BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Greece-Qatar Ferreira Business urges Sadd Council fans to chairman sees turn up in boost in private full force sector ties

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11175 May 6, 2019 Ramadan 1, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir meets Iraqi oil minister Amir exchanges Ramadan greetings with leaders of Arab and Islamic countries

QNA waf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. month of Ramadan, on behalf of the Doha His Highness the Deputy Amir Council members and himself. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani HE al-Mahmoud also reiterated their also exchanged cables of congratula- loyalty to the Amir and confi rmed their is Highness the Amir Sheikh tions with a number of leaders of Arab determination to serve the nation and Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Islamic countries, on the advent the citizens. He also wished the Amir Hexchanged greetings on the of the holy month of Ramadan. good health, wellness, and prosperity occasion of the holy month of Ram- His Highness the Amir Sheikh to Qatar under His Highness the Amir’s adan in telephone conversations with Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received wise leadership. a number of leaders of the sisterly a cable of congratulations on the holy The Amir in a cable to the Speaker and Arab and Islamic countries. month of Ramadan from HE the Speak- the Advisory Council members expressed His Highness the Amir exchanged er of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin his thanks for the wishes, congratulating greetings on the occasion with the Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. them on the advent of the holy month of Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ah- The Council speaker congratulated Ramadan, wishing them health and fur- mad al-Jaber al-Sabah, King Moham- the Amir on the occasion of the holy ther progress and prosperity. ed VI of Morocco, King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Amir to receive well-wishers today and tomorrow the President of Iraq Dr Barham Salih. The Amir also exchanged greet- The Amiri Diwan announced yesterday the Advisory Council, and the citizen His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday with Iraqi Deputy Prime ings with President Beji Caid Essebsi that His Highness the Amir Sheikh well-wishers on the holy month of Minister for Energy Aff airs and Oil Minister Thamir Abbas al-Ghadhban. At the outset of the meeting, the Iraqi minister conveyed of Tunisia, President Mahmoud Ab- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will receive Ramadan at Al Wajbah Palace today the greetings of President Dr Barham Salih to the Amir and his wishes to the Qatari people of further development and bas of Palestine, President Recep their excellencies Sheikhs, the minis- and tomorrow (Monday and Tuesday), prosperity. The Amir entrusted the minister to convey his greetings to the Iraqi president and his wishes to him and the brotherly Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and the ters, the Speaker and the members of right after Tarawih prayers. Iraqi people of continued progress and prosperity. During the meeting, they reviewed co-operation between the two countries, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Na- especially in the field of energy. In brief Hassad Food unveils Qatar encourages bonds QATAR | Crisis of love and welcomes FM discusses Gaza issue with Haniyeh all nationalities, says GCO HE the Deputy Prime Minister and solar power project Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani zMoI only authority responsible for issuing visas has held a telephone conversation with head of the Political Bureau of zCultural, sports activities bring people together the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Dr Ismail Haniyeh. to produce fodder said that Qatar’s Ministry of Interi- QNA Discussions during the call dealt Doha or (Expatriates Affairs Department) with the latest developments in the assad Food, Qatar’s premier in- was the only authority authorised Gaza Strip, which has been subjected vestor in food sector, yesterday to issue the various types visas of to brutal Israeli shelling since last Hlaunched the fi rst solar powered he Government Communica- entry into the country, subject to Friday, killing a number of Palestinians irrigation technology in the local fod- tions Office (GCO) yesterday the approval of the competent au- and wounding several, as well as to der sector, aiming to produce around Temphasised the keenness of thorities and in accordance with the review ways to protect the unarmed 20,000 tonnes of fodder annually. Qatar on the coherence in societies laws and regulations governing this, Palestinian people from the ongoing This comes as part of its new ex- and peoples in different countries as well as the joint agreements with Israeli aggression in the shadow of pansion phase for its fodder sector of the world and its constant en- other countries. international silence about the crimes with fi ve new pivots to be cultivated as deavour to deepen the bonds of love The GCO pointed out that any of the occupation. part of this phase. and the rejection of hatred among remarks beyond those legal frame- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and The fodder is expected to be pro- peoples. works did not represent the policy Minister of Foreign Aff airs reiterated duced over a land area of 10mn sq m. In a statement , the GCO said that in force in the Ministry of Interior. Qatar’s continued support for the Hassad launched this strategic the position of Qatar has always In the statement, the GCO steadfastness of the brotherly project using state-of-the-art irriga- Hassad’s new solar project seeks to enhance fodder production. been clear that people should not stressed that Qatar welcomed all Palestinian people in order to achieve tion technology to support in satis- be involved in the differences that the peoples of the world and that their full legitimate rights. fying the local market needs and this currently we are in the implementation gic product,” Mohamed al-Mohannadi, arise between countries, pointing the various activities between For his part, Dr Haniyeh expressed his initiative will open new areas for us- phase; this includes increasing the cul- Director of the Animal Feed Division at out that the states will continue to peoples, whether cultural, sports, thanks and appreciation to the State of ing renewable energy in agriculture, a tivated area using state-of-the-art so- Hassad, said. derive their strength from the cohe- tourism, economic and others, were Qatar for its firm and well-known positions senior offi cial said. lar-powered irrigation technologies to Hassad currently owns three farms sion of their peoples and societies. among the means of bringing peo- in supporting the Palestinian cause. “We studied the market needs for an- preserve the environment, and increase (Irkkiyah, Sailiyah and A’Refa’) that In response to the remarks made ple together, regardless of the dif- imal feed, then we developed a plan and the quality and quantity of this strate- spans over a land area of 10mn sq m. during the past few days, the GCO ferences between countries. EUROPE | Tragedy 41 killed as Russian plane crash-lands Russian authorities said late yesterday that 41 people died when a Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash-landed at Moscow Al Wakrah Stadium project fosters Qatari economy Sheremetyevo airport. Page 21

he construction of Al Wakrah since being established in Qatar in the rah Stadium at their state-of-the-art RAMADAN THOUGHT Stadium has boosted the Qatari 1960s. The company has also contrib- factory in Doha – a facility capable of economy, with more than 50% uted to the development of numerous producing 500 seats a day. Coastal O you who believe! Do your duty T of the project budget spent locally, the Qatar 2022 stadiums, including Kha- Qatar will also produce the seats for to Allah and fear Him. And seek Supreme Committee for Delivery & lifa International Stadium, which was Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City and Al the means of approach to Him, and Legacy (SC) has reported. inaugurated following a successful Rayyan Stadium. strive hard in His Cause (as much as A number of Qatari fi rms have been redevelopment in 2017, and Educa- Coastal Qatar was established in the you can), so that you may be suc- directly involved in the construction tion City Stadium, which is in the fi nal 1970s and delivers a range of engineer- cessful. (Qur’an 5: 35) of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 sta- stages of construction. ing, galvanising, steel and manufac- Prayer times dium, which will be inaugurated on Porr Qatar, a subsidiary of Austrian turing projects for projects in Qatar May 16 when it hosts the 2019 Amir company Porr, has been operational in and overseas. It has partners across Fajr....3.32; Zuhr....11.31; Asr....2.59; Cup fi nal. Doha since 2011. In addition to work- Europe and the US. The company has Maghrib.....6.10; Isha.....7.40 The main contractor for Al Wakrah ing on Al Wakrah Stadium, the com- worked on a number of key projects Stadium was a joint venture between pany is involved in the tunnelling and locally, including for clients such as Fasting times two Qatari companies – Midmac and railway construction of the Green Line Hamad International Airport (HIA), Iftar today ...... 6.10pm Porr Qatar – plus Belgian fi rm Sixco. of Doha Metro. Qatar Foundation, Ashghal, Aspire Imsak tomorrow...... 3.21am Midmac has been involved in a vast Engineering specialists Coastal Qa- Logistics and Qatar Olympic Commit- range of major infrastructure projects tar manufactured the seats for Al Wak- tee. To Page 14 A view of Al Wakrah Stadium during construction.

Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 7 QATAR QRCS Ramadan tents open today Tariq Bin Ziad School to reopen under the umbrella of QF PUE atar Red Crescent So- ciety (QRCS) has an- Qnounced that it will open atar Foundation (QF) intended to bring cultural her- in Qatar. “This school will be its Ramadan Iftar tents today has announced that itage to life. The school will of- an exemplar of how to deliver in 15 neighbourhoods and start QTariq Bin Ziad School fer a bilingual co-educational a high-quality bilingual, in- distributing snacks on the run in Doha is to reopen under the Primary Years Programme that ternational education in the during Maghreb time. These ac- umbrella of its Pre-University follows the International Bac- context of Qatari heritage, and tivities are estimated to benefi t Education (PUE), for boys and calaureate curriculum, with of an educational focus that 129,990 fasting people in total girls ages 3-6, from the 2019- additional elements that re- emphasises the importance over the holy month of Ram- 20 academic year. fl ect the enduring importance of building a strong Muslim, adan, QRCS has said in a state- By combining cultural val- of Qatar’s heritage. Arabic, and Qatari student ment. ues and local heritage with Classes will commence in identity through Qatari her- QRCS has set up 15 Ramadan world-class education, the August 2019, and initially the itage programs and national Iftar tents with a capacity of school will nurture homeg- school will cater for boys and programmes in world-class fa- 2,133 visitors per day, or 63,990 rown talent capable of contrib- girls from Pre-3 to Grade 1, af- cilities. “The school will instil over a month. The locations uting to Qatar’s development, ter which one grade level will a love of learning in students were selected to be convenient while also cultivating global be added each year until Grade from an early age by providing for beneficiaries, including two citizens, according to a state- 5. Buthaina Ali al-Nuaimi, them with a learning environ- locations in Al Wakrah, two in ment. president of PUE, QF, said: ment that supports their intel- Al Khor, Al Aziziyah, Old Air- QF is committed to provid- “We are proud to reopen Tariq lectual and social education.” port, Al Hilal, Al Mansoura, Al A QRCS Ramadan tent. ing international-standard Bin Ziad School under the um- Tariq Bin Ziad School joins a Rayyan, Al Luqta, the Industrial pre-university education that brella of Qatar Foundation, and portfolio of schools under the Area, Al Duhail, and Umm Salal launch an on-the-run Iftar pro- communities in Qatar, QRCS will be managed by a group of 150 is rooted in Arabic cultural expand our reach and off ering umbrella of PUE that, through Mohamed. gramme, distributing snacks to volunteers will distribute 200 volunteers. “This is a fundamen- identity and values and the to serve our community. specially-developed curricula, Iftar meals will be distributed drivers at Maghreb time, to en- meals per day to Sudanese resi- tal contribution by QRCS’s vol- Arabic language, and Tariq “We are committed to deliv- meet the needs of Qatar’s mul- for the workers of remote farms sure safety on the road. The plan dents in Abu Hamour and an- unteers every year. The locations Bin Ziad School represents an ering quality education rooted ticultural community. in Al Sheehaniya (500 per day, covers six locations, with a total other 200 donated by Anadoul are well-distributed, particularly opportunity to continue the in Qatar’s rich culture and her- From its fi ve Qatar Acad- or 15,000 over a month) and Me- of 1,000 meals per day, or 30,000 Restaurant to Tunisian residents, the open areas that attract many evolution and expansion of this itage and prepare future gener- emy schools to the recently- saieed (300 per day, or 9,000 over over 30 days. totalling 6,000 each. families and kids,” the statement model, with the aim of benefi t- ations to succeed, fl ourish and announced progressive school a month). QRCS’s volunteers will In co-operation with Arab The distributions and tents adds. ing more children and families contribute to the development Academyati, QF’s schools pro- in Qatar. of their communities.” vide personalized educational The academic focus of the Maha al-Romaihi, director, opportunities and equip young school will extend beyond the Tariq Bin Ziad School, said the people with the knowledge, classroom and into the com- institution has a unique vi- confi dence, and skills to excel munity, through activities and sion and will increase the va- both academically and person- Ooredoo promotion off ers free gifts educational pathways that are riety and diversity of schools ally.

oredoo has announced Communications at Ooredoo, a new promotion for the said: “Value for money is a prior- Oholy month of Ramadan, ity for all of us year-round, and which will see customers re- Ramadan is the ideal time for us warded with a raft of free gifts to say thank you to our loyal cus- each time they carry out a trans- tomers for choosing us as their action or interact with Qatar’s telecommunications provider. leading telecommunications “We strive for complete cus- company. tomer satisfaction and we’re The promotion off ers custom- confi dent this new promotion, ers the chance to open one ‘Box designed especially for the holy Of Joy’ for each and every inter- month of Ramadan, will show action with Ooredoo. Whether a our customers we appreciate recharge, a bill payment, a credit their business and we are com- transfer is done via the Ooredoo mitted to off ering them the best App, or a Self Service Machine or the interaction with Ooredoo, joom points and much more. value in the market.” an Ooredoo Shop, customers will and each Box will contain one Customers will need to use the Customers who do not yet get to open a ‘Box of Joy’ via the of a selection of both telecoms updated version of Ooredoo app have the Ooredoo app can down- Ooredoo app. and non-telecoms gifts in- to open and redeem their ‘Box Of load it from the Apple Store or ‘Box of Joy’ gifts must be cluding local calls, interna- Joy’ gifts. Manar Khalifa al-Mu- Google Play, or via www.oore- opened within three days of tional calls, local data, No- raikhi, director PR and Corporate doo.qa/app. A view of Tariq Bin Ziad School, which is reopening under QF PUE.

Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 9 QATAR Al Emadi Hospital observes Global Hand Hygiene Day l Emadi Hospital, in col- di, chairman and senior consult- laboration with the Min- ant of General, Laparoscopic and Aistry of Public Health Bariatric Surgery at Al Emadi (MoPH) and World Health Or- Hospital, said: Al Emadi Hospi- ganisation (WHO), yesterday tal is always keen to participate celebrated Global Hand Hygiene in this initiative as patient safety Day under the theme ‘Clean care is at the heart of Al Emadi Hos- for all- it’s in your hands’. pital’s commitment to the public This was in line with its com- – it is a way of life for every staff The winning team of CNA-Q. mitment to the promotion of at the hospital. When we im- hand hygiene and preventing the prove our hand hygiene compli- spread of infection in the health- ance, we are reducing the likeli- care sector, Al Emadi Hospital hood of infection transmission said in a statement. - thereby promoting safer care CNA-Q team wins Participation in the initiative Global Hand Hygiene Day celebrations at Al Emadi Hospital. and saving lives.” came through an awareness cam- One of the major objectives paign in the Outpatient Clinics tion included the screening of ‘How, Why and When’ of hand A large number of people par- of the campaign is to foster and building of Al Emadi Hospital, videos about the importance of hygiene. Also, stick-on colourful ticipated in the activity, not only strengthen a culture of safety recognition at held in collaboration with the hand hygiene and hand sani- badges and free hand sanitisers from Al Emadi Hospital’s health- at every level within healthcare MoPH and in the presence of the tising, showcasing the correct were distributed to all who vis- care providers and staff but also facilities in Qatar. “This will cer- hospital’s staff , patients, families WHO-defi ned steps on how ited the booth and demonstrated from patients and families, includ- tainly refl ect in better patient and their children. to do hand rub, in addition to the correct hand hygiene tech- ing children, the statement noted. care and enhanced treatment QBIC Demo Day The highlights of the celebra- the distribution of fl yers on the nique. Dr Mohamed Abdulla al-Ema- outcomes,” the statement adds.

team, comprising Col- great deal about how to start lege of the North At- a business,” said al-Adba, who Alantic – Qatar (CNA- earlier in the week also picked Q) students and instructors, up a trip to Berlin in Germany LuLu Hypermarket to give away 12 has won recognition in Demo as a result of winning Bedaya’s Day organised by the Qatar Get in the Ring Global Pitch Business Incubation Center Competition through Not (QBIC). Last week, Business Busy Now. “It was an incred- Mercedes cars in mega promotion Studies students Fahad al- ible week, and without the Adba, Jeil Eid, and Anees Mal- coaching I received at CNA-Q, lick and their instructor Peter none of this would have been uLu Hypermarket Qatar has ously another unique off er titled ‘QR50 Gift of the above items worth QR150. Robertson were selected along possible,” he said. launched a mega promotion with 12 voucher’ promotion at Department Store Another ongoing promotion, ‘Lulu with seven winning teams of “We have a wide range of LMercedes-Benz 2019 model E200 until May 11. A wide range of international Summer Deals’ comes with a variety of the competition. talents at the College,” said cars, and 40 consolation prizes by way of menswear brands, ladies wear including off ers and better prices on electronics, re- The CNA-Q team has de- Business Studies dean Dav- gift vouchers totalling QR300,000, it was churidars, saris, children’s clothing, baby frigerators, air-conditioners, splash pools, veloped ‘Not Busy Now’, an in- id Himmelman. “From our announced yesterday. accessories, footwear, and ladies’ bags are frame pools, mobiles, televisions, laptops, teractive marketing app. The knowledgeable instructors to The promotion, which will continue covered under the promotion. home appliances, electronics, IT prod- fl ight tickets when they buy any super- application was developed by our bright young students, this until August 18, will culminate in seven Latest collections of leading inter- ucts, cameras and grocery will continue market items worth QR100. Also they are CNA-Q D2L project adminis- remarkable victory is another mega draws between August 19 and 26 national brands such as Crocs, Sketch- throughout holy month of Ramadan. entitled to get a gift voucher worth QR50 trator, Vince Stack. Each of the indication that CNA-Q has at Al Gharafa branch, Al Messila, Barwa ers, Reebok, Louis Philippe, Arrow, Van Cleartrip in co-ordination with LuLu on every purchase of supermarket items winning teams will receive rent- what it takes to off er the very City, D-Ring Road, Al Khor branch, LuLu Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England, Hypermarket has organised another pro- worth QR100, which could be redeemed free offi ce space for two years, best in educational training.” Center and B-Ring Road branches, re- Oxemberg, Sero, Hush Puppies, Dick- motion on supermarket products, which while booking fl ight tickets through coaching and mentoring to help The winners of the Demo spectively. Customers will get a coupon ies, are on display. The promotion en- will continue until May 31 at all LuLu out- Cleartrip website. The Eeraffl e draw will grow their businesses and up to Day competition are now able on every purchase of items worth QR50. titles the customers to get back QR50 lets. Customers will have the opportunity be held on June 18 at LuLu Hypermarket, QR100,000 in seed funding. to start developing their busi- LuLu outlets have launched simultane- vouchers instantly when they buy any to participate in an e-raffl e draw to win 15 D-Ring Road branch. “CNA-Q has taught me a nesses as incubated startups. Gulf Times 10 Monday, May 6, 2019 QATAR Scholarship Al Rayyan Municipality honours workers programme announced The Municipality of Al Rayyan yesterday honoured its service personnel for their work, especially during the rainy season. HE the Minister of Municipality he Ministry of Edu- the general policy of schol- arships and co-ordinate and Environment Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, honoured the workers. In addition, 250 Ramadan bags were distributed by MAF Hypermarkets, cation and Higher arship and co-ordination with government agencies Carrefour, in the frame work of the municipality’s co-operation with various institutions in the country. The ceremony was attended by Al Rayyan Municipality TEducation and the with government agencies to prepare their schol- director Rashid Saeed al-Nuaimi, and a number of ministry and municipal off icials. Ministry of Administra- based on their needs. arship plans in light of tive Development, Labour He said the major disci- their needs and then send and Social Aff airs have an- plines include supply chain them to the Ministry of nounced the government management, airport Education. scholarship plan for the management, aviation He said a committee will academic year 2020/2019 management, logistics review other criteria which and explained their role management, airport and allow adding universities Advisory Council’s committees hold meetings in implementing them aviation security, medi- from East Asia, for exam- in light of the two Amiri cine, agriculture, livestock ple on the list of approved he Financial and Economic tar Association of Certifi ed Public prohibition of workers camps within bin Fahad bin Qurab al-Marri. decisions. and fi sheries, statistics and educational institutions. Aff airs Committee of the Ad- Accountants (QCPA), where they the family residential areas. The committee held the study of Abdullah Musallam vital statistics, veterinary For his part, Ali al- Tvisory Council held a meeting responded to questions from mem- The committee held the study of a draft law amending the Decree by al-Dosari, assistant un- medicine, teacher educa- Buainain, director, the yesterday, under the chairmanship bers of the committee regarding the the request for general debate made Law No (14) for 1993 on passports. dersecretary at the ad- tion, computer science, scholarship department at of its rapporteur Ali bin Abdullatif draft law. by some members of the Advisory The committee decided to continue ministrative aff airs of information, science, the ministry, said the reg- al-Mohannadi. The Public Services and Utilities Council on the land and marine en- its studies in its next meeting. ministry, highlighted the laboratory and stand- istration for scholarship The committee to complete the Committee of the Advisory Council vironment, and decided to complete The meeting was attended by importance of scholarship ardisation, and Spanish, will be available through study of the draft law on the organi- held a meeting at its headquarters in the study of these recommenda- Cabinet Secretary-General Hamad programme in response to German, Italian, Turkish, the website of the Ministry sation of the profession of auditing the White Palace under the chair- tions at its next meeting. bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, and the the directives that Qatari Russian, French and Japa- of Education and Higher accounts in its next meeting. manship of its rapporteur, Moham- The Internal and External Af- Legislation Department director in youth should pursuit all nese law as well as interna- Education. The meeting was attended by Dr med Mahdi al-Ahbabi. fairs Committee of the Advisory the General Secretariat Abdulaziz disciplines. This is in addi- tional relations in the same Saleh al-Muftah, direc- Khalid al-Khater, vice president for During the meeting the committee Council, held a meeting yesterday, bin Mubarak al-Buainain, where tion to the state’s eff orts to languages, translation tor, admissions and reg- administration and fi nance at Qatar discussed the recommendations on as part of the 47th regular session they responded to the questions of enable the youth to work in and engineering. istration in the scholar- University and Dr Hashem Abdul the draft law amending some provi- of the Council. The meeting was members of the committee regarding all sectors through imple- Dr Khalid al-Ali, acting ship department, said the Rahim al-Sayed, chairman, Qa- sions of law No 15 of the year 2010 on chaired by its rapporteur Abdullah the draft law mentioned. (QNA) menting scholarship plans undersecretary for higher registration will begin on and providing recruitment, education aff airs at the July 30 and will continue training and development Ministry of Education and throughout the academic opportunities. Higher Education, said the year, so that students can Al-Dosari said the scholarship plan will ben- apply through the link ht- Military Police Command celebrates graduation of courses scholarship programme efi t a lot of students and tps://scholarship.edu. aims to train Qataris to fulfi l the needs of the state gov.qa/ with the required meet the needs of the la- in the coming years. documents electronically. bour market, pointing Dr al-Ali said the schol- The priority of approv- out that the total number arships help in develop- ing a study mission out- of scholarships comes to ing skills and capaci- side Qatar was that the 4,171 students who are ties and empowering the targeted disciplines were currently studying, since young leaders to achieve not available in education- the programme launched the proper concept of al institutions within the in 2015. development. country. He said the terms He said touched on the He said that the Min- of scholarship for the Aca- most targeted disciplines istry of Education and demic Bridge Programme which are part of the Higher Education will and the Amiri scholarship, scholarship plan that in- provide guidance on the are available on the min- Under the patronage of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, the Military Police cludes 1,942 scholarships scholarships to students, istry’s website, as well as Command celebrated the graduation of its 2019 training courses, in the presence of head of the Authority of Colleges and Institutes, Major General off ered for bachelor cours- whereas the Ministry of the terms of scholarship Hamad bin Ahmed al-Nuaimi, and a number of senior off icers of the Qatar Armed Forces. The six-week training period consisted of three sessions es, specialised diplomas Administrative Develop- for the Qatari women’s and focused on tackling stadium riots, tactical riots, weapons and maintaining fitness. Military Police Commander Staff Major General Mohamed bin and other specialisations. ment, Labour and Social children, carriers of Qatari Messhi al-Ahbabi stressed that the sessions are aimed at providing the participants with the necessary skills to deal with riots and crowd control, He said that the minis- Aff airs will prepare the documents, and Qatar- with emphasis on the necessary foundations for the security of stadiums, in addition to raising the level of training for the military police. try’s mission is to develop general policy for schol- born children. (QNA)

Mercedes-Benz GT Class 2015 model recalled

QDA organises conference on family and diabetes The Ministry of Commerce protect consumers and ensure violations to its Consumer and Industry, in co-operation that car dealers follow up on Protection and Anti-Commercial atar Diabetes Association tar National Convention Center of educating the family rather ecutive director, QDA, said that with NBK Automobiles, has vehicle defects and repairs. Fraud Department, which (QDA), a member of Qatar and attended by 250 doctors and than focusing on the patient and the conference aimed at raising announced the recall of The ministry said that it will processes complaints, inquires QFoundation for Education, healthcare providers in Qatar, the positive and negative partici- awareness about the impact of Mercedes-Benz GT Class co-ordinate with the dealer to and suggestions through the Science and Community Devel- presented the latest updates on pation of the family in support- diabetes on the family and en- model of 2015 due to software follow up on the maintenance following channels: Call centre: opment, organised a conference family health and diabetes. ing the person diagnosed with hancing its role in the manage- of the engine control unit and repair works and will 16001, e-mail: [email protected]. on “Family and Diabetes” in col- The conference tackled several diabetes as well as a lecture about ment of diabetes, care, preven- not matching manufacturer communicate with customers qa, Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, laboration with Hamad Medical topics including the latest up- the role of the doctor in educating tion and education, pointing specifications. to ensure that the necessary Instagram: MOCIQATAR, Corporation (HMC) and Primary dates in diabetes management, the family, and the family mental out that families need to live in The recall campaign comes repairs are carried out. Ministry of Commerce and Health Care Corporation (PHCC). family and diabetes between the- health and stress management. an environment that supports within the framework of the The ministry urges all Industry mobile app for android The conference, held at Qa- ory and practice, the importance Dr Abdullah al-Hamaq, ex- healthy lifestyles. (QNA) ministry’s continuous eff orts to customers to report any and IOS: MOCIQATAR

Kahramaa launches Ramadan campaign atar General Elec- its mission of providing high tricity and Water quality and sustainable elec- QCorporation - Kah- tricity and water for a better ramaa has launched a Ra- life in the country. madan campaign “We Have The campaign includes Become Closer” in its sec- visits to a number of chari- ond edition, which includes ties, humanitarian and so- awareness and educational cial centres in the country, activities planned during as Kahramaa believes in the the holy month of Ramadan. importance of social and The campaign aims to in- charitable work and the im- troduce healthy habits by portance of boosting it, par- following tips and instruc- ticularly during Ramadan. tions while presenting the Kahramaa announced corporation eff orts in vari- that it has completed its ous areas, particularly those preparations for Ramadan with regard to preserving to ensure that its services the environment and imple- are uninterrupted during menting sustainability for a the month. better life in conformity with Kahramaa said it conclud- Qatar National Vision 2030. ed all maintenance work to According to Kahramaa, ensure the continuity of elec- all citizens and residents of tricity supply during peak Qatar can participate in the times and to deal with any competition through the unexpected increase in load. announced numbers. The company added that The campaign compris- technical teams will be avail- es several community and able around the clock to deal awareness activities and with any interruptions to the events with the participation service. The water network of a number of Kahramaa has also completed similar staff and volunteers to reach maintenance work, with tech- all community segments nical teams ready around the and introduce Kahramaa’s clock to address any issues, role and eff orts to achieve the statement added. (QNA)

Security director meets Ethiopia off icial

Public Security director Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi met yesterday with Commissioner General of the Federal Police Commission of Ethiopia Endeshaw Tassew, who is currently visiting Qatar. During the meeting, a number of issues of mutual interest were discussed.

