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SATURDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10837 June 2, 2018 Ramadan 17, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Amir holds Iftar banquet for heads of diplomatic missions

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday an Iftar banquet at the Amiri Diwan in honour of heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar, ambassadors of Qatar abroad and senior off icials of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. The banquet was attended by Personal Representative of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani. NHRC hails European Qatar manages Parliament’s decision In brief QNA the statement of the High Commis- Doha sioner for Human Rights, in addition to calling on the Saudi authorities to put an end to incitement to hatred and to produce bulk he National Human Rights discrimination against all individuals AMERICA | Diplomacy Committee (NHRC) has wel- and groups who are subjected to hu- Trump-Kim summit Tcomed the decision of the Eu- man rights violations by Saudi Arabia, ropean Parliament, which confi rmed including foreign nationals from other back on for June 12 the human rights violations caused countries. US President Donald Trump said by the unjust siege imposed on Qatar The NHRC noted this positive step yesterday he will meet North Korea’s by Saudi Arabia and other blockading by the European Parliament, which is Kim Jong-un as originally scheduled of its food needs countries. in addition to the positions of the High on June 12 for a historic summit after In this regard, the NHRC noted in a Commissioner for Human Rights and Oval Off ice talks with a top envoy atar has managed to produce Dr Saif al-Hajari, head of the Green also save around 90% of irrigation statement the confi rmation of the de- the Special Rapporteurs of the United from Pyongyang. Speaking after locally a considerable portion Tent, said Qatar is keen on food pro- water compared to traditional meth- cision on the impact of the sanctions Nations on their condemnation of the more than an hour of talks with Kim Qof its food requirements as the duction research and has provided ods. imposed by Saudi Arabia and other unilateral measures taken by the siege Yong-chol in the Oval Off ice, Trump unjust blockade imposed on the coun- considerable capabilities and fi nance Dr Mohamed Saif al-Kuwari, direc- countries against Qatar in the fi eld of countries of the blockade. told reporters that denuclearisation try by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain for this. He further pointed out that tor the Environmental Studies Center human rights at the local and regional Meanwhile, the European Parlia- — and a formal end to the decades- and Egypt completes one year, a panel scientifi c research and the use of so- at the Ministry of Municipality and levels, and the report’s content on the ment called for further measures and old Korean war — would be on the of experts stated. phisticated technology would even- Environment, said that the various impact of the Gulf crisis on human steps to condemn the siege countries table in Singapore. Page 5 Qatar has produced 24% of its veg- tually enable the country to overcome entities in the country are exerting rights issued by the United Nations and determine their legal responsibil- etable needs, 80% dates, 98% fresh the diffi culties in the fi eld. great eff orts to develop food security High Commissioner for Human Rights ity for violations and redress the griev- QATAR | Statistics poultry, 80% fi sh, 50% green animal Qatari entrepreneur Ahmed al- research and studies. in December 2017. ances of victims. fodder, and 82% of the milk, local Ara- Khalaf said the country require a Ambassador Badr Omar al-Dafaa, The resolution also affi rmed the The NHRC also called on EU coun- Population at May-end bic daily Arrayah reported citing the supply of around 600 tonnes of veg- executive Director of the of the Global arbitrary detention and forced disap- tries to support the European Parlia- about 2,732,000 people experts. etables a day, which could be pro- Dry Land Alliance, recalled that Qatar pearance of Qatari national Nawaf Ta- ment’s position and exert pressure to Population in Qatar at end of May They also affi rmed there are sev- duced locally when 6-8mn sq m of prepared a plan for food security three lal al-Rasheed, who did not follow the stop human rights violations resulting 2018 was about 2,732,000 people, eral techniques that allow the growth green houses are cultivated. These years ago. legal procedures in accordance with from the siege imposed on Qatar. with an increase of 0.9 % from of leafy vegetables year round, which April 2018 and an increase of 1.2% are being developed to accommodate from May 2017, the Ministry of for the particular requirements of the Extension for subsidised fl our supplies Development Planning and Statistics country. announced yesterday. Speaking earlier this week at the The Ministry of Economy and can get a sack of flour in addition Green Tent at Ezdan Mall, the ex- Commerce has extended the period to the monthly quota of other food Temporary ban on fruit and BUSINESS | Trade perts stressed that food security is of distribution of flour with subsidised items. an important part of national se- food supplies until the end of the holy The ministry had earlier announced EU joins battle against curity. Sheikh Dr Ali al-Qaradaghi, month of Ramadan for card-holders the addition of flour within the vegetables from Kerala Trump tariff onslaught Secretary-General of the Interna- that have not received flour sacks in food supplies during the month of The EU yesterday launched its tional Union of Muslim Scholars, May. Ramadan only, where the citizens who atar has temporarily banned within six weeks of reaching Qatar. first counteroff ensive against pointed out Qatar has a great poten- The quota will be transferred benefit from this initiative will receive the imports of fresh, chilled The decision on the temporary ban Washington’s punishing steel and tial to develop its food industry in electronically to June so that the a 50kg sack of flour in addition to the Qand frozen vegetables and fruits on fruit and vegetable import from the aluminium tariff s while the US began a short period of time and produce citizens benefiting from the initiative monthly ration of other food supplies. from Kerala and urged Qataris and ex- southern Indian state was taken by the meetings in Canada with outraged more food locally. patriates to avoid unnecessary travel to Joint Committee for Human Food Con- finance ministers from its top the southern Indian state until a Nipah trol until the Nipah virus situation sta- trading partners. Business Page 1 virus outbreak stabilises. bilises. The measures were announced The decision is part of the pre- yesterday in a statement by the Min- cautionary measures followed by the RAMADAN THOUGHT US vetoes UN resolution on Palestinians istry of Public Health (MoPH), which committee in this regard and based explained it has taken a number of on the recommendations of the World And the life of this world is nothing Four countries — Britain, Ethiopia, and protection” of Palestinian civil- precautionary steps in co-operation Health Organisation, which also stipu- but play and amusement. But far bet- AFP United Nations the Netherlands and Poland — ab- ians in Gaza and the occupied West with the entities concerned in Qa- lates that fruits should be washed and ter is the house in the Hereafter for stained. Bank, and requested a UN report to tar regarding the Nipah virus cases in peeled before consumption. those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pi- A draft resolution requires nine propose an “international protection Kozhikode and Malappuram districts The MoPH has also issued a circular to ous). Will you not then understand? he United States vetoed yester- votes to be adopted in the 15-member mechanism.” of Kerala. all the communication offi cers at all the (Qur’an 6: 32) day an Arab-backed UN draft council and no veto from the fi ve per- Ahead of the vote, a young Pales- The MoPH has maintained strict hospitals and health centres across Qatar Prayer times Tresolution calling for measures manent members — Britain, China, tinian woman was shot dead by Israeli control and surveillance at the various on the standard defi nition of the suspect- to protect the Palestinians after more France, Russia and the United States. soldiers near the Gaza border fence, ports of entry to Qatar and urged resi- ed cases and the mechanism of dealing Fajr....3.15 Zuhr....11.32 Asr....2.56 than 100 were killed by Israeli fi re dur- US ambassador Nikki Haley told the bringing the death toll of Gazans killed dents not to travel to Kerala unless it is with them in accordance with the guide- Maghrib.....6.23 Isha.....7.53 ing protests at the border with Gaza. council the measure was “wildly inac- by Israeli fi re since the end of March to unavoidable until the spread of the dis- lines for fi ghting infection to guarantee a Ten countries including China, curate in its characterisation of recent 123. ease is contained. speedy report of any suspected case. Fasting times France and Russia voted in favour of events in Gaza” by condemning Israel It was the second time that Haley In addition, the MoPH has called on The team concerned at the MoPH Iftar today ...... 6.23pm the draft put forward by Kuwait on be- for the violence. has resorted to US veto power to block all travellers from Kerala to visit the will receive related reports round-the- Imsak tomorrow...... 3.05am half of Arab countries at the Security The Kuwait-drafted text had called a UN measure on the Israeli-Palestini- nearest health centre or hospital imme- clock on its hotlines: 66740948 and Council. for “measures to guarantee the safety an confl ict. Page 3 diately if they have any fever symptoms 66740951. Qatar lauded for its role in achieving peace in Darfur

he great role played by Qatar in Khalafallah affi rmed that the Doha tempts failed in the face of the global ment prospects, he noted. in close co-ordination and follow-up tial element to resolve the Darfur cri- supporting the peace process in peace document is the basis of the progress in support of the peace proc- Khalafallah explained that the Dar- of the Sudanese presidency.” sis, which is the sharing of wealth and TDarfur and achieving stability peace process in the region. It is a ess in Darfur. fur Peace Offi ce is following up the The Doha Peace Document was power between the Khartoum govern- and comprehensive peace in Sudan has comprehensive and open peace docu- “This has resulted in the presence of implementation of the course of the signed by the Sudanese government ment and the Darfur movements, as been lauded by the head of the Darfur ment for everyone who wants to join a positive global media coverage that Doha peace document, out of which and the Liberation and Justice Move- well as addressing key issues of the Peace Offi ce, Majdi Khalafallah. the peace process, he pointed out. refuted the slander against Darfur by more than 85% of its items had been ment on July 14, 2011 in the presence armed confl ict in the region, such as In a statement to the Sudanese ra- The head of the Darfur Peace Of- presenting the positive developments implemented. of representatives of Burkina Faso, the compensation for the displaced, asy- dio yesterday he said that the ongoing fice stressed that the reality now in that have taken place,” Khalafallah “The work of the Peace Commis- African Union, the United Nations and lum and the administrative status of Qatari support enabled the Sudanese the Darfur region has defeated the said. sions in Darfur in the areas of volun- Qatar, which mediated between the the region, where it was decided to government to consolidate peace in agenda of those who sought to pro- The peace process in Darfur ex- tary return, land, justice, reconcilia- parties over 30 months of negotia- conduct a referendum to resolve the Darfur and fulfi l its commitment to long the conflict at the regional and ceeded all the effects of war and tion and security arrangements are as tions. identity of Darfur, being a single prov- peace. international forums and their at- violence and moved to the develop- provided for by Doha peace document The document includes an essen- ince or states. - QNA Gulf Times 2 Saturday, June 2, 2018 QATAR

226 students honoured Four CENG students receive for memorising Qur’an

he Ministry of Awqaf dents were honoured for com- and Islamic Aff airs pleting classes of the Qur’an Architecture Excellence award Thonoured more than and 110 others who presented 220 students of the Holy outstanding performance in Qur’an memorisation centres the preparatory stage accord- he Department of Archi- in the annual ceremony held at ing to the curriculum of the tecture and Urban Plan- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid al- Qur’an centres affi liated to the Tning (DAUP) at Qatar Mahmoud Hall in the presence Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic University College of Engineer- of a number of ministry’s of- Aff airs. ing (QU-CENG) recently held fi cials, supervisors of centres The value of the awards its ninth Architecture Day under and parents. reached nearly half a million the theme ‘Made in Qatar: Mak- The ceremony, held last riyals. ing the Diff erence’. night under the patronage of Mal Allah al-Jaber, direc- The event featured the fi rst HE the Minister of Awqaf and tor, department of da’wah and edition of the Architecture Ex- Islamic Aff airs, Dr Ghaith bin religious guidance, praised the cellence Award. It also provided Mubarak al-Kuwari, hon- eff orts made by the Qur’an DAUP students with the op- oured 226 students, includ- centres during the past year, portunity to present and show- ing 70 students from diff erent which resulted in the gradu- case their architectural projects nationalities, who completed ation of a number of memo- designed under the supervision memorising the entire Qur’an risers of the Qur’an and the of DAUP faculty and in collabo- Group picture of some participants. Off icials at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the event. during the past year along achievement of advanced po- ration with government insti- with nine Qatari students. sitions in international Qur’an tutions, industry partners and CENG dean Dr Khalifa al-Kha- Group CEO and chief architect, ebrates graduates whose think- dous eff orts and hard work of In addition, 37 Qatari stu- competitions. (QNA) architectural practices. lifa stressed the importance of the Arab Engineering Bureau, the ing and design approach pushes our students, faculty members The projects cover various relations cemented with indus- sponsor of the award, said, “At conventional boundaries. and the support of our govern- topics, such as hospitality, tour- try, represented by the success of AEB, we consider corporate so- “In addition, we continue to mental collaborators and indus- istic villages, housing, mosques, the students’ projects displayed cial responsibility (CSR) as a partner with Qatar University, trial partners. The architectural cultural centres, healthcare and during Architecture Day. commitment of now for a bet- off ering internship placements exhibition and related activities sports facilities. He said, “The students’ ter tomorrow. Building on our and training to their students. provide a wide range of architec- Indian embassy backs The winners of the ‘Archi- projects refl ect CENG’s commit- existing relationship with Qatar And, as a practising architect tural and urban design projects tecture Excellence Award’ were ment to show the innovation and University, we instituted the AEB myself, I am tremendously proud that feature the profession and B Arch programme senior stu- quality of teaching, which aligns Architecture Excellence Award to say that some of our trainees community needs and aspira- education initiative dents Maryam Nasser al-Jufairi with the pillars of Qatar National that aims to recognise and reward have attained leading profes- tions in enhancing our cities and (fi rst place), Aisha Abdulla al- Vision (QNV) 2030 in order to young and talented architects. sional positions in the market.” buildings towards more resilient Kuwari (second), and Almaha graduate the engineers and ar- The award recognises excep- DAUP head Dr Fodil Fadli sustainable futures by adopt- he Indian embassy has such students who are out of Mohsen Alyafei and Maryam chitects who can achieve QNV.” tional architectural innovation of added, “The event represents ing a fl exible yet contextual announced that it sup- school and to provide details Shahein Alsulaiti (third). Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, young architects in Qatar and cel- the outcomes of the tremen- architecture.” Tports an initiative to of all such students at help. ensure proper education for all [email protected] Indian children who are forced The details should include, to be out of school due to fi - name of the student, age, Qa- nancial constraints, age-limit tar identity ( optional), grade issues or any other barriers. to which admission sought, e- QU-CBE hosts Members of the Indian mail, mobile, address and the community have been re- reason due to which student is guest lectures for quested to help by identifying out of school. MBA students he College of Business keting Dr Rana Sobh said, “One of and Economics (QU- my objectives as I teach the mar- TCBE) hosted a series of keting management course is to guest lectures for marketing link theory to practise and bring management students in the students closer to the business MBA programme. world. Students greatly benefi t They lectures were delivered from the executives’ expertise in by executives from national the fi eld of marketing, which pre- QU off icials with the winning students. and international institutions. pares them for leadership careers The lectures series started in marketing and business.” at the beginning of Spring Al-Kuwari said, “I am very 2018. They included a talk by happy to have been given the op- Brian Ashby, vice president portunity to talk to Qatar Uni- at Qatar Airways in which he versity MBA students about the During the drive, shop owners were urged to comply with the Destination Imagination discussed the marketing strat- Ooredoo brand and share some standards and requirements set by the ministry. (PICTURE: egy adapted by the company. of the lessons I have learned courtesy of MoI Facebook page.) Another lecture was presented throughout my career with the by Ooredoo Group chief com- group. Brand identities refl ect mercial offi cer Fatima al-Ku- and evolve with customers’ challenge winners feted wari, who discussed the Oore- needs. As a constantly evolving doo branding strategy and the and innovative communications Community Police hold challenges the group faces. brand, Ooredoo has set itself a atar University (QU) has other QU offi cials and staff . tribute to building the students’ Other lectures were delivered target of enhancing its custom- hosted a ceremony to The fi nals of the scientifi c personalities and their confi - by general manager at Sasol ers’ data experience and ena- awareness campaign Qhonour the students who challenge witnessed a strong dence, and to developing their Qatar Jack Saba, who shared bling everyone to enjoy the In- won the fi rst place in scientifi c competition between Qatar, skills and capabilities in the fi eld his journey with Sasol CSR ternet on Ooredoo’s networks.” and improvisational challenges China and the US. As the cul- of leadership, teamwork and re- programme in Qatar; Mosafer Saba shared with the stu- he Community Po- the security departments. in the Destination Imagination minating event of the DI season, search. Additionally, we are keen Business managing director dents his vision for eff ec- lice Department re- “They cover various places in (DI) 2018 which took place in Global Finals provides fi nalists to provide our students with Charbel Mansour, who dis- tive and outcome-driven CSR Tcently held an aware- the country and aim to edu- Tennessee, US, on May 23-26. the opportunity to showcase the opportunity to participate cussed the key success factors and some of the creative and ness campaign in areas falling cate and guide the public and Students Aldana Ali Alya- their top-scoring innovative in international events, which behind Qatar brand ability to award-winning work done by within the jurisdiction of the provide awareness suitable for fei and Suhila Tariq Zaff er solutions in the areas of sci- allow them to interact and ex- compete globally and Sports Sasol. “The perfect CSR pro- Rayyan and Capital Security each category,” he observed. (QU-College of Engineering), ence, technology, engineering, change their ideas with their Marketing and Communication gramme is one that can make a Departments. “These campaigns, organ- Sameera Hamad AlMuraikhi arts and mathematics (STEAM), peers from various cultures and expert at Qatar Olympics Com- real diff erence in the communi- The initiative was aimed at ised by the Community Po- (QU-College of Business and as well as service learning and backgrounds.” mittee Maher Safi , who high- ty. For Sasol, accessibility and enhancing the sense of securi- lice Department from time to Economics), Sumaya Tariq Zaf- improvisation, at the world’s Dr al-Yafei said: “We are lighted the strategic marketing inclusion are important values. ty and safety measures among time, have benefi ted owners of fer, Raja Mohamed Aderdor and largest celebration of creativity. proud of our students’ achieve- eff orts undertaken by diff erent Our CSR programmes have al- shoppers and at stores, the shops, restaurants and other AL-Anqa Alharbi (QU-College The solutions were assessed by a ment. The university is not lim- sports organisations in Qatar to lowed us to focus our eff orts, Ministry of Interior (MoI) said outlets in terms of the appli- of Arts and Sciences), and Fa- panel of trained judges, ranging ited to classroom learning as the promote the country as a sports build strong connections, and in a statement on social media. cation of safety,” the offi cial tima al-Mansouri (QU-College from educators to entrepreneurs labour market seeks for gradu- hub and touristic destination. see real outcomes in the lives of During the drive, shop own- added. of Education) represented QU to engineers, and were scored on ates who have the theoretical CBE associate professor of mar- disabled people.” he added. ers were urged to comply with On his part, Major Mohamed Destination Imagination com- a variety of elements, including and practical skills. The Desti- the standards and require- Fahad al-Dosari, offi cer of the petition in the scientifi c and originality, workmanship, pres- nation Imagination competition ments set by the ministry in external branches and super- improvisational challenges. entation and teamwork. contributes to strengthening the order to reduce crime rates and visor of Ramadan campaigns, Attending the events were Dr al-Derham congratulated students’ leadership, problem- curb negative trends, the MoI said the community polic- QU president Dr Hassan al- the winning students saying: solving and teamwork skills. QU statement noted. ing programmes aim to re- Derham, Student Services and “We at Qatar University believe is committed to encourage and Colonel Ghanim Saad al- duce crime rates and negative Activities director Dr Abdulla that the student activities and support its students to partici- Khayarin, head of the external phenomena and raise aware- al-Yafei, and Al Faisal Without the university life are not less pate in various competitions at branch at the department, said ness among the community Borders (Alf) general manager important than the academic the national and international awareness campaigns are car- regarding security and safety Abdullatif al-Yafei, as well as aspect. These activities con- levels.” MBA students with Jack Saba. ried out in co-ordination with procedures in public places.

