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SUNDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10943 September 16, 2018 Moharram 6, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

‘Qatari Success’ Forum concludes NHRC calls for In brief extensive probe

QATAR | Offi cial Amir congratulates into Saudi and Nicaraguan president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His UAE violations Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister Special Rapporteur on the arbitrary and of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Al-Marri demands unilateral measures he reviewed before Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent monitoring of the Human Rights Council last Wednes- yesterday cables of congratulations day, the NHRC chief said: “Although the to Nicaraguan President Daniel implementation of report acknowledged in paragraphs 9 Ortega Saavedra on his country’s and 10 the illegality of actions taken by Independence Day. ICJ ruling by UAE siege countries, and supported the posi- tions of the Offi ce of the High Commis- Amir sends greetings to QNA sioner for Human Rights and the recent Geneva decisions of the International Court of El Salvador president Justice, as well as its acknowledgement His Highness the Amir Sheikh of the continued siege, it did not appre- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His E the Chairman of the Nation- ciate the extent of the suff ering of the Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh al Human Rights Committee victims and it was not as strict as hoped. Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani attended the conclusion of the H(NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al- We call upon the Special Rapporteur on HE the Prime Minister and Minister “Qatari Success” Forum at the Qatar National Convention Center yesterday evening. A number of sheikhs, ministers and senior Marri has called for extensive investi- arbitrary measures to act urgently and of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin off icials, as well as a large audience, also attended. A group of Qatari youth participated in the forum’s discussions and talked gations into the “gross and systematic” take fi rmer and bolder positions against Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent about their successes and experiences in the local community. violations committed by Saudi Arabia the siege countries, and we invite him yesterday cables of congratulations and the United Arab Emirates against to visit Qatar and the siege countries to to El Salvador’s President Salvador the citizens and residents of Qatar. fi nd out the serious repercussions on Sanchez Ceren on his country’s He also underlined the importance human rights resulting from the block- Independence Day. of monitoring the implementation of ade.” the International Court of Justice’s During his meeting with the Com- ARAB WORLD | Confl ict ruling by the UAE authorities such as mittee on the Elimination of Racial Israeli missiles target More fl ooding expected as allowing those aff ected by the block- Discrimination (CERD), Dr al-Marri ade to sue in UAE courts and reuniting stressed that the NHRC has been fol- Damascus airport families separated by the siege. He also lowing up and monitoring the UAE’s An Israeli missile attack targeted the wanted Abu Dhabi to allow Qatari stu- compliance of the ICJ’s decisions on Syrian capital’s airport late yesterday, ‘storm’ hangs over US coast dents to complete their studies at UAE interim measures. He called on the activating air defences which shot universities or other universities, as di- committee to carry out extensive in- down a number of the projectiles, rected by the ICJ. vestigations into the UAE’s discrimi- state news agency SANA reported. Agencies Florence, which was downgraded Typhoon Mangkhut This came during a number of meet- natory violations and to monitor the “Our air defences responded to an Washington on Friday from hurricane status, has ings held by the NHRC chairman in enforcement of the ICJ decisions. Israeli missile attack on Damascus already claimed at least fi ve lives, in- batters Philippines Geneva on the sidelines of the 39th ses- He also provided the committee international airport and shot down a cluding those of a mother and her sion of the Human Rights Council last with reliable information and strong number of hostile missiles,” a military arts of the US were under threat 8-month-old baby. Super Typhoon Mangkhut smashed week. Among those Dr al-Marri met evidence for the occurrence of serious source said, quoted by SANA. from fl ooding yesterday as trop- Emergency services were being through the Philippines yesterday, as were members of the Working Group discriminatory violations and system- Pical storm Florence hung over called out to save people from fl ooded the biggest storm to hit the region this on Arbitrary Detention, the Working atic campaigns by Saudi Arabia and the AMERICA | Emergency the south-east coast, threatening to homes in places such as New Bern, in year claimed the lives of its first victims Group on Arbitrary Disappearance, rest of the siege countries against the continue dumping rain on the region North Carolina, one of the fi rst spots and forced tens of thousands to flee United Nations High Commissioner Qatari nationals and residents. Trump admin to send for several days. hit by the storm. their homes. for Human Rights for Middle East and Dr al-Marri also provided the com- cellphones a test alert Large parts of North Carolina and Heavy rainfall was set to continue Roughly 4mn people were in the path North Africa, a number of permanent mittee with all the fi les that represent a The Trump administration will send South Carolina were already fl ooded for several days, the National Hur- of destruction that the storm slashed delegates to the Human Rights Council clear condemnation of Saudi Arabia by a test message to all US cellphones yesterday morning, with heavy rain ricane Center (NHC) said, bringing through the northern tip of Luzon and the head of the European Mission international organisations recognised on Thursday for a new alert system and fl oods threatening hundreds of higher chances of fl ooding. island, leaving at least 13 dead. to the council. for their integrity and professionalism, that aims to warn the public about thousands of people, according to Parts of the Carolinas are expected “As we go forward, this number will During the meetings, Dr al-Marri led by the United Nations itself. national emergencies. The messages weather reports. to see more than 35cm of rain over the go higher,” Ricardo Jalad, head of explained the dimensions of the pre- He called on the committee to moni- will bear the headline “Presidential Local media reported that nearly a next few days, the centre said. the national civil defence off ice, told liminary decision of the ICJ, calling for tor and record violations of the UAE and Alert”, the Federal Emergency million people were without electric- Other parts have already been hit by reporters, referring to the death toll. monitoring the implementation by the Saudi Arabia in its report to the Human Management Agency (FEMA), which ity in both states. over 75cm. Page 10 As the powerful storm left the UAE of UN human rights mechanisms. Rights Council and to issue an urgent will send the message, said in a Southeast Asian archipelago and He stressed the NHRC is monitoring the call to the siege countries to respect the statement earlier this week. Former barrelled towards densely populated enforcement of the ICJ ruling through human rights conventions and char- President Barack Obama signed a Hong Kong and southern China, its mechanisms. He pointed out that not ters, particularly the recommendations law in 2016 requiring FEMA to create Philippine authorities began sending only the UAE but the other siege coun- and decisions contained in the six let- a system that lets US presidents search teams to remote areas hit by tries also have been taking discrimina- ters of the Special Rapporteurs of the send cellphone alerts.” Page 10 communication and power outages. tory measures against Qataris. Offi ce of the High Commissioner for The extent of the storm’s destruction Commenting on the report of the Human Rights to the siege countries. ARAB WORLD | Politics was only beginning to be known, with reports of dozens of rain-soaked Sudan gets new govt hillsides collapsing, torrents of out-of- as PM keeps fi nance control floodwaters and people being Allegations against Kuwaiti Amir fl ayed Sudan’s new 21-member cabinet rescued from inundated homes. was sworn in yesterday, with Prime More than 105,000 people fled their The Spokesperson for the Foreign channel. In a statement to Qatar Minister Moutaz Mousa Abdallah homes in the largely rural agricultural Ministry, HE Lolwah Rashid al-Khater, News Agency, al-Khater stressed that also assuming the finance portfolio region, which is one of the nation’s top has expressed Qatar’s denunciation the Kuwait Amir is in a position of in a bid to revive the country’s ailing producers of corn and rice. and rejection of the off ensive remarks appreciation by all the Arabs, rulers economy. President Omar al-Bashir Mangkhut was packing sustained and allegations against Kuwaiti Amir and peoples and has a distinct status in last Sunday sacked the previous Flood waters surround a home after Hurricane Florence passed through the area winds of 160kmph and gusts of up to Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al- Qatar and its government and people. 31-member cabinet. yesterday in Warsaw, North Carolina. 195kmph. Pages 2, 17 Sabah by a host on an Arab satellite - QNA Germany could help boost Qatar SME sector: bank chief

By Peter Alagos strong SME sector in areas like manufac- According to Abraham, banks in ed by the Qatari investments into Ger- ning to invest €10bn in Germany in the Business Reporter turing and robotics with world leadership Qatar, including Commercial Bank, many,” said Abraham, who added that next fi ve years. position,” Commercial Bank CEO Joseph are working in partnership with Qatar Commercial Bank has been active in Abraham said the announcement is Abraham told Gulf Times on the sidelines Development Bank (QDB) to help sup- facilitating trade and investments, with a “very positive sign” of the strength s a country whose economy of a recently-held forum in Berlin. port SMEs through QDB’s indirect loan 12,000 SME clients under its wing. of Qatar’s economy, and the strength is mostly driven by its small- “And that’s where Qatar can tap into facility programme called ‘Al Dhameen’. At the ninth edition of the ‘Qatar- of its reserves and the relationship be- Aand medium-sized enterprises the expertise of Germany to collaborate “Because Germany has a strong SME Germany Business and Investment Fo- tween Qatar and Germany. (SMEs), Germany could play a signifi - and help build its own businesses. Qa- focus, and since Qatar’s focus is to de- rum’ held in Berlin, Abraham said many “It also shows the ability of Qatar to cant role in helping Qatar further de- tar is building its own capabilities in the velop its SME sector, the banks are in German businessmen expressed keen continue to follow its policy of making velop its SME ecosystem, a top bank fi elds of self-suffi ciency and technol- partnership with QDB; we have the Al interest to “tap into Qatar’s plans for strategic investments outside – ex- executive has said. ogy, and I think there’s a lot of scope; Dhameem Programme, so all that pro- the future.” ternal investments for leveraging, and “Germany has always been a leader and it’s at the SME level where there is a vides even greater focus for Qatar SMEs During the forum, His Highness the building on its strategic Qatar National or one of the leading economies in the lot of scope beyond just the big compa- to tap into the German SMEs and enjoy Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Vision 2030 in key areas, whether it’s in world. Interestingly, Germany has a nies,” he continued. mutually benefi cial relations, support- Commercial Bank CEO Joseph Abraham. Thani announced that Qatar is plan- education or technology,” he said. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, September 16, 2018 QATAR QRCS responds to Typhoon Mangkhut in Philippines

atar Red Crescent So- mission, said, “We are work- ciety (QRCS) yesterday ing closely with IFRC and the Qsaid it immediately host National Society. Our responded to Typhoon Man- personnel have extensive ex- gkhut, a category 5 tropical perience in disaster response, storm that hit the Philippines relief aid, and early recovery. this weekend. Procured earlier this year, our On Friday, QRCS’s Disas- tanker trucks are currently ter Information Management utilized by the Philippine Red Centre (DIMC) was activated Cross to provide clean water to keep up-to-date with the for the aff ected areas.” disaster, analyse the fi eld re- According to initial esti- ports about the situation, and mates, a lot of houses were HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin outline the intervention plans damaged, particularly in the Abdullah al-Rumaihi and Palestine’s Minister of Agriculture Dr Sufian to help the victims. coastal areas, largely populat- Sultan after signing an agreement. At the same time, QRCS’s ed by farmers. This means that representation mission in the huge agricultural lands are at Philippines has kept in touch risk. Power supply and arte- with partners to gather real- sian wells, the only source of time information, organise the drinking water, have also been Qatar and Palestine to aid process once started, and aff ected. support the disaster informa- The urgent needs, the head tion centre of the Philippine of mission expects, are blan- co-operate in farming Red Cross. kets, kitchenware, hygiene A team of the mission took kits, power generators, and part in a meeting with repre- potable water. and livestock areas sentatives of the International Established in 2011, QRCS’s Federation of the Red Cross mission in the Philippine atar and Palestine have formation and experiences in and Red Crescent Societies has conducted many relief The disaster information management centre in Doha. signed an agreement the fi elds of food production and (IFRC), the Philippine Red projects to alleviate the suff er- Qto promote and devel- agricultural scientifi c research, Cross, and other relief provid- ing of disaster-stricken local Surigao earthquake (2017). Other tal, these operations were per- It is expected to cause landslides, op co-operation in the fi elds combating desertifi cation, palm ers involved, to make arrange- communities. These include achievements are providing re- formed in co-operation with the strong winds, heavy rain, moun- of agriculture, livestock and planting, soil, water and agri- ments for an imminent large- the building of 1,550 houses for lief aid for displaced households Philippine Red Cross. tain torrents, and fl oods, with es- fi sheries. cultural guidance, poultry, and scale response. the homeless victims of Trop- in Marawi (2017) and the victims Typhoon Mangkhut (locally timated 4.6mn aff ected people in The agreement was signed by fi sh farming. In a statement, Abdelmon- ical Storm Washi (2011), Ty- of Typhoon Vinta in Mindanao known as Typhoon Ompong) re- 10 provinces in northern parts of HE the Minister of Municipal- It also includes co-operation eim Mheinzat, head of QRCS’s phoon Haiyan (2013), and the (2018). Costing $4.7mn in to- corded a wind speed of 205km/h. the country. ity and Environment Moham- in the fi eld of livestock, veteri- med bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi nary services, control of trans- and Palestine’s Minister of boundary diseases, agricultural Agriculture Dr Sufi an Sultan. pesticides and seeds, and resist- The agreement provides for ance to diseases and pests within the exchange of agricultural in- IPM programmes. (QNA) Ministry to hold Cultural Season of Heritage session he department of public li- gramme, which will run from which means the practices, per- respect for cultural diversity cultural heritage, he noted. FM sends message to Romanian minister braries and heritage at the September 18 to November 20. ceptions, expressions and skills and creativity in society.” Al-Jabri stressed that the content TMinistry of Culture and Harib bin Mohammed al- that society considers part of its In this context, the depart- of the sessions refl ects the vision of HE the Deputy Prime Minister to bilateral ties and means to Sports will hold the second annu- Jabri, director, department of cultural heritage inherited from ment of public libraries and the ministry, which emanates from and Minister of Foreign support and develop them. al Heritage Day in Qatar, entitled public libraries and heritage, generation to generation. “It is heritage continues to activate the social environment as a source Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Qatar’s ambassador to Romania, “Qatouf of Qatari Cultural Herit- said yesterday that the second constantly created by society in the Unesco Convention (2003) of customs, traditions and knowl- Abdulrahman al-Thani has Abdullah bin Nasser al-Humaidi, age” at the House of Wisdom at Cultural Season of the Herit- accordance with the environ- at the local level, building edge, expressing Arab, Islamic and sent a written message to handed the message during the ministry’s headquarters. age’s session on Tuesday aims ment and history. It also fosters partnerships with relevant au- national values and a producer of Romanian Foreign Minister a meeting with Romanian The event is part of the min- to promote the concept of in- a sense of national identity and thorities in Qatar, highlighting cultural actors, researchers, writers Teodor Melescanu, pertaining minister. istry’s weekly cultural pro- tangible cultural heritage, its continuity, thus promoting eff orts to preserve intangible and artists. (QNA) Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 3 QATAR

Cote d’Ivoire president arrives in Doha

Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara arrived in Doha yesterday evening on an off icial visit to the country. The president and his accompanying delegation were greeted upon arrival at Hamad International Airport by HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, and the ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire (Non-resident) to Qatar Toure F. HMC critical care specialist cautions against sepsis amad Medical Cor- HMC’s director of the sanitation, sanitary food gramme is currently being poration (HMC) is Medical Critical Care Divi- preparation and nutrition, piloted across several HMC Hraising awareness sion and chair of the Sep- and getting proper vaccina- hospitals. about the dangers of sep- sis Steering Committee, tions,” added Dr Fawzy. “There are diff erent sis and promoting the im- Dr Ibrahim Fawzy Hassan, According to Dr Fawzy, schools of thought relating portance of early detection explained that some people once sepsis is contracted, it to how best to diagnose sep- and treatment, among both have a higher risk of devel- is essential that the illness sis and also when and what staff and members of the oping sepsis than others. is diagnosed as early as pos- treatment to administer to public, as World Sepsis Day “Anyone can develop sible and that appropriate which patient group. We is recognised annually on sepsis, whether at home or antibiotic treatment is ad- have conducted a lot of re- September 13. in hospital, but some people ministered. He says treat- search to develop a robust Sepsis is a serious illness, are more at risk, especially ment for severe cases of sep- and sustainable, evidence- which results from an infec- if they have a compromised sis must be given within one based programme that is tion that alters the body’s immune system; for in- hour of diagnosis, often re- right for our clinical sys- normal response, causing stance babies, elderly peo- ferred to as the ‘golden hour’. tem,” said Dr Labib. injury to tissue and organs. ple, patients with chronic Dr Ahmed Labib, senior This week, staff at HMC Once contracted, sepsis and diseases and those who are consultant at the Medi- will participate in activi- septic shock can quickly on immunosuppressive cal Intensive Care Unit at ties being hosted in rec- lead to the failure of organs, medication,” said Dr Fawzy. Hamad General Hospital, ognition of the Ministry including the lungs, kidneys “The best way to help said in recent years HMC, of Public Health’s Patient and liver. prevent sepsis from oc- in collaboration with in- Safety Week. It is a national According to World curring is through practis- ternational experts, has initiative to raise aware- Health Organisation sta- ing good hygiene through introduced a sepsis pro- ness of patient safety and tistics, every year around hand washing and other gramme to standardise care related concepts among all 30mn people die of sepsis infection-prevention prac- pathways for patients with healthcare providers and the across the world. tices, having safe water and suspected sepsis. The pro- public. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, September 16, 2018 QATAR

RTCPA ends training programme on ‘good governance’

The Regional Training Centre for Public aimed at developing the skills and Administration (RTCPA) at the Institute capabilities of the member countries Nigerians mourn envoy’s death of Public Administration of the Ministry of the 50-nation Dialogue of Asia and Mars to be at of Administrative Development, Labour the Middle East. and Social Aff airs has concluded the HE the Minister of Administrative he ambassador of prayed that God grant his “Good Governance” programme, Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Nigeria to Qatar, family and the nation the organised in co-operation with Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi and nearest point TAbdullahi Wase, fortitude to bear the great Singapore. Singapore’s ambassador to Qatar, Jai Sohan pictured, died in Doha on loss,” the statement said. The programme is part of the Singh, honoured the 27 participants who Friday. The burial took place in memorandum of understanding come from the various member Wase’s death was an- Doha yesterday evening. signed between Qatar and Singapore, states. (QNA) to sun today nounced in a statement by Members of the Nige- Ministry of Foreign Aff airs rian community in Qatar spokesman Tope Elias-Fa- mourned Wase’s death and lanet Mars will reach today is 5.39pm. Mars will tile, in the Nigerian capital Friday night after battling an said it came as a shock and perihelion, which is appear over the southeast Abuja yesterday. undisclosed illness. was a huge loss for them. Pthe point in its orbit horizon at sunset before According to Nigerian me- “Minister of Foreign They recalled that Wase where the planet is clos- moving to reach its “high dia outlets, Fatile said Wase, Aff airs Geoff rey Onyea- was open to all Nigerians est to the sun, today, Qatar point” in the sky (40 de- a non-career ambassador ma received the news of and committed to his role as Calendar house (QCH) has grees) at 8.08pm. It will from Plateau State, died on his death with shock and his country’s ambassador. said. then move towards the west At this point, Mars will be until its setting time, which approximately 206mn km is 1.23am tomorrow, the from the sun’s centre. statement notes. People in Qatar have a The distance between good chance of seeing the the sun and Mars is around planet over the southeast 206mn km when the plan- horizon from sunset time et is at perihelion (closest until the setting time of point) and 249mn km at Mars, according to a state- aphelion (outermost point). ment issued by Dr Beshir The average distance be- Marzouk, astronomy expert tween Mars and the sun is at QCH. 227mn km approximately, The sunset time in Qatar Dr Marzouk explains.

Poor visibility expected in some areas of country oor visibility is ex- ditions at times. pected in parts of the The maximum tempera- Pcountry in the early ture is expected to be 39C hours today, the Qatar Met today in Doha, followed by department has said. 38C in Wakrah, Mesaieed, The detailed forecast Abu Samra and Al Khor, says misty to foggy condi- 37C in Dukhan and 36C in tions will prevail in some Ruwais. places early in the morning, Yesterday, the maximum followed by a hot and rela- temperature was 44C in tively humid day. It will also Karana, Jumayliyah, Batna be humid by night. and Turayna, 43C in Shee- Visibility may drop to haniya and Ghuwairiyah, 2km or less in some areas in 42C in Abu Hamour and the morning due to the pre- Mesaieed, 41C in Doha (air- vailing conditions. port area) and Abu Samra, The weather report also and 40C in the Qatar Uni- states that off shore areas versity area and Hamad In- are likely to see misty con- ternational Airport area. Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 5 QATAR QIMC supports ‘Made in Qatar’ Oman edition atar Chamber has announced that Qatar Industrial Manufac- Qturing Company (QIMC) will be supporting the “Made in Qatar 2018” exhibition, slated from November 5 to 9 in Oman, as diamond sponsor. This year’s edition, organised by Qa- tar Chamber in co-operation with the Ministry of Energy and Industry and the Qatar Development Bank, is the second time that “Made in Qatar” is being held overseas. The event is expected to gather 200 companies and factories from Qatar, the chamber has said in a statement. The fi ve-day expo aims to exchange experiences with Omani companies in the industrial sectors, as well as to in- troduce Omanis to Qatari products and opening up new markets to Qatari com- panies. On the sidelines of the expo, a “Qa- tari-Omani Business Forum” will be Al-Sharqi and al-Ansari at signing ceremony of the sponsorship agreement. organised to off er an opportunity for businessmen to discuss means of en- year ago, noting that “it showed signifi - co-operate,” he stressed. hancing co-operation, and establishing cant growth in light of the wide range of Al-Ansari noted that the QIMC was joint ventures. incentives and facilities off ered by the started in May 1990 to become, within Qatar Chamber director general Qatari government to support invest- a short period of time, “one of the pio- Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi and QIMC ment climate”. neering companies in the fi eld of small chief executive Abdul Rahman Ab- Al-Ansari also praised the strong and medium scale industries in Qatar”. dulla al-Ansari signed the sponsorship economic relations between Qatar and The QIMC has equity interest in 18 agreement at the chamber’s headquar- Oman, particularly after the launch of a projects in various industries, includ- ters recently. direct route between Hamad and Sohar ing chemicals, petrochemicals, con- Al-Ansari said: “The company is ports, which contributed to increasing struction materials, and food process- keen to provide support to the exhibi- trade exchange between the two coun- ing. tion to help promote Qatari products tries. Al-Sharqi said that the QMIC’s dia- abroad.” “Oman is a very important trade mond sponsorship of the event shows He affi rmed that Qatar’s industrial partner to Qatar. Both countries’ mar- the company’s “great interest” in sup- sector was not aff ected by the siege kets are attractive, and encourage Qa- porting and developing the national imposed on the country more than one tari and Omani businessmen to further industry. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, September 16, 2018 QATAR HIA joins hands with IATA, implements its latest electronic invoicing system

amad International Airport (HIA) in and dispute handling as well as delivering all invoiced trade. This will considerably speed co-operation with International Air tangible fi nancial benefi ts to the industry. up time spent on billing and settlement as well as HTransport Association (IATA) has It will also eliminate unnecessary paper- document management processes. Using the SIS implemented the IATA Simplifi ed Invoicing work, mail charges and courier fees as well as platform is part of HIA’s strong commitment to and Settlement (SIS) platform, an electronic mitigate the risks related to lost documents environmental excellence and responsible busi- invoicing system. and internal paper handling as well as im- ness practices.” This, HIA said streamlines the air trans- prove control over cash fl ows, as data is be- Aleks Popovich, IATA senior vice president port industry’s billing and settlement ac- ing directly linked to the payable systems of (Financial and Distribution Services) said: “Con- tivities by optimising and reducing the cost airlines. gratulations to Hamad International Airport for of back-offi ce processes, unifying invoicing With the SIS platform, HIA’s next step is implementing IATA’s SIS platform. Hamad joins a standards and reducing paper waste and ul- to integrate full automation of the billing and network of some 2500 airlines, suppliers, airports timately fostering a simpler and more effi - settlement system through the IATA Clear- and other transport providers that have adopted cient environment for airlines and aviation ing House (ICH) which will help in providing SIS for its effi ciency and cost savings. business partners. settlement services for the airport. “SIS will also support Hamad International Since the implementation of the SIS plat- The ICH enables the world’s airlines and Airport in achieving its ambitious environmental form, HIA has billed some 46 invoices a industry suppliers to settle their passenger, program through the reduction of paper-based month for as many as 23 airlines as well as cargo, non-transportation billings by apply- billing and settlement activities”. billed a total revenue of QR150mn a year with ing the principles of off -set and netting. SIS is the aviation industry’s electronic invoic- a signifi cant cost saving of 2% per year. The ICH also off ers protection in the event ing service provided by IATA. HIA’s migration to the SIS platform sets of a payment default and/or bankruptcy. Since inception, more than 1,500 airlines and to adhere to the latest invoice data stand- Sujata Suri, vice president (Strategy and air operators have joined the SIS network. ards for the aviation industry and will see a Development) said: “HIA’s integration to the Via the SIS platform, an operator can submit a signifi cant reduction of manual labour and SIS platform is a great step towards achiev- single electronic billing fi le that then is converted paper-driven activities such as invoicing ing full automation of the airports billing for into an invoice and a settlement fi le which will help to avoid record duplication and improve effi - ciency by integrating a unifi ed e-invoicing stand- ard (IS-XML). Hamad International Airport is “strongly committed” to its environmental protection strategy as well The platform also enables the participant to as minimising the consumption of natural resources, control emissions and manage waste carefully. choose from options such as automated invoice validation and off ers a variety of other benefi cial pany (QACC), Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and the Air- and consume energy, water and materials effi - functions. port Hotel, HIA is committed to achieving lower ciently to help protect natural resources. HIA said it is strongly committed to its envi- and more effi cient greenhouse gas emissions to HIA is a state-of-the-art airport with a strong ronmental protection strategy as well as minimis- help tackle climate change, reduce, re-use and re- focus on technology-enabled innovation, as per ing the consumption of natural resources, control cycle waste, manage noise and control emissions their respective Smart Airport vision. emissions and manage waste carefully. to air and water to reduce impact on the local en- The provision of the SIS platform will greatly Together with Qatar Airways, Qatar Aviation vironment wherever they operate. benefi t the airport as well as the aviation industry, Services (QAS), Qatar Aviation Catering Com- It is also committed to supporting conservation HIA said.