Gulf Times 12 Monday, May 6, 2019 QATAR Ashghal renovates pumping stations to upgrade sewage treatment network Work going on at a sewage pumping station. he ongoing refurbishment functions, upgrading of pumping pumped instead of the current ond quarter of 2021. During the and upgrading works of stations’ control systems includ- 4,500 cu m per day. The Al Rayy- implementation, Ashghal is also Tsewage pumping stations ing new telemetry systems, im- an pumping station’s capacity supporting local manufacturers by Public Works Authority (Ash- proved fi re alarm and suppression will be increased by 161% allow- by making use of locally made ghal) are expected to develop systems and new instrumenta- ing pumping of around 4,700 cu materials such as concrete, rein- Qatar’s sewage network into in- tion. This is in addition to install- m per day instead of the current forced steel, precast manholes, ternational standards, it was an- ing new improved odour control 1,800 cu m per day. Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) nounced yesterday. systems to prevent or reduce bad Al-Anzi added that the up- pipes and ducts, GRP tanks, Un- The works are being undertak- odours in the surrounding areas. grading works at the fourth plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride en at New Salata, Al Mansoura, Al Engineer Ali al-Anzi from the pumping station, located at Al pipes and conduits and Reinforce Messila and Al Rayyan pumping Drainage Networks Projects de- Mansoura, include installation of Concrete jacking pipes. stations as part of Ashghal’s ef- partment of Ashghal said the new equipment and constructing Ashghal has ensured that these forts to provide the country with works at three of the four pump- a new Odour Control Unit (OCU) pipes meet the required qual- sustainable solutions in treating ing stations will ensure a remark- in a bid to enable more effi cient ity standards and qualifi cations sewage. able increase in their ability to ac- operations and to prevent bad for the implementation of the The aim is to increase the ca- commodate and to pump sewage odour at this location. project. pacity of pumping stations in or- fl ows. Apart from renovating the four Further, the project is designed der to accommodate both current The capacity of New Salata pumping stations, the ongo- to ensure the preservation of the and future sewage fl ows within pumping station will be increased ing refurbishment and upgrad- environment as all the pumping these four important areas to by approximately 62% allowing ing works also include decom- processes will be carried in ac- meet the demand in accordance around 8,600 cu m per day to be missioning of Ras Abu Abboud cordance with the environmental with the future development and pumped instead of the current pumping station that will be re- assessment standards. Ashghal the expected population growth. 5,300 cu m per day. The capac- placed with a new gravity sewer is also committed to ensure the The ongoing renovation works ity of Al Messila pumping sta- line. The project, being imple- implementation of all health and include installation of new tion capacity will be increased mented by Contracting Serv- safety requirements for work- equipment to improve the pump- by approximately 211% allow- ices and Trading Company, is ers, operators and the public ing stations’ performance and ing 14,000 cu m per day to be expected to be completed in sec- throughout the project period.

15 QIB branches Exclusive Ramadan off ers for wide line-up of Nissan models

n celebration of the holy worth QR3,000 each, and 50 to have extended month of Ramadan, Saleh AN others will take home the new IAl Hamad Al Mana Co, the Samsung Galaxy S10. authorised distributor of Nis- ISIS Announcing the offer, Mar- san in Qatar, has announcedN G tin Aherne, general manager working hours the launch of its exclusive retail – Automotive at Saleh Al Ha- offer on a wide line-up of its mad Al Mana Co said: “We will vehicles. be offering Nissan customers Under this first-of-its-kind wide-ranging special deals and during Ramadan offer, customers will benefit benefits, and, most excitingly from maximum savings on the of all, the chance to experience brand-new Pathfinder, X-Trail, the UCL final match with like- ome 15 Qatar Islamic tar, The Gate Mall, Tawar Mall, Kicks, Altima and Maxima, minded football fans. Bank (QIB) branches will and the recently opened Mir- with QR30,000 in savings upon The draw is an extension to Shave extended working qab Mall branch. The extended their purchase of the 2019 Pa- Nissan’s long-running tie-up hours during Ramadan. Regu- working hours will provide QIB trol XE. with the UCL; since the brand lar QIB branches will open customers with an easily ac- New customers will also be became an Official Partner of Sunday through Thursday cessible and convenient bank- eligible to partake in two lucky The promotion off ers QR30,000 in savings on the 2019 Nissan Patrol XE. the UEFA Champions League from 9am to 2pm. ing experience throughout the draws, where 114 winners will in 2014. In Qatar and beyond, In addition, Corpo- holy month of Ramadan. walk away with a variety of The first draw on May 8 will Seven all-inclusive packages modation for the trip duration Nissan has fast earned its repu- rate (Grand Hamad Street), In addition, the bank’s serv- prizes, including fully cov- announce seven winners who for two people each, will of- between May 31 and June 2. tation for superior perform- Salwa Road, Al Rayyan, Air- ices are available at all times ered trips to attend the UEFA will go on an all-expenses paid fer winners an exclusive luxury The second draw, which will ance, proven reliability, and in- port Road, Al Wakrah, and Al (24x7) through QIB’s Internet Champions League final in Ma- trip to watch the UEFA Cham- Champions League experience, take place on June 16, will offer novative design. The growth of Khor branches will open dur- and QIB mobile app, call centre drid, Harvey Nichols vouchers, pions League (UCL) final match including Qatar Airways busi- 100 lucky winners a wide vari- our customer base in this mar- ing the evening shift Sunday (44448444), interactive teller and new Samsung Galaxy S10 on June 1 at Madrid’s Wanda ness class tickets to Madrid, ety of gifts; 50 participants will ket is a solid testament to this to Wednesday from 9pm to machines (live teller), and more smartphones. Metropolitano Stadium. transport, and hotel accom- win Harvey Nichols vouchers, reputation.” 11:30pm and on Saturdays from than 170 ATMs and cash de- 9pm to 12:00pm. Hamad In- posit machines spread across ternational Airport branch will the country. remain open 24x7, QIB said. QIB has strengthened its lo- QIB mall branches will oper- cal branch network to serve ate Saturday to Thursday from customers in all vital areas of Homes r us opens new store at Ezdan Al Wakrah 10:30am to 2:30pm and the the country QIB’s network evening shift (including Fri- consists of 31 state-of-the-art days) starts at 9pm and fi nishes branches, with 10 ladies cen- By Joey Aguilar that is created to outlive trends at 11-30pm in the following tres, six Tamayuz (Affl uent) Staff Reporter and evolve with the changing malls: Dar Al Salam Mall, Doha centres, one private banking times’. Festival City, Al Gharrafa (Q- lounge, one corporate branch In addition, Homes r us’ inte- Mall), City Centre, Mall of Qa- and three service centres. omes r us, a one-stop rior designers and sales consult- destination for styl- ants are keen to assist its cus- Hish home concepts, has tomers and provide tailor-made opened its third store in Qatar solutions “so they can truly cre- at Ezdan Al Wakrah, showcasing ate the home of their dreams.” a wide range of home furniture, Fusing modern-day needs furnishings and accessories. with the varying lifestyles of The event was attended by Al consumers, the Homes r us Wakrah Municipality’s techni- showrooms in Qatar feature a cal aff airs director Abdulaziz variety of living, dining and bed- al-Mansori, public relations and room decor, along with accesso- notifi cations specialist Moham- ries in ethnic, classic and mod- ed Ali al-Shawi, Homes r us- ern styles to suit the tastes of a LTC Qatar director Hiroo Am- multi-cultural audience. arnani, general manager Ramesh The company has an effi cient Bulchandani, and guests. aftersales service, ensuring that Speaking to Gulf Times on the customers continue to remain The QIB Fanar branch. sidelines of the grand launch, satisfi ed and achieve long-term Bulchandani said the newly- value from the products. Senior off icials from Al Wakrah Municipality and Homes r us-LTC Qatar led the ribbon-cutting ceremony opened 50,000sq ft showroom is Professionally trained deliv- recently to open Homes r us’ third store in Qatar. PICTURES: Thajudheen Al Shaqab launches Ramadan camp also Homes r us’ 21st store in the ery team ensures that products Gulf region. are delivered and assembled Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation, launched yesterday Al “Our uniqueness lies on the safely at the right location and Shaqab Ramadan Camp for children aged 3 to 17 years, and lasts for items that we bring, which peo- all product packaging is removed one week. Children will be divided into two groups by age group. ple will not fi nd in the market. from the premises. The first group includes children aged three to seven years. The We have a variety of furniture, About its new location in Qa- programme includes various recreational activities such as arts and furnishings and accessories from tar, Bulchandani said they chose crafts, and equestrian classes. Turkey, Vietnam, France, Ma- Ezdan Wakrah due to the rapid While older children, ages 8 to 17, will learn equestrian lessons, laysia, and China, among other development in the city, which balance lessons, horseback riding and feeding. There are also two countries – quality products at hosts one of the stadiums for the programmes for the two groups mentioned above each day, which reasonable prices,” he stressed. 2022 FIFA World Cup. makes the Ramadan programme rich and varied, and more suitable Bulchandani added that Apart from its stores at Mall for children and families who can choose the right time for them, Homes r us will continue to pro- of Qatar, Hyatt Plaza Shopping starting the first programme from 2:30pm to 5pm, while the second vide Qatar residents not only Mall, and Ezdan Al Wakrah, the programme starts from 9pm to 11:30pm. with “the best products from general manager disclosed that The lessons will be held until next Thursday. Manager, Equine around the world” but also un- they are also planning to open Education Department at Al Shaqab, Mohammed Sultan al-Suwaidi compromising customer service. two more stores in the country. said, “The equestrian and horseback riding programme has many Homes r us is described as ‘more “We have yet to decide on the important advantages, as it instils in the future knights many than just a store but a complete locations. We will announce it skills they need in their day-to-day handling, such as driving skills, lifestyle destination, showcas- soon,” he said. “Qatar is a special providing them with self-confidence and gaining the requisite ing intricately designed, time- market for us, it is a beautiful eff iciency in quick decision-making.— QNA less and versatile items – a range country and rapidly developing.” A wide variety of sofas are showcased in the new store. Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 13 QATAR FM sends message to Argentina minister WCM-Q Grand Rounds focuses on new anticoagulation drugs

ecent advances in an- However, Warfarin has a quire diff erential dosage de- ticoagulation therapies number of drawbacks, as the pending on a number of vari- Rwere explained in the lat- dosage diff ers signifi cantly ables. est instalment of Weill Cornell between patients, it requires These drugs also have the Medicine-Qatar’s (WCM-Q) laboratory monitoring of the problem that they have interac- series of Grand Rounds lec- patient, it has many interac- tions with many other drugs. tures. tions with other drugs, and it is While Apixaban and Edoxa- Dr Liam Fernyhough, assist- aff ected by diet as foods high in ban cause slightly less bleeding ant professor of medicine at Vitamin K diminish its eff ects. than Warfarin, Dabigatran and WCM-Q, gave a brief history Dr Fernyhough said, “These Rivaroxaban cause about the of the evolution of anticoagula- issues are all problematic, but same amount. tion medications, used to pre- the number one problem with “Sadly, there is still signifi - vent blood clots forming in at- Warfarin is that it causes bleed- cant severe bleeding which is risk patients, thereby reducing ing. If we could develop a drug encountered in a small number the likelihood of life-threaten- that had the anticoagulant of patients on these agents. So, ing conditions such as strokes Dr Liam Fernyhough properties of Warfarin but did we cannot say there is no bleed- and heart attacks. not cause bleeding, had fewer ing but at least it is the same Dr Fernyhough explained mould and isolated a compound interactions with other drugs, or slightly less than Warfarin. Minister of Foreign Aff airs of the Argentine Republic, Jorge Faure, received a message from HE the that the fi rst anticoagulants called dicoumarol, which they was not aff ected by diet, and They are not the wonder-drugs Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, inviting were developed in the US in found to be a powerful antico- could be given as a fi xed dose, that we hoped for, but they cer- him to participate in the 19th Doha Forum to be held from December 14-15. The message was the 1930s after outbreaks of agulant. that would be highly benefi cial tainly have a number of good delivered by the ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Argentine Republic Fahad bin Ibrahim fatal haemorrhagic disease This was developed into a rat for patients.” features. Many clinicians prefer al-Hamad al-Mana, during his meeting yesterday with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Argentine among cattle were found to be poison called Warfarin that was He then explained that four to continue using Warfarin, be- Republic Gustavo Zlauvinen. The meeting also discussed bilateral relations and means of developing caused by the animals being fed later found to be a safe and ef- eff ective Warfarin alternatives cause it still has many benefi ts them, in addition to matters of mutual interest. mouldy hay. fective therapeutic anticoagu- – Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, in selected stable patients,” Dr Researchers analysed the lant for humans use. Apixaban, Edoxaban – all re- Fernyhough added.

QM announces Ramadan working hours

Qatar Museums (QM) has an- of Modern Art will receive visitors nounced its 2019 Ramadan hours from 9am to 4pm from Saturday for its museums, galleries and to Thursday and from 1.30pm to institutions. 4pm on Fridays. Both the Museum GAC Motor launches GS3, In addition to museum visits, art of Islamic Art and the Fire Station enthusiasts will enjoy a series of Garage Gallery will be open from lectures, workshops and events, 9am to 2pm and resumes from designed to inspire creativity and 8pm to midnight from Saturday to engage participants. The National Thursday. GS7 and GA4 models in Qatar Museum of Qatar will be open It will operate from 8pm to from 8pm to midnight from Sun- midnight every Friday. More infor- day to Saturday throughout Ram- mation is posted at https://www. AC Motor, exclusively adan while Mathaf: Arab Museum qm.org.qa/en/education distributed in Qatar by GDoha Marketing Serv- ices Company (Domasco), launched three of its fl agship models – the GS3, GS7 and GA4 – during a ceremony at Doha Hyatt Plaza Mall’s photo Festival City recently. The event was attended by esteemed guests, including Li contest puts Qatar’s Chen, Chinese ambassador to Qatar; Yang Song, head of the Economic and Commer- heritage in spotlight cial counsellor’s offi ce at the Chinese embassy; Wu Shut- ian, deputy marketing director, yatt Plaza Mall conclud- community in Mall activations”, GAC Motor; Katoon Su, mar- ed its photo exhibition Hyatt Plaza Mall marketing head keting manager, GAC Motor; Hrecently, featuring the Mohamed al-Hawamdeh said in Faisal Sharif, managing direc- mall’s fi rst edition of “Capture a statement. tor, Domasco, and members of Qatar” contest, aimed at high- Organised by Hyatt Plaza the media. “The GS3 and GS7 lighting Qatar’s beautiful scen- Shopping Mall and Youth Hob- are two unique SUVs that com- ery. bies Center, the photo exhibi- bine trendy and sporty designs The competition, held be- tion is one of the competitions with excellent performance and tween April 25 and May 4, re- that aims to embody the beauty, smart technologies,” Sharif said ceived more than 1,200 entries present, history and heritage of during the press and VIP con- Off icials mark the launch of GAC Motor’s GS3, GS7 and GA4 in Qatar. from photographers in the coun- Qatar. ference held at VOX Cinemas try. “Being a family shopping The closing ceremony of Cap- ahead of the main launch cer- telligent interconnection. positioned as a family sedan of destination, we are always keen ture Qatar honoured the fi rst 10 emony. The award-winning GS7 is quality and charm. Depending to off er activities and events to winners with top range cameras He added, “Together with a mid-sized SUV designed for on the model chosen, the GA4 all citizens and expats to give as gifts and an exclusive Hyatt the GA4, GAC Motor’s all-new consumers who love fashion- can come with either a naturally- them the opportunity to express Plaza VIP Card. In addition, 100 signature sedan, we are sure to able cars and are looking for a aspirated 1.5L engine with 114hp their love to Qatar. In addition, participants received certifi cates satisfy the diff erent needs of carefree driving experience. and 4-speed automatic trans- we are always aiming to engage of appreciation. consumers with these quality The car is powered by 2.0T en- mission while 1.3-litre turbo en- vehicles.” gine which has a power of 199hp gine generating 137hp, 202Nm of Sharif also explained that at 1,750rpm and can acceler- torque and 6-speed automatic Domasco’s lasting partnership ate from zero to 100km in 9.5 transmission. High-end models with GAC Motor “stems from seconds. The GS7 also features can come with adjustable halo- our commitment to provide our a 6AT gearbox and multi-link gen headlights, touchscreen in- clients in Qatar with quality suspension to make sure the fotainment, automatic climate cars that constantly meet their vehicle performs well even in control, cruise control and even expectations.” the most diffi cult terrain. The an around-view monitoring sys- Engineered as more of a GS7’s design is based on GAC tem. sports car than an SUV, the GS3 Motor’s Cross-Platform Modu- Customers wanting to is built on a trendy design. “It is lar Architecture, which off ers a book a test drive can call ideal for young families who are A ceremony was held at Doha Festival City to mark the launch of robust power control, comfort- 8008123/44248989 or visit the looking for a sporty yet com- the new vehicles. able interior space and smart exclusive GAC Motor show- fortable SUV, equipped with the entertainment system. room on Salwa Road, near the latest technologies to provide an comes in two engine specs of 1,500rpm. The SUV also fea- The GA4 is the all-new signa- Qatar Decoration signal, oppo- engaging driving experience,” 1.5L and 1.3T (Turbo) with 112hp tures a 3D voice navigation sys- ture sedan, built on GAC Motor’s site HSBC Bank. The showroom Domasco said in a statement. and 135hp, respectively, which tem, human-auto interaction own A-Class sedan platform. is open from Saturday to Thurs- Top winners of “Capture Qatar” photo contest after receiving their The “sleek, ultra-safe” GS3 has a peak torque of 202Nm at and the car-life smartphone in- The latter was designed and day, 8am to 8pm. awards.

GU-Q creating change through leadership, service and research

eorgetown University in our societies Phi Beta Kappa, Youth Assembly at the United Qatar (GU-Q) students Alpha Sigma, and Omicron Delta Nations, Asma was also awarded Gare preparing to don the Epsilon, and was a recipient of a fellowship by the Resolution traditional black robe and cap both the GU-Q Scholar Athlete Project, a non-profi t initiative of graduating seniors, it was an- Award, and a Georgetown Merit that supports young leaders dedi- nounced yesterday. Scholarship. cated to social responsibility. That GU-Q attracts some of the top A passion for service that be- led to her role in founding, The students in Qatar, the Middle gan as a young teen drew Obadah Future is Female, a student-run East, and beyond and they work to GU-Q, and that same passion programme at GU-Q that aims hard to earn the Bachelor of Sci- defi ned his academic path at to increase female presence in ence in Foreign Service degree the university. His senior the- the public sphere. Asma will be that GU-Q off ers in four majors, sis earned him the distinction graduating with the Latin honour according to a statement. of ‘Honours in the Major’ and of “cum laude”. With the support of GU-Q’s was included as a case study in a Mohamed al-Jaberi left Yem- holistic learning environment, United Nations report on educa- en to study chemical engineering these students have taken on the tion in emergencies with a focus in France for a full two years be- challenges of a rigorous liberal on Syria, his homeland. fore deciding to change course, arts curriculum, earning recog- Haya Alwaleed al-Thani Abdulrahman al-Mugaisib Mohamed al-Jaberi Obadah Diab “The GU-Q community is re- enrolling in an accelerated pro- nition for their dedication. ally a family. The small campus, gramme at GU-Q that combines When International Politics president of the Al Liwan Qatari want to do. And even when you of the Al Liwan club, worked as my country and contribute to its the Economics faculty – I found an International Politics under- major, Haya Alwaleed al-Thani student club in the same year the believe you’re up against the the faculty outreach subcom- success,” he says. total support from the minute I graduate degree with a Master’s was searching for a thesis topic blockade on Qatar was launched. wall, break the wall.” mittee chair during the Fall Georgetown places a Latin began here. And when I wanted in Arab Studies. It was while he for her Certifi cate of Arab and Working with her co-leader, Although he was accepted into 2018 semester, and was a mem- phrase as a high honour on the to quit, I was pushed to keep go- was in France that he took part in Regional Studies, off ered by Haya organised a series of public a university in the UK, Interna- ber of the Honour Council for diplomas of students who have ing. That had a tremendous im- a WISE conference, subsequent- GU-Q, she looked in her own forums at GU-Q featuring high tional Politics major, Abdulrah- two years. In recognition of his earned high grades throughout pact on me,” he recollects ly learning about Georgetown’s backyard, conducting an eth- ranking government and busi- man al-Mugaisib decided to stellar academic record, he was their undergraduate career. One Asma AlJehani was the fi rst Doha campus. Now Mohamed nographic study of the spatial ness leaders in Qatar giving their stay in Qatar. “I chose to study inducted into the prestigious of this year’s top ranked Latin Qatari student and one of only is graduating with an academic distribution of Qatari tribes in perspectives on issues aff ecting at GU-Q because of the univer- Omicron Delta Epsilon econom- honour went to International two non-practising journalists to record that won him member- Doha. She also minored in Ara- Qatar in a time of crisis. sity’s academic reputation.” He ics honour society. “Today, I am Economics major, Obadah Diab, be awarded the Rosalynn Carter ship in all three honour societies, bic. Haya’s deep commitment to Haya says, “Don’t let anyone played football for the GU-Q equipped with the education and who earned “magna cum laude.” Fellowship for Mental Health making him a model student of her country led to her role as vice stop you from doing what you Hoyas, served as the president the experience to better serve He’s also a member of top hon- Journalism. At the 2017 Summer international aff airs. Gulf Times 14 Monday, May 6, 2019 QATAR

Rush hour!

Roads around malls and hypermarkets saw heavy traff ic last evening as people thronged stores in large numbers to do some last-minute pre-Ramadan shopping. (Above) Traff ic on a road near a hypermarket on D-Ring Road. PICTURES: Jayan Orma An eatery in Doha making Qatayef, a traditional Arab delicacy, ahead of Ramadan that begins today.

Ramadan timings z The working hours of the service-oriented departments of the Ministry of Interior will be as follows: Morning shift from 8am to 1pm, and evening shift Expert cautions fasting faithful from 1pm to 5.30pm. These timings apply to the General Di- rectorate of Passports, General Directorate of Traff ic, Nation- ality and Travel Documents Department, and the Criminal Evidence and Information on dangers of dehydration Department. z The working hours of the hose who fast during Ram- heat exhaustion can lead to heat treatment is not received,” said medical attention. He says if the Ministry of Commerce and adan should be aware of the stroke, which is the most serious Dr Khalid. aff ected person is conscious, they Industry and its branches will Twarning signs of dehydra- heat-related illness and can be fatal. Individuals most at risk of de- should be made to drink fl uids, be as follows: Headquarters tion, heat exhaustion, and other “During Ramadan, people hydration and heat-related ill- such as water or any cold drink. in Lusail — from 9am to 2pm. forms of heat-related illness, an abstain from drinking and eat- nesses during Ramadan include If the person is unconscious, Ministry off ices in government Emergency Medicine senior con- ing for a long period of time and those with chronic illnesses in- use cool water (not cold) by ap- service complexes: Al Wakrah, sultant at Hamad Medical Corpo- dehydration can occur. However, cluding diabetes and kidney dis- plying a wet fl annel or face-cloth Mesaimeer, Al Hilal, Al Rayyan ration (HMC) has urged. the risk of dehydration is height- eases, those over the age of 65, to the skin. The aff ected person and Umm Salal — from 9am “While mild to moderate de- ened when you add factors that patients with heart disease, and should be exposed to a fan or an to 5pm. Al Shamal, Al Khor, Al hydration can normally be re- can increase water loss, such as those taking multiple medica- air stream to help lower their Daayen, Al Sheehaniya, The versed by drinking more fl uids, exposure to hot weather and ex- tions such as diuretics, which body temperature. Pearl-Qatar and Onaiza — from severe cases of dehydration and cessive sweating,” said Dr Khalid. increase the production of urine. Individuals with a low fi tness lev- 9am to 1pm. heat-related illness are medical “Prolonged exposure to a “Individuals with chronic ill- el and those who have experienced a z The Ministry of Public Health emergencies and require imme- hot environment and increased nesses should consult their doctor heat illness in the past are also at in- has announced the working diate treatment,” cautioned Dr physical activity can then cause before they start fasting because creased risk of dehydration. hours of the Medical Commis- Muayad Kassim Khalid. heat cramps and heat exhaustion they can experience more severe Dr Khalid says the fi rst line of sion Department and birth “While thirst and exhaustion and if those conditions continue, complications if they suff er dehy- defence in treating dehydration is registration off ices during the can be expected as a result of this can lead to heat stroke. dration,” warns Dr Khalid. staying hydrated. holy month of Ramadan. Work fasting during Ramadan, partic- “People with heat exhaustion Individuals who work outdoors He recommends consuming in these off ices and facilities ularly when the holy month falls will often not realise the sever- during daylight hours, or who ample amounts of fl uids during will start at 9am and continue during the hot summer months, ity of their condition and may work in very warm or less-venti- non-fasting hours and says people until 6pm. these conditions can become just complain of discomfort and lated environments, such as facto- should strive to drink three litres of z Following are the Indian Cul- worse and lead to dehydration, uneasiness. They may experience ries, kitchens, or bakeries, are also water between Iftar and Suhoor. Dr Khalid is senior consultant, Emergency Medicine at HMC. tural Centre off ice and consular heat exhaustion, and even heat excessive sweating, a throbbing more susceptible to dehydration. “Individuals who fast should try service timings: Saturday to stroke,” he explained. headache, and dizziness – all of However, Dr Khalid says re- to stay indoors and avoid direct ex- The Ministry of Public Health, resource devoted to health and Thursday — Morning shift from The fi rst signs of heat-related which are a result of the body’s strictions and regulations around posure to the sunlight and humidity. HMC, and the Primary Health wellness during the holy month. 9am to noon, and evening shift illness typically include skin red- temperature rising rapidly and Ramadan working hours are de- Those working outdoors are advised Care Corporation wish to remind Visit the Ramadan Health web- from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Friday ness and warmth, dizziness, nau- the sweating mechanism failing. signed to help prevent those who to rest when the weather is hottest or members of the public about the site at www.hamad.qa/ramadan- — Morning shift from 8.30am sea, vomiting, tiredness, muscles “Essentially, the body loses its fall into this category from the to work in a shaded area when possi- Ramadan Health website and health, or download the app to to 11am, and evening shift from cramps, diffi culty breathing, and ability to cool down. Heat stroke risks of heat-related illnesses. ble. Individuals who enjoy sports are companion smartphone and tab- your phone or tablet by searching 7.30pm to 10pm. a racing heart rate. can cause death or permanent In the case of heat stroke, it encouraged to exercise during the let app. The Ramadan Health for ‘Qatar Health’ (available for iOS If left untreated, heat cramps or disability if emergency medical is important to get immediate evening or indoors,” said Dr Khalid. website is Qatar’s fi rst online and Android operating systems).

