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published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11245 July 15, 2019 Dhul-Qa’da 12, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Prime minister opens Al Daayen Naval Base

Personnel of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security demonstrate their capabilities after the formal inauguration HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani is briefed about the facilities at the of the Al Daayen Naval Base yesterday. base after he formally inaugurated it yesterday. zGeneral Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security gets state-of-the-art facility to secure maritime borders

QNA launched a number of new naval boats Base to enhance safety of whole region: Kuwait US commander lauds security co-operation with Doha belonging to the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security. He also Qatar; praises facilities at Al Daayen Naval Base witnessed a presentation by the de- A Kuwaiti security off icial confirmed establishment of such developed naval E the Prime Minister and Min- partment’s search and rescue team. that the Al Daayen Naval Base is a bases, based on modern methods in Commander of the US Naval Forces to enhance security and they have ister of Interior Sheikh Abdul- HE the prime minister toured a new addition to maritime security and marine protection and coast security. Central Command and US 5th Fleet common concerns about maritime Hlah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- number of new buildings of the de- protection of regional waters from He also praised the naval equipment Vice Admiral James Malloy has security in this region. Qatar and the Thani inaugurated yesterday Al Daayen partment, during which he was briefed various dangers, praising the modern and the possibilities related to support praised the level of military and US have the same objectives and Naval Base, the new building of the on the most important facilities and equipment installed at the base. and backup, which was reviewed dur- security relations and co-operation tasks and look forward to greater General Directorate of Coasts and Bor- equipment that are compatible with The Director General of the Kuwait ing the inauguration ceremony, add- between the United States and Qatar. co-operation and they work together ders Security, in Sumaysimah area in the nature of the coastal and border Coast Guard, Brigadier General Mu- ing that what he saw was something Speaking to journalists on the side- at every opportunity as the capacity northern Qatar. security tasks, and raises the level of its barak Salman al-Amiri, told reporters special for the coast guard forces. lines of the inauguration ceremony of of the Qatari navy and coast guard The inauguration ceremony was at- performance to meet the requirements on the sidelines of the inauguration The Director General of the Kuwaiti Al Daayen Naval Base yesterday, he grows. tended by a number of ministers, senior of maritime security. ceremony of Al Daayen Naval Base, Coast Guard praised the strong said the United States has a long-term Vice Admiral Malloy praised the facili- offi cials and ambassadors accredited to Built on a total area of 639,800sq m, that the base will provide greater relations between Qatar and Kuwait, relationship with the Qatari army, ties of the naval base, stressing that it Qatar. Al Daayen Naval Base is located in the support and safety for the region as a stressing the keenness of the two navy and coast guard, and they work was an important step to improve the A documentary fi lm shown on the oc- middle of the country’s eastern coast, whole from smugglers, infiltrators and countries to develop and strengthen closely together and look forward coast guard’s capacity, and “this gives casion featured the stages of develop- in order to facilitate the securing of all maritime criminals. them in order to serve the two peo- to increasing co-ordination and co- the US more opportunities to collabo- ment of the General Directorate of Coasts territorial waters of the state and bor- He said all Gulf countries aim to ples and enhance security and peace operation in the future. rate and communicate and to work and Borders Security, its potentials, spe- der posts. secure their waters, by working on the in the region and the world. — QNA He said the two countries co-operate closely with the Qatari side”. — QNA cialities, its role in securing maritime The base is equipped with advanced borders and preventing smuggling and systems required for marine security, illegal migration, its search and rescue which will contribute to securing the base will conduct maritime patrols to marine services to citizens and residents. of Coasts and Borders Security, the base cal facilities, civil defence, manufactur- operations, and other specialities. maritime borders of the country and prevent infi ltration and smuggling of Established according to a model that accommodates all its units, as well as a ing and maintenance workshops, operat- During the ceremony, HE the Prime tightening the security control and pro- prohibited materials and control mari- takes into account the functions and sophisticated seaport with a depth of 6m. ing rooms, offi cers’ accommodation and Minister and Minister of Interior tection of all its coasts. Forces from the time violations. They will also provide competences of the General Directorate Besides, it has sports, training and medi- other facilities. Page 2

In brief

QATAR | Offi cial Retail opportunity at metro stations a boon to local fi rms Amir congratulates president of France By Joey Aguilar Green Line; and about four or fi ve on His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Staff Reporter the Gold Line, it is learnt. bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness QNB Group, the largest fi nancial in- the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah stitution in the Middle East and Africa, bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday atar Rail is off ering retail oppor- also opened a branch at the Msheireb cables of congratulations to French tunities at various Doha Metro Metro Station (central station) in May President Emmanuel Macron on his Qstations, from the Red Line to aimed at providing customers with country’s National Day. HE the Prime the Green and Gold Lines, aimed at easy access to leading banking services Minister and Minister of Interior supporting local small and medium anywhere in Qatar or through its inter- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin enterprises, and promoting economic national network. Khalifa al-Thani sent a similar cable activities in the country. It is learnt that the Doha Metro, once to Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. Gold Line’s 10 stations from Ras Bu fully operational, is expected to fur- Abboud to Al Aziziyah will have 55 retail ther boost Qatar’s retail sector, as many REGION | Nuclear units and 33 ATM locations while Green malls and business establishments Line’s Al Riff a station will have eight such as Mall of Qatar, Villaggio Mall, European powers call retail kiosks and two ATM locations. City Center Doha, and Galeries Lafay- for end to Iran tension Red Line’s fi ve stations from Katara ette at Katara – the Cultural Village, Three key European powers to Lusail and Hamad International Doha Metro, once fully operational, is expected to further boost Qatar’s retail sector. among others, will be easily accessible yesterday called for dialogue and Airport (Terminal 1) will have 19 retail to a large number of residents and visi- an end to the escalation over Iran’s units and 11 ATM locations. retail mix, partitioned shell and core service repair, and government entity); (literally means ‘the act of passing tors. nuclear programme, as tensions Registration is now open for retailers retail space with fl ooring, right to oc- food and beverage (café, quick serv- by’) convenience stores at Red Line’s The Doha Metro is also expected to further intensified between Tehran and the application closes on August cupy term of fi ve years with fi xed fee, ice restaurant, juice bar, and speciality Msheireb and Doha Exhibition and boost Qatar’s tourism industry, giving and the United States. The statement 29, according to Qatar Rail. and fee exclusive of service and utility food); convenience stores; and general Convention Centre stations, giving ex- visitors easy, safe, and cheaper access by the leaders of Britain, France Qatar Rail said its “unique retail (water and electricity) charges. retail (stationery, electronics, fl orist, ceptional services to metro commuters to a number of tourist destinations, and Germany expressed concern proposition will be the fi rst” in the Retail spaces will comprise of four accessories, gift/souvenir shop, book in Qatar. including Souq Waqif, Souq Al Wak- that the 2015 deal over Iran’s country, off ering: business access to types: services (banks, telecom, money store, sports shop, and nutritional sup- The company plans to open around rah (with Metro-Link buses), National nuclear programme risked further retail commuters and neighbourhood exchange, courier, pharmacy, travel plements); as well as ancillary (ATMs). 10-15 ‘MAAR’ stores at metro stations: Museum of Qatar, and Katara – the unravelling. Page 7 customers, modular shop with diverse agent, health and beauty, laundry, quick Al Meera earlier opened its ‘MAAR’ six along the Red Line, four on the Cultural Village. Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 15, 2019 QATAR

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani inaugurating the Al Daayen Naval Naval boats belonging to the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security staging an ecercise. Base, and the new building of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security, in Sumaysimah, yesterday. Al Daayen Naval Base represents a ‘quantum leap’ in maritime security

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

he Al Daayen Naval Base, inaugurated by HE the TPrime Minister and Min- ister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday, represents a quantum leap in the fi eld of maritime se- curity and border protection in the country, the Ministry of In- terior (MoI) has stressed. The base, which was opened yesterday, marks a major mile- stone in the development and modernisation of the ministry as part of its strategy for the next fi ve years, especially with regard to enhancing maritime security and securing the coasts, borders, ports and territorial waters of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and other the country. dignitaries watch the exercises staged by the naval boats belonging to the General Directorate of Coasts From the search and rescue presentation yesterday. It is also a signifi cant develop- and Borders Security in Sumaysimah, yesterday. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam ment towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, it was ob- latest technology to keep up with maintaining security and pro- the need of the General Directo- Centre, which is working on the to keep pace with the overall served. the comprehensive development viding various services to the rate of Coasts and Borders Secu- development of training pro- urban development and expan- “We are delighted today with witnessed by the State while en- public effortlessly through its rity to build modern and advanced grammes for employees of the sion in Qatar. the opening of the new premises of suring qualifi ed human cadres as service departments.” maritime capabilities that serve directorate,” Lt Col al-Mohan- Director of the National Com- the General Directorate of Coasts well,” he noted. Lt Col Abdul Aziz Ali al-Mo- maritime security.” nadi said. mand Centre (NCC) Maj Genl and Borders Security. It represents This refl ects positively on se- hannadi, assistant director-gen- He highlighted that the to- He added that the directo- Khalifa Abdullah al-Nuaimi said a quantum leap in the depart- curity and stability in the coun- eral of Coasts and Borders Secu- tal area of the premises is rate has been provided with the Al Daayen Naval Base is a ment’s work and will contribute to try in order to achieve the min- rity, said the new building of the 639,800sq m, while the built-up well-trained human cadres “real addition for the staff of the raising the performance level and istry’s mission, which includes directorate is considered a quan- area is 143,164sq m, divided into comprising officers and other General Directorate of Coasts ability to excel while meeting the - as part of its strategy - the tum leap in the development 25 buildings. ranks who are able to deal with and Borders Security in carrying requirements of modern maritime achievement of security and sta- of marine security services. It The building is located in technology as it is the most out the maritime security tasks security,” HE the Director of Pub- bility and excellence in perform- includes all the requirements of the Sumaysimah area, directly important element in every entrusted to them and in secur- lic Security Staff Maj Gen Saad bin ance, he added. modern maritime administra- on the coast in the middle of field towards development and ing the territorial waters of the Jassim al-Khulaifi said. “The Ministry of Interior tion, which will contribute to the country. The distance from modernisation, especially that state”. He stressed that more than has a comprehensive plan to securing the maritime borders of Sumaysimah to the far north is the department performs vari- For his part, assistant director 95% of the MoI’s building modernise its facilities. The the nation and providing qual- 60 nautical miles and far south ous tasks and is responsible for of the MoI’s Logistics Department projects has been completed works are going on to com- ity maritime services for citizens 80 nautical miles. maritime security. Brig Saud Rashid al-Shafi praised and it strives to complete the re- plete the buildings of the Po- and residents. The site has been carefully Lt Col Abdul Aziz Ali He praised the role played by the modern machinery and maining projects as well. lice College, General Direc- “The new building is a secu- chosen to facilitate the secur- al-Mohannadi the General Directorate of Lo- equipment at the naval base and “This comes in light of the torate of Passports and other rity monument and a prominent ing of all territorial waters of the gistics and Supply at the MoI, the new premises of the General ministry’s keenness to modern- buildings,” he informed. “This sign of urban development in the country and the border posts, security and enhancing the skills and all the employees, engi- Directorate of Coasts and Borders ise its facilities and the estab- will contribute to the devel- country. The building combines the ministry stressed. of employees of the directorate neers and administrators who Security, saying that it is one of lishment of new security and opment of the ministry’s per- the authenticity of Qatari herit- “The technological devices on through diff erent training pro- contributed to the completion the most important achievements service buildings in diff erent ar- formance and carry out its age with the splendour of modern the premises contribute to de- grammes, through the Mari- of this architectural edifice ac- of the ministry. (With inputs from eas. These are equipped with the duties in full potential in both security design,” he said. “It meets veloping work related to coastal time Training and Qualifi cation cording to the planned design, Qatar News Agency) Hi-tech boats aid Coast Guard in providing marine security zAl Daayen Naval Base comprises medical clinic, civil defence off ice, administrative buildings, manufacturing and maintenance plants, operations room, naval training centre and arms depots E the Prime Minister and the Minister of In- Hterior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday launched a new fl eet of boats that were recently add- ed to the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security. These include a 48m-long boat, rated as one of the best marine boats in the world, for surveillance and reconnaissance operations, the Ministry of Inte- rior (MoI) said in a statement. This came during the inau- guration of the Al Daayen Naval Base in the Sumaysimah area, A view of the Al Daayen Naval Base in Sumaysimah. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam Some of the boats that make up the directorate’s fleet. northern Qatar, yesterday. The Hercules 150 type boat is cruisers covering the coun- installations in addition to pro- director-general of Coasts and tenance plants, an operations other facilities are also provided boats and marine vessels with- the largest in the fl eet of long-dis- try’s maritime area in order to viding security coverage of the Borders Security. room, a seaport, a naval training on the premises. out any foreign assistance, the tance boats with a length of 48m, protect the Qatari coast. It also waterfront during the conferenc- “The General Directorate is centre and weapons depots. The The new building contributes ministry said. width of 9m and speed of 35 knots. provides assistance and marine es, festivals, events and sports ac- divided into four departments, administration building includes to improving and developing “The directorate is keen to It can stay at sea for six consecu- services for beach visitors and tivities in the country, the offi cial namely the Administrative Af- an integrated sports gymnasium services provided to the public. strengthen its fl eet with out- tive days without refuelling and water sports enthusiasts round Qatar News Agency adds. fairs Department, Operations with two Olympic swimming The directorate provides mari- standing equipment and boats has the ability to respond quickly the clock through routine patrols The new premises contribute Department, External Regions pools, three playgrounds and a time assistance to sea travellers to enable it to perform the tasks and fl exibility in movement and near the coast and the team of to carrying out security func- Department and Logistics De- closed shooting range. through the emergency number entrusted to it in full. It also naval manoeuvres. The fl eet also operations and special missions, tions through its capabilities partment. Some departments Besides, an offi cers’ ac- (999), which is transferred to the ensures that human cadres includes the Hercules 75 type boat the statement notes. such as the seaport, which in- have sections outside the direc- commodation with 150 beds, Operations Room. keep pace with the modernised with a length of 24m and width of The directorate is also respon- cludes a dock with a depth of up torate building,” he said. quarters for other ranks with a The new building also pro- premises and equipment,” the 5m, meant to carry out maritime sible for conducting search and to 6m, which accommodates the The base accommodates a 1,600-bed facility, a hotel with vides an opportunity to create offi cial added. security duties. rescue operations for persons and largest marine boats at the direc- medical clinic, a civil defence 50 rooms and 25 suites, a busi- modern plants of the highest Yesterday’s launch event includ- The directorate has a large maritime vessels. It also guards torate, according to Lt Col Abdul offi ce, an administration build- ness centre to serve the directo- quality for manufacturing and ed a presentation by the directo- number of modern boats and ports, marine, industrial and oil Aziz Ali al-Mohannadi, assistant ing, manufacturing and main- rate’s staff , a mosque and various maintaining diff erent types of rate’s search and rescue team. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 3 QATAR

Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari presiding over the meeting held in the presence of Omar bin Abdul Aziz al-Namaa. Qatar Chamber Education Committee reviews private sector concerns

he Education Com- Ministry of Education Namaa during the meeting Ministry of Education and mittee of Qatar and Higher Education. confi rmed the ministry’s Higher Education is keen TChamber (QC) re- The meeting under- keenness and interest in the to listen to the views and cently held a meeting to dis- scored the importance of participation of representa- challenges faced by the cuss a number of concerns co-ordination between the tives from Special Educa- private sector through Qa- of private schools, such as parties concerned to fa- tion Aff airs. tar Chamber’s Education the renewal and licensing cilitate the work environ- Similarly, he praised the Committee.” procedures for teachers. ment in the private educa- ministry’s Special Edu- He also underscored the Presided over by QC tional sector. cation Aff airs’ eff orts to eff orts of the committee in first vice-chairman Mo- During the meeting, al- inform QC’s Education coming up with proposals hamed bin Towar al-Ku- Kuwari lauded the Ministry Committee about the lat- and ideas that contribute wari, who is also chair- of Education and Higher est developments in private to the development of the man of the Education Education for following schools. He noted that the educational sector in the Committee, the meeting up on the issues that were development of the coun- country, and for taking into was held in the presence raised during the commit- try’s private educational account the interest of pri- of Omar bin Abdul Aziz tee’s previous meeting held sector could be achieved vate schools with initiatives al-Namaa, assistant un- last month. through eff ective partner- that are not in confl ict with dersecretary for Special Al-Kuwari also stressed ships with the public sector. special laws and regula- Education Affairs at the that the presence of al- Al-Namaa said, “The tions.

Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class, Ford Explorer models recalled

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry Qatar, the ministry has announced a The MoCI has urged all customers (MoCI), in co-operation with Nasser recall of Ford Explorer models of 2011- to report violations to its Consumer Bin Khaled Automobiles, dealer of 2017 due to a possible bend in the rear Protection and Anti-Commercial Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, has announced suspension tow link, which may cause Fraud Department, which a recall of Mercedes-Benz Maybach it to fracture, thus losing control of the processes complaints, inquiries and S-Class model of 2018 due to the SCN vehicle. suggestions through the call centre: coding in the multifunction camera The recall campaigns come within the 16001, e-mail: [email protected], control unit not meeting manufacturer framework of the MoCI’s continuous Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: specifications. eff orts to protect consumers and MOCIQATAR, and the ministry’s Also, in co-operation with Almana ensure that car dealers follow up on mobile app for Android and iOS: Motors Company, dealer of Ford in vehicle defects and repairs. MOCIQATAR. Gulf Times 4 Monday, July 15, 2019 QATAR

Culture minister meets Amir condoles with ICCROM director-general president of Argentina Doha Debates to

is Highness the death of former Argentine Amir Sheikh Tamim president Fernando de la hold its next edition Hbin Hamad al-Thani Rua. HE the Prime Minis- and Highness the Deputy ter and Minister of Interior Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Hamad al-Thani yesterday bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent cables of condolences sent a cable of condolences in Edinburgh to the President of Argen- to the president of Argen- tina Mauricio Macri on the tina. – QNA atar Foundation’s (QF) those in Edinburgh will be in- for five days of performances, Doha Debates is presenting vited to join the conversation workshops, brainstorming, out- Qa debate on the merits and with questions and comments, as door activities, future-focused future of globalisation at the 2019 well as vote on the merits of so- discussions and an eclectic pro- TEDSummit in Edinburgh, Scot- lutions-focused proposals from gramme of TED Talks. Attendees land, on July 24. debate speakers. at TEDSummit include the most As the world grapples with the The student participants from engaged TED friends, TED Fel- HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem risks and rewards of globalisation, Qatar are part of a Doha Debates- lows, TED-Ed educators, TED bin Nasser al-Ali yesterday met the Director-General of and the future of billions of people sponsored #Doha2Edinburgh edu- Translators, and TEDx organ- The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation at stake, the debate brings together cational and cultural exchange isers, as well as 150 past TED and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), Dr Webber diverse perspectives and a consen- programme, taking place from July speakers. Ndoro, who is currently visiting Qatar. During the meeting, sus-building expert in a session 22-26, and are from Georgetown Doha Debates’ future live 2019 they discussed aspects co-operation between the Ministry titled ‘Globalisation: Our Future or University in Qatar, Northwestern Doha Debates are slated for Sep- of Culture and Sports and ICCROM in the field of cultural Our Failure?’. University in Qatar, Texas A&M tember 10 in Cape Town, South Af- programmes and ways to develop them. The debate speakers include University at Qatar, and Weill Cor- rica; October 23 at QF’s Education Parag Khanna, an Indian-American nell Medicine – Qatar – QF’s part- City; and November 11 at the Paris CEO, international strategist, and ner universities – as well as Hamad Peace Forum, France. author; Sisonke Msimang, a South Bin Khalifa University, QF’s homeg- As part of the Doha Debates- African writer whose work is fo- rown university. TED partnership, Doha Debates cused on race, gender, and equality; is providing four additional com- and Medea Benjamin, co-founder As the world grapples ponents at the 2019 TEDSummit. QatarDebate team of the women-led American grass- with the risks and rewards Connector Govinda Clayton will roots advocacy organisation Code- of globalisation, and lead a TEDSummit workshop on pink. the future of billions ‘Negotiating Common Ground: participating in two Joining the debate and play- of people at stake, the How to engage in effective dis- ing a key role in the unique debate brings together cussion, negotiation and debate, solutions-focused ‘Majlis’ seg- diverse perspectives and whether in the home, the office or contests in Thailand ment will be the debate’s bridge- a consensus-building the world at large’. building ‘connector’ Govinda expert in a session titled Doha Debates and its part- Clayton, a conflict resolution ‘Globalisation: Our Future ner Shared Studios will provide he National debating team al-Nesf explained that Qatari expert and researcher at ETH Zu- or Our Failure?’ a shipping container portal for is participating in the students are highly capable of rich university. TEDSummit attendees to par- TAsian Debate Champion- understanding, analysing and The debate’s moderator is Ghida Amjad Atallah, managing di- ticipate in live life-size video ship which will be held in Bang- discussing topics in a variety of Fakhry; while Nelufar Hedayat will rector of Doha Debates, said: chats with inspiring young peo- kok from July 15-19. The team ways, including political, eco- be the digital host for the debate “Debates about globalisation are ple in far-flung places around will also take part in the World nomic, health, environmental which will be livestreamed on Twit- taking place in countries all over the world. Championship for School De- and other current issues. ter. the world, especially in Europe TEDSummit attendees will be bates in English, which will also Al-Nesf added that the na- The debate’s audience at TED- and the United States, where the invited to post notes on a massive be held in Bangkok from 25-31 of tional debates team has select- Summit will include young peo- fault lines don’t easily fall into Doha Debates wall explaining why this month. ed members after a number of ple from the Edinburgh area, ‘left’ and ‘right’, and where the they think we should not settle for Taking part in these tourna- tests and experimental debates, students from QF, and TEDSum- outcome of these debates will a divided world — a Doha Debates ments, QatarDebate Centre, a pointing out that a junior team mit participants from around have consequences for the next theme. member of the Qatar Founda- is currently being prepared to the world. Debate attendees will generations across the globe.” On July 24, watch the glo- tion, seeks to develop the skills ensure a higher level in the com- be joined online by millions of TED is a nonprofit organisa- balisation debate livestream on of the participants and compete ing years. viewers globally via livestream, tion devoted to ‘Ideas Worth Twitter through the handle @ for the title in world champion- Meanwhile, members of the including a special interactive Spreading’. Every few years, DohaDebates, starting at 2.15pm ships. team voiced their readiness to screening at Qatar National Li- TEDSummit gathers more than in the UK, 4.15pm in Qatar, and Head of educational pro- compete for the fi rst positions in brary. Remote audiences and 1,000 members of its community 9.15am in New York. gramme at QatarDebate, Aisha the two championships. – QNA Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 5 QATAR Joint Command and Staff College organises graduation ceremony oaan bin Jassim Joint Com- mand and Staff College Jcelebrated yesterday the graduation of the Joint Opera- tions Course No 1 and the Joint Command and Staff Course No 5, at the headquarters of Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College in the presence of HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pi- lot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al- Ghanem. The fi rst edition of the Joint Operations Course lasted for 43 weeks, involv- ing 17 offi cers. Each graduate HE Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem along received a master’s degree in A group photo at the graduation ceremony. with other off icers. strategic and management sciences. ing the capabilities of offi c- erational and strategic levels. The course aimed at quali- tor, Specialised Studies at Joaan eral (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen for the challenges ahead. The participants in this course ers engaged in the analysis Meanwhile, the Joint Com- fying offi cers to become com- bin Jassim Joint Command and al-Ghanem, and HE the Deputy Al-Marri added that under were senior offi cers from vari- of regional and international mand and Staff Course No 5, manders and offi cers capable Staff College, extended thanks Chief of Staff for Education and the directives of the General ous units of the Qatari Armed crises, training on the man- which kicked off in Septem- of working in various environ- to HE the Deputy Prime Min- Training Maj Gen. Mohamed bin Command in keeping pace with Forces. Future editions may in- agement of joint operations ber and lasted for 11 months, ments and conditions required ister and Minister of State for Hamad al-Nuaimi, for their un- development, Joaan bin Jassim clude offi cers from brotherly and and management of strategic included 32 offi cers from dif- by joint action. Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin limited support which contrib- Joint Command and Staff Col- friendly countries. crisis, and identifying current ferent military bodies in the Commenting on the occa- Mohamed al-Attiyah, HE the utes directly to the development lege plans to hold a national de- The main objectives of and future challenges facing state, 22 offi cers from Kuwait sion, Brig Gen. (Pilot) Mohamed Chief of Staff of the Qatari of offi cers of the Armed Forces, fence course in September next the course include enhanc- the armed forces at the op- and four offi cers from Oman. Hamad Fetais al-Marri, direc- Armed Forces Lieutenant-Gen- thus increasing their readiness year. (QNA)

