shortage levied a penalty of Rs140mn on Videocon, along Kashmir, off icials said yesterday, the first shot dead in Dera Bassi area of Punjab, around government and questioned his own party’s of potable water in the state capital, directing with six group companies and Venugopal Dhoot attacks since the army suspended operations 15km from Chandigarh, following which police leadership, yesterday quit the Biju Janata the civic body to file a status report. A division in May 2017, according to media reports. It said against militants for the holy month of launched an investigation yesterday to catch the Dal citing personal humiliation and alleging bench asked the municipal commissioner and the penalty was imposed following a reference Ramadan. A soldier was killed late Sunday culprits. Navjot’s body was found in a pool of blood that the party has deviated from the ideals the engineer to appear personally before the from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) which when militants attacked an army camp in with five gunshot wounds near a factory plot past of its founder, the late Biju Patnaik. “It’s with court today. “The problem of water scarcity had examined these entities as part of a probe Kakapora, some 40kms south of the main city midnight on Sunday. His Nissan Micra car was deep anguish, hurt and sorrow that I have within Shimla, as highlighted, takes us to the into conflict of interest allegations against ICICI of Srinagar, said army spokesman Colonel found parked nearby. He was shot in the chest from decided to quit the politics into which our BJD issue of whether any new construction should CEO Chanda Kochhar in 2016. The ED penalty Rajesh Kalia. A civilian driving past was also close range. A murder case was registered against has descended,” said Panda, representing be allowed to come up within the municipal was on the grounds that these companies had killed in the exchange, a police off icer said. unidentified persons. The police ruled out robbery Kendrapara in Odisha, in a three-page letter to limits of Shimla town at all or not,” observed the violated foreign exchange laws, the reports Three soldiers were later wounded when a as the reason for the killing since nothing had been Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief bench. “Whether the present holding capacity added. An additional penalty of Rs4.5mn was roadside bomb was detonated underneath taken from his person. Since he was a struggling Naveen Patnaik. Panda added that he would is suff icient enough to cater to the ever growing also imposed collectively on Venugopal Dhoot a military vehicle near Shopian district. No artiste, extortion by gangsters was also ruled out. convey his decision to Lok Sabha Speaker urban population or not is an issue which and on directors of Videocon and the six group militant group has claimed responsibility for The singer, aged around 22, was living in a rented Sumitra Mahajan soon. certainly needs to be addressed,” it added. companies, the reports claimed. the twin attacks. apartment in S A S Nagar, adjoining Chandigarh.

Protest over petrol price rise Kerala youth murdered for marrying ‘high caste’ girl

By Ashraf Padanna Opposition leaders, including Thiruvananthapuram former chief minister Oommen Chandy, visited Neenu in hospi- tal and termed Kevin’s murder as olice in Kerala yesterday most heinous. launched manhunt for a “It’s a brutal murder planned Pgang of 10 suspected of and executed by infl uential peo- murdering a young Dalit Chris- ple, as the police failed to act. tian for marring a woman from It frightens us. People say the an upper caste family in Kot- abductors were in touch with tayam. them,” said Chandy. The gang, mostly relatives of “We have heard of such kill- the bride, Neenu Chacko, 21, ab- ings in the northern states but ducted Kevin Joseph, 23, an elec- not in Kerala. The police are an- trician, early Sunday morning swerable for their repeated fail- A leftist activist with the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) is hauled away as he is arrested during a protest against the central government over high fuel prices, in Kolkata and the police recovered his body ure to protect the lives of people.” yesterday. Protests across the country were called in response to the increased cost of petrol and diesel, as high global crude oil prices were passed on to consumers. yesterday. Police have launched a man- Local television channels had hunt for the killers who are sus- earlier shown the woman plead- pected to have escaped to Tamil ing with the police in vain to res- Nadu. cue Joseph whom she married a Vijayan, who off ered to con- couple of days ago. stitute a special investigation The police failed to act as there team, said “the couple were in was a high-security alert in the love and had got married. This city for the visit of Chief Minis- murder should not have hap- ter Pinarayi Vijayan who was at- pened here. tending three high-profi le events “The CM’s visit shouldn’t Tamil Nadu shuts down in the area. have prevented the police from “I pleaded with the sub-in- doing their duty. Usually, the spector to save my husband. He CM’s security is handled by a said he would only be able to act special team, not the local po- after the chief minister left in the lice,” Vijayan told reporters here. evening,” Neenu told reporters. “There are four squads search- She had even handed over the ing for the killers under inspector Vedanta copper plant registration number of the car general Vijay Sakre. They have the abductors were driving and captured one of them and re- IANS “Under Sections 18(1)(B) of The order is also signifi cant here and enquired about the pensation to the injured was be- informed the police of the direc- covered their vehicle,” the chief Chennai/Thoothukudi the Water Act, 1974 in the larger because the protesters have been health of those injured in the ing disbursed. tion they were headed in. minister added. public interest, the government demanding that the government police fi ring on the anti-Sterlite Normalcy was slowly return- Neenu had been in love with The director general of police, endorses the closure direction issue formal closure orders and plant protesters on May 22. ing to the town with shops and Joseph for three years and had Loknath Behera, said the inves- he Tamil Nadu govern- of the TNPCB and also direct the they would not be satisfi ed with Speaking to reporters, the other establishments opening eloped with him and registered tigation was progressing in the ment yesterday issued TNPCB to seal the unit and close verbal promises. deputy chief minister said com- their doors to customers. their marriage under the law as right direction. He also shifted Torders closing the copper the plant permanently,” the or- Welcoming the order, pro- her parents had forced her to get out the district police chief and smelter plant in Thoothukudi der stated. testers said they needed a Deputy tehsildar admits ordering police fi ring engaged to another man. the sub-inspector. owned by the Vedanta Group, a Chief Minister Edappadi K Cabinet decision on this as Later Kevin’s family shifted Kevin and Neenu had met week after 13 people were killed Palaniswamy said in a separate otherwise the company would A deputy tehsildar (revenue off ic- the protesters that force would her to a hostel even as Neenu’s while pursuing studies at a col- in police fi ring during protests statement that the ‘consent approach courts and get a stay. er) has admitted that he ordered be used and when his request parents attempted to bring her lege in Kottayam and registered against continued functioning to operate’ permission for the They also wanted the central the police firing last Tuesday that was not heeded, he ordered a back to the family home and their marriage on Friday. of the unit. copper smelter plant ended in government to take a similar had claimed the lives of 13 people baton charge. When this proved marry her off to the man of their “The police had summoned The government order said it March this year and it was not stand. during the protests demanding inadequate and the crowd kept choice. It is claimed that they them after her parents fi led has been brought to the notice of renewed by the TNPCB. The Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu the closure of the copper smelter surging forward menacingly and had the help of the local police. a missing person case,” said the government that the Tamil electricity and water connec- Deputy Chief Minister O Pan- run by the Vedanta Group. The attacked the police personnel, Neenu had to be hospitalised Aneesh. “There the police asked Nadu Pollution Control Board tions to the plant had been dis- neerselvam visited Thoothuku- chargesheet filed by police on he ordered the firing of tear gas after she collapsed on seeing her to go with her parents, which (TNPCB) did not renew the connected from May 24, he said. di, the fi rst senior political May 22 states that Sekar, deputy after due warning. The off icial Keven’s body. she refused and showed them the ‘consent to operate’ to the cop- The chief minister said representative to go to the vio- tehsildar of Thoothukudi, admit- said when tear gas too failed to Aneesh, from whose house the marriage certifi cate. There was a per smelter plant in Thoothuku- the demand of the people of lence-hit town, and announced ted it was he who had ordered disperse the mob, which was gang abducted Kevin and him- scuffl e then,” he said. di by its order of April 9 this year Thoothukudi to the government that the government will take the police firing at the protest- destroying public property and self, said the men abandoned Initial reports suggested a lo- and subsequently on May 23, the for closure of the plant has been necessary steps to permanently ers after all the other steps to police personnel near the col- him on the wayside after tortur- cal leader of the ruling Com- PCB had also issued directions accepted by the government and shut down the copper smelter preserve law and order failed. lectorate, he had ordered firing ing them on the way to Thenmala munist Party of India (Marxist) for closure and disconnection of orders have been issued to this plant. Sekar said he had first warned as the last resort. in neighbouring Kollam district. drove the gang in a hired car. power supply. eff ect. He also visited the hospital

Kumaraswamy’s EVM malfunction remarks deplored

IANS taka, the state government will New Delhi be run from 10 Janpath - the ad- claims mar by-polls dress of United Progressive Alli- ance chairperson Sonia Gandhi. IANS of non-functioning of the ma- party delegation including Con- he BJP yesterday termed as Noting that Prime Minister New Delhi chines. gress leader R P N Singh, Sama- “absolutely demeaning” Narendra Modi, while addressing The poll panel said the mal- jwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav Tthe remarks of Karnataka a rally at Baghpat on Sunday, had functioning could be attributed and RLD chief Ajit Singh met the Chief Minister H D Kumaras- called for government should be mid complaints of dys- to “fi rst-time use by polling staff , EC offi cers and demanded a re- wamy that he was at mercy of run through “janmat (people’s functional electronic vot- extreme heat, placement of the poll in booths where there were Congress and not of the state’s mandate)” and “not from Jan- Aing machines (EVMs) in machine under direct sunlight reports of dysfunctional EVMs. 65mn people, saying he has be- path”, he said that this message three parliamentary constituen- and mishandling during use”. In Maharashtra, about 40% come “chief manager of the should reach Kumaraswamy and cies in Uttar Pradesh and Mahar- In Kairana, where the BJP is polling was estimated till 6pm Congress’ ATM machine” in the the Congress. ashtra, the by-polls yesterday to locked in an intense fi ght with in the Bhandara-Gondiya Par- state. “Today, Congress is celebrat- four Lok Sabha and nine Assem- combined opposition including the liamentary constituency. In Pal- Speaking to media persons ing, JD-S is celebrating but the bly seats across India saw moder- Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), the Sa- ghar, the polling percentage was here, BJP spokesperson Sambit people of Karnataka are not ate to high turnout. majwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj around 47% till 6pm. Patra said Kumaraswamy’s re- celebrating, they are sad,” he The Congress and some other Party and the Congress, the polling The bypoll to the Nagaland par- marks were akin to abusing de- claimed. opposition parties complained percentage was 54.17% till 6pm. liamentary seat witnessed 75% mocracy. Patra said Modi and Shah had to the election commission (EC) In the Noorpur Assembly seg- polling. In Bihar, the Jokihat As- “This is absolutely demeaning raised questions over Congress about “hundreds of EVMs” hav- ment of the state, the polling per- sembly seat saw nearly 55% polling. to the democratic fabric of the intentions in Karnataka, alleging ing malfunctioned, particularly in centage was 61% till 6pm. Chengannur Assembly con- country. This is the fallout when that the Congress looks at Kar- Uttar Pradesh’s Kairana, but the In Kairana, there were reports stituency in Kerala saw voting you play with the mandate of the nataka “as their ATM machine”. poll panel said the news reports of fi ring in Bhura village and skir- percentage of 77% while Megh- people for your petty political “After the statement of Ku- of “large scale” failure of EVMs mishes between supporters of alya’s Ampati Assembly seat saw reasons. The kind of statement maraswamy, we can say that were “an exaggerated projection the opposition-supported RLD a high voter turnout of 90.42%. that Kumaraswamy has made is the Congress has found a new of reality”. candidate Tabassum Hasan and Around 53% voting was re- completely against the essential manager for its ATM machine in It said that adequate number Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s corded in the Raja Rajeshwari (R tenets of the democracy,” he said. Karnataka. Kumaraswamy has of reserve EVMs-VVPAT (Voter Mriganka Singh, daughter of late R ) Nagar Assembly constituency He said BJP chief Amit Shah become the CM i.e. the chief Verifi able Paper Audit Trail) were Hukum Singh, whose death ne- in Bengaluru when polling ended had already expressed apprehen- manager of the Congress’ ATM kept and deployed in almost half cessitated the by-poll. formally, an offi cial said yester- Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy calls on Prime sion that the way “people’s man- machine. The question is who is an hour where there were reports In the national capital, a multi- day. Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi yesterday. date has been ignored” in Karna- the chief minister of Karnataka?” Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 INDIA