Qatar condemns attack on police station in northern Qatar participates in Supreme Courts Afghanistan and Courts of Cassation conference The State of Qatar has strongly condemned the attack on a police station in the province of QNA for the strategic plan of the Su- that during the holy month of Baghlan in northern Afghanistan, Riyadh preme Courts and the Courts of Ramadan 1440H the working causing deaths and injuries of 40 Cassation in the GCC countries, hours will be from 9am to 2pm. people. and the draft of a unifi ed law of It also announced that the In a statement yesterday, the he State of Qatar partici- the Supreme and the Cassation working hours of the family court Ministry of Foreign Aff airs pated in the fourth meet- Courts in the GCC States. headquarters will be from 9am to reiterated Qatar’s firm stance Ting of the Supreme and The meeting also discussed 5pm and for the external centres rejecting violence and terrorism Cassation Courts’ specialists in topics related to the Scientifi c the working hours will be 9am to regardless of their motives and GCC countries held in Riyadh. Committee on the sidelines 2pm. reasons. The delegation of the State of the regular meetings of the The council said the working The statement expressed of Qatar was chaired by Deputy heads of the Supreme Courts hours of the criminal court will condolences of the State of Head of the Court of Cassation and Courts of Cassation, as well be 9am to 2pm. Qatar to the families of victims, Sheikh Dr Thuqail bin Sayer al- as the issues related to the web- In addition, the timings of the and government and people of Shammari. site of the Supreme Courts and hearings in the court of fi rst in- Afghanistan, wishing the injured The meeting discussed a Courts of Cassation in the GCC. stance during the holy month of a speedy recovery. number of issues on the agenda, Ramadan hours: Supreme Ramadan will take place in the including the operational plan Judiciary Council announced morning from 9:30am. Qatar condemns Israeli bombing Stadium project of Gaza Strip Qatar participates in fosters economy

The State of Qatar expressed Beijing horticulture expo From Page 1 its strong denunciation and condemnation of Israeli shelling SOLB26 has produced the of Gaza Strip in which a number structural steel for Al Wak- of Palestinians were martyred rah Stadium. The company and others were injured, has also contributed to the Dennis Basso with Adel Ali Bin Ali, chairman and president, Ali Bin Ali Holding, at the store. considering it a crime against development of Al Bayt Sta- humanity and a flagrant violation dium – Al Khor City. of international conventions and The grass turf grown es- laws. pecially in Qatar for the In a statement yesterday, the FIFA World Cup was laid American designer opens fi rst Ministry of Foreign Aff airs called at Al Wakrah Stadium in a on the international community record time of nine hours and the UN Security Council to and 15 minutes by local Middle East boutique at Katara act urgently to provide protection company Urban Concept. to the defenceless Palestinian Urban Concept is a de- people in light of the serious sign and build contractor 1 High st. at Katara — the The inauguration was attend- Basso has been hailed by both Israeli escalation in Gaza Strip, that specialises in land- Cultural Village has opened ed by local media, bloggers and celebrity and private clients for the foreign ministry considered scaping and urban spaces. 2its doors to the fi rst Den- social media infl uencers. three decades. that the policy of turning a It has a long history in de- nis Basso boutique in the Middle Speaking at the event, Basso Inspired by “pure glamour”, blind eye to the crimes of the signing large-scale projects, East. With this, the “fi nest luxury said: “Our retail boutiques carry his collections – from fur and Israeli occupation is the direct including HIA, Barwa City, goods” from the New York studio the same philosophy as our de- evening-wear to bridal-wear cause of its flagrant violations of Qatar is participating in the Beijing International Horticultural Oxygen Park and the Ras of Dennis Basso will be available sign studio in selecting top inter- and accessories – are consist- international conventions and Exhibition 2019. Qatar, which will host the International Abu Aboud Interchange. in Doha, in exclusive partnership national locations and designing ently featured in the media and laws. Horticultural Exhibition in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup the Qatar National Alumini- with Ali Bin Ali Fashion. spaces with the highest standards at red-carpet gatherings world- The statement reiterated Qatar’s following year, provided a glimpse of its plans for those two um Panel Company (QNAP) The opening further “elevates and impeccable materials, act- wide. full support for the Palestinian events. The Qatar pavilion, spread over 2,200sq m, is one specialises in the develop- Qatar’s position in the global ing as a backdrop to our unique According to Basso, “com- people’s self-determination of the biggest participants this year. Qatar is showcasing ment of composite panels fashion industry index”, accord- products. 21 High st., with all its mitment to workmanship and and restoration of all legitimate innovative solutions to agricultural challenges in the country. and provided the fabrica- ing to a press statement. unique attributes, was the perfect talent combined with the most rights, foremost of which is the It is highlighting technology Qatar is using to achieve a 50% tion of the 65,000sq m roof The designer was in Qatar on May stage for launching our collection advanced techniques allow us establishment of an independent to 70% self-suff iciency in vegetables by the year 2023. These façade at Al Wakrah Stadium. 1 for the launch event of the brand in the Middle East. We are glad to generate authentic, limited and sovereign state on the technologies allow the production of 23kg of vegetables for QNAP also contributed to that is loved by celebrities around and proud to be a part of this out- products of unsurpassed stand- borders of June 4, 1967 with Al every metre, on par with the European standards. the redevelopment of Khalifa the world, the statement notes. door shopping destination.” ards and quality.” Quds as its capital. International Stadium. Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 15 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Mediators propose Military council to present two councils: vision for transition today protest leader

Reuters AFP The current army coun- Cairo Khartoum cil has so far resisted handing over power to civilians. It was still unclear whether udan’s Transitional Mili- udanese mediators fa- both the sides would agree to tary Council said yesterday cilitating talks between the idea of having two coun- Sit would publish its views Sthe army rulers and cils, or if they would stick to for the country’s transitional pe- protest leaders have proposed the earlier proposal of one joint riod today, its latest move in ne- the country have two transi- civilian-military ruling body. gotiations with opposition fac- tion councils, with one led by Diff erences emerged be- tions after the ouster of former generals overseeing security, a tween the two sides initially president Omar al-Bashir. protest leader said yesterday. over the composition of the Protesters and activists have The mediators’ apparent joint council — the gener- been negotiating with the TMC proposal comes as talks over als demanded a majority of to form a joint civilian-military forming an overall governing military fi gures, while protest body to oversee the country until council remain deadlocked, leaders insisted the body be ci- elections. with the existing military vilian led. But the parties are dead- council and protest leaders of- Digeir said the mediators — locked over who would control fering diff ering visions, after a group of businessmen, jour- the new council and over the president Omar al-Bashir was nalists and other prominent features of a transitional gov- deposed last month. fi gures from Sudanese soci- ernment. “There is a proposal (from ety — have proposed an overall The Declaration of Freedom the mediators) to have two package that includes not just and Change Forces (DFCF,) an councils, one led by civilians the proposed two councils, but alliance of activists and oppo- and the other by the military,” also how an executive and leg- sition groups, sent the military said Omar al-Digeir, a senior islative body would work in a council a draft constitutional opposition leader and member post-Bashir era. document on Thursday con- of the umbrella protest group A senior leader from the taining its vision for the transi- the Alliance for Freedom and protest movement expressed tional period. Change. his opposition to the proposal The DFCF was expecting a “The (new) military coun- of having two councils. response in order for negotia- cil (which will also include “We are completely against tions to proceed. The consti- civilian representatives) will this idea. tutional draft, seen by Reuters, be looking at issues concern- We only want a symbolic outlines the duties of a sover- ing the security aspects of the sovereign council with mili- eign transitional council which country,” he said The “exact tary representation,” said Sid- the opposition groups hope job description” of both the dig Youssef, head of the Sudan will replace the TMC, but does councils has yet to be decided, Communist Party, which is not specify who would sit on it. he said. “No fi nal decision has part of the umbrella protest It also outlines the respon- Sudanese demonstrators chant slogans during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, yesterday. been taken yet.” group. sibilities of the cabinet and a Thousands of protesters re- “We want a parliamentary 120-member legislature. reservations on others. pected money laundering and outside the headquarters of the bashi said yesterday. main encamped outside the system with the authority in Lieutenant General Shams El The military removed Ba- financing terrorism, the gen- Defence Ministry to demand a Kabbashi also said that the army headquarters in Khar- the hands of parliament and Din Kabbashi, a spokesman for shir on April 11 after months of eral prosecutor said in a state- handover of power. council is “serious” about ar- toum, demanding the current the cabinet,” he said. the military council, said the demonstrations against his 30- ment. “We have said repeatedly resting corrupt individuals, 10-member army council that “The military should be document was “good”, adding year rule. Since Bashir’s departure, that we will not forcefully dis- and could permit journalists took power after the ouster of confi ned only to a body tasked that while the council agreed He was questioned for the protests have continued and perse the sit-in and that we will and human rights activists to Bashir be replaced by a civilian with matters related to secu- on some of its points, it had its first time yesterday over sus- demonstrators have camped continue to negotiate,” Kab- visit those already in custody. administration. rity and defence.”

Foreign domestic workers in Lebanon hold demonstration Air raids shut two Woman with Hundreds of foreign domestic workers demonstrated in the hospitals in Syria’s cancer dies Lebanese capital yesterday to demand the scrapping of a sponsorship system that they Idlib: monitor in UAE jail complain leaves them open to abuse from employers. Lebanon hosts more than AFP facilities in the region,” Ob- Reuters 250,000 registered domestic Hass servatory director Rami Ab- Dubai workers, the vast majority of del Rahman said, adding one them women, from countries civilian was killed. including Ethiopia, the Philippines ir strikes by Syr- In Hass, air strikes blamed woman with terminal and Sri Lanka. They are excluded ian regime ally Rus- on Russia halted services at cancer who was serving from the labour law, and instead Asia yesterday forced an underground hospital, Aa 10-year prison sentence obtain legal residency though the closure of two hospitals said Syria Relief and Devel- in the United Arab Emirates has their employers’ sponsorship un- Smoke rises during a fight between members of the Libyan internationally recognised government in the militant-held Syr- opment, a non-governmen- died in jail, Human Rights Watch der the so-called “kafala” system. forces and Eastern forces in Ain Zara, Tripoli, yesterday. ian province of Idlib, a war tal organisation that runs said yesterday, two months after The protesters marching in monitor said. the facility. “The hospital... the United Nations called for her Beirut held up placards reading It came on a day that eight is out of order because of the release on medical grounds. “No to slavery and yes to justice” civilians were killed in bom- raids,” said Ubaida Dandush, United Nations human rights and “Stop kafala”. “We want the bardment by the regime and who works for the NGO. experts in February called on cancellation of this system. There Russia across the north- The facility had been UAE authorities to release Alia are employees imprisoned in UN calls for week-long western province, said the evacuated shortly before Abdulnoor to live her fi nal days houses and they need to have Britain-based Syrian Ob- the bombardments, he at home and said they were con- days off ,” said Dozossissane, a servatory for Human Rights. said, thanks to alerts from cerned about reports that she 29-year-old Ethiopian. Lebanon’s Idlib and other adjacent a warning system set up to was suff ering degrading treat- labour ministry introduced a Libya Ramadan truce territories of Syria held by analyse the fl ight paths of ment, including being chained standard contract for domestic militants have faced inten- warplanes. to a bed under armed guard. workers in 2009, but the forms sifying bombardment in the Footage fi lmed by the AFP Abdulnoor was sentenced in are often written in Arabic, a AFP the seat of the internationally change prisoners and bodies of past month. cameraman showed a white 2017 to ten years in prison af- language many cannot read. Tripoli recognised unity government those killed in the clashes. Yesterday air strikes hit cloud rising over farmland ter being convicted of charges Activists regularly accuse the au- in Tripoli on April 4. Libya has been mired in cha- a hospital in Kafranbel and where the hospital is lo- including fi nancing terrorist thorities of failing to take claims The UN mission in the coun- os since the ouster and killing another located under- cated. groups. of abuse seriously, with maids, he United Nations has try proposed the “extendable of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, ground on the outskirts of The Observatory said the She was diagnosed with breast nannies and carers left at the called for a “humanitari- one-week” ceasefi re “during with Haftar supporting a rival Hass.The raids were blamed facility had been put “out of cancer after her arrest in 2015. mercy of employers. Amnesty Tan truce” to halt fi ghting which all parties pledge to halt administration in the east of on Russia by the Observa- service” because of “bomb- “Family members said they International last month urged in Libya from the start of the all forms of military opera- the country. tory. An AFP cameraman ing by Russian aircraft”. The believe her arrest was connect- Lebanon to end what it called the holy month of Ramadan today. tions” in a statement yesterday. The fl are-up in fi ghting has fi lmed the two facilities hit war monitor says it deter- ed to small donations she made “inherently abusive” migration Around 400 people have It called on the warring displaced some 55,000 and by strikes. mines whose planes car- to Syrian families in 2011 at the sponsorship system and change been killed in clashes since mil- sides to “allow the delivery of sparked fears of a humanitar- “The hospital in Kafranbel ried out strikes according to outset of the Syrian uprising,” the labour law. itary strongman Khalifa Haftar humanitarian aid to those in ian crisis as civilians remain is out of order. The patients type, location, fl ight Human Rights Watch (HRW) launched an off ensive against need” and use the truce to ex- trapped in the confl ict zone. were transferred to other patterns and munitions. said in a statement. WFP gains access to vital Yemen food aid

AFP team of the Red Sea mills com- had to be fumigated to feed port serves as the country’s Dubai pany gained access to the food millions of people. lifeline, has largely stopped aid. “An assessment carried out since the ceasefire went into “The technical team will re- following the February 26 mis- effect on December 18, but he World Food Pro- main at the site to clean and sion to the mills concluded that there have been intermittent gramme said it gained service the milling equipment around 70% of the wheat may clashes. Taccess yesterday to vi- in preparation for the milling still be salvageable,” Verhoosel Both the government and the tal food aid on the outskirts and eventual distribution of said. Houthis have been accused of of Yemen’s flashpoint city of the wheat,” Verhoosel said in “However, the flour yield violating the truce deal, while Hodeidah a month after post- an e-mailed statement. will be lower than normal due an agreed redeployment of poning its mission for security Before the UN lost access in to the hollow grains (caused by forces has not yet been imple- reasons. September the Red Sea mills weevil infestation) that will be mented. The Saudi-led coalition held 51,000 tonnes of grain, sifted out during milling.” The more than four-year fighting on the side of the gov- which was enough to feed more He added that the food will conflict in Yemen has killed ernment accused the Houthi than 3.7mn people for a month. have most likely further dete- tens of thousands people, many rebels of denying a group from In February, a WFP team riorated in quality due to the of them civilians, relief agen- the UN agency access to the visited the mills warehouse for hot weather. cies say. Red Sea mills warehouse in the first time since September, This comes after an agree- The fighting has triggered April. when they became inaccessi- ment was struck in Sweden in what the United Nations de- The WFP had said the mis- ble due to the conflict between December, in which Yemeni scribes as the world’s worst sion was postponed due to “se- pro-government forces and the rivals agreed to redeploy their humanitarian crisis, with curity reasons”. Houthi rebels. fighters outside the ports and 3.3mn people still displaced WFP spokesman Herve Ver- The WFP said laboratory away from areas that are key to and 24.1mn — more than two- People carry food aid they received from the local charity, Mona Relief, ahead of the holy month of hoosel said yesterday a WFP- tests confirmed the wheat had the humanitarian relief effort. thirds of the population — in Ramadan on the outskirts of Sanaa, yesterday. led mission and a technical been infested with insects and Fighting in Hodeidah, whose need of aid. Gulf Times 16 Monday, May 6, 2019 RAMADAN/AFRICA The wisdom behind fasting S Africa’s ruling ANC

ne of the Names of Allah is Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise), OAllah is All-Wise in what He vows to act on graft; decrees, what He commands, what He prohibits, what He predestines and what He legislates. Allah may make people aware of the wisdom behind certain matters or He may conceal it, EFF promises reforms or may make only some people realise the wisdom and not all people. In all cases, a believer is obliged to Reuters submit to his Lord and His decrees Johannesburg and commands even if he does not recognise the wisdom behind them, as Allah Says (what means): “It is not for outh Africa’s ruling African Na- a believing man or a believing woman, tional Congress (ANC) will kick- when Allah and His Messenger have Sstart the economy and deal with decided a matter, that they should corruption, it vowed yesterday, three [thereafter] have any choice about days before elections at which its over- their aff air.” [Qur’an 33: 36] whelming majority faces its sternest One of the commands of Allah test since the party rose to power. which He made people partly aware of The country’s second-biggest op- the wisdom behind it, is fasting. Fast- position party, the Economic Freedom ing has many inwardly and outwardly Fighters (EFF), challenged the ANC’s benefi ts, on the individual and the governance record and promised a community. tougher stance on corruption and eco- The following are some of these nomic policies to target racial inequality. benefi ts which can be recognised by Though the ANC has won each par- reason: liamentary election since the transi- Attaining piety: Allah Says (what tion from apartheid in 1994, recent means): “O you who have believed, opinion polls predict that it will bleed Incumbent S Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, centre, waves at supporters at Ellis decreed upon you is fasting as it was support to opposition coalitions that Park stadium in Johannesburg during ANC’s final presidential election campaign decreed upon those before you that have gained ground as the ANC has rally yesterday ahead of May 8 legislative and presidential elections. you may become pious” [Qur’an 2: been dogged by political scandal and a 183] fl agging economy. “The reign of thieves must fall, the Ramaphosa said the ANC would Diminishing the strength of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took reign of Ramaphosa must fall,” Male- revive economic growth and ease un- one’s desires: Eating to one’s fi ll and over from scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma ma chanted at a rally of about 40,000 employment, which sits at more than quenching the thirst and enjoying as ANC leader in December 2017, told supporters in Johannesburg town- 27%, by hitting an investment target one’s wife all the time can lead one to about 70,000 supporters packed into ship Soweto. “The EFF doesn’t have of 1.4trn rand ($100bn) and limiting heedlessness and to ingratitude. Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium yes- tolerance for corruption.” policy uncertainty. Focusing on the mention of Allah terday that the party would punish mem- Three opinion polls in recent weeks “It has never been done before in and pondering: Continual fulfi lment bers guilty of stealing public money. show the ANC’s support ranging be- South Africa and only the ANC will of desires makes one hard-hearted and A judicial corruption inquiry that tween 51 and 61%, compared with the be able to mobilise these kinds of re- blinds him from the right path. It also began in 2018 has heard chilling evi- 62% it won in 2014. sources,” Ramaphosa said. prevents the slave from mentioning Al- dence of how top offi cials took bribes The EFF won 10% of the vote in 2014 South Africa’s economic growth has lah and refl ecting upon His signs and overcome this behaviour. Medical benefi ts: Fasting protects from local and multinational compa- national elections. In local elections slowed sharply in recent years, averag- creation, all of which leads to heedless- Realising the size of the boun- the person from many diseases with nies in exchange for lucrative contracts in 2016 it captured 12%, allowing it to ing about 2% in the past decade, while ness. ties of Allah: Fasting makes rich the will of Allah. Modern research from state fi rms. play kingmaker in urban regions where medium-term GDP is seen around 1%, Narrowing the passage of the people appreciate the favours of Allah proved that fasting has many health “We are determined that those neither of the top two parties managed well below the 4-5% needed to dent devil: Satan runs in the blood of the upon him, because Allah has granted benefi ts, such as: found guilty of corruption or involve- to get past 50%. rising poverty and joblessness. son of Aadam and fasting narrows his him what He has deprived many other zIt organises the person’s heart- ment in state capture will not be al- Analysts said it was telling that the Malema said the EFF would grow passage and thus lessens his eff ects, poor people from. Refraining from beat and relaxes it since no blood is lowed to occupy positions of responsi- ANC, as well as the two largest op- the economy in favour of black Afri- reduces one’s desires and calms one’s such bounties and blessings for a short needed for digestion. bility, either in the ANC, in parliament position parties – the Democratic Al- cans and the youth by doubling child anger. period through fasting, reminds the zIt purifi es the blood from fat and or in government,” Ramaphosa said at liance (DA) and EFF – held their fi nal grants, off ering free university educa- Strengthening one’s willpower rich with those who are continuously cholesterol and acids. Sunday’s rally. campaign rallies in Gauteng. tion and nationalising key industries. and determination: One, who can deprived, and thus become grateful to zIt relieves the liver from the regu- “The era of impunity is over. We are Despite being the province with the “Political freedom without eco- tolerate the pain of hunger and thirst Allah and more merciful towards the lar pressure. now entering the era of accountability.” smallest land area, Gauteng generates nomic freedom is meaningless,” and controls himself from having a needy. zIt reduces the production of the The torrent of allegations has hit more than a third of South Africa’s Malema said, referring to wealth and sexual relation with his spouse whilst A communal act of worship: digestive glands which is usually the ANC support, especially in urban gross domestic product (GDP) and is income inequality that has remained fasting, will strengthen his determi- This act of worship must be practised cause for ulcers. areas. the most populous province with a racially skewed and the slow progress nation and willpower. This frees the by the entire Muslim community in zIt protects the person from gain- The EFF, formed by former ANC population of 14.3mn. of the ANC’s policies of affi rmative ac- person from being enslaved to his the east and the west. The entire Mus- ing weight, diabetes, kidney stones. youth leader Julius Malema in 2013, has In 2016 local polls the ANC lost con- tion and macroeconomic orthodoxy. lusts and desires that are harmful to lim nation fasts this month, even the zIt reduces the pressure on the built its agenda on highlighting state trol of the three largest metropolitan “We are not fi ghting white people. him. ones who are normally disobedient heart arteries. graft and championing radical eco- municipalities – economic hub Johan- We are fi ghting to eat from the same Breaking one out of his regu- fast during Ramadan in most cases. Some people are unable to fast due nomic reforms the ANC has avoided, nesburg, administrative capital Preto- dinner table,” Malema said. lar routine: Some people lose their This increases the righteous environ- to their sickness, and thus Allah per- such as mine nationalisation and land ria, both in Gauteng, and Nelson Man- “If we cannot eat from that dinner temper and become ill-mannered if ment which facilitates repentance to mitted them to break their fast whilst expropriation without compensation. dela Bay in the eastern province. table, we will destroy the entire table.” their meal was delayed from its nor- many people. sick and mandated that they make up mal time or if they do not drink their Increases the sense of hon- for the days they missed. Allah Says morning coffee or afternoon tea. esty: The one who breaks the fast is (what means): “So whoever among They have become so accustomed breaching the pledge with Allah and you is ill or on a journey [during to a certain routine that changing thus fasting improves and increases them]-then an equal number of days it creates a problem for them. Such his sense of honesty when he refrains [are to be made up]” [Qur’an: 2: 184] Body found in Five Nigerian people are slaves to their routine and from anything that could break his Article source: http://www.is- habits, and fasting helps the person fast even whilst in seclusion. lamweb.net Benin after two soldiers killed French tourists     by Boko Haram    go missing  AFP The jihadists were said Lagos to have arrived in the town          around 5pm (1600 GMT) and     DPA Johannesburg engaged troops in an hour-   ive Nigerian soldiers long fi ght.  were killed when Boko But militia leader Gre- body has been found in a national park in FHaram overran a mili- mah Kaka said the insurgents    Benin, days after two French tourists and tary base in the restive north- “gained the upper hand and A their guide went missing, Benin’s interior east two days ago, the army chased the troops away.”    ministry said in a statement. said yesterday. “The insurgents overpowered The three went missing at Pendjari National A column of fi ghters from the soldiers and forced them to  Park, and “a body was discovered today,” said the the IS-affi liated Islamic State fl ee into the bush,” he said.   statement, released late Saturday. West Africa Province (ISWAP) Kaka said the jihadists The body has not been identifi ed, and the gov- in trucks and on motorcycles stayed in the base for “more    ernment has warned against drawing conclusions stormed into the base in the than four hours” before they as investigations continue. town of Magumeri, 50km (30 were dislodged by reinforce-     While Benin has been spared Islamist violence miles) from the Borno state ments from another base in seen elsewhere in West Africa, neighbouring Burki- capital Maiduguri late Friday. Gubio, 46km away.    na Faso has seen multiple terror attacks. Army spokesman Ezindu Last week, the jihadists    “The country’s proximity with Burkina Faso, Idima said in a statement gov- raided a military base in Ma- Niger and Nigeria – all of which are experiencing ernment troops “had a fi erce rarrabar Kimba, 135km from           violent extremism – and the porosity of its borders, encounter” with the insur- Maiduguri, killing fi ve troops make Benin susceptible to terror threats,” the Insti- gents who came in numbers and stealing weapons, while        tute for Security Studies said in March. to loot food items and other some 30 troops are listed as France has advised citizens that the terrorist risk valuables. missing.       cannot be totally ruled out in Benin and advised “The indefatigable troops ISWAP has since July last        them to use utmost caution there. eff ectively thwarted the ter- year targeted dozens of military The French foreign ministry confi rmed that two rorists’ plan through superior bases in attacks that saw the ji-     French nationals who were visiting the national fi re power,” he said. hadists kill scores of soldiers. park have been missing since failing to return to “However, during the en- Boko Haram’s decade-long            their hotel on Wednesday. counter the terrorists suff ered campaign of violence has A ministry spokesman said that the search for heavy losses/casualty. Unfor- killed 27,000 people and dis-          the two tourists was continuing, as indicated by the tunately, fi ve soldiers paid the placed around two million in          Beninese authorities. supreme price,” he said. Nigeria.                      Tanzania regime critic abducted: opposition    AFP Witnesses said the 32-year-old Two regime opponents, including       Nairobi screamed for help before being pulled a lawmaker, were handed fi ve-month into one of two waiting vehicles which jail terms in February for defaming       sped off , the statement added. the president, who is nicknamed “The    .    n outspoken critic of Tanza- “So far, we don’t know where Mdude Bulldozer”.   nian President John Magufuli is is,” Chadema said. Nyagali, an acid-tongued critic of     Amissing after being snatched off The incident had been reported to Magufuli, branded him a “hypocrite” the road by armed men in the country’s law enforcement, the party said. Po- in a Twitter post to his nearly 20,000     far-south, the main opposition party lice in Mbozi, a town in Songwe region followers just hours before his dis- said yesterday. near the Zambian border, could not be appearance. He has faced sedition              Four men wielding guns abducted reached for comment. charges in the past. Mdude Nyagali, a high-profi le dissident Critics say Magufuli has unleashed The activist has been threatened online and opposition activist, as he left his a wave of oppression since his election with the same fate as Tundu Lissu, an op-     workplace in Mbozi on Saturday evening, in 2015, cracking down on opposition position lawmaker recovering in a Brussels the Chadema party said in a statement. fi gures and curbing press freedom. hospital after being shot in September. Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 17 AMERICAS