First Finance opens latest branch at Joyalukkas Group preparing Rs1.5bn Mawater City mega project for fl ood-hit Kerala

oyalukkas Group has announced with the help of self-governing bodies that it has joined rebuilding eff orts in in each place. Those who have lost their JKerala with a project that involves the homes in the fl oods and landslides may construction of 250 houses for those who submit their applications in person at First Finance Company (FFC), have lost their homes in the recent fl oods. the sales outlet of Joyalukkas Group a subsidiary of Barwa Bank A sum of Rs1.5bn has been set apart to nearest to them. Group, has opened its new- realise this objective, the company has These applications will be carefully est branch at Mawater City. said, adding that the project is supported studied by a committee constituted by The objective of the by all employees of Joyalukkas Group as Joyalukkas Foundation in consultation branch (located at Area 1, well as a large number of well-wishers. with the local self-governing bodies. opposite Aqua Park, Building Joyalukkas Group chairman Joy A list of deserving candidates will be number 5) is to facilitate car Alukkas as well as Joyalukkas Foun- drawn up and construction will start as purchases and easy access dation director Jolly Joy have said the soon as all government formalities are of finance for individuals, foundation will see that houses costing met. It is hoped that the houses will be First Finance said yesterday. Rs600,000 each will be constructed quickly completed and handed over to Aimed to be a one-stop- as part of the initiative. “Our dream is their owners, the Group has said. shop, this branch would assist to construct houses that will bring joy “Joyalukkas Foundation continues ease to customers in buying to the hearts of those who own them,” Joyalukkas Group chairman Joy Alukkas to provide compassionate leadership in and financing for cars. they said in a statement. several social and humanitarian ven- Based on the premise Each house will have a total area of “The purpose of this mega project by tures. The services rendered by Joy- of care, simplicity, and flex- 600sq ft with two bedrooms, a living- Joyalukkas Group is to support the Ker- alukkas Foundation in activities like ibility, it will help simplify cum-dining room, kitchen and sit-out, ala government’s initiative to rebuild voluntary blood donation, protection procedures and off er flexible and will have a concrete roof. Kerala, thus helping the people live of the environment, healthcare and credit conditions. Instant The chairman said that in the worst- through the great destruction caused many other causes, are indeed laud- approval would be off ered aff ected areas, houses will be built in tune by the fl oods,” the statement notes. able,” the statement adds. to customers opting for the with the environment, in consultation The chairman also informed that the Details are available with Joyalukkas services. Apart from this, with expert architects and in accordance project has been submitted to the Kera- Foundation in Thrissur by calling their other associated advantages with the plans submitted by them. la chief minister and will be carried out helpline (+91 487 2329222). include zero down payment (for Qataris); instalments up to 72 months (for Qataris); instalments up to 48 months (for expats); up to six months’ grace period; no ‘Welcome Home’ pack woos Shahry patrons salary transfer; no adminis- trative charges; last 10 years’ models are accepted and oredoo has announced months, the company has months, and new and up- competitive profit rates. that all new and exist- said in a statement. The new graded Shahry 250 custom- All its transactions are Oing Shahry customers off er has been designed to ers can enjoy 60GB extra Shariah compliant. who upgrade their plan can welcome customers back to extra over two months, new over four months. In order to avail this enjoy bonus data allowances. Qatar after the summer travel and upgrading Shahry 150 Any bonus data will be facility, consumers need to With the off er, all new and period, the statement notes. customers will have 24GB available on top of regular produce these documents: existing Shahry custom- All new and existing extra over three months, allowances and the new off er a copy of Qatari ID Card; ers who upgrade their plan Shahry customers who up- new and upgrading Shahry is valid until December 13. a copy of passport (for will enjoy two times their grade their plan to a Shahry 200 customers can en- To fi nd out more about the expats); a three-month state- data allowance for up to four 100 pack will enjoy 10GB joy 48GB extra over four off er, one can visit Ooredoo.qa. ment of bank account; a new salary certificate; quotations (from agency or showroom) issued in the name of First Finance Company; a copy of ownership (used car). All transactions are subject to the approval of the Business Development Department. First Finance Company chief executive off icer Eslah Assem said: “We are de- lighted to off er this unique service to our esteemed customers. This service will entail customers for them to avail one-stop-shop with respect to their requirements towards availing car financ- ing options. Being situated near the cars’ showrooms, this makes it easier for consumers to drop by and understand the nitty-gritties involved in buying cars and availing financing alterna- tives at the same time. Our dedicated team will be ready to assist our customers and provide all necessary facili- ties for the required transfer.” First Finance Company said it “focuses on meet- ing the financial needs of customers through top-quality and full-range of Shariah-compliant financial services.” Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 7 QATAR Mexican envoy hails dynamic ties with Qatar

he Mexican ambassador to Qatar has high- Investment Authority, Qatar Petroleum and pri- lighted the strong relations between the vately held companies are constantly looking for Ttwo countries across various fi elds. opportunities that arise from buoyant sectors in “The reciprocal establishment of embassies Mexico. Without any doubt, the most emblem- three years ago, the emblematic visits of His atic so far is the participation of Qatar Petroleum, Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- which in January 2018 won fi ve blocks on a public Thani to Mexico in 2015 and President of Mexico tender for deep waters in the coast of Mexico, he Enrique Pena Nieto to Qatar in 2016, together stressed. with a signifi cant number of high-level visits “One more step forward in our strategy of and productive meetings and exchanges, have in- strengthening our economic ties is the estab- fused a new dynamic to our relation,” ambassador lishment of the Mexico-Qatar Business Council Francisco Javier Niembro Cibrian said in a state- soon, which is expected to be formalised in Oc- ment on the occasion of Mexico’s National Day. tober, as part of a work visit to Qatar by a delega- “Throughout the years, Mexico and Qatar have tion of Mexican businessmen, and that will defi - worked to achieve common goals not only in the nitely contribute to generate closer ties between The master’s students pose for a photo. bilateral but also in the multilateral arena, where our business communities,” the ambassador said. common positions on issues of global interest “We believe also in cultural exchange as one of have shown the closeness between the two coun- the main promoters of understanding and close- tries and the coincidence of our positions in rel- ness between countries. evant international topics, including the defence “That is why we have tried to bring our herit- of human rights,” the statement, issued by the age and traditions closer to Qatar through sev- Mexican embassy, added. eral yearly exhibitions, concerts and gastronomic Tamuq welcomes latest More frequent and meaningful business inter- weeks with the participation of several Mexican actions have also surged from these dynamics, academics, artists and designers.” and some Mexican companies are already estab- The Mexican cultural footprint is growing in lished or trading goods and services with Qatar. Qatar, he observed. “Mexico being the country Examples of these are the companies working with the largest Spanish-speaking population in batch of master’s students on construction and infrastructure, or the ex- the world, we are glad that Spanish continues to ports of cars manufactured in Mexico. “We ex- be fi rst programme for a number of students, at aculty, administrators master’s and PhD students dur- rector of Graduate Studies and collaborative partnerships that pect all these exchanges to keep a steady and con- the TII Language Centre of Hamad Bin Khalifa and current master’s ing the orientation and obtained chair of the chemical engineer- the university contributes to- sistent growth in the Qatari market. Several other University. Mexican gastronomy is also increas- Fstudents at Texas A&M the support and information ing programme at Texas A&M at wards.” Mexican companies are in the process of invest- ing its presence with the opening of another University at Qatar welcomed a necessary for their success in the Qatar. Amara Rehman, a new Master ing in areas like technology and food,” he noted. fi ne-dining restaurant next month in Doha from new class of incoming master’s fi rst year. Dr Linke said, “We have a very of Science student, agreed and “We see a promising environment coming renowned chef Richard Sandoval.” students in chemical engineer- The new students then toured healthy mix of students from said: “As a new student at Texas from the World Cup 2022 preparations. Not only Also, tourism is a refl ection of these exchanges. In ing for the 2018-2019 academic Texas A&M at Qatar’s facilities Qatar — a good number of whom A&M at Qatar, I had an enjoy- because of the companies we have working on the 2017, Mexico was placed sixth in the world ranking year during Graduate Orienta- and laboratories to learn about work full-time next to their able time meeting my fellow diff erent projects but also because of the close of tourist attractions, receiving almost 40mn visi- tion Day. the many research opportunities graduate studies — and the rest classmates during orientation. relation that Mexico has with the event. Not only tors. A growing number of Qataris travel to Mexico Graduate Orientation Day, that exist for Aggie graduate stu- of the world. Our class schedules I hope to grow as an individual will Mexico (together with Canada and US) host every year to Mexico City, Cancun and other cities held at the Texas A&M Engi- dents. Texas A&M at Qatar has are specifi cally designed to cater and advance my understanding the tournament after Qatar, but we are also going both for pleasure and business. neering Building in Education off ered Master of Science and for students who are in full-time of chemical engineering.” to be the fi rst country to host three World Cups. “It is a privilege for the embassy of Mexico City, provided a comprehensive Master of Engineering degrees in employment in industry or gov- Applications for the Master We want to share our experiences but also par- to contribute to the strengthening of the rela- session for 15 new master’s stu- chemical engineering since 2011. ernment.” of Science and Master of Engi- ticipate and learn from the process with Qatar,” tions between Mexico and Qatar in all areas, and dents about the branch campus’ Forty-fi ve master’s students are Neil Adia, an alumni and a neering programmes are being the ambassador explained. in parallel, to promote a genuine knowledge of two master’s programmes in ad- currently enrolled at the univer- newly-admitted graduate stu- accepted for the Spring 2019 Kidzania is almost ready to open to public in strengths, attractiveness, the opportunities it of- dition to an overview of the de- sity. dent, said: “I’m very excited to semester and will remain open Qatar, he noted. “This is one of the most suc- fers for trade and investment, as well as the many gree plan and academic require- Graduate Orientation Day join the master’s programme at until November 15. For infor- cessful company concepts designed by a group of aspects that make Mexican culture a world refer- ments, as well as interaction ended with closing remarks Texas A&M at Qatar. I expect it mation about graduate studies talented Mexicans; a theme park infused with the ence of the fi rst order, and to contribute to foster with the diff erent departments from Dr Ahmed Abdel Wahab, not only to be challenging, but at Texas A&M at Qatar, one can Qatari culture where children have fun and learn.” friendship ties between Mexican and Qatari peo- at Texas A&M at Qatar. chair of the chemical engineer- also an intellectually enriching visit http://www.qatar.tamu. The envoy said there is a stronger presence ples. Viva Mexico and Viva Qatar,” the statement The incoming graduate stu- ing graduate committee, and experience due to the innova- edu/graduate-studies or call from Qatar in Mexico, too. Subsidiaries of Qatar concluded. dents also met with the current Dr Patrick Linke, executive di- tive research and the various 44230135.

Illegal drugs seizure The General QLC, GU welcome inaugural Authority of Customs (GAC), in co-operation with a security class of executive programme agency, seized illicit substances, hashish and atar Leadership Centre country nationals to reach fur- pand their leadership capabili- tramadol pills from (QLC) and Georgetown ther heights in fulfi lling their ties and their knowledge of glo- a wooden boat QUniversity welcomed the potential. They represent the bal business. headed towards inaugural class for the new ex- best of Qatar’s bright future — The programme allows quali- Al Ruwais port. ecutive master’s programme in and this partnership goes a long fi ed QLC graduates to build on During an leadership, policy and innova- way to creating the conditions of the knowledge and expertise inspection, some tion, as they began their stud- their success. achieved through their partici- bags — which were ies at the QLC headquarters in “There are so many people to pation in QLC’s programmes. wrapped — were Doha. thank - from the vision and sup- Applicants accepted in the new found hidden in a The customised programme, port of our country’s leader to programme underwent a two- secret spot inside with the degree to be conferred by the support of our colleagues at month admission and evaluation the boat. The bags Georgetown University, is off ered Qatar Foundation, Georgetown process; the selection panel in- contained 5.7kg of exclusively to QLC graduates who Doha and Georgetown Wash- cluded members of Georgetown hashish and 400 have successfully completed one ington. The QLC executive man- University’s McDonough School pills of tramadol, of QLC’s three national leadership agement team has worked hard of Business and QLC. the GAC said programmes. The nine-month on delivering this particular pro- In this fi rst module, partici- yesterday. programme provides students gramme to support the careers of pants focus on the concept of with world-class business educa- our alumni.” principled global business lead- tion in critical areas important to “Georgetown University has ership and policy approaches Qatar. been a leader in education since that support it. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint its founding in 1789,” said Dr Prior to receiving the degree, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, mem- those enrolled will have suc- Chairperson of the QLC board ber of the board of directors and cessfully completed all modules of directors, noted: “QLC was managing director of QLC. “Our in Doha, a residency module in established by His Highness the partnership with Georgetown Washington, DC (US), all re- Amir to support and empower is a refl ection of the signifi cant quired online coursework and Qataris in their various fi elds. strides QLC has made in the past other degree requirements. They Sidra Medicine invests research This partnership with George- fi ve years to become a national will then become full members town, and support from Qatar platform for leadership excel- of Georgetown’s global network, Foundation, establishes a col- lence.” currently numbered at more laborative partnership with The dean of Georgetown Uni- than 178,000 alumni. fund for genome sequencing leading global academic institu- versity in Qatar, Dr Ahmad Dal- Information on the Executive tions both in Doha and abroad. It lal, said the Executive Master’s Master’s in Leadership, Policy will further accelerate progress in Leadership, Policy and In- and Innovation programme can By Joseph Varghese tify potential for disease,” the gramme as it is trying to con- in providing a platform for lead- novation provides professionals be obtained at www.qlc.org.qa Staff Reporter offi cial said. nect the health of the entire ership excellence, enabling our with the opportunity to both ex- or by calling 40194448. According to the chief re- population of a country. Many search offi cer, the sequencing countries are trying to do it. idra Medicine is investing or the actual analysis of the However, considering the size two-third of its annual genes is done in Sidra Medicine of the population, the pro- Sresearch fund on its ge- as well as the computational gramme in Qatar is the fore- nome sequencing programme, data of the programme. most in the world,” he said. Gulf Times has learnt. “Globally speaking, we are “At Sidra Medicine, we have “Our research at Sidra Medi- at a more advanced stage in a large and a high performing cine on genome sequencing is the understanding of the ge- computing cluster that proc- part of joint eff orts by several nome than ever before. We not esses the data. It was created institutes in the country work- only know the code but also the and customised specifi cally ing towards mapping the Qa- genes which often give hints for Sidra Medicine two years tari genome. We are investing about which part or function ago and it was one of the three a substantial amount of money Prof Christof von Kalle or mechanism is behind a dis- highest performing computers into this programme,” revealed ease. It leads towards greater at that time,” added Prof Kalle. Prof Christof von Kalle, chief ready and will continue to lead understanding of why the dis- Prof Kalle, an internation- research offi cer. to more in-depth studies,” ex- ease manifests and how it can ally renowned scientifi c leader “Sidra Medicine has been plained Prof Kalle. be treated,” maintained, Prof in stem cell research and the providing the logistics for ge- “The whole programme aims Kalle. treatment of rare genetic dis- netic sequencing as well as to develop a knowledge base of QGP, Prof Kalle felt, is one of eases, was appointed as the the bioinformatics analysis of the distribution of specifi c ge- its kind and putting that pro- chief research offi cer of Sidra the Qatar Genome Programme netic features that might be as- gramme to a hospital, gives a Medicine in May this year. As QGP). We have passed the sociated with diseases. We are sense of urgency to pass on the a physician scientist with a 10,000 mark recently. We have looking into the population in benefi ts to the patients at the clinical background in cancer analysed the information from Qatar to understand where cer- earliest. research, he has published over The nine-month programme provides students with world-class business education in critical areas the samples which we have al- tain genetic markers can iden- “It is a pioneering pro- 150 high-impact publications. important to Qatar. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, September 16, 2018 REGION/ARAB WORLD

POLL Iraq parliament elects new speaker Iran govt accuses The Iraqi parliament elected pro- Iran candidates as speaker and first deputy speaker yesterday, boosting the country’s chances of forming a new administration more than four months after national elec- French cops of tions. National politics has been in paralysis since the May 12 ballot, but yesterday’s selections are expected to solidify new parliamentary alli- ances. The pro-Iran bloc led by Hadi al-Ameri’s Conquest Alliance — a slow reaction to coalition of anti-militant veterans close to Tehran — consolidated its position as its candidate, Mohamed al-Halbusi, was elected speaker. And Hassan Karim, put forward by populist cleric Moqtada Sadr, took embassy attack the post of first deputy speaker. Sadr’s list won the largest share of seats in the election, and is also Reuters “A security detail was put in place with the em- part of the pro-Iran parliamentary London bassy’s full agreement,” Paris police added. alliance. Iraq has a proportional However, Qasemi said Iran has asked France to system designed to prevent a slide put on trial and punish the assailants, and to inform The mother of 12-year-old Palestinian boy Shadi Abdel Aal, who was killed by Israeli forces during back into dictatorship following the ran said yesterday that Kurdish activists at- the Iranian government of the verdicts. a protest at the border fence, mourns during his funeral in the northern Gaza Strip, yesterday. 2003 ouster of Saddam. tacked its embassy in Paris and it accused Tehran has accused France of supporting opposi- French police of arriving late on the scene. tion groups which seek the overthrow of the Islam- I POLITICS Paris police confi rmed offi cers had responded ic Republic and are classifi ed by Tehran as terrorist to an incident at the embassy on Friday afternoon, organisations. Tunisia’s ruling but declined to comment on the speed of their re- France has rejected Iranian accusations. Gazans bury 12-year-old party suspends sponse. Last week, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fi red sev- Fars news agency reported that about 15 Kurdish en missiles at the headquarters in northern Iraq of PM’s membership activists burned the Iranian fl ag in front of the em- the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), bassy during the incident and broke some windows an armed opposition group that fi ghts for greater killed in border clashes Tunisia’s ruling Nidaa Tounes party with stones. autonomy for Iran’s Kurdish community. has suspended the membership They also threw fi re extinguishers and com- Iranian media said at least 11 people were killed. of Prime Minister Youssef Chahed puters at the gate but did not manage to enter the France has already told its diplomats and foreign AFP Umm Shadi, who has eight among three Palestinians fa- amid a political crisis in the North premises, Fars said. ministry offi cials to postpone indefi nitely all non- Gaza City other children. tally wounded by Israeli fi re on African country. The move, an- “The French government should take all neces- essential travel to Iran, citing a hardening of Te- “What is my son guilty of? Friday. nounced late Friday, comes as sary measures to protect Iranian diplomatic mis- hran’s attitude towards France. He is 12 years old,” she added A total of at least 179 Pales- Nidaa Tounes and other parties sions in that country,” Iranian foreign ministry France is also investigating a foiled plot to undreds of Palestin- through tears. tinians have been killed since are calling for the dismissal of spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying bomb a rally held by an exiled Iranian opposition ians attended the fu- She said her son had been violent demonstrations began the government over its failure by the state news agency IRNA yesterday. group near Paris that was attended by US Presi- Hneral yesterday of a going to the protests in recent along the border on March to solve the economic crisis and “Unfortunately, the French police did not arrive dent Donald Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani on 12-year-old boy killed by Is- months but she had been op- 30.One Israeli soldier has been contain social tension. The call is as expected on the scene on time, although the as- June 30. raeli army fi re during clashes posed. shot dead by a sniper. supported by the powerful Tuni- sailants were members of a terrorist organisation,” An Iranian diplomat was arrested in Germany in on the Gaza border. “I banned him but he was Israel accuses the Gaza sian General Labour Union (UGTT), he said. connection with that plot. Any hardening of rela- Shadi Abdel Aal was fatally going behind our backs,” said Strip’s rulers of Hamas of or- which has rejected economic Qasemi said some of the attackers were arrested. tions with France could have wider implications for wounded Friday during dem- the grieving mother. Moham- chestrating the protests and reforms proposed by the prime Paris police told Reuters that offi cers had de- Iran. onstrations east of Jabalia in ed, a 12-year-old friend also says it is merely protecting its minister. But the Islamist Ennahda tained a dozen individuals outside the embassy but France has been one of the strongest advocates northern Gaza, becoming one from Jabalia refugee camp, border. Party opposes the calls for dismiss- that they were released when the embassy said it of salvaging a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and of the youngest Palestinians said he was with Abdel Aal The Jewish state maintains ing Chahed. would not seek charges against them. world powers, which Trump pulled out of in May. to be killed in months of un- when he was hit. “We were a crippling blockade on Gaza rest along the frontier. throwing stones at the fence,” which it says is necessary to GOVERNANCE Hundreds of family mem- he said, referring to the heavi- isolate Hamas, with whom it bers and friends attended the ly-guarded Israeli border line. has fought three wars since Newly-appointed funeral, with some calling for The friend said Shadi had 2008. Critics say it amounts revenge. “God burn those that been hit by a tear gas grenade to collective punishment of Sudan minister German minister can’t rule out burned my heart and killed fi red by Israeli soldiers and the coastal enclave’s 2mn rejects post my son,” said his mother collapsed instantly. He was residents. Abdullah Hamduk, named as longer-term Mideast military role finance minister in Sudan’s new administration, has formally declined the appointment, state Reuters we must bring this deployment sanctioned by the United Na- news agency SUNA reported yes- Azraq, Jordan to a successful end. I don’t want tions. Two sons of Mubarak arrested terday. Hamduk was the former to rule the idea out, let me put it Germany, under pressure executive secretary of the United this way.” from the United States to Nations Economic Commission erman Defence Minis- Von der Leyen and other boost defence spending and for alleged stock manipulation for Africa. Sudan’s President Omar ter Ursula von der Leyen German officials on Wednes- take on more responsibility al-Bashir instead tasked Prime Gyesterday said she could day called for concerted ef- within Nato, did not take part Minister Moataz Moussa Abdullah not rule out a longer-term de- forts to prevent chemical in April military strikes by US, AFP post on Twitter, voicing hope that “the truth with managing the aff airs of the ployment of German forces in weapons being used in Syria, French and British forces on Cairo will be revealed one day”. After three dec- finance ministry, SUNA said later the Middle East, amid a broad- and Chancellor Angela Merkel Syria after a chemical weap- ades in power, Hosni Mubarak was deposed yesterday. er debate about a role for Ger- said Germany could not simply ons attack. during Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising. many in possible military ac- look away if such attacks took The United States has pledged he two sons of former Egyptian presi- Gamal Mubarak had headed a key ruling party CONFLICT tion Syria. place. to surpass that if Syria uses dent Hosni Mubarak were arrested yes- committee and was long seen as his father’s Von der Leyen spoke during The German government said chemical weapons again. Tterday for alleged stock manipulation, a successor. Older brother Alaa stayed out of Houthis launch a visit to the Azraq air base in it was in talks with the United Washington last month asked judicial source said. politics but is accused of having amassed a Jordan where some 300 German States and other allies about Berlin about its willingness to Gamal and Alaa Mubarak are accused along fortune through his father’s contacts. After missile at Saudi’s troops support a refueling plane possible participation in military participate in military action to- with three other people of failing to notify the being held in 2011 for a number of alleged Jizan province and four Tornado warplanes intervention if chemical weap- gether with France and Britain, stock market of agreements to acquire majority crimes, the two sons had spells in provisional that fl y reconnaissance missions ons were used in attacks on Idlib, if another chemical weapons at- stakes in several banks through front compa- detention. The Houthi movement said as part of US led-coalition op- the last major rebel-held enclave tack took place. nies. The accused attended a hearing at a crim- Alongside their father, Alaa and Gamal Mu- it had fired a missile at Jizan erations against Islamic State in in Syrian. A leaked report about the inal court in Cairo where a judge ordered their barak were sentenced in May 2015 to three years Industrial City in southern Saudi Iraq and Syria. The news has divided the query has triggered emotional arrest, and they will be transferred to custody, in jail for diverting more than $11.5mn (10mn Arabia, the group said via its Asked if Germany needed German ruling coalition, with debate in a country whose Nazi the same judicial source said. euros) in public money to maintain presidential Al-Masirah TV station yesterday. a strategic base in the Middle the Social Democrats, ruling past keeps military action a sen- The next hearing has been set for October 20. palaces. Their sentences were covered by time There were no immediate re- East, von der Leyen said, “First any such action out unless it is sitive issue. Alaa Mubarak confirmed his detention in a already served. ports of damage or casualties. Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 9 AFRICA Exiled leader of armed Ethiopia rebels back home amid reforms