QRCS provides food packages to Yemen families Qatar chairs TRIMs meet at WTO atar Red Crescent So- unprotected women and people ciety’s (QRCS) mission with special needs during the QNA Qin Yemen has initiated a spiritual month of Ramadan”, Geneva Ramadan Iftar food aid project QRCS has stressed. “Its ultimate for poor households and vul- goal is to share with the local nerable groups in two governo- society their celebrated events atar chaired a meeting rates, under the annual Ram- and promote human solidarity of Agreement on Trade- adan Campaign 1439 AH. and social support for the needy QRelated Investment The project has so far cov- during the holy month.” Measures (TRIMs) of the World ered 2,400 households (around The project is part of QRCS’s Trade Organisation (WTO) at the 16,800 people) in Taiz and Ramadan Campaign for 1439 AH, organisation’s headquarters in Amanat Al-Asimah, each receiv- which involves QR84mn worth of Geneva yesterday. ing 1,200 food parcels with di- humanitarian and development The meeting, chaired by the verse staples such as rice, fl our, The project has so far covered around 16,800 people in Taiz and projects. These include interna- Ministry of Economy and Trade sugar, vegetable oil and beans, Amanat Al-Asimah in Yemen. tional projects in 20 countries at representative at the WTO, Ministry of Economy and Trade representative at the WTO, Sheikh Ali QRCS has said in a statement. a total cost of QR62mn as well as Sheikh Ali Bin Al Waleed al-Tha- Bin Al Waleed al-Thani, chairing the meeting at the WTO in Geneva. In Taiz governorate, work has to Al-Tahadi Society for People Al-Wiaam Center for Battered health, social, qualifi cation and ni, focused on a number of topics been completed to distribute 400 with Physical Disabilities, 50 Women, the statement notes. development projects in Qatar at related to international trade and tee in facilitating its work and in eff ects, it states that no mem- parcels in Dhubab/Sabir Al-Ma- parcels to Home for the Blind, Other areas with benefi ciar- a value exceeding QR10mn, the investment, as well as comments addressing and completing the ber shall apply a measure that is wadim districts, 400 parcels in 100 parcels to Al-Aman Home ies include As-Sabain district statement adds. by some member states on in- issues on its agenda. prohibited by the provisions of Jabal Habashy district, 300 par- for Blind Female Care, 200 par- (200 parcels), the Al-Has- Also, Ramadan projects are vestment policies and legislation. TRIMs, negotiated during the GATT Article III (national treat- cels in Maqbanah district and 100 cels to Home for Orphan Care bah neighbourhood (150) and currently being undertaken in The member states partici- Uruguay Round, applies only ment) or Article XI (quantitative parcels in Al-Mawasit district. and Rehabilitation, 50 parcels Shu’aub district (300). Qatar and 15 other countries pating in the meeting also ex- to measures that aff ect trade in restrictions). As for Amanat Al-Asimah to Dar Al-Takaful Orphanage, The purpose of the project is with a budget of QR12,360,000. pressed appreciation for the ac- goods. Recognising that certain Qatar took over the chairman- governorate, work is still in 50 parcels to Al-Liwaa Female to “alleviate the suff ering of un- These include Ramadan Iftar, tive role played by Qatar during investment measures can have ship of the committee on trade progress to deliver 50 parcels Orphanage and 50 parcels to derserved households, orphans, Eid clothing and Zakat ul-Fitr. its chairmanship of the commit- trade-restrictive and distorting and investment last year. Gulf Times Saturday, June 2, 2018 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

17 dead in Israeli army kills Palestinian off ensive on Libya’s nurse in Gaza border protest Derna: UN

Reuters AFP Gaza Tripoli

sraeli forces killed a Palestini- t least 17 civilians have an nurse yesterday as she tried been killed in an off ensive Ito help a wounded protester Aby military strongman at the Gaza border, according to Khalifa Haftar’s forces to take health offi cials and a witness, the last city in eastern Libya be- while Israel said fi ghters had at- yond his control, the United Na- tacked its troops with gunfi re and tions said yesterday. a grenade. “The escalation of fi ghting in Razan al-Najar’s death brought Derna has reached unprecedent- to 119 the number of Palestinians ed levels during the past week, killed in weekly demonstrations with fi ghting further encroach- launched on March 30 in the Gaza ing into densely populated ar- Strip, an enclave controlled by the eas,” the UN Support Mission in Hamas and long subject to grind- Libya said. ing Israeli and Egyptian embar- “Since May 16, at least 17 ci- goes. vilians, including two children, Najar, a 21-year-old volunteer were killed and another 22, in- medic, was shot as she ran toward cluding seven children, were the fortifi ed border fence, east injured in the conduct of hostili- of the south Gaza city of Khan ties.” Younis, in a bid to reach a casualty, The mission called on all a witness said. sides to “exercise maximum Wearing a white uniform, “she restraint” after seven civilians raised her hands high in a clear were killed and seven wounded way, but Israeli soldiers fi red and by an explosion on May 30 as she was hit in the chest,” the wit- they were attempting to leave ness, who requested anonymity, the city. told Reuters. Haftar’s self-proclaimed An Israeli military spokeswom- Libyan National Army (LNA) an had no immediate comment on launched an off ensive on May 7 Najar’s killing. to “liberate” the eastern coastal Israeli offi cers have previously city, home to about 150,000 said that army snipers target only people. people posing a threat, but that Derna is controlled by a rag- the bullets can sometimes run tag coalition of hardline and through them or ricochet, hitting Palestinian paramedics carry away a wounded protester during a demonstration along the border with Israel, east of Jabalia in the central Gaza Strip, yesterday. other militias, including groups bystanders. close to Al Qaeda, hostile to both Gazan medical offi cials said Israel during the 1948 war of its Haftar and the Islamic State at least 100 Palestinians were creation. group. wounded by army gunfi re during Israel’s lethal response has The coalition, the Mujahedeen yesterday’s mass demonstrations. drawn international censure. Shura Council, was formed to In a separate statement, the Is- Yesterday’s turnout of pro- drive IS from the city in 2015, raeli military said its troops had testers was less than in previous after it had taken over Derna the acted to disperse “thousands of weeks, but is expected to grow previous year. rioters” at fi ve locations. next week as Palestinians mark Haftar’s forces entered the It said that “an IDF (Israel De- the anniversary of Israel’s capture city’s suburbs last week and have fence Forces) vehicle was fi red of the Gaza Strip and West Bank tightened the noose on their upon and a suspect was identifi ed and East Jerusalem in the 1967 opponents with the help of air crossing the security fence in the war. strikes and heavy artillery. northern Gaza Strip and planting Israel quit Gaza in 2005, but has LNA forces have besieged a grenade which exploded as he elsewhere deepened settlements Derna for nearly two years, mak- returned to the Strip”. on occupied land. ing it diffi cult for residents to ac- There have been no Israeli The demonstrations come at a cess humanitarian aid. casualties during the border con- time of growing frustration over The UN mission warned frontations, but Israel has re- the prospects for an independent that “severe food and medicine ported extensive damage to farm- Palestinian state or even a revival shortages continue to worsen” land from fi rebomb-bearing kites of peace talks, stalled since 2014. and said “electricity and water fl own over from Gaza. At her house in Khan Younis, are intermittently cut off ”. The surge in violence at the bor- Najar’s mother collapsed in grief Libya has been wracked by der crescendoed this week to the as she was handed her daughter’s chaos since a 2011 uprising that most intensive shelling exchanges blood-stained uniform. toppled and killed long-time between Israel and Hamas and A statement from Gaza’s Health dictator Muammar Gaddafi , another Palestinian armed faction Ministry mourned Najar as a with two rival authorities vying since a 2014. “martyr”. Interviewed by Reuters for control. But the violence, which caused in April, she said she would see Haftar supports an admin- no fatalities, was reined in with the border protests through until istration based in the east of Egyptian ceasefi re mediation. their end. the country and opposes a UN- In the protests, billed as the “I am returning and not re- backed unity government based “Great March of Return”, Pales- treating,” Najar’s last Facebook in the capital Tripoli that has tinians have been calling for the post said. “Hit me with your bul- Colleagues of Palestinian nurse Razan al-Najjar, who was killed during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, react at a hospital in the struggled to assert its authority right to return to lands lost to lets. I am not afraid.” southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. outside the west.

OPINION Coalition assault on Yemen port ‘would be disaster’ Tunisia to raise fuel prices, Jordan freezes gasoline As forces of the Saudi-led military coalition close in on the main hold off public wages hikes Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, aid price rise after anger agencies fear a major battle that will also shut down a vital lifeline for Reuters with steps to cut chronic defi - driving Tunisians into illegal millions of hungry civilians. Senior Tunis cits and trim bloated public migration or militancy, have Reuters aid off icials urged Western powers services, but progress has been strongly backed Tunis dur- Amman providing arms and intelligence to slow. ing the post 2011-transition the coalition to push the Gulf Arab unisia will raise fuel pric- The IMF delegation visited even without much evidence of allies to reconvene UN talks with es in the coming days but Tunisia this week to review with progress on economic reforms. ordan put an imminent in- the Houthi movement to avoid a Thold off increasing public offi cials the next tranche worth But in a sign of increasing do- crease in gasoline prices on bloodbath and end the three-year wages this year to meet terms around $250mn which, if ap- nor impatience, diplomats said, Jhold yesterday, state media war. A coalition spokesman said of the International Monetary proved, would bring total pay- the United States abstained said, after public anger about on Tuesday that forces backed Fund for its next loan tranche, a ments since 2016 to $1.2bn. when the IMF voted to approve tax hikes recommended by the by the coalition were 20kms from government offi cial and diplo- The government offi cial said the most recent loan tranche. IMF spilled into the streets this the Houthi-held city of Hodeidah, matic sources told Reuters. fuel prices would rise by 0.070 The government has been week. but did not specify whether there Tunisia has dropped into a dinar ($0.027) a litre in the trying to cut the public sec- State news agency Petra were plans for an assault to seize deep economic slump follow- coming days, the third hike this tor wage bill to 12.5% of GDP quoted Prime Minister Hani the Red Sea port, long a key target. ing the overthrow in 2011 of year but less than the 0.100 di- in 2020 from 15 % — one of the Mulki as saying that on the or- “The coalition ground forces are autocratic leader Zine El-Abi- nar the IMF had asked for, as the world’s highest — by off ering ders of King Abdullah he had now at the doorstep of this heavily- dine Ben Ali. Although its suc- government has whittled down voluntary redundancies. revoked the decision to raise fortified, heavily-mined port city,” Jan cessful democratic transition subsidies on imported fuel. But few have taken up the of- gasoline prices, which had been Egeland, secretary-general of the since then contrasts with other For 2018, Tunisia had budg- fer due to high unemployment. due to go into eff ect just after Norwegian Refugee Council, told “Arab Spring” countries, nine eted 1.5bn dinars in subsidies The UGTT union, the politi- midnight yesterday. Reuters. “Thousands of civilians are governments have failed to cut but with a recent rise in global cal kingmaker in Tunis, has re- A government committee fleeing from the outskirts of Hodei- the budget defi cit and revive an oil prices it would have to spend jected plans to dismiss public reviews gasoline prices each Protesters chant slogans during a protest against the new income dah which is now a battle zone.” economy hit by a lack of invest- 4bn to avoid a rise in pump pric- servants and sell loss-making month in accordance with tax law and high fuel prices, in Amman, yesterday. The banner ment and militant attacks on es, he said. state fi rms. global market fl uctuations af- reads in Arabic “we do not have money.” tourists. “The IMF is demanding that To avoid layoff s the govern- ter scrapping fuel subsidies in DISCLOSURE Loan talks have been com- the (fuel price) increase in all ment increased taxes and duties 2012. It raised gasoline prices and the abolition of bread sub- large foreign capital infl ows or Anti-IS forces plicated by a row inside the rul- 2018 be about 0.500 dinar, but at the start of the year, hitting last month but the June in- sidies. suffi cient infusions of foreign ing coalition of secularists and we want the adjustment to be banks and other sectors and crease would have been bigger. The authorities, echoing the aid. admit nine more moderates — over the extent of acceptable to curb infl ation,” triggering two weeks of riots. Hundreds of protesters con- IMF, argue that only 4% of Jor- The intervention of the civilian deaths reforms and a possible cabinet the offi cial said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister verged on the prime minister’s danians pay personal income monarch, who traditionally reshuffl e — that coincided with To appease donors, Tuni- Youssef Chahed said the presi- offi ce late on Thursday night in tax and that they need to com- acts as an arbiter and unifying The US-led coalition fighting the a visit this week from an IMF sia also wants to delay a public dent’s son had destroyed the the heart of the capital chant- bat widespread tax evasion. force, defused protests planned Islamic State group in Syria and delegation. salary increase considered for ruling Nidaa Tounes party, of ing anti-government slogans The tax proposals under a by civic activists, in the capital Iraq acknowledged yesterday The new austerity measures 2018 until next year though this which Chahed is also a member. and calling on the government three-year International Mon- and provincial towns, against the deaths of another nine civil- are likely to meet resistance needs to be negotiated with the The president’s son, Hafedh to resign in protest at the latest etary Fund programme are es- the price hike after Friday ians, increasing the toll of non- from the powerful labour union labour unions, he added. Caid Essebsi, who is the leader wave of price hikes. sential to generate more state prayers, witnesses and activ- fighters killed to at least 892. The UGTT and people tired of aus- The North African country of Nidaa Tounes, had called for Public frustration has been revenue to gradually bring ists said. coalition completed a review terity, galloping infl ation and also plans to sell Eurobonds Chahed’s dismissal because of growing since the cabinet sent down public debt to 77% of Thousands of Jordanians in April of 159 potential civilian political instability. worth $1bn over the next two his government’s failure to re- a new draft tax bill to parlia- GDP in 2021. heeded a strike call by unions casualty reports and found five Tunisia agreed with the IMF weeks to help fund the budget, vive the economy. ment last month that doubles Jordan’s economy has been on Wednesday to protest at the were considered credible, result- in December 2016 on a loan pro- the offi cial said. But the moderate party En- the tax base. struggling with stagnant IMF dictated tax rises they say ing in the nine civilian fatalities, a gramme worth around $2.8bn Western governments, wor- nahda, Nidaa Tounes’ coalition It followed steep general growth and chronic defi cits will worsen an erosion in living statement said. to overhaul its ailing economy ried about high unemployment partner, backed Chahed. sales tax hikes earlier this year worsened by the absence of standards. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, June 2, 2018 AFRICA/RAMADAN Anniversary celebration A balanced food system

any people get into the bad habit of overeating during the month of Ramadan, which often causes Mdiff erent types of conditions, like constipation, rapid weight gain, and many others. This is because they are heedless of the instructions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam , and the etiquette one must adhere to at the time of breaking the fast when eating Iftar. The instruc- tions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, are all about healthy practices. They also include measures to pre- vent stressing the body and over-exhausting it, as well as not subjecting it to pain. These measures therefore refl ect the great benefi ts of fasting. In order to achieve benefi t from this healthy system, we must adhere to certain instructions related to our eating habits during the period of fasting. The following are some of these instructions: Hastening to break the fast immediately at sunset: Sahl ibn Sa`d reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaa- hu ’alaihi wa sallam, said: “People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break their fasting.” [Al- The Kenya police band performs during the celebration of Madaraka day, celebrating Kenya’s attainment of internal Bukhari and Muslim] self-rule in 1963, in Kisumu, yesterday. “Adhere to good” here means the welfare of the religion as well as that of this world. Breaking the fast early does not mean that it is terminated before the prescribed time. What it means is that it is done without any delay immediately af- POLICY ter sunset. Hastening to break one’s fast has many benefi ts eSwatini says and eff ects on the fasting person who has been fasting for a period that ranges from 15-18 hours. The fasting person at keeping Taiwan the time of breaking his fast is in dire need to make up for diplomatic ties Public employees to the fl uids and energy that he has lost during the day. The one who delays breaking the fast usually suff ers from a drop The Kingdom of eSwatini, in his blood sugar level, which results in total weakness. formerly known as Swaziland, will face polygraph tests Breaking the fast on dates: The fasting person has been maintain diplomatic relations with instructed by the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ’alaihi Taiwan, a government spokes- wa sallam, to start breaking his fast by eating a ripe or man told Reuters yesterday, Reuters vetting including polygraph testing, to dry date. The benefi t from this lies in it making up for the despite Chinese pressure on the Nairobi determine their integrity and suitability,” sugar his body consumed during the day while fasting. If southern African nation to sever President Uhuru Kenyatta said in para- he cannot fi nd dates, then the next best thing is water, and ties with Taiwan. eSwatini has phrased quotes released by his offi ce. one may also drink milk or warm soup. One should take a prepares the stomach for the main course. had close relations with Taiwan enya’s president ordered all state “Those who shall fail the vetting short break (by going to pray Maghrib), in order to allow Second: Eating the main meal after having performed for several decades and is its last procurement personnel yesterday (through lie-detector tests) will stand sus- the body to prepare itself for the next step of eating the the prayer. remaining African ally. Kto undergo lie-detector tests as part pended. I expect this exercise to be con- main meal. A warning against some bad eating habits: People exer- of measures to tackle graft after dozens of cluded before the start of the new fi nancial Eating the main meal after performing the Maghrib cise very bad eating habits at the time they break their fast offi cials and business people were detained year (2018/2019),” a statement quoted him prayer: In order to attain a healthy, balanced food system, during the month of Ramadan, and we will shed light on PROTEST for alleged theft of public funds. as saying at a ceremony marking Kenya’s the main meal must include all the primary food compo- some of them in the following: Nigerian health On Monday, 54 people — including the independence from Britain in 1963. nents, namely: protein, starch, sugar, fat, vitamins and Sleeping after eating Iftar. public service ministry’s principal sec- The next fi nancial year begins on July 1. minerals. There is no restriction on any type of food unless Smoking: Many people rush to light their cigarettes workers end strike retary — were named to face charges re- While Kenyatta pledged to stamp out the person suff ers from a certain disease which requires him and start smoking as soon as the sun sets, thinking (mis- Nigerian health workers have lated to the stealing of nearly $100mn at graft when fi rst elected in 2013, critics say to maintain a special diet. We would like to draw attention takenly) that this satisfi es their hunger or thirst. They forget called off a six-week strike over the National Youth Service (NYS), a state he has been slow to pursue top offi cials. to the following important matters: the immensely harmful eff ects smoking has, especially on pay and conditions that paralysed agency that trains young people to work on No high-profi le convictions have oc- Avoid overeating. an empty stomach, let alone its bad impact on the fasting services in state-run hospitals projects ranging from construction to traf- curred since he took offi ce. Reduce the consumption of fat in general, especially person’s appetite - in addition to the numerous bad eff ects and health centres. “We have fi c control. On Thursday, the director of criminal saturated fat, and sweets. on the rest of the human body. suspended the strike because Dozens of the suspects remain at large, investigations said 10 fi nancial institutions Do not eat a lot of pickles, spices and pepper. Drinking a lot of tea or coff ee and other sweetened of the sympathy the unions while 24 were arrested and pleaded not had come under investigation on suspicion Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. juices, all of which negatively aff ect the stomach. have for the suff ering Nigerian guilty in court on Tuesday. of handling the missing funds, including Do not drink a lot of coff ee and tea because they ex- Finally, the fasting person must always remember the masses,” the chairman of the Joint “All heads of procurement and accounts the East African country’s biggest bank by haust the stomach. advice of the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Health Workers Union (JOHESU), in government ministries, departments, assets, KCB Group, and Standard Char- Stay away completely from soft drinks and fruit juices sallam. Al-Miqdaad ibn Ma’dikarib reported: “I heard the Biobelemoye Josiah, said. agencies and parastatals will undergo fresh tered’s Kenyan business. that include preservatives. Messenger of Allah say: ‘No man fi lls a container worse Means to avoid constipation: It is a known fact that an than his stomach. A few morsels that would keep his back empty stomach, after long hours of fasting, will not ac- upright are suffi cient for him. If he has to do so, then he cept large amounts of food all at once. It can only do so in should keep one-third for food, one-third for drink and stages. Eating large amounts of food in one go therefore will one-third for his breathing.’”[At-Tirmithi] cause pain to the stomach and the intestines. Additionally, This narration dissuades us from overeating as this caus- this causes indigestion in the form of gases and constipa- es laziness and negatively aff ects one’s health. tion as well as other symptoms like feeling lazy and fatigue. Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/ Therefore, we highly advise people to break their fast in two stages: First: Eating dates, which acts as an introduction and

Gulf Times Saturday, June 2, 2018 5 AMERICA

President under attack over ‘cruel’ separation of immigrant families Summit on June On May 7, the attorney “It must be nice you get to hug On May 7, Attorney Gen- general announced a ‘zero your child. What about the nu- eral Jeff Sessions announced a tolerance’ policy towards merous children that were torn “zero tolerance” policy that will illegal immigration from their mothers’ arms?” said see every unauthorised border one Twitter commentator @ crosser charged with a crime AFP whiskyogi. even before they can request asy- Washington The policy aims to stem a lum. surge of poor families mostly “Today we are here to send 12 is on: Trump from Guatemala, El Salvador, a message to the world: we are uman rights groups and Honduras pouring into the not going to let this country be Reuters/Guardian News planned protests in doz- United States. overwhelmed ... if you cross this and Media Hens of cities across the Citing the daily violence in border unlawfully, then we will Washington United States yesterday against their home countries, thousands prosecute you,” the attorney the Trump administration’s pol- each week cross the US-Mexico general said. icy to separate asylum-seeking border and immediately turn “If you are smuggling a child, resident Donald Trump Central American immigrant themselves in to authorities ask- then we will prosecute you and said yesterday that an children from their parents. ing for asylum. that child will be separated from Punprecedented nuclear The White House is draw- They are part of a broader re- you as required by law,” he said, arms summit with North Ko- ing accusations of human rights bound in illegal immigration that adding: “If you don’t like that, rean leader Kim Jong-un that abuse over a policy that the gov- has deeply angered Trump. then don’t smuggle children over the United States pulled out of ernment sees as a necessary de- our border.” will now go ahead as scheduled terrent to illegal immigration, From October to April In the two weeks after Ses- on June 12 in Singapore, adding but the critics say is cruel to mi- about 700 children were sions’ announcement, authori- another twist to a high-stakes grants fl eeing violence in Central separated from their ties arrested 658 children togeth- diplomatic dance. America. parents, but that has not er with 638 adults, according to “I think it’s probably going to “These families are not trying deterred the fl ow Richard Hudson, deputy chief of be a very successful, ultimately to sneak in, they’re coming to the operations at the US Border Pa- a successful process,” Trump borders, presenting themselves, In April alone, 50,924 people trol. told reporters on the White and asking for our help,” said were detained after crossing the But Hudson, testifying last House lawn after meeting with California Congressman Jimmy border without papers, including week to Congress, did not say a senior North Korean offi cial in Gomez at a rally on Thursday in 4,314 unaccompanied children whether the families were sepa- the Oval Offi ce. Kim Yong-chol with Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after their meeting at the White House. Los Angeles. “There is nothing and 9,647 family units, according rated. Kim Yong-chol, a close aide illegal about coming to our bor- to the US Customs and Border The administration says that to the North Korean leader, de- 12,” Trump said. “It’s a process. year threatened to rain “fi re and North Korea, whose nuclear der and asking for asylum.” Patrol. the families who send or bring livered a letter from Kim Jong- We are not going to go in and fury” on the country because of ambitions have been a source of The backlash has placed Presi- With detention centres and their children across the border un to Trump. sign something on June 12.” the threat its nuclear weapons tension for decades, has made dent Donald Trump, who has the court system already over- are working with organised hu- The envoy was the highest He went on: “I’ve never said it and long-range missiles pose to advances in missile technology promised to halt illegal immigra- whelmed, the Obama presidency man smugglers who teach them level fi gure from the secretive happens in one meeting – you’re the United States. in recent years but Trump has tion, on the defensive. processed asylum requests and exactly what to say in order to be state to hold talks at the White talking about years of hostility, After exchanging threats and sworn not to allow it to develop He blames the previous ad- released the applicant families placed into the asylum process- House since a senior envoy vis- years of problems, years of ha- insults since Trump became nuclear missiles that could hit ministration of president Barack together into the country while ing. ited former president Bill Clin- tred between so many diff erent president last year, the United the United States. Obama for the separation policy, they awaited adjudication, which That gives an incentive for ton in 2000. nations. I told them today, take States and North Korea have He wants North Korea to “de- as well as Democrats in Con- can take more than one year. people to head to the United Trump fi rst told reporters your time we can go fast, we can been trying to set up the summit nuclearise”, meaning to get rid gress, despite the Republicans’ Beginning late last year, States, they argue. the letter from Kim was “a very go slowly.” between their leaders. of its nuclear arms, in return for majority. though, the Trump administra- The immigrants say they are nice letter ... a very interesting The president added that Trump wants to use the meet- relief from economic sanctions “Separating families is more tion began separating some il- fl eeing real dangers in their home letter” but then said he had not although existing sanctions ing to pressure Pyongyang into but the leadership in Pyongyang than cruel and unnecessary – it’s legal border crossers from their countries. opened it. would stay in place, no new giving up its nuclear weapons. is believed to regard nuclear torture,” said the American Civil children, sending the youngsters Yanira Lopez Lucas, a Gua- Trump appeared to signifi - measures would be added, Wall Street took word from weapons as crucial to its surviv- Liberties Union (ACLU), which to holding facilities for several temalan, said at a San Antonio, cantly lower expectations for ditching the slogan that has de- Trump that the summit was al and has rejected unilaterally has sued to stop the practice. weeks before either transferring Texas rally late on Thursday that the outcome of the summit, fre- fi ned his policy towards North back on in stride. disarming. Ivanka Trump was blasted them back to parents or to rela- the government didn’t need to quently describing it as the start Korea up to now. The S&P 500 added slightly “I look forward to the day across social media last week tives already living in the United treat them so harshly. of a process and not the place “I don’t want to use the term to what were already healthy when I can take the sanctions when she posted an image of States. “All we want to do is protect where the two leaders were like- maximum pressure anymore,” gains, then slipped back a few off of North Korea,” Trump said. herself with her son in her arms. From October to April about our families. We are refugees try- ly to sign any agreement. Trump said. points to remain up 0.9 percent Trump had called off the Critics labelled her insensitive 700 children were separated ing to escape everything that is He said that a number of It was an extraordinary sof- in afternoon trade. summit late last month, citing to the experiences of immigrant from their parents. going on in our countries,” she summits might be required. tening of tone toward North The US dollar index added North Korea’s “tremendous an- mothers. That has not deterred the fl ow. said. “The big deal will be on June Korea from a president who last modestly to a gain. ger and open hostility”. Trump calls for comedian to be sacked following Ivanka slur