PEOPLE LEGAL EDUCATION TRAGEDY CELEBRITY Karnataka Congress Mulayam, Akhilesh seek CBSE class X results Girl dies in Andhra Arjun Rampal, Meher MLA dies in accident time to vacate residences to be declared today ferris wheel crash part ways after 20 years

Senior Congress legislator Siddu Bhimappa Samajwadi Party leaders and former Uttar Pradesh The Central Board of Secondary Education An eight-year-old girl died and six others were Actor Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jesia have called Nyamgoud, 71, from Karnataka’s Bagalkot chief ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son (CBSE) will announce the class X results today. injured when the cabin of a giant ferris wheel it quits after 20 years of marriage. There was district died in a road accident yesterday. He Akhilesh Yadav approached the Supreme Court yes- The results, scheduled to be announced at crashed in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur town on speculation about the status of their relation- is survived by his widow, two sons and three terday to extend their stay in their off icial residences. 4pm today will bring an end to the long wait of Sunday night, police said. The incident occurred ship for long. And the couple set the record daughters. “The accident occurred near Tulasi- The father-son duo have sought time to vacate their 1.6mn students. This year, two new options have during a fair when one of the cabins crashed after straight by announcing their decision to part giri village when the car in which Nyamgoud off icial residences allocated by the Uttar Pradesh been introduced to help students check their its bolt gave away. The girl died on the spot while ways through a joint statement released yester- was travelling crashed into a divider after government. They moved the apex court as by its results. The CBSE class 10 result will be available six others including three children sustained inju- day. The statement read: “After a 20 year long the driver lost control while trying to avoid a May 7 judgment, the court had set aside a provision on the search page of Google at www.google. ries and were admitted to a private hospital in the beautiful journey filled with love and beauti- head-on collision with a truck,” Tulasegiri police of a law that allowed government accommodation com Students need not have to go to the result town. The tragedy took place at the Robo Animals ful memories, we would like to share, that all inspector M B Biradar said. Bagalkot is 530km to former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers, terming page. Likewise, Microsoft has introduced the SMS Exhibition on Exhibition Ground in town. Relatives journeys have different paths and we feel that it from state capital Bengaluru and 20km from it “arbitrary and discriminatory” as it violated the Organiser app to help students check results of- of the dead and injured alleged that the accident is time for us to move on to different destina- Tulasegiri. Four persons, including the driver, concept of equality. The leaders earlier approached fline. With this app students can pre-register their occurred due to the operator’s negligence as tions hence forth.” Arjun and Mehr got married were injured. They have been admitted to a the state government seeking time to vacate their details and the results will be delivered to them he did not stop the wheel despite being alerted in 1998 and have two daughters – Mahikaa and hospital in Bangalkot. off icial residences. via SMS. about the bolt coming loose. Myra.

India to ignore US Govt ‘working sanctions on Iran, Venezuela on new bid

Agencies New Delhi for NSG ndia will keep trading with Iran and Venezuela despite Ithe threat of fallout from US sanctions against the two coun- tries, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said yesterday. Swaraj, asked at a news con- membership’ ference whether US action against Iran and Venezuela Tribune News Service on the issue were “forward look- – which once gave up their nuclear would damage India, said the New Delhi ing”. Former foreign secretary La- programme – could cite any pro- country would not make foreign lit Mansingh suggested China had cedural issues to not admit India. policy “under pressure”. blocked India’s entry primarily on Besides, the government is stress- US President Donald Trump he government is mounting account of the strain in bilateral ing that the process of admission this month withdrew from the another strong bid for ad- ties. is “merit-based” and not “criteria Iran nuclear deal and ordered the Tmission to the Nuclear Sup- “There is a perceptible change -based”, as advocated by China reimposition of sanctions sus- pliers Group (NSG), an elite club of in the bilateral ties after Modi and supported in the past by Aus- pended under the 2015 accord. 48 countries that deal with fi ssile meeting President Xi Jinping in tria, New Zealand and Mexico,” the Washington has also tightened materials and nuclear technology, Wuhan on April 27 and 28. So if offi cials said. sanctions against Venezuela over which is set to meet in June and China withdraws its objection, “We have been in touch with our the controversial re-election of December this year, three persons India could be a member of NSG,” friends and partners for our NSG President Nicolas Maduro. familiar with the hectic diplomatic he said. bid. We are not a member of the Both countries are key oil sup- activities on the matter said on The NSG is dedicated to curbing group. But we hope to be there soon, pliers to India and the US has condition of anonymity. nuclear arms proliferation by con- as we hope the grouping factors in warned that foreign compa- The NSG is the only major ex- trolling the export and re-transfer our track record in non-prolifera- nies which deal with Iran could port control regime India is not of technology that could foster tion and a clean waiver that the NSG themselves be punished. part of after its entry into the nuclear weapons development had given us in 2008”, said an offi cial But Swaraj said New Delhi did Australia Group (January 2018), The Indian government is seek- who asked not to be named. not believe in “reactionary” pol- the Missile Technology Control ing membership to this elite club The merit-based approach icies and would not be dictated Regime (June, 2016) and the Was- because it: means India’s non-proliferation to by other countries. senaar Arrangement (December z Gives access to state-of-the- track record should be factored in. “We don’t make our foreign poli- 2017). art technologies that countries in The criteria-based approach means cy under pressure from other coun- Being a member of the NSG NSG possess, which can be used the grouping must fi rst decide how tries,” she told a news conference. would be shot in the arm for the for various purposes – from medi- to accommodate non-NPT (Non- “We believe in UN sanctions but Narendra Modi government and a cines to building nuclear power Proliferation Treaty) countries as not in country-specifi c sanctions.” major policy achievement ahead of plants members. India is a not a signatory Swaraj’s comments came just the next general elections in 2019. z Enables the nation to scale up to the NPT and maintains the pact is before a meeting with her Irani- The issue of India’s entry came nuclear power production as part discriminatory in nature. an counterpart Mohamed Javad up for discussion at the Seoul ple- of clean energy push The government has been urg- Zarif in New Delhi. nary of the NSG last June, but Bei- z Gives ability to off er its own ing the US and Russia to work with Bilateral trade between India jing did not agree on the grounds nuclear power plants to the world other countries to help its mem- and Iran amounted to $12.9bn in that New Delhi was not a signatory z Gives Make in India pro- bership. 2016-17. to the non-proliferation treaty gramme a boost The Netherlands, too, agreed to India imported $10.5bn worth (NPT). The road to the NSG member- work with other NSG members for of goods, mainly crude oil, and ex- Though other countries also ship is paved with uncertainties India’s membership during talks ported commodities worth $2.4bn. raised objections to Indian mem- since the group works on the prin- between Prime Minister Modi and India has other interests in bership, India said “one country” ciple of consensus and even one his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte Iran, in particular a commitment consistently raised procedural country holding out could block on May 24. “In order to further to build the port of Chabahar on hurdles, in an oblique reference to the chances of entry. strengthen global non-prolifera- the Gulf of Oman. China. Beijing backed a two-step The government is working on tion, the Netherlands reaffi rmed its The port is being touted as a approach which stipulates that the a three-pronged strategy to gain strong support to building consen- way for India to establish trade NSG members fi rst need to arrive admission into the club, offi cials sus among the regimes’ members routes that bypass Pakistan. at a set of principles for the admis- said. “The government is telling on the issue of India’s membership Media reports have speculated sion of non-NPT states into the its close friends in the club to work to the Nuclear Suppliers Group; India could revive a rupee-rial NSG and then move forward with with others to get India admitted. recognising that India’s accession payment arrangement with Iran the discussions on specifi c cases. It is trying to dispel the notion that will add value to the aims and objec- to shield exporters from the heat Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif speaks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during a Offi cials said that fresh talks be- countries such as Brazil, Argenti- tives of these regimes,” read the joint of US sanctions. meeting in New Delhi yesterday. tween Indian and Chinese offi cials na, Kazakhstan, and South Africa statement issued after the meeting. Sunanda had expressed Monsoon hits Kerala Nipah virus origin desire to die, court told remains elusive Reuters Of some 116 suspected cases IANS kar’s mail and messages in social Instead they had frequent fi ghts, Mumbai/Kochi sent for testing in recent weeks, New Delhi media had been taken as dying the prosecutor said citing wit- 15 have been confi rmed as Nipah, declaration. nesses’ statement to substantiate the Kerala government said on its allegations levelled against the he government began a website yesterday. n an e-mail sent to Congress Congress leader. fresh round of tests to Thirteen of those 15 people Lok Sabha member and her The police also disclosed that Ttrace the origin of a rare have died and two are undergo- Ihusband Shashi Tharoor, Su- Tharoor ignored her telephone calls. brain-damaging virus that has ing treatment. nanda Pushkar had expressed her Shrivastava told the court the killed 13 people, a health offi cial The latest victim was a desire to die, Delhi Police told a Tharoors married in October said yesterday, as initial tests on 26-year-old rickshaw driver court here yesterday, justifying 2010. Two days prior to Push- animals suspected of carrying from Kerala’s Kozhikode district its charges of abetment to suicide kar’s death, there were heated the Nipah virus showed no sign who died on the weekend, hospi- and cruelty against the parlia- arguments between them on of the disease. tal offi cials said. mentarian. a flight from Thiruvanan- All animal samples, including Meanwhile, a Keralite who Public prosecutor Atul Shrivas- Two days prior to Pushkar’s thapuram to Delhi. The fight those from bats and cattle from travelled to Goa by train yester- tava told additional chief metro- death, there were heated continued at the Delhi airport, Kerala, sent to the National In- day, has been quarantined at an politan magistrate Samar Vishal arguments between the police said. stitute of High Security Animal isolation ward of a leading hos- that there was suffi cient evidence them on a fl ight from After hearing the submission, Diseases, in Bhopal, Madhya pital in Panaji after developing to proceed against Tharoor and Thiruvananthapuram the court set June 5 to deliver its Pradesh, were negative for Ni- symptoms similar to those af- requested the court to accept the to Delhi order on accepting the charge- pah, said animal husbandry of- fected by the deadly Nipah vi- charge-sheet and issue summons sheet against Tharoor. fi cer A Mohandas. rus. to the Lok Sabha member as an ac- He told the court that the On May 14, the Delhi Police The department was now col- Health Minister Vishwajeet cused in the case. cause of her death was poison- charge-sheeted Tharoor under lecting samples of fruit bats from Rane told reporters that it was The prosecutor informed the ing. Some 27 tablets of Alprax Sections 306 and 498A of the Perambra, the suspected epicen- not clear whether the person in court that Pushkar was depressed were found in her room but it is Indian Penal Code, pertaining to tre of the infection and nearby question was suff ering from the and, in an e-mail, written on Jan- not clear how many she had con- abetment to suicide and cruelty areas, Mohandas said. Nipah virus or not. The results uary 8, 2014, to Tharoor, she had sumed. The prosecutor cited the to wife, which entails a jail term Separately, tests run on dead would be verifi ed only once test expressed her desire to die. post-mortem report which stat- that could extend up to 10 years. bats in Himachal Pradesh were results were back from the Na- “I have no will to live. All I pray ed that there were injury marks Pushkar, 51, was found dead negative for Nipah, an offi cial tional Institute of Virology in for is death,” prosecutor Shrivas- on her body. in her suite at the Leela Hotel in there said. Pune. tava read out the relevant line of Shrivastava also informed the south Delhi on January 17, 2014, The dead bats were discovered No confi rmed cases of the the e-mail written by Pushkar to court that Tharoor had ignored days after she alleged that her A fisherman prepares to cast his nets during a sudden on the roof of a school and had virus have yet been found out- Tharoor. Sunanda when she was taking husband was having an aff air downpour at Fort Kochi beach in Kerala yesterday. triggered a new Nipah scare last side Kerala, despite fears it has He told the court that Push- pills to overcome depression. with a Pakistani journalist. week. spread. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 19 LATIN AMERICA