By Aaron Maasho, Reuters a military standoff over a border Addis Ababa dispute with Eritrea, reshaping the political landscape in the Horn of Africa. he exiled leadership of the The prime minister’s chief of Oromo Liberation Front staff Fitsum Arega used his Twitter T(OLF), which had previously feed to welcome the OLF leaders been declared a terrorist move- back to Ethiopia. ment by the Ethiopian govern- “A peaceful contest of ideas will ment, returned home yesterday, move us from a culture of confl ict marking another step in political into a culture of peace,” Fitsum reforms driven by the new prime wrote. minister. The OLF declared a unilateral The OLF had fought an insur- ceasefi re in July after parliament gency for self-determination for removed it from a list of banned the Oromo — the Horn of Africa terrorist groups. country’s largest ethnic group — Abiy took offi ce in April and his for over three decades. reforms have included extending The group was initially part of an olive branch to dissidents over- a transitional government set up seas. in 1991 by rebels that drove dicta- The OLF is the second exiled tor Mengistu Haile Mariam from opposition group to head back to power, but they soon fell out with Ethiopia in a week, with the lead- the coalition. ership of previously outlawed Pa- OLF leader Dawud Ibsa arrived triotic Ginbot 7 arriving a week yesterday in the capital Addis Aba- People gather to celebrate the return of the formerly banned anti-government group the Oromo Liberation ago. ba aboard an Ethiopian Airlines Front at Mesquel Square in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The government had labelled plane. the group as a “terrorist move- Tens of thousands of support- “We want to play a role in the re- the OLF signed an agreement with ic relations, reform institutions ment” in under an anti-terrorism ers attended a rally celebrating his construction of the country,” Ibsa the government to end hostilities, and open up parts of the state- law that rights watchdogs said was return from neighbouring Eritrea, told reporters upon his arrival. part of a drive by Prime Minister controlled economy. used indiscriminately to silence where he has lived in exile. His return comes a month after Abiy Ahmed to improve diplomat- Abiy has also worked to mend dissent.

Nigerians hail fi nance minister’s ouster over forgery claim

AFP the minister had come under pres- and prosecution for deserting na- “Now that she has admitted that similar infractions should follow Lagos sure in recent weeks since inde- tional service”. the document was forged, the secu- suit,” he said. In Nigeria, it is not pendent online newspaper Premi- The party accused the Buhari rity agencies should do the needful common for indicted public offi - um Times accused her of obtaining administration of “shielding its by arresting and prosecuting her.” cials to resign from their jobs. igerians yesterday wel- a fake exemption certifi cate from many fraudulent and corrupt of- Debo Adeniran of the Centre for Eze Onyekpere of the Centre comed the resignation the National Youths Service Corps. fi cials” alleging it would now help Anti-Corruption and Open Lead- for Social Justice saw the alleged Nof fi nance minister Kemi Under the scheme introduced her evade prosecution. ership lobby group said the minis- forgery as “a dent on the image of Adeosun, accused of forging a in the 1970s to foster unity after a Lagos lawyer Ebun-olu Adeg- ter should have quit as soon as the President Buhari who has simply document to avoid compulsory 30-month civil war, graduates un- boruwa told AFP the minister’s de- scandal broke. left it to drag for so long.” national service, as the opposition der 30 serve the nation for one year. parture had left “an indelible mark “She waited until a panel was Adeosun is credited with help- called for her to be prosecuted. Adeosun, who studied abroad, on the integrity and anti-corrup- raised which indicted her. Perhaps ing Nigeria out of recession, plug- The scandal surrounding the did not return to Nigeria until she tion crusade of this government”. she was hoping Buhari would in- ging leakages in fi nances and shor- key cabinet member was seen as was 34 and did not serve the man- He said she wouldn’t have resigned tervene to save her,” he said. ing up foreign reserves. a blow to President Muhammadu datory one year. without pressure from civil society Adeniran however commended Buhari, who came to power in Buhari who is seeking re-election The main opposition party re- groups. Adeosun for resigning and ap- 2015 on an anti-graft platform, in February. placed by Buhari’s All Progressive “For four months, the presiden- pealed to the government to par- faces a formidable election chal- Britain-born Adeosun, 51, said Congress in 2015 said yesterday the cy was dilly-dallying on the mat- don her. lenge next year from an array of in a letter to Buhari late Friday she resignation was belated. ter until the civil society groups “That she resigned at all means PDP candidates, including former was quitting to protect govern- The Peoples Democratic Party mounted pressure on her to re- she is a woman of honour and oth- vice president Atiku Abubakar and ment integrity. Appointed in 2015, called for her “immediate arrest sign,” he said. er senior government offi cials with Senate president Bukola Saraki.

Kenya islanders build recycled plastic boat to highlight pollution

By Baz Ratner, Reuters and fi nd their own ways to re-pur- Lamu, Kenya pose already-used plastics,” said Ben Morrison, the founder of the FlipFlopi project. enyan islanders have built a Morrison, who spent a decade boat made entirely of recy- building a travel business focused Kcled plastic collected during on Africa, turned to constructing clean-ups of the ocean to highlight colourful boats in 2016, when he the growing menace of plastic noticed alarming pollution along waste that ends up in the sea. the Kenyan coast. Last year, the Kenyan govern- The team used Kenyan facili- ment imposed the world’s tough- ties and technologies to recycle est law against plastic bags, with the plastic waste, and was led off enders — including producers, by local boat builder Ali Abdalla retailers, and ordinary Kenyans Skanda. — risking imprisonment for up to “We are proud to be a guide to four years or fi nes of $40,000, in a the world and its inhabitants dur- bid to reduce plastic pollution. ing this vital time of challenge for Many bags drift into the ocean, our ocean environment,” Skanda strangling turtles, suff ocating sea- said, adding they had received birds and fi lling the stomachs of support from around the world as dolphins and whales. they built the boat. The construction of the boat has Najib Balala, the Kenyan tour- been dubbed the FlipFlopi project ism minister, praised the team because of the hundreds of recycled when he attended the launch at plastic sandals that cover the vessel. Lamu island, a protected world The 9m sailing dhow, which the heritage site popular with local and team built from over 10 tonnes of foreign holidaymakers, on Kenya’s plastic waste, sailed for the fi rst People push Flipflopi into the water for its first voyage on the island of Lamu, Kenya. far north coastline. time yesterday in the waters off Tourism is one of the top hard Kenya’s Lamu island. which environmental groups carry cluding red, green, blue and yel- other parts. “We hope people currency earners for Kenya and of- Its launch coincided with inter- out activities to tackle pollution. low, due to the re-purposed fl ip around the globe are inspired by fi cials in Nairobi are keen to protect national World Cleanup Day, during The boat is a riot of colour, in- fl ops used to cover the hull and our beautiful multicoloured boat beach resorts along the coastline.

Hundreds of Burundians join anti-UN protests

AFP liament condemned the report, ing an investigation by the Interna- Nairobi saying it aimed at undermin- tional Criminal Court, which Burundi ing the government and creating last year became the fi rst nation to “chaos”. leave. undreds of Burundians The following day, the government The UN report accused Nkurun- yesterday took part in declared as personae non gratae three ziza of engaging in hate speech, H government-organised UN rights investigators, with Foreign triggering suspected crimes against protests against a UN report that Minister Ezechiel Nibigira saying humanity. blamed President Pierre Nkurun- their report was “defamatory and de- Speaking in parliament, Interior ziza for fuelling hatred and vio- ceitful”. Minister Pascal Barandagiye said lence. Burundi has been widely criti- the UN investigators must ask God’s Around a thousand people cised for alleged rights abuses com- forgiveness for questioning Nkurun- heeded the call to take to the mitted since 2015, but has been in- ziza “otherwise they will be punished streets of the capital, Bujumbura, censed by this latest report which without delay”. with other gatherings held else- points the finger squarely at Nku- The majority of the alleged viola- where in the restive central Afri- runziza. tions were committed by members can nation. The country plunged into crisis of the national intelligence service, The demonstrations peaked days in 2015 after Nkurunziza sought a police and military, as well as the Im- of protests against the UN Human fi ercely contested third term in offi ce bonerakure, the ruling party’s youth Rights Council which, is due to hear that his opponents said was uncon- wing, described as a militia by the tomorrow from a government delega- stitutional. UN. tion which is expected to reject the Turmoil since then has killed at Burundi on Friday threatened to report. least 1,200 people, and has forced quit the UN rights body accusing it of Last Tuesday, Burundi’s par- 400,000 to fl ee their homes, trigger- “politicisation”. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, September 16, 2018 AMERICAS

JUSTICE SHORT SHRIFT MYSTERY GRAFT NO PERMIT Muslims win compensation Cuban workers sell 15,000 Public in dark over closure El Salvador seeks extradition Foreign journalists freed over prayers at workplace apples to one client, sacked of solar observatory of former president Funes from Venezuela detention

Cargill Meat Solutions will pay a total of $1.5mn Several employees of a Cuban supermarket have A New Mexico observatory aimed at unlocking the El Salvador’s attorney general has asked a judge to Two British journalists and an Argentine were to 138 Muslim workers who were fired after been fired for selling 15,000 apples to a single sun’s secrets has been shut indefinitely by the US approve a request for former President Mauricio freed on Friday eight hours after being detained by walking off the job in a dispute over prayer customer in a country regularly plagued by food Federal Bureau of Investigation over an undisclosed Funes to be extradited home to face corruption the Venezuelan military, the national press union breaks at a Colorado meat-packing plant in 2015, shortages. State news outlet Granma reported security issue, leaving it at the centre of its own charges, prosecutors said on Friday, days after his (SNTP) said. Argentine Laura Saravia along with the company said on Friday. The dispute arose on Friday that the employees involved were let mystery. The Sunspot Solar Observatory, near immediate predecessor was jailed for ten years. British nationals Barney Green and Dan Rivers were after the workers, mostly Somali immigrants, go after news of the sale first broke on the blog Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Leftist Funes, who governed El Salvador between released after being held incommunicado, the were dismissed after they staged a three-day of a Cuban journalist. A group of “young, husky Range, sits atop the Sacramento mountains in 2009 and 2014 and is currently in Nicaragua, is SNTP said on Twitter. They were detained “as they walkout over what they said were insuff icient people” who were “organised in a quasi-military” southern New Mexico. It has been closed since the accused of embezzlement and money laundering left the country” after having been in “Venezuela prayer breaks at a plant in Fort Morgan, northeast way appeared at the store and bought 150 FBI evacuated staff on September 6. The facility’s involving $351mn, the prosecutors’ off ice said. for three days reporting on tourism,” the union of Denver. The federal Equal Employment cases of 100 apples, according to journalist Iorel location, near military installations two hours’ drive Last week, the attorney general’s off ice won a said earlier. Three people hired as security by the Opportunity Commission said that it had Sanchez, who said all the fruit was for a single from the town of Roswell, has sparked speculation case against former President Antonio Saca, who journalists were arrested on Wednesday, it said. “reasonable cause to believe that Somali, African customer. The buyer paid the equivalent of 45 on social media. “Sounds like a case for Mulder & pleaded guilty to similar charges. El Salvador Several foreign journalists have been deported by and Muslim employees were harassed, denied cents per apple, according to receipts published Scully,” tweeted Ian Caverney, referring to the 1990s has said that its own institutions are capable of Venezuelan authorities in recent years for working their requests for prayer breaks and fired.” in the blog post. science fiction television series The X-Files. bringing corrupt politicians to justice. in the country without the required permits.

Kavanaugh Deadly Florence trudges inland in denies alleged Carolinas with ‘epic’ rain, fl ooding 1980s sexual

Reuters The National Hurricane Center assault report Wilson, North Carolina said the storm would dump as much as 76cm to 102cm of rain on the southeastern coast of North Carolina AFP ropical Storm Florence yes- and part of northeastern South Caro- Washington terday trudged inland, fl ood- lina, as well as up to 25cm in south- Ting rivers and towns, toppling western Virginia. trees and cutting power to nearly a At 11am yesterday, the hurricane resident Donald Trump’s conserva- million homes and businesses as it centre said Florence had maximum tive pick for the Supreme Court Brett dumped huge amounts of rain on sustained winds near 75kph and con- PKavanaugh denied Friday involvement North and South Carolina, causing tinued to produce catastrophic fl ood- in an alleged sexual assault on a woman while fi ve deaths. ing in the Carolinas. they were in high school in the 1980s. “This system is unloading epic It said it was located about 65km In a statement released to US media, Ka- amounts of rainfall, in some places west of Myrtle Beach, South Caro- vanaugh rejected the woman’s claim, made measured in feet and not inches,” lina, and forecasters predicted a slow in a letter to the Democrats vetting his North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper westward march. nomination, that he tried to force himself told a news briefi ng about a storm that Cooper said many people in his on her during a party. forecasters said was 480km wide. state who may think the storm has “I categorically and unequivocally deny Florence diminished from hur- missed them have not yet seen its this allegation. I did not do this back in high ricane strength as it came ashore on actual threat to their regions, advis- school or at any time,” Kavanaugh said in Friday, but the large storm’s slow ing residents inland that “rivers will the statement. progress across the two states could rise days after the rain has stopped,” The allegation came just one week before leave much of the region under water reaching their highest level days from the Senate Judiciary Committee is to vote in the coming days, according to fore- now. on his nomination. casters. He said fi ve deaths were confi rmed If approved by the committee and the Along coastal communities, people from the storm and “several others whole Senate, as expected, Kavanaugh is trapped in homes by relentless fl ood are under investigation.” likely to decidedly tilt the court to the con- waters awaited rescue, and tens of “Remember most storm deaths oc- servatives for years to come. thousands hunkered down in shelters cur from drowning in fresh water, of- Democrats fi ghting the nomination say after fl eeing their homes as the storm ten in cars. Don’t drive across stand- Volunteers help rescue residents and their pets from their flooded homes during Hurricane Florence in New Bern, that could turn the court away from guar- approached. ing or moving water,” the governor North Carolina. anteed abortion rights, against programs In Wilmington, a city of about said, urging people to heed evacua- that benefi t disadvantaged minorities, and 120,000 people on North Carolina’s tion orders. Wilmington. The child’s injured fa- than 100 people were rescued from nearly 814,000 customers were with- for greater presidential immunity from the Atlantic coastline along the Cape Fear “Please be safe and be smart and ther was hospitalised. fl oods and the downtown area was out power. law. River that is home to historic man- use your common sense,” Cooper In Pender County, a woman died of under water by Friday afternoon. The fi gure for South Carolina was On Thursday, Senator Dianne Feinstein, sions and even a decommissioned added. a heart attack. Paramedics trying to A town spokesman said between 170,000. the senior Democrat on the Judiciary Com- World War II-era battleship, streets On Thursday, Florence was a Cate- reach her were blocked by debris. 60 and 75 people were awaiting res- More than 22,600 people in North mittee, announced cryptically that she had were strewn with downed tree limbs gory 3 hurricane on the fi ve-step Saf- Two people died in Lenoir County. cue yesterday morning. Carolina were housed in 150 shel- forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Inves- and carpeted with leaves and other fi r-Simpson scale with 193kph winds. A 78-year-old man was electrocuted New Bern’s mayor said 4,200 ters statewide, including schools, tigation “information from an individual debris. It was downgraded to Category 1 attempting to connect extension homes were damaged in the city. churches and Wake Forest Univer- concerning the nomination.” Electricity remained out for much before coming ashore on Friday near cords while another man died when Some local residents described a sity’s basketball arena. The information came from an individ- of the city, with power lines lying Wrightsville Beach close to Wilming- he was blown down by high winds harrowing retreat as the storm hit In South Carolina, there were 7,000 ual who wanted to remain anonymous and across many roads like wet strands of ton, North Carolina. while checking on his hunting dogs, a early on Friday. people staying in shelters. had declined to press the issue themselves, spaghetti. The hurricane centre downgraded county spokesman said. “It was pitch black and I was just The White House said yesterday Feinstein said. “The fact that there haven’t been Florence to a tropical storm later in In New Bern, at the confl uence of scared out of my mind,” said Tracy President Donald Trump had ap- According to an account in The New more deaths and damage is amaz- the day. the Neuse and Trent rivers in North Singleton, who with her family later proved making federal funding avail- Yorker, the incident happened while Ka- ing and a blessing,” Rebekah Roth About 10mn people could be af- Carolina, the storm surge over- drove through torrential rain and high able in some counties. vanaugh, now 53, attended the elite Geor- said yesterday while walking around fected by the storm. whelmed the town of 30,000. winds from her home near New Bern Trump, who spoke with state and getown Preparatory Catholic all-boys high Wilmington’s Winoca Terrace neigh- A mother and baby were killed Offi cials in New Bern, which dates to a hotel some nearly 130km away. local offi cials on Friday, plans a visit school in suburban Washington. borhood. when a tree fell on their home in to the early 18th century, said more Authorities in North Carolina said to the region next week. The woman, from a nearby high school, was allegedly at a party where the youths were drinking alcohol. In a room with the woman, Kavanaugh and another male teen turned up the mu- sic and placed their hands over her mouth so that no one could hear, and Kavanaugh “attempted to force himself on her,” The New Yorker reported, citing the woman’s account. She struggled with them and es- caped, the account said. The woman “said that the memory had been a source of ongoing distress for her, and that she had sought psychologi- cal treatment as a result,” The New Yorker added. Kavanaugh was quickly defended by friends and acquaintances from the time who cast doubts on the alleged incident. A group of 65 women signed a letter at- testing to his character. “Through the more than 35 years we have known him, Brett has stood out for his friendship, character, and integrity. In par- ticular, he has always treated women with decency and respect. That was true when he was in high school, and it has remained An abandoned car’s hazard lights continue to flash as it sits submerged in flood waters yesterday A boat lays smashed against a car garage along the Neuse River in New Bern, North Carolina. true to this day,” they said. in Wilmington. 3 shot dead in Mexico City tourist hotspot Nasa space laser satellite to track ice loss

Reuters 10pm, media said, adding that foren- and listen to live music nearby. AFP The fi rst ICESat revealed that sea ice The new laser will fi re 10,000 times Mexico City sic offi cials had counted more than 60 Police blame much of the capital’s Los Angeles was thinning, and ice cover was disap- in one second, compared to the origi- bullet cases at the scene. crime on retail drug dealing and pro- pearing from coastal areas in Green- nal ICESat which fi red 40 times a sec- “People were screaming and run- tection rackets run by violent gangs, land and Antarctica. ond. unmen with rifl es and pistols ning,” said a disabled woman who sells though the government says at least asa’s most advanced space In the intervening nine years, an air- Measurements will be taken every killed three people on Friday cigarettes in Garibaldi, shortly after one of these has links to a major na- laser satellite blasted off yes- craft mission called Operation IceBri- 0.7m along the satellite’s path. Gand injured at least seven in having heard what she thought were tional traffi cking group, the Jalisco Nterday on a mission to track dge, has fl own over the Arctic and Ant- “The mission will gather enough a tourist plaza in downtown Mexico fi reworks. She declined to be identifi ed. New Generation Cartel. ice loss around the world and improve arctic, taking height measurements of data to estimate the annual elevation City, police said, adding that they were The identity of the three dead was Plaza Garibaldi borders one of Mex- forecasts of sea level rise as the climate the changing ice. change in the Greenland and Antarctic chasing three men dressed as mariachi not immediately clear, but the Milenio ico City’s most notorious neighbour- warms. But a view from space — especially ice sheets even if it’s as slight as four musicians who fl ed on motorbikes. newspaper said they were men. hoods, Tepito, home to La Union gang Cloaked in pre-dawn darkness, the with the latest technology — should be millimetres — the width of a No 2 pen- After years of keeping a lid on the Another newspaper said two of the police say is behind a spurt in drug- $1bn, half-tonne ICESat-2 launched far more precise. cil,” Nasa said in a statement. worst violent crime that has plagued injured were women. dealing and protection rackets. aboard a Delta II rocket from Vanden- An update is particularly urgent Importantly, the laser will measure Mexico, its capital has seen homicides Four of the injured were hurt as the In August, police arrested the pre- berg Air Force base in California at since global average temperatures have the slope and height of the ice, not just surge since 2014 to record levels, pre- gunmen fl ed, Mexico City police chief sumed leader of the gang, Roberto 6.02am. climbed year after year, with four of the the area it covers. senting a major challenge to an incom- Raymundo Collins told reporters. Moyado Esparza “El Betito”. “Three, two one, liftoff !” said a hottest years in modern times all tak- “Our data will allow ice sheet mod- ing city government that has vowed a “Nothing like this has ever hap- Since then, the Tepito neighbour- launch commentator on Nasa televi- ing place from 2014-2017. ellers to make better predictions of the clean-up. pened before,” said Samuel, a man who hood has suff ered a wave of violence, sion. “Loss of things like the sea ice that future,” said Tom Neumann, deputy In a statement, police said the three added that he had worked for thirty including several killings. “Lifting ICESat-2 on a quest to ex- covers the Arctic ocean aff ects our project scientist for ICESat-2. victims were killed at an intersection years around the square in one of the Garibaldi, on the edge of the tour- plore the polar ice sheets of our con- weather, and loss of ice that covers Though powerful, the laser will on the edge of Plaza Garibaldi, a major world’s biggest, most populous cities, isty, colonial historic centre of Mexico stantly changing home planet.” Greenland and Antarctica raises sea not be hot enough to melt ice from its tourist destination packed with mari- but declined to give his last name. City, is known for seedy strip clubs and The launch marks the fi rst time in level,” said Tom Wagner, cryosphere vantage point some 500km above the achi bars, just as the capital was kick- Videos on social media and television dive bars, aside from mariachis. nearly a decade that Nasa has had a tool programme scientist at Nasa. Earth, Nasa said. ing off independence day weekend cel- showed a heavy police presence, with In 2013, US civil rights leader Mal- in orbit to measure ice sheet surface el- He added that the satellite should The mission is meant to last three ebrations. the attack site cordoned off and yellow colm X’s grandson, Malcolm Shabazz, evation across the globe. reveal new insights into the ice in the years but has enough fuel to continue The victims had been at a restau- markers where the bullet casings fell, was beaten to death near the square af- The preceding mission, ICESat, deep interior of Antarctica, which is for 10, if mission managers decide to rant when the shooting started around but dozens of people continued to drink ter a dispute over a nightclub bill. launched in 2003 and ended in 2009. area of mystery to scientists. extend its life. Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA At least 13 dead Hit by super typhoon in Indonesia ferry accident