Reuters “We constantly review programmes New York to ensure alignment to our program- ming guidelines and brand values,” spokesman Jim Camoriano said in a S President Donald Trump has statement. called for comedian Samantha Autotrader also suspended its spon- UBee to be fi red after she made sorship, calling Bee’s comments “of- a vulgar comment about his daugh- fensive” in a statement. ter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump’s presidential candidacy was Trump on her cable television pro- thrown into crisis in 2016 after a tape gramme. emerged of him boasting about being His remarks capped a week when a able to get away with sexual assault debate over the language used by two because of his star status. television stars became an unexpected He had made those comments as proxy for the country’s political divide, he waited to fi lm a segment for the with Bee’s liberal-leaning audience on TV programme, Access Hollywood, in one side, and fans of the sitcom Rose- Bee: has apologised for ‘crossing the 2005. anne and its Trump-supporting star line’ with her remark about Ivanka Trump later apologised, calling it on the other. Trump. “locker room banter”. On Tuesday, Walt Disney Compa- After Roseanne was cancelled, the ny’s ABC network cancelled a revival we are Winning, and will be doing so White House said that the president of Roseanne after its star Roseanne for a long time to come!” would not defend Barr’s comments but Barr made a racist remark in a post on Both Bee and the TBS cable net- pointed to alleged media bias against Twitter, comparing a former Obama work, which airs the show, apologised the TV show, which portrays a work- administration offi cial to an ape. on Thursday. ing-class American family. Trump criticised ABC and Disney “I would like to sincerely apologise The programme, which originally chief executive Bob Iger on Twit- to Ivanka Trump and to my viewers aired from 1988 to 1997, has drawn ter, but did not address the content of for using an expletive on my show to praise from Trump since its return. Barr’s comments. describe her last night,” Bee said on Its reboot featured Barr portraying He took exception, however, to Bee’s Twitter. “It was inappropriate and in- a Trump voter facing off against her use of a crude term for the female excusable. I crossed a line, and I deeply sister, an ardent opponent of the pres- anatomy to describe Ivanka Trump on regret it.” ident, and tackled other issues refl ect- her show Full Frontal on Wednesday, Following Trump’s remarks yester- ing America’s political divide. while discussing the president’s con- day, TBS spokesman Sal Petruzzi said TBS is owned by Time Warner In- troversial immigration policies. that there would be no further com- corporated, which is seeking to merge “Why aren’t they fi ring no talent ment beyond the earlier apologies. with AT&T Incorporated in a move op- Samantha Bee for the horrible lan- The show immediately faced a back- posed by the Trump administration. guage used on her low ratings show?” lash from some advertisers. Disney is seeking to merge with Trump said on Twitter yesterday. “A State Farm Insurance said it had Twenty-First Century Fox Incorpo- total double standard but that’s O.K., suspended its commercials. rated.

Five die in tainted Lawyer to appeal $4 verdict in shooting case lettuce outbreak A GoFundMe page has been set up for expected to reduce the amount to zero. the family of a black man shot dead John Phillips, the family’s lawyer, said Hill Five people in the United States by police whose three children were was “minding his business” listening to have died after eating romaine awarded $1 each in damages by a music in his garage when police arrived, lettuce that was contaminated Florida jury. responding to a noise complaint. with E. coli bacteria, off icials said The family of Gregory Hill, 30, filed a “Police arrived and spent less than 60 yesterday. wrongful death suit after he was shot to seconds on his property,” Phillips said A total of 197 people have death by Christopher Newman, a white on Twitter.”(Hill) opened and closed his fallen ill in 35 states, said the US sheriff ’s deputy, on January 14, 2014 at garage door deescalating the situation. Centres for Disease Control and his home in Fort Pierce, Florida. “Police shot through his closed garage Prevention (CDC). The fatal shootings of African-American door.” Since mid-May, “four more deaths suspects in recent years have fuelled Hill was intoxicated at the time of the were reported, bringing the total a nationwide debate over race and incident. An unloaded gun was found in to five deaths from Arkansas (1), criminal justice in the United States. his back pocket. California (1), Minnesota (2), and A jury last week decided that the Phillips said he planned to appeal the New York (1)”, the CDC said. sheriff ’s off ice had been negligent and verdict and urged people on Twitter to The outbreak is the largest in the awarded $1 in damages to Hill’s mother donate to the Hill family. US since 2006, when spinach for funeral expenses and $1 to each of “We challenge America to do better than tainted with a similar strain of E. his three children. the jury for Gregory Hill’s three children,” coli sickened more than 200. But the amount of negligence was Phillips said. “Even a symbolic $4 would The latest batch of illnesses are pegged at just 1%, with Hill found to be mean so much.” believed to be linked to romaine 99% at fault. As of yesterday afternoon, the lettuce grown in the Yuma, The jury award was consequently GoFundMe page had raised $14,539 Arizona region. reduced to just 4¢, and a judge is towards its goal of $75,000. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, June 2, 2018 ASIA World’s highest ER battles to save lives on Everest

By Annabel Symington, AFP have run into trouble on Ever- Everest Base Camp est’s unforgiving slopes have been saved from the brink by the rudi- mentary clinic since it was set up s word came over the ra- 15 years ago. dio that a Sherpa had been But the ER has served a higher Astruck on the head by a fall- purpose: providing aff ordable ing rock high on Everest, the three medical care for Nepali Sherpas, doctors at base camp jumped the guides who are the backbone into action, fully aware that sav- of the lucrative Everest industry. ing him would be a life-or-death “Before Everest ER was set up race against the unpredictable the Sherpas didn’t have any prop- mountain. er coverage,” explained Subarna Wary of the fading light that Adhikari, an orthopaedic surgeon. would ground the medevac heli- Established by an American copter overnight, they admin- doctor and now run by the Ne- istered emergency treatment pal-based Himalayan Rescue As- on the helipad where the chop- sociation, the ER charges foreign per brought him in – enough, climbers for treatment and in re- they hoped to give him a fi ghting turn provides subsidised care to chance of surviving the 20 to 30 the Sherpas. minute onward fl ight to a hospital The ER has helped chip away at in Lukla, down the valley. the stark imbalance between the “He was bleeding, so we had to foreigners who pay a small fortune stop that and then get him down,” to summit Everest and Sherpas said Suvash Dawadi, one of three who take on much of the risk to get doctors who has spent the last two them there. Patients waiting to see a doctor at the Everest emergency room tent clinic at Everest Base Camp, some 140km months at the Everest ER. A routine morning at the ER northeast of Kathmandu. The doctors staffi ng the sole was shattered as an injured Sherpa emergency room (ER) on the roof was rushed into the clinic – he had changing among Sherpas and mostly in the form of medical other a steroid that alleviates of the world battle high altitude, fallen 60m into a crevasse in the other Nepalis working on the equipment. altitude sickness. freezing conditions and violent treacherous Khumbu icefall. mountain. Sometimes, emergencies are “You feel quite frustrated and weather every climbing season to Doctors quickly assessed him More are seeking early interven- beyond the doctors’ reach. News useless. You’re standing by. Help is save the lives of sick and injured for internal bleeding – a life- tion for health conditions, ensur- came over the clinic’s radio that a potentially available if these teams mountaineers. threatening injury so far from a ing their problems don’t worsen Russian climber was stranded at get their act together,” said Aus- Medics running the tent clinic fully equipped hospital. and cost them a season’s work. 7,250m, alone and disorientated. tralian doctor Brenton Systermans. at 5,364m (17,600ft) must com- But the Sherpa’s sobs of pain More than 60% of the nearly Teams heading for the summit Eventually two climbers dragged pete with medicines freezing gradually gave way to relief as 400 patients treated at the clinic had passed Rustem Amirov and Amirov to the nearest tent, just overnight, winds that threaten to doctors confi rmed no bleeding or this season were Sherpas or other radioed for help, but none would 100m away. They radioed down to blow the clinic’s tent away and a broken bones. locals working on Everest. turn back and aid the stricken man. the doctors and then left him. cardiac monitor that gives up due A few days’ rest, and he would Despite its life-saving work the The doctors tried to persuade “If he was evacuated within an to the cold. be back at work. clinic scrambles to stay afl oat, climbers on the mountain to help hour he would have survived,” said Countless foreign climbers who Doctors say attitudes are reliant on the $100 fee it charges Amirov. Adhikari. But no help came for the foreign patients and donations, Someone gave him water, an- lone mountaineer. He died on May 17. 12 killed in Vietnam banker gets 30 years bus crash

DPA Kathmandu in jail for embezzling millions

t least 12 people were killed Reuters totalling over $700mn, accord- regulations and abusing trust. agement and under-regulated yesterday when a bus carry- Hanoi ing to Tuoi Tre, another state The 71-year-old did not at- lending. Aing employees of a co-opera- newspaper. tend the trial at Ho Chi Minh Though the State Bank of tive veered off a mountain road and The trial concluded at a time City People’s Court due to Vietnam said last month that plunged about 150m downhill. court in Vietnam has sen- global rating fi rms said Viet- “health conditions”, state media non-performing loans had been The bus with 27 people on board tenced a former banking nam’s banking regulations lag said. reduced to less than 3% of out- had left Tansen, a town in southcentral Aexecutive to 30 years in behind international standards, With the help of 27 accom- standing loans, ratings fi rm Fitch Nepal, for a study tour early yesterday prison and ordered that she pay and as fi nancial fi rms fl ock to the plices, Phan abused her posi- said it believed non-performing when it crashed, said Dilli Ram Panta, a more than $700mn in damages country, hoping to capitalise on tion at the bank to embezzle cash loans remain under-reported police superintendent of Palpa district. caused at a domestic bank, state its fast growth. with which she bought property and true asset quality is likely to “Two passengers died at a local media reported yesterday. It also comes days after a court in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s be weaker than stated. hospital while undergoing treat- Hua Thi Phan, 71, embezzled upheld a key judgement in the business hub, that she later sold S&P Global said last month ment,” he said, adding that 12 others $278mn from the Vietnam Con- “Super-Swindler” trial, Viet- back to the bank at artifi cially Vietnam’s banking regulations who were injured were being treated struction Bank, formerly known nam’s largest-ever case of fraud, higher prices, state media said. lag international standards, un- at the hospital. as Great Trust Commercial Joint which highlighted its ability to Vietnam Construction Bank derscoring industry risks for The cause of the accident was not Stock Bank, where she had been tackle fi nancial crime at a time could not provide immediate banks. immediately clear, but the police of- a senior board adviser, the min- when foreign banks are heeding comment. “Banks’ credit risks remain fi cer said it had rained heavily over- istry of public security’s People’s government calls to invest. Vietnam has over recent years extremely high, in our opinion, night and in the morning. Police newspaper said. In Phan’s month-long arrested and tried several bank- refl ecting high private sector Overcrowded vehicles, badly The court, in its late Thursday trial, which was reported by ers over fi nancial irregulari- debt, low income levels, legacy maintained roads and reckless driv- ruling, ordered Phan to return state media yesterday, the ties as it seeks to restructure a stressed assets, and rudimentary ing cause fatal accidents in Nepal the money and pay additional former executive was con- banking system still reeling from underwriting standards,” S&P every year. interest, compensation and fi nes victed of violating economic nonperforming loans, misman- Global said. Thailand sends smelly Maldives urged to hold transparent election

durian into space Reuters uation with increasing concern. Male “Legitimate opposition is a vital part of any healthy democracy, and AFP it is critical that authorities respect Bangkok he European Union and some fundamental freedoms, including Western nations yesterday freedom of assembly and speech,” Turged the Maldives to hold a the European Union said. t’s one small step for Thai- credible and transparent presidential “We urge authorities to demon- land, one giant leap for poll after police executing a court or- strate genuine commitment to a ISoutheast Asia’s smelliest der disrupted an opposition eff ort to credible, transparent, and inclusive fruit. pick a candidate for the September election process.” Thailand plans to shoot election. In a statement, Nasheed said it was durian into orbit to test its du- The Maldives, home to 400,000 inspiring to see Maldivians rising rability in a project that could people and best known as a tropical up with the belief that “Democracy see the staple “king of fruits” paradise for tourists, has experienced must prevail, despite the atmosphere consumed in zero-gravity political unrest since Mohamed Nash- of military rule and repression” im- conditions. eed, its fi rst democratically-elected posed by President Abdulla Yameen. “In the future we want as- leader, was forced to quit amid a mu- Yameen’s administration has re- tronauts to be able to eat Thai tiny by police in 2012. jected a demand by a UN human food,” said a spokesperson Nasheed, the sole candidate in this rights watchdog to let Nasheed stand for Thailand’s Geo-Infor- A Thai fruit vendor arranges a display of durians at his shop in week’s primary election held by his for the presidential election. matics and Space Technology Bangkok yesterday. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), The opposition has accused the Development Agency (GISTDA). was convicted of terrorism charges government of locking up most “We want to see whether close confi nes as a spaceship. the growing number of coun- in 2015 and sentenced to 13 years of its leaders who could challenge there are any physical changes But the test, carried out with tries sending their citizens into in prison after a controversial and Yameen’s bid to be re-elected for a after it returns to earth, for ex- an organisation that has yet to space have enriched astronauts’ widely criticised trial. second fi ve-year term, a charge the ample it might get smaller, or be named publicly, will use a controlled cuisine with new Although Nasheed campaigned government denies. cracked.” dried and vacuum-sealed ver- fl avours. from Sri Lanka to win 43,922 of the On Wednesday, an hour after the The sticky snack is eaten sion of the fruit, which packs And with Asia catch- 44,011 votes cast in Wednesday’s voting started, a court ordered police to across the region and is both much less of an odour. ing up with more established election, the Elections Commission block the MDP primary, saying it was famous for its popularity and Liftoff is scheduled for July, space programs, menus are declined to accept the results and unlawful, since Nasheed, as a former infamous for its pungent smell, when packages of durian will diversifying. vowed to take action against the MDP. convict, is barred from contesting. prompting bans on durians be sealed, placed in a box and The pickled dish kimchi In a joint statement, the ambassa- At the primary, police confronted in hotel rooms, elevators and rocketed into space for fi ve boldly went where few fer- dors of the European Union, France, party members, cleared out vot- airplane cabins. minutes. mented vegetables have gone Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Ro- ing stations and confi scated bal- The fruit’s reputation rais- Diff erent kinds of Thai rice will before when a South Korean mania, the United Kingdom, Canada lot-boxes and voting papers at the es questions about how it also make the daring journey. astronaut brought it with and the United States said they had party’s main offi ce in Male. But MDP will be received inside such Advances in technology and her in 2008. followed the deterioration of the sit- supporters continued voting. Gulf Times Saturday, June 2, 2018 7 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA China Nobel dissident’s widow says serving ‘life sentence’ for love

AFP facto house arrest – despite fac- Liu Xia faces daily restric- here to serve out Xiaobo’s sen- Change. The German embassy censorship around June 4, the accompanied the recording. Beijing ing no charges – ever since her tions on movement and surveil- tence,” Liu said, between bouts off ered in April to help Liu Xia day China cracked down on de- “Since when did love become a husband was awarded the Nobel lance, although Chinese author- of continuous sobbing. travel to Germany but the move mocracy protesters in Beijing’s crime?” Last month, dozens of Peace Prize in 2010, in a move ities maintain she is free. “I want to see just how much did not take place. Tiananmen Square. Liao said the world’s leading writers and iu Xia, widow of dissident that angered Beijing. In an emotional phone call more cruel they can get and Liao asked her to wait un- their conversation left him feel- artists, from Michael Chabon Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, Liu Xiaobo, a veteran of the with her close friend Chinese how much more shameless til July to see if the authorities ing shocked and anguished. to Paul Auster and Khaled Hos- Lhas said she felt that lov- 1989 Tiananmen Square pro- writer Liao Yiwu last week, Liu they will become; I want to see would allow her to travel out of “The 29th anniversary of the seini, called on China to release ing her husband was a “crime” tests, died last year while serving Xia said, “they should add a line how much more depraved this China. Tiananmen massacre is ap- Liu Xia in an online campaign. for which she had received a “life an 11-year jail sentence for “sub- to the constitution: ‘Loving Liu world is.” June is a month of particular proaching, and I decided to send AFP reporters have tried to sentence”, according to an audio version”, making him the fi rst Xiaobo is a serious crime – it’s a Liao yesterday released a political sensitivity for the rul- out this message to the world, visit Liu’s home multiple times recording released yesterday. Nobel laureate to die in custody life sentence’”. recording of the call through ing Communist Party, which continuing to call for her to be in recent years but were blocked Liu Xia, 57, has been under de since the era of Nazi Germany. “They are going to keep me the US-based website China heightens surveillance and freed,” he wrote in a letter that each time by plain-clothes men.