Vodafone begins free data off er to new users Vodafone Qatar has said it is helping counts on Careem, free deliveries from new customers “make the most of their Talabat, and a free subscription to music leisure time” over the summer months app Anghami Plus, in addition to unlim- with the launch of some “exciting of- ited calls and SMS, alongside a range of fers” for subscribers to its postpaid local and global data bundles. plans, providing additional free data on for a six-month period. Meanwhile, The Flex plan, on the other hand, of- top of regular benefi ts. subscribers to the Flex 150 and Flex 200 fers subscribers the fl exibility to spend New customers will enjoy between plans will enjoy 15GB of free data, in ad- their credit the way they choose, in ad- 5GB and 30GB additional free data every dition to the ‘Vodafone Entertainer’ app, dition to a free Wavo subscription by month for a six-month period when they over the same period. OSN that provides “great family enter- sign up to Vodafone’s Flex and Red plans, Meanwhile, subscribers to the Red tainment with an array of live channels the company has said in a statement. 250 and Red 350 plans will get 25GB from around the world, award-winning From the Bedaya Summer Camp. Subscribers to Vodafone’s Flex 100 and 30GB of free data, respectively. TV shows and on-demand movies”. plan will receive 5GB of free data, in ad- Vodafone’s Red plans off er digital Subscription to the free data off er is dition to the ‘Vodafone Entertainer’ app, lifestyle benefi ts, including special dis- valid until July 31, the statement adds. Bedaya successfully ends Summer Camp 2019 edaya Centre for Entrepreneur- ness model, development strategy, fi - edition of the Bedaya Summer Camp. ship and Career Development nancial management and funding re- Reem al-Sowaidi, general manager, B(Bedaya Center), a joint initia- quirements. These workshops off ered Bedaya Centre, said: “The Bedaya tive by Qatar Development Bank and participants the platform to learn the Summer Camp has become a yearly Silatech, concluded the inaugural epi- various aspects needed to kick off their event eagerly awaited by many stu- sode of the 2019 edition of its annual future projects and ensure their conti- dents to get to know closely about job Summer Camp. nuity, Bedaya said in a statement. shadowing and the working environ- The camp took place from June 30 Similarly, participants were given ment, take advantage of their leisure until July 11 and saw the participation of the opportunity to engage face to face time during the summer holidays and a large number of students in age group with a group of entrepreneurs who ex- spend special times. The camp aims of 16 to 24 years. Meanwhile, the second celled in their own projects or brands. to help participants have a better un- episode of the 2019 edition began yes- Moreover, they had the chance to con- derstanding of entrepreneurship, its terday and will continue until July 25. tribute in many activities, events and importance, how to analyse data – re- The Summer Camp included visits leisure trips that enriched their expe- fl ecting the market needs of diff erent to successful projects owned by local rience during the camp period. types of products and solutions. entrepreneurs where students had the During the Summer Camp, the “During the camp, we managed to opportunity to work temporally and participants also competed among instil the spirit of leadership in our explore avenues for job shadowing. each other to present ideas for dif- youth, who are the foundation of A series of workshops was also held ferent projects. These projects will the future by helping them develop to highlight the attributes behind suc- be displayed in the fi nal exhibition, their knowledge, skills and experi- cessful projects such as ideation, value which will be held after the comple- ence through a number of educational proposition, marketing strategy, busi- tion of the second episode of the 2019 workshops.”

MoTC launches Data Science Programme he Ministry of Transport enhancing public institutions’ and Communications capabilities of addressing cur- The contribution from ScorePlus Qatar. T(MoTC) has launched rent and future challenges. the Data Science Programme Programme participants will ScorePlus raises QR12,500 in partnership with Microsoft have a six-month intensive Qatar within the framework of training course. for out-of-school children its Qatar Digital Government QDGTP aims to build and The annual National Test Fest of ScorePlus Qatar Training Programme (QDGTP) – boost national personnel’s in- raised a total of QR12,500, all to be donated a strategic initiative that boosts formation and communica- to “improving access to quality and inclusive the professional capacity of gov- tion technology capabilities. education with gender equality for out-of-school ernment employees in the IT In the last three years it has of- children in Iraq”. sector to achieve the Qatar Dig- fered 4,800 training opportuni- The contribution was made to the Education Above ital Government 2020 Strategy. ties and conducted 312 training All (EAA) Foundation. Registration is open until Au- courses for more than 70 gov- ScorePlus Qatar organised the 2019 National Test gust 5 via http://www.motc.gov. ernment and semi-government Fest at its facility in Al Waab and at a number of qa/en/qdgtp/sdp entities. Some 134 of these schools in Qatar, including Doha College, Middle East Fifteen candidates will be se- courses were conducted in 2018. International School, SEK International School, Birla lected for the six-month pro- QDGTP establishes unique Public School, DPS Modern Indian School, Ahmed bin gramme, which includes fi ve partnerships with several in- Hanbal Independent Secondary School for Boys and training modules. The pro- ternationally recognised insti- Abdullah Bin Ali Almisnad School For Boys. gramme will develop the data tutions that are leaders in the In all, more than 400 students took part in the event. science skills of Qatari staff ICT industry such as Microsoft, The participants, who ranged in level from Grade working in the public and private SAP, IBM, Cisco, PMI, ITIL and 9 through 12, took PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests or sectors, the ministry has said in a COMPTIA. IELTS. Although the primary aim of the tests was to statement. Further, QDGTP has a variety raise funds for providing educational opportunities The Data Science Programme of disciplines such as database to children stricken by poverty or crisis, the event will enable the future leader- management, ERP manage- also played a role in fostering students’ awareness ship to utilise and deploy data ment, IT management & gov- of and readiness for these entrance exams. science and boost innovation in ernance, programming, graphic The National Test Fest not only gave students the all technological fi elds in Qatar design, security management, opportunity to familiarise themselves with the test format within the framework of build- network management and sys- but also helped them understand how to best prepare ing a smart nation, the state- tem administration. It also of- themselves for university admissions, the statement noted. ment notes. fers specially designed training Pradeep Singhal, regional director of ScorePlus The programme focuses on courses from global training Qatar, said: “We are immensely proud to play a small the skillsets of data analysis and organisations to fulfi l specifi c part in helping 25 underprivileged students gain an programming, given the signifi - needs in technology sectors in opportunity to receive a year’s education and meals.” cant role data science plays in the country. Gulf Times 6 Monday, July 15, 2019 QATAR

Doha Bank launches Ooredoo and malomatia sign summer campaign on Mastercard debit cards MoU to support smart cities oha Bank, in partnership which runs until October 31, with Qatar Airways, has aims at promoting the usage of oredoo, the region’s extensive expertise in deliver- cal foundation of Smart Cities. Dlaunched a new sum- Mastercard debit card among leading enabler of dig- ing digital transformation pro- Ooredoo can also provide glo- mer campaign to reward its Doha Bank’s cardholders by Oital business innovation, grammes, national experience bal best practices to ensure that customers who use their Doha giving away 40,000 Qmiles to yesterday announced that it has and a deep local knowledge of Qatar has the most advanced Bank Mastercard debit card for each winner of its 500 lucky joined forces with malomatia, a existing business needs. systems and processes to bring international spends and online winners. leading national provider of IT “Our partnership with malo- smart cities to life. bookings, with a value-added Commenting on the three- services and solutions, to enable matia is combining Ooredoo’s “By joining forces with Ooredoo, benefi t that will allow them to month long promotion, Braik Qatar’s smart cities’ growth. leading digital infrastructure we are sharing our talent and digital take home total prizes of 20mn al-Marri, chief Retail Bank- The two parties signed a technology with malomatia’s expertise for Qatar to develop lo- Qmiles. ing offi cer at Doha Bank, said: memorandum of understanding expertise in smart cities to sup- calised smart cities solutions. With Doha Bank has unveiled the “Enhancing our customers’ (MoO) to create comprehensive port Qatar as a smart cities Qatar modernising systems and details of its new campaign banking experience and mak- smart cities off ering tailored to pioneer. Smart transportation, processes, and operating smarter, and, to “reaffi rm its commit- ing their spending even more the Qatari market. smart logistics, healthcare and smart cities can transform digital ment to bringing customers rewarding, is the centre of our Thanks to Qatar National Vision sustainability can support Qa- business and end-to-end citizen the best possible value from working philosophy. We’re 2030’s goals of nationwide digital tar’s diversifi ed economic growth experiences,” added Yousef al- their banking experience”, it thrilled to introduce this new transformation and the strategies and competitiveness, and make Naama, CEO, malomatia. will enable cardholders to get a summer campaign. that were put in place to realise this Ooredoo and malomatia off icials after signing the agreement. people’s daily lives better,” said Business customers can leverage chance to enter the draw every “The promotion off ers un- vision, the country is ideally posi- Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, chief the Ooredoo Advantage, “making time they use their Doha Bank matched total prizes of 20mn tioned to become a regional and an ecosystem of smart healthcare Already, Ooredoo has pio- operating offi cer, Ooredoo. Ooredoo ‘Best for Business’, thanks Mastercard debit card for their Qmiles to our debit card- global smart cities leader, Ooredoo solutions to transform patient care, neered smart cities in Qatar, Ooredoo’s combination of to its breadth and depth of talent, international purchases and holders, which highlights our said in a statement. smart buildings and environmen- such as collaborating on Lusail advanced digital technologies – best fi xed and mobile networks, online bookings, including commitment to go above and Use cases include smart traffi c tal services to enhance sustainabil- City and piloting the world’s including data centre and cloud, broadest portfolio of ICT services those made on the Qatar Air- beyond to provide our loyal and logistics solutions to reduce ity and reduce utilities usage, the fi rst 5G-enabled aerial taxi. In cybersecurity, Internet of Things and solutions, and trusted partner ways website. customers with top-notch congestion and increase effi ciency, statement notes. turn, malomatia will leverage its – will form the technologi- for 60 years”. The new summer campaign, banking services and off ers.”

Al-Bawasil Health Club participants choosing healthy snacks. QDA organises Al-Bawasil Health Club for children atar Diabetes As- Chef’ session where the sociation (QDA), a children prepared healthy Qmember of Qatar snacks by themselves Foundation, organised the under the supervision annual summer Al-Bawasil of QDA dietitians. programme on its premises Dr Abdullah al-Hamaq, in Al Muntazah recently. executive director of QDA, Al-Bawasil Health Club said: “Our approach is to is an annual programme of teach by playing, to review- recreational and education- ing and correcting chil- al activities, organised by dren’s information. Chil- QDA for children diagnosed dren’s response to learning with diabetes and aged 6-11 is usually great in a fun and years during the summer. enjoyable atmosphere. We The programme gives have also introduced the them a full day in a safe en- children to the vironment to have much fun International Al-Bawasil and relate to each other while camp for children with dia- learning about diabetes. betes for a smooth transi- The programme included tion as well as to gain their several ice-breaking activi- confi dence and encour- ties for the children to in- age them to join the camp, teract with their peers. They which is organised annually also participated in the ‘In- by the association during sulin Injection Sites’ work- January and requires the shop, the ceramic colouring children to stay away from workshop and the ‘Little home for a week.”

HMC to host foreign consultants in July, Aug MC has announced that it will welcome Ha number of visiting consultants from various medical specialities in July and August. Hosting visiting inter- national consultants who Dr Helmuth Billy are experts in their fi eld “is in line with HMC’s com- mitment to providing spe- cialised medical services to the people of Qatar”, according to a statement. The visiting consultants are as follows: z Dr Zeynel Dogan, Dr Philippe Morel senior consultant, Plas- tic and Reconstructive vanced Surgical Associates Head and Neck Surgery, St in Thousand Oaks, Cali- Anna Hospital, Wuppertal, fornia, US, will visit from Germany, will visit from August 18-24. July 19-25 . Other experts are sched- z Dr Philippe Morel, a uled to visit this year as part digestive laparoscopic sur- of HMC’s focus on hosting gery specialist from Cli- highly respected physicians nique de Genolier, Genolier, and surgeons from around the Switzerland, will visit from world, the statement notes. July 29-August 4. Members of the public z Dr Sunil Bhoyrul, chief wishing to book an ap- of Surgery at Olde Del Mar pointment with one of the Surgical and medical direc- visiting consultants are ad- tor for Bariatric Surgery at vised to discuss this option Scripps Memorial Hospital, with their physician. “If La Jolla, California, US, will your doctor agrees that an visit from August 1-10. appointment with a visiting z Dr Helmuth Billy, a consultant is appropriate, Bariatric and Metabolic they will provide a referral,” specialist from Ventura Ad- HMC added. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD Iran ‘ready for talks with US if sanctions lifted’

Reuters Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif arrives in New York Paris Iran’s foreign minister Mohamed Javad with the matter said yesterday, saying Zarif arrived in New York yesterday to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had ran is ready to hold talks with the attend a United Nations conference, ac- approved the decision. United States if Washington lifts cording to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. Had Pompeo not approved giving Isanctions and returns to the 2015 He will attend a meeting of the a visa to Zarif, Iran’s top diplomat and nuclear deal it quit last year, Iranian UN’s Economic and Social Council on nuclear negotiator, it could have been President Hassan Rouhani said in a Wednesday, IRNA said. a signal that the United States was televised speech yesterday. No meetings with US counterparts trying to further isolate the Islamic US President Donald Trump’s ad- were announced, but rumours were Republic and perhaps closing the door ministration says it is open to negotia- swirling in Tehran that Zarif planned to diplomacy. tions with Iran on a more far-reaching to lay the groundwork for a potential On June 24, US Treasury Secretary A handout picture provided yesterday by the UN of Lt Gen Michael Lollesgaard and members of the UN Redeployment agreement on nuclear and security is- meeting with American off icials on the Steven Mnuchin had said Zarif would Co-ordination Committee on Hodeidah meeting on a ship at sea off the coast of the Yemeni port city, including sues. sidelines of the UN’s General Assembly be hit with US sanctions that week, an representatives of the UN, the Yemeni government, and the Houthi rebels. But Iran has made any talks condi- in September. unusual stance because the United tional on fi rst being able to export as The United States has granted a visa to States typically does not preview such much oil as it did before the United Zarif to attend the UN meeting in New decisions to keep its targets from mov- States withdrew from the nuclear pact York this week, two sources familiar ing assets out of US jurisdiction. with world powers in May 2018. “We have always believed in talks... Yemen rivals meet for if they lift sanctions, end the im- resume dialogue,” they said in a joint sary for all stakeholders to pause, and posed economic pressure and return statement that was released by the consider the possible consequences to the deal, we are ready to hold talks French president’s offi ce. of their actions,” France, Britain and with America today, right now and In spite of calling for talks with Ira- Germany, who have been trying to anywhere,” Rouhani said in his speech nian leaders, Trump had said last week salvage the pact by shielding Tehran’s fi rst time in months yesterday. that US sanctions on Iran would soon economy from sanctions, said in their Confrontations between Washing- be increased “substantially”. statement. ton and Tehran have escalated, culmi- In reaction to US sanctions, which Iranian clerics have said that Tehran AFP The UN head of the committee Lollesgaard confi rmed in June there nating in a plan for US air strikes on have notably targeted Iran’s main for- will further decrease its commitments Hodeidah confi rmed the meeting “aboard a UN had been no Houthi military presence Iran last month that Trump called off eign revenue stream in the shape of if Europeans fail to fulfi l their promises vessel on the high seas”, adding it in all three ports since their with- at the last minute. crude oil exports, Tehran announced to guarantee Iran’s interests under the would centre on “steps to implement” drawal a month before. Calling for dialogue between all in May that it would scale back its deal. epresentatives from Yemen’s the Hodeidah pullback plan. The UN is hoping that a de-esca- parties to resume, France, Britain and commitments under the deal. The nuclear deal aimed to extend government and Houthi rebels Led by Danish General Michael lation in Hodeidah will allow desper- Germany — parties to the 2015 pact — Defying a warning by the European the amount of time it would theo- Rtasked with pulling forces out of Lollesgaard, the committee estab- ately-needed food and medical aid to said yesterday they were preoccupied parties to the pact to continue its full retically take Iran to produce enough the key port city of Hodeidah met yes- lished under the Sweden agreement reach millions in need in Yemen. by the escalation of tensions in the compliance, Tehran has amassed more fissile material for an atomic bomb — terday for the fi rst time in fi ve months. includes representatives from the The Red Sea port is the entry point Gulf region and the risk the nuclear low-enriched uranium than permit- so-called breakout time — from sev- The redeployment from Hodei- United Nations, the Yemen govern- for the bulk of imported goods and deal might fall apart. ted and it has started to enrich urani- eral months to a minimum of one year dah is a critical part of a ceasefi re ment and Houthi rebels. relief aid to Yemen, which the United “We believe that the time has come um above the 3.67% permitted by the until 2025. deal reached in December in Sweden The pullback was supposed to have Nations has described as the world’s to act responsibly and to look for ways agreement. Iran denies ever having considered that calls on the government and the taken place two weeks after the cease- worst humanitarian crisis. to stop the escalation of tension and “The risks are such that it is neces- developing atomic weapons. Houthis to move forces away from fi re went into force on December 18, The Yemen confl ict has killed tens ports and parts of city. but that deadline was missed. of thousands of people since the Sau- “The joint meeting of the rede- In May, the UN announced the di-led military coalition intervened in ployment coordination (committee) rebels had withdrawn from Hodeidah support of the beleaguered govern- meeting started earlier this after- and two other nearby ports, the fi rst ment in March 2015, according to the Graduation ceremony noon,” a UN offi cial present at the practical step on the ground since the World Health Organisation. meeting told AFP, adding it was set to ceasefi re deal. The fi ghting has also displaced continue today. But the government accused the mi- millions and left 24.1mn — more than The last meeting was held on Feb- litia of faking the pullout, saying it had two-thirds of the population — in ruary 16-17, the source added. merely handed control to its allies. need of aid.

Rockets kill 6 civilians EU opens new in Syria’s Aleppo mission in

AFP Kuwait City Damascus

AFP ockets fi red by militants yesterday killed six civilians and Kuwait City wounded eight others in the government-held northern Rcity of Aleppo, state news agency SANA reported. It said two neighbourhoods were struck in the “terrorist rock- he EU’s diplomatic chief Federica Mogh- et attack” and that one rocket hit the municipal building in the erini said yesterday the bloc is increasing city, which the regime retook full control of at the end of 2016. Tits engagement in the Middle East, as she The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights opened a new mission in Kuwait City. war monitor confi rmed the toll, with its head Rami Abdel Rah- The offi ce in Kuwait’s tallest skyscraper is the man saying the number of dead could rise because some of the third such EU mission in the Gulf. wounded were in serious condition. “This also sends a message to the whole re- “Militants west of Aleppo have been targeting the city since gion; the European Union is increasing its pres- the morning,” Abdel Rahman said. ence and engagement in the Middle East,” Mogh- Pro-government newspaper Al Watan said on its Telegram erini said at the opening ceremony. messaging app that the “army has been responding to terror- “What happens to the Gulf matters to Europe ist attacks...with salvos of rockets”. It was not immediately clear and what happens to Europe matters to the Gulf,” who fi red the rockets that hit Aleppo. she added. Fighters of Syria’s former Al Qaeda affi liate Hayat Tahrir al- The ceremony in the Al Hamra Tower, which is Sham (HTS) are deployed in the neighbouring province of Idlib also home to the French embassy, was attended and nearby regions including the western Aleppo countryside. by Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Kha- Smaller extremist and Islamist groups are also deployed in those led al-Sabah. areas. The opening, decided several months ago, Russian and regime aircraft have ramped up strikes on Idlib comes amid a tense standoff between the United since the end of April, killing nearly 600 civilians. States and Iran which has aff ected the Gulf. HTS fi ghters and other combatants have responded with at- “In a moment of regional and global ten- tacks on Syrian government troops in the region, including in sions, Kuwait is a voice of wisdom and force of the northern sliver of Hama province, which also neighbours peace and this is what made us natural partners,” Aleppo. Mogherini said. Syria’s war has killed more than 370,000 people and dis- Kuwait has strong relations with Brussels and Students from the University of Palestine celebrate their graduation during a ceremony in Gaza City on Saturday night. placed millions since it started in 2011 with a brutal crackdown Washington and, unlike Saudi Arabia and the United on anti-government protests. Arab Emirates, it maintains good ties with Tehran.

Tunisia buries 34 of 82 bodies recovered from migrant boat Museum for Mahfouz opens doors unisian authorities have buried 34 bodies recovered from the sea after a migrant boat sank off the Tunisian DPA Yesterday, Egyptian Culture Min- the Nobel laureate, who succeeded Tcoast earlier this month, a Tunisian Red Crescent offi - Cairo ister Inas Abdel-Dayem and An- in attracting the world’s attention to cial said yesterday. tiquity Minister Khaled al-Enani modern Egyptian fi ction,” she said. A boat carrying 86 African migrants sank off the coast of opened the museum, housed in a The museum displays published Tunisia’s southern town of Zarzis on July 3. Four of them were gypt yesterday opened a mu- renovated 18th-century building in editions of Mahfouz’s books, their rescued at the time, although one died later in hospital. seum commemorating inter- Islamic Cairo, where most of Mah- translations and some of his personal Later 82 bodies were retrieved. Enationally renowned writer and fouz’s literary works are set. belongings off ered by his family. After the bodies were recovered, they were transferred to Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz, some The site in historic Cairo’s Al Also on show are awards he re- the south-east province of Gabes for post-mortem examina- 13 years after it was fi rst planned. Azhar quarter has been chosen for ceived during his long literary career tion and DNA analysis. Mahfouz, the fi rst and so far only the museum because it lies near the and manuscripts of some of his works. “We were able to bury only 34 bodies in Gabes province, but Arab to be awarded the Nobel Prize for house where Mahfouz was born in There is also a library of critical research some municipalities refused to allow burial in their cemeter- Literature, died in 2006 aged 94. That December 1911, the Antiquity Minis- on Mahfouz’s literature, and a hall for ies,” said Mongi Slim, the head of the Red Crescent branch in year, Egyptian authorities decided to try said in a statement. screening fi lms based on his works. the province of Medenine. set up a museum in his honour. The opening ceremony was at- Mahfouz wrote 35 novels and doz- He pointed out that that some municipalities said they need But there were repeated delays, tended by foreign diplomats and ens of collections of short stories, as an approval from their councils, while others said they only with media reports blaming govern- Mahfouz’s daughter Om Kolthum. well as plays. He was awarded the have cemeteries for Muslims. mental bureaucracy and the unrest Abdel-Dayem described the new Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988 and He added that the 48 remaining bodies would be sent back that hit Egypt following the 2011 up- museum as a milestone. is widely seen as the master of Arab to Zarzis for burial if the council approvals were not obtained. rising. “The items on show tell the tale of fi ction. Gulf Times 8 Monday, July 15, 2019 ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Protesting corruption Sudanese shot dead as rival sides wrangle over transition

Reuters al-Suki, Sennar state, after he was In the capital Khartoum, negotia- Protesters hold signs as they take part in a demonstration in Guediawaye to demand the resignation of Mayor Khartoum wounded by a bullet to the head by tors are haggling over the draft of a fi - Aliou Sall, the Senegalese president’s brother, who is accused of corruption. Aliou Sall resigned on June 24 as head the Janjaweed militia,” the opposition nal constitutional declaration that is of a state-run savings deposit after he was named in a BBC report on apparent mismanagement of national gas Sudan Doctors’ Committee said in a to organise a transition period to free resources. The BBC report has caused an outcry in the poor West African country by suggesting a gas deal signed aramilitary forces backed by statement. elections and civilian rule. with BP had deprived the state of badly needed energy income. Aliou Sall had denied allegations in the report Sudan’s ruling military council A number of protesters, who were The rally in Al Suki, 340km south- warning he would file suit against the BBC. BP has also rejected the report. Pfi red yesterday at protesters in rallying against the RSF’s use of vio- east of Khartoum, was held to protest the southeastern state of Sennar, wit- lence against some street demonstra- at violence by the RSF, which is ac- nesses said, and one man died of a shot tions, were wounded in the incident and cused of killing at least 128 people in a to the head, according to opposition some were in critical condition, it said. raid on a protest sit-in in Khartoum on medics. The paramilitary Rapid Support June 3 and in a few subsequent attacks. The killing occurred with the mili- Forces grew out of Arab militias ac- The military council has confi rmed tary council and civilian opposition cused of committing atrocities in the at least 61 deaths. wrangling over fi nal details of a power- western state of Darfur. Long-stalled talks between the mili- Burundi militia leader sharing agreement ahead of elections The RSF commander, who is also tary council and the opposition Forces after veteran autocrat Omar al-Bashir deputy head of the military council, for Freedom and Change collapsed af- was toppled in a coup following weeks has denied the allegations. ter the violent dispersal of the sit-in. of mass protests. The RSF did not immediately re- But direct talks revived after media- “The spirit of the martyr Anwar spond to a Reuters request for com- tion eff orts by the African Union and is head of broadcaster Hassan Idris was lifted in the city of ment on Idris’ death. Ethiopia.