AFP estimated to have drowned in Although malaria is endemic Jakarta 2009 when a ferry sank be- in West Lombok, recent tests tween Sulawesi and Borneo revealed a spurt in infections, islands. another regional offi cial said. t least 13 people have Island declares health “There was a mass blood sur- been killed and eight are emergency over malaria: vey and the entire community Astill missing after a ferry The tourist island of Lombok was checked,” said Marjito, the caught fi re and sank in cen- is battling malaria, authori- chief of the health agency of West tral Indonesia, an offi cial said ties said yesterday, declaring Nusatenggara, the province yesterday. a health emergency after a se- that is home to Lombok. The boat was believed to be ries of earthquakes in July and The incident was being carrying nearly 150 passengers August forced hundreds of treated as a “standard out- off the coast of Sulawesi prov- thousands to fl ee their homes. break”, Marjito said, adding ince on Friday when the blaze The quakes and after- that those testing positive for This photo by Taiwan agency CNA Photo taken and released yesterday shows residents standing amongst debris at Shang Wu fishing started. shocks that killed nearly 500 the disease are treated, coun- port in Taitung county, eastern Taiwan, as Super Typhoon Mangkhut approached waters near southern Taiwan. High waves hampered initial people are estimated to have selled and their surroundings rescue eff orts but 126 people caused damages of 5trn rupiah sprayed with disinfectant. had been saved by yesterday ($337.84mn) to hospitals and Many of those infected had afternoon. public infrastructure, among been living in tents after the Lankan envoy A search and rescue opera- other buildings, on the island’s quakes and did not get prop- tion is underway for remaining northern coast. er rest, making them more recalled for not passengers. Lombok is less developed vulnerable, he added. answering phone “Based on reports from the than its neighbouring island of “When people with malaria Bhutan holds polls passengers’ families there are Bali, which is Indonesia’s top are weak, that’s when issues Sri Lanka President Maithripala still some people missing,” tourist destination. arise,” Marjito said, adding that Sirisena recalled his top envoy to transport ministry spokesman After the quake, aid groups authorities were mapping areas AFP The 800,000 inhabitants of 2008 - the economy, rural de- Austria and five other embassy Wisnu Wardana said. said many of the hundreds of where malaria is endemic and New Delhi Switzerland-sized Bhutan got tel- velopment, infrastructure and, staff for failing to answer his long- Among the deaths were two thousands left homeless were planned to distribute thou- evision in 1999 and democracy ar- to some extent, tourism,” Ten- distance telephone calls, off icials toddlers. Most of the rescued camping in open fi elds, refus- sands of mosquito nets as a rived only in 2008 when its “drag- zing Lamsang, editor of The said yesterday. passengers were found wearing ing to seek shelter indoors as preventive measure. oters in Bhutan, “Land on kings” ceded absolute power. Bhutanese daily, said. Ambassador Priyanee Wijesekera life jackets. tremors continued. However, offi cials fear ef- of the Thunder Dragon”, But it has tried to shield itself Bhutan is heavily dependent on was given her marching orders The cause of the accident Women and children are forts to rein in the disease will be Vwent to the polls yester- from the downsides of moderni- its neighbour India for aid, infra- after calls made by Sirisena to the was unclear. among the 128 people found to complicated by the arrival of the day in the fi rst round of only sation, striving for Gross Na- structure investments, imports embassy in Vienna last week went The Indonesian archipelago have been infected with ma- rainy season next month, as ma- the third election in the small tional Happiness, being carbon- and as an export market, in par- “unanswered for several hours,” of more than 17,000 islands is laria, Rahman Sahnan Putra, laria-carrying mosquitoes breed Himalayan nation wedged negative and keeping tourist ticular for electricity it generates an off icial source said. heavily reliant on boat trans- the chief of the West Lombok in pools of stagnant water. between rivals India and China. numbers down with a daily fee of using hydroelectric power. The source declined comment on port, but safety standards are Health Agency, told Reuters by Assistance from the central The two parties with the $250 per visitor in high season. During the last election cam- why Sirisena needed to contact often ignored and fatal mari- telephone. government includes training most votes will contest a runoff Opinion polls are banned and paign in 2013 India abruptly the embassy urgently or why he time accidents are common. “It’s an extraordinary occur- for health offi cials in the use on October 18, with Harvard- analysts are thin on the ground withdrew subsidies for kero- did not attempt to do so through In June, more than 160 peo- rence of malaria,” Putra said, of microscopes to boost dis- educated Tshering Tobgay, 52, but an observer said that the PDP sene and cooking gas imports, in the foreign ministry. ple died when a ferry sank in confi rming that an emergency ease tracking, which had been hoping for a second consecutive had an edge over its handling of what was seen as an attempt to The ministry of foreign aff airs Lake Toba, a popular tourist had been declared. disrupted by the disaster, said term as prime minister. the economy, with growth strong ensure a change of government. confirmed the recall, but did not attraction in western Indonesia. The local government health ministry offi cial Anung But the keen mountain- and unemployment low. India is unhappy about Chi- give a reason. The boat was believed to be was seeking 3.4bn rupiah Sugihantono. biker’s People’s Democratic Corruption, rural poverty, na’s growing infl uence in Bhu- The Sri Lankan embassy in operating illegally without a ($230,000) from the central “When they started carrying Party (PDP) faces a tough chal- youth unemployment and the tan. Last year India and China Austria is also accredited to UN passenger manifest and with a and regional governments to out observations properly, they lenge from the Druk Phuensum prevalence of criminal gangs became embroiled in a military agencies in Vienna as well as limited number of life jackets help fund mosquito nets, test found more cases, and because Tshogpa (DPT), winner of Bhu- remain challenges, however. standoff over the Doklam plateau Bosnia and Herzegovina, the on board. kits and the emergency re- of this, that area has declared a tan’s fi rst election in 2008, and “I think the core issues in high in the Himalayas claimed Czech republic, Serbia, Slovakia More than 300 people are sponse eff ort, he added. state of emergency,” he added. two other parties. 2018 are the same as 2013 and by both China and Bhutan. and Slovenia. (AFP)

Couple get jail Visitors at library term for attack Taiwan representative in A Kuwaiti man and woman convicted of assaulting customs off icers at Sri Lanka’s main international airport were Japan commits suicide handed a six month jail sentence suspended for five years, an off icial said yesterday. Reuters committed suicide at his of- handling of Taiwan nationals A magistrate sentenced on Friday Tokyo fi cial residence this morning.” stranded in Japan in the wake the 32-year-old woman and her Taiwan’s Premier William of typhoon Jebi, which killed 29-year-old male partner, who Lai was saddened by the news, 11 and injured hundreds this were also fined Rs138,000 ($860). ne of Taiwan’s repre- he said in a statement. month. Thousands were ma- They were arrested trying to sentatives stationed in Taiwan’s offi cial Cen- rooned at a fl ooded airport in smuggle in a Burmese Mastiff OJapan’s western city of tral News Agency said the Osaka. into the country in July without Osaka committed suicide this 61-year-old had only taken Reuters could not inde- following quarantine procedures. week, the government of the up the Osaka post in July, hav- pendently verify the com- The woman was caught on CCTV self-ruled island said. ing previously led the island’s ments cited by several news cameras assaulting customs The offi cial had been an ex- offi ce in Naha, the capital of groups and published on so- off icers who tried to stop them. cellent diplomat “keen to of- Okinawa. cial media accounts. Bringing pets into the island fer help to junior colleagues”, An offi cial of the Osaka Taiwan cabinet spokes- without quarantine clearance Taiwan’s foreign aff airs min- prefectural police declined woman Kolas Yotaka praised can lead to the forfeiture of the istry said in a statement on to comment to Reuters when Su’s performance as a diplo- animal as well as a fine of up to Friday, expressing its “deep- reached by telephone yester- mat and urged its citizens to Rs100,000 ($625). est sorrow and regret over the day. give more support and en- Customs spokesman Vipula Visitors read books at a library in Bangkok. unfortunate incident”. Taiwan media said Su had couragement to frontline dip- Minuwanpitiya said the pet dog It added, “Su Chii-cherng faced harsh criticism over his lomats. was confiscated and later given back to the couple to be taken out of the country. (AFP)

Young elephant Australian state off ers US summons Security Council on N Korea electrocuted ngered by widespread urgent United Nations Secu- companies violated sanctions to the UN Security Council. A young male elephant was reward as strawberries non-compliance with rity Council meeting,” read the on North Korea. North Korea has come under electrocuted in Thailand after Asanctions on North Ko- statement from the US mission. The report - a review of wheth- heavy pressure to end its nucle- stumbling into a drain and rea, designed to pressure the The agenda would be “to dis- er UN sanctions on Pyongyang ar weapons programme thanks crashing into a restaurant sign, sabotaged with needles country to give up its nuclear cuss the implementation and had been implemented and to the sanctions. police said yesterday. weapons programme, the US has enforcement of UN sanctions was compiled by an independ- However, it has also hinted Two elephant handlers were called an emergency UN Security on North Korea.” ent panel - was submitted to the at willingness to ratchet back walking 10-year-old Plai Nam Reuters Licious, Donnybrook Berries, Council meeting tomorrow. The meeting is set for 10am UN Security Council’s sanctions its programme amid diplomatic Choke - or “Lucky” in English - Melbourne Love Berry, Delightful Straw- “Given recent eff orts by (1400 GMT Monday).The Unit- committee last month. overtures from US President around a town in Samut Prakhan berries and Oasis brands of some member states to under- ed States on Thursday accused But US ambassador to the Donald Trump this year. province south of Bangkok, strawberries are believed to mine and obstruct North Ko- Moscow of altering an inde- UN Nikki Haley said on Thurs- Despite the sanctions, North off ering passers-by the chance to he Australian state of be aff ected, according to the rea sanctions implementation, pendent UN report to hide lan- day an altered version of the Korea has never agreed to give feed him for cash. Queensland yesterday of- police, who said the contami- the United States has called an guage that implied that Russian report had been submitted up its weapons. (DPA) But Lucky stumbled into an Tfered a A$100,000 ($71,500) nated fruit appeared to have open sewer and collided with reward for information leading originated at a Queensland- an electric signboard outside to the arrest of those responsi- based supplier. a restaurant, said police off icer ble for sabotaging strawberries Queensland is a major Australia prime minister to chill backstage with US rapper Nopporn Saengsawang. with sewing needles. strawberry producer in a na- “I received a call at 8:30 pm that The police have said that tional industry worth more Australia’s new Prime Minister The meme has parliamentarians lyrics were “just not OK”. appearance in Australia, “to the elephant was stuck in the six brands of strawberries in than A$130mn a year. Scott Morrison late Friday agreeing to legislation in “It’s quite clear that that is not watch, dance, and after in the drain,” he said. “He likely died Australia are believed to be Woolworths Group has re- welcomed an unlikely backstage synchronisation to the lyrics: a song on my playlist,” he later backstage area discuss politics from electrocution.” contaminated with needles moved all the aff ected brands invite from US rapper Fatman “You got a hundred dollar bill, told reporters in Sydney. with me”. Some rescue workers from a and pins, prompting warnings from shelves in its super- Scoop, after the conservative put your hands up! You got a The uproar prompted a response Morrison, a staunch proponent local charity group attempted from authorities to slice the markets, but continues to sell leader stirred a social media fifty dollar bill, put your late Friday from Fatman Scoop, of family values who has CPR on Lucky for three hours fruit before eating. other varieties of the fruit. storm when he took exception hands up!” who tagged Morrison in a softened his image in recent after he fell. “Someone is trying to Strawberry prices have to the entertainer’s lyrics. But the song also contains Instagram post saying: “I am years, was quick to respond, The two handlers were charged sabotage the industry but dropped around the country. Morrison - who has been prime explicit lyrics and references to humbled to have my voice saying he was “definitely keen” with illegally moving the elephant also in doing that, they are ABC News reported yester- minister for just a few weeks - on casual sex - not mentioned in rocking in the highest off ices of for the event but requested a and animal cruelty off ences, putting babies’ and children’s day that wholesale prices have Thursday deleted a video on his the meme - which many social the Australian Government!” family friendly rendition of the Nopporn said. and families’ lives at risk,” halved to A$0.50 per punnet social media accounts showing media users pointed out. The rapper defended his lyrics: song. Lucky hailed from the Queensland premier An- below the cost of production lawmakers raising their hands After just a few hours online “It’s a fun PARTY SONG that has “Btw, probably best to send me northeastern province of Surin, nastacia Palaszczuk said at a in Western Australia, where in parliament to the lyrics from the meme was removed, no NEGATIVITY or HARM in it!!”, the PG (parental guidance) radio home to a famous annual press conference, where she strawberries crops are now Fatman Scoop’s hit song Be with a Twitter apology from before extending Morrison an version next time,” he elephant fair that features confi rmed the reward. peaking, with growers forced Faithful. Morrison saying the full invite to a November festival tweeted. (AFP) a parade by performing The Berry Obsession, Berry to dump tonnes of the fruit. pachyderms. (AFP) Gulf Times 12 Sunday, September 16, 2018 BRITAIN No-fault divorce NHS’s mental health rule mooted to end ‘blame game’

Government proposes families look to the future.” change to 50-year-old Demands for change have service woes worsen laws to avoid marriage mounted after the Tini Owens breakdown acrimony case. Pledge to boost services for anxiety, depression and other Ministers would overcome a – have fl ooded out of the NHS in A record 107,743 vacancies The Supreme Court ruled in undermined by failure to disorders. “historic imbalance” in work- the space of just a year.” includes a shortfall of 11,576 By Jamie Grierson July that the 68-year-old could retain thousands of key A total of 23,686 mental health force capacity in mental health Many mental health profes- doctors and 41,722 nurses – the Guardian News & Media not divorce her husband and workers, minister admits staff left the NHS between June care, he said. sionals say that understaffi ng is highest numbers ever, NHS Im- escape her loveless marriage 2017 and the end of May this year, However, by March this year a key reason why so many people provement said. until fi ve years had elapsed. By Denis Campbell Health Minister Jackie Doyle- – eight months after Hunt’s face lengthy waits for treatment. The King’s Fund health think- ouples who want to di- She and her husband, Hugh Guardian News & Media Price told Labour MP Paula Sher- pledge – the workforce had only Chris Hopson, chief executive tank said staff shortages across vorce will face a less Owens, had been living sepa- riff last week. increased by 915 extra people, or of NHS Providers, which repre- the NHS were becoming “a na- Cconfrontational proc- rate lives since 2015. That is the equivalent of one in 0.5%, Doyle-Price said in anoth- sents trusts providing all types of tional emergency”. ess under proposals put out Gauke said that the time was housands of nurses, thera- eight of the sector’s whole work- er written answer. NHS care, has warned that staff The Department of Health for consultation as the govern- “ripe” for change. pists and psychiatrists force. “These shocking fi gures show shortages mean mental health and Social Care said: “We want ment seeks to end “the blame “It hasn’t necessarily been at Tare quitting the National One in 10 mental health posts the government is woefully fail- trusts cannot meet the rapidly to see parity between physi- game” in a marriage break- the top of public focus as much Health Service (NHS) mental were unfi lled at the end of June, ing to meet the prime minister’s rising demand for care. cal and mental health, which is down. as it might,” he said. “It’s not an health services, raising serious Doyle-Price also told Sherriff , promise to tackle the ‘burning Fewer than one-third of trust why we’re transforming services Divorcing couples are cur- issue I was particularly focused doubts about ministerial pledges the shadow mental health min- injustice’ of inadequate treat- chairs and chief executives be- supported by record amounts of rently required to blame each or aware of before I became to dramatically expand the work- ister. ment for mental illness”, said lieve the government’s plans will funding, and ambitious plans to other on the grounds of unrea- justice secretary in January. force. While 187,215 whole-time- Sherriff . deliver enough staff , especially increase the workforce. sonable behaviour, adultery or “It’s one of those ones where Two thousand mental health equivalent staff work in the sec- “Ministers promised to deliver psychiatrists and mental health “In addition to expanding desertion or prove they have people do worry if this could be staff a month are leaving their tor, the total should be 209,233. the biggest mental health expan- nurses. the mental health workforce, been separated for a minimum controversial. posts in the NHS in England, ac- In July last year, the then- sion in Europe and recruit 19,000 The clampdown on NHS pay the government also recognises of two years – even if the sepa- cording to fi gures from the De- health secretary Jeremy Hunt more NHS staff . since 2010 has hit staffi ng lev- that retaining our skilled staff is ration is mutually agreed. Divorcing couples are partment of Health and Social promised to increase the mental “But more than a year later the els and Brexit may make things crucial, which is why NHS Im- If the divorce is contested currently required to Care (DHSC). health workforce by 21,000 staff workforce has increased by fewer worse, Hopson fears. provement and NHS England and a spouse cannot prove blame each other or The news comes as services are – 19,000 of them in the NHS – by than 1,000. Understaffi ng across the NHS have been rolling out a special “fault”, then couples have to prove that they have been already seriously understaff ed 2021 as part of an ambitious plan “More than one in 10 men- as a whole is the worst it has ever retention programme supporting wait fi ve years before a divorce separated for at least and struggling to cope with a to treat an extra million patients a tal health posts are vacant and been, offi cial fi gures showed last those trusts with high levels of is granted. two years, even if the surge in patients seeking help year and provide 24/7 care. nearly 25,000 staff – one in eight week. staff attrition.” The justice secretary, David separation is mutually Gauke, has said that he wants agreed to reduce the antagonism of citing fault and the anxi- “But the more I’ve looked at ety it creates as he launched a this, the more I’ve spoken to Backstage line-up public debate on proposals to people with a range of views, Boy hurt modernise legislation govern- classifi ed as left or right or so- ing divorce that has not been cially conservative or socially changed for almost 50 years. liberal, there’s been a grow- after The government has pro- ing coalition recognising that posed a new process to allow the animosity that is put into people to notify the court of the system is not doing us any copying the intent to divorce, while re- good. moving the opportunity for the “The fact that more and other spouse to contest it. more voices have been saying YouTube This will apply to marriages it’s time to look at this again and civil partnerships. … the time is certainly ripe to Other proposals include make this change.” stunt keeping the sole ground for Gauke said that the depart- divorce as the irretrievable ment did not anticipate a sub- breakdown of a marriage and stantial increase in divorce pe- Tyler Brooke passed out on removing the need to show titions due to the changes. playground roundabout spun evidence of the other spouse’s The consultation will also by the back wheel of a moped conduct or a period of living seek views on the minimum apart. timeframe for the process be- By Damien Gayle Gauke said: “Marriage will tween the interim decree of di- Guardian News & Media always be one of our most sa- vorce – known as a decree nisi cred institutions, but when a – and fi nal decree of divorce, relationship ends it cannot be the decree absolute. boy was left with serious right for the law to create or This will allow couples time head injuries after riding increase confl ict between di- to refl ect on the decision to di- Aa playground roundabout vorcing couples. vorce and to reach agreement as it was spun by the back wheel “That is why we will remove on arrangements for the future of a moped, in imitation of a the archaic requirements to al- where divorce is inevitable. popular YouTube video stunt. lege fault or show evidence of The consultation will run for Tyler Brooke, 11, fainted as the Models are seen in the backstage of the Jasper Conran catwalk show during London Fashion Week. separation, making the process 12 weeks, closing on December centrifugal force generated by less acrimonious and helping 10. the spinning roundabout forced fl uid and blood into his head, leaving his face bruised and his eyes bulging and bloodshot. Tyler was found by a passing teenager after the youths who encouraged him to try the stunt Ex-industry captain slams leaders fl ed when he lost consciousness. He was taken to hospital where doctors initially feared he might suff er a stroke. In a Facebook post following over citizens’ rights post-Brexit the incident this week, Tyler’s mother, Dawn Hollingsworth, said Paul Drechsler says “It’s an absolute scandal, uers deal, but called on the prime also from the continent. Europe have been used as a ne- that doctors at Queens Medical politicians should be two-and-a-half years in, that minister and EU leaders to drop Drechsler is now chairman of gotiating chip. All leaders should Centre in Nottingham had never ashamed citizens’ rights in citizens of Europe in the UK and their red lines and make a bold London First, the umbrella busi- be ashamed that two-and-a- Drechsler: Leaving people seen comparable injuries. UK and Europe have not been UK citizens in Europe still do not step to secure a deal. ness group for the capital, which half years on this is still going hanging by a thread of She called on YouTube blog- guaranteed have an unambiguous, uncondi- “Red lines are the enemy of a has called on the government to on,” he said. uncertainty is against British gers to stop posting similar vid- tional guarantee they will be OK good deal for both parties. His- introduce a six-year visa to allow “This is one of the great lies values, against European values. eos. By Lisa O’Carroll no matter what. tory tells us when great politi- for the continued fl ow of work- that people came in because of “As for the scumbags who call Guardian News & Media “We should be ashamed of the cal leaders put their minds to it, ers “at minimum or above mini- the lack of controls. people coming in and out.” themselves friends, who laughed fact that we sweep that aside,” he they can achieve extraordinary mum wage”. “Two-thirds who have come Drechsler said that the busi- so loud when he passed out and said, of all involved in the Brexit things.” The Brexit secretary, Dominic in the last 12 months did not ness community backed Cheq- then left him alone unconscious he former president of the negotiations. Drechsler said that the future Raab, recently pledged that EU come from the EU. uers, but said a deal could only in the park, I and the police know Confederation of British “Leaving people hanging by a of EU citizens in Britain is the citizens would not be removed “It’s time we were honest with be struck if that proposal was who you are,” she posted. TIndustry (CBI) has said thread of uncertainty is totally “most important issue for busi- from the country if there is no people about the positive role modifi ed and both May and the A 20-second video shared by that European leaders, including against British values, totally nesses in London” as they would Brexit deal, but he did not say and contribution, our industry, EU dropped their red lines. Hollingsworth as part of her post Theresa May, should be ashamed against European values,” he told be able to adapt to whatever what employment and social research, tech, they make,” he He rejected calls from Brexiter shows her son sitting in a chair that they have not guaranteed the Guardian. Brexit deal is done – but would rights they would retain includ- said. MPs, including the former Brexit in the middle of the roundabout the rights of EU citizens in the Drechsler also said it is time to not survive without EU workers ing the right to bring in non-EU “The UK has totally failed to secretary David Davis, to pur- at a playground in Tuxford, Not- UK and British nationals in Eu- bury the “lies” about immigra- of all skills. family members. manage people into this country. sue a Canada “plus plus” deal, tinghamshire, while it is spun rope in the event of no deal on tion and to tell people that it is Some 40% of staff in the hos- Drechsler said he believed Every other country in Europe saying that the deal was about with the back wheel of a moped Brexit. Britain’s lack of controls – not pitality sector in London are of Raab’s promise is genuine but does, they register them on ar- getting two trading entities by an older boy. Paul Drechsler said leaving Europe’s – that led to the infl ux EU origin. said it behooved EU leaders to go rival, they have a process of con- thousands of miles apart closer As the roundabout spins, more than 5mn people in limbo from Poland and other east Eu- About one-third of construc- much further. trolling their way to get benefi ts. together whereas Brexit was a Tyler leans back with his legs went against basic British and ropean states after 2004. tion workers and 15% of those in “For too long we have used EU “What do we do? We leave the separation of two entities that hooked against its metal frame, European values. He also backed May’s Cheq- the fi nancial services sector are citizens and British citizens in doors open, we don’t even track had been aligned for 40 years. stopping him from coming off . A girl can be heard giggling Ex-PM Blair urges EU to make Britain a Brexit off er and asking: “Has he passed out?” Former Labour prime minister Tony 1997 to 2007, has campaigned Tyler slumps forward in the Blair has urged the European Union against Brexit and warned that leav- Johnson backs May, just not her plan chair as the roundabout slows to make London an off er to help end ing the EU customs union and single and the centrifugal force weak- the “paralysis” over Brexit in the Brit- market could be deeply damaging ens. ish parliament. for Britain. Reuters the policy. It’s not about changing prime tion in June 2017 lost her party its major- The teenagers involved in the “There is paralysis in the British Writing in yesterday’s Times newspa- London minister. ity in parliament, she has faced persistent prank are then said to have fl ed, parliament [over Brexit]. My view is per, he said that both Prime Minister “It’s about chucking Chequers,” he is talk of a leadership challenge which has before Tyler was found by an- they should make us an off er,” Blair Theresa May’s Conservatives and reported to have told the newspaper at weakened her as she tries to clinch a Brexit other passing youngster. told The Economist magazine’s Open Labour, the main opposition party, ormer foreign minister Boris John- an event in Washington DC in the United deal with the EU. “I have posted this video not Future Festival in London. remained sharply divided over Brexit. son has said that he supports Prime States. The United Kingdom is due to leave the for any sympathy but purely in Blair backed calls for another refer- “The Conservative government is not FMinister Theresa May, and that his Johnson quit as foreign secretary in July EU on March 29. the hope that young boys see this endum on Britain’s plan to leave the in disarray,” he said. “It is in a form of opposition was not to her but to her pro- after May’s Chequers proposal, named af- The EU and Britain hope to clinch a deal and do NOT repeat this YouTube European Union in March, after a profound dysfunction that is doing posals for exiting the European Union, ac- ter a country house where it was put for- later this year so parliaments on both sides prank,” Hollingsworth, 51, wrote majority of 52% voted for Brexit in a deep disservice to the nation.” cording to a report in the Daily Telegraph ward. can ratify it before Brexit. on Facebook. “I could of [sic] referendum in 2016. “Yet neither the Labour party nor its yesterday. It called for the free trade of goods with Britain’s opposition Labour Party cre- easily lost my son tonight and “The best response would be to go leader is ahead,” Blair wrote. Following a week in which reports sur- the EU, with Britain accepting a “com- ated another headache for the prime min- wouldn’t want any parent go- back to the people and say, ‘Look, we He said that this month’s Labour and faced of a plot by Johnson’s fellow euro- mon rulebook” that would apply to those ister on Friday, when one of its senior law- ing through what my family are have had two-and-a-half years of this Conservative conferences could give sceptic colleagues to oust May, Johnson, goods. makers told the Financial Times that the tonight.” negotiation, we now know all the op- centrist politicians a chance to tell bookmakers’ favourite to succeed her, Opponents of the plan, like Johnson, party would vote against any Brexit deal Nottinghamshire police said tions, do you want to proceed or do the party leaders that they “do not was quoted as saying that he wanted her say that would leave Britain subject to that May reaches, predicting that the lack they were investigating the inci- you want to stay?’” he said. have indefinite licence to go further Chequers Brexit plan dropped, but not decisions made in Brussels without any of a viable exit from the European Union dent and have appealed for wit- Blair, who was prime minister from towards the extremes”. her. input. would force her from offi ce before Christ- nesses. “It’s not about the leadership. It’s about Since May’s botched bet on a snap elec- mas. Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 13 EUROPE Pope urges mafi osi to repent Reuters Sex abuse claims rock Dutch Catholic Church Palermo More than half of the Netherlands’ senior clerics were tion provided by a victims’ assistance unit set up by involved in covering up sexual assault of children the church. ope Francis has appealed to between 1945 and 2010, a press report claimed yester- “The names of several bishops correspond to those Sicily’s Mafi a to abandon a day, further engulfing the Catholic Church in a global named in a report commissioned by the church in Plife of crime and violence, abuse scandal. 2010,” the spokeswoman said. saying that the island needed Over the course of 65 years, 20 of 39 Dutch cardi- Most of the accused clerics have since died, and the “men and women of love, not nals, bishops and their auxiliaries “covered up sexual statute of limitations has expired in all cases, she men and women ‘of honour’”, abuse, allowing the perpetrators to cause many more added. using the term mobsters apply to victims”, the daily NRC reported. Those still alive declined to comment, NRC said. themselves. “Four abused children and 16 others allowed the It is the latest in a slew of sexual assault allegations Francis, in the Sicilian capi- transfer of paedophile priests who could have caused against the Catholic Church spanning several conti- tal, said that organised crime new victims in other parishes,” the Dutch newspaper nents. members – many of whom go added. People in Australia, Europe, and North and South to church and worship openly – Church spokeswoman Daphne van Roosendaal told America have charged they were sexually abused by “cannot believe in God and be AFP that the church could “confirm a part” of the clergymen and lay people, in what German Arch- Mafi osi” at the same time. report. bishop Georg Gaenswein has called the church’s “own In his appeal, he referred to Other elements were based on anonymous informa- 9/11”. them as “dear brothers and sis- ters”. He visited Palermo to com- said in the sermon of a Mass from brothers and sisters,” the Pope ria’s Ndrangheta, see themselves memorate Father Giuseppe some 80,000 people in the port said in his dockside sermon. as part of a religious, cult-like “Pino” Puglisi, a priest shot dead area of the Sicilian capital. “I say to you, Mafi osi, if you group, invoking the help of saints by Mafi a hit men in 1993 because The crowd interrupted his ser- don’t do this, your very life will for their activities. he challenged the organisation’s mon with applause each time he be lost and that will be your Particularly in smaller towns control over one of the city’s denounced the Mafi a. greatest defeat,” he said. “Today, and cities in the south, they take toughest neighbourhoods. The Catholic Church in south- we need men and women of love, part in Catholic sacraments and Puglisi was killed on his 56th ern Italy has had a chequered his- not men and women of honour; in some cases have also found Pope Francis poses for selfies with youth on Piazza Politeama in Palermo, below a portrait of slain Sicilian birthday during a bloody Mafi a tory of relations with the mob. men and women of service, not complicity by some churchmen. priest Pino Puglisi, during his one-day visit on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Puglisi’s killing by off ensive against the state and Cardinal Ernesto Ruffi ni, who of oppression.” Puglisi refused to play along. the mafia. anyone else who threatened the was archbishop of Palermo from Later, Francis made an un- With little support by the group’s existence. 1945-1967, denied the Mafi a’s scheduled stop to pray at the spot church hierarchy in Sicily, he avoid the snare of the Mafi a, Filippo and Giuseppe Graviano. as Puglisi was dying, he said: Magistrates Giovanni Falcone existence, considering commu- on the highway where Falcone, preached against the Mafi a from asked parishioners to help police The bothers and four men “I’ve been expecting you.” and Paolo Borsellino were killed nism the church’s biggest threat. his wife and three offi cers were the pulpit of his church in the investigations, refused donations who planned or carried out the In 2012, former pope Benedict in bombings in Palermo in 1992. “I say to Mafi osi: Change, blown up as their motorcade rough Brancaccio neighbour- from mobsters, and banned them killing were convicted in 1998. XVI decreed that Puglisi died as “A person who is a Mafi oso brothers and sisters! Stop think- passed on May 23, 1992. hood, then controlled by the Gra- from joining traditional religious All but one received life sentenc- a martyr in “hatred of the faith”, does not live as a Christian be- ing about yourselves and your Many members of organised viano family. street processions. es. and ordered that he be beatifi ed, cause with his life he blasphemes money ... convert yourselves to crime groups in Italy, such as He helped young people in an Puglisi’s murder was ordered One of the killers, who later the last step before sainthood in against the name of God,” Francis the real God, Jesus Christ, dear Sicily’s Cosa Nostra and Calab- area with high unemployment by local mafi a bosses, brothers turned state’s evidence, said that the church.