Troops shoot dead 11 Farc dissidents

AFP However, remnants of the Bogota rebel force — estimated by the army to number about 1,200 — are still active in the southern olombian troops killed border areas, fi nancing their op- 11 dissidents of the dis- erations through drug traffi cking Cbanded Farc guerrilla and extortion rackets. group, offi cials said yesterday, as “We will not drop our guard a fi ght looms over the future of a against residual groups. We will 2016 peace agreement in runoff continue fi ghting them with the presidential elections. utmost forcefulness,” Santos said The military operation took on Twitter. place Sunday in the south of the Sunday’s military action was country as Colombians voted a jarring reminder that embers in the fi rst round of presiden- of Colombia’s 50-year-old con- tial elections that left a hardline fl ict are still burning despite the conservative and a former left- peace accord with the Farc, once ist guerrilla vying for the presi- Latin America’s largest guerrilla dency. group. Defence Minister Luis Car- Besides contending with rem- los Villegas said the operation nants of the Farc, Santos’s gov- in Montanita in the southern ernment has yet to conclude a department of Caqueta left “11 peace accord with the smaller dead and two wounded, includ- National Liberation Army, or ing a minor who had been re- ELN. Colombian presidential candidate Ivan Duque (centre) for the Democratic Centre party celebrates with supporters and his running mate Marta Lucia Ramirez (right) and one of cruited by force.” Negotiations with the ELN his daughters (left) after winning the first round of the Colombian presidential election in Bogota late on Sunday. The 13 were part of an armed resumed in Havana earlier this faction commanded by a former month, and its rebel forces ob- Farc rebel leader, Rodrigo Cade- served a fi ve-day ceasefi re dur- te, who rejected the 2016 peace ing the elections. agreement with the government But the future of the peace of President Juan Manuel Santos. accord has emerged as a key The minister said the groups and divisive issue in the elec- had been making threats against tions, which go to a runoff June the mayor of the Caqueta capital 17. of Florencia as well as an energy The top vote-getter in Sun- Colombia heads for company in the region. day’s round of balloting was “The criminals had been de- conservative Ivan Duque, who manding extortion payments has vowed to rewrite the accord from businesses” in Florencia with the Farc if elected. and its surrounding area, the He faces off against Gustavo army said in a statement. Petro, a former Bogota mayor Under the peace accord, the who received 25 % of the vote to Revolutionary Armed Forces of Duque’s 39.7. divisive runoff with Colombia (Farc) disarmed its A past member of the now 7,000 fi ghters in order to join the disbanded M-19 guerrilla group, political process. Petro is the fi rst leftist to contest It is now a political party. a runoff in Colombia. peace deal at stake Mexican cartel leader’s Reuters referendum before Congress fi nally ap- “Petro was quite clearly behind Du- but his early admiration for former Presi- Bogota proved a modifi ed version. que in the vote so that will reassure the dent Hugo Chavez continues to dog him. Petro, himself a former member of markets,” said Camilo Perez, head of eco- Petro has promised to take power away wife captured: govt the now defunct M-19 rebel group, has nomic studies at Banco de Bogota. from political and social elites he accuses olombia is headed for its most di- backed the peace agreement, along with “But the fact that Fajardo was so close of stymieing development, and to carry visive presidential race in decades the three other losing candidates, mean- to Petro may generate nervousness, as his out a complete overhaul in one of the AFP ices were put on alert in case of Cafter right-winger Ivan Duque ing Duque may need to moderate his po- approach is probably closer to Petro’s and world’s most unequal economies, includ- Guadalajara retaliatory attacks by the cartel, won Sunday’s fi rst-round vote, trigger- sition to attract wavering voters in the that could send votes (Petro’s) way.” ing the redistribution of large tracts of sources in the Jalisco state pros- ing a runoff with leftist Gustavo Petro June 17 second round. The winner of the second round will land to subsistence farmers. ecutor’s offi ce said. that could upset a historic peace deal or “We don’t want to shatter the agree- face an intimidating array of challenges, At his election night party in the capi- exican authorities have Troops were deployed to guard derail business friendly reforms. ment. We want to make it clear that a from stubbornly low economic growth to tal, communist party militants waved red arrested the wife of a approaches to the city, Mexico’s It is the fi rst time in Colombia’s mod- Colombia of peace is a Colombia where threats to Colombia’s prized investment fl ags above the crowd, but Petro struck Mpowerful drug cartel second largest. ern history that an openly leftist can- peace meets justice,” Duque said in a grade credit rating as well as diffi culties a moderate tone as both he and Duque leader in the city of Guadala- Guadalajara was yesterday didate has reached the second round of victory speech on Sunday to cheering in implementing the peace accord. seeks to attract centrist voters. jara, the interior minister said on shaken by the attempted assas- a presidential vote, a prospect that un- supporters in which he complimented Some areas abandoned by the Farc have “When we talk about defeating pover- Sunday. sination of Jalisco Labor Secre- nerved some investors in Latin America’s third-place fi nisher Sergio Fajardo and suff ered an increase in fi ghting between ty, we’re not talking about impoverishing Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia, tary Luis Najera, a former state fourth largest economy. said their social agendas had much in criminal gangs and a remaining guer- the rich, but about enriching the poor,” the wife of Nemesio Oseguera prosecutor who was attacked by Duque, a 41-year-old former offi cial common. rilla group, the National Liberation Army said the bespectacled Petro, surrounded Cervantes, alias ‘El Mencho’, was armed men in a restaurant in the of the Washington-based InterAmerican Fajardo, a centre-left mathematician (ELN), over valuable illegal mining and by family members. taken into custody by Mexican city centre. Development Bank, was the convincing who won 24% of the vote, has previously drug traffi cking territories. However, in a country where oil and navy agents, the minister said. Assailants torched a passen- winner of Sunday’s ballot with 39% of declined to endorse either candidate for Colombia’s production of coca, the coal are the top export earners, Petro’s Cervantes heads Jalisco New ger bus after the attack, killing an votes, ahead of Petro, an outspoken ex- the second round, saying his supporters raw material for cocaine, tripled be- pledges to end extractive industries and Generation, one of Mexico’s eight-month-old baby. Najera mayor of Bogota, with 25%, broadly in would make up their own minds, but he is tween 2012 and 2016, stirring concerns in shift the focus of state-run oil company most powerful drug cartels. suff ered only minor injuries but line with polls. meeting with his team to discuss options. Washington. Ecopetrol to renewable energy have dis- “This woman is a likely ad- seven other people were more se- However, Duque’s pledge to overhaul “We will discuss this, it will be the fruit Polls suggest the end of the Farc con- mayed business leaders. ministrator of both economic riously wounded. One of the at- the 2016 peace deal with the Revolution- of what we say and discuss. A week ago, I fl ict has shifted voters’ priorities to in- “Our country has never lived such a and legal assets of this crimi- tackers was killed. ary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) by said it wouldn’t be either Petro or Duque, equality and corruption from security polarised moment as this and Petro rep- nal organisation. She had been The Mexican government scrapping immunity for those convicted that’s what I told the nation,” Fajardo told issues, opening the door to the left for the resents a huge danger,” Mariana Riaño, sought on an organised crime estimates that the Jalisco New of crimes has worried many Colombians, Blu Radio. fi rst time. a 21-year-old student, said at Duque’s warrant,” Interior Minister Al- Generation cartel has amassed a weary after fi ve decades of confl ict that “It would be disrespectful to say I am However, a growing crisis in neighbour- celebration party at a conference centre fonso Navarrete told a news con- $50bn fortune. killed more than 200,000 people and left the owner of the votes.” ing socialist-run Venezuela, which has in Bogota. “But we are going to beat him,” ference. It has a strong presence in nine 7mn others displaced. However, political pundits in Colombia driven hundreds of thousands of desper- However, some worry that Duque’s Gonzalez was put into pre- Mexican states and connections Though outgoing President Juan said that if next month’s runoff goes along ate people across the border, is a thorn in business-friendly agenda of cutting tax ventive detention and has been with criminal organisations in the Manuel Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize ideological lines, the votes of the centre- Petro’s side. Duque’s camp allege he would rates may worsen Colombia’s budget brought before a judge, Navar- United States, Europe, Asia and for forging the accord, it has deeply di- left could be enough for Petro to seriously plunge Colombia into a similar crisis. defi cit, forecast at 2.7% of gross domestic rete said. Latin America. In recent years, vided the nation of around 50mn people. challenge Duque, if he can dodge his ri- Petro has condemned current Venezue- product this year, and place its invest- Security forces, civil defence it has carried out attacks against The deal was narrowly rejected in a val’s accusations of radicalism. lan leader Nicolas Maduro as undemocratic ment grade rating at risk. and emergency medical serv- military and police targets. Brazil truck strike enters eighth day despite deal