Reuters akure, the youth wing of Nkurunziza’s “The current president is seeking Nairobi CNDD-FDD party, have been used to support of the youth league by thank- cause violence against anyone per- ing them and in order to totally control ceived to be opposed to Nkurunziza. the country’s very important media urundi has appointed the head The government dismisses the outlet, the RTNB, less than a year be- Israeli city ends park ban seen of the ruling party youth league charge, saying the group was purely fore the elections.” Bto head its state-run broadcast- political and accused opponents of A journalist working with RTNB er, a move an opposition party has de- stirring up tensions in a nation that who did not wish to be named said scribed as a danger to press freedom. emerged from an ethnically charged Nshimirimana’s appointment would as racist by Arab citizens In a presidential decree signed on civil war in 2005. not change things. July 3 and seen by Reuters yesterday, The deputy chairman of the oppo- “The fl oor is only given to people President Pierre Nkurunziza said he sition FRODEBU party, Léonce Ngen- supporting the ruling party. The op- AFP “We agree to the court’s recom- that she found a Hebrew-language had appointed Eric Nshimirimana to dakumana said the appointment could position is rarely given a chance to Afula, Israel mendation to open the park to all its sign at the entrance reading “the park be the director-general of the National point to Nkurunziza planning to seek talk. So, the situation will remain the visitors, without accepting the claims is open...to Afula residents only”. Radio Television of Burundi (RTNB). another term in offi ce in next year’s same,” the journalist said. of either side,” the agreement stipu- The sign was visible in the video. Hundreds of Burundians have been election and now the ruling party will In March, Burundi’s media regula- n Israeli city will end a selective lated. She said that when challenged by a killed in clashes with security forces get more dominant coverage. tor revoked the BBC’s licence and ac- closure at one of its parks that Adalah lawyer Fady Khoury said security guard and saying that she was and half a million have fl ed since Nku- “The RTNB remains the only media cused it of airing a documentary that it AArab citizens said was a racist “we hope the message has passed to not from Afula he said that was a prob- runziza said in 2015 he would run for a in Burundi with countrywide cover- said was false and damaged the coun- policy meant to keep them out after a the Afula municipality as well as the lem. third term in what his opponents saw age. Appointing the chairman of the try’s reputation. court decision yesterday. other local authorities in Israel that the Asked where she was from and an- as a breach of the constitution. Imbonerakure which has close ties It extended an existing suspension The northern city of Afula had de- public space should be open in an equal swering that she was a resident of He won reelection. with the army, the police or the intel- on Voice of America, accusing it of cided to keep the park open only to its manner to everyone regardless of eth- Nazareth, another guard said “that’s Human rights groups have in the ligence service is not for free,” Ngen- employing a reporter who opposed the residents during the summer school nic or other identities”. even more of problem”. past raised concerns that Imboner- dakumana told Reuters. government. holiday, saying that as the facility was “I am glad that the argument about “It’s racial discrimination,” Sheha- funded from municipal funds its resi- racism didn’t work,” Afula municipal- deh-Zoabi said. dents should be prioritised. ity’s lawyer Avi Goldhammer told AFP. “I was prohibited from entering not Israeli Arab rights group Adalah While the court did not rule on the because I’m not an Afula resident but however said that the move was aimed racism accusation, Attorney General because I’m an Arab citizen.” at keeping out Arab residents of nearby Avichai Mandelblit had published a Adalah also posted a clip of Mayor Chad’s Deby lifts social media curbs towns and the Arab city of Nazareth legal opinion on Thursday saying that Avi Elkabetz proclaiming during his and it fi led a lawsuit to overturn the access to municipal parks “cannot be election campaign, “Afula is in dan- AFP communications,” said Deby. The largely desert north, bordering ban. based on considerations of race”. ger...We shall keep Afula Jewish.” N’Djamena On Saturday afternoon, it was pos- Sudan, Libya and Niger, is highly vola- Lawyers for the sides said that Naza- Adalah said in a statement that one Israeli Arabs, who make up around sible to access social media applica- tile while several rebel groups have set reth District Court, which has juris- of its lawyers, Nareman Shehadeh- 17.5% of Israel’s population, are Pales- tions including Whatsapp and Twit- up base just over the border with Libya. diction over Afula, approved an agree- Zoabi, from Nazareth, recently tried to tinians and their descendants who re- had President Idriss Deby said ter, an AFP journalist reported. In late January, Chad rebels seeking ment yesterday ending the ban while take her infant son to the park. mained on their land in 1948, when the over the weekend he was lifting Access was cut to social media in to destabilise Deby entered the north- not admitting the racism accusation. Shehadeh-Zoabi said in a video clip Jewish state was established. Csocial media restrictions which March last year as public opposition east of the country from Libya but were were imposed more than a year ago for mounted over Deby’s plans to push pushed back after French air strikes. Algeria army arrests 5 on suspicion of planning ‘attacks’ “security reasons.” through changes to the constitution In the east, farmers and nomadic “For some months, security re- shoring up his power after almost groups have also clashed while the he Algerian army has arrested It identifi ed the suspects as “terrorists”, Interim president Abdelkader Ben- quirements led the government to three decades in offi ce. south on the border with the Central fi ve suspects for planning “at- a term Algerian authorities use to de- salah has proposed a “neutral” nation- toughen access conditions and con- Access remained possible us- African Republic is still tense after the Ttacks” against anti-government scribe armed Islamists who have been ac- al dialogue, without the involvement trol measures for electronic commu- ing VPN networks but use of those is 2013 overthrow of former CAR presi- demonstrations that have swept the tive in the country since the early 1990s. of the state or the military, to prepare nications,” Deby said in a closing ad- costly in one of the world’s poorest dent sparked unrest which spilled over North African country since February Algeria has been rocked by months for new presidential polls. dress to a digital forum in the capital nations. Barely 5% of the population the border. 22, the defence ministry said yesterday. of protests since longtime leader Ab- His proposals, backed by powerful N’Djamena on Saturday night. enjoy internet access. Legislative elections in Chad are The suspects “planned attacks against delaziz Boutefl ika announced in Feb- army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah who has “These measures were imposed in a Chad is a Western ally in the fi ght scheduled to take place by the end of peaceful protests across diff erent parts ruary he would run for a fi fth term. emerged as the country’s key power- context of terrorist threats (but)” the against extremist groups in Africa and the year having been postponed sev- of the country”, it said in a statement, He quit offi ce but protesters have broker since Boutefl ika’s departure, current situation “leads me...to in- notably faces threats from Boko Haram, eral times since 2015 as Deby, who adding they were arrested in “anti-ter- kept up the mass demonstrations, call- have failed to calm protesters. Massive struct the fi rms concerned to lift im- which has made several deadly incur- grabbed power in 1990, looks to main- rorist” raids last week in the Batna region ing for an overhaul of the “system” and rallies continue to be held weekly on mediately the restriction on electronic sions into its territory in recent months. tain his grip on the country. southeast of the capital Algiers. departure of key Boutefl ika-era fi gures. Fridays in Algiers and other key towns. First Ebola case detected in Goma Fire hits high-rise offi ce block in Damascus Reuters trying to track down details. Goma “It’s a case from Butembo,” 200km (124 DPA cial in the Damascus fi re depart- miles) north, said Rich- Damascus ment, reported that the blaze he first case of Eb- ard Kitenge, the head of had later been put out. ola in the eastern Goma’s Ebola response ef- No casualties were reported. TCongo city of Goma fort, who added the patient massive fi re broke out The cause of the fi re and was discovered yester- would be taken back to yesterday in a high-rise the extent of damage were not day, officials said, raising Butembo for treatment. Abusiness centre in the known. The building, one of the concerns the virus could Goma has been prepar- Syrian capital Damascus, wit- tallest in Damascus, is home to spread quicker in a densely ing for the arrival of Ebola nesses and state media reported. dozens of businesses. populated area close to the for a year, setting up hand- Thick black smoke was seen In 2013, the same building was Rwandan border. washing stations and mak- billowing from the 22-fl oor Da- damaged after a car bomb ex- Goma, a lakeside city of ing sure mototaxi drivers do mascus Tower, they said. ploded outside the nearby Inte- 1mn people, is more than not share helmets. “The fi re started on the third rior Ministry headquarters. 350km (220 miles) south of But in more rural areas, fl oor of the tower and gutted the Syria has experienced a dev- where the second-largest the virus has been hard to three fl oors above it,” a witness astating civil war that broke out Ebola outbreak on record contain. told DPA. in 2011 after the government was fi rst detected a year ago. Local mistrust of health Syria’s state news agency brutally quashed peaceful pro- But the haemorrhagic offi cials and militia vio- SANA, citing an unnamed offi - democracy protests. fever has gradually spread lence have hobbled con- south, infecting nearly tainment eff orts and caused Algeria ex-industry minister detained 2,500 people and killing over the number of new cases to 1,600. spike. Algeria’s former industry minister was placed in provisional detention It was not yet clear how Ebola causes diarrhoea, yesterday on allegations of squandering public money, state television much contact the patient vomiting and haemorrhag- reported. Youcef Yousfi is the latest among a series of prominent had with other people in ic fever and can be spread politicians and businessmen to be detained or questioned in Goma, or how long the in- through bodily fl uids. connection with corruption since longtime leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika dividual was there, offi cials An epidemic between resigned in April in the face of mass protests against his rule. said. 2013 and 2016 killed more Yousfi, who served between 2017 and 2019, is under investigation for A spokeswoman for the than 11,300 people in West FILE PHOTO: A health worker measures the temperature of a man entering the ALIMA (The Alliance for graft and is suspected among other things of “squandering public health ministry said it was Africa. International Medical Action) Ebola treatment centre in Beni, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on April 1, 2019. funds” as well as “abuse of power and conflict of interest”. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 9 AMERICA Balloon festival Migrants in fear as US raids begin

By Thomas Urbain, AFP Armed man dead aft er New York attacking immigration jail An armed man who attacked a US housands of undocumented im- immigration detention facility with migrants waited in uncertainty “incendiary devices” has been shot Tyesterday, fearful of nationwide dead after a confrontation with police raids that President Donald Trump said in the northwestern city of Tacoma, would lead to a wave of expulsions. authorities said. Even as news media said the raids were Off icers arrived at the Northwest underway, Trump added to the divi- Detention Center early on Saturday sive debate on migration, suggesting on after a report the man — armed with Twitter that some Democratic women a rifle — had set a car on fire and had Congresswomen should “go back” to attempted to ignite a large propane their countries of origin. tank, the city police department said in Federal Immigration and Customs En- a statement. forcement (ICE) agents were expected to The man, who was carrying flares conduct raids in at least 10 major cities, and a satchel bag in addition to his with plans to arrest about 2,000 un- weapon, died of gunshot wounds after documented migrants who entered the off icers arrived on the scene, police United States recently. added. Matthew Albence, ICE’s acting direc- The assailant was identified by tor, would not confi rm any operational police as 69-year-old Willem Van Hot air balloon ‘Colorado High’ takes flight over Bald Eagle Lake during the 38th annual Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival in Steamboat Springs, details yesterday but defended the need Spronsen. Colorado on Saturday evening. In all, 24 pilots from nine US states will take to the sky in their balloons during the two-day festival. for the raids. He had previously been convicted “We are doing targeted enforcement of obstructing a police off icer after an actions against specifi c individuals who altercation during a protest outside have had their day in immigration court the facility last year, according to local and have been ordered to be removed by media reports. an immigration judge,” he told Fox News None of the off icers involved in the Sunday. “We are merely executing those shooting was injured. judges’ orders.” All four men were placed on ad- The scope of the operation appears far ministrative leave in line with regular more modest than the “millions” Trump department policy, police said. had promised would be detained and ex- Immigration has been the subject Barry threatens more pelled when he fi rst mentioned the raids of a divisive political battle in the US, last month. which has struggled for more than But that has not eased the anguish felt a year with a migration crisis on its by those who might be targeted. southern border as thousands of peo- Adding to their concerns were reports ple travel to the US each month. that ICE agents are prepared to scoop up GEO Group, which operates the not just those named in removal orders Tacoma centre on behalf of the heavy rain, tornadoes but also other undocumented migrants Department of Homeland Security, whom agents may come upon inciden- said reports of overcrowding and the By Michael Mathes, AFP the waterfront pedestrian promenade tally. detention of unaccompanied minors New Orleans in Morgan City, which was entirely That, potentially, could include some at other immigration centres had without power, as about 10 members migrants who have been in the country endangered its staff . of America’s Cajun Navy citizen res- for years, with homes, jobs and children “The outrageous and baseless ropical Storm Barry yesterday cue group assembled under a highway who are US citizens. accusations that have been levelled buff eted Louisiana, bringing overpass. Local and state offi cials have called on against our facilities have led to mis- Tmore heavy rain and possi- “We’re just neighbours help- the federal government to show restraint placed aggression and a dangerous ble tornadoes to the region even as it ing neighbours,” John Billiot, 39, the in the raids. environment for our employees,” the weakened. group’s president, told AFP. Several accused Trump of using the company said in a statement. After briefl y becoming the fi rst The group has conducted volun- operation mainly for political gain. “We are thankful for the quick and hurricane of the Atlantic season, teer rescues since Hurricane Katrina “This uncertainty, this fear, is wreak- brave action by the Tacoma Police De- Barry was downgraded to a tropical in 2005. ing havoc,” Chicago Mayor Lori Light- partment, which prevented innocent storm after making landfall on Sat- This time it assembled fi ve fl at- foot said on CNN. “It’s traumatising lives from being endangered.” urday. bottom rescue boats, a high-clear- people.” Police said operations at the facility It nevertheless moved inland with a ance, military-style truck and 86 Trump has said it would be unfair to had returned to normal. serious punch. other boats across the region in prep- the many people waiting to enter the While there were few indications aration for the latest storm. country legally if others could simply yet of widespread fl ooding, Louisi- For many, the storm and potential cross the border to gain the privileges of ter that unnamed progressive Congress- anans kept a wary eye on several riv- for large-scale fl ooding revived un- American life. women should “go back” to the “totally ers and canals being pushed to their pleasant memories of Katrina. On Friday, he insisted that “most broken and crime infested places from limits by the torrential rainfall and by Floodwaters flow across a residential area in Louisiana yesterday morning. While thousands of Louisianans mayors” want the raids because “they which they came.” fl ooding upstream. packed up and left their homes as the don’t want to have crimes in their cities” The assistant House speaker, Demo- Rain fell yesterday in New Orleans, told residents: “Don’t let your guard ered to between 15cm and 30cm over storm approached, others hunkered — repeating his frequent but incorrect crat Ben Ray Lujan, immediately de- the state’s biggest city, but there was down thinking the worst is behind south-central Louisiana but rivers down to ride out the squall, some- assertion that migrants are more likely nounced it as “a racist tweet” against little wind. us.” and canals across the state’s south times defying mandatory evacuation to be criminals than native-born Ameri- American citizens. Flights in and out of the city’s air- As of 11am yesterday, the storm’s were full. orders. cans. The political parties have already been port resumed after all were cancelled maximum sustained winds had The heavy winds scattered tree In northern New Orleans, just half But New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told wrangling over the conditions facing on Saturday. dropped further, to 64kph. branches across roads and knocked a block from Lake Pontchartrain, re- CNN yesterday that the millions of un- migrants in badly overcrowded federal Thousands of people had aban- It was located southeast of Shreve- down street signs. tired postal worker Mike Pisciotta documented people in the US are “core detention centres — which could see an doned their homes and tens of thou- port in western Louisiana, moving In St John’s Parish next to New Or- shrugged off Barry’s local eff ects. to our economy and part of our commu- additional infl ux as they process those sands lost power. north at a leisurely 14kph, the Na- leans, local television footage showed “It hasn’t really been anything” in nity,” and he accused Trump of using the picked up in raids. Fears that the levee system pro- tional Hurricane Center said. some areas under 60cm of water. New Orleans, he said, while acknowl- raids “to foment division as a political Reporters and lawmakers have de- tecting New Orleans could be com- “Barry is forecast to weaken to a The eye of the storm made landfall edging that other areas were harder campaign.” scribed detention centres where people promised eased after the Army Corps tropical depression later today,” the at Intracoastal City, a speck of a town hit. “I guess we are lucky.” “What he’s doing with our ICE agents sleep on concrete fl oors — if they can of Engineers voiced confi dence that it NHC said, adding that the storm with a few houses and businesses. Pisciotta, 72, said he had a “hurri- is not about securing our borders. It is an fi nd room to do so — lack ready access would hold, but Mayor LaToya Can- should move over Arkansas by today. Part of the main road was fl ooded cane party” with neighbours on Sat- electoral eff ort by President Trump.” to drinking water and live in unhygienic trell urged residents not to be com- Pete Gaynor, acting administrator on Saturday afternoon, as were some urday night in a playful eff ort to keep Like many other city offi cials, de Bla- conditions. placent. of the Federal Emergency Manage- waterfront businesses but by yes- the storm at bay. sio has said the aggressive roundup could In dozens of recent protests across the “We are not in any way out of the ment Agency, told Fox News “there terday, a storm surge warning that But experts say other parts of Loui- intimidate migrants, making them less country, demonstrators have demanded woods,” she said, adding that fl ash are still life-threatening conditions” aff ected Intracoastal City had been siana continue to face a dangerous likely in future to co-operate with local the closing of the overcrowded centres fl ooding remained a threat to the city as Barry moves north. withdrawn. confl uence of conditions. police, at the expense of public safety. and opposed the planned raids. of 400,000 known for its Mardi Gras “The rain is the threat,” he added, News footage showed localised The Mississippi River, already Some city offi cials and pro-migrant US offi cials have acknowledged the and jazz. not only while it falls but in a couple fl ooding, swollen waterways, and swollen from historic rains and fl ood- groups have sought to educate those who overcrowding but insisted they are do- President Donald Trump yesterday of days when fl oodwaters move back downed power lines and trees across ing upstream, is just below fl ood might be targeted on their rights in the ing their best to provide decent condi- warned of “major fl ooding in large down the Mississippi River to the south Louisiana. stage. event of a raid. tions. parts of Louisiana and all across the Gulf of Mexico. Rivers overfl owed their levees in In 2005, Katrina — the costliest and If “someone comes to your door,” The number of undocumented ar- Gulf Coast. Tornadoes were possible in parts of several locations, including part of deadliest hurricane in recent US his- Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms said on rivals totalled more than 100,000 last “Please be very careful!” he said on Louisiana, Mississippi, western Ala- coastal Terrebonne Parish, where tory — submerged about 80% of New CNN, “please don’t open the door unless month — down 28% from May but still Twitter. bama, eastern Arkansas and western authorities had issued a mandatory Orleans after the city’s levee system they have a warrant.” a “full-blown emergency,” according At a late Saturday press conference, Tennessee, the NHC said. evacuation notice. failed, causing about 1,800 deaths Trump yesterday drew an angry reac- to the Department of Homeland Se- Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards Rainfall estimates had been low- The Atchafalaya River swallowed and more than $150bn in damage. tion from Democrats by saying on Twit- curity. Lights back on after equipment failure plunges Manhattan into darkness

DPA Exactly how many people were He said he and fellow passen- caught fi re around 6.55pm near New York aff ected was unclear, but the fi g- gers watched helplessly as several W 64th St and West End Ave. ure was certainly in the hundreds trains passed them on the local “The explosion came from be- of thousands. tracks. “People generally stayed low. It took two, three minutes roadway went dark along A single Con Ed customer in in good humour,” he said. for the smoke to go away,” said with much of Midtown the blackout area could include Martin said he and others Dawa Sherpa, 30, a Queens resi- Band the Upper West Side hundreds of apartments. aboard the train were fi nally res- dent who witnessed the blast. on Saturday night when a Con Ed McAvoy told reporters the cued when the MTA ran a train up “People were running – they all equipment failure cut power to blackout resulted from a “sig- from Columbus Circle. covered their faces and noses and hundreds of thousands of people nifi cant disturbance on the west That train linked to the front started running,” said Sherpa. in Manhattan. side of Manhattan at one of our of the stranded D train, and took “It looked like a real bomb, It Strap-hangers were led out of electric transmission stations.” passengers for a ride to Colum- smelled so badly, I felt dizzy and subway tunnels, fi refi ghters re- Subway service was stalled in bus Circle. I had a headache.” sponded to numerous reports of Manhattan and Queens on all the Giant electronic billboards in At an intersection near Lincoln people trapped in elevators, and lines designated by letters, which Times Square went dark. Center, a sidewalk fruit seller nearly a dozen Broadway shows the MTA calls its “B Division.” Mayor Bill de Blasio was ab- took it upon himself to direct shut down for the night after the “We’re trying to get people sent from the crisis as he pur- traffi c. outage hit at around 6.55pm. out of subways. We’re trying to sued his long-shot presidential In Midtown, someone ap- Electricity started to come get people out of elevators. It’s candidacy with a campaign trip peared to hand out yellow safety back at around 10pm. a big mess,” an MTA source said in Iowa. vests and glow sticks to people Con Edison said all power was shortly after the blackout struck. “This appears to be something who voluntarily directed traffi c. back on at around 11.40pm. Subway riders were walked that just went wrong in the way The blackout didn’t stop eve- The blackout hit 42 years to the through tunnels and led to the that they transmit power from rything around Midtown. day after the massive 1977 power station at Columbus Circle, an one part of the city to another,” The Winter Garden, Ned- outage that wiped out electricity MTA source said. de Blasio told CNN. “It sounds erlander and Lyceum theatres across nearly all of the city. Josh Martin said he spent 45 like it is addressable in a reason- stayed open, and backup genera- At its peak, the blackout cut minutes stuck aboard a Brook- able amount of time.” tors kept the Port Authority Bus power to more than 73,000 Con lyn-bound D train stalled on the As the problems spread across Terminal running. Ed customers, said John McAvoy, express tracks beneath Central six of the company’s local net- No one was reported seriously Lights glitter on the Radio City Music Hall facade after a major power outage aff ected parts of New York the company’s CEO. Park West. works, a manhole exploded and hurt in the outage. City on Saturday night. Gulf Times 10 Monday, July 15, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Death toll in HK extradition protesters Nepal rains up at 47