FUNERAL CAUSE UNKNOWN APPOINTMENT OIL THEFT ACCIDENT Military honours for student 7 Venezuela troops die Trump picks wall backer to Mexican Navy soldier Cadaver recovered after who confronted NC gunman in helicopter crash head immigration agency killed in pipeline attack Chicago-area plant blast

The slain student hailed as a hero for tackling Seven Venezuelan soldiers have died in President Donald Trump said yesterday that he One member of Mexico’s navy was killed and The body of a worker was recovered while a gunman during last week’s shooting at the a helicopter crash in southeast Caracas, plans to appoint Mark Morgan, a border patrol three were injured on Saturday when they two other employees remained missing on University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) Venezuelan off icials said on Saturday. The chief under former president Barack Obama who came under fire while patrolling a section of Saturday after an explosion at a silicone plant in was to be buried yesterday with full military Cougar helicopter “went to ground” in the supports Trump’s border wall, to head the US state-run oil firm Pemex’s frequently plundered a Chicago suburb, a fire off icial said. Fire off icials honours. Twenty-one-year-old Riley Howell was municipality of El Hatillo on Saturday morning Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. “I pipelines, the country’s naval secretary said. were investigating what caused the blast at one of two students killed on Tuesday when a as it travelled from Caracas to San Carlos in am pleased to inform all of those that believe in a Members of the navy were monitoring part AB Specialty Silicones in Waukegan, Illinois on shooter opened fire with a handgun inside a Cojedes State, 200km away, a statement signed strong, fair and sound Immigration Policy that Mark of the Tuxpan-Azcapotzalco pipeline which Friday night, Waukegan Fire Marshal Steven classroom full of nearly 50 students. Four other by Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Morgan will be joining the Trump Administration as runs from Veracruz to Mexico City, the navy Lenzi told CNN. “We are still gathering what went students were injured. “The North Carolina Padrino Lopez said. “Venezuelan people! In the the head of our hard working men and women of secretary said in a statement, without saying wrong,” he said. Nine employees were in the National Guard will conduct military funeral morning hours of today May 4 a FANB (National ICE,” Trump wrote on Twitter. Morgan, who headed exactly where the attack took place. Mexican building at the time of the explosion that lit up honours today for cadet Howell,” said Wells Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela) border patrol for six months, came out in support President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has the night sky in the community of some 85,000 Greeley of Wells Funeral Homes in Waynesville, helicopter crashed, killing seven off icials,” of Trump’s border wall in January. Trump’s hardline vowed to crack down on the country’s rampant people about 65km north of downtown Chicago. North Carolina. Howell was a cadet with the embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas immigration policy is likely to be a top issue in the fuel theft, which cost Pemex an estimated $3bn The blast sent four workers to the hospital while Army Reserve Off icer Training Corps. Maduro wrote on Twitter. 2020 presidential election. last year alone. two others did not require treatment, Lenzi said. Dino-mania Panama votes for president; hopefuls vow to fi ght graft

Reuters fi rm Mossack Fonseca that de- country in Latin America. Panama City tailed how the world’s rich evade “There is a division between tax through off shore centres. those who have a lot and those Promises to curb white-collar who have little,” said Carmen anamanians yesterday cast crime have featured prominently Gomez, 68, as she cleaned the ballots for president fol- in the race. entrance of her apartment block Plowing a campaign led by The leading candidates pre- in the capital’s impoverished El A replica of a dinosaur skeleton is illuminated in front of the Washington Monument as people enjoy a festival event called ‘Catharsis a former farm minister whose sented proposals that would Chorrillo neighborhood. on the Mall’ in Washington. promises to fi ght corruption and change the way public contracts Gomez said she was planning inequality resonated in the wake are awarded. to vote for Cortizo and hopes of bribery scandals and the canal Cortizo also said he would that his government would pun- nation’s role in hiding the wealth continue to deepen ties with Chi- ish everyone for their crimes, in- of global elites. na, but has suggested he might cluding the rich. The next president will inherit move more slowly than President “We want a president who is one of the world’s fastest-grow- Juan Carlos Varela, who angered not going to get involved in cor- ing economies, in which China the United States by signing sev- ruption,” said Felix Calles, 56, a Doctors use medical records has an increasing interest. eral major infrastructure projects construction worker, adding that But there is also mounting with the Asian power. he would vote for Roux. pressure to reduce the wealth Cortizo’s main challenger, “It is not just about Odebrecht gap and clean up politics after Romulo Roux of the center-right and the Panama Papers. There the corruption scandal involving Democratic Change (DC) party, were many more corruption to fi ght US measles outbreak Brazilian builder Odebrecht and off ered a constitutional reform to scandals that went unpunished,” the Panama Papers documents strengthen the independence of he said. leak. the judicial branch. Others expressed some cau- By Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters el since the virus was deemed eliminated in and North University HealthSystem. Laurentino ‘Nito’ Cortizo, the He is also calling for Panama tion. “As Panamanians we have Chicago 2000. Northern California’s Sutter Health, 66-year-old former agricultural to restore its image to attract in- to see how far we want to go in The measles virus is highly contagious which serves 1.7mn patients, last month in- minister of the moderate left vestment. terms of sanctions and punish- and can cause blindness, deafness, brain troduced a screening questionnaire about Democratic Revolution Party “Panama’s representatives ments for people or companies S doctors are tapping into their elec- damage or death. potential measles risk for every patient who (PRD), has wooed the country’s abroad have to focus on bringing when there is proof of corrup- tronic medical records to identify At NYU Langone, the alerts were devel- tries to book their appointment online. 2.8 mn voters with promises to investment and opportunities to tion, to ensure punishment Uunvaccinated patients and poten- oped using software from Madison, Wis- Dr Jeff rey Silvers, Sutter Health’s medi- improve government services Panama, and defend its image, without losing competitiveness,” tially infected individuals to help contain consin-based Epic Medical Systems. cal director of infectious diseases, said peo- such as water and healthcare. which has been hurt,” Roux told said Severo Sousa, president of the worst US measles outbreak in 25 years. Epic, whose medical records software is ple with measles often seek treatment for A former businessman, Cor- Reuters. the National Council of Private New York’s NYU Langone Health net- used by thousands of US hospitals and clin- symptoms such as cough, runny nose or tizo has also promised to clamp Varela is barred by law from Companies in Panama. work of hospitals and medical offi ces treats ics, said other customers began requesting fever before they develop the tell-tale rash. down on alleged embezzlement seeking re-election. Still, many argue that not patients from both Rockland County and their help to address the outbreak. The screening program aims to identify of public funds in the Central “Romulo Roux is thinking enough has been done to fi ght Brooklyn, two epicentres of the outbreak. In response, Epic released a how-to guide early whether they represent a measles case. American country, whose trans- more about the economy and graft and impunity. It has built alerts into its electronic medi- last month that incorporated many of the “If a person has a fever plus one of those oceanic canal handles some how to create employment,” said “The general sense in Pana- cal records system to notify doctors and best ideas from its customers fi ghting the symptoms, or a rash, they have to answer $270bn of cargo each year. Abigail Mejia, 28, a nurse who ma is that the powerful and the nurses that a patient lives in an outbreak outbreak. the next question, which is, ‘Have you been Shortly before casting his said Roux would have her vote. mighty can get away with any- area, based on their Zip code. The guide walks health systems through outside of the United States in the last three vote, Cortizo told Reuters that he The World Bank forecasts thing,” said Olga de Obaldia of “It identifi es incoming patients who may ways to use medical records to identify and weeks or been exposed to anybody with feared for Panama’s reputation Panama’s economy will grow 6% Transparency International in have been exposed to measles and need to reach out to patients who are unvaccinated measles?’” Silvers said. as a major fi nancial hub and the this year, surpassing every other Panama. be assessed,” said Dr Michael Phillips, chief and helps inform doctors on how to screen, Those who answer yes must call to sched- impending verdict of the Finan- epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health. track and treat measles patients. ule their appointment so that staff can take cial Action Task Force (FATF), Alerts in a patient’s medical record also “For example, we can fi nd all those pa- precautions to protect themselves and other which evaluates countries by prompt conversations with their visitors — tients missing the MMR vaccine and send patients. their measures to combat money who may also have been exposed to the virus out a message to patients or providers,” said California so far has had 40 measles cas- laundering. — about their own health, prior exposure to Jordan Tucker, a member of the Epic imple- es, most of them in the southern part of the “We are worried about it and measles and vaccination history. mentation team, who is helping oversee the state. we will do everything we have Mount Sinai Health System in New York project. Sutter plans to use Epic’s software to de- to do to prevent money launder- rolled out a similar program last week, said So far, Epic clients in New York, Illinois, velop a program to increase measles vacci- ing...We want a robust fi nancial Dr Bruce Darrow, its chief medical informa- Texas and California are using the system to nation coverage, Silver said. system,” Cortizo said. tion offi cer. fi ght the outbreak. According to the World Health Organiza- Panama has previously ap- Darrow said it was important because Illinois has confi rmed seven measles cas- tion, 95% of a population needs to be vacci- peared on FATF’s list of countries although a patient who comes from a mea- es this year. nated to provide “herd immunity,” a form of deemed defi cient in their meas- sles-aff ected Zip code may have passed the In response to reports of a potential case indirect protection that prevents infection ures to tackle money laundering. screening, family members who visit may in the Chicago area, two hospitals in the in people too young or sick to be vaccinated. Earlier this year, Panama have been exposed. suburbs last month sent hundreds of letters CDC offi cials have said rising rates of vac- passed a law that makes tax eva- He said the alert system raises awareness to parents urging them to ensure their kids cine scepticism are creating undervaccinat- sion illegal. for doctors and nurses “to be on lookout get their measles shots. ed populations, weakening herd immunity. Panama’s image was tarnished not just for our patients, but anybody who “We wanted to do everything we could If herd immunity is not suffi cient and ex- by a corruption scandal involving comes into the building.” before it got to us,” said Dr Michael Caplan, posures continue, the outbreak could take Brazilian builder Odebrecht and US offi cials have reported more than 700 co-medical director of a paediatric partner- off , said Caplan, the Illinois pediatrician. the Panama Papers leak of 11.5mn Panamanian presidential candidate Romulo Roux speaks to the press confi rmed cases of measles, the highest lev- ship between Advocate Children’s Hospital “Everybody is a little concerned about that.” documents from Panamanian law outside a polling station in Panama City yesterday.

Fed up Canada tells Trump administration to help with China crisis or forget about favours

Reuters fi cer Meng Wanzhou, arrested The results have been meagre. The State Department said it US administration on diplomatic government, played a key role in Meng, who is under house ar- Ottawa last December on a US warrant. “It’s a very challenging situ- was “concerned” by the canola eff orts with Venezuela, Latvia negotiating a new North Ameri- rest at her Vancouver mansion, It halted Canadian canola im- ation. When we raise it with the ban. and Nato, strongly suggested fu- can trade deal last year. next appears in court on May 8 ports and last week suspended Americans they just say, ‘Dealing In March, the Foreign Rela- ture requests for aid would not be Relations between Trump and ahead of an extradition hear- anada is leaning on the the permits of two major pork with the Chinese is tough’,” said a tions Committee responded to met so positively unless Wash- Trudeau are formal at best. ing, in a process that could take United States to help set- producers. Canadian government source. Canada’s concerns by passing a ington cooperated more. Offi cials in Ottawa have not years. Ctle a dispute with China, After Meng’s Vancouver ar- “It’s also not clear who we bipartisan resolution supporting “How do you go to canola forgotten that the president blew MacNaughton said part of which has started to block im- rest, Chinese police also detained should be targeting since you the country. farmers and relatives of the two up last year’s Group of Seven Canada’s frustration also stems ports of vital Canadian com- two Canadian citizens. never know who is up and who Canada says the United States (Canadian detainees) and say summit in Canada by describing from a lack of information on US modities amid a dispute over a Beijing is refusing to allow a Ca- is down in the administration at is obliged to help, given that the ‘Well, actually, notwithstanding Trudeau as very dishonest and intentions toward Meng. detained Huawei executive. nadian trade delegation to visit, any given point,” said the source, US arrest warrant triggered the all of this, we’re going to try and weak. Trump has previously sug- In a sign of increasing frustra- forcing offi cials to use video con- who requested anonymity given crisis with Beijing. do whatever we can to help?’” he “At the political level, this ad- gested the charges against her tion at what it sees as a lacklus- ference calls as they try to negate a the sensitivity of the matter. US negotiators have rejected said. ministration doesn’t like us very could be dropped if that would tre US response, Prime Minister major threat to commodity exports. Among those the Canadians Chinese proposals to include the “It makes it much more dif- much,” said a second well-placed help the trade talks. Justin Trudeau’s government is With no cards to play against approached are Secretary of State Huawei issue in their current fi cult in public opinion terms for source. “What we’ve said is, ‘We’d like signalling it could withhold co- China without risking signifi - Mike Pompeo, Agriculture Sec- trade deal discussions, according the prime minister to have per- Intertwined with the China to have a little better sense of operation on major issues. cant economic damage, Canada retary Sonny Perdue, US Trade to a source familiar with the ne- mission to do some of the things crisis is a second problem: the what your plans are in terms of China has upped the pressure has launched a full-court press Representative Robert Light- gotiations. that would be in both countries’ tariff s on Canadian steel and dealing with her. Are you engaged on Canada in recent weeks over in Washington, which is nego- hizer and Republican Senator Jim Canada’s US ambassador interests.” aluminium that Trump imposed in negotiations over a plea deal?’,” the arrest of Huawei Technolo- tiating its own trade deal with Risch, chairman of the Foreign David MacNaughton, who noted MacNaughton, who has cab- last year on national security he said. “We’re completely in the gies Co Ltd Chief Financial Of- Beijing. Relations Committee. Canada has assisted the current inet-level status in Trudeau’s grounds. dark.” Gulf Times 18 Monday, May 6, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Curfew in Sri Lanka city as religious tensions rise

AFP in a church bombing two weeks underway into the clashes, the been give sweeping powers to ar- and the surrounding areas to situation in the country, we have Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Colombo ago. “At least two motorcycles fi rst violence between Muslims rest and detain suspects for long make sure it is safe for children reviewed the visas system and Pakistan. “There are religious and two three-wheel taxis have and Christians since the April 21 periods. Earlier in the day, tens of to go back”. took a decision to tighten visa re- institutions which have been been damaged in the clashes,” attacks targeting three churches thousands of security personnel As part of the clampdown af- strictions for religious teachers,” getting in foreign preachers for ri Lanka clamped curfews the police offi cer told AFP. “We and three luxury hotels in the searched public schools for ex- ter the attacks on three churches Abeywardena told AFP. “Out of decades,” Abeywardena said. at a city outside the capital declared a curfew till 7am (0130 country. plosives ahead of their reopening and three luxury hotels, the gov- those who were sent out, about “We have no issues with them, Syesterday to contain reli- GMT) to contain the unrest.” Tensions gripped Negombo today. ernment announced a crack- 200 were Islamic preachers.” but there are some which mush- gious tensions as the authorities There were no immediate reports as the authorities prepared to The search for explosives down on foreign Islamic clerics The suicide attacks were led roomed recently. We will pay prepared to reopen schools after of casualties. reopen public schools after an and a security cordon thrown operating in the majority Bud- by a local cleric who is known more attention to them.” Easter bombings that killed 257 The country’s main interna- extended Easter vacation follow- around 10,900 schools nation- dhist country. to have travelled to neighbour- The minister said the gov- people. tional airport is located in the ing the suicide attacks blamed wide came as the government Home Aff airs Minister Vajira ing India and made contact with ernment was overhauling its A senior police offi cer said the area, but police said there was no on a local militant group which said it has expelled over 600 Abeywardena said 200 clerics militants there. visa policy following the at- night curfew was imposed to disruption to airport traffi c. Elite pledged allegiance to the Islamic foreigners, including about 200 were found to have overstayed The minister did not give the tacks. House-to-house searches prevent an escalation of mob vi- Special Task Force comman- State group. The country has Islamic clerics, since the April 21 visas, for which fi nes were im- nationalities of those who have are being carried out across the olence after attacks occurred in dos were deployed to patrol the been under a state of emergency attacks. Police spokesman Ru- posed and they were then ex- been expelled, but police have country looking for explosives Negombo — north of Colombo — streets, police said. The senior since the suicide bombings. Se- wan Gunasekera said “police and pelled. said many foreigners who have and propaganda material of Is- where over 100 Christians died offi cer said an investigation was curity forces and police have soldiers combed school premises “Considering the current overstayed their visas were from lamic extremists. N Korea tested rocket launchers, ‘guided weapons’

AFP Trump, but the North’s offi cial “Kim Jong-un fully realises page, including a picture of a Seoul KCNA news agency shied away the great economic potential of grim-looking Kim clutching his from the term in its report, saying North Korea, & will do nothing to binoculars in an observation post Kim had ordered a “strike drill” interfere or end it,” Trump tweet- as well as several images of pro- orth Korean state me- involving “long-range multiple ed on Saturday. jectiles shooting skywards. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (left) supervising a “strike drill”, a test of long-range multiple rocket dia said yesterday that rocket launchers” – which are not “He also knows that I am with Trump proclaimed that the launchers and tactical guided weapons, into the East Sea in an undisclosed location in North Korea. Nleader Kim Jong-un had targeted by UN sanctions resolu- him & does not want to break his North Korean nuclear threat was overseen a rocket and tactical tions – and unspecifi ed “tactical promise to me. Deal will happen!” over after the two sides’ histor- ons, and came days after a senior ballistic missiles”. Even so, a summit, South Korean president guided weapons test, after the guided weapons”. The US leader did not elaborate ic fi rst summit in Singapore in North Korean diplomat chas- statement from Seoul’s presi- Moon Jae-in – who brokered the drill on Saturday raised concerns Seoul’s defence ministry said on Kim’s promise. June, when Kim pledged to work tised Pompeo for making “fool- dential Blue House said it was fi rst meeting between the mercu- Pyongyang was escalating provo- an analysis of the launch indicat- Pompeo, speaking on ABC, towards “complete denucleari- ish and dangerous” comments “greatly concerned”, calling it a rial US and North Korean leaders cations with US nuclear negotia- ed Pyongyang had tested “240- said the rockets were relatively sation of the Korean peninsula”. during nuclear talks. Analysts violation of a military agreement – has tried to salvage diplomacy, tions deadlocked. But the United mm and 300-mm multiple rocket short range, had crossed no inter- The two have since disagreed over said Pyongyang appears intent on signed by both Koreas last year. but Pyongyang has remained States seemed to seek a concilia- launchers and a new type of tac- national boundary, had landed in what that means, but Trump has raising pressure on Washington. On Friday, South Korean For- largely unresponsive. tory tone in response, with Secre- tical guided weapons with a range waters east of North Korea “and insisted the leaders remain close “Kim wants to ensure the eign Minister Kang Kyung-wha Last week, on the anniversary tary of State Mike Pompeo saying of around 70 to 240km”. The didn’t present a threat to the even after their follow-up meet- world knows it is upset with the said Pyongyang should show of the fi rst Panmunjom summit yesterday that Washington still United States and North Korea United States or to South Korea ing in Vietnam broke up without US hardline stance on denuclear- “visible, concrete and substan- between Moon and Kim, KCNA saw “a path forward” in the de- have been at loggerheads since or Japan.” He called the situation a deal or even a joint statement, isation and will not bow to exter- tial” denuclearisation action if it said Washington and Seoul “keep nuclearisation process. the collapse of a Trump-Kim serious and said the US always and that Kim would maintain his nal pressure,” said Scott Seaman wants sanctions relief – the issue pushing the situation of the Ko- The North last carried out a summit in February, when the knew the road to denuclearisa- moratorium on long-range mis- of the Eurasia Group. at the centre of the Hanoi deba- rean peninsula and the region to missile test in November 2017, two sides clashed over sanctions tion would be “bumpy and a long sile and nuclear tests. But Ankit Panda of the Fed- cle. Earlier this week, North Ko- an undesirable phase”, criticising before a rapid diplomatic rap- and the extent of Pyongyang’s one.” But, Pompeo added, “we But with negotiations lagging, eration of American Scientists rean Vice Foreign Minister Choe their joint military exercises. The prochement saw tensions ease concessions on its atomic arse- still believe there’s a path for- the North appears to be testing stressed that the projectile launch Son Hui warned Washington of North Korean drill comes just on the peninsula and a series nal. But despite the latest sabre- ward.” the US while staying below that “does not violate Kim Jong-un’s an “unwanted outcome” if it did days before US special represent- of summits. A return to mis- rattling from Pyongyang, Trump The state-run Rodong Sin- threshold. The Saturday drill fol- self-imposed missile-testing not adjust its stance on economic ative Stephen Biegun is to visit sile launches would be likely to insisted that a breakthrough was mun newspaper carried 16 photos lowed last month’s test-fi ring of moratorium”, which “only ap- sanctions. Japan and South Korea for talks infuriate US President Donald possible. of the weapons test on its front very short-range tactical weap- plied to intercontinental-range Since the collapse of the Hanoi on Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal.

Newly crowned Thai king in royal procession

Reuters tle between the government’s Bangkok chief and a “democratic front” trying to push the army out of politics. On Saturday, the king hai King Maha Vajiralong- sat on a golden throne under a korn visited Buddhist nine-tiered umbrella and placed Ttemples and greeted his the 7.3kg golden Great Crown of subjects for the fi rst time since Victory on his head following an his crowning in a royal proces- elaborate purifi cation ritual. sion around the old quarter of Yesterday morning, the king Bangkok yesterday, as part of granted new ranks and titles intricate coronation ceremonies to members of the royal fam- held over three days. ily. The monarch was joined by “Long live the king!” shouted new Queen Suthida after a sur- well-wishers who lined roads for prise announcement three days hours under the blazing sun and before the coronation that the well into the night, hoping for thrice-divorced monarch had a glimpse of the constitutional married for a fourth time. One monarch who is revered in Thai of the many offi cial titles King culture as a living deity. Vajiralongkorn is taking is Rama King Vajiralongkorn, carried X, or the 10th king of the Chakri through the streets by 16 men dynasty founded in 1782. For the bearing his gilded palanquin, royal procession, the king was visited three royal temples, start- carried through the streets on ing with Bovoranives, where he a gilded palanquin borne by 16 Australian Labor Party leader Bill Shorten (right) greets former Labor Treasurer Wayne Swan spent 15 days ordained as a Bud- men walking at about 75 steps following the election launch in Brisbane yesterday. Shorten outlined details of new health and dhist monk in 1978. per minute and stopping to swap education packages plus multinational tax avoidance crackdown. He paid homage to the temple’s out personnel every 500 metres, main Buddha image as well as the according to the palace. relic and cremated remains of his More than 1,300 personnel father, King Bhumibol Adulya- were in the procession. Yester- dej. Clad in gold-embroidered day’s crowds were expected to be Australia opposition leader vestments and wearing the same the largest yet for the coronation black military-style hat that his events. father wore at his coronation 69 Thai people have been en- years ago, the king also visited couraged for the past month by promises ‘real’ change at Rajabopidh temple, the abode of the military government to wear the current Buddhist supreme yellow to signify devotion to the patriarch, and Chetuphon tem- monarchy but only in the last ple to pay respects to the relic of few days have people in Bangkok offi cial campaign launch the fi rst Chakri monarch. Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn being carried in a palanquin out joined in on a large scale. When Conch shell horns heralded the of the Grand Palace for his coronation procession in Bangkok. King Bhumibol died, Bangkok’s parade, which was accompanied streets and public transport Reuters tional coalition in power since tion on healthcare by A$8bn by two horseback cavalry sol- ryaidee, a 77-year-old man, told travel to the site was free in the were a sea of black for months. Melbourne 2013. “We are choosing hope ($5.62bn). Shorten said that diers, a military marching band Reuters. capital. Although most coronation cer- over fear,” Shorten, 51, said. he would spend A$500mn on and royal guards in a mixture of The Thai government, which The coronation of King Vaji- emonies for Thai kings follow “We are choosing the future upgrading hospital emergen- ancient Thai and modern West- is spending 1bn baht ($31.4mn) ralongkorn, 66, takes place from Hindu Brahmin traditions, some ustralia’s opposition over the past.” cy rooms and give more cash ern-style uniforms. Spectators on the weekend’s coronation Saturday to Monday after a peri- Buddhist elements were added leader Bill Shorten said The Labor Party and the rul- for mental health services for all wearing yellow, the colour as- ceremonies, has said crowds of od of offi cial mourning for his re- by the monarch’s great-great Ayesterday that if his ing coalition led by Prime Min- youths. Shorten said his gov- sociated with the king, gathered at least 200,000 people were vered father, who died in October grandfather King Mongkut, or party wins the May 18 election, ister Scott Morrison have tried ernment would deliver univer- from early morning along the expected. “I feel like I have to be 2016 having reigned for 70 years. Rama IV, because he spent 27 wages will rise, more children to outdo each other in cam- sal pre-school and kindergar- 7km route from the Grand Palace here to show the world just how During the 18 months of his reign years in monkhood before inher- will go to pre-school, small paign promises, pledging funds ten for all children aged 3 and 4. to three royal temples. much we worship the king,” said so far, King Vajiralongkorn has iting the throne, scholars said. businesses will get more tax for containing living costs and He also said that his gov- Thousands lined the royal Donnapha Kadbupha, a 34-year- moved to consolidate the au- “Because King Mongkut was a cuts and hospitals will get their for education, healthcare and ernment would open univer- procession route well into the old woman, who had come eight thority of the monarchy, includ- monk, he ordered that the pro- emergency rooms upgraded. coping with climate change. sity doors to another 200,000 evening as fairy lights lit the hours early to secure a spot along ing taking more direct control cession should visit important At the offi cial launch of the Recent polls have shown that Australians “from the bush, the streets of Bangkok’s old quarter. the procession route. of the crown’s vast wealth with Buddhist temples so the new Australian Labor Party’s elec- Labor’s lead has diminished suburbs and the working class “I want to see the coronation The government provided the help of Thailand’s military monarch can provide alms to tion campaign, Shorten urged to 51% over 49%, compared to families”. for once in a lifetime because the free buses for people living out- government. His offi cial corona- monks,” said Tongthong Chan- supporters to vote for “a real” 54% to 46% in March. “We are going to put free last one when it happened I was side Bangkok to come to witness tion comes amid the uncertainty dransu, an expert on Thai royal change and end governing by The Labor Party has prom- back into ‘free education’ in still very young,” Samran Mo- the spectacle, and bus and train of an unresolved election bat- rituals. the centre-right Liberal-Na- ised to outspend the coali- this country,” he said. Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 19 BRITAIN Parents up in arms at school takeovers by academy trusts