Airlines take aim at Koreas agree to talks on Australia’s airport privatisation model

Reuters from airlines to airport opera- Sydney tors and making it diffi cult to military, family reunions cut fares further. The Austral- ian rules, which maximised Reuters s more countries look what the government could get Seoul to privatise airports two upfront from selling the air- Aconfl icting narratives ports, are more extreme than have taken wing: airlines point that in other regions with large he two Koreas agreed at a to Australia’s big city airports privatised airports like Europe. high-level meeting yes- as a cautionary tale of light The system is raising con- Tterday to hold talks this regulation, while airports say cerns among airlines that other month on military issues and re- they’ve found a winning for- countries looking to privatise unions of families divided by the mula for governments, inves- airports, such as Japan, India 1950-53 Korean War, they said in tors and passengers. and Vietnam, could use Aus- a statement. Two decades after airports in tralia as a model. “We must fi nd The meeting in the border vil- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane an eff ective regulatory solution lage of Panmunjom in the demili- and Perth were sold to pension to ensure that Australia is well tarised zone that separates North funds and infrastructure in- served with competitive in- and South Korea is the latest in a vestors, they are reporting the frastructure,” IATA CEO Alex- fl urry of diplomatic activity in- highest margins in the world, andre de Juniac told reporters tended to sustain a thaw in rela- data from trade group Airlines yesterday. tions with the isolated North. for Australia & New Zealand Airport operators, how- North Korea had called off a (A4ANZ) shows. ever, say Australia is a success planned meeting with the South A key factor – and one the story, with more than A$11.5bn last month in protest against airlines are trying to change – ($8.68bn) of capital invested US-South Korean air combat is that the government cannot over the last decade, allowing exercises before South Korean regulate fees or even intervene for world-class facilities with President Moon Jae-in and North in disputes over them. Ahead cutting-edge automated and Korean leader Kim Jong-un put of an Australian government biometric technology. Sydney the process back on track during review later this year, airlines Airport Holdings Pty Ltd CEO a surprise second summit on Sat- are using the International Air Geoff Culbert said Australia’s urday. While the two Koreas work Transport Association (IATA) biggest airport is investing to improve their ties, North Korea annual meeting, which starts more than A$1mn a day to im- is in talks with the United States Ri Son-gwon (centre), who is chairman of the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, returning to the North after a tomorrow in Sydney, as a plat- prove capacity, services and on a proposed summit between meeting with South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon at the south side of the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized form to loudly argue for new facilities. Kim Jong-un and US President zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas. rules that could lower their “This is all privately funded Donald Trump, tentatively set for costs, kicking off a furious in- and comes at no cost to the tax- June 12 in Singapore. Family reunions are an emo- Kaesong, where they operated also demands the repatriation of joint industrial zone at Kaesong. dustry debate. payer,” he said. Yesterday’s talks were led by tional issue that could help re- a factory park until its closure a dozen North Korean restaurant Cho did not specify when “It isn’t wrong to say there What airlines really want, South Korea’s Unifi cation Min- store trust but they have been during tension in 2016, they said workers, who came to the South asked about contentious issues needs to be some kind of over- said Airports Council Interna- ister Cho Myoung-gyon and stalled in the absence of political in a statement. Cho and Ri also in 2016 via China. The North says but told reporters they did not sight that ensures that the tional (ACI) Director General Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the engagement, said Elhadj As Sy, agreed to hold regular meetings they were abducted by the South, discuss the military exercises or behaviour of the service pro- Angela Gittens, is a return to North’s committee for the peace- secretary-general of the Inter- to expedite various working- but it says they defected freely. nuclear issues. He declined to vider and the service receiver, lower fees, in the days when ful reunifi cation of the country, national Federation of Red Cross level talks which would include “We don’t talk about what comment on whether the North if you will, act in an appropri- airports were government- and were a follow-up to an agree- and Red Crescent Societies, who co-operation on railways, forests happened in the past. You just demanded the restaurant work- ate manner,” John Borghetti, owned, had less sophisticated ment reached during the fi rst was in Seoul to discuss plans for and culture. need to not repeat it again,” Ri ers back. North Korea suggested chief executive of Australia’s management teams and suf- summit between Kim and Moon reunions and other issues. During the talks, Ri blamed Cho said. Ri also said an unspecifi ed they hold a joint celebration of second-biggest airline, Vir- fered from overcrowded infra- in April. Military talks between “With more engagement and for having brought about a “grave issue had become “a source of the anniversary of a 2000 inter- gin Australia Holdings Ltd, structure. the old rivals will take place on political openings, many hurdles situation” that led to the North’s mistrust” and would determine Korean summit this month in the told Reuters. Airport take-off “That is a time that has June 14 on the northern side of will be lifted,” Sy told Reuters cancellation of last month’s talks. “whether a mood of reconcilia- South, an offi cial at Seoul’s uni- and landing charges have risen passed,” she said. “Govern- Panmunjom, and a separate ses- in an interview. The federation Ri did not give specifi c informa- tion and co-operation, or mis- fi cation ministry told reporters. 26% in real terms over the last ments have found that under sion on sports exchanges on the hopes that North Korea will al- tion but Pyongyang has lashed trust and confrontation is creat- But that would not be possible decade to as much as A$18.30 the right circumstances they southern side on June 18, the low it to provide more aid. An out at Seoul for allowing Thae ed between the North and South”. due to scheduling and logistics ($13.81) per passenger, accord- can get private investment. two sides said. Talks about re- estimated 10mn North Koreans Yong Ho, a former North Korean “It is a very serious problem,” issues, Cho said. ing to a report the Australian They don’t have to decide unions of families divided by the or 40% of the population need diplomat to Britain who defected Ri said. He did not elaborate. “There were some things in competition regulator released whether I’m going to spend war, which ended in a truce, not humanitarian assistance, Sy said. to the South in 2016, to launch a In another indication the proc- common and also diff erences be- in April. money on an airport versus a peace treaty, would be held on Both Koreas also agreed to an book in parliament in which he ess is at times testy, Ri accused tween both sides until we adopt- A4ANZ says ticket prices spending money on a hospi- June 22 at the Mount Kumgang early launch of a liaison offi ce in describes Kim as “impatient, im- South Korean offi cials of misrep- ed the joint statement,” Ri said, have fallen by 40% during the tal versus spending money on resort north of the border. the North Korean border city of pulsive and violent”. The North resenting a comment about their without elaborating. same period, shifting profi ts education.”

Singapore seeks clarification from Simmering volcano Malaysia on high-speed rail link

Singapore has requested clarification regarding Malaysia’s position on a high- speed rail link between the two countries, a minister in the wealthy city-state said yesterday, following media reports its neighbour had decided to cancel the plan. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad this week said he was cancelling the project to link the capital, Kuala Lumpur, with Singapore. He said Malaysia would talk to its southern neighbour about any compensation it had to pay. “We have informed the Malaysian government that Singapore is continuing to incur costs on this project as it awaits Malaysia’s clarification,” said Singapore transport minister Khaw Boon Wan. If Malaysia terminated the project, Singapore would study the implications and exercise its rights, including any right to compensation for expenses incurred, under their agreement, he said in a statement. “We still believe that a high-speed rail link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur would be in our mutual interest, economically, as well as in terms of the friendship and mutual understanding of our two peoples,” he added. While Singapore continued to support the project, it would only be tenable if Malaysia was also supportive and willing to fulfil its end of the agreement, added Khaw, who is also the coordinating minister for infra- structure. Yesterday, Malaysia’s finance minister said the project was terminated for now, but could be revisited in the future. The project, valued by analysts at about $17bn and set to have been completed by 2026, would have cut travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to about 90 minutes from four or five hours by road now. Mahathir estimates Malaysia could cut almost a fifth of its $250bn national debt and liabilities by scrapping such big projects.

Malaysian ex-PM’s wife to be quizzed

The widely despised wife of Malaysia’s toppled prime minister will be ques- tioned next week over a massive financial scandal that helped topple the former regime, state media reported yesterday. Rosmah Mansor was unpopular due to her imperious manner and reported love of going on costly overseas shopping jaunts at a time middle-class Malaysians were struggling with rising living costs. Corruption allegations swirling around her and her husband Najib Razak played a major part in the shock defeat of Najib’s long-ruling coalition at elections last month to a reformist alliance. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has summoned her to give a statement on Tuesday morning to assist in its probe into SRC International, state-run news agency Bernama reported. SRC was an energy company that was a subsidiary of scandal-hit sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Najib, his family and cronies are accused of stealing billions of dollars from 1MDB in a sophisticated fraud that stretched from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland. A summons was handed to Rosmah at her sprawling Kuala Lumpur home, and several MACC off icers were seen leaving the residence, Bernama reported. MACC did not respond to requests to comment. Since his defeat, Najib has been Mount Merapi volcano releases volcanic material during a questioned twice over SRC. He and 1MDB deny any wrongdoing. phreatic eruption as seen from Cepogo, Boyolali, Central According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, 42mn ringgit ($10.6mn) Java, Indonesia, yesterday. originating from SRC was transferred to Najib’s personal bank accounts, just one small part of the graft scandal. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, June 2, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND Capital voices defi ance a year after the London Bridge atrocity

London Evening Standard ing shot dead by police. Hero cop stabbed in attack ready for duty fected, and help our borough and stabbed by the attackers. tackers went on their rampage. London A service of commemoration city to remain united in the face of Three French citizens died: chef Family members will light candles will be held tomorrow at South- such cowardice and brutality. Sebastien Belanger, 36; waiter Al- at the church and an olive tree will wark Cathedral for the victims A hero police off icer who was off icer has been in rehab since “I hope we can all stand togeth- exandre Pigeard, 26; and Xavier be planted in compost made from ondoners will “stand to- and their families, the survivors, stabbed in the head as he but said he hopes to be back er to send a message to the world Thomas, 45, whose body was found the fl owers left on the bridge after gether” tomorrow to re- emergency services and members fought off the three London in uniform next month. Ahead that we do not give in to terror, in the Thames four days later. the attack. Lmember the victims of the of the community. Peter John, Bridge terrorists with his baton of commemorations for the and evil will never win.” Two Australians were also Shortly after the service there London Bridge terror attack. leader of Southwark council, said revealed yesterday that he was atrocity, he told the Standard: Entrepreneur James McMullan, killed: au pair Sara Zelenak, 21, will be a minute’s silence and Eight people died and 48 were June 3 will be “forever imprinted” planning to return to work within “I’m doing well. The intention is 32, the only British person killed, and nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, who speeches at the Southwark Needle injured a year ago when three ter- in the memories of residents. weeks. Police constable Wayne for me to come back to work in was stabbed as he stood near the ran towards danger to help vic- monument at the corner of Lon- rorists drove a white van into pe- He added: “We must also be Marques, 38, was temporarily July. Which is good because I Barrowboy and Banker pub on tims on the bridge. Canadian don Bridge and Duke Street Hill. destrians on London Bridge. thankful for the heroism and blinded in one eye and suff ered do know the longer you are out, London Bridge. Chrissy Archibald, 30, died in the A minute’s silence will be held in Armed with 12-inch knives and commitment of many, many peo- major knife wounds during the the harder it can be to get back Ignacio Echeverria Miralles arms of her fi ance Tyler Ferguson government buildings and other strapped with fake suicide vests, ple who worked tirelessly in the assault a year ago on Sunday. in. It’s a job that I enjoy. It’s who de Imperial, 39, from Spain, on London Bridge. locations at 4.30pm. At 8pm the they attacked people in Borough hours, weeks and months that The British Transport police I am.” was murdered when he tried Southwark Cathedral is just cathedral will host a Grand Iftar to Market and local pubs before be- followed to support those af- to stop a woman from being yards from where the three at- mark the anniversary. Police to defer Shooting leaves man critical prosecutions for minor off ences

Guardian News and Media possibly be trapped within that London life and if you give them the op- portunity and the time to come out of it, then you have saved not ritain’s biggest police force only their lives, but potentially is to begin deferring prose- people they could have commit- Bcutions for minor off ences ted violence against. in an attempt to reduce youth “If you just chose to arrest and crime and lessen racial bias in the imprison them, that is not going criminal justice system. to be the solution to get them out The Metropolitan police would of that life.” start a pilot of the deferred pros- Stokley cautioned that the ap- ecutions scheme as it searched proach would not work for of- for new ways to stop violence fenders who appeared to be com- and for longer term solutions, mitted to a violent or criminal Scotland Yard’s head of counter- way of life. ing gang and gun crime told the Durham police, who were the Guardian. second to trial the scheme after Deferred prosecutions were the West Midlands, say it has one of the key recommendations proved successful in stopping vi- of a government-backed review olence and cutting re-off ending of racial inequality in the crimi- rates. nal justice system, which report- Research on the West Mid- Forensic teams investigate the scene of a machinegun attack at Lawrence Avenue in Stonebridge. A young man was fighting for life in hospital yesterday after being ed last September. lands scheme found victims were shot multiple times. Another man in his 20s was also critically injured after being stabbed just over a mile away about two hours later, police said. Commander James Stok- more satisfi ed with deferred ley said: “Rather than trying to prosecutions. prosecute a young person for a It was a key recommendation minor off ence, rather than crim- from the review into racial dis- inalising them, is there a way of parities in the criminal justice delaying that prosecution and system, led by the Labour MP then off ering them diversion, David Lammy. with a mentor, to help them into One of the biggest fl aws in the employment or education, with criminal justice system is the a view to not having a life of high rate of re-off ending. Offi cial crime.” fi gures for 2016 showed adults Govt ‘mulling joint UK, He said the majority of young released from custodial sentenc- people who got involved in gun es of less than 12 months had a and knife crime could be saved re-off ending rate of 63.8%. by preventative measures. Stokley said a combination of While details of the scheme factors contributed to why peo- have yet to be laid out, in a similar ple off ended: “It can be to do pilot in Durham off ences includ- with education, housing, health, EU status for N Ireland’ ing assault, drug possession, mi- it could possibly be to do with nor assault, fraud and some thefts policing … They might want Reuters The plan is one of several being pose any Brexit deal that sees the EU diplomats and offi cials also of people and goods over the were considered for deferral. some sense of belonging … they London/Dublin discussed and may not be pro- province operate under diff erent voiced scepticism about the idea. Irish border without returning The Met initiative comes amid might want to obtain the per- posed to the EU, the offi cial said. regulations from the rest of the “We haven’t heard it from them. to checkpoints — symbols of the growing concern about violent ceived trappings of success, of Inspiration for the dual-reg- United Kingdom. But it doesn’t seem like some- three decades of violence in the crime, which has led to a sharp dealing drugs to get a car, nice he UK could propose giv- ulatory system has been taken Martina Anderson, a member thing that would work for us,” region largely ended by the Good rise in London’s homicide rate clothes … There are so many fac- ing Northern Ireland joint from Lichtenstein, which is able of the European Parliament for one offi cial said. Friday Agreement of 1998. this year, and debate about how tors, that’s why there is no one TUK and European Union to operate both the Swiss and the Sinn Fein, the main Irish nation- EU negotiators have become, However, fi nding a practical to deal with its causes. solution to it.” status so it can trade freely with EU-linked European Economic alist party in Northern Ireland, if anything, more convinced than solution for any customs checks Stokley said police could not He said the Met’s more tradi- both, in an attempt to break the Area regimes at the same time. said the proposal would not solve they were when an Irish border needed after Brexit is proving arrest their way out of the prob- tional criminal work, known as deadlock in Brexit negotiations, a The idea of giving Northern the border issues. “backstop” was fi rst drafted six elusive. The new proposal would lem, and a greater emphasis on “pursue”, had resulted in record government offi cial said. Ireland joint UK and European “Once again this shows the months ago that there is no real create a special economic zone prevention had produced im- numbers of guns being taken The idea would be to create Union status would probably be lack of knowledge of border ar- alternative to creating a separate that would allow traders, who pressive results so far. off the streets last year, and that a 16km-wide trade buff er zone opposed by the Northern Irish eas and the concerns they face,” economic regulatory system in constitute 90% of cross-border “If you take people out of that would continue. along the border for local traders party, the Democratic Union- Anderson said. “The creation of Northern Ireland, aligned with traffi c, to operate under the same environment … I think the ma- Stokley said the Met may such as dairy farmers after the ist Party, that supports Prime a buff er zone would merely move the EU and therefore diff erent rules as those south of the border, jority of people would want to adapt Durham’s approach to de- UK leaves the bloc, said the of- Minister Theresa May’s minority the problem away from the bor- from the British mainland. according to The Sun newspaper, not be part of that life,” he said. ferred prosecutions to suit the fi cial, who spoke on condition of government. der and hide a hard border in a Both the UK and the EU are which fi rst reported that the idea “Some young people could needs of the capital. anonymity. The DUP has said it would op- buff er zone.” committed to keeping a free fl ow was being considered.

Holmes honoured Suspect in Traff ord Foster agrees to lead Park hit-and-run held

Orange Order parade Guardian News and Media lated to terrorism at this stage. London A witness, who did not want to be named, reportedly said: “A Guardian News and Media in Ayrshire when he was the DUP said. “To its many opponents, it car hit fi ve or six people. People London leader. will be seen as a politician who is 21-year-old man has been were fl ung everywhere. I saw a With about 50,000 members becoming increasingly marginal- arrested after fi ve people man in a bush afterwards and a and 600 lodges across Scotland, ised in Northern Ireland trying to A were seriously injured lady with head injuries.” he leader of the Demo- the Orange Order is a predomi- remain visible and crudely playing when a car drove into pedestri- Police said fi ve people had cratic Unionist Party, Ar- nantly working-class organisa- to her political base by pitching up ans in Greater Manchester. trauma injuries and were being Tlene Foster, has accepted tion, strongest in the post-indus- in Nicola Sturgeon’s patch.” Police were called to Europa treated in hospital. Another per- an invitation to lead an Orange trial areas across the central belt. “Foster has shared power with Way, Trafford Park, at 9.50pm son went to hospital of their own Order parade in Scotland at the The Protestant fraternity, Republicans over most of the last on Thursday after receiving accord but their injuries are not end of June. which is vehemently opposed decade so it will be interesting reports that a car had collided thought to be serious. Robert McLean, the execu- to Scottish independence, is a to hear if she chooses to refl ect with a group of people near a The incident occurred sev- tive offi cer at the Grand Orange familiar sight during the sum- on that experience in any public roundabout on an industrial eral hundred metres west of Old Lodge of Scotland, confi rmed mer marching season, which statements she might make in estate. The driver of the vehi- Traff ord football ground, and Foster would be attending the will culminate this year with two Scotland and how that is received cle failed to stop and fled the south of the ship canal by Medi- Boyne march in Cowdenbeath, parades of pipe and drum bands by her audience. Northern Irish scene. aCity in Salford, where there are Fife, on June 30. wearing full regalia on July 7; politics has always been domi- The National Police air serv- BBC and ITV studios. “Arlene Foster is the guest one in Glasgow and the other in nated by symbolism so there can ice helicopter helped in the Chief superintendent Jo speaker and will be at the front of Shotts, North Lanarkshire. be little doubt that Foster wants search for the driver. After an Rogerson, said: “We now have the parade,” McLean said. “She Dave Scott, the director of to make some sort of point with appeal for information, the a man in custody and we will will be the main speaker on the Scotland’s anti-sectarian char- this trip.” blue BMW 330D involved in the be questioning him under platform.” ity Nil by Mouth, said Foster was The DUP has most recently crash was found in nearby Sal- caution as part of our inves- Around 5,000 Orange Order entitled to attend, address or lead been in the spotlight after the ford. tigation. This is an extremely members were expected to par- any legal gathering, but this move vote to liberalise Irish abortion The man was arrested early serious incident that we are ticipate from across Fife and Lo- was “pretty unprecedented” and law prompted calls for a similar yesterday morning on suspicion dealing with and I cannot thian. would be seen as signifi cant “by vote on Northern Irish legisla- of causing serious injury by dan- stress the importance of peo- McLean said it was not unusu- both friend and foe of the Orange tion. Theresa May signalled she Journalist and broadcaster, Eamonn Holmes poses with his gerous driving and failing to stop ple contacting us if they know al for Northern Irish politicians Order” in Scotland. would not risk alienating DUP medal after he was appointed Off icer of the Order of the after a collision. He remains in something. to join in Scottish events, noting “For its supporters, this visit allies, who currently prop up her British Empire (OBE) for services to broadcasting, by Queen police custody. “Any information, no matter that the former Northern Ireland will be seen as providing valida- minority government, by letting Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Greater Manchester police how insignifi cant people think it fi rst minister Peter Robinson had tion to the legitimacy of the order MPs settle the matter with a par- Palace in London yesterday. said there was no evidence to may be, could be the piece that attended an Orange Order event to play a part in public life,” Scott liamentary vote. suggest the incident was re- we need, so please call us.” Gulf Times Saturday, June 2, 2018 9 EUROPE