Reuters escalate fi ght in suburbs Kathmandu he death toll in Nepal from Reuters am already 70-something years fl ash fl oods and landslides Hong Kong old. What do I know about poli- Tin the past three days rose tics? But politics comes to you.” to 47 yesterday, with dozens Hong Kong returned to Chi- missing and injured, the govern- ens of thousands ral- nese rule in 1997 under a “one ment said. lied in a large Hong Kong country, two systems” for- Incessant monsoon rains have Tsuburb yesterday, driven mula that guarantees its people pounded many areas in mostly by abiding anger at the govern- freedoms for 50 years that are mountainous Nepal since Thurs- ment’s handling of an extradi- not enjoyed in mainland China, day, submerging large swathes tion bill that has revived fears including the liberty to protest of land, innundating homes, and of China tightening its grip over and an independent judiciary. destroying bridges and roads the former British colony and Beijing denies interfering in across the country. eroding its freedoms. Hong Kong aff airs, but many A Home Ministry statement Millions have taken to the residents worry about what said 47 people had been con- streets over the past month in they see as an erosion of those fi rmed dead and 28 injured. some of the largest and most vi- freedoms and a relentless march There are 29 missing. olent protests in decades over an toward mainland control. Television channels showed extradition bill that would allow Hong Kong’s embattled roofs of houses submerged people to be sent to mainland leader, Carrie Lam, has said the in fl ood waters in the south- China for trial in courts control- extradition bill is “dead”, but ern plains and people wading led by the Communist Party. opponents say they will settle through chest-deep water with Clashes broke out as pro- for nothing short of its formal their belongings on their heads. testers hurled umbrellas and withdrawal. Offi cials said in some areas rains plastic bottles at police who Some protesters yesterday had eased but some rivers in the retaliated by fi ring pepper spray waved banners appealing to eastern part of the country were amid chaotic scenes inside a US President Donald Trump to still above fl ood level. Authorities shopping mall that houses some “Please liberate Hong Kong” asked residents to remain alert. of the world’s biggest luxury and “Defend our Constitution”. The Kosi River, which fl ows brands. Such scenes are certain to rile into the eastern Indian state of Most of the demonstrators Beijing, which has been an- Bihar, was among those that had dispersed shortly afterward as a gered by criticism from Wash- risen above the fl ood level. small group sang the Christian ington and London over the Nepal police offi cial Ishwari hymn “Sing Hallelujah to the controversial bill. Dahal said all 56 sluice gates of the Lord”, which has emerged as the Others waved British and Kosi barrage on the Nepal-India unlikely anthem of the protests. American fl ags, while ban- Riot police use pepper spray to disperse pro-democracy activists inside a mall after a march at Sha Tin District of East New Territories in border had been opened last night Protesters marched in swel- ners calling for Hong Kong’s Hong Kong yesterday. for six hours to drain out 371,000 tering heat of about 32 degrees independence billowed in the cusecs of water, the highest ac- Celsius (89.6°F) in Sha Tin, a sultry breeze from makeshift 115,000 attended yesterday’s to China. Demonstrators stormed ing that Lam step down, the her after she tried to defend cumulation in 15 years. A cusec is town between Hong Kong is- fl agpoles. rally. Police put the number at the Legislative Council building withdrawal of the word “riot” the police, whom activists a measurement of fl ow, equivalent land and the border with Chi- One placard featured a pic- 28,000 at its peak. on July 1 and ransacked it. to describe demonstrations, the described as “dogs”. to one cubic foot per second. na, extending the demonstra- ture of Chinese leader Xi Jin- The bill has stirred outrage “I never missed a march so unconditional release of those “It’s verbal violence,” said “Its water level has gone down tions outward from the heart ping with the words: “Extradite across broad sections of Hong far since June,” said a 69-year- arrested and an independent the woman, who gave her name now,” Dahal told Reuters from the of the fi nancial centre into to China, disappear forever.” Kong society amid concerns it old man who gave only his investigation into complaints of only as Catherine. “People just barrage site in southeast Nepal. surrounding districts. Chants of “Carrie Lam go to would threaten the much-cher- surname, Chen. police brutality. surrounded me and shouted The Kosi has been a serious “These days there is re- hell!” rang through the crowd, ished rule of law that underpins “I support the youngsters, Police have condemned what rude language and that makes concern for both India and Nepal ally no trust of China, and so gathered well away from the is- the city’s international fi nancial they have done something we they describe as “violent pro- me feel I am living in fear.” since it broke its banks in 2008 the protesters come out,” said land heart of the fi nancial centre status. Young, elderly and fami- haven’t done. There is noth- testers” and stressed that of- Mass protests over the bill and changed course, submerg- Jennie Kwan, 73. which has witnessed the largest lies joined the latest protest. ing we can do to help them, but fi cers will investigate all illegal since June have morphed into ing swathes of land and aff ecting “Didn’t they promise 50 and most violent demonstrations The protests have caused the come out and march to show acts. demonstrations over democ- more than 2mn people in India’s years, no change? And yet we’ve over the past month. former British colony’s biggest our appreciation and support.” One woman, in her mid-50s, racy and broader grievances in Bihar state. About 500 people all seen the changes. I myself Organisers said around political crisis since its handover Protesters are also demand- said protesters had harassed society. died in that disaster. Major quake hits Rains destroy remote islands 5,000 shelters in in Indonesia Rohingya camps

AFP roadside,” said local disaster AFP fl ooded toilets, which foster Labuha mitigation offi cial Mansur, who Balukhali, Bangladesh disease outbreaks. like many Indonesians goes by World Food Programme one name. (WFP) spokeswoman Gemma major 7.3-magnitude Offi cials were assessing the t least 10 people have Snowdon said they had to sig- earthquake hit the remote situation but there were no im- died and thousands nifi cantly increase assistance AMaluku islands in east- mediate reports of casualties, he Aof shanty homes have in the camps to cope up with ern Indonesia yesterday, send- said. been destroyed by monsoon the monsoon. ing panicked residents running In the town of Labuha, one rains in overcrowded Rohingya “So far 11,400 people have into the streets, but no tsunami of the closest to the epicentre, A man checks his phone as people run after an earthquake in Ternate, North Maluku, Indonesia yesterday refugee camps in Bangla- required the extra food assist- warning was issued. panicked residents took to mo- in this still image taken from social media video. desh’s southeast, offi cials said ance due to the heavy rains, The shallow quake struck torcycles in a bid to fl ee to higher yesterday. compared to 7,000 during the about 165km (100 miles) south- ground, according to an AFP evacuated to higher ground. Indonesia experiences fre- with another thousand declared Bangladesh’s meteorologi- whole of July 2018,” she said. southwest of the town of Terna- photographer in town when the “Electricity went off dur- quent seismic and volcanic ac- missing. cal department said the Cox’s Last year the UN refugee te in North Maluku province at earthquake hit. ing the earthquake, but now it’s tivity due to its position on the On December 26, 2004, a dev- Bazar district – home to nearly agency moved 30,000 Ro- 6:28pm (0928 GMT), according Local disaster offi cial Ih- back to normal,” Subur said, Pacifi c “Ring of Fire”, where astating 9.1-magnitude earth- 1mn Rohingya Muslims who hingya out of areas considered to the US Geological Survey. san Subur told Metro TV adding that at least seven big tectonic plates collide. quake struck off the coast of have fl ed a military crackdown at high risk of landslides and “The earthquake was quite that no damage or casual- aftershocks were felt after the Last year, a 7.5-magnitude Sumatra and triggered a tsunami in Myanmar – has seen at least fl oods. strong, sending residents to fl ee ties had been reported there initial quake. quake and a subsequent tsu- that killed 220,000 across the 58.5cm (nearly 2ft) of rain Heavy rains frequently trig- outside. They are panicking and so far, but residents took The province was also hit by a nami in Palu on Sulawesi island Indian Ocean region, including since July 2. ger fl ooding and landslides in many are now waiting on the to the streets and many 6.9-magnitude tremor last week. killed more than 2,200 people, around 170,000 in Indonesia. An International Organi- Bangladesh’s southeastern hill sation for Migration (IOM) districts, and in 2017 at least spokeswoman said heavy rains 170 people were killed. Dozens clash with triggered mudslides in the ref- Some 740,000 Rohingya ugee camps – which are most- fl ed a military crackdown in police at gas price ly built on hill-slopes – de- Buddhist-dominated Myan- Former Bangladesh protest in Dhaka Quake of magnitude stroying some 4,889 tarpaulin mar’s Rakhine state in August and bamboo shacks in the fi rst 2017, joining about 200,000 Dozens of people protesting two weeks of July. already living in camps in military dictator dies against the Bangladeshi 6.6 strikes west of More than 200 landslides Bangladesh. government’s sudden decision to have been reported since April Offi cials said landslides ormer Bangladesh mili- hike gas prices by a third clashed in the camps, built near the were increasing in the re- tary dictator Hussain Mu- yesterday with police outside the Australia’s Broome border with Myanmar, and at gion because forests had been Fhamed Ershad died yes- energy ministry in Dhaka, protest least 10 people were killed, a cleared to make way for the terday aged 89, after weeks in a leaders and police said. Reuters “We just had an earthquake UN report said, adding near- sprawling Rohingya camps. Dhaka hospital, offi cials said. Last month the state-run Singapore in Broome,” one resident of ly 50,000 people have been One of the settlements, Ku- General Ershad ruled Bang- Bangladesh Energy Regulatory the town said on Twitter. “The aff ected. tupalong, is now the world’s ladesh for nearly a decade be- Commission announced it would whole house was shaking and In the last week alone, two largest refugee centre. fore being ousted from power raise natural gas prices by 32.8% on n earthquake of magni- it went for ages. Never expe- Rohingya minors died and an- Refugee homes are par- in a pro-democracy upsurge in average for all users from July 1, the tude 6.6 struck west of rienced anything like it before other 6,000 people were left ticularly susceptible to dam- 1990 and was jailed for years first day of the country’s fiscal year. AAustralia’s beach resort – quite amazing.” without shelter because of age or destruction because on corruption charges. Hossain Mohamed Ershad Sunday’s protest was organised of Broome, the United States Such an earthquake was heavy rains. Bangladeshi authorities will He passed away due to com- by the Left Democratic Alliance Geological Survey said on uncommon for the region, Phil The UN said the schooling only allow them to be built plications from old age, Kazi In comments made to local (LDA), which said at least 15 of its Sunday, with residents saying Cummins, a seismologist with of some 60,000 children had with tarpaulin, twine, bam- Firoz Rashid, a longtime col- reporters from jail in 1996, he members were injured during the the impact shook some build- Geoscience Australia, told been interrupted with over boo, or other fl imsy materials league and lawmaker from his said that his “greatest failure... confrontation with police. ings and pushed groceries off the Australian Broadcasting 750 learning centres partial- to maintain the “temporary” Jatiya Party, said. was running the country softly “We tried to go to the off ice of shelves. Corporation. ly damaged and fi ve heavily character of the camp, accord- Armed forces spokesman with a heart of a poet”. the energy ministry to raise There were no immediate “It’s quite rare … you might damaged. ing to the New York-based Abdullah bin Zaid confi rmed Despite the slew of cases our concern over the gas price reports of damage or casu- see this event every 20 years,” Displaced refugees said they Human Rights Watch (HRW). the death. against him, Ershad emerged rise but police prevented and alties in the quake, which Cummins said. were suff ering as rain disrupt- A senior Bangladesh offi - Ershad, who was also a as one of Bangladesh’s major scuff led with us,” said Ruhin the agency initially said was Broome is located in the ed logistics and daily activity cial said the government has prolifi c poet, was the head of power brokers in the 1990s af- Hossain, secretary of Bangladesh of magnitude 6.9, hitting at Kimberley region, a site for in the camps. barred permanent structures the country’s armed forces in ter his Jatiya Party became the Communist Party which belongs a depth of 33km (21 miles), mining and petroleum produc- “It’s tough to go to food as they hope the refugees will 1982 when he took power in a country’s third biggest politi- to the LDA. about 203km (126 miles) off - tion in Australia’s northwest. distribution centres by wad- eventually return home. bloodless coup after removing cal outfi t. Police said off icers tried to prevent shore from the town in the The earthquake was widely ing through a swamp of Bangladesh wants to relo- an elected government from The former general became protesters from breaking through a state of Western Australia. felt in Perth, the capital of mud,” Nurun Jan, a Rohingya cate up to 100,000 refugees to power. a key ally of Hasina and re- barricade and that it was unaware Videos posted on social me- Western Australia, a distance refugee, said. Bhashan Char, a remote island His rule was marked by a mained hugely popular in his of anyone being injured. dia showed cars and buildings of more than 2,000km (1,242 “Rains and gusty wind have in the Bay of Bengal, but this is controversial decision to make home district in the coun- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said shaking and groceries being miles) away, data from Geo- made our life miserable.” opposed by the Rohingya and Islam the state religion of the try’s north from where he was last week the price increases were knocked from shelves, with science Australia showed. An Refugees also described a international rights groups. offi cially secular Muslim-ma- elected member of parliament necessary to sustain economic some residents reporting mi- aftershock of 4.1 was also shortage of drinking water and Dhaka says any relocation to jority nation. six times in a row. growth. (DPA) nor damage to businesses. recorded. a looming health crisis due to the island would be voluntary. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 11 BRITAIN

‘Hypocrite’ councillor’s school privatisation stance ridiculed

Daily Mail up to nearly £40,000 a year. education in the city. Childs, an offi cial at the teach- pressing his own views on educa- to £13,305 for a full boarder in ter users lined up to accuse him of London Childs, the deputy leader of Childs, who chairs the Chil- ers’ National Education Union, tion – although he only has 226 Years 10 to 13. The Independent hypocrisy. Brighton and Hove City Council, dren, Young People and Schools has also called schools watchdog followers. Schools Inspectorate rated Roe- One said: “Typical left wing was elected as a Labour coun- committee in Brighton, recently Ofsted an “enforcement agent of Roedean, founded in 1885, sits dean as excellent in all areas in its hypocrite”. Another branded him Corbynite councillor who cillor in May as part of a slate of posted on Twitter: “Privatisa- (a) neoliberal education system on a cliff in East Sussex overlook- most recent inspection in March a “champagne socialist”. A third has slammed the ‘priva- candidates approved by the pro- tion fetish won’t provide our of competition, recidivist no- ing the English Channel. Set in 2016. wondered: “What’s wrong with Atisation’ of schools sends Corbyn group Momentum. children with good education. tions of education/intelligence, 118 acres of grounds, it has its After it was revealed by the the local comps in your area Nick?” his daughter to the most expen- He is an outspoken critic of the Our city will.” He has opposed narrow data sets, privatisation own golf course and a private media that his daughter goes to Others compared him to shad- sive private girls’ school in Brit- turning of publicly owned state plans to turn a failing local pri- and denial of impact of poverty”. tunnel to the beach. The school Roedean, Childs attempted to ow home secretary Diane Abbott, ain. schools into academies, and has mary school rated inadequate by He proudly includes the La- motto, ‘honneur aulx dignes’, is defend himself on Twitter by who was accused of hypocrisy in Nick Childs faced accusations criticised what he calls the ‘fetish Ofsted into an academy – which bour slogan “For the many not in Norman French and means posting that he does not oppose 2003 for sending her son to pri- of hypocrisy after it was revealed for privatisation’ at the depart- would mean it could accept pri- the few” on his Twitter profi le, ‘honour the worthy’. independent schools. But he re- vate school rather than a com- he has a daughter who attends ment for education. He has also vate fi nance and be taken out of where he regularly retweets Jer- Fees per term range from ceived dozens of critical mes- prehensive near her home in Roedean School, where fees are spoken of his ‘socialist vision’ for local authority control. emy Corbyn’s posts as well as ex- £5,670 for a Year 7 day pupil sages in response as other Twit- Hackney, north London. New nuclear Making a point funding model ‘could leave taxpayers liable’

Guardian News and Media The plans would hand devel- London opers an upfront regulated return on their investment at each new phase of the project. This could he government will set out encourage more investment from plans to resuscitate the infrastructure and pension funds TUK’s struggling nuclear and better borrowing terms for ambitions with a new scheme the developer. which would leave taxpayers li- Government offi cials are un- able for rising costs or delays. der pressure to fi nd a new way The funding model, expected to fi nance nuclear projects after this week, could help bankroll the National Audit Offi ce con- the multibillion pound plans for demned the 35-year deal to sup- a follow-on to EDF Energy’s Hin- port the Hinkley Point project kley Point C project in Somerset, through energy bills at a cost of which ministers aim to build at £92.50 for every megawatt-hour the Sizewell site in Suff olk. of electricity it produces. It could also revive the dor- The average electricity price in Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leadership contender, and Emily Thornberry, Labour Party’s shadow foreign mant plans for a £16bn new nu- the UK last year was between £55 secretary, appear on BBC TV’s The Andrew Marr Show in London yesterday. clear reactor at the Wylfa project and £65 per megawatt-hour. in North Wales, which fell apart The watchdog accused min- last year due to the high costs of isters of putting energy bill pay- nuclear construction. ers on the hook for a “risky and Government offi cials are ex- expensive” project which off ers pected to reveal a new fi nancial “uncertain strategic and eco- framework based on the model nomic benefi ts”. being used to fi nance the £4.2bn The new fi nancing plan has Thames Tideway tunnel. already raised concerns that ap- Under those plans, the gov- plying the Tideway model to a Pro-EU activist threatens ernment has allowed the su- nuclear project that costs £20bn per-sewer’s developers to and takes around a decade to charge customers upfront for build could leave taxpayers ex- the project, and agreed to cover posed to a far higher fi nancial cost overruns above 30% of the risk. budget and step in as a lender if Nuclear projects have suff ered funding dries up. high-profi le delays and multibil- no-deal court battle The nuclear plans are expected lion pound cost overruns in re- to be unveiled before parlia- cent years, making them almost Reuters Brexit, meaning that unless Former prime minister John stitutionally objectionable” and ish-run province and risk his ment’s summer recess at the end impossible to fi nance without London Johnson could secure a new exit Major also said last week he unlawful to ask the Queen to officers becoming targets for of this week, alongside a long- state intervention. agreement with the EU and get it would be prepared to turn to the suspend parliament — a process militants. awaited energy white paper. EDF said last month that its approved by lawmakers, he may judiciary if needed to avoid a called prorogation. Police Service of Northern The policy roadmap will set struggling French nuclear project egal campaigner Gina have to resort to suspending the constitutional crisis. “It would seriously under- Ireland Chief Constable Simon out the government’s plans for at Flamanville could be delayed Miller yesterday said any legislature. Johnson is favourite to win mine parliamentary sovereignty Byrne, appointed last month the energy sector as the economy by another three years to repair Lattempt to suspend par- That prospect has angered the contest to take over from for you, as prime minister, to after a career in English polic- moves towards the UK’s target to eight faulty weldings discovered liament in order to push through fellow lawmakers and cam- Prime Minister Theresa May. prorogue parliament to prevent ing, raised concerns about how reduce emissions to net zero by at the site. a no-deal Brexit would be un- paigners who say parliament The winner will be announced it from considering whether to he was supposed to police the 2050. The latest delay could push lawful, announcing her inten- should not be bypassed. on July 23. legislate to prevent a no-deal almost 300 border crossing The industry is expected to Flamanville’s start date, origi- tion to challenge such a move in Miller, who is best known for His fi rst preference is to rene- Brexit,” the letter said. with the Irish republic if Brit- have three months to respond nally in 2012, to 2022. The project court if necessary. successfully taking the govern- gotiate a new deal with the EU It called on Johnson to rule ain leaves the European Union to an offi cial consultation be- was expected to cost about €3bn Boris Johnson, the frontrun- ment to the Supreme Court to and have it approved by parlia- out suspending parliament and without a deal in just over three fore ministers decide whether to when construction began but the ner to become the next prime challenge its authority to leave ment, but he has said it would that if he would not, asked that months. move ahead with the scheme. latest estimates put its cost at al- minister, has refused to rule out the EU without a vote in parlia- be unwise to rule out anything he gave enough notice to allow Byrne said his offi cers were Senior nuclear industry sourc- most €11bn. suspending parliament to de- ment, said she had reassembled — including suspension — that any such move to be tested in in discussion with senior civil es have told government offi cials EDF Energy has claimed that liver on his promise that Britain the same legal team for a fresh might be needed to deliver Brex- the courts. servants to make their concerns and investors that the proposed the risk to taxpayers of funding will leave the European Union challenge. it. Earlier Northern Ireland’s clear and that he was looking to fi nance framework, known as a its Sizewell B project would be far on October 31 with or without “We are ready to go to court to In a letter to Johnson, Miller’s new police chief warned that London in particular for advice regulated asset base (RAB) mod- lower because it is a copy of the an exit deal. test the legality of any attempt lawyers at law fi rm Mishcon de a hard Brexit could have a on how the border should be el, could lead to lower costs for same design used to build Hin- Parliament has on several oc- to prorogue parliament,” she Reya argued that in the current “detrimental” impact on two policed ahead of the scheduled consumers. kley Point C. casions voted against a no-deal said in a statement. circumstances it would be “con- decades of peace in the Brit- October 31 exit. Civil servant off ended by Wimbledon final Diabetes on the rise royal photo paid £10,000 among under-25s Daily Mail they start school. Type 2 diabetes London is much more aggressive in Daily Mail people during engagements in after compensation was set- young people than in adults and London Northern Ireland.” tled, Hegarty, who had worked can lead to heart disease, kidney One replacement photograph in the Northen Ireland Offi ce he number of youngsters damage and blindness. featured the Queen shaking for between 15 and 20 years, was being treated for Type 2 Experts fear many younger ‘bigoted’ and ‘oppor- hands with the former deputy promoted to accounting offi cer Tdiabetes has soared by patients will succumb to these tunistic’ civil servant in first minister and ex-IRA leader of the Parades Commission, he 50% in fi ve years because of the in their teens or 20s because Athe Northern Ireland Of- Martin McGuinness in Belfast. added. obesity epidemic, fi gures show. there is a higher overall risk of fi ce was secretly paid £10,000 Lord Maginnis, 81, said: “I Lord Maginnis said Hegarty’s Some 745 patients were treated complications. compensation because he was do not mind that. What I mind treatment contrasted with the in specialist paediatric diabetes New data, published by the off ended at having to walk past is that the case brought by the years of delay in compensating clinics last year, a 47% rise on the Royal College of Paediatrics portraits of the Queen, a peer has complainant was settled secretly victims of historical institu- 507 cases in 2013-14. and Child Health (RCPCH), revealed. and that the sum of £10,000 was tional abuse in Northern Ire- Of the under-25s who received showed that more girls than boys The civil servant complained handed over, presumably for hurt land. treatment for the condition, 85% received treatment for Type 2 under human rights legislation feelings and distress.” He said: “I urge the NIO... to were obese and nearly half also diabetes last year. Nearly half of that he should not have to work The then Northern Ireland expedite payment of the com- had high blood pressure. the young people had high blood in an offi ce which featured paint- secretary, Tory MP Theresa Vil- paratively paltry compensation Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type pressure, and 34% exceeded ings of Her Majesty and the Duke liers, who held the post from due to the people... more deserv- 2 is largely preventable and is the higher target for blood of Edinburgh. 2012 to 2016, signed off the set- ing than this opportunistic civil linked to obesity and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Former Ulster Unionist MP tlement, the peer said. He add- servant who, surely, must now lifestyles. It usually aff ects adults The true number of young Lord Maginnis exposed what he ed he had been told she did so be compromised... because of over 40 and until 20 years ago people treated for Type 2 is likely called the ‘scandalous episode’, on the recommendation of her his bigoted stance over the royal had never been seen in children to be far higher as many are solely telling the House of Lords: “The permanent secretary Jonathan family.” in the UK. However Britain’s treated in GP services, said the portraits were removed and the Stephens. An NIO spokesman said: spiralling obesity crisis means Local Government Association offended party, a Lee Hegarty, Lord Maginnis said: “I have “The government takes its obli- growing numbers of young (LGA), which analysed the was consulted on what should been told to look at the annual gations under fair employment people are at risk and are being fi gures. replace them. He suggested that accounts to fi nd out where the legislation very seriously. We Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, treated at specialist clinics that Professor Russell Viner, the portraits of the Queen and money came from – but it is not will not comment on individual the Duke of Cambridge, in the royal box during the cater for under-25s. president of the RCPCH, said: the Duke of Edinburgh should to be found. That should concern personnel matters.” The Pa- Wimbledon final between Switzerland’s Roger Federer One in fi ve children are obese “Type 2 diabetes is a serious be replaced with photographs us.” rades Commission declined to and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. in Year Six, at 11, as well as almost health condition associated with of, at best, the Queen meeting After some time had passed comment. one in 10 four-year-olds when obesity and if left unmanaged it Gulf Times 12 Monday, July 15, 2019 EUROPE Mediterranean sharks risk ‘disappearing’: WWF

AFP The World Wildlife Fund in about 4,200 tonnes of sharks across the Mediterranean. and long gestation periods. However, an even bigger prob- “Their rapid decline is the Paris (WWF) said that more than a year – three times that of the In addition, the explosion of The WWF said that a lack of lem could be diffi culty in track- most serious signal of the status half of shark and ray species in next biggest Mediterranean fi sh- plastic pollution is endanger- international co-operation and ing sea-based populations; the of our sea and of irresponsible the Mediterranean were under er, Italy. ing shark populations, either regulation meant that it was IUCN says that it currently lacks fi shing practices. harks – the sea’s top preda- threat, and that almost a third While some species are target- through the animals ingesting nearly impossible to actively suffi cient data on nearly 200 “All Mediterranean coun- tors for millions of years of them have been fi shed to the ed for food, many of the sharks or becoming enmeshed in refuse monitor shark conservation ef- shark species to make a classifi - tries are responsible for this,” he S– are at risk of disappear- brink of extinction. fi shed in the Mediterranean are items. forts. cation. stressed. ing from the Mediterranean as Its report, released on Fri- bycatch caught up in nets set for Sharks have been around for The International Union for “Sharks are at risk of disap- “Sharks have been part of our overfi shing and plastic pollution day ahead of Shark Awareness other fi sh. more than 400mn years. Conservation of Nature (IUCN) pearing from the Mediterranean,” sea and culture for thousands of choke populations of the endan- Day, singled out Libya and Tu- The WWF said that it had re- However, they are particularly Red List of endangered species said Giuseppe Di Carlo, direc- years, we need to act quickly to gered hunters, conservationists nisia as the worst culprits, with corded more than 60 shark spe- vulnerable to population decline counts 79 endangered shark and tor of the WWF’s Mediterranean ensure they remain in the future,” warned this week. each country’s fi shery hauling cies entangled in fi shing nets because of their slow maturation 120 endangered ray species. Marine Initiative. Di Carlo added.