Bavarian CSU takes tough stance Turkish on migrants but rejects far-right police

Reuters new poll released late on Friday of its leaders joined far-right detain Munich by infratest-dimap, compared activists in the eastern city of to the 47.7% in the last regional Chemnitz in protests stirred by election in 2013. the arrest of two migrant sus- protesting onservatives in the Ger- It showed the AfD at 11%, pects in a fatal stabbing. man state of Bavaria, enough to enter the Bavar- Unrest has continued in Cfacing losses in regional ian state parliament for the fi rst Chemnitz. airport elections, hammered home time. Police arrested six people late yesterday their support for “The polls this week weren’t on Friday after an attack on a tough migration policies while pretty,” state premier Markus 26-year-old Iranian man fol- workers distancing themselves from far- Soeder told reporters at the lowing an anti-migrant rally, right populists who have sucked start of a day-long party con- the local broadcaster reported away their support. gress aimed at rallying conserv- yesterday. AFP The Christian Social Union atives a month before the elec- Seehofer, at odds with Merkel Istanbul (CSU), Chancellor Angela Mer- tion. “But they are a chance for since her 2015 decision to open kel’s Bavarian ally, has enjoyed a wake-up call.” Germany’s borders to more than six decades of dominance in Both Soeder and party leader 1mn refugees and migrants, in- undreds of workers on the state but could lose nearly Horst Seehofer, who also heads sisted that his party stood for the construction site of 13 percentage points in the Oc- the federal interior ministry, liberal values and would not HIstanbul’s third airport, tober 14 vote, a poll showed, as made impassioned speeches to tolerate anti-Semitism, xeno- Activists from the Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions and Citizen’s Action (Attac) one of President Recep Tayyip it bleeds support to the anti- supporters, calling for measures phobia or right-wing extrem- stage a protest yesterday in front of the HSBC bank against its investment in fossil fuel between 2015 Erdogan’s mega development immigrant Alternative for Ger- to prevent a repeat of the 1mn- ism. and 2017, at the Champs Elysee in Paris. projects, have been arrested many (AfD). strong wave of migrants who Soeder blasted the AfD for for protesting at the number of CSU leaders this summer entered Germany in 2015. claiming in advertisements that work-related deaths and poor lurched to the right in response “Those who are not entitled the CSU’s revered former leader conditions, unions said yester- to the AfD’s gains – nearly col- to protection have to return to Franz Josef Strauss would have day. lapsing the coalition govern- their countries of origin, be- supported the AfD if he was still Anti-capitalists target banks “500 workers at the third air- ment – before switching course cause ... no country on this alive. port have been arrested”, Tur- to try to reclaim the centre planet can take in unlimited “Franz Josef Strauss would key’s revolutionary unions con- ground. numbers of refugees and mi- have fought the AfD, and we Reuters “Big banks are a driving force pre-crisis size despite a decade federation (Disk) tweeted. The CSU is part of Germany’s grants,” Seehofer told hundreds should do it too. Paris of fi scal evasion,” said Aurelie of stimulus and there has been Security forces had on Friday grand coalition with its sister of delegates at the congress. “(Expletive) it, that’s a mis- Trouve, a spokeswoman for At- a sharp fall in support for tra- dispersed a demonstration by party Merkel’s Christian Demo- But both men also under- sion for us and we must take tac France. ditional centrist parties, espe- hundreds of workers outside the crats (CDU) and the centre-left scored their opposition to ex- it on, together, with courage nti-globalisation activ- Thomas Coutrot, another cially on the left, as anti-estab- new airport, which was due to be Social Democrats (SPD). tremism amid calls for better and determination,” he said to ists threw black liquid member, said he was convinced lishment parties surge. completed in October, the pri- The CSU stood at 35% in a scrutiny of the AfD after some strong applause. Asoap across the glass- that ten years after the collapse In Frankfurt, home of the Eu- vate DHA news agency reported. front of a bank in Paris yes- of Lehman Brothers the global ropean Central Bank, Attac pro- The protesters complained of terday, one of several actions economy was heading for an- testers strung up “crime scene” work-related deaths and acci- Jailed migrants Czech PM aff irms blanket refugee ban planned in France and Germany other crisis. tape in front of the Stock Ex- dents as well as poor on-site liv- in protest against banking prac- “It’s inevitable, there’s going change and daubed a bull statue ing and labour conditions. set fire to cell Prime Minister Andrej Babis took his decisive stance against the tices a decade after the collapse to be another crisis,” Coutrot with paint. The opposition daily Cum- Czech Republic hosting refugees a notch further in an interview of Lehman Brothers. said. “It’s absurd and we’re not “We want to use this event huriyet quoted live-in workers Six jailed migrants set to be yesterday with the Pravo newspaper. Railing against tax fraud and giving into that.” to make clear that we want a complaining about fl eas and bed deported from Austria suff ered Babis said no exceptions should be made, even for humanitarian mega-investments in fossil fu- The demise of Lehman diff erent fi nancial system, one bugs at the site. serious injuries after setting fire cases, such as Syrian war orphans. els by the world’s biggest banks, Brothers, a US investment that is not unstable, which is The airport construction and in their cell in a Vienna police “Why should we take them in? We have orphans here in our country the protesters in the French bank, triggered the onset of democratically controlled and operating company, Istanbul facility, police said yesterday. that we need to prepare for life,” Babis said, adding that the Czech capital lit orange smoke bombs the global fi nancial crisis from which does not exploit humans Grand Airport (IGA), issued a Police spokesperson Harald Republic shows its solidarity through financial and medical aid and spilled a fl uorescent green which much of the industrial- and nature but is benefi cial to statement saying management Soeroes said that investigators delivered directly in Syria and other crisis zones. liquid on the pavement to sym- ised world has yet to recover. humans and nature,” said Alfred had met the workers and pledged found a scorched letter signed The Czech position is clear, he added: “We won’t take in a single bolise what they called toxic Some key eurozone econo- Eibl, Attac spokesman for taxes to take measures to resolve the by the five Afghans, aged 18 refugee.” money. mies are still not back to their and fi nancial markets. issues quickly. to 33, and one Iranian, aged A spokesman for IGA refused 30, complaining about their further comment yesterday. impending returns. The hashtag supporting the Soeroes said that it was workers, “we are not slaves” questionable whether they had (#köledegiliz) was trending planned to take their own lives, Elysee Palace moves into business of memorabilia strongly in Turkey yesterday. as police had initially believed, or Dozens of security forces per- whether they had merely wanted sonnel, backed by armoured ve- to make a statement by starting Reuters lar points in their mandates. 14k gold-fi lled bracelets with hicles, controlled access to the the fire on Friday night. Paris It is not clear whether his a choice of “liberte”, “egalite” site on Saturday, AFP journalists “We think the men wanted to portrait on posters and mugs or “fraternite” spelled out on said. highlight their unhappiness,” will be positively received by them, the words of the national When the fi rst plane landed Soeroes told AFP. oyal mugs are a time- voters; many of his critics ac- motto. at IGA in June, Erdogan said the The men had apparently honoured tradition in cuse him of catering excessively They cost €250. new airport will be the biggest in retreated to a washing room and RBritain, while the White to the rich and ruling with a All the items are made in the world with a fi rst phase ca- tried to seal the door with a wet House has sold memorabilia for top-down style more fi tting of France, according to the web- pacity of 90mn passengers a year cloth, according to the police decades. monarchs. site, with part of profi ts from going up to 150mn in 2023. investigation. Now France is getting in on France has traditionally tak- the sale to be used to help Some 35,000 people are em- As smoke seeped in, one of the the act, with the Elysee Palace en a reserved approach to retail fund the maintenance of the ployed on the project including, detainees left the washing room off ering presidential mugs and and marketing around the pres- 300-year-old Elysee Palace. 3,000 engineers and adminis- to seek help before passing out, key rings for sale for the fi rst ident, with Macron saying after As well as traditional sou- trative staff . Soeroes said. time. his election that he intended to venirs like memorial coins Twenty-seven works have The six men were seriously The foray into trinket-selling Crockery for sale is displayed in the gardens of the Elysee Palace reestablish the high status of and fl ags, France would not died at the construction site – 13 injured. was authorised by President to mark European Heritage Days, when the Elysee opens its the offi ce. be France without a typically in work-related accidents, the While four were in stable Emmanuel Macron, whose garden, lounges and other rooms to the public. Some of the items on off er French food item being off ered, transport minister said during condition yesterday, Soeroes told portrait adorns a poster cost- are very much for everyday use, one that plays off Macron’s a press visit to the airport last DPA that a fifth inmate, a 19-year- ing €9.90 ($11.60), one of a t-shirts, watches, notebooks, presidential brand commer- including a key ring with a lit- name. April. old Afghan, suff ered burns on host of items on off er to collec- bags and pens, some with prices cially was taken months ago tle red, white and blue etiquette For €19.50, the peckish can However, several workers, 10% of his body. tors, Macron fans, tourists and that might make buyers pause: but the actual launch comes at (€29), a Macron portrait mug pick up a box of seven red, white asking not to be named, told The young man had previously anyone else who is short of gift a blue t-shirt with the word a time when the 40-year-old (€24.90) and a cloth shopping and blue macarons, the sweet AFP yesterday that the ministry gone on hunger strike. ideas. “president” embroidered on leader’s approval rating has bag with ELYSEE emblazoned meringue-based treats that fi gures were far too low and that The sixth man was being treated The online boutique (https:// the breast costs €55. skidded to as low as 23%, below on the side (€15). bakers have turned into a mini- accidents were very common at for smoke inhalation injuries. boutique.elysee.fr) includes The decision to exploit the that of his predecessors at simi- The highest-priced items are delicacy. the site. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, September 16, 2018 INDIA

CRIME WEATHER ELECTION SECURITY VERDICT Man kills brother for Landslides aff ect traff ic Counting of JNUSU polls UP police launch Two sentenced to death not returning mobile in Sikkim, West Bengal starts after 12-hour delay motorcycle squad for 2014 Assam killings

A 32-year old man has been charged with Fresh landslides yesterday on two important The counting for Jawaharlal Nehru University The Uttar Pradesh police yesterday inaugurated A court of the National Investigation Agency clobbering his elder brother for refusing to return national highways connecting Sikkim’s capital Students’ Union (JNUSU) polls started yesterday a motorcycle squad attached to its dial 100 (NIA) yesterday sentenced to death two men his mobile phone in Thane, near Mumbai, police Gangtok with northern West Bengal hit traff ic evening after more than 12 hours of interruption, police response vehicle (PRV) service to enable in the mass killings triggered by terrorist outfit said yesterday. The incident occurred on September badly, leaving hundreds of tourists and goods- caused by some people belonging to a political policemen to access narrow lanes. Uttar National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) 13 in Basse village, around 35km from Bhiwandi laden vehicles stranded. The two aff ected group barging into the counting centre. The Election Pradesh Director General of Police O P Singh in 2014 in Assam. Two others were given the life town, said police off icer Meena Jaywant Shirsat. roads are National Highway 10, which connects Committee (EC), assigned the task of conducting the launched the specialised service on the border sentence. A statement issued by the NIA said that The victim, identified as Dattatray K Pawar, had Darjeeling district’s headquarters Siliguri and polls, said the counting resumed after the Grievance of Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar districts. while Bishnu Narzary alias N Berema and Ajoy borrowed his younger brother Santosh’s mobile northern West Bengal’s Kalimpong with Sikkim, Redressal Committee appointed an observer - who Singh said 45 motorcycles are being pressed Basumutary alias B Buhumbua were given the phone to call his wife. As he continued to chat for a and National Highway 31C that links Siliguri happens to be a JNU professor - to be present into service to enhance the PRV team. By adding death penalty, while Sanju Bordoloi alias Sibigiri long time, Santosh demanded his phone back from with West Bengal’s Dooars and also Assam. A during the counting. Earlier, the counting was two wheelers, the police will increase its reach in and Nitul Daimary alias D Naihab were awarded his elder brother, but he ignored. This led to a heated heavy downpour in northern West Bengal had stopped at around 4am when some Akhil Bharatiya the narrow lanes of the walled cities and villages life imprisonment. The court had convicted the argument and a scuff le and in a fit of anger, Santosh triggered the landslides, off icials said. Landslides Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists insisted on where four-wheelers are unable to move, he four on August 29. On December 23, 2014, NDFB picked up a spade and repeatedly hammered at three places at Mongpong near Sevok entering the counting centre and a demanded a said. The motorcycles would be linked with the militants indiscriminately fired upon people of Dattatray on the head. Dattatray collapsed in a wreaked havoc as a 50m stretch caved in on NH- recounting, accusing the EC of colluding with Left modern control room of Uttar Pradesh police in Hatijuli Shantipur village in Sonitpur district of pool of blood and died soon afterwards. 31C and several trees fell on the road. groups and keeping them deliberately out. state capital Lucknow through GPS. Assam killing six and injuring two.