Kyiv bid to reassure West over Spain’s PM Rajoy ousted AFP/Reuters/DPA country is going through, and In order to push through the Madrid I will rise to all the challenges no-confi dence motion, the So- staging of with humility and dedication,” cialists, who hold just 84 of he told reporters. parliament’s 350 seats, had to pain’s parliament has European Commission Presi- cosy up to parties that they had journalist’s ousted Prime Minister dent Jean-Claude Juncker sent a previously clashed with, like SMariano Rajoy in a no- letter congratulating Sanchez on Catalan separatists and the anti- confi dence vote sparked by fury the outcome of the vote. establishment Podemos. murder over his party’s corruption woes, He expressed confi dence that As such, even if he has pledged with his Socialist arch-rival the Spanish government would to govern long enough to restore Pedro Sanchez taking over. “continue to contribute con- “institutional stability” before AFP An absolute majority of 180 structively to a stronger, more calling early elections, Sanchez’s Kyiv lawmakers voted for the motion united and fairer Europe”. new government will likely be to loud applause and shouts of “We also have taken note of highly unstable. “Yes we can”, even if Sanchez the commitment made by the Podemos has already asked to krainian law enforce- faces a tough road ahead as he new prime minister Sanchez not be part of his new government. ment chiefs have met will govern with an even smaller to modify the budget,” added Aitor Esteban of the Basque UWestern diplomats to minority than Rajoy. Juncker’s spokeswoman Mina PNV nationalist party, whose brief them on Kyiv’s decision to The veteran bespectacled Andreeva. support proved decisive for the stage a contract-style killing of 63-year-old leader got up and The German government said motion’s success, on Thursday Russian journalist Arkady Ba- shook hands with Sanchez be- it hoped that Spain would form a warned that such a minority bchenko, which has prompted fore leaving the lower house stable government. government would be “weak and widespread criticism. without a word. Government spokesman Stef- diffi cult, complicated”. Around a dozen diplomats Rajoy had already admitted fen Seibert said he would not He added: “This is going to be went to Ukraine’s Prosecutor- defeat minutes before the vote, speculate further, but stressed a constant bing, bang, boom.” General’s Offi ce for a meeting knowing that an absolute ma- that Germany and Spain were Although Rajoy survived a behind closed doors that lasted jority of lawmakers as diverse as important partners. similar no-confi dence vote last nearly two hours, AFP journal- Catalan separatists and Basque Seibert praised Rajoy’s year, yesterday’s ballot draws a Sanchez (left) shakes hands with Rajoy after the vote on a no-confidence motion in parliament. ists saw. nationalists had pledged their achievements, saying the ousted line under his rollercoaster time The diplomats were told that support for the no-confi dence premier had helped his country in offi ce which began in 2011 and dence at trial when he was called Catalonia revamps cabinet list, paving the way staging Babchenko’s murder motion. to hoist itself out of the fi nan- saw him implementing drastic as a witness in the case last year. for Madrid to end direct rule over the region over more than 12 hours from “It’s been an honour – there cial crisis, to the situation now spending cuts before winning In its ruling, the court said the Tuesday to Wednesday – with is none bigger – to have been where it has one of the highest re-election in 2015 and 2016. credibility of Rajoy’s testimony Catalan authorities announced their new cabinet yesterday, paving law enforcement offi cials and Spain’s prime minister,” he told rates of economic growth in the Despite winning the last two “should be questioned”. the way for Madrid to end direct rule over the region by excluding four even the country’s president is- parliament, with lawmakers European Union. polls, he lacked the absolute ma- Pensioner Mari Angeles Sua- nominees under investigation for their role in its independence drive. suing false statements – allowed from his conservative Popular Sanchez will be sworn in to- jority of his fi rst term. rez, 65, said she came to parlia- The news coincided with the departure of Mariano Rajoy as Spain’s them to “prevent the journalist’s Party (PP) giving him a standing day at 11am (0900 GMT) at a He put Spain back onto the ment with her husband to wit- prime minister, voted out of off ice by parliament yesterday and re- death”, the Prosecutor-General’s ovation. ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace path of growth after a devas- ness Rajoy’s demise. placed by Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez. Offi ce said in a statement. Sanchez, Spain’s 46-year-old in Madrid, the royal palace said tating economic crisis although “We needed Rajoy to leave his Sanchez said on Thursday that, if his party’s motion of no-confidence The Ukrainian authorities opposition leader, instigated the in a statement. unemployment remains high, party now, with all the corrup- against Rajoy succeeded, he would resume dialogue with the govern- were also able to “fully docu- no-confi dence motion last week After years of anger over the jobs precarious and many com- tion it’s accumulated, and we ment of Catalonia. ment the organiser’s criminal after a court confi rmed that a scandals tainting the PP, cor- plain inequalities have risen. needed change now,” she told Rajoy imposed direct rule on the region in October after sacking its gov- actions”, gaining information vast system of bribes given to ruption fi nally got the better His term in offi ce was also AFP. ernment following an independence referendum that Spanish courts on “possible potential victims, former PP offi cials in exchange of the party and sealed Rajoy’s marred by a series of corruption During Thursday’s pre-vote declared illegal. against whom it is likely terror for lucrative public contracts downfall. scandals involving former PP debate, Rajoy said that the cor- His failure to resolve the political crisis caused by the stand-off con- attacks and murders were being was implemented between “Today we are signing a new members. ruption case “does not concern tributed to dissatisfaction with him, though the no-confidence vote – planned”, the statement said. 1999-2005. page in the history of democracy Last week the National Court, members of the government” backed by Catalan pro-independence parties – was triggered primarily Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lawmakers stood and cheered in our country,” Sanchez told which deals with major crimi- and repeated the party’s argu- by a long-running corruption trial involving members of his centre-right Lutsenko had announced the in parliament as the untested parliament prior to the vote. nal cases, sentenced 29 people ment that only a tiny number of party. meeting on television on Thurs- 46-year-old Sanchez – a pro- However, PP lawmaker Ra- with links to the PP, including a its politicians have been tainted The Catalan government said in a statement yesterday afternoon that day, saying that he wanted to European lawmaker who has fael Hernando told him that he former treasurer, to a total of 351 by corruption. its new cabinet members would take off ice today at 11.30am. “explain everything that could never been in government – be- would be entering the prime years in jail. He also hit back by listing the Under the terms of its rule, Madrid is obliged to devolve power back be explained given the under- came the country’s seventh head minister’s offi ce “through the It also ordered the party to pay many graft cases involving the to the Catalan government once it is fully constituted and its cabinet cover nature of the investiga- of state since its return to de- back door” after failing to win back €245,000 ($290,000) re- Socialists over the years. members named. tion”. mocracy in the late 1970s. 2015 and 2016 general elections. ceived from the scheme to help “Are you Mother Teresa of In his first cabinet list presented on May 19, Catalan leader Quim Torra He told diplomats that his of- “I am aware of the respon- “For the fi rst time we may get fi nance election campaigns. Calcutta? With what moral au- included candidates either in exile as a consequence of the independ- fi cers had carried out a “large- sibility I am assuming, of the a prime minister who didn’t win Rajoy became Spain’s fi rst sit- thority do you speak?” he told ence bid or under investigation for their role in it. scale and complex operation” complex political moment our elections,” he retorted. ting prime minister to give evi- Sanchez. and the public would be in- formed of the details as far as possible during the criminal in- vestigation. Diplomats from the Group of Seven countries – Germa- Chances of ny, Canada, the United States, Italy’s populist govt takes offi ce France, Britain, Italy, and Japan – attended, as well those from name deal Australia, Norway, and the Eu- AFP “The people have voted for ropean Union and Council of Rome us to increase security and Europe. that’s what we’re going to do,” faltering Vasyl Grytsak, the head of said Salvini, an ally of French Ukraine’s SBU security service taly’s new anti-establish- far-right fi gurehead Marine Le which organised the special op- ment government took Pen. Reuters eration, also took part. Ipower yesterday, ending Just days ago fresh elections Athens Ukrainian police announced months of deadlock that saw had seemed inevitable for Italy, on Tuesday evening that Ba- the eurozone’s third largest but on Thursday President Ser- bchenko, a Russian emigre jour- economy narrowly avoid snap gio Mattarella named Conte as deal between Greece and nalist known for his outspoken elections after a last-gasp coa- prime minister for the second Macedonia over a dec- anti-Kremlin views, had been lition deal. time in less than a fortnight, Aades-old dispute on the shot dead, only for him to re- New Prime Minister and approved his revised cabi- ex-Yugoslav republic’s name is appear alive and well at a news Giuseppe Conte, 53, was sworn net. not likely to be reached in the conference at the SBU head- in at the head of the fi rst pop- Mattarella had triggered a coming days, a Greek govern- quarters the following day. ulist government in an EU crisis at the weekend when ment offi cial said yesterday. The SBU and the Prosecutor- founding member that was he vetoed Savona as economy Macedonia and Greece have General’s Offi ce then revealed forged by the 5-Star Movement minister in a previously pro- been holding talks to resolve the that the announcement of his (M5S) and the far-right League. posed M5S-League govern- long-running row, which has death, which prompted a grief- “The new right is in power,” ment, even though it had par- frustrated the tiny Balkan state’s stricken reaction around the declared left-leaning daily La liamentary approval. hopes to join the North Atlantic world, had been made as part of Repubblica. The two enraged parties Treaty Organisation and the EU. a sting operation. The handover of power fol- abandoned their joint bid for Their aim has been to resolve Kyiv has said the move was lows an inconclusive March power, and on Monday Matta- the dispute before an EU summit justifi ed to foil a real plot to as- election and months of politi- rella asked former International in late June. sassinate Babchenko and con- cal turmoil which had spooked Monetary Fund (IMF) econo- Greek Foreign Minister Nikos fi rm the link between the killer global fi nancial markets and Newly-appointed Italian Prime Minister Conte leads his first cabinet meeting at Chigi palace in Rome. mist Carlo Cottarelli to form a Kotzias said on Monday that he and the organiser. spread unease among Italy’s EU caretaker government. and his Macedonian counterpart It claims the murder plot was partners. Italy’s poorest and a two-tier ident Jean-Claude Juncker was minister for economic develop- However on Wednesday Di Nikola Dimitrov had concluded organised by the Russian secret Reaction to the new govern- “fl at” tax – have worried Brus- more blunt – saying that Ital- ment and both he and Salvini Maio, who had called for Mat- talks on the issue and their prime services. ment was wary, with concerns sels and the fi nancial markets ians need to work harder, be will be deputy prime ministers. tarella’s impeachment over his ministers were expected to take The way the murder was still running high about Italy’s given Italy’s massive €2.3tn less corrupt and stop blaming “We’ll get to work to create rejection of Savona, off ered an over to negotiate a fi nal deal. staged has attracted much criti- massive debt mountain and the ($2.7tn) debt. the EU for the problems of the work, for those who don’t have olive branch by proposing the The two leaders were expect- cism, particularly from organi- future of the EU and its single European powerhouse Ger- country’s poor south. it, for those that do but without controversial 81-year-old fi n- ed to discuss the issue over the sations representing journalists, currency. many vowed an “open” ap- In a sign of the direction of dignity,” Di Maio said. ancier for the another govern- phone yesterday. which questioned the need for The coalition – which faces a proach to Conte’s team, while the new cabinet, Conte named Salvini has long wanted his ment post. “The chances of a deal within such extreme tactics. parliamentary confi dence mo- European Council president hardline anti-migrant League new post, from where he will That brought Salvini back to the coming days seem to be get- Russian foreign ministry tion early next week that it is set Donald Tusk said his appoint- leader Matteo Salvini as inte- aim to stop “the business” of the negotiating table, and after ting slimmer,” the offi cial said, spokesman Artyom Kozhin said to win – plans to boost public ment came at a “crucial time” rior minister and eurosceptic migration, cracking down on frantic talks in Rome on Thurs- adding that Skopje was not at a briefi ng in Moscow yester- spending and wants to renego- for Italy and the European Un- Paola Savona – whose initial people smuggling networks and day, the two parties emerged “ready to respond” to what was day that Kyiv’s actions “have tiate EU treaties and review the ion – which is facing its own role as fi nance minister was ve- speed up expulsions of illegal with a new 18-minister cabinet agreed between the ministers. defi nitively undermined trust in bloc’s economic governance. crisis with the departure of toed by the president – as Eu- immigrants in a country on the – only fi ve of whom are women The call between the prime Ukrainian sources of informa- Its proposals – which include Britain. ropean aff airs minister. front line of Europe’s migrant – that was quickly accepted by ministers was “possibly also tion, including offi cial ones”. a monthly basic income for European Commission Pres- M5S leader Luigi Di Maio is crisis. the president. drifting away”, the offi cial said.

False alarm at German zoo over ‘escaped’ predators

DPA ter escaping from the Eifel Zoo in the with the help of an unmanned air- were thought on the loose, local resi- Frankfurt municipality of Luenebach. craft, but that the cats had not been dents were told to stay indoors and to Andreas Kruppert, the mayor of detected. call the police if they saw the animals. nearby Arzfeld, later clarifi ed that Once the water receded several A large search operation was car- nimals thought to have es- none of the animals actually escaped hours later, the cats were found. ried out, involving the fi re services, caped a zoo in western Ger- their enclosures, except a bear, which The zoo is currently investigating the police and veterinarians. Amany – two lions, two tigers, was shot dead after being discovered whether any of the fencing around The Eifel Zoo in Luenebach is lo- and a jaguar – actually never left their on one of the zoo’s public paths. the enclosures has been damaged and cated in the west of Rhineland-Palat- enclosures, but zookeepers lost track The kerfuffl e came after a severe whether the cats have to be relocated inate, about 50km north of Trier. of them due to fl ooding caused by a rainstorm caused the River Pruem, – either temporarily or permanently – Large predators are among the main recent storm, a local mayor said yes- which runs alongside the edge of the to other zoos. attractions at the zoo, which is home terday. zoo’s premises, to break its banks and The bear managed to escape be- to about 60 diff erent species, includ- A spokesman for the district of fl ood the big cats’ enclosures. cause part of the fencing around his ing Siberian tigers and African lions, The zoo in Luenebach, western Germany, is flooded following heavy rainfall in the Bitburg-Pruem, in the state of Rhine- Krupper said that after the fl ooding enclosure was destroyed by water and on about 30 hectares of land. southern and western parts of the country. Two lions, two tigers and a jaguar were land-Palatinate, said earlier in the day occurred overnight, local authorities debris, Krupper said. The zoo was opened in 1972 and is a initially thought to have escaped from the zoo, sparking a massive hunt. that the animals were on the loose af- had searched the animals’ enclosures During the hours that the animals private family business. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, June 2, 2018 INDIA

ALLEGATION WEATHER APPOINTMENT CRIME TRAGEDY Ministry seeking snooping Massive dust storm Vijayaraghavan named Newborn’s body found Three Nigerians found software, claims Congress hits Chandigarh Kerala LDF convenor dumped in garbage dead in Delhi flat

The Congress has accused the government of Chandigarh and its surrounding areas were Senior CPI-M leader A Vijayaraghavan was The body of a newborn kid was recovered from Three Nigerians were found dead in a rented acting like a “Super Big Brother” to intrude on hit by a massive dust storm yesterday evening yesterday chosen as the new convenor of the a garbage vat in Kolkata yesterday morning, accommodation in west Delhi yesterday of people’s privacy and claimed that the information followed by rain. The city and nearby areas were Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). He police said. “The body of a newborn boy was suspected drug overdose, police said. Two of and broadcasting ministry had floated a tender for plunged into darkness around 5pm with high replaces Vaikom Viswan, who held the post for found dumped in a garbage vat beside the the dead, Christopher David, 36, and Greece a snooping tool/software to monitor social media. velocity winds, dust and rain continuing for over the past 12 years but now expressed his desire to Dhakuria bus stand (in south Kolkata) at around Ben, 33, lived in different flats in the same Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi one hour. Trees were uprooted and branches fell step down as he was unwell. Soon after the state 6am. The corpse has been sent for an autopsy,” building in Mohan Garden area of Uttam said a Rs420mn tender has been floated inviting at several places. Power supply was aff ected in secretariat of the Communist Party of India- said an off icer from Lake police station. Nagar. The third victim, David, used to visit bids from private agencies. “This is the worst most areas for over three hours while normal life Marxist (CPI-M) that met in Thiruvananthapuram According to locals, the body was first noticed them often. As per papers recovered from example of using the taxpayers’ money to snoop was thrown out of gear. Traff ic jams were seen at yesterday decided to nominate him for the post, by the local shopkeepers and pedestrians who their flats, they are citizens of Nigeria, deputy on them.” Singhvi said the tender talks of getting several places since the dust storm came almost Vijayaragahavan’s name was cleared by the LDF informed police. “We haven’t received reports commissioner of police (Dwarka) Shibesh a software to try and create a platform which will at the time when the evening off ice hour rush was in its meeting. A central committee member of of any newborn baby going missing from this Singh said. The police have informed the be deployed in the private data centre to not only at its peak on the roads. The rainfall did make the the CPI-M and a former Rajya Sabha member, locality in the last few days. It seems the body Nigerian embassy in the capital about the listen to the standard digital channels which are weather pleasant for some time, giving relief from Vijayaraghavan had been undertaking party work was dumped in the garbage vat on Thursday incident. The bodies were sent for autopsy to listed but to consolidate them and converge them. the heat wave conditions of the past few days. in Delhi, before shifting base to the state last year. night,” the off icer added. the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital. Karnataka Seven die as bus plunges into gorge Cabinet to be expanded on June 6

IANS will have 22 ministers, including Bengaluru Deputy Chief Minister G Para- meshwara, and JD-S 12 minis- ters, including the chief minis- ongress, the major part- ter in the 34-member ministry,” ner in the coalition with Venugopal said. CJD-S in Karnataka, will Congress president Rahul have 21 more ministers while the Gandhi and JD-S supremo H D party led by Chief Minister H D Deve Gowda have approved the Kumaraswamy will get 11 more sharing of the portfolios. and all of them will be sworn in The Congress, with 78 legisla- Rescue personnel and onlookers stand around a bus after it fell off a mountain road into a deep gorge killing seven passengers near Gajerhi, some 42kms from on June 6 in the fi rst expansion of tors, got home, irrigation, Ben- Shimla in Himachal Pradesh yesterday. the Cabinet. galuru development, industries, While the Janata Dal-Secu- health, revenue/Muzrai, urban lar (JD-S) will keep the fi nance development, rural develop- portfolio, the Congress will get ment, agriculture, medical edu- home among other departments. cation, housing, labour, women The alliance partners have also and child welfare, forest and decided to set up a coalition co- environment, mines and geol- ordination and monitoring com- ogy, social welfare, food and civil mittee, which will meet once a supplies, law and parliamentary month. The details of the minis- aff airs, IT, BT and science and tries and portfolios to be shared technology, Kannada culture, New Nipah outbreak by the two parties were disclosed sports and youth aff airs, Haj and by Congress in-charge for the Wakf and minority aff airs, and state, K C Venugopal, at a press ports and inland transport de- conference here. velopment departments. “The governor (Vajubhia Vala) The JD-S, which has 36 legisla- has fi xed 2pm on Wednesday tors, will have fi nance and excise, for the swearing-in of all the 32 information, intelligence, general likely, warns Kerala Cabinet ministers. The venue administration, planning and sta- for the oath-ceremony will be tistics, public works department IANS utmost caution has to be main- contact with the earlier aff ected leave and rest. State Transport from a particular variety of bats decided soon,” Kumaraswamy (PWD), power, co-operation, Kozhikode (Kerala) tained. Even though there was have to see they get in touch with Minister A K Saseendran, who were taken, but the results were told reporters here. As Vala will tourism, general education, ani- no reason for panic, as a matter the special control room set up hails from the district, said the negative. A second set of samples be in New Delhi to attend the all- mal husbandry and fi sheries, hor- of caution, all possible precau- in Kozhikode,” she said. Shailaja need of the hour was for people to from fruit bats is currently being India Governors’ Conference at ticulture and sericulture, small- erala Health Minister tionary steps should be taken, added that till now out of the 18 be cautious and to also co-operate tested at the high-security Ani- Rashtrapathi Bhavan from June scale industries, transport and K K Shailaja yesterday the government insisted. who tested positive for Nipah, 16 with the health authorities. mal Diseases Laboratory in Bho- 3-5, he advised the chief minister minor irrigation departments. Kwarned of a possible sec- “We had indicated at the out- have died but two patients were The Nipah virus is transmit- pal and the results are awaited. yesterday to expand the Cabinet “The remaining portfolios will ond Nipah outbreak as the state set itself, there could be a pos- recovering. The latest govern- ted to humans through infected Meanwhile, taking into ac- on June 6 afternoon when he will be decided by the chief minister saw two more deaths in the past sible second outbreak and the ment warning comes after two fruit bats, cattle or other Nipah- count the gravity of the situa- be present in the state. in consultation with the deputy two days in Kozhikode. With vulnerable are those who would fresh deaths were reported on infected persons. Perambara, a tion, the Public Service Com- The alliance partners have chief minister,” said Venugopal. this, the death toll from the Ni- have in come in contact with the Thursday. Both the patients were suburban town near here, has mission yesterday postponed decided on the portfolios to be The co-ordination committee pah virus has risen to 16. aff ected. All such people have to undergoing treatment at the been the worst-aff ected as the all examination till June 16. And shared and the names of the 32 will have Kumaraswamy, Para- The minister noted that all be closely watched... only tests state-run hospital at Balussery fi rst case was reported from here even though the new academic legislators to be made ministers meshwara, former Congress chief those in contact with the af- can reveal when the Nipah virus near here. Yesterday all six doctors and four people of a family have year began across the state yes- will be announced before June 6. minister Siddaramaiah, Venugopal fected are still in the incubating symptoms will surface. Therefore and other medical professionals since died. To fi nd out the source terday, schools in Kozhikode “As agreed by leaders of the and JD-S national secretary Kun- period of the virus and hence all those who have come in direct at the hospital were asked to take of the virus, a number of samples will open only on June 5. respective parties, the Congress war Danish Ali as its members.