Nine die in Sweden San Fermin festival ends aircraft crash

DPA with more casualties Stockholm AFP Pamplona small plane has crashed in northern Sweden, killing Aall nine people on board, hree men were gored a spokesperson for the Vaster- yesterday during the botten region confi rmed to DPA Teighth and fi nal bull run yesterday. of Spain’s San Fermin festi- Swedish newspaper Afton- val, bringing to eight the total bladet, which fi rst reported the number of daredevils injured accident, said the passengers in- during this year’s fi esta. cluded parachute jumpers. Among those who were hos- Indications are that the ac- pitalised this year after being cident took place shortly after injured by a bull’s horns was an take-off at an airport in the city American who was wounded in of Umea, according to local po- the neck while taking a selfi e. lice. In the last run, two Austral- The plane crashed on Stor- ians aged 27 and 30 as well as sandskar island, about 2km well as a 25-year-old Spaniard south of the airport. from Madrid were gored by the The cause of the crash was not half-tonne fi ghting bull, “Rab- yet known. onero”, regional health authori- The accident region was ties said. sealed off by police. The three men suff ered inju- The newspaper published ries to the armpit, arm and leg a video from a witness show- from the bull’s horns. ing the plane’s nose hitting the Another two men were taken ground at high velocity. to hospital with bruises. A wild cow jumps over revellers The witness told the paper During yesterday’s run in the after the last bull run of the San he heard a loud boom after the northern city of Pamplona, Rab- Fermin festival in Pamplona. crash, after which everything onero, the heaviest of the six went quiet. bulls used in the event, became Right: Revellers watch the last Swedish Prime Minister Ste- separated from the pack mo- bull run of the San Fermin fan Lofven sent his condolenc- ments into the run and began festival in Pamplona, yesterday. es in a statement and said his charging people in its way. thoughts were with the victims Isolated bulls are more like- and their loved ones at this dif- ly to get disoriented and start fi cult time. charging at people. Umea is a city of around The bulls from the Miura 80,000 people, about 500km ranch in the southwestern prov- north of Stockholm in the prov- ince of Seville completed the ince of Vasterbotten. 848.6m (928-yard) course from a holding pen to the city bull ring in two minutes and 45 seconds. Each morning from July 7-14, hundreds of daredevils, many wearing traditional white shirts Sardinian with red scarves tied around their necks, tested their bravery by running ahead of a pack of authorities bulls through the course set up in the narrow, winding streets of the mediaeval city. face wildfi re The bulls face almost certain death in afternoon bullfi ghts, and earlier this month animal DPA rights activists staged a “die-in” Rome protest in the streets of the city to protest the tradition. At the end of the festival’s fi rst irefi ghters on the Italian run, a bull ran over and sunk one island of Sardinia were of its horns deep in the neck of a Fbattling a large wildfi re 46-year-old American from San yesterday that forced the evacu- Francisco, Jaime Alvarez, nar- Two men dismantle a barrier after the last bull run of the San Fermin Members of the San Fermin festival’s ‘Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos’ (Parade of the giants and the ation of a sea resort the day be- rowly missing key arteries. festival in Pamplona. big heads) are given a farewell at the town hall square in Pamplona. fore. He was injured as he was try- Beachgoers, about 20 private ing to take a video-selfi e with his to take part in the bull run, he In addition to the eight men The festival dates back to me- Although the runs are over, gious processions and concerts. homes, a hotel and two camping mobile phone. added. who were gored, another 27 diaeval times and was immortal- the festival’s closing ceremony Sixteen people have been sites in the centre of Sardinia’s “It was like a truck or car just He was released from hospital people were taken to hospital for ised in Nobel Prize-winning au- took place later at midnight. killed in the bull runs since eastern coast had to be cleared hitting me in the side of the head. two days later. broken bones and bruises suf- thor Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 People from around the world records started in 1911. on Saturday, the Ansa news I put my hand on my neck and I Another 23-year-old fered during the bull runs. novel The Sun Also Rises. fl ock to the city of 200,000 The last death was in 2009 agency reported. saw blood,” he told US television American from Kentucky and About 500 others were treated It claims scores of casualties residents to test their bravery when a bull gored a 27-year-old RAI public television tweeted from a Pamplona hospital. 40-year-old Spaniard were also at the scene for more minor inju- every year although last year just and enjoy the festival’s mix of Spaniard in the neck, heart and yesterday that 800 hectares of His wife had asked him not gored that day. ries, according to the Red Cross. two men were gored. round-the-clock parties, reli- lungs. land had been aff ected, while regional newspaper La Nuova Sardegna ran the headline “Hell in Sardinia”. According to the paper, there were a total of 41 fi res on the is- Czechs go crazy as pop singer Gott turns 80 land, making Saturday the worst day for fi refi ghters since the start of the summer. By Jan Flemr, AFP “We arrived at six o’clock in Tower, Big Ben and Dutch paint- and Alphaville’s Forever Young, Gianni Lampis, regional en- Prague the morning on Saturday. We er Rembrandt van Rijn. but most of them were written vironment minister, blamed ar- slept in sleeping bags on the The Gott banknote was issued by Czech composers. sonists. pavement,” he told AFP. in a limited edition of 5,000 and Born on July 14, 1939, Gott undreds of people “We collect the banknotes, sold out in four hours. was trained as an electrical fi tter from home and abroad the Zero Euro is a big phenom- Each buyer could snag a maxi- before studying to be an opera Four killed as train Hqueued in central Prague enon in our country, and so is mum of two banknotes. singer. yesterday to buy a “Zero Euro” Karel Gott,” he said, folding his Dubbed “Divine Karel” for He rose to stardom in the ploughs into car souvenir banknote depicting umbrella to fi nally get inside the his impeccable tenor voice, Gott 1960s when he sang in the US Czech pop singer Karel Gott in shop after a rain-drenched 26- has been voted the most popu- and what was then West Ger- Two adults and two children were honour of his 80th birthday. hour wait. lar singer 42 times in the an- many, and represented Austria killed when a train ploughed Some eager fans and collec- Unlike Slovakia, with which it nual Golden Nightingale poll of in the Eurovision song contest. A man shows ‘Zero Euro’ souvenir banknotes depicting Czech pop into a car at a level crossing in tors had waited for days, arriving formed a single state until 1993, Czech music fans. At that time, German papers singer Karel Gott, that are sold in honour of his 80th birthday, at the the Czech Republic, a police as early as Thursday, to buy the the Czech Republic has not yet Gott has released almost 300 described him as the “Sinatra of shop of a local record company in Prague. spokeswoman said yesterday. zero-denomination banknote introduced the euro and its gov- LPs and CDs, selling dozens of the East”. The train pushed the car for for the equivalent of €2 from ernment has no plans to replace millions of them. He retained his popularity Germany, Poland and Russia. At the front of the winding, about 300m before coming to a special ATMs in the shop of a lo- its koruna currency in the near Fans in neighbouring Ger- following the 1968 invasion of At the weekend, Czech Tel- bulky queue, Jana Vankova from halt, the spokeswoman said. cal record company. future. many, relishing the singer’s hits Prague by Soviet-led armies, a evision fi lled its prime time with Ricany near Prague, who spent The level crossing in the village of One fan, Lukas Gandzala, said Created by Frenchman Rich- as well as the title song for the time when many singers were Gott-related shows, while the the night in a folding chair, said Cernozice, near Hradec Kralove, he had slept outside the store af- ard Faille in 2015 and authorised Maya the Bee children’s TV se- banned for political reasons. top-selling broadsheet DNES she would buy the banknote as a was equipped with a warning ter coming all the way from the by the European Central Bank, ries, have in turn dubbed Gott Gott, who is also known as a published online recipes for birthday tribute to Gott. light but no barriers. northern Slovak city of Poprad, the Zero Euro notes used solely “the Golden Voice from Prague”. skilled painter and an occasional Gott’s favourite meals, includ- “We’re all fans, not banknote The police are investigating some 450km (280 miles) from as souvenirs depict well-known His hits include cover versions actor, has been given numerous ing steak tartar with cognac and dealers. We really love Gott,” she whether the light was in working Prague. sites and people like the Eiff el of Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman awards in countries including Indian curry. said. order. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 13 EUROPE French ‘yellow vests’ movement dwindling but not dead: analysts

By Charlotte Mason, AFP But as protests dwindle – just National Centre for Scientifi c dished out millions of euros in “The yellow vests have largely right National Rally – he faces a les-Mines last month to discuss Paris a few hundred demonstrators Research (CNRS). compensation to business own- managed to avoid that.” long road to the 2022 presidential the way forward – their third turned up in Paris, Toulouse and “It started as a movement ers whose stores were robbed or The protesters’ calls for re- polls. such meeting. Bordeaux last Saturday – the which everyone could identify damaged during marches. forms such as a hike in the mini- “Just because the protests have They are pushing for referen- egendary restaurant Le “yellow vests” are looking for with, but from January, February, But public support for the mum wage and more direct de- lost momentum, that doesn’t dums and backing non-politician Fouquet’s opened yes- new ways to voice their discon- we started seeing professional “yellow vests” remains strong, mocracy resonate with many mean the frustration has disap- candidates to run in local polls. Lterday for the fi rst time tent with President Emmanuel protesters and extremists who said Bruno Jeanbart, deputy chief who see Macron – an ex-banker peared. The volcano is no longer “The government managed to since “yellow vest” protesters Macron’s government. were organised and violent,” he at the polling fi rm OpinionWay. – as elitist and out-of-touch. erupting, but the magma is still cope with the protests because torched the plush hangout on the The reopening of the restau- said. “It’s lost some of its origi- In its latest survey in early July, Particularly explosive could be there,” Luc Rouban told AFP. they turned violent, but if they Champs-Elysees in March. rant may be symbol of weekend nality.” 44% of French people said they a pension reform which would The remaining protesters are think it’s all over, they’re wrong,” It was one in a wave of busi- life in Paris returning to nor- France’s Interior Minister supported the “yellow vests”. see “incentives” to work beyond now working to tackle the lack said OpinionWay’s Jeanbart. nesses, banks and boutiques mal, but analysts warn the anger Christophe Castaner last month “It’s an incredibly high fi gure the retirement age of 62. of organisation and leadership “With the ‘yellow vests’, we knew targeted in weekly protests which sparked the “yellow vest” launched a review of police tac- for a movement which has prac- And while Macron navigated which has hampered the grass- something was going to happen which erupted late last year over movement remains in place. tics after hordes of protesters tically disappeared,” he told AFP. the EU parliament elections roots movement. but we didn’t know what.” planned fuel-tax hikes but bal- “The protest has lost its pro- were hurt in charges and by de- “When there are violent clashes earlier this year – with his rul- Around 600 activists from “I think it will probably come looned into a national revolt over testers,” said Luc Rouban, re- vices such as sting-ball grenades. in protests, public opinion gener- ing party just about saving face around the country gathered in back in a form we could never social inequalities. search director at France’s And insurance companies have ally turns against them. in second place behind the far- the eastern town of Montceau- have imagined today,” he said. Clashes mar Bastille Day

celebration Zapata chief executive Franky Zapata flies a jet-powered hoverboard, or ‘Flyboard’, prior to the Bastille Day military parade. AFP/DPA barriers, set fi re to rubbish bins Paris and portable toilets, and chanted anti-government slogans like “Macron resign!” rench President Emmanuel The Paris police said in a state- Macron showcased Euro- ment that calm returned to the Fpean military co-operation avenue following the police in- yesterday in a Bastille Day parade tervention, with a total of 175 but the aftermath of the glitter- people detained during the day. ing event was tarnished by vio- Interior Minister Christo- lent clashes between police and phe Castaner criticised the protesters. protesters, telling journalists: Key EU leaders, including Ger- “Those who wanted to prevent man Chancellor Angela Merkel this parade should be a little bit and Dutch Prime Minister Mark ashamed.” Rutte, joined Macron in Paris The earlier parade itself had to watch the annual parade that gone without a hitch. included representatives of nine Some 4,300 members of the other European armies in a show armed forces marched down the of unity. avenue’s famed cobblestones in However, the celebrations of a tradition that dates back to just France’s national day were fol- after World War I. lowed by clashes that erupted However, standing in an open- between protesters and police top command car alongside The French elite acrobatic flying team, ‘Patrouille de France’ (PAF), that recalled violence seen at the France’s chief of staff General performs over Paris’s Champs-Elysees avenue. peak of the “yellow vest” protest Francois Lecointre, Macron was movement earlier this year. met with some jeers and whistles hours but later released, sources Champs-Elysees and the assem- Police fi red teargas to clear from supporters of the “yellow told AFP. bled leaders. Armoured vehicles drive down protesters from the Champs- vest” movement. A futuristic highlight of the “The army is transforming: it Paris’s Champs-Elysees Avenue Elysees, as spectators who had Three prominent members parade came when French in- is modernising for our soldiers, during the traditional Bastille witnessed the parade and star- of the movement, Jerome Rod- ventor and entrepreneur Franky our sovereignty and our inde- Day military parade. tled foreign tourists took cover. rigues, Maxime Nicolle and Eric Zapata showed off his futuris- pendence,” Macron told France 2 Protesters tore down security Drouet, were detained for several tic fl yboard, soaring above the television in brief remarks. Initiative (EI2) to undertake mis- Closer European defence co- sions outside of existing struc- operation has been one of Ma- tures like the North Atlantic cron’s key foreign policy aims Treaty Organisation (Nato), in- and the president shows no sign sisted on the importance of Eu- of wavering despite growing po- ropean defence co-operation. litical turbulence in Germany “Never, since the end of World and Britain’s looming exit from War II has Europe been so impor- the European Union. tant,” Macron, who after coming At the 2017 parade, Macron’s to power in 2017 controversially guest of honour was the newly- dispensed with the president’s inaugurated President Donald traditional July 14 television in- Trump as the young French lead- terview, said in a written state- er sought to form a bond with his ment. US counterpart. Merkel told reporters after But since then ties between the event that the parade was a Soldiers with anti-drone guns are seen during the traditional Bastille Trump and Macron have soured “great gesture for a European de- Day military parade on Paris’s Champs-Elysees Avenue. over the US pullouts from the fence policy” and Germany was Paris climate accord and the Iran “honoured” to have taken part. Stoltenberg were also guests of Britain has deployed three of nuclear deal, as well as France’s In Germany, attention was honour. the aircraft and 100 personnel for new law for a tax on digital giants, focused on the chancellor, who In a sign of France’s ambition France’s operation in the African most of them US companies. recently suff ered three episodes to be a leading modern military Sahel region. “President Trump has been an of shaking in less than a month power under Macron, the presi- Meanwhile, police were braced excellent ambassador for a Eu- while standing at public events. dent announced on Saturday the for potential further trouble on rope of defence,” Armed Forces But she stood for the open- creation of a national space force the Champs-Elysees later in the Minister Florence Parly told the ing and closing renditions of the command that will eventually be day as Algeria face Nigeria in the Parisien newspaper yesterday, French national anthem and for part of the air force. semi-fi nal of the Africa Cup of pointing to “questions, even salutes from more than 50 parad- Among the foreign airpower Nations football. thinly-veiled threats he made to- ing units, without any repeat of taking part in fl ybys were two Violence and looting blamed wards Europe or on the durability the problem. British Chinook helicopters, a on some Algerian fans on the av- of American commitment”. European Commission Presi- symbol of British-French de- enue had followed Algeria’s pre- A member of the Gendarmerie pulls a fence next to a fire as protesters linked to the ‘yellow vests (Gilets Macron, who pushed the idea dent Jean-Claude Juncker and fence co-operation even as Brexit vious match on Thursday, a vic- Jaunes)’ movement take part in a demonstration on the sidelines of the annual Bastille Day ceremony. of the European Intervention Nato Secretary-General Jens looms. tory against Ivory Coast.

Dutchman fined after being caught stealing coins from Rome fountain A man from the Netherlands was fined €550 ($620) after he was Protest in Moscow over city elections caught stealing coins from a Renaissance-era fountain in central Rome. Off icers caught him on the act in the early hours of Saturday, AFP lice acknowledged “more than legislatures in September. “Starting from tomorrow, the candidacy exceeded the permit- local police said in a statement yesterday, quoted by the Ansa and Moscow 25” detentions. Protesters say the electoral electoral commission will start ted proportion. Adnkronos news agencies. Almost 2,000 people had pro- authorities have falsely accused removing us all from the elec- Moscow city electoral com- The man, 36, waded into the Fontana del Moro in Piazza Navona, a tested in the central Pushkin them of faking signatures re- tion,” Yashin said before she was mission said in a statement yes- tourist hotspot. ozens of people were ar- Square against an alleged bid by quired for independent candi- arrested. terday that more than 700 of After realising that police had spotted him, he tried to hide the rested yesterday in Mos- city authorities to prevent inde- dates to stand in September polls. Protesters took it in turns to 4,940 signatures backing Sobol stolen coins, the statement said. Dcow during a protest to pendent candidates from run- In Russia, candidates outside knock on the heavy wooden door were “invalid”. demand that independent can- ning for offi ce. the large parliamentary parties of the mayor’s offi ce on the city’s “They are stealing these elec- didates be included on the ballot The unauthorised protest was must gather large numbers of main Tverskaya street to demand tions, they are stealing our fu- Evacuations after floods hit Greece for local elections in September, organised by a group of candi- signatures from supporters to be that candidates be allowed to ture,” Sobol warned. police and a monitoring group dates including supporters of allowed to stand. stand. “I won’t retreat ... I will stand Authorities evacuated dozens of citizens from flooded homes in said. Navalny. The signatures are then No one opened up. and fi ght until the end,” she told a western Greece yesterday, a few days after seven people were killed Many of those who were de- Police initially opted not to checked for authenticity by the Around a thousand protesters cheering crowd. by a violent storm in the north of the country. tained were allies and support- break up the rally. electoral commission. then rallied outside the city elec- Elections for Moscow city par- Floods following the latest storm damaged roads near the cities of ers of Russian opposition leader Candidates have the right to “Across the whole of Moscow toral commission. liament are being contested by Nafpaktos and Patra, closing a major route for a few hours, though Alexei Navalny. organise meetings with the elec- now, they are removing inde- Another of the arrested candi- high-profi le opposition politi- no injuries or missing persons were reported. The organisation OVD-Info, torate without sound amplifi ca- pendent candidates,” said op- dates, Lyubov Sobol, on Saturday cians who aim to capitalise on a Seven people, including six tourists, were killed and more than which monitors arrests during tion or banners. position politician Ilya Yashin, a declared a hunger strike after she mood of public discontent and 100 others injured on Thursday when an overnight storm lashed demonstrations, said 38 people Russia is to hold nationwide local councillor who backs Nav- was told the number of allegedly falling approval ratings for Presi- northern Greece. had been arrested, while the po- elections for local and regional alny. fabricated signatures backing her dent Vladimir Putin. Gulf Times 14 Monday, July 15, 2019 INDIA

DISASTER TRAGEDY POLITICS DECISION APPOINTMENT Two dead, 12 soldiers Three killed, 31 injured in Goa Forward withdraws Party not to back SFI men B L Santosh named trapped in house collapse amusement park ride crash support to BJP-led govt linked to student stabbing BJP general secretary

A soldier and a civilian were killed and 12 other At least three persons were killed and as A day after three of their ministers were sacked from Kerala CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan A day after BJP general secretary (organisa- soldiers trapped when a four-storey building many as 31 injured when an amusement the Pramod Sawant-led Goa cabinet, regional party yesterday said his party will not support the eight tion) Ramlal was moved back to the Rashtriya collapsed due to rain at Kumarhatti town of ride collapsed at the public park around Goa Forward yesterday formally withdrew support SFI members involved in the stabbing of Akhil, Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), party president Himachal Pradesh yesterday. While 18 soldiers the sprawling Kankaria Lake in Ahmedabad to the BJP-led coalition government. In a letter to a student at a Thiruvananthapuram college. and Union home minister Amit Shah yesterday and five civilians were pulled out from the debris, yesterday evening. Officials said there were governor Mridula Sinha yesterday, Goa Forward “What has happened is most unfortunate and elevated joint general secretary (organisation) the rescue operations by the National Disaster around 40 persons on the ‘Discovery’ ride in president Vijai Sardesai said: “Political aff airs commit- the party will not do anything to support any of B L Santosh to the post. After a stint of 13 years, Response Force (NDRF), the army and the state Kankaria Adventure Park when it collapsed, tee and the legislature party wing of Goa Forward the wrongdoers. Whosoever is involved, will have Ramlal was moved back to the party’s parent police continue. According to off icials, the incident minutes after it went up. The park is in the party met and has decided to withdraw support to to face punishment for their wrong acts,” said organisation on Saturday. The general secre- took place when soldiers, belonging to the nearby Maninagar area of the city. Three persons the BJP government led by Dr Pramod Sawant.” On Balakrishnan after meeting Akhil at a hospital in tary’s post is considered to be the second most Dagshai cantonment, were having meal at a died on the spot while 31 others, who were Saturday, Sawant dropped four ministers from his Thiruvananthapuram. Eight members of the Stu- powerful position in the BJP after its president. roadside eatery-cum-residential complex, which injured, were admitted to the nearby Ahmeda- Cabinet, including one minister who is an independ- dent Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of Santosh, an RSS pracharak and a specialist on caved in due to heavy rains. Chief Minister Jai bad Municipal Corporation LG Hospital. ent MLA, to make way for the induction of four the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), last Karnataka, has vast experience in electoral Ram Thakur said 30 soldiers and seven civilians Official sources informed at least 15 persons new faces in Sawant cabinet, three of whom were week stabbed B A student Akhil and injured two politics. He hails from Chamarajanagar district were present in the building. among the injured were critical. Congress defectors. others after a fight broke out between them. in Karnataka. Resignation by Rains wreak havoc Sidhu merely drama, say colleagues