Guardian News and Media bey, Essex, last Sunday; and on takeovers in Newham, Lewes and Charles Marshall, who has two consideration of various options. academise our local school.” tation was conducted. The school London Wednesday strikes and protests Redbridge, among others, have sons at Paddock Wood, said he And yet here it was – a done deal,” He went on: “What is most has since agreed to reopen the con- closed three schools in Peace- changed the narrative. felt “betrayed and let down” by said Marshall. upsetting is that a local asset, a sultation for a further two weeks. haven, near Brighton in East Sus- “Parents are beginning to real- the process. The fi rst parents had Governors sent a letter to par- school that has been in the com- “There’s no good reason to do wave of resistance by par- sex. ise and be angered by the demo- heard of possible academisation ents this week confi rming that munity for 110 years, is to be it,” said Tina Graham, who has ents against their schools Campaigners say there has cratic defi cit integral to acad- was a letter in early December that an academy order was issued in transferred to remote private con- two children, one of whom is in Abeing taken over by acad- been a shift in parents’ attitudes, emisation,” said Simon O’Hara, said a review was under way. March but there were still out- trol, to a group of unelected trus- the school nursery and due to emy trusts is building across the with many now better informed a spokesman for the Anti Acad- On December 18, the trust put standing issues. “It does not mean tees, unaccountable to anyone start reception in September. “We country, with protests in Essex, about academisation and more emies Alliance. out a press release with the head- we have to convert or that a fi nal except the secretary of state for are judged a good school by Of- Kent, London, West Yorkshire, willing to challenge decisions to Among those currently cam- line “Paddock Wood and Hors- decision has been made by the education.” sted. We are not in defi cit.” East Sussex, Dorset, Hertford- take their community schools paigning against academisation monden primary schools choose governing body,” the letter said. In Hertfordshire, meanwhile, Elsewhere, a group of parents shire and beyond, according to out of local authority control and are a group of parents at Paddock Leigh”, which announced the two Marshall said: “All we are asking a group of parents at Woodside at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman campaigners. hand them to private trusts. Wood and Horsmonden primary primaries would become acad- of the governors is that they allow primary school in Goff s Oak have Catholic primary school in Red- This week there were two big In addition, a Panorama ex- schools in Kent, who have set up a emies in the trust, “subject to due all parents and carers – those who launched a legal challenge to plans bridge, north-east London, are protests by parents and teach- pose has raised awareness about petition demanding a binding vote diligence”. support the governors’ proposal to make the school an academy challenging plans for their school ers: one at Waltham Holy Cross the issue, and recent victories on plans to hand their schools to “As far as we were concerned as well as those who disagree – a under the Ivy Learning Trust, amid to become an academy and join a primary school in Waltham Ab- by parents fi ghting academy the Leigh Academies Trust. it was a review of the school and a binding vote on this proposal to concerns about the way the consul- Catholic multi-academy trust. Cornish hedges under threat from developers: conservationists

Guardian News and Media austere-looking ones in the far London west are an important habitat for invertebrates and reptiles who live in the nooks and crannies. he Cornish hedge – teem- Marriott said the trust had a ing with fl ora and fauna map of all the hedges. “Every 10 Tand one of the most be- years we look at how many have loved features of the landscape in been lost,” she said. Between the far south-west of Britain – is 1995 and 2005, almost 100 miles under threat from developers, of hedge disappeared. conservationists are warning. The trust is in the process of Some Cornish hedges are be- working out what happened be- lieved to be more than 4,000 tween 2005 and 2015. “We’re still years old, making them among losing them,” said Marriott. “It’s the oldest human-built struc- not like planting a normal new tures in Britain. hedgerow, which can be fairly Unfortunately, because the cheap. It costs about £100 a me- Cornish hedge has such a dis- tre to build a Cornish hedge. Not tinctive structure – consisting many people are putting them typically of earth and stone with in.” Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip leave a church, as Brexit turmoil continues, in Sonning, Britain, yesterday. trees or bushes growing out of It is not all doom and gloom. the top – it does not necessar- The problem is being recog- ily receive the same protection nised and projects are under in law aff orded to conventional way to try to save the current hedgerows across England and network and restore hedges Wales. that have gone. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust To mark the diamond jubi- has raised concern that precious lee this year of Cornwall being hedges are being lost when hous- an area of outstanding natural No trust left in May over ing estates or industrial sites are beauty (AONB), under a scheme built and Cornwall council is called Kerdroya, master hedg- asking the government to help it ers are training up a network of save the hedges. “hedge stewards”. They aim to Cheryl Marriott, head of con- restore and rebuild 11 hedges that servation at the trust, said many will form a Cornwall-wide trail. miles of Cornish hedges had al- Cornwall council explains Brexit talks: McDonnell ready vanished. clearly on its website the regula- “They are a vital element of tions around Cornish hedges and Guardian News and Media until the next election. May wrote an article in the were circling the prime minister. “We are negotiating with our landscape,” she said. “They why some may not have the pro- London He also said he had no trust in Mail on Sunday urging Labour He told BBC One’s The Andrew May’s team as requested. Whilst are being lost primarily to devel- tection many feel they merit. the prime minister after details to “put our diff erences aside for Marr Show: “Where we are at we’re doing that … in the wings, opments such as big housing or Under the Hedgerows Regula- of the talks were briefed to Sun- a moment (and) let’s do a deal”, the moment is: yes, we want a all the leadership candidates are industrial estates.” tions 1997, it is against the law to hadow chancellor John day newspapers. while Jeremy Corbyn said on Fri- customs union, but a permanent virtually threatening to tear up There are about 30,000 miles remove most countryside hedges McDonnell has poured cold Asked whether he trusted the day that the local election results and comprehensive customs any deal we do. So we are deal- of hedges in Cornwall. In the east in England and Wales without Swater on Theresa May’s prime minister, McDonnell said: indicated voters wanted MPs to union and the reason for that ing with a very unstable govern- of the county they are more likely the permission of the relevant plan to off er a temporary customs “No, sorry, not after this week- “get a deal done” on Brexit. – why we’ve become the party ment. It’s trying to enter into a to have shrubs on the top; in the local council. union to win Labour over to a end when she’s blown the con- The government is planning to of business – is that businesses contract with a company going windswept, weather-battered But the regulations relate to Brexit deal, saying the cross-par- fi dentiality I had and I actually off er a “comprehensive but tem- want security not just for a few into administration,” he said. far west, they may consist only a “hedgerow” – a row of trees ty talks were like “trying to enter think she’s jeopardised the ne- porary customs arrangement” months up to an election but However, McDonnell said of earth and hefty stones. or shrubs. The website says: a contract with a company going gotiations for her own personal until the next election, which they want it permanently.” there was still room to do a deal But all types of Cornish hedge “Cornish hedges in their great into administration”. protection.” would allow the next prime min- McDonnell also made clear and the party could be willing to are rich in plant and animal life. variety do not always meet this McDonnell said his party The negotiations are expected ister to shape what happens after that Labour would need changes compromise in some areas. He At this time of year many, espe- definition. The hedge or field wanted to do a deal as quickly to enter a serious phase tomor- that. But McDonnell said Labour to the withdrawal agreement highlighted the “large numbers cially in the east and south, are boundary is generally a bank as possible but would require row, after both leaders expressed would have serious reservations and political declaration to make of MPs who actually do support a riot of colour. They are impor- constructed with or without a permanent customs union to a willingness to get a deal done about signing up to such an ap- sure future Tory leaders could a public vote, so let’s talk about tant wildlife corridors for adders, stone. On top of this there may provide stability for businesses, following a month of technical proach, especially when hard not tear up the agreement after the arrangement for that to take harvest mice and bats. The more be a hedgerow”. not just an interim arrangement talks. Brexit leadership candidates Brexit. place”. Prince Harry cancels Three teens injured in fall from Cornish cliff s

Amsterdam trip Guardian News and Media formation to come forward. The London three men were airlifted to Der- riford hospital in Plymouth. Daily Mail Buckingham Palace announced a second announcement saying Inspector Matt Setchell of London to much head-scratching on that “due to logistical planning” hree teenagers have sus- Devon and Cornwall police, said: Wednesday that Harry would un- over “visits and engagements by tained potentially life- “Initial inquiries suggest that the dertake a two-day offi cial visit to the royal family we have taken the Tthreatening injuries after men have fallen around 70ft from ather-to-be Prince Harry The Netherlands next week. decision to postpone the Duke of apparently falling 20 metres from the cliff s into the cove below. We has suddenly cancelled an It said that the prince would Sussex’s scheduled visit to Am- cliff s on to a beach in Cornwall. are continuing to carry out en- Foffi cial trip to Amsterdam he visit Amsterdam on Wednes- sterdam”. One 18-year-old and two quires to establish how they came was due to make next week. day and The Hague on Thursday, It said he was still hoping to 19-year-olds, all from the local to be on the cliff and the circum- But aides insisted that he and where he would mark the one-year travel to The Hague on Thursday area, were airlifted to hospital stances surrounding the incident. his wife Meghan still have no idea countdown to the 2020 Invictus for the Invictus launch, because he in the early hours of yesterday “All three males were airlifted when their baby – now a week Games, his inspirational Paralym- could fl y in and out in a day. following the incident at Parc to hospital where they remain in overdue – will make an appear- pic-style event for injured service The couple have decided to Trammel Cove, near the town of a serious condition. Our thoughts ance. Indeed, sources have indi- personnel. keep details around the birth pri- Porthleven in Cornwall. are with the three men, and their cated that the couple, who are cur- The announcement caused sur- vate but aides say they hope to Rescuers located the men af- families and friends at this diffi - rently at Frogmore Cottage, their prise because it meant he could announce when the duchess has ter one called the coastguard at cult time. At this point, we’re ap- new Windsor home, are waiting potentially be away from his very gone into labour and then, later, around midnight on Saturday to pealing for anyone who was in the with as much eager anticipation as young baby overnight or may – if details of the baby’s sex, weight say that he and two others had area and witnessed the incident, the rest of the country. it hadn’t made an appearance by and where it was born. The Daily fallen down a cliff at Porthleven. and anyone with any relevant in- “They are happy and relaxed then – be forced to cancel at the Mail has been told that Meghan He was able to use the torch on formation, to contact police.” and looking forward to the arrival last minute. hopes to try for a home birth if his mobile phone to help signal Martin Leslie, coastal op- – whenever that may be,” said one. The trip also clashed with a there are no complications. their location. erations area commander for It is understood that the baby, high-profi le visit to Germany for Buckingham Palace also an- Police and paramedics at- the coastguard, said: “This was who will be seventh in line to the his father, Prince Charles, and the nounced that Lady Gabriella tended the scene along with a demonstration of exceptional throne, had been due last week- Duchess of Cornwall, which starts Windsor, daughter of Prince and rescue teams from Porthleven, joint emergency service-working end. Friends, including US tel- on Tuesday, and several major do- Princess Michael of Kent, will fol- Penzance and Mullion, an all- in an extremely diffi cult environ- evision anchorwoman Gayle King, mestic engagements for his broth- low in Harry and Meghan’s foot- weather lifeboat and a search- ment. The helicopter crew showed have been visiting, and the duch- er, Prince William, and the Duch- steps and marry at St George’s and-rescue helicopter. outstanding skills transferring the ess’s mother, Doria Ragland, is on ess of Cambridge. Chapel, Windsor, on May 18. The A distress call was also re- teams to the scene. Special praise hand to help calm any nerves. Amid behind-the-scenes con- wedding will be attended by the ceived by Devon and Cornwall must also be given to the critical Intriguingly, the Duke and cerns about the somewhat chaotic Queen and other members of the police, who have appealed for care paramedics’ excellent pre- Duchess of Sussex’s new offi ce at scheduling, the palace then made royal family. Prince Harry: looking forward to baby’s arrival. any witnesses or those with in- hospital care to the casualties.” Gulf Times 20 Monday, May 6, 2019 EUROPE

Ministers of G7 Fifth body recovered in nations meet on Cyprus serial killer case climate AFP/Reuters crisis Nicosia

AFP Cypriot army offi cer who Metz, France has allegedly confessed Ato killing seven foreign women and girls over nearly nvironment ministers three years appeared in court of the G7 nations met in yesterday, while police said they EFrance yesterday, a day had recovered a fi fth body. ahead of the release of what is Captain Nicos Metaxas, expected to be another alarming 35, has not yet been formally report on the state of the planet. charged over the murders – Ministers from Britain, Cana- dubbed the Mediterranean is- da, France, Germany, Italy, Japan land’s fi rst serial killings, which and the US gathered for the two- have unleashed anger against day meeting in the northeastern what the president described as city of Metz. police “negligence”. They were due to discuss Police told reporters yesterday measures to tackle deforesta- that they had retrieved a suitcase tion, plastic pollution and the containing the remains of a hu- degradation of coral reefs and man body at an acidic manmade try to form alliances between lake southwest of Nicosia – the nations to act on them. second such fi nd in eight days. Joining the ministers were The body found yesterday at Women cry during a public vigil in memory of the victims of a suspected serial killer, at the mine where delegations from the European the lake near the village of Mit- two women were found dead, near the village of Mitsero in Cyprus. Union as well as Chile, Egypt, sero is in an “advanced state of the Fiji Islands, Gabon, India, decomposition”, police spokes- where it had been hidden. Department, told the Nicosia Cypriot authorities have been Indonesia, Mexico, Niger and man Andreas Angelides said. That triggered a murder in- district court that a Flipina, 19, accused of failing to properly Norway. “A body has been found de- vestigation which led to Metaxas came forward to fi le a complaint investigate the women’s disap- “We need to come out of this composed. It is not identifi able being arrested on April 18. that Metaxas raped her. pearances due to neglect and G7 ... with some very concrete and is being taken to the mortu- Days later, authorities found The police chief told the court racism. things that go beyond speeches,” ary now for further inquiries,” he the body of a second woman in that the suspect denied the al- On Friday President Nicos said France’s junior minister said. the shaft, believed to be Arian legation when questioned about Anastasiades fi red top police of- for ecological transition, Brune He said a post-mortem would Palanas Lozano, 28, also from it. fi cer Zacharias Chrysostomou, a Poirson, as the meeting opened. be carried out but did not say the Philippines. At the hearing yesterday day after Justice Minister Ionas Today the UN will publish an whether the body was that of an These are the only two women Metaxas was remanded in cus- Nicolaou announced his resig- executive summary of a 1,800- adult or a child. to be offi cially identifi ed. tody for a further eight days. nation over the case. page tome crafted by more than Cypriot newspaper The suspect then guided in- Shailos testifi ed that the Authorities have acknowl- 400 experts – the fi rst UN global Phileleftheros reported that the vestigators to a well near an young woman said she made edged that all the women and assessment of the natural world body found yesterday was that army fi ring range outside the contact with the army offi cer girls that the army offi cer has Forensic police off icers are seen with a body believed to be a victim in 15 years. of a child. capital, where police found the online in 2016 when she replied admitted to killing were reported of a serial killer, retrieved from the ‘Red Lake’, near the village of Drafts of both documents Metaxas has allegedly con- body of a third victim – a woman to a modelling job for a photo missing to police, except the one Mitsero, southwest of Nicosia. obtained by AFP leave no doubt fessed to the murder of fi ve thought to be from Nepal. shoot. believed to be from Nepal, who that it will paint a disturbing women, alongside daughters of On April 28 police recovered Metaxas appeared in court was reported to immigration for able to locate the second suit- He said that police are still as- picture of widespread destruc- two of the women – a six-year- the remains of a fourth victim, without a lawyer and told the being absent from her place of case by using sophisticated sessing data found on electronic tion wrought by man, some of it old Filipina and a Romanian girl. stuff ed in a suitcase at the bot- judge that he had “no objec- employment. equipment, including a robotic equipment belonging to the sus- irreparable. The serial killings came to tom of the lake at Mitsero. tions” to being remanded. The police said yesterday that camera fl own in from the United pect. “We will agree on the best light in mid-April when unu- Metaxas was accused by po- Police say they have received they would continue to look for States. A candlelit vigil was held yes- ways to enhance the place of sually heavy rains brought the lice of raping a teenager during a “deluge of information” about a third suitcase the suspect al- “We will persist in our eff orts, terday in the area of the mine biodiversity on the international body of 38-year-old Filipina his court appearance yesterday. the suspect’s activities, with 350 legedly confessed to dumping in conducting diff erent kinds of shaft, where the fi rst two Fili- stage,” said France’s Minister for Mary Rose Tiburcio to the sur- Neophytos Shailos, head of witness statements taken and the lake. tests in the area and elsewhere at pinas were found, in memory of Ecological Transition Francois face of the disused mine shaft, Nicosia’s Criminal Investigation another 150 to be processed. Authorities said they were a later stage,” said Angelides. the victims. de Rugy. However, Andrew Wheeler, the former coal lobbyist ap- pointed by US President Donald Trump to head of the US Envi- ronmental Protection Agency Pope Francis asks Bulgarians to ‘open hearts’ to migrants (EPA), told the meeting that too much attention was being paid to the worst-case scenarios on AFP falling birth rates, in his fi rst ad- garian Orthodox Church’s Holy sian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in climate change. Sofia dress to Bulgarian offi cials. Synod rejected the idea of Or- Cuba. Outside the meeting, envi- The population has fallen to thodox priests participating in a That was the fi rst such en- ronmental campaigners “Alter 7mn against 9mn in 1989, the joint “prayer for peace” with the counter since the schism nearly G7” demonstrated to highlight ope Francis has urged year communism ended in Bul- Pope in a Sofi a square planned 1,000 years ago that tore Chris- what they say is the urgency of Bulgarians to open their garia, and is projected to plunge for today. tianity in two. the global crisis. Phearts and doors to refu- to 5.4mn in 2050. The Orthodox Church is in- “I am Orthodox Christian gees as he began a visit to the “Bulgaria faces the eff ects of stead sending a children’s choir but I admire the openness and European Union’s poorest coun- the emigration in recent decades to the downgraded meeting, sensitivity of the Pope,” said Spain’s top court try, where the main Orthodox of more than 2mn of her citizens which will be attended by at Dora Kraytcheva, a 48-year-old Church snubbed holding joint in search of new opportunities least one of the capital’s Muslim woman. “Why should we cling says Puigdemont prayers with the Pontiff . for employment,” he said. leaders, a Vatican source said. to dogmas from the Middle can contest polls Prime Minister Boyko Borisov This has “led to the depopula- While the visit will be a par- Ages?” met Francis at the airport, wel- tion and abandonment of many ticular highlight for the tiny The Argentine Pontiff ’s visit Spain’s Supreme Court said coming him with a pot of kiselo villages and cities”, he added. Catholic communities in both to Bulgaria and North Macedo- yesterday that Catalonia’s former mlyako, a mildly sour-tasting He also touched on the plight countries – 44,000 in Bulgaria nia comes after the leaders of president Carles Puigdemont, local yoghurt, saying: “This is of migrants and refugees fl ock- and 20,000 in North Macedonia both countries extended an in- who fled to Belgium in 2017 your grandmother’s yoghurt.” ing to the country. – it is the interaction with their vitation to him following a tra- after a secession attempt, could “The fi rst time I heard the “Bulgaria confronts the phe- two Orthodox churches that will ditional annual visit to the tomb contest EU polls this month. word yoghurt was from my nomenon of those seeking to be most keenly watched. of St Cyril in Rome. Spanish election off icials had grandmother,” the Pope replied. cross its borders in order to fl ee The Bulgarian church also In April 2018, the Council of banned Puigdemont from The Bulgarian emissary to the wars, confl icts or dire poverty, in made clear its opposition to any Europe voiced concern about contesting the May 26 election Vatican Kiril Topalev had earlier the attempt to reach the wealth- religious service when the Pope Bulgarian eff orts to integrate at the head of the “Lliures per quoted the Pope as telling him: iest areas of Europe, there to fi nd visited Sofi a’s St Alexander Middle Eastern refugees and the Europa” grouping. “I grew up with Bulgarian yo- new opportunities in life or sim- Nevsky Cathedral. “generally negative public opin- They also excluded Toni Comin, ghurt. When I was two years old, ply a safe refuge,” the Pope said. The Pope off ered prayers there ion” concerning refugees. who was in Catalonia’s regional my grandmother gave me Bul- “To all Bulgarians, who are alone yesterday afternoon. Days before arriving in Sofi a, government when the secession garian yoghurt.” familiar with the drama of emi- However, the Pontiff sought to the Pope hit out at “confl ict- bid happened, and Clara Ponsati, Francis’s three-day tour, gration, I respectfully suggest stress on the unity of Christians, ual nationalism” which “raises another former Catalan minister which also takes in North Mac- that you not close your eyes, referring to their persecution walls, even racism”. who also fled Spain. edonia, includes a visit to a ref- your hearts or your hands – in irrespective of the church they “The way in which a nation Puigdemont had slammed ugee camp on the outskirts of accordance with your best tra- belonged to. welcomes migrants reveals its the move in a tweet as a Sofi a and a commemoration of dition – to those who knock at “How many Christians have vision of human dignity,” he said “legal scandal and a coup to Mother Teresa, the most famous your door,” he said. suff ered for the name of Jesus in Pope Francis waves from the Popemobile as he arrives to celebrate on Thursday. democracy”. native of the Macedonian capital Francis, whose papacy has this country, particularly dur- a Holy Mass on Knyaz Alexander I square in Sofia. Currently Bulgaria’s migrant The Supreme Court, in a Skopje. been marred by a wave of child ing the last century”, of which reception centres have an occu- unanimous decision, said there The Pope evoked a “new win- sex abuse allegations against 45 years were under communist in a commission fostering dia- other Orthodox churches have pancy rate of only 10%, while the were no grounds to bar him or ter” plaguing Bulgaria and other clergy, has made improving in- rule, he said. logue with the Roman Catholic been warming, with February entire 274km (170-mile) Bulgar- the two others and asked the European nations who face an ter-faith dialogue a priority. Bulgaria’s is the only Ortho- church. 2016 seeing the historic meet- ian-Turkish border is blocked by administrative court in Madrid to exodus of their people as well as However, last month the Bul- dox church not to participate Relations between Rome and ing between Francis and Rus- a barbed-wire fence. “immediately” provide a ruling. Turkey poll authority to rule on Istanbul election re-run appeal today

Reuters in the March 31 local elections, in month as the recounts were com- row,” AKP candidate and former the prosecutors won’t be able Fethullah Gulen, blamed by An- The AKP says this proves the Ankara a major electoral setback for the pleted. prime minister Binali Yildirim to rest. We formed a team to fi le kara for orchestrating the failed irregularities, but Imamoglu president. However, in its interim ruling told reporters. criminal complaints,” Yavuz said. coup, as a result of the investiga- said on Saturday that the people Erdogan’s ruling AKP and its on the objections, the YSK or- On Saturday, Erdogan sig- Yavuz also said the AKP would tions into alleged election irregu- could “only laugh at this”. urkey’s High Election nationalist MHP allies have since dered district electoral offi cials nalled that he favours a re-run of fi le a new appeal to the YSK to larities. Speaking to supporters in Is- Board will rule today on an called for the results in Istanbul to inspect their respective polling the Istanbul elections, which he block individuals dismissed It said 41 of the suspects in Is- tanbul yesterday, Imamoglu said Tappeal by President Recep to be annulled and the election station offi cials. said were marred by controversy, through government decrees af- tanbul had deposited money into the elections were over and the Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party (AKP) to be re-run, citing what they say Prosecutors also launched and added that renewing the vote ter a July 2016 coup attempt from Bank Asya, a lender started by results were clear. calling for a re-run of the Istan- are irregularities that aff ected the probes into the alleged irregu- would allow the YSK to “clear its being able to vote. Gulen’s followers, and two had He said he believed the YSK bul local elections that the party outcome. larities, calling 100 polling sta- name”. The YSK rejected a previous used ByLock, an encrypted mes- would make a decision to safe- narrowly lost, the AKP’s mayoral While those appeals have been tion workers in for questioning as AKP deputy chairman Ali Ih- appeal by the AKP on the same saging system Ankara says was guard Turkey’s future. candidate in the city said. pending for weeks, the High suspects. san Yavuz later told broadcaster issue. used by Gulen’s network. “It has been 36 days since the The main opposition Repub- Election Board (YSK) ordered “The YSK (High Election A Para that the party is preparing The state-run Anadolu news While the CHP won the may- elections ended. Some people lican People’s Party (CHP) won partial and full recounts across Board) has examined our party’s to fi le criminal complaints on the agency said yesterday that au- orship in Istanbul, the AKP won are doing everything they can for control of the capital Ankara and Istanbul. and the MHP’s objections to the irregularities, but that it would thorities had found 43 poll- most of the districts and earned the Istanbul vote not to be con- Istanbul, the country’s biggest Istanbul’s new CHP mayor, Istanbul election results. I believe wait for the YSK’s ruling. ing station offi cials had links to the majority of seats in the mu- cluded,” Imamoglu said. “You are city, for the fi rst time in 25 years Ekrem Imamoglu, took offi ce last it will make a decision tomor- “With this many illegalities, the network of US-based cleric nicipal council. elected, even if it is by one vote.” Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 21 EUROPE Italian coalition faces showdown over graft case