Petrol hits a record at PM launches Rs89/litre in Mumbai ‘cleanliness IANS New Delhi

uel prices in the country hit a new benchmark yes- Fterday with the price of is service’ petrol in Mumbai touching Rs89 per litre for the fi rst time ever. It was priced at Rs89.01 in the fi nancial capital of the country, up from Rs88.67 per litre on Fri- day, data on the Indian Oil Cor- poration’s website showed. campaign In the other key cities of Delhi and Chennai too, petrol prices IANS In his remarks during video “The way the freedom fi ght- hit fresh highs of Rs81.63 and New Delhi conferencing, Modi said cleanli- ers and martyrs are viewed with Rs84.85, against the previous ness coverage was 40% in 2014 respect, your contribution will levels of Rs81.28 and Rs84.49 and it now has grown to over also be remembered with the per litre respectively. rime Minister Narendra 90% due to people’s eff orts. same respect as a true inheri- The cost of the key fuel in the Modi yesterday launched “Who could have thought tor of revered Bapu’s legacy, be- eastern city of Kolkata rose to P“Swachhata Hi Seva” that we will progress so much cause you have become a soldier Rs83.49 from the Friday’s level (cleanliness is service) move- in cleanliness coverage in the in eff orts to rebuild the country, of Rs83.14. The all-time high in ment by interacting with com- last four years that could not be save lives of the poor and re- the city is Rs83.75, recorded Sep- mon people and personalities achieved in the last 60-65 years? storing the country’s image in tember 11. from diverse fi elds through video Could anybody have thought the world. The recent surge in transpor- conferencing at 17 locations and that nine crore toilets will be “There is immense power in tation fuel prices is largely at- said the country has achieved built in the country in four 125 crore citizens, our enthusi- tributed to high crude oil prices more in sanitation coverage in years? Had anybody imagined asm is on the rise and our pledge and a falling rupee. A weak rupee the last four years than that in that about 4.5 lakh villages, over is to achieve success,” he said. against the dollar makes the im- the last 60-65 years. 450 districts and 20 states and The prime minister inter- port of crude oil expensive. The interaction, stretch- Union Territories will become acted with school children from The price of Brent crude oil is ing about two hours, included open defecation-free (ODF) in Dibrugarh in Assam, members currently over $78 per barrel. with industrialist Ratan Tata, four years?” he said. of the milk and agriculture co- The cost of the other trans- actor Amitabh Bachchan, Ut- Modi said the day marks a new operatives assembled in Mehsa- portation fuel, diesel also in- tar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi resolve, new enthusiasm and a na, personnel of ITBP from the creased yesterday. In Delhi, Adityanath, and spiritual leaders new dream. “Today 1.25 crore high-altitude Pangong Lake in Mumbai and Chennai it touched Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Mata citizens are going to repeat the Ladakh, women swachhagrahis fresh record levels of Rs73.54, Amritanandamayee, Sri Sri Ravi pledge of cleanliness is service. from Dantewada in Chhattis- Rs78.07 and Rs77.74 per litre, Shankar and Dadi Janki, besides From today till October 2, we garh and Salem in Tamil Nadu, against the previous levels of devotees from Ajmer Sharif dar- all will contribute with new en- citizens from Rajgarh in Madhya Rs73.30, Rs77.82 and Rs77.49. gah and Patna Sahib Gurudwara. ergy and enthusiasm to make the Pradesh and Fatehpur in Uttar In Kolkata, it is 43 paise Modi performed “shramdaan” country clean,” he said. Pradesh, volunteers engaged in short of the record high price of (manual labour) at Babasaheb “We can say with pride that cleaning the Ganges from Bi- Rs75.82. Diesel in the West Ben- Ambedkar Higher Secondary every section, every commu- jnor in Uttar Pradesh and rail- gal capital was priced at Rs75.39 School in Delhi after his video nity, every caste, people of every way employees from Rewari in yesterday, up from the previous interaction. An offi cial state- age are taking this big campaign Haryana. level of Rs75.15. ment said the prime minister forward. Whether it is village, Yogi Adityanath, who was in In Hyderabad, Bharatiya Ja- drove to the school and back in city, street or a corner, no part of Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh, said nata Party president Amit Shah normal traffi c without the cus- the country is untouched by the during the video interaction that said both the party and the gov- tomary protocol and no special campaign,” he added. the state would become ODF by ernment are concerned over the traffi c arrangements were made Modi said that toilets can be October 2, 2019, and his gov- rising prices of petrol and diesel for his visit. provided and eff orts made for ernment had constructed over and that the government will The Swachhata Hi Seva move- proper waste management, but 1.36 crore toilets in the last 17 soon come out with a stand. ment aims at boosting public cleanliness is a habit which has months. Addressing a news confer- participation in the Swachh to be included in daily experi- He said cleanliness was a dis- ence, Shah said the rise in fuel Bharat Abhiyan (clean Indian ence. “This a yagna for change in tant dream for 99,000 villages of prices and the weakening of the campaign) and is being organ- behaviour in which all of you are the state four years ago and only rupee were the result of interna- ised in the run-up to the fourth taking part.” about 25 lakh toilets were built in tional developments. anniversary of the initiative on He said the name of “swach- the state by the previous Sama- “We are trying to fi nd ways. October 2, which will also mark hagrahis” (cleanliness workers) jwadi Party government in about The government will soon come the commencement of the 150th will be written in golden letters two-and-a-half years since out before people with a stand,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary birth anniversary celebrations of when the history of this move- the launch of the “Clean India” he said. School during the launch of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ movement, in New Delhi yesterday. Mahatma Gandhi. ment is written. campaign on October 2, 2014.

‘Decision on Rajiv’s killers Parrikar admitted to be taken in fair manner’ to AIIMS in Delhi IANS decisions on any fi les. He will dis- New Delhi tribute 48 portfolios, but will keep IANS eff orts will be taken to proc- ivalan, the state government two or three like Home, Finance, Chennai ess the papers scrupulously. had decided to recommend to GAD for himself,” Lobo told re- Necessary consultation may be the governor the issue of his oa Chief Minister Manohar porters after meeting Parrikar at a carried out, when required, in release as well as six other con- Parrikar, who is suff ering private hospital in the beach vil- he decision on the re- due course. The decision will victs as they had also sent their Gfrom advanced pancreatic lage of Candolim, located 15km lease of seven convicts be taken in a just and fair man- mercy petitions. cancer, was yesterday admitted to from Panaji. Tin former prime minis- ner and in accordance with the The other six are V Sriharan the All India Institute for Medical Apart from key portfolios, Par- ter Rajiv Gandhi’s assassina- constitution,” the statement alais Murugan, T Suthendraraja Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi for rikar also holds charge of minis- tion case will be taken in a just added. alais Santhan, Jayakumar, Rob- further treatment and examination. tries allocated to Francis D’Souza and fair manner, Tamil Nadu On September 9, the Tamil ert Payas, Ravichandran and Sources said Parrikar, 62, came and Pandurang Madkaikar, both of Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s Nadu government decided to Nalini Sriharan, wife of Sriha- to Delhi by a special chartered whom have been hospitalised due offi ce said in a statement yes- recommend to the governor the ran. They include both Indians fl ight and reached AIIMS around to severe ailments. terday. release of the seven convicts and Sri Lankans. 1.10pm. He will be under the ob- A central team of Bharatiya Jana- The statement denied media serving life sentence for the as- All seven have been in prison servation of Dr Pramod Garg, pro- ta Party observers is also expected reports about making a refer- sassination of Gandhi. since 1991, the year a woman fessor of Gastroenterology and to arrive in Goa and meet legislators ence to the federal Home Min- The decision was taken at Tamil Tiger suicide bomber Associate Dean (Research). and representatives of allied par- istry by Purohit. a cabinet meeting chaired by blew up Gandhi at an election No medical bulletin has been is- ties, while also fi nalising an alter- “It is clarifi ed that no ref- Chief Minister K Palaniswami. rally near Chennai. sued by the premier medical insti- native leader of the Bharatiya Janata erence has been made to the Fisheries Minister D Jaya- Jayakumar said the Supreme tute. Parrikar has been in and out Party-led coalition government in Ministry of Home Aff airs in the kumar told reporters at the Court is the highest court and of hospitals in the US, Mumbai and Parrikar’s absence. matter. The case is a complex time the decision was taken the cabinet decision was taken Goa since February. Lobo said that the decision of one and involves the examina- after the Supreme Court asked based on its decision. The chief minister earlier held change of leadership has not been tion of legal, administrative Purohit to consider the mercy He said the governor has to meetings with Speaker Pramod Sa- taken yet and that Parrikar would and constitutional issues,” the petition of A G Perarivalan, agree with the cabinet deci- want and Deputy Speaker Michael continue as the chief minister. Raj Bhavan statement said. serving life term for the 1991 sion. Lobo amid talks of distribution of “This can be only discussed at “The records which are vo- assassination of Gandhi, for The Liberation Tigers of some portfolios currently being a time when he cannot continue luminous are being received release under Article 161 of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was looked after by him. anymore. Till then it is not right to from the state government, constitution. blamed for the assassination of “Portfolios would be distributed discuss. The national leaders will with the connected judgments Jayakumar said though the Gandhi. The Sri Lankan mili- A car carrying Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar heads today to existing ministers so that discuss with the core committee. having been handed over to Raj apex court had given its order tary crushed the Tamil Tigers towards Dabolim Airport yesterday. He was flown to New Delhi the administration of Goa can run Only if a need arises will a decision Bhavan on 14/09/2018 only. All in the petition fi led by Perar- in 2009. and admitted to the All India Institute for Medical Sciences. smoothly and ministers can take on change will be taken,” he added. Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 15 INDIA 2019 diaspora conclave to be bigger event: Sushma

IANS ing the three-day PBD in Varana- On January 22, Prime Minister “On January 24, we will take ister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PBD minister that it should be held Yogi Adityanath, who was also New Delhi si, the participants will be taken Narendra Modi will inaugurate the participants to Prayagraj (as was turned into a biannual aff air every two years with the inter- present, recalled his partici- to Allahabad where the Kumbh the main event where Mauritius Allahabad is also known) for the after the 2015 edition in Gandhi- vening year being used to hold pation in the mini PBD held in Mela will be going on then and Prime Minister Pravind Jug- Kumbh Mela, which has been nagar. meetings with groups of diaspo- Mauritius in 2012 and said with he 15th Pravasi Bharatiya then brought to New Delhi for the nauth, who is also of Indian-ori- inscribed on the Unesco’s Rep- After the 2017 edition held in ra members on various issues the 2019 PBD being held in Vara- Divas (PBD), a conclave Republic Day celebrations. gin, will be the chief guest. resentative List of Intangible Bengaluru, the External Aff airs and he agreed,” she said. nasi, many participants will be Tof the Indian diaspora to Giving details of the pro- The event will conclude on Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” Ministry has now roped in Uttar With the launch of the web- able to trace their roots back in be held in Varanasi from Janu- gramme, Swaraj said on Janu- January 23 with a valedictory Swaraj said. Pradesh as the partner state with site, registration for PBD 2019 India. ary 21 to 23, 2019, will be bigger ary 21, a Youth PBD will be held session that will be addressed by Following this, the partici- Varanasi as the host city. started yesterday 15 and will Many of the people of In- than the past editions with more where Himanshu Gulati, an Indi- President Ram Nath Kovind. pants will be brought to New Giving the rationale behind continue till November 15. dian origin in Mauritius are de- programmes being added, it was an-origin member of parliament During the session, the Pravasi Delhi by special trains to take turning PBD into a biannual af- Minister of State for Exter- scendants of people taken from announced yesterday. of Norway will be the chief guest, Bharatiya Samman will be con- part in the Republic Day celebra- fair, Swaraj said after the 2015 nal Aff airs V K Singh said more eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Speaking at the launch of the and Kanwaleet Singh Bakshi, also ferred on 30 Indian-origin in- tions on January 26. edition, she realised that PBD participation is expected in the during the time of the British Raj offi cial website for the event here, an Indian-origin member of par- dividuals for their exceptional An annual event for 13 con- was not yielding much in terms Varanasi event than the last one to work as indentured labour on External Aff airs Minister Sushma liament of New Zealand will be and meritorious contributions in secutive years starting in 2003 at of results as an annual aff air. in Bengaluru. the sugarcane plantations on the Swaraj said in addition to attend- the guest of honour. their chosen fi elds or professions. the initiative of then prime min- “So, I suggested to the prime Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Indian Ocean island nation. Rahul accuses CBI offi cer of helping Mallya escape

IANS Earlier this week, Gandhi ac- New Delhi cused Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of “colluding” with Mallya to help him fl ee the country and ongress president Rahul demanded his resignation. Gandhi yesterday accused Gandhi asked why Jaitley did Ca senior Central Bureau not inform the investigative of Investigation offi cer of help- agencies about his meeting with ing fugitive businessman Vijay the chief of the now-defunct Mallya escape from the country. Kingfi sher Airlines. He said CBI Joint Director A Mallya, who left India on K Sharma, who is also a Gujarat March 2, 2016, faces charges of IPS offi cer, who was posted in defrauding banks of Rs90bn. the agency in 2015, was also “in Mallya is currently in Lon- charge of Nirav Modi and Mehul don where a court fi nished hear- Choksi’s escape plans”. ing on India’s extradition case on BJP supporters attend a public meeting being addressed by party chief Amit Shah in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana yesterday. The Congress chief also al- Wednesday and is due to pro- leged that Sharma is Prime Min- nounce its verdict on December 10. ister Narendra Modi’s “blue- The CBI spokesman also said eyed boy” in the CBI. that the agency received com- “CBI Joint Director Sharma, plaint against Nirav Modi and weakened Mallya’s ‘Look Out’ the owner of the Gitanjali Group notice, allowing Mallya to escape. from Punjab National Bank Mr Sharma, a Gujarat cadre of- (PNB) almost a month after they fi cer, is the PM’s blue-eyed boy in left the country. No alliance with TRS in the CBI. The same offi cer was in “Therefore the question of any charge of Nirav Modi and Mehul CBI offi cer having any hand in Choksi’s escape plans. Ooops... their fl eeing the country does not investigation!” Gandhi tweeted. arise. Prompt action was taken by But the CBI defended Sharma CBI in the case immediately after saying the lookout circular no- the complaint was received from tice was not changed “individu- the bank,” Dayal added. Telangana: BJP chief ally” but the decision was taken Choksi and Nirav Modi are at the “appropriate level”. under probe by both the CBI IANS during his speech in parliament surprised when the chief minis- “If the TRS government a Dalit as its chief ministerial The CBI also clarifi ed that and Enforcement Directorate. Hyderabad was in a diff erent context and ter suddenly changed his stand. comes back to power, it will candidate. the change in the LOC against The ED on May 24 and 26 fi led it cannot be interpreted as an “Rao and TRS have forced a continue its politics of appease- He recalled that Rao had Mallya was done as there was no charge-sheets against both. understanding between the two small state to bear the expendi- ment,” he said slamming the promised before the 2014 suffi cient ground to arrest or de- Nirav Modi left India along haratiya Janata Party parties. ture of two elections. The BJP party for passing a resolution elections that a Dalit will be tain him. with his family in the fi rst week President Amit Shah yes- He denied reports that the believes that TRS has put an to provide 12% reservation to made the chief minister but “Some baseless allegations of January, weeks before the scam Bterday ruled out an alli- BJP was hand-in-glove with additional burden of crores of Muslims and sending it to the when TRS won the elections, have been made by certain indi- was reported to the CBI. His wife ance with Telangana’s ruling the TRS and alleged that it was rupees on people to further its central government for its ap- he himself became the chief viduals against a senior CBI offi c- Ami, a US citizen, left on January Telangana Rashtra Samithi for the TRS and Majlis-e-Ittehadul political interests,” said the BJP proval. minister. er. The CBI has stated many times 6 and Choksi on January 4. the upcoming assembly elec- Muslimeen (MIM) which were chief. Claiming that the Modi “I want to ask KCR, will you that the decision to change the A Red Corner Notice has been tions in the state and said the engaged in “shadow boxing”. Shah said that the BJP was government provided Rs.2.3 fulfi l this promise at least this LOC against Mallya was taken be- issued by the Interpol against TRS owed an explanation to the The BJP chief wanted to know ready to give a tough fi ght to lakh crore to Telangana dur- time or will make your son the cause at the time as there was not Nirav Modi his brother Neeshal people for imposing additional why the TRS imposed early both the TRS and the opposi- ing the last four years against chief minister?” said Shah. suffi cient ground for the agency to Modi and sister Purvi Modi, who expenditure by calling early polls on the state when the Lok tion Congress in every constit- the Rs15,000 crore given dur- The BJP chief slammed TRS detain or arrest him,” CBI spokes- are Belgian citizens. polls. Sabha and assembly elections uency. He was confi dent that ing the Congress rule, Shah said government for what he called man Abhishek Dayal said. The RCN request against Shah, who was in Hyderabad are slated to be held after nine the BJP will emerge as a strong the BJP showed no discrimina- excesses on Dalits, tribals and “The decision was taken at Choksi is still pending with the to launch the party’s election months. and decisive force in the state. tion towards any state but was farmers. He claimed that more the appropriate level as a part of Interpol. Choksi had acquired campaign, said Prime Minister Shah said Rao had initially He said there was no chance opposed to the politics of ap- than 4,500 farmers committed process and not individually by Antiguan citizenship in January Narendra Modi’s praise of Chief supported Modi’s idea of “one of the TRS getting a fresh man- peasement. suicide in Telangana during the the offi cer as alleged,” he said. this year. Minister K Chandrashekar Rao nation one election” but he was date. Shah dared the TRS to name last four years of TRS rule.

Mulakkal steps down ahead Security forces kill of questioning by police 5 rebels in Kashmir

Agencies “It is reported I am likely to be the ongoing investigation, and AFP longed to the Hizbul Muja- Thiruvananthapuram called for further clarifi cations agreed to consider three peti- Srinagar hideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba by the investigating offi cer in tions on September 24. militant groups, and had been Kerala,” he said in the letter. Police last month questioned involved in the killing of two Catholic bishop accused “I leave everything into the Mulakkal for nine hours at the ecurity forces in Jammu bank employees and police. of raping a nun stepped hand of God as I await the result Bishop’s House in Jalandhar fol- and Kashmir killed fi ve The operation was “a huge Adown from his position of the fi ndings of the team prob- lowing which they found con- Ssuspected rebels yes- success” for security forces, after police summoned him for ing the allegation.” tradictions in the statements of terday, during the third major police said. questioning following protests Media outlets reported that both. gunbattle in as many days. Government forces were by nuns and women activists. the case had been brought to the Five colleagues of the “vic- Hundreds of people conducting a search operation The 44-year-old nun accused notice of the Vatican. tim” are staging a sit-in near thronged a site where security after an intelligence tip when Bishop Franco Mulakkal of sexu- A church representative from the Kerala High Court, and they forces had besieged a group the rebels opened fi re, spark- ally assaulting her over a period India was in the Vatican and was are receiving increasing support of militants, throwing rocks ing the siege, police said. of two years since May 2014, ac- likely to discuss the issue, the from across the society. at soldiers in a bid to help the Anti-militant operations cording to the police report fi led ANI news agency reported. Some priests from the Syro- rebels escape, witnesses said. have been stepped up since in Kerala. The nun had recently sought Malabar church, besides the la- One protester was also killed rebels shot dead four police. The bishop, head of the Ja- the intervention of the Vatican ity across the denominations, in the resulting clashes with There have also been rising landhar diocese in Punjab, re- for justice and demanded the have also joined the campaign troops in Qazigund village, tensions over a Supreme Court jected the charges saying they bishop’s removal, NDTV chan- codenamed SOS or “save our north of Kashmir’s capital Sri- hearing on privileges for Kash- were fabricated by the nun after nel reported. sisters”. nagar. miris that was delayed due to she was accused of having an af- She also alleged that Bishop “We are happy that the bishop Kashmir, where rebel groups the risk of violence. fair with another man. Mulakkal was using “political has transferred his duties,” said have been fi ghting Indian forc- India has about 500,000 Nuns and women activists and money power to bury the Sister Nirmala, one of the nuns es for decades, has seen a spike soldiers in Kashmir, where held protests demanding his ar- case” against him. sitting in protest. in violence in recent months. separatist groups demand in- rest in the past few days after The development comes a day “But he still holds the author- Three rebels were killed and dependence or a merger with which police asked him to appear after Mulakkal’s Missionaries of ity and power. We’ll continue the 12 security forces wounded Pakistan. for questioning on September 19. Jesus congregation claimed to strike until the police arrest him on Thursday during a clash in The UN human rights chief In a letter released yesterday, have conducted an internal inves- and we get justice.” southern Reasi district. last month called for an in- Mulakkal said he had transferred tigation into the alleged rape case The police have, meanwhile, Two others were shot dead vestigation into alleged abuses his powers to another priest who and came out in support of the booked Sister Amala, the public the same day in the northern by security forces in Kashmir would take charge of the admin- bishop saying he was innocent. relations offi cer of the congre- town of Sopore. – claims that were later dis- istration pending the investiga- The Kerala High court on gation who issued a statement Security forces carry out search and cordon operations after five Kashmir police said the missed as “fallacious” by New tions. Thursday refused to intervene in against the complainant. militants were killed in a gunfight in Kulgam district, yesterday. rebels killed yesterday be- Delhi. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, September 16, 2018 PAKISTAN ECP extends overseas Pakistanis registration deadline

Internews cratic right to vote in the by- time window for overseas citi- their votes by using their e-mail. Islamabad elections for 37 constituencies zens to use the iVoting system. He said that the ECP had, in on October 14. All eligible voters will cast partnership with the National The offi cial said that all reg- their votes between 8am and Database and Registration Au- he Election Commis- istered overseas voters would be 6pm – Pakistan Standard Time – thority (NADRA), launched a sion of Pakistan (ECP) has able to use the iVoting system. on polling day. website designed to help and Textended the deadline – He said that a letter had been The offi cial said that overseas inform overseas Pakistanis who from September 15 to September submitted to the secretary of the Pakistanis must have machine wished to vote in the by-elec- 17 (tomorrow) – for overseas Pa- foreign aff airs ministry to direct readable passports, national tions. kistanis to register and be able to Pakistani missions abroad to ed- identity cards for overseas Pa- The iVoting system, he said, is vote in upcoming by-elections. ucate overseas Pakistanis on the kistanis, and valid e-mail IDs in a pilot project and after its fi rst The deadline for registration has been extended to Monday (September 17, tomorrow). According to an offi cial of the registration process and extend order to register themselves as use on October 14, the commis- ECP, overseas Pakistanis have to them all possible assistance to voters. sion would submit a report to The offi cial said that the Elec- stressed that their co-operation allow millions of Pakistani citi- been asked to register themselves participate in the by-elections. The Election Commission will parliament, which might then tion Commission is expecting is important in the success of the zens living abroad to become part as voters by the due date so that He further elaborated that the use special software, which will proceed to enact further legisla- overseas Pakistanis to take ad- programme. of the democratic process in the they can exercise their demo- ECP would prescribe a specifi c allow overseas Pakistanis to cast tion if necessary. vantage of the new facility, and He said that the facility would country.