Rs50mn offered for leads to tax evaders The government yesterday ward Scheme” superseding CONDOLENCES launched three new reward the earlier reward scheme schemes under which issued in 2007. Kochhar not asked a person can get up to Under the revised scheme, Rs50mn for information on a person can get a reward The Vicars, Managing Committee and members tax evasion and ‘benami’ up to Rs5mn for giving of Malankara Orthodox Church, Doha (proxy) transactions and specific information about deeply mourn the sad demise of properties. substantial tax evasion to go on leave: ICICI While a person can get within India. maximum Rs50mn for The “Benami Transac- giving specific informa- tions Informants Reward IANS “In keeping with the whistleblower tion about substantial tax Scheme”, on the other Mumbai policy of the bank, the board has man- evasion on income and hand, is aimed at en- dated its audit committee to take all assets outside India, the couraging people to give further actions in the matter to opera- maximum reward for infor- information about benami rivate sector banking major ICICI tionalise this decision – including in par- mation on tax evasion in transactions and proper- Bank yesterday said the company’s ticular, appointment of an independent India is Rs5mn, the finance ties as well as income PMD and CEO Chanda Kochhar and credible person as head of the in- ministry said. earned on such properties has not been asked to go on “leave”. The quiry, determining the terms of reference However, for information by hidden investors and lender’s clarification came after a media of the inquiry and the period which will on benami transactions beneficial owners, the report said that Kochhar has been asked be covered by the inquiry,” the filing said. and properties, one can get finance ministry said. to go on a leave. “The audit committee will also, in con- a reward of up to Rs10mn. “It was found in many An ICICI Bank spokesperson yester- sultation with the head of the inquiry, The government earlier in- cases that black money day said: “This is with regards to a news make arrangements to assist him with troduced the Black Money was invested in properties article which appeared in Mint yesterday independent legal and other professional (Undisclosed Foreign in the names of others, under the headline ‘ICICI Probe: Koch- support as may be required.” Income and Assets) and even though benefits were har asked to go on leave’ The ICICI Bank In a separate development, the Securi- (4 months) Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 enjoyed by the investor Board denies having asked Chanda Koch- ties and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) BABY - RIYANA ELSA TINU in order to “investigate concealing his benefi- har to go on leave.” had sought responses from the company income and specific assets cial ownership in his tax “She is on her annual leave which was and Kochhar on alleged non-compliance (D/o Tinu Mathew and Susan Varghese) kept in foreign countries returns,” it added. planned in advance. Further, the board of the “erstwhile ‘listing agreement’ and by people taxable in India, Under this, a person can denies that it has appointed any search the ‘listing obligations and disclosure re- recover tax on it and take get a reward of up to committee to find her successor.” quirements) regulations, 2015’”. Thekketheruvil House, Kodukulanji P.O., Chengannur other actions like penalty Rs10mn for giving specific Interestingly, the company on May 30 According to a BSE filing, the bank said who entered into eternal rest on 01-06-2018. and prosecution”. information to tax officials announced that its board has decided to that Sebi sought the reply via a notice is- “With the objective of at- about benami transactions institute a “comprehensive enquiry” to sued to the private lender and its MD and tracting and encouraging and properties. look into an anonymous whistleblower’s CEO on May 24. We express our heartfelt condolences to her father people to give information The schemes will help the complaint alleging that Kochhar had not As per the securities market regulator’s Tinu Mathew, mother Susan Varghese, sisters Rachel Elsa about such income and income tax department in adhered to provisions relating to “code of LODR regulations, all listed entities are Tinu, Regina Mariam Tinu and all family members. assets... a reward up to its efforts to unearth black conduct” of the bank. mandated to immediately disclose rel- Rs50mn has been intro- money and reduce tax eva- Besides, the bank in a regulatory filing evant and important information to stock duced in the new reward sion, an official statement last Wednesday said the scope of enquiry exchanges. Funeral prayers will be held on 2nd June, 2pm at scheme,” an official state- said. would be comprehensive and include all The notice by Sebi had been issued ment said. “Foreigners will also be relevant matters arising out of and in the “based on information furnished by the Prakashagiri, St. Marys Orthodox Church, Kodukulanji. “The amount has been kept eligible for such rewards. course of examination of the facts and bank or its MD and CEO to diverse que- high to make it attractive to The identity of the persons wherever warranted, “use of forensic/e- ries made by Sebi concerning dealings May Almighty God rest her soul in eternal peace, potential sources in foreign giving information will mail reviews and record of statement of between the bank and Videocon Group countries.” not be disclosed and strict relevant personnel, etc.” and certain dealings allegedly between and give grace and fortitude to the bereaved family The income tax depart- confidentiality shall be The enquiry would also cover all con- Videocon Group and NuPower, an entity to bear this irreparable loss. ment also revised the maintained,” the finance nected matters in the course of the in- in which Deepak Kochhar spouse of MD “Income Tax Informants Re- ministry said. vestigation to bring the matter to a final and CEO has economic interests,” the close. bank said. Gulf Times Saturday, June 2, 2018 11 LATIN AMERICA

CORPORATE OPINION TREND CONTROVERSY DATA BHP Escondida mine Peace needs at least Duque leads Petro in Bolivian cardinal denies Brazil economy expands workers start wage talks 15 years, says Santos Colombia election: poll reports of wife, children for fifth straight quarter

BHP’s Escondida copper mine in Chile yesterday Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos hailed Colombian right-wing presidential candidate An 81-year-old Bolivian bishop recently named The Brazilian economy expanded in the first said the union representing its workers has kicked the peace accord reached in his country, but Ivan Duque is holding onto his long-time lead a cardinal by Pope Francis angrily denied three months of 2018 for a fifth straight quarter, off the latest round of labour negotiations with a warned it would take at least 15 years to build a over leftist Gustavo Petro, ahead of the country’s allegations that he had a secret wife and as expected, easing fears of a slowdown. Brazil’s contract proposal that includes a bonus of about peaceful society. Speaking before the UN Labour run-off election on June 17, an opinion poll children. Toribio Ticona, among 14 new cardinals gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.4% from $34,000 per worker at the world’s largest copper Organisation’s annual assembly, Santos stressed published yesterday showed. Duque, who has named by Francis on May 20, said the reports the prior three months, government statistics mine. The closely-watched talks come little more “peace is much more than just silencing weapons.” promised to overhaul the 2016 peace deal with “do not correspond to the truth.” Spanish agency IBGE said, in line with the median than one year after failure to reach a labour deal at “Building peace is like building a cathedral; it is a the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia Catholic website Adelante la Fe on Monday estimate in a Reuters poll of economists. Growth the mine led to a 44-day strike that jolted the global long and complex process that takes time. Brick by (Farc) and cut taxes, won the most votes in the described Ticona’s elevation as a “scandal” accelerated from an upwardly revised rate of 0.2% copper market. “The proposal is being evaluated brick. And we are just getting started,” he added. first round election on May 27, with 39%. Ahead alleging that the bishop “maintains a married in the prior quarter, compared to the previously by the company’s negotiation commission, and Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for of the run-off , Duque has 55% support, the Centro life with a woman.” “If these accusations persist reported 0.1%. GDP rose 1.2% from the first quarter we have 10 business days to respond,” the mine his eff orts to end a half-century of armed conflict Nacional de Consultoria poll said yesterday. Petro, I will have no problem in beginning a judicial of 2017, slightly below a 1.3% consensus estimate. said in a statement. The union has demanded a with the former rebel movement Farc, said this a former member of the M-19 rebel group and ex- case for slander against those who promote or Household spending continued to grow as record- bonus equivalent to 4% of dividends distributed to would require “political, economic and social mayor of Bogota, has 35% support, according to propagate it,” Ticona said in the letter carried by low interest rates and low inflation bolstered shareholders in 2017, or about $34,000 per worker. dimensions” that would take at least 15 years. the survey, which has a margin of error of 3%. Lima-based Catholic news agency ACI. consumers’ purchasing power. Macri vetoes Pinera addresses nation curbs on utility prices amid IMF talks

AFP have worsened,” said Daniel Buenos Aires Kerner of analysts Eurasia. “His popularity has declined quite a bit, and this trend will rgentina’s President likely continue in the coming Mauricio Macri has ve- months as infl ation remains high Atoed a law placing curbs and the next few months will see on prices of electricity, gas and more of this.” water, citing a need for fi scal The bill was approved by 37 discipline. votes in favour with 12 against The opposition-sponsored law, after 12 hours of sharp debate. approved earlier by the senate “We want them to review after heated debate, would have the tariff policy, which consists rolled back prices for public utili- cynically in asking Argentines ties to November levels, and linked to carry their country on their future hikes to salary increases. shoulders, instead of asking gov- “The law is already vetoed,” ernment offi cials to bring back Macri’s chief of Cabinet Marcos the money they have tucked Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera gives his first ‘State of the Nation’ annual message to the country at the Congress in Valparaiso, Chile, yesterday. Pena told reporters, describing away abroad,” said Peronist the legislation as “irresponsible.” senator Anabela Sagasti, refer- Macri argued the price cuts ring to off shore accounts held by would cost $3.9bn at a time when government ministers. the government is trying to reign “The opposition bloc knows in a ballooning budget defi cit and that it cannot be implemented seeking fi nancial aid from the In- and recognises that it doesn’t ternational Monetary Fund. matter, because it says it wants to With Macri making the un- send a message to the executive,” popular decision to seek a loan said senator Esteban Bullrich of from the International Monetary Macri’s Cambiemos coalition. Petrobras chief quits after Fund, his government is seeking Bullrich’s election in Buenos to show progress toward lower- Aires province, the traditional ing the fi scal defi cit from 3.9% of electoral base of Peronism, in GDP in 2017 to its target of 2.7% 2017 mid-term polls ahead of this year and 2.2% in 2019. former president Cristina Kirch- The president went on na- ner, helped provide the political govt’s fuel price intervention tional television late Wednesday springboard for Macri’s reform- to urge opposition senators not ist agenda. Reuters “Given this situation, it has any political appointees for the But on Sunday Temer, gov- Temer’s weakened government to approve the bill in order to However, that agenda is now Rio de Janeiro/Brasilia become clear that my remaining post. erning with rock-bottom ap- must have asked Parente for avoid the veto. facing its stiff est test, with regu- as CEO of Petrobras has stopped Petrobras, one of the most proval ratings, announced plans changes he could not accept. However, the senate approved lar street protests against his de- being positive and will not con- widely held emerging market to placate the striking truck “The pressure on him was enor- the bill that would have rolled cision to go to the IMF for help. etroleo Brasileiro SA’s chief tribute to the alternatives that stocks, was at the epicentre drivers - who were protest- mous.” back electricity, gas and water “Worsening economic con- executive quit yesterday in the government must consider of a bribery and graft scandal ing the high cost of diesel - by “For the country, for the prices to November 2017 levels. ditions and needed policy ad- Pa surprise move that wiped going forward,” Parente said in involving some of its key sup- freezing fuel prices on a month- company, a great source of un- The government has pushed justments will continue to un- $12bn off the state-controlled oil the letter. pliers that began to roil Brazil’s ly basis and taking other meas- certainty has opened that is for a removal of subsidies to dermine Macri’s popularity, producer’s market valuation, af- His resignation appeared to political and business worlds ures to bring domestic diesel very dangerous,” he added. prices almost a decade after they reducing his room for manoeu- ter Brazil’s government respond- have taken Temer’s already be- four years ago. prices down. Although Temer promised were frozen. vre,” said Eurasia’s Kerner. ed to a national trucking strike leaguered government by sur- Brazil’s former left-wing gov- Truckers have gradually re- the government would com- The veto, the fi fth since he Opinion polls say as many as by intervening in the company’s prise. ernment also used the company turned to work since then after a pensate Petrobras for any losses became president in December 75% of Argentinians oppose any fuel pricing policy. A senior presidential source to subsidise fuel prices, helping protest that left gas stations and incurred by its intervention 2015, will likely deepen Macri’s agreement with the IMF, which Pedro Parente, who in two said on Thursday no such move drive it heavily into debt. some airports without fuel and on fuel prices, the move may unpopularity and comes after a many link to painful memories years in the job had succeeded was expected. A key plank of Parente’s supermarket shelves bare. have crossed Parente’s red line damaging currency run saw the of past economic and social cri- in slashing the scandal-plagued Petrobras said in a statement turnaround campaign for the The government yesterday against political interference. Argentine peso lose 20% against sis, which culminated in 2001 company’s debt and restor- the board would choose an in- company and a condition for his threatened to prosecute those Parente had said he would not the dollar and a decision to go to with a sovereign debt default, for ing it to profi tability, said in a terim CEO and other top execu- taking the top job in 2016 was calling for a new strike. quit during the crisis. the IMF. which many Argentinians blame resignation letter to President tives would remain. freedom to control fuel prices. “The policy (Parente) put in But rumours swirled about Macri will pay a political cost the IMF. Michel Temer it was clear after Parente urged Temer to ad- He sought to align those more place was the scapegoat of this a possible exit after Parente, a for the veto. “He’ll be seen as de- More than a decade ago, Argen- the last week’s turmoil that new here to the company’s corpo- closely with international mar- whole crisis,” said Roberto Cas- turnaround expert, was named fending unpopular measures at a tina paid off its last IMF loan and talks would be needed on pric- rate governance rules in naming kets through nearly daily price tello Branco, a former Petrobras chairman of troubled poultry time where economic conditions severed relations with the fund. ing policy. a successor, which would bar adjustments. board member, arguing that company BRF in April. Ex-Bolivian president Media under threat US-Cuba mail service fully implemented cleared of rights abuses Packages, express service mail AFP Havana and regular correspondence can AFP “Judgment is hereby en- judge’s ruling in contradiction now travel on direct fl ights be- Miami tered in favour of defendants with the jury was “unusual.” tween Cuba and the US. Gonzalo Daniel Sanchez de Lo- “We think that in reaching irect mail service be- The fi rst mail fl ight between zada Sanchez Bustamante and that decision, (the judge) ignored tween the US and Cuba the two countries, as part of US judge has ruled there Jose Carlos Sanchez Berzain and parts of the record on which the Dwas fully established the trial period, arrived just was insuffi cient evidence against plaintiff s,” Cohn wrote, jury could rely,” she said. yesterday at the end of a trial pe- before Obama’s visit to Cuba Ato hold former Bolivian soon after he issued an order “We are disappointed, but we riod despite a toughening stance in March 2016. president Gonzalo Sanchez de stating the evidence presented feel strongly that our case has by President Donald Trump to- It carried a letter from the Lozada responsible for the ex- to the jury was “legally insuf- merit and the jury made the right wards the island’s government. US president answering a tra-judicial killings of his com- fi cient” for it to have given its decision.” The US Postal Service and 67-year-old Cuban woman patriots during unrest in 2003, verdict. Known as the “October mas- Correos de Cuba “agreed to who wanted to meet him. after a jury returned the opposite In April, following a three- sacre,” the deaths came after La permanently implement, Nearly 2mn Cuban-Amer- verdict. week trial, Sanchez de Lozada Paz was cut off by massive pro- through direct fl ights, the ex- icans live in the US and many Nine plaintiff s from the in- and Sanchez Berzain were or- tests led by Evo Morales, now the change of postal mail between stay in touch with relatives and digenous Aymara nation had dered to pay the plaintiff s $10mn country’s president. countries,” the Cuban mail friends on the island. argued in a US civil lawsuit in damages. Armed government troops service said in a statement. While online communica- that Sanchez de Lozada and But the pair’s lawyers submit- were deployed on October 11, Direct mail between the US tion tools like e-mail have his defence minister Jose Car- ted a motion asking the judge to 2003 to open a route through and Cuba was cut for nearly half largely made written personal los Sanchez Berzain directed a dismiss the jury’s decision on a blockaded roads for diesel and a century due to the US-imposed letters obsolete, the mail serv- violent military campaign that technical argument over insuf- gasoline shipments into the Bo- trade embargo of the 1960s. ice is still needed to send pack- resulted in the deaths of eight of fi cient evidence - which he ac- livian capital. Re-establishing the mail ages with medicine, food and their relatives. cepted. Witnesses say they opened service was one of the fi rst other items. Overall, some 50 people were “The judge’s decision in favour fi re on civilians. Members of the press hold images of colleagues during a steps taken by president Ties between Havana and killed during the campaign. of the defence demonstrates that The deaths and ensuing crisis protest against the murder or disappearance of more than Barack Obama’s administra- Washington have cooled con- But federal judge James Cohn, there was absolutely no evidence forced Sanchez de Lozada’s res- 140 journalists and photojournalists in Mexico since 2000, in tion when diplomatic ties were siderably since Trump took of- who presided over the court in that indicates the existence of a ignation on October 17, and he front of the National Palace in Mexico City yesterday. Racked re-established in 2015. fi ce in January 2017. Fort Lauterdale, Florida, ruled plan or order to use lethal force fl ed the country the same day for by violent crime linked to the multibillion-dollar narcotics Correos de Cuba said that all The Trump administration they lacked suffi cient evidence, against civilians,” Sanchez de the US. Sanchez de Lozada and trade, Mexico posted a record number of homicides last year: of the security and technical has tightened restrictions on contradicting the verdict of a Lozada said in a letter. Sanchez Berzain went on trial in 25,339. That included at least 11 murdered journalists, making requirements identifi ed dur- US travellers to Cuba, and the jury which held Sanchez de Lo- Speaking to AFP, plaintiff s’ the US under a law that permits the country the deadliest in the world for the profession after ing a trial phase that began in state department said it will zada and Sanchez Berzain “re- attorney Judith Chomsky said civil suits in US courts for extra- Syria, according to Reporters Without Borders. March, 2016 have been imple- permanently scale back its sponsible” for the deaths. they would appeal, adding the judicial killings. mented. mission in Havana. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, June 2, 2018 PAKISTAN ‘View of Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation is false’

Internews spoke at a length on a range of attracted investment of $46.6bn The outgoing minister made it He said that the US did not against Pakistan,” the minister cess of our economic diplomacy Islamabad foreign policy challenges and and put Pakistan squarely at the clear that Pakistan is not jumping change its old mindset and con- added. that Pakistan achieved the status the achievements of the PML-N centre of a blueprint for a more from one bloc to another, insist- tinued to accuse Pakistan of dou- In response, Pakistan reacted of GSP plus in 2014. As a result of government during its fi ve years hopeful, prosperous and con- ing that the country is working ble game. in a very measured and just man- this facilitation, Pakistan’s ex- oreign Minister Khurram in offi ce. nected future for the region and on diversifying its foreign policy “Since 2011, things have ner to all such provocations “be- ports to the EU witnessed a surge Dastgir has claimed that Dastgir, who was appointed the world. options. changed,” Dastgir said, adding: cause we believe that regional of 38%.” Fthe perception about the as foreign minister just for few “For the fi rst time in history, On the US, he insisted that “Pakistan carries out successful connectivity and enhanced re- On the Kashmir dispute, the country facing diplomatic isola- weeks after Khawaja Asif was we also reinforced our relations relations between the two coun- military operations against mili- gional co-operation is the pana- foreign minister said Pakistan tion “is false”. disqualifi ed for concealing his with Russia and signed a defence tries might not be ideal at present tants without any discrimina- cea for all ills facing our region”. fi rmly stands with their Kash- He insisted that under the foreign employment, highlighted agreement with it in 2014. Simi- but they are not at the lowest ebb. tion.” “With a new government miri brethren in their fi ght for the Pakistan Muslim League – Na- the strategic partnership with larly, a concerted eff ort was made The lowest point in the Paki- “There is no organised ter- in Pakistan in less than three right to self-determination. waz (PML-N) government, the China and expansion of ties with to strengthen relations with the stan-United States relationship rorist infrastructure left in the months, and one to form in In- On Afghanistan, the outgo- country achieved “measurable Russia as one of the main high- central Asian nations,” Dastgir was in 2011 when incidents in- country,” he continued. dia next year, we hope that a ing minister said: “The roadmap success” and tackled challenges lights of the PML-N govern- added. cluding the Abbottabad raid, the “With India, it is unfortunate fresh vigour and mandate will be to peace there lies in the peace through recalibration of its for- ment’s performance. He insisted that against the Raymond Davis controversy and that the Indian leadership, after brought to the relations between process and Pakistan will con- eign policy. He said that Pakistan signed backdrop of those developments, the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers the election of Prime Minister both countries,” the minister tinue to extend its support for an Speaking at his last news brief- the landmark China-Pakistan talk of Pakistan being isolated on at Salala checkpoint occurred, Modi, has been emanating ag- said. Afghan-led and Afghan-owned ing as foreign minister, Dastgir Economic Corridor project that the diplomatic front is false. Dastgir added. gressive statements and postures Dastgir said: “It is also a suc- peace process.”