By Sebastian Smith Producers reported having to representatives of the truckers, launched into sweeping auster- and Carola Sole, AFP slaughter stocks of chickens be- Temer agreed to cut the diesel ity reforms that have been widely Rio de Janeiro cause they had no access to the price by 0.46 reais a litre for 60 praised by investors as a bid to feed, while others threw out thou- days. return Brazil to fi scal health, but sands of litres of spoiled milk. That concession hammered proved hugely unpopular with truckers’ strike paralys- Hospitals in Rio de Janeiro and the value in state-controlled oil ordinary Brazilians. ing fuel, goods and food Sao Paulo had to cancel non- major Petrobras, one of Brazil’s Approval ratings for Temer and Adeliveries across Brazil urgent surgeries and at least 13 most dominant companies. his government are in the single yesterday entered an eighth day states reported cancelling uni- Despite government assur- digits, despite offi cials’ claims despite unpopular President versity classes. ances, truckers outside Rio de that the reforms have helped Michel Temer’s decision to cave Adding to the mayhem in Rio, Janeiro vowed to continue their bring Brazil slowly out of a deep in to the drivers’ key demand for a key commuter system, the BRT, hard line. recession. lower diesel costs. operated at only 22% capacity. Temer’s concession “was The current row over fuel is Road blockages by truckers But after agreeing Sunday to nothing. It’s only for two months part of that wider confl ict, with remained in place in 25 of the slash diesel prices, the govern- and diesel is way too expensive. costs rising signifi cantly since country’s 27 states, G1 news site ment insists the crippling stand- It should be reduced at least one Temer’s politically sensitive de- reported, bringing Latin Ameri- off will now wind down. real. People will stay here until cision in late 2016 to allow Petro- ca’s biggest economy to its knees. “The expectation is that the the fi ght is over. It depends on bras autonomy over its pricing. Shortages of aviation fuel par- demonstrations will end and the the president,” truck owner Yago The rise in world oil prices in alysed eight airports and essen- truckers will return to work to- Marquezine, 25, said. recent weeks has also been a fac- tially shut down the huge Santos day,” said Temer minister Carlos The crisis has exposed the tor. sea port near Sao Paulo, which Marun on CBN radio. “There are surprising fragility of the giant “This war doesn’t belong to usually receives 10,000 trucks a still some blockades but the pro- economy and put Temer’s lame the truckers, but to the Brazilian day and now gets only a trickle. test strike has been resolved.” duck administration on the de- people!” chanted a crowd block- Although there has been some According to Marun, those still fensive ahead of October general ading the Duque de Caxias refi n- improvement since the army was resisting represent “an anarchic, elections. ery outside Rio de Janeiro. ordered to intervene Friday, with radical movement which we be- Temer took power in contro- Brazil is a member of the G20 armed soldiers escorting fuel lieve will not succeed.” versial circumstances in 2016, group of the world’s largest trucks on priority routes, enor- Truckers are angry over the following the impeachment and emerging and advanced econo- mous lines of cars continued to rise in costs from 3.36 reais removal from offi ce of his leftist mies. form at gas stations. ($0.92) a litre in January to 3.6 predecessor Dilma Rousseff for The fi rst fi ve days of the strike Many supermarkets around reais before the strike. On May breaking budget rules. were estimated to have cost the country still struggled to 26, it hit 3.8. Temer’s market-friendly $2.8bn, according to the daily Soldiers, deployed to guarantee the safe transport of fuel for essential services, talk yesterday to source fresh food. After urgent negotiations with centre-right government then Folha de Sao Paulo. protesters outside the Duque de Caxias refinery in metropolitan Rio de Janeiro. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 PAKISTAN PTI to start awarding tickets to election candidates on Thursday

Internews from Islamabad on Thursday from the constituencies where Awami Tehreek, and Jamaat-e- Khan said that Pakistan had Islamabad (May 31), those from Punjab on the PTI candidates lost the 2013 Islami had approached Khan to been burdened by debt to such June 2 and 3, those from Khyber elections with a margin of more form alliances, but he had turned an extent that whoever came to Pakhtunkhwa on June 4, those than 20,000 votes. Therefore, down their requests. power would fi nd the country in he Pakistan Tehreek-e- from Sindh on June 5, and those this time the party is considering Meanwhile, the PTI chief has the grip of severe crises. Insaf (PTI) has reiterated from Baluchistan on June 6. fi elding the newcomers in these reiterated that his party would He said if the assets of present Tthat it will not form alli- In response to a question, places,” the PTI spokesperson rid the country of corruption, rulers before coming to power ance with any political party for Chaudhry admitted that his par- said. nepotism and exploitation after and after assuming offi ce were the coming elections and an- ty is facing diffi culty in distri- Chaudhry, however, ruled coming to power. assessed, it would be clear why nounced that it will start distrib- bution of party tickets because out the possibility of any con- Addressing his party’s central they were in politics. uting tickets to its candidates on in many constituencies, several fl ict within the party over the and provincial leaders at a func- The PTI chief said that the the last day of this month. leaders were seeking the ticket. distribution of tickets and said tion in Karachi, Khan said that pace of country’s progress was “The PTI has so far received However, the party had for- the party leadership is strong as the PTI had become the focus very fast in the 60s because more than 41,000 applications mulated a set of eligibility cri- enough to tackle any such situ- of nation’s aspirations, he had at that time there were strong and the party will fi eld can- teria for choosing the best can- ation. decided to award party tickets institutions like the Planning didates for all 272 seats of the didate. He said that PTI chairman Im- himself to strong candidates on Commission, which used to take National Assembly,” said PTI He said that leaders from ran Khan had already announced merit. decisions on merit. spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry other parties who had recently that the party would not enter He said that the solution to all He added that all the institu- yesterday. joined the PTI would be given into any alliance for the elec- the problems faced by the coun- tions were today fi lled with the Khan: said that the solution to all the problems faced by the country lay He said that the party would preference. tions, adding that the Pakistan try lay in the success of the PTI corrupt mafi a and that Pakistan in the success of the PTI in the coming elections. award tickets to its candidates “They have come mostly Muslim League-Quaid, Pakistan in the coming elections. had become bankrupt. Impossible to run Former chief justice country in current scenario: Abbasi

Internews named caretaker PM Islamabad DPA/AFP/Reuters Pakistan’s constitution gives the since independence in 1947, de- former judge was not the front- rime Minister Shahid Islamabad premier and the leader of the op- nies meddling in politics. runner when the ruling party and Khaqan Abbasi said yes- position the power to choose a Issues that Mulk and his team the opposition began discussing Pterday that in the present neutral fi gure to govern until the will have to contend with, though the six likely candidates. circumstances, it is impos- akistani leaders have cho- elections. briefl y, range from international Mulk “enjoys a good reputa- sible to run the aff airs of the sen a retired judge to lead If the vote goes ahead success- isolation and strained ties with tion” in the wider political arena, government, adding that the Pthe country as caretaker fully, it will be the second con- the United States to nursing the said Raza Ahmad Rumi, the edi- current situation is due to the prime minister and oversee elec- secutive democratic transition economy which is increasingly tor of the English-language Daily role played by the judiciary, the tions in July. in a country ruled by the military relying on Chinese loans to stay Times. National Accountability Bu- Former judge Nasirul Mulk will for half its history. afl oat. “He’s seen as a neutral judge in reau (NAB), and the media. be the interim premier, opposi- The interim administration While Abbasi was eff usive in the past without any political af- Abbasi said during an in- tion leader Khursheed Shah told does not usually make any major his praise of Mulk, the PML-N’s fi liation,” Rumi said. “It’s a good terview with anchorperson a press conference after meeting decisions until the new govern- eff orts to drag out the talks on development.” Talat Hussain on Geo News current Prime Minister Shahid ment is elected, though it may who should be caretaker leader But he warned that the Elec- programme Naya Pakistan Abbasi: the NAB was Khaqan Abbasi. be forced to act to shore up the signalled to voters its concern tion Commission may have an that the ruling Pakistan Mus- established by a dictator to “No Pakistani can lift a fi n- economy amid a worsening mac- about interference in the elec- even bigger role than normal to lim League – Nawaz (PML- N) put pressure on politicians. ger (against) such a name,” Ab- ro-economic outlook. tion, according to Aamer Ahmed play in the run-up to the elec- can also give its own narrative basi told reporters, seated next Pakistan, a nuclear power with Khan, a Pakistani journalist and tion, and had not been properly and that the party’s narrative is impossible to run the country,” to Shah, who led talks for the op- a 224mn-strong mainly Muslim analyst. reformed. that of “giving respect to vote” he said, questioning how would position Pakistan Peoples Party population, has struggled po- The main challenge to the The Supreme Court Bar As- and “performance”. a country can progress when (PPP). litically, with no democratic gov- PML-N, which has been weak- sociation’s president, Kamran Ousted the Supreme Court the leadership stops making “Today is an important day in ernment being able to complete ened since the Supreme Court Murtaza, said that Mulk had in July last year, former pre- decisions. “Under the present the democratic history of Paki- a fi ve-year term in more than six ousted its founder Sharif, is ex- stood up against then-army mier Nawaz Sharif has been circumstances, bureaucracy is stan, the name was chosen af- decades. pected to come from the Pakistan chief, General Pervez Musharraf, rigorously campaigning with unwilling to present any sum- ter consensus was reached,” the The country’s political history Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), headed by when he staged a coup in 1999, the slogan “give respect to mary. Such matters would be prime minister added. “We have is marred by frequent coups, as- Former chief justice of Pakistan cricketer-turned-politician Im- refusing to take an oath while the vote”, while at the same time resolved through a national chosen a person whose past is sassinations and the unceremo- Nasirul Mulk. ran Khan. constitution was suspended. facing corruption references dialogue.” very clear.” nious ouster of leaders either by Khan, who has risen to promi- Mulk later opposed Musharraf fi led against him and his family Speaking about the NAB, Mulk, 68, retired as chief jus- the military or an assertive judi- religious militants, Pakistan has nence on an anti-graft agenda, when he imposed an emergency by the NAB. Abbasi said that the anti-graft tice of Pakistan in August 2015. ciary. seen a sharp decline in militancy has promised to clean up govern- in 2007. Commenting on defec- body was established by a dic- The former judge, who also Former prime minister Nawaz over the past few years. ment in his fi rst 100 days in offi ce “He would never compromise tions within his party, Abbasi tator to put pressure on politi- served as the interim chief of Sharif last year became the lat- However, allegations of inter- and build “world-class” schools on principles,” said Murtaza. pointed out that the defectors cians. the Election Commission of Pa- est leader to be removed by the ference by the powerful, coup- and hospitals. Mulk famously helped pave stayed with the ruling party for His statement was a refer- kistan, will head a technocratic Supreme Court on corruption prone military are rife ahead of Khan welcomed Mulk’s ap- the way for the removal of former four years and 11 months. ence to former military ruler government after the current allegations, but his PML-N gov- the election, with the ruling Pa- pointment, as did the right- prime minister Yousaf Raza Gi- “It is better for individuals, Pervez Musharraf, who estab- government and parliament are ernment survived under a new kistan Muslim League – Nawaz leaning religious Jamat-e-Islami lani after he was convicted for who cannot be trusted, to quit lished the bureau in the late dissolved on Thursday. premier. (PML-N) accusing the military of party. contempt in 2012 for refusing to the party,” he stated. 90s. With the tenure of the cur- Unlike the run-ups to the pre- trying to weaken it. Nevertheless, Mulk was a sur- ask Swiss authorities to reopen Abbasi maintained, howev- “It should be pondered rent government set to expire, vious two elections, which were The military, which has ruled prise choice for the role. corruption cases against then- er, that the ruling party had at over in the [national] dialogue and elections fi xed for July 25, marred by frequent attacks by Pakistan for about half its history The PPP’s Shah saying the president Asif Ali Zardari. least three to four “strong can- whether it is in interest of the didates” in every constituency. country whatever the NAB has On the matter of Sharif’s re- been doing,” the prime minis- Pakistan marks 20th anniversary of nuke tests marks that suggested Pakistani ter said. “The circumstances militants were involved in the created by the NAB at present Pakistan marked 20th anniversary of nuclear tests with national zeal attack in Mumbai in 2008, the have been causing 90% of the Hotter weeks ahead in most parts and fervour yesterday. prime minister further said damage to the country.” The day, popularly dubbed as Youm-e-Takbeer, is celebrated every that it is necessary to call a On the tax amnesty scheme year on May 28 to commemorate the historic event when the coun- meeting of the National Secu- introduced by his govern- of country: Meteorological Dept try off icially “went nuclear” in response to nuclear tests conducted rity Committee to put an end ment, Abbasi explained that by India. to the situation. the scheme provided a chance With demonstration of atomic capabilities, Pakistan became the first “Give the kind of circum- to individuals to come into the Internews but said that several parts of the hottest at 47°C while Larkana, nuclear power in the Islamic world and the world’s seventh nuclear stances today, it has become tax net. Islamabad country could experience wind Shaheed Benazirabad, Noor- power under the leadership of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and dust storms. purthal, and Bahawalnagar ex- who stood firm in the face of international pressures and lucrative The Met offi ce had earlier pre- perienced 46°C. off ers of aid to abandon the plan to conduct the tests. emperatures are likely to dicted that the fasting month “Compared to last year, this As a result of the nuclear tests, the nation was slapped with eco- continue to stay high in would remain the hottest and the year temperatures in May and nomic sanctions by the international community. Tthe upcoming week as driest. June are slightly higher because To mark the day, special prayers were off ered for peace, progress Army: Ex-spy chief weathermen predict an above- “This June, temperatures are of no rains,” the Met spokesper- and prosperity of the country. average rise of up to 3° Celsius in expected to remain above normal son said, adding that the impact Various ceremonies and seminars will be organised in which emi- most parts of Pakistan. in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, of climate change would con- nent scientists, intellectuals, defence analysts and notable person- on Exit Control List Pakistan Meteorological De- Sindh, and Islamabad, mainly tinue to aff ect Pakistan, and that alities will pay tribute to the team of nuclear scientists who raised partment spokesperson Khalid under the impact of climate summers is likely to continue to Pakistan’s status in the comity of nations and signified the principle Mahmood said that temperatures change, but we cannot call it get hotter by the year. of self-reliance. AFP Pakistan’s alleged interference had already started rising and heatwave,” said Mahmood. Talking about Karachi, Mah- Radio Pakistan and television channels will broadcast special pro- Islamabad through proxies in Afghanistan would increase further from June He also said that temperatures mood said that on Saturday, grammes in which defence analysts, journalists, educationists, and and Kashmir. 1 onwards, adding to the woes of in lower Punjab have already there was a drop in temperature intellectuals will participate and highlight the significance of the day. The US has long accused the people during Ramadan. crossed 40°C, hitting 42°C, and after sea breezes started blowing, Shehbaz Sharif – the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) chief akistan’s military took the ISI in particular of back- The spokesperson also ruled will rise further in coming days. but “temperatures are likely to and chief minister of Punjab – has congratulated the nation on the the unprecedented step ing militants in Afghanistan, out the chances of “good show- On Friday, Rahim Yar Khan, rise from Monday and will fl uc- occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer. Pyesterday of preventing including the Taliban. ers” in the next seven to 10 days, Dadu and Sukkur remained the tuate between 40°C and 42°C”. a former spy chief from leaving Islamabad denies the claims. the country, after he ignited a Criticism of the military, storm by co-authoring a book especially its use of proxies in that touches on Pakistan’s al- regional confl icts, is seen as leged roles in Afghanistan and taboo in the country. Kashmir. The military is the most New envoy to US takes charge days before govt term ends Retired Lieutenant General powerful institution in Paki- Asad Durrani, who headed the stan, ruling the country for Inter-Services Intelligence roughly half its history. Internews The State Department has al- ever, will try to get an early ap- Department returned his agré- He will leave for Islamabad on (ISI) from 1990 to 1992, was The book also suggests that Islamabad ready approved his agrément. pointment for him at the State ment only early this month. June 5. placed on the Exit Control List the Pakistani authorities may Siddiqui can assume his of- Department to ensure that he In August last year, Siddiqui Relations between the United (ECL) stopping him from leav- have known about the wherea- fi cial duties after submitting the submits his credentials before was appointed the prime min- States and Pakistan are cur- ing the country, according to bouts of Osama bin Laden – an akistan’s ambassador- documents, but he cannot call completion of the Pakistan Mus- ister’s special assistant with the rently at their lowest point, and the military spokesman. extraordinarily sensitive topic designate to the US Ali Ja- cabinet-level offi cials until he lim League – Nawaz (PML-N) status of a state minister. this posting will test all the ma- Durrani has been mired in for the military – and may have Phangir Siddiqui arrived in presents his credentials to the government’s tenure. He is the son of renowned noeuvring skills and diplomatic controversy since last week’s later handed over information Washington yesterday and took US president, which often takes Diplomatic sources in Wash- businessman and banker Ja- savviness that the ambassador release of The Spy Chronicles: to the US resulting in the 2011 charge of his new assignment the months. ington say that Siddiqui can hangir Siddiqui and served as may have learnt as a banker and RAW, ISI and the Illusion of raid that killed the Al Qaeda same day, two days before the Although he is believed to have continue as ambassador under the chairman of JS Bank and JS at university. Peace. supremo. government completes its term. friendly relations with US Presi- the interim government, but the Private Equity before joining the Earlier this week, the US Sec- He wrote the book with A S Earlier yesterday Durrani After taking charge from out- dent Donald Trump’s son-in-law government elected in the July 25 government. retary of State Mike Pompeo Dulat, who headed India’s Re- was summoned to the Paki- going ambassador Aizaz Chaud- Jared Kushner, it is unclear if the elections would be able to recall Siddiqui holds a degree in eco- told a congressional committee search and Analysis Wing in- stani military headquarters for hary, Siddiqui’s fi rst assignment latter can help expedite the dip- him. nomics from the Cornell Univer- that US offi cials in Pakistan were telligence agency – arch-rivals allegedly violating the insti- would be to submit his creden- lomatic process. The PML-N government des- sity. treated badly. of the ISI. tution’s code of conduct over tials at the US State Department Kushner works at the White ignated Siddiqui – an investment Chaudhry – a foreign service And the Trump administration It is based on a series of comments made in the book. along with a letter, stating that House as Trump’s adviser on the banker and a special assistant to offi cial – retired last month and imposed strict travel restrictions discussion between the two The military did not specify Chaudhary has been recalled to Middle East. the prime minister – as ambas- the government did not give him on Pakistani diplomats in Wash- on various subjects including which comments had prompt- Islamabad. The Pakistan embassy, how- sador in March but the US State an extension. ington this month. tense relations with India and ed the meeting. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 21 PHILIPPINES Philippine navy to take part in world’s biggest war games