IANS the party “which had given him Chandigarh so much”. On June 6, Sidhu had been divested of the charge of local unjab Cabinet ministers government and tourism and Brahm Mohindra and Cha- cultural aff airs portfolios and Pranjit Singh Channi yes- given power and new and renew- terday ridiculed their ministerial able energy sources in a Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu’s reshuffl e, the fi rst after the Lok resignation as a “drama” and Sabha election results. urged him to show dignity and Barring four, there were decorum in his actions. changes in the portfolios of all The ministers were reacting to the ministers as a result of the Sidhu’s tweet on his resignation reallocation, which Amarinder sent to Congress president Rahul Singh said, would help further Gandhi last month, and his sub- streamline the governing system sequent remark that he would and bring more transparency and send his formal resignation pa- effi cacy to various departments. pers to Chief Minister Amarinder However, Sidhu, who had been Singh. at loggerheads with the chief “This is nothing but drama minister ever since his wife Nav- A rickshaw puller transports commuters on a flooded street after a heavy downpour at Baldakhal village in Agartala, Tripura, yesterday. At least 35 people have been from the making of theatrics. If jot Kaur was denied a ticket for killed and more than 1.5mn aff ected by flooding triggered by monsoon rains in northern and eastern India, off icials and news reports said yesterday. At least 19 people he had to resign he should have the Lok Sabha polls, refused to have been killed in incidents of house collapses and electrocution during rains in Uttar Pradesh since July 10. followed protocol and sent it di- take charge of his new portfolios. rectly to the chief minister,” said On June 10, Sidhu met Con- the ministers in a statement here. gress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Pri- They said Sidhu was so igno- yanka Gandhi and Ahmed Patel rant that he did not even know in New Delhi and told them that that the Cabinet minister’s post his department had been singled was not a party post and that his out and publicly blamed for the resignation could not be accept- party’s Lok Sabha poll defeat. ed by the Congress chief. Patel was entrusted with the task Pointing out that he had sent of resolving the rift between the Karnataka Congress ‘ready the so-called resignation to the Amarinder Singh and Sidhu. Congress president on June 10, as The chief minister even met per his tweet, the ministers asked Patel during his visit to Delhi last why it took Sidhu 34 days to an- month, but his offi ce described nounce it on Twitter. the meeting as merely a “cour- “Since when has Twitter be- tesy call”. come the platform for appoint- Meanwhile, diff erences be- to meet MLAs’ demands’ ments or resignations,” they tween the two leaders increased asked. further when Amarinder Singh IANS maker M T B Nagaraj fl ew to Warning the rebels of action and three from its ally Janata ruling allies to resign in return The ministers noted that Sid- kept Sidhu out of crucial con- Bengaluru Mumbai to join the other rebels against them if they don’t with- Dal-Secular (JD-S) resigned for money and ministerial posts hu had kept the workings of the sultative groups that were an- a day after assuring the party draw their resignations and at- from their Assembly seats across in the event of it forming the power department in limbo for nounced to review the progress leaders of withdrawing his res- tend the session, Shivakumar the state for various reasons government, Shivakumar said almost 40 days by not taking of the state government’s fl ag- n a last-ditch eff ort to save ignation. said they would be disqualifi ed if such as lack of development in people of the state have seen over the new portfolio allocated ship programmes and schemes. its shaky coalition govern- While a Congress spokesman they defy the party whip issued their constituencies and loss of how BJP leaders and members to him by the chief minister. In Sidhu’s absence, Amarinder Iment in Karnataka, Con- said Nagaraj gave no reason for to all its members, including faith in the leadership. were co-ordinating the move- He did not even take cog- Singh on July 10 also took some gress’ trouble-shooter and his trip, other leaders accused them, for their presence in the “I am sure the rebels are ment of the rebels and arranging nisance of the fact that it was crucial decisions related to elec- senior minister D K Shivaku- the opposition BJP of taking Na- Assembly. well aware of the law. If they their logistics to fl y to Mumbai such a crucial time for the pow- tricity shortage as it was aff ect- mar yesterday assured the rebel garaj forcibly to Mumbai in an “Presence of all the members defy the whip by absent- and other places during the last er sector, with power being vital ing paddy sowing in the state. legislators of meeting their de- aircraft that belongs to its Rajya in the Assembly is mandatory ing from the House or vote one week. for paddy sowing. Clearly, Sid- The strife between the crick- mands if they withdrew their Sabha member Rajeev Chan- as the Finance Bill of the state against the confidence mo- “The BJP leaders, however hu did not care about the det- eter-turned-politician and the resignations and attend the As- drasekar. budget for 2019-20 fi scal had to tion when moved, they will be claim that their party is not rimental effect of his actions, chief minister is not new. On sev- sembly session underway. “Nagaraj fl ew in a chartered be passed in the session by July disqualified and lose mem- involved in the resignations they added. eral occasions, Sidhu has termed “The party is ready to meet aircraft to Mumbai this after- 26 and voting in favour of the bership. The party is ready to of rebels or their flight to The ministers advised Sidhu Rahul Gandhi as his “Captain”, demands of the rebels if they noon. We don’t know the rea- confi dence motion if moved by settle their demands,” Shiva- Mumbai and Delhi and stay in to take any further action keep- reportedly irking Amarinder withdraw resignations and at- son, as he didn’t inform us. We the Chief Minister H D Kumar- kumar reiterated. hotels and resorts. At whose ing their repercussions in mind, Singh, a retired Indian Army tend the session,” Shivakumar hope he will return today in time aswamy. Alleging that the opposition expense is the opposition not just for himself but for the offi cer popularly referred to as told reporters here even as state to attend the session,” Congress In all, 16 rebel legislators, in- BJP was engineering defections party hosting them and why,” state and its people as well as ‘Captain’. housing minister and rebel law- spokesman Ravi Gowda said. cluding 13 from the Congress by forcing the legislators of the asked Shivakumar. Factionalism grips Teachers protest Naidu will be jailed in two years: BJP

Kerala churches IANS dy had promised corruption-free Vijayawada governance, he should take ac- tion against corruption during IANS time in courts and police stations been on for decades and despite the TDP government. Thiruvananthapuram to sort out issues, some of which a Supreme Court order in 2017 unil Deodhar, Bharatiya Stating that the TDP lost pow- are criminal in nature. – that gave the Orthodox fac- Janata Party (BJP) national er in the state as it targeted the At the Ernakulam-Angamaly tion the right to administer 1,100 Ssecretary and co-incharge BJP by making false allegations, uthorities of Kerala diocese of the Syro Malabar churches and parishes under the of Andhra Pradesh, said here yes- Deodhar said several Congress churches are squabbling Catholic Church, an intense bat- Malankara Church and ruled that terday that former chief minister and TDP leaders would join the Aover power and money. tle is on and perhaps for the fi rst the Jacobites had no ground to N Chandrababu Naidu would go BJP in coming days. According to the latest cen- time in the history of the church, claim any of the churches, the to jail for corruption in two years. Addressing a meeting in Gun- sus, Christians comprise 6.14mn its supreme leader Cardinal factions refuse to relent. Alleging large-scale corrup- tur, BJP general secretary Ram (2.99mn males and 3.14mn fe- George Alencherry was arraigned The Jacobite faction has just tion during the Telugu Desam Madhav said the party would be males) of Kerala’s 33.4mn popu- after allegations of irregularities two options – to either accept Party (TDP) rule, he said Chief strengthened in Andhra Pradesh lation. in a three-acre land deal. the leadership of Marthoma Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy like in Telangana. The BJP was Among the Christians, about Even though the Kerala High Paulose II, the supreme leader of should send fi les to the centre for now being projected as an alter- 50% are Catholics (their three Court dismissed the criminal case, the Orthodox church or form a probe and action. He was talking native in Telangana, he added. diff erent churches owe allegiance around 250 of the 450 priests at- new church by handing over the to reporters at an event organised “The party workers should ac- to the Pope), while the remaining tached to the dioceses are up in churches which they now run. as part of the BJP membership cept the challenge of making the 50% comprise non-Catholics – arms and have threatened to take The Kerala government has drive. BJP a strong force and an alter- the Orthodox and Jacobite fac- their protest to the streets, if the had to set up a fi ve-member “The money given by the native. You should ensure that tions of the Malankara Ortho- cardinal does not stop bending ministerial committee, headed centre has not reached people. the party comes to power in the dox Syrian Church and the Mar every rule to suit him. by State Industries Minister E Where that money has gone? It state in 2024,” he told the party Thoma Church (all three head- The rival factions are threat- P Jayarajan, to broker peace be- has to be recovered. This theft leaders and workers. quartered in Kerala) as well as ening to get the better of each tween the warring factions. should be brought to the notice Ram Madhav said the people the Church of South India (CSI) other at a crucial synod meet- At the Thiruvalla-headquar- of public and the central govern- were fed up with the corruption (South Kerala dioceses). ing of the diocese scheduled for tered Mar Thoma Church, the ment. The fi les would be sent to during the TDP rule and voted A look into the workings of August. supreme leader of the Church the Central Bureau of Investiga- for the YSR Congress Party. The these churches reveal that peace At the Malankara Orthodox Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan Teachers stage a demonstration to press for various tion (CBI) and the enforcement TDP would now be confi ned to and contentment have gone out Syrian Church, the Orthodox and and a rival faction are heading for demands ahead of the Trinamool Congress’ Shaheed directorate (ED) for inquiry and TANA, an organisation of Telu- of the window and those who run Jacobite factions are at war over a showdown over the nomination Diwas celebrations in Kolkata, yesterday. action,” he said. gu people in north America, he the churches are spending more church control. The fi ght has of a priest to bishophood. Deodhar said since Jagan Red- added. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 15 LATIN AMERICA

Tycoon’s role in govt raises questions after Urzua departure

Reuters Romo used Vector’s offi ces as Mexico City a base during the 2018 election campaign. Najera then worked with t the heart of former fi - Romo after the July election that nance minister Carlos swept Lopez Obrador to power, AUrzua’s abrupt exit from focusing on an industrial and the Mexican government was a technological development plan dispute with President Andres for the administration, accord- Manuel Lopez Obrador’s chief ing to a government statement of staff , a millionaire who has in December announcing his ap- placed business associates in in- pointment to run the banks. fl uential government posts. Najera’s offi ce did not imme- The friction with biotech diately respond to a request for businessman Alfonso Romo was comment. among the diff erences that led to Lopez Obrador said at the Urzua’s departure, Lopez Obra- news conference that Urzua had dor said. opposed the appointment of Respected economist Urzua Najera. He said such ties did not wrote a blistering resignation represent a confl ict of interest, letter last Tuesday, accusing however. unnamed infl uential fi gures in The state banks had not given government with confl icts of in- loans to relatives of government terest of straying into the fi nance offi cials or their businesses, he ministry’s territory. said. Lopez Obrador said the disa- “I don’t see any confl ict of greements between Urzua and interest, but if that was one of Romo were “notorious” inside his disagreements, I respect his the Cabinet after he gave Romo point of view. I don’t share it,” responsibilities over the merger Lopez Obrador said, adding that of two state-run development he personally “kept an eye” on banks usually overseen by the fi - everyone, including his family, nance ministry. to avoid abuse of power. A close associate of Romo was Amid its push to curb cor- named to run the banks. ruption, Mexico has stepped up “I asked Romo to help in the rules around confl icts of inter- co-ordination of the devel- est. Mexican law requires public opment banks, and there was servants to speak up when they disagreement over that,” Lopez have a confl ict and recuse them- Guatemalan migrants gather their belongings at a reception centre for returnees, upon their arrival from the US, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Obrador said at a regular news selves if necessary, legal experts conference. say. Urzua did not discuss the issue Romo resigned from the of the banks or mention Romo in boards of several companies be- his resignation letter. fore the government took offi ce Romo, who has yet to com- on December 1, including Vector. ment publicly, has not been ac- His brother is still listed on the cused of wrongdoing. Vector website as a board mem- Urzua’s resignation brings ber. Morales delays Trump meet, into the public eye deep dif- Vector did not immediately ferences over what constitutes respond to a question about confl icts of interest in the gov- whether he retains a fi nancial ernment, which Lopez Obrador interest. says is ending the country’s in- In an interview with Reuters famous levels of high-level cor- last year, Romo said he would not to sign deal on migrants ruption and cronyism in politics. step down from his government The Mexican government post before he would sell any Reuters Under such a deal, Guate- migration from Central Amer- given its weak institutions.” data available from the US De- should investigate the allega- ventures. Mexico City mala would be obliged to offer ica. The country of 17mn people partment of Homeland Secu- tions in Urzua’s letter, said Ro- An equestrian who competed asylum to migrants who en- “The two leaders will also dis- has its own problems with gang rity. drigo Montes de Oca, a research in the 1996 and 2000 Olym- tered its territory en route to cuss how Guatemala can build a violence and a weak justice sys- The apprehension by US au- scholar at the Houston-based pic Games, Romo looks to have uatemala yesterday said the US. stronger relationship with its tem. thorities of Central American Baker Institute Mexico Centre. emerged strengthened from the it would postpone Presi- Migrants from Honduras and Central American partners to Large numbers of Guatema- migrants, including large num- “The simple appointment contest with Urzua, with the Gdent Jimmy Morales’ El Salvador heading to the US- expand economic growth, cre- lans have sought refuge in the bers of families and asylum (of a friend) does not generate a backing of the president and less visit to Washington to discuss Mexican border overland usu- ate jobs, and promote opportu- US, leading civil rights groups to seekers, reached a more than confl ict of interest,” Montes de obstruction in the fi nance min- Guatemala’s potential designa- ally cross into Mexico via Gua- nities for their citizens,” a state- warn it is not a safe destination decade high in May. Oca said. “The confl ict of inter- istry to carry out his plans. tion as a ‘safe third country’ for temala. ment had added. for asylum seekers. Trump has applied increasing est would arise if the appoint- Lopez Obrador said it was asylum seekers, stressing that Over the past week, opposi- Guatemalan rights ombuds- Guatemala has one of the pressure on Mexico and Central ment is made to obtain a benefi t normal for there to be diff er- it has no plans to sign such an tion has mounted to such a des- man PDH, a government body, highest homicide rates in Latin America to stem the fl ows. in the future.” ences within a government that agreement. ignation for Guatemala, which launched legal proceedings America, according to United Cracking down on immigra- The administration of Lopez was pushing big changes in the In a statement, Guatemala would radically reshape migra- aimed at stopping Morales, Nations data. tion has been a long-standing Obrador put Eugenio Najera in economy. said the planned meeting be- tion in the region. Minister of Foreign Aff airs San- Giovanni Filippo Bassu, the priority for Trump. charge of the two state banks in In a video message, he said tween Morales and US Presi- “The government of the re- dra Jovel, Minister of Interior regional representative for the In June, he moved to cut US December. Urzua was not comfortable with dent Donald Trump this week public reiterates that at no point Enrique Degenhart and others UN High Commission for Refu- aid to Guatemala, El Salvador Najera was a board member or decisions being taken to upend had been postponed until the it considers signing an agree- from moving ahead with the gees (UNHCR) said in June that and Honduras over the rise in special adviser in several of Ro- what the president frequently Guatemalan Constitutional ment to convert Guatemala into safe third country deal. Guatemala had a long way to go migration numbers, but added mo’s businesses from the 1990s calls the neoliberal era in Mexico, Court had ruled on legal chal- a safe third country,” the gov- “It is irresponsible to take a before it would be safe for asy- that Guatemala “is much dif- onwards, according to his biog- starting in the 1980s. lenges. ernment said. decision that has such wide- lum seekers fl eeing neighbour- ferent than it was under past raphy on the government web- Following Urzua’s resignation, Last week, fi ve former senior Trump had said last month reaching consequences,” said ing countries. administrations.” site and SEC fi lings, including Lopez Obrador quickly named offi cials appealed to the court to the US and Guatemala were Jordan Rodas, who presented Guatemalans claiming asy- The only other safe third in Vector Casa de Bolsa, a bro- well-regarded deputy fi nance block any agreement with the close to reaching a “safe third the proceeding. “Guatemala lum in the US outnumbered country agreement currently kerage that is part of a company minister Arturo Herrera to re- US that would declare Guate- country agreement” as part of does not have the capacity to those from Honduras and El maintained by the US was ne- Romo founded. place him. mala a ‘safe third country.’ his eff orts to curb US-bound become a safe third country Salvador in 2017, according to gotiated with Canada in 2002.

Air Force anniversary Mexico City mayor vows to Brazil ships record end violence against women amount of green coff ee The Brazilian government ket share both in traditional Thomson Reuters Foundation A 2018 report by the National fi ed to femicides from suspected expects production around markets, such as Europe, and in Mexico City Institute for Statistics and Ge- suicide or homicides. 50mn bags in 2019-20 new markets in Asia,” said Nel- ography found about 45% of Rights activists welcomed the versus near 62mn bags in son Carvalhaes, Cecafe’s head. women in Mexico had experi- mayor’s comments, but warned 2018-19. He said Brazil ended the exico City’s first enced some form of violence that more concrete steps were 2018-19 crop with near 38% of elected woman mayor from a partner, with almost 18% needed. Reuters the global coff ee trade. Mhas vowed to eradi- suff ering physical abuse. “It’s a very good declaration — Sao Paulo Keeping that level of ex- cate violence against women Mexico City alone has seen 81 what we need are actions,” Juan ports in the new crop year will and end entrenched impunity murders of women and 13 femi- Martín Perez Garcia, executive be challenging for Brazil since for gender-based crimes in the cides so far this year, govern- director of REDIM, a collective razilian farmers shipped production will be smaller capital. ment data showed. of children’s advocacy groups, a record 37.12mn 60kg due to the off -year in the ara- “To avoid and eliminate vio- Sheinbaum outlined meas- told the Thomson Reuters Foun- Bbags of green coff ee in bica biennial production cycle, lence against women... fi nally, ures her government has taken dation. the 2018-19 crop year ended Carvalhaes said. that is the objective,” mayor to prosecute off enders and pro- “Right now, (what authori- in June, 38.1% more than the The Brazilian government Claudia Sheinbaum said at an tect women, such as placing fe- ties are doing) is not creating previous crop, as ample sup- expects production around event launching a roundtable on male lawyers in each of the city’s a change in the statistics,” he plies from all-time high output 50mn bags in 2019-20 versus access to justice for women and 16 public ministries to support said. boosted trade. near 62mn bags in 2018-19. girls in Mexico City. women presenting violence Sheinbaum, an award-win- According to a report from “We will have to work with “It’s not fi ghting it — the ob- claims. ning scientist with the ruling exporters association Cecafe, stocks to keep exporting vol- jective is ultimately to eradicate She said such protective Morena party, was elected a year June exports of green coff ee umes, but stocks are not very violence,” she said. “That should measures have quadrupled ago in a landslide after promis- totalled 2.58mn bags, or 13.6% comfortable. They are small if be the goal.” since last year, also citing the ing among other things to tackle more than in same month a you look at historical levels,” Violence against women is a strengthening of the city’s 32 gender inequality and rising year earlier. said Carvalhaes. persistent problem in Mexico. legal and psychological support crime. Arabica shipments account- Cecafe said there were More than 1,100 women were shelters known as “Lunas.” She was the fi rst woman elect- ed for most of the exports in widespread reports of frosts murdered in Mexico from Janu- “We are saving women,” she ed to one of Mexico’s most pow- June with 2.19mn bags, 10% from producers over the week- ary through May, according to said. erful offi ces and only the second more than in June 2018, but ro- end, but the body considers it government fi gures, with nearly Tackling impunity was anoth- to serve as mayor. busta exports at 385,000 bags too early to have an accurate 370 killed by men because of er critical step, with 15 femicide Mayor Rosario Robles gov- US Air Force pilots perform aerobatics on F-16 Thunderbirds showed the highest growth estimate of potential losses. their gender. cases prosecuted in the capital erned from 1999-2000 after during the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the rate, at 35% over the same Carvalhaes said agrono- Femicide, as the crime is this year and fi ve men sentenced, her predecessor Cuauhtemoc Colombian Air Force, in Rionegro, Antioquia department, month last year, the industry mists need at least fi ve days to known, has been a federal crime she said. Cardenas resigned to run for Colombia. body said. a week to check the situation in in Mexico since 2012. Also, six cases were reclassi- president. “We managed to boost mar- the fi eld. Gulf Times 16 Monday, July 15, 2019 PAKISTAN More than 150,000 to Government repeat Sindh exams