Reuters Their growing rivalry trig- between the two cabinet part- However, during a weekend of “The defence minister should Rome gered an unprecedented spat ners, agreed last week that Siri harsh exchanges, there was no act like a defence minister. The between the interior and defence must go. sign of a League retreat. Armed Forces deserve much bet- ministries at the weekend as ten- However, the League, which “I am not used to abandoning ter,” a statement said. taly’s anti-establishment sions grew over the fate of junior has surged in the polls over the people who have worked along- The M5S said Salvini had 5-Star Movement (M5S) piled transport minister Armando Siri, past year and has easily over- side me,” Salvini, who serves as “crossed a red line” by using his Ipressure on its government who is very close to League leader taken the M5S as Italy’s leading interior minister, told a political ministry to attack another for partner the League yesterday to Matteo Salvini. party, has so far refused to back rally on Saturday. electoral purposes. dump a junior minister under Siri last month was put un- down, saying he has not been In an eff ort to shift the focus Several Italian newspa- investigation for corruption, in a der investigation for allegedly charged and not yet had a chance from Siri, the interior ministry pers quoted sources within the case that could pull the coalition accepting a bribe from a wind to speak to investigators. launched a broadside against League at the weekend as saying apart. farm entrepreneur who has been M5S leader Luigi Di Maio urged Di Maio (left), Prime Minister Conte, and Salvini. M5S Defence Minister Elisabetta they were fed up of working with Relations between the M5S linked to the Sicilian Mafi a. Salvini yesterday to tell Siri to Trenta after her offi ce wrong- the M5S, and predicting the gov- and the far-right League have Siri has denied wrongdoing, go before the cabinet meets on not abandon the coalition even if wants things to get to a vote and ly tweeted that the navy had ernment would fall after the May grown increasingly fraught in the but the M5S has said he must re- Wednesday to discuss the issue League ministers sought to pro- to a rupture,” Di Maio told Rai thwarted an attack on an Italian 26 vote. run-up to European Union par- sign for the good of the govern- and hold a vote on his dismissal. tect Siri in a vote, Di Maio said television. “What I say to Sal- fi shing boat. Salvini denied the reports and liamentary elections on May 26, ment. The M5S has more ministers ramping up tensions between the vini is, that it’s all very well being The erroneous tweet was accused journalists of generating with the two parties acting more Prime Minister Giuseppe Con- than the League, so should win two parties risked taking it to the tough with the weak, but now is swiftly deleted, but the interior “pointless” controversies. like bitter political enemies than te, who belongs to no party and any such ballot. point of a breakdown. the moment to show some cour- ministry accused Trenta’s staff of “The government will last for cabinet allies. presents himself as the mediator While he said his party would “I don’t think the League age.” spreading false news. four years,” he said on Saturday. Council of Europe turns 70

By Marie Julien, AFP Court, which is itself celebrating could reach the point of no return Strasbourg its 60th birthday. in June, notably with the election At least 13 die It is a tribunal of fi nal resort of Jagland’s successor. for those who feel their funda- After Moscow’s annexation he Council of Europe mental rights are being denied by of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, (CoE), a pan-continental a member state. the council’s Parliamentary As- Trights watchdog, marked Strasbourg – a French city sembly deprived the Russian its 70th anniversary yesterday at close to the German border – was delegation of its voting and other a time of mounting populism and originally chosen to house the rights. a standoff with Russia as well as Council of Europe as a symbol of In retaliation, Russia suspend- in aircraft blaze doubts over its own role in the post-war Franco-German rec- ed its annual €33mn ($37mn) modern world. onciliation. payment to the Strasbourg- “I didn’t know about it at all, Germany joined the council in based council – about 7% of the this is really completely new 1950, a year after it was created. body’s total budget – and has to me,” admitted Zeinila, an From the Thirty Years War that not participated in sessions of 18-year-old student who was began the 17th century to the the council’s Parliamentary As- visiting the building hosting the mass destruction of the Second sembly. Council of Europe in Strasbourg, World War, the Alsatian city had The assembly brings together near Moscow in northeastern France, during an been the focus of confl ict and di- 324 men and women from the open day to mark its anniversary. vision. parliaments of the Council of AFP The 70-year-old body suff ers Now it is home to an organisa- Europe’s 47 member states. Moscow from being often confused with tion striving to bring harmony, Moscow is threatening to quit the European Union Council. safeguard the rule of law and to altogether if its rights within the However, its 47-nation mem- protect human rights. Council of Europe are not re- passenger plane engulfed bership stretches far beyond the The rights court was also set stored in time for it to participate in a ball of fl ames yester- EU’s reaches to include the likes up in Strasbourg. in the election of the new secre- Aday made an emergency of Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, “We have in a way constituted tary general. landing at Moscow’s busiest Armenia, and Azerbaijan. the new civilised Europe after “The immediate consequence airport, killing at least 13 people, Britain’s World War II leader World War II” with the European will be that we will get a new di- Russian news agencies reported. Winston Churchill was the fi rst Convention on Human RIghts viding line in Europe with most Dramatic footage shared on to suggest the creation the crea- (ECHR) going “much further of the European population liv- social media showed the Rus- tion of such a body back in 1942, than the universal declaration of ing on one side and they have sian Aerofl ot-owned aircraft, at the height of the war, when he human rights”, said Jagland. the right to go to the European fl ames and black smoke pouring expressed the hope that “the Eu- Today he will meet French court,” Jagland told AFP. from its fuselage, land at Sher- ropean family may act unitedly as President Emmanuel Macron in The “Ruxit” scenario – a Rus- emetyevo international airport. one under a Council of Europe”. Paris, before France assumes the sian exit of the Council – remains Passengers could be seen The rights body was created council’s rotating presidency in a possibility. leaping onto an infl atable slide through the treaty of London in Mid-May. But the secretary general ex- at the front and running from This handout taken from video obtained from social media shows the fire on the Russian-made May 1949. The host nation picks up the pressed optimism, speaking of the blazing plane as huge black Superjet-100 at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow. There were 10 initial signato- baton at a diffi cult time for the “very good discussions” which columns of smoke billowed into ries; Belgium, Denmark, France, European Council. give him hope of emerging from the sky. reported an anomaly and decid- was too dangerous to dump its Several fl ights have been di- Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the For years it has been in dis- the crisis and into the next 70 “For the moment, we confi rm ed to come back to the departure fuel tanks over Moscow. verted to other Moscow airports Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, pute with member Russia, which years. the death of 13 people, two of airport. At 6.30pm, the aircraft According to the Ria Novosti or Nizhny Novgorod, some and the United Kingdom, them children,’ said a spokes- made an emergency landing,” it news agency, the plane had been 500km (310 miles) east of the Their stated mission was to woman for the crash investiga- added. headed to the far northwest city Russian capital. defend human rights, democ- tion team, Svetlana Petrenko, The tabloid newspaper Kom- of Murmansk in Russia. The Sukhoi Superjet-100 was racy and the rule of law, through the agency reported. somolskaya Pravda quoted one The agency said that initial the fi rst civilian aircraft devel- international conventions and Another 11 people were in- passenger, Petr Egorov, who fi ndings suggested an electri- oped in Russia’s post-Soviet era treaties. jured, said Dmitry Matveyev, said: “We had just taken off and cal fault might have caused the and at the time of its launch, in “The main success is that the Moscow region’s health the aircraft was hit by lightning blaze. 2011, was a source of national Europe today (the 47 member minister. ... the landing was rough, I al- In a statement, Aerofl ot said pride. states) is a totally death penalty- Three of them had been hos- most passed out from fear.” the motors were likely to have However, it struggled to con- free zone,” Council of Europe pitalised but they were not in a “The plane sent out a distress caught fi re mid-air. vince buyers from airlines out- secretary general, Norwegian serious condition, he added. signal after takeoff ,” a source Investigators have opened a side Russia, and several foreign Thorbjorn Jagland told AFP. The Russian-made Sukhoi told Interfax news agency. criminal probe into a possible airlines that did buy it have “If a member state wants to Superjet-100 carrying 73 pas- “It attempted an emergency breach of security rules. since preferred to cut back its introduce the death penalty, it sengers and fi ve crew members landing but did not succeed the Kremlin spokesman Dmitri use or phase it out completely, would have to leave immediately had just left Sheremetyevo on a fi rst time, and on the second Peskov said Russian Vladimir citing its reliability. CoE within the session. domestic route when the crew time the landing gear hit (the Putin had off ered his condo- The Russian government has “These three articles – no issued a distress signal, offi cials ground), then the nose did, and lences to the victims’ loved off ered subsidies to encourage death penalty, no torture, no said. it caught fi re,” the source added. ones. Russian airlines to buy the Su- forced labour – have in a way “Flight Su-1492 took off on Interfax, citing an anony- Prime Minister Dmitry perjet and Russian airline Aero- constituted the new civilised Eu- schedule at 6.02pm (15H02 mous source, said the plane had Medvedev has also ordered a fl ot became its main operator. rope,” he added. GMT),” said a statement from landed with its fuel tanks full special committee to investigate In September 2018, it an- Perhaps better known than the People visit the hemicycle of the Council of Europe during the open the airport. because, having lost contact the disaster, Ria Novosti agency nounced a record order of 100 council itself is its judicial arm, day marking its 70th anniversary yesterday, in Strasbourg, “After the take-off , the crew with air traffi c controllers, it reported. Superjet-100s. the European Human Rights northeastern France.

Portuguese teachers’ pay dispute Le Pen courts far-right in Hungary, Poland defused by opposition parties AFP were still welcome to join the Brussels ENF bloc. Poland’s PiS euro-MPs cur- Reuters only support the payments in a “Either parliament accepts our rently belong to the European Lisbon full parliamentary vote if they do conditions or we won’t approve rance’s far-right leader Conservatives and Reformists not threaten state fi nances. any payment,” Cristas added. Marine Le Pen reached Group (ECR) and views the close The Social Democrats (PSD) Public sector wages were fro- Fout to her counterparts in links that both Le Pen and Sal- ortugal’s main conserva- and right-leaning CDS were zen during Portugal’s 2011-14 Hungary and Poland, both al- vini have with Russia with sus- tive opposition parties obliged to back down, a govern- debt crisis and the government is ready in government, during a picion. Pwould approve retroac- ment spokesman said. concerned that big increases for European elections campaign Le Pen did not see that as a tive pay rises for teachers only if “The government has imposed one sector would prompt a fl ood meeting in Brussels. problem. public fi nances can sustain them, fi nancial responsibility and of demands by all civil servants. Hungarian Prime Minister “If Poland does not want they said yesterday, reducing the protected the credibility of the The Socialists have won praise Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party Le Pen speaks at the press conference to announce her support closer relations with Russia, no chances of the Socialist govern- country abroad,” he added. from investors for reducing the would be welcome in the Europe for the Belgium’s Flemish right-wing Vlaams Belang party, ahead one is forcing them to,” she said. ment resigning over the issue. In a televised statement Social budget defi cit to nearly zero. of Nations and Freedom (ENF), of the European and Belgian parliamentary elections, in Brussels “These diff erences, which can Premier Antonio Costa had Democrat leader Rui Rio accused The dispute may have played a small right-wing European yesterday. exist and are the product of his- threatened to resign if such in- the government of creating an into Costa’s hands by allowing Parliament political grouping tory, mustn’t prevent the pos- creases are approved in a full “artifi cial crisis” out of the issue him to portray the Socialists as to which her National Rally be- Claude Juncker and liberal US measures after the European sibility of the formation of this parliamentary vote likely to take but added that his party would the only party defending fi scal longs, she said. billionaire George Soros were elections. very large group” in the Euro- place on May 15 after the con- support pay increases only if responsibility ahead of a general Le Pen referred to the rift that plotting to fl ood Europe with Both are hostile to the Eu- pean Parliament after the elec- servatives joined forces with the public fi nances are safeguarded. election in October. has opened up between Orban migrants. ropean Union’s current line on tions, she added. far-left in a parliamentary panel “For the PSD, and particularly “What is at stake is all the ef- and the much more infl uential Although the bloc had dis- migration. Le Pen was in Brussels to last week to clear retroactive pay for me personally, balance of forts that have been made to bal- conservative European People’s cussed the possibility of ex- Salvini has called on nation- support the far-right Flemish rises for teachers over nine years. public fi nances is a non-negoti- ance the budget and that have Party (EPP) grouping in the Eu- pelling Fidesz, it settled on alist parties scattered across Vlaams Belang party ahead of There have been waves of able condition,” Rui said. cost all Portuguese taxpayers so ropean Parliament. suspension because of fears the European Parliament to join the elections to European Par- strikes and protests from teach- CDS leader Assuncao Cristas much,” said political scientist “It’s for Mr Orban to see if he among some members that forces and form a new alliance liament at the end of this month. ers, nurses, police and prison earlier said it was a government Marina Costa Lobo. fi nds more political coherence Orban might join forces with after the election. Most of Europe’s right-wing guards in the past few months to “lie” that her party had voted The Socialists have now un- with the members of the EPP Italy’s Matteo Salvini’s far-right However, in an interview with nationalists are currently di- press demands for pay increases with the left to make multi-mil- frozen civil servants’ pay but who have voted against him,” Northern League. French weekly Le Point, Orban vided across three blocs and a and better working conditions. lion payments to teachers. want to reinstate wages gradu- she said. Last Tuesday Salvini, who is said he had no links to Le Pen tangled web of alliances in the However, Costa’s threat looked Support for the payments ally to ensure eff orts to maintain In March, the EPP suspended Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, and in any case would not make European Parliament. unlikely yesterday as the two would only be made if there is healthy public accounts are not Fidesz indefi nitely from the bloc met Orban in Budapest for dis- any alliance with her. Salvini is trying to form a new conservative parties, the centre- “economic growth and a guaran- in vain. after a billboard campaign in cussions. Le Pen, asked about her at- bloc, which he claims would be right Social Democrats (PSD) and tee of the sustainability of state Portugal’s debt remains among Hungary that suggested Euro- They agreed to co-operate titude to Poland’s ruling Law the largest in the 751-member rightist CDS, said they would fi nances”, she said. the highest in the eurozone. pean Commission head Jean- more closely on anti-migration and Justice Party (PiS), said they parliament. Gulf Times 22 Monday, May 6, 2019 INDIA

Can fi ght Lok Sabha polls if needed from UP, says Mayawati

IANS to fi ght the election. The road party’s candidate Ritesh Pandy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi “I have asked my supporters to Gandhi is the candidate from Rae minister at the centre but also a Ambedkar Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) to Delhi politics passes through Mayawati said: “These elections of practicing “divide and rule” vote for the Congress in Amethi Bareli. new government in UP.” Ambedkar Nagar.” will see the exit of those who policy to bring down the SP-BSP and Rae Bareli. The BJP and the She also accused Modi of trying Modi on Saturday had attacked While the Ambedkar Nagar chant ‘Namo, Namo’ and the alliance. Congress are the same. We have to use “divide and rule” policy to the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, saying inting at her prime min- constituency came up only in victory of those who chant ‘Jai She clarifi ed her decision to no coalition with the Congress, bring down the SP-BSP alliance. Mayawati knew that she had been isterial ambitions, Ba- 2008, Mayawati had been elected Bhim’.” support the Congress in Amethi but our supporters will vote for “Ever since we announced our al- betrayed by the Samajwadi Party, Hhujan Samaj Party chief four times - 1989, 1998, 1999, Mayawati, who had earlier an- and Rae Bareli was not because the Congress in Amethi and Rae liance, the prime minister has gone which has been working hand- Mayawati yesterday said she can and 2004 - from the erstwhile nounced that she would be stay- of any soft feeling towards it but Bareli to defeat the BJP,” Maya- into a panic mode. His latest com- in-hand with the Congress. enter the parliament from Uttar Akbarpur constituency. ing out of the Lok Sabha elections was an attempt to “remove” the wati said in a BSP press note. ments are nothing but an attempt Addressing a poll rally in Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar con- The Bahujan Samaj Party su- this time, had also said that she BJP from the power. Her announcement has come to break the alliance,” Mayawati Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constitu- stituency, “if and when needed”. premo also seemed happy with could contest later, if required, The former UP chief min- just a day ahead of the polling told the media at her home. ency, the prime minister had Addressing a poll rally here, a giant cutout of her at the rally from any seat held by her party. ister maintained that both the in Amethi and Rae Bareli today. “In the four phases of elec- said the Akhilesh-led party kept Mayawati, while not directly say- venue, showing her standing Mayawati appealed to voters Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress president Rahul Gandhi tions, the people has supported promising Mayawati of support ing that she was in the race to be- outside the Parliament house and in Amethi and Rae Bareli parlia- the Congress were the two sides is fi ghting from Amethi, while his the SP-BSP coalition. It is dis- as prime ministerial candidate, come the prime minister, said: “If captioned “Prime Minister”. mentary constituencies to vote of the same coin and didn’t de- mother and United Progressive turbing the BJP. This alliance will but behind her back they worked all goes well, then I will also have Asking people to vote for her for the Congress, and accused serve to return to power. Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia not only produce a new prime with the Congress to betray her. BJP, Congress Congress roadshow locked in intense battle in Rajasthan

IANS too is trying its best to put a dent Jaipur on the saff ron party bastion. In Bikaner, sitting BJP MP and Union Minister of State Arjun he fi fth phase of Lok Sab- Meghwal is up against his cousin ha elections today will and Congress candidate Madan Twitness intense battle Gopal Meghwal. between the Congress and the While the Congress is confi - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in dent of winning from Bharatpur the 12 remaining parliamentary and Karauli-Dholpur Lok Sabha constituencies in Rajasthan. constituencies, which are re- Thirteen of the 25 Lok Sabha served seats, the late entry of the constituencies in Rajasthan had Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) may voted in the fourth phase of elec- hurt Congress’ prospects. Also, tions on April 29. The 12 seats Modi’s recent rally in Hindaun, going to the polls today include the fi rst by a prime minister in 40 Jaipur rural, Jaipur, Gangana- years, can change the equations. gar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Alwar will witness a battle be- Sikar, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli- tween Congress’ Bhanwar Jitendra Congress’ candidate from New Delhi, Ajay Maken, and Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu attend a rally ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, in New Delhi yesterday. Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur. Singh, who belongs to the erstwhile Union Minister Rajyavardhan royal family of Alwar, and Mahant Singh Rathore of the BJP and Baba Balaknath of the BJP. However, Congress MLA from Sadulpur cow smuggling and mob lynchings Krishna Punia are up against in the name of cow protection have each other in the Jaipur rural Lok defi nitely aff ected the saff ron par- Sabha constituency. ty’s image in this constituency. While Punia is confi dent of Sikar will see a triangular garnering the Jat votes in the area contest between BJP’s Swami in addition to enjoying the sup- Sumedhanand Saraswati, a con- Angry Congress slams ‘sick’ port of the traditional Congress fi dante of Uttar Pradesh Chief vote banks such as the Muslims Minister Yogi Adityanath, Con- and the SC/ST community, sit- gress’ Subhash Maharia and ting MP Rathore is likely to cor- CPI-M’s Amra Ram. ner the Rajput votes along those In Dausa, an interesting clash from the Brahmins and Baniyas. is on the cards between two Modi for insulting Rajiv As Union Sports Minister, women from the Meena commu- Rathore has revived kabaddi in nity - Savita Meena of the Con- IANS “You are behaving like a serial “It is clear that the BJP-led leaders, the Election Commis- “Modi, the battle is over. the constituency besides pro- gress and BJP’s Jaskaur Meena. New Delhi abuser, you are behaving like a government will not get anoth- sion has failed to take any action Your karma awaits you. Pro- moting other sports in the re- In Churu, the Congress has sick man and you are behaving er chance to rule in the centre, against them,” he said. jecting your inner beliefs about gion. fi elded Rafi q Mandelia, its only like a psychopath,” he said. and all these statements make Rajiv Gandhi was given a yourself onto my father won’t Another interesting battle will Muslim candidate in the state, day after Prime Minis- Khera said the use of such it clear that the party is desper- clean chit by the Delhi High protect you. All my love and be fought in the Jaipur Lok Sabha who faces a tough fi ght from sit- ter Narendra Modi called abuses was against the cultural ate and is willing to stoop to new Court in the Bofors defence a huge hug,” Rahul Gandhi constituency where the Con- ting BJP MP Rahul Kaswan. BJP ARajiv Gandhi a “corrupt” values of this country and peo- low everyday,” Rajasthan Chief deal case and later in 2018 by tweeted. gress has fi elded Jyoti Khandel- has not fi elded any Muslim can- politician, Congress leaders yes- ple would not pardon Modi. Minister Ashok Gehlot said in a the Supreme Court, Venugopal “The prime minister who in- wal, a Vaishya face, against sit- didate in any of the 25 seats in terday described Modi as a “sick Taking a jibe at Congress statement. said. sults martyrs by seeking vote ting BJP MP Ramcharan Bohra, a Rajasthan. man” and “psychopath” for at- president Rahul Gandhi, Modi at Party MP from Kerala, K C “The charges against Rajiv in the name of their sacrifi ces Brahmin contestant. Another interesting battle will tacking the former prime minis- a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratap- Venugopal, said the “despi- Gandhi was thrown out by the yesterday crossed his limits by Interestingly, the Congress be seen in Nagaur, where the BJP ter for electoral gains. garh on Saturday had said: “Your cable” statement by Modi had Delhi high court in 2005 and insulting the sacrifi ce of a no- has fi elded a woman candidate has formed an alliance with the Addressing a press conference father was termed ‘Mr. Clean’ by brought down the dignity of later even the Supreme Court ble man who gave his life for the in Jaipur after 48 years, changing Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) here, party spokesperson Pawan his courtiers but his life ended the prime minister’s offi ce. had dismissed the CBI’s appeal country,” Priyanka Gandhi said the dynamics of the seat which fi elding Hanuman Beniwal on Khera said Modi’s comments as ‘bhrashtachari’ (corrupt) No Venugopal sought an apology against the Delhi High Court’s on Twitter. has traditionally been a Brahmin behalf of the National Demo- were provoked by fear of losing 1.” Modi’s remark came follow- from him. verdict in 2018,” he said. “The people of Amethi will stronghold. While Prime Minis- cratic Alliance (NDA) against the elections, and he should be ing Congress chief’s incessant “More shockingly, even after Earlier in the day, Rahul Gan- reply as Rajiv Gandhi sacrifi ced ter Narendra Modi’s rally has in- Congress’ Jyoti Mirdha, who be- ashamed of himself for attack- attacks on him regarding allega- such repeated slandering and dhi and Congress general secre- his life for them. Yes Modi, the stilled confi dence among the BJP longs to the infl uential Mirdha ing Rajiv Gandhi, who “sacri- tions of corruption in the Rafale character assassination from the tary Priyanka Gandhi also criti- country never forgives cheat- supporters in this seat, Congress family here. fi ced his life for the country”. jet deal. prime minister and other BJP cised Modi. ing.” Attacks will not kill my Yak ride Kerala poll offi cer takes voice or spirit: Kejriwal on bogus voters IANS any extent to defend his actions. Thiruvananthapuram “I am not under the state gov- IANS said: “On Saturday a man at- the chief minister elected by the ernment and I am under the elec- New Delhi tacked me. This was the ninth people of Delhi.” tion commission. The Left lead- attack on me in the last fi ve years Kejriwal said the BJP was not n a move to check bogus vot- ers know me quite well as I have and fi fth since I became the chief able to digest the fact that the AAP ing, Kerala’s chief electoral worked most of the time with the he Aam Aadmi Party minister. I don’t think any chief won 67 of the 70 seats in the 2015 Ioffi cer (CEO) Teeka Ram Left. I will go to any extent and (AAP) will today fi le an minister was attacked so many Delhi Assembly elections. “We Meena yesterday directed his of- to the Supreme Court, to defend Toffi cial complaint against times.” have done so much for Delhi in the fi cials to verify the webcams in our actions,” the CEO said. the attack on its chief Arvind Ke- He said Delhi was the only fi elds of education, health, elec- 43 polling booths in the Kasar- After verifying visuals, the CEO jriwal, party leader Manish Siso- place in the country where secu- tricity and water. They (BJP) fear gode Lok Sabha constituency, has asked the district collectors dia said here yesterday. rity for the chief minister was in the people will question them on even as the ruling CPI-M de- in Kannur and Kasargode to take “AAP MP Sanjay Singh will the hands of an opposition party. what work they have done.” clared war on the CEO. legal action against four CPI-M fi le an offi cial complaint with the “My security is the BJP’s respon- Through the attack, the BJP Yesterday morning, a team of workers including three women police commissioner,” Sisodia sibility. In all other states, the was trying to send out a mes- polling offi cials began examining and also against three Indian Un- said and added it was a decision chief minister’s security is the sage that those opposing Modi entire visuals of the voting that ion Muslim League workers who taken by the party. responsibility of the state police, would not be spared, “even if he took place at 43 polling booths allegedly bogus voted in the Kan- Speaking to the media, he said which comes under the CM.” is a CM,” he said and added the in the Kasargode Lok Sabha con- nur Lok Sabha constituency. the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Claiming that nine attacks attacker’s wife said he could not stituency earlier identifi ed as Meanwhile, the Congress-led was trying to send out a mes- cannot be called security lapse, listen to anything against Modi”. problematic. There are a total of UDF yesterday submitted a fresh sage that anyone could attack the he said, “it is a conspiracy against “There is a message being giv- 965 booths in the constituency. list of 199 bogus voters in the chief minister and escape. me.” en that no one should speak up In the past one week, Meena has Kannur Lok Sabha constituency, Earlier yesterday Delhi Chief Attacking the BJP, Kejriwal against Modi. They are trying to been wielding the stick on bogus who they have alleged are work- Minister Arvind Kejriwal blamed said the party had tried its best to choke my voice and this is a clear voting which has irked the ruling ers of the ruling LDF coalition led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) destroy the AAP. “They made the trait of a dictator,” the AAP leader CPI-M. The party, on Friday, decid- by CPI-M. for the attack saying the party CBI raid my offi ce. The Delhi Po- said. ed to seek the advice of its national Incidentally, this list includes was trying to silence voices raised lice raided my house. A total of 33 Kejriwal said he was not scared leadership on what legal steps could bogus voting in the Dharmadam against Prime Minister Narendra cases have been fi led against me. of attacks and it (attacks) had be taken to rein in Meena. assembly segment represented Modi and establish dictatorship. They want to remove us physi- made him stronger. “It will not Tourists enjoy a yak ride in Himachal Pradesh’s Marhi The chief electoral offi cer, by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijay- Addressing the media, the cally. The attack was not on me, kill my voice or my spirit,” he yesterday. however, is in no mood to relent an, under the Kannur Lok Sabha Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief it was on Delhi. They attacked added. and told the media he would go to constituency. Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 23 INDIA

SETBACK DECISION POLITICS CLAIM ILLEGAL Karnataka students miss Major’s seniority cut for Telangana CM, Vijayan to Punjab CM accuses centre Sri Lankan without travel NEET due to train delay ‘fraternising’ with woman hold talks on ‘federal front’ of stalling wheat purchase papers held in Kerala