By Dempsey Reyes rines,” Lincuna told reporters. region,” Pentagon spokesman Lt Manila Times “We have now the capabil- Col Chris Logan said. ity to send ships and aircraft to “We have disinvited the PLA participate in one of the biggest (People’s Liberation Army) Navy he Philippines will for naval exercises in the world,” he from the 2018 Rim of the Pacifi c the fi rst time participate added. Exercise. China’s behaviour is Tin the Rim of the Pacifi c Earlier, Philippine Navy fl ag- inconsistent with the principles Exercise (Rimpac), the world’s offi cer-in-command Vice Ad- and purposes of the RIMPAC ex- biggest international maritime miral Robert Empedrad said ercise,” he added. war games, to be held off Hawaii the Philippines will deploy 700 He said the Pentagon has in June. sailors and marines for Rimpac. strong evidence that China has The manoeuvres will be led They will sail for Hawaii on the deployed anti-ship missiles, by the US Navy’s Pacifi c Fleet. fi rst week of June. surface-to-air missile (SAM) The biennial exercises will train Rimpac is held every two years systems and electronic jam- thousands of personnel from in Hawaii in June and July. mers to “contested features” in more than two dozen countries This year, around 30 navies the Spratly Islands region of the on seamanship. across the world are expected to South China Sea. The Philippine Navy will de- participate. The naval exercises “While China has maintained ploy one landing dock ship, one seek to enhance the interoper- that the construction of the is- Firemen extinguish a fire at the administrative offices of the National Archives of the Philippines in Manila, yesterday. frigate and an Agusta Westland ability among the armed forces lands is to ensure safety at sea, helicopter for the Rimpac, Capt. of the Pacifi c Rim. navigation assistance, search Lued Lincuna, Navy spokesman, Last week, the Pentagon and rescue, fi sheries protection said. pulled its invitation for China and other non-military func- “In the past years, we were to join the maritime exercises in tions, the placement of these active and regularly sending the Pacifi c because of Beijing’s weapon systems is only for mili- participants as observers for the “continued militarisation” of tary use,” Logan said, adding Two hurt in Binondo blaze Rimpac, but this time, it will be the South China Sea. that the recent landing of a Chi- the fi rst time we will be sending “China’s continued militari- nese bomber on Woody Island By Kimberly Malait (BFP) Superintendent Romeo ing on Juan Luna St in Binon- building, so named after the our ships, the Tarlac class and sation of disputed features in the had only exacerbated strains. Manila Times/Binondo Rillo said the fi re started at do, which houses the National street. Del Pilar class and an aircraft South China Sea only serves to China participated in the na- the Land Management Bureau Archives. A fourth building, The fire reached Task Force with around 700 sailors and ma- raise tensions and destabilise the val exercises in 2014 and in 2016. (LMB) building at the corner the Moraga Mansion, was also Charlie, the highest alarm. ire razed several build- of San Vicente St. and Quintin not spared. Rillo said firemen had dif- ings in downtown Manila Paredes Road at 12:36am. According to the National ficulty getting into the build- Fstarting at midnight yes- The blaze spread to the Bank Historical Commission of the ings. He said some firefighters terday, injuring a fi reman and a of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Philippines (NHCP), the Pa- were able to get in but were volunteer, offi cials said. along Plaza Cervantes and to cific Commercial building is forced to go out because of the Charges planned against Bureau of Fire Protection the Pacific Commercial Build- also known as the Juan Luna thick smoke. mayor over water tank blast