Internews that there are about 600,000 dents failed, while absentees will Karachi students enrolled in class fi ve be given another chance to sit for and class eight in govern- all subjects. ment schools, of which around When asked about the large to restructure or the fi rst time, the Sindh 100,000 did not take the exams, absentee rate, Memon said that education department has and 60,000 of whom failed. there is a possibility that some Fdecided to allow more than The source said that the high- students were unable to get into 150,000 students of classes fi ve est failure rate was in mathemat- exam centres as three schools and eight re-take an exam so that ics. were sharing one centre, on av- they can avoid being held back. At the meeting, it was made erage. The students either failed clear that promotions are now He said that the objective of or did not take the compulsory dependent on the results, to the exams is to identify “slow 441 state bodies exam. which some participants pointed learners”, who need more atten- The decision was taken on Fri- out the high risk of more than tion, as it would be helpful for Internews The implementation com- the government, the multiple retaries of relevant ministries day at a meeting of school direc- 150,000 students dropping out both students and teachers. Islamabad mittee will work out a plan for categories of entities working and departments. tors and Provincial Education of government schools. He made it clear that supple- closing down eight entities in under ministries and divisions The Establishment Division Minister Sardar Ali Shah, among They suggested lowering the mentary exams are only going cases where they have lost jus- had been proposed to be classi- secretary was proposed to head others. passing mark for promotion or to be off ered this year because it he government of Pa- tifi cation for their continued fi ed into two broader categories the committee, whereas the The exam was the fi rst run allowing students to re-take the was the fi rst time that the cen- kistan has decided to existence. – autonomous bodies and ex- secretaries of fi nance, law and of an experiment in Sindh with exams. tralised exams were taken. Trestructure 441 state A strategy will be framed to ecutive departments. justice, the Cabinet Division centralised exams. Directorate of Curriculum As- “From next year, there will be entities in a bid to simplify gov- merge 35 entities with other en- The relevant ministry and special secretary and the sec- The exams were prepared by sessment and Research chairman no supplementary exams,” the ernment aff airs. tities that have overlapping and division will be responsible for retary concerned would be its the assessment and research Asghar Memon, while confi rm- offi cial reaffi rmed, adding that It has constituted a high-level duplication of responsibilities. policy and plan formulation and members. wing of the department of school ing that supplementary exams the supplementary exams will implementation committee for Seventeen entities will be re- monitoring, while execution However, the government education and conducted by IBA will take place, said that sup- begin in a few days as the new working out an implementation organised as training and policy and implementation will be the formed the implementation Sukkur. plementary papers will only be academic session has already strategy. support institutes. responsibility of autonomous committee under the chairman- At the meeting, one offi cer said required for subjects which stu- commenced. Sources said that the govern- The federal government will bodies and executive depart- ship of the adviser to the prime ment is planning to surrender keep 87 executive departments ments. minister on institutional re- 117 entities through privatisa- and 237 autonomous bodies. Similarly, the regulatory forms and austerity for dealing Court defers verdict in damages case Pakistanis may tion, closing them down, merg- The government had formed agencies will be independent of with executive departments and ing them, or handing them over a task force with the aim of re- the line ministry and division, autonomous bodies. against prime minister to August 31 file applications to the provincial governments structuring and reorganising of and will be located in the Cabi- The minister for defence, the to ombudsman for under the 18th Constitutional various state entities at the fed- net Division for administrative secretaries of the Establishment A local court has deferred to August 31 a judgment in a damages Amendment. eral, provincial and municipal purposes. Division, fi nance, law, cabinet case against Prime Minister Imran Khan. free legal help The government will keep 324 levels. Functions, powers and crite- and the ministry and division The court of the additional district and sessions judge had reserved entities. The task force carried out ria for dividing various entities concerned will be its members. judgment on June 15, and it was to be announced on July 13. Citizens can now submit Under the plan, the 441 enti- a comprehensive assessment between autonomous bodies The panel will work in con- However, the court postponed the verdict in the case to August 31. applications to the Punjab ties have been divided into seven of each organisational entity and executive departments have sultation with the task force in Fauzia Bibi, a former member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) ombudsman for free legal help categories. working under the government, been given in the task force re- order to execute the implemen- Assembly who was elected on the reserved seats for women on the in case of complaints against Forty-three entities will ei- and proposed their regroup- port. tation strategy and work plan. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s ticket, filed the suit for recovery of off icials of the provincial ther be privatised or transferred ing and restructuring aimed at According to the report, it will It will conduct a cost and damages to the tune of Rs5bn, claiming that Prime Minister Khan government departments and to Sarmaya-e-Pakistan Limited. achieving greater effi ciency, ef- be important to put in place a benefi t analysis related to the defamed her through levelling “baseless” allegations her at a press institutions. Apart from these, 14 entities fective decision-making and structured implementation and entities and expected outcome conference, accusing her of selling her vote in the Senate elections. The applications can be will be handed over to provin- improved service delivery. follow-up mechanism at the ap- of the proposed transformation Earlier, the court had dismissed an application under Order 7 submitted to the Punjab cial governments, the Islamabad The task force examined all propriate level. with reference to service deliv- Rule 10 of Code of Civil Procedure, filed by Babar Awan, claiming ombudsman regional off ice, old Capital Territory, and Gilgit- 441 entities and proposed their The task force suggested the ery. that this court had no jurisdiction to hear the case here as the district council building, and Baltistan in light of the 18th division into seven categories. constitution of an implementa- It will also work on constitu- press conference in question addressed by his client was held in Rawalpindi district courts. Amendment. In order to simplify aff airs of tion committee comprising sec- tional and legal considerations. Islamabad and not in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to a Rawalpindi spokesperson, the website of the Punjab ombudsman has been developed to provide direct Wall clocks access to all members of the public, particularly citizens who Associate degree to are aggrieved by the actions of any off icial of the Punjab government. replace two-year BA, He said that the Punjab ombudsman has the mandate to protect the rights of the BSc programmes people, ensuring adherence to the rule of law, diagnosing, redressing and rectifying any Internews skills, farm management and injustice done to a person Peshawar skills in agricultural manage- through maladministration and ment, retail service skills, suppressing corrupt practices. hospitality, industrial skills, The applications against he Higher Education technology related skills, ac- the Punjab government Commission (HEC) of counting and business related departments may be sent at TPakistan has announced skills will be taught. ombudsmanpunjabrwp@ that they will replace the The colleges and universities gmail.com and www. two-year BA/BSc programme off ering the associate degree ombudsmanpunjab.gov.pk. with an Associate Degree pro- programmes would be allowed The complainants would be gramme (AD), and changed the to move gradually and fulfi l updated about their applications nomenclature for the degree. the new requirements from through Short Message Service A notifi cation stated that current BA/BSc programmes, (SMS) sent on their mobile phone the new post-secondary pro- while the guidelines of the re- numbers, he added. gramme would be called an quirements shall be in accord- The landline telephone “Associate Degree”, and the ance to the HEC directives, the numbers 051-9292793 to 95 of BA/BSc programme would notifi cation stated. Rawalpindi off ice could be used soon be discontinued. The HEC has directed all Wall clocks decorated with seashells of various shapes and colours are seen on sale along Clifton beach in Karachi. to get further information, the The notifi cation also stated chancellors and public sec- spokesperson added. that those students who en- tor colleges, higher education rolled before December 31, departments and divisional 2018 are allowed until Decem- sections of regional centres of ber, 2020 to complete their HEC to follow the given direc- BA/BSc degrees, while those tives. who failed the course would be Meanwhile, an offi cial of Senate secretariat objects to no-confi dence requisition awarded the associate degree the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) upon completion of the course. Higher Education Department The notifi cation also said has disclosed that they could Internews move to replace Sanjrani with its that the aim of the associ- not initiate the course in the Islamabad/Lahore candidate, Hasil Bizenjo of the ated degree programme is to colleges across the province National Party. provide a general education due to the limited resources “As the PTI government is that is broadly applicable and and staff across the province’s mid claims by the opposi- making all-out eff orts to win helps students gain marketable education institutions. tion that the government over the opposition senators, skills. “We have already co-ordi- Ais employing controversial two main opposition parties – The subjects which would nated with the provincial gov- tactics to delay, even thwart, its the PML-N and PPP – are trying be compulsory included urdu, ernment. attempt to remove Sadiq San- their best to forestall this move,” English, Pakistan studies, Is- “We cannot start the associ- jrani from the offi ce of Senate a PML-N leader said. lamiyat, ethics (for non-Mus- ated degree programme in the chairman, the Senate secretariat He said the opposition believes lim students), economics and colleges as, due to the fi nancial raised objections to the opposi- that the government, with the general science, while in terms constraints we are facing and tion’s requisition for summoning help of “hidden forces”, is bent of marketable skills, computer also lack of the staff ers,” the a session of the house to take up upon thwarting the opposition’s literacy, offi ce management senior offi cial said. the matter. move to replace Sanjrani. “I am directed to state that the “Prime Minister Imran Khan Senate secretariat has received and his government are openly Islamabad court to hear appeals in two separate requisitions for involved in horse-trading in summoning of the session of the the Senate chairman’s election ex-PM Sharif’s cases in September Senate by the Senate chairman, Senate Chairman Sanjrani: Aurangzeb: Prime Minister Khan Rehman: There was no which is unfortunate,” PML-N under Clause 3 of Article 54 read the target of the opposition’s can go to any extent to retain confusion. All this was discussed spokesperson Marriyum Au- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will resume hearing of the appeal with Article 61 of the Constitu- planned no-confidence motion. Sanjrani. with the Senate secretary. rangzeb claimed. “Imran Khan of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif against his conviction in the tion,” read a letter sent by the can go to any extent to retain Al-Azizia reference on September 18. secretariat to Sherry Rehman, Further action will be taken on tion would insist that the “secre- tackle what he called the “issue Sanjrani. This is a fascist mind- The IHC’s registrar off ice has fixed Sharif’s appeal along with the parliamentary leader of the receipt of your reply,” the letter tariat honour the timing as clear- of horse-trading” committed by set. The government can even another appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in read. ly mentioned in the rules, when it the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e- violate the Constitution either against his acquittal in the Flagship Investment reference. the house. When contacted, Rehman opens on Monday”. Insaf (PTI) party and its allies. to delay the election of the new Accountability judge Arshad Malik, who has recently been removed It said that the procedure re- confi rmed that she had received a “All this was discussed with “The fi ve-member working chairman of Senate or buy votes.” from his position over the video leaks controversy, authored the garding the receipt of two req- letter from the secretariat in the the [Senate] secretary. He should committee comprising Sardar Some ministers had recently verdicts in both cases on December 24, 2018. uisitions for summoning of the evening. abide by the rules,” she said. Yaqoob Nasir, Javed Abbasi, Mu- claimed that 37 members of the These references were filed before the accountability court by the session by the same members at She described it as a “delaying On July 9 the opposition par- sadiq Malik, Pir Sabir Shah, and PML-N in the Punjab Assembly NAB on the directives of the Supreme Court. the same time was not covered by tactic” because one set of signa- ties submitted to the Senate Dr Asad Ashraf, will devise a were ready to defect and form a the constitution or the rules of tures submitted to the secretariat Secretariat a no-confi dence mo- strategy for no-confi dence mo- forward bloc, and some opposi- procedure and conduct of busi- was meant for a resolution to be tion against Sanjrani that was tion against Senate Chairman tion members of the National KP government allocates Rs36bn ness in the house. tabled in the house and the other, signed by 43 members, along Sadiq Sanjrani and the election of Assembly (MNAs) and senators “Therefore, you are required to as discussed with the Senate sec- with a draft of the resolution to a new one,” Sharif said in a state- were also ready to say goodbye to for education in tribal districts kindly intimate to this secretariat retary, for a requisition to sum- be moved in the house and a req- ment. their (opposition) parties. as to which one of the two req- mon the house. uisition signed by as many as 50 The fi ve PML-N senators are The PTI also claimed that The government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has allocated Rs36bn to uisitions signed by you shall be “There was absolutely no con- senators. said to have been given the task a group of 10 or so opposition promote education in the tribal districts during current financial processed by the Senate secre- fusion; and if at all there was one, Also, Pakistan Muslim League of co-ordinating with or “keep members of the Provincial As- year. A provincial government spokesman said that more than tariat for summoning under the why is it (only now) occurring to – Nawaz (PML-N) president an eye” on their fellow members sembly (MPA) from Punjab had 700,000 scholarships will be awarded to students to lessen the constitution, rules and stand- them,” she asked. Shehbaz Sharif constituted a of the house and take their input recently met Khan at his Banigala dropout rate in the schools. ing orders of the Senate session. Rehman said that the opposi- fi ve-member team of senators to regarding the joint opposition’s residence. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 17 PHILIPPINES

Court suspends governor for 90 days over corruption cases

The Manila Times days from receipt hereof,” the Manila court said. “The suspension of the ac- cused shall automatically be he Sandiganbayan’s lifted upon the expiration of sixth division has or- the 90-day period from the Tdered the 90-day pre- implementation of this resolu- ventive suspension of north tion,” it added. Cotabato governor Nancy Cat- Associate Justice Sarah Jane amco pending litigation of the Fernandez penned the resolu- graft and malversation cases tion, which was concurred by she and others are facing in associate justices Karl Miranda connection with the purchase and Kevin Narce Vivero. of P4.8mn fertilisers. In one charge sheet, the om- The offi ce of the ombuds- budsman accused Rama and man fi led the cases before the nine others including Catamco Sandiganbayan in 2018 against of violating Section 3(e) of the former Poro (Cebu) municipal Anti-Graft and Corrupt Prac- mayor Edgar Rama and other tices Act. individuals, including Cat- The ombudsman alleged in amco. the charge sheet that “in May “In this case, the court fi nds 2004 or sometime prior or all the requisites for the impo- subsequent thereto,” the ac- sition of suspension pendente cused then-public offi cers of lite (pending litigation), pur- the municipality, “conspiring suant to Section 13 of Republic with one another and with” Act No. 3019 (the Anti-Graft Catamco and another indi- and Corrupt Practices Act), vidual (Catamco and this per- existing,” the court said in a son were partners of Perzebros seven-page resolution prom- Company at the time material Filipina domestic helper, Maria Theresa Conje, cries during the burial of her son Bryan Conje, at Sangandaan Cemetery in Manila yesterday. President Duterte branded as ulgated on July 4. to the case), caused undue in- “idiots” the governments behind a UN rights body investigation into his narcotics crackdown that has killed thousands and drawn international censure. jury to the government and/or “Accused Catamco’s gave unwarranted benefi ts, ad- contention that Section vantage and preference to the 13 does not apply to her said company. because she was charged The accused allegedly award- in the information in ed to Perzebros Company, her private capacity is which was supposedly “barely likewise without merit” two months old at that time,” a P5mn procurement contract No letup in war against The governor’s camp, how- for 3,333 bottles of Vitacrop liq- ever, urged the Sandigan- uid organic fertilisers priced at bayan to wait for the Supreme P1,500 per bottle without public Court’s decision on her peti- bidding and without the rec- tion questioning the validity of ommendation of the bids and the charge sheets against her, awards committee. before the preventive suspen- According to the charge drugs, insists Duterte sion should be issued. sheet, Rama acted purportedly The defence had also argued on the basis of a town council By Manila Times was wrong, with its estimate of actually a drug case that led to the time when he convened sev- he thought highly of military of- that Section 13 of the anti- resolution which authorised Manila the anti-drug campaign-related fi ghting after the Marawi police eral mayors in Malacanang. fi cials. That explains why half of graft law did not apply to her him to directly contract with deaths infl ated. attempted to serve a warrant of “The DEA in America told his Cabinet offi cials are former because she was charged in her the company. In the president’s view, drug arrest to a member of the Maute him bluntly that at the rate your military personnel. private capacity. The ombudsman also alleged resident Rodrigo Duterte traffi cking is no ordinary of- family. Their resistance to arrest country was being swallowed “The rule in organised crime But the court said, “Accused that payment was approved is set to remain fi rmly on fence, given that it is carried escalated into full-blown rebel- up by drugs, we would not be is (that) the act of one is the Catamco’s contention that for the fertilisers “which were Pcourse in his war on drugs, out by organised criminal syn- lion that also drew support from surprised if you would become act of all,” he told The Times. Section 13 does not apply to found overpriced by the com- challenging human rights advo- dicates. He pointed out that the foreigners linked to the Islamic a narcostate in due time,” the “Equally guilty.” He also said her because she was charged in mission on audit by at least cates to prove they have a better crime used to carry the death State of Iraq and Syria. president said, recounting what police offi cers should be allowed the information in her private PhP1,092.00/bottle or a total approach by solving the Philip- penalty. “What was really the begin- Alunan told them then. The to defend themselves when at- capacity is likewise without amount of PhP4,580,375.25.” pine drug menace themselves. While capital punishment ning? What was the root cause DEA is the US drug enforcement tacked by those they were ar- merit.” In two separate charge “No, no change,” Duterte continues to be in eff ect in some of that, drugs.” Referring to his agency. resting for selling drugs. “Wherefore, premises con- sheets, the ombudsman ac- said when asked if an impend- countries, it has remained sus- critics, he said, “They refuse to When Duterte ran for presi- Later he said fi ghting the drug sidered, the court orders the cused Rama and two others, ing United Nations Human pended in the Philippines since understand that Marawi then dent in 2016, there were reports syndicate was not going to be suspension pendente lite of including Catamco, of mal- Rights Commission (UNHRC) 2006 after years of petition by was a big laboratory and all of that nine out of 10 villages — or won by simply appealing nicely accused Nancy A Catamco as versation, which is punishable investigation into alleged ex- several groups, including the the supply, almost in all of the barangay — had been infi ltrated to the traffi ckers. governor of North Cotabato under Article 217 of the Re- trajudicial killings commit- Catholic Church. Philippines, was coming from by drug syndicates. Referring to the human rights and from any other public po- vised Penal Code. ted by his police forces would To further emphasise the there, from that area.” Duterte fi nds it inaccurate advocates, Duterte said, “I want sitions she may now or hereaf- The ombudsman alleged change anything in his anti- gravity of the drug problem in He later said it was impossi- to say that his anti-drug war is them to come here. I will give ter hold for a period of ninety that Rama, “conspiring with” illegal drug campaign. the Philippines, he said the fi ve- ble to stop the drug operations targeted only at the poor. the powers to run the police. (90) days from receipt of this the two, “did then and there, “It will last until the fi nal day month siege of Marawi in 2017 in Marawi because of corrup- He views the illicit drug trade Go ahead, try,” he added, ad- resolution,” the resolution willfully, unlawfully and fe- of my term,” he told The Manila was actually rooted in the drug tion. He added that several as operating under a sophisti- dressing the advocates. “Try to stated. loniously consent, permit Times in an interview. trade. mayors in that area ran a “cot- cated organisational structure convince these idiots to stop.” It ordered that a copy of the or through abandonment or The Duterte government Duterte fi rst linked the Ma- tage industry,” manufacturing that reaches all the way down to While he did admit having some resolution be provided to the negligence allow Perzebros slammed the UN resolution, rawi siege to narcoterrorism illegal drugs, mainly shabu or the grassroots level. regrets, he appeared certain to secretary of the department of Company...to take, appro- calling it political interference around November 2016. The methamphetamine hydrochlo- When he assumed the presi- stick to his campaign against il- the interior and local govern- priate, or embezzle” P3.2mn in the internal aff airs of a sover- battle for the southern city in ride. dency in 2016, he found that licit drugs. ment for the implementation and P1.675mn in public funds eign nation. Mindanao claimed about 1,000 Duterte, who used to be may- even some generals were in- When asked how he rated his of the preventive suspension which represented the initial Before this interview in Mala- lives, including more than 160 or of Davao City, recounted a volved in the illicit trade, he anti-drug campaign, he said order. payment and the fi nal pay- canang, the president’s spokes- soldiers and police offi cers, and statement he heard from Raff y said. The Times did not have the between “5.6 and 6,” based “The secretary is requested ment, respectively, for the man, Malacanang legal coun- displaced about a million peo- Alunan when he was interior opportunity to ask for clarifi ca- largely on how much the crime to inform the court of the ac- purchase of the fertilisers from sel Salvador Panelo, told The ple. secretary in the 1990s. Alunan tion, but Duterte did say in an- rate has gone down since he as- tion taken thereon within 15 the company. Times that the UN’s premise He told The Times that it was had just returned from the US at other part of the interview that sumed offi ce. Subic Expressway Quake destroys homes BFAR hiring of 5,236 personnel questioned widening underway By Manila Times While most BFAR offi ces have Manila insured property worth P318mn with premiums amounting to By Manila Times connects the Subic Bay Freep- the same time. But let us bear in P3.5mn, the insurable assets of Subic Bay Freeport ort to the 94km Subic-Clark- mind that all these are meant to he Commission on Audit other offi ces were either de- Tarlac Expressway, which in improve the business environ- (CoA) has called out the layed or not renewed, leaving turn links with the Tarlac- ment in the Subic Bay Freeport TBureau of Fisheries and buildings, motor vehicles, wa- ff orts to address conven- Pangasinan-La Union Ex- Zone,” Eisma said. Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for tercrafts, fi rearms and other ience in travelling in and pressway. “These are, in fact, our in- the hiring of 5,236 contractual equipment uninsured from Eout of the Subic Freeport The SBMA offi cial pointed vestments for a better future,” employees and for its failure to fi re, theft, earthquake, water is now underway with the start out that the project also in- she added. have P1bn worth of assets in- damage and other unforeseen of the P1.6bn Subic Freeport volves raising the Maritan According to NLEx project sured. events. Expressway (SFEx) Capacity Highway-Rizal Highway-Tipo manager Elvin Cruz, the SFEx In its 2018 audit report, state The BFAR, NFRDI and 15 other Expansion Project here. Road junction by one or two widening project entails the auditors noted that the BFAR regional fi eld offi ces (RFOs) were According to Subic Bay Met- metres, and fi xing the drainage construction of additional central offi ce (BFAR-CO), its also questioned for hiring 5,236 ropolitan Authority (SBMA) system in this area. lanes to convert the 8.8km road project support and co-ordi- contractual employees to aug- chairman and administrator “This is the solution to the into a four-lane highway. nation offi ce-foreign assisted ment 291% of regular plantilla Wilma Eisma, the SFEx expan- fl ooding problem that we have This includes building new projects and eight other offi ces positions equivalent to 1,697 sion project to be undertaken been experiencing in recent spans alongside the Jadjad and have not complied on the insur- employees. by North Luzon Expressway years,” Eisma said. Argonaut bridges, and boring ance of physical assets worth The 15 other offi ces were from Corporation (NLEx) is de- She said that with the start through the mountainside to P1,048,157,807.02 with the Gov- regions 1 to 13, and CAR. signed to improve traffi c fl ow of the project on July 13, part create another two-lane tunnel ernment Service Insurance Sys- “In BFAR-CO, and RFOs (6) and promote road safety in the of the Maritan-Rizal-Tipo beside the existing one. tem, violating Republic Act (RA) and (7), the (contract of service area. junction has been closed to The fi rst phase of the project 656, or the “Property Insurance employees) hired either perform “It will also complement traffic and motorists are be- is expected to be completed Law,” which RA 656 mandates regular functions of permanent the SBMA’s infrastructure de- ing redirected to alternate by October, in time for Subic’s government agencies to insure employees or they do not under- velopment programme which routes along the Causeway hosting of 16 sports in the 2019 their properties. take special project or job within includes widening of Freeport Road and the Argonaut-Ka- Southeast Asian Games to be A woman looks at a houses destroyed after a large The eight other offi ces were a specifi c period,” the CoA said. roads and improvement of our layaan Access Road. held from November 30 to De- earthquake that hit Cantilan, Surigao City, in southern island BFAR’s regional fi eld offi ces in RFO 10 management also con- airport, seaport, and other lo- “I know this would exact cember 11, Cruz said. of Mindanao. Fifty-one people were injured and several regions 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, Cordill- tracted the services of a private gistics facilities,” Eisma said. some toll on the quality of work The second phase, which homes, churches and other buildings damaged on Saturday era administrative region (CAR), lawyer worth P629,437 “with- The SFEx, which is also and leisure environment in will involve construction in when an earthquake sent terrified residents of the southern and the National Fisheries Re- out acquiescence from the Offi ce known as the Subic-Tipo Ex- Subic, as we have several infra- the opposite lane, will start in Philippines fleeing their homes before dawn, police said. search and Development Insti- of the Solicitor General and the pressway or NLEx Segment 7, structure projects going on at January 2020. tute (NFRDI). Commission on Audit.” Gulf Times 18 Monday, July 15, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 15- 07 -2019 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 Mass shooters give hints before they explode A cliche about violent off enders is that someone often will say what a nice, quiet neighbour the person was before the eruption. A new study of mass attacks in America suggests quite the opposite – and that perhaps more of these rampages can be prevented. The US Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center studied 27 incidents in 2018 in which a total of nearly 200 people were killed or injured in public spaces, including Mercy Hospital in Chicago and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The fi ndings don’t at all suggest that perpetrators had gone To win in 2020, Trump unnoticed by others, or that they had shown no previous signs of strain. Rather, researchers found that most attacks were motivated by specifi c grievances. Two-thirds of off enders had histories of mental health symptoms, though mental illness alone is not a risk factor for violence. Nearly all were sticks with what worked men, and nearly all had made threats, or said or done things that raised concerns in people around them. substance that Trump says, but almost served as Trump’s campaign manager attempts to dismantle the Affordable Three-quarters had experienced a major stress event, By Noah Bierman Washington all of them point to his central “Make for part of his 2016 run and remains an Care Act have proven unpopular. such as a death, divorce or homelessness. They had gotten America great again” slogan. informal adviser. If courts agree with a challenge a divorce. They’d lost their job or been kicked out of His campaign advisers believe his re- Lewandowski said Trump is unlikely supported by Trump’s Justice school. The future, for whatever reason, looked bleak, and s Democratic presidential election depends on motivating those to unveil “some new novel theme. Department, the issue will become disturbing behaviour was escalating. contenders race to draft the core voters and defi ning his Democratic It continues to be the ‘America fi rst’ even more prominent. boldest and most detailed opponent, whoever it is, as a far-left presidency.” A campaign adviser in Trump’s 2016 Last February in suburban policy plans, President Donald socialist who will endanger America. Trump also has the benefi t of and 2020 campaigns said Trump needs Aurora, Gary Martin killed fi ve A Rather than Trump has stuck to the signature “Every moment that the Democrats high economic growth and low to show a more “family friendly” side co-workers and injured fi ve issues that helped him win last time: are on the debate stage, the president unemployment. to appeal to suburban women, many plotting in police offi cers at manufacturer “Build the wall,” “jobs, jobs, jobs” and is winning,” said Marc Lotter, director “When you’re running on a great of whom defected from him in 2016 Henry Pratt Co. He had a “America First.” of strategic communications for the economy and you’re not at war, that’s and from his party in the 2018 midterm secret, these In other words, the agenda for Trump campaign. what your policy is,” Brinkley said. elections. The adviser, who requested history of violent behaviour Trump’s second term is largely a set of While Trump has been stymied on In that sense, Trump is not unusual. anonymity to discuss strategy, said that perpetrators going back two decades, pithy slogans that have been crowd- many of his legislative goals – most When an incumbent is running for includes better healthcare proposals. including stabbing one tested at rallies and have defi ned notably the proposed wall on the president, the pressure is almost always Trump might also propose an tend to strew girlfriend and threatening to Trump’s governing style since he fi rst southwest border that he repeatedly on the challenger to form plans while expansion to his fi rst-term tax cut kill another. On the day of the announced his unlikely bid for the vowed would be paid for by Mexico – the president defends his record. that would off er more help to families. around plenty presidency in 2015. he has channelled those failures into Lanhee Chen learned that lesson in While the 2017 bill skewed mostly shootings, he warned a co- Aides, allies and adversaries expect attacks against his enemies and urged 2012, when he led the policy team for toward corporations and the wealthy, of hints worker that “If I get fi red, I’m more of the same as Trump campaigns voters to let him fi nish the job in his Mitt Romney’s challenge to Obama. it included a child credit that Trump going to kill everyone here” for 2020. Not a lot of what George HW second term. Romney released lengthy treatises and has tried to promote as a victory for the and “I am going to blow police up,” according to the Kane Bush called “the vision thing” this time Even issues where he has been fairly delivered major addresses to think tanks. middle class. County state’s attorney’s offi ce. around. No “Bridge to the 21st century,” successful are used by Trump as calls “We were constantly assailing Obama Ari Fleischer, former press secretary That was an extreme example, and of course hindsight is as Bill Clinton dubbed his second-term for urgency. for not saying what he was going to do to president George W Bush, said re- agenda. Though he solidifi ed conservative in the second term,” Chen said. election campaigns are “a cocktail” 20/20. An observer might even think that if someone were Until Trump fully reshapes dominance of the federal judiciary with Obama eventually released more made with a sprinkle of new policy really serious about wanting to commit a crime, he’d have the immigration and trade, as he promised two confi rmed Supreme Court justices detailed plans, many of them rehashes proposals, a larger dollop of contrast sense to keep quiet about it. But rather than plotting in secret, to do repeatedly in 2016 – and as long and a slew of lower court appointments, of things he had already talked about. It with the challenger and, most these perpetrators tend to strew around plenty of hints. as the economy keeps growing – he is he used recent adverse rulings on didn’t matter much to voters. signifi cantly, an argument that the The need to pick up on those clues is not a license to report likely to keep off ering the same rallying healthcare and immigration to reinforce “For the American people, that president has moved the country in the cries. how important his second term would bumper sticker policy is probably a lot right direction. people to bosses, school offi cials or the police for no reason. As one supporter put it at a May 8 be in appointing even more conservative more meaningful,” Chen said. “For most Trump’s “cocktail has a stronger dash Rather, it’s about understanding how to recognise and respond rally in Panama City Beach, Florida: justices. people, that’s how they consume policy.” of ingredients than most” because he to red fl ags in family, acquaintances, co-workers or fellow “Just keep doing what he’s doing.” “Every fi rst-term president tries Trump’s advisers say that while elicits such disparate reactions from students, and making it more routine to report behaviour that Trump did just that at his offi cial to accomplish as much as he can nothing has been decided, the one voters, Fleischer said. seems truly out of line and escalating. Friends, neighbours re-election kickoff rally in Orlando last in the fi rst term and (Trump has) issue in which he is likely to off er a new “Don’t be mistaken,” he added. “The month, conjuring an homage to his 2016 accomplished enormous numbers of agenda is healthcare. president’s strength and/or weakness and members of online communities can be more alert to victory that included chants of “lock things, but there’s always more work Polls show Democrats have an is his personality.” — Tribune News who in their midst might be in real trouble. Workplaces and her up” and accusations that Democrats to do,” said Corey Lewandowski, who advantage there and Republican Service other institutions can build eff ective ways to respond. Law and the media were trying to “erase” enforcement and other public offi cials can accept tips and the “greatest campaign and the greatest connect dots whenever possible. election probably in the history of our country.” This isn’t a perfect solution. It echoes the advice for The backward-looking strategy situations that could be precursors to terror assaults: If carries some risk. Elections are often you see something, say something. If people on both ends defi ned as debates about the future of a tip behave with respect and resolve, a person who and opportunities to set the governing isn’t dangerous might at most get an alert that others agenda for Congress. They ultimately are about change – or continuity. are concerned about his well-being. And a person who is And Trump, who has registered low spiralling out of control might merit an intervention. approval ratings since taking offi ce, Very few people commit mass violence, and it can’t all be faces highly motivated Democrats, stopped by personal vigilance on the part of others. Many meaning he will need to win at least off enders are already under some kind of watch, and too some converts to repeat his narrow electoral triumph. many have illegal access to guns. But the picture forming But the old game plan matches here is worth understanding. Given the heavy toll of these Trump’s instincts and may be his best incidents – 17 dead and 17 injured at Stoneman Douglas, play. Trump won last time with few most of them students – foiling even a single attack can policy details, instead off ering broad save quite a few lives. – Tribune News Service themes, a heavy dose of nostalgia for a certain idea of midcentury America and a brand built around his out-sized persona. To Advertise “He’s a reinforcer of motto, not an innovator of new policies,” said Douglas [email protected] Brinkley, the presidential historian. Display “He’s not a guy who necessarily runs on agendas as much as raw nerve 44466621 44418811 endings,” said David Axelrod, President Barack Obama’s chief political adviser. Classified Trump has oriented his fi rst term 44466609 44418811 around proving to his core supporters that he has kept promises. Subscription His campaign website lacks new initiatives, but it includes lengthy [email protected] “promises kept” checklists intended to bolster the argument that he has altered nearly every aspect of domestic and US President Donald Trump makes his way to board Air Force One before departing from Cleveland Hopkins International © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved foreign policy. Many claims lack the Airport in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 12. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 19 COMMENT Shanghai leads battle against China’s rising mountain of trash