Nearly 365 students from north Karnataka missed The court martial ruling against controversial With 18 days to go for Lok Sabha election results, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh yesterday A Sri Lankan national, who claimed to have appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance army major Leetul Gogoi, recommending a Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is accused the central government of acting at lost all his travel documents, was held from Test (NEET) in Bengaluru yesterday, as the train reduction in his seniority and his posting out all set to resume his eff orts for formation of a non- the behest of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to the bus station in Thiruvananthapuram and in which they were travelling reached Bengaluru of the Kashmir Valley, has been confirmed by BJP, non-Congress government at the Centre with create shortage of gunny bags and obstructing is being interrogated by both the state police over seven hours late, an off icial said. “The Hampi the army headquarters, defence sources said. a meeting with his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi procurement of wheat in the state. While Punjab and central security agencies, the Kerala Police Express (train No. 16591) reached Bengaluru Gogoi, who had hogged media headlines in 2017 Vijayan today. The Telengana Rashtra Samithi was being made to sweat for gunny bags, said yesterday. The man, who identifies himself over seven hours late at 2.36pm instead of the when he tied a local youth in the state’s Badgam (TRS) chief will meet Communist Party of India- neighbouring Haryana was being supplied as Maluge Dias, 32, was picked up on Saturday scheduled 7am arrival,” South Western Railway district to the bonnet of his jeep to escape and Marxist leader Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram additional bags to ensure smooth procurement, night. “Dias claims he has lost his passport and (SWR) spokesperson E Vijaya said. When the deter stone-pelting mobs, was court-martialled at 6pm today. According to Telangana chief ahead of voting on May 12, the chief minister other papers. Even though he claims to have candidates staged a protest outside the railway after being found “fraternising” with a local minister’s off ice, the two leaders will discuss latest alleged. The Congress government in Punjab flown in from Colombo, despite our best eff orts, station for missing the test for no fault of theirs, girl in May last year. In its ruling on March 31, political developments in the wake of ongoing Lok was facing problems in procurement due to we have not been able to get any information the SWR agreed to write to the Union Ministry the military court, indicting the major and his Sabha elections. This will be Rao’s first meeting the politically motivated actions of the BJP-led from him. He has a language problem and at of Human Resources Development (HRD) for re- driver Sameer Malla, recommended reduction in with any leader of a non-BJP and non-Congress government at the Centre in depriving the state of times, appears to behave as if he is of unsound conducting the test for them at the earliest. Gogoi’s seniority and shifting him out. party since Lok Sabha elections began on April 10. much-needed supply of gunny bags, Singh said. mind,” a police off icial said. Millions without Congress-led power and food after Fani fury UPA will win

DPA New Delhi at the Centre, illions of people were without power and Mdrinking water after a powerful cyclone wreaked havoc in Odisha, claiming 30 lives, even as disaster management teams yesterday stepped up relief eff orts insists Pilot and restoration of utility services. Cyclone Fani struck near the IANS date fi elded by the Congress was with them but the Model Code town of Puri on Friday morning, Jaipur a “unanimous choice of party of Conduct is in place. As soon as packing winds of up to 205kms per leaders. the code of conduct is removed, hour along with torrential rains, “We have put up 25 winning we will waive off those loans too.” and travelled inland to neighbour- ajasthan Congress presi- candidates and will be able to get Answering a query about Lok ing Bangladesh before it waned dent and state Deputy Chief a thumping majority in the Lok Sabha results, he said “there will Saturday night. While authori- RMinister Sachin Pilot has Sabha. We held consultations for be change of leadership in Delhi ties managed to minimise loss said that the party was confi dent three months and winnable, ac- with a new prime minister”. of lives due to swift evacuations of winning all Lok Sabha seats in ceptable, consensual candidates He said BJP was resorting to of an estimated 2.8mn people in the state under its “Mission 25”, have been fi elded,” he said. hyper-nationalism to cover up both countries, Fani left a trail of and that a Congress-led UPA-3 Asked about the BJP’s criti- “incompetency” of the Modi destruction, toppling power lines, government will be formed at the cism that Chief Minister Ashok government in the last fi ve years. submerging villages and damag- Centre after the election results Gehlot had focused excessively “Nationalism is not some- ing homes and infrastructure. are declared on May 23. in Jodhpur where his son Vaib- thing that needs to be tested and At least 30 people were killed “We are working towards Mis- hav is contesting, Pilot said brought just before elections. We in Odisha’s worst-hit districts sion 25 and I am hopeful we will there is nothing wrong in work- are all patriotic citizens and the of Puri, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and accomplish it. Countrywide, ing hard in a place. valour and sacrifi ce of our armed Cuttack, mostly due to collaps- the Congress will be in pole po- “He is chief minister, he has forces is never up for question. I ing houses and trees, disaster sition. The only party that has put a lot of eff ort in making sure think the respect and gratitude management offi cials said. bandwidth and the strength to we win that seat. I see nothing that all of us citizens have towards Restoration work was ongoing challenge and defeat the BJP at wrong in that. We have cam- the armed forces is never in doubt. in Odisha’s 10,000 villages and a national level is Congress. I paigned together also. We have “Therefore, I think it quite 52 urban areas hit by the storm think UPA-3 with more allies is a covered most of the state. He has pointless to have that discussion that aff ected some 2.5mn fami- reality on May 23,” Pilot said. been to other places also, besides but in terms of talking about na- lies, offi cials said. The Congress has led two UPA Jodhpur,” he said. tionalism, is it being done only Many among the 1.2mn people governments at the Centre from Pilot said he had gone for to cover up incompetency of taken to shelters in Odisha whose 2004 to 2014. Vaibhav’s nomination and had fi ve years of the current govern- homes were destroyed would stay He accused the BJP of try- opened his election offi ce. “I am ment?” he said. till they were rehabilitated, state ing to raise emotive issues in the sure we will get a thumping ma- He said that Congress gov- Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik election and said the Congress is jority,” he added. ernment in Rajasthan has taken said, adding that work was on at a concerned about people’s live- Asked if Congress president some good initiatives in the state “war-footing” to restore elec- lihood, opportunity for young Rahul Gandhi will be the prime since it came into offi ce last De- tricity, potable water supplies people, the agrarian crisis and minister after the polls, he said: “I cember and people will judge it and communications. economic slowdown. am a Congressman. We have never on its performance. Patnaik has announced cash “I believe that these elections run after posts and positions. De- “I am quite convinced that we and rice handouts for victims in should be fought on governance mocracy is all about numbers and will get a resounding majority need. He said cooked food would issues, as opposed to emotive Rahul himself has said, let the re- in the Lok Sabha polls in all the be supplied to some communi- issues that BJP wants them to- sults come out we will sit together three states – Madhya Pradesh, ties for 15 days. Fani was the fi rst wards. We are trying to focus on and decide who will lead the gov- Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. In summer cyclone to hit India’s issues that matter to everyday ernment. But as a Congress per- Rajasthan we are working to- Bay of Bengal coast in 43 years lives of citizens and we have been son, my wish is that he plays a very wards Mission 25 and I am hope- and only the third in the past 150 able to bring the discussion back vital role after May 23.” ful we will succeed in accom- years, the chief minister said. to where it belongs, as opposed to Asked about reports of only plishing that mission,” he said. Normally the storms hit being on religion and temples and meagre amounts being waived off Pilot, who was made deputy around October and November. all sorts of things,” he said. farm loans, Pilot said Rs180bn had chief minister after the party The government has earned “The Uttar Pradesh chief been waived off for co-operative leadership decided to again praise from the UN and other ex- minister talks about religion. banks and Bhoomi Vikas Bank. nominate Ashok Gehlot as chief perts for the speedy evacuation of That is not the kind of narrative “Commercial banks, however, minister, has held rallies across people in the powerful storm’s path Villagers block the national highway connecting Puri to Bhubaneswar as they demand relief materials that today’s politics needs.” are controlled by the fi nance the state. Party leaders said he and minimising the loss of life. on the outskirts of Puri yesterday. Pilot said that every candi- ministry. We are negotiating has held nearly 125 meetings. Militants kill Kashmir Heat wave grips Andhra Pradesh politician ahead of polls uted the unusual rise in tem- IANS Amaravati peratures to the after-eff ect of AFP ous rounds, and Anantnag is ex- cluding a BJP lawmaker. ‘Fani’ which hit the Odisha coast Srinagar pected to suff er today — the fi fth Today’s voting will be held in on Friday. The cyclone has taken round of voting in the six-week 51 constituencies across seven ndhra Pradesh was in the away humidity from the climate long election which ends May 19. states, including Uttar Pradesh grip of a severe heat wave resulting in dry weather and uspected militants shot Results are to be released four — India’s biggest state which ac- Ayesterday with many sharp increase in temperatures, dead a local leader of Prime days later. counts for 80 of the 543 lawmak- places sizzling at over 45 de- the IMD offi cials said. SMinister Narendra Modi’s Political killings are common ers decided in the election. gree Celsius as the mercury rose Neighbouring Telangana was ruling party in Kashmir ahead in the bitterly-fought elections Amethi, the family borough sharply as an after-eff ect of cy- also in the grip of heat wave with of the latest round of polling, with party and regional rivalries of the main opposition leader clone ‘Fani’, offi cials said. Khammam recording a maximum highlighting bloodshed that has often boiling over. Rahul Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh, According to Real Time Gov- temperature of 45.2 degrees. marred the mega-election. The National Crime Records also votes today. ernance Society (RTGS) of And- The severe heat wave condi- The killing in Anantnag dis- Bureau says there were more Rahul, who has focussed on hra Pradesh, 52 places recorded tions impacted normal life in trict of the state is the latest in a than 100 political murders in attacking Modi’s economic poli- a maximum temperature above both the states. Streets were string of attacks to have marred 2016. cies, is seeking to become the 45 degrees while in 127 places, it deserted in many places as peo- the election which began last Kerala in the south and Uttar fourth member of his family to was above 44 degrees. ple preferred to remain indoors, month. Pradesh and Bihar in the north take the prime minister’s offi ce. Vijayawada was the hottest especially in the afternoon, to The militants opened fi re on are the worst for political mur- He has pledged to end abject place with mercury rising to 45.6 escape the blazing sun. Gul Mohamed Mir, who be- ders. poverty by 2030 and give cash degrees Celsius while Polavaram The IMD has warned that se- longed to a local unit of the Hin- The world’s biggest election transfers to 50mn families. in West Godavari district re- vere heat wave conditions will du nationalist Bharatiya Janata has been mostly targeted by far- On Friday, Rahul penned an corded 45.5 degrees. continue in parts of both the Party (BJP), at his house in south left Maoist rebels. emotional letter to the people More than 200 ‘mandals’ or states till May 7. Kashmir on Saturday night. Last week guerrillas killed 15 of Amethi seeking support for revenue blocks were reeling un- Many places in Telangana re- Police called it a “terror crime” police commandos and their his bid for a fourth straight term der severe heat wave conditions. corded maximum temperatures and Modi condemned Mir’s kill- driver in Maharashtra. from the city, amid accusations Authorities have sounded an of over 43 degrees. Bhadracha- ing in a Twitter post yesterday, The Maoists, who have tradi- that BJP supporters were giving alert and advised people to take lam experienced intense heat at saying “there is no place for such tionally boycotted elections as cash handouts to voters. all precautions. 44.8 degrees while 44.4 degrees violence in our country.” part of their campaign against “Vote in large numbers to A farmer couple died of sun- was recorded in Ramagundam Police said a polling station to the state, killed two police in bring back this member of the stroke in Thallarevu mandal of and 44 degrees in Nalgonda. be used in today’s voting was set Chhattisgarh last month. family,” Rahul, 48, wrote. East Godavari district yesterday, Hyderabad had the lowest ablaze in the nearby Shopian area. And on April 9, they attacked The BJP has put up a minister offi cials said. maximum temperature in Telan- Voter turnout in Kashmir has a political convoy in the same and former television actress People cover themselves to avoid scorching sun in Hyderabad The Indian Meteorological gana at 41.5 degrees Celsius, still barely crossed 10% in the previ- state, killing five people in- Smriti Irani against Rahul. yesterday. Department (IMD) has attrib- 2.3 degree above average. Gulf Times 24 Monday, May 6, 2019 PAKISTAN

Pakistani innovators Reports of Chinese army win IsDB funding

Internews bases ‘baseless’: Qureshi Islamabad

Internews United Nations Security Council and similar strategic interests, want to destabilise the country,” from the PAC chairmanship low him to continue, then why Islamabad resolution to list Jaish-e-Mu- such as Pakistan, and in which he said. overnight,” Qureshi said, adding he isn’t relinquishing the post he Islamic Development hammad (JeM) chief Maulana there is a precedent for hosting Commenting on domes- that even PML-N leaders did not of Opposition Leader … if he is Bank (IsDB) has awarded Masood Azhar as a global ter- foreign militaries. tic politics, Qureshi said that a have prior knowledge that the healthy enough to serve on that Tseed capital and business oreign Minister Shah Me- rorist. Commenting on the Pash- “gang of four” is making all de- PAC chairman would quit. post, then why not as the PAC skills mentoring to four Paki- hmood Qureshi has refut- On Thursday, the US Defence tun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), cisions in the Pakistan Muslim The minister said that the chairman too?” stani innovators, researchers, Fed reports that Beijing is Department stated that China Qureshi said that no one can League – Nawaz (PML-N) af- government would raise the is- Qureshi asked why the PML- and entrepreneurs as part of its considering setting up military was seeking to establish military cast doubts on the patriotism of ter Leader of the Opposition in sue in the National Assembly N leader decided to leave the fi fth edition of the Transformers bases in Pakistan. bases around the world to pro- residents in the erstwhile Feder- the National Assembly Shehbaz today. post after having fought so hard Roadshow Competition, held in “The baseless claims are be- tect its investments in its ambi- ally Administered Tribal Areas Sharif stepped down as the Pub- “We have heard that this to head the committee. association with COMSTECH. ing spread by the enemies of Pa- tious One Belt, One Road global (Fata), who he added, had always lic Accounts Committee (PAC) ‘gang of four’ doesn’t even take The minister went on to say The Prime Minister’s Spe- kistan, including India,” he said infrastructure programme. been a part of Pakistan. chairman. the parliamentary members on that even the Pakistan Peoples cial Adviser on National Health while speaking to the media in The Pentagon report said that “[However] our security On May 2 Sharif decided to board before making decisions,” Party (PPP) leadership was not Services Dr Zafar Mirza was the Multan. China will seek to establish ad- agencies have evidence against relinquish the chairmanship of Qureshi said. taken on board regarding the chief guest at the Transform- The minister said that New ditional military bases in coun- certain individuals receiving parliament’s top panel. He questioned the reasoning nomination of Rana Tanveer for ers Roadshow, which is a global Delhi had also failed to link the tries with which it has a long- funding from Afghan and Indi- “It is interesting how he given for Sharif’s decision, say- the now-vacant PAC chairman- initiative in which applicants Pulwama incident with the standing friendly relationship an intelligence agencies … they [Sharif] decided to step down ing: “If his health does not al- ship. are invited to pitch ideas accel- erating one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Punjab dissolves The competition attracted local bodies more than 200 entrants from across Pakistan, with shortlisted Around 58,000 local bodies 20 teams presenting their inno- representatives in Punjab were vative ideas and 4 fi nalists being sent packing after the governor selected. signed the Punjab Local The winners are Dr Osman Government Bill 2019. Hassan (for Smart SIM, under According to a government the Health category), Dr Khawa- notification, the former local ja Arsalan Habib (for Short Cir- bodies system now stands cuit Fault Localisation System abolished. – Energy), Hassan Bin Rizwan The Punjab government will (for Muse Lessons – Education), conduct fresh local government and Rehana Balti (for Apricot elections within a year. Processing Strategy – Agricul- Until then, 27 districts of the ture). province will have deputy They were each awarded commissioners working as $3,000 in seed capital and a tick- administrators. et to Transformers Road show fi - Nine divisions will have nal to be held in Senegal later this commissioners performing these year. duties. The initiatives were assessed Under the new bill, the new in line with the SDGs agenda municipal system will consist of across factors such as innova- two categories: municipal and tiveness, impact and outreach, mohalla councils in urban areas, practicality, scalability, sustain- and tehsil and village councils in ability, potential for patenting rural areas. Fast preparations and commercialisation. Speaking on the occasion, Za- Staff of Pakistan’s Meteorological far thanked the IsDB for enabling Immunisation Department (PMD) in Karachi (above) adjust young Pakistani innovators to Pakistani shoppers wait for transport outside a a telescope for the new moon sighting that pitch their ideas to address one head sacked government controlled-price utility store in Islamabad. will mark the start of Ramadan. or more of the SDGs. “There is no dearth of creative The Ministry of National Health ideas in our countries, but there Services has dismissed the head is a dire need of directing eff orts of Expanded Programme on towards providing indigenous Immunisation (EPI) Dr Saqlain solutions for the problems that Gilani. we face, and connecting innova- He was suspended after a tors with entrepreneurs who can National Accountability Bureau convert the ideas or prototypes (NAB) team recovered Rs18mn into commercialised products or during a raid on his house in services,” he stated. December 2018. The co-ordinator general of “He was arrested by the NAB COMSTECH expressed com- after his bail was cancelled by the mitment to developing local Islamabad High Court. talent and nurturing solutions “During custody, suspect opted to key challenges: “We are de- for plea bargain and surrendered lighted that this event attracted all amount, which were recovered some of Pakistan’s top minds from his house, following who have made it their mission which he was released by the to help achieve the SDGs.” Accountability Court,” a ministry He said that the Higher Edu- off icial said. cation Commission of Pakistan “As plea bargain was proof that is collaborating with the IsDB to suspect was involved in the fund innovative projects by Pa- crime, it was decided to dismiss Pakistanis buy dates at a market in Karachi yesterday, in preparation for Ramadan. Workers clean the grounds of a mosque in Karachi. kistani scientists. him from the service.” IsDB president Dr Bandar Hajjar said that Pakistan is an integral member country of the IsDB group, and is the third larg- est benefi ciary of IsDB fi nanc- ing. The IsDB group has provided Backpackers hail Pakistan’s tourism potential fi nancing of $12.43bn to Paki- stan, helping improve the lives of Pakistanis through a range of Internews monuments, and was enchanted founder of the society, Samuel “I believe this community will to cross-sectional and regional travel media, we aim to bring development projects. Karachi by the country’s hospitality,” Joynson, soke about the poten- be back before long in Pakistan, employment generation. the developmental benefi ts of Senior adviser to the IsDB he said, adding that it was an tial of tourism in Pakistan. and people from Karachi to Ka- He also discussed distribu- responsible travel to countries president Dr Hayat Sindi said: amazing adventure and one of He said their society ranked rimabad will benefi t from this.” tional demographic benefi ts of with untapped tourism poten- “The quality of the applications pic” is the word, Brit- the experiences he would never Pakistan as the world’s number Joynson, who has a back- tourism-related employment, tial,” he said, adding that they in Pakistan has been exception- ish backpacker and forget – including watching the one adventure travel destina- ground in international law and direct contribution to national had advised developing-world ally high, and I am delighted to “Eone of the founders sun rise in Hunza Valley. tion last year – which came as a is a passionate traveller, ex- economy and government rev- governments on strategic tour- see so many novel solutions pro- of the British Backpacker Soci- Worrall was one of the six shock to many around the globe. plained that he was in the city enue, currency infl ow and infra- ism issues, ranging from visa posed across such a diverse mix ety, Michael Worrall, used to de- backpackers speaking at an “After being isolated from in- with fi ve other international structure investment. policy to brand positioning. of development issues.” scribe Shandur Pass at an event event titled Realising Pakistan’s ternational tourism for nearly travellers who had been to more Talking about the British They also discussed the on- Launched in July 2018, the on tourism in Pakistan. international tourism potential: two decades, Pakistan – which than 150 countries in the world. Backpacker Society, Joynson arrival business and 30-day Transformers Roadshow is one “When I visited the country why and how, at the Institute of has been endowed with natu- Discussing Pakistan’s tourism said that the society promotes entry visa with marketing and of the initiatives led by the IsDB back in November 2018, I saw Business Administration’s city ral beauty and culture – is once potential and economics, Finn- and enables adventure travel in promotional options for the lo- Transform Fund set up to sup- fi rsthand the glorious moun- campus, organised by the Trade again on the radar of the inter- ish backpacker Yohanas said frontier tourism markets. cal tourism industry, as well as port the IsDB’s strategic focus tain scenery that is beyond im- and Development Authority. national tourist community,” that tourism is a labour-inten- “Through tourism policy the cultural and social benefi ts on capacity building and human agination, impressive historic Worrall’s friend and co- Joynson said in his presentation. sive industry which could lead consulting, public lectures and of tourism. capital development. New Islamabad airport handles 4.7mn passengers within fi rst year

Internews Some 132,000 plants were also It is roughly 30km from the There are multiple fi rst class 700-acre Kisana Dam is also un- were injured a few months back Earlier reports highlighted is- Rawalpindi sown to give the environment a city centres of both Rawalpindi and business class lounges in the derway. after an airbridge collapsed. sues in the runway construction. green look, while an additional and Islamabad. international and domestic de- The airport was originally Cracks on the customs air Aviation Division Secretary 250,000 plants will also be sown Aircraft operations utilise the parture areas. planned to cost Rs37bn, but this freight cargo building led to the and Civil Aviation Authority di- ore than 4.7mn domes- around the airport as part of four-storey terminal building, There are 33 parking bays in escalated to Rs81.1bn in 2014, shifting of the unit to an alternate rector general Shahrukh Nusrat tic and international the “Clean and Green Pakistan” two runways, six taxi links, three total, and 15 bridges at the air- and eventually Rs105bn when all building. told Express that the airport is on Mpassengers have used campaign. rapid taxiways, fi ve aprons, a car- port, of which nine are for inter- work was completed. Incidents of roof leaking and par with global standards. the New Islamabad International The 4,238-acre airport’s go apron, and a special parking national fl ights while six are for Announcements were made of part of the ceiling falling apart in “With the introduction of new Airport since it became opera- planned capacity is 9mn passen- bay for wide-body aircraft, in- domestic fl ights. private bus services from Koral the rain have also been reported. projects, minor issues surface,” tional a year ago. gers and 50,000 metric tonnes of cluding the massive Airbus A380. The parking lots have a total and Rawat and extension of the Despite the presence of joint he said, adding that the same is At least Rs105bn was spent on cargo per year. There is also a separate ter- capacity of 2,200 cars. metro bus line from Islamabad search counters of customs, the the case here. Pakistan’s biggest state-of-the- A park for children, a food minal for cargo, the air traffi c The airport also has its own for staff , visitors, and passengers. Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), They are being rectifi ed and art greenfi eld airport, covering court for visitors, and a 50-bed control complex, and refuelling 282-acre dam called Rama Dam, However, no local bus service, and the Airports Security Force improved with strenuous eff orts, everything from the latest se- trauma centre have also been set facilities. the current capacity of which is despite a tender being fl oated, (ASF), reports of bribery, includ- Nusrat said. “It is Pakistan’s air- curity scanners to the truck art up to cope up with emergency There are 70 check-in counters 2,122-acre feet. has become operational. ing some with video evidence, port, and we Pakistanis will make decorating the terminal building. situations. and 32 domestic lounges. Construction work on the Meanwhile, two employees have also surfaced. it a success with improvements.” Gulf Times Monday, May 6, 2019 25 PHILIPPINES Estrada, Domagoso lead Manila poll race Panelo: assurance on territories By William Depasupil with 33% and Lim with 15%. Manila Times RPMDinc also came out with a result from a survey conducted Government vows on April 1 to 8 showing Moreno ith only a week left be- with a 47% voter preference and fore the midterm polls, Estrada with 30%. protection of ‘South Wre-electionist Manila In the race for councilors, a Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada survey conducted by Ipoll Inc. and his challenger, former vice showed Don Juan “DJ” Bagatsing China Sea’ territories mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” in the winning circle in Manila’s Domagoso are both confi dent in Fourth District. winning Manila’s top post based Meanwhile, new party-list DPA “We stress that the essence on the result of their respective group Wow Pilipinas moved to Manila of such a writ of kalikasan, surveys. the top 10 of party-list groups which is the protection of the Former mayor Alfredo “Fred” that were likely to win a seat at marine ecosystem of the West Lim was left out of the loop the House of Representatives, he Philippine govern- Philippine Sea, is already a without any survey result to based on the survey also con- ment yesterday vowed top concern and agenda of the show that he is winning the hot- ducted by RPMDinc. Tit would protect its ter- government,” he said referring ly contested post. The survey showed re-elec- ritories in the disputed South to the South China Sea by its Yesterday, the Estrada camp tionist groups led by Gabriela China Sea, following a Su- Philippine name. “We assure claimed that the incumbent Women’s Party dominating the preme Court order to preserve the nation that this adminis- mayor and his running mate, race. The non-commissioned marine environments in the tration is committed to protect former representative Amado survey with 8,000 respondents, area. the sovereignty of our coun- Bagatsing, were comfortably conducted from April 22 to 27, The court order was try and the protection of our leading their opponents, based showed 4.5% of voters preferred prompted by a petition fi led marine environment against on the latest survey conducted the group over 134 rivals. Wow by environmental activists and any and all who will attempt by the Filipino-Chinese In- Pilipinas ratings’ translates to fi shermen alleging the Philip- to assault or violate them,” he dependent Business Coalition about 218,396 votes in the Na- pine government had failed to added. (FCIBC). tional Capital Region alone. act against Chinese incursions China claims almost the In its April 24 to 27 fi eldwork Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. Gabriela, which topped the and destructive activities in entire South China Sea, a key survey using face-to-face inter- previous surveys for party-list the three areas in the South shipping lane believed to be views, the FCIBC survey showed Lacuna, had 45%. Lim has no ment, anybody who will be the margin. Early this month, the groups, was still at No 1 spot China Sea. The writ of kalikas- rich in marine and mineral re- Estrada garnering 51.8% voter running mate. running mate of Mayor Estrada Laylo Research Strategies and with 10.8%. Buhay Hayaang Yu- an (nature) issued Friday cov- sources. preference, which is considered Marvin Manhit, FCIBC chief will win and it looks like Amado Media Trend Setter surveys mabong was second with 9.3%, ers Scarborough Shoal, Second Other claimants are the the highest among several fi eld- research analyst, said based on Bagatsing, who is also a veteran showed Estrada was the most followed by Ako Bicol Political Thomas Shoal and Mischief Philippines, Vietnam, Malay- work surveys since January 2019. their study, Estrada possessed politician, has the advantage preferred among mayoral bets in Party — which was No 1 in 2016 Reef. sia, Brunei and Taiwan. The non-commissioned sur- a “magnetic” political appeal to over the incumbent,” Manhit Manila. — with 6.1%, followed by Anak- Presidential spokesman In July 2016, the Hague- vey also showed Moreno getting the citizens of Manila, which was said. Last week, an independ- pawis (5.5%), Akbayan Citizens Salvador Panelo said President based Permanent Court of Ar- 34.8% voter preference, while considered a plus factor against The FCIBC is the same private ent survey conducted by the Action Party (5.1%), Coalition of Rodrigo Duterte’s adminis- bitration ruled that Beijing has Lim got 13%. the Moreno-Lacuna tandem. fi rm that released a study in 2016 RP-Mission and Development Associations of Senior Citizens tration was “duty-bound” to no legal or historical basis for Bagatsing received 54.5% vot- “If you will notice, both confi rming the slim chance of Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc) in the Philippines (4.7%), Bayan prevent violations of environ- its so-called “nine-dash line,” er preference, while Moreno’s Domagoso and Lacuna served Estrada in winning the elections from April 27 to May 1 showed Muna (4.2%), Serbisyo sa Bayan mental laws in Philippine ter- which demarcates its claims to running mate, incumbent Vice as vice mayors under Estrada’s against Lim. In 2016, Estrada Moreno leading with a 50% voter Partylist (3.4%) and ACT Teach- ritories, even without an order almost the entire South China Mayor Maria Shielah “Honey” leadership. Based on our assess- defeated Lim with a 2,000-vote preference followed by Estrada ers (3.2%). from the Supreme Court. Sea. Comelec reveals preparations ‘almost complete’ for election