By Mary Gleefer F Jalea sign a fake affidavit to the effect that I was the Anti-dengue vaccine death Manila Times one who plotted the explosion,” Del Rosario said. Noli Barcelona and his nephew Rex Barcelona told reporters they were each paid P8,000 to do he Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption the job and were even provided a description of (VACC) is set to fi le four counts of murder Del Rosario’s facial features for a cartographic toll rises to 57: top expert Tand 43 counts of frustrated murder before sketch by the National Bureau of Investigation. the Offi ce of the Ombudsman against the mayor of “If there is no foul play, why would they bother City of San Jose Belmonte (CSJDM) in Bulacan and to get fake witnesses to testify? Truly, nobody By Mary Gleefer F Jalea worker John Rey Pintor and physician Ken- claimed was evidence of French pharma- his lawmaker wife over the water tank explosion in among those who oppose the mayor and his wife Manila Times drick Gotoc have died. ceutical company Sanofi Pasteur’s admis- October 2017. is free in the city of San Jose del Monte,” Del Ro- Thirteen-year-old Marlon Jay Lorenzo sion to the dangers of the vaccine. The action stemmed from the complaint of sario said. was the 54th child examined by PAO, after Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Councilor Irene del Rosario who accused Mayor “The water tank can burst only when the exit he Public Attorney’s Offi ce (PAO) he died of heart failure on May 15. current and former health offi cials are fac- Arthur Robes, his wife Rep. Florida Robes and of- pipes are closed to prohibit the water from flow- yesterday claimed that the number of PAO chief Persida Acosta said Lorenzo ing charges of reckless imprudence result- fi cials of the local water district for culpability in ing out while the inlet valves are open to allow Tpeople who died after being inocu- received his fi rst Dengvaxia shot on April ing in homicide and torture, resulting in the approving the joint venture agreement between the continuous entry of the water from the pump. lated with the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vac- 26, 2016, and another on October 26, 2017. death of a person and torture committed city and concessionaire Prime Water Infrastructure When the tank burst, the steel debris were cine has risen to 57. Erfe said brain haemorrhage and enlarged against children and violation of Republic Corp. thrown off horizontally. These were all results of “We already have 57 and many pending organs were found in an autopsy sought by Act 9745 of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. At least 2,000 cubic metres of water — equiva- an intentional act which caused the tank to ex- cases for autopsy scheduled for this week the boy’s parents last week. The Volunteers Against Crime and Cor- lent to more than 9,000 drums — from the 14-by- plode,” said Berteni Causing, legal counsel for Del until next week,” PAO forensic expert Dr The PAO forensic team led by Erfe and ruption and Vanguard of the Philippine 13-metre tank washed out 60 houses and damaged Rosario. Erwin Erfe told Manila Times in a text mes- supervised by Acosta had said that children Constitution Inc, fi led charges at the De- a police station in Barangay Muzon on October 6, Del Rosario has long been opposing CSJDM’s sage. inoculated with the anti-dengue vaccine partment of Justice against former presi- 2017. Killed in the dawn incident were Jimmy Gar- local water district entering into a joint venture According to Erfe, at least four cases from showed clinical symptoms of headache, ab- dent Benigno Aquino, former health sec- cia, 50; Elaine Chamzon, 22; Nina Ape and Jaine agreement with Prime Water and added that bid- Cebu and Albay were slated for forensic ex- dominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. retary Janette Garin and former budget Espina, both one-year-old. ding for the joint venture was done in full secrecy amination this week. Forensic examination found brain edema secretary Florencio Abad for their alleged Del Rosario said during a media briefi ng with the from the city residents. “We will provide further details about the and/or haemorrhage, internal organ haem- involvement in the purchase of P3.5bn VACC yesterday that two persons were hired to im- “For the past five years, San Jose del Monte’s victims after we have performed the exami- orrhage, and edema or enlargement of in- worth of Dengvaxia and the implementa- plicate her in the incident. water district has been financially strong and was nation,” he said. ternal organs, among others. tion of a massive vaccination programme “These fake witnesses who surrendered to us fully funded. I don’t see why they would bother PAO said that 54 of the 57 victims were During the preliminary investigation on under which more than 800,000 school were hired by Perfecto Tagalog, Robes’ private to enter into such a joint venture agreement and children. In addition, Quezon City police the Dengvaxia case on May 24, PAO sub- children were inoculated with the anti- secretary. They were paid to tell authorities and involve the innocent people,” Del Rosario added. offi cer Vicente Arugay, Camp Crame utility mitted to prosecutors a document that it dengue vaccine.

CRIME Drug suspects among four held Lacson seeks study to lift fi rms’ tax exemptions for kidnapping Four persons, including two wanted Manila Times exemptions granted by the government that only 0.4 of the 4.5% of the infl a- drug pushers, were arrested for Manila to various industries. tion is caused by Train. That’s why abducting the two-year-old son Lacson explained that the Philip- we want to fi nd out what is causing of one of the suspects with his pines is the only country in Southeast the price increases. If indeed that the former live-in partner in Barangay enator Panfi lo Lacson has called Asia that has the most number of tax Train only accounts 0.4 of the 4.5%, Babasit, this town on Sunday night, on lawmakers to study the possi- exemptions. suspending the implementation of the Manila Times reported. Senior Supt. Sble lifting of value added tax ex- The senator noted that the Philip- additional excise taxes under the Train Ronald Oliver-Lee, Pangasinan emptions granted to various industries pines currently has about 143 lines of law won’t make a dent,” Cua said in a Police provincial director, identified instead of suspending the imposition of exemption on economic zone, power, radio interview. the suspects as Dennis Balolong, excise tax on fuel. housing, co-operatives and other in- The Train law, which took eff ect on 32, of Barangay Minien West in The senator said lawmakers should dustries which is more than the com- January 1, increased excise taxes by P3 Santa Barbara town, Rasha Javier-al- thoroughly study the proposal as he bined VAT exemptions granted by per litre on kerosene, P2.50 per litre of Buoti, a native of Sultan Kudarat and called for calm amid the growing cla- countries in Southeast Asia. diesel and bunker fuel oil, and P1 per li- resident of Barangay Bantayan in mour to stop the collection of tax fuel He added that the proposal to lift tre for liquefi ed petroleum gas. Mangaldan town, Balolong’s brother under the Tax Reform for Acceleration some VAT exemptions should have “We are open to suspending excise Richard and sister-in-law Shiela. and Inclusion (Train) law. been included in the Package 1 of the taxes on fuel, but we do not want to do Criminal Investigation and Detec- “The problem with it (suspen- tax reform law but some members of it haphazardly because doing so could tions Group (CIDG)–Pangasinan led sion of excise tax) is revenue erosion, the Senate blocked the proposal. Lac- also put the public at risk,” Cua said. by Chief Insp. Araguil Guardaya, where will you get it, how can you son however declined to identify the He however admitted that concerned arrested Balolong and al-Buoti last compensate?” Lacson said in a radio senators. government agencies are doing a bad night based on the complaint of his interview. “Now because of what is happening job at cushioning the impact of the nurse and former live-in partner of The Senate Committee on Public we need to discuss the issue again and Train law. Balolong, for kidnapping and seri- Services has urged the Finance depart- I am willing to fi le a bill that would re- Cua was referring to the P48bn sub- ous illegal detention of their son. ment to suspend the imposition of ex- move some VAT exemptions,” he said. sidy for poor families. Under the Social Balolong’s former partner alleged cise taxes on fuel, amid the rising prices The ways and means panel of the Benefi ts Programme scheme, qualifi ed that the suspects forcibly took of basic commodities. House of Representatives is not in- benefi ciaries will be provided a Social her son at gunpoint on April 29, “We are requesting the Department clined to back calls to stop the excise Benefi t Card and fuel vouchers to qual- 2017 and was told the child will be of Finance (DoF) and other government taxes on fuel. ifi ed transport franchise holders. returned to her if she will leave their agencies to seriously study the suspen- Panfilo Lacson has sought an end to tax exemption for firms instead of Rep. Dakila Cua, chairman of the “We in Congress are also getting im- house so he and Al-Buoti could sion of excise tax on fuel because of the suspending the imposition of excise tax on fuel. House Committee on Ways and Means, patient with the delayed fl ow of aid. live there. The complainant said relentless increase in the prices of oil said data from the Department of Fi- The DSWD and the DOTr (for fare hike Balolong left her to live with Al-Buoti products,” Sen. Grace Poe said in her immediately and not wait for the prices will you get lost revenues?” Lacson nance showed that only 0.4 of the 4.5% subsidies) should step up,” Cua added. in August 2016. She was able to closing statement after the hearing on to increase further. pointed out. infl ation rate can be attributed to the So far, only 2mn out of the 10mn tar- recover the child only on May 2, al- the eff ects of the Train law. “It is easy to call for the suspen- Instead of suspending the imposi- Train law. get benefi ciaries of the unconditional most one year after the abduction, Several lawmakers also made similar sion of excise tax on fuel. Not only tion of excise tax on fuel, he said law- “We asked the Finance department cash transfer programme have received when Shiela called her up saying calls, saying the government should act easy but also popular, but where makers should consider lifting the VAT about that last week, and we were told their dues. her son was very sick. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Monaco win gives Ricciardo’s future a boost