Govt to scrap Govt planning changes to Rs516mn allocation speed up judicial system for gifts Internews for their early disposal. The minister said that the Giving reference of the Su- To a question, the justice countability Bureau (NAB). and treats Islamabad In the fi rst track, the minister whole procedure from fi ling of preme Court, the minister said minister said that he hopes the He said that a meeting on the said that the main cases will be a civil case to giving defence if any judgment was reserved, Sindh government will also re- MLA draft will be held during heard, while in the second phase should be done within 75 days. it should be announced within view these amendments, as the next week, following which the Internews he Federal Minister for other matters pertaining to stay The issue could be framed three months, and after the Sindh Advocate General has ministry of law and justice will Islamabad Law and Justice Muham- orders and receivership would be within 30 days, and 15 to 20 days judgment, it is not necessary to agreed to them, leaving it to the decide whether to table the bill Tmad Farogh Naseem has addressed, and in the fi nal stage, would be given for witnesses and pass a decree. Provincial Assembly to take it in Parliament or to send for or- announced plans to introduce evidence would be recorded. evidence. Naseem said that two appeals up. dinance. he government has de- amendments in the civil law to Naseem said that a panel of To save the time of the court, are available against the decision To another question, Naseem Naseem also said that there is cided to abolish budget- speed up the pace of pending well-reputed lawyers would be the minister said that the com- of the civil judge: one in the high said that the draft regarding Mu- a dire need of change in the ac- Tary allocation, amounting cases, improving the effi ciency constituted to collect the evi- mission will record mandatory court and the other in the Su- tual Legal Assistance (MLA) law, countability law to empower the to Rs516mn, for gifts and en- of the judicial system. dence that could save the court’s evidence within 90 days, and preme Court. pending for last nine years, has NAB, adding that the govern- tertainment under its austerity Addressing a press briefi ng, time. soon after the judgment of the “If we streamline all these now been completed and would ment will not introduce any law drive. the minister said that a three- “We need the active contribu- court, implementation should things, one trial will be com- be sent to the interior ministry, amendment that may create ob- The allocation had been made phase mechanism to monitor tion of lawyers from across the be take place without wasting pleted within 12 to 13 months,” the Federal Investigation Agen- stacles for the NAB to target cor- by the previous Pakistan Muslim civil cases would be introduced country,” he added. time. he said. cy (FIA), and the National Ac- rupt elements. League – Nawaz (PML-N) gov- ernment, which was approved by parliament. Of the total allocation, Rs3.5mn had been earmarked Well met under the heading of entertain- Donations from abroad for ment and gifts at the disposal of the Prime Minister House. The issue was brought up at a recent meeting of the cabinet dams amount to $1.48mn during discussion on the discre- tionary funds set aside for dif- ferent ministries and divisions. Internews the funds raised so far are from da with Rs13.3mn, Australia During the meeting, the cabi- Islamabad local donors. with Rs7.2mn, and Qatar with net was informed that the Fi- According to experts, the Rs4.4mn. nance Division had been directed construction of the Diamer From overseas Pakistanis to work out in detail the funding otal donations from Bhasha Dam alone will require in Turkey, the fund received for ministries and divisions that abroad for the Prime $14bn, which is equivalent to only Rs3,500, from Brazil only could be termed discretionary TMinister and Chief Jus- Rs1,750bn. Rs1,500, and from Jordan and present it before the cabinet tice of Pakistan’s Dam fund So far Rs3.2bn have been col- Rs10,000. within a week. amounted to only $1.48mn lected, which includes the lead- Interestingly, funds totalling In its presentation, the Fi- (Rs181mn) as of September 13. ing contribution of Rs1bn from Rs33,491 from India has also nance Division informed the Initially announced by Chief the Pakistan Army. been received by the SBP. cabinet that it had examined the Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Circles close to Prime Min- From Afghanistan, Rs3,000 entire budget of ministries and Nisar in early July, the Diamer ister’s Offi ce were upbeat about was received. divisions and it showed no trace Bhasha and Mohmand Dams the progress in the dams’ fund. On September 7, Prime Min- of discretionary funds in gov- Fund was later joined by Prime They said that the fundrais- ister Khan spoke to the nation ernment spending. Minister Imran Khan who had ing has just been started, with in a brief televised speech and However, there was some el- appealed for donations in dol- a large amount received within appealed for donations to the ement of discretionary funds, lars, particularly from overseas days. dams’ fund set up by the Su- which were used for the creation Pakistanis, on September 7. The SBP data shows that out preme Court. of diff erent account heads, like Consequently, it was re- of the Rs3.27bn, the local con- He urged overseas Pakistanis allowances for travel, confer- named the Prime Minister and tribution is Rs3.09bn, which in particular to donate as much ences, seminars and workshops, Chief Justice of Pakistan’s Di- means that in Pakistan rupee as they can to the dams’ fund gifts and entertainment, pur- amer Bhasha and Mohmand terms, the amount donated in US dollars to help plug the chase of transport goods, repair Dams Fund. by overseas Pakistanis is only country’s depleting foreign ex- In this handout photograph released by the Press Information Department (PID) on Friday evening, and maintenance. The updated total fi gure re- Rs181mn. change reserves as well as pro- Prime Minister Imran Khan greets Turkish Foreign Aff airs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu before a After the presentation on the ceived so far, as refl ected on This data was updated yes- vide funding to start building meeting in Islamabad. discretionary funds for minis- Supreme Court’s website till terday, but covers the amount dams, which he said he would tries and divisions, the cabinet 4.30pm of September 14, is received up till September 13. personally oversee. decided to create the Institu- Rs3.2bn – a tally that includes Countrywide receipts show Assuring that he would safe- tional Reform Cell (IRC) under the donations received from that the overseas Pakistanis guard their donations against Pakistan paid dearly in ‘war on terror’: Macron tells Imran the Cabinet Division with the within and without the country. living in the United States are any misuse, Khan said: “If eve- adviser on austerity and institu- The Supreme Court’s website on top with their contribution ry overseas Pakistani donates French President Emmanuel Macron told Macron also hoped that both nations could join tional reforms as its head. does not show the break-up of of Rs61mn ($480,000), fol- $1,000, we will have enough to Prime Minister Imran Khan during a telephone hands on issues of mutual interest on the global The offi ce of the IRC will be the donations received locally lowed by the UAE with Rs30mn build the dams ourselves.” conversation that Pakistan has paid a “high price” stage. set up in the PM Offi ce. and abroad. ($240,000) and the UK with The prime minister had cited in the fight against terrorism. The French president lauded Pakistan’s eff orts in It was also decided that the However, the State Bank of Rs21.8mn ($176,000). the example of Egypt, which According to a statement released by Khan’s fighting terrorism. Establishment Division will no- Pakistan (SBP) shared these Other prominent overseas he said had launched a similar Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Macron Khan thanked Macron for his call, and briefed the tify the cell and work out its hu- details on its website, which contributors are from Saudi drive to build dams using its congratulated the premier on his party’s election president on the regional situation, especially man resources requirement in shows that the major chunk of Arabia with Rs16mn, Cana- own resources. win and Khan’s election as prime minister. the importance of a peaceful settlement in consultation with the adviser on The French president doubled down on the need Afghanistan, in addition to relations with India. austerity and institutional re- to foster bilateral dialogue. He underscored the need to resume forms. He also expressed Paris’s desire to co-operate in comprehensive dialogue with New Delhi to This will be sent to the Fi- Melon market the fields of energy, water resource management, address the longstanding issues, including the nance Division for creation of trade and economy. Kashmir issue. the posts. The cabinet decided that the IRC should undertake a com- Foreign Minister Qureshi meets Afghan president prehensive review to ensure ef- fi ciency in fund allocation. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who The Pakistani delegation also talked about how It also decided that the Fi- arrived in Kabul yesterday on an off icial visit, both countries could fight regional terrorism, the nance Division may process the discussed ways and means to ensure peace and statement said. case for abolition of the budget- security with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, a The trip is the first off icial visit by Qureshi since ary allocation for gifts and enter- statement issued by Afghanistan’s presidential taking off ice. tainment amounting to Rs516mn palace said. Pakistan-based TV channel Geo TV cited the for fi nancial year 2018-19. Ghani said during the discussion that Pakistan’s minister as saying: “Our challenges are similar The Finance Division will take support in ensuring peace in the embattled and we have to deal with them through mutual initiatives to scrap the budgetary country is a necessity. co-operation.” allocation.

Lahore court withdraws demand for new cars

Internews due to the prevailing economic The Registrar Offi ce had total cost of Rs129.414mn. Lahore situation of the country. quoted a manufacturer’s price Following publication of the Local media earlier reported (ex-factory rate) of a car at news and consequent outcry on that the LHC Registrar Offi ce had Rs2.728mn, saying that the total social media, the Registrar Offi ce he Lahore High Court sought the chief minister’s ap- cost of 46 new cars had been cal- withdrew the request, stating (LHC) has withdrawn its proval for the provision of sup- culated as Rs125.488mn. that “due to prevailing economic Tdemand of Rs129.414mn plementary grant for the pro- It had also calculated that the situation of the country, the au- Vendors gather around piles of canary melon at a fruit market in Peshawar this week. ($1.06mn) for the purchase of 46 curement of 46 new Honda Civic cars’ registration charges would thority has desired to forgo the new Honda Civic cars for judges (1,800cc) Oriel CVT cars. be Rs3.926mn, which means a request, immediately”. Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 17 PHILIPPINES At least 13 dead as ‘super typhoon’ strikes nation

DPA ling in as emergency teams were girl was recovered from under a Manila able to reach battered areas. bridge in the swollen Marikina Two of the victims were min- River, police said. ers helping in rescue operations Mangkhut made landfall over t least 13 people were in one of two landslides in Ito- Baggao town in Cagayan prov- killed in landslides and gon town in Benguet province, ince, 382 kilometres north of Afl oods caused by Typhoon 198 kilometres north of Manila, Manila, at 1:40 am (1740 GMT Mangkhut, which pummelled where a 13-year-old child also Friday), lashing the province the northern Philippines for 20 died, said town Mayor Victorio and nearby areas with maximum hours yesterday before blowing Palandan. winds of 205 kilometres per hour A damaged building is seen as the typhoon hit Philippines, in Laoag. out towards southern China, of- A family of four, including an and gusts of up to 285 km/h. fi cials said. eight-month-old baby and a It exited the country at 9 pm More than 4mn people were two-year-old child, were killed (1300 GMT today), with winds left without electricity as Man- when their house was buried in down to 160km/h and gusts of gkhut, the strongest typhoon a landslide in Kayapa town in up to 195km/h, the weather bu- to hit the Philippines so far this Nueva Vizcaya, said Governor reau said. year, knocked down electricity Carlos Padilla. The typhoon, the strong- and communication lines. Five people also died in sepa- est to hit the Philippines so far The death toll would “prob- rate landslides in nearby Baguio this year, was headed towards ably still go up,” said Ricardo City, according to Mayor Mauri- southern China or Hong Kong, Jalad, executive director of the cio Domogan. it added. National Disaster Risk Reduc- Five were also missing, he The weather bureau warned tion and Management Council, added. of “continuing hazards” from noting that reports of damage In the Manila suburban city fl oods, storm surges and land- caused by Mangkhut were trick- of Pasig, the body of a teenage slides, noting that the typhoon’s wide raincloud band would still bring heavy rains over the coun- try. More than 151,000 residents have been forced to fl ee their homes in the aff ected commu- nities, especially coastal areas, according to the risk reduction council. Seven provinces with more than 4.4mn residents were with- out electricity due to Mangkhut, which triggered dozens of land- slides in the northern Cordillera region, including Benguet, the Government workers clear a partially damaged road after the typhoon Mangkhut hit the main island of Luzon, in Sta Fe, Nueva Viscaya. council added. Right: Staff of an ambulance carrying a sick child try to clear a road of debris and toppled electric posts caused by strong winds from At least 28 roads and bridg- the super typhoon along a road in Baggao town in Cagayan province, north of Manila. es were closed to traffi c in the northern Philippines because of streets in the aff ected areas, lo- At Tuguegarao airport, win- At least 182 domestic and erage of 20 cyclones every year, landslides, fl oods, fallen trees or cal news footage and photos on dows were shattered and ceilings international flights have causing fl oods, landslides and toppled lamp posts, said Ruben social media showed. collapsed, damaging X-ray ma- been cancelled, while nearly other accidents. Carandang, a regional civil de- In the city of Tuguegarao in chines and computers, according 5,000 people were stranded in One of the strongest in recent fence director. Cagayan province, the roof of to Transport Secretary Arthur various ports throughout the memory, Typhoon Haiyan, hit Mangled iron sheets, shat- the provincial city hall was torn Tugade, who was among several country after sea travel was the country in November 2013, Residents aff ected by super typhoon Mangkhut temporarily stay at tered glass, cut-off wires and off , and many houses made from cabinet members deployed to the prohibited. killing more than 6,300 people an evacuation site in Manila, yesterday. other debris littered many light materials were destroyed. aff ected areas. The Philippines is hit by an av- and displacing more than 4mn. Police reveal Cavite New charge of sedition Seven mayor’s role in suspected militants deputy’s murder registered against Trillanes By Catherine S Valente killed Manila Times Manila Times Wiliam Segun, provincial Manila police director of Cavite, said DPA the motive for the killing of enator Antonio Trillanes Manila Lubigan is politics as the vice is facing yet another he Philippine National mayor had announced his in- Scomplaint, this time of Police (PNP) has named tention to run as mayor of the sedition. even suspected militants Tthe mayor of Trece Mar- city days before his death. Labour Undersecretary were killed in a fi refi ght tires City, Cavite, as one of the “When they heard that the Jacinto Paras fi led a case of in- Swith government troops suspects behind the murder of vice mayor will be filing his citing to sedition or inciting to in the southern Philippines, the the city’s vice mayor, Alex Lu- candidacy as mayor of Trece coup d’etat against Trillanes, military said yesterday. bigan, and his driver on July 7. Martires, they already planned who is still under Senate cus- Seventeen soldiers were PNP Director General Os- the killing,” he said. tody over an amnesty row with wounded in Friday’s clash in Pa- car Albayalde identified Trece Gemma Lubigan, the wife the Duterte administration. tikul town on Jolo island, 1,000 Martires Mayor Melendres de of the slain vice mayor, said, In his complaint that he kilometres south of Manila, said Sagun as one of the principal “I will use this pain and anger fi led before the Pasay City Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, suspects in the murder based to be stronger… whatever kind Prosecutor’s Offi ce on Friday, a regional military spokesman. on witnesses’ accounts. of justice that we will get is Paras cited Trillanes’ seditious The fi ghting erupted when troops a justice not only for the two remarks against President Ro- encountered about 100 members “When they heard that the but also for the people of Trece drigo Duterte and the current of the Abu Sayyaf group while on vice mayor will be fi ling Martires who received their administration during his re- a combat operation, Besana said. his candidacy as mayor of service.” cent interviews at the Senate. Six other members of Abu Trece Martires, they already She disclosed that her hus- “He maligned the president Sayyaf were reportedly wounded planned the killing” band and de Sagun were feud- by calling him insane, murder- in the fi ghting, including a sen- ing during the campaign period er, stupid, corrupt, incompe- Senator Antonio Trillanes: facing new complaint ior leader who was seriously hit Chief Supt. Edward Carran- in the 2016 elections. tent thereby encouraging the in the stomach, he added, citing za, regional director of Cala- According to her, the two soldiers to lose trust and with- words or language, and resort lish or circulate scurrilous li- Paras, a former lawmaker, intelligence information. barzon, identified the gunman were under the ticket of UNA draw support to their Com- to scurrilous libels against the bel against the Republic of the previously said the charges The military dispatched sol- as Ariel Paiton; Luis Abad, the party-list when Lubigan was mander-in-Chief, who is the president or the government, Philippines or any of the duly stemmed from Trillanes’ al- diers to track down the remain- driver of the black Toyota Hilux accused of betraying the party. president and by doing this, his ardent call on the military constituted authorities there- leged eff orts to prod soldiers ing militants yesterday. that initially collided with Lu- This allegation resulted in Trillanes will be able to lead and the police to disobey the of, or which tend to disturb or to rebel against Duterte and for Abu Sayyaf is the most vio- bigan’s vehicle; Maragondon the removal of Lubigan from in the murder of the president order of the latter, as well as his obstruct any lawful offi cer in supposedly calling the presi- lent militant group in the Philip- Councilor Umbre Arcad, the UNA two weeks before the and overthrow his govern- stealthy proposal to the Armed executing the functions of his dent “insane.” pines. It is allied with the Islamic one who disposed of the Toyota elections. ment,” he said in an interview. Forces to launch a coup… con- offi ce, or which tend to insti- Trillanes is facing possible State terrorist network. Hilux; and a John Doe, a baran- “They made the life of the Paras argued that Trillanes’ stitute the crimes of inciting to gate others to cabal and meet arrest after Duterte voided The group is thought to have gay (village) captain in Trece vice mayor hard by giving him statements against Duterte sedition and proposal to com- together for unlawful purposes, his amnesty over two failed been behind some of the worst Martires who was also a sus- a sub-par office and removing could not be covered under mit coup d’etat,” it said. or which suggest or incite peo- military uprisings in 2003 and terrorist attacks in the country, pect in other killings in the city. his funds and all of his people,” freedom of expression, citing Under the country’s Revised ple against the lawful authori- 2007. He has been holed up in high-profi le kidnappings and The Toyota Hilux was dis- Gemma said. “The People of the Philippine Penal Code, inciting to sedi- ties or to disturb the peace of his offi ce at the Senate since the beheading of hostages. covered in Maragondon, Cav- She announced that she will Islands vs Isaac Perez, GR No L tion refers to a crime commit- the community, the safety and Tuesday last week. Recently, it was blamed for ite, days after Lubigan was run as mayor of Trece Martires 21049, December 22, 1923, the ted by someone who “incites order of the government.” The president’s son, former a July 31 bombing at a military killed, under the Mabaco-Pan- City as a way of “continuing Supreme Court.” others to the accomplishment The sedition case is the lat- Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo checkpoint in Lamitan City in tihan Bridge. the goals of the vice mayor.” “Criticism, no matter how of any of the acts which con- est among the opposition Duterte, meanwhile, fi led last Basilan province in which 10 peo- All of the identified suspects Two counts of murder and severe, on the Executive, the stitute sedition, by means senator’s legal woes, which week a libel case against Tril- ple were killed. The bomber, who are at large, with De Sagun cur- frustrated murder were already legislature and the judiciary is of speeches, proclamations, include the withdrawal of his lanes, a year after the senator was driving a van packed with rently in the US. filed against the suspects be- within the range of liberty of writings, emblems, cartoons, amnesty and a libel case. accused him of corruption. explosives, also died. Police last Lubigan died instantly after fore the Department of Justice speech, unless the intention banners or other representa- Duterte’s Proclamation 572, Trillanes, in 2017, claimed week fi led criminal complaints sustaining multiple wounds in Manila. and eff ect be seditious,” the tions tending to the same end.” dated August 31, 2018, said the Paolo and brother-in-law Ma- against 18 suspected Abu Sayyaf while his driver Romulo Guille- The PNP will wait for a war- complaint read. The charge can also cover amnesty granted to Trillanes nases Carpio were involved in militants, including its top com- mer died while receiving medi- rant for the arrest of De Sagun “Trillanes’ intemperate use those who “utter seditious was null and void from the be- a scheme to extort money from mander, Furuji Indama, who al- cal treatment. and the other suspects. of profane, foul, vile, seditious words or speeches, write, pub- ginning. ride-hailing fi rms. legedly ordered the bombing. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, September 16, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Hungary’s premier comes out fi ghting after EU setback

The European Parliament’s threat to unleash sanctions against Hungary over democracy concerns was a stunning political blow against Prime Minister Viktor Orban, but his dominance at home means defeat can still be spun as a win. A resolution passed in Strasbourg on Wednesday ruled that the Hungarian government posed a “systemic threat” to the EU’s founding values of democracy and the rule of law. The vote, backed by Manuel Weber, the head of the European People’s Party — the grouping Orban’s Fidesz party also belongs to — could in theory lead to Budapest being stripped of its EU voting rights. Nigeria’s fertile region But Orban has pronounced himself unconcerned, telling domestic radio on Friday there was “no danger” for Hungary in the vote and that in any case he would help remove what he called the “pro-immigration majority” at European Parliament elections next May. After the vote, headlines in pro-Orban media outlets turns into killing fi elds accused a coalition of liberals and allies of US billionaire George Soros of wreaking revenge against Hungarians for By Obi Anyadike/IRIN explained Abubakar. who had formed to protect the village his job and govern his people.” daring to oppose migration. Abuja Hausa and pastoralist Fulani com- with locally made muskets. The state government spokesman, “The pro-immigration side took revenge by cheating,” said munities coexist in Zamfara, with The bandits had turned up on mo- Dosara, insisted that Yari is “fully en- Magyar Idok, a daily newspaper considered a government competition over land and water torbikes, armed with AK-47s, speaking gaged” with the aff airs of the state. mouthpiece. t was a set-up and Buharin Daji sources historically managed through both Hausa and the Fulani language, At the paramilitary Civil Defence walked right into it. The notorious mediation. Banditry has introduced a Fufulde, with some taking care to cover Corps headquarters in Zurmi, a bare, According to a TV channel owned by Orban ally and cattle-rustling kingpin had arrived new level of friction between the two, their faces. Aisha recognised none of solid low-rise building, the command- Hollywood fi lm producer Andy Vajna, the premier was for a meeting in the northern Ni- with the Fulani, marginalised from local them. She suspects some might have ing offi cer spoke candidly about the “cheered across Europe” after the ruling. I gerian bush, ostensibly to settle diff er- political power, more closely associated come from neighbouring Niger or fur- IDP camp closure being premature. His In a debate prior to the vote, Orban portrayed the charges ences with one of his senior lieutenants, with brigandage – men like Daji being ther afi eld, in a transnational criminal alarming analysis was that the bandits as an insult to the honour of Hungarians, but a poll in but instead was shot dead. an example. free-for-all. in this region were trying to clear a the left-leaning Daji’s murder in March has had con- Nigeria is a big country that is thinly Asked why she thought they’d corridor along the border with Sokoto Nepszava newspaper sequences in an already deeply troubled policed. In Zamfara’s rural districts attacked Kagara, Aisha gave a now- State and north to Niger – which in- “It’s a national indicated some Zamfara State, where years of building there are likely just two poorly equipped familiar response: “Only God knows.” cludes Aisha’s village. and under-motivated policemen to But “they have our phones and call us “That’s their base. Anyone they kid- 57% of respondents unrest have claimed thousands of lives shame that... and driven whole communities into serve many inaccessible communities, to say they will kill us if we go back,” she nap, that’s where they keep them,” he pinned the blame on destitution. according to Zamfara State government added. said. “(If there’s trouble) they run into Hungary is on trial government policies. This underdeveloped yet agricultur- spokesman Ibrahim Dosara. The bandits, seemingly able to move Niger or Sokoto.” On the street, ally rich region has been unstable for Historically, state governments have at will, took over three districts in The federal government last year before Europe” Hungarians revealed many years. What began as unresolved turned to vigilantes to deliver the man- Zurmi in June, a total of some 18 villages responded to the crisis by sending in an mixed feelings. clashes between Hausa farmers and power and local knowledge the federal and towns. But now the state govern- army battalion. When that didn’t work “It’s a national Fulani pastoralists over access to land police lack. In Zamfara these groups ment is insisting the thousands of it deployed an Air Force special forces shame that it has got to this stage, that Hungary is on trial has transformed into a lucrative illicit are provided with some motorbikes, people displaced by the rolling violence Quick Reaction Group in June, complete with helicopter gunships. before Europe,” said Dezso Hatvani, a shopper at a Budapest economy of banditry and cattle-rus- uniforms, and locally made single-shot should go home. tling dominated by men like Daji. hunting rifl es, but little other support When IRIN visited Zurmi the Although that deployment is hav- market, adding he hoped any sanctions are levelled at the Zamfara is diff erent from highly po- to meet the rising tide of banditry. authorities had just closed a camp for ing some success, “the military can government and not at ordinary people. liticised farmer-herder clashes in other Payment of allowances is often those displaced by the violence in the only suppress the problem, they can’t “It was a stitch-up against Viktor, he shouldn’t ever go back parts of Nigeria where largely Muslim late, they are outgunned, and some local secondary school. Aisha has no in- resolve it,” said Abubakar, the NGO there to listen to such insults,” said another shopper, 52-year- pastoralists push south in search of vigilantes turned on the people they tention of going back anytime soon, but director, describing a balloon eff ect old Orsi Vinczeler. pasture and meet increasingly popu- were supposed to protect – stealing her 19-member extended family was that means wherever they squeeze the “This is a big defeat for Fidesz, particularly as the party is lated Christian farming areas. Instead, and extorting – while also murder- unsure what to do. outlaws just pop up elsewhere. not used to defeats,” said Csaba Toth of the Republikon think- Zamfara is overwhelmingly Muslim ously targeting Fulani. “Along the way, Bala Aruna, the petrol station owner, Banditry exists because it is profi ta- tank. and, human rights groups argue, the part of the vigilante became part of the stepped in after he spotted them by the ble. From around 2011 there was a surge, violence here is fundamentally about bandits,” said Abubakar. roadside. “I said, ‘I have a place you can which some commentators linked to “No matter how they try to spin it — and they will use it for the government’s abdication of its re- Aisha is just one face of the emerging shelter out of the rain’,” he recalled. increasing regional livestock prices. domestic political gain, strengthening their narrative that sponsibility to protect its citizens. crisis. Until a few weeks ago her home “Only God knows when this problem Rustling is now an entrenched and Hungary is under attack from Brussels — they hoped this According to Amnesty International, was the village of Kagara in central will end,” he said. “Yesterday, (the ban- thriving underground business, with resolution would not pass,” said Toth. more than 370 people have been killed Zurmi district. Now it’s a disused dits) attacked people that had returned stolen cattle kept in the forests that dot The setback for Orban is unlikely to change Budapest’s by the outlaws so far this year. Others petrol station in Zurmi town, where home, just 3 or 4km from here.” Zamfara’s border regions (including the approach to its tangles with the Soros-founded Central have been kidnapped and held for ran- she and her extended family rely on the Despite the chaos, which helps keep equally troubled Binan Gwari area of European University (CEU) and human rights NGOs, or its som - payments are encouraged with hospitality of the station owner and the Zamfara the poorest state in the federa- Kaduna State) before being discreetly clampdown on judicial independence. phone calls to loved ones as those being generosity of the town’s people, who tion, Governor Abdulaziz Yari is fre- sold to meet the ever-growing demand held undergo torture. help with food when they can. quently absent. He is loudly criticised for beef in southern cities. “If Orban before the vote did not promise any agreement Daji was viewed as a solution to the Aisha is here because Kagara was for spending much of his time in the “Before, it was the Fulanis that were or compromise, why expect that he will do it afterwards?” crisis. In a case of poacher-turned- attacked by bandits who killed her hus- federal capital, Abuja, where he chairs rustling cattle, then the Hausas joined said Peter Kreko, head of the Political Capital think-tank in gamekeeper, he was put on the state band and then beat her with rifl e butts the powerful Nigeria Governors’ Forum. in. Now, every criminal in Nigeria Budapest. government’s payroll at the end of 2016 when she tried to protect her younger “Banditry is a failure of the state to has come to Zamfara,” said Suleiman With fresh European Parliament elections on the horizon, to help stop the violence he himself had brother by covering him with her hijab. fulfi l its primary purpose of providing Abakar – a wealthy farmer, until his 60 Orban’s rhetoric “could become even more hysterical,” stoked. They shot him and four male cousins security,” Chidi Odinkalu, of the Open head of cattle were stolen. “There is no according to the analyst. The idea was that Daji would use dead as they burned and looted, comb- Society Justice Initiative, told IRIN. other way to make money as quickly as The government had already been framing the pending his infl uence to rein in other brigands ing the village for homeguard vigilante “Yari should go back to Zamfara and do rustling.” In the bad Spaghetti Western that is European vote as a decisive “battle” for the future of the and help with a gun amnesty drive, all in exchange for a salary and impunity. now Zamfara, cattle rustling is not the continent between pro- and anti-immigration “forces”. But this didn’t address the underly- only profi table enterprise. Abakar, the Emboldened by his third consecutive landslide win and ing causes of Zamfara’s lawlessness, former farmer, is now an artisanal gold two-thirds parliamentary majority, Orban has pushed on and the state government’s dysfunc- miner. It’s a job that carries signifi cant with his onslaught against NGOs he accuses of encouraging tion prevented it even from making risk as gold deposits here are usually migration. the regular payments to Daji, Adamu found next to highly toxic lead. Several of the demoralised opposition parties, derided by Abubakar, director of the Centre for The more immediate danger is not some for opting to take up their seats in the new parliament, Community Excellence, a local NGO, lead poisoning but being shaken down have organised a pro-EU demonstration today to celebrate the told IRIN. by bandits. “They take whatever they The death of Daji was the fi nal blow want,” said Abakar. vote and urge citizens to stand up to Orban. to already frayed attempts to forge “There is no other way to make peace. With him gone, Zamfara risks money as quickly as rustling.” unravelling further and faster. The insecurity induces an under- Northwestern Nigeria has a long his- standable paranoia. Everybody IRIN To Advertise tory of banditry. The fi rst recorded case spoke to knew at least one victim of occurred somewhere between “western the violence, and in every conversation [email protected] Hausaland” and the Niger border in mention is made of shadowy “inform- Display 1901, when a 12,000-strong camel train ers” who spy and sell out their neigh- “laden with assorted grains” was at- bours for a share of the loot. 44466621 44418811 tacked and 210 merchants killed. To tackle the broader problem of The tragedy for modern-day Zamfara farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria, Classified is that more than a century on, there are recent studies call for eff ective systems 44466609 44418811 still ungoverned spaces where the state to track livestock movement and trade, is incapable of stamping its authority. new strategies to curb illicit fi rearms, Subscription Control is so weak in some regions coherent political approaches to ad- that bandits can come into rural towns, dress rural insecurity, and policies [email protected] typically three-up on a motorbike, that promote rural development and unchecked. In some areas they lay down diversifi cation. the law and become the local authority: There’s little evidence of any of this © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved “It’s fast justice, and there is no appeal,” Aisha’s home is now a disused petrol station in Zurmi. happening in Zamfara. Gulf Times Sunday, September 16, 2018 19 COMMENT Has Putin’s popularity bubble burst?