28 PTI candidates for Sindh finalised

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised its candidates for the July 25 elections on 11 National Assembly seats and Caretaker govt takes over 17 provincial assembly seats in Sindh province. AFP/Reuters tandem to reduce the power of The candidates were finalised Islamabad his PML-N party. by the party during a meeting of Meanwhile, intensifying alle- the parliamentary board of Sindh gations of military interference which was presided over by akistan’s civilian govern- threaten to cast a shadow over PTI chairman Imran Khan at his ment completed its term the general election. Banigala residence. Pyesterday for only the sec- As election campaigning be- According to the off icial ond time in the country’s history, gins, tensions between the civil- announcement made by with a caretaker administration ian politicians and the powerful the party’s central media taking over ahead of polls set for military are running high. department, among the names late July. Four PML-N lawmakers told is PTI’s vice-chairman Shah Pakistan has been under direct Reuters that they had received Mehmood Qureshi, who will military rule for nearly half of its threats and pressure to switch contest the election from NA-221 70 year existence, with at least 15 allegiance to rival parties, while (Tharparkar). heads of states deposed before newspapers are awash with ac- completing their tenure, often at cusations of military “engineer- the behest of the powerful secu- ing” and journalists and media PPP chief to stage rity establishment. houses complain of censorship. Nawaz Sharif (above) has increasingly adopted a confrontational stance with the armed “Completion of this tenure is “It is a chipping away. It’s be- forces, accusing the military and judiciary of working in tandem to reduce the power of contest in Larkana a success story for democracy hind the scenes, under the cov- his PML-N party. Meanwhile, Imran Khan (left) has denied that the generals have thrown in Pakistan,” the ruling Pakistan ers, below the radar,” PML-N’s their weight behind the PTI, and accuses Sharif of hiding behind such allegations to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Muslim League – Nawaz (PML- outgoing privatisation minister avoid accountability. chairman Bilawal Bhutto N) party said in a statement on Daniyal Aziz told Reuters, us- Zardari has announced to Facebook shortly before the low- ing typically coded language to the sanctity of ballot could cause erage of Sharif, two executives ‘Disqualifi ed’ ex-minister allowed to contest polls contest forthcoming general er house and cabinet were dis- hint at meddling by the generals irreparable damage to national told Reuters. elections from NA-200, Larkana solved at midnight. without naming them. interests.” Distribution of Dawn, the big- Pakistan’s Supreme Court has reversed a lifetime ban on ousted foreign constituency. Rumours have already begun The military, which strongly However, analysts and West- gest English-language news- minister Khawaja Asif, allowing the politician to contest elections this Announcing his decision to circulate about possible delays denies interfering in politics, did ern diplomats who spoke to Reu- paper in the country, has been summer in an unexpected boost for the country’s ruling party before the following a meeting of the party’s to the upcoming polls, but of- not respond to a Reuters request ters said that the military was suspended from some military polls. parliamentary board at Bilawal fi cials have vowed to hold elec- for comment. squeezing the PML-N ahead of cantonment areas in several cit- Asif was removed in April for not declaring his employment and a source House yesterday, Bilawal said that tions on time. The political tensions come polls. ies, a senior Dawn executive told income from a United Arab Emirates company, but the top court over- Larkana had elected Zulfikar Ali “The caretaker government at a time of growing economic “This kind of interference has Reuters. turned the earlier ruling, which carried a lifetime ban from politics. Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto with will ensure holding of free and instability in the nuclear-armed always been there, but this time Many prominent columnists Munir Malik, a senior member of Asif’s counsel, told the English-language overwhelming majority in every fair parliamentary elections slat- nation of 208mn people. it is so naked that everyone is have put out statements about Dawn newspaper that Asif “can contest the upcoming election” after the election they contested. ed for July 25,” a senior Pakistani Islamabad’s rapidly depleting seeing it and everyone is talking their work being censored, often ruling. He urged the supporters to gear offi cial working with the Nation- currency reserves and a widen- about it,” said Ijaz Khan, a retired by their own editors. The apex court’s decision follows a string of court rulings that have gone up their preparation to ensure al Assembly told AFP. ing current account defi cit have international relations professor A frequent complaint by Shar- against the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz party (PML-N) since the victory of the candidates across A second government offi cial prompted many analysts to pre- at Peshawar University. if, whose second term as prime ousting of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif last July. the country. also confi rmed the date, saying dict the next government will A Pre-Election Assessment minister was ended by a blood- Asif – a close Sharif aide – is widely seen as a PML-N stalwart and an that the process of picking the need to seek the country’s second Report published this week by less army coup in 1999, is that outspoken critic of military interference in Pakistan’s politics. caretaker cabinet is in motion. International Monetary Fund an independent think-tank, the PML-N lawmakers are being in- Asif, one of Pakistan’s most prominent politicians, earlier headed the Ex-chief secretary Pakistan completed its fi rst (IMF) bailout since 2013. Pakistan Institute of Legislative timidated. defence and power ministries and was foreign minister until the court democratic transfer of power fol- Nawaz Sharif has cast the Development and Transparency Four PML-N lawmakers from disqualified him. becomes Sindh CM lowing elections in 2013, when campaign as a battle to protect (PILDAT), deemed the pre-poll the Punjab province described The Supreme Court’s decision will have come as a surprise to many PML- the government headed by the the “sanctity of the vote”. process to have been “unfair to Reuters a similar pattern of N figures who have criticised the judiciary for bringing about a slew of Former chief secretary of Sindh Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) The PML-N’s main challenge, overall” in the 12 months before strange calls and visits from un- cases against party off icials and allege bias from judges. province Fazal-ur-Rahman, handed over power to the PML- expected to come from the Paki- the election was called last week. known men who would pretend whose name was proposed by N, following a landslide victory. stan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party The PILDAT said that “surrep- to be well-wishers, but then the opposition in the provincial Tensions are mounting in the led by cricketer-turned-politi- titious muzzling” of the media, make clear to them that it would Three of the lawmakers are lawmakers have left the party, assembly, was appointed run-up to the summer’s elec- cian Imran Khan, who is betting a rise in bias from the military be in their own interest to ditch sticking with PML-N but one has mostly to join the PTI. caretaker chief minister of the tions following the ousting of that his anti-corruption message establishment and a “perceived Sharif. defected to the PTI. PML-N offi cials say most were province last night. former prime minister Nawaz will propel him to power. partisanship in judicial and po- None of the lawmakers wished All four said they believed politicians who won their seats as Rahman served as chief secretary Sharif by the Supreme Court on Khan has denied that the gen- litical accountability have nearly to be identifi ed. the calls were from intelligence independents in 2013 and joined from 2007 to 2010. corruption charges last July. erals have thrown their weight eroded the prospects of a free and One recounted a recent, seem- agents, though they did not have the PML-N afterwards. The name of the caretaker chief Since his removal and subse- behind the PTI, and accuses fair election in 2018”. ingly random, encounter with a any proof. Khan has dismissed PML-N minister was announced by Chief quent lifetime ban from politics, Sharif of hiding behind such al- Pakistan’s biggest TV chan- man claiming to be a supporter Reuters could not independ- accusations the lawmakers were Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at a Sharif has increasingly adopted a legations to avoid accountability. nel, Geo, went off air for several that ended with the well-wisher ently corroborate the events they pressured into switching sides, press conference with Leader of confrontational stance with the In a statement, the PTI said weeks in April and only returned telling him: “Your boss is a trai- described. but predicted in a recent meet- the Opposition Khwaja Izharul- armed forces, accusing the mili- this week: “Any deliberate or un- after its executives struck a deal tor. Traitors have no future in this In the last few months, at least ing with foreign media that many Hassan at the CM House after tary and judiciary of working in conscious eff ort to compromise with the military over their cov- country.” 15 PML-N National Assembly more would follow. midnight. Feeding time President approves Fata-KP merger bill

Internews Barrister Zafarullah Khan, and The president also expressed tinue their work till the expiry Islamabad National Security Adviser re- the hope that the move would of their respective terms in 2021 tired Lieutenant General Nasser bring greater stability to the re- and 2024, respectively. Khan Janjua. gion. The total Senate seats will resident Mamnoon Hus- The bill, which has now be- The law states that the elec- also be reduced to 96 from ex- sain has given his formal come an act of parliament, was tions on Fata seats in the KP isting 104 after the retirement of Passent to the recent- forwarded to the presidency by Assembly would be held within eight Fata senators in 2024. ly-passed 25th Constitution Senate Chairman Sadiq San- one year. After the merger, Fata will Amendment Bill, paving the way jrani on Tuesday after receiving After the merger of Fata with have 21 seats (16 general, four for the much-delayed merger it from the ministry of law and KP, the National Assembly (NA) women, and one non-Muslim) of the Federally Administered justice following its passage by seats will be reduced to 336 from in the KP Assembly, whose seats Tribal Areas (Fata) with Khyber the KP Assembly on May 28. the present 342. will be increased from 124 to 145. Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. After signing the act, Presi- The political parties have Besides Fata, the Provincial- The bill, already approved by dent Hussain congratulated agreed that members of the NA ly Administered Tribal Areas both houses of Parliament as the people of Fata and said that from Fata to be elected in Gener- (PATA) will also be merged with well as the KP Assembly with tribal people would now enjoy al Elections 2018 shall continue the KP province. rare political consensus, was the same constitutional rights till dissolution of the assembly. The tribal areas of Zhob dis- signed by the president at a as being enjoyed by other citi- The number of NA seats from trict, Loralai district, Dalban- special ceremony attended by zens of the country. KP will now be increased to 45 din Tehsil of Chagi district and KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, He expressed the hope that from the present 43. Marri and Bugti tribal territo- head of Fata Reforms Commit- after the merger with KP, Fata Similarly, all major political ries of Sibi district have been tee Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant would enter an era of develop- parties have also agreed that merged with Baluchistan prov- to the Prime Minister on Law ment and prosperity. existing Fata senators shall con- ince through the act.

Process for Pakistan’s July 25 polls has begun

Internews turning offi cers through public while June 19 will be the last nominated candidates will be Islamabad notices will invite nominations date for fi ling of appeals against published on June 27, while the from prospective candidates on acceptance or rejection of nom- last date for withdrawal of can- June 1, while nomination papers ination papers. didature is June 28. he Election Commission will be fi led from June 2 to 6. June 26 will be the last date Election symbols will be al- of Pakistan (ECP) has is- The list of candidates will be for appellate tribunals to be ap- located to candidates on June 29 Tsued the schedule for the published on June 7. pointed by the ECP for deciding and the fi nal lists of the contest- A man pours out a bucket of lentil feed for pigeons after Friday prayers in Karachi. general elections on July 25. The last date for scrutiny of on the appeals. ing candidates will be published According to the schedule, re- nomination papers is June 14, The revised list of validly the same day. Gulf Times Saturday, June 2, 2018 13 PHILIPPINES Govt registers protest over China’s policies

By Ralph Villanueva shoals including some claimed know what the agreements were, Manila Times by Manila. Brunei, Malaysia, what the parties said. That’s part Taiwan and Vietnam also have of diplomatic negotiations and claims in the sea. communications,” Roque said in he Philippine government China this month deployed a press briefi ng on May 17. has fi led a diplomatic anti-ship cruise missiles and “(What happened) was strong- Tprotest against China for surface-to-air missiles on the er than a protest. (Cayetano and militarising the disputed West disputed Spratly Islands off the his men) really bared what they Philippine Sea (South China Philippine coast and fl ew nucle- want to say, that we are con- Sea), Malacanang said. ar-capable bombers to a base in cerned over their militarisation in Palace spokesman Harry another disputed part of the sea. the area,” Roque added. Roque Jr made the statement in Duterte has pointedly said he China’s claims on the dis- a text message to reporters, a day would not go to war against Bei- puted waters were invalidated by after eight senators urged the jing and hailed improving rela- a United Nations-backed tribu- government to formally protest tions that led to more Chinese nal in July 2016, for lack of legal China’s construction activities trade and investment. and historical basis. The Perma- and military installations. On Wednesday, eight senators nent Court of Arbitration in The Roque said the protest covered from both the majority and mi- Hague also junked China’s “nine- all incidents previously men- nority blocs signed Senate Reso- dash-line” map covering practi- tioned by Foreign Aff airs Secre- lution 761, urging the DFA to fi le cally the entire South China Sea. tary Alan Peter Cayetano. He did diplomatic protest against China It concluded that Panganiban not provide other details. for its recent militarisation ef- Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) On Wednesday, Cayetano forts in the West Philippine Sea. Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank are told a congressional hearing the Two weeks ago, Roque bared “submerged at high tide, form Philippines had protested the that the Philippine government part of the exclusive economic incident and resolved the mat- exercised its bilateral mecha- zone and continental shelf of the ter “quietly,” but declined to dis- nism with China to confront the Philippines, are not overlapped A recent photo shows the prices of fuel at a gas station in Kamuning in Quezon City, Metro Manila. close details. country over its militarisation in by any possible entitlement of China claims most of the re- the contested waters. China.” sources-rich sea through which “A paper protest is not the only China has beefed up con- $5 trillion in shipping trade thing that happened. There was struction and reclamation ac- passes annually, and in recent an open, frank, frontal discus- tivities in the disputed islands years has reclaimed reefs and sion on this issue. But we cannot since 2013. Region-wide drive against oil price hike launched

Palace assurance to tation of the old National Inter- by the militant Solidar- 1970s also acquired the Petron By Cris Diaz Manila Times nal Revenue Code. ity of Transport in Region X Oil Corp. as another alternative “The impoverished people (STAREX)-Piston is also fl exing to counter the cartelisation of now feel the ill-eff ect of the its muscles in a series of protest oil prices in the country. he “Black Friday” move- Train Law, which was found to moves next week as another The OPSF was disman- end media killings ment kicked off here have propelled a 4.5% infl ation round of oil price hikes took ef- tled during President Corazon Tyesterday afternoon to during the law’s initial imple- fect on Tuesday. Aquino’s term. Adding insult By Frederick Silverio cial directors of Police Regional Offi ce 3 (PRO3) signal the start of a region-wide mentation. We could foresee a “For the past two weeks, to the injury was the passage of Manila Times and National Bureau of Investigation directors who signature campaign against the bleak future if the ‘Train’ con- the pump prices of oil for both the Oil Deregulation Law dur- attended the 3rd PTFoMS Regional Seminar on Train law and the continued in- tinues to move,” Pagayaman diesel, gasoline and kerosene ing the incumbency of Presi- Operational Guidelines and Protocols of Duterte’s crease of oil pump prices in the said. products climbed by as much dent Fidel Ramos. anking sixth among countries with the high- Administrative Order No 01 held in Olongapo City. country. He said as an alternative to as P2,” Ringo Lago, spokesman Ramos also privatised the est number of media members killed world- The seminar aims to inform the people in the re- Train stands for Tax Reform the scrapping of the Train Law, for Starex- Piston in Northern government’s primary assets, Rwide, the Rodrigo Duterte administration is gions about the Duterte administration’s campaign for Acceleration and Inclusion, the Kadamay is supporting Mindanao, said. including the ownership of Pet- committed to end media violence in the country against media killings and harassment. a tax reform programme the the passage of House Bill 7653, Since May 22, 2018, the last ron Co (Petrophil Corp), which through the special task force on violence against It also includes the cascading of AO1, OG and PP government has implemented which calls for the re-imple- oil price hike was pegged at the government under the Mar- media workers also known as Presidential Task from the national and regional levels down to the in January this year. mentation of the old National P1.15 per litre for diesel, P1.60 cos administration acquired in Force on Media Security (PTFoMS). local level to understand, particularly the media Francisco Pagayaman, chair- Internal Revenue Code and ap- per litre for gasoline and P1 per 1973 for purposes of controlling Undersecretary Joel Egco, PTFoMS executive di- members and police personnel their roles and re- man of the Katipunan ng plying a “zero” tax on oil and litre for kerosene, he said. the pump prices of oil. rector, said members of the media were able to in- sponsibilities in the full implementation of the AO. Damayang Mahihirap (Kad- petroleum products, including Lago said the government Lago said various transport teract with stakeholders of the Task Force member Since 2008, about162 media members have been amay) Northern Mindanao, told liquefi ed gas and bunker oils. should adopt measures to cush- groups in the country is fi ght- agencies where it highlighted the full implementa- killed. Manila Times that the “Black Pagayaman added that the ion the impact of oil price hike ing for the lifting of the “Oil tion of AO1’s Operational Guidelines (OG) and PT- Egco said dirty politics, corruption and the vul- Friday” movement intends to Black Friday movement or- like the creation of the Oil Price Deregulation Law,” believed to FoMS Protocols (PP). nerability of the media profession were among the gather 6mn signatures nation- ganisers would mobilise about Stabilisation Fund (OPSF) in be the main culprit in the un- Egco revealed this before 150 mediapersons from major contributors to media killings in the country. wide to push for the scrapping 5,000 supporters and sympa- the 1970s that served as a buff er relenting oil price hike because the Bulacan Press Club Inc, Nueva Ecija Press Club, He said out of the nine media killings the PT- of the Train law and the adop- thisers in Northern Mindanao fund when oil prices suddenly of alleged oil cartel instituted Pampanga Media, Central Luzon Media Associa- FoMS has resolved so far, only two of them – Larry tion of House Bill 7653, which to gather the signature cam- climbed in the world market. by Shell, Petron and Caltex, all tion, National Union of Journalists of the Philip- Que, (Catanduanes) and Jun Briones – were verifi ed calls for the suspension of the paign on a regionwide scale. The administration of Presi- major fuel manufacturers/dis- pines, with Provincial Prosecutors, police provin- as work-related. Excise Tax and the implemen- The transport group lead dent Ferdinand Marcos in the tributors in the country.

Military promises protection for communist party chief Four Japanese and

By Dempsey Reyes Galvez told reporters. “Defi nitely, Aquino Jr, who was shot upon his ated that he would only return to ciples of national sovereignty, 13 others held Manila Times we are open to provide him secu- arrival in Manila in 1983. the Philippines once there was democracy and social justice,” he rity, it is like how we are dealing Sison welcomed the presi- progress in the revived peace ne- pointed out. with the consultants since we saw dent’s assurance. “I welcome the gotiations between the govern- Among the progress Sison was over illegal mining he military is ready to that nothing is happening with assurance of safety by President ment and the National Democrat- referring to was the signing of the provide security for ex- them,” he added. Duterte and it is much better that ic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). interim peace agreement, which Tiled Communist Party of Galvez made the assurance in there is such an assurance,” Sison “The most important thing is he said is “already being prepared By Patrick Roxas duction Management Offi ce the Philippines (CPP) Jose Maria the wake of Sison’s statement said in a statement. that we (he and Duterte) can dia- for June.” “Also, the subsequent Manila Times/San Antonio caught the suspects while they “Joma” Sison if he will come that he was willing to return to the Duterte made the guarantee to logue and agree on how best we mutual approval of the compre- were digging at the west side home, Armed Forces of the Phil- Philippines. the exiled communist leader dur- can serve the interest of the Fili- hensive agreement on social and of the island about 50 metres ippines (AFP) chief Gen. Carlito President Rodrigo Duterte had ing the change of command cere- pino people, especially the toiling economic reforms by the GRP our Japanese treasure southeast from the lighthouse Galvez Jr has said. assured Sison that he would not be mony of the Presidential Security masses of workers and peasants (Government of the Republic of hunters and their 13 Fili- manned by government per- “No problem with that be- assassinated like what happened Group held in Malacanang. through the peace negotiations the Philippines) and NDFP either Fpino workers were ar- sonnel. cause we are committed to peace,” with former senator Benigno Sison, meanwhile, reiter- and co-operation under the prin- in July or August,” he said. rested on Thursday while con- Bardaje said that based on ducting unauthorised treasure the depth of the tunnel, about hunting on Capones Island in 16 feet deep, he believes that Barangay Pundakit here. the suspects have been oper- Senior Inspector Jonathan ating in the rocky island for Bardaje, San Antonio Police more than a month now. offi cer-in-charge, identifi ed Confi scated from the sus- Alvarez confi rms plot for ouster the suspects as Domyo Ukari, pects were a compressor, a 56, from Kagoshima; Shinchi generator set, two units of Kawano, 44, from Kanagawa; metal detectors, a jack ham- By Llanesca T Panti There have been persistent talks “The government will be in a Mori Eizo, 60, from Tokyo; mer and assorted equipment Manila Times that Alvarez could be replaced pitiful state if anybody can just and 15-year old Japanese boy, for mining. All the suspects, by Rep. Lord Allan Velasco of swoop into the position without from Kawagoe Shi, Saitama; except the minor, were de- Marinduque, son of Associate giving much thought to the re- all in Japan. tained at the police station peaker Pantaleon Alva- Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr of sponsibilities that come with it,” The locals arrested were here and are facing charges of rez of Davao del Norte has the Supreme Court. Velasco is a Alvarez added. Lloyd Marlo Cerezo, 22; Ar- illegal mining, malicious mis- Sconfi rmed that there are known ally of President Rodrigo It has been reported that nold Argel, 23; Rexy Maycong, chief and violation of munici- eff orts to unseat him, but re- Duterte. there are House members lob- 21; Rodrigo Castro, 58; Luis pal ordinance pertaining to a fused to reveal names. Last year, the congressman bying for former President- Cerezo, 39; Lymar Cerezo, marine protected area. The Speaker made the dis- celebrated his birthday in Mala- turned-Pampanga lawmaker 20; Reggie Maycong, 25; Noel San Antonio vice mayor closure in a radio interview a canang. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to be Flores, 29, and Jason Ebalane, Lugil Ragadio said Capones day after the House of Rep- Alvarez made it known that he the Speaker, but she has turned 27, all from Barangay Cawag, Island was declared as ma- resentatives adjourned sine was not a fan of Velasco. them down. Subic, Zambales. rine protected area through a die after passing the proposed “I don’t want to talk to Con- Arroyo is a member of the Also arrested were Gregorio municipal ordinance issued in Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) gressman Velasco. He could just PDP-Laban, the political party Domingo, 34; and Eff er Tolen- February 2012. which abolishes the Autono- resort to making a fool of me,” he headed by the president and tino, 24, both from Balaybay, “It is one of the major tour- mous Region in Muslim Mind- said. where Alvarez serves as the sec- Castillejos, Zambales and Es- ist destinations in the prov- anao (ARMM) and replaces it Alvarez then warned that retary general. piridon Gumacao, 62, and Ro- ince, especially during the with a Bangsamoro Region that those who seek to unseat him She used to be one of the 12 nald Gonzales, 48, both from summer season, he said. will enjoy fiscal autonomy and should be ready for his job. deputy speakers of the House, Olongapo City. One of the Filipino sus- be governed by the Bangsam- Alvarez: admitting efforts for ouster “I would say…. maybe they but she was kicked out by Al- A joint operation of San pects who asked not be named oro Parliament elected by the should look at the mirror, com- varez last year when she voted Antonio Police, 2nd Provin- admitted they were treasure Bangsamoro Autonomous Re- ing to rock the boat, and I know ous eff orts to remove him as pare themselves to the one they against the bill imposing death cial Mobile Force Company hunting in the area and were gion’s inhabitants. who they are,” Alvarez said the Speaker of the House, the seek to replace and ponder, ‘Can penalty on drug-related of- (Zambales PFMC) and the being paid P1,000 a day by the “There are those who are try- when asked if there were seri- country’s fourth highest post. they do the job?’” he said. fences. Municipal Disaster Risk Re- Japanese. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, June 2, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan

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 US allies seek new friends as Trump tensions mount