Daniel Ricciardo’s stock has never been higher after 29-05-2018 a dominant Monaco Grand Prix weekend that saw him stand on the podium above two world champions whose 2019 teammates have yet to be confi rmed. The Australian is out of contract with Red Bull at the end of the season and champions Mercedes or Ferrari, the top two teams, are obvious possible alternatives. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was second in Monaco Why is gun violence with championship leader Lewis Hamilton third for Mercedes but Ricciardo led every single practice and qualifying session and throughout the race. Red Bull also want the 28-year-old to stay, but will be expected to pay a lot more than at present given soaring in Mexico? Ricciardo’s success. “You could say the day’s maybe made Daniel more expensive, it’s put his value up,” Red Bull principal By Kate Linthicum tween diff erent counters to get their have again seized on the issue, in part to The proposed rule change has long Mexico City paperwork processed, waiting for long counter headlines about the coun- been sought by gun companies eager for Christian Horner told reporters. stretches under fl uorescent lights in try’s spiralling violence and President easier access to international markets, but “Or you could say it’s put the team in a stronger uncomfortable chairs. It feels a bit like Trump’s complaints that Mexico isn’t advocates worry it could put more guns in position in terms of its value and potential to him.” he only gun shop in all of the Department of Motor Vehicles, doing enough to stop the northward the hands of corrupt governments. Mexico is behind a fortress- until one notices the no-nonsense fl ow of migrants and drugs. US Republican Norma Torres, D- Ricciardo has won two races this year, the same like wall on a heavily guarded army colonel running things and the President Enrique Pena Nieto California, introduced a bill that would number as Vettel and Hamilton, and is third overall – Tmilitary base. machine-gun-toting soldiers patrolling brought the issue up at a news confer- limit the impact of such a change, as albeit 38 points behind To enter the Directorate of Arms and the aisles. ence with Trump shortly before the well as legislation that would make Munitions Sales, customers must un- The store manager, Col. Eduardo 2016 presidential election, blaming the gun traffi cking a federal crime, which it The Aussie is Britain’s Hamilton. dergo months of background checks – Tellez, said he believes gun ownership infl ux of US fi rearms for “strengthening currently is not. Torres said she has not The Australian six documents are required – and then is a privilege. He sees his job as making the cartels and other criminal organisa- sought to draw attention to her work putting himself would be a lot closer be frisked by uniformed soldiers. sure fi rearms end up in the hands of tions that create violence in Mexico.” to stop arms traffi cking because she is had he not retired early The army-run store on the outskirts “moral and responsible” people only. Candidates vying to replace him in wary of pushback from gun industry front, side and of Mexico City embodies the country’s Current law allows citizens one Mexico’s July 1 presidential race are also groups such as the National Rifl e As- on with an electrical cautious approach to fi rearms, and a handgun and up to nine rifl es if they can using it as a rallying cry. sociation. centre in the shop problem in Bahrain visit here illustrates the dramatically prove they are members of shooting or “Instead of threatening walls, instead “This shouldn’t be a controversy,” she and been in a collision diff erent ways two neighbouring coun- hunting clubs. A separate permit that of threatening to militarise the border, said in a recent telephone interview. “It window, knowing tries view guns, legally and culturally. is diffi cult to obtain is required to carry we demand that they stop the fl ow of should be about how do we help Mexico with teammate Like the Second Amendment in the the guns in public. arms from the United States to Mexico,” deal with its violence.” that any interest Max Verstappen in United States, Mexico’s Constitution Hugo Gallegos Sanchez, 32, a police Ricardo Anaya of the National Action She said Mexican authorities fre- Azerbaijan. guarantees the right to bear arms, but it offi cer in Mexico City, decided to Party said recently in the violence- quently raise the issue of gun traffi cking adds to his also stipulates that federal law “will de- purchase a handgun at the store for ridden border state of Tamaulipas. in meetings with American offi cials. Verstappen, 20, is on termine the cases, conditions, require- personal use because he was concerned Front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez “It’s something they bring up in every bargaining power a lucrative long-term ments and places” of gun ownership. about rising crime. Obrador of the National Regenera- conversation,” Torres said. Reducing the contract but has had a For many Mexicans, even those who “You need protection,” Gallegos said. tion Movement has demanded a new fl ow of guns south, she said, “is some- love guns, the thought of an unfettered He spent months waiting for his investigation into the defunct Fast and thing we should do if we care about our season full of mistakes and crashes. right to owning one is perplexing. paperwork to be approved, but said he Furious programme, under which US relationship with Mexico.” Horner hoped a new deal with Ricciardo could be Yet on this issue, like so many aspects was happy to wait. Proper screening for federal agents allowed guns to be pur- Back at the gun store in Mexico City, reached “in the next couple of months” but recognised of life in Mexico, the infl uence of its gun owners is important, said Gallegos, chased illegally in the hope of tracing gun enthusiast Fausto Gerard was help- powerful neighbour to the north is who said he also supports Mexico’s ban them to leaders of Mexican drug cartels. ing a friend buy a rifl e. Gerard works for much would depend on what engine Red Bull had next keenly felt: Each day the army gun store on heavy assault weapons. Jose Antonio Meade of the governing a Slovakian gun manufacturer, Grand season. sells on average just 38 fi rearms to civil- “A civilian shouldn’t be able to have Institutional Revolutionary Party, has Power, that sells guns to the Mexican The former champions use Renault power units but ians, while an estimated 580 weapons the same power as the military,” he said. called for construction of a “technolog- military. He is the silent partner in a gun have been linked to Honda, now with Red Bull-owned are smuggled into Mexico from the Whereas Mexican leaders have long ical border” that would detect vehicles store in the US. He is passionate about United States. groused about fi rearms traffi cked from crossing into Mexico with guns. bringing the sport of target shooting to Toro Rosso. That paradox is increasingly relevant the north, US gun control advocates Gun control advocates on both sides Mexico. Honda’s engines have improved considerably after given Mexico’s unprecedented level of have only recently begun to highlight of the border say Mexican leaders Still, he thinks limits are OK. three dismal years with McLaren, and France’s Pierre gun violence, which has claimed more the impact of lax American gun laws on should also push the government to do “It’s good to have liberties, but there than 100,000 lives over the last decade. Mexico and other countries. a better job of ensuring that guns issued has to be a mechanism for control,” he Gasly fi nished seventh for Toro Rosso on Sunday. Last year was Mexico’s deadliest since “We have such a serious domestic to police and soldiers don’t fall into the said. He said he would support even Mercedes say they are not looking beyond their the government began releasing homi- problem that it can be hard to get any hands of criminals, which many often more restrictions, including screening immediate “family” at present, with Finland’s Valtteri cide statistics in 1997. This year, it is on oxygen related to international drug do. for mental illness among gun buyers. track to surpass that record. traffi cking,” said Chelsea Parsons, They are also concerned about a But he thinks Mexico could do more Bottas performing well as Hamilton’s team mate, and American fi rearms are directly driv- an expert at the Centre for American new Trump administration proposal to to encourage people to buy guns legally. Ferrari could retain veteran Kimi Raikkonen. ing the violence, although US appetites Progress who recently co-wrote a deregulate the export of American guns Having just one gun store in the entire While Ricciardo would be popular, as a driver of for drugs and rampant corruption report detailing the impact of American by putting the Commerce Department country is impractical, he said. It might among Mexican offi cials also play a role. guns on Mexico. The report found that in charge of the application proc- even encourage people to buy fi rearms Italian extraction with a reputation for thrilling About 70% of guns recovered by Mexi- 66% of Mexico’s homicides were com- ess instead of the State Department, coming in from the United States. overtakes, Ferrari also see Sauber’s 20-year-old can law enforcement offi cials from 2011 mitted with a gun in 2017, up from 15% which advocates say is better suited to “In Tijuana or Juarez,” he said, “it’s Charles Leclerc as a longer-term option. to 2016 were originally purchased from in 1997. weigh the possible risks of fi rearm sales much easier buying a gun on the black Whatever the reality, Ricciardo is putting himself legal gun dealers in the United States, In recent months, Mexican leaders against any benefi ts. market.” - Tribune News Service according to the Bureau of Alcohol, front, side and centre in the shop window, knowing Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. that any interest adds to his bargaining power. Mexican leaders have long com- “We’ll see what the others think. I can’t pay myself plained about the phenomenon. In 2012, then-president Felipe Calderon but for sure I feel I’ve done a really good job in the fi rst erected a giant billboard in the border six races,” he said. city of Juarez that spelled out the Surely, he’ll be able to make the most of the phrase “No more weapons.” The letters, formed using crushed fi rearms seized opportunities that lie ahead if he continues to excel this by authorities, were visible from Texas. season which is far from over. Most traffi cked guns are purchased in the US from one of the country’s more than 67,000 licensed gun dealers or at To Advertise gun shows, which unlike stores often do not require buyers to present identifi ca- [email protected] tion or submit to background checks. Display By contrast, would-be gun owners in Mexico must off er a birth certifi cate 44466621 44418811 and proof that they are employed, and have no criminal record. The atmos- Classified phere at the directorate is more sterile 44466609 44418811 than a US gun store or pawnshop. There are no moose heads on the wall and no Subscription promotional specials. Guns stamped with the army’s logo are kept in locked [email protected] cases and customers aren’t given the chance to heft a rifl e to their shoulder to see how it feels. About 70% of guns recovered by Mexican law enforcement off icials from 2011 to 2016 were originally purchased from legal gun © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Buyers spend hours shuffl ing be- dealers in the United States. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 29, 2018 23 COMMENT Overcoming democratic myopia

By Dambisa Moyo terms are risky, as they could New York enable incompetent and otherwise problematic leaders to remain in power for longer. That is why the change espite positive indicators, would have to be pursued in tandem the global economy remains with another reform: changing the beset with risks. And because eligibility requirements for would-be Dvirtually every one of those policymakers, with an eye to securing risks arises from structural challenges, leaders who have experience not just mitigating them will require long-term running for offi ce, but also handling thinking by leaders. Unfortunately, real-world challenges. there is not a lot of that on off er In a 2012 article, the University of nowadays, particularly in the world’s Nottingham’s Philip Cowley noted democracies. that, in late 2010, the leaders of the The problem lies in the disconnect major British political parties had less between political and economic cycles. experience than any others of the post- A normal economic cycle lasts 5-7 war era. Similarly, a 2012 study by the years. But, according to the McKinsey British House of Commons Library Global Institute, the average tenure of revealed that, from 1983 to 2010, a G20 political leader has fallen to a the number of career politicians in record-low 3.7 years (compared to six Parliament had more than quadrupled, years in 1946). Focused on winning from 20 to 90. the next election, politicians often The rise of career politicians has implement policies that will bring coincided with growing cynicism short-term rewards, even at the cost of about the eff ectiveness of elected long-term growth or stability. leaders. In fact, according to a 2016 This trade-off is exemplifi ed by World Economic Forum survey, widening fi scal defi cits. In the United citizens in democratic countries trust States, according to the Congressional their leaders less than those elsewhere, Budget Offi ce, the budget defi cit is on while a 2015 Pew survey found that course to triple over the next 30 years, more than 80% of US citizens do from 2.9% of GDP in 2017 to 9.8% in There is a disconnect between political and economic cycles. not trust the federal government to 2047, owing to the eff ects of tax cuts do what is right consistently. Such and other budget-busting measures policy decisions. That way, more shows, such “binding” obligations Care Act. Ensuring that the ACA would the nuances of complex structural suspicion probably contributed to implemented to appeal to voters (or, forward-thinking legislation that has are not always treated as unassailable, remain in place for some minimum challenges and formulate policies that the victory of the political neophyte equally important, to appease donors). been debated and enacted will have particularly during times of economic fi xed term, rather than leaving it boost the economy’s potential growth. Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in This undercuts the government’s time actually to take eff ect, without stress. In the aftermath of the 2008 vulnerable to immediate repeal by In some countries, political leaders the 2016 US presidential election. ability to make forward-thinking the risk that it will simply be repealed fi nancial crisis, it became clear that Donald Trump’s administration, might already serve longer terms. In Brazil, In any case, today’s economic investments in areas like education and by a subsequent administration. countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, and have enabled a more fundamental for example, federal senators are risks will not go away, and they can infrastructure. The European Union provides Portugal breached their Maastricht transformation of America’s fl awed elected for an eight-year term. In be minimised only with the type of With politicians eff ectively one example of how long-term commitments. health-care system, including through Mexico and the Philippines, each reforms that must form part of a rewarded for myopic thinking, the binding commitments can work. The Nonetheless, establishing improvements to “Obamacare” itself. presidential term lasts six years. In long-term policy agenda. In terms of Western democracies fi nd themselves 1992 Maastricht Treaty committed commitments for governments that Another way to encourage longer- the US, by contrast, members of the crafting such agendas, democracies struggling to secure stable long-term European governments to cap public extend beyond electoral cycles can term thinking among policymakers House of Representatives face an seem to be at a disadvantage. But growth in a way that, say, authoritarian debt at 60% of GDP, and annual imbue legislative agendas with a would be to extend their terms in offi ce election every two years, forcing even this need not be the case. – Project China is not. There are at least two budget defi cits at 3% of GDP. Since longer-term perspective, as they to, say, six years – roughly the length of the president and senators – who serve Syndicate ways to address this problem in a then, governments have gradually reduce partisan policy turnover. Such economic cycles. Instead of spending four- and six-year terms, respectively democratic context. brought their countries into alignment an approach would have been useful their entire term campaigning for – to operate, to some extent, on a two- zDambisa Moyo, an economist and First, governments could be bound with this standard. for US president Barack Obama’s re-election, policymakers would have year time horizon. author, sits on the board of directors of more fi rmly to their predecessors’ But, as the EU’s experience also signature legislation, the Aff ordable the time and political space to consider Of course, longer electoral a number of global corporations. There is a kind way to respond to anything Three-day forecast “...he should have a disciplinary”, TODAY By S Zuhair Naqvi Maximum Temperature : 400c Doha “...with anger and frustration”, “...I would give him an ultimatum”. Minimum Temperature : 290c Harsh, firm and ‘strong’. WEDNESDAY ’ve come to realise, over the Interestingly, when I fl ipped the Maximum Temperature : 410c last few years, that creating question to ask how they’d want a Minimum Temperature : 310c and encouraging a culture of colleague to respond to them if they’d THURSDAY kindness at work has a number of missed a deadline, I was met with Maximum Temperature : 410c I Minimum Temperature : 310c benefi ts. I know - that sounds strange laughter. They immediately knew the point I was making and, it was no in a business column, but it not only Fisherman's forecast increases productivity, happiness surprise to anyone that the responses and engagement, it also reduces changed to things like “...I’d like WARNING absenteeism, turnover and burnout. understanding and support”, “…I’d like Inshore : Nil Kindness is often viewed as them to take the time to fi nd out why”. Offshore : Nil a weakness with no place in the It takes more eff ort to be kind. corporate world. Interestingly, It’s a course that requires patience, WEATHER Inshore : Hot daytime with some and perhaps unsurprisingly, compassion and empathy. It requires clouds at times research shows the exact opposite. the strength to see beyond immediate Institutionalised kindness has the urgency. That doesn’t mean you WIND Inshore : Southeasterly-North- power to build rapport, cohesiveness become a push-over or that you never easterly 05-15 KT and loyalty in both your employees discipline those that need it, but and customers. It’s a matter of respect; perhaps it should mean that you treat Offshrore : Variable mainly South- easterly-Southwesterly we’re taught, from a young age, to others in the same way you’d like to be 03-12 KT treat others how we wish to be treated not here to make friends’ and ‘you highlight my point, my inspiration treated yourself. but, somewhere along the way, we lose have to be cruel to be kind’. We see for this week’s column came from Visibility : 5-10 KM sight of that sentiment. those notions at play in business and, a workshop I ran recently. I asked zS Zuhair Naqvi is the managing Offshore : 1-3 FT Why are we so reluctant to lead with certainly recently, in global politics. a group of leaders how they would director of DicoTech Qatar WLL and kindness in a business setting? The problem is that while we all want respond if their colleague had an EMBA alumnus of HEC Paris, Class I’m sure most of you are the same as to be seen as strong, a lot of what we failed to meet a deadline after being of 2016. me, having experienced euphemisms think about strength is incorrect. reminded. I received the strong, Twitter: #zuhairnaqvi Around the region like ‘nice guys fi nish last’, ‘you’re As an interesting anecdote to leader-like responses you’d expect; LinkedIn: zuhair-naqvi-dicotechqatar Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Baghdad P Cloudy 41/27 M Sunny 43/27 Kuwait City Sunny 43/30 Sunny 42/30 Manama Sunny 40/30 Sunny 39/30 Live issues Muscat Sunny 37/33 Sunny 38/33 Tehran Sunny 33/21 M Sunny 31/21 Commutes on bike tied to lower risk of heart attack