By Nina L Khrushcheva match ceremony, while the presidents as outdated, and Putin himself as Moscow of Croatia and France got soaked by the an obstacle to the changes – such pouring rain. as increased investment in social Meanwhile, the Russian people programmes – needed to raise living rom controlling the media to impressed the world with their happy standards. stoking nationalism, Russian hospitality. But it is not just young people who President Vladimir Putin has The bar owners, train conductors, are souring on Putin. Falways known how to keep his and English-speaking volunteers wel- Russian businesspeople are frus- approval ratings high. comed visitors warmly. trated by the eff ects of sanctions and But Russians’ lives are not getting Russians realised that they didn’t angry about planned tax increases. any better, especially after the latest need to win at all costs; they could be Like young Russians, entrepreneurs round of Western economic sanctions great without the Kremlin’s militaristic are questioning whether Putin’s asser- – and Putin’s declining approval rating say-so. tive foreign policy of militant national- shows it. Then the pension reform was an- ism, which won him so much domestic In April, the rouble was tumbling, nounced, spurring a string of protests support in the past, is worth the price, owing partly to the sanctions imposed that drove Putin to pledge to soften the including the actual cost of Russia’s in response to the Kremlin’s alleged measure, while asking for Russians’ military activities and the impact of poisoning of the former Russian understanding. Russia’s increasing economic and double agent Sergei Skripal and his Yet, as of September 3, 53% of the political isolation from the West. daughter on British soil. population said that they were ready to Putin surely knows that his position Then, in June, just as the Russia- protest further. is shaky. hosted World Cup was getting And on September 9, while local That is why police meted out such underway, the government proposed government elections took place, tens rough treatment to protesters, arrest- increasing the retirement age from of thousands of Russians joined pro- ing them by the hundreds. 60 to 65 for men and from 55 to 63 tests organised by the anti-corruption The Kremlin fears not only more for women, prompting an immediate lawyer and opposition leader Alexei rallies, but also intensifying opposition public backlash. Navalny, defying the prohibition of from businesspeople, some of whom The result was a sharp 15-point de- “political agitation” on election days. rank among Russia’s powerful elites. cline in the approval rating of the gov- Navalny himself couldn’t attend the Regional authorities could also begin ernment overall – the largest decline of event, after being arrested for a previ- to sabotage the Kremlin’s decisions. Putin’s 18-year rule. ous unsanctioned demonstration. Putin’s image as a steward of Rus- Moreover, trust in Putin himself But that didn’t stop at least 2,500 sia’s greatness and a symbol of hope dipped to 48%, from about 60%. protesters from showing up on Mos- is slipping away, and his tried-and- To put that in perspective, even at cow’s Pushkin Square, where they true tactic for renewing his popular- the beginning of Putin’s third term in stood up to merciless police, waving ity – say, annexing territory from a 2012 – when there were mass protests signs emblazoned with slogans like neighbouring country or intervening in over his return to the presidency after Putin: approval rating sliding “No Way” (a play on Putin’s name: a civil war – is not a practical long- his stint as prime minister – around “put” means “way” in Russian) and term strategy. 60% of Russians said that they trusted antor of Assad’s disarmament. Though none of this helped Rus- owing partly to the absence of other “Putin, it’s time to retire” (he is 65). Unless Putin makes real changes him. To reinforce his domestic stand- sians economically, much less ex- viable candidates. Protesters included many young within Russia, his approval rating At that time, Putin raised his ap- ing further by signalling that Russia panded their freedoms, it established Immediately after the election, his people, who are angry not just about will continue to slide, increasing the proval rating by establishing himself as does not bend to America’s will, Putin Putin as a champion of “Great Russia.” approval rating stood at 82%. the pension reform, which will not af- chances that one way or another, he Russia’s defender. granted asylum to National Security After Russia invaded Ukraine and an- But the World Cup that began soon fect them for a long time, but about the will fi nally leave the presidency when When the United States, under Agency whistleblower Edward Snow- nexed Crimea in March 2014 – un- after took a toll. Putin regime’s wider failings. his current term expires in 2024, if not President Barack Obama, showed it- den. apologetically defying the West – his By bringing over 700,000 inter- Many believe that even if Putin has before. – Project Syndicate self to be unwilling to enforce its “red Within Russia, Putin ensured that approval rating reached a dizzyingly national visitors, the tournament restored Russia’s status as a “great line” in Syria – the use of chemi- new bridges and roads were built, in- high 87%. changed Russians’ perception of what power,” that does not compensate for Nina L Khrushcheva is Professor of cal weapons by President Bashar frastructure was upgraded, and public In March, Putin won the presidential matters – and of their leader. rampant corruption and a lack of op- International Aff airs at The New School al-Assad – the Kremlin jumped in, spaces were renewed, with parks, election handily, securing his fourth An ungracious host, Putin stood un- portunities at home. and a senior fellow at the World Policy establishing Russia as a sinister guar- fountains, and cafes. term as president with 76% of the vote, der an umbrella during the fi nal post- Young people view the regime Institute. Barack Obama is great for Republicans Three-day forecast

TODAY By Ben Boychuk/Tribune News after November 6. several economic trends, including ties in the House and Senate. Now it’s true, Obama remains a small business optimism and durable In his Illinois speech, the former Maximum Temperature : 390c Service Minimum Temperature : 320c Washington,DC popular man even as his policies – goods purchases, all took off after president also attacked Trump’s often implemented with a stroke of the 2016 election. rhetoric on the press – and once MONDAY a pen and without congressional ap- “You have to look at the moment again inadvertently drew attention to Maximum Temperature : 380c arack Obama is the best proval – are being repudiated one by that President Trump was elected his own lousy record. “I complained Minimum Temperature : 320c president Republicans have one. As Conrad Black pointed out at in both equity markets and incen- plenty about Fox News,” Obama said, TUESDAY ever had. American Greatness, Obama would tive surveys,” Hassett told the White “but you never heard me threaten to Maximum Temperature : 370c B In his eight years in office, likely prevail in a head-to-head fight House press corps. “People started to shut them down, or call them ‘en- Minimum Temperature : 320c with Trump on the ballot. ratchet up their expectations for the emies of the people.’ “ the 44th president helped deliver Fisherman's forecast to the GOP (in no particular order) But Trump’s name isn’t on the economy.” Tax cuts helped, too. No, he was far subtler than that. the US Senate, the US House, nine ballot on November 6. Neither is Obama may be a better politician Obama merely instructed his at- WARNING than Clinton, but he cannot help but torney general to spy on reporters Inshore : Poor visibility expected governorships and roughly 900 seats Obama’s. And if the election is about at places by early in state legislatures. Trump’s record so far, Democrats take passive-aggressive potshots at from the Associated Press and Fox morning. The Republican National Commit- might want to think twice before them millions of “deplorables” who News and prosecute every leaker he tee should give the man a medal. comparing it to that of the immedi- rallied for Trump in 2016. could find. Offshore : Nil WEATHER And now the ex-president is back ate past president. “Appealing to tribe, appealing The 44th president earned a repu- Inshore : Misty to foggy at places for an encore, reminding Americans Remember when Obama asked to fear, pitting one group against tation, perhaps undeservedly, for “no by early morning, not only why Donald Trump rather “what magic wand” Trump would another, telling people that order and drama.” Nobody would lend such an becomes hot and rela- tively humid daytime. than Hillary Clinton sits in the Oval use to bring trading partners to the security will be restored if it weren’t appellation to the current occupant Humid by night. Office today but also why Demo- negotiating table? Remember when 2 for those who don’t look like us or of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Offshore : Misty at times. crats’ hopes for a “blue wave” in to 3% economic growth was “the new don’t sound like us or don’t pray like And yet through the chaos – as WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-North- November might be overblown. normal?” Remember “if you like your we do, that’s an old playbook,” he even the anonymous “senior ad- easterly 04-13 KT Obama is great for voter turnout doctor, you can keep your doctor?” told the Illinois audience. “It’s as old ministration official” who wrote the all right – Republican turnout. Well, two out of three are not bad. as time.” notorious New York Times op-ed Offshrore : Southeasterly-North- Democrats may not see it that way, Trump fumbled the Obamacare Obama would know. He set the had to concede – the policy victories easterly 02-10/15 KT which is just fine. When the former repeal, but he’s made strides on tone for his administration during have been undeniable. The country is Visibility : 4-8/2 KM president popped up at the Univer- trade, renegotiating NAFTA with the 2008 campaign, when he told doing well. People are actually feel- Offshore : 1-3/4 FT to the East at sity of Illinois on September 7 to ac- Mexico and using tariffs to bring Philadelphia Democrats, “If they ing upbeat. first. bring a knife to the fight, we bring a Now if you’re ready to blame this cept an ethics in government prize, other trading partners in line, even Around the region fans cheered his snide denunciation as the economy has been growing at gun.” president for the worst (including Weather of the Trump administration and a robust 4%. He cemented it on the second day all of the things editorial writers and Weather tomorrow Max/min its policies – many of which involve Obama would like to claim credit of his presidency, when he dismissed pundits for nearly two years have today Max/min Sunny 42/27 dismantling most of Obama’s signa- for the boom. “When you hear how Republican objections to his pro- warned would come to pass any day Baghdad Sunny 42/27 Sunny 46/31 ture accomplishments. great the economy is doing right posed economic stimulus plan with now), then you’d better prepare to Kuwait City Sunny 46/32 Sunny 39/31 And he was greeted by an adoring now, let’s just remember when this two words: “I won.” give credit where it’s due. Manama Sunny 39/31 Sunny 32/26 crowd when he stumped in Orange recovery started,” he said. He redoubled his rhetoric in 2010, But if Obama and the Democrats Muscat Sunny 32/27 Sunny 36/22 County for seven Democrats trying Yes, let’s. Kevin Hassett, chairman when he urged Latino voters to want to fight about who or what is Tehran Sunny 36/23 to flip Republican-held congres- of Trump’s Council of Economic “punish our enemies” and “reward dividing the country the most, don’t sional seats in California that may Advisers, showed reporters a series our friends.” Voters responded by be surprised when voters turn that be pivotal to who controls the House of charts and graphs illustrating how delivering the GOP decisive majori- blue wave into a blue trickle. Live issues People with psoriasis often face stigma: study Around the world By Carolyn Crist on the surface of the skin. The extra conceptions around psoriasis. “This suggests that learning more Weather Weather Reuters Health skin cells cause scales and red patches Overall, about 54% of people said information about the disease and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min that are itchy and sometimes painful. they wouldn’t want to date some- having positive interactions with Athens M Sunny 32/22 Sunny 30/21 Some people with psoriasis develop one with psoriasis, 40% said they people who have psoriasis may help Beirut Sunny 28/25 Sunny 29/26 eople with the scaly skin arthritis, too. wouldn’t want to shake hands, and to dispel myths and stereotypes,” said Bangkok T Storm 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 condition psoriasis are often According to the National Psoriasis 32% said they wouldn’t want to have co-author Rebecca Pearl of the Uni- Berlin P Cloudy 23/12 M Sunny 27/13 faced with people who don’t Foundation, up to 7.5mn Americans, psoriasis patients in their homes. The versity of Pennsylvania. Cairo Sunny 34/23 P Cloudy 33/23 Pwant to shake hands with or roughly 2% of the population, have most frequently endorsed stereotypes Pearl, Gelfand and their co-authors Cape Town P Cloudy 17/12 Showers 15/12 them and who see them – incorrectly psoriasis. were that people with psoriasis are plan to keep studying public attitudes, Colombo M Cloudy 30/26 S T Storms 29/26 – as contagious, according to a new Gelfand and colleagues surveyed insecure, sick and unattractive. A third including patients’ reports of stigma Dhaka S T Storms 34/27 P Cloudy 35/27 study. two groups of people without psoria- of participants also endorsed myths experiences, so they can better un- Hong Kong H Rain 29/24 T Storm 27/24 “Patients with psoriasis often ex- sis: 187 medical students at the Uni- that psoriasis only aff ects the skin and derstand the social and psychological Istanbul M Sunny 27/20 Sunny 25/19 press frustration to me that they expe- versity of Pennsylvania, and 198 adults is not a serious disease. burden of the disease. Future stud- Jakarta P Cloudy 34/23 P Cloudy 35/24 rience discrimination in public places from Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk “Despite so much progress in our ies should test whether educational Karachi S Showers 29/25 P Cloudy 29/25 and the work environment,” study data collection service. understanding of the immunology, campaigns could reduce the myths London P Cloudy 23/16 P Cloudy 23/18 coauthor Dr Joel Gelfand of the Uni- The survey displayed images of peo- genetics, comorbidities and treatment and stereotypes around psoriasis, they Manila T Storm 30/25 S T Storms 31/25 versity of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia ple with psoriasis, including enlarged of psoriasis, harmful myths and stere- wrote in the Journal of the American Moscow Rain 17/08 Sunny 17/09 told Reuters Health. “My patients tell images of psoriatic skin. Participants otypes about this common disease are Academy of Dermatology. New Delhi Sunny 35/24 Sunny 34/23 me that they have been asked not to were asked to rate the extent to which pervasive,” Gelfand said. “It is important to remember that New York P Cloudy 27/20 S Showers 26/22 use a pool, feel embarrassed going to they felt compassion, pity, disgust, People who knew someone with outward appearance does not give us Paris P Cloudy 26/11 Sunny 29/18 the hair salon or have been fi red from blame, contempt and curiosity in psoriasis were less likely to report information about internal character- Sao Paulo P Cloudy 23/14 S Showers 23/18 jobs that require interaction with the response to the images. They were myths and stereotypes, however. Even istics or personality traits,” Pearl told Seoul Cloudy 24/17 M Sunny 26/14 public.” also asked to choose adjectives that those who had previously heard of Reuters Health. “Everyone can pause Singapore S T Storms 30/26 S T Storms 31/26 Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease describe someone with psoriasis, such psoriasis were more likely to report and re-examine or challenge their Sydney Sunny 14/07 M Sunny 17/09 that speeds up the lifecycle of skin as “clean” or “dirty,” and rate their more compassion, less blame, and less beliefs and assumptions as a fi rst step Tokyo Cloudy 27/20 Cloudy 30/23 cells, causing them to build up rapidly beliefs about common myths and mis- contempt. toward reducing stigma.” Gulf Times 20 Sunday, September 16, 2018 QATAR

Partnership to develop educational facilities at Military Hospital

The Qatar Armed Forces, represented The agreement was signed by Brigadier medical services department is keen to practice and scientific research facilities for of healthcare. Dr Toft said that with the State by the Medical Services Command, and Nasser Mohamed al-Kaabi, acting director sign such memoranda for their vital and specialised programmes at Qatar University, of Qatar’s interest in human development, the University of Qatar have signed a of Medical Services, and Dr Egon Toft, vice eff ective role in establishing a new military as well as establishing joint co-operation in which is the cornerstone of Qatar’s national memorandum of co-operation aimed at president of University of Qatar for Medical hospital that includes educational facilities. the fields of education, scientific research, vision, the development of medical and health consultation and co-operation to develop and Health Sciences and Dean of the College It also provides medical care to the armed medicine, pharmacy and health sciences to services in general is at the forefront of the educational facilities of the Military Hospital. of Medicine. Brigadier al-Kaabi said that forces, as well as providing education, clinical achieve common benefit in the development country’s concerns. Qatari youth raise awareness about mental health by climbing Mount Elbrus in Russia

group of young Qataris this important issue,” said Susan recently climbed Mount Clelland, acting executive direc- A Elbrus in Russia, Eu- tor of the National Mental Health rope’s highest mountain at over Programme. 5,600m in altitude, and part of On behalf of the group that their mission was to raise aware- climbed Mount Elbrus, Ai- ness about mental health and sha al-Naama said: “We are a well-being. group of friends from diff erent In line with the Qatar National backgrounds. Some of us are Mental Health Strategy, the Na- related and the rest of us have tional Mental Health Programme met through our love for sports fully supported the initiative and and physical activity. Elbrus is provided appropriate awareness a beautiful mountain that off ers messages, which were displayed opportunities for people with when the group reached the sum- diff erent technical and physical mit of the mountain, the Minis- levels. It makes for a diffi cult yet try of Public Health (MoPH) said achievable mental and physical in a statement. challenge. Objective 1 of the strategy “At 5,600m, Mount Elbrus is contains a pledge to “raise public the highest point in continental awareness about mental health Europe. Some of us have already and reduce the stigma associated been involved together in physi- with mental illness”. cal challenges in the past — from Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Ha- climbing Kilimanjaro to cycling mad al-Thani, director of the across Europe; each time, trying Public Health Department at to link it to diff erent causes and the MoPH, welcomed the youth charities. initiative and said: “The spirit “We care to lead active and of the young climbers and their healthy lives and attempt to act enthusiasm to deliver noble mes- as ambassadors of this lifestyle, sages are a source of pride for us seizing any opportunity to dis- all. They refl ect the determina- play that being active is easy and tion and ability of Qatari youth fun, as well as highlighting the to achieve success, and they are a many benefi ts we thrive to in- model for youth.” spire.” “Their passion and commit- She noted that mental health ment to such a cause is heart- is a topic that concerns everyone. warming and exemplary. The “There are many mental health group has demonstrated its sup- conditions that vary in sever- port in raising awareness about ity and duration, and can aff ect

The group at the summit of Mount Elbrus with some Kuwaiti youth.

us all at some point in our life. and would like to share our expe- Mohamed Khalid al-Naama, Dana The members are passion- portance of mental health Having frequent physical activity rience with others.” al-Mannai, Maryam al-Thani, Ali ate about raising awareness and well-being, reducing the has immediate benefi ts for our The group members included al-Mulla, Khalid al-Ajmi, Fahad and plan to use the climb stigma and negativity associ- mental health. We believe that ‘a nine Qataris, Aisha Ahmad al- Badar and Abdullah al-Jabri, and as a platform to attract the ated with mental illness, the The National Mental Health Programme fully supported the initiative. healthy mind is in a healthy body’ Naama, Aisha Khalid al-Naama, one Qatar resident, Pierre Daniel. public’s attention to the im- statement adds. Stars of Science celebrates 10 years of Arab innovativeness

elebrating a decade of developing practical solutions to once selected, the top nine can- change-makers who aim to leave Arab innovation, Qatar regional challenges. didates — mentored by experts an impact on their communities, CFoundation’s Stars of Sci- “Initiating a leading forum of and Stars of Science alumni — their countries, and beyond. ence is returning to screens across innovation that provides Arab will enter the prototyping and Over the past ten years, 131 of the world, with the pan-Arab in- youth with the tools and knowl- customer validation rounds. the show’s alumni have raised novation ‘edutainment reality’ edge they need to succeed has, Eliminations based on jury $14mn in revenue, crowdfunding TV show kicking off its 10th sea- and still is, the driving force be- feedback will take place across the and research grants. son at 9 pm on September 22 on hind Stars of Science,” said Kha- following episodes, before four fi - Many Stars of Science innova- Al Rayyan satellite channel. lifa Essa al-Kubaisi, media rela- nalists compete to win a share of tors have gone on to pursue their The show, which was fi rst tions manager, QF. $600,000 for seed funding. academic education, while al- broadcast in 2008, has cast the “It is our shared responsibility As candidates look to advance most 60% have gone on to start spotlight on the pace of innova- to support rising innovators and to the grand fi nale, Stars of Sci- businesses and are currently tion in science and technology inspire Arab youth by connecting ence jury members Prof Fouad contributing to their local com- across the Arab world. them with positive role models. Mrad, Prof Abdelhamid El-Zo- munities through talks and other The latest season can also be The success of Stars of Science heiry and Dr Khalid al-Ali will outreach activities. viewed with subtitles on the can be measured by the millions provide them with constructive Accustomed to hard work Stars of Science website, and of young people it has encour- criticism. and passionate about problem- YouTube platform. The 10-epi- aged to dream big, through their TV personality Khaled al-Ju- solving, they are each paving sode season will introduce view- exposure to the show and its in- maily also returns to the series, as the way for future generations of ers to cutting-edge innovation spirational alumni.” the show’s long-standing host. innovators as inspirational sci- and the people behind them. The casting period of Stars Stars of Science alumni — ence, technology, engineering The young contestants on the of Science will see hundreds of such as last year’s winner Fouad and math ambassadors and role show have the shared mission of hopefuls pitch their ideas, and, Maksoud from Lebanon — are models. The Stars of Science jury meets an aspiring candidate.