By William Depasupil She said the delivery of ballots lines. Voters should prepare a list that will not be read by the ma- Manila Times and other equipment was within of their candidates to make vot- chine, but will not invalidate schedule. On Friday, the Come- ing or shading of ballot easier your votes on other candidates lec recalled all the marking pens and faster. that you correctly shaded,” he Commission on Elec- that were supposed to be used by She urged voters not to over- Arabe pointed out. tions (Comelec) yester- voters to shade the ballots after vote or shade more than the re- “It’s better to undervote than Tday gave assurances that discovering that such pens were quired number of candidates. overvote because if you under- preparations for the May 13, of poor quality. Every voter, she pointed out, vote, the machine will still count 2019 midterm elections were al- Arabe said the bleeding pens should only vote for 12 senators, it, but not if you overvote,” she most complete. would be replaced. one party-list group, a city or explained. The poll body said it expected “We will replace them, we still municipal mayor and vice may- She said the voter’s receipt the delivery of ballots and other have time and our election offi c- or, a governor and vice governor, should be deposited at a desig- election paraphernalia to be fi n- ers are ready to (make emergen- and the required number of mu- nated box at the voting place. ished a week before May 13. cy) purchase if (what we have) nicipal or town councillor and Arabe called on voters to keep “All logistical requirement are not enough,” she said. provincial Board members. their ballots clean and to avoid were already in place. In the “It’s better not to use them She explained that if a voter unnecessary marking as there is A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operative guards ballots stacked inside the Las Pinas City Hall. coming days we will be able to because (they) will smudge, shaded more than 12 senators, only one ballot for every voter. make the deliveries (of election (they) blot. They bleed, they are his or her votes would not be Taking selfi es inside voting inside polling centres, particu- designated polling areas for per- PWDs are allowed to bring paraphernalia) 100%,” Direc- not quick-drying,” she added. read by the vote counting ma- places is not allowed and those larly taking pictures of the ballot. sons with disability (PWDs), sen- someone who will assist them, tor Frances Arabe, deputy chief Yesterday, Arabe reminded chine. who will be caught doing it could It’s an election off ence, you ior citizens and pregnant women or they may seek the help of the of the Comelec’s Education and registered voters to go to poll- “If you overvote for senator or land in jail, she added. can be charged,” she added. located at the ground fl oor of electoral board in fi lling up their Information Division, said. ing precincts early to avoid long mayor, or any other positions, “Cellphones are prohibited Arabe said the Comelec had every regular polling place. ballots. Citizens’ watchdog turns Justice dept decision on man held down accreditation off er over smear campaign bid this week By Neil J Servallos dog to make public irregulari- The project would increase Manila Times ties and report the perform- the transparency of the poll re- By Jomar Canlas ment in the uploading of the ance of precincts. sults and detect fraud. Manila Times videos. Namfrel Treasurer Lito Ave- “Categorically, we have noth- or the fi rst time since its Namfrel is seeking ria, head of the Open Election ing to do with Rodel Jayme in founding, the National the support of some Data project, said the Come- he Department of Jus- the making of the Bikoy videos,” FCitizens’ Movement for 50,000 volunteers lec could refuse or accept their tice (DoJ) will determine Trillanes said. Free Elections (Namfrel) has to monitor election manifestation. Twithin the week the fate He pointed out that in Presi- declined the accreditation activities in “I wish I knew why they re- of Rodel Jayme, who admitted dent Duterte’s matrix, he and his granted by the Commission on more than 85,000 fused to give us our request creating the website where the group were not involved. Elections (Comelec) to be the clustered polling for access.If we had, we can “Bikoy” videos were uploaded. “We were not in Duterte’s ma- offi cial citizens’ arm for the precincts before, during do almost real-time analysis The department is set to is- trix,” he said. “When Jayme was May 13 elections. and aft er the elections and publication, which they sue a resolution that will decide interviewed, he said he knew no- Namfrel announced its (Comelec) can’t do either,” whether the National Prosecu- body from Magdalo,” the senator decision as it made public “Why would they refuse to Averia said. tion Service would fi le charges said. Trillanes urged the Nation- the Comelec’s decision that give us access? We are not the Eric Alvia, Namfrel secre- of inciting to sedition against al Bureau of Investigation and turned down its accreditation enemy.If they refuse to give us tary-general, said while their Jayme in court. the DoJ to thoroughly investigate as civil society’s participant in that, then better not give us the refusal to be accredited might The prosecutors shall deter- the case. the poll body’s random man- accreditation after all,” former prompt restrictions on their mine if there is probable cause Meanwhile, Sen. Panfi lo ual audit, which means that Comelec commissioner and precinct volunteers nation- to indict Jayme with inciting to “Ping” Lacson said Bikoy, the it would not be given the 27th now Namfrel National Chair- wide, they would “work with sedition or downgrade the crime masked man who appeared in copy of the election results man Augusto Lagman said in a whatever we can get” under the to cyberlibel or order a formal the narcolist video, should sur- generated by the vote counting news conference. given circumstances. preliminary investigation into face. machines. Access to data from the Namfrel is seeking the sup- the case. “Bikoy should surface if he “Petitioner (Namfrel) re- Comelec would enable Nam- port of some 50,000 volunteers Jayme underwent inquest Rodel Jayme: set to face legal scrutiny has documents or evidence, he spectfully declines its accredi- frel to operate its Open Election to monitor election activities proceedings because he was ar- should show it for clarity,” he tation as citizens’ arm of the Data project, a website con- in more than 85,000 clustered rested without a warrant. “Kitty” Duterte, about Presi- State Prosecutor Ana Noreen said. (Comelec), as embodied in its taining various polling precincts before, during Sources said the DoJ wanted dent Rodrigo Duterte’s youngest Devanadera was tasked to study “If he can present evidence, resolution dated March 29, election-related data such and after the elections. to determine if he could also be daughter, was also linked to the the case. we can recommend at our level 2019,” a document issued by as information on candi- “We have managed to con- charged with cybercrime or cy- illegal drug trade. Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, in the Senate by way of a com- the group read. dates, election return tabula- tinue with worse circumstanc- berlibel or violation of Repub- Once the DoJ sees probable who has been linked to the up- mittee report, to fi le a case even The Comelec turned down tion, es since 1985,” he added. lic Act 7610 or the “Anti Child cause against Jayme, a complaint loading of the “Ang Totoong if he or she is a member of the Namfrel’s request to be given list of voters, transparency Founded in 1983, Namfrel Abuse Law.” against him would be fi led before Narcolist “videos that linked the fi rst family. But there must be a greater access to election data, and media servers, among is the fi rst citizens’ election This is because in one of the the Parañaque Regional Trial president’s family to the illegal basis for that, there’s a basis un- which would enable the watch- many other information. watchdog in the world. videos that went viral, Veronica Court. drug trade, denied any involve- der the law,” the senator added. Gulf Times 26 Monday, May 6, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Fasting counteracts negative health Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor eff ects of an ambassador’s lifestyle K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar and other dignitaries to a wonderful regular time of sleep. of food so it will provide energy evening programme followed by dinner. During Ramadan, it would be helpful throughout the day. [email protected] Thus there are about 100 events per for the ambassadors if all the food Fibre is also necessary for benefi cial 44350478 (News), year, an average of two-three per week, parties held for the ambassadors would gut bacteria which manufacture several to which ambassadors are invited where serve food at the time to breakfast, hormones for our well-being. 44466404 (Sport), bountiful and delicious local and exotic around 6pm. Given the deleterious eff ect of late 44466636 (Home delivery) foods are served late in the evening, or This is the optimal time because evening meals on health by disturbing after 8 pm. this allows four-fi ve hours before sleep sleep, hormones, and metabolism, 44350474 Eating full meals late in the evening for someone going to bed at 10pm or ambassadors and the respected protocol facebook.com/gulftimes has been shown to raise the risk of 11pm, and the raised body temperature offi ce of the Ministry of Foreign airsAff metabolic syndrome, as well as other due to food metabolism will decline, of Qatar may consider holding National twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar diseases. supporting restorative sleep. Day celebrations somewhat earlier One way that late eating harms our Besides regulation of sleep and its in the evening so that such happy health is by disturbing the quality rhythm, fasting has numerous other occasions will be healthier. and rhythm of sleep. When food is health protecting and promoting Even better, is for each of us to spend consumed it produces energy and raises eff ects. our Ramadan with productive fasting GULF TIMES the body temperature. Fasting reduces insulin resistance and breaking our fast with healthy By eating less than three hours before and thus reduces the risk of diabetes, foods early in the evening, whether at sleep, the raised body temperature hypertension, hyperlipidemia and heart any gathering or at home. disturbs the quality of sleep. disease. Staying in close touch with nature By Faizullah Kakar, PhD Studies show that disturbed sleep Fasting improves immunity and and being physically and mentally Joe Biden faces Ambassador of the Islamic, Republic of over the long term is associated with reduces infl ammation, and reduces active will further raise the health Afghanistan to the State of Qatar obesity and insulin resistance. triglycerides and cholesterol. promoting and protecting eff ects of Insulin is a hormone that transports Fasting also stimulates autophagy in fasting, synergistically. sugar molecules inside the cells for the brain and other parts of the body I wish every one of the readers a fi rst 2020 test: his y three years’ experience energy production. improving health and memory. happy and healthy Ramadan month. as an ambassador in Doha Insulin resistance occurs when the Autophagy is a process by which our References: has convinced me that our cells do not allow the insulin to enter body selectively destroys and removes 1. Bastani A, Rajabi S, Kianimarkani Mlifestyle as ambassadors the cells. ageing and damaged cells.(4) F.(2017). The Eff ects of Fasting During record on race may predispose us to the risk of certain If insulin resistance occurs in the During fasting, growth hormone Ramadan on the Concentration of diseases. brain, it has the potential to negatively increases as well as BDNF, mentioned Serotonin, Dopamine, Brain-Derived One lifestyle hazard is “lack of aff ect memory, and if the insulin above, and several other biochemically Neurotrophic Factor and Nerve Growth For months, Joe Biden has signalled his third run for president outdoor exposure”. We live in protected resistance is in the rest of the body, it benefi cial changes take place leading to Factor. will be rooted in wooing back the white working-class voters who air-conditioned environments, and we leads to adult-onset diabetes.(2) the production of new cells in the brain Neurology international, 9(2), 7043. swung away from Democrats in 2016 and helped propel Donald do not experience the harsh elements Even if the ambassadors eat early and improving not only memory but also doi:10.4081/ni.2017.7043 Trump to the White House. of sun, extreme heat, extreme cold, go to bed early on evenings when there learning. 2. Koren D, Taveras EM.(2018). But fi rst, Biden faces a more imminent test: can he appeal to the thorns, rocks, etc that our ancestors are no National Day events, the fact that Improving the diet during Ramadan Association of sleep disturbances with changing demographics of the Democratic electorate, which is experienced. other nights they are eating late and would also help ambassadors lower obesity, insulin resistance and the poised to be the party’s most diverse in history? This lack of outdoor exposure leads to going to bed late disturbs the regular their risk of diseases. metabolic syndrome. The former vice-president may get his answer as he touches the reduction of a critical biochemical circadian rhythm of their sleep and Unfortunately, in many countries Metabolism, Jul;84:67-75. down on Saturday in South Carolina, the early state battleground known as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic adds the risk of social jetlag. people consume more fried foods and doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2018.04.001. where black voters play an outsize role in determining who gets the Factor (BDNF). Reduction of BDNF is Social jetlag occurs when people keep more sugary foods in the month of Epub 2018 Apr 6. Democratic party’s nod for the 2020 presidential nomination. associated with metabolic syndrome markedly irregular hours, for example, Ramadan, thus depriving themselves of 3. Koopman ADM, Rauh SP, van ‘t Riet Biden formally joined the historically diverse and crowded and cardiovascular disease as well as to sleep very late and wake up very late the physical health blessing of fasting. E, et Al.(2017). The Association between Democratic fi eld last month, swiftly positioning himself as the memory loss and neurodegenerative on the weekends. Eating foods with lots of sugars Social Jetlag, the Metabolic Syndrome, most experienced and well-known contender. diseases and accelerated ageing. As the reason for the irregular causes a three-fold increased risk of and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the He has since kept his focus squarely on Trump, in what he Metabolic syndrome is a cluster schedule is often social issues, and the death due to cardiovascular disease.(5) General Population: The New Hoorn says is “a battle for America’s soul”. Biden’s record on race and of conditions that occurs together, eff ect on the sleep is similar to jetlag Fried starches and fried meat form Study. inequality has nonetheless drawn renewed scrutiny, ranging from including high blood pressure, high (jetlag is the disturbance of sleep due to chemicals known as acrylamides and J Biol Rhythms. past comments on school desegregation to the Anita Hill-Clarence blood sugar, excess body fat around travelling from one side of the globe to heterocyclic amines, respectively. 32(4):359–368. Thomas hearings in the early 1990s. the waist, and high cholesterol or the other side where morning and night These chemicals have been shown to doi:10.1177/0748730417713572 In South Carolina, Biden will for the fi rst time since launching triglyceride levels. are reversed), this situation is referred contribute to insulin resistance, high 4. Mattson MP, Longo VD, Harvie his campaign show whether he can appeal to black voters, who This cluster of conditions, in turn, to as social jetlag. blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, and M.(2016). Impact of intermittent fasting make up 60% of the state’s primary electorate and 20% of the increases the risk of heart disease, Social jetlag disrupts hormonal gastric and esophageal cancers.(6) on health and disease processes. stroke and type 2 diabetes. balance and has been shown to Ageing research reviews, 39: 46–58. Democratic base overall. During fasting the best foods are a Fasting is one of the factors that contribute to metabolic syndrome.(3) great deal of green leafy vegetables, a doi:10.1016/j.arr.2016.10.005 In Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, he criticised can stimulate the production of BDNF Fasting has been proven scientifi cally small amount of protein, and good fats 5. DiNicolantonio JJ, Lucan SC, Republican eff orts to restrict voting rights, recalling racial and prevent metabolic syndrome and to have numerous health benefi ts and such as olive oil, fi sh oils, and coconut O’Keefe JH.(2015). The Evidence for segregation laws of the past. memory loss.(1) will help avoid the hazard of “late oil. Saturated Fat and for Sugar Related to “You’ve got Jim Crow Thus proper fasting, as described night eating”, but only if it is correctly Also seeds (pumpkin, sunfl ower) Coronary Heart Disease. He has since kept sneaking back in,” he later in the article, can be an important practised. and nuts (almonds, macadamia nuts, Prog cardiov dis, 58(5), 464–472. said, referring to the era health-promoting practice for an The correct way of fasting is to eat walnuts, pistachios, brazil nuts, etc), doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2015.11.006 his focus squarely before the civil rights ambassador as well as anyone with a only at prescribed times, that is, to eat fruits that contain less sugar (lemons, 6. Cahill LE, Pan, A, et. movement. similar lifestyle. at the fast-breaking time (about 6pm avocados, blueberries) and roots (beets, Al.(2014). Fried-food consumption on Trump, in what He said at a fund- Another lifestyle hazard is “late night these days) and then to eat Suhoor very carrots, onions, garlic and turnips) are and risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary raising dinner later that eating”. Currently there are about 100 early in the morning. very healthy foods to consume. artery disease: a prospective study in 2 he says is “a battle he expects a “nasty” embassies in Doha, and the embassies Thus, the proper way of fasting will Eating foods with lots of fi bre or cohorts of US women and men, The Am J election campaign from usually celebrate their countries’ prevent sleep disturbances and social adding fi bre such as Psyllium to water Clin Nut, Aug; 100:(2): 667–675. for America’s soul” Donald Trump. Biden’s National Days by inviting ambassadors jetlag by ensuring early eating and will be helpful to slow the digestion doi:10.3945/ajcn.114.084129 previous presidential campaigns – in the 1988 and 2008 election cycles – ended before he even reached the South Carolina primary. This time, he is an early frontrunner buoyed by two terms as Barack Obama’s vice-president. With the exception of Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, Biden is perhaps the only candidate in the Democratic fi eld who needs no introduction. Early polls put Biden fi rmly in the top tier of candidates, both nationally and across key swing states. Biden hasn’t shied away from leaning into his close rapport with the former president. In his fi rst major campaign swing across the country, Biden has touted the Obama administration’s record on the economy and healthcare and dubbed himself a “proud Obama-Biden Democrat”. His campaign even released a video featuring Obama praising Biden from the White House podium in 2017. But Obama’s popularity alone would not be enough. Biden has already been forced to contend with his role in overseeing sexual harassment allegations against Clarence Thomas during the confi rmation battle for the US Supreme Court in 1991. Biden chaired the all-male, all-white Senate judiciary panel that interrogated the claims brought by Thomas’ accuser, Anita Hill. Although Biden voted against Thomas’ confi rmation, he did not give full consideration at the time to other witnesses whose testimony appeared to corroborate Hill’s allegations. He also did not allow affi davits from experts in sexual harassment. Other issues have similarly come back to haunt him, such as his fi ght against busing to desegregate schools 40-plus years ago. Letters published by CNN last month revealed Biden, who was 34 at the time, sought support from some of the Senate’s most ardent segregationists. Biden, serving his fi rst term in the Senate, said he favoured desegregation but did not believe busing would achieve racial equality. “I do not buy the concept, popular in the 60s, which said: ‘We have suppressed the black man for 300 years and the white man is now far ahead,’” Biden told a local newspaper in his home state of Delaware at the time. “In order to even the score, we must now give the black man a head start, or even hold the white man back. I don’t buy that.” Despite Biden’s mixed record on the issues, polling shows goodwill towards the former vice-president extends to voters of colour. The correct way of fasting is to eat only at prescribed times, that is, to eat at the fast-breaking time and then to eat Suhoor very early in the morning. A survey following Biden’s announcement showed he enjoys support from 50% of non-white Democratic primary voters.

To Advertise [email protected] Time for spiritual contemplation and compassion Display 44466621 44418811 Message of Syed Ahsan Raza fasting and introspection. accept our fasting, prayers and good Shah, ambassador of the Islamic The holy month provides us with the deeds, and give us the strength Classified Republic of Pakistan on the advent opportunity to thank Allah Subnanahu to seize the opportunity of this 44466609 44418811 of Ramadan Wa Ta’allah for all His Blessings. It spiritual time to reflect on the year is time for spiritual contemplation, gone by, to observe self-sacrifice, Subscription On the occasion of the advent of the compassion, gratitude and generosity; and to be compassionate to those blessed month of Ramadan, I extend and it provides us with the opportunity who are less fortunate. [email protected] heartiest greetings to all brothers to spread the message of peace and May Allah Subnanahu Wa Ta’allah and sisters in the State of Qatar; and brotherhood in the spirit of social grant us the strength and imaan to join them in praying for peace and justice, fairness and equality. seek His reward through good deeds. © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved harmony for all, during this period of May Allah Subnanahu Wa Ta’allah Ameen

Gulf Times 28 Monday, May 6, 2019 QATAR

Amir receives credentials of Armenian, Iraqi ambassadors, meets outgoing Nepal envoy

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday the credentials of Armenian His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received at the Amiri Diwan His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan off ice ambassador Gegham Gharibjanian. At the outset of the meeting, off ice yesterday the credentials of Iraqi ambassador Omar Ahmed Karim yesterday Nepal’s outgoing ambassador Professor Ramesh Prasad Koirala. The Amir the Amir welcomed the new ambassador, wishing him success al-Barazanchi. At the outset of the meeting, the Amir welcomed the new ambassador, wished the ambassador success in his future mission, and relations between the two in his missions and relations between Qatar and Armenia further wishing him success in his missions and relations between Qatar and Iraq further countries further development and growth. The ambassador expressed thanks and progress and prosperity. progress and prosperity. gratitude to the Amir and Qatari off icials for the co-operation accorded to him.

Tamuq hosts renowned experts at petroleum engineering workshop

he Petroleum Engineering A research breakthrough reservoir and geosciences di- Programme at Texas A&M would be an economic boon to vision, delivered a keynote on TUniversity at Qatar (Ta- the industry. the challenges and develop- muq) recently hosted an inaugu- Industry experts and academ- ment in the oil and gas sector ral research planning workshop, ics from around the world at- and stressed on the need for ‘Current Advancements and tended the workshop, including collaboration between industry Challenges in Multiphase Flow’, head of Texas A&M University’s and academia. to address a major challenge in Harold Vance Department of Jassim al-Khori, asset manag- the oil and gas industry. Petroleum Engineering Dr Jeff er at NOC and SPE Qatar deputy The event dealt with the latest Spath and ConocoPhillips Qatar chair gave a closing talk stressing research and design in improv- president J Todd Creeger. the importance of diversity and ing the conditions of multiphase The workshop discussed how inclusion in all aspects of the oil fl ow in subsurfaces, wellbores Qatar approaches multiphase and gas sector, especially women and pipelines, which would en- fl ow issues, what works and in energy. hance hydrocarbon resources in doesn’t work in Qatar, and the The workshop also initiated the oil and gas industry. current state of research on mul- new collaborations and re- Consensus was also estab- tiphase fl ow. search specific to Qatar’s needs lished among industry repre- Workshop chair and Tamuq and in doing so, exposed stu- sentatives and key stakeholders assistant professor Dr Aziz Rah- dents to current research op- for a centre in Qatar to provide man said: “The workshop agenda portunities. long-term expertise in this fi eld. placed an emphasis on advanced “This workshop is an example Multiphase fl ow is the simul- experimental and computational of the research and educational taneous fl ow of liquids, solids modelling to recreate scenarios services of the Petroleum Engi- and gases in oil and gas recovery from the nanoscale up to the fi eld neering Programme at Tamuq. lines, which can have a negative level. The keynote speakers and Also, we are developing the next eff ect on production. panel discussions addressed how generation of leaders in the oil and The interaction of these phases to enhance hydrocarbon recovery gas industry and workshops like in tight spaces and additional vari- and at the same time mitigate the this allow our students to develop ables such as extreme temperature risks.” their management skills,” added or pressure changes are not fully On the opening day, Thierry Dr Nimir Elbashir, professor and understood and are open chal- Charles, North Oil Company( chair of the Petroleum Engineer- lenges in the oil and gas industry. NOC), vice president in the ing Programme at Tamuq. Participants pose for a group photo at the petroleum engineering workshop.

Thousands throng Indian Community Benevolent Forum’s Labour Day celebrations

ore than 10,000 ex- appreciated ICBF’s eff orts and patriate workers from welcomed the Qatari guests and Mvarious countries par- dignitaries present on the occa- ticipated in the International sion. Labour Day celebrations organ- Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin ised by the Indian Community Hamad al-Thani, director at Benevolent Forum (ICBF), under the Ministry of Public Health the patronage of the Indian em- (MoPH), also graced the event as bassy in Qatar, at Asian Town in a guest of honour. the Industrial Area. He recalled how ICBF had been ICBF presented the event as doing the best in association with an awareness and entertainment the MoPH through various free off ering to the gathering of work- medical camps and initiatives to ers, both skilled and unskilled, build a healthy community. coming from diff erent sectors of He emphasised measures tak- work, and speaking numerous en by the government towards languages. betterment of all communities Educative sessions and pres- equally and wished everyone entations were provided by of- present a great Ramadan ahead. fi cials from the Ministry of Fahmi presented a token of ap- Interior (MoI), including Capt preciation to the MoPH, which Abdul Latif Hussain al-Ali, Hu- Off icials, dignitaries and guests at the event. PICTURES: Nasar K Moidheen was received by Sheikh Dr Mo- man Rights Department; Dr Na- hamed. dir Abbara, Drugs Enforcement Al Fazaa; warrant offi cer Nasser The public event started with a Aff airs (MADLSA), Ministry of pleasure at working hand-in- ices extended by the ministry. Dignitaries present included Department; Khaleel Rashid Farhan al-Rumaihi; and Lt Mo- welcome address by P N Babura- Public Health and Ministry of In- hand with ICBF on all fronts for Al-Obaidly received a memen- the directors of MADLSA de- al-Nuaimi, Civil Defence war- hamed Nasser Khamis al-Jabor, jan, president of ICBF. terior for the support extended to social service initiatives rele- to from S R H Fahmi, fi rst sec- partments Fahad Dhafer al- rant offi cer; Capt Abdul Wa- Search and Follow-Up Depart- Tokens of appreciation and ICBF in serving the community. vant to labour affairs and looked retary (Labour and Community Dosari, Abdulla Mubarak al- hid Ghareeb al-Anazi, Traffi c ment. gratitude were presented to the The chief guest, Mohamed forward to further strengthen- Welfare – Indian embassy ) and Dosari, Mohamed AbdulWahid Awareness Department; Lt Ab- The departments also distrib- Ministry of Administrative De- Hassan al-Obaidly, undersec- ing the ties. the co-ordinating offi cer of ICBF. al-Obaidly, Salem Darwish dul Wahhab Mohamed al-Yami, uted gifts among the audience. velopment, Labour and Social retary, MADLSA, expressed He also spoke about the serv- Fahmi, the guest of honour, al-Mohannadi and Fawaz al- Riyaz; Lt Mubarak al-Mutalaq from the Public Relations De- partment, MoI; Lt al-Yami from Al Fazaa; and Lt al-Jabor, Search and Follow-Up Depart- ment. Nihas Abdul Majeed and Anver Ali Parambath co-ordinated the translating services for their re- spective departments, while ex- tensive co-ordination of guests from all the ministries was done by Faisal al-Hudawi. The other important guests included Indian Cultural Cen- tre president A P Manikantan, Indian Business and Profes- sionals Council president Azim Abbas, ICC advisory committee chairman K M Varghese, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee Has- san Chougule, committee mem- bers of all apex bodies, presidents of affi liated organisations and community leaders. ICBF presented tokens of ap- preciation for the contributions made by various companies and organisations. Musical entertainment was A view of the audience. A cultural show in progress. provided by Latif Mahi and team.