By Lisa Rapaport station to get to work, it can help lower risk of death from all causes Reuters Health them maintain a healthy weight and during the study. keep blood pressure, cholesterol and The study wasn’t a controlled blood sugar levels in a healthy range, experiment designed to prove whether ommuters who abandon Mytton said. or how commuting by foot, bike, bus their cars in favour of “All of these factors reduce risk or train might directly lower the risk of walking or biking to work are of heart disease or stroke,” Mytton heart disease. less likely to develop heart added. Researchers also lacked data on any C Around the world disease or to die from it than people People who were regular commuters changes in commuting habits over who drive to the offi ce, a recent study at the start of current study were a bit time. Weather Weather suggests. younger than those who didn’t travel Still, the fi ndings off er fresh today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Researchers in the UK examined to work: 52 years old compared with 61 evidence of the benefi ts of fi nding Athens Sunny 29/19 Sunny 30/18 data on 187,281 regular commuters and years old. ways to fi t even a little bit of exercise Beirut P Cloudy 26/21 M Sunny 25/21 171,498 adults who didn’t routinely Commuters also spent a little more into daily routines, said April Mohanty Bangkok M Cloudy 32/26 S T Storms 32/27 travel to work. About two-thirds of the A businessman on a bike. time each week participating in sports, of the Veterans Aff airs (VA) Salt Lake Berlin Sunny 32/19 S T Storms 30/18 commuters relied exclusively on a car but the people who didn’t travel City Health Care System and the Cairo M Sunny 31/21 Sunny 33/22 to get to work. walking – to or from bus or train stops to work spent more of their leisure University of Utah School of Medicine. Cape Town S Showers 15/11 M Cloudy 14/12 After an average follow-up period of – so can be a very eff ective way to time walking, the authors note in the “Assuming the environment Colombo S T Storms 31/28 T Storm 31/27 seven years, commuters who walked, build regular activity into your daily journal Heart. supports more active travel routines, Dhaka P Cloudy 34/26 S T Storms 34/26 rode a bike or took public transit at life.” Overall, 82% of commuters and such as accessible, safe bike and Hong Kong Sunny 31/27 M Sunny 31/27 least part of the way to work were 11% Doctors typically advise people 77% of the other participants used the walking paths, incorporating physical Istanbul P Cloudy 23/18 P Cloudy 23/17 less likely to develop cardiovascular to get at least 150 minutes a week of car at least some of the time for travel activity into travel, even for only part Jakarta P Cloudy 33/26 S T Storms 32/25 disease and 30% less likely to die moderate to vigorous exercise. unrelated to work. In addition, 22% of of the journey, may be a convenient Karachi Sunny 46/30 Sunny 44/28 from it than people who exclusively While physical activity has commuters and 37% of other people strategy to improve health,” Mohanty, London M Cloudy 23/13 Rain 19/14 commuted by car. long been linked to a lower risk of in the study used public transit when author of an accompanying editorial, Manila P Cloudy 35/28 S T Storms 36/28 “The study suggests that replacing cardiovascular disease, many adults they weren’t going to work. said by email. Moscow Sunny 23/14 Cloudy 26/11 car journeys with more active patterns spend much of their day in sedentary About 45% of the commuters and “The new fi nding of the current New Delhi Sunny 44/31 S T Storms 42/31 of travel may help people reduce their jobs and compound this lack of 53% of the other participants also study is that individuals who do not New York P Cloudy 30/18 Cloudy 19/15 risk of heart disease and stroke,” said movement with inactive commutes. reported some walking when they regularly commute also benefi ted Paris S Showers 26/16 P Cloudy 25/16 lead author Dr Oliver Mytton of the Sedentary time has also been weren’t going to work, and 9% of from including physical activity into Sao Paulo Sunny 24/13 Sunny 24/13 University of Cambridge. independently linked to an increased commuters and 7% of other adults their travel routines,” Mohanty added. Seoul M Cloudy 23/14 P Cloudy 24/13 “For most people this means risk of premature death. reported some cycling. “This is an important fi nding as many Singapore T Storm 31/27 S T Storms 31/27 walking or public transport, instead of When people do find time to Among the people who were not individuals work from home or do not Sydney M Sunny 23/12 M Sunny 16/09 using the car,” Mytton said by e-mail. exercise, even if it’s just to bike regular commuters, more active forms regularly commute for other reasons.” Tokyo Clear 27/20 Cloudy 23/19 “Public transport often involves or walk or stroll to a bus or train of travel were associated with an 8% – Reuters Health Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, May 29, 2018 QATAR Qatari fi rm HBK wins main works contract for Ras

Aboud Stadium Architect’s impression of a section of Ras Abu Aboud Stadium. atari fi rm HBK Contract- to the quarter-finals in 2022. company was proud to play a that as a company we can fur- Stadium project manager, said: utes from Hamad International the company has already suc- ing Company (HBK) has Engineer Hilal al-Kuwari, part in supporting Qatar’s de- ther contribute to Qatar’s long- “This will be a technically chal- Airport and in the centre of cessfully delivered the enabling Qbeen awarded the main chairman of the SC’s Technical livery of the 2022 FIFA World term National Vision 2030, that lenging job – a project of this the urban development of Qa- works for Al Wakrah Stadium works contract for Ras Abu Delivery Offi ce, said: “I’m de- Cup. “We’d like to thank the is being delivered under His scale hasn’t been done before. tar’s capital Doha, is scheduled and is currently part of the main Aboud Stadium, the Supreme lighted to see a Qatari company Supreme Committee for Deliv- Highness the Amir’s trusted But, when the 40,000 fans be- for main works completion by contractor joint venture on Lu- Committee for Delivery & Lega- taking the lead on this project ery & Legacy for reinforcing its leadership.” gin streaming in on match day in 2020. The stadium design was sail Stadium. cy (SC) has announced. and happy that main works are trust in HBK by awarding this Sheikh Ali al-Thani contin- 2022, it will all have been worth launched in 2017. HBK was es- Constructed using shipping The 40,000-seat venue will already underway. The appoint- project to us,” said Sheikh Ali ued: “The innovative and state- it.” tablished in 1970 to undertake containers, Ras Abu Aboud Sta- be built using modular build- ment of a local company to de- al-Thani. of-the-art nature of this de- Construction began on Ras civil construction projects in dium will be entirely dismantled ing blocks, making it the first liver this innovative, world-fi rst “As a Qatari company, we’re mountable stadium design will Abu Aboud Stadium in late 2017, Qatar, with the goal of contrib- and repurposed after the 2022 fully demountable FIFA World stadium is in line with our com- proud to be taking such an im- require a collaborative eff ort with Time Qatar as the project uting to the economic progress FIFA World Cup. Its parts will be Cup stadium in history. Lo- mitment to contribute to Qatar’s portant role in the country’s from all stakeholders, and we managers. Site clearance and of the country. used in other sporting or non- cated in a 450,000sqm water- economic legacy after the tour- World Cup preparations and look forward to working closely demolition, as well as establish- This is the fi rst Qatari-only sporting projects, setting a new front site with exceptional nament.” will do everything we can to with the SC and other entities.” ment of site facilities, were re- company to be appointed as standard in sustainability and views over Doha’s skyline, the HBK’s president, Sheikh Ali help ensure 2022 is a successful Meanwhile, Mohamed A al- cently completed. the Main Contractor for a 2022 introducing bold new ideas to stadium will host matches up bin Hamad K al-Thani, said his tournament. We’re also thrilled Mulla, the SC’s Ras Abu Aboud The venue, located just min- FIFA World Cup venue, although tournament legacy planning. Gift shops cater to Garangao rush

By Ramesh Mathew colourful gift wrappers,” said Staff Reporter Hussain, a shopkeeper in Najma area. Two shops, both located in the same complex, are popular ith Garangao sched- among the city residents. Ga- uled to be observed rangao is referred to by diff erent Wtomorrow (Wednes- names in each region, accord- day), the 14th day of the holy ing to local residents: While it is month of Ramadan, there has Garangao or Garangaou in Qatar, been a spectacular demand for it is Gargee’aan in Kuwait, Al- specially packed gifts for the Majeena Karkiaan in Iraq, and occasion at the retail outlets ca- Garangashoch, At-Tablah or tering mainly to the Arabs. Each Qarnakosh in Oman. shop is bustling with activities, Children attired in festival Some of the participants of QTA’s fifth annual tourism industry Ghabga. especially late in the evenings as robes, carry a bag around their parents are busy collecting gift neck, and go around in groups boxes, some of which are packed in their neighbourhood, singing with Arabic sweets and similar traditional songs. They go door goodies. In some cases, elders to door, receiving nuts and candy. are seen advising shopkeepers to Nowadays, celebrations are also add more items in the boxes. held in shopping centres, where QTA hosts partners “In the last few days, many the organisers usually distribute Qatari and other Arab expats large number of gifts to children are coming to buy such boxes, who participate in the events held at annual tourism and other packets, covered with as part of the event. industry Ghabga

atar Tourism Authority gratitude for the joint efforts of in line with the next chapter (QTA) welcomed guests all those present which have of the Qatar National Tourism Qat its fifth annual tour- contributed to an exceptional Sector Strategy. The annual ism industry Ramadan Ghabga, year for Qatar’s tourism indus- tourism industry Ghabga is which brought together part- try. He highlighted a number of one of many platforms for the ners from the public and pri- future developments that will members of the tourism sector vate sectors, staff and media further diversify Qatar’s tour- to connect, exchange ideas and representatives at the St Regis ism offerings and promote the find new and innovative ways Doha. Hassan al-Ibrahim, act- country as a memorable and to develop the sector through ing chairman of QTA, expressed authentic tourist destination, partnerships. QTA’s Hassan al-Ibrahim addressing the gathering. A shop in Doha’s Najma area flooded with Garangao gifts.

Six teams qualify for second round of Katara Beach Volleyball Championship The organising committee of the Katara Ramadan Beach Volleyball Championship 2018 has named the six teams that have qualified for the second round of the Championship. The Katara 2, Katara 1, Jawaan, Al Sadd, Duhail and Sharq teams will now compete for a place in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Katara 2 defeated Al Mamoura and Al Sharq beat Al Najma in the group stage. At the end of the matches, the organising committee handed over prizes to the audience in the daily raff le draw.