America’s traditional allies are desperately seeking new friends as Donald Trump hails the leaders of North Korea and China instead, but may have to rely on themselves to ride out the storm. In the latest blow from the country that is supposed to be their closest friend, the EU, Canada and Mexico found A N Korean opportunity themselves hit yesterday by punishing US tariff s on steel aluminium imports. Recent months have also seen Trump pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, open a US embassy in Jerusalem, leave the Paris climate pact and lambast Nato allies for not paying their way. for America and China European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday that “each time I think of Trump, I am lost,” By Richard N. Haass advanced products it wanted but could infl uence. China’s broad claims to The US does not want to live under while EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said that New York not yet produce. Many in the US also the South China Sea and its creation the shadow of a North Korea that the tariff s would further harm transatlantic ties. believed that trade would give China of military bases there are viewed possesses long-range missiles capable “The Europeans and Canadians are on their own when an increased stake in preserving the throughout the region as a provocation. of delivering nuclear payloads to t is not obvious, but North Korea existing international order, increasing China’s domestic political American cities. At the same time, the it comes to the US, at least until the next election,” Judy could be the best thing for the the odds that its rise as a major power development has also disappointed US has no appetite for a war that would Dempsey, editor in chief of Strategic Europe, the blog of the relationship between the United would be peaceful. The related hope observers. The abolition of the prove costly by every measure. Carnegie Europe think-tank, said. IStates and China since the collapse was that political reform would follow presidential term limit and President China and the US thus have a shared “The Europeans are of the Soviet Union. Whether or not economic growth. Calculations such as Xi Jinping’s concentration of power interest in making diplomacy work and competitors for Trump in that potential is realised, it is not these led to the US decision to support have come as an unwelcome surprise to ensuring that any US-North Korean “Trump’s diffi cult to understand why it exists. China’s entry into the World Trade many. There are also concerns about the summit succeeds. The question for trade, on values and human The contemporary Sino-American Organisation in 2001. suppression of dissent (often cloaked China is whether it is prepared to put full-frontal rights. With the authoritarian relationship was born nearly a half- Now, years later, the economic ties in the guise of Xi’s anti-corruption enough pressure on North Korea so regimes he does not face century ago on a foundation of shared that had become the foundation of drive), the clampdown on civil society, that it accepts meaningful constraints assault against that and he seems much concern about the threat posed to both the Sino-American relationship have and the repression of western China’s on its nuclear and missile programmes. more comfortable with the countries by the Soviet Union. It was a increasingly become a source of friction Uighur and Tibetan minorities. The net The question for the US is whether his allies has textbook case of the adage, “The enemy that threaten it. China exports far more result is that it is now commonplace for it is willing to embrace a diplomatic Russians, with North Korea, of my enemy is my friend.” to the US than it imports, contributing offi cial US government documents to outcome that stabilises the nuclear blurred lines” with the Chinese,” Dempsey Such a relationship could survive to the disappearance of millions of pair China with Russia and to speak of it situation on the Korean peninsula but added. just about anything – except the American jobs, and has not opened up as a strategic rival. does not resolve it for the foreseeable Trump’s onslaught on Washington’s allies has been all the disappearance of the common enemy. its market as expected or delivered on All of which brings us back to North future. And this is of course precisely what promised reforms. Moreover, China’s Korea, whose nuclear weapons and A US-North Korean summit that more disorientating as he turns on the charm with a string happened with the end of the Cold War government continues to subsidise long-range missiles are viewed by averted a crisis that would benefi t of authoritarian states long seen as US rivals. in 1989 and the demise of the USSR at state-owned enterprises, and either China as a genuine threat – not to itself, neither the US nor China would remind When not coaxing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un the beginning of 1992. steals intellectual property or requires but to its regional interests. China does people in both countries of the value into a landmark nuclear disarmament summit, Trump has The US-China relationship, its transfer to Chinese partners as a not want a confl ict that would disrupt of Sino-American co-operation. admiringly called Chinese leader Xi Jinping a “world class however, showed surprising resilience, condition of foreign companies’ access regional trade and lead to millions of And the precedent of the world’s two fi nding a new rationale: economic to the domestic market. refugees streaming across its border. It major powers working together to poker player” amid their own trade dispute. interdependence. Americans were This critique of China is widely fears that such a war would end with resolve a problem with regional and Trump has also defended his eff orts to have a “good happy to buy vast quantities of embraced by US Republicans and a unifi ed Korea fi rmly in America’s global implications might provide a relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, relatively inexpensive Chinese Democrats alike, even if they disagree strategic orbit. Nor does it want Japan foundation for the next era of a bilateral despite the assessment of US intelligence agencies that manufactured goods, demand for which with many of the remedies proposed and other neighbours to rethink their relationship that, more than any other, provided jobs for the tens of millions by the Trump administration. And the long-standing aversion to developing will defi ne international politics in this Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. of Chinese who moved from poor criticism is not limited to economic nuclear weapons of their own. The century. – Project Syndicate “Trump’s full-frontal assault against his allies has agricultural areas to new or rapidly aff airs. There is growing concern Chinese government also opposes blurred lines and caused incomprehension,” Elvire Fabry, expanding cities. in the US about China’s increasing South Korea’s missile defence system z Richard N. Haass is president of the senior research fellow at the Jacques Delors Institute think- For its part, the United States was assertiveness beyond its borders. The (acquired from the US in response to Council on Foreign Relations and author tank in Brussels, said. mesmerised by the potential for Belt and Road Initiative appears to be North Korea’s missile deployments), of A World in Disarray: American exporting to the vast Chinese market, less a development programme than a which China sees as a threat to its own Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old The question for Europe now is how to counter a president which was hungry for the more geo-economic tool to expand Chinese nuclear deterrent. Order. who has called the EU a “vehicle for Germany”, praised Britain’s Brexit vote, and lashed out at Nato for freeloading. Fabry said the Europeans were now pushing a “new narrative” in which, as the world’s biggest market of 500mn people, they will lead a push to preserve the “regulated globalisation” that Trump is trying to overturn, Fabry said. For that, they have tried to enlist the same country as Trump has: China. In a symbolic step, EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini appeared alongside the Chinese foreign minister in Brussels yesterday just hours after the US tariff s took eff ect to call for a “rules-based global order”. She also cited trade deals that the EU is negotiating with several countries including Mexico – which was also hit by the new tariff s. But Dempsey warned that Europe had to rely on itself. “They can build on those trade relationships, but they are not a substitute for Europe’s future direction,” Dempsey said. Just what that direction is, however, remains unclear.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved North Korea’s nuclear weapons and long-range missiles are viewed by China as a genuine threat – not to itself, but to its regional interests. Gulf Times Saturday, June 2, 2018 15 COMMENT Time for a boardroom reckoning By Lucy P Marcus Internet network addresses across Africa, London is in virtual free-fall after allegations against its chairman resulted in the board’s disintegration. The Hollywood producer one are the days when annual general Harvey Weinstein has now been arrested on meeting season – the time of year charges of sexual assault, and the company when executives and directors of he founded, the Weinstein Company, has Gpublicly traded companies gather to collapsed. Organisations like Save the report on their activities, accounts, and plans to Children are facing a reckoning as well. shareholders – went by unnoticed. Ever since The ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft – the 2012 “Shareholder Spring,” shareholders following Microsoft’s lead – have taken a step have stopped acting as passive recipients forward, scrapping mandatory arbitration to of companies’ reports or obedient rubber- settle harassment claims and giving victims stampers of their plans and pay packages, and more options, including public lawsuits. But started actively and publicly questioning board demands for more comprehensive changes are decisions, airing grievances, and submitting likely to grow louder. proposals for change. This shift is long overdue, Another issue that is taking on a new sense and it will transform how business operates, of urgency is the relationship between business whether companies like it or not. and politics, with companies facing criticism Over the years, the number of issues that for their political entanglements. In particular, attendees have taken up during annual general the pharmaceutical giant Novartis has found meetings has grown exponentially. In fact, as itself under the microscope in two countries. several large-scale investors have told me, there In Greece, Novartis is accused of bribing are so many issues in need of attention that it 10 politicians. In the US, the company not can be diffi cult to prioritise them. Still, some only spent $8.8mn lobbying US lawmakers in issues have taken on particular prominence. 2017; it also paid $1.2mn to President Donald This year, the issue that was raised most Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, for frequently was executive pay. What stands out guidance on how the Trump administration is that discussion of the issue was based not just would approach healthcare policy issues. The on a sense of unfairness arising from extreme telecom company AT&T paid Cohen as much pay disparities and an apparent lack of regard as $600,000 as part of a similar consulting for performance, but also on hard evidence, contract. including a clearer understanding about how Even if these actions are not explicitly pay packages and bonuses work. This raises the illegal, they raise serious ethical – and, in turn, likelihood that current grievances will result in reputational – questions, for which companies real change. are increasingly being called to account. The For example, shareholders at British satellite same is true of decisions taken in numerous telecommunications company Inmarsat voted other areas, from environmental policies to against its remuneration report, underscoring Remuneration policies were rejected by nearly 36% of shareholders at Unilever. working conditions, which are also becoming the divide between executive compensation subject to growing scrutiny. and company performance. Likewise, in him and his preposterous promises,” as concerned about several other issues as well. seems to be subject to increasing opposition. All of these are real and well-founded remuneration policies were rejected by nearly one commentator put it, has propelled the Some are better known than others, but all will Second, companies are facing intensifying concerns that will not go away any time soon. 36% of shareholders at Unilever and 34% at company’s share price to sky-high levels at require urgent attention in the coming months, pressure to improve their handling of sexual Boards and executive teams cannot sweep them AIG. Large investors at the Anglo-Australian the same moment that its bonds are trading at if boards are to avoid major upheaval at next harassment accusations, from their response under the rug, treating them like passing fads. miner Rio Tinto also balked at its remuneration junk bond levels. Nonetheless, the shareholder year’s annual general meetings. to initial complaints to their reporting of such The best bet for business is to get ahead of these report. pushback represents a major step forward, and For starters, resistance to allowing CEOs responses. In the #MeToo era, when victims issues, taking real, timely action to address Of course, this trend is far from universal. the fact that the compensation issue is now also to serve as board chairs – long a topic of feel increasingly empowered to report the them as soon as possible. Otherwise, future Shareholders at Tesla approved what being discussed not only in business media, but conversation, particularly in the United States harassment and assault that they experience, annual general meetings will only become corporate governance experts have called the also in general outlets, magnifi es the activists’ – is intensifying. At Tesla, investors are being the extent of the problem – and the inadequacy tenser. – Project Syndicate “staggering” pay package of the company’s potential impact. urged to keep Musk only in his role as CEO, of existing mechanisms for responding to it – is billionaire founder, Elon Musk, whose While executive pay got the most attention while bringing in an independent board chair. becoming starkly apparent. z Lucy P Marcus is CEO of Marcus Venture “Trump-like ability to get people to believe this year, investors and the public are deeply Mark Zuckerberg’s dual role at Facebook also Afrinic, the body responsible for allocating Consulting.

LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 450c Minimum Temperature : 300c Licences for home-based small businesses SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 430c Minimum Temperature : 320c By Dr Nizar Kochery exceeding 20 days to perform Haj once termination provisions of contract have received a new offer from MONDAY Doha during service. The employer at its or with the consent of both parties. another company with good Maximum Temperature : 420c discretion shall specify the number Under Article 632 of the civil laws, salary and benefits. I would like Minimum Temperature : 320c of workers who may be granted such the tenant can approach the rental to change the job. As per the new Fisherman's forecast Question: My friend specialises leave annually in accordance with the court for termination of the lease. law, can I change the job without in stitching children’s garments. work requirements. Priority will be According to the said provision, the permission of the current WARNING He is a resident of Qatar. Will given to workers with longer period of in the event any unforeseen employer? Please advise. Inshore : Nil he be able to start a home-based service. circumstances arise in connection EJ, Doha Offshore : Nil small scale garment business with either party which makes the WEATHER without a Qatari partner? If so, continuation of the lease unduly A: As per the new entry, exit and Inshore : Hot daytime with slight what are the formalities involved Landlord refuses to burdensome to such party, the court residence law (Law No 21 of 2015), the dust at places at times in it ? If not, what are the steps may, on demand by such party and employee can transfer the job with terminate contract WIND he has to take to start the above- upon a comparison of the interests of the approval of the ministry after fi ve Inshore : Southeasterly-South- mentioned business? Q: I took a property for lease for both parties, terminate the lease and years of service with the employer if the westerly 06-16 KT RPB, Doha one year and I have issued signed fairly compensate the other party. contract is for an indefi nite duration. cheques to my landlord without With regard to sub-leasing, the tenant In such a case, there is no requirement Offshrore : Mainly Southeasterly- Southwesterly 03-12 KT Answer: Home-based small mentioning payee name against is not allowed to sub-lease without the of a no-objection certifi cate from the businesses permitted by Ministerial the rent payments. Now I have consent of the landlord. As the court previous employer to take up a new Visibility : 4-9 KM Decree No 242 of 2016 include some personal issues and I cannot procedure to terminate the tenancy job in Qatar. If the employee wishes Offshore : 1-3 FT sewing, cooking, creating antiques continue the task for which I took agreement may consume time, it is to transfer the employment prior to and gifts, preparing and packaging the property for rent. I discussed advisable to discuss with the landlord completion of fi ve years in service, he gifts, designing cards and gifts by with the landlord and he refused for termination of the lease contract or or she shall require to seek permission hand, arranging natural and artificial to terminate the contract. Is ask permission for sub-lease. from the existing employer. In case of flowers, and electronic services, it possible to get the contract cancellation of residency permit, the Around the region packaging and binding school terminated through courts? If not, person will be able to return to Qatar Weather Weather textbooks, preparation of perfumes, can I sublease it to any other one Approval for and take up employment immediately today Max/min tomorrow Max/min beauty products, coffee, spices and even if the contract did not give after being granted a new employment changing job Baghdad M Sunny 41/26 Sunny 41/27 meals. rights for sublet? Please advise. visa. Kuwait City P Cloudy 41/31 Sunny 41/31 Licences are issued by the competent JS, Doha Q: I am working in a restaurant in Manama Sunny 44/33 Sunny 44/32 department for conducting domestic A: A lease contract can be Doha since 2016 and my contract z Please send your questions to Muscat Sunny 39/32 Sunny 36/31 businesses, which do not require terminated according to the is for an indefinite term. Now I [email protected] Tehran P Cloudy 31/20 T Storm 27/18 high costs, and are based primarily on personal skills and do not use disturbing equipment or hazardous materials. To obtain a licence to run a small business at home, the owner LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR must be at least 18 years of age, should be a resident of the house and According to Article 343 of the unless they agree to submit one report including the opinion of each of them approval of the landlord from where Civil and Commercial Procedure Law, the court that appointed the expert and reasons thereof. the business will run is required shall decide on the recusal request, As per Article 350, the expert shall in addition to a valid commercial and the order issued on such request submit the report, the minutes of work, registration. The licence-holder may not be appealable for any reason. and all the documents received before can engage only in direct sales to Nevertheless, if the recusal request the court which has appointed him. the public from home. Furthermore, has been overruled, the appellant shall The Registry of the court shall inform only one house can register per be sentenced to a fi ne not exceeding the litigants of such deposit within licence and the licence-holder is not QR500. the following twenty-four hours by legally allowed to recruit any worker The expert shall fi x a date to registered mail. Around the world from abroad. commence the work and shall summon If the expert fails to submit the Weather Weather the litigants with a notice sent to them report within the time specifi ed in today Max/min tomorrow Max/min at least seven days prior to the said the court order appointing him, the Athens M Sunny 33/19 M Sunny 31/20 expert shall, before the expiry of Entitlement for date, informing them of the place, Beirut S Showers 26/22 I T Storms 26/22 date and time of the fi rst meeting. In such time, provide the court with a Haj leave urgent cases, it may be stipulated in the memorandum explaining the work Bangkok S T Storms 33/26 P Cloudy 33/26 order that the expert commences work performed by him and the reasons Berlin S T Storms 26/17 Showers 27/17 Q: I am writing to know the Cairo M Sunny 32/21 M Sunny 33/22 within three days following the date According to Article 348, the that restrict him from completing the entitlement on Haj leave for specifi ed in the said mandate. In this expert’s minutes shall include a report task. If the court, during the session Cape Town Rain 15/11 P Cloudy 14/08 employee working in private case, the litigants shall be summoned on the appearance of the litigants and specifi ed for the hearing of the case, Colombo T Storm 29/26 T Storm 29/27 sector in Qatar as per the Labour at least twenty-four hours prior to the their statements and comments signed fi nd in the memorandum of the expert Dhaka S T Storms 31/25 Rain 32/25 Law. By the will of Almighty fi rst meeting. Failure to summon the by them, unless they object to signing, satisfactory reasons for delay, it shall Hong Kong S Showers 29/26 P Cloudy 30/26 Allah, this year I will perform litigants shall render the work of the in which case the reason should be grant him an extension to perform his Istanbul P Cloudy 24/16 Sunny 24/15 Haj pilgrimage with family, from expert invalid. stated in the minutes. The minutes task and to deposit report. Jakarta I T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 33/26 India as there is no Haj facility As per Article 345, the expert shall shall also include a detailed description If there is no justifi able reason for Karachi P Cloudy 34/27 P Cloudy 34/28 provided this year from Qatar. conduct work even in the absence of of the work carried out by the expert, delay, the court shall sentence him London P Cloudy 23/14 P Cloudy 26/14 the litigants provided they are duly to a fi ne not exceeding QR2,000 and Request you to provide me the and statements of the persons whom Manila T Storm 34/27 P Cloudy 33/27 summoned. give him an extension to complete the he has heard at his own discretion or Moscow 26/14 clarity on entitlement of Haj No ministry, governmental assignment and to deposit report or P Cloudy 24/13 P Cloudy leave. How many days leave can at the request of the litigants as well as New Delhi Sunny 42/30 Sunny 42/32 authority, public corporation, their signatures. court may replace him with another an employee who is working New York Cloudy 28/17 M Cloudy 20/12 establishment, entity or individual The expert shall submit a signed expert and obligate him to refund any in private sector get with basic may, without legal cause, prevent report on the outcome of all his amount received from the Registry Paris P Cloudy 26/14 P Cloudy 27/16 salary or no salary? the expert from having access to any work, comments and the points on of the court without any prejudice to Sao Paulo S Showers 27/14 Cloudy 16/12 OS, Doha ledgers, registers, documents or papers which he has relied in summary and recourse to compensation for which he Seoul Sunny 30/16 P Cloudy 31/17 held with them, in the execution of the details. In the event that there are may be responsible. Appeal shall not Singapore P Cloudy 32/27 S T Storms 32/27 A: According to Article 83 of the court’s order for appointment of the three experts, each one of them may be permitted of the order issued which Sydney Rain 16/14 Showers 17/12 Labour Law, a Muslim worker shall expert. submit an individual report on opinion replaced the expert. Tokyo Clear 26/18 Clear 27/19 be entitled to leave without pay, not Gulf Times 16 Saturday, June 2, 2018 QATAR Startup brings First phase of Angry Birds park opens exclusive fashion brands to Qatar

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

Doha-based startup has gained a strong following Aamong Qataris who are The world’s first Angry Birds World entertainment park has opened its first phase – the passionate about limited, high- 6,500sqm indoor section – at Doha Festival City (DHFC), it was announced yesterday. The end fashion brands, and have a attractions include the Blast Bomb – a drop and twist tower that features free-fall motion from a distinct taste for donning hard- height of 11m, Red Alert where visitors are hurled into a 360-degree spin, the 17m high Big Tree to-fi nd pieces. which also houses ‘Own the Sky’, a roller glider featuring a 106m zip line, a 261m multi-level For Qataris who want the lat- karting track, and a 1,300sqm Trampoline Universe. There are two themed birthday rooms. est, hard-to-fi nd collections of Trimoo, the company behind the park’s concept, is also opening later at DHFC, Snow Dunes Supreme, Champion, Off White – Qatar’s first indoor snow park set, VIRTUOCiTY – the region’s first dedicated digital gaming x Nike, or Yeezy, their go-to per- and entertainment hub, and JUNIVERSE – the world’s first city in space that aims to inspire and sons are Mohamed al-Naimi and entertain children. Omar al-Mannai, who are part- ners at Code Boutique, which, for the time, has opened a pop-up (From left) Omar al-Mannai and Mohamed al-Naimi. PICTURE: Peter Alagos store at the month-long ‘Night Market’ located at the Al Duhail Times.To make their items exclu- noted. He said once the company Al-Mannai said Code Boutique Sports Club parking lot. sive to clients, al-Naimi said Code opens its permanent store, Code does not sell their items online According to al-Naimi, Code Boutique only takes one product Boutique will introduce the ‘per- but only announces the arrival of Boutique is a concept store mainly of each size, “because we don’t sonal shopper’ concept. new pieces on the company’s In- for men’s wear. But he said plans want people to have the same A personal shopper, al-Naimi stagram account, “and within just are in the pipeline to establish the pieces that they bought from us.” said, is someone who is paid by two days,” all their products were company’s fi rst brick-and-mor- He said all items are sourced a client to do their shopping for sold out. tar shop in Doha, which will off er from collectors from South Ko- them or to accompany them when He added that the company unisex, women’s, and children’s rea, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, purchasing goods. follows a “fi rst-come, fi rst- fashion. and other European brands from Only less than a week since the served” policy and does not allow “Our concept store off ers niche Italy, Paris, the US, and London. shop opened for the fi rst time clients to book or event pay for or exclusive high-end brands, and The company’s latest collection at the Night Market, 65% of the new pieces in advance. we are targeting clients who are is from California, al-Naimi said, products were already sold out, “While this business model is into ‘updated fashion’. Take for adding that some of the pieces al-Naimi said. “Now I am in a also practised in Europe and Asia, example Supreme. It is a brand had been customised to suit the rush to bring in more products for the market here needs something that is very diffi cult to get; the taste of their clients. my customers.” unique and we do not want to of- company had just released its Aside from clothing, Code Bou- Al-Mannai, who is also a col- fer items that are commercially latest collection and we already tique also off ers wallets, iPhone lector of high-end and hard-to- available in Doha, so our con- have it here in Doha. We also have covers, exotic handbags, and sun- fi nd fashion pieces, pointed out cept is to sell a limited number of several ‘collaboration pieces’ not glasses used by Hollywood celeb- that their products not only have collectable fashion pieces from only from Supreme but from the rities. “You won’t fi nd our pieces a strong market demand but also around the world at very compet- latest brands,” al-Naimi told Gulf in other stores in Doha,” al-Naimi a large following on social media. itive prices,” al-Mannai said.

Ooredoo celebrates Garangao at Katara – the Cultural Village

Ooredoo has recently hosted its annual Garangao celebration, drawing a huge crowd at Katara – the Cultural Village. The special event, which distributed special goody bags to children, was part of the #RamadanWithOoredoo CSR activities. The Garangao bags were made by Nama Centre in Qatar, and included nuts, sweets and a greeting for the children. Ooredoo PR and Corporate Communications director Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi said, “Once again this year, we wanted to make sure that children from across Qatar’s communities could enjoy the essence of the night. I thank every parent who brought their child along to the event and helped us show true Ramadan spirit.” For more details on Ooredoo’s Ramadan off ers and CSR events, follow #RamadanWithOoredoo on Ooredoo’s social media platform.

Ehsan hosts Garangao for elderly

Ehsan Centre for Empowerment and Elderly Care has celebrated Garangao with a number of the children participating in the event to bring joy to the elderly people at the centre. PICTURES: Jayaram