AFP in weight to the Statue of Liberty. The have fi zzled, but Buysschaert sees a Shanghai issue is straining municipal services diff erence this time. nationwide and prompting unrest. “The big shift is that it is much more Last week authorities in the central centralised and it’s incentivised now. ie Feng used to toss his city of Wuhan sent riot police to quell That’s really a game-changer because rubbish outside his protests by thousands of citizens now everyone is talking about it and Shanghai fl at without a against construction of a waste everyone is involved and on their toes,” Nthought while rushing to incinerator. she said. work, but saving China from a garbage China is spending billions of dollars Authorities say strict sorting crisis now requires him to consult a on waste-to-energy incineration is crucial, making it far easier to complex diagram each morning. plants across the country, but repeated separately process recycled items, On July 1, Shanghai launched protests have fl ared over fears they hazardous waste, compost and China’s most ambitious garbage will emit toxins. Wuhan has shelved its biomass. separation and recycling programme plan, for now. But tempers have fl ared. Chinese ever, as the country confronts a rising China produced just 30mn tonnes media said a 33-year-old woman tide of trash created by increasing of trash in 1980, but that soared to was detained last week for choking consumption. 210mn in 2017, according to World a volunteer sorting inspector But the programme is the talk of Bank fi gures. unconscious during a rules dispute. China’s biggest city for other reasons That is still less than the world’s Fines range from 200 yuan ($29) for as well: confusion over rules and fi nes trash titan, the United States, which household infractions to 50,000 yuan for infractions, and thousands of produced 258mn tonnes. But China for businesses, though authorities are volunteers inspecting citizens’ private is gaining fast and the World Bank going easy on imposing them for now. garbage each day. predicts Chinese garbage could reach The scheme is a business Nie examines a wall-sized diagram a staggering 500mn tonnes annually opportunity for others, with start-ups saying fi sh and pork bones must be by 2030. off ering app-based garbage collection separated from each other, and from Several factors are blamed, and sorting services. the plastic bag he carries them in. including rapid growth and the True to form, the Communist Party “It’s for the good of our homeland, Communist Party’s ongoing push is pushing obeisance via a public but we keep making mistakes,” said to develop a domestic consumer campaign larded with red banners Nie, a trading company staff er, economy to lessen reliance on the emblazoned with revolutionary laughing as he struggled to separate the outside world. In this photo taken on July 11, 2019, a man looks at piled up garbage at a housing complex in the former French concession exhortations such as “storm the citadel bag’s contents into various bins. Led by the likes of Alibaba, Chinese in Shanghai. Shanghai on July 1 launched China’s most ambitious garbage separation and recycling programme ever, as the of trash sorting.” “We have to get this right before the e-commerce has exploded, producing country confronts a rising tide of trash created by increasingly consumptive ways. But the programme is the talk of China’s “We weren’t used to it at fi rst. It was fi nes really start.” billions of parcel deliveries annually biggest city for other reasons as well: confusion over rules and fines for infractions, and thousands of volunteers inspecting really inconvenient,” said 67-year-old Shanghai is piloting a programme with their associated packaging. citizens’ private garbage each day. pensioner Zhou Shenzhu. set for eventual nationwide adoption in The government indicated its But she has been won over by a what would likely be the world’s largest alarm last year by banning certain There is really a sense of urgency,” talked-about topics in the country, problems for those with irregular noticeable reduction in fl ies and odour waste separation and recycling scheme imports of foreign waste that it used said Alizee Buysschaert, founder and though sometimes for the wrong schedules. Chinese media reports also since sorting started, she says. – and it is desperately needed. to accept for years for recycling, director of environmental consultancy reasons. have indicated that a lot of garbage was “The propaganda on television With its 1.4bn consumers, China is a move that has up-ended global Zero Waste Shanghai. Critics have taken aim at seemingly still entering bins unsorted. says we face great harm if we don’t becoming swamped by trash. Every garbage flows. With a phased national roll-out contradictory sorting guidelines and Government offi cials declined AFP separate.” day, Shanghai’s 25mn people alone “We need a really big push and I set to gain pace next year, Shanghai’s the limited daily hours during which interview requests. “Shanghai has lots of people, and so produce around 26,000 tonnes – equal think the government realised that. experience has become one of the most dumping is allowed, which causes Previous city-level sorting schemes much rubbish. So much!”

Why the pay gap between women’s and men’s soccer? Three-day forecast TODAY exceptionally good at something – think and only get paid if they’re called in to women’s worth with their paychecks Maximum Temperature : 420c By Rachel Greszler Minimum Temperature : 340c The Heritage Foundation actors and athletes – receive enormous play). are intent on “equalising” pay, even sums of money because customers want Until the women’s current CBA if it means taking away women’s TUESDAY the highest quality good, and there’s expires in 2021, US Soccer has no choice choices and reducing total incomes and Maximum Temperature : 430c he US women’s national soccer a technology that makes that good but to pay the players according to their economic output. Studies show that Minimum Temperature : 340c team just won the World Cup available to all customers at a low cost: contract. incomes and output decline by 6 to 10% WEDNESDAY championship while the US such as live broadcasts and movies. Across the US, choices that men and when companies – whether through Maximum Temperature : 420c Tmen’s soccer team failed to There’s also the fact that in soccer women make explain almost the entirety government dictate or rigid union Minimum Temperature : 330c and across most sports, men’s teams of the alleged 20-cent pay gap. regimes – implement fi xed pay scales even qualify for the men’s World Cup Fisherman's forecast last year. And yet, the women players generate signifi cantly more revenue than After accounting for measurable that don’t let employers off er fl exibility make only about 20% as much as the women’s teams. Pay-for-performance diff erences – things like occupations, or reward extra eff ort. WARNING men players. dictates that workers’ pay should refl ect education, experience and hours – a Moreover, when Denmark tried Inshore : Strong wind at daytime That seems unfair, so what gives? what they produce. 2009 Department of Labor study found to reduce its wage gap by requiring Offshore : Expected strong wind Certainly when two people perform The women’s World Cup is expected a 5- to 7-cent gap and a more recent companies to report their salaries with high sea the exact same job, they should receive to generate $131mn in revenues – just 2018 payscale.com study found a mere by gender and race, it reduced the WEATHER the exact same pay, regardless of their 2% as much as the $6.1bn generated 2-cent gap. gap by 2 percentage points, but that Inshore : Hot daytime with slight gender, race, hair colour, height, or any by the men’s 2018 World Cup. Within If the diff erence in pay were the was primarily because companies dust to blowing dust at other irrelevant characteristic. the US, however, the success of the result of discrimination, that would lowered men’s wages rather than places at times A deeper dive into what’s really going women’s soccer team has turned the be a problem. But pay discrimination raising women’s. Overall, workers Offshore : Slight dust with some on behind the so-called “pay gap” in tables, and the women’s team has is already illegal under both the Equal were no better off , and the businesses’ clouds both soccer and across the US helps generated slightly more revenue than Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act productivity fell as well. WIND Inshore : Mainly Northwest- clarify some of the reasons behind these the men over the past few years. of 1964, and the free market penalises No doubt, there’s a signifi cant erly-12-22/30 KT diff erences in pay. The fi nal choice-based factor at play employers who discriminate. diff erence in overall wages for men The US soccer-pay diff erence is is not unique to soccer, but actually Instead, the data indicates that and women, but those diff erences can Offshrore : Northwesterly-Westerly unique from the broader gender-based explains almost all of the diff erence in choices – not discrimination – are the be explained by the choices men and 16-26/30 KT pay diff erence across the US. pay between men and women across primary reason behind diff erences in women make and the free-market Visibility : 4-8/3 KM There are multiple factors at play the US. pay. And a choice-based gap is cause for principles that create higher incomes in US soccer, including the superstar It turns out that the US women’s celebration. and opportunities for everyone. – Offshore : 6-8/9 FT Tribune News Service phenomenon, performance-based pay, soccer players chose, through their Not that long ago, women had Around the region and the player’s own compensation union’s collectively bargained very few choices and opportunities Weather choices. Government-imposed agreements, higher base pay and in the labour market. Today, they can z Rachel Greszler is a research fellow Weather tomorrow Max/min overseers such as the US Soccer benefi ts such as maternity-leave pay in choose whether they want to climb the in economics, budget and entitlements today Max/min Sunny 42/27 Federation and FIFA also signifi cantly exchange for lower performance-based corporate ladder, take fl exible jobs that in the Grover M Hermann Centre for Baghdad Sunny 43/28 Cloudy 45/32 impact pay. pay that dominates the male players’ let them balance family needs, or opt for the Federal Budget, of the Institute for Kuwait CityCloudy 44/32 Cloudy 39/34 The superstar phenomenon happens compensation agreements (the men jobs that let them work remotely. Economic Freedom, at The Heritage Manama Cloudy 39/33 Sunny 38/32 when a small group of people who are have essentially no base pay or benefi ts But some policymakers who equate Foundation (heritage.org). Muscat Sunny 38/33 Tehran M Sunny 41/30 P Cloudy 41/29

Live issues Early risers may have lower breast cancer risk

By Lisa Rapaport than among every 100 women who cancer risk, Richmond said. Sleep might also increase the risk, Reuters Health were late risers. But there wasn’t a clear “Our main fi ndings were based on along with smoking, exposure to certain connection between breast cancer and women’s reported morning or evening chemicals, and hormone changes caused Around the world sleep duration or insomnia. preference, rather than actually whether by night shift work, according to the Weather Weather omen who like to wake In the BCAC group, women who woke they get up earlier or later in the day,” CDC. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min up early every day may up early also had a lower risk of breast Richmond noted. The current analysis wasn’t a Athens M Cloudy 29/21 M Sunny 30/21 be less likely to develop cancer. In this study, sleeping more than Another drawback is that participants controlled experiment designed to prove Beirut M Sunny 29/25 Sunny 29/26 Wbreast cancer than women the recommended 7 to 8 hours a night were all of European ancestry, and that specifi c sleep habits might directly Bangkok S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 33/27 who prefer to sleep in, a recent study was associated an increased risk – 19% results might diff er for women from cause breast cancer. Berlin P Cloudy 22/13 P Cloudy 23/13 suggests. for every extra hour. other racial and ethnic groups. It’s also not clear from the study Cairo Sunny 37/26 Sunny 40/31 While previous studies have linked “The fi ndings of a protective eff ect Most women who get breast cancer whether women’s preferred early or late Cape Town M Sunny 17/10 P Cloudy 16/11 inconsistent sleep schedules and getting of morning preference on breast cancer develop these tumours after age 50, wake-up time (conformed) with their Colombo T Storm 30/26 T Storm 29/27 too much rest to an increased risk of risk in our study are consistent with and they may be more prone to these work hours, said Dr Eva Schernhammer, Dhaka T Storm 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 breast cancer, researchers haven’t previous research highlighting a role for tumours with a family history, certain author of an accompanying editorial and Hong Kong P Cloudy 29/26 P Cloudy 29/26 looked as often at how much women’s night shift work in the development of genetic mutations, dense breast tissue, a researcher at the Medical University of Istanbul Showers 25/18 M Sunny 27/21 wake-up time might impact this risk, breast cancer,” said Rebecca Richmond, early puberty or late menopause, Vienna and Harvard Medical School in Jakarta M Sunny 33/23 M Sunny 33/23 researchers note in the BMJ. lead study author and a researcher at the according to the US Centres for Disease Boston. Being an early riser might make Karachi Cloudy 33/29 P Cloudy 33/29 For the current analysis, researchers University of Bristol in the UK. Control and Prevention. women’s wake up time better match a London P Cloudy 23/13 P Cloudy 26/16 analysed genetic variants associated “One particular mechanism which While women can’t control any of typical 9 to 5 workday that is common Manila T Storm 31/26 T Storm 30/26 with three sleep traits: sleep duration, might explain the link, known as the those risk factors, there are other risk for many jobs. Moscow Cloudy 20/13 T Storm 21/15 insomnia, and a so-called morning or ‘light-at-night’ hypothesis, involves factors related to lifestyle that can be “The majority of women are New Delhi P Cloudy 37/27 S T Storms 34/26 evening chronotype, referring to early the suppression of melatonin levels altered, according to the CDC. These neither morning or evening types, New York P Cloudy 31/21 P Cloudy 33/24 or late risers. They looked at data on in women exposed to artifi cial night include being physically inactive, but somewhere in between on that Paris P Cloudy 24/12 P Cloudy 26/14 180,216 women in the UK Biobank study at light, which in turn infl uences overweight, drinking alcohol, having spectrum, hence, any potential risks Sao Paulo P Cloudy 24/16 Cloudy 18/09 and 228,951 women in the Breast Cancer various hormonal pathways which a fi rst pregnancy after age 30, not are likely to aff ect a relatively small Seoul T Storm 29/21 S T Storms 29/22 Association Consortium (BCAC) study. might increase risk of breast cancer,” breastfeeding, and taking some forms proportion of women,” Schernhammer Singapore S T Storms 29/27 S T Storms 31/27 In the UK Biobank study, among every Richmond said by e-mail. of hormonal birth control pills and said by e-mail. “However, sleep and Sydney Cloudy 16/09 Sunny 19/08 100 women who were early risers, there But women shouldn’t rush to reset hormone replacement therapy for work timing might be more important Tokyo Cloudy 25/20 Cloudy 24/20 was one fewer case of breast cancer their alarm clocks to lower their breast menopause symptoms. than previously thought.” Gulf Times 20 Monday, July 15, 2019 QATAR

French embassy celebrates National Day

The French embassy in Qatar hosted a reception in Doha last evening to celebrate France’s National Day. A number of Qatari dignitaries, off icials, diplomats and other guests were present on the occasion. HE Adviser to the Amir for Defence Aff airs Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali joined French ambassador Franck Gellet in cutting the ceremonial cake, with Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhroo, director of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, also present. Ambassador Gellet also spoke on the occasion. PICTURES: Jayan Orma

‘The beauty of Islamic Art’ on MIA summer schedule Partial lunar eclipse tomorrow

By Joey Aguilar jects in our collection (July 28).” to be visible in Qatar: QCH Staff Reporter At least 10 children aged 8-12 years can take part in exploring MIA’s gal- leries and collection of rate cookery QNA eople in the country will have books “to build up an appetite looking Doha the opportunity to discover “the at everything to do with food” under Pbeauty of Islamic Art” through the Feasts fi t for a King on July 16 and various activities at the Museum of July 30 between 10am and 12noon. he people in Qatar will wit- Islamic Art (MIA) this month and in Participants will then move on to ness a lunar eclipse during the August as part of its summer pro- IDAM and learn creative cooking with Tfull Moon phase of Hijri month grammes, Qatar Museums (QM) has its chef, Damien Leroux, and his team. Dhul-Qa’da 1440 AH. announced. MIA’s museum guides are also set The eclipse will continue from In an e-mail to Culture Pass mem- to welcome Culture Pass members Tuesday evening to the early hours of bers, QM said MIA is showcasing an who will be participating in its regular Wednesday, Qatar Calendar House South America and North America. array of collections, which covers tours this month and in August. (QCH) announced. Qatar residents will have a chance to 1,400 years of history and a wide va- “In addition to our afternoon tours, The last lunar eclipse of this year will see all phases of this lunar eclipse. riety of materials and forms. take an in-depth look at some of our be partial, as the shadow of the Earth All stages of this eclipse will take fi ve “With over 35 courses to choose objects in our new Islamic Art in Focus will obscure 65.3% of the entire Moon hours and 34 minutes from the begin- from this summer, covering all age short tours every morning,” QM said, disc at its peak. ning of the eclipse to the end. groups, the art and calligraphy team noting that booking is not required This is because the centre of the The Moon will begin to cross from have created an exciting calendar of MIA’s museum guides are set to welcome Culture Pass members who will be and details can be found in its website. Moon, the earth and the Sun will be on the semi-shadow region (not visible to workshops. Times and dates vary,” participating in its regular tours this month and in August. As part of QM’s summer pro- one straight line so the Earth will be in the naked eye) at 9.44pm. QM said, as it encouraged those who gramme, Doha Film Institute will also the middle between the Sun and the The partial phase of the eclipse be- are interested to visit ‘http://www. and clay sculpting, among others. Participants can explore MIA with a screen Sriram’s Raghavan’s Andhad- Moon, blocking part of the Sun falling gins at 11.02pm. The eclipse will reach mia.org.qa/en/whats-on’ for details QM is also organising activities for diff erent family treasure trail and dis- hun at the MIA Auditorium on July on the Moon, QCH astronomer Dr Be- its peak after Wednesday midnight in 31 and booking. families this month such as the Treas- cover about objects purchased in the 18 (7pm), July 19 (4pm and 7pm), and shir Marzouk said. minutes and will end at 2am. Calligraphy courses are off er- ure Hunts (every Sunday), Detective or last 10 years as part of the museum’s July 20 (4pm and 7pm). The fi lm tells a The eclipse will be visible through- The last phase of the eclipse will end ing courses in Kufi c, Ruq’ ah, Naskh, Feasts Fit for a King (every Tuesday), 10th Anniversary Trail on July 7, “look story of a piano player who pretends to out almost of Asia, Europe, Africa, at 3.18am local time, Marzouk added. Nasta’liq, or Diwani scripts while art and Digging for Treasure or Mughal at objects used in celebrations (today), be visually impaired and soon faces a workshops are being off ered in acrylic Jewels (every Thursday) from 10am- take our Ramadan and Eid challenge series of troubles after witnessing the or glass painting, drawing, geometry, 12noon. (July 21) or see the some of the key ob- murder of a celebrity actor. Calligraphy exhibition for Noah ‘brings down the house’ at Doha Comedy Festival Qatar-India Year of Culture

outh African comedian Trevor he Indian embassy, together with Noah brought his unique per- Radiant Arts, a platform for Da- Sspective to a cross-cultural au- Twoodi Bohra artists, will inaugu- dience courtesy of Doha Comedy Fes- rate an Islamic calligraphy exhibition in tival, organised by the Social Studio. Building 18 (Gallery 2) of Katara — the The audience roared with laughter Cultural Village, at 7pm on July 18. during the remarkable comedy show The exhibition, titled ‘Multaqa Al- held at Qatar National Convention Qulub Wal-Funun: A Gathering of Centre (QNCC) as part of ‘Summer in Hearts & Crafts’, will be held as part of Qatar’. the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture. On his second visit to Doha, Noah The venue will be open to the pub- toured the recently opened National lic between July 18 and July 30, from Museum of Qatar before taking the 10am-10pm. stage at QNCC. The event is intended to showcase Through his set, the comedian the art of calligraphy as another aspect connected with a diverse crowd, with of cultural exchange between India and jokes tailored to various cultures. Qatar, the embassy has said in a state- Tickets for the performance were ment. sold out in advance. Radiant Arts has been invited from The show sold more than 3,700 India to co-ordinate this display of cal- tickets, the Qatar National Tourism ligraphic works of art by seven artists: Council (QNTC) said in a statement. Samina Sachak, Mohamed Moiny, Moiz Noah was the fi rst of several come- Nagpurwala, Aliasger Vaziri, Mazhar dians set to bring laughter to audi- Nizar, Juzer Burhani and Burhanuddin ences in Qatar this summer, including Nagarwala. British-Iranian Omid Djalili, Leb- The exhibition will display examples anese-American Nemr and Qatar’s of how Arabic calligraphy is preserved platform for art enthusiasts to publicly own Hamad al-Amari who will per- and practised in India and how iconic showcase their diverse talents. form on August 15. symbols of Qatar like the dhow, falcon, Through collaborations, this plat- All shows will take place at QNCC. oryx and horse are celebrated by artists. form strives to encourage a healthy di- Tickets range in price from QR175- It will also promote the beauty and alogue of ideas and values through the QR475 and can be purchased online at diversity of Indian culture, especially universal language of art and to display https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/ those elements that bear affi nity with the art work of Dawoodi Bohras across qa. or are part of Arab culture, the state- the globe. ‘Summer in Qatar’ forms part of ment adds. Though relatively recently estab- QNTC’s strategy to enrich and diver- During the event, it is also planned lished in 2016, the platform has already sify the country’s tourism off ering, to have live calligraphy sessions by the hosted exhibitions featuring interna- particularly in the area of family and artists. tional artists in Nairobi in Kenya and urban entertainment. Anwaar al-Funun — Radiant Arts is a Mumbai and Indore in India.